On Tour

Summer vacation in Austria ...ah - summer???

2010-09-19T21:21:00.006+09:30

31. August 2010
Kühtai, Austria, 2020 m above sea level (but is that an excuse ??)

We took my dog Nana and went hiking in Austria for a week end of August ...beautiful scenery and beautiful weather although we really did not expect 50 cm of snow...
we enjoyed the trip very much and will be back soon !

The Kingdom of Thailand

2010-01-11T05:59:00.007+09:30

Three weeks of Thailand is by far not enaugh for this amazing and beautiful country!

Solely for Bangkok you need a week! It´s not possible to eat through all this amazing restaurants and food stalls in less time...

Culture - I did not get tired learning about religion and culture in Thailand. All those beautiful and impressive temple, golden and shiny, the delicous smell of those exotic lovely flowers.

We actually only had 2 weeks "on the ground" because we did a life-aboard-trip diving around the Similian Islands close to the Burmesian boarder. It was great - almost as always when I put my head under water, leaving the world to literally dive into another, but this time it was a bit different...
SO MANY TOURISTS! I have never imagined that the ocean could be too small but that was exactly the feeling there...you had divers from various tour operators all over the place...we were in the middle of nowhere - but then -suddently boats appaered everywhere and we had to be quick to be the first in the water. By the end of the dive people where everywhere - underneath, above your head, kicking uncontrolled all over the place, trying to touch fish, tourching corals - I even saw them breaking corals for souvenir. Seriously, this makes me amazingly mad! Are they somehow living on a different planet than I? Didn´t they GET it?

As beautiful as it was, as disillusioned it was. Something seriously needs to happen otherwise these dive sites won´t be left for long.

My new favourit creatures of the moment are harlequin shrimps - ever seen one? These are the cuties ...so tiny and beautiful - and very tough! We found one on one of the dives and as we were gliding closer to peep into it´s cozy covern we realised it was a family with a tiny tiny baby harlequin shrimp! They did not seem to be scared just astonished about all those bubbles suddenly appearing in front of their doorstep. All three if them were looking at us as if to say: "excuse me, we are heaving lunch!" So we slowly disappeared from their home and tried to look very innocent to not have all those souvenir-hunter divers to preach to preach to the converted.

It was a really nice trip, but I must admit that it makes me sad to see those beautiful and unique places - and what do people do with it? They take and take until nothing´s left.

Süd Afrika

2009-12-20T06:01:00.004+09:30

Meine Reise nach Südafrika kann man diesmal bei

http://blog.wissen.de (Archiv 2009)

nachvollziehen! Auch ein Bericht über ein tolles Hilfsprojekt für Township Kids ist hier nachzulesen - www.bonniepeople.co.za, wie ich mich nach dem höchsten Bungeesprung von einer Brücke gefühlt habe, wie es war, Elefanten und Löwen zu sehen ....

"Stimme aus Südafrika"

Tolles Land.

Karin

Morocco - Trekking the High Atlas

2009-01-30T20:28:00.003+09:30

Oh dear I have been soooo lazy lately - therefore this post is about a trip I did September 08 - ages ago ! I went trekking in the High Altlas Mountains in Morocco. Flew into Marrakesh with Ryanair (what an experience ....) at 6:30 in the morning. Of course we were late but eventually made it to this crazy city. I love Marrakesh. The only thing which will never stop bothering me but what I guess you just have to accept is this bribng and mucking all over the place in some countries. It´s nevewracking in way when you realize that the taxi trip to town from the airport is obvisouly fixed and the info counter tells you to not let them pay you more - but this grinning cabby just made me pay triple...I had no chance ! I started haggling and when I told him I´ll go with someone else he just gave command to all other taxis waiting to not take me for less - at least I guess that what he said to them in arabic because none of them would even look at me ....
But hey - I am a stranger in their world and they probably see a dollar sign on my forehead and...who could blame them ?
So I paid triple price and went to the hostel (hotel). Riad Omar in Marrakesh - a very nice RIAD (these old moroccan townhouses with a courtyard and a fountain)in the middle of town and no distance to the largest traditional and crazy markets of Marrakesh, the Souks and just around the corner from Djemaa el Fna, one of the busiest squares in Africa and the world. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers, and musicians, as well as drug lords by day; By night, the square turns into food stalls, becoming a huge open-air restaurant with busy life. Amazing!
After 2 days Marrakesh and taking in the hustle and bustle of town it was time to move on. With an international group of about 8 people we went by taxi up in the mountains, where me met our local guide and our donkeys to carry our stuff to the mountain hut where we would be stayng the next couple of nights. Our tours will start from here and except the one big one - climbing Mount Jbel Toubkal, which at 4,167 m is the highest in the range and lies in Toubkal National Park, we made daily tours from here. I love the mountains. I am fond of beach, sand and the ocean but the mountains have something special about them too. We stayed in this hut with a local familiy cooking us food. We all lived under the same roof and this sort of tourism is very important for the locals.
We got up early morning and walked up and down and around the Atlas and just took in the scenery, silence and fascination of this piece of land.
To climb Toubkal we needed to take half a day climbing up on 3000 mtr where a big posh mountain hut gives shelter to all those willing to climb up to the top. The ascent was tough ....but eventually we made it.
We stayed overnight in a dorm at the shelter and woke up at 4am next morning to have breakfast and get ready for the last bit. Altitude sickness is just one thing you fight when you are ascending to 4100 mtr. The walk was steep, it was pitch dark in the beginng and on top of all freezing cold. You should not leave behind hat, scarf and gloves!
After about 7 hours we made it to the top. We left a couple of people behind who dropped out and went back to the shelter - the weather conditions were poor: it was freezing cold, we had a strong wind and it was snowing. When I could see the flag up on the mountain top I was determined to take a piture up there - and that´s what I did ! :-)
When we came back to the shelter, late afternoon with aching knees and backs and feed we felt proud and very content.

Morocco is a fascinating place and I might wanna go back for another trip into the Sahara...

xxKarin

Bali & Lombok

2008-06-27T13:41:00.018+09:30

Sascha and me just came back from our Bali trip - 3 weeks Indonesia, of which 2 weeks Bali and one week chilling on the Gilli Islands (Gilli Air), a group of tiny islands just off Lombok.

The trip via Singapore was pretty long but the flight connection was good therefore the about 16 hours of traveling weren´t too bad in the end! We got picked up at Bali airport - first thought: it´s damn hot and humid! We get taken to our hotel (we only booked the first two nights) in Legian, close to well-known Kuta. Jeez what a mess! It was 10ish in the evening when we arrived and everything and everyone was buzzing (& boozing) around. The traffic was crazy and suicidal so we were happy that in the end we decided to not rent a car but to go with the cheap offers of "transport? you want transport?" on every corner. The hotel looks pretty good and might be the best to come in the next weeks as we decided to rather have it basic and "balinese" than staying in some posh surroundings. We even have TV and watch a football match (can´t remember who played) at 3am in the morning. The next two days we simply checked out Legian and Kuta and allowed ourselves to get adapted to the conditions. I can already see myself spending days shopping me silly here - how cheap is that ????

Next place to visit is Ubud, which is the place to "immerse yourself in Bali´s culture." Its also home to some of Bali´s best craftmakers and artists. More shopping ! Our driver, the same guy who picked us up from the airport is taking us away from the coast and into real Bali. By the way it´s funny that like every second person´s name here seems to be "Ketut". Ketut is the guy on the street offering "transport", the receptionist in the hotel, the name of the brother of the husband of the sister of the receptions, who has a real nice restaurant in Jimbaran with "good price" ...there is a Ketut everywhere. Anyway, good for us as the language and other names than that are much harder to pronounce and to remember! So here we go our approx 2 hours to Ubud, in a fancy aircon car. We arrive in town and Ketut offers us a recommendation of a place - the hotel looks amazing and real above what we expect to live in and we are able to bargain and in the end we pay 15 Euro where 55 US where published. We like Ubud, it has a special touch and flair to it. Hords of expats and immigrants from all over (a lot from Germany) live here and obvisouly think the same. We stay two nights, go for real nice food, hang out at the pool and do a little hike around town. Here we see our first ricefields and it makes me realise - it´s Bali !!

From Ubud we decide that now it´s time for some action therefore we book a transfer by bus and boat to the Gilli Islands - a tropical paradise with a trio of tiny coral fringed islands with white sandy beaches and pellucid water - and these are not only the words out of the Lonely Planet - this is real true !! We decide that this can´t be a bad spot for Sascha doing the Open Water Dive Course and for me to do some diving too! So after a journey, which all in all took about the same amount of time as the trip from Frankfurt to Singapore we arrive on Gilli Air. Unfortunately it´s pitch dark, there is no street (no motorbikes or cars on the islands!) so we can only imagine paradise ....after a bit of a search we find a place renting basic bugalows for 5 Euro / night - yep, we can afford that ! So we stay in a place called Abdi Fantastic Bugalows, first row to the beach. Our host´s name is surprisingly NOT Ketut but Dean and he loves German Soccer - good!
So as we fall into the bamboo chairs on our terrace listening to the waves we already know that this was a good decision. The next days Sascha starts with the Open Water Course and I think it´s not a bad idea to accompany him with a short resfresh course so we are in the water together right away. The days on Gilli Air were spent diving ( awesome diving I found: in addition to the well known and common reef fish there was a sea snake (yep, the black-white stripy one), shark, school of huge parrotfish, lots and lots of turtles, frogfish, leavefish (weird animal, see pic above), scorpionfish, blue spotted sting rays, beautifuly nudibranches (see pic above), and well...a lot to see! There was supposed to be the best BBQ-ed fish - surely the freshest so that is what we enjoyed in the evenings. Laying (no chairs here)directly by the sea, listening to the waves and get real good dinner. Along with the fresh fish came really good banana pancakes, banana milkshakes, watermelon juice and lemon juice - quickly our favourits. Indo dishes like Gado Gado, the common Chicken Sate and Nasi Goreng have been tried as well, of course!

After one week of diving, reading, eating and chilling we decide that it´s time to head back to Bali and see some more - under and above the water !
Via Lombok (looked not by far as nice as Bali!)we had to take the bus along the coast to Sengiggi from where the boat leaves to take us back to Bali. The ride through lush valleys, forests, monkeys along the road was nice but Lombok seemed to be not as colorful and "shiny" as Bali. As Hinduism is the predominant religion in Bali there are temples in every village, shrines in every field, offerings made at every corner.
With a news "transport" guy we made our way up the coast to Tulamben - the big attraction here sunk over 60 years ago : the wreck of the US cargo ship Liberty is among the best and most popular dive sites on Bali and we did not want to miss out on that! Tulamben itself is a horrible town, just made and over-developed to suit tourists and the dive industry - so two nights here were more than enaugh. The beach is made of large washed stones, black and vulcanic origin. We decide to go with a local guide who made a good impression on us and go for two dives out to see the wreck (2 dives -> 40 US!)
It was awesome. I haven´t done any real wreck diving before - I saw one around Utila, Honduras but that was rather a small fishing ship than anything else but here it was a wreck of a 120 meter ship ! When we got to the wreck Sascha and me were so focussing on whats coming upfrom that we did not realise that we already swam passed it - turning our heads though almost made me jump (well not real easy under water but you guessed it: it was almost scary!).
Here she is in better days...

Those two dives were amazing and again we saw a lot. Luckily we were staying on site and we went out pretty early so on the first dive we were the only bubble maker there but later on it was amazing how full it got ! The water was packed with divers - our guide told us that in peak times they have up to 500 (!!!) divers per day! ...I wonder how long those corals can live with that .....

From Tulamben we organised the same "transport" guy again. He picked us up from the hotel and along the coast and trough rice paddies we made our way back into the south - but this time we stayed in Sanur, which is opposite to Kuta on the east coats. Sanur was okay but there was just not a lot to do and it was pretty windy therefore in the end we came back to Legian for the last 3 days. We visited Uluwatu temple on the southern tip of the island, where a crazy moneky jumped on my head and stole my sunglasses(got them back in the end), we went out for nice dinner, hung out on the beach, Sascha did a bit of surfing but even Legian beach´s waves made me shudder...jaja I am a coward when it comes to waves.....
There was not a lot of sleep in our last night on Bali - the alam rang at 2:30 am to watch Germany make their way into the Euro Cup final and then it was time to get to the airport. After a long journey, again via Singapore, we finally made it back to Frankfurt - that was yesterday (26th June) which is Sascha´s birthday and that means he had the fortune to enjoy an 30 hrs long birthDAY!

All in all: this might not been the last time to Bali !

xxx Karin

I published a couple of pictures on facebook or as well here in the right side listed Picture Gallery ...more to come !

A short trip to Russia

2008-03-20T20:31:00.003+09:30

Saint Petersburg and Moscow for a week in February - what an adventure ! Of course it was pretty cold (approx -10; not too bad!) but the sight of the Kreml and Red Square, Erimitage and all those amazing beautiful building makes this only second important. The only problem was taking pictures when your hands are numb. A couple of days Moscow, staying in a crazy hostel - more a private appartment filled with beds and matresses - the owner sleeping in the kirchen on the floor...weird! But cheap and pretty central. Moscow is amazingly expensive - whenever you go, make sure you take enaugh money to still enjoy the city. After two days sightseeing here we took the overnight train (1 class!) to Saint Petersburg - what a city! It was snowing and it was pretty windy but beautiful. We stayed in a nice and clean B&B very central. After 2 days sightseeing in St Petersburg we headed back in Moscow (again by train - this time during the day) - after another day we took our plane back to Frankfurt. It was a short trip but an insight into Russia, russian people and habits - and food as well as a taste of vodka...

This was only a first and short trip for 2008 - whats comming up next ? BALI in June !!!

Nächste Station: Frankfurt

2007-01-16T03:14:00.000+09:30

So Ihr Lieben, jetzt ist es raus:
Frankfurt wird es sein. Mein "next step". Mein neues Heim. Mein neuer Job. Bin gespannt und freu mich!

Karin

2 Monate später!!!

2007-01-01T22:39:00.000+09:30

Eingelebt?
Ja, ich denke schon.
Manchmal kommt es mir so vor, als wäre ich NIE weggewesen - eigentlich traurig!
Aber ich habe so viel mitgenommen von diesem Jahr, aus aller Welt, aus jeder Kultur, aus jedem Land - nicht nur einen Hund aus Fidschi!

Ich werde jetzt mein Leben auf beide Beine stellen und freue mich, mir meinen nächsten Traum zu verwirklichen:
der Traum vom "ganz normalem Glücklichsein, im ganz normalem Leben". Mit Job, Wohnung und was sonst noch dazu gehört! Bin gespannt und freu mich schon!

2007 wird grandios!

Alles Gute euch und viel Glück!

Die Karin

Hier meine Nana aus Fidschi - mit Kokusnuss unterm deutschen Weihnachtsbaum!!

And the Oscar goes to...

2006-11-15T03:35:00.000+09:30

Upon the hearth the fire is red
beneath the roof there is a bed
but not yet weary are our feet
still around the corner we may meet
a sudden tree or standing stone
that none has seen but we alone

Tree and flower and leaf and grass
let them pass! let them pass!
hill and water under sky
pass them by! pass them by!

Still around the corner there may wait
a new road or a secret gate
and though we may pass them today
tomorrow we may come this way
and take the hidden path that run
towards the moon or to the sun (...)

Home is behind the world ahead
and there are many paths to tread
through shadow to the edge of night
until the stars are all alight
and then world behind and home ahead
we'll wander back to home and bed
mist and twilight, cloud and shade
away shall fade! away shall fade!
fire and lamp and meat and bread
and then to bed! and then to bed!

LOTR

Acknowledgements

DANKE, THANK YOU, GRACIAS, CHEERS, VINAKA .....to

* my family for supporting me and giving me strength and "back ups"
* my best friend Micha for accompaning me through Central America - no one could have been a better travel companion - and for all your help beyond boarders!
*my friends in Mexico: Claudio, JP, Jaime, Armand"ito", Ruth, Yiyo and the Tapa Office for giving me an easy start on my trip in Guadalajara
* to Captain Morgan's Dive Centre on Jewel Cay, Honduras, for introducing me not only to an new country but to a new world
* Kurt and Kris for an awesome travel time of the "Circle of Trust"
* Tucan Travel staff and group for a great couple of weeks in Central/South America
* Ralf and Peggy for making me a part of their family during my time in Auckland, NZ
* the Horizont Backpacker in Nadi, Fiji, for sending me to Nananu Island
* "Clan Nananu" - Dive Team and the entire staff of Nananu Island Lodge (special Thx to Brad and Glen) for giving me - well, probably one of the best times of my life! Thank you for having me!
* SPCA and W&G for making come true the crazyness of taking my dog Nana to Germany
* Rada and Don in Brisbane, Australia, all your kindness and effort supporting me and giving me a great time was incredible!
* Garth, Isabel, Fulvio in Sydney for your hospitality!
* and finally - to all those blog readers, friends and like minded travellers I met along the road - Thank you for reading my blog and travelling the world with me - from your desk or an internet cafe!

The trip surely changed a lot - from the inside and maybe (temporarily) from the outside as well (: suntant!) - but it's still me!

I am sorting out the 3200 Photos now and everybody is invited to share the "best offs" in my picture gallery (give me a little bit of time for this...do not abandon my blog yet!)

xxx Karin

Destination Germany....

