Tuesday, 16 August 2011
In Rio
After a painful 55 hour bus ride, I am in Rio de Janeiro, currently staying in a very rustic hostel sleeping on an air mattress.
Belem at last!!
Thank the Lord I made it off that boat.
So I found the hostel easily enough. No more room in the dorms though so we got a double for 32 reals. Not a bad price. At first....
We did quite alot in Belem, mainly due to this other traveller who kept on persuading me to leave the fan. So we visited the amazon reserve, and this one was much better than the previous. I got to saw several monkeys, where one of them managed to escape it's
Cage. I saw jaguars, a man-sized owe and rat cat hybrids. Also iguanas, vultures ripping wart mice with bone crunching sounds to boot. Bloody awesome. And on the way to the reserve, we visited a church thats meant to be quite odd. Meh. See one old church, seen them all.
On the next day we visited the old market place. It's just a massive place full of fruit sellers, mini restaurants, juices, herbal remedies for things like diabetes and such. Probably don't work though judging by their colour. I also saw a lot of homeless bums and a clown...
I also went on an incredibly boring walk around town. Yeah, that was great fun, getting lost. But I hot to see mote of Belem, it's parks, colorful buildings that won't stand out in vietnam...yeah...
So I found the hostel easily enough. No more room in the dorms though so we got a double for 32 reals. Not a bad price. At first....
We did quite alot in Belem, mainly due to this other traveller who kept on persuading me to leave the fan. So we visited the amazon reserve, and this one was much better than the previous. I got to saw several monkeys, where one of them managed to escape it's
Cage. I saw jaguars, a man-sized owe and rat cat hybrids. Also iguanas, vultures ripping wart mice with bone crunching sounds to boot. Bloody awesome. And on the way to the reserve, we visited a church thats meant to be quite odd. Meh. See one old church, seen them all.
On the next day we visited the old market place. It's just a massive place full of fruit sellers, mini restaurants, juices, herbal remedies for things like diabetes and such. Probably don't work though judging by their colour. I also saw a lot of homeless bums and a clown...
I also went on an incredibly boring walk around town. Yeah, that was great fun, getting lost. But I hot to see mote of Belem, it's parks, colorful buildings that won't stand out in vietnam...yeah...
Day 4 of hunger
Day 4
I never got a good sleep. More people have got on the boat before the day ended, and it was more uncomfortable than ever. There was this one gringo lying sideways on his hammock, which took up my room.
I didn't do much today. Sean still ain't feeling great unfortuantly, but we did get to see amazon children hook their tiny rowing boats onto our boar, climbed on and started selling shrimp. This occurred several times, with one child falling off the boat. She survived. But it's really amazing what these young children have to do to bring in an income, especially because of their age; being around 5 to 10.
This should be the last day I'm on this damn boat and off the bloody river.
I never got a good sleep. More people have got on the boat before the day ended, and it was more uncomfortable than ever. There was this one gringo lying sideways on his hammock, which took up my room.
I didn't do much today. Sean still ain't feeling great unfortuantly, but we did get to see amazon children hook their tiny rowing boats onto our boar, climbed on and started selling shrimp. This occurred several times, with one child falling off the boat. She survived. But it's really amazing what these young children have to do to bring in an income, especially because of their age; being around 5 to 10.
This should be the last day I'm on this damn boat and off the bloody river.
Day 3 of hunger
Day 3
YES!!! People have left the boat and I have space!!! I am looking forward to a very nice and undisturbed sleep.
I'm still having one meal a day. Sean has some illness. I think his lunch was bad so he caught food poisoning. Thankfully I'm ok.
YES!!! People have left the boat and I have space!!! I am looking forward to a very nice and undisturbed sleep.
I'm still having one meal a day. Sean has some illness. I think his lunch was bad so he caught food poisoning. Thankfully I'm ok.
Day 2 of hunger
Day 2 of my boat ride. Luckily we docked at a minor port, so I was able to pick up a cheap lunch. This means no dinner tonight, but at least my belly is always full up on water.
