Kaili's solo footsteps around the world in over 100 countries..
After a very average overnight bus I had a full day to explore the town of Cuenca. I was back up in altitude and feeling it a bit but managed to walk through the markets, in and out of hat museum and all around the Pumapungo ruins.
An overnight bus from Cusco to Arequipa sounded fine, until the road froze over and we had to wait in the middle of a highway (in a huuuge line of cars) until the sun rose and melted the ice. Peru had it all…
Cusco was my first stop in Peru and wow did it exceed any expectations I had of this magical city. Every corner I took I was blown away at how pretty it was.
Leaving San Pedro de Atacama and entering into Bolivia was an incredible way to cross borders! We met up with our group and our driver, Franz, and drove along our first lake, Laguna Blanca, with the amazing mirror reflections. Stunning.
Flying over the Andes Mountains to arrive in Santiago was magical – the mountains were huge.! My first night in Santiago included an earthquake which shook the bunk beds enough to wake me up and consider having to do something but it soon wore off and I went back to sleep.
The transfer from the Brazilian side of the falls to the Argentinian side was simple and once I arrived I went for a wonder and just my luck, it started pouring with rain. Didn’t hold me back from making it to the three border landmark for some great views and luckily enough, the sun came back out.
Continue reading “Exploring Argentina and it’s neighbour, Uruguay..”
Now that my whirlwind trip back home was over it was time to get underway with my South American adventures, straight into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
I decided to go to Puerto Rico as I wanted to get back to nature and go hiking.. Puerto Rico looked like great fun so off I went for a long weekend..
Another long weekend meant booking a last minute trip to the Big Apple, this time getting out to the wilderness of Bear Mountain!
I had an overnight flight from Adelaide directly to Dubai which meant I arrived in the very early hours of the morning. A full day ahead of checking out this new city..
We accidently had a rather large night out the night before our flight to Havana so were feeling pretty rough by the time we arrived. Dropped our bags at our Casa Particular (Casa Marta y Ramon) and went to the meeting place for our guided tour of the city in a red 1955 Cadillac Eldorado. Our tour guide was great and explained everything as we drove and pointed out the highlights of the old school city.
My third time in Guatemala to finish off the sights I had yet to explore..
My first day in Antigua, Guatemala, I went on an organised tour which visited various places such as where the chicken busses get done up, coffin maker and a school which was run by a NGO. Afterwards I explored the streets of Antigua and came across the impressive Santa Dominica and walked through the massive markets.. Antigua was cold.
Our first stop was Haultco and eventually we found a place to stay that could fit all six of us in the same room – now this was definitely different to what we had just spent the last couple of weeks in. There were two double beds and they bought in another mattress, which pretty much took up the entire floor space. We also had to lug all our belongings into the room as there was no way we were leaving anything in the car, especially with easy access through the back window (and half the doors not locking)..
Continue reading “Road tripping through Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador..”
Our adventures started off heading to a place roughly an hour (on public busses) North of Puerto Escondido to the beachside village of Roca Blanca.
We were finally in some warm weather!! We spent the next couple of days wandering along the beach and exploring the town. We went on a horse ride to the Atononitco Hot Springs which was incredible. We rode for about 1.5 hours, crossing the river numerous times and eventually hopping off the horses and relaxing in the hot springs. It was another 1.5 hour ride back to where we started and this time we had full control of the pace and off we went! Such a great morning.
After three, sun-filled, days of sailing from Utila (Honduras) to Rio Dulce (Guatemala) on the catamaran, we spent a day at the hot springs of Finca Pariso. Now this was a cool place for a day trip. Captain Guy, from our sailing adventure, took us there and we explored the falls, covering ourselves with mud and swimming through the caves under the waterfalls. Bliss.
Continue reading “That time my plans changed and I went to Guatemala and Mexico..”
After a bus trip from San Pedro Sula airport and an overnight stop off in La Ceiba, I was on the ferry to the island of Utila off the east coast of Honduras.
A friend of mine, Aaron, met me at the ferry and, as he had already done the task of sussing out all the dive shops for the best deals, took me to Utila Dive Center to sign up for an open water course starting later that afternoon!
I completed my open water, meeting some great people, and moved into an apartment just off the main road which meant cheap rent and homemade meals. I was settling in.
Continue reading “The island paradise of Utila in Honduras..”
Wow was I disoriented once I arrived in Honolulu! It confused me (and still does) that I left at 1800 on Wednesday eve in Australia and arrived in Hawaii at 0745 Wednesday morning.. A massive 20 hours time difference.!
Now I have to admit (and yes I know this sounds dumb as) but it didn’t click that Hawaii was actually part of the States until I got there and was surrounded by the thick American accent.!
I spent that first day strolling up and down the foreshore and laying down in the shade for a little nap – I got burnt. Waikiki Beach was stunning but full of tourists as you could imagine.
For my last week in Australia I flew up to the Gold Coast to catch up with a good friend of mine, Sam, who I have grown up with over the years.
Of course, while I was on the Gold Coast it was some of the worst weather they have had with huge downpours of rain and winds to go with.
This didn’t stop Sam and I going to a football match at Metricon Stadium between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide. It was such a close game which Port ended up winning. Cool way to spend an afternoon though.
The next few months in Australia consisted of: Groovin’ the Moo festival, a few football games at the new Adelaide Oval (amazing stadium), a day trip to Adelaide Hills and surrounding wineries with a mate, gigs including Mat McHugh, Chet Faker and Lorde, hiking through Deep Creek Conservation Park and spending a few nights in Goolwa. I also went to as many of my brother’s football games and my sister’s netball games as I could noticing how much they have both improved!