2006-11-14T04:44:00.000+09:30

Yes, we made it. All is good.
Am a bit of in a state of shock though...temperature, driving on the right side, crowds and so many people...I will talk to you later...need sleeeeeeeep now.

xxx Karin

Second Final Call

2006-11-08T17:05:00.000+09:30

I did try to leave Fiji this morning ...but it didn't work out. After the dog's cage broke down while boading the plane and my dog running all over the airfields...the flight took off without us and luckily without my luggage, too. All has been rearranged for Sunday so I will be arriving in Germany now on Monday....
All this sounds very easy and matter of fact - but it was a nightmare and I found myself fainting and having a nervous break down - so again : cross your fingers for Sunday that all will go well - and better ...with a new cage.

See ya soon, Karin

Leaving Fiji - final call....

2006-11-06T08:13:00.001+09:30

Final call for me on my 12 months trip.

Two more nights in Fiji to go - then I will be on my way to Sydney, Australia, from there to Singapore, from there to Frankfurt, from there...home, well, kinda.

My last weeks here on Nananu were beautiful. It's spring time and the water is getting really warm. Spring time also means rainy season but we haven't seen a lot of rain yet...only during the night and that obsviously doesn't bug us really. I cannot believe that I stayed almost 6 months here in Fiji. But it was a perfect time. I would have never stayed if it would not have looked so perfect to me. Everything fell perfcetly into place and looked as it was " ment to be".

By the way, Nana my Fijian dog is preparing her " immigration" to Germany - I am sure she will be the only dog from here in town in Germany!
Can't wait to show her snow!

Oh well...snow: I heard that you guys back in Germany had the first frost and nights with 0 and minus celsius degrees!!! - well..THAT will be a shocker!
Here we still have 28 every day and the water is 27....

I will grab my diary and try to write a bit of review within the next days.. I am lost for words right now. It's very difficult to write down what I experienced, what I learned and all those amazing things which happened to me within the past 12 months, and what changed. I think I need to figure that out myself first!

I will be on the boat tommorrow and then on the bus to Nadi Town for one night - I have to be at the Airport Wednesday morning at 6 am to board my final flight. Well, let's say the "final flight THIS year".....

xxx Karin

PS Thank you for still reading my blog!!!!

Independence Day - Happy Fiji Day 9th October

2006-10-13T12:19:00.000+09:30

Am 9ten Okotber war bei uns hier in Fiji der HAPPY FIJI DAY - der Fijian Independence Day. Vor 36 Jahren hat Fiji die Unabheangigkeit von der Englischen Krone erlangt und wurde zur Republic of Fiji - das wird gefeiert!
Dazu gab es lecker Kuchen und Bananen und Kokusnuss Brot. Wir haben ein Beach Volleyball Turnier gegen die "Locals" organisiert - natuerlich verliert man da - die Fijians sind einfach unschlagbar beim Sport - gross, schnell und stark!
Nach einigen Tagen Regen (die Regenzeit faengt eigentlich erst Ende es Monats an...) ist es heute wieder bombastisch sonnig - aber der Wind fegt und man muss aufpassen, dass man nicht von einer Kokusnuss erschlagen wird!
Auf unsere Insel hier wurden einige Wildpferde eingefangen und gezaehmt und das heisst jetzt, dass wir auch mal eine Runde reiten duerfen...das macht natuerlich riesig Spass am weissen Sandstrand oder im Regenwald...

Gestern sind Mick und ich mit Hund Nana einmal um die Insel gelaufen - wow, was fuer ein Marsch! Durch Regenwald, Magrovenwaelder, ueber Sandbaenke und druchs Wasser sind wir gewartet, wurden aber belohnt mit wunderschoenen einsamen Straenden und tollen Muscheln.

Ich frage mich immermehr wie ich mich wieder an das Leben in Europa gewoehnen soll....bin ja mal gespannt wie das so weiter gehen wird...aber erstmal bin ich ja noch in Fiji - und geniesse jeden Tag!

xxx Karin

.

"Stuck" in Fiji (again)

2006-10-03T14:13:00.000+09:30

...and another one and a half months in paradise! My plan to fly out back home mid October didn't work out because - as I decided on taking the little puppy I found almost starved to death here with me to Germany and there are a lot of things I still need to do and to organize...

I am back at Nananu -same place - different people. Still amazing diving, great weather and lots of fun.

By now I could win every coconut opening competition - I am able to open a coconut without any tools now - the Fiian way...
Further to this I pick up more Fijian words and it really feels like a second home here - crazy - who would have guessed that I will spend 5 and 1/2 months of my 12 months trip at this sied of the world on a little island in Fiji....tse!

XXX Karin

Back "home"

2006-09-20T13:00:00.000+09:30

...man it's soooo nice to be back home - home is where your heart is and that is here...in Fiji!! All and everybody is well - I am soooo happy and glad I made this decision! My doggy Nana is well, too !! So - all good!

Back to Fiji....

2006-09-16T16:30:00.000+09:30

tomorrow at this time I am already back in a known environment in a hostel in Nadi...probably enjoying the last bit of sunshine on the pool before I make my way to Nananu on Monday or Tuesday....this is the last step before the "big one" which takes me back home....
xxx Karin

The dream of sailing and diving in the Great Barrier Reef...

2006-09-14T16:41:00.000+09:30

just blew up like a bubble - I am here in Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast already for the past three days and had no luck at all! Something is wrong!

It all started with a 3 hours delayed plane which brought me into Airlie so late that all Informations and Tour Desks were closed - so I got up the next morning at 6 to be there to book my tour! Sailing and diving and seeing the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The info centres are filled with brochures and I am sure the Lonely Planet is right when it says that you could safe a couple of square meters of rainforest without producing so much stuff. Anyway...finally, after a long chat with one of the ladies (unbelievable friendly in the morning at 6!) I made my decision: the boat was called WINGS and was a decent sized catamaran - a dive boat for 25 pax - I got sooo excited! Well then...a couple of hours later the disappointment was huge because sth went wrong with my booking and I couldn't go - the trip was full. Right - pls help me out with an alternative - there was nothing similar to it - not even close, fully booked or left already. So no over night tour in the Great Barrier! So I decided on doing a day tour to go diving and see the Whitsundays - fine, booked. In the later night, coming back from the Airlie Beach Version of our German Oktoberfest, I found a note on my door: Sorry your trip has been cancelled! WHAT? Yep, too windy, too dangerous, 4 meter swells and no way of going out there. Great! So that was my second day hanging out in Airlie beach - which is quite cute and nice but ....well, I didn't come to get drunk and have the party of my life ( not really...) therefore - one more wasted day. Argh! But tomorrow! Right - great, Friday then! Nope, they cancelled all the trips for tomorrow as well, again because of the weather.

Fazit: I seriously made all the way from Brisbane, to Airlie for nuts. Nothing.

Complete useless and senseless action. Yes, I know the Great Barrier is close and so is the Whitehaven beach - but that doesn't get me there, does it? Anyway....I am facing my destinty and have another sunny day hanging out in Airlie - which is no doubt a big party place and ran over by tourists and backpackers. That's ok...I met nice people and will enjoy myself til tomorrow at 5 pm when I will embark the bus to go back to Brisbane...14 hours of funny great busride - for what? Oh no I don't start on that again....

One more reason to be back "down under" soon.

Karin xxx

This is how it WOULD look like...

PS: I thought of just going on a seaplane then or a heli flight...but obvisouly they would not go out either...

No more Sunshine on the Sunshine Coast....

2006-09-11T09:14:00.000+09:30

Sunday, Rada and Don took me on a Road Trip up the Coast - now I've seen all of the Sunshine Coast! We went up to the popular Rainbow Beach on which you need a good 4W drive to make a "beach trip" out of the "road trip" - it was great and felt a bit weird to see the 80 km/h signs along the beach like on a motorway. We went all the way down the beach to Noosa - another very popular spot for traveller and backpacker. Unfortunatly we were hit by a proper thunderstorm and heavy rain so that was a shame.... but the day was never the less exciting!
I saw a Kangaroo! Got so excited that Rada and Don could't stop laughing but it was just standing there next to the road looking at us - and then there was a second one jumping out of the bush! Just like that!
Today the bad weather continues...hopefully it will be better on the Whitsunday Coast where I am going tomorrow...

xxx Karin
Getting ready for the beach - drive. We had to deflate the tires...

Koalas and Kangaroos

2006-09-08T13:02:00.000+09:30

Yes I am in Aussie and here is proof....

I moved into Rada and Don's place in King's Beach - access to 4 different roof top terraces and the beach just down the road - there is nothing left to complain about! Today I am exploring
Brisbane and I went to a close by Wildlife Sanctuary and look what I found! Koalas and Kangaroos!

Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen??

" may the force be with you "

Bye bye Byron and Hello "Brissie" (Brisbane)

2006-09-07T13:31:00.000+09:30

Bye bye - Hello - Bye bye - Hello....argh!

I left Byron Bay behind me and took a bus heading north - from the Golden Coast to the Sunshine Coast. I don't see any difference (I do not see differences at all anymore)...the sand is white - golden and it's sunny everywhere...

I am going to stay with friends in King's Beach, a suburb of Brisbane til Monday and then take a bus up to Airlie Beach - 14 hours! This country is an island but it is huuuuuge. Looking forward to go diving again and to do a bit of sailing in the Whitsundays...

But I have to be honest with you - slowly slowly I am getting there - I am done, finished, fed up and ready to go back home. I can't stand this backpacker and traveller's chit chat anymore - it drives me mad! There were these two girls on my bus and they were all over me with questions and "Oh my Goooood - all by yourself?????" Yes, babe, all by myself. Around the world. Well....til Fiji.
It gives me headaches. Where I was all socialising in the beginning I am now the anti-social weirdo.
Can't wait to get back to Fiji, through my backpack in the corner, say HELLO to all those people I'd call friends by now and just STAY.

(Aussies, do not get offended, it's not your country - it's just ME!)

I have a hell lot of ideas in my mind what to do, where to go next and I am sure I will make it to this end of the world again - yep, remember, it's not OUT of this world it's just a bit further away....
On top of that I am missing my dog (hehehehe!!) .

You hear from me later!!

xxx Karin n

Bye Bye Sydney and Hello Byron Bay!

2006-09-05T14:13:00.000+09:30

Bye Bye Sydney...

Well then...
I left Isabel and Fulvio in Sydney - Alexandria, took the ferry over to Manly again and moved into the probably most beautiful ocean view apartment in DEE WHY - another suburb of Sydney - with Garth and Phil - both guys I know from London. I had a couple of great days, meeting a lot of people, getting introduced to Sydney's Party life (deadly....) and finally, today, boarded a plane for an amazing scenicc flight along the coast up to Byron Bay (check this out - the plane takes 1.5 hours and costs 85 $ and the bus takes 13 hours and is 105$ - does that make sense???)
Anyways - just arrived in Byron Bay which is known for it's "alternative culture" : Hippies, Sex, Drugs and Rock'n Roll, Surfer dude - culture and all that - and me in between! I am going to stay here for approx two nights I reckon before I go up to Brisbane.

Sightseeing

2006-09-01T18:48:00.000+09:30

Doesn't it look much better in this weather!??

Beautiful sunshine, 24 degrees - that's how I like it! Today I took the ferry over to Manly ("the jewel of the North Shore) - 30 mins with a ferry and the best views for the harbour, the harbour bridge and the Opera House. Manly is really nice and relaxed - the sand is m,uch finer than On Fiji or any other beach I've been (exception: Isla Holbox, Mexico) - but quite crowded. Had Sushi twice today - it's so cheap!

Karin

First Impressions of Sydney

2006-08-30T21:13:00.000+09:30

Back to reality, back to black and white dressed business men and women on their lunch break, crowds, traffic, skyscrapers. Between Starbucks, Mc Donald's und Subway I am fully reminded of the fact that this used to be my reality and day - by - day life. Do I want this back?

Just within the first 1/2 hour around the Harbour and the Opera House, walking up and down George and Pitt Street, my first Starbucks Latte and watching today's fashion victims passing by it hits me and I am back: I am painfully aware of the fact that I am walking in 2 pairs of shoes the last 10 months, wearring this same sweater the last 10 months, these jeans, this jacket and no make up - I feel like jumping up to run into one of those countless shopping malls for mascara and blusher and some new fency cloths! BUT: no money for that to spare! So I stick to my old worn stuff - at least it's proper comfi. (And I am thinking...will I ever be able to walk in high heels again????)

I like Sydney.
After a rainy grey morning I was pleasantly surprised by sunshine and blue sky - what a sight - the harbour bridge and the Opera House - yes, this is Sydney!

We go out for coffee and breakfast, then lunch, later on meeting friends and cocktails, then dinner - civilization - I am back!

Isabel and Fulvio have broadband at home - therefore...NEW PICTURES !!! Check MY PHOTO GALLERY link on the right!

Karin (In Aussie!)

G'Day!

2006-08-30T10:23:00.000+09:30

So this is Aussie! It's freeeezing (17 degrees) AND raining! Take me back to Fiji! No, kidding! I have amazing hospitality here in Isbael's and Fulvio's place....getting taken out for coffee, lunch, dinner...and on a Sightseeing Trip through Sydney! Later more!!!

Karin

Leaving on a jetplane....

2006-08-28T15:19:00.000+09:30

(again). Tomorrow morning at 9 am I am on my way to Aussie!! I am really excited now - back to civilization! Hot showers! Fresh green salad! Chocolate! Fruit juice! Fresh clothing! Bars and Restaurants, Cappuccino! Fresh brewed coffee!! Oh man!!!!!!!

To say good bye was quite sad this morning...but I am coming back and I will see most of the people again in a couple of weeks. Nana was crying too and that broke my heart!
Wednesday morning then I'll say good bye to Fred :( in Sydney - well. I know by now that this is the way it works....espeacially when you are travelling....you just meet other traveller or people who are as crazy, curious and independent as I am so obvisouly they go back all over the place....

I upload a couple of more pictures - have a look in the picture gallery (it's growing!!!)

xxx Karin

BIG FISH ENCOUNTER...I was there.....the pictures we took will be in MY Picture Gallery shortly!!

Going Down Under....Finally!!

2006-08-24T11:43:00.000+09:30

Heidi, no worries - I did survive my shark encounter but it was truly amazing....(as far as I know) no where in the world can you dive (without cage or anything) with 4 meter bull sharks getting hand fed by some crazu Fijians!!!! Photos to come!!!

Yes, can't believe it myself but I AM actually leaving Nananu Island and Fiji! BUT: I am coming back!

I am booked on a flight to Sydney for Tuesday - and I am not going to change it!!!!

As planned I am going to meet up with a couple of people and then head up north into the Sunshine....Byron Bay und Airlie Beach, one or two dive in the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Island...al the way up to Cairns, further to darwin, visit the Kakadoo National Park - and then take my floight to Bali - spend a couple of days in Bali, hop over to Lombok, back to Bali and then coming back to Fiji to Nananu end of September - mid October to pick up my dog, soak up some more sun before flying back home to Germany - with Nana! Well, THAT is the plan but by now I am not too convinced thet I am sticking to itineraries and plans...we will see! I def. come back to pick up my dog - when is uncertain....
(BTW she is absolut fine here - she loves it. She will stay with the dive guys, get fed lamb chops and yummy dinners and sleep in Chris' bed...so no worries!)

So - looks like the next entry in this blog will be from Aussie!

Your help is needed!

2006-08-16T10:22:00.000+09:30

Oh dear...where to begin?
You guys know me...and most of you know my mum...and you know as a matter of fact that I am my mum's daughter therefore there are a couple of similarities....eg the love for animals.

I fell in love with a little stray girl - a little doggy. I "met" her when she was about 6 weeks old....watched her grow and not beeing looked after. Then a couple of weeks later I saw her again and she was too weak to stand straight. I started feeding here and went, every day for approx 3 weeks over from Nananu to the main island to bring her left overs from the hostel kitchen. She grew stronger and started trusting me. I reckon she got kicked a lot because she is very scared - especially of men and sticks and everything what flies into her direction....horrible!

Anyway, I managed to take her with me to the island here to look after her - thats where she is now and she turns out to be a great intelligent dog. They will not keep her here without anyone to look after her so there is just one way out - she needs to learn German to immigrate! I know I know...call me an idiot, crazy - whatever - I so do not care - just help! I need money to pay for her transport to Germany. I haven't found out yet the exact amount because I haven't found out yet how she can travel - if she can travel without me or if she needs a person - problem: there is no one around. No one goes from here directly back to Germany. I am on it and will keep you posted - if this is happening I would ask you blunt for donations - donations wouldn't go on my account tho but on my mum's non profit organization for animal welfare...

www.tierschutz-arche.de keyword "fiji"

(As you know my ticket is going to take me to Australia and then further to Asia therefore it's impossible to take her with me...unless no miracle is happening which means I would shorten my trip to take her home)

Well then..now about me. Right now I am in Pacific Harbour on the Coral Coast on the main Island in Fiji, Fred and me are on our way to my birthday present - the most popular shark dive in Oceania! Without a cage! If we are lucky, we will see a 6 meter tiger shark on Friday! I am quite excited....(hehehehe)
Pls see this..... http://www.fiji-sharks.com/

Till then we are having a great time here - I am doing a lot of xmas present shopping already. I counted the days and there are just about 75 days left of my "year out" - can you believe that? I can't!!

I certainly will have to come bacl to travel through Asia for a longer period....but I might end up bringing more than one dog home with me then! (just kidding!!)

Photos in the Photo Gallery - Link to the right!

Karin

When one is entirely adrift...

2006-07-21T08:10:00.000+09:30

it is sometimes wiser not to splash and shout but to lie still and trust to the benevolence of the currents.
(The American Boy by Andrew Taylor)

Back again in Nadi to have a cappuccino and a fruitjuice - so wonderful simple things!

Am going back to Nananu tommorrow!

