TravelStream™ news feed for member mimmy21 on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mimmy21 en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:56:12 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1230022020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1230022020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1230022020/tpod.html Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:56:12 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Chiang Mai, Thailand

I am in Chiang Mai for the longest out of all my stops in Thailand. When l was researching what there was to do in Chiang Mai a few months ago l was overwhelmed by the number of activities and courses you could do. So l decided to spend 5 nights and 6 days exploring Thailand's second biggest city. Day 1:Luckily for the first day Jo was still with me and we sluggishly got up at 6 am and took the 3 hour bus ride from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. We arrived and instantly realized just how small Chiang Rai was incomparision to this large and spread out city. Having checked in to our accommodation and getting ourselves some much needed Wawee coffee we managed to find probably the most friendliest song thew driver around (Mr Chang...which in Thai translates as Mr Elephant) who took us up Chiang Mai's mountain to the Buddhist temple Doi Suthep. Just the song thew drive up the mountain was an experience in itself as we passed beautiful rain forest and waterfalls and began to realize just how high this mountain was as the view got more and more impressive. When we reached the top of the mountain we then had to climb up the numerous stairs which l lost count of to reach the temple. The stairway incorporated a very impressive dragon body railing all the way to the top. Once we reached the top l realized that l had not dressed appropriately to enter the temple grounds but luckily they were used to naive falang (tourists) like myself and l got to dress up in a funny sarong and shawl and Jo got to wear fisherman pants over a skirt. Inside the temple grounds we witnessed the numerous and vast offerings that the Thai people were presenting on what seemed to be a Thai pilgrimage to this temple. The offerings included Flowers, candles and incense so consequently the whole place gave me a bit of headache due to the incense surrounding me everywhere. The view was impressive as were the numerous temples that surrounded that mountain, but l think the most fun thing was ringing the numerous bells around the grounds. There is alot about Buddhism that l am yet to understand and l am asking alot of questions so that l may understand this widespread religion l guess you would call it in Asia. After collecting the sweetest pineapple, strawberries and watermelon at the bottom of the temple we made our way back down the mountain where l soon had to say goodbye to Jo. Luckily l soon met my dorm room friends for the week an Irish girl Jacinta and Welsh girl Sarah and immediately l didn't feel like l was going to be alone for Christmas. After getting some local Thai green curry l met up with the girls and went shopping with them around the area we are staying which l guess you could call the Beverley Hills of Chiang Mai and therefore we were shopping on Rodeo Drive. After a much needed sleep l was ready to go see the sights surrounding Chiang Mai the next day!Day 2:Wow! This was a HUGE day! Jacinta and l both wanted to visit Tiger Kingdom where you can get up close to the tigers there and so l decided to ring Mr Chang and have him be our song thew driver for the day. He picked us up and we firstly made our way to Tiger Kingdom where we decided that the big tigers were a little to scary for us and so we went and played with the baby cubs who were two months old. They were very sleepy when we got there but soon a few of them got playful and we had to watch out for those claws as the playfully wrestled with one another. Yes it was very cool to get to touch a baby tiger and l did it because like the Elephant ride it is something l will probably never get to do again. But once l got in there l felt so sorry for them especially the large tigers which were in tiny cages and seemed very sedated. I have decided no more animal rides or zoo like shows for me. The fact that l am allergic to cats and started to sneeze alot after touching the tigers also helped with that decision! After Tiger Kingdom we visited the beautiful orchid farm and saw a butterfly enclosure as well. We then headed to the village of .....which is famous for the umbrella craft the locals have made famous. It was interesting seeing the local craftsmen and women at work making the umbrellas and their frames. I just couldn't resist buying one even though l promised myself l wouldn't get sucked in! And l am now wondering how l will go carrying around an umbrella for the next few weeks and getting it through Australia custom's as well!! We then went to a few other factories and watched the craftsmen make beautiful lacquer pieces encrusted with shattered egg-shells and we also visited a Jade and silver factory where l couldn't again resist the cheap Baht prices. It was a long day and it was about to get longer. I got back in time to the hostel to be picked up by another taxi which took me to the very large orphanage Apage. I had heard alot about this orphanage, which also was created for HIV orphan's. This was very different from the one l visited in Chiang Rai which only housed 12 children while this one housed over 75! When l arrived it was right before dinner time and was therefore playtime! The play was aloud with laughing and playing children and it felt like l was back at school in the playground. I was rather overwhelmed with the sheer number of children and the facilities of Apage. The place was huge and really stood out in the area. Jo one of the American volunteers who has been there for 10 years showed me around for the next two hours and answered my multitude of questions on caring for HIV children etc. I then got to meet and play with some of the toddlers before Jo took me out for dinner near my hostel where he shared his story and his heart for these children. I felt privileged that he did this and really cherished the stories that he told me which left me very close to tears for most of the three hours we sat and talked. It's wonderful to hear that alot of the children are no longer dying from the disease as the Thai govt is now giving the much needed medication out for free. Jo told me of one year where over 15 of the children passed away and how it was one of the hardest years of his life. When l played with the toddlers l got to play with a boy who was two and had only arrived a week earlier. He was tiny for a two year old and had not really smiled since he arrived. So l naturally made it my mission to make him smile during my visit and l surprisingly succeeded! I also got to hold the most precious two month old baby Thai girl who was also only bought to Apage a few weeks earlier. She absolutely broke my heart and was hardly any bigger than the length of my arm. Jo told me that the children are health wise improving significantly and they are now starting to have to deal with teenagers and the drama's they bring for the first time. I am so glad that l visited Apage. The children and Jo opened my eyes and ears to alot of things that we can easily push out as it can be so overwhelming. My passion to work with disadvantaged children has been even more ignited with my visit to Thailand. I know just have to wait and see where l am led to go. Day 3/Christmas Eve After the huge previous day l decided why not do a double whammy and take a Thai cooking class for the day! What a fun and filling day it was! I decided to go to Smart Cooking school where l got to pick what 5 Thai dishes l wanted to cook for the day. As the class was so small l got heaps of one on one attention and was able to work out how to substitute the meat and constant use of seafood and fish and oyster sauce for vegetarian friendly food. Over the course of 6 hours l made Tofu and Vegetable soup, Papaya Salad, Spring Rolls, Pad Thai, Thai green curry where l made my own paste and the delicious dessert banana in coconut milk. I enjoyed every moment of the course except for the 30 minutes it took my right eye to recover from getting a piece of red little chili stuck in it!! I can safely say that it killed and burned alot! I have now learnt my lesson never to crush the paste but to use the trusty food processor....much safer!! I now have tons of left overs to eat for Christmas day and l am armed with a great cookbook which l look forward to using back home.Day 4/Christmas:This was probably the most interesting and different Christmas l have ever had. I woke up and somehow ended up watching