Get Your “Af-ri-can” On

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Travel Spirit

I’ve got Africa on my mind! These photos are from a shop in the Clifton area of Cincinnati…

Lots of progress made so far–

Airfare purchased

Trip Insurance purchased

Wheeled convertible duffel bag bought

30 degree 2 lb. compressible sleeping bag bought

North Face Hiking Shoes bought

I’ll do a post about the gear I’m taking at some point!

I decided against the couch surfing…the three people I contacted haven’t responded yet…so I booked a hostel (private room) that looks really cool through Hostel World. Also, decided on my itinerary for the four days in Cape Town–one day hiking Table Mountain and taking the cable car down; one or two days of unplanned activities around Cape Town–maybe the hop-on/hop-off bus; one day an organized tour (found through Trip Advisor) that hits all of the major sites–such as…

Clifton, Bantry Bay

Camp’s Bay

The spectacular Chapman’s peak drive (if open)*

Hout Bay and boat trip to Seal Island

Muizenberg

Kalk Bay

Fishhoek

Boulders Beach National Park – visit the African Jackass Penguins

Visit to Simon’s Town and the Historic Mile

Cape Point

Cape of Good Hope – The most South-Westerly point of the African continent

Most of my itinerary is finished, including the currency conversion rates for the six different countries and the time differences.

It’s fun planning the trip also…but my brain starts to hurt! Maybe because I try to get it all done so quickly! I wanted to thank those of you that gave me some wonderful tips on what to take and what to do!

Have a terrific weekend!

Adventure in Africa

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Travel Spirit

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I’m bursting with excitement because in less than six weeks I’m leaving to spend 40 days within five countries of Africa! I’ll fly into Cape Town (where I’m hoping to Couchsurf for the first time) and explore for a few days before meeting up with my organized tour with G Adventures. There are only a few people on the tour and we’ll be driving an overland vehicle that seats 22 people. This type of tour is not for everyone because we’ll be camping 28 of the 35 days of the tour…but it was a “Last Minute” special that was discounted and I couldn’t pass it up.

Some of the highlights include Fish River Canyon (the oldest and 2nd largest in the world); Sossusvlei Dunes in the Namid desert; game drives through Etosha Nat’l Park; travel through the Okavango Delta in Botswana on a mokoro canoe; Chobe Nat’l Park; three days in the mighty Victoria Falls area; four nights at Lake Malawi (it holds the record for the most species of fish in the world with over 600); and four nights on the island of Zanzibar (including Stone Town)–off the coast of Tanzania.

Here’s a map of the route…

Obviously there’s a lot of driving…with some of the roads being very bumpy….but what an adventure!

Most of the food is provided and at $2880 for 35 days—it’s a deal! That doesn’t include airfare to Cape Town or back home from Zanzibar, trip insurance, some optional excursions, $150 for two visas, more shots (some of the ones I got back in 2009 aren’t good anymore), a new light weight sleeping bag, a new duffel bag (one on wheels)…they require a piece of soft sided luggage…like a back pack…but I don’t have a large one, and a new pair of hiking/walking shoes (mine are too big…up over the ankle…too heavy). I have to be concerned with the size and weight of the bag.

My husband is being an angel about it…he’s got his Harley, his tractor, his boat, etc. etc….a girl’s gotta have fun too!!

Haystack Giggles in Vang Vieng, Laos

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Travel Spirit

After traveling seven hours from Luang Prabang…we reached the town of Vang Vieng in Laos. As you can see, the landscape was absolutely breathtaking! One of the women that was traveling with the G Adventures tour that I was on through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, remarked that there wouldn’t be any night life here. There was one road leading into town and it was quite rural.

With this to gaze at…I didn’t care!

One of these sweet little girls stuck her tongue out at me after I took the photo…because I didn’t give her any money.

Claire and Isabel–two of the ladies on the tour and I rented some rickety bicycles and explored some caves in the countryside. Traversing the bumpy dirt roads made us giggle…the simple things can be so much fun!

Then, when Claire got up on the haystack for a photo…it started collapsing…so we collapsed with laughter! Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of that.

