TravelStream™ news feed for member katherine1965 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/katherine1965 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:17:57 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1246144725/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1246144725/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1246144725/tpod.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:17:57 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cochabamba, Bolivia

It was a very early start to make the 7am flight. We got picked up by the taxi and after checking in, there was even time for us to enjoy a rather expensive orange juice and empanada/muffin in the departure lounge. Yet another flight with many people wearing masks.

Arrived in Cochabamba at 7.30 and waited until 8am for May Kristin, but she wasn't there. So we took a taxi to the collectivo station, bought tickets and provisions and got straight on our way. It was a bit cramped, and the minibus drove fast downhill on a winding, bumpy road. Not too comfortable, but for 20 kroner you can't complain! The view was spectacular as it changed from highland area to tropical rainforest, althouth our view was bit blocked.

We were surprsed that the trip only lasted 3 hours and were a bit dazed when to got out of the van at Villa Tunari. A taxi took us to the hotel, El Puente, 4 km outside town. It was set in the most beautiful tripical gardens. We rested in our room and then went for a walk through the forest to the stream. There were loads of ants, carrying heavy loads and we enjoyed studying them, and we were constantly amazed by the butterflies.

We enjoyed dinner at the lodge and then relaxed in the hammocks. We also started to play Backpacker, but unfortunately I started to feel unwell and was cold, and needed to go to bed. Paul Eric kindly came with me and read from his computer magazine before we slept early.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245971845/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245971845/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245971845/tpod.html Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:52:21 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

La Paz, Bolivia

Early in the morning before the sun was up the taxi was at the hotel to pick us up. The flight was at 8am and we aimed to be there by 7am. One thing that is strange in South America is having to pay the airport tax separately from the flight. For international flights it is quite expensive. We were so deligheted to see our friends from Norway arrive from La Paz and we could wave and signal to them through a glass door in the departure lounge. This was the group that we were to meet later.

At el Alto airport we were met by a taxi driver that had been sent specifically for us by Loki. We had heard stories of kidnappings, so it was good to be extra safe. On the way from the airport, the driver had to stop for a routine police check on the road, and so we got our first view of La Paz down in the basin, and were able to take pics. Here are two pics of views on the way, one of which is the presidential palace, the home of Evo Morales.

The Loki building which was formerly the grand Hotel Vienna was being restored, and we had to step over rubble and mind our heads on the way in. Inside was large and basic, but with everything we needed from internet to a travel bureau. Our room had little furniture, but it did have big, comfortable beds with Norwegian-style duvets. We also found out that they had an oxygen bar with a menu of all the available scents. Although we had taken medicine and were therefore not suffering from altitude sickness, we wanted to try the novelty of aromatherapy oxygen intake: lavender, raspberry, camomile and all sorts. It was wonderfully relaxing!

After a rest we hit the tourist part of town, which was a 10 minute walk. On the way we found a shoe-shop, and I found just the pair of shoes I wanted at a great price. Unfortunately, they didn't have bigger than size 40, and this turned out to be the case everywhere. I suppose we are a bigger race! Passing the beautiful San Fransisco church and negotiation the hilly roads, we came to the souvenir area where we bought a few items and viewed the souvenirs like Pachamama statues and dried llama fetuses. (These apparantly bring good luck if you put them under the foundation of your new house!!)

We also visited the Coca museum which gave a splendid explanation of the use of the coca plant from ancient times until the present day. It has been and still is a very important part of Andean culture, helping against altitude problems and acting as a stimulant in much the same way as coffee. It was unfortunately exploited by the spaniards to keep the indigenous people working hard down the mines, and of course by the western drug industry. I chewed a few leaves in the café and sampled the coca biscuits, and I can't say I liked them - tastes like hay!

We really enjoyed eating out again, and Paul Eric was able to do all the ordering of food in Spanish. Later that evening we enjoyed snacks in the huge café at the hostel.


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248642180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248642180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248642180/tpod.html Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:59:17 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cusco, Peru

This was the last and the greatest day of the Inti Raymi festival, which we had come to see. The final day of the Inti Raymi is the winter solstice and is a huge pageant and theatrical production depicting the Inca culture and rituals, especially sacrificing to the Sun God up on the old Inca ruins of Sachsayhuaman (pronounced sexy woman, believe it or not!) The pageant is in the ancient language of Quechua (still spoken today) and comprises three acts. Act one is in the old temple of the Coriancha, act two is in the Plaza de Armas which was formerly also a central place for the Incas, and act 3 is at Sachsayhuaman.

