So I have successfully made it from the west coast of South America to the east coast you will be pleased to hear! I have to admit after 10 weeks traveling on cramped, smelly and sometimes downright disgusting buses, a flight with entertainment and food certainly left me feeling pampered.
Anyway I digress...so from Arequipa I headed north into the mountains to Cusco. As a city it was almost solely dedicated towards tourists (for the obvious reason of Macchu Picchu), however that didn't totally take away from it's quaint Plaza and the picturesque remaining original cobbled streets. That being said, I have to admit Cusco was a bit of a non-stop party, so that is what I did for a few days. (Grudgingly obviously, I mean even the Lonely Planet suggested I spent a few days there 'acclimatizing'). A number of stories came from those nights, the majority of which I cannot publish on an Internet forum either because of fear of arrest or sheer embarrassment (Joking Mum)...well partly. One chuckle-worthy anecdote I'll throw in was of my friends Emma and Jen persuading me to check in the next morning to their hostel when we were all totally bladdered at 4 in the morning. Totally convinced, and after spending 2 hours on a park bench speaking what I thought at the time was perfect Spanish to a friendly Peruvian man, I wondered back up the hill to my hostel. I proceeded to check out at around 6am, pay my bill and then asked if I could sleep until about 10 before leaving. The guy on duty agreed that was fine, and I headed off for a few hours kip. I woke up with my head pounding and my vision slightly blurred. I decided sod carrying my bags to another hostel, crawled out of bed and checked straight back in again! How decisions seem so easy after doing countless shots and dancing on a bar...
After these few nights of debauchery, which also included hitting a Peruvian cage fight, I decided to consider my options on how I wanted to get to Macchu Picchu. After much deliberation I decided I was going to book the two day train trip (there and back) as time wasn't on my side for a 4/5 day trek and I wanted to do a number of things before getting to Santiago for my next flight. With that decided, I went into town the next morning....and came back having booked a 4 day jungle trek with my traveling buddies Dom, Lucy and Jess.
So much for planning ahead.
It turned out to be the best spur of the moment decision of my trip so far (and yes you of those who know me well won't be surprised that I have made a fair few!). The trek included a day's mountain biking, half a day of ziplining across Canyons and 1 and a half days trekking through mountains and jungle (the 4th day being Macchu Picchu itself). The mountain biking was a good laugh, whilst the trekking was both challenging and rewarding, and both sections had attached stunning scenery. Again those of you who know me well should know my aversion to heights...and they came aplenty in this trip. We actually did a portion of the original Inca Trail which was breath-taking, a path no wider than you or I curving around the top of the mountains with a sheer drop on one side. Unfortunately I didn't get to appreciate the view that much as I spent the majority of the time virtually kissing the rock face and frantically chewing coca leaves in the vain hope they'd get me so buzzed that I didn't notice the height.
It didn't work.
After managing that feat however I found a new confidence, and ziplining the next day, although at similar height, was something I loved! Even ziplining to a wooden ledge nailed to a sheer cliff face didn't deter me. Things as always however were about to get worse...
As I was standing on this ledge feeling chuffed with myself that I was actually enjoying the heights, I started to wonder where on earth I was supposed to go next as there was no zipline from this cliff face to the other side of the canyon. I turn to see the small Peruvian assistant grinning at me, and pointing straight up the cliff face, where I suddenly notice tiny metal handles stuck into the rock. After frantically shaking my head at him for about 30 seconds my mind was made up for me as I suddenly noticed a shadow growing on the wall and turned to see Dom's legs and arse ziplining towards me at full pelt. Realizing there wasn't room on the platform for 3 of us I had no choice but to start climbing up the rock face. Spiderman I am not ladies and gents, although I am again proud to say I did it!
There are many more stories from that trek, but I shan't bore you with them, needless to say I had an Inca-redible time! (I apologise, I had to fit in a cringeworthy pun otherwise a certain Mr Friedman may have never spoken to me again).
Macchu Picchu itself has been the highlight of my trip to date. To describe it in words is somewhat pointless so I'll be brief. Breath-taking.
Next on the list was Lake Titicaca, the highest lake in the world. We decided to cross the border and head to the 'Isla del Sol' on the Bolivian side. The island itself was a bit sparse, but again the views from the top were incredible. We trekked from the south to the north of the island and due to the altitude we all found it tougher than expected. As a consequence, the beer break we decided to have 30 minutes into the hike meant we spent the last 45 mins walking in the pitch black, but we all maintained it was worth it.
After returning the next morning by boat to the mainland, we headed straight to La Paz. At first glance the highest capital in the world is admittedly fairly impressive. Sprawled across a valley, buildings went for as far as the eye could see, as well as almost sitting on top of each other up the valley walls. Combined again with the snow-capped Andes towering over the city, it was again another impressive sight to add to the list. Unfortunately that's pretty much all I saw of La Paz as I was struck down with the travelers favorite: food poisoning. Fun times for me!
