Senoritas and Magaritas

Gallery: Colombia

jonno-nadia — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:33:00 GMT

White pins and 22 prawns a day

jonno-nadia — Thu, 6 Sep 2007 03:04:00 GMT

After a 6 hour bus that actually took 9 hours we arrived in Atacames on the north coast of Ecuador, our first experience in the northern hemisphere on this trip. It is a very busy town full of holiday goers, not foreigners though mainly just vacating ecuadorian families. We decided to settle in Sua, a small fishing village 6kms down the beach and make the walk to Atacames for the sun during the day. We soon realised that we had to wait another 12 hours to get back because of the tides! I finally got to have my first swim for the holiday and Nadia finally felt the need to purchase a bikini. It was nice weather but not what we expected for being on the equator.

After 3 nights of swimming,fruity cocktails and seafood( Mum I worked out I was having on average 22 prawns a day and for only $4) we headed back to Quito. This time it really did take only 6 hours, go figure. With only one day to kill we decided to make the short journey to Mitad Del Mundo and take some touristy shots of us standing either side of the equator. It was pretty fun but you probably had to be there. Jonno went high kick crazy from south to north!

The next day we hopped a plane to Colombia, first Bogota then Cartagena. When we stepped off the plane the heat and humidity hit us like opening an oven door and the mission to find a hotel with our packs that are ever increasing in weight was a chore to say the least. Especially in new cowboy boots that still need a lot of breaking in.

Cartagena was nice, like the gold coast and we couldn´t even move in any direction without being offered goods and services. From cocaine to tours to emerald jewels to massages. After a while (about 2 minutes) we had had enough of the constant barrage and decided we would go north to Santa Marta and come back to Cartagena to end our trip. Santa Marta is 200kms from Cartagena and the home of famosa colombian goalkeeper ´the spider´

We went to the neighbouring village of Taranga and got a hotel right on the water. The views were stunning and we finally took some time out to swim, relax and read. Nadia started to get some colour on her white pins and has a nice sunburn hand print on her back thanks to a cheeky local.

We spent a few days there in the 36 degree heat and loved it. Today we head to the local national park which is supposed to be incredible, apparently you walk from beach to beach and just rent hammocks in the night. We can´t wait. We will write again when we get back to Cartagena in a few days.

Gallery: Ecuador

jonno-nadia — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 06:40:00 GMT

Northern Hemisphere Here We Come!

jonno-nadia — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:43:00 GMT

Since we last wrote a lot has happened so here goes. We left Lima and headed north to a city called Trujillo(like the suicidal,Ozzy,Metallica bass player). It was not the most happening place but nice all the same. We moved on to a small seaside village called Huanchaco. Huanchaco is beautiful, very touristy in summer but nice and quiet while we were there so we set up camp for a few days to enjoy the beach at last. This is where we were when the Peru earthquake happened, we didn´t feel it but all electricity was lost for a while. We had been in Pisco and Lima the previous 2 days and felt ourselves very lucky that we left when we did. We got to know a few of the locals and found out about the easiest way to cross the border into Ecuador and some nice places to stay and we hit the road. The next two days were spent hopping from bus terminal to bus terminal in North Peru so there´s not much to report there I´m afraid.

When we crossed the border into Ecuador we noticed the change immediately. The landscape became extremely mountainous and everywhere was green as opposed to the dusty brown we had become accustomed to. After about 9 hours on the road that day we ended up in a tiny village in South Ecuador named Vilcabamba, cobblestone streets, little to no traffic with spectacular mountain views, absolutely beautiful. We found lodgings at the place that had been recommended to us. Easily the most luxurious place we have stayed on our trip(with the exception of all the relatives houses of course) set looking apon a garden that Don Bourke would envy with all the mod cons and hammocks on the porch looking out across the valley. It was fantastic, especially at $16 a night with breakfast. We didn´t want to leave but alas the rest of Ecuador was longing to meet us.

We spent a night in Loja and then took a nearly unbearable 15 and a half hour bus to Quito. Another city that everyone raves about as being dangerous and scary. I´m probably jinxing us but we have found it quite charming and easy going so far. The difference betwwen the old town and new town is amazing, with the architecture and mood of the two towns are worlds apart.

