THE END!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Samantha's final thoughts
Well, where do I start? Summing up this year is a difficult task.
Firstly, I never thought we would actually do this. We have spent years discussing taking a gap year and travelling the world. But in 2006 when we finally starting reading the lonely planet and formulating a route, I started to believe it was going to happen.
I have had a truely amazing year and I'm still not a great fan of flying. I have visited the most fabulous places, done incredible things and met awesome people who I am fortunate enough to call friends.
To tell you where the best place is or even my favourite place is, is impossible for me. However, the places that surprised me the most are China, Guatemala and to some extent New Zealand - but that's only because they are 2 very different islands which are known as one country.
I have challenged myself climbing glaciers, snorkelling the great barrier reef and climbing the great wall. These are the few that will always stick out in my mind although I know there are plenty more examples.
I have probably tasted more local beers and wines in this year than I ever will again.
I am grateful to our families and friends for their support and emails. Keeping in touch helped me immensely when I was homesick.
I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping this travel blog and look forward to reading through it again when I get home.
And finally to Alan, well what a companion you've been. Generally you've been awesome but at times you did my head in, but to be honest the world tour 2007 wouldn't have been the same without you x
Firstly, I never thought we would actually do this. We have spent years discussing taking a gap year and travelling the world. But in 2006 when we finally starting reading the lonely planet and formulating a route, I started to believe it was going to happen.
I have had a truely amazing year and I'm still not a great fan of flying. I have visited the most fabulous places, done incredible things and met awesome people who I am fortunate enough to call friends.
To tell you where the best place is or even my favourite place is, is impossible for me. However, the places that surprised me the most are China, Guatemala and to some extent New Zealand - but that's only because they are 2 very different islands which are known as one country.
I have challenged myself climbing glaciers, snorkelling the great barrier reef and climbing the great wall. These are the few that will always stick out in my mind although I know there are plenty more examples.
I have probably tasted more local beers and wines in this year than I ever will again.
I am grateful to our families and friends for their support and emails. Keeping in touch helped me immensely when I was homesick.
I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping this travel blog and look forward to reading through it again when I get home.
And finally to Alan, well what a companion you've been. Generally you've been awesome but at times you did my head in, but to be honest the world tour 2007 wouldn't have been the same without you x
Alan's final thoughts
Well the world tour is now over and can categorically say that this has been the best year of my life. We have seem some of the best places, met some really great people and had some unreal experiences.
Even when things have looked bad we were always ready, willing and able to turn them round and make them into positive. Even when we had to return home to replenish fund we lined up new jobs to start in February and I passed my final exam and finally qualified as an accountant.
I think my top three places on the tour were Guatemala, Hawaii and the best place being New Zealand, I can't wait for the opportunity to go back there.
This year has left me with some really great memories, a really long list of place I want to visit or revisit around the world and some really great new friends all over the world.
I would like to thank Samantha for accompanying me on this amazing journey and everyone at home that have helped us and read the blog over the last year.
I would like to thank Samantha for accompanying me on this amazing journey and everyone at home that have helped us and read the blog over the last year.
Our final days
Could we find enough things to do to fill our 4 days in San Jose?
Well, day 1 was spent getting up rediculously early because Lauren had told us her friend was taking her to a fabulous sovenier market. So 7 of us took taxi's to the San Pedro mall when Laurens friend met us, we then took a bus to the Artisan market. This market turned out to be a 10min walk from our hotel. We bought a few pressies for both ourselves and for family back home.
We spent day 2 moving to Costa Rica Backpackers, which is this really cool little hostel in the centre of San Jose. We also did a little more shopping and having a look around the city centre.
On day 3 we went to the zoo, which was very small but some of the animals were in incredibly small cages with no real cover for them to hide from people. Also some stupid people were feeding some of the animals cheese puffs, which we were not impressed by. As it was a sunday, we chilled out by the hostel pool and read our books whilst topping up the tan.