Oh - I got "promoted" - am no longer a beach raker or just someone helping out - I am the Entertainmnet and Event Manager now (hehehe). Cat and me are making sure that none of the guests get bored! Quiz Nights and Happy Hours and Beach Parties and and and....
My birthday - day....

They made me wear this stupid hat so they didn't have to answer all those "Oh, whose birthday is it...?" - questions....

Happy Birthday to me!

2006-07-11T13:48:00.000+09:30

Thank you for all those emails and birthday wishes and calls! I had an amazing day....I reckon one of my best birthdays! It started at 6 am with big pancake breakfast and watching the soccer final....then a little snooze in the hammock, big lunch and tea time with a great birthday cake and beer! In the night we ended up playing TWISTER on a self painted huge sized Twister board with about 12 people - what a laugh!

Got spoiled with birthday presents and a hell lot of free drinks! Today a free dive (which was awesome!) and tomorrow another one.

So again THANK YOU to all who thought of me!!!

xxx Karin

My Birthday...

2006-07-08T10:02:00.000+09:30

is coming up and we are preparing a big day! Yeepee!

I already had my first b-day surprise! Debbie is back! It's so cool that she made it back from Taveuni to stay for another 2 weeks here on Nananu!

If someone feels like giving me a birthday call, that would be much appreciated - try to reach me here...
Nananu Lodge Fiji: 00679-669 4290
To call with a cheap number check the internet!

Fiji time difference is 10 or 11 hours to Europe - I am in the future!
Best time to reach me here is early in the morning....between 7 am and 9 am is good and then late afternoon or evening is fine!!

xxx Karin

21st August....

2006-07-04T17:10:00.000+09:30

is now finally the date I am going to fly out of Nadi direction Sydney...that makes over 3 months of relaxation on Fiji and should give me enaugh recharged batteries to continue and keep going and be able to suck in the new experience, countries and culture....

xxx Karin

It's been a while....

2006-06-29T15:32:00.000+09:30

Yes yes yes you are right! Shame on me to not share my daily routine with you - I just do not want you to get upset!! Now is the day - the day of photos...
I made it back into Nadi to sort out flights, pick up parcels, shop and - INTERNET! Time is money - but not THAT much money here.

So - more than words: a couple of pictures....

The every evening sunset beer.....

We love hammocks...Jess ( MISS YOU) and me.

Right....I mentioned the Photo Shoot? Here I am - lucky me as I was to model here in a new 4/5 star resort on a neighbouring island - here I am about to get a Fijian Massage from Terry - in a proper beautiful Fiji setting!

I have seen the photos already and they are hillarious (all those shower shoots, beach, kayaking, diving, pool party, sunset cocktails and dinner!!) - will take a while tho before they are "released"...

Terry and me, Bamboo Resort, Fiji

Girls, girls, girls...

Allison from Canada, Kelly from the Uk and me!

Cat and Andy doing the "snorkel shoot" - this is at our beach.

Ok...it would have been too wonderful...the blog site is no longer working so I cannot upload more pictures here...but NEW UPLOADS in try my picture gallery!!!

PS: Been for another dive - sharks, sharks, sharks and seasnakes (proper deadly!)...uiuiuiuiuiuiui!

xxx Karin

Still on Fiji....

2006-06-22T19:24:00.000+09:30

just to let you guys know....I still have a great time here on this little island in Fiji and I am thinking of changing my flight again and stay till the end of July...but that has to be confirmed fist! :-) I am still working on uploading a couple of pic...be patient and you see me in a brochure of a new Fiji resort ... :-) !!!!
Big hug!
Karin xxx

What's new...

2006-06-11T17:16:00.000+09:30

Debbie left me to take on a job as a dive instructor on another island, now Jess is in the "Beach Raking " Team, went for the weekend with Darren to Nadi Town for shopping (!!!!) and to eat chocolate and cheese and have a decent coffee latte and watch TV and eat fresh salad and and and....haven't had all this in a while!

Now I am back in the " routine " - getting up in the morning, raking the beach, have a nap in the hammock, have a snorkel, maybe go for a dive, read my book and write diary and enjoy the sun and meet a hell lot of interesting people - everyday some new faces.

Slowly I am getting use to the thought that I am leaving this place to go to Australia - am actually already looking forward to it!

xxx Karin

" It's just another day for ( you and ) me in Paradise....

2006-06-05T11:29:00.000+09:30

...a day on Nananu I Ra Island...
Got up this morning still giggling and with hurting cheeks from too much laughing yesterday night. The boys (from the Dive Shop) climbed, armed with shaving cream, over the wall to our dorm and attacked us - we ended up looking like after a wild foam party!
So Debbie and me got up at 6:30 am (as every morning). After porridge and banana breakfast we raked and cleaned the beach, took us 2.5 hours this morning so not too bad. I found a turtle egg today on the beach - a welcomed proof that they are still here.
Swinging in the hammock I was just thinking what another beautiful day it is. The last two weeks we haven't seen much clouds in the sky - just pure sun. I went for a snorkel to check on my little clownfish familiy ! Yes, every morning I go out here just off the beach to see how they are - sooo cute! Today I saw a Pufferfish as well and a Stonefish which you better not touch....
Around 11:00 a lot of new guests arrived on the boat - 5 Germans as well. I realized that it's quite nice to chat in German from time to time...
Adrian is going to make his laptop available later on during the day and Fred and me decided we are going to watch ICE AGE 2 - got it the other day from Rakiraki Town for only 3 F $ !!
I asked Mac today if I could have a go on one of those half - wild Island horses and he just started laughing at me but I definately will try! Saddle and stuff is here so I might do that tomorrow!
I am so much enjoying my stay here. It's a perfect place to calm down and I feel like the first time in a looong while the sensation of a relaxing and enjoyable stillstand!
This afternoon we'll sit down with Jo to try some coconut juwellery - another highlight of the day. My feed are still sore and covered with cuts - I haven't been wearing shoes in 3 weeks now! - but it's getting better. My shoulder still hurts from kayaking yesterday so I won't do that today - wouldn't fit into this action packed day anyway!
Tonight is another beach party and I am already looking forward to meet the new people...

xxx Karin

I don't want to bore you...

2006-05-31T07:23:00.000+09:30

...with my daily routine and I must admit that it has not much to it. But spending the time in a hammock makes me read and think a lot - and I found this book which is a hillarious companion for the time beeing. The Author is Peter Moore and the title is No Shitting In The Toilett - which was apprearently a sign in a toilet in china...
It's all about travelling and it answers the reason why people travel with a top ten listing :
1 - to loose weight
Its amazing what unappetising, unhygienically prepared food does to even the most troublesome of waitlines....
2 - to learn another language
every day I am leaning a new word in Fijan!
3 - To avoid work
well...not on this end! I am the official beach raker!
4 - to develop initiative
Yes of course!
5 - to get dinner partytales
Looking forward to the next party with you guys!!
6 - to avoid debt collectors
Hm..no, not me.
7 - to learn money management skills
From the task of living of US 5 per day in Central America to US 40 in NZ to now US 10 in Fiji...
8 - to make friends or find a lover
or? AND!
9- to learn about other people and cultures
Yes! That' s really cool! We already got introduced to the local cava ceremonies ( works like a drug...makes your mouth feel totally numb..funnny stuff...) and got invited to stay with the locals in Suva next week for a couple of days.
10 - to run away from something
Most poeple go travelling because they are running away from something - but that's nothing I would really tell....

Anyways!
I hope everybody is fine ...a big hug from Nananu Island!

xxx Karin

31.05 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEIDI!!

Hooked on Fiji

2006-05-27T11:43:00.000+09:30

.....I really would love to upload some more pictures of the palm fringed beaches, the amazing cristall clear waters, all those clownfish (Nemo), me swinging in a hammock, going diving, sweeping the beach clean in the morning at 6, having the best banana milkshake with my new friend Debbie, painting the Dive Shop, and on and on and on....unfortunately this internet connection is not good enaugh therefore we will have to wait until I am in Sydney - and that will take a bit of time because I rescheduled my flight! Yes, I am staying here on Nananu I Ra for another month and fly into Sydney end of June. Yeepee!

xxx Karin

It's amazing...

2006-05-21T16:42:00.000+09:30

...how thoughtless you can be!

Just coming back down from the hill and from our every night - sunset-watching and I have news: I am now staff here at the Nananu I Ra Lodge! Yep! Free accommodation for helping out here and there and in the Dive Shop! Which is superb really! Maybe I get a freebee here and there as well to dive...
So in regards to my financial situation this is more than welcome! Everybody here is just really amazing and friendly and I believe this is Fiji - as good as it gets! So I will stay here for the next 10 days approx, then go back to Nadi and to Pacific Harbour on the Coral Coast because there they have world class shark diving which I definaltly wanna do!

Ps: Donation details see added info last entry !!! :-) Don't forget - it's my birthday coming up soon!!

Check: http://www.nananuislandlodge.com/ !!

Na (!) nanu (?) - I -Ra Island, Fiji

2006-05-19T16:34:00.000+09:30

That's where I am - Nananu I Ra Island, Fiji! What an awesome place (have a look and google it)! Internet is unfortunately quite expensive therefore just a quick: I am doing VERY well!
Diving in more Jaques Cousteau spots (soft corals!) and snorkelling along the reef, palm trees and crystall clear water and sunshine and super nice people!

Mensch, liebe Familie! Vielen Dank fuer die Reaktionen!! Ihr bekommt das naechste mal eine Email mit Info von mir!! ( Vielen Dank !! Hihihihi!!) oder hier auf Fiji sagt man: VANAKA!

So, my plan is to stay here for a week...then go back to the main island and spend a couple of days around..then go to Suva (capital) and finally travel along the south coast, the so called Coral Coast back to Nadi - and then to Australia!
Keep you posted!!

xxx Karin

Bula Bula Fiji!!!

2006-05-15T11:52:00.000+09:30

Sega na lega!
- means No Worries here on Fiji!

Greetings from paradise in the South Pacific!
Gruesse aus dem Paradis in der Suedsee!

Yes, "Bula" Fiji - Welcome to Fiji.

After a sad Good Bye at the Auckland Airport I made my way to my gate, for the 3 hours flight to Fiji! My mum took her plane back to Germany - via Brisbane and Singapore and Dubai and...who knows - eventually she will get there!

I was lucky and had a really really nice local girl next to me on the plane and got away with an invitation to stay with her and her family in Suva (the capital) for a night or two! Cool stuff!

Fiji - I got out of the plane - couldn't see because the sun was so bright so the first thing I did was to take in a deep breath - and yes, it was hot (29 C) and yes it smelled like south pacific and yes, it smelled like - I have to say this: Central America. I don't know how or why - but everything here reminds me very much of the Carribean. People, architectures, streets, cars, vegetation....street dogs and cats (...:-( ) and the really really warm sea! I cannot believe that you just fly 3 hours and - here you are - it's hot and the sea is georgously warm - Auckland was bloddy freezing!

I am in Nadi for the first two nights, already hooked up with tow guys from Bristol and a girl from Sweden - already got a bit of suntant back and already had a couple of dips in the sea and the pool! I love it!

Hooked on Fiji? Yes!

Tomorrow I am taking the bus and then the boat to an island north of this main island - to go DIVING!! I will stay there for a week I guess...we'll see! The internet here is really shitty so you cannot expect me to upload a lot of pictures or to give an every day report ....

PS: I am slowly running out of money (is THAT a surprise??) so I am actually looking for some people who would like to make a donation so that I am still able to pay for the internet session to keep you posted and entertained. That's

Sparkasse Meschede

BLZ 464 510 12

Kt 593400

Every donator gets a postcard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

xxx Karin

ulli's tagebuch - abschied

2006-05-13T11:28:00.000+09:30

good bye nelson, nice to meet you.
es war wirklich schoen, zweimal hier einen aufenthalt geplant zu haben.
wir waren richtig schoen shoppen – habe mir mein muttertagsgeschenk ausgesucht: einen muschelanhaenger – was auch sonst!
nach cafe latte und snack im strassencafe den queen charlotte drive, diesmal von der anderen seite – zurueck nach klein monaco, hafenstaedtchen picton.
beim bummeln hier das passende geschenk fuer meine liebe mama gefunden – natuerlich aus... sicher doch!!
am naechsten morgen zu halb 4 den wecker gestellt auf karin’s digital kamera.
die faehre war ziemlich leer. wir konnten es uns richtig gemuetlich machen. drei stunden fahrt.
die haupstadt wellington in der morgensonne – auf einer halbinsel vulkanischen ursprungs – auf vielen huegeln und an buchten.
kleiner gang durch die city mit kleinem fruehstueck.
um 10 ins neuseeland museum – liegt direkt am hafen. haben tolle ausstellungen gesehen zu entstehung, geschichte und tierwelt.
dann wieder voll getankt und ab in den norden. unser ziel: lake taupo. Ein riesiger kratersee mit inseln.
ueber die „desert road“, die wuestenstrasse – rechts braune wuestenberge und taeler – links schneebedeckte mehrtausender.
in taupo erfahren wir: das wetter wird schlecht, wechselhaft.
am morgen beschliessen wir durchzufahren bis auckland.
einen unentbehrlichen stop gibt es aber: wir werden klitschnass – von den regenjacken laeuft es die beine herunter – auf unserem gang durch die „craters of moon“.
unbeschreiblich, aus grossen, ganz grossen (30m durchmesser) und aus ganz kleinen loechern dampft und zischt es aus der erde – und es stinkt gewaltig. man darf nur auf den wegen bleiben. die ganze gegend um roturoa ist aktiv vulkanisch.
es ist sozusagen das „stinkezentrum“ der nordinsel – die hochburg fuer touristen, das zentrum, um viel ueber die maori kultur und „den edelstein“ neuseelands zu erfahren, die jade.
auckland empfaengt uns nach gut 2000 strassen km im sonnenschein – dreispurige autobahn, gesaeumt von palmen und agarven mit drei meter hohen verbluehten rispen.

es war wunderschoen fuer mich, auf einladung meiner tochter, diese wochen „am schoensten ende der welt“ zu erleben. karin fliegt sonntag weiter auf die fidji inseln u nd ich – naja – ueber brisbane – singapur – dubai – muenchen nach muenster. das sind 29 stunden flugzeit.

freue ich mich auf mein zuhause?
ja, ich freu mich!

ulli
Bis in 6 Monaten!
See ya in 6 months!

Last Days in NZ....

2006-05-12T08:32:00.000+09:30

...a last night in Nelson, from Nelson to Picton, from Picton the early early morning ferry (had to be there for car check in at 4:45 am!!!) to Wellington...3 hrs of beautiful Cook Strait crossing, Wellington's Te Papa Museum and a little walk through the capital, from here straight up to Lake Taupo - here a little incident where I had to take my mum to the emergency doc (don't tell grandma!) and then - due to this incident and bad weather conditions straight up - with short quick visits to the Moon Crater Valley and thermal, steaming and bubbling holes around Rotoroa - up to Auckland. Here we are - back "home". We will enjoy the last couple of days in Auckland, sorting out how to get the 3547 kg of rocks, woods and shells to Germany without Ulli getting arrested at the airport (appearently you are not allowed to take anything out with you).
I will upload a couple of fav pics in My Photo Gallery (link to the RIGHT) for you to look at.

Sunday morning I am on the road (or run?) again - FIJI here I come.

xxx Karin

Nelson - Rabbit Island - Farewell Spit and back to Nelson

2006-05-09T08:13:00.000+09:30

Heya! The Nelson region and surroundings are popular and known to be the region with the most sunshine here in nz - and it's absolutely true! We are getting spoiled in the nz autumn here!
From Nelson we made our way to Rabbit Island - little secluded island with a bridge connected to the main land which is closed at sunset. Beach beach beach as far as you can see...we have a picnic lunch on the beach and a long stroll along, back in the car we make our way all the way up to Collingwood in the very far north of the South Island. A beautiful backpacker "Somerset House" gives us the real "home from home" feeling. From here it's only a 35 mins drive to Farewell Spit - a looong sandy nose and the most northern point of the South Island. Sandy beaches and dunes, all is a protected nature reserve - it's beautiful. Another beach walk. We are enjoying the "Golden Bay" for two days, go kayaking (yes, also my mum!) and enjoy the sunshine. After that it goes back to Marahau - the main gateway town to the popular Able Tasman National Park. We book a sailing tour on a catamaran and have an amazing day - half day sailing along the coast and half day walking back on the coastal trek to Marahau town. We see pinguines and seals ( again...).
Yesterday evening we made our way back into Nelson and stay another night in the nice backpacker here with free breakfast and homemade bread...hmmmm yummuy!
Today we will head back to Picton and tomorrow early early morning leave the South Island for good to Wellington...bye bye!

xxx Karin

ulli's tagebuch

nelson - wunderschoene stadt auf huegeln am meer. guter backpacker, fruehstueck inklusive mit selbstgebackenem brot. nach stadtbummel und einkauf zum rabbit island - ueber eine bruecke, die bei sonnen untergang geschlossen wird, auf die unbewohnte insel. zwei stunden strandaufenthalt im schoensten sonnenschein - wieder neue muscheln. ueber wilde serpentinen - den queen charlotte drive - an die nordspitze der sued insel. im letzten ort, collingwood, fanden wir "somerset house". ein wundershoenes altes haus mit meeresblick 5 minuten vom strand. wunderschoene atmosphere, interessante menschen, hund und katze - alles im sonnenschein. wir bleiben drei neachte - machen von dort aus unsere touren an die markanten kuesten abschnitte ringsum. zu essen gibt es zutaten aus heimischem garten, glueckliche eier. hier die groessten muscheln gefunden - ca 30 cm lang - bekanntschaft mit scharfsfarmer gemacht und seinen hunden. -- dann schweren herzens: farewell golden bay -
ziel: marahau. wir mieten ein haeuschen fuer uns alleine - eine minute vom strand. am naechsten morgen, picknick fuer den tag vorbereitet. um 9 mit kleinem bus zum "hafen". in einem kleinen schlauchboot - man sitzt auf dem rand - es wird von einem trecker ins tiefere wasser gezogen. so gehts zu einem catamaran. wir haben eine segeltour gebucht - drei stunden bis zur anchorage bay.
es war bedeckt, wir haben maechtig gefroren. es gibt unterwegs extra windjacken, kaffee und plaetzchen.
in der bucht: mini pinguine.
an einem backpacker schiff angelegt. nach kurzem aufenthalt zu dritt in einer super mini nusschale an den strand gebracht worden.
das ganze gebiet ist abel tasman national park. es gibt keine strassen. man kann sich auch ganz individuell mit wasser taxis in entfernte buchten bringen und wieder abholen lassen.
wir haben geplant, den weg zurueck zu laufen - ein viereinhalb stunden marsch - meist oberhalb der felsigen kueste, mit trampelpfaden zu buchten hinunter. karin und julia, die junge argentinierin und ich "alte frau" haben es sogar in kuerzerer zeit geschafft.
dann zurueck nach nelson in unseren alten backpacker.
ulli
Seals in Kaikoura / Seehunde in Kaikoura

Whale...ready for the deep dive....

