Captain Kitty's Insatiable Wunderlust

Gallery: Amazonas

captainkitty — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 07:51:00 GMT

8 days in the Amazon

Boating Through The Amazon Aboard The M/Y Tucano

captainkitty — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:17:00 GMT

HOT & WET.

That describes this trip perfectly. The rainforest is a little different than I initially thought it would look like, it's drier and there aren't as many gooey mushroom plants LOL just a lot of different trees, branches, and vines. The vines are hard like wood, I don't think Tarzan could swing on these! Anyhow,

I drank a lot of wine last night and was quite ill. Blame it on the motion of the boat, the Amazon humidity, or the thick red wine... I am feeling much better today (it's also late afternoon) I skipped out on this morning's excursion, but I don't care I needed the sleep. I still am quite dehydrated.

We finally got to swim today! The water was warm & red, I could swim underneath you and not be seen. I actually scared Jimbo and Gabriel (the guide). He scared me in return, using a peice of wood. Bugger.

Been taking loads of photos, I can't wait to develop them!

I haven't quit smoking yet but I think it's (sort of) possible. I only have a few more days of this amazing trip & it will be all over too fast... I am really enjoying this sun and warmth, I think I'm getting a tan and I'm seeing a lot of beautiful stuff! I'm so lucky to be here!

--next day--

SO here we are again, it's hot and still hasn't rained. [for the record, this is the rainy season. in the rainforest.]

My health seems good, I'm eating really fresh & exotic food but I'm not losing any weight which is strange. Probably due to the 3 full meals a day + snacks! This morning's excursion was short, it seems like there is less and less wildlife. Our outings are still 4 a day but not as long as usual.

I found a cockroach in the bathroom... I named him Archie (for Helen). I AM SO EXHAUSTED.

The exursions are beginning to get repetative and I think I want to skip out... I think only 3 ppl have missed anything so far. This trip has been amazing!

So relaxing, and exhausting at the same time!

I'm getting hungry, but I don't want to eat. I'm going to go home a Hippo.

Temperatures have been ranging 28-33 degrees Celcius, even at night. The sun set's around 6:30, and today it rained for 5 minutes (sunny).

Time to change into outfit #35!

I LOVE PIRHANA FISHING (I didn't really catch anything except a couple babies). Pirhana is great fried in batter... MMMMMMMM.

Packing List for the Amazon

captainkitty — Fri, 2 Feb 2007 06:17:00 GMT

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Packing for The Amazon

a strong liquid detergent for washing the sweat from your hiking clothes.
hiking boots or shoes, preferably waterproof, and snake-proof!
3-5 hiking outfits. Long pants a MUST! Long sleeves would be good too. NO BLACK! Short sleeves can pass for daytime, but make sure you wear lots and lots of sunscreen. Avoid short sleeves for night excursions or walks in the woods or swamps, where there are lots of bugs.
Several casual outfits for lounging in the heat! Light dresses, sarongs, shorts/tee's. You won't need lots of this if you keep busy in the rainforest!
Clothespins (sometimes) depending on if they are supplied - but they're good to have.
Maleria pills and diarrhea medicine
Books to read for the long flight
Journal or notebook to track animals, itinerary etc. or write things down!
First Aid Kit - Antiseptic, Ointment, Anti-itch, band-aids, Water purify tablets, alcohol pads.
Floss!!! And toothbrush/paste.
Water bottle of your own is also nice (I got blue dye all over my arms from the bottles we were given, because of the DEET melting the dye)
Sandals (not for walking but OK for boats)
Hats! Cover your head, the equator WILL fry your brain! Ball caps are ok, but it's good to cover Face AND Neck.
iPod is very nice to have.
Soap/Shampoo/Etc. that can dissolve in COLD WATER. Biodegradable please!
Ziploc bags, garbage bags, anything to protect your camera, film, and other things. (Your passport will likely melt in the humidity)
Luggage lock.
Socks! Your feet will sweat on the hikes, and if you don't bring socks, you will suffer.
Earplugs. I'm scared of bugs at night crawling in my ears!
Bugspray with AT LEAST 30% DEET. Off backwoods is good.
SUNSCREEN. The sun is MUCH stronger near the equator, and it only takes 1 hour to get a suntan, or sunburn depending on your skin. ALSO a nasty side effect of Malarone is that you TURN RED in any amount of sun, so you'll look like you are sunburnt. I had a bright red nose for days, but I didn't burn!
DO NOT KEEP FOOD ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR BELONGINGS. Just a wise piece of advice...
Sunglasses. This is something I drastically regret having forgotten.
Bring a little bit of money too! You can buy handicrafts from the occassional villagers! Usually 10-30 Reais.