Our last day in San Jose and we tried to find the museum of criminology only to find that it closed down 2 years ago. So we have had an unexpectedly relaxing day by the pool, chilling our, reading a book and looking forward to flying home tomorrow.
We spent day 2 moving to Costa Rica Backpackers, which is this really cool little hostel in the centre of San Jose. We also did a little more shopping and having a look around the city centre.
On day 3 we went to the zoo, which was very small but some of the animals were in incredibly small cages with no real cover for them to hide from people. Also some stupid people were feeding some of the animals cheese puffs, which we were not impressed by. As it was a sunday, we chilled out by the hostel pool and read our books whilst topping up the tan.
Our last day in San Jose and we tried to find the museum of criminology only to find that it closed down 2 years ago. So we have had an unexpectedly relaxing day by the pool, chilling our, reading a book and looking forward to flying home tomorrow.
Goodbye Tucan Tour
When we booked our central america tour with Tucan, we factored in 3 days in San Jose at the end. Even though people have repeatedly told us that San Jose isn't all that nice. So we were left with a little dilemma when we actually found out we had 4 days in the city.
Do we continue on with the tour to La Fortuna, following the great friends we had made, even though it would only be for 36hrs before we had to come back to San Jose?
Well, we agonised over this decision but finally concluding that we were both too tired to contemplate a 4hr bus ride to and from La Fortuna.
The hardest part was telling everyone that Friday night dinner would be our last, after the group had got so excited that we might be staying with them for a little longer. There were tears, hugs and photos!
After dinner we said our goodbyes, exchanged email addresses and promised that we would see them all again.
Do we continue on with the tour to La Fortuna, following the great friends we had made, even though it would only be for 36hrs before we had to come back to San Jose?
Well, we agonised over this decision but finally concluding that we were both too tired to contemplate a 4hr bus ride to and from La Fortuna.
The hardest part was telling everyone that Friday night dinner would be our last, after the group had got so excited that we might be staying with them for a little longer. There were tears, hugs and photos!
After dinner we said our goodbyes, exchanged email addresses and promised that we would see them all again.
Do you know the way to San Jose?
The term "Adventure Tour" started to wear a bit thin after getting off the chicken boat expecting to jump straight onto the bus to San Jose and then finding that they didn't have our booking. This lead to a two and half hour wait by the side of the road not knowing if there would be a bus that we could get on. After hassling the bus company rep a lot she guaranteed that we would get on the 9:20am bus, which didn't arrive until after 10am just as we were started to get really annoyed.
After 45 minutes on the bus we reached the Costa Rica border and unlike the other borders where we pretty much rocked straight through, we all had to get off the bus, line up and get our passport stamped individually. Doesn't sound too bad but we were slow off the bus and this meant we were near the back of the queue and it took us almost an hour to get through. We were pained, by watching some of the others sitting in the cafe on the other side with food and cold drinks (it was really hot and the cold drinks looked so good!).
Once we crossed the border it was a nice five hour bus ride to San Jose. Luckily most of the films they played were in English, which was good except for that fact they showed Evan Almightly which we've seen on this trip about 10 times before.
When we arrive at the hotel thinking our travelling had finished, we were told that we had been booked into their sister hotel just around the corner. So gathering up our bags we all marched around to the new hotel. The only saving grace was that our new hotel was nicer than the original.
We rounded out the day with a really good meal and several beers at Cafe Mundo just across the road from our hotel.
After 45 minutes on the bus we reached the Costa Rica border and unlike the other borders where we pretty much rocked straight through, we all had to get off the bus, line up and get our passport stamped individually. Doesn't sound too bad but we were slow off the bus and this meant we were near the back of the queue and it took us almost an hour to get through. We were pained, by watching some of the others sitting in the cafe on the other side with food and cold drinks (it was really hot and the cold drinks looked so good!).
Once we crossed the border it was a nice five hour bus ride to San Jose. Luckily most of the films they played were in English, which was good except for that fact they showed Evan Almightly which we've seen on this trip about 10 times before.