I'm not doing much here. I try to read my book, play game on my iPhone, listen to music and urinate alot. Thats to be expected however, with this water diet of mine. It's night now, and to my surprise the apace around my hammock is much more compared to last night. Last night my feet were playing footsies with someone in anonet hammock, I had another hammock above me and another right beside me. It was still an easy sleep, just difficult climbing out of the hammock.
I'm not doing much here. I try to read my book, play game on my iPhone, listen to music and urinate alot. Thats to be expected however, with this water diet of mine. It's night now, and to my surprise the apace around my hammock is much more compared to last night. Last night my feet were playing footsies with someone in anonet hammock, I had another hammock above me and another right beside me. It was still an easy sleep, just difficult climbing out of the hammock.
5 day boat ride...crap
I am so annoyed right now. Arriving to the port where we bought our tickets, they have the nerve to tell us to go to the other port! Luckily we had this information booth worker sort things out, resulting in a ride on a pick up truck to our correct port.
But the bad luck didn't stop there. The ticket said the boat would leave at 10. Not the case here. It left 2 hours later, so I bought an expensive lunch to eat. Then when dinner time rolled out, I was told I had to PAY for dinner! My anger at Lonely Planet knows no bounds for their misinformation. Now I must conserve money and have one meal a day or I won't have enough to last the snide boat trip. At least water is free...
But the bad luck didn't stop there. The ticket said the boat would leave at 10. Not the case here. It left 2 hours later, so I bought an expensive lunch to eat. Then when dinner time rolled out, I was told I had to PAY for dinner! My anger at Lonely Planet knows no bounds for their misinformation. Now I must conserve money and have one meal a day or I won't have enough to last the snide boat trip. At least water is free...
Manaus, first look at the amazon
Hi everyone
To start off, boats are stupid. We left the port and after some walking about,'we reaLized that our port was nowhere on the lonely planet map. But using my horrid portuguese skills, I managed to obtain a general direction of where our hostel is. Sean wanted to get a taxi, but after y experience in Porto Velho, I think not.
Manaus has been fairly entertaining. A few urkes here and there but all in all, it was a fairly nice way to see the rainforest without the huge price tag.
I visited a rainforest reserve where they outfitted it for tourism. So entering it, I got to see huge trees, manatees, otters, creepy gigantic bugs and alligators. Well worth the small price of 5 reals. What wasnt worth it was the day before, Sean and I took a 3 hour wAlk to reach it, only to find out it was closed! I blame the deceptive maps. And after visiting the reserve, we got on a wrong bus and ended up in a university campus! But no trouble came of it. It just took us longer to get home.
We also did a few walks around Manaus just to check it out.
We scoped out the pink theatre house and the pink government building...I'm starting to think South America has a pink building fetish, as Buenos Aires also had pink building as the presidents crib.
To start off, boats are stupid. We left the port and after some walking about,'we reaLized that our port was nowhere on the lonely planet map. But using my horrid portuguese skills, I managed to obtain a general direction of where our hostel is. Sean wanted to get a taxi, but after y experience in Porto Velho, I think not.
Manaus has been fairly entertaining. A few urkes here and there but all in all, it was a fairly nice way to see the rainforest without the huge price tag.
I visited a rainforest reserve where they outfitted it for tourism. So entering it, I got to see huge trees, manatees, otters, creepy gigantic bugs and alligators. Well worth the small price of 5 reals. What wasnt worth it was the day before, Sean and I took a 3 hour wAlk to reach it, only to find out it was closed! I blame the deceptive maps. And after visiting the reserve, we got on a wrong bus and ended up in a university campus! But no trouble came of it. It just took us longer to get home.
We also did a few walks around Manaus just to check it out.
We scoped out the pink theatre house and the pink government building...I'm starting to think South America has a pink building fetish, as Buenos Aires also had pink building as the presidents crib.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
The pirates life is not the life for me
Hey everyone.
I'm off the 3 day boat ride now, but I will blog according to the days I was there.
Day 1
Walking to the port is so long. I decided not to get a taxi just to save money. But there was time to get breakfast so the morning was not all bad. An interesting sight did come up however; we saw a door that was half the height of me! I try include the picture.