Star Wars 1 on Christmas morning! Not exactly what l had planned to do...but l had to admit to the some of the Sci-Fi fans in the hostel that l had never seen any of them so l thought why not. They of course did a Star Wars back-to-back reruns all day long. One was more than enough for me! So l then went and bought myself a raspberry smoothie down the road and called my family on Skype. It was pretty strange as my Dad managed to hook up the web cam so that l was at the end of the Christmas dinner table and l was surrounded by my whole family eating Christmas desert! So it felt like l was actually at the table with them all for 20 mins only l could not eat any of the yummy food that was starring back at me through the computer monitor. It was pure torture! The rest of Christmas afternoon was spent shopping with Emmy my Dutch friend and buying up gifts for family and friends for the next year. The hostel then put on a free BBQ dinner with fabulous mashed potato's and salad. We all sat outside listening to two of the guests who were touring musicians play the guitar and we had a lovely sing-song in true Christmas style. It was then time to take part in our Secret Santa...which was the funniest Secret Santa l had ever seen. I received a "love-making" bundle which l found out was from the hostel's host who was so proud of all the thought he had put into it. I really appreciated the thought put into it as well...however l could hardly use anything put the mints and coffee satchels that it contained...and l was soon giving out whiskey, cigarettes and a lighter and some other things the package contained to the delight of the rest of the guests. Some of the presents received were pretty random...one poor guy only got a pen! And no there was nothing special about it...it was just a pen. But the majority got alcohol so the night started to get cracking. Our host then took us to the hipest place in Chiang Mai to go see live bands....Riverside Bar. The two bands were excellent but l think the highlight of the night was the transportation to and from the bar. We somehow managed to fit 19 people in a song thew with all us girls and Noom our host sitting on the guys laps and then fitted 9 people into a tuk tuk with one of the UK guys somehow managing to pass out on top of it on the way home. Needless to say it was a very funny Christmas which l will probably never forget! Day 5/Boxing Day:After a much needed sleep in l awoke to rain, rain and more rain. The wettest boxing day l have experienced in quite some time! I went out for a noodle lunch with some of the guys from the hostel and then watched James Bond and decided to would embrace the rain and go explore the old town with James a Aussie guy from Brisbane. We hit the temples with our umbrellas and after visiting one Wat we decided that was enough so we walked around getting soaked in the rain for a couple of hours around the old town. I actually really enjoyed walking in the rain as some of the interesting smells you get in Thailand disappear and the rain makes everything brighter. James and l then hit the Night Market where we bought up all our presents for our families and spent the night haggling with the shop keepers and telling the annoying frog ladies to go away. It was a funny night and l had alot of fun shopping with James...l think l have found my perfect shopping buddy! We got back to the hostel muddy and tired watched National Treasure 2 (stupid movie!) and then slept sound but a little worried about the bites l was getting on my arm!Day 6/ Last Day in Chiang Mai:Today is simply a chill out/laundry/catch up on emails etc day which everyone needs once in awhile. However l soon discovered that l had gotten bed bugs for the 1st time in all my travels. So l had to head off to the Pharmacist and get some medication before doing anything else. My arm looks like it has been attacked by 50 mozzies and l am trying hard not to itch it to much. I am looking forward to getting the heck out of here now that l have discovered what was lurking in my bed and l am glad l am flying out to Bangkok late tonight.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1229893200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1229893200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1229893200/tpod.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:43:07 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Chiang Rai, Thailand

I have landed in Thailand a country rightfully translated as the 'land of smiles.' Having stayed overnight in Bangkok l awoke early to take my flight to Chiang Rai, Thailand's most north city right near the border of Laos and Burma, making the famous Golden Triangle. Thailand is known for many things, but it is most commonly known for its friendly inhabitants and their beautiful smiles. I am very glad that l choose to travel the North of Thailand first before heading towards the tourist populated frenzy of the south. The people in Chiang Rai have lost alot of their tourism to Laos who have recently opened its borders to tourists. I have found the people very friendly and this little city the perfect start to my adventure in Thailand. The morning l landed in Chiang Rai l was picked up by Bec who volunteers at the orphanage l was to be visiting for the day. I had expected the orphanage to be in pretty grungy conditions and was pleasantly surprised when Bec showed me around its beautiful property and very impressive facilities. I had heard alot about the orphanage and particularly wanted to visit it as it cares specifically for children with HIV or who's parents cannot look after them because of the virus. I also loved the fact that the orphanage has facilities to house families so that they do not have to be separated and there were two mothers and their children living at the time in their own houses. I briefly met one of the mothers and her beautiful daughter came rushing up to me instantly to give me a huge hug and she started pulling my hand and saying 'house house.' She was so proud of her home on the property that she wanted to show me a visitor. I then went to the little kindergarten and hanged out with Stephanie the volunteer teacher from Idaho, USA and hanged out with the kinder children for the rest of the day. I had a lot of fun with these beautiful children, flying kites with them, playing in the sand pit and just hanging out with them laughing and enjoying each others company. I was amazed how bilingual the children were especially Josiah who spoke more than any three year old l have ever met and he spoke both Thai and English beautifully. Stephanie took me down the dirt road outside the orphanage where we passed the most beautiful Northern Thai architecture on our way to a little outdoor restaurant on the side of the road. The lady who owned the restaurant spoke very funny English and put me and Stephanie to work cooking our own food as she was still setting up for the day! I had not expected to be cooking my first Thai meal on the side of a dirt road with a funny little Thai lady yelling instructions to me in a mixture of Thai and English. Non the less the meal tasted pretty good...the staple rice and vegetables that l am getting used to over here! After saying goodbye's to the beautiful children and friendly staff l went and met my friend Jo at the airport and we took our taxi to the city to check into our hotel The North Hotel. From the moment we entered the Taxi and met our funny drivers we had a series of random events for the rest of the evening. Including our driver who would not stop ringing the bell at reception and trying to convince us to go on his tour to the moment we went up to the top balcony and we were asked if we could inject a rather sickly looking cat! For some reason Dr Jo said she would inject the cat for the tourists who had taken pitty on it and bought the injection from a local chemist. I didn't really want to watch the poor creature being injected to l went down to our rooms leaving very loud meowing noises coming from above. By this stage Jo and l were tired and hungry so we headed out to book ourself on a tour for the next day and to get some dinner. We had dinner at a lovely little Italian restaurant called Il Pirate where we were enjoying relaxing and conversation whilst waiting for our pizza until a middle-aged American retiree decided to annoy us by telling his over exaggerated stories of his life...including the many places he has lived with his many girlfriends and wives! We tried to drown him out by eating our yummy pizza and afagato. We soon crashed on our bed and watched a scary X-files episode about head transplants before heading off to a much needed sleep. The next morning we ate breakfast at our hotel before starting our tour of the countryside surrounding Chiang Rai. Our tour was ALOT of fun