When we arrive at the hotel thinking our travelling had finished, we were told that we had been booked into their sister hotel just around the corner. So gathering up our bags we all marched around to the new hotel. The only saving grace was that our new hotel was nicer than the original.
We rounded out the day with a really good meal and several beers at Cafe Mundo just across the road from our hotel.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Ometepe
Ometepe - apparently the worlds largest freshwater island, also containing 2 fairly active volcanos and its found in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. We were spending 2 days/2 nights on this lovely little island. We got on a "chicken" boat for the hour crossing to the island but the crossing wasn't as awful as the one to Roatan.
When we arrived at our cabin accomodation (we got a beautiful cabin right on the beach with an awesome view), we were quickly informed that unless you wanted to do the 8hr climb up a volcano or horseriding then there wasn't alot to do here. That really didn't bother me too much as I had my books and suncream.
However, on the second day I thought it might be nice to go for a little horse trek along the beach. Alan signed up as well to keep me company but take a good look at the photo below because 2 minutes after that was taken, I got off the horse and didn't get back on. I've never riden a horse independently before so got a bit scared when the horse decided to go for a little walk around the yard.
So instead of a ride along the beach, Alan and I went for a little walk along the beach instead and saw lots and lots and lots of lizards and and a couple of heron. We also got passed by the horse riding group.
Our time on Ometepe was a truly relaxing experience and we were thoroughly recharged by the time we left. We left the same way we arrived but this time we were in the skoda range of "chicken" boats, seriously the one we arrived on was like a ferrari in comparison. This boat was slightly unstable to be fair - but I had one eye on the life jackets and the other eye on the massive waves threatening to come into the boat. It's an adventure tour!
When we arrived at our cabin accomodation (we got a beautiful cabin right on the beach with an awesome view), we were quickly informed that unless you wanted to do the 8hr climb up a volcano or horseriding then there wasn't alot to do here. That really didn't bother me too much as I had my books and suncream.
However, on the second day I thought it might be nice to go for a little horse trek along the beach. Alan signed up as well to keep me company but take a good look at the photo below because 2 minutes after that was taken, I got off the horse and didn't get back on. I've never riden a horse independently before so got a bit scared when the horse decided to go for a little walk around the yard.
So instead of a ride along the beach, Alan and I went for a little walk along the beach instead and saw lots and lots and lots of lizards and and a couple of heron. We also got passed by the horse riding group.
Our time on Ometepe was a truly relaxing experience and we were thoroughly recharged by the time we left. We left the same way we arrived but this time we were in the skoda range of "chicken" boats, seriously the one we arrived on was like a ferrari in comparison. This boat was slightly unstable to be fair - but I had one eye on the life jackets and the other eye on the massive waves threatening to come into the boat. It's an adventure tour!
Granada
After leaving Roatan we spent pretty much two full days travelling, only broken by an overnight stay in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa.
When we finally reached Granada we found we were staying in the nicest hotel of the trip so far, but before we could get excited we were told the whole town had no water (this was particularly bad because everyone felt minging after a whole day of travel).
After our group orientation walk around town, we escaped from the group to grab a pizza and have a quiet evening.
The next day we opted for a slow day wandering around Granada. After breakfast we headed to the market only to find it wasn't the kind of market we expected, it was a local local market with fruit and veg, very dodgy looking meat and ropey clothing.
After leaving the market we decided to hit the tourist hghlights, that considered of a church tower with citywide views and lake Nicaragua.
On our second day we ventured out on a tour to see the Masaya volcano and the Masaya market. The volcano was quite impressive, consisting of five craters. The largest crater produced so much sulphur gas you couldn't see the bottom. It stank so badly they gave out Darth Vader style masks to people with asthma and other breathing problems.
When we finally reached Granada we found we were staying in the nicest hotel of the trip so far, but before we could get excited we were told the whole town had no water (this was particularly bad because everyone felt minging after a whole day of travel).
After our group orientation walk around town, we escaped from the group to grab a pizza and have a quiet evening.
