Sunday, January 30, 2011

Lollygagging.....To dawdle; to be lazy or idle; to avoid necessary work or effort.

I have had the most amazing week in Santa Teresa. On the day of my last update it was Australia Day and I enjoyed a brilliant day and evening with my new friends. 


After Vegemite for breakfast we all donned Australian flag tattoos (fake ones) on our arms and J Lee, Simon, Ed and I headed to the high seas for a fishing expedition, quite a fruitful one. Four hours later we returned to shore with a load of fish including Yellowfin Tuna and Snapper and headed back to the hostel to meet up with Shawn. The evening ensued with a beach bonfire, fresh tuna sashimi, fire barbequed whole fish, ceviche, roast yuca and many Imperials. Ed played beer can drums, I played an instrument made from the bbq grill(!) and J Lee sang songs. In tribute to Australia Day Waltzing Matilda got a rousing rendition and we stared up at the dark but clear sky and marveled at the millions of bright gleaming stars above us as the day came to an end. We headed back from the beach, Ed and Simon called it a night and J Lee, Shawn and I went onto partake in some tequila shots and a bit of karaoke action.I am sure the Ticos will never think of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" in quite the same way again...come to think of it neither will I!


Truly the best Australia Day ever.


My new dorm mates quickly become new and wonderful friends, the next evening we all headed out towards Cabano to see the Rodeo, Shawn was the only was of us game enough to set foot inside the ring and get close to one angry bull. The following day while the surfers hit the waves yet again Shawn and I hit the zip lines. The Canopy Tour was high in the hills of Mal Pais and consisted of seven zip lines, the longest one 500 meters. I was nervous at first but by the time I came to the long run I was loving it, screaming as I hurtled through the forest past birds and monkeys and enjoying some incredible views.


Yesterday I got myself a new tattoo, its on my arm and out in the open for everyone to see. It is an image the represents the title of my blog, I will post a picture up soon so you can all check it out, I love it. I am considering it to be the end of my corporate career and the beginning of something new and exciting. 


My week of lollygagging and hanging out with my new friends was quickly coming to an end, Shawn headed back to the US yesterday and today the rest of us have all moved on from Santa Teresa. 


I have arrived in Montezuma and tomorrow I will start Spanish and Yoga classes at La Escuela De Sol (http://www.laescueladelsol.com/) which is my base camp for the next week. I realised yesterday that for the next week I actually have to apply myself to something instead of just drinking beer and sunning myself! I have four hours of Spanish every morning and 90 minutes of Yoga each evening, with the afternoon to do as I please. Come this time next week my Spanish should be much improved, I am looking forward to being able to communicate with a bit more confidence.



When I set out traveling this morning I read a book that had a profound impact on me, it was so sad but amazing and made me think a lot about the people that are important and special to me. I couldn't put the book down and finished it a couple hours later, it is a bestseller and many of you may have already read it but if not I encourage you do so. It is called "Tuesdays with Morrie" and is written by Mitch Albom. 

Hasta Luego!








Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Chicken Buses, Ticos, Cold Showers, Hot Surfers & Howler Monkeys

San Jose doesn't hold much in the way of much to see or do, a few people had already told me the same. It seems to be used mostly as an entry and exit point and a base to do the abundance of day trips available.

I had been looking forward to a chilled day of reading, catching up on emails and relaxing in the sun before I trek to the coast tomorrow but it occurred to me that my last day in San Jose would most likely be the last chance to find myself a couple of books in English. I found an old Costa Rica guide book in the hostel and the details of a couple of bookshops with books in English and set out, map in hand to the crazyness that is Downtown. After navigating carefully several Avenida and Calle I was no closer to finding the elusive bookshop. As I turned a corner there stood two very handsome Costa Rican Policia so I took the opportunity to ask; in broken and probably offensive Spanish, where the bookshop I was looking for was. Luckily their English was much better that my Spanish and they were quick to advise that the address I had was incorrect and then proceeded to "radio for backup" in order to find out where I needed to go!! Needless to say I was most impressed, as Laura knows I already have quite a penchant for the local police of any foreign country so this put a huge smile on my face.

A few blocks later I was sorted, three new books in hand (god knows where they will fit in my pack) I headed off to find some food. I was beginning to think I might starve to death, or at best easily loose my newly acquired muffin top as every menu I came across was in Spanish and I had no idea what to order. I almost resorted to Burger King or good ol' McD's but then I thought, just wing it....I ended up with a "Casado", a traditional Costa Rican lunch dish consisting of a tasty but oily piece of grilled fish, potatoes, salad, some kind of banana dessert and a drink for all of $4. Not bad, although I have been told that the same in a local 'Soda' would cost about half that. On the way back I went to the supermercato and picked up everything I needed to make dinner (plus some) as well three beers for less than ten bucks, well impressed with that!

