Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Awesome Antigua

I think I’m going to be stuck here for a bit.

Its absolutely beautiful, besides which I have enrolled in Spanish class ‘cos, I fell like a social reject and I wouldn’t mind getting to know this place and the people a bit better.

There’s loads to do around the city too... Have been to Coban and am heading to Lake Attilan tomorrow which is supposed to have stunning view of 3 awesome volcanoes and then I’m off to climb Guatemala’s very own active volcano on Friday, so fingers crossed. Have to have an armed guard with us for security?!

Have met some cool people here and the hostel is really chilled out... one of the nicest places I have stayed yet... Feels like home already, which ironically is making me feel a little home sick. Oh well, I guess I will get over that as soon as I am faced with molten lava... :o/

From Sunny Antigua... (one of my favorite places top date)

a Very chilled out Sity ;o)

xx

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Gangsta Guatemala

I can tell you that crossing the boarder from Belize Cayo to Guatemala was a ´special´ experience indeed.
I fought corruption and refused to pay the ´entrance fee´ into Guatemala. I can tell you that the boarder guards were not impresses with my behavior, but the rest of the tourists were, after a lousy threat and the safe return of my passport, I was sent on my way 10 quetzales better off.

I did however have my camera stolen later on in the day, but hay ho, what´s a girl to do.

Never the less, I really like Guatemala. It´s beautiful, the people that I have met are kind and they seem to have a good sense of humor. I´m staying in Flores which is beautiful and I visited the Tikal ruins today which were breath taking.

Heading to Antigua tomorrow to take some Spanish lessons and check out some volcanoes... not quite sure how that is gonna work out, but I guess I´ll let you know when I do.

Catch ya lata crazy kidz...

p.s. Have to say a big thanx to Bob for lending m,e his camera today... cheers mate

p.p.s. I was right about the Lamanai Ruins in Belize, there were a lot of Mozzies, but worst still bees. I got stung for the first time EVER!!!

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Caribbean Caye Caulker

After the strangest bus journey yet, I arrived in Belize City.
Coincidence of coincidences, Tim the Ozzy lad I met in Playa Del Carmen, just so happened to get on the same bus as me, accompanied by 2 additional Ozzys, Paul and Steve, so the four of us decided to combine forces and travel together for a while.

We ended up in Caye Caulker, a small island off the east coast of Belize. More than anything I loved the people and the life style there. Everyone was super friendly and chilled out, and it was easy to get caught up in the 'sitting around doing nothing rut'. Aside from doing just that me and the boys did manage to organise a party at out shack and after a hard days fishing the guys came back with the grub and set up a mean BBQ... all in all a success... If I remember correctly?!

I did also however manage to get some more diving under my belt... Dive the Cenote at the world famous Blue Hole where I had my deepest dive yet... 40 meters... I have to admit that I felt a little narced not necessarily a bad thing. Anyway it was some of the best diving I have done to date!

One thing that strikes me most about Belize is their modes of transportation here... from strobe lit buses in the dark, to crazy ass boats not to mention the cars, aka Gold Buggies... anything seems to go.

Ok so at the moment I'm in Orange Walk, heading to The Lamanai Ruins tomorrow via the jungle river, should be mosquito infested, just the way I like... mmmmm?! :o/

Anyway watch this space..

will upload photos next chance I get

From Belize

XX

Friday, January 19, 2007

Cosmic Cozumel Diving

Ok so have spent the last couple of days diving, hanging out on the beach, drinking margaritas, and making punch... life couldn't´t get much better except for the fact that I am also nursing some hideous mosquito bites...

Yes once again I forgot how much I suffered them, and the fact that they come hand in hand with the beach existence that I worship sooo much.

Anyway this is just a quick note to say that the diving has been amazing... world class, and that I´ve met some great people that have been watching out for me... a few that are going my way eventually, so who knows...?

and that...

I´m heading to Belize tomorrow (via Chetumal). I have heard some mixed stories about how dangerous it is, so I´ll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out..