It is at Sachsayhuaman that the production reaches a climax and is most spectacular, with the Inca king sacrificing a llama and interpreting the signs of its entrails. Following that, there is spectacular dancing etc. The tickets for this proved too expensive for us, being nearly kr.1000 each, including lunch, transport and a guide. However, we got a fantastic view of the events at the Plaza de Armas from the second floor of the restaurant, Sumaq Grill where we had eaten the day before. Here is a picture of me and Sonja, a lovely Peruvian-American lady we met there. She had reservered the place by the window, together with her family, but kindly allowed us to enjoy the spot with her.

As we enjoyed drinks and salteñas, we witnessed the following scenes which were truly colourful and splendid :

Being culture vultures, we followed this by a trip to the Inca museum, which was just up a small hill. It was quite interesting, although not spectacular. There was a lovely, sunny courtyard in the centre where we rested in the sunshine, artisan shops on the second floor and a weaving cooperative.

After, we continued to ascend the hill where we found a nice place for lunch. It was just warm enough to eat in the garden. We ordered soups, grilled Alpaca and pizza. Lovely! Then for a bit of outdoor shopping on the way back to the hotel. Here Paul Eric watched TV while I took care of some internet correspondance, and then went to view the inside of the spectacular cathedral. The cathedral consisted of three churches, each containing spectacular art work and ornate shrines. Very interesting was the paining depicting the Last Supper where Jesus and the disciples were eating not lamb, but chinchilla! (Never come across that translation of the Bible before!)

In the evening we explored another area, going up to the Plaza San Fransisco. We had fun watching the robot man who was very inventive and ntertaining. We also enjoyed looking at some spray painings and eating at a tropical fruit bar, where we had a massive fruit cocktail with honey and yoghurt.

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248198881/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248198881/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248198881/tpod.html Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:36:37 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Orlando, Florida, United States

We both woke up early and decided to get up. In Paul Eric's case, this entailed going to the bathroom and then getting back in bed to watch TV. However, we were soon enjoying a big, American breakfast - you know, the healthy kind, like waffles, sweet banana bread, fruit loops, syrup, doughnuts, cakes and peanut butter! lol!

How we enjoyed the pool that morning, swimming and playing in the hot sun, and then looking around the tropical garden, trying to catch the many lizards (without success).

Then came the trip to Walmart, which was now becoming an annual tradition. Even though the return taxi fare was 20 dollars, I am sure we still made a saving compared with European prices. Paul Eric got his hair cut there first, and then we hit McDonalds. Satisfied, we began the fun but tiring ritual of roaming the huge store, picking up necessities (and non-necessities), while exclaiming, "Wow, look at the price of that: That would cost ***** in Norway!" Then, in the trolley with it! Yet somehow, I don't think hot barbeque sauce and honey mustard were the ideal items to carry around south america with us!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248297254/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248297254/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1248297254/tpod.html Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:20:37 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Orlando, Florida, United States

We woke up early. I used the computer in the lobby, and then we met for breakfast at 7.30. The hotel shuttle didn't go very often, so we were on the bus by 8.30, and it only cost us 6 dollars each, return. The vehicle was a bit old, but we didn't mind, since it had air-condition and a very friendly driver. Also friendly were the two women, mother and daughter, who chatted to us on the bus. They were from Indiana, and made an annual trip to Universal, where they played just like two teenagers! By the time we arrived, I was wondering if they were employed by Universal as promotion agents!

Arriving at Universal, we walked through the City Walk area, full of shops, restaurants and entertainment, and then found the route to the park. It was remarkably quiet, but then I remembered it was early on a Sunday morning! Even at this time, it was incredibley hot!

Also hot was the Simpson ride, which we took twice. As you can see, the Simpsons are a favourite with Paul Eric.

By the end of the day, we had taken all the rides, and crowned Revenge of the Mummy as the best. Paul Eric had overcome his trepidation and went on it 3 times! He also enjoyed shooting aliens on the Men in Black ride, and of course he got the highest score!