and we did quite a few things that neither me or Jo had ever done before. We rode a long tail boat for an hour past beautiful forested limestone cliffs before we arrived at the Elephant camp. Here we rode a very friendly Elephant around a traditional Karen village where we observed the daily life of its occupants who seemed to sit and weave beautiful fabrics on their thatched balconies. The Elephant ride was alot of fun, we even got to sit on its head like the driver and then got to go in the river back to the beginning of the camp. We then headed to have lunch at another more traditional village which l was really glad that we saw. We got to observe daily life in the village and no other tourists where around. The children were very cute as the played naked in the river flowing beside the town. The conditions of the village were very third world and l am glad that l have seen the conditions that the hill-tribe people are living in. After our lunch stop at the village, we drove to a beautiful waterfall enclosed between two large boulders which Jo and l excitedly went swimming beneath. Neither of us had ever swam before a waterfall of that size and force before and were amazed at how hard it was to swim to get underneath it as the force below the water was hard to swim against. It was definitely one of the highlights of the day! After our waterfall swim we traveled up the mountain past numerous hill tribes to get to the hot springs. We had to laugh when we got there as the hot spring was this tiny round bath in an old tiled bathroom. Jo and l squeezed into the tiny round bath and enjoyed our half an hour soak as we inhaled the smell of what Jo described as 'curried-egg sandwiches.' Got to love the smell of sulfur! We came out of it so relaxed but smelling like rotten eggs. We really enjoyed our tour and had a local and very cheap meal in town where we were rather overcome with how spicy the food was. Thai's certainly love their chilli's but l wasn't going to complain when l had a delicious Pad Thai for under 50c! We then enjoyed a fantastic banana pancake and the company of the owner of the restaurant who entertained us with interesting stories before me headed back to the hotel and watched the English channel and The Flinstones Scrooge. Today has been a very relaxing Sunday where Jo and l have simply walked the streets of Chiang Rai mapless enjoying the shops, markets, clock towers and temples we have visited along the way. The only temple we visited all day (Wat Phra Kaew) was luckily the most famous in Chiang Rai as it houses the famous Emerald Buddha. Jo and l enjoyed chatting to one of the friendly monks and the peace and serenity the gardens provided...maybe the sun baking turtles surrounding the temples helped with that! We then got a terrific iced coffee and lunch and intended to pamper ourselves by getting a Thai massage. Torture-relaxation is what l would now like to call Thai massages!! We were stretched, cracked and pulled in every direction for a full hour....but l did feel good after wards....still not sure if it was worth the hour of torture though!! We are about to head off to the night market with Jo's brothers Thai girlfriend who we are hoping is going to help us bargain down the price of some of the fisherman pants and DVD's we have been eyeing all day. Tomorrow morning we leave bright and early at 6.30am on the three hour bus ride to Chiang Mai. I have really enjoyed Chiang Rai, its friendly people and the fun and random experiences we have had in the past three days.  
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1179003180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1179003180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1179003180/tpod.html Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:54:27 -0400 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Rome, Italy

 ROMA Arriving into Roma at 9.40am, after very little sleep due to the worst overnight train experience- l stumbled out and made my way very cautiously clutching my bag to my front to my hostel (Yellow) which was four blocks from the Termini train station. I checked in and starred a little overwhelmed at the list of "must sees" for day 1! Luckily l had managed to get my hands on American author Rick Stevens Rome guide which was my saviour for the day. He suggested doing a trip called the 'Caesar Shuffle,' so that is what l did.  I walked past souvenir shops, little markets dotted with Ciao Bella t-shirts, little coliseum sculptures and Italia or Roma bags. I made my way to St Peter's in Chains church- which supposedly houses St Peters chains and houses Michelangelo's Moss- a mammoth altar. This man really is the master of sculpture! I then walked and saw my first view of the Coliseum, took photos from the outside and then made my way to Palentine Hill ticket office (which is supposed to save you the queue at the Coliseum). As l walked between these two Ancient Rome structures l walked beside the Arch of Constantine- which marks one of the greatest turning points in history- the military coup that made Christianity mainstream. In A.D. 312, Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius in one crucial battle, and Constantine became sole Emperor and promptly legalized Christianity. So of course l had to stop and ponder this arch for awhile and all that it represented for my own life.  I then made my way through a little of Palentine hill an found a beautiful rose garden with an amazing view stretching over Ancient Rome- with the Coliseum to the right and the Roman Forum below me and Capitol Hill to my left. It definitely helped put some of the Ancient city into perspective.  I then made my way back to tour through the Coloseum, having discovered at the Palentine Hill ticket office that it was National Culture week in Italy- which meant everything was free!! Except of course the Vatican. Boy was l soooo happy and saved so much money for the next two days! If you can time your visit to Italy during this week you will save yourself a lot of Euros! Built in AD 80 the Coloseum represents Rome at its grandest and when killing became a spectator sport, the Romans wanted to share the fun with as many people as possible. Reading my guide book of what went on in this place almost made me sick to my stomach. How such acts of brutality were seen as entertainment is beyond me! Of course l took photos of myself with my thumbs up- a sign that the opponent should live- while thumbs down was to die. I didn't spend too long there as l had much to see in one day, but after visiting l do now want to watch "Gladiator."  I then made my way through the Roman Forum with history all around me- soaring above my head in the shape of pillars and arcs. And artwork laying at my feet would have had to have been the most beautiful rubble l have ever seen- it all totally blew my mind! At one stage l was sitting on a former piece of some column or temple with amazing engravings under my bottom! I couldn't believe l was sitting on something l thought should be behind glass in a museum somewhere! Walking through the Forum on the rocky path of the Via Sacra in the heat took me a good two hours as l learnt from my trusty guidebook what each piece of rubble represented in history. The forum was the political, religious and commercial cener of the city and these few acres of land became the center of the civilised world. I tried hard to imagine the once gleaming white buildings topped with golden roofs and pople walking around in toga's and chariots racing through the Via Sacra. I viewed the Arch of Titus, the massive Basilicia of Constantine as l walked upon the same large basalt stone that Casear Auguszus walked along over 2,000 years ago to the Forum's main square. Rome was born right here were l was standing- as according to the strange legend of the twin brothers Romulus (Rome) and Remus who were orphaned in infancy and raised by a she-wolf on top of the Palentine! Growing up, they fought hard to get dates and so they attacked the nearby Sabine tribe and kidnapped their women. After they made peace, this once marshy valley became the meeting place and then the trading centre for the scattered tribe on the surrounding hillsides. Their story fascinated me, and obviously others who decided to make artwork of the wolf with the suckling baby twins underneath- one of the most disturbing sculptures l viewed at the Capitol hill museum later! I passed the Temple of Julius Caesar and countless other important temples and basilica's and palace ruins. The house and beautiful remaining grounds of the Vestal Virgins is what captured me the most though. The two pools and numerous beautiful sculptures that still remained of this place, where once the six vestal virgins lived who were chosen from Noble families before they reached the age of 10 and served a 30 year term of chastity (aged 10-40).....perhaps that is where they got that saying that life begins at 40! If they found any that were no longer virgins, she was strapped to a funeral car, paraded through the streets of the Forum, taken to a crypt, given a loaf of bread and a lamp and buried alive!! Quite a choice between fates! Next l visited the Mammertine Prison- which once held Saint Peter and Paul and was where l stood amazed as l viewed the column where Peter was once chained to and viewed the upside down cross commemorating Peter's upside-down crucifixion. I stood in silence for several moments in the cold, damp and mouldy prison basement and just through of what this man did in his life and all he endured. