Yvanka - YF

I guess my subscription to a TravelBlog says it all! :) I have an undying passion for travel and all that it entails ... discovering new places, meeting new people, learning about different cultures, appreciating the beauty of the world around us and the diversity of it too. I feel that travel has truly opened up my mind and my perspective on life in general. And although it means that I am constantly low on funds, I believe every penny invested in travel is well spent.

Other hobbies of mine include dance, especially latin american, movies and books. I guess all different ways to express oneself and learn more about the world around us.

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Joined on: March 18th 2006
Last Login: September 5th 2009

Blog Entries: 23
Photos: 349
Recommended by 1, Recommends 5

TB Code: [blogger=14050]
Status: BLOGGER

Blogs & Travel Journals

by Yvanka, order by Date newest first.

By Yvanka
January 28th 2008

Olinda South America » Brazil » Pernambuco » Olinda

The streets of Olinda

Unfortunately, we didn't have much time for Olinda, but I'm glad we made the effort to get there and walk around because it's such a pretty place! When we got back to Recife, from Fernando do Noronha, we immediately bought our bus ticket to Fortaleza (another 12-hour ride), as time is quickly running out! Luckily it was a night bus which meant that we had all of Sunday to ourselves. Olinda is not far from Recife, took us about half an hour, and the journey was a smooth one... we took the metro then a bus! It was a very hot [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
January 25th 2008

Fernando Do Noronha - Brazilian Paradise South America » Brazil » Pernambuco » Fernando de Noronha

Morro dos Dois Irmãos

We were supposed to take a night bus from Salvador to Recife, our next destination, but thanks to the help of the tourist agency in our hotel in Salvador (Hotel Pelourinho, really friendly staff!) we ended up buying a cheap flight ticket with Webjet. You can imagine our relief at being able to exchange a 16 hour bus ride for an hour's flight! Why Fernando do Noronha? Lonely Planet totally recommends the place, and it also made the UNESCO World Heritage list, but coincidentally, before travelling to Brazil I had read a very convincing article in a travel magazine. So as [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
January 22nd 2008

Salvador da Bahia, the African soul of Brazil South America » Brazil » Bahia » Salvador

Pelourinho, Salvador

It only took an hour by plane to get to Salvador from São Paulo, so before we knew it, Sam and I were yet in another Brazilian state - Bahia. When booking our accommodation, we had the choice of staying in either Pelourinho, the cultural centre of Salvador, or in Barra, a coastal suburb, and a quieter alternative. In the end we randomly chose Pelourinho, which turned out to be great as I have rarely come across such a vibrant and happening place. Having visited Ouro Preto, and Pelourinho also being a world heritage site, I kind of assumed the two [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
January 17th 2008

Breathtaking waterfalls at the Iguaçu National Park South America » Brazil » Paraná » Foz do Iguaçu » Iguaçu National Park

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil

After spending a relaxing weekend in São Paulo, soaking in the sun in Pareque Ibirapuera, getting to know Karene´s lovely family at their ´sitio´in the countryside and just spending some time with Karene, MOnday morning Samantha and I took the plane to Foz do Iguaçu - yet another UNESCO world heritage site. According to the Lonely Planet, ´A total of 275 individual falls occup an area more than 3 km wide and 80m high, which make them wider than Victoria, and higher than Niagra. Thousands of years before they were ´discovered´ by Europeans, the falls were a holy burial place for [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
January 10th 2008

Church-hopping in Minas Gerais South America » Brazil » Minas Gerais » Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto

Last night, after an 11-hour bus ride (yes, 11 hours!!!), I returned to São Paulo from Ouro Prêto, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. After spending New Year at the beach, I thought it would be a good idea to head inwards and get a different taste of Brazil. I still cannot get used to the distances though. Minas Gerias is as big as France and luckily there are night buses because I really cannot imagine what a day trip of 11 hours by bus would be like!! I'm glad I chose to visit Ouro Prêto in Minas Gerias because [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
January 3rd 2008

Happy New Year from Ubatuba, Brazil! South America » Brazil » São Paulo » Ubatuba

Sunset in Ubatuba

For the first time in many years, I didn´t need to plan this year´s New Year´s Eve. Being Karene´s guest, I told her I´d be more than happy to just tag along with her and her friends. This meant spending a long weekend in Ubatuba, at her friend´s summer house. Ubatuba is a coastal city between São Paulo and Rio. We left São Paulo Friday afternoon and first made a brief stop in Guarulhos, Karene´s hometown, at her mum´s house. Her aunt was there to welcome us and cooked a delicious lunch and I also got to taste the most exquisite [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
December 26th 2007

My first day in São Paulo South America » Brazil » São Paulo » São Paulo

Apartments in Higienópolis

After a 12-hour flight from Frankfurt (Lufthansa are great!) I finally made it to São Paulo.... I'm officially in Brazil and on another continent...hehe I arrived at 7am Brazilian time (10am Malta time), which meant I had the whole day ahead me. I must admit I was quite tired after the journey, but being in a foreign country gives you unexpected energy, and the sun was shining and it was so warm ... I love this weather! Karene, my friend from SP was at the airport to welcome me, which was great, since I haven't seen here since last July. Put [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
December 11th 2007

Travel Plan for Brazil South America » Brazil

Itinerary

Here I am again, 2 weeks before an incredible trip of 6 weeks... :) Last year it was Peru, this year it's Brazil... Oh how much I love South America, hehe... My friend, Samantha, and I had decided to visit Brazil last February after getting to know Karene, a Brazilian we met here in Malta studying English... quite a while ago.... and yet it feels like yesterday. The year has gone by so quickly and so much has been going on that the anticipation was so much less this time... which is great becase now I feel like it's all a [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
December 2nd 2007

Countries visited to date Europe » Malta

Visited Countries Map [View Full Entry]

By Yvanka
October 6th 2006

Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world... South America » Peru » Arequipa » Colca Canyon

The Pass of Patapampa

Got back from the Colca Canyon yesterday, and though it was yet another great trip, I am truly exhausted now... Wanted to do the one-day tour but would have been even more strenuous, so booked the 2-day one instead. The scenery is impressive, but the bus ride there and back was never-ending and not very pleasant if it weren't for the great views outside our windows... the group was also really nice.... spanish, italian, peruvian, french and of course me, the Maltese! :) I think the highlight of the trip was our night in Chivay. The tour guide took us to [View Full Entry]

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