Arriving at the port, I boarded without any propels, hanged up my hammock and went up deck to sun tan. The food here consist mainly of carbohydrates such as rice and pasta, with meat, beans and sometimes a salad. Great food, and if there's any left over we are allowed to help ourselves, so I'm always full.
Day 2
Done nothing. I found out that above my hammock is a power socket. So just been reading my books via iPhone and listening to music. It has dawned on me that the sunsets look bloody amazing out here.
Day 3
It's starting to get real boring here very fast. Finished reading my books; soldiers son series by Robin Hobb. I highly recommend her. So to pass the time, I tend go stare at the birds that fly by, the sandy beaches along the river and other boats. Still....I'm so bored. Thank technology for games or I would have jumped in the river and attempt to reach land. At least the boat is making good progress despite going upstream.
I'm off the 3 day boat ride now, but I will blog according to the days I was there.
Day 1
Walking to the port is so long. I decided not to get a taxi just to save money. But there was time to get breakfast so the morning was not all bad. An interesting sight did come up however; we saw a door that was half the height of me! I try include the picture.
Arriving at the port, I boarded without any propels, hanged up my hammock and went up deck to sun tan. The food here consist mainly of carbohydrates such as rice and pasta, with meat, beans and sometimes a salad. Great food, and if there's any left over we are allowed to help ourselves, so I'm always full.
Day 2
Done nothing. I found out that above my hammock is a power socket. So just been reading my books via iPhone and listening to music. It has dawned on me that the sunsets look bloody amazing out here.
Day 3
It's starting to get real boring here very fast. Finished reading my books; soldiers son series by Robin Hobb. I highly recommend her. So to pass the time, I tend go stare at the birds that fly by, the sandy beaches along the river and other boats. Still....I'm so bored. Thank technology for games or I would have jumped in the river and attempt to reach land. At least the boat is making good progress despite going upstream.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Fighting mosquitoes in Porto Velho
Dear Friends and Family.
I wish I was in beautiful England now.
So my bus ride wasn't too bad. For the price I paid, I was pleasantly surprised. It was comfatable and I wad able to sleep. That sleep was disturbed however when we all has to get off the bus to get on a ferry that took us all across a river. So Sean and I arrived to Porto Velho quite exhausted. So we quickly caught a taxi to our hotel and slept most of the day away.
I must say, I was actually surprised to see Porto Velho to be so developed. It had actual pavements instead of dirt tracks!
So far whilst I have been here, Sean and I have explored the town out of neccessity. We had to find a cheap place to eat and if possible, a cheaper place to stay. Really, I sometimes think Lonely Planet has too much of a high standard in choosing a bed and a place to eat. We had some success in finding a cheap place to eat, and in the process we saw a few sights. One being these 3 water towers that seem to have some sort of significance to the town. Another is the park and market next to the river. It's surprisingly a big park which would undoubtedly be a nice place to kick back and take a nap.... If I wasn't plagued by mosquitoes. It seems whenever I lack DEET on my body, they strike, whether it be my leg, toe or butt.
Today I went for a jog with Sean. It was a nice jog. Especially when we got kicked out of the military training grounds when we started to use their equipment. Obviously we knew not that it belonged to the military, or we would have at the very least stole a dumb bell before we walked off. I jest, I don't intend to get shot anytime soon. We also bought our hammocks which will be used when we board our boat to Manaus, which leaves tomorrow 9am. It should take around 4 or 5 days to arrive to the capital of the Amazon. I hope it isn't too hyped up.
I wish I was in beautiful England now.
So my bus ride wasn't too bad. For the price I paid, I was pleasantly surprised. It was comfatable and I wad able to sleep. That sleep was disturbed however when we all has to get off the bus to get on a ferry that took us all across a river. So Sean and I arrived to Porto Velho quite exhausted. So we quickly caught a taxi to our hotel and slept most of the day away.
I must say, I was actually surprised to see Porto Velho to be so developed. It had actual pavements instead of dirt tracks!
