http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Dan-and-Jens-Escape/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Dan and Jens Escape en-us Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:53:47 +0000 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:53:47 +0000 We flew into Buenos Aires the capital of Argentina from Bogota and had high expectations of this city as we had heard so many good reports about the nightlife and the sites. The reports didn't disappoint the city had so much to see and for the three nights we were there we had a great time in the bars at Palermo and San Telmo areas. Unfortunately we only had a relatively short time to explore as http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/blog-348918.html Despite all the bad press about Colombia we thought the country was fantastic. There's not a lot of tourism in the country yet so there isn't loads of tour companies offering trips everywhere but that was a good thing we just had time to wonder around enjoying the local atmosphere. The people were so friendly which always makes you a bit wary at first in a new country but you soon learn that http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/blog-343828.html We landed in Guayquil in Ecuador which is the largest city of the country and had the biggest population it still felt quite small though in comparison to other major cities we've been too. It was situated on the river Guayas where there is a great Malecon waterfront walkway with parks cinemas restaurant and cafes. At one end of it there was an area called Las Penas a colonial area that had http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/blog-337825.html We found it.....................our paradise on earth........The Galapagos Islands. We could of stayed foreverJust one and half hours flight from mainland Ecuador these islands are a world apart. They lie in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are absolutely brimming with unique wildlife and gorgeous beaches. Within minutes of leaving the airport we were in the company of Sea Lions Pelicans hu http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-334778.html Our first stop in Peru was Puno on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Puno is only 2.5 hours from Copacabana but the difference from Bolivia was immediately obvious. The town was more built up and westernised the people appeared to be more money orientated and it was noticeably more expensive which wasn't hard as Bolivia was so Cheap.Our first stop was a rushed tour to the floating islan http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/blog-329169.html Bolivia has got to be one of the most under rated places in the world...........that we have seen anyway. It has endless interesting places to visit and activities to do in almost every town. It is extremely cheap for westerners to visit but the country is very poor with the majority of families incomes coming from farming and mining. You are hindered a little by the constant protesting and road http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/blog-324056.html Argentina was a bit of a disappointment for us at first partly because we had not got our heads around South America yet and partly because we chose to stay in major cities rather than venture off the beaten track to the more tranquil villages which we prefer. What we did see however were very nice safe in some cases and clean cities. The Argentineans definitely know how to have a good feed http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Mendoza/Mendoza/blog-321621.html On leaving New Zealand at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon and having done an 11hr flight we landed in Chile 3 hours earlier than when we had left It left us feeling very disorientatedWe flew into Santiago the capital of Chile and started to get a little worried as within the first day we saw a dead body a shoplifter in action and a thief in the street however there was no need as it turned o http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/Santiago-Region/Santiago/blog-317416.html New Zealand is just an absolutely amazing place and the North island is as equally as good as the south. The scenery is not as dramatic in the north but still beautiful and there is just as much to see and do. You instantly see the increase in the amount of people and sheep and it was noticeably warmer.. We started off the north Island in the capital Wellington after crossing the cook strait by fe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/blog-306476.html When landing at Christchurch we thought the plane had made a wrong turn and dropped us off in England the similarities were unbelievable even down to the houses cars and road markings. It was nice to have traditional food again......like spuds and pies to the spicy asian grog we had become accustomed too Having to go food shopping after so long was shock deciding what to decide what to buy http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/blog-298960.html Only two days before we went to Bali our plans changed and we decided to stay for a week.......and we are so glad we did what a fantastic place. Bali is renowned for its surf and beautiful beaches which stretch as far as the eye can see and are gorgeous. We found a nice well run cheap obviously hotel with pool right in the centre of Kuta the main lively area. We hired a moped out for a http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Indonesia/Bali/Kuta/blog-284994.html During our 3 weeks in China we only managed to see a small portion of what the country had to offer due to its enormous size. We wanted to see traditional china although it became apparent quite early on that this is a country of mass development needing to house its 1.3 billion population. The sky scrapers were being thrown up everywhere and most of the old tradional buildings had been demolished http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/blog-284993.html Laos Cambodia and Vietnam..........A Whistle Stop TourDue to staying in Thailand a few weeks longer than planned and not wanting to miss the Moto GP in Shanghai ha ha we only had about 4 weeks to travel IndoChina. As we only had limited time we just stuck to the main tourists sites and took a few flights to make it possible so unfortunately we didn't get to venture off the beaten track t http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Shanghai/blog-274011.html Been a while I know but when you are as busy as us its hard to find the time sometimes............................ A lot Shorter this one you'll be glad to hear although we're sure some of you pretend your doing work while reading these ha ha Well I can safetly say we are looking more like travels every day with Jen wearing multi coloured fishermans pants and Dan's hair now that long he i http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/Central-Thailand/Ayuthaya/blog-265401.html Thailand is a very diverse country from manic cities to tranquil towns and beaches. It's a beautiful place with the nicest of people. We have been quite a few places since we last updated you but will try and keep it short and sweet so you don't get too boredOur first stop was Krabi famous for rock climbing apparently although we didn't see much. We decided on our first day too do an islan http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South-West-Thailand/Krabi/blog-260336.html A few snaps of the big day for the grandmas......... The setting was beautiful in the grounds of the kata thani beach hotel. It was so hot even though it was at 5 pm. Everyone looked lovely Ginny especially. The dress was beautiful and she was only 16 minutes late You can see why andrew looked nervous. The bridesmaids evelyn sally and emily looked gorgeous too. It was was really ace evening http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South-West-Thailand/Phuket/blog-254727.html Compared to the Philippines Malaysia has definately not been as eventful however I think we can safely say we like this place though it was like a breath of fresh air getting off the plane in Kuala Lumpar KL. No one jumping on you for a taxi or hotel you were on your own just to make a decision just the way we like it KL was very cosmopolitan city with a great transport system and a fai http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Wilayah-Persekutuan/Kuala-Lumpur/blog-253285.html Beautiful white palm fringed beaches....... Quaint traditional villages............... Clean cities..........................Was how we envisaged the 7106 islands of the Philippines to be HOWEVER would could not have been further from the truth. In a few words the place can be descibed as Dirty Politically Unstable Polluted and a proper dog eat dog culture. And with us being the extreme m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Philippines/Manila/blog-247912.html Greetings Guys and GalsJust before we start its been really nice hearing from you all its good to get a reality check now and then. Glad to hear everyone is cool literally as i hear its been raining lots Note too gaz you do realise your comments get published on here ha ha. Its been great fun reading all your comments though xWell Mt Kinabulu as we said neva again. Mt Kinabalu is 4100 mtr http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Mount-Kinabalu/blog-244103.html Hi again We know you were all hoping our heads where on sticks by now but unfortunately the Iban tribe are now a 21st century tribe sorry to disappoint you all but we live to tell the tale however Dan has brought a blowpipe so watch out in December as you maywill get a darted he is practicing on the locals .WOW What an experience it was the most humbling experience of our lives. Th http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Sabah/Kota-Kinabalu/blog-241057.html