TravelStream™ news feed for member smee_elaine on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/smee_elaine en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:41:51 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249336497/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249336497/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249336497/tpod.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:41:51 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Eldoret, Kenya

We crossed back into Kenya, our final border crossing and there was a bit of a competiton as to who could get the most samosas for either a dollar or a trade.  Yves & Bibi were certainly champs at this!Once again we got to stay at Raj's wonderful campsite in Eldoret, and once again we were unable to take full advantages of its facilities due to appalling weather; namely torrential rain that went on for hours.  Instead we were forced to take shelter in the bar and play card games!  Marc had come up with a great rule which seemed designed to get him and Kristen drunk until someone else changed it, mostly to Amy's detriment!We had another great Indian dinner and I ate too much, again!  We spent the evening sat round the fire, then headed up to the bar where Raj offered to buy us a nightcap, but sadly it was whisky so I had to decline.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249509309/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249509309/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249509309/tpod.html Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:22:22 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Naivasha, Kenya

We drove past hundreds of greenhouses on our way to our campsite on the banks of Lake Naivasha.  Inside were one of Kenya's greatest exports; rosesOur campsite was lovely and home to lots of Vervet monkeys as well as a few Colobus monkeys, one of which ran straight into the bar one afternoon!  Gareth had a great time playing with the monkeys.  In the evening there were also hippos that wandered up from the lake, although the electric fence stopped them doing any damage!  They were quite hard to spot but we were lucky enough to see one grazing.The main reason for stopping in Naivasha was to cycle through Hell's Gate National Park, a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some wildlife (but hopefully not too close to any lions etc!)  Eventually I found a bike with handlebars at a suitable height as well as fully functioning brakes and gears!  We cycled along the road to the park entrance and fortunately the road was fairly quiet as the vehicles do tend to pass cyclists very closely!Once inside the park we had a fairly flat ride through some stunning scenery and saw a few animals - zebra, warthogs and ostriches.  We then came across a herd of buffalo at which point our guide told us to remain absolutely still as buffalo can be dangerous and charge if they are startled.  Once the lone male was a safe distance away we had to make a quick escape!We left the bikes and headed down into the gorge on foot.  This is where the park gets its name from due to the red rock and hot springs which create steam.  It was a bit tricky to climb down and there were some sections were we had to jump or hold on and hope for the best!  We finally reached the bottom and then it was a relatively easy walk back up, including a beautiful viewpoint looking over the gorge.Gareth found some more Vervet monkeys to play with on the way back and one in particular was mirroring his actions (or was he mirroring the monkey?!)  On the ride back out of the park we saw lots more zebra, including a couple having a bit of a fight!After our energetic morning we spent the afternoon relaxing at the bar and buying a few souvenirs.  Our dinner that evening was delicious - lasagne cooked over a fire.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249768531/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249768531/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1249768531/tpod.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:21:23 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Nairobi, Kenya

Our final excursion in Africa was to the Masai Mara game reserve.  Unfortunately we never made it due to an accident in which the matatu that was carrying the other half of our group rolled over injuring several people.  Luckily although some were airlifted to hospital, everyone will make a full recovery.  It was a stressful few hours, but a time that strengthened my belief in the human spirit as so many people helped in whatever way they could, including the Masai, who I'd always thought of as quite aloof.  By the time the helicopter arrived there were around 40 Masai around and it was quite amusing to see their reactions to the helicopter landing; I don't suppose it's something they see too often.Once the helicopter made its final trip the rest of us began the long drive back to Nairobi, and on the way I got my first flat tyre in Africa!  Typical!  Amusingly the jack that the driver had was actually too big to fit under the matatu so I had to find a large rock to prop it up!!  Finally we were reunited with Peeky and drove the last couple of hours back to Nairobi.  I'd like to say a big thanks to Kristen, Marc & Joash, our crew, for all they did that day.Our penultimate day was spent visiting Yves, Bibi and Elke in hospital, and then trying to find our way out of the hospital, which was huge!Our last day started with a trip to the Elephant Orphanage, which looks after orphaned and abandoned elephants in its centre until they are around 5 years old before transfering them to one of the game parks.  The younger elephants are given blankets to wear which looks quite cute!  The centre also has one baby rhino which was also very cute, but due to their aggresive nature it wasn't brought too near the visitors.We spent the afternoon relaxing at our campsite before heading to the airport and the final flight of my 5 month trip.  I couldn't believe it had gone so fast, although I was looking forward to getting home and seeing everyone as well as not living out of a backpack anymore!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236992400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236992400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236992400/tpod.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:57:11 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Taupo, North Island, New Zealand