So far whilst I have been here, Sean and I have explored the town out of neccessity. We had to find a cheap place to eat and if possible, a cheaper place to stay. Really, I sometimes think Lonely Planet has too much of a high standard in choosing a bed and a place to eat. We had some success in finding a cheap place to eat, and in the process we saw a few sights. One being these 3 water towers that seem to have some sort of significance to the town. Another is the park and market next to the river. It's surprisingly a big park which would undoubtedly be a nice place to kick back and take a nap.... If I wasn't plagued by mosquitoes. It seems whenever I lack DEET on my body, they strike, whether it be my leg, toe or butt.
Today I went for a jog with Sean. It was a nice jog. Especially when we got kicked out of the military training grounds when we started to use their equipment. Obviously we knew not that it belonged to the military, or we would have at the very least stole a dumb bell before we walked off. I jest, I don't intend to get shot anytime soon. We also bought our hammocks which will be used when we board our boat to Manaus, which leaves tomorrow 9am. It should take around 4 or 5 days to arrive to the capital of the Amazon. I hope it isn't too hyped up.
Rio Branco sucks. So does Brazil.
Rio Branco. As expected, to put it in the gentlest terms, it's a shit hole. The place itself was not too bad. Its just the outrages prices they demand of us for accommodation. But the food isn't too expensive for a Brazillian restaurant though.
We stayed in a hotel, which had quite good beds but a broken AC. However, thats not what made me hate this place so much though. I think I just hate Brazil in general. I dislike the language, currency, prices and most of, the language. I simply hate it. It sounds as if it does not belong to a continent that speaks the Spanish language! But I can only assume I hate it so much is because I have no idea what they are saying to me. Plus it sounds like Dutch with all it's clucking, clicking and choking sounds. All the Spanish I have learnt throughout my journey is now useless. A fluent speaker may understand a little bit of portugese, but for me it's like an alien language. That I hate. All in all, I did not do much here. This is only a rest point for my next journey, which is to Porto Velho. So after no success in finding a cheaper alternative to our sleeping arrangements, I booked a ticket out of there and should reach Porto Velho in 10 hours or so.
We stayed in a hotel, which had quite good beds but a broken AC. However, thats not what made me hate this place so much though. I think I just hate Brazil in general. I dislike the language, currency, prices and most of, the language. I simply hate it. It sounds as if it does not belong to a continent that speaks the Spanish language! But I can only assume I hate it so much is because I have no idea what they are saying to me. Plus it sounds like Dutch with all it's clucking, clicking and choking sounds. All the Spanish I have learnt throughout my journey is now useless. A fluent speaker may understand a little bit of portugese, but for me it's like an alien language. That I hate. All in all, I did not do much here. This is only a rest point for my next journey, which is to Porto Velho. So after no success in finding a cheaper alternative to our sleeping arrangements, I booked a ticket out of there and should reach Porto Velho in 10 hours or so.
Experience of Puerto Maldonado
Hi everyone.
Well, first I like to apologize for this late post. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to do this.
Puerto Maldonado wasn't all bad. Sure it was expensive, food, water and accomodation wise. Sure the temperature did not make me any happier about the situation. And yes, the mosquitoes did come back at me with a vengeance seeking my blood due to my long absent from them. But all in all, the place didn't suck as I thought it would. Sean and I found an amazing shop stand that sold these wonderfully chilled drinks called refresco. From what I could tell, it's a mix of blended juices and water, where the juices vary from the black corn, chica to apple.
We also did a few sight seeing excursions. Two locations were interesting. The first being on our arrival to this town. First we tried to enter the plaza de armas, which is the town centre. But to my dismay and annoyance, the place was surrounded by the military, where they actually searched my bag for weapons! I later found out why. Today was the day of the celebratory opening of the bridge that will connect the western river bank to the east. This involved the appearance of a previous popular president of Peru. Unfortunately, this reduced us of having any chance of finding a cheap hostel; so we resorted to one that is apparently "backpacker" prices. Backpacker prices my ass I scoff.
The next sight was the town's obelisk. It's just like any one obelisk I have seen in my travels. Except this was smaller and less impressive.