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, l become even more so waiting walking around the Capitol Hill museum and viewing Michelangelo's magnificent Renaissance square. I then made my way to the Pantheon and had some of the best reputed gelato in Rome. I had over 150 flavours to choose from and l ended up choosing a strange combination of cappuccino and strawberry, which was sooooo good and was only 2 Euro! A bargain...l love how cheap all things l love are in Italy...coffee, pizza, pasta and ice cream!!  Tired and rather hungry despite the gelato l quickly made my way to the very beautiful and very crowded Trevi fountain and tossed a coin over my shoulder to ensure l would one day return again to this amazing city and country! I then walked to the also very crowded Spanish steps where l posed for photos with roses a passing by salesman just gave me!! I then hurried to our hostel where l met up with Sarah (my NZ friend) and an Australian girl called Mel and we went and met up with Ryan- a New Zealand Catholic friend of Sarah's who was our tour guide for the next two days in Rome! He lives in Rome and works as a tour guide there- so we caught the end of his night tour around Rome running late as l wanted to get more slices of the amazing pizza l had discovered 4 doors from our hostel. It was a fun and interesting tour and we got to do it for free...once again l love Cultural week in Italy and friends of friends! We went out with Ryan and some of his friends for dinner in a very crowded and nice pasta restaurant where l ate a great Brushette, home-made gnocchi and poured wine out of painted ceramic vases. It was a great dinner after an amazing but tiring day in Rome! On my second day in Rome Sarah and l decided to visit the nearby National Museum where my guide book once again explained the story behind what seemed like thousands of bust heads. It was great though- l felt like l learnt all of Rome's political history in an hour! We then headed to where the original Roman baths belonged- now a huge and lovely church called the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and listened to the organist playing. The acoustics where amazing in that huge church! We then walked past some of the most beautiful fountains l have ever seen- l would seriously be quite content just walking around Rome and discovering one beautiful fountain after another!  But l had a bus to catch- an hour long ride standing up the whole way to the Catacomby of San Callisto- the burial place mostly for Christians whose graves spanned over 600 kms!!! Of course our tour was a limited one, but a very interesting one taken by a cute old Italian/English speaking Priest. I was surprised with how small some of the Catacombs for adults were and it was interesting to see the remaining paintings on and around some of the catacombs- where l learnt that the fish symbol was used because the first letter of the words "Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Saviour," spelt "fish" in Greek. SO that now explains the Christian fish symbol everyone seems to have on their cars! The Catacombs were definitely worth the day trip there and back- though l was a little disappointed as l didn't get to see any actual bones...but l would see plentiful the next morning!  After a long day of commuting and sightseeing, we tried to meet Ryan and go visit his English speaking Catholic Church beside the river that runs through Rome but we couldn't seem to be able to find it anywhere. So we ended up sitting by a fountain opposite the mouth of truth and walking along side the river and onto the small island in the middle of it watching the sunset over Rome. We then somehow managed to find ourselves in the lovely Old Jewish Quarter where we found and followed the sound of Indian sounding live music and banging of cymbals and singing coming from an apartment building. An old man playing and banging a small pair of cymbals with all his might looked out of the window down to us on the street below and motioned for us to come the join the festivities. I was curious but we had to move on but l got a very funny photo of him playing and singing in the apartment window to us! We then found our way back to the one place l didn't particularly like in Roma- the Largo Argentina- or Sacred Area- where an excavated put housed some of the oldest ruins in Rome and today is a refuge for over 250 cats! Julius Caesar was also assassinated near here. We somehow managed to bump into Ryan an hour later, where we went out for coffee at a book shop and discussed Catholic traditions versus Christian. All hungry after a big day Ryan took us to one of the best pizzerias in Rome where we lined up for over 45minutes trying not to get run over by passing scooters rushing past and watching the locals just walk up and get in straight away! But the wait was worth it- we managed to somehow get a table outside situated in a small laneway where people walked past and l ate the best pizza l have ever had....and Ryan paid for us all!! Loving this vacation! Afterwards we walked to and had a drink at the very famous Campo de Fiori (place to be in Rome at night)....where Ryan told us a story of how one night at around 2am a game of soccer started up in the Campo where all of Rome seemed to join in and it got so rowdy that Police had to come with gas bombs and all!! Somehow we ended up at a Irish Pub....as all backpackers seem too! Our third and last day in Rome was the busiest yet! As the saying goes- no time to rest for the wicked! Us three girls spent the early morning visiting the Capuccin Crypt- where below a church this crypt houses the bones of more than 4,000 monks all artistically arranged into Chandeliers, borders and goodness knows what else! It was one of the strangest most disturbing places l have ever visited! It left me with Goosebumps all over and Mel left not feeling that well! Its definitely a must see, though you cannot take photos so you will have to visit it for yourself to experience the spine chilling effect it has on people!  Next we visited the Mouth of Truth- made famous in "A Roman Holiday" starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Sarah told us that once people could have their hands cut off by a man behind the mouths cement wall who decided (with no knowledge as to the truth) whether or jot the person was guilty of the crime they were being accused of. We of course put our hands rather nervously in to the mouth with over 20 Japanese tourists we had raced against there staring at us mimicking the scene from A Roman Holiday. We then ran past the Circus Maximus- where Ben Hur would have once rode his Chariot in the races held in this now large park which still holds the outline of the original track- though now people jog and run around it rather than race chariots!  