The next day we opted for a slow day wandering around Granada. After breakfast we headed to the market only to find it wasn't the kind of market we expected, it was a local local market with fruit and veg, very dodgy looking meat and ropey clothing.
After leaving the market we decided to hit the tourist hghlights, that considered of a church tower with citywide views and lake Nicaragua.
On our second day we ventured out on a tour to see the Masaya volcano and the Masaya market. The volcano was quite impressive, consisting of five craters. The largest crater produced so much sulphur gas you couldn't see the bottom. It stank so badly they gave out Darth Vader style masks to people with asthma and other breathing problems.
The market was full of amazing stuff however the traders were not willing to bargain much if at all, limiting our fun and our purchases.
We rounded off the day and our time in Granada with a horsedrawn carriage ride around the city. On our ride we stopped at the oldest house in the city (which looked much like the others to be honest), the fortress where we got ripped off for an entrance fee the guard then pocketed, before visiting the lake (for another exciting look).
We rounded off the day and our time in Granada with a horsedrawn carriage ride around the city. On our ride we stopped at the oldest house in the city (which looked much like the others to be honest), the fortress where we got ripped off for an entrance fee the guard then pocketed, before visiting the lake (for another exciting look).
Roatan
Roatan was going to be our 3night/2 and a half day mini break in the carribean ocean and we were looking forward to it. To get there we had a 5.30am start, 3hr bus ride and then about a 2hr ferry crossing to get there.
The ferry crossing was not good, in fact it was nauseating! I have never seen so many people vomit continuously on a ferry trip. I didn't feel quesy because I have the good sense to take a travel sickness pill before even getting on the boat, but the violent lurching of the boat made me feel dizzy.
Once we arrived on Roatan, we recovered quickly because it looked like paradise. Aquamarine waters and white sandy beaches - just the place to relax and recharge our batteries.
Allison informed us of all the optional activities we could do whilst on Roatan, snorkelling, diving, dolphin show, hiking, fishing and kayaking. Alan signed up for the snorkelling excursion whereas I signed up for sunbathing around the pool and reading my book - very strenuous!
So I enjoyed a very peaceful 3hrs reading and trying my hand at topless sunbathing (shocking!) whilst Alan went snorkelling. He came back delighted at seeing an eagle ray (a bit like a sting ray) and I had less white patches then before.
We spent every evening as a group at the Sundowners Bar, drinking happy hour beers and cocktails whilst watching the most gorgeous sunsets. Unfortunately this can happen when you've had one to many.............
The ferry crossing was not good, in fact it was nauseating! I have never seen so many people vomit continuously on a ferry trip. I didn't feel quesy because I have the good sense to take a travel sickness pill before even getting on the boat, but the violent lurching of the boat made me feel dizzy.
Once we arrived on Roatan, we recovered quickly because it looked like paradise. Aquamarine waters and white sandy beaches - just the place to relax and recharge our batteries.
Allison informed us of all the optional activities we could do whilst on Roatan, snorkelling, diving, dolphin show, hiking, fishing and kayaking. Alan signed up for the snorkelling excursion whereas I signed up for sunbathing around the pool and reading my book - very strenuous!
So I enjoyed a very peaceful 3hrs reading and trying my hand at topless sunbathing (shocking!) whilst Alan went snorkelling. He came back delighted at seeing an eagle ray (a bit like a sting ray) and I had less white patches then before.
We spent every evening as a group at the Sundowners Bar, drinking happy hour beers and cocktails whilst watching the most gorgeous sunsets. Unfortunately this can happen when you've had one to many.............
Copan Ruins
The ruins at Copan are located about 1km outside the town itself and as we had to walk there, we had an early start to avoid the heat of the day.
As this was our third visit to Mayan ruins on the tour we weren't that enthusiastic about it so it was going to take something good to capture our interest and as we reached the gates it started well. They had a whole family of semi-tame Macaw parrots sitting on the fence and in the surrounding trees that caught our attention.
After Saul had finished showing us around we decide we seen enough ruins and headed back to town.
We spent the some time walking around Copan looking around the street market and shops before enjoy a lazy afternoon.