Heli hiking, Whale encounter and so much more....

2006-05-04T05:41:00.001+09:30

Uff...where to begin? New Zealand - a country full of activities and action - yep!

From Wanaka all the way down to well - first down then up to the FOX GLACIER. Wow, my first Glacier Panorama. We stayed in little Fox Village in a more or less dodgy backpacker (yakki!) and did the walk to the Glacier terminal. And wow - looks massive and really impressive. So we decided: let's see that from above! Heli scenic flight tour - yaeh! Was awesome! We had an exclusive heli (very small and tiny!!) just for us (well with the fit pilot!! ;-) ), seated in "front row" - feed on glass. Amazing! First we flew over the 27 km further located Franz Josef Glacier which is the 3rd biggest in NZ...then came back over all these snowy mountains to the Fox for a SNOWLANDING in approx. 4000 ft. UIUIUIU! We had a snow storm up there! It was breathtaking and we had a little walk on 30 mtr deep snow and ice...
After that we made our way (safely) back down again.

Through serpentine rds we made our way to Hokitia - a beautiful little town with crafts and jewellery (San! I bought you the green jade stone thingy!!). A beautiful endless beach, a nice sunset. After sunset visit to the glow worms walking along a path through the forest - it looked like the clear nightsky!
And back on the rd again. Early morning though to make our way over the Arthur's Pass - the highest pass through the mountains from the west coast to the east coast. Stunning scenery. Next stop Kaikoura - with abundant marine wildlife, dolphins, seals (you can simply walk up to them til 3 meters and they are not bothered!), whales - residential Sperm Wha les but Orcas, Humpback, Southern Right Whales and all are saisonal guests and they even had a Bluewhale passing through last week for feeding - the biggest animal on our planet! (as big as a Boing 737 and much louder!).
These animals are absolutly fascinating so we wanted to go out there to see them! And we did - and we saw them! 3 Sperm Whales. One was very close..maybe 15 meters? And they are soo hugh!

After this encounter we were on the rd (again) heading north - coffee latte in Picton (looks like little Monaco) and further up to Nelson - the sunniest region and the centre of NZ - with a hell lot of vineywards!

Checked into a nice backpacker in Nelson. Now we are here - just had breakfast (free!) and next we will go and have a look around town, after that ...we'll see! Maybe heading onto Rabbit Island - an unspoiled, pristine peninsula with golden beaches .... :-)

Hope you guys are all well!
Knutsch, die Karin

ulli's tagebuch

jeden tag goldener herbst in nz.

wir fahren durch die wolken in den blauen himmer: lake hawea.
ich: ueber wackelige haengebruecken hoch ueber breites, felsiges flusstal auf dschungelpfaden unterwegs.
ueber haast pass zur haast beach. skulpturen aus baeumen von anderen straenden angeschwemmt, von sonne und wetter geformt. muscheln - ich hatte nicht zu traeumen gewagt solche exemplare einmal selbst zu finden.
weiter durch die gruene wildnes - immerwieder "suedsee buchten".
der fox gletscher - wieder ein extrem. wir laufen ueber geroell halden zur gletscherzunge. wir beschliessen: das wollen wir auch von oben sehen. nur karin und ich (der pilot war auch noch da) in einem mini helikopter hoch auf den gletscher. schneelandung. die fuesse kurz auf 30 meter dicken ewigen eis. dann wieder gut unten angekommen. man o man war das toll!
hokitika: kleine stadt am tasmanischen meer. wieder ein herrlicher strand fuer meine sammelleidenschaft. hab jetzt schon panik, wenn ich daran denke, von wieviel fundstuecken ich mich in auckland wohl trennen muss ( oder noch einen koffer kaufen) -
im dunkeln einen weg gelaufen, wo tausende von gluehwuermchen in den baeumen leuchten.
ueber den arthur's pass - regenwald, wohl 1 km breite flusstaeler, in viele stroemungen unterteilt, kaum bewohntes land.
jetzt sind wir wieder an der ostkueste, dem sued pazifik. unser ziel: kaikoura. an der kueste, die hier aus felsplatten besteht, zum teil senkrecht gefaltet, kolonien von fellrobben (bis 3 meter entfernt). wir fahren mit einem katamaran raus aus der bucht und erleben 3 pottwale. bis zu deren abtauchen aus etwa 20 meter entfernung.
herrliches panorana: die bucht wir von schneebergen gesaeumt. wieder andere fundstuecke am strand. wir fahren durch schafland ( gelbe berge, gelbe taeler) nach picton: klein monaco. wir trinken caffee im malerischen hafen (sogar mit kuchen). hier werden wir am 10ten die faehre zurueck zur nordinsel nehmen. herrlich die fahrt ueber die kuestenstrasse mit super panorama ueber den malborough sound nach nelson. wir sind im tasman bay backpacker zur kuerbiss suppe eingeladen und morgen ist das fruehstueck inkluisve.
ob ich wohl nochmal nach hause will?
doch, doch, wenn ich an meine hunde und katzen denke und an meine lieben, mit deren einsatz mir dies alles zu erleben erst moeglich ist. ulli

The South Island - (a taste of middle earth...)

2006-04-28T17:20:00.000+09:30

So, what happened within the last three days?

We flew down to Christchurch, picked up our rental car and drove approx. an hour to the Banks Peninsula, to Akaroa.
The Banks Peninsula was formed by two giant volcanic eruptions which created a circle round peninsula east of Christchurch. Akaroa is the site of the first French settlement so we certainly had to stay in a backpacker called "Chez la Mer"! Cute little house with garden and a lounge like granny's living room!

We read and relaxed by the fire and went to bed quite early to be ready for an early start and our DOLPHIN EXPERIENCE! We had an absolute exclusive tour - it was only us and the captain and the guide! WE started in the morning at eight...left the habour to find a a couple of Hector Dolphins (very rare and only in NZ!).

One for you to laugh...

We were wearing big wetsuites, hoodies, mask and finns and were ready to get into the 13 degrees "warm" water! 13 !!!!!!! But I must say that we were both surprised how warm the wetsuits kept us - so no probs! We sang to the Dolphins and even talked to them in German, English and in Spanish! Therefore I reckon they found us quite interesting and sticked around! Amazing!!! I was snorkelling with Dolphins! They don't get fed or anything - they play around the boat and with us completly out of their own will...

There we were - in the South Pacific, in between 5 meters water mountains - with 5 Hector Dolphins! Jeepeee!

After a hot chocolate onboard we went back to the shore, got the car and left Akaroa to head inland to Lake Tekapo - where we are now! It's FREEZING!!! A beautiful lake surrounded my snowy mountains - an amazing panorama! We took a walk along the lake and had a relaxing day....

This afternoon we drove all the way down to Wanaka - via a high pass (forgot the name) - Ulli was driving!! The drive took us actually through ROHAN!! All you LORD OF THE RINGS FANS!! I've seen it...Rohan and Edoras! :-) (Haven't seen Aragorn or Legolas though...)

Wanaka reminds of a ski tourism town somewhere in the Alpes - never been on ski holidays in my life but this is the way it must look like! Even our hostel looks like one of these Chalets - (let's see if they have Apres - Ski as well...) We had a beautiful day - sun and blue sky - lucky!

Tomorrow we will continue our drive over the Haast Pass to the West coast....but more then...

And one for Heidi and Yvi and some others....looks familiar?

Rohan - Edoras

ullis blog:

especially for kurt:

how dare you expect me to write in english! me as a first time traveller!? and you as an american, a journalist, living in peru - you aren't able to pick up some german? (i do know that's it is a hard language to learn in comparison to spanish and english)

here ...try again!!

nach drei tagen hat man schon wieder so viel erlebt, dass der folgerichtige ablauf nur anhand des reisetagebuchs moeglich ist. herrliche sicht weahrend des fluges von auckland nach christchurch. mit dem mietwagen weiter zur banks peninsula. eine halbinsel, die urspruenglich zwei riesige vulkane war jetzt mit wasser im krater und ausgangfzum pazifik. und genau dort lebt eine population von hector delfinen, die es nur hier gibt. und die waren unser ziel!

es gibt eine moeglichkeit mit einem boot hinaus zu fahren und dort zwischen ihnen zu schnorcheln! ich habs gemacht und geschafft - oft zu karins erheiterung! naja, sie hat schliesslich einen tauchschein!

dann spaetere weiterfahrt nach lake tekapo, umgeben von schneebedeckten bergen.

wir schliefen zusammen mit einer koreanerin, einer japanerin ud einer irin, gestern hatten wir dann ein zimmer fuer uns! ich finde mich gut hinein in die ungezwungene und unabhaengigkeit dieser art zu reisen. abends geht es sehr familiaer zu. man sitzt zusammen bei offenem feuer und schreibt tagebuch oder liest.

heute: wanderung am lake tekapo, - heute fahre ich!!!!

wieder eine absolut abwechslungsreiche fahrt ueber einen pass nach wanaka. kleines auto picknick unterwegs auf der hoehe des passes - schneebedeckte berge drumherum. die herbstfarben sind herrlich.

wanaka: backpacker - wieder was ganz anderes - ein ehemaliges hotel. sonnenuntergang haben wir unter einer weide am flussuefer genossen. die bergkulisse erinnert etwas an oberbayern.

kochen in unserer "hotelkueche" - danach gemuetliches sitzen am feuer zum tagebuch schreiben.

dieses leben gefaellt mir immer mehr...

ulli

lake tekapo

The Kauri Coast

2006-04-26T17:54:00.000+09:30

There is nothing to tell about yesterday...we went for a loong walk on the beach (Ulli collected at least 5kg of shells (AGAIN!!) ) and later on went for a coffee in Devonport.

Kauri trees - everybody knows about these mighty giants?
Kauri are among the world's mightiest trees, growing to more than 50 metres tall, with trunk girths of up to 16 metres.
They covered much of the top half of the North Island when the first people arrived around 1000 years ago ...unfortunately there is not much left by now.

The Waipoa Kauri Forest north of Auckland is the largest remnant of the once extensive kauri forests and is - amazingly impressive!

We drove up the West Coast, had a break on Baylys beach for picnic ...then ending up hiking through intense rainforest and kauri forest.

Now we are back at home (Peggy's and Ralf's home!) and tomorrow morning we catch the flight down to Christchurch, picking up the rental car to drive to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. Friday we're going swimming/diving/snorkelling with Dolphins!

xxx Karin

Baylys Beach - looking for the perfect picnic place!

Ulli's Tagebuch

gestern haben wir fast ausschliesslich den nahen strand genossen. eine unterbrechung gab es mit einer fahrt nach devenport um kaffee latte zu trinken. von dort hat man einen tollen blick auf die skyline von auckland. heut sind wir schon frueh aufgebrochen um ins nordland zu fahren - in das groesste zusammenhaengende regenwaldgebiet mit den fuer neuseeland typischen kauribaeumen: bis zu 60 m hoch, mit 16 m stammumfang. auf dem weg dorthin suchten wir ein ruhiges plaetzchen am strand fuer ein picknick in ungestoerter natur - war nicht leicht zu finden, wie man sieht. wir packen jetzt fuer morgen frueh: es geht mit dem flieger auf die suedinsel. mit einem leihwagen werden wir 17 tage unterwegs sein.

bis die tage.....ulli

Piha - Auckland

2006-04-24T15:12:00.000+09:30

Neu !!!

Ab jetzt auch mit "Ulli's Tagebuch" - siehe unten!!

Picked my mum up from the airport and after 1 hours scenic drive we made it to Piha - back to this beautiful backpacker. Spent the days beach"ing" and hiking (and my mum already collected as much shells and black sand (from the beaches around here) as I collected within 4 weeks...and on top of that she stops at every green plant: "KARIN (astonished) - did you see these Hibiscus blossoms and over there the Yukka palm trees!!! ???? Aehm.....yupp...).

We went to Karekare beach which was a setting for the movie The Piano....have you seen it?
I am doing very well and am developing excellent driving skills here in the left-side-traffic!

Ralf, Peggy and Oskar left to Germany this afternoon - it's really really sad to see them go...

The next days we will just hang around Auckland before on THU we take a flight down to the South Island, to Christchurch.

I'll keep you posted!!

xx Karin

a big kauri tree stump

kerikeri beach - and my mum

Ulli's Tagebuch

Ab jetzt auch immer einen kleinen Bericht von mir. Fuer alle, die sich mit mir freuen, dass ich diese Reise machen kann!
34 Stunden war ich unterwegs. Muenster, Muenchen, Dubai, Melbourne, Auckland.
26 Stunden davon reine Flugzeit. Laengste Strecke am Stueck : Dubai - Melbourne 12 Stunden.

Ohne wesentliche Ausfall - oder Ermuedungserscheinungen kam ich an.

Karin holte mich ab und wir fuhren etwa 1 1/2 Stunden an die Westkueste in ein Hostel, das Karin schon kannte.
Herrlich gelegen zwischen felsigen Bergen und Regenwald. Etwas fuer mich und Gleichgesinnte: dort lebt ein Kater (Tierheim), der nachts schonmal in die Gaestezimmer kommt. Heute morgen wachte ein Schweizer auf - er lag mit auf seinem Kopfkissen. Die Schiebetueren raus in den Garten sind offen, da es nachts so warm ist.
Fast 14 Stunden habe ich die erste Nacht geschlafen.
Wir haben einen ausgiebigen Strandlauf gemacht und sind einen markierten Pfad durch den Regenwald zu einem Wasserfall gelaufen. Dabei habe ich meinen ersten Haertetest bestanden. Leichtfuessig huepfte ich ueber glitschige Steine durch den Flusslauf!
Heute mittag ging es zurueck nach Auckland - leider schwierig, es gibt so gut wie keine Beschilderung. Man ist 20 KM vor der groessten Stadt des Landes - und kein Hinweisschild. Auf der Rueckfahrt haben wir in der Karekare Bucht Station gemacht. Dort wurde der Film "Das Piano" gedreht. Schwarzer Sand und Felsenpanorama - siehe Foto.

Hier sind wir jetzt im Haus von Karin's Freunden, die fuer 4 Wochen nach Deutschland gereist sind (an dieser Stelle ganz, ganz herzlichen Dank fuer die grosszuegige Gastfreundschaft, den Kater Anton versorgen wir dafuer sehr gerne!). Wir wohnen herrlich nur 200 Meter vom Strand (Suedpazifik). Ich geniesse besonders die subtropische Vegetation, ohne dass es besonders heiss ist. Hier haben wir jetzt Herbst.

Vielen Dank an alle, die mir durch ihren Einsatz und Mithilfe diese Reise ermoeglichen.

Ulli

To Piha for a 2nd time - this time with family!

2006-04-23T08:53:00.000+09:30

Jeepee! This is the day of reunification of mother and daughter! Just a couple of hours more and I will pick up mum from AKL Airport! Hurray! Can't wait to see her (after 6 months - there is LOTS to chat about!).

For a first impression I have chosen beautiful Piha ( see entry 2 weeks ago).
Sadly this means as well saying good bye to Peggy and Ralf (and Oskar) who were the best "host-family" imaginable!! Thank you sooooo much for all your help and for the warm welcome!! Had an absolute fantastic time! Have a great time in Germany guys!

Thursday we will fly down to Christchurch to pick up our rental car and then - South Island and Middle Earth here we come!

xx Karin

2006-04-21T08:57:00.000+09:30

I like these three pics of...

Annika making a handstand on Onetangi beach Waiheke...

and a praying mantis (Gottesanbeterin) in Ralf's garden....these guys look really fascinating!

Kia Ora - Waiheke!!!

2006-04-19T14:33:00.000+09:30

Weren't you waiting for this? KIA ORA - which means Welcome/Hello in Maori.

I am on Waiheke! Despite the fact that I really really like the name - it's a beautiful island, approx 30 mins ferry crossing from Auckland!

Sunny, mountainy, friendly! I am staying in a Backpacker which is a Lodge in the middle of the native rainforest, but just 5 mins hiking to the beach. Beautiful! (Heidi, das ist auch was fuer dich!!! Ein "Must - Do" - see www.hekerualodge.co.nz)

The beach - Waiheke

The way to the Lodge...
I left Auckland early morning on Tuesday for 2 nights - will be back tomorrow just to enjoy my last weekend with Ralf and Peggy and tiny Oskar (guys you know me, I am so not into kids and this "baby - ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - stuff" but Oskar? I tell ya...he is sweet as....) I am simply spending my time hanging out in the nice Lodge, with Pool and Hot Spa Pool, hiking, beach"ing", swimming, and getting a suntan.

