Next Stop......South America! Vamos!

Brasil Brasil Brasil!!

jessica184 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:58:00 GMT

If you like the hot weather and love to party, Brasil is certaintly the place. Since arriving in early Feburary, everywhere we went the Carnaval spirit has been alive. Even though the offical Carnaval started on the 3rd of March, pré Carnaval festivities had absoultely started! Everywhere we went, any night of the week, we were sure to find something on.

Beautiful Rio was our first destination leaving us absolutely love struck! So much so, we found ourselves returning 4 weeks later for another week.

Unfortunately when we first arrived to Rio our bags didn´t. The airline sent them to South Africa instead of South America, easy mistake perhaps? Not sure... It didn´t take us too long to forget we had no luggage after we had a few Caipriosca´s and a night out in Ipanema with a group from our Hostel.

It seems that the first week of being in Rio, all we did was go out partying. On Friday nights, thousands of Gringo´s and other party goers pack the streets of Lapa causing havoc and drinking muito Caiprihnia´s and Cerveja´s. The drinks are incredibly cheap here and we managed to find free poured Caipriosca´s for $2,40 - say no more!

There have been many highlights in Rio inparticular the food, a Fumiezse football match, shaking our butts at a Favela funk party and waking up at 8am to go to Carnaval street parties. This city never sleeps!

Aside from the parties, Rio is a beautiful picturesque place. Sunset at Ipanema beach is gorgeous and the views from Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer show you Rio as far as your eyes can see.

Close by to Rio is a beautiful get away island Ilha Grande. Looking back we wish we stayed here longer as 3 nights just wasn´t enough. Staying at a hostel right on the water meant that this was the perfect place to relax after the insanity of Rio. There is plenty of hiking to do on this island but we optioned for the boat rides because I can´t think of anything worse than hiking in 40c degree heat. Boat rides can take you anywhere you want including the most memorable beach we have been to so far Lopes Mendes.

To be cont....

Counting Down to Rio...

jessica184 — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:49:00 GMT

This time in two weeks I'll be on a plane with my dear friend Pow to Rio de Janerio, Brazil!! Saude!

When I think of Brazil I think of beautiful beaches, CARNIVAL, samba in the streets, beautiful women in small bikini's (or also known as shoestrings), lots of parties, the Amazon and troublesome favelas.

From what I have heard and read, Brazil is going to be one hell of a time and a great place to kick off our 6 month trip around the South American continent.

For our first stop we'll be staying in the heart of Rio in a backpackers 300 metres from Copocabana Beach. Sounds like a pretty good start! We'll stay there for few nights before slowly making our way north to Salvador to go to the world famous week long party known as Carnival! Friends who have been in the past have recommended that I go to Salvador for Carnival and not Rio. Although you always dream of going to Rio for Carnival to see all the glitz and glamour, Salvador sounds like it will be an amazing experience with over 1 million people hitting the streets and blocos for parties everyday for 8 nights.

Aside from all the parties, Pow and I intend on travelling through Brazil for roughly 5 weeks exploring the coast, some inner coastal suburbs and Iguazu Falls.

Crossing the border into Argentina at Iguazu Falls, we will then travel down to Buenos Aires to set up camp for a month or so to scrub up on our espanol at Spanish school and really experience with Argentinian way of living - with the backpacker twist.

Our travel plans beyond living in Buenos Aires are very loose, however we do intend on visiting most of the South American countries including Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Columbia.

We have some ideas on what we want to do and where we want to go however we are leaving it open so we can have the freedom to change our itinerary depending who we meet and the places that our fellow travellers recommend to us.

This is going to be the time of our lives and I'm really looking forward to sharing it through this blog.

Talk soon

Jess

xoxo

Gallery: Thailand

jessica184 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:53:00 GMT

Gallery: Hue, Hanoi & Halong Bay

jessica184 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:38:00 GMT

Vietnam - Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay

jessica184 — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:10:00 GMT

After Hoi An, we left very stressed as our tayloring wasnt finished (hopefully it looks good and arrives in London ok) for Hue. Unfortnatley we didnt get to do anything here becuase it was flooding! It was non stop rain for a good 32 hours! Water was up to our knees and almost coming into our hotel! Lucky we had a room with satilite TV! We did go out for some good curry that night so it wasnt all bad! We were also freaking out as we thought we wouldnt be able to get to our next destitation but it was all ok!