I was awake early the following day and ready to embrace the challenge of making my way to the coast. I had heard about the "chicken buses" and as I boarded the bus to Puntarenas I thought to myself...this bus is great, what is everyone on about! After two hours of Costa Rican countryside I arrived happy to find the next ferry was departing shortly. I boarded, set myself up with a rooftop view and an Imperial, ready to take in the beauty of the Nicoya Peninsula. Arriving in Paquera an hour later I was greeted by several buses...ok this is what a "chicken bus" is. Think school bus pre 1980, hot, sweaty and packed to the brim, seats and aisle full of Ticos and tourists. Two chicken buses and a Spanish/English conversation with an old Tico (I was speaking English, he was speaking Spanish), I arrived in Santa Teresa and Cuesta Arriba (http://www.santateresacostarica.com/).

Santa Teresa welcomed me with one of the most incredible sunsets I have seen and Cuesta Arriba welcomed me with 4 new and very cool dorm-mates. J Lee a super hot Potter/Band member/Surfer (and most recently hairdresser) from Florida; Ed and Simon, two of the most tanned Brits I have ever seen/surfers with their own Juice business and Shawn a medic from Montana! Needless to say the evening ensued with yet another international UNO championship and many Imperials.

I spent yesterday riding around town on a bike reminicent of my own pre 1987 and working to turn my pasty complexion into a bronze that looks like I belong in this relaxed paradise...

I was woken this morning at about 5:00am by the half a dozen Howler Monkeys that have taken up residence in the trees surrounding the hostel, the combination of their screetching and the fan that whirred made it sound like there was some kind of storm ravaging the tranquility of Santa Teresa, I went outside and was happy to find my morning run was full of nothing but a calm breeze and the warm air of the Costa Rican sunrise.

Today is Australia Day and I have started the day by insisting my dorm-mates eat Vegemite for breakfast, this afternoon we are going deep sea fishing for tonights dinner (and hopefully the days to come) followed by a beach bonfire and again many Imperials.

Happy Australia Day from Costa Rica!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Goodbye winter, hello summer!

I woke early again on my second and last day in New York, still on London time but thankful to be up early and greeted by blue skies and the sun rising over the Manhattan skyline. Keen to get out and make the most of my last day I headed to the island and up to the top of the Empire State Building. It was wildly windy and cold, the views were great but nothing in comparison to those I experienced from the Rockafella Centre a couple of years ago.

After wandering the Manhattan streets for a few hours, piping hot chilli on 5th Ave and some time admiring Grand Central Station I headed back to Williamsburg to spend the afternoon exploring the very hip Brooklyn neighbourhood. Although it was mostly sunny by mid afternoon I was mostly just cold so I set up shop with a coffee, my book and a window seat at Verb Cafe to watch the world go by. Enter Brian, a photograper and extremely interesting man who I spent the next hour or so chatting to and then later that evening met up with for dinner at Diner.

What an experience. Diner is a well know Williamsburg institution (http://www.dinernyc.com/) and now first hand I know why. Unassuming in its exterior appearance, you would easily pass by unaware of the gastronomical delights contained inside. The bespoke daily specials menu is created around available fresh produce and our waitress described each delicious dish with the passion of reading poetry. After an unforgettable dinner with truly great company we moved on for a drink next door at Marlow & Sons and onto yet another bar for a nightcap. The hours escaped quickly and in no time it was 2:00am, with my 5:30am start looming closer we called it a night. As we left the last bar, the snow had just began to fall, sparkling as it lightly covering the cars, roads and sidewalks...

The next morning, or more accurately just a few hours later I donned my newly packed up Jalan 55, braved the snow, which was still falling and now a good 4 inches deep and headed for the underground and towards JFK, hoping that I would in fact be leaving on a jet plane, leaving winter behind me.

Many hours later I arrived, somewhat scattered, tired and thirsty at Aldea Hostel, San Jose, Costa Rica. I was warmly greeted by a much more acceptable climate and could not wait to get my shoes off, my thongs on and a nice cold Imperial into me!

I spent my first day in Costa Rica checking out downtown San Jose with my new friend Sam. After a couple hours wandering the marketplace, which seemed to sell pretty much anything and everything you could want (except a sim which I still haven´t figured out) we decided it was high time to get involved in the local bars.