And this is where I will sign off for Chapter 4 of my blog. I hope you've enjoyed it and stay tuned, Chapter 5, which will hopefully bring us up to the present day, will be winging it's way to you all very soon hopefully!
Until the next time amigos!
Love
Ginge
Xxxx
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Thursday, 22 September 2011
A Month into the Wilderness....
So this is my first blog since the leaving the UK...and in all honesty I've already left it too long and there will be numerous stories I'll forget to recount, but I'll give it my best shot!
So to start, it was another magnificent summer at good old AV! To all the staff who may read this blog, I miss you all and thanks again for an incredible summer! The staff banquet was nothing short of pure banter and messiness :), (from what I remember at least).
From there a number of the AV crew had a epic trip to Six Flags and a great few nights at the abodes of Miss Leigh Dale and Miss Laura Ruiz / Sir Enrique Ruiz (thanks again guys).
And then onto the traveling itself, first stop Las Vegas...and what a stop it was. A mass of bright lights through some very blurry vision where some money was won and lost (I'll leave it up to you the reader to guess where my luck fell!). From there myself and Andy bid adieu to Siobhan and Laura and headed through the desert and over the Rockies to L.A.
Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed with LA overall, it was too big (with useless public transport) although Venice Beach was pretty stunning with a beachwalk that reminded me oddly of Camden Markets! That being said we still managed to have a number of very messy nights...(anyone who wants to know more details on this I'll direct you to Andrew Mackintosh ;) ).
I then said goodbye to the US and said 'Ola' to South America where I met Charlotte in Lima. A city which reminded me of home with its grey and drizzly skies, it's locals were on the whole friendly with a couple of really nice areas in Barranco and Miraflores and some pretty colourful markets to wonder through at your leisure.
After 4 or 5 days there, we headed up the coast to Trujillo, a pretty and unassuming beach town which had a picturesque main square where you could soak up some sun and people watch for hours over a coffee.
Then we crossed the border in a long 32 hour jaunt up to Quito, Ecuador which is sat plum centre in the Andean Mountains giving it a stunning backdrop. The city itself doesn't let itself down either, the 'new town' providing awesome nightlife (I may need to invest in some salsa lessons at some point!), and the 'old town' supplying a number of beautiful cathedrals which you find by winding your way through a number of old cobbled streets.
I realize this is a seriously long post so stay with me, not long to go now! After Quito we headed into the Amazon rainforest on a 5 day trek which was nothing short of amazing. From seeing Pink Dolphins on the first day (which almost caused Charlotte to pass out with excitement), to doing a night hike and discovering numerous spiders that held more poison than I would care to think about, the whole trip was non-stop and something I'd recommend to anyone. As well as Piranha fishing and Caiman Hunting, we also spent every sunset swimming in a relatively safe lagoon which had to be the highlight of my trip. What I didn't quite enjoy so much was packing my socks on the last morning.
Why you ask?
Well, as I was packing said socks, I suddenly something pretty large and hairy on my hand...and to my sheer terror I looked down to see a tarantula casually sitting in the palm of my hand!
Obviously I laughed, gave it a stroke and put it down in the grass outside......what, you don't believe me? Well you're right, I screamed like a little girl, lobbed the spider against the nearest wall and followed up by lobbing my socks and boots at it. Now animal lovers, don't look too badly on me, this was a pure adrenaline reaction remember!
After returning to Quito we have now made our way down to the hills if South Ecuador, to place called Vilcabamba. Apparently the locals are known for not 'kicking the bucket' as it were, and I don't blame them, this place is pure peace and tranquility. Find attached the view I'm looking at whilst I write this blog (if I can upload it). As well as recharging our batteries, Charlotte and I did a day's horse-back trekking through the mountains yesterday, which although hairy at times due to the sheer drops a foot either side of the paths, was another awesome experience. Unfortunately I can now barely move and my buttocks desperately need to be put in an ice bucket...apparently I didn't quit realize how painful horse riding is! At the end of the day we rode back into town, cowboy hats and all, like some cliched western. Sadly it was probably more along the lines of 'brokeback mountain' than 'the good, the bad and the ugly' but I'll skip quickly past that.
And so I sit here now sore but very happy looking forward to heading down south and tackling the rest of the west coast of South America!
Until the next time I blog (which will be sooner this time I promise), adios amigos and hasta luego!
Ginge xXx
So to start, it was another magnificent summer at good old AV! To all the staff who may read this blog, I miss you all and thanks again for an incredible summer! The staff banquet was nothing short of pure banter and messiness :), (from what I remember at least).
From there a number of the AV crew had a epic trip to Six Flags and a great few nights at the abodes of Miss Leigh Dale and Miss Laura Ruiz / Sir Enrique Ruiz (thanks again guys).
