Vicki's Travel Journals

Photos: Jardin Botanico de Quito

vickisampson — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 07:55:00 GMT

The Botanical Gardens of Quito are located in the Parque La Carolina, in the centre of Quito. This small but comprehensive botanical gardens contains thousands of species of plants both indigenous and exotic, to Ecuador and the Andes region. There is an edible garden section that contains a veggie patch, herb garden and numerous fruit trees. A colour filled rose garden which is a sensory delight. A lush rainforest complete with a Lilly-pond buzzing with dragon flies. A cacti garden with a diverse range of both cacti and succulents. The gardens have a large orchidarium which contain over 1200 species of orchids including the fascinating Dracula simia or monkey face orchid. The botanical gardens are also teeming wildlife. The Jardin Botanico de Quito is a fabulous tranquil oasis in the centre of busy downtown Quito. A must visit for any garden lover and birdwatcher. The perfect spot for a family picnic or a romantic walk.

Photos: Machu Picchu. A wonderful journey.

vickisampson — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:13:00 GMT

Our journey to Machu Picchu started with a 3 am wake up call in Cusco. We were picked up at 4 am and driven for 1 hour and 45 minutes through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo railway station. Here we boarded our Incarail train to Aguas Calientes (Macchu Picchu Pueblo). The train trip, on which the service was exceptional, took about another 1 hour 45 minutes through breathtaking Andean glacial mountains and cloud forest views. After arriving in the picturesque river valley town of Aguas Calientes, now known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, we were met by our official guide and put on a bus up to Machu Picchu. The drive took about 30 minutes through the most glorious forest with flowering orchids and trees full of bromilliads and other fascinating flora. After arriving at the entrance to the Machu Picchu Park, we went straight through the gate as we had pre-purchased our tickets with Mapitravel as part of the all inclusive package from Cusco to Machu Picchu return. It's worth mentioning at this point that you should carry your tickets, passport and a few Soles (Peru currency) as the toilets are located outside the park and you need your ticket and passport for the gate and 1 Soles to use the toilet. There are also 2 cloakrooms available for a small fee outside the park. Once inside the walk and views are breathtakingly spectacular. Adjectives fail to fully describe the incredible scenery with which one overwhelmed by its magnificence. We chose to self guide our tour of the ruins in order to take in and fully appreciate the surroundings at our own pace. Every view is picture postcard worthy as evidenced by the attached photos.

Photos: Yasuni Bioshpere Reserve, Rio Napo Ecuador

vickisampson — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:32:00 GMT

The magnificent Yasuni Biosphere Reserve is a National Park at the head of the Amazon River Basin. It plays host to a remarkably diverse selection of fauna and flora, as well as being home to indigenous Indian people that still cling to their traditional forest lifestyle. Sadly the whole biosphere is under threat by international oil and gas companies encroaching into the reserve. This has been even more evident with the recent construction of a suspension bridge across the Rio Napo leading vehicular traffic into the heart of the biosphere. The Yarina Lodge is a low impact ecologically sensitive resort on the banks of the Mandura tributary off the Rio Napo. It is nestled into a small clearing in the rainforest. Guests are required to wear clean rubber boots when entering the rainforest, this is for the protection of both the natural environment and for the guests. The Lodge runs on generator power for only 4 hours a day and recycles all waste products. The main building acts as a combination dining and lounge room and a fabulous viewing platform for fauna as it sits at the forest canopy height. Perfect for birdwatching and animal spotting. The Manduro and nearby lagoon play host to cayman, giant otters, piranha and many other fish and insect species. Strategically placed viewing towers in the rainforest give visitors a birds-eye view of the dense forest and animal life. And might I add for this intrepid explorer, a false sense of safety from the magnificent jaguars that are regularly heard but rarely seen. The plethora of diverse species that make up this equatorial rainforest biosphere is well worth protecting. If the ancient trees and lush vegetation act as the lungs of this planet, then the wonderful animal life are this planets heart and soul.

