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Date: 4th December 2009
The trouble with getting out of Caracas
Yeh its quite the ordeal in Caracas. It is also quite the experience though! So while the feedback may be negative, I could guess what it was going to be like and still went =) though I did get out as quickly as possible... Tourists do certainly do all the wrong things. Having a bulge in your pocket (looks like a camera/wallet), dressing differently than locals, and yes using dollars. I was fairly well trained by the time I hit Venezuela. I'd survived all of Central America and Brazil, doing it all local and cheap, but Caracas still had me a bit by surprise! I tended to wear older dirty clothes, never shorts, a non-english or no words Tshirt, and nothing in my pockets. Unfortunately a 15kg large hiking pack, blondish hair and white skin is harder to hide heh. Even little things like never looking at a map in public, and even when lost always walk like you know exactly where you're going. They're all good hints and they truly all work. The issues lies in ever NEEDING all these tactics. However, that is the situation... The foreign currency situation is very sad though. I met a student studying English who was explaining that really to get his English to a higher level he needs to travel. But, the government won't allow him the money to travel in a foreign currency.. they'll support his education up to that point but then cut him off at the knees when he is so close to becoming qualified. Don't worry about the control over the media as far as the rest of the world is concerned. The word on Venezuela does get out, and is quite easy to find. You can however always get more of the word out by doing things like writing your own blog on the situation from an internal perspective as there are of course many facets of Venezuelan society that even with a lot of time in Venezuela I could not get access to and hear about, especially in Caracas. The issue seems more that Venezuela, while people want to assist it how they can, gets left at the bottom of the priority list because most western people including myself do not want to support a dictatorship. Umm take that last comment softly, as I know thats a very broad comment and it isn't meant in a broad way, but to clarify it would start an eternal political debate, and I'm just about to head to the pub and can't be bothered heh.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
The trouble with getting out of Caracas
Yeh its quite the ordeal in Caracas. It is also quite the experience though! So while the feedback may be negative, I could guess what it was going to be like and still went =) though I did get out as quickly as possible... Tourists do certainly do all the wrong things. Having a bulge in your pocket (looks like a camera/wallet), dressing differently than locals, and yes using dollars. I was fairly well trained by the time I hit Venezuela. I'd survived all of Central America and Brazil, doing it all local and cheap, but Caracas still had me a bit by surprise! I tended to wear older dirty clothes, never shorts, a non-english or no words Tshirt, and nothing in my pockets. Unfortunately a 15kg large hiking pack, blondish hair and white skin is harder to hide heh. Even little things like never looking at a map in public, and even when lost always walk like you know exactly where you're going. They're all good hints and they truly all work. The issues lies in ever NEEDING all these tactics. However, that is the situation... The foreign currency situation is very sad though. I met a student studying English who was explaining that really to get his English to a higher level he needs to travel. But, the government won't allow him the money to travel in a foreign currency.. they'll support his education up to that point but then cut him off at the knees when he is so close to becoming qualified. Don't worry about the control over the media as far as the rest of the world is concerned. The word on Venezuela does get out, and is quite easy to find. You can however always get more of the word out by doing things like writing your own blog on the situation from an internal perspective as there are of course many facets of Venezuelan society that even with a lot of time in Venezuela I could not get access to and hear about, especially in Caracas. The issue seems more that Venezuela, while people want to assist it how they can, gets left at the bottom of the priority list because most western people including myself do not want to support a dictatorship. Umm take that last comment softly, as I know thats a very broad comment and it isn't meant in a broad way, but to clarify it would start an eternal political debate, and I'm just about to head to the pub and can't be bothered heh.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
Date: 4th December 2009
Time to start importing some beers
Hey, its an awesome place Tulum hey! Heh Mexico has some bad beers, but it certainly beat most of the countries before it! Its also related to my taste. If you are a corona style of beer fan then you'd be in heaven I would guess. Bohemia was good, XX mm not as much. Ahh yes, a michelada! I did try that but can't remember what it was like, meaning I was probably already too drunk to know heh. I'll have to find a real one in Sydney (if thats possible) to give it a good try... or wait till I'm back in Mexico as I still want to travel the North at some point!
