TravelStream™ news feed for member hecqs on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/hecqs en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:32:25 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/32/1259693111/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/32/1259693111/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/32/1259693111/tpod.html Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:32:25 -0500 Swimming with Sharks Around in Grand Bahama

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Hunters, Freeport, Bahamas

Hurricane season is just over and winter is around the corner. Ocean water is getting cold but trust me, the water down here in the Bahamas is only cold initially but it gets warm when you're already in the water.

I just arrived from a sleepless night shift when my sushi friend and another Bahamian chef decided to try fishing for wahoo.

It is almost 10:30 am when we got out to the open water. We were joined by two visitors from Canada. Cruising between depths of 300 to 1000 ft heading west of the island with the boat on planar position at speed of I don't know, maybe 5 or 7 knots or so per hour, we were not lucky enough to hook a single wahoo. Chris decided to head back and on our way back, things just got more exciting.

We spotted a manta ray on a feeding frenzy, but the boat kind of scared him away. It is about an 8 feet wide manta ray. And yes, nobody had the guts to jump into the water, even so we knew that manta rays are not harmful.

We stopped on one dive spot and we started fishing/snorkelling. We caught none and we moved to another dive spot, a shipwreck spot, where dive operators conduct their shark dives. And yes, there are reef sharks, I mean sharks with S.

Chris reassured us that it is completely safe to snorkel in these waters because the sharks are reef shraks and that they stay at the bottom which is about 45 feet deep. With one caution though, don't go too far from the boat.

I jumped into the water, taking pictures of the bottom, the next thing I knew, they were calling me because I am getting far from the boat. I swam back near the boat, still looking down amazed at the experience, FEARLESS.

Just few more seconds of swimming, I spotted a shark attempting to surface, just followed the shark however, it seems like she's pursuing her surfacing....next thing here is Chris ordering us to go back to the boat. It seems like the shark is defending her territory, we got the signal.

We then continued to fish, we caught 2 porgy fishand a yellowtail snapper.. We were entertained by the fact that as we catch fish with our poles, you would actually see the sharks chasing our catch to the surface. Things just got exciting so we decided to fish for the sharks.

We went home to get better hooks and line for the sharks and back to the site.

We were able to hook one but the line snapped and we lost our catch.

We got no more line , so we headed back to canal.

Another exciting adventure.
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Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas

Indeed back to work..... time to think where to go next, any suggestion?

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Fiumicino, Lazio, Italy

Just a gallery of my pictures posing before famous landmarks of Italy.

Notice how I transitioned with my dressing getting Italianized. Cool for me.

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Fiumicino, Latium, Italy

About one hour train using Leonardo da Vinci Express from Roma Termini to Fiumicino Airport, a smooth ride.

At the airport, those departing at T5 will have to go back outside the terminal to take a shuttle bus to T5 (Delta, Continental and I guess all other US bound plane).

First, a line for security....do you have liquids, firearms, bla bla bla....if you say NO, then they will attach a Blue sticker to your luggage without xray or even checking....

Then you go to the check in counter. Check your luggage and get your boarding pass.

Then you pass thru Passport Control.

Then you ride another shuttle bus to take you to your departure gate.

Well, you really need to come 2 hours before your flight.

Addio l'itallia. Alla prossixima!

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Rome, Lazio, Italy

I was in Rome only for the night. Luckily I was able to book a hotel near the train station. I didn't waste time to go to Colosseum. Spanish steps and decided to just spend the rest of my night in St. Peter's Square. Initially, I felt like I was the only tourist there. I took pictures playing with my tripod. Until about 30 minutes later, to my surprise, flocks of tour buses arrived and the next thing I knew, I have to head back to the metro since these other tourists are already in my way taking pictures.