Photos: Reserva Yanacocha, Cordillera de Los Andes

vickisampson — Wed, 3 Apr 2013 11:16:00 GMT

This morning we were up with the birds. We travelled with local girls Catalina Batallas and Sandra Newman to Reserva Yanacocha, on Pichincha volcano, which forms part of Cordillera de Los Andes. On the way the girls kept us entertained with informative banter about our destination, and other must see places in Ecuador. One hour of battling through Quito peak hour traffic, and another 30 minutes of driving on a steep, winding, cobblestone and gravel road, lined by a patchy, living fence of ficus trees, and other native shrubbery. Viewed through the hedge were picturesque farmlands with happy docile cows grazing in richly grassed fields, and the most spectacular vistas of the Cordillera de Los Andes. These views amazed us with gorgeous marshmallow clouds shifting back and forth, teasing us with glimpses of huge mountain tops and deep forested valleys. Once we arrived at Reserva Yanacocha, at an altitude of 3500 metres, we were immediately welcomed by the vibrating hum and brief glimpses of iridescent green of hummingbirds whizzing and flitting about. The forest rangers top up nectar feeding stations at several points along the relatively easy ( 2.5 out of 5) walking track, that slowly meanders around the Pichincha volcano just above the cloud forest. Many species of birds live in the forest. It is a bird watcher's paradise. However, the stars of the show have to be the hummingbirds. Their petite and fragile wings flap at up to 200 beats per second, which causes one's ear drums to vibrate in an odd way. They are extremely territorial. We were told that the male hummingbirds have been known to fight to the death. This is understandable as these little super fast, jewelled beauties expend a great deal of energy just to fly. The nectar feeding stations allow visitors the opportunity to see these special little birds up close and ensures a regular food supply for many bird species. Strangely enough we only saw birds along our trail, no reptiles, or mammals, not even a sneak peak at a Spectacled Bear. But we did see many orchids, hibiscus, daisies, and other diverse flora. A thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing stroll through this beautiful nature reserve with bella vistas at every turn.

Photos: Traditional Easter Feast. Ecuadorian Style

vickisampson — Wed, 3 Apr 2013 11:13:00 GMT

In the week before Easter, all over Ecuador, in every kitchen, families come together to prepare the traditional Easter Feast of Fanesca. After the 40 days of fasting, personal sacrifices and restraints of Lent, the preparation and consumption of this deliciously rich banquet is a truly joyous social experience. Fanesca is a rich thick creamy soup made from 12 cereals and legumes. Each grain in the soup represents one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. Fanesca is served with an assortment of garnishes: banana fritters, empanadas, boiled eggs, smoked cod, and croutons, to name a few. Very Delicious. Molo de Papa, follows the soup. This scrumptious mash of potatoes, fried onions, and spices is served with fresh crisp salads like iceberg lettuce, spring onions and grated carrots. The flavours and texture of this wonderful dish is really like a party in your mouth, yum. After those two delectably rich courses, a marvellous selection of desserts is offered. My favourite is the Hugo con Queso, stewed, candied figs in syrup with cheese. Also served are Arroz con leche which is a milky rice pudding with rasins. and other various combinations of stewed fruit cocktails.

Photos: Good Friday 2013 Cucuruchos of Quito, Ecuador

vickisampson — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 09:50:00 GMT

Every Good Friday people from all over Ecuador, and the world, from all walks of life, come together to make a very public display of religious devotion. Whilst keeping their anonymity, they make a very personal journey by donning the Cucurucho dress, which is a conical headpiece with face cover, and robes in bright shades of blue and purple. Some are so fanatically devoted to Christ that they re-enact the procession to Calvary through the fourteen Stations of the Cross, carrying and dragging heavy wooden crosses and wearing crowns of thorns. Others self-flagellate with branches of thorns or poison ivy, dragging heavy chains attached to manacled and bloodied feet along the strenuous processional route up and down the incredibly steep streets of Old Town Quito. Most carry personal religious icons of various kinds. The Veronicas are women and girls dressed in blue and purple robes with lace veils. They represent the women who cleansed the blood from Jesus and gave him comfort in the last tortuous hours of his life. The Veronicas walk the path singing eerily soothing yet melancholy psalms and carrying their own religious icons. The Fransiscan monks who follow in white robes make a beautiful contrast to the blues and purples of the Cucuruchos and the Veronicas. Magnificent statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and St. Francis, enter the grand plaza of the Cathedral of San Fransisco forecourt escorted and protected by paramilitary police because these statues are so revered by the people that merely to touch one of them is believed to be the highest possible blessing. The event culminating with the San Franciscan monks leading the somewhat sombre crowd in ‘Musica Sacra’.

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

vickisampson — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 17:11:57 GMT

I am a very well-travelled amateur photographer. I have been to many amazing places in my lifetime & captured many exquisite moments. I am fit, athletic, have a great eye for detail, am an obsessive journal writer & am always seeking to improve my photographic techniques. I have a huge passion & respect for the people and customs of other cultures. I get great enjoyment out of meeting & photographing interesting characters, especially children. In fact, on my last two adventures (Cambodia and NYC, Canada 2012) I had immense fun posting daily Facebook blogs with photos for my family & friends to follow. And I love photography. I just love it.
Oman has a rich & exotic history & has, in recent times become a modern, peaceful, politically and socially stable Sultanate. It would be a joy to visit and photograph this picturesque country and its polite, respectful people under the expert tutelage of a world renowned photographer.
I believe I have the potential to become an exceptional travel photographer and the possibility of sharing my travel photos and their stories to a greater audience would be my ultimate accomplishment. Therefore I feel I would be perfect for this scholarship.