tbc...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236900600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236900600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236900600/tpod.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:31:31 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Maketu, New Zealand

tbc...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236784800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236784800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236784800/tpod.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:30:00 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Raglan, New Zealand

tbc...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1237073400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1237073400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1237073400/tpod.html Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:00:40 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand

We had perfect weather for the Tongariro crossing, which is a 20km hike inbetween Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe and through the Tongariro National Park.  Mt Ngauruhoe is most famous for starring as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films!tbc...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236551400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236551400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/5/1236551400/tpod.html Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:56:18 -0400 Chasing the sun: from Hong Kong to Africa via Australasia

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong

I got great views of Hong Kong as we came into land because there was a storm over the airport so we had to circle a couple of times.  The city certainly looked very impressive from the sky.  I managed to get upgraded to a single room for 1 night as the hostel was full which was very nice.  The hostel was a little way from the main city area but with trams and the metro for only a couple of dollars it wasn't a problem!Sadly the weather wasn't great whilst I was in Hong Kong, it was quite rainy and misty.  However, the sun came out for a while on my second afternoon so I took the opportunity to take the tram up to the top of Victoria Peak.  I was gald I took the tram as it was so steep - almost a 45 degree angle!  Once at the top there were great views over the city and I could spot most of the 'famous' skyscrapers.  Unfortunately it was a bit too misty to see Kowloon, across the harbour, clearly.Later that night I headed across to Kowloon to watch The Symphony of Lights - a really cheesy light show to music, where each building that particpated was introduced (no bowing though!).  It was pretty impressive though.  The next night I watched it from the city side as other buildings in Kowloon also light up.I also took the outdoor escalators up the mid levels - a much better alternative to walking up the steep streets but a little bizzrare all the same!I wandered around various markets and was amazed at how busy the streets were - I'll never complain about Oxford Street again!  The bird market was filled with tiny cages the bird seemed to fill or larger cages with up to 30 birds crammed into them - a bit cruel I thought.I took a look round Man Mo Temple which was beautiful, but so full of incense (from sticks and huge coils dangling from the ceiling) that it was hard to stay in there for long.  It also meant there were huge extractor fans, causing the temple not to be as tranquil as I was expecting.My last day in Hong Kong was a bit of a disaster.  I headed over to the Po Lin Monastery, which you get to by a cable car, which is supposed to give great views.  Not so when I was there as it was so misty you could barely see the car in front!  The omens were not good for seeing the giant gold buddha (called Tian Tan)  which was the purpose of my trip.  Once at the top visibility was no better but I wandered through the fake Chinese village and to the bottom of the 200 or so steps that led up to the buddha.  I began my ascent without beign able to see what was at the top and once I reached the summit I could just about make out the outline of the buddha and one of his hands.  I wandered round the base and inside the little museum which brought you out at the top of the pedestal where I could see the buddha a little more clearly, but still not well.I then walked down to the monastery itself and heard the end of a ceremony.  I then had the biggest lunch - I don't think they were used to catering for 1!  I had loads of soup, rice and all sorts of veggie dishes which were very good.  Visibility had got even worse by the time I finished, which made me glad I got up early.  I headed back to the city and spent my last couple of hours in the botanical gardens and zoo, which mostly had birds and monkeys in it.I'd definitely like to go back to Hong Kong, hopefully when the weather is a bit better!  Roll on the sun in New Zealand...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1196011800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1196011800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1196011800/tpod.html Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:09:00 -0500 An all too brief trip to the rather chilly but beautiful Balkans

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Dubrovnik, Croatia

tbc...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1195866900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1195866900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/smee_elaine/the_balkans_07/1195866900/tpod.html Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:21:04 -0500 An all too brief trip to the rather chilly but beautiful Balkans

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Split, Croatia

tbc...
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