I'll keep you posted -

Big hugs,
Karin

PS: thank you so much for the comments, much appreciated - although, I rather like it when you give me a name or a clue who you are when you leave them - RUHRPOTT CONNECTION?

2006-04-16T18:32:00.000+09:30

Hope everybody enjoyed their easter weekend. I certainly enjoyed mine although - no chocolate eggs for me this time!

I am planning my time in Asia at the moment - I have approx 4 months to make my way from Indonesia, Bali to Bangkok - if you have visited some places which are not to be missed "en route" - pls let me know!

Thank you!

This is a photo of Anton....

HAPPY EASTER

2006-04-14T05:21:00.000+09:30

Happy Easter everyone and a nice looong easter weekend!

I am back in Auckland after a really really nice time on the Coromandel Peninsula - in Whitianga. I met a bunch of really nice girls and spent the entire week in only one backpacker - although I was supposed to stop by on Waiheke Island - oh maybe I do that next week. The weather was very unpredictable but most of the time sunny. Wednesday we decided to take the Kayaks and have a go - was a lot of fun. We paddled to "Lonely Beach" - which takes it's name from the hidden and remote position. Beautiful!

Getting ready! The beachy head you see in the right pcitures - that's where Lonely Bay is hiding....

On Thurdsay I took the ferry back to AKL ....we saw pinguines on the crossing!

Sunset from the ferry on our way to Auckland.

The Coromandel Peninsula

2006-04-08T09:22:00.000+09:30

Change of plan!
On Friday I wanted to catch the Coromandel Ferry to go to the beautiful peninsula just east of AKL, unfortunately I missed it because of too much traffic :-(

Frustrated I made my way back to Peggy and Ralf - stopping by at a supermarket to get beer and chocolate - and you know what? The lady asked me for my ID!!!!! For beer! (Do I really look like 18?)

Anyway - on Saturday I checked into a hostel in AKL to catch the early morning ferry to Coromandel on Sunday morning (not really THAT early...at 9!)

After a quite raugh 2hrs- trip on the ferry I made it to Whitianga and checked into a Backpacker with the name: On the beach - yes correct assumed when you think it's quite close to....the beach!

Today I had a great day on the nearby Hot Water Beach (Amazing! You dig a whole and find hot, like seriously hot water (max 63 degrees!) - then you mix it with the quite cool pacific and there you go: your own HOT SPA POOL!
After that I went hiking with a couple of girls from the backpacker - Marlen from Denmark and Revitaly from Isreal and two Brits to Cathedral Cove - another beautiful stretch of white sand beach. But see for yourself - sorry, internet is quite expensive here therefore more visual impressions than words!

I will hang around the peninsula until Thursday - then come back to AKL for house + cat sitting for Peggy and Ralf who go on an easter weekend with the family.

Hope you all are well !!

xx Karin

Back in Auckland for a day

2006-04-06T06:30:00.000+09:30

I am back in Auckland staying with Peggy and Ralf (and Oskar) for a day or two! Charlie was booked on a fishing trip around lake Taupo so he had to head straight down and dropped me off at STARBUCKS in Auckland - I am sooo lucky - am I not? After a big Chai Tea Latte I took the bus back to Milford and went right away for a swim.
NZ's autumn is hiding behind sunshine and warm days....

I haven't decided yet where I am going to for the next days but I might take the ferry to Great Barrier Island off the east coast - I need to seriously work on my suntan (although it's comming back a bit!) :-)

Sweet as....

xx Karin

Here is a picture from beautiful white sand Pakiri Beach we stayed the last night - they were shooting a Boots UK advert here...for suntan lotions...

And this is a beach at Great Barrier Island - ja ja ja it looks allllllll the same, doesn't it?

NZ's West Coast and diving in one of the best spots in the world!

2006-04-04T16:00:00.000+09:30

Charlie and me took off on Sunday morning from Pahia along the west coast down to Tutukaka ( I know I know....some of these places have names that we are not sure if it's Japan or Africa we are travelling through) for "diving in one of the best spots in the world (that's what Jaques Cousteau thinks)" - the Marine Reserve around the Poor Knight Islands, a group of islands approx 25 km off the coast. I was a bit worried because of coughing and a flu but I made it for one dive - and it was truly amazing. The entire boat trip was very cool and we were so lucky with the weather.

After a full day out at sea we came back and followed the road further south to Paikiri - "a not well known paradise with a long white sand beach". We were in big trouble finding it but when we finally did we were rewarded - a beautiful spot.

From here we made it the next midday to Piha - one of the most dangerous surf beaches in NZ. Here we climbed the Lion's Rock in the bay for a perfect view...

We have an entire hostel to ourselves because it's off-saison and no one is here....

Midnight dip in the Pacific

2006-04-01T11:08:00.000+09:30

What a great place here nr the tip of the North Island!

Yesterday was a beautiful day and we hung out on the pool and the beach, went for a little hike up the mountain. Later on we went out for some drinks - I wasn't expecting it to be a big night out but for any reason (free drinks) it was.....came back at 5 this morning - but not without stopping at the beach for a midnight (early morning) swim in the pacific - which was truly amazing. The wide sky (which looks so different here) above, underwater glow-worms (?) underneath. Wow!
-despite the fact that there are sharks and orcas and lots of other "fishies" in the bay.
I met Charlie from London who has a car and is a diver and we are planning on going to the Poor Knight's islands together for diving - that's a marine reserve and it's supposed to be a really good spot.

As it's the first of April I thought about putting up some big news - like I got enganged or I am pregnant or gay or sth but ...I am probably too hang over to be really funny and full of ideas so....sorry!

Diving in the PKI marine reserve

Hostels in New Zealand....

2006-03-30T14:19:00.000+09:30

have a pool, a spa and a gym. Can you believe this?

After a 4 hrs busride I arrived to Paihia on the beautiful Bay of Islands.

This hostel I am staying in is amazing - a pool and a spa - how cool is that? On top of that it's just 9 Euro the night.

After having a quick dip in the pool and checking out the beach sth funny happened: I got a job offer.

Kiwis are amazingly friendly and talkative - you just stand there at the traffic light or walk on the beach and 2 minutes later you have a nice chat with a local. Really cool. In this case it's a company who hires out a big sailing boat for corporate and private parties and they cruise along the west coast. They are looking for some helping hands for their events and simply a new crew member - when this guys heard what I did in London he was all excited and invited me to have a go for a one week cruise from Sunday onwards. How cool is that?
I will check that out tommorrow and have a look at the boat. Well, It wouldn't really work as I have only 3 weeks time but maybe I can make myself available for some parties onboard.... :-) I DO think so!

Tonight I am going for dinner and drinks with two girls I did the Inka Trek in Peru with - yes, the world is so small!

Hope to upload some pictures tomorrow!!!

Karin

TASTE - Wine College Auckland

2006-03-29T05:02:00.000+09:30

Durch "Vitamin B" bin ich gestern in einen Kurs gerutscht (worden) - Introduction to Wine - mit Tasting (full day - started at 9:00 in the morning with a light chilled white wine and finished in the late afternoon with a sweet dessert wine!) im Wine College of Auckland! Ziemlich cool war das ! Hab ein dickes Certificate bekommen was sich auch auf jedenfall gut in meinem Job verwenden laesst!

Danach bin ich noch mit einer neuen Bekanntschaft aus Chile "City Sightseeing". Gestern Abend waren Ralf und ich in einer Mexican Bar Caipirinha trinken - hm yummy! Heute gehts fuer mich in den Bus um 2pm nach "Bay of Islands". Surfer, Diver und viele viele fitte Kiwis und Australier! Von dort mehr!

Karin

A couple of more pics....

2006-03-27T11:57:00.000+09:30

My "host family" - Ralf, Peggy and little Oskar

Oskar cool

Milford Beach - down the road

Auckland at night...

2006-03-24T18:07:00.000+09:30

New Zealand..Cultur shock

2006-03-23T11:49:00.000+09:30

My second day in Auckland. Yesterday I slept from 12:00 to 17:00 and I felt really really jetlagged and exhausted. I had a free seat next to me - unfortunately I couln't use that one to sleep because the lady next to it took a sleeping pill and basicall fell over and slept for 13 hours. Great. I watched one movie after another so that was cool.

Auckland - is a small city - after what I have seen during the last months anyway. Only 1.2 mio Kiwis are living here. Ralf and Peggy and their son Oskar are living in Milford, which is like a very quite beautiful neighbourhood north of town. 500 meters down the road is the beach.

Everything is completely different and I am so thankful that I can stay with them - I am so glad I can put my things in drawers, sleep in a nice bed, watch TV, hang around and eat homecooked food - what a luxury!

Little Oskar is 2 months now and I think he fancies me a bit. :-)

Obviously New Zealand has lots of differences to offer from South and especially from Central America -
the streets are paved
people driving nice cars on the left side- like at home in London!
the radio plays Maroon 5
dogs are well fed and on a leash
the beaches are clean - as well the water ....
- it's not as warm as in Santiago but still warm enaugh for a dip in the sea.

I haven't seen any sheep yet and haven't eaten a kiwi yet - two experiences still to come.

My plan is to read through my Lonely Planet and make up my mind what I wanna see and then leave direction north to the beaches and the island (Bay of islands I guess is where I am heading to) for a suntant and some diving. The wreck of the Greenpeace ship RAINBOW WARRIOR lies there and makes a good spot to do some wreck diving. I guess this will be on Sunday or Monday.

Till then I will be gladly enjoying Peggy's and Ralf's hospitality!

Auckland

New Zaeland - Auckland

2006-03-22T15:24:00.000+09:30

I made it! 13 hours and 2 days later ! Flew out on the 20th and arrived on the 22nd but 13 hours later - isn't technique weird? I am so jetlagged I am not capable of writing my blog today but as for your information: Ralf picked me up from the airport this morning, I spent the day with Peggy and Mini Oskar. We went to the beach just 500 meters down the road and it's just beautiful. But tomorrow more....

Karin

Picture update

2006-03-21T11:02:00.000+09:30

Karin asked me to upload these pictures for her because it wouldn't work at the Internet-café she was in... So here you go, some more impressions from Santiago de Chile, uploaded in Germany while Karin is already in New Zealand!

Slightly jealous, Micha!

Zoe and Karin - I guess!

"Leaving On A Jet Plane"

2006-03-20T06:23:00.000+09:30

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go"

....again. My last day in Santiago de Chile, my last day in South America, my last day at this side of the world. Frankly, I have the feeling that a first big step is taken. I feel like "leaving", in a way sad but proud. Half way through I am.

Next step then: New Zealand, Feejee, Australia and Asia... and when I have a look at the world map below it makes me feel I haven´t seen anything! Be prepared for my second world trip - maybe this time on horseback or on a yacht... :-)

""I've never been there but the brochure looks nice
Jump in, let's go
Lay back, enjoy the show
Everybody gets high, everybody gets low,
These are the days when anything goes

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine""

xx Karin

Shopping in Santiago!

2006-03-19T09:28:00.000+09:30

I love this place! Perfect weather, amazing nice people and - shopping! Zoe and me had a good - morning - sleep - in, got up later and had a nice breakfast in the garden. Afterwards we went shopping! And there is so much to see and to shop - the women here are crazy!
It got very exhausting and after spending hours on the local food market (amazing that there are fruits in this world we don´t even know!) buying veggies for dinner we took a cable car up San Cristobal mountain for a perfect - although slightly "smoggy" view of Santiago.
Playing the perfect tourist role the whole day we now settled in the hostel again, cooked and "get down" for some movies now.....oh well....this is life!
:-)
Karinita

Shopping ....Santiago....

Santiago de Chile - modern and european

2006-03-18T06:42:00.005+09:30

Santiago de Chile
25 hrs long ass busride - I think I´ve never been on such a long JOYRIDE in my life - but we all know - there is always a first time. I had a guy sitting next to me who asked me in the middle of the night if I am married, then why and how I am travelling on my own, where my husband is - he didn´t understand at all! Then at six in the morning he bought me breakfast because he thought I look as if I am starving and as there is no man around me to take care of me....

Anyway, he was not annoying, just a bit too nice and I so wished Kurt back on my side to play couple!

After 17 hours we left the desert behind us and the landscape started to be green again. Beautiful. We had a liitle funny story happening - on one of the 10 mins break a complete drunk guys smuugled himself into the bus and was cought shitting his pants on our bus toilett - this couldn´t be hidden for long as the entire bus was about to pass out because of oxygen absence. He got kicked out of the bus - in the middle of nowhere!

I arrived today around late lunch and took a taxi to the hostel Zoe was waiting for me - a beautiful place in the middle of the city with a big garden and a really nice crowd. I guess I will hang out here and relax the last days before, on Monday night, my plane leaves this continent direction Auckland, New Zealand.

I will upload some more pics from Bolivia these days....

xxxKarin

CHAOS

2006-03-17T00:56:00.000+09:30

.....nur ne schnelle Info!

Ich konnte meinen Flieger nach Santiago nicht nehmen (ist noch nicht geklaert wer hier SCH.....E gebaut hat, Lan Chile oder STA) - daher werde ich in 30 Minuten einen der tollen chilenischen Busse boarden fuer einen 26 Stunden Trip runter nach Santiago! Na suuuper!

Zu meiner Grippe, Denghe Fieber und schlimmen Husten hatte ich gestern Nacht noch mal schnell ne Lebensmittelvergiftung nach unserem fischigem Abschiedsdinner - und kann somit sagen: I had it all! Bin geruestet mit einer ganzen Apotheke und Klopapier fuer meine Busreise und werde es schon ueberleben....25 Stunden...man o man.

Also, melde mich dann wieder aus Santiago - mal sehen, vielleicht dann mit na Blasenentzuendung oder so?

Karin
xx

Denghe Fever, Deserts and crossing into Chile

2006-03-15T03:23:00.000+09:30

Boarder Crossing Bolivia - Chile
An der Grenze Bolivien - Chile

Train Cemetary - Alte Zuege in der Wueste, Uyuni Salt Desert in South Bolivia - Uyuni Salzwueste in Sued Bolivien

Ok, Ich war etwas ausser Gefecht gesetzt in den letzten Tagen - will es gar nicht so dramatisch machen. Denke, ich habe mir doch irgendwo Denghe Fiber eingeheimst und hatte daher einen ziemlich taffen Jeep Trip duch die Wueste. Aber mit Paracetamol gings!

Abgesehen davon war es unglaublich. Ich habe noch nie so viel NICHTS gesehen! Steinwueste, Geroellwueste, Sandwueste, Felswueste, Graue Felswueste, braune Felswueste, schwarze Felswueste - dann wieder mal gar nichts ....3 Stunden, 5 Stunden....dann wieder schneebedeckte 5000der, blaue, tuerkise, rosa Lagunen mit Flamingos, unser Camp in 4500 Metern, das naechste Camp auf 5000. Es war irre, irre iree - nur nicht der richtige Ort zum krank werden....aber habe es ja ueberstanden. Nachdem wir ueber die Grenze nach Nordchile einreisten ging es weiter mit Wueste so weit das Auge reicht - die Atacarma - einer der trockendsten Orte der Welt. Von San Pedro de Atacarma (wo ich 2 Tage nur im Bett lag) ging es ueber 8 Stunden an der Kueste entlang nach Iquique - eine etwas groessere Stadt in Nord Chile - umrandet von Wueste (get me out of here!!!) - aber endlich gibt es wenigstens ein paar Palmen und - STRAND!!!

Kurt und ich werden jetzt unseren letzten gemeinsamen Tag am Strand verbringen...morgen um12:00 gehts fuer mich ab nach Santiago!! Karin

Snow-capped mountains and lamas. Schneebedeckte Berge und Lamaherden.

Flamingo, Bolivia

Uyuni Salzwueste

Bolivia

2006-03-09T11:06:00.000+09:30

La Paz to Potosi - Silvermines and Dynamite
Further South - through the desert to Uyuni

Sorry, sorry, meine Mama hat sich schon beschwert! Nein, bin nicht "immernoch" in La Paz - habe den Standort schoen wieder gewechelt. Nachdem ich Kurt am Freitag Abend wieder getroffen haben, haben wir uns uebers Wochenende ein bischen La Paz (Der Friede) angeschaut, am Montag Abend um 20:00 gings auf eine 10 Stunden Busfahrt (fuer 9 Dollar ) Richtung Potosi, eine alte Silberminenstadt mit viel, viel (trauriger) Geschichte. Ich war immernoch so geplaettet vom Inka Trek und dem ganzem Extrem Zeug, dass ich mich mal einfach in die Sonne gesetzt habe (ziemlich stark hier - wieder mal auf 4070 Metern) waeherend Kurt in die Minen gekrochen ist. (Schlechte Luft, die Hoehe und 45 Grad Celsius - och noe!) War aber bestimmt ein Erlebnis. Naja, Potosi ist ne kleine suesse Stadt, viele kleine Gassen und unzaehlige Kirchen!
Durch die Vergangenheit und Gegenwart der Stadt ist Dynamit ueberall zugaenglich und wird auf dem Strassenmarkt verkauft - auch an Kinder. Fragt mich nicht wieso, aber wir konnten es nicht lassen und haben 3 Stange Dynamit gekauft (fuer 5 Dollar) mit Zuender und allem und haben einen der Mienenarbeiter gefragt, ob er mit uns "spielt" - hoch gings auf den Berg und dann haben wir einfach mal so Dynamit gezuendet - ja klar, Kurt war wohl eher das Spielkind hier aber was solls....alles legal hier! Wir zuenden Dynamit!