Brief Overview in The NW of Italy

captainkitty — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 13:28:00 GMT

Quoted from my blog

Italy - Sept 19th 2006

Holy cow, talk about the best day in my whole entire life. I still agree with myself, Cinque Terre is the most beautiful place on earth!

I had a few bottles of wine the night before my flight, Sara the psysicist and I got into a heated debate about dark matter and dark energy that i can only recall a small flurry of. The next morning (well, 4 hours later) I was up and getting ready for my flight to Genova.
I pretty much passed out the whole way, and in spite of my run down condition I was grinning from ear to ear as I stepped off the plane into the heat!
I think I landed in Heaven.

Riccardo was at the airport to pick me up, and off toBonassolla. The roads were winding and my stomach was aching! I still couldnt helpt but taking in the view, GOD it was gorgeous.

Anyhow, after arriving in Bonassolla (fucking amazing) Riccardo and I settled on the beach for a tan.
There has been a few things going on but I am already bored of typing...

Eating at Ricky's Mamas ristorante
going out on a boat and snorkling
getting knocked over by vicious waves
not having hot water to shower
squeezing into the tiny tub
visiting Riomaggiore for a real trip back in time
taking the train (il Treno)
dressing up to the nines and wearing the ugliest wig, AND fooling everyone!
pretending not to speak Italian when there is an "arrapato" about!
Speaking Italian and amazing everyone
eating Mozzarella that tastes like my brothers whipping cream dessert
Upgrading to a suite with so many goodies to take home like toothpaste and glasses cleaner
feeding a dog bread
seeing an enormous jellyfish!
waking up to Riccardo standing over me with my wig on
watching Italian TV and understanding some of it!
window shopping
REAL cappuccino!
seeing a tv star about the streets of Genova
taking lots of pictures!

Ok all, I really gotta run now!

A PRESTO!

Love U Annie! Call me soon!

Gallery: Italy 2006

captainkitty — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:14:00 GMT

Trip to Italy Sept-Oct '06: London-Genova-Bonassola-Firenze-Lucca-Pisa-Roma-Riomaggiore

Packing for Italy

captainkitty — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:59:00 GMT

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Packing List - 28 days in Italy

I have nearly completed my packing list for my upcoming trip:

33 days in Europe.

I am flying into London, HTR with Air Canada (I love you Air Canada!) but once I get there, I'll be flying to Genoa with Ryan Air, allowing only 20 Kilos of total checked luggage. Normally that's no big deal, because I can have up to 10 Kilos carry on (this is where I would usually keep all my bathroom items, like shampoo and shaving cream and things that could potentially leak all over my clothing). But wait; hooray! The Terrorists have screwed things up for everyone once again! NOW we have to CHECK everything that I would normally have in my carry on, the HEAVY things. Clothes don't weigh much. Bathroom stuff does. I can't have ANYTHING, not even make-up in my carry on. This is bullshit (smart, safe, but bullshit) so I have to pack 33 days worth of things into 20 Kilos of one suitcase.

So I've been working on a packlist, very very specific packing list!

