http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Bellini/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Bellini en-us Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:06:30 +0000 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:06:30 +0000 A wealthy town in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains Azilal is not just a good base for reaching M'Goun and Cascades Ouzoud it is also a pleasant and at times surreal hideaway from the heat the harrassment and the rip offs. Stock up on food here for any treks as the costs double or triple in the mountains. A pack of stray dogs in the town for some reason walks directly down the middl http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Morocco/Tadla-Azilal/Azilal/blog-418492.html Essaouira is an oasis in all the ways that Marrakech is not. The sea breeze eases the scorching heat in even the narrowest alleyways the locals are wealthy enough that they only hassle halfheartedly and the accomodations are top notch. Ironically this is where myself and friends have endured some of the scourges of Morocco bedbugs stomach bugs and beligerent street confrontations. But http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Morocco/Marrakech-Tensift-El-Haouz/Essaouira/blog-415445.html After Marrakech I was happy to escape to the mountains... I was intrigued about 'climbing' the tallest mountain in North Africa though I knew I could only do it because LP describes it as more of a 'difficult hike' than a climb. I hired a taxi along with Bryan and Kit for the two and a half hour journey east through Asni and to Imlil. If you're headed that way you should haggle hard and you http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/blog-414149.html Hello friend Sorry Francais Ingles English How are you Come see my shop Why not Sorry Hashish Smoke smoke Hotel Taxi I practice my EnglishThis is one tiring city. Handling the touters is quite the challenge but the energy and vitality is like nothing I have seen before. I enjoyed hiking through the souks but as I was one of few tourists in the city at the end of Ju http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/blog-412802.html This town didn't leave much of an impression on me but it was a good intro to Morocco. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Morocco/Tangier-T-touan/Tangier/blog-412800.html I arrived in Tarifa on Sunday minus my camera cord. So photos might be difficult to post regularly until I get home. The beach here is fabulous. Most visitors are here to windsurf or kite surf as there is a constant breeze called Levante when coming from the east and Poniente from the west. Africa looms across the Strait of Gibraltar just 14KM from here.Ive met a great group of people her http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Andalusia/Tarifa/blog-411535.html After Las Alpujarras I took a very early bus 530 from Trevelez back to Granada. At the bus station I decided to check out Cordoba for no particular reason. I like the name. It is unbelievably hot here... 100 today. I was going to choose Hostal Bagdad for accomodations its like stepping into Persia it has a wonderful patio and the atmosphere is relaxing soft even meditative but it d http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Andalusia/blog-410430.html This village isnt technically in the Sierra Nevada the entrance to the National Park is just above it... but for some reason it or even Las Alpujarras isnt a choice on this site After Madrid I stopped back in Granada for a night thanks Antonia for the room and laundry. While waiting for her to get home I hiked around town and had the following for 7.50 euro a beer with jamon cerrano http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Andalusia/Sierra-Nevada/blog-410145.html On this 22K hike I walked from Capileira to Trevelez via Capilerilla Pitres Portugos and Busquistar. I took many detours but found my way in the end. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Andalusia/Sierra-Nevada/blog-410156.html I checked out of my hostel in Madrid and walked to the train station not knowing where Id go next. Tickets were more expensive than Id expected so I chose the cheapest trip to Toledo. Ive come on what seems to be one of the busiest days of the year the Corpus Chrisi celebration even though I thought it was on Thursday. I am staying in a remodeled castle across the river for 13 eur http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Castile-La-Mancha/Toledo/blog-408390.html I arrived at the Malaga airport late morning and Brad and Antonia along with Antonias parents met me outside. From there it was a whirlwind tour of the coast as we stopped for lunch in Almunecar then a few more stops before Granada. Muchas gracias to Manuel and Alice for their hospitality. More to come later. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Andalusia/Granada/blog-408376.html I will add details later. http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/District-of-Madrid/Madrid/blog-408385.html After some mediocre snorkeling and wildlife viewing in Santa Cruz Mike Jon John and I were more than ready to head to Isla Isabela as we had heard such positive things about it by far the largest island in the archipelago. When we arrived at the embarcadero on Isabela we were confused as to where the town of Villamil even was. We hiked in the dry sun up a dirt road and some guy in a red shi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-295040.html After Banos I was ready again for a couple of travel days. The seven hour bus ride to Guayaquil was bumpy but the views were pretty spectacular as I crossed the Andes again. I arrived in Guayaquil and immediately found a taxi to airport hoping to gather some information about the Galapagos. Unfortunately everything had already closed but my plan was to get a good rest and go back the next http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-295038.html Though this town is far more touristy than anywhere Ive seen in Ecuador it is a proper place to relax for a few days. The hotel choices are spectacular and all sorts of amenities are right nearby. I came into Banos through Ambato and arrived at around nine at night. Banos is one of those places where fourteen year old kids stand at the bus terminal waiting to bother tourists about rooms. T http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Centre/Banos/blog-292796.html In Chugchilan I finally met some other backpackers and I had a blast exchanging stories and finally speaking English. A few of us went on a day trip searching for a Cloud Forest and a cheese factory neither of which we found and were surrounded by a pack of fierce angry dogs at one point but overall it was a peaceful two days at the wonderful Cloud Forest Hotel. Chugchilan is a lovely litt http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Centre/Quilitoa/blog-291656.html After barely sleeping in my leaky room in Quilotoa I simply wanted to get out of that town despite feeling tired and a bit ill. Atahualpa and Maria left with a guide at around 830 AM and I stayed behind curled up in my bed leaving periodically to stand outside when the sun peeked through the clouds. It was still in the high forties at around 930 so I decided to pack up and leave instead http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Centre/Chugchilan/blog-291653.html After a short bus layover in Latacunga and an interesting baggedlunch I took a second bus into the clouds and to an area called Tigua. Here I stayed at the Posada de Tigua a familyrun farm house. When I first arrived I went for a hike near the Rio Toachi Canyon more to come about this canyon later and then returned for one of the best dinners Ive ever eaten. Everything was organically http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Centre/Quilitoa/blog-291649.html Because of flight delays in Bogota I didnt reach Quito until much later than planned at around 930 PM. Due to a huge mob scene at the airport of people waiting for loved ones I had to pay twice as much as I had hoped for a taxi. The driver took me to several hotels in the Old Town and I finally found one for around 8 USD. Though I only planned on spending a day in Quito in order to acc http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Quito/blog-291641.html After a washout in Miami but a stellar tour of the city thanks Zac I left the states Thursday morning and arrived in Bogota at around 10AM. Since my flight for Quito wasnt scheduled to leave until 430 after some research and some couragebuilding note some have complained about this comment but I dont think Im going out on a limb to say that the worlds perception of Colombia is th http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Bogota/blog-289636.html