From Blog: Whiling away time in Tulum
Time to start importing some beers
Hey, its an awesome place Tulum hey! Heh Mexico has some bad beers, but it certainly beat most of the countries before it! Its also related to my taste. If you are a corona style of beer fan then you'd be in heaven I would guess. Bohemia was good, XX mm not as much. Ahh yes, a michelada! I did try that but can't remember what it was like, meaning I was probably already too drunk to know heh. I'll have to find a real one in Sydney (if thats possible) to give it a good try... or wait till I'm back in Mexico as I still want to travel the North at some point!
From Blog: Whiling away time in Tulum
Date: 4th December 2009
A sad reality
It is indeed a sad reality. The poverty there is phenomenal. I have seen more poor areas than Caracas but it looked the most unhealthy (not in the superficial way, but the overall society way). Its extremely unfortunate. The rule of Chavez does not help. I'm not saying he is a poor leader or the right or wrong choice, but that lack of outside information in the city is unhealthy. Meeting people that blindly believe what the controlled media feed them is never going to end well. My trip to the interior was incredible, especially the Gran Sabana! Near the border with Colombia was beautiful too.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
A sad reality
It is indeed a sad reality. The poverty there is phenomenal. I have seen more poor areas than Caracas but it looked the most unhealthy (not in the superficial way, but the overall society way). Its extremely unfortunate. The rule of Chavez does not help. I'm not saying he is a poor leader or the right or wrong choice, but that lack of outside information in the city is unhealthy. Meeting people that blindly believe what the controlled media feed them is never going to end well. My trip to the interior was incredible, especially the Gran Sabana! Near the border with Colombia was beautiful too.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
Date: 17th November 2009
That sucks
i didnt know it was such an ordeal for foreigners to be in this city. i live in caracas, and as a local i could say its not so bad as you say, but the truth is, it may be even worse. the problem is, tourists like yourself do all the wrong thins that in a city like this will get you in trouble. looking like a tourist is one of them ( no offense intended), and also looking like you may have anything of value. dollars are one those things. by the way, the exchange rate is so crazy because in an attempt to prevent people from going outside the country and/or emmigrating (or having a business based on imported goods) the goverment limits the amount of money you can change into foreign money. only people with goverment connectiopns can -illegally- have enough $ to mantain any kind of big business here. also, travelling outside is trouble too, because the goverment only allows for the equivalent of 300$ per person, and theyre trying to find a way to track down and limit where and how you spend it, too. it sucks and i woulnt blame you for never coming back. actually, i would recommend that you never do. but while youre at it, please spread the word of how bad it is here. the wild baboon we have for president controls the media -also, ilegally- and very little of the real situation gets out. good luck in your travels.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
That sucks
i didnt know it was such an ordeal for foreigners to be in this city. i live in caracas, and as a local i could say its not so bad as you say, but the truth is, it may be even worse. the problem is, tourists like yourself do all the wrong thins that in a city like this will get you in trouble. looking like a tourist is one of them ( no offense intended), and also looking like you may have anything of value. dollars are one those things. by the way, the exchange rate is so crazy because in an attempt to prevent people from going outside the country and/or emmigrating (or having a business based on imported goods) the goverment limits the amount of money you can change into foreign money. only people with goverment connectiopns can -illegally- have enough $ to mantain any kind of big business here. also, travelling outside is trouble too, because the goverment only allows for the equivalent of 300$ per person, and theyre trying to find a way to track down and limit where and how you spend it, too. it sucks and i woulnt blame you for never coming back. actually, i would recommend that you never do. but while youre at it, please spread the word of how bad it is here. the wild baboon we have for president controls the media -also, ilegally- and very little of the real situation gets out. good luck in your travels.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
Date: 5th November 2009
Hm...
We discovered Tulum 5 years ago and it is still our favorite place to go (less than 2 months to next trip). Was surprised by your last picture. Mexico has some bad beers, which tastes like the usual US crap - Corona, Sol, Tecate, Superior). But XX is not among them. I would say Bohemia and XX are the best Mexican beers, that we drink even in the US. Negra Modele - close behind them. One of the discoveries I made in Tulum was drinking michelada - try it, if you haven't. For me this is the best way to drink beer now in warm weather. Cheers!