I went to the Republic Plaza. That's when I realized, I think I saw this in Vegas also. It's time for me to eat. I headed back to my hotel and had duck leg in potato and oyster and clam bruscchetta and tiramisu. It's just a matter of time now for me to head back home.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1258830610/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1258830610/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1258830610/tpod.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:13:51 -0500 Invading Europe, Italy for a start

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Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Just a wonder to me.... why are these statues around Neptune looks devlish to me.... based on my knowledge of chemistry, when copper reacts with oxygen it turns green....that perhaps explains the green coloration but I can't understand why they look devlish. I should Google this.
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Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Cominng from Pisa, I went back to Florence, I went around the Duomo and then had snack inside the hostel. Romina and I went to see her friends for mozarella since somebody just came from the south and brought mozarella which needs to be consumed immediately or as soon as possible, hence the get together. It feels like college party this time. Dancing and drinking inspite of the food, I still went home, hungry so I feasted on the prosciutto and lasagna at the hostels vending machine. I also did my laundry while eating and waiting to fall asleep.

The next day is dedicated to strolling and getting Italianized.

I strolled around the city. to the Academia, Duomo, then to Piazza Vecchio, Pote Vecchio, Republica....sampling some panini and gelato and bought replicas of some painting sold on the street.

Later in the afternoon, decided to do some shopping.... souvenirs, Italian jeans, a pair of shoes, a leather jacket since it's getting cold and another travel luggage to put my new Italian stuffs on my way to Rome and then back to home.

Later in the night, I joined Romina and her friends for light dinner and then to the Jazz Club where she sang some blues music.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1257300049/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1257300049/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/hecqs/29/1257300049/tpod.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:50:59 -0500 Invading Europe, Italy for a start

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Florence, Tuscany, Italy

After a hefty breakfast, or call it brunch, I went to Galleria de Academia. I paid the entrance and there I go.... I was greeted by the statue of the Rape of the Sabine Woman. I was not expecting the statue to be there, I thought it is in the plaza. I went here to see the statue of David of the David and Goliath fame which was sculpted by Michaelangelo. As I leave the Sabines room, I was astonished how colossal the statue of David was, at 17 feet tall, standing there in the middle of the hallway, in all his nakedness, being admired by men and women, old and young alike. I was in awe.

I then went to visit the Cathedral (Duomo). I was surprised, there were no pews inside. The paintings at the dome is spectacular.

Heading south of the Cathedral, I met the replicas of David and the Rape of the Sabine Women, there, we can photograph these statues. I bought 3 printed replicas from the street vendor -- the Creation of Adam, the Birth of Venus and a naked woman, all for 30 euros (call it a rip off, but they started selling it to me for 30 euros a piece, but I bargained down to 15, 10 and 5 euros, respectively).

I continued my exploration of Florence by further heading south to the Ponte Vecchio and crossed the bridge. Realizing I do not have much time left, I went back to the hostel and went out again to do some shopping. Get Italianized. I bought myself a leather jacket, a black pair of shoe and pairs of jeans, belt and was given a free scarf.

I was buying this pair of jeans and I tried sizes 48 and 50 and asked the saleslady which is better. She goes for 48, but I prefer 50 because 48 is too fitted for me. When I said I will take the 50, she said "NO" and won't even give me the size 50. Your size is 48, that is Italian dressing. OK, you said it, I took her advise.

In the evening, Romina and I went to see her friends and the to a Jazz Club where she sang 5 blues music. She sings there on Tuesdays. After that, she manage to convince me to stay in Florence until after lunch so that I can taste a Florentine steak.

I decided to stay for another day in Florence to sample the Florentine beef steak thru Romina's convincing.

I started the day visiting the Michaelangelo Park enjoying the Florence skyline, a treat indeed. Then I went back to the hostel to meet up with Romina for lunch.

After two appetizers, steak and a shot of espresso, Romina was kind enough to accompany me to the train station for my trip to Rome.


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Florence, Tuscany, Italy

These are just a collection of pictures of statues seen around Florence. My favorite is the Rape of Sabine Women -statue with two men and a woman carried by one men.
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Venice, Veneto, Italy

After like an AMAZING RACE run to the Trenitalia, I am on board it to Mestra.
There was a strike somewhere so, the train cannot go as far as Venice but to the train stop before it, Mestre.

I took a cab for 15euros.

Attempts to meet up with Cathy was a failure that night. I had calzone for dinner and then went around. Kept walking, got lost and a nice old lady "escorted" me to the Academy Bridge where I took the vaporetto back to Ferrovia Station while raining.

At the hostel, only 3 computers can log on to the wireless. What else to do, but call it a day.

My roommates are from Germany, France (Marco) and Portland (Jeck).







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