TravelStream™ news feed for member angelwings on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/angelwings en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:39:22 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203441300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203441300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203441300/tpod.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:39:22 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Bogota, Colombia

Here you find now pictures from the days I am here in Bogota. I like Bogota even it has about 7 millions people leaving here,supposed to be "smoke" highest City but compared to Quito I do not feel so smoked in here.

YOu see some pictrues taken from Monserate, a mountain about 3000m up with a church .This we climbed up yesterday and took us about hour or more. wow, quite tiring I have to say ,but good exercise for the leggs and butt,
you see also some other pictures from the parque Peridoista and if i make some more, soon more
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203089400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203089400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203089400/tpod.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:48:07 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Cali, Colombia

Here you find plenty of animals where we went to kill the Sundays bordom. meant to be the best Zoo in South America.

Even I do not like this places because it is not the way of living for the animals it was an interesting visit.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203271200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203271200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1203271200/tpod.html Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:45:08 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Cali, Colombia

Cali and around. It is a nice temperature here... 30 Celsius...a nice change to Quito were we have an constant temperature of 20, moreor less. I enjoy the days, here you see some pictures of Cali, strolling around, Pictures from some churches, the river, running through Cali and splits Cali into the North and the South side.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200751200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200751200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200751200/tpod.html Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:23:01 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Otavalo, Ecuador

Weekend away again to Otavalo but more or less not for the so favorite Otavalo Market but more to splendid out in nature.After the girls shopped sufficient and haggled down prices we stopped by for a little break to relax with a fresh juice in a Cafe Teressa in Otavalo. After that we made our way to the Cascade en Pechuge, about 15 minutes from Otavalo.

Lot's of nice trees and the refreshing sound of the waterfall, pouring down, who knows how long. Some Ecuadorians jumped into the cooling water to get their hair wet and when I looked down, close to the waterfall, where the water touches the lake, there were to Ecuadorian, a girl and a guy standing there and getting their body cleaned. I watched them for a while, and time passed and it did not look like they wanted to make a move. Well I hope that they got out in the end, must be cold and it was not so hot.

We returned to Otavalo to have some dinner and went out for some drinks were we meet some people form Otavalo.

Next day we went to the Lago San Pablo, which is about 30 minutes bus drive even though an older guy, Ecuadorian told us it would be 3 kilometer from here, wonder where he got his sense of distance.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200147540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200147540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1200147540/tpod.html Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:20:44 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Mindo, Ecuador

Mindo Cloudforrest located about 2 hours from Quito. A place with manifold butterflies, birds and activities like mountanbiking, horse riding, buingon the river and endless sporty activities.The air is clean and fresh and it is great after you stay up so much time in Quito. Arriving there at around 11 we were able to catch a hole lot of the sun, nice temperature. Francis and Julia are two girls I met at the hostel and the rest I met through Francis as she does a volunteer job with them, working with street kids.

After we chilled out while waiting for the 2 American girls arriving we went to the waterfalls. With a jeep we were brought to the spot wee we set over with a cabin, sliding over about 100 meters down over the Forrest.Wonderfully view, green and lushes forest and a nice temperature. This is what you need after a week of smoke in Quito. I now I repeat myself but the contamination here in Quito is really that bad that you are happy to get out to nature. We went down the path to get to a cute waterfall, not something I expected, looked more like a waterfall what still has to grow up to be a big one to impress the visitors who may come here to expect something different as well. But creation of nature and the way the water flows into the river, brings it own meaning to it in its on way. Maybe a nice place to jump into if the sun burns and the skin cries out for water and water to cool down the temperature to a more pleasant grade.

We did not have a lot of time to do one of the better waterfalls, which is a pity...if we would have known that the one we choose is just a little baby waterfall we may have chosen the different path.

The exercise was nice anyway. I filled energized and buzzing from new boost of energy to do more on that. Unfortunately the last cabin goes back at 5pm so we had to return back to the pick up point were we shared a sheep with maybe 20 other people, all squeezed in on the top of the transportable level. One girl and me were lucky to sit in the front, lucky because on our way back it started raining and the journeys took about 20 minutes so we were covered warmly but the other people outside probably would have wished to chosen a different way incoming back or maybe just an experience and a way to save the shower in the hostel. - if you prefer a organic cleansing of the body. At least it saves you time as you do it in one go...Driving back to Mindo's village.