Quite a few hours and quite a few bars later, a little drunk and with not much of a clue where we were or where to go we headed back to the hostel. The evening brought many laughs and what started with Sam and I playing UNO ended in an all in, international UNO championship, with Canada, USA, Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Australia taking part!

I am absolutely loving Costa Rica so far, only just on day two but the relaxed, slow pace, the sunshine and knowing that I don´t have to be anywhere or do anything really agrees with me. The language barrier is definitely a barrier, no one really speaks English. I am hoping after my week of full time Spanish classes I may be able to communicate a little easier.

Heading to the pacific coast tomorrow and I will spend about a week around Santa Teresa before I start classes. Looking forward to that hammock that has my name on it!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

How I love a city with a metro system

My last morning in London treated me to clear blue skies and sunshine, its nice to see the sun does shine there occasionally. The day before was raining and cold so I opted for the Bus Sightseeing Tour and got around to the London Eye (the view of it only as it was closed), Big Ben, Westminster Abby, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly and Buckingham Palace. By 3.30pm it was quickly growing dark and colder so I high tailed it back to the hostel. Although I enjoyed my time in London I really cannot understand how anyone could live there, the days are so short and it is perpetually grey, wet and miserable. My fav food in UK; fish pie and Sports Mixture.

Rant to follow: Kuwait Airways. Why? Why would I agree to fly Kuwait Airways? In a word Awful. Firstly, no alcohol. I have never wanted a G&T so badly in my life. Old hard seats, screaming child in front of me, old dude with scabby foot and orange toenail on my armrest from behind, powdered creamer for my cup of tea, movies with all kissing scenes removed.... Awful. Don't do it people.

But it was all worth it....Oh New York...how I love thee! New York is my favourite city, I love being here, even though I am at the point now where I am despising cold weather, cold in New York is different.

I am staying in the uber cool area of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the view of the Manhattan skyline from my hostel (http://www.zip112.com/)  was worth climbing the five flights of stairs laden with Jalan 55 plus one. This morning I found the best coffee I have had since my last visit to Melbourne or Italy, housed in its own roasting factory and this afternoon I sampled organic foods from the Union Square farmers market. I could stay here forever....

Today I swanned around being cultural and fabulous, visiting the Guggenheim and the Museum of Modern Art, the exhibitions interesting; although it was almost as interesting just people watching.

I have one more day of New York fabulousness before I hit summer, I am very much looking forward a hit of vitamin D.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

London...finally!

Arrived in London at an ungodly hour this morning, found my hostel and then thought ok I have two days better get this gig going!

I have managed London Bridge, Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Madam Tussauds as well as a lunch stop in Brick Lane. OMG LOVE that place...I was lucky to be visiting on a Sunday and the whole place was alive with food and "marketing".

On Tuesday I fly out for my short NYC stint before I hit Costa Rica so I have a lot to get through tomoz! Thinking 2 days in London definitely not enough so I have a reason to get back here sometime.

Amsterdam was great, such an interesting city, very eclectic with the canals, the architecture and culture... not to mention the legal prostitution and drugs! Stayed in an amazing hostel called Cocomama (http://www.cocomama.nl/) and met some very cool people who I ended up having drinks and hanging out with.

The Red Light District was pretty much what I expected, although I had heard that the women were really hot but I thought most of the ones I saw were pretty minging.... The "Coffee Shops" sold pretty much anything you wanted in the way of weed and some specialised in Space Cakes. There's a story there but we will save that for another day!!

It felt really great to be somewhere with so much character and where individuality is so diverse and socially acceptable.  I took the overnight Stena Line Cruise Liner from Hoek van Holland to London, that ship was even more awesome than the DFDS Seaways one on the way over.

Being in Amsterdam and now in London is making me feel very unstylish with my very small backpack wardrobe selection. I am over the cold and wet weather now and cannot wait to get my skin out (the newly acquired muffin top not so much) and into a new wardrobe designed for 25 degrees celcius plus!

Meeting up with a new friend Taryn tomorrow night for my last few drinks on this continent and no doubt they will be well deserved after the sightseeing frenzy in store for me tomorrow!





Friday, January 14, 2011

I'll say no to Haggis....

Edinburgh brought my first true hostel experience although I feel like I survived it considerably well given I was in a four bed dorm by myself for three nights!! It was a cool place to stay but I have discovered what I think will be a standard for the hostel experience...hostel kitchens = rank! 