And then onto the traveling itself, first stop Las Vegas...and what a stop it was. A mass of bright lights through some very blurry vision where some money was won and lost (I'll leave it up to you the reader to guess where my luck fell!). From there myself and Andy bid adieu to Siobhan and Laura and headed through the desert and over the Rockies to L.A.
Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed with LA overall, it was too big (with useless public transport) although Venice Beach was pretty stunning with a beachwalk that reminded me oddly of Camden Markets! That being said we still managed to have a number of very messy nights...(anyone who wants to know more details on this I'll direct you to Andrew Mackintosh ;) ).
I then said goodbye to the US and said 'Ola' to South America where I met Charlotte in Lima. A city which reminded me of home with its grey and drizzly skies, it's locals were on the whole friendly with a couple of really nice areas in Barranco and Miraflores and some pretty colourful markets to wonder through at your leisure.
After 4 or 5 days there, we headed up the coast to Trujillo, a pretty and unassuming beach town which had a picturesque main square where you could soak up some sun and people watch for hours over a coffee.
Then we crossed the border in a long 32 hour jaunt up to Quito, Ecuador which is sat plum centre in the Andean Mountains giving it a stunning backdrop. The city itself doesn't let itself down either, the 'new town' providing awesome nightlife (I may need to invest in some salsa lessons at some point!), and the 'old town' supplying a number of beautiful cathedrals which you find by winding your way through a number of old cobbled streets.
I realize this is a seriously long post so stay with me, not long to go now! After Quito we headed into the Amazon rainforest on a 5 day trek which was nothing short of amazing. From seeing Pink Dolphins on the first day (which almost caused Charlotte to pass out with excitement), to doing a night hike and discovering numerous spiders that held more poison than I would care to think about, the whole trip was non-stop and something I'd recommend to anyone. As well as Piranha fishing and Caiman Hunting, we also spent every sunset swimming in a relatively safe lagoon which had to be the highlight of my trip. What I didn't quite enjoy so much was packing my socks on the last morning.
Why you ask?
Well, as I was packing said socks, I suddenly something pretty large and hairy on my hand...and to my sheer terror I looked down to see a tarantula casually sitting in the palm of my hand!
Obviously I laughed, gave it a stroke and put it down in the grass outside......what, you don't believe me? Well you're right, I screamed like a little girl, lobbed the spider against the nearest wall and followed up by lobbing my socks and boots at it. Now animal lovers, don't look too badly on me, this was a pure adrenaline reaction remember!
After returning to Quito we have now made our way down to the hills if South Ecuador, to place called Vilcabamba. Apparently the locals are known for not 'kicking the bucket' as it were, and I don't blame them, this place is pure peace and tranquility. Find attached the view I'm looking at whilst I write this blog (if I can upload it). As well as recharging our batteries, Charlotte and I did a day's horse-back trekking through the mountains yesterday, which although hairy at times due to the sheer drops a foot either side of the paths, was another awesome experience. Unfortunately I can now barely move and my buttocks desperately need to be put in an ice bucket...apparently I didn't quit realize how painful horse riding is! At the end of the day we rode back into town, cowboy hats and all, like some cliched western. Sadly it was probably more along the lines of 'brokeback mountain' than 'the good, the bad and the ugly' but I'll skip quickly past that.
And so I sit here now sore but very happy looking forward to heading down south and tackling the rest of the west coast of South America!
Until the next time I blog (which will be sooner this time I promise), adios amigos and hasta luego!
Ginge xXx
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
So the Adventure begins.....
Hey All,
So I've decided to start a blog in order for all you lovely people to track my whereabouts / find out what I'm getting up to!
For people who don't know, or aren't quite sure what my plans are....well I don't have a clue either! I fly out to Boston tomorrow where I'm staying for a few days with friends, before moving on to work back at Agassiz Village Summer Camp.
After what I'm sure will be an amazing month or two, I'm planning to spend a silly amount of money over an extremely long amount of time...hence I have no idea when I'll be back in Landaaaaaan.
Rough plan is travel to the West Coast of America with Mr Andrew Macintosh Esquire (shout out to you kind sir) after camp, and then to head on down to South America to meet Miss Charlotte Watkins in Peru (shout out to you fair lady).
From there I'm looking to travel South America until about January of next year, then move on to Australia and New Zealand (and Fiji), and then on up to South East Asia, with a potential stop in India, before heading home whenever my money runs dry!
Anyway, I won't bore you with any more of this for now as I haven't got anything to report yet!
Hope you're all well, muchos love and Bon Voyage :).
Ginge xxxx
P.s. I'll try not to crack as many cringeworthy jokes as someone who will remain nameless...no...I take that back, he should be named and shamed...Mr Jonathan Friedman.
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