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So much to see and so little time. Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Lima, and more...
We start our travels in Chile by taking a ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales. We have booked our ferry trip
through the internet to start on Dec 26. And preferring to stay Christmas night in Bariloche we have organized our
bus trip from Bariloche to Pueto Montt the morning of Dec 26, with an ETA of 2 hours prior to our embarkation...
Our travels through Argentina start in Buenos Aires for 10 days of Tango and Spanish lessons. Then week in Iquaza
to enjoy the falls. Another 10 days in Mendoza of wine tasting, sports adventures, and more Spanish classes. With a
finale in Bariloche for more Spanish classes, and some fly fishing.
We planned on travelling to Colonial del Sacramento, Uruguay to collect another country stamp in our passports, but
were surprised by the beauty and charm of this small town, just a short boat trip from Buenos Aires...
We travel to Brazil with two major stops: Rio de Janiero, and the Amazon.
In Rio, we stay in a spectacular B&B with Cama e Cafe that is in Santa Teresa, an older part of Rio with beautiful
mansions and cobble stone roads, and a trolley.
Our original plans had Miami as just another layover, but instead, we used Miami as a replenishment center. Mailing
packages back home, tasting American cooking again, and most importantly, getting Allan's Visa for travel to Brazil.
And with perfect timing to enjoy Halloween...
Bocas del Toro. Sun drenched islands off Panama offering a small paradise of great weather, great dining, fun
adventures, and a Spanish school all wrapped into a wonderful package...
We begin our amazing adventure in Costa Rica with Spanish lessons at IPED school in Heredia, a small collegiate town
on the outskirts of San Jose...
Los Angeles, though our final destination, is also a quick two week stopover for us since our RTW ticket originated in
London.
We've travelled to Hawaii hundreds of times, yet Hawaii continues to attract us as a flower for a bee.
Sydney is a short but whirl-wind tour of old friends and fond memories.
Our trip to New Zealand included: Skiing, Underground Rafting, and Climbing a Glacier
Our long drive through Queensland ends at the happy home and family of Rob and Dale in Brisbane
Australia is our re-introduction to the English speaking world. For the first few days, we still wonder if the words
coming out of our mouths make any sense. But the Aussies are good sports, and let us pretend that we are in
civilization...
Japan needs to be told as two stories. Even though Evelyn and Allan travelled around Japan together, they have
two different stories. These two tales start in Tokyo where Allan has arrived two days earlier than Evelyn to setup
camp in Tokyo...
While Allan was touring Beijing Evelyn took a short trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
What's a RTW trip without visiting the world's most populous country and trying what real Chinese food tastes like.
While Evelyn was busy studying for her TEFL degree, Allan took a short trip to Cambodia . Cambodia is a country
that is still not ready for prime time. Cambodia combines the amazing beauty of the Angkor Wat temples with the
disturbing horror of the Killing Fields from the Pol Pot regime in the late 1970s. Even today, the country is run by
the military. But for the adventurous traveler, Cambodia offers vistas not found anywhere else in this increasingly
civilized world...
Evelyn has signed up for a TEFL class(Teaching English as a Foreign Language) in Patong, Thailand - a small
beach town on Phuket Island known more for the 2004 Tsunami destruction than for teaching TEFL classes.
June is the beginning of the wet season in Thailand; so, most of the hotels are empty. Evelyn has been able to
rent a fairly nice hotel room for $10/night - an even better price than our hotel in India. We come to Thailand
expecting monsoon rains similar in ferocity to those found in India. Instead, the weather is overcast with sprinkles
and a few short thunder showers during the day...
After staying overnight at the Obnoxious-Service Hotel in Delhi, we made our way to the Delhi Domestic
Airport. We were anticipating something else going wrong - Delhi seems to be the capital of misadventures.
And true to form, upon our arrival at the airport, Sahara Air told us that they had dropped their direct flights
from Delhi to Goa. About a month prior, and about the same time we purchased the ticket. Coincidence? The
airline offered to fly us the next day thru Mumbai, and be wait listed for the flight from Mumbai to Goa. And if
we didn't get on that flight, they could route us thru Hyderabad the following day. Needless to say, Evelyn and
I were getting pissed about how Sahara Air ran their airline. Why were we not told about the change? Why
were they not able to accommodate us in Business class? Where they going to put us in a hotel for the night?
Luckily, one of the few competent managers realized that we and several others had the same plight...
Tashi Delek from Tibet, China. From the same company that we purchased our Annapurna trek(First
Environmental Trekking), we also have purchased a Tibetan tour package...
Namaste from Kathmandu, Nepal. We have not fallen off the earth as many readers have commented.
Between the joys of travel and the dearth of high-speed internet portals in Africa, we have been somewhat
neglect in updating this website.
This is Evelyn's first visit to India; so, first impressions are always important. We've organized three nights at the
Broadway Hotel in Old Delhi - considered the BEST hotel in Old Delhi by the Lonely Planet Delhi book. Instead,
we find a shabby hotel, with mildewy rooms and a free breakfast that follows the get-what-you-pay-for hotel....
During our India visit, we are also introduced to Medical and Dental Holidays. Many people travel to India
despite the $1500 airfare to visit with a doctor or dentist at pennies on the dollar.