We made our way to the Vatican where joined Ryan and his Vatican tour for the rest of the morning (for free of course...though still had to pay the 10 Euro student entry fee). Whilst lining up for the tour in the boiling hot sun luckily l had brought my umbrella...always being prepared for any sort of weather being a Melbourne girl and us girls all stood underneath it while we ate some of the best gelato in Rome sold across the road from where the Vatican massive queue stands. Finally reaching the entrance to the Vatican us girls raced each other up the famous spiral stairway (which amazingly has both and up and a down) and once l got to the top l realised that l didn't exactly know what to expect from this other country l had now crossed into for a couple of hours! But l was completely blown away by the Raphael rooms, the amazing map gallery with its incredibly ceiling and the hall of tapestries where the tapestries were so elaborate and perfectly crafted l thought they were paintings! Ofcourse at the end of Ryan tour we got to see the famous Sistine Chapel were l just sat and starred at the Last Judgement and ceiling al painted by the quite simply amazing Michelangelo! To describe it in one word- captivating- l just could not stop starring in the 20 minutes l was there. I couldn't call it beautiful (but many others do) but for some reason it captured me and l could not pull my eyes away from the walls and ceilings surrounding me. Alas, we had to hurry and reach St. Peter's Basilica which l unfortunately barely remember seeing anything more than a flash or blur of as Sarah and l quite literally slid in our thongs around the whole Basilica in less than 3 minutes! My feet so tired after my three days walking in Rome and due to the smooth marble flooring and our thongs we decided the quickest was to get around without slipping over was to slide. So that's what we did! I slid around the Basilica at what felt like the speed of sound- much to the dismay of those around us who just starred at us tow crazy girls- probably thinking we were annoying tourists spoiling the holiness and serenity of the place- which l think we probably were! But we only had 45 minutes to be on a train- and in the mean time had a metro to catch and had to still pick up our bags from our hostel and get to the train station! I can safely say l have never run so much in my life as l did in those 45 minutes. We made it to our train with 2 minutes to spare which took us across Italy onto our next adventure- to Italian port town of Ancona.  Roma did capture, amaze and transfix me. Its history and sheer beauty left me wear and exaughsted yet still wanting more. I loved the take-away pizza four doors from my hostel, the amazing gelato on every street corner, the streets lined and buzzing with motorbikes, the fact that there was water, churches, ruins and fountains around every corner. And of course that fact that l was in Italy- surrounded by all things Italian! My time in Roma was once again a most enjoyable whirlwind l hope l never forget! Ciao Bella!!! Ciao Roma!!(Tip- stay near Termini train station to be close to metro and train, but check out and research accomodation there very carefully as dangerous place. The Yellow hostel was great!! Definetly reccomend. Also l would allow 3 days minimum in Rome to see all the sights- you need one day for the Vatican and St Peters and need to check its opening times as l think it is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays. Go on cultural week to save yourself money! Check out hostelworld guide to Rome as good one day itinery base a tips on eating and buy Rick Stevens Rome book to avoid costly tours when you can do it all yourself for alot less money and at your own pace).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1196235960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1196235960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1196235960/tpod.html Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:27:14 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Lima, Peru

 The following day we left our desert Oasis behind and took our last journey on Jock to Ballestas island, where we boarded a small boat and went on a two hour ride around the islands which were filled with wildlife including sun baking seals and the most birds l have ever seen in my life! Hence the smell surrounding us for the whole two hours and the lovely white bird stained rocks! All feeling a bit rough around the edges after our Pisco party the night before, we didn't much enjoy the long ride back in the sun on the tiny boat where we got drenched, but we finally got rid of our rough sea legs sitting at one of the seaside and earthquake ruined restaurants. We then boarded Jock for the last time and arrived the capital of Peru a couple of hours later- Lima. That night l had my final avocado filled toasty and banana con leche jugo and spent my final day in Lima the following day checking out a couple of its lovely Plaza's and sitting in one of them by a fountain and enjoying the afternoon sun. We all said our goodbyes at the Loki hostel that night over a few beers and l tried to get some sleep at my airport hotel before my 6am flight the following morning.Spending my whole final day in transit at Santiago airport on the comfortable couch l had discovered the night l had spent there one month earlier, l reflected with sadness that my journey was finally over. From 8am to 11pm that evening l reflected, read my book and reflected some more and seriously considered canceling my flight and spending a couple more months in Sth America. But reality hit that l had to go home, for the time being anyway, and l flew the 20 hour flight via Auckland with LAN suffering in the middle of two huge Aussie guys with no in-flight entertainment (!!!) and dreaming of being back on a Brazilian beach, caving and snorkeling on the Caribbean coast, tobogganing on a Swiss Alp and simply just discovering a new country, meeting new people and eating new cuisine. But l soon touched down in Sydney and then in Melbourne a couple of hours later, tired l was glad to be home and the adventures that awaited me there. I want to thankyou all for journing with me the last year- as l one little Aussie girl took a journey of a lifetime around a great, big and beautiful world! I am pretty sure you will be hearing some more travelling adventures from this travelpod in the future years, as l offically have the travelbug and do not want to be rid of it! There is still so much more to see, do and discover within this world and within myself as l do it! In the meantime lam enjoying being home in Melbourne, with all its multi-culturism it certainly is a fantastic city to live in!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591300/tpod.html Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:46:12 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Porta Inca, Peru

Today we drove to Puerto Inca where a tiny cove awaited us after our lovely drive along the Peruvian coast- unfortunately the sun decided not to shine for us, so instead of taking a swim Torz, Nic and l went for a walk up the sandy mountains discovering rocky caves which we later learnt were graves- where we peeped in and found before our eyes beholding hundreds of human skeleton bones scattered all around us! It was a little creepy especially when Torz started playing with the finger bones and Nic started naming what each one was, but it was at the same time amazing to be able to just go for a walk and poke your head into a cave and see a persons or several peoples remains still sitting there after hundreds of years! That's what l love about South America, there is just so much to see that you had no idea about or have ever heard about back home, that appears to be totally undiscovered and unnoticed- its such an amazing and diverse continent, l cannot wait to return to its shores! That evening after setting up our tents on the sand, and having a good old swing on the playground and watching some of the group play soccer, we had a BBG on the beach, surrounded by the crashing waves we celebrated Lindsay's birthday and danced the night away to Stu aerobics in the cove's dodgy disco before l fell asleep to the sound of the wave's crashing. The following day l spent the afternoon simply relaxing in a hammock at Nazca and catching up on some much needed emails whilst the rest of the BEX crazy crew (apart from wise old Sam and l) decided to go on the infamous Nazca plane flight to see the Nazca lines, which can only really be apparently viewed from air. Having heard from numerous friends who had completed the flight that instead of viewing the lines, they spent most of the time with their heads inside a paper bag l decided (being prone to air sickness at times) that l might give this one a miss. A l was glad l did, when l saw the result of all the jelly we had consumed for the lunch for Lindays birthday in some of the photos! That afternoon we all simply sat around the campsites pool and swung in the hammocks and then celebrated Tori's birthday with another cake eating event!  HuacachiniToday l had the most fun and action filled day of the whole tour. Arriving at the desert oasis town of  Huacachini in the afternoon, having all spent the morning swimming at our Nazca pool, we started our sand bugging excursion, having thrill rides over the surrounding sand dunes and then proceeding to take on the sport of sand boarding...which Blake and Torz did with style and ease, and new comers like Sam ended up stacking so bad that they lost their pants, completely! I simply went down on my stomach and managed to stack pretty badly as well, but had a ball doing it in the mean time!! (The next day l had scrapes and bruises everywhere and undid all the work of my massage in Cusco!) It was a fantastic thrill spent day sand bugging and watching the sunset over the Peruvian sand-dunes and then spending the night in the sand having a Pisco party around a campfire and falling asleep under the star filled sky in the sand. It was quite simply the most fun day of the tour! 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591240/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591240/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1194591240/tpod.html Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:30:17 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Arequipa, Peru