We travelled up to Hanoi and the rain had stopped! YAY! In Hanoi we were staying at a guest house that was in the middle of a food market which was exciting and also very smelly! There were ladies chopping up fish and meat and all sorts of things right at our front door! In Hanoi we walked around the lake and went to the Temple of Literature during the day and then went to a puppet show! It was pretty tacky but funny! Had to go! That night we had the BEST chicken Schnitzel for dinner! We were sick of asian food so went to an Aussie cafe for a feast! =)

After that we went on a 3 day cruise in Halong Bay! Its such a beautiful place! First day we cruised around in the Junk and then we stopped to go kayacking and also went in one of the caves. We slept on the Junk that night and then next day we stopped in at Cat Ba Island. We went on a very steap 2 hour trek/rock climbing adventure! My legs were KILLING me! We didnt read the itinerary either so me and lisa didnt take shoes! We did it in our thongs and almost lost them a few times! Once we got to the top we had a great view but because of the weather it was really foggy! In the afternoon we went a little crazy on purchasing pearls! Becuase they farm them in Halong bay they are CHEAP CHEAP!

That night our tour guide Jimbo took us all out to a karaoke bar! It was hilarious! The asians LOVE it! We all had a few too many to drink and i ended up singing about 10 songs! I feel sorry for the people who listened to me because I cannot sing!

Next day we just travelled back to Hanoi for our last night in Vietnam! A few of us from our cruise hooked up for dinner and then went to Funky Monkey bar for numerous cocktails!

Overall had a great time in Vietnam! Wish we had better weather up north but it happens. Halong Bay is def one of the highlights of our trip!

I definately WONT miss the car/moto horns and the crazy bus drivers!

Gallery: Vietnam - Nha Trang and Hoi An

jessica184 — Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:41:00 GMT

Vietnam - Nha Trang and Hoi An

jessica184 — Tue, 4 Dec 2007 21:13:00 GMT

As soon as we got to Nha Trang we checked in and went straight to the Sailing Club as advised by Kate. A few people we met on our bus were there and we all got stuck into DIRTY Red Bull vodkas which come in Jars/bucket things. It was a BIG night! haha

We managed to pull thru (JUST) to go on a boat cruise the next day! It was seriously the dumbest idea EVER! We felt like we were going to vommit the whole time we were on the boat! The tour was from 8.30 to 4.30! No photos to show you from this! It was a nice day cuz we went to a few different islands but we weren't interested!

Next day we did a few sights around and went inside a monestry and then that afternoon we got the overnight bus to Hoi An and it was the worst trip ever. I was lucky cuz i slept most of the way but Lisa didnt. Our bus driver was absolutely FANGING IT! And because there has just been floods in Vietnam the roads are really bad. We thought we were going to die!!

Hoi An is nice! Its a pretty little town with LOTS to offer! Havent done any sight seeing yet - we are doing that tomorrow. All we have been doing is shopping! We have had sooooo much stuff custom made! I love it here! AND its all so cheap! I went a little crazy and bought 2 dresses, a 3 piece suit, 4 handbags, 2 pashmenas, a coat, a jacket, tracksuit pants, a skirt, 2 pairs of sandles, 2 pairs of flats, high heels for work and a pair of boots. All made to MEASURE! Xmas has come early for me! =)

Anyway I'll update again soon!

Jess

xxx

Gallery: Saigon and Mui Ne

jessica184 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:30:00 GMT

Vietnam - Saigon and Mui Ne

jessica184 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:53:00 GMT

Got to Saigon a few days ago after leaving Phnom Pehn.

We went on a day tour of the Mekong which was nice, we went on row boats thru the river and then had lunch on an island. Not that much of a fan of Ho Chi Minh, it was a bit crazy! Although we did have a few funny things happen!We were drinking beer that we bought in jugs from a dodgy cafe for 80cents, we had a mail order bride come in our room showing me the picture of her husband and then at the pub that night there was a 2 year old boy busting out porn star moves and dancing on tables using a coconut tree as a pole! it was hilarious! he was walking around the pub we were at selling gum for his mum! Poor kid will have no social skills when he is older!