ESSENTIALS

Small club purse
Wallet (drivers liscence, passport, local currency, travellers cheques, Roadpost phone number cards, scuba liscence, credit cards)
Address book
Travel journal & 1 good pen
Printout of flight information
Phrasebook & guidebook
1 lightweight suitcase
Easy to pack duffle bag

PERSONAL ITEMS

Soap in container
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash
Facial exfoliant
Lotion
Cosmetics & make-up remover
Hairbrush
Feminine hygiene products
Hand wipes
Visene
Painkillers, sleeping pills, MIDOL
Q-tips
Deodorant & perfume
Cotton pads
Toothpaste, toothbrush, floss

CLOTHING

Warm sweater/jacket (LIGHTWEIGHT!)
2 long sleeved shirts
2 t-shirts
Tank top/muscle shirt
Club shirt/dress shirt
Dress pants/slacks
2 pairs of Jeans
Jean skirt
Jean shorts
Summer dress
2 Club dresses
Dinner dress/cocktail dress
Casual warm weather outfit (cotton)
Track suit (for travel)
PJ's
7 x panties
4 x socks
3 bras (black, white, neutral)
Walking shoes
Club heels
Casual heels
2 bikini's

ADDITIONAL TRAVEL GEAR

Souvenirs of Canada (for trade/gifts)
Underwater camera (disposable but expensive - I have 3 sitting at home)
Digital Camera, AA batteries, memory cards
iPod, Charger
Mini-speakers
Adapters
Cellphone & charger
Postcards from home
Notepad/extra pens
Clothspins
Laundry detergent
Pillowcase
Ziploc bags
Duct tape & masking tape
Scissors
Cards (for fun)
Pocket knife
Glue stick (for scrapbooking on the go so you don't have to bring it all home!)
Watch & jewelry you don't mind losing
Travel clock (with alarm!!!)
Mini flashlight
matches or lighter
Mirror
Kaopectate (for when food disagrees with you)
Listerene pocket packs
Inscence, maybe small scented candles
Book to read
Luggage locks

There, I'm done! That's everything I need to bring. I made sure I was very specific, I made some things less specific but I'd like to note some rules and tips that make packing for travel so much easier.

Clothing: if you don't like wearing it, don't bring it! It won't look any better in Milan. This is a tip I read in a book called "solo traveller". Normally you'd think everyone knows better, but I had always convinced myself that it was better to bring things you would be able to throw away to make room. Not really that great of an idea... It does suck wearing shit you don't like! Why not bring less of clothes you love, then you won't mind wearing them? Plus, pictures turn out better!
Packing - be super specific. Write down exactly what item you're bringing, and how many. Sit down and write, rewrite your list. Pack, repack. Take everything you don't really need and convince yourself not to bring it. Think of what you can buy locally, if you don't really need it. The worse thing to pack is shoes. They are heavy, and you don't end up wearing half of them! With clothes, make sure every item can mix and match. Don't bother packing 7 bras with 30 matching panties, so they go with every outfit. I do that all the time, it actually takes up a lot of space and BRAS CAN GET HEAVY. Every pound counts on an airplane!
Be neutral. With colours, I mean. The less colours you have, the less you have to worry about making things match. Shoes, undergarments, accessories, make-up, however you usually are with dressing. You can use 1-2 colours of eyeshadow to cover a lot of bases. It will save room on clunky and annoying make-up. Same with lipstick... 2-3 colours will do fine! (light, med, dark) Pick pants that are a neutral colour that will match most of your shirts. Get creative.
JEANS ARE HEAVY.... SO ARE SHOES. Keep these at a minimum. Note: the older the clothing, the lighter they are. After being worn and washed, clothes get thinner (including jeans) making them perfect to pack! So if you have a pair you have loved for 5 years, then bring'em! They'll be comfy, light, and easy to scrunch up next to your favorite pair of shoes. Remember that where you are going, will need certain shoes. Don't bring high heels to Africa, bring walking shoes. Sit down with your shoes and actually WEIGH THEM with your hands, you'll be amazed at how some runners are so heavy!
What will I be buying? Ask yourself before you leave. I'm going to buy shoes and a purse in Italy. So I will not be bringing an extra bag like I usually do, and I'm only bringing 1 pair of heels. Saves me room :) and I know I have nothing to worry about! I know I can buy clothes there for super cheap that are really nice. I won't bring more than I need to last 1-2 weeks!
Can you send anything in the mail? MAIL YOURSELF stuff that might be akward to pack. Heavy stuff, shoes, trinkets, etc. If you can, have someone mail something you maybe forgot and really really need after you have arrived.