Heute gings dann Mittags nach Uyuni - durch die Wueste, 7 Stunden auf ruckeligem Weg (schreibe extra nicht STRASSE). Um 18:00 heut Abend kamen wir an - ein unwirkliche Stadt, 14-tausen Einwohner, mitten in der Wueste und so gar nichts drumherum. Aber Touristen gibt es: von hier aus starten naemlich die 3 Tage Jeep Touren in die Wueste, zu den Lagunen mit Flamingos und Salzhaeusern! Und fuer uns gehts morgen auch los! Daher - ihr hoert erst in ein paar Tagen wieder von mir - AB IN DIE WUESTE!

Karin

La Paz, Bolivia

2006-03-04T06:56:00.000+09:30

Viele Gruesse aus der hoechstgelegenen Haupstadt der Welt! Nach einer wunderschoenen Busfahrt entlang Lake Titicaca und einer irren Grenzueberquerung nach Bolivien bin ich jetzt da!
Die Tage mehr!

Lake Titicaca - Der Titikakasee

2006-03-03T08:33:00.000+09:30

So, nach einer bequemen 6 Stunden Reise im Bus von Cusco nach Puno, an den Titikakasee (ist das nicht der See den Pippi Langstrumpf in einem ihrer Abenteuere ueberfliegt??) hatten wir einen halben Tag Zeit uns Puno anzuschauen (nichts spektakulaeres, in 3800 Meter Hoehe) und dann, am Mittwoch Morgen gings mit Fahrradtaxis runter an den Hafen, hier haben wir Zucker, Mehl, Reis und Sonstiges fuer unsere Host Familie auf einer derTitikaka See Inseln gekauft, dann gings auf die Faehre. Auf halbem Wege haben wir die "schwimmenden Reetinselchen" auf dem See besucht - also das ist ja vielleicht der Hammer! Die Menschen (Stamm derURUS) bauen sich Inselchen aus Schilf, Haeuschen aus Schilf, alles ist eigentlich aus Schilf (auch die Boote) und da diese Inselchen ja schwimmen, kann man mal schnell den Standort wechseln, wenn einem die Nachbarn nicht gefallen! Das alles fuehlt sich ziemlich witzig an wenn man drauf steht...auf einer 2 Meter dicken Schilfgrasschicht und 20 Metern verdrecktem Titikaka Seewaseer darunter....

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titicaca-See - fuer den der es genau wissen will!!

Danach gings weiter- in 3 Stunden tuckerten wir ueber einen winzigen Teil dieses riesigen Sees (ueber 8000 km2) bis wir auf der Insel mit unserer Host Familie ankamen - also wirklich wie bei einem Schueleraustausch! Zu Zweit oder Dritt wurden wir von unserer Host Mama abgeholt und nach Hause geholt....ein unglaubliches Erlebniss. Kein Strom. Kein fliessend Wasser. Zu Essen gibts Kartoffeln. Grosse Kartoffeln, kleine Kartoffeln, rote Kartoffeln, schwarze Kartoffeln, Kartoffelpfannkuchen, Kartoffelroestis, Kartoffelbrot....
Irres Erlebniss. Am Abend hat sich die Familie ´nen Spass daraus gemacht uns traditionelle Trachten anzuziehen...naja...wenigsten DIE hatten Spass....

Dies sind Nicola und ich beim Kartoffel schaelen am Abend...bei Kerzenschein und auf dem Kuechenlehmboden....gekocht wird auf offenem Feuer.

Gestrickte bunte Muetzen, Blusen, Schal und 6 Roecke uebereinander....

Abschied von den Host Familien

Morgen frueh gehts weiter ueber die Bolivianische Grenze - In La Paz treffe ich Kurt wieder und wir werden noch die naechsten 2 Wochen zusammen durch Bolivien und Chile reisen, bevor ich diesen Kontinent verlasse....

Ps: I have a new link! MY PHOTO Gallery - see to the right...with Micha´s helping hands you´ll be able to have a look at much more travel pictures!

Neuer Link und neue Foto Gallerie - siehe rechts: My Photo Gallery!

Lares Trail to Macchupichu - Trek zu der verlorenen Stadt der Inkas....

2006-03-01T08:41:00.000+09:30

Macchupichu in sepia....

Wow, weiss gar nicht wo ich anfangen soll.
Nachdem wir am Donnerstag den ersten Ausflug ins "Sacred Valley" gemacht haben und hier durch unseren super Peruvien Tour Guide einen Einblick in die Inka Kultur bekommen haben, ging es am Freitag Morgen um 5 los - im Bus nach Lares, eine kleine Anden Gemeinde hoch in den Bergen, in 2900 Metern. Nach etwas Bummeln auf den Maerkten und einem leckeren Lunch gings los - ab auf den Lares Trail. Der Lares Trail ist sozusagen die Alternative zum bekannten Inka Trail, der nach Macchupichu fuehrt. Der Inka Trail ist im Februar geschlossen, zum Muell einsammeln und ein paar der 3000 Stufen reparieren. Ca 1200 Menschen laufen jedes Jahr den Inka Trail - verteilt auf ca 330 Tage - da kann man sich wohl ausrechnen, dass es da zugeht wie auf´m Markt! Man ist nicht wirklich alleine und hat viele verschiedene Tourigruppen um sich, es gibt richtige Klos und Zeltlager - und sogar ne Bar in 3300 ...

Kids along the way with bred we bought for them - Kinder am Weg, neugierig und happy mit unserem Brot...

...Metern - warum ich das so hervorhebe? Weil ich den Lares Trek gelaufen bin - und der wird nur von 150 Menschen im Jahr genutzt. Wir haben keinen einzigen Touristen gesehen, wir hatten keine einheimischen Porter, die unser Gepaeck getragen haben, sondern eine Lamaherde (ca. 12 Lamas). Natuerlich waren auch wir ausgestattet mit Koch, Aushilfen, Lamafuehren und Tourguide - so verdienen sich die Einheimischen nun mal Geld.
Es war der Hammer. Am ersten Tag ging es von 2900 Metern rauf auf 4300 - hier hatten wir unser erstes Zeltlager. Nach 9 km und einigen Stunden kamen wir dort an - ziemlich erschossen von Anstrengung und der Hoehe - und des geringen Sauerstoffanteils in der Luft! Aber wir haben es geschafft. Alle waren so alle, dass wir um 9 im Zelt lagen. Klo gabs batuerlich keins, ein Erdloch und ein Zelt drumherum, naja, was erwartet man auch mehr mitten in den Hoehen der Anden??

Die Nacht war...grausam. Es war sooooo kalt, ich dachte ich muesse sterben, 3 Hosen hatte ich an! Alle Pullis und Tshirts, die ich dabei hatte - und in meinem Schlafsack mit Thermodecke und Thermomatte - nicht geholfen! Den meisten ging es aehnlich - das wurde dann auch nicht besser, als es wie wild anfing zu regnen. Oh man - da dachte ich echt - " sag mal Karin, hast du eigentlich nen Schuss???" - aber gut, so schnell stibt man ja nicht und so wachte ich am naechsten Morgen um 5 auf, weil mir das Zelt im Gesicht hang - durch die Last des SCHNEES und des EISES. Danke, auch das noch - da hatten wir den Beweis! Es war SCHWEIxxkalt!!

Unser Camp in 4300 Metern

Fruehstueck gabs um 6, dann ging der Marsch weiter - die beiden hoechsten Paesse standen uns bevor und 19 km. Ueber 4550 Meter gings auf und ab in den Anden. Aber hier unten seht ihr ja die Fotos - wir wurden sehr belohnt mit einmaligen Blicken ueber die Anden, wir marschierten durch kleine Doerfer und Kommunen, die wirklich nie da weg oder raus kommen. Zu Beginn der Tour hatten wir jeder 30 Brote gekauft, die wir am Wegesrand an Kinder verteilt haben....aber seht selbst...
Die zweite Nacht war in 3800 Metern - viel waermer und angenehmer. Der dritte Tag brachte uns nach Aquas Calientes - auch genannt Macchupichu Pueblo und somit unserem Ziel reichlich nah - Macchupichu. Wir waren die ersten am Montag morgen hier, um halb sechs am Morgen! Leider war alles total vernebelt, aber unser Guide machte uns Mut einfach zu sitzen und zu warten....die Wolken wuerden bald gehen - und genauso wars!
Jetzt sind wir schon in Puno, am Titicaca See - von hier ghets es morgen auf die Inseln , wo wir eine Nacht in Familien verbringen werden....doch dazu dann mehr in ein paar Tagen...

Macchupichu - morgens um 6.

...und um 10:00.

More pictures...

https://fotoalbum.web.de/gast/karinsteimel/Peru

2006-02-23T02:50:00.000+09:30

Immernoch in Cuzco! Habe die beiden Kayaking Jungs aus den USA wieder getroffen und wir haben gestern ein bischen Sightseeing zusammen gemacht - leider wurden wir staendig von fliegenden Wasserbomben abgelenkt - wir haben dann auch zugegriffen und uns Luftballons gekauft, um mal kraeftig mitzumischen!

Morgen gehts ins Sacred Valley und dann weiter auf den Trail-freue mich schon riesig - mache ganz viele Fotos fuer den naechsten Blog!

Still in Cusco - ran into the two Kayaking guys from the States again and we hung out a bit for Sightseeing - although we got distracted by flying waterbombs!

Preparing Waterbombs!

Impressions...

In dieser Gasse auf dem linken Bild sieht man die Reste des alten Inkatempels, auf den aufgebaut wurde - die Steine muessen von weiterher gebracht worden sein und perfekt zusammen -" geschnitzt" worden sein-ohne Moertel - und stehen noch immer!

Cuzco

2006-02-21T06:53:00.000+09:30

Plaza de Armas, Cuzco

After taking an early morning flight (Had to get up at 2:45am!!!) we made it within one hour to Cuzco in the Andes - it seems to be a magical place, really. It´s beautifull.

I am just hanging loos today, to get adjusted to the altitude of 3340 meters, and will go "sightseeing" tomorrow so maybe there is more to tell then. Oh, one thing: carneval in Peru is a bit different than what we would think - very popular are water bomb fights - the girls bomb the guys and the guys bomb the girls. (Isn´t that exciting - feels like in Highschool...)

I got bombed three times already!!!
Anyway, it´s warm, the sun is shining so it doesn´t matter and it´s just fun!

Bin in Cuzco! Ein wirklich magischer Ort hoch in den Anden in 3340 Meters. Musste heute morgen um 2:45 aufstehen fuer einen wirklich morgendlichen Flug, eine Stunden ueber die Anden.
Heute verbringe ich den Tag nur mit bummeln - muss mich an die Hoehe gewoehnen!

In Peru ist den ganzen Februar Karneval und eines der typischen "Rituale" ist, sich gegenseitig mit Wasserbomben zu beschmeissen - die Jungs die Maedels und die Maedels die Jungs - ich wurde schon dreimal heute "bebombt" - aber hey, es ist super warm, die Sonne scheint und daher - alles cool!
Morgen gehts Sightseeing!

Flug ueber die Anden
The Andes

Summary - Kleine Zusammenfassung

2006-02-18T03:52:00.000+09:30

Ich nehme mir mal etwas Zeit und schreibe eine kleine Zusammenfassung, sozusagen einen Rueckblick - zurueckschauend nach Central America, wo diese Reise begann. Es ist momentan so heiss in Lima, dass ich es echt kaum aushalte und lieber im Klimaanlagen-gekuehlten Internetcafe sitze.

Rueckblick? Meine Mama hat mir letztes Jahr zu Weihnachten ein Tagebuch geschenkt mit den Worten: "...wenns dann mal auf Reise geht...." - hat sie wohl gewusst, dass dies sehr bald sein wird?

Das Buch hat ein paar Gedichtzeilen inne - und dies ist eine:

Das braucht seine Zeit
bis die Tage den anderen Rhytmus lernen
und langsam im Takt der Musse schwingen
das braucht seine Zeit
bis die Alltagssorgen zur Ruhe finden
die Seele sich weitet und frei wird vom Staub des Jahres
(...)

Der Staub des Jahres, ich glaube, den habe ich schon in Mexiko abgeschuettelt - oder doch erst jetzt. Auf jeden Fall fuehle ich mich, als haetten meine Alltagssorgen Ruhe gefunden - zumindest fuer den Augenblick.

Highlights

Mexiko, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama - oder das viele nach rechts und links waere der direkte Weg 2500 km. Wir haben wohl ein paar mehr gemacht.

Mexiko - ein Land was fuer mich defintiv raus sticht - muss wohl an meiner Vergangenheit liegen... :-), Mexiko mit dem schoensten Privathaus and der schoensten privaten Bucht und besten Freunden.

Belize, Caye Caulker, Schnorcheln mit Haien und Rochen war ein Highlight. Die Menschen waren unglaublich nett.

Honduras - Bay Island, Utila - Tauchen lernen, der Blick in eine neue Welt - fast wie ein weiteres Land was man bereist!

Nicaragua - Granada - die schoenste Stadt in Central America, die ich gesehen habe. Bunt und voller Tradition und Geschichte. Lake Nicaragua mit Ometepe Island - mein erster Vulkan, schwarze Sandbuchten...

Costa Rica - die reiche Kueste mit gruenem Regenwald, weissen Streanden und schwarzem Larvagestein.

Panama: Panama City, moderne Wolkenkratzer und Nightlife pur!

Jetzt hier in Lima habe ich alles in allem 15 200 km im Flugzeug und ca. 3400 km ueber Land zurueck gelegt.

Der naechste Trip wird mich in die Anden fuehren, auf ueber 3000 Meter Hoehe und dann Ueberland 1100 km nach La Paz, Bolivia. Hoert sich das nicht total verrueckt an?

Karin

Kayaking in the Pacific

2006-02-18T00:54:00.000+09:30

I had a great day out of town yesterday with these three guys from the States - professional Kayaing Instructors.

Approx. 40 minutes out of town is San Bartolo, a popular Surfer´s beach with quite big waves and a cute little town. Surfing is such a popular sport here that even the dogs start practicing early...

The ride out of town...through the desert to the beach

I was lucky and got a private lesson in a double Kayak to learn how to ride the big Pacific Waves. Great fun!

San Bartolo

I am still in Lima and will leave the town on Sunday to head to Cuzco in the Andes.

Hope you all are well..

Karin

Hinter Gittern in Lima - Lima´s Female Prison

2006-02-16T10:09:00.000+09:30

Deutsche Version
Also heute habe ich mal eine Geschichte der besonderen Art zu erzahlen! Heute waren Lea (aus Daenemark) und ich im Frauengefaengniss in Lima! Wie das denn?
Na so....
Es gibt eine Organisation von den Botschaften, bei der koennen sich Auslaender, die in Lima einsitzen praktsch "einschreiben" und kommen somit auf eine Liste. Reisende sind eingeladen, diese Menschen im Gefaengnis zu besuchen - macht natuerlich am meisten Sinn wenn man aus dem gleichen Land - oder wenigstens vom gleichen Kontinent stammt!

Um 14:00 wurden die Tueren geoffnet - immer nur 5 Besucherinnen (kein Zutritt fuer Maenner - nur Samstags) - Regel: Nichts dabei haben und nen Rock tragen!!! Lea und ich waren leider eher in kurzen Schnuddelbuchsen unterwegs und wurden dann mal gleich ums Eck geschickt zu einem Shop, um uns Roecke zu LEIHEN. Wir zahlten also ca. 80 Cent fuer nen Rock fuer 2 Stunden (Bluemchen oder Streifen war im Angebot). Zudem hatte Lea nur ein Top an und sie musste sich auch noch ein Tshirt leihen (Hard Rock Cafe Istanbul) - wir sahen also zum Schiessen aus, standen als einzige Blondinen in Reih und Glied mit 550 anderen Peruanischen Frauen.

Viele trugen en mass Geschenke. Gebackenes Brot, Kuchen, Bananen, Fotos, Schokolade....
Wir hatten auch etwas Schoki dabei!
Cola ist nicht erlaubt als Geschenk, da man in der schwarzen Fluessigkeit ja leicht ein Messer verstecken koennte (...)
Man steht in Reih und Glied, bekommt zwei Stempel auf den einen Arm, zwei auf den anderen, muss seinen Pass abgeben, wird genaustens untersucht, 2 x Zahlen auf den Arm gekritzelt - dann darf man rein.
Wir wussten ja noch nicht einmal nach wem wir suchten also blieb und nichts anderes uebrig, als eine der Garden zu bezahlen, damit wir unsere Ausgesuchte finden.
Es wurde quer ueber den Hof geschriehen und irgendwann stand Veronika vor uns, aus Belgien. 27 Monate wegen Kokain Handel, unter 10 kg.

Wir setzten und an einen der Besucher Tische und fingen einfach an uns gegenseitig unsere Geschichten zu erzaehlen - war ziemlich interessant und ich glaube sie hat sich auch gefreut uns zu sehen! Das letzte mal hatte sie Besuch im November!

Die meisten auslaendischen Frauen sitzten wegen Kokain Schmuggel oder Handel, 2 - 5 Jahre fuer unter 10 kg und 15 Jahre fuer ueber 40 kg. Alles moeglich dazwischen.

Wir haben uns viel erzaehlt, kennen gelernt haben wir noch eine junge Hollaenderin (19 Jahre!) im 4 Monate schwanger (sitzt fuer 2 Jahre) und Nadine aus Frankfurt, auch fuer 27 Monate wg Kokain Handel (Nadine war 25 Jahre).

