http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/KTKARL/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from KTKARL en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:55:37 BST Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:55:37 BST After a long but amazing month in Zambia we were definitely excited to get back to friends and our new family in Capetown. We had two full weeks in Capetown before flying to India. We spent the time with Angi Gaz Cardi and the gang at the Sunflower Stop which was home for us at this point Christmas day we met great new friends Phil and Vicky from the U.K. and threatening to invade America http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Cape-Town/blog-239607.html Victoria Falls is known as the adrenaline capital of Africa. It has one of the highest bungee jumps in the world the Devils Armchair a pool right on TOP of the falls gorge swinging and whitewater rafting. We wanted to indulge in every activity offered and definitely enjoyed quite a few One of the highlights was whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River. The rapids were way more than we bargai http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Livingstone/blog-239606.html After our volunteer experience we headed back down to Livingstone and decided to take our hostel up on an offer for a fantastic safari at a budget price low wet season. We headed to Botswana and to Elephant Valley Lodge for a 3 night 4 day Safari. It was spectacular and we saw all the Big 5 EXCEPT lions. We were a bit disappointed because we found their prints and tried to track them most http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Botswana/North-West/Kasane/blog-239605.html We were originally scheduled to volunteer in a small village near Livingstone Falls Zambia home of the Great Victoria Falls but two weeks before our departure date we learned that the location was changed to Solwezi Zambia about one hour south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nice We were excited to volunteer but weren't looking forward to a bus ride that was 17 hours out of the w http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zambia/Lusaka/blog-231274.html Photo caveat most of the pictures here are of poor quality due to our camera which broke in the middle of the Garden Route. Bummer After our big halloween party in Capetown we headed for The Garden Route. We have been reading about this infamous route for months and were excited to finally begin the journey. We rented the cheapest car possible and hit the road. The car resembled my former http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Hermanus/blog-229762.html After our exotic fantastic trip through Egypt we were excited to be able to navigate our way around a country on our own again. We scored immediately with an excellent pick for a hostel called The Sunflower Stop in the heart of Cape Town. Everybody there treated us so well and gave us a ton of great ideas to explore this incredible diverse region. They also showed us where the nearest mall was http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Western-Cape/Cape-Town/blog-227321.html We arrived in Cairo on October 18th. It was a short flight from Athens. This is the only leg of our trip where it was advised to do a tour and it was some very good advice. My Arabic skills aren't up to date. The trip was phenomenal. Karl was offered 1000 camels for your wife. I was quite insulted as I heard later another girl had been offered 6million. Oh well. I talked him up to 2000 camel http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Egypt/Lower-Egypt/Giza/blog-216084.html Greece The land of Mythology Mythos Beer and the best Gyro you will ever taste and at 1.20 Euro a pop you will want to eat one any chance you get Greece has also been a bit of errand time since we leave for Egypt tomorrow but nonetheless we have seen some amazing sites. The Acropolis is difficult to put into words. The entire area which includes The Parthenon is awe inspiring. I really w http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Greece/Attica/Athens/blog-212074.html Bona Serra from Naples home of the original calzone and inventors of pizza. Oh my is it tasty. I never thought I could truly enjoy pizza every single day. So we have been working on the blog a while but internet is expensive and not always as easy to come by. We finally did a big chunk of it for free at our current hostel. Perks of a hostel are nice. This is where we have been so far. There are http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Campania/Naples/blog-211167.html Cinque Terre is on the Italian Riveria in the northwest. We may say this quite a bit but definitely a major highlight of the journey We took the train from Venice and were stunned when we pierced the coast glancing through the window at the beautiful aquamarine sea beside us. We knew we'd enjoy our stay here and already imagined booking extra daysUpon arrival at Monterosso the first of t http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Liguria/Cinque-Terre/blog-210570.html So part of this trip is planning what to do and where to go NEXT and sometimes that takes a bite out of where you are. Anyway we knew we had a bunch of chores to do while in Rome because AFRICA is fast approaching and we need shots pills paperwork Canadian flags stiched into our clothes you know the usual.That being said Rome has been nothing short of super cool Today we checked out V http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Rome/blog-209732.html Very secluded romantic long walks big hills good wine relaxation time...We need to go back to this area simply because our location was so far out of the way Great to relax but no so great to take a 40 minute train ride to get close to a wine tour. We winetoured in our lovely rentalunit.We had a pool of all things at this location. Surrounded by olive trees and farmland the pool becko http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Tuscany/blog-209731.html The canals of Venice are quaint and touristy and we were there for 36 hours which was plenty of time. We stayed on the mainland...but it was a quick 10minute bus ride to the city center. With so much talk of the pickpocket masters we were almost disappointed to get away with our wallets intact. Knock on some wood please.We also had a really cool concierge at our hotel Serena. George made us http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Italy/Veneto/Venice/blog-209730.html What a historical place to visit. I have become so enamored with the city of Berlin that Hanna and Manu bought us a book. Unbelievable visit here We stayed at Hanna's parent's house. It felt like staying at the Ritz Ria and Jochen were so great to us. The Wall history is frightening and fascinating and our friends lived through this historic time. To listen to them tell personal anecdotes of No http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/District-of-Berlin/Berlin/blog-209729.html More friendsManu and Hanna made the longest trip for our wedding last year and we were honored Their place in Hamburg was beautiful. We played while they were at work I know everybody's working while we're playing. We hope they don't notice all the cups and silverware we tookKT and I tried to start an exercise routine by walkingjogging around the beautiful lake around Manu and Hanna's pl http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/District-of-Hamburg/Hamburg/blog-209728.html It is SO nice to see some of our good friends and Weisbaden is absolutely beautiful. We are treated like Kings and Queens by the Browns. They really should think about opening a bed and breakfast. We couldn't believe how BIG Ken and Eli house was A fella could get lost in the underground catacombs of this place. I was so excited to watch my first taste of NFL action and it was a Charger game. Ala http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Germany/Hessen/Wiesbaden/blog-209725.html KT was sick the first two days in Amsterdam so we did not leave our hostel. Thank goodness we had our own place and bathroom and felt very comfortable in The Orange and Blue hostel despite its name. Karl had gained a few pounds up to this point of the trip and moral was ebbing. Luckily the gals behind the red windows gave me a wink or two and I was back in the saddle Oh and the Van Gogh museum http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Netherlands/North-Holland/Amsterdam/blog-209724.html Barcelona has been one of our favorite stops and not just because of the amazing Mojitos served at the beach. Barcelona is full of exciting things to do great food nice people great weather and green stuff that gets you drunk.Absinthe is a mysterious little liquid my friends We had to enjoy some here with our hostelmates Jason and Erika. Definitely a top city or among the best so far. We d http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Catalonia/Barcelona/blog-209723.html San Sebastian is another location known for excellent surf. Flat as a pinche pancake during our stay but the people were so nice and the weather was beautiful Spent many days reading at the beach and walking the old town at night. Spanish Tapas are not like the tapas you may eat in California but we loaded up and sampled a little of everything anywayThe hike up to Mount Urgull was sweaty and wo http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Basque-Country/San-Sebasti-n/blog-209722.html Ah Biarritz what a place We had a major snafu with our reservation and ended up paying more than we thought but it was worth every euro spent. Biarritz was amazing. We were right on the ocean and although it is known for great surf it was as flat as the bay see San Sebastian.Re Snafu When booking a hotel please make sure to convert from British pound to American weak dollar BEFORE arri http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/blog-209721.html