Next day , Sunday the weather did not give us the sunny side and the very fine rain, you all now it, this rain which is so fine that it really stuck on you and you are fully wet. More wet as the clouds would have opened up with thick and naturing rain drops.

Sue a girl from Germany and me choose to try it with horse riding.. The other girls I went with decided to to the tubing on the river.

Dudie my horse was a special.... He but as well as the 2 other horses, with sue and Maria a Swedish girl, where trotting very slowly along the path they may are used to go o daily basis. It was nothing to over exciting as there were no trot or galloping involved but it was nice to get carried away on a horse back while the rain washed away anything what may does not belong to you. We just went for a hour holstering but we were so wet that it felt I had one hour washing outside....and nothing too change. This time for this weekend trip I truly was not organized but that may was I was not so bothered and so it in a very relaxed way. The hostel we stayed in was just 5 Dollars so all in all it was a nice and rewarding weekend trip which you can see some nice picture
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230412800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230412800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230412800/tpod.html Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:24:44 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Ecuador, Ecuador

This afternoon we explored the Panecillo. After taking a taxi from Plaza Granda in Old Town which costs about 5 Dollar but the best and safest way if you want to have a look at the monument of the virgin Maria. Night times have its nostalgia as well, especially with all the lights from old town and the colored lights surrounding the Panecillo.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230470700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230470700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1230470700/tpod.html Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:22:35 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Atacames -, Ecuador

Taking the daily buses from the Estacion Esmeralda's in Quito leaving at 8.25 journey with a 25 minutes breaks in an already nicer and warmer climate, here at this stop I was talking to a father who traveled with the daughter to a playa before Atacames. He was born in Russia but leaves for ages in Ecuador and he send out some warning that Atacames lot's of thief's and that I have to watch my bag and whatever belongings I carry with me... The usual warnings people send out and things can happen everywhere. But it was nice talking to them and after about 8 hours after the bus first stopped in Esmeralda's and then turned back to the last stop in Atacames. Atacames is in the province of Esmeralda's and on the coast. A nicer and hotter temperature which I really needed after lot's of Quito's fresh breezes, rain and cloudy days. Pretty reminds me on Dublin.

After getting out of the bus there where already some guys waiting with their motos, thats a motorcycle with cabin in front of it to bring you to some of the hotels they probably have some special deals with and get a commission but not bad if you do not book in advance... Even though I have to say even the guide was friendly he brought me to 2 hotels where the rooms have no windows. How depressing is that but okey, Heike, as blond as she is toughed vale, it is before new years, it is holiday time, the coast is packed with Ecuadorians and probably everything is booked out so I took the last room, paid the 8 days in advance instead of waiting what I may find the next day. One of the to quick decisions but well so you learn what is the best to avoid and not to do.Some need it this way ;)

Well after leaving my backpack in the hotel room I was eagerly to find something nicer with a window.Staying in a room for 8 days without a window can make suicidal and especially as there seemed to be no travelers around.

So I walked to the beach, ah, nice a sandy beach and it is warm, what else do you want. It is great. I really absorb the late afternoon sun and it heat embracing my body and my whole skin which gives me already a lift up to feel positive that everything will be fine.
I walked along the beach, took a few first pictures and asked in some hotels "enfrente de la Playa" in front of the beach but all responded that during this time they only give the carbines taking up to4 people. Good as a single and solo travel probably a bit tricky., seems like that.

But as there is hope there is always a better option you just have to stay focused so at the end I found a hotel called Europa hotel, just 2 minutes from the beach, with a swimming pool and served dinner and breakfast for extra money. I took the 4floor, good exercise for not doing anything a while. at least I have to step up the stairs to get up and down. This hotel as more friendly and brightly and the accommodation was 15 Dollar per night. Paying for 7 nights got me the 8 nights free which brings me back to a night stay of 12 Dollars.