This photo intrigues me. I wonder what the boy was doing. His dog almost looks like a fox to me and he has a bag by his side. I would have stuck around to find out, but we were on our bicycles, so off we went.

We spent two nights in Vang Vieng and then drove three hours to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. After checking into the hotel, I walked to the market and shopped. Everything was so inexpensive – $3.00 for a purse, $5 for a silk scarf, etc. I couldn’t resist this hand embroidered blouse and splurged on a shampoo and style for $5.00!

Our tour finishes with Hanoi, Vietnam and the stunning Halong Bay tomorrow!

On the Road to Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Food Friday – Lao Baguette (thebigmangolife.com)
A Lazy day in Vang Vieng (travellingstrom.com)
The Sober Side of Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Falane paradise, Vang Vieng – Vang Vieng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

Chocolate Banana Pancakes in Luang Prabang

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’re just beginning to read…this was a trip I took through GAP Adventures in 2009 with six people from Canada, US, Germany, and the UK, to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

We spent the night in Pakbeng, on our way to Luang Prabang in Laos, en route from Chiang Mai via Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong. I just had to say that! I was capturing images of the sunrise at the river’s edge and was pleased to see this fisherman beginning his day.

We went as a group that morning to buy 70 notebooks and pens, 8 dozen eggs, and a variety of other things from the local market to give to another group of villagers (I believe more Hmong) that live on the Mekong River. Notice the supplies lying on the ground next to the guy in the red coat, who was our Tour Guide while we were traveling through Laos.

We delivered the school supplies to the children! I could just put that little girl in my suitcase and bring her home…she’s soooo cute!

On our way to the quaint town of Luang Prabang, we stopped at a spiritual cave called “Pak Ou Caves“.

Luang Prabang was everyone’s favorite town…with lots of shopping, good food, nice markets and friendly people.

This seemed very odd…a line of clothes and hunks of meat.

Chocolate Banana Pancakes were on every menu…

One of the women on the trip and I rented a bicycle and explored the town. It’s a great way to see more! I also had another massage by a young girl that had very strong hands.

Life is good!!

Luang Prabang – Laos – Truly delightful (discovertheorient.wordpress.com)
Luang Prabang in my mind (ameramor.com)
Festival season in Luang Prabang (ttrweekly.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Exploring the Night Markets of Luang Prabang, Laos (landlopers.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Temples, Buddas, monks and waterfalls. – Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The Wat Rong Khun temple or “White Temple” is located in Chiang Rai, Thailand and we stopped there while en route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong. As you can see it is beautiful and very artistic. It was in fact designed by an artist named Chalermchai Kositpipat.

The hands sculptures were on either side of the walkway at the front entrance!

He had quite an imagination…

At the border of Laos we boarded this slow boat for an eight hour trip on the Mekong River. We had the boat all to ourselves!

We stopped at a village where the Hmong hilltribe people lived in Laos…and a discussion began concerning happiness. One of the women on the trip felt very sorry for these people. They seemed quite happy to me! So long as people have a roof over their head, food to eat, clean water, and medical attention when necessary…especially if that is the life they have always led…then perhaps the simpler life style is less stressful.

The history of Hmong people is very interesting…you should take a look.

Beautiful girls…

Pet monkey on a chain…:)

Next…more of Laos…followed by Vietnam!

Talking Heads (synkroniciti.com)
Hmong talk (ahmongwoman.com)
Beautiful days in Chiang Mai Province Thailand – Part 1 (discovertheorient.wordpress.com)
White Temple of Chiang Rai: Unique and Interesting Contemporary Art (beontheroad.com)
Artist & Temple by Jacky CW (500px.com)

Tambopata Rainforest in the Amazon

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The last stop of my three week Peruvian adventure was the Tambopata Rainforest area off the Amazon. After boarding a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, the 11 of us on a GAP Adventures tour, took a motorized canoe to our lodge.

The Lodge was much nicer than I expected!