We are in Quito for 2 more days and then head to Atacames on the Coast before flying to Colombia at the end of the month. Nadia and I are both well and haven´t gotten sick of each other yet. We are picking up some amazing bargains including the hand made cowboy boots that are being made for me as we speak. Don´t worry Brett I decided against the snakeskin.

Until next time.

Jonno and Nadia

Ancient Ruins and Shoe Shine Boys

jonno-nadia — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:06:00 GMT

Since I last filled you in we have been rather busy. Firstly, Machu Picchu. As you well know this is a place of huge reputation and a major moment in our South American adventure, it started early with a 6am train for 4 hours into the jungle of Peru then a bus up treacherous winding roads to the ruins itself. Once you are through with all the formalities that comes along with the major tourist attractions and you actually get a look at what you´ve travelled to see it is quite amazing. Anyone who has been to Peru knows what its like even without going there as posters of the place are plastered everywhere you go from airports to bathrooms.

Nadia and I couldnt believe how well maintained the ruins were, perhaps too well maintained as as we found out only 50% of the ruins are original and haven´t been rebuild. Still the setting amidst the mountains and the forests etc are enough to make the trip worthwhile, truly spectacular.

We will try and provide postcards for everyone on our return as due to a camera malfunction, we lost all our photos! Never mind, it gives us an excuse to go back.

Next we flew to Lima in order to avoid the harrowing 30 hour bus ride we were told it would take by land and spent a few days in the city exploring and enjoying a few piscos. Then we actually heading south 4 hours to the town of Pisco where we took a speed boat out to the Isla Ballestas ( commonly refered to as the poor mans galapogos) probably true but very beautiful with seals, penguins, pelicans and all matter of sea creatures as far as the eye could see. And the fresh sea air escaping the big city smog was a welcome relief.

Today we head north to Trujillo before making our way to Ecuador next week. Hopefully putting some distance between me and the hoards of shoe shine boys who target me everywhere. "Un Sole Amigo" they tell me "mucho necessito" but I tell them that I like my shoes scuffed, it adds character. They don´t understand me and leave cursing the gringo. Too bad but the overuse of the word Amigo when trying to sell us things makes us feel like we have lots of friends! so it´s not all bad.

Til next time.

Gallery: Peru

jonno-nadia — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:37:00 GMT

Bolivia and Peru

jonno-nadia — Mon, 6 Aug 2007 08:16:00 GMT

We have just arrived in Cuzco, Peru after spending a magnificent week in Bolivia. We left Chile and headed straight for La Paz. We didn´t know what to expect but the worlds highest city was quite amazing, lots of arts and crafts stalls, galleries and museums. Nadia was loving it. Everything was about 4 times cheaper than Chile so we took advantage of that and starting collecting some trinkets. The traffic was out of control, we were constantly on guard. Seems that pedestrian crossings are purely there to decorate the streets!

Next it was off to Copacabana on the banks of Lake Titicaca. We spent 3 days here just sight seeing and being real tourists for a change. We finally found some good vegetarian food and took advantage. Don´t get me wrong, I love meat but I´m definately over it now! It was a really picturesque spot on Titicaca but we had to hit the road for cuzco a bit sooner than we hoped due to bookings for our Machu Picchu adventure which starts tommorrow.

The altitude definately takes its toll on you up here, I´ll let you know how we handle trekking the ruins and all those steps when we are done but right now it is Nadia´s birthday so we are going to party it up! Peru style.

Gallery: Bolivia

jonno-nadia — Sun, 5 Aug 2007 08:41:00 GMT

Last Blog From Chile

jonno-nadia — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 08:27:00 GMT

Ok, Time for another update and we´ve been busy. This will be our last entry from Chile as we are in Arica right now at the northern tip of Chile. We enjoyed our last day today with a long walk along the coast and a fabulous seafood lunch on the beach, I never thought we would become so fond of raw fish. Cervice is a dish of raw seafood seared in lemon juice at it is Rad.

Prior to today we spent nights in Iquique, Calama, Antofagasta and San Pedro de Atacama. In Antofagasta we spent time with Nadias family for dinner etc and had a great time, her uncle Ernesto is a very funny and generous man, I am very glad to have met him, but that goes for all of her family, they have been more than accommodating and we thank you all very much.

