Wendy's South and Central American Odyssey
In and around World
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Well here I sit with less than 8 hours before flying out. Yikes! I haven't been able to sleep, nor eat (given the gorgeous shape I've become in the last year, that's not such a bad thing, mind you), but the feeling that I've stepped beyond my usual bounds of wanting to do "something different" is now overwhelming. What the bloody hell have I done???!!! I'm so excited I'm almost jumping out of my skin, but at other times, its hard not to shake the feelings of dread in the pit of my stomach. The excitement is winning at the moment tho!
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Yes my adventure will be filled with amazing times, I am sure. But there will also be times where it will be difficult not to be homesick, not to miss my family and friends, and I'll miss a clean bed and clothes. And hopefully the times when I will be unwell won't be more than I can bear. But hey, this is going to be something different, so I can't disappoint myself on that score!
So above all, this blog will be an honest account of my travels. If I'm feeling a little rough around the edges and fragile, I'm going to say so. If I hate some of the places, you'll know about that too. I'm not going to sanitize it that's for sure! And jeez, I'll try and keep the bloody thing intreresting! There's nothing worse than reading boring travelogues, so if it starts to get like that, make sure you let me know eh? And please bear with me through this blog thing, particularly the html stuff... I'm trying tho :)
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I'll try to update this where and when I can. Generally I won't send emails, but every now and again will remind you that I've updated something or other. You can send me SMS's but don't expect an instant reply coz I'm leaving my phone off most of the time. Mostly this is to do with being out of range practically the whole time. So email is probably the best to contact me on (wcorfield@optusnet.com.au).
So Adios Amigos!! Until we meet again in 6 months, I'll try to keep you entertained with some highlights and tales about whatever else I get up to! And I do promise to behave. Since you all know that I'm the epitomy of temperance, responsibility and perfect judgement (yeah right!), I'm sure you won't be in the least worried :)
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Laterz everyone ... and take care. I will miss you all!!
Cheers from Vegas for the last time in 6 months.
Wendy
(PS. I've tried to get everyone's email, but if I've left anyone off the list its been inadvertently, send it thru to whomever is interested)
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(PPS. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and wishes for bon voyage over the last weeks and months. It means a lot to me!)
PPPS. Finally, thanks Narelle and Bri for organising that great party at Cafe Belisis. I was very remiss in not thanking you both during my speech.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Wendy2009
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1
Carnival in Rio!
Hotel isn~t bad, but it is what it is. Arrival didn~t get off to the best start when I waited 2 hours for my transfer to turn up, which didn~... Continue reading »
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2
You know you're in Sud America when ...
Well first let me start with Sud America ....
You know youre in Sud America when ....
1. Any excuse for a celebration
The f... Continue reading »
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3
You know you're in Rio when ....
You know you're in Rio when ....
1. Your sense of smell gets cocked up....
Let me explain. As soon as you find the way to the Arr... Continue reading »
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4
A quick lot of picks before heading home
Hey Guys, thought I'd update the blog for what I'd seen today :) ... I guess mostly for th guys, but some for the gals too. Gotta say t... Continue reading »
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5
Some quick tourist shots of Rio on the last day
Nothing much to write here, will let the photos do the talking :) These are fully tourist shots taken on the last day in Rio. Continue reading » -
6
Paradise Found!
Ok, so I say "Paradise Found!" This is a big call considering many of the best beaches in the world are within spitting distance of where most... Continue reading »
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7
What everyone's dying to know - what's the food like?
Ok the food so far. After a week of travelling and staying in a variety of accommodations going to a range of different eating places, I have... Continue reading »
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8
The beaches around Ilha Grande
Wow, the beaches around this place are amazing! Please forgive the superlatives, but really they are. I guess comparing them to beaches in Australi... Continue reading »
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9
The Group I'm Travelling With
Ok, just a few words on who I'm with over the next few weeks at any rate. There are 14 in total, ranging in ages from very early twenties to an Aus... Continue reading »
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10
Paraty - Town of Contrasts
This is going to have to be a work in progress since I'm about to go out and take some more pics etc. Paraty is a very interesting place, like nowh... Continue reading »
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11
Iguassu Falls
Iguassu Falls (we have been told) is the most visited natural attraction in South America. I say natural attraction, because the other "attractions... Continue reading »
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12
Flying visit to Paraguay
One of the optional extras was a flying visit to Paraguay. Hmm, where in the 'ell is that you ask. Yeah to be honest I didn't know either. Bes... Continue reading »
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13
Uraguay in 6 days
Leaving Iguassu also means I'm leaving Brazil for the last time. I have mixed feelings about that, because for all of its eclectic mix of... Continue reading »
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14
Montevideo - Uruguay's Capital
I will begin by saying that Montevideo is a city of surprising contrasts. I know I have said this before about other cities (like Paraty), but it s... Continue reading »
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15
Colonia - Pretty Colonial Town
Arrived in Colonia, Uraguay yesterday afternoon. Its a very pretty little colonial city as the brochures will tell you. Also there is plenty o... Continue reading »
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16
Beautiful Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires means beautiful airs because its located right on the coast at the mouth of the River Plate and I guess the sea breeze helped the firs... Continue reading »
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17
UFOs and other weird observations
I´m intending to use this entry to put things in that are baffling, bizarre and downright weird. Some of it may appear in the other entries, but so... Continue reading »
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18
Majestic Patagonia - Bariloche
Arriving in Bariloche was quite a relief after the 22 hour bus journey we we endured. I guess endurance isn´t really the word, coz its not too bad... Continue reading »
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19
Puerto Varas, Chile
Well after a 22 hour bus ride, finally made it to Chile through part of the Andes. The Andes which separate Argentina and Chile has done its job we... Continue reading »
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20
Adventure-packed Puçon!