From Blog: Whiling away time in Tulum
Hm...
We discovered Tulum 5 years ago and it is still our favorite place to go (less than 2 months to next trip). Was surprised by your last picture. Mexico has some bad beers, which tastes like the usual US crap - Corona, Sol, Tecate, Superior). But XX is not among them. I would say Bohemia and XX are the best Mexican beers, that we drink even in the US. Negra Modele - close behind them. One of the discoveries I made in Tulum was drinking michelada - try it, if you haven't. For me this is the best way to drink beer now in warm weather. Cheers!
From Blog: Whiling away time in Tulum
Date: 17th October 2009
ITs reality
This is the reality of a country that once was great and now suffers from massive poverty and the lack of investment in education. The reward for the bad decision made by poor people is to have an even worse goverment in power. Chavez fuel are the poor and he will make sure they stay poor, only an elite group will watch from the rich hills how the rest of the country simply rots. Hope your trip to the interior of the country was better than the sad Caracas experience.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
ITs reality
This is the reality of a country that once was great and now suffers from massive poverty and the lack of investment in education. The reward for the bad decision made by poor people is to have an even worse goverment in power. Chavez fuel are the poor and he will make sure they stay poor, only an elite group will watch from the rich hills how the rest of the country simply rots. Hope your trip to the interior of the country was better than the sad Caracas experience.
From Blog: Caracas, Ciudad sucio y peligroso
Date: 17th September 2009
viva EH!
hey dude- i hope you had a blast in Sunzal and will return; the place gets better all the time. I am the other owner of the place, and I appreciate the blog! paz fuera
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
viva EH!
hey dude- i hope you had a blast in Sunzal and will return; the place gets better all the time. I am the other owner of the place, and I appreciate the blog! paz fuera
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
Date: 11th September 2009
Safe surfing, accomodation and maybe some DJ gigs
Well Florianopolis rocks for surfing, night life, and everything else really. Accommodation wise I recommend Sunset Backpackers (http://backpackersfloripa.com/backpackers/sun.php) where I stayed. You can find both cheaper and more expensive but the place is so damn beautiful, is right near Mole beach, has some free surfboards for you to take out when you want, and has a knowledgeable bunch of guys n girls working for them that surf and live there so they're the perfect people to ask about getting gigs at local clubs and where and when to surf. I know how to surf so didn't ask around about any schools there for it but knowing the area there would have to be a fair few to pick from. For advice on that I would check them out locally once there and ask the Sunset Backpackers crew. Sunset Share House, the "brother/sister" hostel of that place is cool too although I don't think the hostel itself is as well setup however it IS right next to a beginner surf beach. Watch out for the rips at Mole if you're not an experienced/strong surfer as they can easily pull you a long way out. As for taking a laptop, I had that and more and stored it all in my locker there. You get locked up lockers in both places (not necessarily in all rooms though so make sure when you book that you are getting a room that does have one for you) so its all pretty safe. Getting there from Rio is dead easy! There will be dozens of companies in the bus terminal in Rio offering you direct, comfortable and safe buses to get you there. Choose your price bracket / comfort level there. Its an awesome bus service there in Brazil, better than here in Oz... Ahh Capoeira I was kinda sick of by the time I got there so I didn't go looking for any but it would be easy enough to find, be it shows or groups of people learning or whatever. Just walking around the streets and on the beaches you'll see people practising. Umm yeh, any other questions (or if I waffled on and didn't really answer yours) then please just let me know!
