When I was little my sister forced me to sit down one Saturday afternoon and watch Jaws with her. Typical big-sister-little-sister torment (she also made me watch Killer Clowns From Mars around that time). Ever since I've had an irrational fear of sharks, as have many others (yet I'm okay with clowns).
Well, Tony and I came to San Jose in hopes of goint to San Francisco for a few days before returning home. They weren't able to change our flight, unfortunately, so we've been trying to find stuff to do in the meantime.
This brought us to the movies where we saw a documentary (in english) called Sharkwater. It was about one man's struggle to end the illegal shark-finning industry. Shark-fin soup is considered a delicacy and a sign of wealth in various countries, and fins go for ridiculous amounts of money on the black market. However, the act of finning is incredibly inhumane-sharks are pulled into boats, alive, their fins are cut off, and they are thrown back into the ocean to fall to the bottom and die. These mysterious creatures have been around for 400 million years. Longer than dinosaurs, longer than humans. Some breeds are becoming endangered, and if sharks disappear our entire eco-system could crash. It's pretty scary, and very sad for the sharks. If you'll recall, a couple months ago I made mention that more falling coconuts kill people each year than sharks do. WELL, as proof, a gigantic coconut fell inches from my head in Puerto Viejo, yet I didn't see a single shark. The film depicted sharks as a gentle creature. They only bite humans when they mistake them for an injured otter (which make the same bubbles that humans make when they're swimming). The documentary was filmed primarily in Costa Rica, which made it that much more interesting. Go to www.savingsharks.com to get more information about what's going on and about the movie.
In other news, I think we're going to try to go white water rafting tomorrow as one last hurrah before coming back to the states.
Brandee
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Almost 3...Which is, of course, the magic number.
2.75 days of sun and a sunburn to prove it!! YES!! Yesterday was spent exploring the coast behind Rocking Js and playing in the ocean for what seemed like forever. We finally get a break from being drenched, and we go ahead and get ourselves soaked anyway...it was very fun. THEN (JORDY, amazingly we did this before I saw your comment-great minds think alike) we went to a super inexpensive all-you-can-eat-sushi place up the street from the hostel. It was good, I think. A dog killed a bat in the restaurant, which was not as good.
We came back to the hostel, hung out and went to sleep in our tent ($12 a night). After a 3rd sleepless night and awaking to a bug colony that had set up camp IN our tent, we decided it was time to bid Rocking Js farewell and move up the street to a new place. Gotta switch it up.
Tomorrow...body boarding or snorkeling... :)
It is almost over...which is hard to believe. See you in one week, Denver.
Brandee
We came back to the hostel, hung out and went to sleep in our tent ($12 a night). After a 3rd sleepless night and awaking to a bug colony that had set up camp IN our tent, we decided it was time to bid Rocking Js farewell and move up the street to a new place. Gotta switch it up.
Tomorrow...body boarding or snorkeling... :)
It is almost over...which is hard to believe. See you in one week, Denver.
Brandee
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Still alive
We're still alive in Costa Rica.... Pretty waterlogged, but alive. Got our first break of sunshine today for the entirety of Costa Rica, which was much needed. We're in Puerto Viejo at a hostel that came highly recommended, Rocking J's. It's a great place, plenty to do in the rain!
Puerto Viejo is very laid back, friendly and green, so we can't complain really...but we're barreling through our novels pretty quickly...so do a no-rain dance for us!
Toying with the idea of leaving a bit early and spending some time in California...we'll let you know. See you soon!
Brandee
Puerto Viejo is very laid back, friendly and green, so we can't complain really...but we're barreling through our novels pretty quickly...so do a no-rain dance for us!
Toying with the idea of leaving a bit early and spending some time in California...we'll let you know. See you soon!
Brandee
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Pura Vida
I´m moving to Costa Rica and I´m never coming back...
Okay, that isn´t true (yet) but Costa Rica is amazing, for lack of a better word. We arrived in San Jose with just enough energy to eat food and pass out. A van came and got us at 8am (after we accidentally forgot to change the time on our clock and woke up entirely too early...) A scenic four hour drive got us to La Fortuna, the town surrounding Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world! We are staying at a great, friendly, quiet place called Cerro Chato lodge...which eerily resembles the Fiji Beachouse, minus the beach.