Our departure from here was almost a failure if not for our precaution. Before departing to the terminal, I visited the ticket office to enquire where our bus would leave. We quickly found out that we had to cross the river by boat in order to reach our bus! Here I was able to really appreciate how useful the bridge will be when it's actually open. In the end we did manage to catch our bus, and off we went to Rio Branco, our first step into Brazil and surely a place where I'm sure will be worse than here.
Well, first I like to apologize for this late post. Sometimes I'm just too lazy to do this.
Puerto Maldonado wasn't all bad. Sure it was expensive, food, water and accomodation wise. Sure the temperature did not make me any happier about the situation. And yes, the mosquitoes did come back at me with a vengeance seeking my blood due to my long absent from them. But all in all, the place didn't suck as I thought it would. Sean and I found an amazing shop stand that sold these wonderfully chilled drinks called refresco. From what I could tell, it's a mix of blended juices and water, where the juices vary from the black corn, chica to apple.
We also did a few sight seeing excursions. Two locations were interesting. The first being on our arrival to this town. First we tried to enter the plaza de armas, which is the town centre. But to my dismay and annoyance, the place was surrounded by the military, where they actually searched my bag for weapons! I later found out why. Today was the day of the celebratory opening of the bridge that will connect the western river bank to the east. This involved the appearance of a previous popular president of Peru. Unfortunately, this reduced us of having any chance of finding a cheap hostel; so we resorted to one that is apparently "backpacker" prices. Backpacker prices my ass I scoff.
The next sight was the town's obelisk. It's just like any one obelisk I have seen in my travels. Except this was smaller and less impressive.
Our departure from here was almost a failure if not for our precaution. Before departing to the terminal, I visited the ticket office to enquire where our bus would leave. We quickly found out that we had to cross the river by boat in order to reach our bus! Here I was able to really appreciate how useful the bridge will be when it's actually open. In the end we did manage to catch our bus, and off we went to Rio Branco, our first step into Brazil and surely a place where I'm sure will be worse than here.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Rio Branco....hopefully
Well, Im off to Rio Branco, Brazil soon. If I can get a ticket and bus there that is. So don't worry mum, I try to find an internet to call you.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
New place, and I don't like it
Hi everyone. Lets start this blog with, I hate Puerto Maldonado. I hate it hate it hate it.
Now from the beginning. Sean and I took a 10-11 hour bus from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. The journey sucked like all bus journeys do. I couldn't sleep, and as we slowly went east, the humidity of the environment increased like a slap in the face. It started to become hotter, more uncomftable and I just want to get off this stupid bus. It even rained during the journey! I havn't seen rain for a long time, so I was really thinking...yep, I'm in the jungle now.
Arriving at Puerto Maldonado was no improvement. We found out the Plaza de Armas was closed off for the opening of some stupid bridge where some stupid ex president of Peru will be present. This meant Peruvians from all over came to this small ass town, booked up all the hostels, leaving only the pricey ones for me and Sean. Well we booked one night at the hostel. It was a nice hostel, but I still hated it because hot temperatures make me angry. I literally took a shower 6 times that day just to stay cool and sweat free.
Now its the second day in Puerto Maldonado, Sean and I are in a new, but even more terrible hostel, and I just want to get the Hell out of here ASAP.
Now from the beginning. Sean and I took a 10-11 hour bus from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. The journey sucked like all bus journeys do. I couldn't sleep, and as we slowly went east, the humidity of the environment increased like a slap in the face. It started to become hotter, more uncomftable and I just want to get off this stupid bus. It even rained during the journey! I havn't seen rain for a long time, so I was really thinking...yep, I'm in the jungle now.
Arriving at Puerto Maldonado was no improvement. We found out the Plaza de Armas was closed off for the opening of some stupid bridge where some stupid ex president of Peru will be present. This meant Peruvians from all over came to this small ass town, booked up all the hostels, leaving only the pricey ones for me and Sean. Well we booked one night at the hostel. It was a nice hostel, but I still hated it because hot temperatures make me angry. I literally took a shower 6 times that day just to stay cool and sweat free.