From Blog: Sun, surf, and beautiful plastic women
Safe surfing, accomodation and maybe some DJ gigs
Well Florianopolis rocks for surfing, night life, and everything else really. Accommodation wise I recommend Sunset Backpackers (http://backpackersfloripa.com/backpackers/sun.php) where I stayed. You can find both cheaper and more expensive but the place is so damn beautiful, is right near Mole beach, has some free surfboards for you to take out when you want, and has a knowledgeable bunch of guys n girls working for them that surf and live there so they're the perfect people to ask about getting gigs at local clubs and where and when to surf. I know how to surf so didn't ask around about any schools there for it but knowing the area there would have to be a fair few to pick from. For advice on that I would check them out locally once there and ask the Sunset Backpackers crew. Sunset Share House, the "brother/sister" hostel of that place is cool too although I don't think the hostel itself is as well setup however it IS right next to a beginner surf beach. Watch out for the rips at Mole if you're not an experienced/strong surfer as they can easily pull you a long way out. As for taking a laptop, I had that and more and stored it all in my locker there. You get locked up lockers in both places (not necessarily in all rooms though so make sure when you book that you are getting a room that does have one for you) so its all pretty safe. Getting there from Rio is dead easy! There will be dozens of companies in the bus terminal in Rio offering you direct, comfortable and safe buses to get you there. Choose your price bracket / comfort level there. Its an awesome bus service there in Brazil, better than here in Oz... Ahh Capoeira I was kinda sick of by the time I got there so I didn't go looking for any but it would be easy enough to find, be it shows or groups of people learning or whatever. Just walking around the streets and on the beaches you'll see people practising. Umm yeh, any other questions (or if I waffled on and didn't really answer yours) then please just let me know!
From Blog: Sun, surf, and beautiful plastic women
Date: 1st September 2009
Thanks for a greta blog
I'm looking to surf for a couple of week somewhere. So I'm looking for a good school but accomodation that is safe where I can lock a laptop would be great. Id love to bring my midi controller and mix a bit, do you think there might be opportunity there to play ? Did you see any capoeira going on. How easy is it to get here from Rio. And the same questions about good safe accomodation there if you have any advice ? thanks
From Blog: Sun, surf, and beautiful plastic women
Thanks for a greta blog
I'm looking to surf for a couple of week somewhere. So I'm looking for a good school but accomodation that is safe where I can lock a laptop would be great. Id love to bring my midi controller and mix a bit, do you think there might be opportunity there to play ? Did you see any capoeira going on. How easy is it to get here from Rio. And the same questions about good safe accomodation there if you have any advice ? thanks
From Blog: Sun, surf, and beautiful plastic women
Date: 16th July 2009
wowo.. Machu Picchu !!
It's an awesome place... i want to visit this place.. i hope so...=)
From Blog: Machu Picchu
wowo.. Machu Picchu !!
It's an awesome place... i want to visit this place.. i hope so...=)
From Blog: Machu Picchu
Date: 10th July 2009
Will replyin an email
A bit much to write here so will reply in an email to ya man. Its a good one to ask about though as its not always easy to get first hand info on...
From Blog: Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and a sacred vine called Ayahuasca
Will replyin an email
A bit much to write here so will reply in an email to ya man. Its a good one to ask about though as its not always easy to get first hand info on...
From Blog: Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and a sacred vine called Ayahuasca
Date: 6th July 2009
Ayahuasca costs?
Hello LinzCrowe- I am a fellow traveler coming to Cusco in 2 weeks and I am interested in trying ayahuasca. How much did it cost to experience it with the shaman? Do you recommend it? On a scale of 1 -10 (1 lowest, 10 highest), how would you rate your experience? If you've done othe rhallucinogenic drugs (mushrooms, LSD, etc.), how did this compare to those experiences? Similar or very different? Thanks a lot for your response and feedback. Sincerely, Chris
From Blog: Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and a sacred vine called Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca costs?
Hello LinzCrowe- I am a fellow traveler coming to Cusco in 2 weeks and I am interested in trying ayahuasca. How much did it cost to experience it with the shaman? Do you recommend it? On a scale of 1 -10 (1 lowest, 10 highest), how would you rate your experience? If you've done othe rhallucinogenic drugs (mushrooms, LSD, etc.), how did this compare to those experiences? Similar or very different? Thanks a lot for your response and feedback. Sincerely, Chris
From Blog: Cusco, The Sacred Valley, and a sacred vine called Ayahuasca
Date: 5th April 2009
Thankyou!
Haha thanks Lyenet, I couldn`t remember the name of it for the life of me!
From Blog: Monstrous Mexico City
Thankyou!
Haha thanks Lyenet, I couldn`t remember the name of it for the life of me!