Yesterday we decided to be brave and try a canopy tour/zip line nearby. Now...I´m not a...FAN of heights, per-say...I mean I understand their neccesity in certain instances, but I don´t really..LOVE them. So when Tony and I snuck off before gearing up and I took a glimpse of the gigantic ravine I would be gliding over (after jumping off of a 150ft platform), I recoiled. I told Tony I wasn´t sure if I could do this. But there was no turning back, so...I did it. 10 times. The longest zip line was about 3000ft long, lasting 45 seconds! I´m happy I did it and as soon as it was over, I wanted to go again. Zip line is the way to travel. After our last zip line location, we visited a little village shop and rode horses back to the van. It was an amazing day.
Today is nothing but rain. We were going to go hike Arenal, but canceled our plans at the last moment (maybe tomorrow). Instead we´re going to the Baldi hot springs early, and I can´t wait! We´re pretty sore from yesterday...
Hot springs! Hot springs! Hot springs! (and a buffet. And I freaking love buffets).
Just two more days in La Fortuna before we head to the Caribbean side for (hopefully) some quality nothingness. We´re still looking for a good volunteer opportunity...keep your fingers crossed that we find one!
Much love,
Brandee
Okay, that isn´t true (yet) but Costa Rica is amazing, for lack of a better word. We arrived in San Jose with just enough energy to eat food and pass out. A van came and got us at 8am (after we accidentally forgot to change the time on our clock and woke up entirely too early...) A scenic four hour drive got us to La Fortuna, the town surrounding Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world! We are staying at a great, friendly, quiet place called Cerro Chato lodge...which eerily resembles the Fiji Beachouse, minus the beach.
Yesterday we decided to be brave and try a canopy tour/zip line nearby. Now...I´m not a...FAN of heights, per-say...I mean I understand their neccesity in certain instances, but I don´t really..LOVE them. So when Tony and I snuck off before gearing up and I took a glimpse of the gigantic ravine I would be gliding over (after jumping off of a 150ft platform), I recoiled. I told Tony I wasn´t sure if I could do this. But there was no turning back, so...I did it. 10 times. The longest zip line was about 3000ft long, lasting 45 seconds! I´m happy I did it and as soon as it was over, I wanted to go again. Zip line is the way to travel. After our last zip line location, we visited a little village shop and rode horses back to the van. It was an amazing day.
Today is nothing but rain. We were going to go hike Arenal, but canceled our plans at the last moment (maybe tomorrow). Instead we´re going to the Baldi hot springs early, and I can´t wait! We´re pretty sore from yesterday...
Hot springs! Hot springs! Hot springs! (and a buffet. And I freaking love buffets).
Just two more days in La Fortuna before we head to the Caribbean side for (hopefully) some quality nothingness. We´re still looking for a good volunteer opportunity...keep your fingers crossed that we find one!
Much love,
Brandee
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Close proximity to a Denny's = Close to the USA
After a day of travel from Cusco, Peru we are now in COSTA RICA! Our last country before we go home. It's strange to have such an enormous build up to an event and then have it almost be over. So much planning, saving, anticipation. It was all worth it and Costa Rica is just going to be the icing on the cake.
Cusco and the Sacred Valley were amazing. After a week in the area we pretty much had it memorized. The people are friendly (especially the little boys trying to sell you their wares), the food is great (alpaca, trout, stuffed avocadoes, guinea pig, etc) and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Halloween was fun, I almost got trampled by kids when I started passing out candy in the main Plaza (it was a ridiculous mosh pit of masks, hands and parents), we "partied" at a bar (ran out of money after one drink) and were asleep by 10. Ha. I like how Cusco gets down, though. The kids were out hustling for candy till all hours.
The day after Halloween Tony and I decided to make a food item as close to a Chipotle Burrito as possible (he had been craving them for days). We ventured over to the open-air food market to see if we could find everything we would need. We did and the end result was a very tasty food item somewhat resembling Chipotle. We were very proud of ourselves.
Costa Rica looks promising, and we're excited. We leave San Jose (after just one night) for Arenal (one of the most active volcanos in the world) and the hot springs for a few nights, and the rest is up in the air.
I can almost smell the turkey now...
see you in 18 days!
Brandee
Cusco and the Sacred Valley were amazing. After a week in the area we pretty much had it memorized. The people are friendly (especially the little boys trying to sell you their wares), the food is great (alpaca, trout, stuffed avocadoes, guinea pig, etc) and the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Halloween was fun, I almost got trampled by kids when I started passing out candy in the main Plaza (it was a ridiculous mosh pit of masks, hands and parents), we "partied" at a bar (ran out of money after one drink) and were asleep by 10. Ha. I like how Cusco gets down, though. The kids were out hustling for candy till all hours.
