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Jenksontheroad - Andrea Jenke

My favourite thing to do for the past 10 years is to travel, and now with the 'unemployed' status I thought I'd take off and do what I do best - no not just drinking, travelling!

I thought it about time I see some of my own country, so while I base myself at the parentals in Adelaide, decided on a few trips in Oz - South Oz & NT. Then its back to Central America to finish off that part of the world.

First stop the US, to follow in the footsteps of my favourite photographer, Ansell Adams, and check out the National Parks, and really, just see what California is all about. Starting in LA, taking in Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park, VEGAS baby, Grand Canyon, Yosemite and finishing in San Fransisco - yes I will be making a US Road Trip Ipod playlist!!!

From there I head to Cuba for 16 days and visiting somewhere I've wanted to for years. From there I have 10 weeks to get down to Colombia, travelling through Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama, where hopefully I can get on a sailing boat to Cartegna in Colombia. Thanks for all suggestions for Mexico and Guatemala, but I visited those 2 years ago!

I get my flight up to Miami, then on to London, where from here I don't know......likely Africa, but will depend on funding availability!

**Watch this space**

Okay so this space is finalised and it only be fair I let you know my plans so we can plan our future peeee-ups! I'm staying out here a month longer and will be headed to Miami around the 20th August. I land in London on Monday the 24th August for which you poor b*ggers are stuck with me until the 4th Sept! Then it's off to Thailand for a month to carve up that country, before the reality check sets in on the 3rd of October and it'll be time to head home to look for work or.........do my tax return and take off again!

Not after a magnificant racing carnival once again OF COURSE - once must plan these dates carefully......hope that suits all those I'm planning on rendevouzing with in various parts of this big bad world!

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Joined on: March 2nd 2009
Last Login: November 24th 2009

Blog Entries: 20
Photos: 257

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Blogs & Travel Journals

by Jenksontheroad, order by Date newest first.

By Jenksontheroad
September 23rd 2009

COLOMBIA - Pablo Escobar, Coffee and Beyond..... South America » Colombia

Boterp
Sculptures in Parque Barrio

You hear the name Medellin and you often associate bad people, bad times, bad crime all brought on by the drug wars over the past 20 years.....and one man in particular, Pablo Escobar. If you've ever read the book, Killing Pablo, you know what an arsehole this man could be although he was very generous to a lot of the people in Medellin - he built schools in slums, created jobs for the poor and injected a lot of wealth into the city - ALL funded by the drug trade of course. He saw himself as the Robin Hood of Colombia. [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
September 23rd 2009

COLOMBIA - continuing the coastal chill.... South America » Colombia » Taganga

Playa Grande
Chilling out on Playa Grande, Taganga

So we arrived back in Taganga totally buggered, but in 1 piece. We were all gagging for clean clothes, showers and to get some serious laundry done - poor lady at Hostel Pelikan, she was in for some stinky clothes! I was gagging for a decent nights sleep, others were gagging for a bender! The next couple of days were spent generally beach bumming it. Taganga is next door to the famous Parque Tayrona so we were in search of its famous beaches. Unfortunately these do not lie close to Taganga, and even a fishing trip 2 hours from Taganga failed [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
September 9th 2009

COLOMBIA - Ciudad Perdida, The Lost City Trek South America » Colombia » Santa Marta » Ciudad Perdida

Day 1 -The Up Hill slog
Me and Rose tackling that arsehole on Day 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_Perdida - some background info on the Lost City for ya! So we set off on Day 1 - all of us doing a bit of Da-de-da-da, da-de-daaaa (think Indiana Jones theme music!) much to a first the amusement of our 4X4 Driver, which quickly turned into annoyance! We were introduced to our guide Carlos, who henceforth shall be known as MacGyver, and our cook/MacGyver #2, Enrique. We all had the state of the art hiking boots (well mine on their very last legs), MacGyver had on Cons All-stars and Enrique gumboots - clearly seasoned campaigners! The first day turned o [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
September 9th 2009

COLOMBIA - I don't know where to start? South America » Colombia » Taganga

The Crew on Taganga Beach
Kicking back

Colombia. What can I say. When you touch down in a new country at 10pm and end up partying until 6am, you know you're going to be in for an outrageous time! That was my arrival in Cartagena, the infamous old city on Colombia's Caribbean Coast. Welcome to Colombia Ms Jenke! The first thing that hit me about Cartagena was the oppressive heat - definitely close to the hottest place I have been to on my trip. I showered after arriving (before the carnage began!) although it was pointless - I think you actually sweat whilst under the shower. Needless to [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
July 26th 2009

Panama - Perfect in everyway.... Central America Caribbean » Panama

Rules, Rules, Rules!
No booze, no smoking, no dominoes, no football and no naughty business!