Thankfully, one could take a refreshing shower in a coke bottle. We also bought a meal deal, where we could eat all day for 20 dollars. Quite economical when you spend 12 hours there!

Some of the shows were good too, like Beetlejuice Rock, Make-up Horror Show, Terminator, Shreck, and the very best, Animal Actors!

When the bus finally picked us up, we were exhausted, and enjoyed cold drinks and a relaxing evening before bed..


]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/1/1203689460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/1/1203689460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/1/1203689460/tpod.html Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:37:28 -0400 3rd time Tunisia - and on to Poland

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Warsaw, Poland

I'm writing this a year after the event, so I can't remember exactly the order of things, but anyway......we headed for the old Jewish ghetto, where we found the only remaining synagogue from war times. Naturally, security was quite tight, and it was fascinating to walk around the synagogue, viewing the place and objects of worship downstairs, and the display of photos from war times at the exibition upstairs. There were no other visitors at the time, and I asked the rabbi a few questions about the Jewish community in Warsaw. Unfortunately, I can no longer much of what he said. There was a shop connected to the synagogue, and we went in and bought a few items. The shop-keeper was very friendly. Paul Eric sat down, and some American orthodox Jews entered the shop. The conversation was in English, and I understood that the shop-keeper was going to show them around the city. They asked Paul Eric if he was Jewish. I replied, "No, but we love Israel". They seemed happy with that. After, the shop-keeper told us that if we wanted to see the city another time, he would show us.

Following this, we wandered along the road, and found a trendy café where we bought drinks. The café was full of books, photos and memories from the war, and just about everyone who came in was Jewish. They certainly don't forget the past here - and that can be a good thing!

Also that day, we visited a covered market that had been recommended by the youth hostel as "typically Polish". Most of the clientelle appeared to be middle-aged, and it was fun to see the things on offer. I bought a wonderful warm skirt and shawl at great prices.

After watching a video about Warsaw's history at the youth hostel, and relaxing, we made our way by bus to Blue City, a gigantic and modern shopping centre, which seemed to have everything from entertainment, go-karts and the sale of animals. There were many good deals here, and we enjoyed a great BBQ for two at a restaurant, with desserts.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245799025/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245799025/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245799025/tpod.html Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:03:59 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Cusco, Peru

It was hard to drag ourselves out of the comfortable beds after only 3 hours sleep, but the excitement of reaching the Andes drove us on. Within a few minutes we were ready and were driven to the airport. The flight was fine, and we were thrilled to catch our first view of the Andes as the airplane broke through the clouds over Cuzco. Spectacular!

We felt the cold at 7.15 am as we got off the plane, although the sun was shining. We also felt a bit dizzie and out of breath because of the altitude and took the walk to the terminal building slowly. I was very glad that we had taken medicine to combat altitude sickness. At first, we couldn't find the lady who was supposed to pick us up. As we exited the airport building, we saw rows and rows of police with weapons and body shields, and understood that it had to do with the protests and road blocks throughout Peru, due to farmers' demonstrations over the nationalizing of their land. Very understandable! The porter escorted us to a locked gate, which a guard unlocked and there, outside was "our lady". She stopped a taxi, and we drove to the hotel in the city centre. She was a very nice person, friendly and good at English, and pointed out many places of interest on the way. One thing that made an impression was all the stray dogs everywhere.

It was a small, comfortable and pretty hotel, although very cold. After consuming our first cup of coca tea, which helps against the altitude but doesn't really taste very nice, we went to our room for a sleep. That's when we decided to ask for extra blankets for the night! Strange how none of the hotels we were to visit had heaters! Paul Eric needed a little more time to rest but I was eager to explore the area. The pretty street with cobbled stones was full of artisan shops, and I soon found the way down the small hill to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, the very centre of Cuzco. After seeing alpacas, people in traditional costumes, street sellers and witnessing the festivities of the Inti Raymi festival, I rushed back to the hotel as fast as my lungs would allow, and excitedly told Paul Eric about all he was missing. We had a great time together, looking around, buying woollen hats, gloves and a jumper, enjoying the processions and eating at Sumaq Grill, where Paul Eric had chicken, and I had marinated alpaca. We also discovered the Inca Kola, a bubble-gum flavoured yellow drink, which the lady selling woollen hats and gloves had told us about. How we enjoyed the evening, with street music, crowds and street food - empanadas, meat and potato on a stick, candy floss etc.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245712595/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245712595/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245712595/tpod.html Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:19:39 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Lima, Peru

