mcgoniglejp's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries

mcgoniglejp's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member mcgoniglejp on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mcgoniglejp en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:15:08 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com At the Copa....... — Rio de Janerio, Brazil http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176821700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176821700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176821700/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:15:08 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Rio de Janerio, Brazil

Left Ilha Grande by boat then caught a bus for 2 hours to finally arrive in Rio.We didn´t have much time to get settled in the hotel because we wanted to catch both Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain.  WOW.  We got to Corcavado (CtR) by taxi which was a death ride.  Hilariously funny.  The statue was beautiful and the views over the city were spectacular.  After Christ we took taxis to Sugar Loaf.  We took cable cars to the top.  It was getting dark by this stage and the city was really lit up - it was beautiful and very peaceful.Arrived back at the hotel and went to dinner at a 5 star seafood restaurant which was an experience - every kind of fish and shellfish imaginable was served.  Pretty cool place.  Afterwards we went to the Copacabana Palace which is a huge 5 star hotel for drinks.  Very plush indeed!The next day we headed straight for Copacabana beach.  The waves were huge so some of the boys went in to see if they could surf them with no boards.  It was Sunday morning and the place was jammers.  Great atmosphere and really nice people (they were even selling freshly cooked shrimp!).That afternoon we went to the footballing mecca that is the Maracana Stadium for a cup final between Botafogo and Cabofrienze.  The atmosphere was amazing - never experienced anything like the noise.  The fans are fanatics!!!  And how cool is this - we saw a bicycle kick goal in the Maracana!  Brilliant brilliant day.  Went for dinner later that night to a place called Carretao in Ipanema (which had amazing food - ate like pigs) and ended up in the Irish Bar upstairs (Shenanigans - there had to be one this trip).  Played darts to the wee small hours - great night.Next day we headed to Ipanema beach which was a lot quieter than Copa - possibly because it was a Monday morning but took a walk around the shops and then took a taxi to the Cathedral de Sao Sebastaio.  It's quite a strange conical shaped building (we actually saw it from Corcovado!).  We've never been in a Cathedral like it - absolutely breathtaking.   Later that night we went for dinner again to Carretao - just the two of us - ate so much we were nearly sick but it was a brilliant way to end the holiday.  Boo.The next morning we had to leave Rio to come home and Tracy had one of her feelings that something was going to go wrong.  I finally to accept that everything was going to be okay so imagine what was going through my head as I pushed the taxi up the street in rush hour traffic to try and get it's battery started!!!!  One thing we have to say is that we did overestimate the dangers of Rio.  It is dangerous if you don't check out what to do and where to go first but the people we met were very friendly and it was an absolutely brilliant city to visit.
]]> Party in Paraty — Paraty, Brazil http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176299580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176299580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176299580/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:39:34 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Paraty, Brazil

We left Fos de Iguassu early and got to the bus station.  15 hours on the bus!!! Nightmare but very comfortable and much better than the last night bus we took.We arrived in Sao Paolo and had a few hours wait for our second bus - 6 hours!! to take us to Paraty.  Everyone was very tired but we all got a lot of sleep.Just arriving into Paraty when there was a checkpoint with armed guards (seriously armed - huge guns).  The bus stopped and one of them got on and spoke very seriously in Portugese.  No one knew what was happening.  The next thing we are all being told to get off the bus - men on one side - women on the other.  The men were then put up against the bus with their arms and legs spread and the guards started to search every one of them very vigourously!!  It was bizarre - we were all just woken out of our sleep and this was happening.  Then they put all their day sacks on the ground and got a sniffer dog to smell them.  They checked the bus and everyones luggage then we were allowed to go on.  Very very strange. Arrived pretty late into Paraty and went straight to the hostel.  Very cool place - pretty similar to Colonia.  We all had a shower and got ready for dinner.  Went to a brilliant restaurant with great food and a live band.  After that there wasn´t really much else to do so we all headed back to the hostel and listened to music and chatted until 5.30 am!!!!  Probably the best night so far.  Brilliant stuff.The next day we were all supposed to meet at 10.00 but obviously that didn´t happen.  We didn´t get up until 1.00 so we just took a walk around the place.  Very beautiful - cobbled streets with tiny shops.  Then we went for lunch and walked to the beach.  Just relaxed there for a while then walked around a bit more.  We all met up for dinner again later then bed early - heading to Ilha Grande Island next - can´t wait.
]]> WOW — Fos de Iguassu, Brazil http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176073260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176073260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176073260/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:28:23 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Fos de Iguassu, Brazil