The day after Halloween Tony and I decided to make a food item as close to a Chipotle Burrito as possible (he had been craving them for days). We ventured over to the open-air food market to see if we could find everything we would need. We did and the end result was a very tasty food item somewhat resembling Chipotle. We were very proud of ourselves.
Costa Rica looks promising, and we're excited. We leave San Jose (after just one night) for Arenal (one of the most active volcanos in the world) and the hot springs for a few nights, and the rest is up in the air.
I can almost smell the turkey now...
see you in 18 days!
Brandee
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Old Mountain
On Sunday we journeyed by way of rickety old bus to the market at Pisaq. We found some wonderful hats wich featured Llamas and even experimented with some local cuisine...Coy, or in English, Guinnea Pig. I had a pet gp growing up, so while the experience was a little traumatic, it was rather tasty! The cute, fury, still living pets next to the giant wood burning stove almost kept us from enjoying the meal though.
Monday we traveled by car through the Sacred Valley to Ollaytatambo, where we caught a train to Machu (Old) Picchu (Mountain). Which brings us to our experience today (Tuesday) which was quite incredible. We expected this knowing it was one of the 7 marvels of the modern world, but pictures don't quite do the experience justice. After waking up before the sun, we spent about 6 hours wandering the ancient ruins. We did a little evesdropping on some of the guides (we didn't know how to hire one), but mostly just trekked on our own path. After a day of heavy rain yesterday, the weather was perfect and even a little too warm at times. We probably took 200 pictures, so we might remember it. Back to Cusco tonight for Halloween tomorrow.
Tony
Monday we traveled by car through the Sacred Valley to Ollaytatambo, where we caught a train to Machu (Old) Picchu (Mountain). Which brings us to our experience today (Tuesday) which was quite incredible. We expected this knowing it was one of the 7 marvels of the modern world, but pictures don't quite do the experience justice. After waking up before the sun, we spent about 6 hours wandering the ancient ruins. We did a little evesdropping on some of the guides (we didn't know how to hire one), but mostly just trekked on our own path. After a day of heavy rain yesterday, the weather was perfect and even a little too warm at times. We probably took 200 pictures, so we might remember it. Back to Cusco tonight for Halloween tomorrow.
Tony
Saturday, October 27, 2007
I'm going to eat Guinea Pig...
There's something about a lack of oxygen that makes me feel right at home... hmmm.
Either the Incas were really patient or really really fit...because man, they love stairs. It's possible that they foresaw that millions of white people would come visit and undoubtedly be relatively out of shape, and that this would be some big joke that they could laugh about from their spot in the afterlife.
Luckily, Tony and I are in pretty good shape, but my heart hasn't pounded SO HARD in quite a while.
We got to Peru on the 23rd (? I think...I spent all day thinking it was Monday and wondering why none of the kids went to school here). We spent 3 nights in Lima in the Miraflores neighborhood, which was great! Visited a museum, ate great (really cheap) food, etc. Lima is a regular city and doesn't require quite the athletic endurance that Cusco does, which is where we are now!
I LOVE CUSCO.
Cusco is what I pictured when I imagined South America as a whole. It is quite a bit more indigenous and rural than anywhere we have been thus far, which is a welcome change. The architecture is great, I love the cobblestone streets and the small size of the town.
We are staying in a great hostel called Piccola Locanda. Aside from the 80 stairs (they're those stairs that are made for tall people and are really 1.5 stairs...) that it takes to get to the front door from all directions, it is AWESOME. The staff is great, the rooms are beautiful and it is super reasonable in price. BUT the best part is that part of the proceeds from our stay go to 2 local children's organizations. We are going to try to visit the organizations to learn more about what they do and say hi to the kids.
We are staying here for a week, minus one day before Halloween to go to Macchu Pichu...which I am beyond excited for.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to the Sunday market at Pisac. Out of the MILLIONS of hats we've passed by i am still waiting for the right one to jump out at me...which lucky mud flap beanie will be mine??? I'll find out tomorrow.
xoxo
Brandee
Either the Incas were really patient or really really fit...because man, they love stairs. It's possible that they foresaw that millions of white people would come visit and undoubtedly be relatively out of shape, and that this would be some big joke that they could laugh about from their spot in the afterlife.
Luckily, Tony and I are in pretty good shape, but my heart hasn't pounded SO HARD in quite a while.