I was so close to Scotland I had to go check it out, Edinburgh is a beautiful city and thankfully my first day was filled with blue skies and sunshine, although in true Scottish style still damn cold! The entire city is filled with stunning architecture so I spent the day on my own personal walking tour and also visited Edinburgh Castle.


The first evening I arrived I discovered the "Wild & Sexy Highland Tour" and thought to myself - where else would I be!! 


So Day 2, 7:30am, still dark, I set off to the meeting point, the bus arrives and the group is greeted by Dan, our driver and guide, who although not quite like the very handsome kilt wearing guy on the brochure still was still a strapping Scottish lad!  


Wild & Sexy kind of ended when Dan self proclaimed himself as "the most boring tour guide ever" and told us all that he didn't mean to rain on our parade but basically we were going to be stuck on a bus in really shitty weather for the next eleven hours (with the most boring tour guide ever!).  First stop was a mountain, it was raining...that didn't last long, second stop Loch Ness and thankfully the rain had stopped and the mist had cleared and I was able to eat lunch overlooking the expansive water framed by snow covered mountains. I did my best to snap a pic of the Loch Ness Monster, I was keen for the 1 million pound reward to finance my lifelong traveling ambitions but no such luck I'm afraid.


Although not at all Wild & Sexy, I learnt a lot about the inaccuracies of Braveheart and got to see the Scottish Highlands so still a great tour.


On my first day in Edinburgh I discovered the "Hot Tottie" which is basically whiskey, honey, lemon and cloves mixed with hot water. Since I am still fighting off this bout of the cold/bronchitis I was convinced (easily) by the barman that the Hot Tottie would sort me out. 


One evening after several of these came to the realization that I don't really need five nights in London and it would just be rude not to visit Amsterdam!! 


Last night I caught the ferry which is in fact a large ship, complete with nightclub and casino overnight from Newcastle for a 48 hour stint in Amsterdam checking out the "local wares" and cultural delights... See you on the otherside dude!










Monday, January 10, 2011

Older than Australia!

Being in the UK reminds me very much of being back home in Oz... except of course that it is really bloody cold!! Its nice to be back in the world of free flowing beer and wine, cafe lunches and fine dining dinners. 


The past few days have been a tour of Northern England, York is a beautiful little English village where I enjoyed some local Ghost Hunting, was taught another word to add to my Nomad Dictionary and got some exercise climbing atop of York Minster for a spectacular albeit soggy view of the village.


My visit to Newcastle has consisted of Phil taking on the job of being my own personal tour guide and proceeding to point our how that almost everything we visited was... "Older than Australia!" Much to my amusement I was very fortunate to spot a "Geordie" in its natural habitat using the colloquial term "Pet", another word that will get a mention in my Nomad Dictionary. 


It seems there is nothing more Newcastle than Greggs; the local and now franchised bakery that started in the 1930's. There are hundreds of them, literally one on every corner selling a multitude of pasties, sausage rolls and the like.


Obligatory rest stops at various bars and restaurants featured heavily in our walking tours of the City and Tynemouth, and for the most part the skies have been blue and clear with just the right amount of Norther winter sun.... 


Big thank you to Phil and Yvonne for letting me stay and showing me the Geordie delights!











Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Snowboarding holiday - ability to snowboard essential....

A six day snowboarding holiday in Kitzbuhel Austria sounds like a fabulous idea doesn't it? I am sure if I didn't come down with the flu on NYE (day 3) and bronchitis the day after and if I could actually snowboard it would have ROCKED!

To be fair though; despite the illness, the germ den I shared with a poorly Casey and Captain Sausage, the lack of snowboarding ability and the fact that everyone smoked inside everywhere it was a great trip with a bunch of very cool people.

The Bar Crawl which included guest DJ spots from Sav, Russ, James & Jenks and 8 drink 14€ rounds is up at the top of the highlight list, as well as a very nice afternoon with a certain someone at 2000m atop of Kitzbuller Horn. Obviously being the COLDEST I have ever been in my whole life...surprisingly, not so fun!

So the end of 2010, beginning of 2011 not so great, but swings and roundabouts, if that's the worst of the year done I'll take it!

On a side note, several trivial things which I have re-discovered or newly experienced which have amused me: readily available alcohol, churchbells, the feeling of snow crunching under your feet as you walk, milk in bottles - delivered to your house, kissing in public, the real world in general!!

Very happy to be back @ Hotel Laycock for a day or so... next stop York to see the Vikings.