Continue reading →

Fried Bugs and Elephants in Thailand

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’ve been reading along…you know that in 2009 I did a lot of travel. It began with Egypt and Jordan in March–followed by Peru for three weeks in May, and now in December, another G Adventures trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

So…for the story–

After checking into my hotel in Bangkok, Thailand…having just traveled 33 hours from the Midwest, I needed a massage. Although it was 3:30am in the morning, I was able to get a massage in my room for $5.00 (from a girl). It was the first of four massages I would enjoy while in Southeast Asia. After sleeping for a few hours I briefly explored Bangkok prior to attending a “get acquainted” meeting with the other tour attendees, who turned out to be a married couple from England on their honeymoon and four women from Germany, California, England, and Canada.

The following day we took a boat ride on the famous canals aka Klongs of Bangkok and visited a Buddhist Temple…one of many to come!

I took some video footage from my trip and made a few movies (for the first time) with my Mac…so if you’d like to see some very aggressive catfish, watch this.

I loved taking photos of the monks…

I didn’t partake of any fried bugs…but if I hosted a travel show like Andrew Zimmern…I would!

We went to the Wat Pho temple where the largest “reclining buddha” is housed!

Riding in a “tuk-tuk” is a fun experience!

Later that evening we took a night train to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I rode an elephant the next day…

And took a half-day cooking class…

For Sale: Painting by an Elephant…

more of the World’s beautiful children…

I have a treat for tomorrow…the dazzling White Temple!

Northern Thailand: Loi Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai & Elephant Nature Park (infinitesatori.org)
Carol Stevenson: Photographing Elephants in Thailand (nikonusa.com)
Wildlife Group Wants Thailand to Ban Ivory Trade (abcnews.go.com)
Wildlife Group Wants Thailand to Ban Ivory Trade (irrawaddy.org)
Wildlife Group Pressures Thailand To Ban Ivory Trade (huffingtonpost.com)
Anything Goes In Chiang Mai – Bangkok, Thailand (travelpod.com)

Naked in the Airport!

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Upon arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam from Vientiane, Laos, it seemed I had entered an alien land! A city of concrete…jumbled wires…a sea of motor scooters blind to the traffic lights…mass chaos with purpose…face masks creating a barrier from the dusty city…an assault on the senses with smells and colors. Pure insanity!!

The seven of us, on this tour through GAP Adventures, were instructed on how to cross the street. To walk–not run–to keep walking–that the drivers would go around us. I felt like a duck on a shooting range. Luckily, I have a spiritual grounding and realize that there are some things I have very little control over.

After being separated from the group while shopping that evening, there was a moment of sheer panic! I didn’t know the name of our hotel. The Tour Guide had given the information to everyone–when I was in the restroom–so I didn’t receive it. But I found my way to the meetup spot…whew!!

I made arrangements to spend the night on a boat on Halong Bay in the China Sea and said my “goodbyes” to the group!

At $68 for the entire excursion–it was a small price for such serenity and beauty!

I went kayaking…

Had a nice glass of vino!

Although I had a six hour layover in Nagoya, Japan‘s airport, on my way home to Cincinnati, I had plenty to keep myself occupied with there. It was a destination onto itself, with over 60 shops and restaurants and a spa!

Upon arrival at the airport, I met a girl named Andrea who had been teaching English in Hanoi for four months and was so fearful of crossing the street that she decided to move back home to Canada.

We went to the Spa together. The women had their own hot tub, cold dip, sauna, and steam room area with a view of planes landing and taking off. We didn’t have our bathing suits, but the other women were naked so…when in Rome. It makes for a great story…”Naked in the Airport”!

This is Andrea and I at the Airport in Japan.

I returned home on Christmas Eve. I hope you had fun following my adventure!

Hanoi (j8packages.wordpress.com)
Ha Long Bay — in’SPIRE’ing and ‘MIST’ical – Halong Bay, Vietnam (travelpod.com)

Hiking Machu Picchu

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Hiking Machu Picchu is one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences and I enjoyed every moment of the three and 1/2 day, 27 mile hike! I was traveling with 10 other fellow adventurers on a G Adventures trip in May of 2009. We had visited the absolutely breathtaking Lake Titicaca and were on an all day public bus ride to the beautiful and vibrant town of Cusco, which is located about thirty minutes by train to the start of the Inca Trail hike. Typically, we traveled by private van, but this trip was an exception.

