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Published: October 19th 2010
So it´s been 2 months! A long time since my last entry. It has been a great 2 months of travel. I caught the plane from Madrid to Mexico City where I stayed one night before my flight to Habana, Cuba. My flight was delayed because I was flying with Mexicana airlines and at the time they were cancelling flights and delaying flights all over the place. So I tried to call Agustin´s family in Cuba - here´s a tip, don’t ever, EVER slide your credit card through those pay phones. Not only did I not get connected to the family in Cuba but after swiping my card twice and in total being on the phone for about 7 mins either waiting for an operator, talking to an operator or pinning in the numbers… I got charged approx. $50 for the first 3 min call I made, and approx. $70 for the next 4 min call!!! No word of a lie… I was livid!!!! Eventually I got in contact with Mum who called the family in Cuba… and let´s just say my mum´s Spanish is about as good as Agustin´s mother´s English… hmmmm. Haha. But mum got the message across that
I´ll be arriving much later than what was expected.
I arrived in Habana very late… I think it was about 1am. I caught a taxi to the family´s house and met Agustin´s brother and father. The next day I met Agustin´s mother, sister, nephew and other brother. They were all very hospitable. I saw a lot of Habana and spent a lot of time with Julio, Agustin´s younger brother. It was very difficult for me to understand their Spanish because they speak very fast and they don’t pronounce their S´s… and when learning a language it makes a hell of a difference when someone speaks clearly and with not much of an accent… now I understand when people are learning English and they complain about the difference in accent between England, USA and Australia. It´s tough. But yeah, I learnt a lot about Cuba and the people there. I went to Capital, lots of Plazas, the beach and two museums. I met a lot of friends of the family and they were all so friendly. I was leaving on the Sunday with Mexicana… but I decided to call the airline to check if my flight was still going to
fly or it had been cancelled… reply was… si, lo va a volar, es todo bien… which is… yes, it´s going to fly, it is all good. So I got to the airport on Sunday and saw that the flight had been cancelled! I went to the Mexicana office and they said that all flights are cancelled and I need to find another company to fly with! So went to Cubana airlines and the next flight I could get on was on Thursday at 6.30am. So I spent another 4 nights with Agustin´s family and left on Thursday back to Mexico City. A big thank you to Agustin and his family for all the help and support… and sorry my Spanish wasn’t better!
So I arrived in Mexico City on Thursday morning and went straight to the Mexicana office… they handed me a tiny piece of paper with their website on it and the lady said I need to go to the website to apply for my refund! Not happy! Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention… it was almost impossible to get in contact with Mum… or anyone outside Cuba really… no one has internet, there are
no internet cafes and when Mum bought a calling card in Australia… the $20 card only gave her 17 minutes talk time to Cuba!! Normally, it’s a lot more, for example, when Mum was calling me in Madrid she would get about 500 minutes talk time for $20! So of course when I got into Mexico City I called Mum and told her what had happened with the flights etc. Oh, and I made sure I didn’t use those bloody credit card pay phones! So I arrived in Mexico City with my lonely planet with no accommodation booked, no transport booked, absolutely nothing booked. I knew I wanted to go to the Pacific Coast and do some surfing. So I went to the internet café near the airport and with the help of the lonely planet I booked a bus to San Blas, a return bus back to Mexico City and a flight to Cancun… but I was unable to book my accommodation on the beach in San Blas… so I just emailed the place where I wanted to stay and hoped for the best. So I caught the night bus to Tepic and then a connecting bus to San
Blas. I didn’t get much sleep on the bus because I think the air con was set to minus 5 degrees celsius! All the locals were in jumpers, jackets and jeans so they knew the deal…I was in shorts and a shirt, I was freezing. Anyway, I got to San Blas and arrived at the place I wanted to stay. They guy that owns the Cabañas and restaurant there is a world class long boarder. So anyway, I was able to book a Cabaña on the beach for 8 nights… literally on the sand!! It was amazing… or so I thought… haha. Na, it was great… the Cabaña was made from wood and palms, I had a fan and a mosquito net so all was good. All was good until that night… a massive storm came in that night, lightning was cracking just over head and the wind was furious… the whole Cabaña was shaking from side to side. At first I thought, awesome I can see some lightning, looks like there´s going to be a storm tonight… but as the storm came in and picked up I was actually freaking out. The day before I had a look through
the lonely planet about the weather in Mexico and I knew that further south they can get quite severe hurricanes… but I didn’t think San Blas got hurricanes as well! When I first woke up to the Cabaña rocking and shaking I thought maybe it´s an earthquake! Haha. Anyway, I was scared for my life. The storm eventually eased and I went off to sleep. The next eight days there was dismal surf which was quite upsetting… but I still went for a run and a swim in the mornings. The food was great in town as well, cheap and delicious! I went to the internet café a lot during those 8 days because there weren´t many people around because it was wet season, the surf was crap and I missed Australia and everyone so much. I spent my 26th birthday on the 6th of September inside an internet café mostly. It was pretty lonely but I got to speak to the family on Skype. But it´s all good because I made up for it later in Cancun with the boys…and Vegas, and San Fran and LA…hmm, read on… haha…
I caught my night bus back to Mexico City