We got to Peru on the 23rd (? I think...I spent all day thinking it was Monday and wondering why none of the kids went to school here). We spent 3 nights in Lima in the Miraflores neighborhood, which was great! Visited a museum, ate great (really cheap) food, etc. Lima is a regular city and doesn't require quite the athletic endurance that Cusco does, which is where we are now!
I LOVE CUSCO.
Cusco is what I pictured when I imagined South America as a whole. It is quite a bit more indigenous and rural than anywhere we have been thus far, which is a welcome change. The architecture is great, I love the cobblestone streets and the small size of the town.
We are staying in a great hostel called Piccola Locanda. Aside from the 80 stairs (they're those stairs that are made for tall people and are really 1.5 stairs...) that it takes to get to the front door from all directions, it is AWESOME. The staff is great, the rooms are beautiful and it is super reasonable in price. BUT the best part is that part of the proceeds from our stay go to 2 local children's organizations. We are going to try to visit the organizations to learn more about what they do and say hi to the kids.
We are staying here for a week, minus one day before Halloween to go to Macchu Pichu...which I am beyond excited for.
Tomorrow we are taking the bus to the Sunday market at Pisac. Out of the MILLIONS of hats we've passed by i am still waiting for the right one to jump out at me...which lucky mud flap beanie will be mine??? I'll find out tomorrow.
xoxo
Brandee
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Brazil:1, Denver: 0
I heard you got snow, Denver.
I spent all day at Copacabana beach.
All day.
Sun, sand, ocean, swim suits, lounge chairs, beer, coconuts, picnic, relaxation.
Just trying to make you jealous.
We also got tan.
Okay, sorry, I´ll stop. We´re going to have rain for the rest of the trip, don´t worry.
Brazil has been decent! We went to Corcovado (the famous giant Jesus Christ statue with an amazing view) which was spectacular, we ate crepes, explored Rio and the metro system and have caught up on a lot of US news on the tv in our apartment (I was losing touch with reality in a big way)...
One more day and we´re off to Sao Paulo before going to Peru...I´m ridiculously excited for Peru!
Hope you´re all well...much love!
Brandee
I spent all day at Copacabana beach.
All day.
Sun, sand, ocean, swim suits, lounge chairs, beer, coconuts, picnic, relaxation.
Just trying to make you jealous.
We also got tan.
Okay, sorry, I´ll stop. We´re going to have rain for the rest of the trip, don´t worry.
Brazil has been decent! We went to Corcovado (the famous giant Jesus Christ statue with an amazing view) which was spectacular, we ate crepes, explored Rio and the metro system and have caught up on a lot of US news on the tv in our apartment (I was losing touch with reality in a big way)...
One more day and we´re off to Sao Paulo before going to Peru...I´m ridiculously excited for Peru!
Hope you´re all well...much love!
Brandee
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
the girl from ipanemaaaaa somethinnnng something...
Well...the computers in Latin America are slower than...something really slow. So the updates have been few and far between. Don´t worry. I´ve gotten your emails about it... disculpe, loved ones.
Chile was pretty freakin´awesome for the most part. Highlights were our first hostel in the Bellavista Neighborhood, eating sushi, hanging out with Tony´s friend Stacey from CU, eating completoes (the king of all hot dogs), Cerro San Cristobal, drinking pisco sours and piscolas, urban exploring and visiting the Concha Y Toro vineyard and winery.
The last thing was particularly awesome and we took some great pictures!
In all, Chile is a clean, pulsating city with a great public transportation system.
Aside from an awkward 2nd hostel that was more like a private homestay (where the language barrier was so great we played charades to talk), Chile was great. Cold, but great.
We´re in Brazil now with half naked people as far as the eye can see. Spring Break 07 baby! Just kidding. I´m extremely happy to be able to wear shorts, tank tops and swim suits--all of which I brought an abundance of. Our flight from Sao Paulo (layover) was 3 hours late so we didn´t actually get to our vacation apartment until 3am, but we did get there--by the grace of God--and that is what is important. Our apartment is 1.5 blocks from Copacabana beach! Sticking your head out the window provides a perfect view of sun and surf.
There is plenty to do in Brazil and actually quite a lot of English. Portuguese is the language of choice here and its making us feel like spanish is our first language! I´m excited to try to have conversations in Portuguese by the end of the week.
It is supposed to get rainy for a couple days so the wind has been pretty intense. That didn´t stop us from laying out on the beach and drinking from coconuts! It was all we ever wanted to do, really...