In San pedro De Atatacama we rose at the ungodly hour of 3.30am and drove out to the Geysers Del Tatio. The geysers are huge fumadores of steam that shoot out of the earth and are quite breathtaking. They are situated in a volcanic crater 4500m above sea level and the outside temperature is minus 18 degrees celcius. It is amazing to see pools of boiling water amongst that kind of air temperature, It´s Definately the coldest we have ever been and Nadia suffered a little from altitude sickness. It´s ok though as she recovered in time to eat the barbecued Llama kebabs!

We also went to see the Atacama Salt flats which were this huge area of you guessed it..Salt! covered in flamingos and at sunset. If Nadia had been with someone she cared about it would have been quite romantic but unfortunately she was stuck with me.

San Pedro is the Byron Bay of Chile. Take that how you may but it isn´t really our scene. Take away all the people and I could have spent more time there. But we had fun all the same.

Next entry will be from a new country, stay tuned to find out which one!

This blog is brought to you by countless delays at bus stations with too much time on my hands.

Big Heads in Small Places

jonno-nadia — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:25:00 GMT

The last few days have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. La Serena was beautiful. We stayed at a hostel called Maria´s Casa where Maria (a 50 something lady) was too hungover to welcome us after partying too hard with the previous backpackers the night before. Her son Fernando was more than helpful in giving us a run down of the town. We drank in a Chilean old man sports bar, went to the local museum and saw real life mummies and a genuine easter island head. At night we splurged out and had a three course seafood meal with a good bottle of Chilean sav blanc for $50 for the both of us.

The next day we headed inland to a small colonial town called Vicuña. It looked like the setting for an old spaghetti western. A very cool little place. We are currently in Copiapo about 5 hours north of La Serena. It is a mining town and very boring. The people are nice but there´s not much to do except drink and wait for the bus.

I have become obsessed with jewel encrusted belts and buckles so I am now on a mission to find them. Nadia is hunting jewellery bargains. In a day or so we´ll be in the Atacama Desert and can´t wait!

Heading North

jonno-nadia — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 05:39:00 GMT

After a week in and around Santiago it is time to start moving on up the coast, tommorrow we head for La Serena about 7 hours north of here and we couldn´t be more excited. Everyone talks about the smog in Santiago but with the exception of one day I haven´t even noticed it. The thing that has made the biggest impression on me is all the stray dogs and cats in the streets, literally hundreds in every suburb but they all look healthy and there seems to be plenty of people willing to through them some food. Street vendors are also prominent selling everything you can think of, we even found one guy selling The Pill! The 2 days we spent in Valparaiso were a highlight and Nadia never wanted to leave. You would have loved the markets Mum, tubs of olives and all sorts of deli treats. I´d advise washing them first though. Anyway we will keep you posted.

Jonno and Nadia.

Gallery: Chile

jonno-nadia — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:53:00 GMT

Santiago

Here at last!

jonno-nadia — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:39:00 GMT

Well we arrived in Chile at last but not without our share of trouble. Our luggage was misplaced on Auckland and when found a day later it was sent to Argentina instead. It is fair to say our bags have seen more of the world than we will on this trip. Needless to say we have overcome this obstacle and are now in Santiago staying with Nadia´s family. Everyone here is very generous and hospitable and although I can´t understand a word they are saying I´m sure they like me alot! (NADIA: My abuelita or grandma thinks Jonno is ¨very handsome¨and likes to teach him spanish. It is safe to say that he has sucessfully charmed his way into my family).

We would like to thank Lan Chile Airlines for only serving drinks for the first 2 hours of the 11 hour flight. We are making up for it now however by buying six packs for $3.20US. Tommorrow we head to Viña Del Mar on the coast of Chile, then we start heading north. Stay tuned for more of our crazy adventures.

p.s. we have started a photo gallery where we are collecting shots of all the different beers we drink on the trip, so watch it grow as our livers suffer.

J and N

Gallery: Beers of the Blog

jonno-nadia — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:16:00 GMT

Ready to go

jonno-nadia — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:02:00 GMT

Alright, we are finally packed and ready to go. This time tommorrow we will be airbourne (like the band). Thanks to all who came and partied with us last night and we'll check in when we get to Santiago.

Jonno and Noodles.