making sure I wore my jeans and a jacket. I also took some sleeping tablets. So I had a very good sleep on the way back. I got back to Mexico City in time to check in for my flight to Cancun (I know same day, bit of a risk but all worked out). I got to Cancun and caught a shuttle to the resort where I was meeting one of my best mates Bas, his cousin Frankie and his friend Anthony. It was great to see Bas and the guys! The next 5 nights we partied hard in Cancun! We went to the beach which was just outside our resort and let’s just say we did a fair amount of drinking… well we paid for all inclusive (all you can eat and all you can drink including alcohol) so we made the most of it! On one of the days we hired speed boats and drove out to the reef where we snorkeled for about 45 mins. That was heaps of fun! My round the world ticket had me leaving Cancun on the 29th of September to Miami… I was going to say goodbye to the boys and spend
a bit longer in Mexico… BUT… on my second last night in Cancun the boys said I should join them in Vegas! Their next stop. I had a look at my finances and thought, what the hell, I´m enjoying being with the guys and I have the money… so I booked my flight to Vegas the next day!! We arrived in Vegas at about 9pm on the Friday night… we went straight to the hotel, got dressed (I looked horrible because I didn’t have any leather shoes or collared shirts - but I still got into the club) and went to the club. We met up with a bunch of Bas´ mates and got bottle service… I think that was a $250 night! We were drinking grey goose though! The next day we went to Wet Republic which was a pool/dance party at our hotel… again, bottle service. That night, another club and bottle service again. Sunday, another pool/dance party called Rehab and you guessed it, bottle service. Sunday night, another club and bottle service again! Monday, we all just chilled and went out to the casinos… I didn’t gamble but the boys did. I decided that I was going
to stay with the boys and go to San Francisco with them. Tuesday morning I met up with my mate Tishomi and had breakfast with him at a place called Hash House a Go Go where they serve these massive breakfasts! I bought my flight to San Fran and Tuesday night we went to a Cirque du Solei show which was amazing. Then we went out gambling and another mate, Eric, from Vegas met up with me. The boys crashed out so Eric took me to a bar outside the strip and we had a bite to eat, a few drinks and he showed me how to play black jack on the machines located on the bar… literally on the bar table. Eric told me to put $10 in and just play small bets and the barmen gives you free drinks if you´re playing the machine. So I got a few drinks out of the $10… would have been good if I actually won as well, haha, imagine that, free drinks and a bit of extra money in the pocket. The next day we were up and packing at a decent hour and got a taxi to the airport. Off
to San Fran.
When we got to San Fran we got some washing done and a few beers at a bar near the hotel. The next day we hired bikes and rode across the golden gate bridge and caught a ferry back past Alcatraz. I met up with a friend Kara and her boyfriend and girlfriend and hang out on one of the nights. It was good to catch up with her. I know all these people in that States from the contiki tour I did (hey everyone! A big shout out to the contiki group!). I thought it would be a lot longer until I saw them again so that´s a bonus. We did a bit of shopping in San Fran and found a bar where we could smoke the hookah so that was cool. It was a lot quieter than Vegas that´s for sure! I think we needed a bit of a rest though! Oh, and you guessed it, I ended up booking a flight to LA with the boys and also my flight to Miami.
When we got to LA we hired a jeep so we could get around the massive city that is Los
Angeles. I caught up with my mate Caps (also from the contiki tour) in LA and we all went out to a club where he hooked us up with a table and bottle service. Some more mates from contiki, Manny and Steve, made the drive up to hang out for the night as well. It was awesome to catch up with everyone so soon after contiki! A big shout out to Caps, Manny, Steve, Tishomi, Eric and Kara, thanks heaps for everything. The boys and I did the walk of fame in 40 degree heat and stopped for lunch. The waitress said that it was a red flag day… which meant it was dangerous weather to be outside. Oh well, us Aussies could handle it… but I have to say it was very hot… a dry heat. We went to the Hollywood sign and got some photos as well. We went to universal studios where we took some interesting photos and went on some pretty cool rides and then I got on my plane to Miami. Well, actually stopped in Philadelphia first and then connected to Miami… it was a night flight again… cheaper and I don’t waste a day…
So I took my sleeping tablets for the first 5 hour flight to Philly… I fell asleep for what I thought was an hour or so and woke up to crazy turbulence… the plane was bouncing all over the place… everyone had their window shutters down and all the lights were off bar the exit signs which were illuminated… the plane started to descend and my ears were popping… I thought the worst! I thought the plane was making an emergency landing in the ocean… I started panicking. They guy to my left was asleep still (don’t know how!) and the girl to my right had her ear phones in with her eyes shut. I started to get this sick feeling in my stomach like I was about to die or something… I heard an old couple talking behind me so I turned around and asked…are we landing? They didn’t hear me so I freaked and screamed… ARE WE LANDING!? ARE WE LANDING?!... They said yes, in about 15 mins or so - yeah, great, but are we landing in the ocean!!... by this time the girl next to me had opened her eyes and taken her ear phones
out… she asked if I was ok and I asked if we were landing in Philly soon and she said yes… so I started to calm down a bit… but the turbulence was still freaking me out. The girl next to me found it very amusing. She did say that she flies often and that´s the worst turbulence she´s been in. I told her that I took some sleeping tablet and didn’t realize how long I had slept for, so I thought we were making an emergency landing. I had a 2 hour layover in Philly and then got on the plane to Miami which only took an hour or so… but we had turbulence again so I made sure I stayed awake… but I was still freaked out.