Now its the second day in Puerto Maldonado, Sean and I are in a new, but even more terrible hostel, and I just want to get the Hell out of here ASAP.
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Its been a good month at work
Hello everyone.
As of today, my 4 week work at The Point as a barman is over. Its been a good month. I've met alot of cool people, worked with some, party with most.
But now I am done. Tomorow I will go to Puerto Maldonado, and work out my route to Porto Velho where I shall embark on my boat trip to the Amazon capital, Manaus.
I don't have much to say really. I worked 5 days a week, drank about half the week and party for like a day a week. But after such along time at Cuzco, I'm ready to leave now and stop working. I reckon I saved quite alot of money doing this, which I'm glad for. But big ups to The Point for employing me and their staff and all the travellors I have met and became friends with.
As of today, my 4 week work at The Point as a barman is over. Its been a good month. I've met alot of cool people, worked with some, party with most.
But now I am done. Tomorow I will go to Puerto Maldonado, and work out my route to Porto Velho where I shall embark on my boat trip to the Amazon capital, Manaus.
I don't have much to say really. I worked 5 days a week, drank about half the week and party for like a day a week. But after such along time at Cuzco, I'm ready to leave now and stop working. I reckon I saved quite alot of money doing this, which I'm glad for. But big ups to The Point for employing me and their staff and all the travellors I have met and became friends with.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Still at the Point
Hey everyone.
Im still at the Point hostel, working my shifts. Inka Raymi, the day of the Sun festival in Cusco just passed by.
But to my distress, I actually missed it! I was so positive that it would take place during the night, with all the parades and the sacrificing of the llama! But I was wrong. It took place in the early morning where I was sleeping away the drinks. Oh how annoying.
But the silver lining, I did get to see what went on afterwards. Just aload of market stands standing about, selling tourist stuff and food. So I bought a coconut and one fried dough. So nothing much to blog about really.
Im still at the Point hostel, working my shifts. Inka Raymi, the day of the Sun festival in Cusco just passed by.
But to my distress, I actually missed it! I was so positive that it would take place during the night, with all the parades and the sacrificing of the llama! But I was wrong. It took place in the early morning where I was sleeping away the drinks. Oh how annoying.
But the silver lining, I did get to see what went on afterwards. Just aload of market stands standing about, selling tourist stuff and food. So I bought a coconut and one fried dough. So nothing much to blog about really.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
A day shift at work
Hey everyone.
Working at the Point as a bartender has been great. Unfortuantly I aint seeing much of breakfast and day light, as usually after work, we all hit the huge gringo dance club, Mama Africas. And after a night of dancing and booze, I usually wake up around 12 to 2pm. Meh.
So far, at work, I dressed up as an Incan warlord, a woman, and served in an open bar. I dont like all the staff though, as they can be abit rude at times. For example, during the open bar, I was trying to serve drinks as fast as I can, and they actually said dont serve too much! And even worst, one of them try to tell us bartenders we cant drink for free during an Open bar!!! I obviously argued against this and continued to drink.
Right now Im on a day shift. Fairly simple work. Take food orders, drinks, clean plates, stuff like that. I hope on my day off I can visit some of the churches nearby, because to get in for free I have to go in before 9 am during service.
Working at the Point as a bartender has been great. Unfortuantly I aint seeing much of breakfast and day light, as usually after work, we all hit the huge gringo dance club, Mama Africas. And after a night of dancing and booze, I usually wake up around 12 to 2pm. Meh.
So far, at work, I dressed up as an Incan warlord, a woman, and served in an open bar. I dont like all the staff though, as they can be abit rude at times. For example, during the open bar, I was trying to serve drinks as fast as I can, and they actually said dont serve too much! And even worst, one of them try to tell us bartenders we cant drink for free during an Open bar!!! I obviously argued against this and continued to drink.
Right now Im on a day shift. Fairly simple work. Take food orders, drinks, clean plates, stuff like that. I hope on my day off I can visit some of the churches nearby, because to get in for free I have to go in before 9 am during service.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
No Loki but theres Point!!