Well we finally made it to Fos de Iguassu!!!The trip was not without its moments though. First of all Argentina is having a dispute with Uruguay so we had to cross the border via boat. The customs leaving Uruguay were really weird - it was basically a run down building with one sitting at a desk. Some people didn´t have their documents and ended up having to errrr pay a fee??? After that we arrived at the other side of the river into Argentina where there were two guys sitting at a desk on top of the steps at the pier who stamped our passports - bizarre!!!!!Finally got to the bus station in Concordia and found out there was a strike and there would be a 3 hour delay so we headed into town for some dinner. It turned out to be a great place and we were slightly sorry to leave. Back at the bus station we were playing poker with a local bum (don´t ask). We then boarded the overnight bus (4 hours after it was supposed to arrive) which was both brilliant and horrendous at the same time. It was more comfortable than any bus we have ever been on with fully reclining seats, pillows and blankets but the toilet was broken and the stench was unbelievable. There was also no toilet roll or water to wash your hands!!!!!!!!!!!! When we arrived we got a private bus over the border to Brazil. Phew!!When we got to the hotel the next day we were overjoyed to find out that it was a brilliant place. Had a quick shower and then took a bus to the Falls. WOW. It was truly amazing even though the weather was awful. The Brazilian side gives you better views of the Falls whereas the Argentinian side gets closer.  The whole falls is about 3km long and the can be between 100 and 300 depending on the weather/time of the year.  Guys we can´t even describe it to you - we´re finding it very hard even to come up with words to tell you how amazing it is.  You just have to stand back and try to take it all in.  We were due to take a helicopter flight over the falls but it was canceled due to the weather.Later on Tracy and I took it easy at the hotel - just had a few beers and played pool.The next day we headed back into Argentina to visit the falls there. Yikes!  We were able to get right above the ´Devils throat´ which is by far the biggest - 80m high and dumping around 900 cubic meters of water every second (I may have got the last fact wrong because I was drunk when was I was told).  Hopefully the pictures/videos do it justice because it was hard to get them with all the spray.We then took  short boat ride to catch some wildlife spotting. We saw some toucans and a cayman.  Really nice.  After lunch we jumped onto a speedboat to go under the second biggest of the falls - San Martin.  It was an amazing experience and we all got absolutely drenched.  Later on we took another walk along the upper walkways for some spectacular views.  It is crazy how close the walkways get to the edge.  Definitely the best day so far on the trip.  Our tour guide Edwardo was brilliant and told us all about the wildlife and plant life in the jungle.  Then we saw spider monkeys in the trees but decided to leave when they tried to come down the trees at us; they were throwing lemons at us - hilarious!  We also saw the Quaty (like a racoon) but very dangerous if they bite.On our last day in Foz we decided to hop across the border into Paraguay.  We were promised really cheap electronics and stuff - but it wasn't that much cheaper and was pretty grotty.  One apartment store had all of the staff (women) wearing the shortest skirts we had ever seen.  Bizarre.  Then when we got outside, all of these guys were offering us viagra, musical condoms, knives, <i>blood pressure guages and socks!  On the whole though it was pretty disappointing.However, after getting back in Brazil, we got the helicopter flight!!!!!  Sweet.  Again, it was spectacular and I got to sit up front! Pictures and videos to follow. 
]]> Is there an Irish Embassy in Beunos Aires? — Colonia, Uruguay http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175448120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175448120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175448120/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:46:30 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Colonia, Uruguay