That is pretty much all I have to say about packing, whew! Hope I can follow my own rules lol!

I am so excited about leaving, it's all I can think about. I told my girlfriend: it's like an incredible pain that can't subside with a painkiller. I ache inside, I'm slimly avoiding clinical depression by reminding myself I'll be on an airplane soon enough! I haven't spent this much time without travel in a LONG TIME... I haven't even gone to BC to visit my parents! Ouch... Ok I am going to drink my tea and dream about pasta, cappuccino, sleeping in, cheap merlot, and flirting italian men! GOD I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDANCE ONLY EXPERIENCED BY A WOMAN TRAVELLING ALONE!!!

Goodnight!

Where I wish I was.

captainkitty — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 08:11:00 GMT

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Travel Plans

Travel Plans for Kit and Annie

Queen Mary 2 - spend time in the Casino meeting wealthy people, wear fancy dresses
Explore a new Cruise line - Costa Cruise (all italian!)
Panama Canal (cruise?) / South America
South Africa - Several countries on this list!
Egypt - Camel riding, markets, pyramids (archaeology)
Fiji
Camels on the Sahara Desert
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rice terraces in the Philippines
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Norway (see the northern lights) Oslo?
Scuba diving in Malaysia
Ireland - Dublin, castles
Jodhpur, India
-Possibly leaving end of Oct - first week Nov?
-Taj Mahal!!!
-Monkey gardens and abandoned palaces
Amsterdam (Gotta see the sex shows and smoke a joint)
- Fly Air Canada 838$ thru Frankfurt
Mayan Ruins
Zimbabwe - Visit Dumi
Scotland (Glasgow)
Austria - Vienna, Talk to Gary F?
Australia - Outback Safari, jungles
Petra, Jordan
St. Petersburg, Russia
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
New Zealand, jungles?
Peru
Iguaçu Falls, Argentina/Brazil *
Bangcock, Thailand (Scuba) and islands
-Fly over during India trip
Gobi Desert? Mongolia
Cambodia
See the gorillas in Uganda
Moscow
Greece
-Athens, couchsurfing?
Mediterranean Cruise
Morocco
Prague
Thailand
-Fly over during India trip
Istanbul, Turkey (Annie's Fav!)
Castle tour of Europe (1 month)
Backpack through Europe/Asia for 6 months

Puerta Vallarta Resort

captainkitty — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 08:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Mexico, Day 1

Day 1 - Fuckin Heaven.

Need I say more?

10am catch a non stop flight (I get a window seat right on) absolutely crowded plane to an even more crowded customs room in Puerto Vallarta.
Then a bus to Palladium Vallarta, about an hour out of the city. Get a blue bracelet slapped on my wrist to never come off for a week, a key and a map of the resort.
Immediately change into appropriate attire, and make my way to the pool. Yea baby, I want a pina colada. Dump lots of tequila in there. YEA.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Mexico Day 2

Day 2-

Reality sinks in.

My cellphone doesn't work in this country.
There's no internet access.
Payphone costs 1.11$ US a minute.
I'm gone, away from the world.
OK, so I go meet Pablo, and Argentinan guy who takes me to the pool, throws me a tank and some flippers, and I have my introductory scuba lesson. We swam around the bottom of the pool grabbing kids by the ankles for about 45 minutes... it was great ;) And back to the beach, I went kyaking. I don't have any pictures because my digital camera isn't Ocean-proof, so here, just have a look at my fearless self.
I mean, just look at those waves..... wow....

I passed out by 11pm.

No more drinking mexican shitmixes... Ugh

Friday, February 11, 2005

Mexico Day 3

So it's friday, and yesterday with all my free time between scuba and kyaking I booked a few excursions. Today I leave at 830am to hit the city, Puerto Vallarta.
We started with a four hour frikin drive I'm so damn tired I sleep the whole time. GOd its hotWalked around for a while, bored...