Amazing how much we managed to pack into this day: I started at 6.30 on the computer, and met Paul Eric for breakfast at 7.30 - the usual healthy stuff! After that, there was time for a last swim before the heavy job of packing. We checked out and left our stuff in the hotel luggage room, and walked in the heat to Florida Mall, about 10-15 mins. It was almost too much! We love this place with all the variety and some low prices. Here we managed to get some cool shoes for Paul Eric with suitable socks, and something to read for the journey - a PC game magazine!

On the long, hot walk back to the hotel, we picked up some food and just had time to eat it before the taxi arrived at 13.15.

All went fine at the airport UNTIL Copa announced they had some technical difficulties and the flight was delayed by 1.5 hours. That meant we wouldn't make our connection in Panama to Lima! Where would we be sleeping that night, I wondered?

Fortunately, the airline company was ready with our new boarding cards as soon as we got off the plane. We didn't have long until the next flight, but I had to ring the youth hostel in Lima and inform them that we were late. At the gate, I inserted my credit card in the phone, only to find out it was meant for phonecards, and NOT credit cards. It was stick! Thankfully, the flight attendant was able to use a clip to pull it out, and then there there was just enough time to use my quarters to deliver the message before boarding! Thank God!

We arrived in Lima at 00.30, and a young girl was there to meet us. We had to wait for the pick-up, but in the end a man from the youth hostel, Pay Purix picked us up in a wreck of a car. It was a 5-minute drive to the hostel, where Erick Paul met us. We were tired and wanted to go to bed, but he was a lovely guy who started to tell us all about the hostel and himself, his hobbies and the Inca symbols he had painted on the wall. We decided that was all part of the fun, and chatted with him before crashing into bed for a 3-hour sleep. We promised to send Erick a flag of Norway for his collection.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245453360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245453360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245453360/tpod.html Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:40:06 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Orlando, Florida, United States

The day started with a traditional English breakfast, before the airport shuttle returned us to Gatwick airport for our flight to Orlando.

The flight was 2 hours delayed, but in the end we joined the hundreds of British tourists at the gate. It was a big, two-storey jumbo, and had we known how long the queue was, we wouldn't have needed to take the escalator to the gate, only to walk all the way back again to the end of the queue, and the start of the escalator!

The flight was pleasant, though long - 8.5 hours, and we both entertained ourselves with films. At last we arrived at the home of "the Mouse", and braved the intense heat outside where we got a taxi to our hotel. The driver told us that the 36 degrees we were experiencing was above average for the time of year.

"Honey" was the name of the receptionist, who was super-friendly and helpful. Needless to say, she was used to people making jokes about her name, and we were no exception. She laughed, good-naturedly. Leaving the cool of the building, we ventured again into the heat to find our room, which in typical American style, was large, with a queen bed EACH and all ameneties. Paul Eric found the TV switch - what a surprise!

In the early evening, we ordered chicken barbeque pizza and drinks, and had time for a very welcome dip in the pool first. Then we ate our meal outside, before collapsing into bed, at what would have been 3am in Norway. Goodnightttttt!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245366935/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245366935/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/katherine1965/2/1245366935/tpod.html Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:38:19 -0400 Journey to Bolivia, and a bit more!

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

London, England, United Kingdom

The trip we had been planning for so long was finally about to begin, and with much anticipation, prayers and good wishes, along with two full back-packs, we set off for the airport. Our friend, landlord and future travel companion, Kjell Ove, accompanied us to Sola airport in my car, so he could drive it back. Apart from leaving my mobile in the car, all went well and we had soon checked in.

It was an evening flight, and we arrived about 8.30 pm, bought some sandwiches and rang for the free airport shuttle. The Indian management was prompt and after a 5 minute drive, we were happy to get into our room. Paul Eric found the beloved TV, while I managed to check in online for the Virgin Atlantic flight the following day, using the computer in reception.

We slept well, although I did dream of missing the airport shuttle and Paul Eric somehow losing all our dollars!
]]>