I´m following strict orders from...everyone...not to bring anything to the beach. I brought a plastic water bottle today and some kid jacked it...(Tony got it back but I then didn´t want it anymore. Kid germs. Ew).
Bring nothing to the beach. Not even water.
Chile was pretty freakin´awesome for the most part. Highlights were our first hostel in the Bellavista Neighborhood, eating sushi, hanging out with Tony´s friend Stacey from CU, eating completoes (the king of all hot dogs), Cerro San Cristobal, drinking pisco sours and piscolas, urban exploring and visiting the Concha Y Toro vineyard and winery.
The last thing was particularly awesome and we took some great pictures!
In all, Chile is a clean, pulsating city with a great public transportation system.
Aside from an awkward 2nd hostel that was more like a private homestay (where the language barrier was so great we played charades to talk), Chile was great. Cold, but great.
We´re in Brazil now with half naked people as far as the eye can see. Spring Break 07 baby! Just kidding. I´m extremely happy to be able to wear shorts, tank tops and swim suits--all of which I brought an abundance of. Our flight from Sao Paulo (layover) was 3 hours late so we didn´t actually get to our vacation apartment until 3am, but we did get there--by the grace of God--and that is what is important. Our apartment is 1.5 blocks from Copacabana beach! Sticking your head out the window provides a perfect view of sun and surf.
There is plenty to do in Brazil and actually quite a lot of English. Portuguese is the language of choice here and its making us feel like spanish is our first language! I´m excited to try to have conversations in Portuguese by the end of the week.
It is supposed to get rainy for a couple days so the wind has been pretty intense. That didn´t stop us from laying out on the beach and drinking from coconuts! It was all we ever wanted to do, really...
I´m following strict orders from...everyone...not to bring anything to the beach. I brought a plastic water bottle today and some kid jacked it...(Tony got it back but I then didn´t want it anymore. Kid germs. Ew).
Bring nothing to the beach. Not even water.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Chile con Carne
It´s great to be out of Argentina, we just weren´t with it. We arrived in beautiful Santiago Chile yesterday and the enormous mountains and blue sky made us feel right at home. our hostel is in a very cool neighborhood close to the downtown area. Lots of great bars and restaurants around and again we´re finding really good prices. Santiago is densely populated, but it´s still pretty clean. People stay out really late here as well. Dinner starts around 9 and bars get going around 12-1, which means happy hour untill 11, which is amazing. We´ll be in town for a few days, then closer to the hills for a few. Should be good.
Tony
Tony
Friday, October 5, 2007
Hola!
After a 24 hour flight delay and a 12 hour flight, we made it safely to Buenos Aires. The first stop in the 7 week Latin America portion of our trip. Muy emocionante!
I think since leaving New Zealand Tony and I have gotten somewhere between 10 and 12 hours of sleep total. I had booked a hostel for us in the Boca area of Buenos Aires. Boca is fine, it is by an old, culturally rich neighborhood called San Telmo, but the hostel was no bueno. I won´t get into details, it really could have been worse, but it was bad enough that we didn´t hesitate to cut our week long reservation there very short. There is a giant convention in Buenos Aires this weekend and we were told that literally every single hotel and most hostels were booked solid. Sooooooomehow we managed to find a nice place to stay last night in a guesthouse and upon looking for a phone up the street, found a really nice hostel with a lot of character and open rooms for the remainder of our time here. It´s a little more expensive than the first place (which was about $8 each) at about $14usd each but is worth the extra few bucks. We´re staying in San Telmo and I really like this area. Lively enough, great food, lots of live music and art.
I can´t wait to see some Tango! Tango tango tango! Tony won´t learn Tango with me...if someone could kindly remind him that Tango is the dance of love (right?) and that he should probably learn it...I´d appreciate it. K thanks.
Anyway, I have to admit, Buenos Aires is dirty. Really dirty. A thick layer of smog hangs low over the city. You can see it in the street lights, feel it in your lungs and I swear I saw Tony´s breath in it yesterday. It´s gross.
Coming from 300 days of sunhsine a year in colorful Colorado, the air quality and trash everywhere depressed us for a day or so.
But Buenos Aires is really growing on me. It has a lot to offer and I can´t wait to explore more. Dinner here is at about 11pm and we have yet to have a bad meal. The food is unreal. Ordering it, however has been another challenge. I have faith that my spanish will come back to me, but as of right now I feel like I´m two and can´t communicate what I need. It´s as easy as asking for a cajero automatico (ATM) and a cajeta automatico (which would be a fudge dispenser....which someone should invent). My ability to communicate at the present moment would make every spanish teacher I´ve had since 7th grade cry. A lot.