After the Tango show last night we were pretty knackered so we had a few beers in the cafe next door to the hotel and then headed up to bed early (1.00am).  The next day we were heading to Colonia in Uraguay by ferry.  So we get to the terminal to cross through customs and we couldn´t find our passports and tickets (to get home)!!!! After a few frantic minutes Juan called the hotel to check our room - and luckily they were there.The crossing itself was pretty uneventful after that and we arrived mid-afternoon.  This town is cool - cobbled streets, lovely squares and some realy laid back locals.  Not too sure if you could spend an awful long time there though.  We spent the day exploring the places of interest before heading for lunch in this cool wee cafe (called ´Le Drugstore´ which was a bit strange).  Tracy and I had a huge seafood Paella which was great.  That night we were due to have a bbq on the roof of the hotel but that plan fell through and we ended up getting a lot of beers and just chilling in the sunset.  Sweet.  Later on we all headed to a pool bar.  It was then that the weather turned - and a huge thunder storm rolled in.  It was like a monsoon!  And we got caught in it big style!  Absolutely drenched - but very funny.  I dont think we cared though because we were all pissed (it was 4am by this stage - yikes).
]]> Beautiful Buenos Aires — Buenos Aires, Argentina http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175372400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175372400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175372400/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:39:46 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hello All,Arrived in Buenos Aires first thing in the morning.  Very very tired - long flight!!First impressions were really good.  Spanish was a bit ropey but we managed to get to the hotel and get settled in.  The hotel was right in the centre and was the perfect spot.  Met up with a few guys who were also going on the trip and everyone seems nice.  We thought we only had one night in Buenos Aires so we tried to cram in as much as possible.  We went to Recoleta Cemetry where Eva Peron is buried.  It was amazing.  Very odd place though because all of the coffins are clearly visible within the tombs.  It was raining really heavily and we had thunder and lightening which added to the spooky effect!!  After that we went to La Boca which is really famous here for the football team, the colourful houses and the tango.  Afterwards we headed back to the hotel we took a walk around and saw the Presidential Palace just in time to see him being flown in by helicopter which was cool.  We also visited the congress building.  The architecture here is fantastic.  That night we had our welcome meeting with our trek leader Juan.  He told us that we had two nights in BA but it was just as well because we all headed out for dinner then a bar then a club.  The clubs here open at 2.00 am and go on until 8.00!!!!!!!!  Very heavy night but everyone had a great time. The next day we all got a lie in and just wondered around to see the city.  That night, we went to a tango night!  Oh man it was embarrasing.  We had lessons (which were hilarious), then a meal followed by a professional show.
]]> It´s a hard life — Ilha Grande, Brazil http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176589140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176589140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1176589140/tpod.html Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:28:50 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Ilha Grande, Brazil

Arrived in Ilha Grande late afternoon and first impressions are great.The hotel we´re staying in is class - we each have self contained cabins.  We didn´t have much time before heading out to dinner.  The place we went to was brilliant; we sat and had amazing food with a guy playing acoustic guitar and singing Brazilian music.  Afterwards we headed to the bar (surprise surprise) down the street.  After having a few drinks we all walked down the beach and sat at the end of the wooden pier to see if we could spot any turtles - no luck though just fish.  But it was great just to sit and chat under a brilliantly clear sky with thousands of stars above us.The next day we caught a boat at 10.00 which took us on a tour around the islands.  We stopped and had a BBQ and then went swimming and snorkelling.  The guys played football and the ladies sunbathed (typical) but it was brilliant.  We also had all you can drink caprihanas which is a Brazilian drink made from rum, sugar and lime mmmmmm.  We then sailed to another beach before heading back to shore.  That night before dinner Juan´s trainee Fiorella was leaving to start her own first trek so we had a little presentation for her.  Very sad to see her go :(That night we all went for pizza and were so tired from all the sun that we all went to bed early.The next morning we all got up and left again at 10.00 for a trek to a famous beach called Lopez Mendes.  By trek we mean a grueling 2 hour hike up and down the mountains.  Yikes!!  Absolutely worth the sore legs though - views were amazing and the beach itself was spectacular.  Everyone just lounged around in the sun and some rented body boards and surf boards.  Got a boat back for our BBQ at our hotel that night.  Everyone was in great form that night.  We had beautiful food and loads of caiprihnas.  Island life is so sweet.
]]> Sleepy Salto — Salto, Uruguay http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175813760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175813760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175813760/tpod.html Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:00:27 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Salto, Uruguay

We arrived in Salto after a 6 hour bus journey from Montevideo.  It was plainly obvious that the only attractions of the town were the water parks and the thermal spa.  So that is exactly what we spent two days doing.   Nothing else much to report other than lounging around in the spa for a few hours in the saunas and hot pools and getting massaged for next to nothing.  Got some sun and the water park was good fun but we were glad to be leaving.Didn´t take any pictures - not worth it.
]]> Prison break — Montevideo, Uruguay http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175640960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175640960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175640960/tpod.html Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:34:58 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Montevideo, Uruguay