The road to Cusco from Lake Titicaca is very curvy and mountainous. Unfortunately for the other passengers, I had intestinal problems. The bus was swaying from side to side along the twisting roads and the restroom was small, dark, and void of toilet paper. I couldn’t avoid the imagined glares from passengers as I had to utilize the facilities a few times that day!

For the previous two weeks, we had gradually risen in elevation within Peru, which is a good thing when you’re going to hike the Inca Trail. Altitude sickness can strike young, old, fit or not…so if you can acclimatize…all the better!

Cusco reminded me of Europe. Cobblestones, narrow streets and history everywhere!

Continue reading →

Life on the Water at Lake Titicaca

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Travel Spirit

One of the most unusual ways of life I have encountered so far in my travels, has been the pre-Incan Uros people who live on 42 islands in Lake Titicaca. These islands are man-made out of reeds by the residents. The … Continue reading →

Picking Up Men at Lake Titicaca

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The next stop on my three-week tour of Peru through GAP Adventures in 2009 was Lake Titicaca. It is the highest lake in the world–somewhere around 12,500 ft.–and is stunningly gorgeous! It’s the largest lake in South America. This is … Continue reading →

Arequipa, Manchee…the Spitting Llama and Colca Canyon, Peru

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Arequipa, Peru is a charming and quaint town! It was one of many areas I became acquainted with during my three week tour of Peru with G Adventures in 2009. This photo was taken there…

Continue reading →

Sandy Sheets in Peru

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Travel Spirit

In 2009 I decided to do some travel. If you’ve been reading along, you knew I went to Egypt and Jordan in early April. Peru was next…so after being home for 10 days, I flew into Lima, Peru by myself and arrived at my hotel about 11:00pm. For the next three weeks I would be exploring with 10 other travelers through GAP Adventures.

To avoid paying the single supplement, GAP will pair you up with a roommate. My roommate was still awake when I arrived. She was a college student from the Northeast area of the U.S. The next morning I met the rest of my fellow travelers…a diverse group from New Zealand, Australia, Morocco, Gibraltar, Germany and two women from California.

We only had a few hours to explore in Lima, so my roommate and I walked around, and got some street food. After the culture shock from Egypt…I was prepared, so Peru seemed tame. Like Egypt, many of the restrooms were simply a hole in the ground, with no toilet paper available, and you had the privilege of paying to use them! Please don’t think I’m complaining. I’m not your “prissy…pampered” type of woman. I love to camp and rough it! I’m just stating the facts.

I loved this bicycle/wagon filled with fruit!

Continue reading →

Indiana Jones…where are you?

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan

One of the highlights for me while traveling through Egypt and Jordan with GAP Adventures in 2009, was sleeping in the desert with the Bedouin people. Upon arrival to the camping area in the desert, we dropped our gear and made our way to the main dining tent for dinner.

We shared the tent with a group of Dutch people on pilgrimage. They were the subdued, quiet ones on the other side. We were the loud, fun-loving group on our side. I actually spoke to one of the women to try to get the groups to mingle, but to no avail. After a delicious meal, a few traditionally dressed Arab musicians entered the tent and one of the men began dancing and beckoned us to join him. Feeling like a gypsy, I rose and began dancing, feeling breathless, having been seduced by the aromatic incense wafting through the air combined with the rhythmic melody. Others began to join us and soon we had a party going! I was having such a good time…I didn’t get any photos! (the above photos I found online…but they are of the same or very similar camping spot)

The following day we took a jeep ride through the desert and I asked if I could drive. The Bedouin driver “Mohammad” agreed to allow me and kept telling me what a good driver I was as I careened over sand dunes. I wonder if the 4 passengers sitting in the open bed of the truck felt the same way after being jostled and bounced around…possibly fearing for their lives!