Great, good next step would be now to get my already paid money back as I am optimistic I focused in receiving it back even it was complicated and the girl who I paid told me the boss would have had the money already brought to the bank (Certainly who believes that. Big lie to a gringo who she may she can fool) but I stayed positive and explained her all in Spanish that I don't like to stay there, without a window. and after I have suggested that she can keep 20 Dollars of my in total 80 Dollars paid, she suddenly had the money. At least something. It could have ended worse and Iwould have lost all my 80 Dollars. But this is a lesson I learned. If I ever book a room again, then for a night and see if I really like it and different option to take.

This little bad after taste was rewarded the next day when the sun kissed me on my face, while waking up in the morning quite Earlie. That it's what I really need. Sun, hot temperature to lift my spirit and to get some energy back.

After I had a tortilla con cameron ...thats like a omelet con king prawns, I left the hotel to tap to the beach. It was already very busy so I walked from one and to the next end where I was stopped by guy's selling boat trips to a rocky island.

Atacames beach is not a long stripe of sand but you still can walk up for about maybe 30 minutes or even longer. But then you are warned, especially as a solo woman walking to both far ends as you may get robbed.

The playa bars, along the playa in a Caribbean style made of wood and with time to chill out and have some nice freshly mixed juice like watermelon,melon, strawberry my favorites by the way and in the night transformed to a buzzing and pulsing line of loud salsa music.One bar louder then the other bar that it is hard to make up to which music you should dance or in all intermingling with all this music that you do not find out what music they play in the bar you are in.

02.01.2008 Mompiche, a mas tranquilla playa in a distance of 2 hours is the totally opposite of Atacames.Very quite and with fewer beach goers it is more a place for surfers to hit the waves which are supposed to be really great here.

A romantic place if you are a couple but for someone alone a bit too chilled that you feel you are on the wrong place.After the weather changed form sunny spells to gray clouds and rain I decided to leave with the soonest bus possible which was just at 4pm in the afternoon. Here I met 2 girls from Argentina, Buenos Aires where I chilled out with and those decided as well to leave with me to visit Atacames.

Times moves on to quickly and before I recognized was time to return back to cold Quito.

I enjoyed it and I only got bitten two mosquito's maybe the Vitamin B 12, the repellent and the talking helped to keep them away.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1198680000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1198680000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1198680000/tpod.html Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:52:10 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Ecuador, Ecuador

Marion, a french girl living in Canada and I decided to go up the Telegrafico but not doing the 3 hours hiking up to the top of Pichincha and a more carried away tour on a horse back. When we reached the point for "caballo alquilar" which means "horses to rent". There were no choice of choosing as there were only 2 horses left...that makes the whole thing far easy to choose and not offend the horses ;). Normally they do horse tours, little one I have to say for in total 30 minutes. We asked for 1 hour to enjoy the fresh air up here. Away from the cont animation of Quito's busy and pulsing traffic which really hits you, especially when one of the buses passes you and releasing black fume out of the exhausted pipe. The afternoon up there was nice, sun and clouds and a fresh breeze, all in one but nice to go a different way or do I have to say carried by the horses back so it not really walking. But we did so after horse riding was finished. I enjoyed it and it is always nice to have nature around.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197723600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197723600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197723600/tpod.html Sun, 16 Dec 2007 18:22:34 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Ecuador, Ecuador

Today I have visited the so popular Market in Otavalo. Otavalo is about 65 km north from Quito and after I took the Trole from the stop Cólon to the Terminal Terrestrial I looked for the the Bus stop Otavalo. After a few minutes searching for how to finally get to the site where the bus would depart a Ecuadorian woman with her daughter seemed to have the same problem and after she asked a security guy who pointed to the steps, climbing upstairs the woman apparently did not trusted him as she looked for a different way. Well, I climbed the stairs up and it was the right way to go as it brought me straight to the "Parada" where a bus approached , a man shouting "Otavalo" "Otavalo" . The way the do it here so you know where the buses goes and stops as well.