Yesterday we got to Mui Ne, its such a nice little coastal town. Its great to be out of the city!

Oce we got here we had seafood lunch for like $5 then hired bikes for the afternoon and went to the sand dunes and went sand boarding! Shit hit the fan tho once our motor bike got a flat tire! We got it to the nearest service station but no-one spoke english! The adventures of travelling! hahaha Luckly we met a canadian guy who has been hanging out with us..he left us today to go up north but we will be meeting up with him again when we are in Thailand!

Today we just layed on the beach, we just walked out our front door and then steped on the sand! =) We are both a little burnt tho! Its such a beautiful place here! It so nice going to sleep to the sound of waves crashing at night!

Tomorrow lunch time we are heading up to Nha Trang a bit further up the coast for a couple of nights!

looking forwward to it!

xxx

Gallery: Siem Reap

jessica184 — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:34:00 GMT

Jess and Lisa at the temples

Cambodia - Angkor Wat

jessica184 — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:14:00 GMT

Arrived in Siem Reap on Friday for 2 nights! So beautiful!

Our new Tuk Tuk driver 'Wee' (He spoke fluent english!) took us to Angkor Wat for sunset and then went to the water festival afterwards which only happens once a year! Good timing! They had a street parade and all the boats on the water.

**We also got a full body massage - cuz we can! =)

Yesterday we got on the back of Wee's moto and spent the whole day at the temples. We only went to 3 of them, was called Angkor Thom/Bayon and on every pillar has 4 faces carved and we also went to a temple that Tomb Raider was filmed at. This is the one that has the trees growing thru it. Very mind blowing! I really enjoyed it!

Last night our Wee drove us around and showed us the festivals that were on because of the water festival! Was good to see! We were the only westerners there amongst 5000 Cambodians! A little intimidating to say the least! But - was a lot fun! Wee kinda fell in love with me and started telling me how his friend married and english lady and asked if I was Khmer if I would be his girlfriend! haha he stared to get a little crazy for it but he was harmless.

Back in Phnom Pehn today and off to Saigon and start to travel up the coast of Vietnam!

Cant Wait!

Gallery: Phong Penh

jessica184 — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:29:00 GMT

Cambodia - Phnom Pehn

jessica184 — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:14:00 GMT

I'm in Cambodia!!! YAY!!!

Finally arrived here after a long bus ride! Was an experience getting here from Ho Chi Minh, the road was so bumpy but managed to rock me to sleep! =) When we arrived it was so crazy! About 30 men tried to get us to ride in their Tuk Tuk we didnt even have space to breathe! There was one guy who persisted with us, his name is Saw and he brought us to our accommodation. We are staying in the most beautiful place ever! We are paying only US$5 for the room and we are right on the lake! I have attached photos! Food is cheap! We have been paying $1 for lunches and dinners! Saw - our Tuk Tuk driver is picking us up tomorrow to be our personal driver for the day and take us on a city tour! Its pretty crazy here at night too, the men are trying to sell us weed and the kids have books, toys and dvd's they are trying to shove in our faces! Can't wait for tomorrow!!!

Cont...

Went to the genecide museum and the killing fields today..Was pretty interesting and sad, can't believe it was only 30 years ago!

Good ol Saw our driver picked us up in his flashy Tuk Tuk! When we were out at the sites we realised we were in the worst looking Tuk Tuk! Atleast it was purple!! AND we broke down! Which could only happen to us!

Off to Angkor Wat tomorrow! 6.5 hour bus ride! YAY! ha

ciao

Not Long!

jessica184 — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:11:00 GMT

Only one more sleep and then I'm off to Asia!! =)

I'm going to be travelling through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singpore!

I'm backpacking for 7 weeks and then on the 12th Jan I fly to London!

I'm going to update my journals as often as I can with my stories and photos!

Woo hoo!! Can't wait!

Ciao

Jess

xxx