The 6 hour bus ride to Puçon was relatively uneventful except for the majestic scenery of the Andes which literally takes your breath away! I try t... Continue reading »
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21
I love Santiago!
I must admit that I had mixed feelings about Santiago initially. The air here is very polluted, so that must affect any judgement about it of cours... Continue reading »
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22
La Serena, Chile
Its been so long since I´ve had the opportunity to sit down at a computer, I´ve almost forgotten about La Serena! Not really, but let me first begi... Continue reading »
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23
San Pedro on the Magical Atacama Desert
After 22 hours stuck in a bus, anywhere you can finally get lateral is a welcome relief! Although the 10 or so hours of daylight did provide for so... Continue reading »
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24
Uyuni and the Salt Flats, Bolivia
We departed San Pedro de Atacama for Bolivia´s border first thing in the morning. Its about a 15-20 minute drive from the town itself, an... Continue reading »
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25
Potosi, a city with a bad past and uncertain future
I find it hard to write good things about Potosi. First of all, the altitude is oppressive! At 4,200 metres you can feel effort in everything you d... Continue reading »
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26
Sucre, Bolivia´s Constitutional Capital
Well here I am in Sucre, Bolivia. Its a great city actually, full of interesting little surprises. My expectations of Bolivia were not great, parti... Continue reading »
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27
La Paz, Bolivia
La Paz, Bolivia. Who´d have ever thought I´d make it here eh? What an interesting, bustling hububb of a city! AT 3,600m above sea level tho, it cer... Continue reading »
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28
Puno, Peru
I´ll never forget my first glimpse of Lake Titicaca! Its a beautiful dark blue lake, stretching for miles in all directions and flanked by sma... Continue reading »
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29
Cusco, Peru - Heart of the Inca Empire
The long day bus ride to Cusco did not disappoint. As I have mentioned on previous occasions, this presents an ideal time to check things out.... Continue reading »
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30
Machu Picchu - Lost City of the Incas
Ok, finally we are at one of the highlights of my trip - the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu!! The night before we stayed at Ollantaytambo in some... Continue reading »
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31
Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa is Peru's second city and is often referred to as the "White City". As I may have mentioned, Peru is just one huge archeological dig and t... Continue reading »
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32
Colca Canyon, Peru
Colca Canyon is this massive canyon on the Colca River in southern Peru. At twice the depth of the Grand Canyon in the USA, it is one of the d... Continue reading »
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33
Nazca, highlighting the mystery of Peru
Nazca is one of the highlights of Peru's many mysteries. Pretty much the entire town is dedicated in some way to these lines in the deser... Continue reading »
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34
Pisco, rightful home of the Pisco Sour!
Pisco is an oasis in the desert but apparently an important port town. It also looks like a place for wealthy retirees because the houses along the... Continue reading »
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35
Lima, capital of the Inca Empire
Lima, Peru. Jóse had been telling us about it the entire trip. Not the least because he's from there of course! Anyway, he kept saying things like:... Continue reading »
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36
Northern Peru - Trujillo
Our departure from from Lima was with mixed feelings. Anticipation at what was ahead, particularly the Amazon! But also sadness because I could hav... Continue reading »
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37
Ecuador - Middle of the World!
After the relatively peaceful and relaxing atmosphere in Mancora, we said goodbye to Peru :( Heading north across the border we hit the busy t... Continue reading »
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38
Baños - Southern Ecuador
Baños means 'baths' and there are several in and around the town. Some thermal springs come from the base of Tungurahua Volcano (‘little hell' in Q... Continue reading »
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39
THE AMAZON!!
We took a short flight out of Quito for our Amazon jungle experience. Wow, the mighty Amazon!! I was so stoked every second I was there! From the c... Continue reading »
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40
Quito, Ecuador - The end of the road :(
I can't believe 90 days went so damn fast!!
I have travelled almost the length and breadth of South America. For it all... Continue reading »
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41
Panama City - Beginning the Great Central American Journey
Lying in the centre of Panama’s southern coast, the country’s capital is a modern, bustling city, thanks to the enormous trade and commerce that passe... Continue reading » -
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El Valle, Panama
Not far from Panama City, El Valle makes a great stop along the Pan-American highway on our way to the coast. Explore the village, shop in the handicr... Continue reading » -
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San Jose, Costa Rica's capital
Located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is th... Continue reading »
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44
Boquete, Panama
Our journey continues, taking us next to the mountain retreat of Boquete. A plethora of outdoor options await us here, including numerous hikes, wh... Continue reading »
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45
Volcanos and beaches in Costa Rica
Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano sits on the southeast shore of artificial Lake Arenal (77 square kilometres, or 48 square... Continue reading »
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46
Stunning Costa Rica!
Begin with an incredible bus ride over the Panama border to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanc... Continue reading »
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47
Paradise in Panama
We travel by means of buses and a boat to arrive at the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro. Our time here offers us plenty of opportunities to snorkel,... Continue reading »
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