I entered the bus stop and sat in a raw where I met a Scottish woman, visiting the Otavalo Market too.

The Journey took about 2,5 hours while they should us the DVD with "American Pie" in Spanish. Also I am not able to understand completely the movie was a funny entertainment throughout the bus continued to Otavalo.

At around 11.30 we reached the Terminal in Otavalo and I got out. Here ...so I thought I went to a place where I saw lot's of people, when the bus entered the village.

As I recognized quickly, by all the animals and the not pleasant odor it was the animal market. I kind of lost my appetite and biting in my role of egg and tomato sandwich, as the smell really was not nice to have the stomach filled.

Well off I go, asking a Canadian Guy from Quebec, if he would know where the market exactly is, we continued the way together and strolled around the market.

I purchased some things and the hagging went fine for me. I think you have to be in the mood to haggle but it is really expected and who pays the first price they vendors offer has not made a good deal. Nevertheless even you think you bargained well, I presume, the deal they made is still well so you do not need to have a bad consciousness to have not paid enough for it. I enjoyed it and when it was around 4 pm I took the bus back to Quito. I would not like to arrive too late as the Terminal Terrestrial is supposed to be not very safe, especially after sunset.

As I have known it before, there where some problems while I drove back to Quito. The bus had to stop halfway through as one of the tire did not want to play along and thought it would give it a rest now in the middle of the know where. So we had to stoop and the driver and the crew changed the tire taking up some time but then without problems continued and by 7pm or even earlier I was home in the hostel again.

Otavalo was nice, not so busy as Ihave thought it would be but this more an advantage:)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197147420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197147420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/angelwings/south_america/1197147420/tpod.html Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:31:41 -0500 The Spirit of South America

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Ecuador, Ecuador

The weekend trip comes to an end and after turning our backs to the Cascadas de San Rafael we step back into our little tour bus and continue our journey back to Quito. Again a sunny day and promising for some golden rays to catch.

As the path is quite rocky and bumpy the driver can't continue further so we get out of the bus to move our sore legs to walk up to the bottom of a different Cascade (Waterfall) and the river, called "Rio Malo" running along. (Rio Malo means bad River) ...well it was friendly today so we strolled around to come to this powerful waterfall. Magnificent. if we stand so close and you here the sound the water creates you forget everything around it and you absorb the clear cooling water sprinkles splashing out from the the waterfall.

Me adventurous enough,step by step, walk through the watery grass, good that my hiking shoes are waterproofed. Okay, now... I am close enough, stopping and standing on some little rocks, dividing me from the waterfall which is about 20 meters apart from me, between us the lake floating into the River Malo.

I take deep inhales to absorb the pure and clean air filled with the Waterfalls power and it almost takes away my breath. It is purely breathtaking in a positive and inspirational way to perceive creative ideas like getting ready to start painting again. Holding this moment and brush it with some oil and acrylic colors into a canvas.... I would love to start painting but well, traveling and a rucksack is not enough room to take in everything you like to do.

After we had enough of the Rio Malo and our driver waiting already for us we sat back in our seats and I listened to the monotone motor lulling me into a relaxed state, stretching my legs which I already felt by now wondering how much more will come. The Cascade de San Rafael was an exercise, a good one, all pain will do. It was rewarding enough to view the Cascade and enjoy the day in nature with the blue and sunny sky. Around 6pm we ended up pausing at the same place in the same restaurant from the Papallacta thermes. By the time we finished our dinner it was dark. By now means, me thinking well we should be back soon enough was mistaken.... it got very foggy, especially because the Papallacta lays in a higher altitude and surrounded by mountains it certainly creates the foggy mist, crawling up holding more or less the gas pedal on a very slow move. It was really that thick that you not even could look 1m ahead. Maybe 10cm? But all bad has an end and after about 30minutes we had again clear view and a smoother road underneath our bus tires. No bumping and shaking and wondering when may the stomach starts to to revolt or not play along well. To my surprise my stomach kept silent and I had no problems at all. Around 9pm I was back in the hostel, having a hot shower and relaxed in my bed for the next day to come
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