I got to Miami safely where Mick, a good mate from AUS who is now working in Miami, picked me up from the airport. Mick is the food and beverage director at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Cables… so he has his fair share of contacts around Miami. We partied all weekend and went to the best club in Miami on the Saturday night. He had booked a cruise for
us to go on to the Bahamas… we got to the dock and Mick wasn’t allowed to board the ship because his visa didn’t allow him to leave the States to the Bahamas (but he could go to Mexico if he wanted??). I didn’t mind at all but Mick was a bit upset about the whole scenario. For me it just meant more partying in Miami so I was fine with it. We looked at going on a cruise to Mexico but they were 7 days cruises and we had more things to do in Florida… so we left it. Mick lives in South Beach as well… where all the action is… right near Lincoln Road. Everything is in walking distance… the beach, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops… just about everything. We managed to find an awesome bar where we started most nights with 2 for 1 tequilas and 2 for 1 beers. Mick and I also went to Key West for two nights and then to Disney World for 3 nights. It was crazy amazing! I seriously thought Mick would be at work and I would be doing my normal wondering around some place I don’t know… but Mick is
an absolute legend and took the whole 15 days off work so he could show me around Miami, take me on a cruise (hey, it was planned), Key West and to Disney World! I had such a great time!! For all those that don’t know Key West… it´s like Nimbin except it´s not marijuana… its alcohol! There are bars everywhere and everyone is drinking beers or margaritas on the street… like all the time! Crazy!! We also went on a pretty funny snorkeling trip in Key West as well… all you can drink on the 60 minute trip back to mainland at sunset (see photos)!! I was also treated to brunch on the Sunday at the Biltmore!! Normally $100 a head! Top work Mick! Oh, and Disney World!! I still can´t get over the size of that place… a whole district with 6 theme parks!! Gese! We did two theme parks and I was buggered after that! Oh, and don’t get me started on the food!! No wonder there are weight issues in the States! I loved it!! Haha. I think I put on about 3kgs in a month. So much drinking and eating!! I left Miami not wanting to
Mick and I in Miami
With the cruise ship that we were supposed to be on in the backgroundleave… A big thank you to Mick!! You´re a legend mate! I´ll see you in March… or whenever it is you´re back in AUS. I´ll make sure I have a few cases ready!
I caught the plane to Bogota, Colombia… where I am now. I arrived here yesterday. The airline lost my back pack to all I have with me now are the clothes on my back, some books and my guitar. Lucky I have Francisco´s (brother in law) family here! Camilo, Francisco´s brother picked me up from the airport. I had lunch with Alba (Francisco´s mother) and Camilo. Later, Marta (Alba´s sister), Arturo (Francisco´s father) and Santiago (Francisco´s younger brother) came home and we had dinner together. I´m racking my brain trying to remember all the Spanish I learnt while I was in Spain… but I´m getting by. The Spanish they speak here is very clear. I´ve asked them to only speak Spanish with me even though they speak quite a bit of English. I´ll be starting Spanish classes again on Monday or Tuesday next week… ok…this is going to seem strange while reading it but I´ll try to explain… I didn’t get to finish this blog before
I left for the long weekend… so now it´s Tuesday. The family and I went away to their farm house in the Andes for the long weekend. It was amazing. They have a beautiful house very close to the mountains. On the Saturday we had a huge barbeque with the people that help build the house and on Sunday we went for a 5 hour trek up Mount Iguaque. We had awesome barbeques everyday with amazing food. Have a look at the photos. Ok, I better wrap it up now or soon I´ll be giving a running commentary!!
I miss Australia and all my friends and family so much. I´ve tried my best to keep in touch with you all. Sorry if it hasn´t been up to standard. Please send me an email or write on my Facebook and tell me how everything is. I love hearing from you… and again I´m sorry that I can’t send you all a personal message. Oh, and again, thank you to all those people that have gone out of their way to make me feel at home along my travels and to all my mates that have met me along the way.
Please all take care of yourselves and I´ll see some of you (my beautiful family) December 12th and the rest when I get back on the 29th January (I think that´s the date, haha).
P.S. That´s 3423 words right there… I hope it makes up for the delay… better yet, I hope you all read it! Probably not… the photos are more interesting.
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Vic Tim
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TimTams
Tim Tim glad you're alive and well. Please to continue. The connoisseur ice creams will stay in the freezer...