As this was our third visit to Mayan ruins on the tour we weren't that enthusiastic about it so it was going to take something good to capture our interest and as we reached the gates it started well. They had a whole family of semi-tame Macaw parrots sitting on the fence and in the surrounding trees that caught our attention.
As we walked around the site our guide Saul gave us the history of the site and told us about all the archeological excavations that are still taking place. He made it as interesting as he could but my attention soon began to flag.
When we stopped to look around one of the structures, Karen noticed an open tunnel and said we should have a look inside. So Karen and I waited until the security guards looked the other way and then made a dive into the tunnel. Unfortunately I got spotted and stopped before I got down the steps but Karen made it quite far down the tunnel before being pulled out by the same guard (the brief exitement brightened up my day).
When we stopped to look around one of the structures, Karen noticed an open tunnel and said we should have a look inside. So Karen and I waited until the security guards looked the other way and then made a dive into the tunnel. Unfortunately I got spotted and stopped before I got down the steps but Karen made it quite far down the tunnel before being pulled out by the same guard (the brief exitement brightened up my day).
After Saul had finished showing us around we decide we seen enough ruins and headed back to town.
We spent the some time walking around Copan looking around the street market and shops before enjoy a lazy afternoon.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Our New Group
In Antigua we said goodbye to Vivian and Denise and picked up 10 new people.
We are now 7 Aussies, 4 Brits, 3 Irish, 1 Kiwi and a German.
Tomorrow in Tela I think we are picking up another person to make us 17!
We are now 7 Aussies, 4 Brits, 3 Irish, 1 Kiwi and a German.
Tomorrow in Tela I think we are picking up another person to make us 17!
Antigua to Copan
This was going to be a 6hr travel day from Guatemala to Honduras, but the roads this time were quite bus friendly and thankfully not windy so 6hrs went very quickly.
We arrived in Copan by lunchtime and we had a little look around the town. Basically Allison showed us where the bottle shop, restaurants and bars were.
We were picked up by Jesus at 4pm and driven 45mins out of Copan to a hot springs waterfall and pools. We changed into our swimmers and walked across the quite fast flowing river to the waterfall. This pretty waterfall was boiling hot! We sat in this rockpool where the hot water and the freezing water from the river mixed and kind of made a pleasant spa. I say kind of pleasant because the hot, hot water and the freezing water didn't actually mix all that well.
After about 30 mins we walked back across the river and went and sat in the manmade pools, which the locals pumped the hot water into. It wasn't as hot as the waterfall but it was still very nice and even more so when someone cracked open the esky full of corona!
Jesus was in charge of the bbq and once it was dark we had chicken, beef, salsa, roasted veg and garlic bread - it was delicious. The perfect end to a travel day.
We arrived in Copan by lunchtime and we had a little look around the town. Basically Allison showed us where the bottle shop, restaurants and bars were.
We were picked up by Jesus at 4pm and driven 45mins out of Copan to a hot springs waterfall and pools. We changed into our swimmers and walked across the quite fast flowing river to the waterfall. This pretty waterfall was boiling hot! We sat in this rockpool where the hot water and the freezing water from the river mixed and kind of made a pleasant spa. I say kind of pleasant because the hot, hot water and the freezing water didn't actually mix all that well.
After about 30 mins we walked back across the river and went and sat in the manmade pools, which the locals pumped the hot water into. It wasn't as hot as the waterfall but it was still very nice and even more so when someone cracked open the esky full of corona!
Jesus was in charge of the bbq and once it was dark we had chicken, beef, salsa, roasted veg and garlic bread - it was delicious. The perfect end to a travel day.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Antigua - Pacaya Volcano
Even before we got to Antigua we were told the main thing to do there was, the Pacaya Volcano climb. Pacaya is one of the two active volcano's that surround Antigua city and it was my chance to get really close to molten lava.
We had to leave at 6am for the climb and I was up dress and ready to go by 5.45am (Yes I was a little excited). It took an hour to reach the base of the volcano and when we stepped out of the van it was freezing.