After a 2 1/2 hour bus ride we arrived in Montevideo - Uruguay´s capital.  First impressions looked pretty good.  A complete world away from Colonia.  Staying in Hotel Iguasu.  Walked around the city to see the sights.  Went for dinner as a group to a little restaurant in the old part.   Nothing much else to report because everyone was quite tired after the Colonia night out!!!The second day we slept late and headed for the big shopping centre Punta Carretas which is a beautiful building.  It used to be a prison!!  We spent quite a few hours there then went back to the hotel and got picked up for the city tour.  It was ok - could have been a bit shorter though.  We got the impression they were filling out the time but it was good to learn the history of the city.Met back at the hotel and went for dinner which was really nice.  A few of us then went on out to a bar and had a few drinks before heading back as we have an early start tomorrow.
]]> The start! — Belfast, United Kingdom http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175184600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175184600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/south-america/1175184600/tpod.html Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:37:28 -0400 In search of Iguassu

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Belfast, United Kingdom

Hey everyone - just a quick entry to start the ball rolling.  Talk soon!
]]> Nei Ho Hong Kong — Kowloon, Hong Kong http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/rtw05/1132978860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/rtw05/1132978860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mcgoniglejp/rtw05/1132978860/tpod.html Fri, 02 Dec 2005 06:33:29 -0500 Tracy and JP's 'Around the world in (just less than) 80 days'

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Nei Ho,Arrived in Hong Kong at about 6.00. By the time we sorted out accommodation etc and got across to Kowloon it was pretty late. When we were about to land and flying over Hong Kong the smog from the place was unreal. One side of the plane was black and the other had blue skies.Checked into the Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel and this place was paradise. Had a bath and changed into our robes, ordered room service and chilled properly - in luxury.The next day we had breakfast and caught the ferry over to Hong Kong Island where we got a bus to Stanley Market. This place was class - spent about 3 hours here. Had lunch and headed to Repulse Bay where we mooched about for a bit. Got the bus back to the centre. Walked about here for a bit and then got the tram up to Victoria Peak. This tram can get you from the bottom to the top in 10 minutes!!!! Seriously steep. If you've ever seen a photo of the Hong Kong skyline then it was probably taken from here. The views are amazing but because it was still daylight the smog covered most of the city, you couldn't get a good photo. We had dinner and waited until it got dark (all the lights were switched on) and then got some brilliant photos. It is a stunning view from this height. Got the death tram back down again and then the ferry back to Kowloon - on the go for about 14 hours so chilled out that night.The next day we got the train to Tung Cheung on Lantau Island and got a bus to Po Lin Monastary. Took about 2 hours in total. Tracy slept again of course. Po Lin Monastary has the biggest seated outdoor bronze Buddha in the world. It was huge. He's called the Tian Tan Buddha Statue. Climbed the 250 steps it takes to get to the top. Walked around the Temple and read about some of the people and scriptures. Not an awful lot of information but pretty cool. Then walked around the top outside. The setting is beautiful and it's really peaceful even with all the tourists there. A lot of people were walking around outside praying.We walked down to the Monastary where we had lunch and walked about some of the gardens - really beautiful. Very relaxing day. Headed back on the bus (we think our bus drivers are bad - you should see these guys). Went downstairs to the bar in our hotel for a few drinks. The views of the skyline were absolutely amazing. Then we went out around the town for a bit of a nosey. Had dinner in Murphy's Bar (a traditional Hong Kong drinking establishment ;) ).Pretty late by the time we got back to the hotel - time absolutely flew in. Really enjoyed Hong Kong - it's a cool place.Had to check out of our hotel by noon but our flight wasn't 'till 11.45PM! We just left the bags in the hotel and went out shopping (Tracy was in her element). Jay picked up a few Cantanoese phrases (Well, when I say picked up, I mean standing with a notepad in a cafe and badgering some poor bloke until he gave all of the necessary info).That night we had dinner in a local restaurant. Beautiful - although Jays was cold by the time he finished (it took him ages to eat the rice with chop sticks).Long day. All that was left was to say good bye (joi gin) to Hong Kong and say hello (nei ho) to a 13 hour flight :(
]]>