http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/itchyfeet08/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from itchyfeet08 en-us Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:14:01 +0000 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:14:01 +0000 From the moment we crossed the border into Chile from Bolivia it was very clear we were in a completely different country. While the transition from Ecuador to Peru and Peru to Bolivia wasnrsquot so obvious the shift to Chile was a big change. Not only were the roads paved but peoplersquos attitude towards foreigners was entirely different as the people were extremely friendly and helpful wi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/blog-442200.html Before arriving in Bolivia we had heard excellent reports from other travelers who had told us that it had been their favorite country throughout their travels in South America. With this in mind we began our trip with high expectations and so far have not been disappointed. After arriving in Copacabana and spending a night there we witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of lsquoEl virgin de http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/blog-435229.html Northern Peru does not hold the premier touristic attractions of the country as tourists usually bypass much of the north and head straight down south and of course to Machu Picchu and Cusco. Although as I write this at the end of my trip in this stunning country and with my visit to Machu Picchu fresh in my head I still remember how interesting the variety of sites and attractions there were t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/blog-429793.html The Hilton was a big change obviously to the kind of accommodation we were used to staying in. Just add about 200 dollars extra per night to what we usually pay and you get an idea We didnrsquot just stay in a regular room but the Executive suite which had 2 plasma TV screens a living room bedroom as well as a Jacuzzi and 2 bathroomshellipPerhaps a little excessive for just the 2 of us bu http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/West/blog-420492.html I am writing this blog now for a second time due to the fact that I had my laptop stolen on a bus travelling from Quito to a small village called Mindo. I have not had the best luck so far on this phase of my travels as a few days ago I was bitten by a dog and as a result have had to undergo a series of anti rabies vaccinations. I am just hoping the third thing wonrsquot be contracting swine http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/blog-414526.html Kekerengu itself is not the most happening place but is therefore a great place to save money. I've spent the last 6 weeks here working as a waitress in a restaurant called 'The Store' which has a beautiful setting right by the sea. Kekerengu is just a small hamlet between the two larger towns Blenheim and Kaikoura so apart from a weekly shop at either of these towns there is not much to do apa http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Kaikoura/blog-404158.html After recovering from our trek we made our way to Queenstown and were excited to witness this famous adrenaline fuelled town. Queenstown is well known for offering every possible activity imaginable mainly bungee jumping and sky diving in the day whilst also offering a good bar scene at night. On the day we arrived we did a sky dive and I can't quite believe I did it It was lucky we did it the da http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/blog-404150.html Great Kepler WalkAfter 3 days of solid walking along one of the best walking tracks in New Zealand Helen and I came away with many blisters rock hard leg muscles and even more wonder for this stunning country.This track is about 20 years old and was opened to relieve the pressure off the famous Milford track which everyone raves about and is booked up for months in advance. The Kepler track is a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Te-Anau/blog-403204.html Day 1 The one where we left AucklandGoodbye Auckland We said our goodbye's to Auckland and went to collect Ruth and Anthony's van. After a fairly long drive we arrived in Taupo and introduced Helen's parents to freedom camping as we camped at the biggest freedom camping camp ground in the north island.Day 2 The one where Helen jumped off a bridgeWe had an early start as Helen did the highest wa http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/blog-403191.html After spending over 3 months in the bustling city of Auckland it was finally time to pick up and go again and resume being a travel bum. Working for Wicked was really beneficial as i got a 20 discount for the van hire plus other perks. So about 2 weeks ago Helen and i set off on our next adventure 10 days exploring northland New Zealand the far north part of the north island above Auckland a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/blog-382591.html Just a few pictures of another weekend away with Helen in the Coromandel. We went to the famous Cathedral Cove which is where 'The Chronicles of Narnia' was filmed and also made a trip to the legendary Hot water Beach where you can dig your own pool of hot water from underneath the sand. We also paid a visit to a few bays along the way soaking up the sea and sand http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Coromandel/blog-382433.html Just a few pictures of a weekend away with Fabrice down south to Tongariro National Park and Waitomo caves. We saw tonnes of gloworms lining the top of the caves as we black water rafted through the labyrinth of tunnels lots of fun Black water rafting is basically tubing or sitting in a black rubber ring floating through the inside of the caves occasionally jumping a waterfall or 2 It's pretty http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/blog-382428.html My time in Auckland so far has been punctuated by a series of interesting incidences some good and some most people would perhaps wish to avoid. On arrival in New Zealand Helen and I stayed in a hostel for around a week working up the courage to go job hunting after 6 months of unemployment it did seem a bit daunting before finally biting the bullet and actually going. It wasnrsquot as easy a http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/North-Island/Auckland/blog-363258.html I haven't written in ages and my time in New South Wales seems so long ago so i'm only going to put up some photo's of our time in this region of Oz. Most of the time was spent in Sydney and then a quick stop over in Melbourne for our flight to NZ. However we literally only spent 2 hours in Melbourne so will definately have to go back one day. We also spent a few days in Surfers Paradise and Byro http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/blog-363268.html Our arrival in Cairns as i type this after being in Australia for 6 weeks seems like a life time ago. Cairns itself is a little soulless and not the sort of place that sets an example for the rest of this huge country. However it has a party vibe and some nice beaches to the north i visited Trinity Beach one day and is a good base point to take trips either further up north or inland. After m http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Queensland/blog-347696.html The gleaming streets of Singapore awaited us as we drove through the Malaysian mainland to reach the island at it's southernmost tip. After some lengthy queue at immigration and cursing the complex nature of the process compared to other less developed countries we managed to find our way to our hostel before being informed it was fully booked. The Singapore Grand Prix and the end of the Muslim f http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Singapore/blog-335354.html We arrived in Kuala Lumpur airport feeling a mixture of excitement and a little regret. Excitement due to arriving in a new country yet again i know and regret at leaving the part of SE Asia where we have spent almost 3 months. Regret passes away at touch down as we fly into KL airport and begin to wonder how different this country will be in comparison to the 'cheap cheap' part of Asia we hav http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/blog-331350.html Cambodia Cambodia Cambodia what can i say about a country that's been through hell and back Well to start things off it's totally different to it's neighboring country Laos. I suppose this is unsurprising considering the history of this small country wedged between Thailand Laos and Vietnam. In fact words cannot describe what these people have been through. Most young westerners don't know m http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Cambodia/blog-325539.html Greetings from Laos the most bombed country in the world but also one of the most beautiful. More bombs have landed in this country than the total amount including both sides of dropped bombs during WW2. The secret war here was kept under wraps as Laos was supposed to be left alone according to the Geneva convention. However the Americans bombed the country so heavily in an attempt to be rid http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/blog-321804.html Hello from Thailand I'm currently writing from an internet cafe in a place called Nong Kai which is in the north bordering Laos. We're off to Laos and regretfully saying goodbye to Thailand in a couple of days. We've had lots of fun here and travelled around a fair amount although we haven't seen alot still Our first few days were spent in Bangkok mainly around the touristic hot spots of Khao S http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/blog-315958.html