Hey everyone.
Since my last post, I have been disappointed to find out that Sean and I could not get jobs at Loki, after being tagged along for 2 weeks. But after a quick stop at Wild Rover, we were pointed to another hostel, the Point.
As soon as we asked, we were hired on the spot. This is fantastic news as it will allow me to save large sums of money. The job will be 5 nights a week as a bartender. I will be given free accomodation, one free dinner, 1 or 2 free drinks while on the job and a 30 percent discount on all things.
So far, the work has been great. I can make most simple drinks but require help for the more difficult ones, such as pisco sour and mojitos. But thankfully, there are always veteran bartenders around to give aid. What I dont like though is that I really have to be social. Dancing, talking, yeah all that. The talking is relatively easy, as I am very used to it. The constant dancing....well...thats abit harder espescially with my dancing skills of a obese walrus.
Just recently, we had a costume party where I dressed up as the first Incan warlord. Yup. Really nice. I wore a feathered crown, Fred Flintstone dress and a cape. Unfortuantly, I later lost the hat in the dance club. But at least I didnt pay for it. Meh.
Since my last post, I have been disappointed to find out that Sean and I could not get jobs at Loki, after being tagged along for 2 weeks. But after a quick stop at Wild Rover, we were pointed to another hostel, the Point.
As soon as we asked, we were hired on the spot. This is fantastic news as it will allow me to save large sums of money. The job will be 5 nights a week as a bartender. I will be given free accomodation, one free dinner, 1 or 2 free drinks while on the job and a 30 percent discount on all things.
So far, the work has been great. I can make most simple drinks but require help for the more difficult ones, such as pisco sour and mojitos. But thankfully, there are always veteran bartenders around to give aid. What I dont like though is that I really have to be social. Dancing, talking, yeah all that. The talking is relatively easy, as I am very used to it. The constant dancing....well...thats abit harder espescially with my dancing skills of a obese walrus.
Just recently, we had a costume party where I dressed up as the first Incan warlord. Yup. Really nice. I wore a feathered crown, Fred Flintstone dress and a cape. Unfortuantly, I later lost the hat in the dance club. But at least I didnt pay for it. Meh.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
I win!!!
Hi everyone.
Sean and I are in Loki hostel now after a night out. Well, it wasnt really night out for me, as I dont feel very comftable in the dance clubs. But Sean had a fun time though.
With only 5 hours of sleep, we packed our bags and moved to Loki. Now the best bit. I managed to beat him at pool twice, winning 2 soles!!! Its only 50p, but I hardly ever win at pool, so Im quite proud of myself!
Sean and I are in Loki hostel now after a night out. Well, it wasnt really night out for me, as I dont feel very comftable in the dance clubs. But Sean had a fun time though.
With only 5 hours of sleep, we packed our bags and moved to Loki. Now the best bit. I managed to beat him at pool twice, winning 2 soles!!! Its only 50p, but I hardly ever win at pool, so Im quite proud of myself!
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Sexy Woman!!!
Hello everyone.
Well since arriving to Cusco, Sean and I left Loki Hostel after we found out there were no jobs avaliable. But we will be back there shortly.
Since moving to our new hostel, Amazing Brew, a nice and cheap hostel with a kitchen, I have entered one museum. The Inka Museum. Obviously it features alot of manly bits and old stuff. Also some very dead mummies. Yep. Old, dusty and bony mummies.
I was also fortunate to be in Cusco for some crazy insane celebration. Cusco flags (heavily resembling the gay pride flag) was hanged everywhere, and throughout the entire day school children danced in cultural costumes, ranging from the lower years to the higher. So the city centre was packed quite abit.
I also climbed the Incan ruins, Saesaywaman, or as I like to call it, Sexy Woman. Its basically one of the Incan fortresses that is still kind of standing. Really, we only see 20 percent of it. I also climbed up to the giant statue of Jesus Christ. And for karma points, I helped a local push his bike cart up a stoney path with Sean. Of course, between the ruins and Jesus Christ, I jumped over ruins and went through pitch black tunnels, once again fighting my fear of falling. Oh the joy.