The people here, so far, are really beautiful and nice (read: understanding) so it hasn´t been too bad (plus we tip like Americans so they like us...) and Tony and I have a realllllllly good sense of humor. If not, I´d probably cry.
It´s raining (of course) so I´m going to try my best to get pictures up somewhere today...
Hope all is well!
Much love,
Brandee
I think since leaving New Zealand Tony and I have gotten somewhere between 10 and 12 hours of sleep total. I had booked a hostel for us in the Boca area of Buenos Aires. Boca is fine, it is by an old, culturally rich neighborhood called San Telmo, but the hostel was no bueno. I won´t get into details, it really could have been worse, but it was bad enough that we didn´t hesitate to cut our week long reservation there very short. There is a giant convention in Buenos Aires this weekend and we were told that literally every single hotel and most hostels were booked solid. Sooooooomehow we managed to find a nice place to stay last night in a guesthouse and upon looking for a phone up the street, found a really nice hostel with a lot of character and open rooms for the remainder of our time here. It´s a little more expensive than the first place (which was about $8 each) at about $14usd each but is worth the extra few bucks. We´re staying in San Telmo and I really like this area. Lively enough, great food, lots of live music and art.
I can´t wait to see some Tango! Tango tango tango! Tony won´t learn Tango with me...if someone could kindly remind him that Tango is the dance of love (right?) and that he should probably learn it...I´d appreciate it. K thanks.
Anyway, I have to admit, Buenos Aires is dirty. Really dirty. A thick layer of smog hangs low over the city. You can see it in the street lights, feel it in your lungs and I swear I saw Tony´s breath in it yesterday. It´s gross.
Coming from 300 days of sunhsine a year in colorful Colorado, the air quality and trash everywhere depressed us for a day or so.
But Buenos Aires is really growing on me. It has a lot to offer and I can´t wait to explore more. Dinner here is at about 11pm and we have yet to have a bad meal. The food is unreal. Ordering it, however has been another challenge. I have faith that my spanish will come back to me, but as of right now I feel like I´m two and can´t communicate what I need. It´s as easy as asking for a cajero automatico (ATM) and a cajeta automatico (which would be a fudge dispenser....which someone should invent). My ability to communicate at the present moment would make every spanish teacher I´ve had since 7th grade cry. A lot.
The people here, so far, are really beautiful and nice (read: understanding) so it hasn´t been too bad (plus we tip like Americans so they like us...) and Tony and I have a realllllllly good sense of humor. If not, I´d probably cry.
It´s raining (of course) so I´m going to try my best to get pictures up somewhere today...
Hope all is well!
Much love,
Brandee
Monday, October 1, 2007
Roll with the punches
The airport in Auckland has free internet--which almost makes up for how expensive everything else is!
Our flight to Buenos Aires tonight got cancelled and rebooked for tomorrow. Kind of a bummer because Buenos Aires was one of the places I was looking forward to most, but you've gotta roll with the punches.
New Zealand has been good...we spent a few nights in a fishing town in the bay of islands called Paihia. The people were really great and it was a relaxing break from the madness of Auckland. We were able to go onaboat and spend some time with playful dolphins while touring the bay of islands--this was definitely a highlight.
Anyway, hopefully next time I write I'll be in Buenos Aires....but I'm blogging in an airport and that's weird.
Hope everyone is well!
Brandee
Our flight to Buenos Aires tonight got cancelled and rebooked for tomorrow. Kind of a bummer because Buenos Aires was one of the places I was looking forward to most, but you've gotta roll with the punches.
New Zealand has been good...we spent a few nights in a fishing town in the bay of islands called Paihia. The people were really great and it was a relaxing break from the madness of Auckland. We were able to go onaboat and spend some time with playful dolphins while touring the bay of islands--this was definitely a highlight.
Anyway, hopefully next time I write I'll be in Buenos Aires....but I'm blogging in an airport and that's weird.
Hope everyone is well!
Brandee
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Writing from the future...
Of course, the day we left Fiji it was sunny and beautiful. It rained 4.5 out of the 7 days we were there, MUCH to our dismay. We had high hopes for the weather in Auckland, but the rain started pouring right when we got here. It's different, though. We can do stuff INDOORS! Whoa. We're in a very developed city sitting atop volcanoes. It is ridiculously green here, the people are very friendly and the stores (quite literally) alternate coffee shop/sushi/shoe store...coffee shop/sushi/shoe store. I have little to no problem with this. :) Needless to say, we ate sushi last night (I should also note we slept 12 hours).