During our brief stay in Arequipa l spent my time wandering around the stunning Santa Catalina convent which was opened to the public in 1970 after four centuries of mystery. Still housing nuns within its beautiful walls, it is almost like a walled colonial town with over two hectares in the middle of the city where over 450 nuns lived in total seclusion. I made my way slowly through its cobbled stoned streets, flowered decked cloisters and buttressed houses and around its traditionally painted white, browns and blues. Just enjoying its tranquility and peace as well as having some much needed time to myself l began to be amazed at how peaceful this convent was in the midst of all the hussle and bustle of the city surrounding it. I tried to reflect on the lives of the nuns who had given up their personal lives freely to come live within their beautifully confined walls and devote themselves utterly to God and prayer. It must take such amazing strength to do such a act and whilst reflecting on this and enjoying the peace l was surprisingly interrupted by a stereo blaring in the orange grove courtyard l had just entered. I then heard a sultry voice start singing and recognized it as Marilyn Monroe's, and her voice suddenly filled the convent courtyard singing Diamonds are a girls best friend! Looking around me a little confused and angry at the person blaring such music within a convent of all places l was suddenly face to face with three bikini clad girls starting to parade up and down the convents courtyard. I took a step back rather shocked at the sight and soon realized they were rehearsing for a fashion show within the convent of all places- l guess not that many males come to visit so in some ways l guess it was the perfect rehearsal space! Leaving the convent, bikini models and Marilyn behind l headed off to get the best coffee l have had for a long time! I sat and relaxed with my frappe watching the locals and tourists buzz around me and the Plaza l was sitting in. That evening my group A was on cooking dinner so l prepared with the others wraps and we spent the evening sitting outside in the cold campsite chatting and having a couple of drinks to keep warm.   
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191822660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191822660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191822660/tpod.html Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:28:34 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Chivay, Peru

COLCA CANYON After recovering from the Inca Trek in Cusco for a couple of relaxing days we made the over ten hour bus journey to Arequipa where we settled into our tents for the first time and went and ate kebabs and then visited the Plaza terrace for some happy hour drinks.  The following day we awoke early for the four hour bus trip through the National reserve of Salinas and Aquada Blanca stopping to look at herds of Lama and Alpaca in the beautiful volcanic grassland surrounding us. We rode past the pampa canahus where l was breath taken as we were surrounded by the three beautiful surrounding volcanoes- Misti, Chacani and Nbdo. Ampato. We arrived in Chivay our base for exploring the Colca Canyon the following morning and spent the late afternoon drinking beers and listening to native panpipe music at the Banos Thermals hot springs. It was so lovely and relaxing just sitting there surrounded by a beautiful canyon and we spent hours guessing where the other hoards of tourists wearing funny looking speedos were from!  The following day after a fantastic pizza dinner and early night spent talking to Torz about life we set off on the bumpy but beautiful ride through the Valle del Colca before riding past the beautiful windy Colca river and dodging donkeys and sheep on the road before reaching the Canon del colca around 7am. Apparently the deepest Canyon in the world our reason for visiting that early in the morning as the sun began to shine brighter was to see the majestic Condor birds. Their nests lay in the cliffs of the canyon face and we were able to witness several of these huge birds soaring in and around us and the canyon. Due to having very small claws (like a chickens) they feed on dead animals and apparently quite often sheep- who get so distracted looking up at the condors flying above them that they fall off cliffs! Stupid sheep! We spent an hour watching and waiting for the birds to appear all in awe of their size and ability to soar so beautifully. We then took a short walk around the canyon before heading back to Arequipa to look around the city in the afternoon.  
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191276480/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191276480/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191276480/tpod.html Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:27:08 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Machu Picchu, Peru

Dancing and Salsaing the night away, sleeping and treating myself to my first every massage, all after completing the famous Inka Trek. Why did l deserve such luxury, well simply because l have survived four days hiking and camping along the Inca Trek to reach the famous Peruvian landmark- Macchu Picchu.  Before we headed off on the trek we visited some of the local Inca ruins around Cusco, a alpaca farm where we fed and petted the fattest alpaca l have ever seen and then we headed to a smorgasbord restaurant where we all over indulged in the jelly and cake before making our way to the market of Pisac and onto the Inca's Sacred Valley. It was here that the archeological centre of Ollantaytambo and its impressive Inca fortress first wowed me, especially looking across to the surrounding mountain with its storehouses built into the cliff face. It is quite a remarkable ruin and climbing the steps at dusk and watching the sunset around the distant hills was breathtaking! While the boys played a game of soccer with the local village boys, Nic, Torz and l went on a walk through the village up the picturesque original cobbled stoned Inca walled alleyways where water flowed all around us and it all spelt magic! We spent the night at Doris's watching the boys drink the Vodka XXX while we all played cards and awaking in the morning to Doris's fantastic banana pancakes which helped us keep a steady stomach as we sat waiting for our bus. We sat there in the dust watching village women walk by with dead lambs in their back rucksacks- not the first early morning sight one wishes to see!  We headed off on the bus to the checkpoint for the Inca Trek and getting our passports stamped at the first check point we made our way over the bridge and railway track and onto the path that was going to be our guide for the next four days to Machu Picchu.  The first day we all kept up a very steady pace in the hot sun and arrived at our camp site only to realize that we had beaten the porters- so we simply sat in the shade and waited for them to arrive, set up campy and deliver the delicious lunch that they continued to provide us with everyday. The food was simply amazing- soups, salads, purp (purple hot jelly like drink/dessert) and a host of other amazing food always covered in coriander. We call came ways after the four days having put on weight rather than lost it!  