Why make a challenging trip even more difficult? Why climb a mountain? With our few remaining days in South
Africa, we decide to take a sidetrip to Victoria Falls. One of the seven natural wonders of the world. And the
center of several different countries. One of Allan's goals from day one was to add as many countries to his
passport as possible on this trip. And a trip to Victoria Falls would be a quick way of adding Zambia, Zimbabwe,
and Botswana quickly. Many people travel to Victoria Falls and never see the falls - this we did several times.
But the area also offers many adventure packages. White River rafting was our BIG adventure. Capsized
boats, lost shoes and oars, and a thunderstorm that made returning after the rafting and even greater
adventure.
Want to see the true color of any country. Drive through the country. Petrol and car rentals are expensive in
South Africa; so, we rent the smallest, most economical car that offers a trunk. Ford Ikon. Every low-end
economy car has it's fair share of problems, this car had those problems, and then some. But this isn't the story
of car maintenance, but instead of our three week drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town. This journey will
take us thru Lesetho, down to Durban, through the wild-coast, the Garden Route, and eventually landing on
Liz's front step in Cape Town.
We return to Johannesburg and stay with Annie and Ken again with Liz continuing on home to Cape Town. I
can never get enough of Ken's amazing Brai - spelled with a capital 'B' now. Evelyn is longing for a real bed
and shower. Again we take full advantage of their generous hospitality. Again we stay but one night, then we
are off to Kruger National Park - with Annie and the Brai-master, Ken. Kruger is South Africa's best national
park, containing thousands of wild African animals. Having just returned from the Serengeti, Annie was truly
concerned that we'd be disappointed when comparing parks. Annie need not be concerned. Between Annie's
hospitality, Ken's brai's and amazing stories, and the ultra-modern camping facilities offered in Kruger, our three
day trip to Kruger was in many ways more memorable the Serengeti.
On February 14th, we fly to Johannesburg, have an amazing brai(BBQ) with Annie and Ken. Then made
ourselves at home - using their internet, laundry, telephones, showers, and bedrooms. We truly took
advantage of these good people. Then quickly the next day(without enough thank you's) we met up with
Evelyn's cousin Liz at Jo'burg airport for a flight to Zanzibar. Liz and Evelyn already have their spots reserved
and the Zanzibar beach, and just need to organize a Safari through one of the local travel agencies. Allan is
looking forward to conquering Kilimanjaro then relaxing on a safari afterwards. With all three to rendezvous
back in Zanzibar after two weeks, then return to South Africa.
Hola from Madrid. After escaping the treacherous snows of Istanbul by the skin of our teeth, we were welcomed
to Madrid by a Hostel with 24 hour porno cable, and a terrorist attack.
No turnıng back now. We've landed ın Istanbul wıthout major problems. We've met new frıends and discovered
new adventures and delicacıes.
The benefits for students of a Gap Year have long been accepted, but increasing numbers of older people are now
following their example by putting their normal lives on hold and going off to see something of the world; for their
benefit Vacation Work have created Gap Years for Grown Ups as a companion book to the highly respected Taking a
Gap Year.
There are many reasons why someone may choose to leave their job and take a gap year. Younger people may want
a breathing space, a chance to step back, evaluate their career, and perhaps to head off in a new direction, while
older people whose children have left home may realize that they now have the freedom to travel or to go off and
achieve some personal goal or ambition.
Gap Years for Grown Ups contains all the essential information on the range of opportunities, including specialist gap
year programs that accept older participants; jobs and voluntary work around the world; joining expeditions; gaining
some new skill or qualification; or simply traveling. The book is vividly illustrated with first-hand advice and tips from
people who have taken a gap year and now share their experiences of taking time out.
The book also explains the mechanics of an adult gap year including how to persuade the boss to grant leave and
ensure that there is a job to return to; how to finance a break from work, whether to go off alone or to take a partner;
and finally how to tackle the return to work.
Inside you will find information on: taking the plunge; nuts and bolts - preparing to take off; doing something
worthwhile; directory of specialist programs; working and living abroad; travel and adventure; taking the family; new
skills and new projects; spiritual development; back to normal or a change for life. Plus over 100 first-hand accounts
from grown-ups who have taken Gap Years.
Membership in the Travelers' Century Club (TCC) is limited to those travelers who have visited one hundred or
more countries of the world. It was first organized in Los Angeles in 1954 by a group of the world's most widely
traveled people. The idea has attracted the interest of the world travelers everywhere and we now have members
throughout the world, as well as the United States.
Round the World Airfares (RTW) ıs the key for anyone wıth an ounce of Wanderlust. The World ıs Your Oyster.
Ancient temples, underwater adventures, and exotic meals can all be had wıth a single airline ticket. RTW
airfares can cover every continent and allow travel itineraries for up to a year. Oneworld Explorer offers the most
adventure for the buck; up to six continents and 20 stops all for the price of three round tickets to South Africa.
A year of travel also requires walking away from one's current life. Job, home, frıends, and especially culture are
all left behind. Perfect for the student just graduated from college wıth few responsibilities. A year sabatical ıs
also the perfect solution for anyone stuck ın the wheel of life. A year on the road offers vistas that could never
have been imagined. A year of travel also offers a balancing of ones soul for anyone caught ın the tornado of
long stressful hours at work, insane commuting, or just the craziness of life.