Watch this space..

From Mexico...

Adios

xx

Monday, January 15, 2007

Peaceful Puerto

Ok so I have a little more time now, but a doggy Spanish keyboard, so excuse the lack of puntuation.

So....

Mexico was cool.. soaked up the Spanish and Myan culture and tried to become syncronised with the pace of life although citys and towns varey greatly. Getting on the Metro has got to be one of the scariest and funniest tings I had ever done... I pretty much had to launch myself into the crowd of poeple bulging out of the train doors. I swear the locals looked at me and thought that there was no way that I was going to try and squeeze on like them, and that I would just stand back and watch as train after train passed me by without any space to breath... sod that... I was gettin on. Im sure that some people were impressed so much so that I had an old dude grab my arse, several times... can you belive it... I wont go into gory details, but I can tell you that I am emotionally scared by the experience.
And Michael wasnt much help... he just lauged... Thanx Mike
I have to admit though that it was kindda nice to have someone that spoke Spanish around for my first few days in Mexico, I was a bit shell shocked and it really helped, so thatx anyway Micheal.
Took in some Aztec ruiens before heading to Oaxaca were spent the day strolling around the beautiful city and some awesome art museums before hitting the beach at Puerto Escondido... it was absolutly beautiful and exactally what I needed after being in the cold of Chicago... They are having ice storms at them momeent, sounds like I left at just the right time... its 28 degrees in Mexico now... perfect weather for the beach.
Im in San Cristobal a laid back arty town in Central Northern Mexico... Heading up towards Cancun and Playa del Carmen next... itching to dive again and I hear that it is up there on the MUST dive list, so guess the next time you hear from me will be from the East Coast, where I am also hoping to enroll in a Spanish class. Watch this space...

Till then

xx

p.s. Bye Michael.. had a fantastic time hangin out with you, thanx for everything, and nothin... missin you already

xx

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Manic Mexico

So I don´t really have that long, but just wanted to let you guiys know that I am safe and sound...

In Mexico at the moment. Escaped the hectic city 2 days ago to hit the beach. Don´t get me wrong the city is beautiful and packed with history and culture, but mostly with people. Two days was enough!

Will update you more on my going´s on when I have more time...

Adios Amigos

xx

p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKEY

Monday, January 08, 2007

Eeeating is Cheeeating

I've had loads of fun hangin' out with J....

We've been partying hard as usual and reminiscing about the good old days.
Went to 'Toast Masters', which I have to admit was a seriously 'interesting' experience... Met the most awesome people there though... (Michael and Angelica). Adam also got hold of some (foreign) 'Jaffa Cakes' which I was missing so that was pretty cool :o)

Had dinner with J's folks and caught a Bull's game as well as wondering aimlessly around the City and taking in the sights...

Chicago has got to be my favorite city by night... it's soooo beautiful when it's all lit up.

I'm gonna miss it... The people, the place, the food.
Guess I'll have to come back, especially now that I have made some new friends too.

Anyway I'm off to Mexico tomorrow :o/

Guess I'll catch up with you guys from there.

Have to give J a shout out for being his usual FANTASTIC self... Thanx once again for everything.

xx

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Three feet from the wall

First and foremost...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a good one.

I'm in Chicago with my old buddy Jason (Thailand). We've just been chillin' in Chicago, cooking some great Thai food... going to comedy shows and hangin' out with some of J's friends that are in a band... went to watch then play and I have to admit (although I wouldn't like to tell them directly... sorry Bill & Adam) they were GREAT!!!

Went to a house party in Madison for New Years with lots of Jason's crazy (but cool) friends... They made me feel very welcome so I have to say a big THANX!!! Especially to Megan.

Not sure what the plan is for the rest of the week... John Hancock building, Sears Tower, Bulls Game, but generally chilling out before I hit Central America!!!

Will keep you posted

From the 'Windy City'

xx