We awoke the next morning to pancakes and a day filled with uphill climbs and thousands of Inca steps to conquer- it was supposedly the toughest day of the trek where we struggled with our breathing as we were instructed that we were to climb to 'the nipple!' or more commonly known as  Dead Women's Pass (Abra de warmi wanusca) our first pass which totaled 4,200m! Suddenly going from rolled up pants and singlet tops to having to rug up as we waited for the rest of the group, we started putting on our beanies and gloves and sat in awe as the mist surrounded us and we looked down through it upon the valley with which we had just climbed. I looked down satisfied that l had made it up the over 3,000 Inca stairs! Walking down to the campsite we reached their once again in goodtime- therefore getting a well earned siesta in before our daily ruital of afternoon tea with great things like Milo and popcorn and a couple of games of cards before our huge dinner and an early night! That night it poured with rain as we sat playing cards after dinner in the communal tent which soon started to collapse around us and slowly our soaked porters started coming in from their tiny tent (which must have collapsed completely) looking like drowned rats. The porters were simply amazing with the over 20kg load that they managed to carry each day, as they virtually ran most of the track and then would somehow have the energy to serve us breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner and all with a smile! We all watched daily in astonishment as they managed to run up and down the Inca steps and hills loaded up and wearing the most inappropriate footwear making our grumbling appear meaningless! Their feet all appeared to be in terrible condition and l can't even imagine their backs!! They were of all ages, and the eldest one that we met was part of our crew who couldn't get through the passport check at the beginning of the trec so he joined us mid afternoon on the third day having run the first 3 days of the trec that morning!!! The third day for me was pretty tough as l did my knee in going down the steps early in the morning, which l then had to descend for the next 12km that day! It meant for me that for the next day and a half l had to walk with a stiffened out knee and two poles sideways down thousands of steps!! It took me forever but thanks to Stu's sticks and trying to keep a positive attitude l managed to make it down with the threatening thunder storm looming as l chatted away with one of our guides Marco who kept me company and sane for a few hours! A few times, knowing the rest of the group were already at the campsite enjoying afternoon siestas l considered giving in to Marco and the other porters who kept insisting on piggybacking me down the rest of the track- but determined as usual and seemering they were not much bigger than me, l did it on my own, stuck it out and made it! Our final night on the Inca trec was spent playing cards at the pub and eating well deserved snickers bar before our huge dinner and an early night due to our 5am start the following morning.  Despite the events of the third day it was the most interesting and beautiful day of the trek was walked through Inca narrow tunnels, down thousands of stairs and explored numerous beautiful Inca ruins which our guide Hulio described so vividly it felt as though you could literally see the ancient thatched roofs appearing before your eyes and imagine the sacred religious rituals that went on there. We learnt so much about the Incas, their kingdom and nobility that my head was swarming with information and l felt like l didn't want to see another ruin ever again- that was until l witnessed the awe inspiring view as the mist cleared and l walked through the sungate and saw Machu Picchu appear before my eyes! It quite simply took my breath away and was worth all the pain of walking that early morning just to experience that magical moment! We spent the next couple of hours having Hulio guide us around the incredible sight of over 33,000 hectares, where abundant flora, fauna and the majestic snowy mountains of Salkantay, Waynapicchu and Putucusi wow you! We explored its numerous temples, palaces, terraces and cultivations with its respective hydraulic systems and channels, astronomical observatories, worship palaces, residence areas and rooms for noblemen and the list goes on! The mystic solemnity that radiate through its imposing stony walls, inspires a deep respect for the manufactures of this monumental work who knew how to conjugate the artifice of its creation with the capricious and wild nature. It is difficult to explain how in the summits of that geography so rural and seemingly inaccessible, the old Peruvians could build, as a nest of eagles, so strange a stone city! Thanks to the expedition of Hiram Bingham in 1911, l was able to access and be captured by this simply magical lost city!  
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191189960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191189960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mimmy21/em-rtw-2007/1191189960/tpod.html Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:48:46 -0500 One little Aussie girl- travelling around an amazing big world!

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Puno, Peru

I will never forget the border crossing Bolivia to Peru. I couldn't even walk over the 100 meter border crossing as l was so weak. I had just endured 18 hours of food poisoning coming from La Paz to Puno in Peru, and exhaustion, dehydration mixed with altitude was a real killer! Thanks to Claire and Tuesday who made a floor bed for me in the aisle at the back of our bus Jock where l spent the eight hour bus journey either running into the dark luggage compartment of Jock or passed out on the floor! When we stopped for lunch l managed to pop my head up and look out the window to see beautiful Lake Titicaca surrounding us with snow capped mountains. We finally made it into Puno the Peruvian lake side town where l didn't move from my hotel bed under Nurse Claire's care! The following day l pushed myself to take the overnight trip to our home stay on a traditional island on Lake Titicaca, which probably wasn't the wisest idea as it meant that l had to endure the three hour boat ride and having not eaten for at least a day and with zero energy l spent most of the trip asleep on the boats couch. I did however manage to get off at our first stop the floating reed island of Uros where we were greeted by the chief (a woman- feminism and women rule if a common thing here in the Altiplano!), her husband, two children one being the very cheeky little Brian and of course the other women and families who lived on the floating reed island. To see that people were still living traditionally on the islands as their ancestors had when trying to hide and camouflage themselves from the Spanish was quite a sight to see! We got to see and walk into their reed made huts, where they even had TV (hence the name Brian for their son) and solar power energy. The native people who live on these islands life expectancy though is between 50 and 60 years and they suffer from bad arthritis due to the humidity with in the reeds and probably the fact that they walk bare foot all their lives! But this has not stopped them from living their reed island lives, where if there is a disagreement on the island they simply saw it right down the middle and wave goodbye to each other! Our guide proudly noted that no lawyers are needed on these islands, just saws! I tried to take in what our guide was explaining about how they build the island for reed, but the children where distracting me- especially when the little girl started rowing off on a boat all by herself! She had to be only four years old and her dad had to go racing after her with a large pole to pull her back in! After watching the local women make bread, looking through their houses and tipi style kitchens the rest of the BEX group went on a reed boat ride while l rested on the boat watching the boat boys flirt with the shy and pretty girls from the island...offering them Coke (the drink) was one of their many tactics! It was so hard to figure out how old they were as the sun makes the people here very dark skinned and often exposes more wrinkles than is normal at their ages- thus sometimes a mother looks more like a grandmother. We said goodbye to our floating reed island friends as they waved us goodbye singing row-row-row your boat, twinkle twinkle little star and yelling out Asta la vista Baby! This all coming from people who cant speak a word of English! We rode off to our island overnight home of Armantini where we were greeted by our Mamas for the night! Tuesday, Danni, Lisa and l all shared the same family and our Mama hurried up the steep village slopes as l nearly fainted with dehydration trying to keep up and walk at all! We arrived at our house, got settled and l spent the rest of the afternoon curled up in my bed sipping mint and coco tea, watching the BEX boys against the local boys play soccer, and got some more sleep before we went and had dinner in our families kitchen. The dinner was a real eye opener- these people manage to survive in the most unhygienic conditions and we all sat stunned as we looked around us as our Mamas and their daughters serves us the same soup we had been getting everywhere in Sth America followed by of course a hi-carb dinner where it is not unusual to see pasta, rice and a potato all served in one like that night! We watched horrified as our bread was taken from a plastic bag situated in amongst the garbage can and then placed on our plates. After just suffering from the worst food positioning l have ever had l spent the night just shoveling my food around my plate and hoping these people who hardly have anything and we overjoyed when we brought them some pasta and sugar would forgive spoilt me! Traveling through Sth and Central America is definitely fulfilling my intention of going home grateful for what l have! Though these people still know how to have fun, and party like it 1999...and we experienced it as we were dressed up in the womens traditional skirts, beautiful tunics and very tight girdle like belt which left us all a little breathless! All dressed up we walked in the dark to the village disco/dance where we watched and learnt how to dance the simplest dance but also the dizziest dance anyone could possibly learn. The three piece traditional band of pan pipe/recorder, huge bass drum and small guitar played and sang as all us gringos danced with our Mamas in our traditional dress- talk about a funny Friday night out! We crashed back in our rooms kept awake by the nearby donkey braying all night long!We awoke to see the sun shimmering over Lake Titicaca, past the towering gumtrees (who's oudour made me homesick for the first time in months) and mud brick tin roofed houses of the villagers. We ate breakfast and had our instant Coffee (con leche) with evaporated milk of course...