Panama. What is there to say. I didn't have too many expectation on this place, but wow, have I've been blown away. From the time you cross the border, the scenery around you is just mind blowing, the people friendly, and thankfully prices so much cheaper than Costa Rica! Of course you know me, and the border crossing wasn't to be without its issues! This one was minor, they simply need proof of travel out of Panama when you're done - of course little Miss Anal Retentive had that - but on email.....but those ninjas had an internet cafe 100 metres [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
July 14th 2009

Costa Rica - why art thou so expensive? Central America Caribbean

Sloth & Baby
Okay so I didn't have my tripod on me, but you can just make out the baby between the tree branch and mum sloth!

So I made it to the border in lightening speed, only to be met with the sh*t fight of sh*t fights! The process of exiting Nicaragua was a nightmare, lines all over the shop, 200+ people all trying to push in, plus high temperatures with the humidity to go with - all done with my 17kg pack on! Sweat factor was an all time high! I befriended a Costa Rican, Roman, in the line on the Nicaraguan side - turns out his son is a BIG Kylie Minogue fan, and well, I remember her days on the Henderson Kids so we [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
July 4th 2009

Nicaragua - this place has it all! Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Granada

Granada street scene

So after making it back safely to Managua, myself and 3 others (Dave from the UK, his GF Jenna from Perth, and our Swiss Miss, Josiane) from the Corn Islands decided to arrange a taxi, ala ‘flashpacking’ to Granda. Granada is a colonial city that was discovered some time ago by the yanks, and is described as the Jewel in Nicaraguas crown. I was scared it would remind my of Antigua in Guatemala which I visited 6 years ago and dispised due to the American influence, but I was surprised by Granada and likened it to San Cristobel de la Casa [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
June 26th 2009

Ahhh, this must be paradise? Central America Caribbean » Nicaragua » Corn Islands

The plane, the plane

So off to the Corn Islands in Nicaragua I went, armed with Rian and Katie both Dive Masters from Altons, who were looking for a mini holiday away from their big holiday (well they have both been in Utila for 4+ months “working”!). It took a ferry to La Ceiba, a bus to San Pedro, overnight in San Pedro, a 12 hour bus to the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, overnight in Managua (in the dodgiest area, and remember this is Central America!), then our little Cessna flight to Big Corn, before the little lancha (fast boat) across to Little Corn - [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
June 7th 2009

I feel the Earth, move, under my feet.... Central America Caribbean » Honduras » Bay Islands » Utila

Yours truly
Map of all the dive sites in Utila

So from one Caribbean Coast to another - off to the Bay Islands in Honduras I go. Our arrival in Puerto Cortes, Honduras, was not without it's dramas. We arrived on the water ferry from Placencia to be 'detained' due to Swine Flu check ups. Yep, Michael Jackson masks and all! We had to sit on the boat until a Doctor rocked up and gave us the all clear by not physically examining us, just asking us a few simple questions - uhm hullo, even if I had symptoms, not like I'm going to tell you! However, due to this mind [View Full Entry]

By Jenksontheroad
May 23rd 2009

Slooo down girl, u in Belize now man.... Central America Caribbean » Belize » Belize Barrier Reef » Tobacco Caye

Caye Caulker
Main St in Caye Caulker - no cars, only golf carts!

What more is there to say. After the trials and tribulations of getting out of Cuba and into Mexico, what a welcome relief Belize was! I have to admit that my brief time in Mexico was great - the people as always, and as I experienced when we were all trying to get out of Cuba were brilliant. Great hospitality, without expecting a financial gain from it - a nice change from Cuba! I booked an internal flight from Mexico City to Chetumal by the Belize border, with no time allowed to be spent in Chetumal at all, but when I [View Full Entry]

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