But Edwardo and Poncho the tour guides are funny, so I listen on occassion.
Did you know that PV has no unemployment? It's only grown the past 15 years? And there's lots of rich housing there... damn.
NO windows or doors on most of them... But yea, bought a nice skeleton thingy that I think is fuckin cool as hell.

Oh yea, then we went up to the jungle, walking down a rocky path to a restaurant without electricity and ate burnt pyrana or something like that. It was alright... I loved the view.

afterwards, we hit a local tequila factory, where they handmade their own tequila! (i hate the stuff but it was a nice educational tour)

Facts:
Tequila does not have a worm in it. That's Mezcal, totally different.
Good tequila should never give you a hangover, look for the following: 100% BLUE agava, No additives or preservatives.
The plants they use take 10 years to grow, and they rip off the leaves using only the heart, which they then boil, and crush using the juices to ferment into the alcohol. Then they distill it.
You want it handmade. Distilled in a giant vat of wood and clay. That, is real tequila.

End of my day, I was pooped. (and buzzed)

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Mexico Day 4

wake up in the morning, and throw on my jean cutoffs because today ladies and gentlemen, i get on a horse for the first time in 8 years.

A small group of 4 jumped into a cab, and drove down a rickety old dirt road to a little ranch with flea ridden dogs and little horses. We all mounted, and attempted desiphering the battered english spoken by our tour guide.

we rode through a little village, looking at the culture and wildlife (mango trees and wild iguanas)
Eventually making our way down the the beach, where I galloped seaside, soaking everything I had (and even salting my camera)I lost my hat a total of 6 times. The tour guide picked it up for me every time. It's muddy and busted. I still have it.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Mexico Day 5

My groin aches from yesterdays horseride, and today there aren't any excursions.

So I decide to jump on the local bus for only 8 pesos, and take a ride to Bucerias. A little town thats closeby.

I looked out the window (while holding on for dear life) watching the crazy mexicans riding in the back of trucks, the military mexicans and their machine guns on the side of the road, and then bus driver opening the door to let a passanger jump out so he doesn't have to stop.

I arrived into the town shortly thereafter, travelling with a couple of older gentlemen whom I found to be quite amusing, and drunk. We decided to stick together, just in case I got lost... We hit all the shops in the flea market, where the vendors displayed all there mexican made crap on outdoor tables, and sent little children up to you to sell more crappy junk.

I bought a cowboy hat for 15$ (normal cost in calgary 42$) just because I'm from "cowtown" (GOD I HATE COUNTRY MUSIC oh well Damn I looked good) and a matching bikini for 10$.

I changed in a crab infested restaurant bathroom that you needed water in a bucket to flush the toilet.

Drinking 1$ cervesas, and eating gigantic shrimp, I finally caved in and bought a painted ceramic turtle from a little kid for about 5$, and got a free picture. He even shed a tear ;) how photogenic can you be?

So yea, All day in town, and several cervesas later, I stumbled back to the bus stop, and headed home.

Buffet dinner, watched the badly choreographed theatre preformance, and went to bed

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Mexico Day 7

So today is my last day here, (tuesday) before I leave. I had a great and fun filled week...

I booked a massage today to ease the pain that still lingers in my groin (bloody horses trotting ugh) and had a full body, soft swedish massage with aromatherapy and soft music. This is the shitty part- It was a girl, and the only part of my body she didn't massage was, YOU GUESSED IT! The part that hurt the worst. My inner theighs. Why didn't I get a lesbian?

I spent all day in the sun, trying to even my tan lines, and saying goodbye to the 30 degree weather that I was just getting used to.

Met a couple (Andrea and Cedrik) who I followed into PV, we hit some pubs, and followed an actual pub crawl from bar to bar, hoards of canadians in white T shirts getting hammered... Was interesting!

After a long night that went by too fast, I said goodbye to Night Mexico.