From Blog: Monstrous Mexico City
Date: 5th April 2009
true true...
Heh the staring part yeh I can often understand. Down at the beach there it is pretty well run and touristy though! It was funny though because Id stopped noticing it but the girl I was with still saw it. Again with the girl, if its rare yeh then thats all fair enough... however there are curious stares i.e. on the bus, then there are stares that make you stop in your tracks. A look you tend to learn to watch for as its the kind the precedes a bar fight kinda deal. They were mostly the latter unfortunately =( It was the guys that were giving more dirty looks than the others... Haha yeh less touristy helps a million, wearing jeans, more plain shoes and a shirt not obviously gringo`ish does wonders! With the colour skin though, fitting in still doesn`t happen... unlike here in Brazil now where I first get asked if I am Brazilian, then if I am Argentinian as my Portuguese is terrible, then I explain I`m Australian. THAT is a beautiful feeling =) With all said and done though, El Salvador is unbelievable and worldwide well and truly one of my favourite places to be and has the most incredible people in Central America I think!
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
true true...
Heh the staring part yeh I can often understand. Down at the beach there it is pretty well run and touristy though! It was funny though because Id stopped noticing it but the girl I was with still saw it. Again with the girl, if its rare yeh then thats all fair enough... however there are curious stares i.e. on the bus, then there are stares that make you stop in your tracks. A look you tend to learn to watch for as its the kind the precedes a bar fight kinda deal. They were mostly the latter unfortunately =( It was the guys that were giving more dirty looks than the others... Haha yeh less touristy helps a million, wearing jeans, more plain shoes and a shirt not obviously gringo`ish does wonders! With the colour skin though, fitting in still doesn`t happen... unlike here in Brazil now where I first get asked if I am Brazilian, then if I am Argentinian as my Portuguese is terrible, then I explain I`m Australian. THAT is a beautiful feeling =) With all said and done though, El Salvador is unbelievable and worldwide well and truly one of my favourite places to be and has the most incredible people in Central America I think!
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
Date: 1st April 2009
hey amigo, de nada por las fotos =)
ahh¡¡¡ it`s cumbia no carimba , jajjajaajaj,.. you make me laugh jejejje... ok.. see ya ¡¡¡
From Blog: Monstrous Mexico City
hey amigo, de nada por las fotos =)
ahh¡¡¡ it`s cumbia no carimba , jajjajaajaj,.. you make me laugh jejejje... ok.. see ya ¡¡¡
From Blog: Monstrous Mexico City
Date: 27th March 2009
is not racism
lol! im a salvadorean girl, born and raised,I was looking at your blog and i'm glad you liked our contry so much! :) Just wanted to make clear that the weird staring on the locals part is not racism AT ALL! believe me, i should know.... people here are just crazy curious and they are not shy about it! a lot of the time people are a bit "surprised" to see tourist so they, well...stare! the same goes with the girl you where holding hands with. It's just very rare to see that here! maybe they where just girls wondering how they're sister got such a hot australian guy ;) lol. Try wearing a less "tourist style" you know, those kind of shorts with bags on the side and worn off shirts with backpacks that tourist always dress with and you'll see how people stare much less.
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
is not racism
lol! im a salvadorean girl, born and raised,I was looking at your blog and i'm glad you liked our contry so much! :) Just wanted to make clear that the weird staring on the locals part is not racism AT ALL! believe me, i should know.... people here are just crazy curious and they are not shy about it! a lot of the time people are a bit "surprised" to see tourist so they, well...stare! the same goes with the girl you where holding hands with. It's just very rare to see that here! maybe they where just girls wondering how they're sister got such a hot australian guy ;) lol. Try wearing a less "tourist style" you know, those kind of shorts with bags on the side and worn off shirts with backpacks that tourist always dress with and you'll see how people stare much less.
From Blog: Time mush at El Sunzal
Date: 8th January 2009
San miguel
Hi, did u get that nice necklace in San miguel? and was the 3rd hotel, xpensive? coming to san miguel in feb.
From Blog: Carnaval San Miguel style - the papers tell me it was a really good fiesta!