I had to go buy a new sweatshirt (ohhhh darn) because it's only in the 50's today! I thought i did better research than this! Tony and I are VERY prepared for warm weather (hopeful, even) but weren't as much for cold weather. 50's! I still can't believe it.
I should note that we're in love with New Zealand. The best way to describe it is peaceful. It is a lot like San Francisco--great culture, fashion, food, easy public transportation, ports and harbors, roaring fish markets, calm weather--However, there are less crack deals and an abundance of funny accents.
We're staying in a little neighborhood called Parnell, which as much as I can tell is a lot like the uptown area of downtown Denver. It's within walking distance of downtown and a great area called Newmarket. We're staying at the City Garden Lodge which is really cute and homey. We're here for two more nights and then are off to Paihia in the Bay of Islands for 3 nights. I think we're going to do some whale and dolphin watching. Thought we'd be swimming with dolphins here--but at 50 degrees...you couldn't PAY me to splash around with Flipper. That will have to wait for Costa Rica! :)
We went to an excellent museum today and are going to check out the Sky Tower later.
Sorry I haven't posted any pictures, it's been a bit harder than I thought! Still trying though...
Hope everyone is doing well! Tony and I haven't killed each other yet... :)
Drop me a line or shoot me an email-- brandeecastle@gmail.com
xo
Brandee
I had to go buy a new sweatshirt (ohhhh darn) because it's only in the 50's today! I thought i did better research than this! Tony and I are VERY prepared for warm weather (hopeful, even) but weren't as much for cold weather. 50's! I still can't believe it.
I should note that we're in love with New Zealand. The best way to describe it is peaceful. It is a lot like San Francisco--great culture, fashion, food, easy public transportation, ports and harbors, roaring fish markets, calm weather--However, there are less crack deals and an abundance of funny accents.
We're staying in a little neighborhood called Parnell, which as much as I can tell is a lot like the uptown area of downtown Denver. It's within walking distance of downtown and a great area called Newmarket. We're staying at the City Garden Lodge which is really cute and homey. We're here for two more nights and then are off to Paihia in the Bay of Islands for 3 nights. I think we're going to do some whale and dolphin watching. Thought we'd be swimming with dolphins here--but at 50 degrees...you couldn't PAY me to splash around with Flipper. That will have to wait for Costa Rica! :)
We went to an excellent museum today and are going to check out the Sky Tower later.
Sorry I haven't posted any pictures, it's been a bit harder than I thought! Still trying though...
Hope everyone is doing well! Tony and I haven't killed each other yet... :)
Drop me a line or shoot me an email-- brandeecastle@gmail.com
xo
Brandee
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Bula
"Fiji Time" is the expression used on the islands when referring to their lack of urgency, mostly due to the heat and laid back attitude. In our case, it's been because of the rain and lack of surrounding action. We've done nothing for long enough, although we saw some action as well: horse ride on the beach, trip to Sigatoka town, jungle trek, village visit, snorkeling, swimming, volleyball. Perhaps the highlight was church service yesterday in the small village next door, followed by lunch with our friend Juta and his family; chicken soup off the floor. It was a very special experience to soak in some true Fijian culture.
Off to New Zealand tomorrow morning, we're ready for some Kiwi.
Vinaka
Off to New Zealand tomorrow morning, we're ready for some Kiwi.
Vinaka
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Feejeeeeee
Fiji is still great, but it has been raining for the last two days. Not much sun to speak of...and I'm still waiting to see a rainbow like in postcards...:)
Tony and I have been doing a lot of reading and sleeping....which has been nice, although not what I thought we'd be doing. We actually went into a little town this morning called Sigatoka. By little I mean bigger than the one we're in now. I have bug bites covering my legs-over 30-and they are all swollen (ew). We went to the "care chemist"-pharmacy- to get something to fix it. They gave me some spray and some benadryl, both of which I have taken, and both of which have yet to effect the bites... It looks like I have some sort of disease. Ha. I think I made people on the public bus nervous!
What else, what else...
Tony and I found out that falling coconuts kill more people than sharks do, and being situated in a coconut grove, we've been watching our heads. :) We have, however, found a lot of fallen coconuts. Watching Tony repeatedly chuck one against a wall in hopes of breaking it open was wayyyyy more entertaining than having someone else open it with a stick in a matter of seconds. We were able to drink the milk out and eat some of the coconut which was awesome.