The “Siq” … Petra, Jordan

I love this photo I took of the “Siq”, which is the mile long walk before arriving to the area called Petra, where all of the carved buildings are. You are surrounded by towering walls of stone on either side as you walk.

We hiked for two days throughout Petra…it was amazing! Walking to the main entrance of Petra, I met a couple of 25ish men. I discovered that one of them made his living taking people for rides within Petra on a donkey. After a few minutes, he began flirting with me and wanted to take me to his “cave” on a date. I told him I was married…but that didn’t faze him. Throughout the day, I would see him and he would wave.

He gave me the tip of walking down a few steps for the photo shown below…so you don’t see the throngs of people! These buildings carved into stone were simply unbelievably beautiful! They were massive!

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan…(Raiders of the Lost Ark filmed here)

A fellow traveler took this photo of me carefully crossing a very narrow ledge while hiking in Petra…whew!

Beautiful Children of Jordan

Children have such an exuberance for life…an openness…that I wish more adults could keep!

Another unique experience we had was going to a Turkish bath while in Jordan. The steam room resembled a cave and we were instructed to sit in the steam for 20 minutes…to then exit and be doused with cold water by a squat, muscled man in swim trunks…repeating this process three times…then to lay on a cold marble slab while he scrubs you with a mitt (ouch…that hurt)…pours cool water on you…slathers oil all over…massages roughly for five minutes and you’re done!!

Here is a group shot of us at the “Dead Sea“…the mud from the sea detoxifies your skin and makes it baby soft! And you really do float in the Dead Sea!

I hope you enjoyed the trip!

Daily Daydream: Petra, Jordan (daydreamsandshoestrings.wordpress.com)
Arabian delight: Step into Petra’s past and discover a rose-red city half as old as time (mirror.co.uk)
Research unearths terrace farming at ancient desert city of Petra (phys.org)
Exploring Petra: The mountainous Monastery (ontheluce.com)
Terrace Farming at Petra! (rogueclassicism.com)
The Lost City of Petra (renainthesun.wordpress.com)
Getting to know Jordan’s Bedouins (travelwithkat.com)
Ancient Traces of Terrace Farming Found Near Petra (livescience.com)

Do we really want to see the sunset?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The 18 days I traveled through Egypt and Jordan with GAP Adventures in 2009, were filled with adventure, excitement and wonder.

Our group of 14 people from across the globe, typically traveled by private van, but we did take a night train from Cairo to Aswan. Here is a map of our route…

This photo is of the back of the Citadel, which was originally built during the 12th Century to be a fortification…a wall surrounding Cairo, but was never completed. It is now a preserved historic site, with mosques and museums.

We wandered through the Khan Al Khalili bazaar. It was an endless maze of sidewalks filled with little shops, selling clothing, jewelry, anything you could think of. It was so colorful and intriguing!

There had been a bombing one month prior to my arrival…a French girl died and others were wounded. Of course my family thought it would be too dangerous to visit…

Our hotel at Mt. Sinai was very nice and the pool looked inviting…but it was too cold to swim. I think the scenery was so simply stark and beautiful!

I was so happy to be able to climb to the top of Mt. Sinai. For those of you who don’t remember the significance of this area. According to the Bible, it is where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.

It took about 3 hours to reach the top and it was timed so that we could see the sunset. The temperature change was amazing. By the time we reached the summit, it was freezing. We waited about 15-20 minutes to witness the sunset…with my teeth chattering uncontrollably…I’m asking…do we really want to see the sunset?? It was pretty…but we then ran down the mountain, partially in the dark, in about 30 minutes.

I loved this Greek Orthodox Chapel at the top.

The following photo is St. Catherine’s Monastery, which was built in the 6th century and is the oldest continuously functioning Christian monastery in existence. It is built on the site of the original burning bush.

Cats were everywhere!

Our last stop was Nuweiba, Egypt before boarding the ferry to cross the Gulf of Aquaba to Jordan…this was the beach area where our hotel was located…it was eerily deserted!

This little girl was selling jewelry on the beach…but only five people were on the entire beach! We couldn’t speak to each other, but you don’t always need words to communicate. I took her hands and swung her around and around…and we laughed!