San miguel
Hi, did u get that nice necklace in San miguel? and was the 3rd hotel, xpensive? coming to san miguel in feb.
From Blog: Carnaval San Miguel style - the papers tell me it was a really good fiesta!
Date: 5th November 2008
VIVA LATINOAMERICA¡¡¡¡¡
POR UNA LATINOAMERICA UNIDA.. PORQUE TODOS SOMOS HERMANOS ¡¡¡¡ ARRIBA LA REVOLUCION¡¡¡¡
From Blog: The revolutionary city of Leon
VIVA LATINOAMERICA¡¡¡¡¡
POR UNA LATINOAMERICA UNIDA.. PORQUE TODOS SOMOS HERMANOS ¡¡¡¡ ARRIBA LA REVOLUCION¡¡¡¡
From Blog: The revolutionary city of Leon
Date: 15th October 2008
the poverty in latin america ... its a big problem... i feel sad for my people.. my bothers... =(
From Blog: Granada - "The goose that laid Nicaraguan tourism's golden egg"
the poverty in latin america ... its a big problem... i feel sad for my people.. my bothers... =(
From Blog: Granada - "The goose that laid Nicaraguan tourism's golden egg"
Date: 14th October 2008
the fist part is wrong linz.. =)... ya todas las estrellas han partido its all the stars have already gone.
From Blog: Sad to leave Pavones but Volcanoes are calling me!
the fist part is wrong linz.. =)... ya todas las estrellas han partido its all the stars have already gone.
From Blog: Sad to leave Pavones but Volcanoes are calling me!
Date: 9th October 2008
and maybe bring some central american girls home si? glad ur still alive! s'all a bit exciting :)
From Blog: Goodbye Costa Rica, Hello Nicaragua
and maybe bring some central american girls home si? glad ur still alive! s'all a bit exciting :)
From Blog: Goodbye Costa Rica, Hello Nicaragua
Date: 9th October 2008
life through lesbos eyes...
here's my online translation of your wall quote! "indeed. son. all the stars have already divided. but it never becomes darker than when it is going to dawn." how profound....hehe, thanks for brazilians as well! better than mine haha
From Blog: Sad to leave Pavones but Volcanoes are calling me!
life through lesbos eyes...
here's my online translation of your wall quote! "indeed. son. all the stars have already divided. but it never becomes darker than when it is going to dawn." how profound....hehe, thanks for brazilians as well! better than mine haha
From Blog: Sad to leave Pavones but Volcanoes are calling me!
Date: 25th September 2008
HEY HEY GUAPO¡¡¡
veo que tu viaje es muy divertido... que bien. =) Cuando llegues a Mexico ,,, i hope to see you ¡¡¡¡ and you should learn to dance ... me too.. i d like to speak with you in spanish.. TAKE CARE... LINZ SEE you soon
From Blog: Border run
HEY HEY GUAPO¡¡¡
veo que tu viaje es muy divertido... que bien. =) Cuando llegues a Mexico ,,, i hope to see you ¡¡¡¡ and you should learn to dance ... me too.. i d like to speak with you in spanish.. TAKE CARE... LINZ SEE you soon
From Blog: Border run
Date: 22nd September 2008
Nahh no Bocas Del Toro
If I was just going to Panama or even just Panama and Costa Rica I would have gone to Bocas Del Toro as its an incredible area, as is San Blas and Boquete (I have no idea about Gamboa). As it is though, the cost reward ratio just wasnt there for me, I can find the same and better I think further down the line in other countries for less and when the wet season calms down a bit... thanks for the info though, always appreciated aye.
From Blog: Welcome to Panama!
Nahh no Bocas Del Toro
If I was just going to Panama or even just Panama and Costa Rica I would have gone to Bocas Del Toro as its an incredible area, as is San Blas and Boquete (I have no idea about Gamboa). As it is though, the cost reward ratio just wasnt there for me, I can find the same and better I think further down the line in other countries for less and when the wet season calms down a bit... thanks for the info though, always appreciated aye.
From Blog: Welcome to Panama!
jessica nicole a
non-member comment
your pics
ilove your pics i wish i could do something like that i like the pics of you too lol anyways nice hope to see more