As we stood around taking our photos the guide stuck his walking stick into the lava and put out some molten lava which quickly set fire to stick.
It was a really amazing sight and I think it beats both the Hawaii and Tenerife Volcano's hands down.
My day was finished in style when we experience a mini earthquake whilst out at dinner.
When we arrived in Antigua Samantha was a little unwell and decided she did not feel well enough to go on the climb so I had to go alone but luckily most of the rest of the group decided to come with me.
The walk upto the lava was supposed to take three hours and be gentle for the first two hours however, it was actually a hard uphill walk for the first hour and then about another 45 minutes until we reached the lava.
There was a spectacular river of lava flowing down the volcano side, and as we approached you could feel the heat blowing up through cracks in the solidified lava. When we reached the lava flow, I managed to get within two feet of the molten rock but it was so hot my legs were burning.
As we stood around taking our photos the guide stuck his walking stick into the lava and put out some molten lava which quickly set fire to stick.
My day was finished in style when we experience a mini earthquake whilst out at dinner.
New Years Day
We had a lovely lazy start to our New Years day. We went for breakfast at one of the lovely waterfront restaurants and were given one of there best tables overlooking Lake Atitlan. As we had arrived under the cover of darkness the night before, we were stunned at the magnificant view - I could quite happily spend the next 30mins raving about it.
Panajachel is one of about 4 towns that surround Lake Atitlan. Surrounding the lake and these towns are 3 dormant volcanos, which are equally awesome and magnificant to look at.
After breakfast we had a wander around the town stopping to look at some of the stalls, although we had already decided to do most of our shopping in Chichicastenango (aka the chicken market). We found a painting we both quite liked and the guy bargained himself down whilst we were deciding whether to put in an offer. We bought the painting after the same guy chased us up the road once he had thought about our offer.
Our main plan for the day was ziplining across a gorge. There was 6 of us that rode in the back of the pick-up truck out to the ziplining centre. Once we got there we had to sign to say we didn't mind if we got injured and then it was off to get kitted up in harnesses and stuff. I have to say we looked very attractive in our helmets and harnesses.
We then had a 75 metre uphill climb to the first wire, which was the highest. Alan wanted me to go before him but I lost my nerve right at the last minute and decided that ziplining really wasn't for me. Alan went and loved it, I on the other hand was forced to go tandem with our second guide. I was trying to tell the guide I really didn't mind walking back down, when he shouted for me to SIT and then we were off on the wire. I don't think a breathed at all on the first wire but by the time we had completed all 8 wires I was loving it.
I think that has to be our best New Years day ever!
Panajachel is one of about 4 towns that surround Lake Atitlan. Surrounding the lake and these towns are 3 dormant volcanos, which are equally awesome and magnificant to look at.
After breakfast we had a wander around the town stopping to look at some of the stalls, although we had already decided to do most of our shopping in Chichicastenango (aka the chicken market). We found a painting we both quite liked and the guy bargained himself down whilst we were deciding whether to put in an offer. We bought the painting after the same guy chased us up the road once he had thought about our offer.
Our main plan for the day was ziplining across a gorge. There was 6 of us that rode in the back of the pick-up truck out to the ziplining centre. Once we got there we had to sign to say we didn't mind if we got injured and then it was off to get kitted up in harnesses and stuff. I have to say we looked very attractive in our helmets and harnesses.
We then had a 75 metre uphill climb to the first wire, which was the highest. Alan wanted me to go before him but I lost my nerve right at the last minute and decided that ziplining really wasn't for me. Alan went and loved it, I on the other hand was forced to go tandem with our second guide. I was trying to tell the guide I really didn't mind walking back down, when he shouted for me to SIT and then we were off on the wire. I don't think a breathed at all on the first wire but by the time we had completed all 8 wires I was loving it.
I think that has to be our best New Years day ever!
New Years Eve - What a Blast
Our new years eve didn't get off to a great start. The plan was, once we'd crossed the border into Guatemala
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