(Mum you would be in hell!). We said goodbye to our family with their little boy and beautiful (bonito) girl who was so kind and shy. We followed our Mama back down to the jetty where there were hugs and our boat awaiting to take us on our extremely choppy crossing to the island of taquila. I feel as though my stomach has been in butterfly's for over three days! It was a pretty bad crossing...almost up their with Belize...l never thought l would be experiencing that again! The island of Taquila was a lot more touristic and their survival and main occupations l learnt as l wandered the coastal path to the main village with our guide was centered around agriculture, hence we saw many local islander men and women herding sheep along the steep and narrow coastal pathways that surround the island. We witnessed men herding ox, a photo exhibition of the island and little boy who took my heart away playing with a plastic milk bottle on a string. The views across the island and lake were stunning and after a delicious omelet (l was finally eating again!) we headed back down to the rocky path where l almost fell off into the lake below when a lone bull came charging towards me! Safely back on the boat, Tues, Dan and l sunbaked on the now calm three hour boat trip back to Puno and its algae filled lakeside. Visiting the floating island was definitely an amazing experience to see how these traditional people are living in the most surreal and interesting living conditions l have ever seen! With no need of lawyers, limited use for doctors (unless its the five day Carnival when all hell breaks lose) and no police it sounds like a dream place in a world that operates in the opposite! Why cant we all just saw an island in half and wave goodbye to our problems....some reality hey!
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La Paz, Bolivia

After a tiring eight hour trip on Jock back to La Paz, where l spent my time reading a whole book to pass the time and we ate fried rice literally in the middle of nowhere...we finally arrived back to La Paz. A city with a population of 1.2 million, it is the highest capital city in the world where it lies in a steep canyon and where Plaza Murillo in the center is at an altitude of 3636m. Entering into La Paz in breathtaking as the diverse but sparse Bolivian countryside is continually proving to be. Going from the saltflates, volcano's, mines to snow capped peaks of the El Alto. Mt Illamani which tower above La Paz all within a couple of days has left me speechless. We stopped at a lookout and looked upon the sprawling metropolis and red brick surrounding us as far as the eye could see. The Spaniards chose this odd place for a city on the 20th of October 1548, to avoid the chilly winds of the plateau and because they had found gold in the Rio Choqueyapu which runs through the canyon. It is quite an amazing and bustling city which is overcrowded with mini vans beeping and almost running over the locals running here there and everywhere! We went to Mongos that night for dinner enjoying the warm open fire place and candlelight supper and smooth Bolivian wine. The following day Zuzanna and l decided to go on the city tour where our English speaking guide took us to the mineral museum where we learnt the history of Gold mining in La Paz. We viewed beautiful golden warrior masks and learnt how the people had worshiped the land, mountains and underground and that their 5 sacred animals often shown in their jewelery and pottery were the lama, condor, puma, frog and fish. We then continued onto Plaza Murillo where we learnt about Bolivia's troubled history. Surrounding us were beautiful colonial buildings filled with large gun shot holes and it was here that we learnt that Bolivia was the first Spanish held country to ask for independence- yet were the last to be given it! This was of course because of its large holdings of gold and silver which the Spanish and surrounding countries such as Chile, Paraguay and Peru all wanted a piece off. So Bolivia has been a war torn country and has lost alot of its land to these countries. We then continued on after witnessing a Police raid, through the Plaza to Moon Valley- another surreal lunar landscape located twenty minutes drive from the city through the rich and upper class gringo area of La Paz. We were suddenly surrounded by beautiful Spanish style buildings which had l not just come from downtown La Paz and poverty filled Bolivian countryside l might have appreciated more, but seeing these buildings was to me a rather harsh and ugly reality knowing what was only a few kms away. During our stay there had been a small landslide, which is not uncommon in this area, and of course it was the poor who had suffered as they all live high up on the hills while the rich or protected in the valleys below. We continued past numerous rivers and gorges up to Moon Valley where we were told Neil Armstrong had walked amongst the stalactites and said it had reminded him of the moon. It was a beautiful landscape and we were charmed by a traditional flute and guitar Bolivian musician playing for us on top of on of the neighboring mountains jutting up around us. It was quite a magical moment- and we were soon to be surrounded by more magic, potion's and of course the smelly Lama fetus that all grace the famous witches market! Our guide explained the reasonings behind a number of offerings surrounding us, including dried up frogs, potions and l tried to take it all in but the smell and the look of the fetus surrounding us was all a little bit too much for this little Chica! In stark contrast we exited the witches market and made our way to the Church and Plaza of San Fransisco where our friendly guide left me and Zuzanna to our much anticipated shopping spent afternoon. Bolivia is the cheapest country in Sth America so make the most of the goodies overflowing from the markets! I finally brought my hammock and numerous other goods, including of course alpaca and silver products which Bolivia is famous for. I spent the evening eating out with Nick at the English style pub before the others joined us for a couple of drinks and yet another early night- this altitude and of course the markets really knock you out! The following day l met five more members of our tour group and said goodbye to Nick, Luke and Zuzanna before heading back onto Jock and into Peru....little did l know that my crossing from Bolivia into Peru was going to be such a difficult one for me who had the worst food poisoning l have ever experienced! It was Bolivia's way of saying don't leave me! Bolivia for me had been an unknown country, a far away place l knew close to nothing about before the last weeks enlightenment. I have now witnessed its stark but beautiful and surreal landscapes, its friendly people dressed in their colorful handicrafts and strange traditional dress- which for the women includes the British bower hat titled sideways (as the English had traded their hats for silver...and the men had not liked them, but the women for some unknown reason had and it has become part of their national costume), its interesting cuisine which includes lama, alpaca, heart of palm and delicious soups and stale breads! and great banana juice- con leche of course! And of course who can forget its altitude and all that goes with it!!! It has been an adventure filled week where l have crossed salt flats, hiked up another volcano, kissed a mummy, blown up dynamite fruit bombs and sticks in a mine, swam in volcanic hot springs and been to the moon (valley) and back and of course survived the witches market hopefully without a curse being put upon me!! Ciao & Muchos Gracias Bonito Bolivia! 
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