Wir haben unglaublich viele Kinder gesehen und es ist wohl Fakt, dass die Kinder im Gefaengniss geboren werden und - naja - erst mit Mama zusammen irgendwann rauskommen! Ich sah ein vielleicht 5 Jahre altes Maedchen, die hatten letzte Woche bei einem Ausflug fuer die Gefaengnis Kinder das erste mal das Meer gesehen, welches 500 Meter die Strasse runter ist...

Wir hatten eine eindrucksvolle Zeit und obendrauf noch das Gefuehl was gutes getan zu haben! Veronika hat sich auf jedenfall fuer unseren Besuch bedankt und Emails haben wir auch ausgetauscht! Noch 5 Wochen dann wird auch sie endlich ihre Fuesse auf freien Boden setzen und sie kann es nicht mehr abwarten diese zweite Chance zu nutzen.
Bin gespannt von ihr zu hoeren und drueck ihr die Daumen!

English Version

A story of a special kind....

Today Lea and me visited the Female Prison in Lima. How come? Well...

Lima has an organisation, set up by Embassies of various countries, which supports foreign prisoners here in Peru, Lima. Prisoners can basically "sign" in to be on a list for visitors from abroad - specially from their own country or at least continent. Lots of these people have no visitors for long long time and it´s just a sort of Voluntary project. Anyway - we went to see Veronika from Belgium, sentenced for 27 months for Cocain abuse and sale. As we didn´t know how she looked like we had to "buy" one of the guards to find her for us. We also met a Dutch girl 19 yrs old and 4th month pregnant. She is in there for 2 months now and expecting it to be 2 years, her mother was there to see her. There was Nadine from Frankfurt, 25 yrs for 27 months. Within 1000 prisoners there are approx. 80 from foreign counties - all because of drug abuse or sale, smuggling. A hell lot of women give birth to their children in prison - that means the kids grow up in prison. I met one girl, she was 5 and went the first time in her life to the beach last week on an excursion for the prison kids - the beach is 500 meters down the road.

To get in was disturbing, we had to waer skirts (which we rented!) and we weren´t allowed to bring anything (except our sweet gift!). They serached us completely and everything was very strict. We were standing in a straight line with 550 peruvian ladies - obviously we were the only blondes and taller than 1.68 m. Visitors brought cake and bread and bananas. Coca Cola was not allowed as you could easlily hide a knife in the black fluid (...). It was an impressive experience.

I think Veronika was glad to see us - we had a nice chat and told each other our stories.

We hugged goodbye and exchanged email addresses.

Just 5 more weeks to go until she sets feed on free ground - she is excited to kick off in her second chance and I hope and wish she will do well!

Karin

Happy Valentine from sunny Lima

2006-02-15T07:48:00.000+09:30

It´s sunny, it´s not as noisy and dirty as expected, nice people and cheap on top of everything. I like it!

Spent the last two days exploring the capital, with some Danes and Americans and Zoe from South Africa - all people from the hostel.

A couple of impressions here....

Lima´s City Beach
Lima´s Mercado Central..

Central America, Panama - North America, Miami - South America, Lima -- in one day...

2006-02-14T04:37:00.000+09:30

South America, here I am.

Puhh...where to begin. The last days I spent hanging out with Kurt and enjoying the last days of our henceforth 2 pax travel group and learning AMERICAN English. We made the last night in Panama City a day and didn´t go to sleep at all but drinking and partying in a nice neighbourhood in the City. Saying Good Bye was not that easy and Kurt almost made me skip my flight.

But here I am.

The jouney was horrible, I felt like a wreck! 2 hrs flight to Miami and here I had to wait 5 hrs for my connection flight to Lima. Miami Airport is a funny busy place with lots and lots of people but no seating space, so everybody is sitting on the floor and you have to arrange your way around them....weird!

After endless hours of waiting, finally, I boarded the plane and lucky enough found my seat next to an American who had exactly the same plan as I: which is no plan. We arrived, shared a taxi and booked us into a Backpacker in Miraflores, "Mike" already left me today to continue to Cuzco, which will be my destination next week.

I really don´t have "first impressions" of Lima, Peru to share yet but I will keep you posted!

Sunrise on Santa Clara beach near Panama City...

Sunburned...

Good Bye Kris.....

Good Bye Kurt.....

Und hier die Deutsche Version!

Die letzten Tage in Panama waren nochmal richtig nett, Kurt und ich waren ja die einzigen, die uebrig waren von unserer kleinen Reisegruppe! Wir haben die letzte Nacht zum Tag gemacht und waren aus mit Kris, der ja gerade in einer Familie lebt. Um 4 Uhr morgens gings zurueck zum Hotel und um 5:50 kam schon mein Taxi. Tschuess - sagen war wie immer ziemlich bloed und traurig und Kurt hats sogar fast geschafft mich zu ueberzeugen, doch meinen Flug zu canceln! Nach einer langen, langen Reise, einem 5 Stunden Aufenthalt in Miami und dann nochmal einem 5 Stunden Flug kam ich endlich in Lima an! Ich hatte Glueck und habe auf dem Flieger schon Mike kennen gelernt, der den gleichen Plan wie ich hatte: naemlich keinen!! Wir haben uns also zusammen getan und ein Taxi geteilt und zusammen in einem Backpacker in Miraflores eingecheckt (mit dem lustigen Namen "Flying Dog"). Heute gings allerdings schon wieder los fuer ihn, ich bleibe ja noch ein paar Tage in Lima.
Habe nette Leute um mich herum und es ist Wahnsinn, wie sehr ich es geniesse allein zu sein - JETZT GEHTS LOS! - sagt mir meine Gefuehl. Sehr geil!
Mir gehts also super, mein Spanisch reichte sogar aus mit dem Taxifahrer Witzchen zu erzahlen und rundherum ists einfach nur cool!
Die Karin

All Alone !!

2006-02-10T09:16:00.000+09:30

Micha is gone!

Kurt and me took Micha to the bus back to San Jose, Costa Rica two days ago...buhuuuuu! But I am not on my own yet - Kurt and me went straight to the beach for a couple of days sunshine and just getting out of the city.
We went to Santa Clara, a nice loooong stretch of white sand with lots of huts and cabanas to rent - we slept in hammocks for US $ 2.50 the night and ate yummy seafood!

So Kris is doing a homestay with a family here in Panama City and language school therefore it´s just us two left from our small travel group....

Last days in Panama.

Jetzt da der Micha nicht mehr in Deutsch unsere Reise begleitet, denke ich darueber nach, einen Mix aus Englisch - Deutsch zu schreiben... mal sehen!

Hugs, Karin

Oh wie schoen ist Panama (Janosch)

2006-02-06T02:41:00.000+09:30

In 22 hrs we safely made it to Panama - although not without getting stuck with a broken down bus just 7km off the Costa Rica-Panama boarder for a couple of hours, somewhere on the Panamericaner with rainforest around and 40 C.

Crossing the boarder was the usual procedure: paying money for getting stamps and this time we even got a sticker!!

After a while we were back on the bus and on our way to Panama City - La ciudad de Panama.

We arrived in Panama City after 22 hrs and 935 km - and it felt like landing on a different planet! Huge malls with all modern comfort, expensive cars, people in suits and dresses.

Panama´s skyline is full of unexpected skyscrapers. It´s unbelievable hot and humid.
We hooked up again with Kurt and Kris to enjoy the last days together before Micha heads back to Germany and I am on my way to South America.

El Puente de las Americas, The bridge of the Americas and the Panama Canal are amazing sights:

Yesterday evening we went to the Yacht Club here to get some info on how to get on a boat and it´s amazing what sort of characters we met: people who simply sell everything to ride their sail boat around the world....go here go there...depending on the weather!

I decided that my next world trip will be on a boat then....

Tonight we head into an AMERICAN SPORSTBAR (...) to watch SUPER BOWL...yes, even me. Reckon that is is the price for travelling safely with three guys of which two are American. Oh well....

I copied a photo of the Panama Canal from space...

PS: DID YOU KNOW? The "San Juan Prospector" was the longest ship to transit the Canal; it was 751 ft. (229 m.) in length with a 107 ft. (32.6 m.) beam.

"Parque Nacional Volcán Poás"

2006-02-02T10:15:00.000+09:30

Costa Rica´s national bird - the toucan.

Another vulcano!

Due to the bad weather conditions at the carribean coast at the moment we changed our plan - again. We got up this morning to leave for Panama then quickly changed our mind and jumped on the bus direction Alajuela, a town in the mountains with coffee plantages as far as your eyes can reach!
The bus took us to almost 2500 meters - here we entered one of the beautiful National Parks in Costa Rica - Parque National Volcan Poas. Actually this is one of the most active vulcanos in Central America. The last big blowout was in 1978....and the history of activities goes back 11 mio years!

The park is really stunning, the rainforest and the sight of the crater is amazing - very different from the one on Ometepe Island ....the crater here is about 1500 meter wide and filled with milky turquoise water from which gases waft and boil and which has 40C. Wow!

We had a walk along the paved paths and spent around 3h in the park, afterwards we headed back down to town, a 2h trip through coffee fields and mountain chains...

Finally, tomorrow we wanna leave to Panama - maybe with a direct bus to Panama City...we will see....

Flexibility is all!!

..we were here....

PS - Did you know? 27% of Costa Rica is actually protected area!

Rainy San Jose....

2006-02-01T08:06:00.000+09:30

Our first day in San Jose - we got completely soaked during our little bit of sightseeing here in town. It was pouring down with rain. Anyway we saw the main bits like the plazas and the cathedral, some nice buildings which now host "museos". I had my favourite meal: as always exotic fruit salad and "un aqua con sandia" - watermelon juice ...hm...the best!
yummy!!!!

San Jose to me is a big city in Central America - there is not much to it although it's nice to have some civilization around us and a big choice of restaurants, "sodas" (which are the local small restos)and then we have juice bars, the odd American Diner, Pizza Hut, Mc Donalds and Burger King and some posh bars.
Where am I??

Most of the people living in San Jose look so European or American, you could put them easily into the London crowd or even put them on a party in Cologne - no one would recognize.

Poverty doesn't stick out as much as it did in the smaller towns - but we know it's still there...

Costa Rica really is more expensive than any other country we have been to (so far) but comparable with Belize.

Another fact is that it's funny that we sit here in one of the countries with the best coffee in the world and a huge coffee-export business - but we still have to drink instant coffee in the normal restaurants! WHY???
You have to look for a decent coffee/expresso shop to get a nice good coffee - the reason must be that they are exporting all the good stuff so that there is nothing left to keep in the country!

The sky looks grey in gey and it hangs dark and heavy over the city. We have free internet access which means we are sorted for the day....hehehehe...

The plan is to leave tomorrow to go to the Carribean Coast of Panama, Bocas Del Toro, although we just got word that it pours down with rain there as well! We will need to check the weather to make the decision. Bocas del Toro is supposed to be a beautiful island in the carribean with some nice diving spots...jajaja I know - I am getting addicted!
With or without rain we will leave the city tomorrow to catch up with our Americans travel mates who are already in Panama by now.

The hostel is full with backpackers and we met these guys from Swiss - we are sorted with play cards and rum and will have a nice evening...

Besos y abrazos a todos!

Karin

Costa Rica: San Jose

2006-01-31T13:32:00.001+09:30

That´s us with Cuba Libre at the hostel pool! Yaeh, we have a hostel with garden and pool in the middle of San Jose (sometimes even a backpacker needs a bit of luxury!), which seems to be a nice spot for a bit of change after all these remote beach villages!
Enjoy!

Karin
xx

Costa Rica - Cowboys at Playa de LOCOS

2006-01-30T07:37:00.000+09:30

We left San Juan yesterday and had a head over heels rushed GOOD BYE with Kris and Kurt - we took a bus from San Juan which rushed us out at the Panamerican Highway from where we were supposed to flag down a bus to the border - the bus was just gone when Kris realised that he forgot his bag! Sheit - we hugged a rush good bye, Michael and me took the bus to the border and Kris and Kurt went on a mission to find the bag (they did in the end - but not in bus - it was still sitting on the sideway in San Juan right where he left it!)

The border was an experience - a huge food market, a steal gate, some people in jeans and t- shirt who want passports and money, some stamps for leaving Nicaragua, some stamps for entering Costa Rica - and after a 800 meter walk - there we were - Costa Rica - the rich coast.

Suddenly a breakfast and a juice costs about 2500.- ! But colones - not dolares! We feel rich! 1000 Costa Rican Colones are only 2 Dollars....

Anyway - we made our way down to Liberia on the Panamericana and then changed busses to go to the Pacific Coast - a little town called Playas del Coco - this weekend its name should be better Playa de LOCOS (meaning: crazy beach) tho!
We hit the day where a big Cowboy - Horse Parade takes place, lots of locals made their way into town, they have beer and music in the streets and the odd beautiful horse dancing along the road. Not a good time for us looking for budget accommodation!!
We ended up paying 45 Dollars for a Double Room which never happened before! Well, we have AC and TV but still...
This morning we got up early and went out on a boat for the first Fun Dives in the Pacific! Felt a bit like a nightdive because there was real poor visibility! But hey, Carribean waters spoiled us. We saw some huge stingray (StachelRochen) and a Guitar fish - funny name and funny creature! Next to a sea star and lots and lots of little and big Puffer fish! I reckon those are my favourite ones for the moment - they have such an amazing face! And one even BLINKED at me!
Puffer fish - stolen from the internet

We did two dives - in between having some fresh fruits and enjoying the sun on our catamaran diving boat.
We will leave this town later on with a bus back to Liberia - which is supposed to be "a bit of a bigger town". Tomorrow we will head further down on the Panamericaner!

Hear from you guys soon!!

PS: Info - the local people in Costa Rica are Ticas or Ticos.

Yours, Karin

Nicaraguan Pacific Coast

2006-01-28T06:27:00.000+09:30

We are back in town!

The last two days we went camping on a beautiful "surfer´s beach" just 15 km South of Suan Juan - back to Bahia Majagual. For US 2.50 per person we camped in a secured area under Tamarindo trees - everybody knows what Tamarindo is? Hmm...they make yummy fresh juice with these fruits so we had a chat with the locals and learnt how to do it!

The days were sunny and the guys rented a Surf board - trying to be cool! Micha made it for 4 secs and Kurt even made it for 6 secs - although no one saw that! (...) The nights were windy - last night I tried to sleep in the hammock but I almost got blown out and away and after I felt like in a sandstorm with mouth and eyes full of fine sand I decided to go back into the tent - wise decision.

Today we are back in the hostel here in San Juan and tomorrow we will finally leave Nicaragua and head over the boarder to Costa Rica - next stop is Playa del Coco on the Pacific Coast for scuba diving!

enjoying beer and sunset, Bahia Majagual

""Surfer dudes and hot chicks""

2006-01-24T11:15:00.000+09:30

Yaah man, San Juan del Sur rocks.

The town is quite busy so we couldn´t stay in accommodation choice number one and bumped into this Surfer´s Backpacker. Full of cool "dudes" with six-back belly and chicks in pequeñito bikinis!

San Juan del Sur(f) is for tourist. Mainly for European Backpackers and Surfers from all over with their board and their girlfriends. A beautiful stretch of dark sandy beach, surrounded by mountains. As we all know beauty has its price so we need to pay US 6 here for our double room with shared bath instead of 2.50!
Lots of Americans moved here to either start a business or if only to enjoy the Nicaraguan winter.

Our Hostel is full of Americans, Swedish, Danish, Austrians, Germans, French and and and....most of them are nice people. Some of them prefer to sleep outside in the courtyard while their beloved surfboard liest on a fresh blanket in bed - waheva!
We spent a relaxing day in town yesterday and today we took a pick up - ride 40 mins out of town to the south - a long stretch of beautiful, beautiful pacific coast with the nice name Bahia Majagual. The surf is strong and at some beaches swimming is a no-go (for me anyway...guess I have a high-wave-phobia).

I started reading my new book on the life of Isaac Newton in our good old London (!!) on the beach while the boys were getting washed out by the rolling pacific waves. (check Micha´s blog for photo).

Tomorrow we will go back to the same beach - with tents and camping gear and stay there overnight - right on the beach in complete remoteness - that is pure luxury, at least for me/us.

I am working on my suntan and try to shrink my bikini to fit into the crowds....(joke...there are no crowds!)

Muchos besos, Karin

PS
Wanna try a Central American dish? - do it yourself:
GALLOPINTO (V)
- this is included into every traditional nicaraguan breakfast - its a rice and beans mix with some extras, go for eggs and tortillas with it!
What you need:
2tbl Vegetable oil
2 lrg Onions, sliced thin
2 cup Cooked red beans
1/4 cup Bean cooking liquid or water
1 cup Cooked white rice

..and then....

Beans: Place 1 c of dry red beans, 6 mashed garlic cloves and enough water to cover in a pressure cooker and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not add salt as it will toughen beans. Rice: Converted rice works best.
It can be made in the rice cooker if you prefer, but watch the water rice ratio and cooking time; the rice needs to be firm, not sticky.
Heat the oil in a heavy pot and saute onion until lightly golden. Add the cooked beans and liquid, Stir gently and continuously over low heat for about 5 minutes; the beans should remain whole not mashed. Add the cooked rice and continue to stir for about 10 minutes.
Taste and add a little salt if desired.

Enjoy!

Lake Nicaragua

2006-01-22T08:36:00.000+09:30

Enjoying tranquility at Lake Nicaragua

We found the "Gringos" Kurt and Kris and with them a beautiful place for camping on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, as a backdrop the Vulcano Conception (16xx m).

We spent 2 days in this beautiful place without any other tourists. Playing cards, reading and drinking Cuba Libre - I reckon I had a bit too much because I completely lost my voice, maybe the "barones" ("guys"or "boys" in Nicaraguan) enjoy the silence.