We're meeting a lot of great people and are the only Americans at the Beachouse as of right now.
I love reading your comments--and we'll post photos as soon as possible.
xo
Tony and I have been doing a lot of reading and sleeping....which has been nice, although not what I thought we'd be doing. We actually went into a little town this morning called Sigatoka. By little I mean bigger than the one we're in now. I have bug bites covering my legs-over 30-and they are all swollen (ew). We went to the "care chemist"-pharmacy- to get something to fix it. They gave me some spray and some benadryl, both of which I have taken, and both of which have yet to effect the bites... It looks like I have some sort of disease. Ha. I think I made people on the public bus nervous!
What else, what else...
Tony and I found out that falling coconuts kill more people than sharks do, and being situated in a coconut grove, we've been watching our heads. :) We have, however, found a lot of fallen coconuts. Watching Tony repeatedly chuck one against a wall in hopes of breaking it open was wayyyyy more entertaining than having someone else open it with a stick in a matter of seconds. We were able to drink the milk out and eat some of the coconut which was awesome.
We're meeting a lot of great people and are the only Americans at the Beachouse as of right now.
I love reading your comments--and we'll post photos as soon as possible.
xo
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Extreme hammock surfing.
We made it to Fiji...and it is beautiful here. We may never leave.
The beach where we are staying is exactly as I had hoped it would be, and our room is way better than I imagined. We are staying at the Fiji Beachouse in Korolevu which is about 2 hours from Nadi, the capital. I guess when I thought of Fiji I pictured a million resorts, and maybe a shopping mall look, although I wasn't hoping for that. I was hoping for small little towns, hard working & friendly people, beautiful palm trees, a laid back & happy vibe, beaches and lush greenery. THAT is what we got.
So far we've...laid in a hammock, eaten fruit, laid in a hammock again, walked around the beach, napped in the room, laid in a hammock, eaten more food, watched the ocean, slept, laid in a hammock.... you get it.
The people here are so incredibly friendly. We're going snorkeling in a few minutes. I'll try to post some pictures later in the week...so you can be super jealous.
The beach where we are staying is exactly as I had hoped it would be, and our room is way better than I imagined. We are staying at the Fiji Beachouse in Korolevu which is about 2 hours from Nadi, the capital. I guess when I thought of Fiji I pictured a million resorts, and maybe a shopping mall look, although I wasn't hoping for that. I was hoping for small little towns, hard working & friendly people, beautiful palm trees, a laid back & happy vibe, beaches and lush greenery. THAT is what we got.
So far we've...laid in a hammock, eaten fruit, laid in a hammock again, walked around the beach, napped in the room, laid in a hammock, eaten more food, watched the ocean, slept, laid in a hammock.... you get it.
The people here are so incredibly friendly. We're going snorkeling in a few minutes. I'll try to post some pictures later in the week...so you can be super jealous.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Friday, August 31, 2007
The lady who poked me was extraordinarily nice, though...
FYI: The yellow fever shot hurts. Hurts the arm and hurts the wallet. Ouch.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
18 days...
Alright. I did it. Hopefully Tony is up for posting on here too--I haven't even asked him. Ha.
We leave for our big adventure in 18 days! I feel like there are so many loose ends that I still have to tie up, but I know things will come together right before we leave. I just looked at the 10 day forecast for Fiji, which is our first stop, and it looks like the temperature is climbing! I'm looking forward to laying on the beach all day... Tony said he's going to have to get used to the relaxed Fijian ways. I don't think it'll take long....
The best email to reach me at while I'm gone is Brandeecastle@gmail.com. My other one gets so much spam (ew), your email may get lost in the shuffle. I'm not sure how often we'll be able to access internet, but keep checking the blog!
We leave for our big adventure in 18 days! I feel like there are so many loose ends that I still have to tie up, but I know things will come together right before we leave. I just looked at the 10 day forecast for Fiji, which is our first stop, and it looks like the temperature is climbing! I'm looking forward to laying on the beach all day... Tony said he's going to have to get used to the relaxed Fijian ways. I don't think it'll take long....
The best email to reach me at while I'm gone is Brandeecastle@gmail.com. My other one gets so much spam (ew), your email may get lost in the shuffle. I'm not sure how often we'll be able to access internet, but keep checking the blog!
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