Well since arriving to Cusco, Sean and I left Loki Hostel after we found out there were no jobs avaliable. But we will be back there shortly.
Since moving to our new hostel, Amazing Brew, a nice and cheap hostel with a kitchen, I have entered one museum. The Inka Museum. Obviously it features alot of manly bits and old stuff. Also some very dead mummies. Yep. Old, dusty and bony mummies.
I was also fortunate to be in Cusco for some crazy insane celebration. Cusco flags (heavily resembling the gay pride flag) was hanged everywhere, and throughout the entire day school children danced in cultural costumes, ranging from the lower years to the higher. So the city centre was packed quite abit.
I also climbed the Incan ruins, Saesaywaman, or as I like to call it, Sexy Woman. Its basically one of the Incan fortresses that is still kind of standing. Really, we only see 20 percent of it. I also climbed up to the giant statue of Jesus Christ. And for karma points, I helped a local push his bike cart up a stoney path with Sean. Of course, between the ruins and Jesus Christ, I jumped over ruins and went through pitch black tunnels, once again fighting my fear of falling. Oh the joy.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Machu Pichu Baby!
Sam, Luke, Jess and Jo decided to go to MP (Machu Pichu) one day earlier than I and Sean. Which is no biggie really, because as luck would have it, I ran into Carielle again. This was amazing as I simply adore my abuela (grandma). This resulted in a day of drinking and going out dancing with Claire, Sean and Carielle. All good, all good.
The next day Sean and I embarked for MP with a new group, Paul, Jasper, Marcello and more people I can't really remember.
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Day 1 - The guide was actually late to pick us up, 30 minutes to be exact. This means I could have had 30 more minutes of sleep! Alas, things did not become better. After being picked up, there were still further delays as we waited at a checkpoint to load the bikes and get into a new van, one that can accomodate more people. I also had stomach issues, which prevented me from eating anything. The delay also meant we didn't get to spend time in the first town, Ollytambo (possible incorrect spelling here). The bus ride to the top of the bike route took around 3 hours I reckon. Now, I love to ride bikes, but the fun here was taken out completely because after doning the helmet and pads, we had to ride in formation. Yep. Formation. Slow.
Reaching the bottom of the mountain, I had to ride through dirt and rock paths, which is due to the construction taking place along the path. Reaching the finish line, we all boarded the bus to get stuck in traffic for many hours. Fantastic fun that was. Reaching the hostel in the second town, Santa something, we recieved lunch, dinner, and no shower. This really does get better doesn't it. No it doesn't. I was attacked by a severe headache because of the cold high altitude wind.
Day 2 - Day 2 was a typical hike through the jungle. First we took a pickup truck to the beginning of the path, then we started climbing. Highlights were, eating the local delicacy, cuy. Which is guinea pig. 
I was also painted on my face using a paint berry plant that the Incans used to use. After ascending the mountain, going through treacherous paths where my fear of falling made my progress stupidly slow, we then had to cross rivers using a rope and lift system. I did the pulling while Sean just sat back. After doing this a few more times, I had to trek through river rocks and jump from one to another whilst hugging the wall as to not fall into the river. It was dangerous, but it was extremely exhillarating. At the end, we were rewarded with the natural hot springs. Unfortuantly, I cut my foot deeply here as I fell into the pool. Totally sucks. Sean and I then got a bus to the hostel with the guide, ate dinner and went to sleep. 
Day 4 - Had to wake up at 3 30 am. Had crappy breakfast. Then started a major hike up the mountain, racing against everyone else to the top so we can get tickets to Hyana Pichu, another mountain next to Machu Pichu. It was very hard too, as it was just insanely steep stairs. We managed to reach the top in 40 minutes, where we then waited in a queue.
After the guided tour, Sean and I climbed Hyana Pichu. Going up was the easy part. Going down was just hell for me. My fear forced me to take it extremely slow, but luckily Sean helped me down. But by the time I got down, I was exhausted. The hyper ventilation and lack of water slowed my body. My foot injury still hasn´t gotten better either.
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