Today we went from the beach back into town - to take the ferry back to the mainland tomorrow morning. We changed our plan and we will stay a bit longer in Nicaragua. We will head South to San Juan del Sur - a popular Surfer´s Paradise.

Keep me posted whats happening in your world!

XX Karin

Ometepe Island - Hiking the Vulcano...

2006-01-20T03:45:00.000+09:30

Heidi, Claudio, thanks for the comments! Yep it´s true - it´s really nice to get some feedback, makes me feel "still beeing attached" to you guys and not toooo far away! Keep on going!

The ambition:
swimming in the crater lake of Vulcano Madera on Ometepe Island
The task:
climbing the vulcano first ( 1395 m)

Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua

On Monday we made our way to Ometepe Island, the biggest fresh water island in the world in Lake Nicaragua.
Approaching the island is impressive: two big vulcanos reaching for the sky, the tops covered in white clouds.
The Island seems to be considered a place apart from the rest of Nicaragua. Due to the rich (vulcanic) soil on the island the agriculture output is better and makes the island more prosperous than much of Nicaragua mainland.

A bumpy ride in a van took us to our hotel in Santo Domingo - Hotel Villa Paraiso. Again a beautifull hotel which is for us as Budget Backpackers (btw: mochilera, Spanish, a femail backpacker - so thats me!) too posh to be true! We are staying in beautiful cabanas near the lake, air con and a nice bath, all very clean and nicely decorated. The food is excellent, too and we are enjoying the exotic fruit cocktails as well as the "comida tipico" - the local food.
The rest of Monday was just hanging out, chatting with the group. I made some very very important connections here and am invited to different places in New Zealand and Australia which is very, very convenient!!!

Anyway, the next day, Tuesday we had a big mission: hiking up the vulcano! 6km uphill, through pristine rainforest with colorfull birds and monkeys to the top, swimming in the muddy crater lake and 6 km downhill. Sounds not too bad? Well - it was deadly exhausting!
Despite the fact that I´ve never done this sort of hiking before I was suprised to find myself always walking in the strong middle of the group - no serious slipping or falling!!!

We walked up and at km2 the rainforest began and with it we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by clouds (CLOUDforest), as soon as we stepped into it everything was wet, muddy, no more sunshine. We walked uphill on a muddy, sometimes hard to identify path, along, over and under huge trees and bushes - it was an experience!

After 9hrs of hiking we finally made it back to the hotel - wow. Shaky knees, a hurting back - but we felt "positively" exhausted!!!

Yesterday night we already said Good Bye to the group - they are heading all the way down to San Jose in Costa Rica today so we decided to stay a bit longer and make our way with Kris and Kurt (they are on Ometepe as well and we will meet them later) bit by bit through Costa Rica and eventually to Panama.....

ferry capsized

2006-01-17T10:53:00.000+09:30

....it was in the news today.
Unfortunately the ferry we were supposed to take tomorrow morning to Ometepe sunk today so we will need an alternative but thats cool! No one's injured... all fine...just the load of bananas and exotic fruits was lost!

Today Micha and me took the local chicken bus to Masaya....a town very popular for its handcrafts and markets - and they were indeed huge and nice!
And I bought a hammock! Jeepeee!! A beautiful huge "grandototototototototototota hamaca" - lucky lucky me that Micha will take it back to Germany so I don't have to carry it for 10 months!!

Tomorrow we will leave to Ometepe Island - seems like we will meet up with the bunch of people from Utila so we are looking forward to that!

PS. Is anyone reading this?

Hugs, Karin

Granada, NICARAGUA

2006-01-16T06:58:00.000+09:30

first impressions....

Nicaragua

After meeting " the group" of Tucan Travel we are going to travel with for a couple of days we made our way over the boarder to Nicaragua - a loooong busride on the PAMAMERICANA (all in all 7 hours) took us first, through complete remote forest- and palmtree-scenery to Managua, the "tourist unfriendliest capital in Central America". To be honest we didn´t see a lot because for us it was only to change the bus to make the last 50 km to the first spanish settlement (1524!) GRANADA - a beautiful city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua - the biggest fresh water lake in Central America and apprearently the only one in the world with sharks who adapted to the fresh water. The scenery is impressive: in the middle of the lake is OMETEPE ISLAND, a inhabited vulcano island with black beaches. We haven´t seen these yet but in two days!

Again: Granada is really really stunning! We are very impressed because it' s clean and clear - not too much traffic, instead you see horse carriages in the streets, beautiful colonial style churches and nice people - "nice people" includes the odd Nica kids bagging for water, money or sweets (while licking ice cream or eating chocolate) - but its not disturbing.

Micha and me took a walk from the shiny scenery of the central plaza with the nicest hotels in town - of which one is ours, called "Hotel Alhambra" in the heart of Granada. This is so posh - we don´t know what to say. We have huge bedrooms, air conditioning, tv with satelite, huge bathrooms with a "family shower", hot water and -a pool!

swimming pool area...

Anyway - while taking a walk to the shores of Lake Nicaragua we also saw the not too shiny side of this tourist capital of Nicaragua: which was still clean and didn´t look run down like some places in Honduras - but we don´t know, maybe this is only because Granada is seen as the main tourist attraction in the country so maybe the govenment tries to push this reputation to be the nicest as well.
The country is poor, no doubt.
Estimated 50% of the population are living below the so called povert line or poverty level.

Still, Nicaragua seems to be a very proud country. With the group we took an "orientation walk" along the main sights in Granada and as an introduction our guide (a well traditionally dressed young Nica Lady) sang us the hymn of Nicaragua -passers-by got down from their bikes to stand still.

The big city - TEGUCIGALPA - last day in Honduras

2006-01-14T09:16:00.000+09:30

Teguc" - how the locals call their capital is exactly what you expect from a Central American big city: it´s loud, unfortunatly very dirty, chaotic and air polluted.

We arrived yesterday by bus and were lucky with a satisfying backpacker hostel in which we all found a bed for 4.50 Dollar US. Not cheap (...) - but not too expensive! No rats, no cockroaches and more or less hot water (if you´re lucky or just knock at the shower head a couple of times).

We went out for Dinner - Chinese.

This morning Kurt and Kris left us to take a bus down to Nicaragua where we will meet them later on ....

and we moved into the hostel - well let´s say HOTEL in which we will meet the group from TUCAN TRAVEL!
Wow - it´s posh! We have a mosquito grid infront of the windows, no noise, a comfortable bed, a big shower with hot water and TWO water taps!

Everything is clean but one thing is still the same: there is no door to the bathroom!

Don´t ask me why the Hondurans like to hear and see each other letting the pants down on the loo - for us this is certainly not a familiar experience! Anyway, we know us for ages and been through that so we´re cool!
This afternoon we went to see Las Cronicas de Narinia - for only EURO 1 in a movie theatre here in Teguc. There was only salty popcorn with chili souce or salsa so we had chocolate cookies instead!

I don´t know how this city moves - all I can see out of the window of the internet cafe here are taxis and busses (still the good old american school busses) - in a complete standstill . It´s a big honk concert going on and from time to time its a light show as well! Green flashy lights around the car is certain to get your customer´s attention far quicker than anything else. ...."whaheva".

Tonight we will meet the "team" - reckon it will be cool and hopefully there are some nice people in the group!

photo- Iglesia in Teguc - evening market

Forward paddle! Backward paddle! HOLD ON!

2006-01-12T00:49:00.000+09:30

White Water Rafting in the Pico Bonito National Park - one of the biggest, no I think it is the biggest National Park in Honduras, that`s what we did yesterday and it was really cool!

Due to the really wet action it was impossible to take some pictures - actually we did but just with the underwater camera and that will take a while until we`ll see those pictures...

We toook the ferry from Utila back to La Ceiba yesterday morning at 6:30 am. We had some Dolphins waving good bye along the ride...isn`t that romantic?

Micha and me went with the Irish Girls to a Jungle Lodge run by a German couple - he left Germany 13 years ago to settle down in the jungle in Honduras - she came 5 years ago. Nice people - a bit weird tho.

We did the Rafting right away tha afternoon, this morning we went back to La Ceiba and kicked Kurt and Kris out of their beds at 7.30 am.

I reckon we will hang out the day here in La Ceiba and take a bus tomorrow to Tegucigalpa to be there for the 13th when our tour starts.

Luckily the rainy weather changed back to sun and we are back on 27 C - hehehehehe!

Karin

...preparing the night dive from the dock right in front of the hotel on Jewel Cay...

aehm....Texas?

Utilatopia and Parrotfish poo

2006-01-10T04:11:00.000+09:30

Back in Utila.

This time we left Jewel Cay for good...

We had a great time and a Big Thank you goes out to the really nice and fun Instructors and staff of the Morgan Dive Centre and Hotel Kayla.
Have a look at the new Blog we made especially for the time spent in Utila - named Utilatopia (Jodi's idea) - see link - to see some pictures.

There is really not a lot to tell in detail about the last two weeks...the diving was amazing, we had lots of fun with playing pictionary, poker and truth or dare, and surrounded by a great bunch of people time flew.

After 2 weeks of pure sun ( rain on the last 2 days), diving and DO THINGS, MEET POEPLE AND GO PLACES, we are not alone anymore - looks like we have some more people "in the team". Kurt and Kris from the States, Helen and Richard from the UK and Onya (hope thats right) and Paula from Ireland.

Tomorrow we will be heading back to the mainland, we have the plan to do some White Water Rafting all togehter in La Ceiba.

A big hug goes our to all the poeple at home and to everyone who is reading our diaries....

Karin

PS: Did you know that walking in the white sand of the Caribbean beaches means actually walking in Parrotfish (see picture) poo?

Diving into 2006

2006-01-03T03:53:00.000+09:30

Dear all,
yes, Micha and me are by now PADI Open Water Divers...and because we loved it and really got the "vibe" we are continuing with the Advanced Course - fact is, the Jewel Caye Island, a little island near Utila, with its 200 habitants is just too beautiful to leave....

We are staying in the Captain Morgan Dive School, the only Dive School in this cool spot - get out of bed and jump into cristall clear water, snorkel and see all those reef fishies, some sharks. Wait for the boat, get ready to dive....

Wow, I am completely amazed! How wicked is the underwater world! We did a couple of open water dives and fun dives, tomorrow we go deep, then wreck diving and night diving!!! How exciting is that!?

There is no internet on Jewel Caye but today we took the boat to Utila, to "the big city" - I need to see the "dive doctor" as I have a bit of trouble with my ears so we enjoy this one day here - internet,fresh juices and fruits and the odd shopping in gift shops.

New Years eve was pretty relaxed...a couple of people from the States, Norway, Germany, Austria, ...stayed at Captain Morgans for a big fish and seafood bbq. We had an amazing sunset and a really nice night - first time of my life that there was no firework at all at midnight! - but nonetheless we had a claer sky full and stars....

So this should be it for a quick update on what we are doing at the moment...the doctor reopens after his lunch break at 1pm so I better go!

Hope you all had a good start into the new year! See you all soon - THIS year!
Karin

..on our way to dinner.....

xmas in Honduras - 26. 12.2005

2005-12-27T01:46:00.000+09:30

The Holy and Silent night is already over - here in Tela, a lillte town on the carribean coast of Honduras nothing felt like SILENT and HOLY....
Kids and Non Kids got crazy around midnight when they blow up all sorts of self made (I assume) fireworks - felt like a war broke out.

Obviously we had no snowfall here but to be honest: it was raining again....so strong, hard and long that I thought we might have missed a huricane warning or something!

Honduras is a positive surprise for me. Although it is the second poorest (right after Nicaragua) country here in Central America it feels....ok. Don´t know really how to put this in words but I was expecting it to be worth. We have good streets, electricity, hot water, the public transport system is running - of course it is a different world to Belize.

Suddenly kids are comming up to you with open hands asking for money, a guy asked Micha to buy him please something to eat. They call us "bello" and "bella" and all they see is a big DOLLAR sign on our foreheads.

When we left Belize we set over on a small (ish) boat from Placencia to Puerto Cortes, the journey which should be like 2 hours took us 5 as the guy from the immigration had appearently something else to do first so we had to wait....
We met a very nice german couple (from bavaria) on the pier so time flew.

Everybody got sick on the boat - I had to concentrate hard on the horizont to not see my breakfast again so it was a big relief to see the enouormes mountain range of Honduras after hours of grey rainy waves of the sea!

Before the boat could dock onto the pier in Puerto Cortes we had people jumping on the boat, sticking their heads and hands through the windows, screaming things, money in their one hand, a calculator in the other: they wanted our dollars and change money! First it felt like a robbery or something and no one was prepared!

Well in the end we found our way to San Pedro Sula where we got stuck for one night due to the delay of the ferry. As it is not recommanded to take an overnight bus as a tourist here in Honduras we stayed overnight in a hotel and took a bus on the next morning to TELA, where we are still now.

Lucky us that we took a room with TV - so we were able to see some good movies on the beloved xmas - tv - programme!

The plan for today is to leave TELA to make our way to LA CEIBA, the biggest city on the honduran caribic coast (population 90.000). Here we might stay one night and do some rafting or kayaking ... there are a few places for action but obvisouly we need better weather for that....

It´s still warm, but very humid and we don´t like the rain!

After that we will head to one of the highlights of this trip: Isla UTILA for scuba diving!

....making our way from the hotel to the bus in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

2005-12-23T08:50:00.000+09:30

Can anyone explain the glow of Christmas?
Holidays are candles in the night.
Rebirth comes from family and friends
In one bright blur of food and talk that ends
Still burning as a peaceful inner light.
There is no way to substitute for Christmas.
Miss it and no circumstance feels right.
All my heart's with you, yet I must miss this
Season thick with love and rich delight.

Nicholas Gordon

There is not such thing as boredom in the world

2005-12-21T08:57:00.000+09:30

...more palm trees, more sandy beach, more carribean sea, more friendly people, more white rum - does that sound boring? Weeeeellllll...we are on holiday man!

Via Hopkins we arrived here to Peninsula Placencia, which will be the last Belizean site before heading into Honduras. We will stay until Friday, take the ferry in the morning to Puerto Cortes in Honduras and from there...well, find a nice location to celebrate xmas I would say!

Anyway, Hopkins was cute, one of the "pure" garifuna*** villages in Belize...relaxed people (wanna smok' sum dope maaan?)...., Placencia is even nicer. This "Peninsula" lies approx 25 miles along the mainland coast, to the one side the carribean sea on the other side the lagoon with mongove forests. Nice place!

...but I have to be honest: we had rain! It was raining the entire day yesterday and today again in the afternoon we had to say good bye to the beloved sun! Still its hot and humid...
I am reading a very good book so all is ok....

Still a nice view to see the carribean sea approx 250 meters from your terace crawling along the white beach, of course you have to move on your comfi chair a bit to sea the little waves as there are some palm trees to peek through..

***FYI: Garifuna:
In Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Caribbean Islands there is the Garifuna culture, numbering approximately 500,000 people. The Garifuna are descendents of Kalinagu who were Guianas of South America. In the 11th century, the natives were killed and their women were taken for wives. Nigerian slaves escaped from a slave ship that had run aground near St. Vincent in 1675. These black people were assimilated into the native culture of the Caribs and their offspring were known as Black Caribs. (Garinagu Early History, 1997).

I hope you all are enjoying christmas time - and I wish everybody a very merry xmas should we not speak before...

From the beach to the mountains

2005-12-17T08:57:00.000+09:30

As planned did we leave the relaxed island of Caye Caulker yesterday and took the ferry back to Belize City. From here we took the bus, one of these old American BlueBird Schoolbusses, which was completly packed, full of people, full of luggage!
"Here is another seat!" -the guy told me and I thankfully made my way three benches to the front: aeh - right! 3 cm3 for my bum!

It took us 3 hours, due to 293846452749506 stops for anyone and everyone until we made it to San Ignacio, a little town which setting is very pretty on the hills of the Maya Mountains which make the boarder to Guatemala. I reckon we are just a couple of km away from Guatemala.

San Ignacio itself is pretty cute, in the jungle, completly different setting and surrounding nature. We climbed up about 1500 meters here.

We arrived yesterday evening. Had a chilled early night.

For today we had a plan:
we hired a canoe and made our way, 4 hours down the River, all through canyons full of jungle, along the mountains - beautiful!

We saw lots of Iguanas....some of which were at least a meter long.

No other people were around really and as said, it took us pretty much 4 hours back into civilization.

Now we are realxing here...gonna have a nice early dinner and tomorrow the plan is to go back to Belmopan and then head down along the coast back to the carribean beaches! Hopkins shall be our next stop!
"A sleepy fishing village with the best beaches of the country" - yep, sounds good to me!

Karin

Micha and Karin in OPEN WATER!

2005-12-15T10:03:00.000+09:30

Jeez people, I kissed a shark today!

Well, first I kissed Micha HAPPY BIRTHDAY.....and as this is a special day we went on a sailing trip....
A bit of an insider...the Rough Guides says: go to the house opposite the basketball court for something special - well there we were.

We boarded the small (ish) Trinity this morning at 10am with two others. Our skipper is Mayan originally and born at sea - that is what he says.

He showed us around the Reef, we went snorkelling, we spent the whole trip accompanied by a shark family which is in close relation with this guy...just amazing!

I never did snorkelling before and never expected it to be actually THAT easy.....

We spend the whole day at sea...first stop the Shark Alley....second stop the Reef, which is, as mentioned the second largest in the world. All these little fishies!!! In all colors, sizes, funny shapes, scary shapes....everything!

I definately have a new hobby here!!

Karin