http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Desert-Rose/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Desert Rose en-us Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:09:40 +0000 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:09:40 +0000 From Auckland to Mexico City to Cuba to Cancun to Belize to Guatemala to Miami then home and going straight to work off the plane. From huge cities to ancient giant ruins to being mugged and robbed in remote Havana Cuba to swimming with dugongs in Belize's 2nd largest barrier reef in the world to climbing active volcanoes to celebrating my best friends wedding. From being amazed and in awe http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Belize-Barrier-Reef/Caye-Caulker/blog-361685.html A live volcano that we climbed by horse and foot and toasted marsh mellows in the lava http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Volcan-Pacaya/blog-348382.html A beautiful cobblestone street city http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Antigua/Antigua/blog-348377.html In the middle of the jungle with all it's masses of mosquitos and amazing animals lies Tikal the lost ancient city http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/Flores-Tikal/blog-348370.html We stayed in a beautiful hotel by Lake Peten for a night before taking off for the jungle ruins. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Guatemala/El-Peten/blog-348363.html La Isla Bonita says it all http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Belize-Barrier-Reef/Caye-Caulker/blog-348359.html All of a sudden we found ourselves in an English speaking ex Commonwealth country with Rasta African dreaded guys and Bob Marly and reggae blasting everywhere. We took a jet boat out to the island of Caye Caulkner to stay for a few days. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Belize/Belize-Barrier-Reef/Caye-Caulker/blog-348352.html Stunning http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Quintana-Roo/Tulum/blog-347421.html Beautiful beaches http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Quintana-Roo/Cancun/blog-347419.html Sooo amazing http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Yucat%E1n/Chich%E9n-Itz%E1/blog-347411.html So much to do and so much to see in so little time.... http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Distrito-Federal/Mexico-City/blog-347396.html Woke up unbelievable well and very little jet lag. My friend Mario came and got me from my hotel and drove us out of Mexico City to Teotihuacan. This place is absolutely amazing and has just blown me away. I cant believe that these pyramids were built so many years ago and with such precision and alignment.We ended the day with a traditional Mexican dinner and I got to eat cactus cooked into http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Mexico/Estado-de-Mexico/Teotihuac-n/blog-339171.html Went for a drive to take my new friends to Varadero and to see Cuba outside of Havana. http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/Varadero/blog-347384.html Fate stepped in and allowed me to photograph this amazing place but not without a hitch. I was mugged and robbed within 3 hours of arriving and lost my tool that allowed me to fulfill my dream of capturing all that is Cuba. To my luck I met an amazing friend who helped me looked after me and lent me his camera. Thank you with all my heart xoxoxo http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/Oeste/La-Habana/blog-347373.html Pirog Through ParadisenbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Caledonia raquonbspNoumea By Desert RoseMay 12th 2007Michelle C Took a day trip on the Pirog which is a simple wooden sailing vessel. We sailed for over an hour in between land and an island. Once we landed we trekked through rainforest for 45 minutes to reach a tidal creek. This was crossed and we found our way through more forest to le http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Caledonia/Noumea/blog-161280.html Ile Des Pins Island of PinesnbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Caledonia raquonbspNoumea By Desert RoseMay 10th 2007Michelle CTook a flight from Noumea to Il Des Pins and stayed in a traditional hut by the beach for 5 days. The water was so clear and aqua blue and the sand so soft and white. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Caledonia/Noumea/blog-161267.html NoumeanbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Caledonia raquonbspNoumea By Desert RoseMay 5th 2007Michelle CArrived in Noumea in the morning and Laura wasn't due til that night so I made my way to the YHA. What a shock driving on the right hand side of the road. When I swapped busses i nearly got myself killed going to the wrong side of the bus that was on the highway side of the road looking for http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Caledonia/Noumea/blog-166211.html Okere FallsnbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Zealand raquonbspNorth Island raquonbspRotorua By Desert RoseApril 8th 2007Michelle CThese beautiful falls are in the same area that Matt's parents have a beautiful treehouse holiday home. We didn't do the rafting this day but took some pictures and did a nice walk along the track with the view points for the rafters. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-146663.html Lake Something Near RotoruanbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Zealand raquonbspNorth Island raquonbspRotorua By Desert RoseApril 8th 2007Michelle CMatt will be able to verify the name of this lake. Spent Easter on the lakes edge reading books and drinking good NZ beer. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-146669.html RotoruanbspAustralasia raquonbspNew Zealand raquonbspNorth Island raquonbspRotorua By Desert RoseApril 2nd 2007Michelle CSpent the weekend chilling out at Matt's parents beautiful treehouse. We went into Waipa Brewery which produces chemical free beer. Took a walk through the park lake and museum grounds. http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Rotorua/blog-148769.html