After seven days, fifty mosquito bites, and a couple hospital visits in Trinidad we had seen enough and hopped on the bus to Rurrenabaque, a town that is as difficult to access as it is to pronounce. The rusted old bus with intermittently functioning headlights and hefty offroading tires bumped and splashed towards 'Rurre' for 12 hours, dropping us off at 1 AM in the small riveside town known for its proximity to the Madidi jungle and the Yunguyo Pampas. We had decided to try and visit both areas in a week, and fill in the spaces with a little hammock time. In all of the protected areas around Rurre it is prohibited to set out independently (it is also nearly impossible due to the remoteness of everything), so we signed up with a tour and headed out towards the Pampas, a wetlands area teeming with wildlife that swims, swings, and swoops alongside the motor driven canoes of the tour company. The first day the weather took an unfortunate turn from the typical balmy tropical heat to a frigid and cloudy drizzle. Although the weather slowed my unprepared and unprotected body to a crawl, it did not stop the myriad of creatures that lined the banks from showing their faces. On the way out to the rustic lodge we saw caiman, alligators, squirrel monkeys, anteaters, capybara, and birds of paradise to name a few. Upon arriving the weather improved for the duration of our stay, and I passed the night drinking cheap whiskey and happily pulling catfish out of the murky brown river with my hand-line. The next day we set out into the open pampa with rubber boots and sticks to find the infamous anaconda. We had been told that it was rare to find the snakes, and what we had read from other tourists prepared us for disappointment. However, after arriving at a lake filled with more caimans than seemed possible, someone from the group gave out a shriek of success and we came running over to see the creature. The 10 ft long snake was coiled up in the bushes and fortunately is rather incapable of attacking unless it is in the water. After a few hundred photos we headed back to the boat, passing a number of other amazing birds such as the giant Yapebu. That evening we did another wildlife watching trip and found some howler monkeys and sloths among the branches, as well as some pink river dolphins alongside the boat. Our final act of business for the day was to fish for some piranhas using raw beef. Viviana quickly upstaged me as she deftly yanked one into the boat, and I was left tossing back sardines and wasting a sirloin worth of bait. At sunset we stopped by a little shack/bar and played volleyball and sipped more cheap whisky until the night fell. The last day only contained one activity really worth mentioning. We cruised out on the canoe until we located a group of river dolphins, which we were told would scare away the piranhas. Apparently the caimans and alligators were braver, but despite there being five or six of the beasts in the water nearby (oh and don't dare pee in the water either...) a few of us jumped in for a dip. The alligators maintained their positions and after a few unnerving minutes in the water we hopped out and headed back to town, ready for the next adventure.
Madidi National Park begins a few kilometers down the river from Rurre and stretches on for 19000 square kilometers of dense, lush jungle. Our trip brought us to another small shack, this time without running water, located on the bank of the Tuichi river. Even though this reserve is part of the Amazon rainforest and is completely packed with wildlife, it is so dense that seeing them can prove to be very difficult. The majority of our three days in the jungle was spent tromping through the understory following footprints and sounds searching for creatures. We found a few monkeys hanging around, namely the howler monkeys and another group of squirrel monkeys, but there were two real highlights, one on the first night and the other on the second day. After a few treks into the jungle and a nice dinner we retired to the dormitory style shack with beds and mosquito nets we were to sleep in. Before turning in we were all hanging out on the small porch out front chatting when the guide suddenly instructed us to be silent and turn off the headlamps and candles. We obeyed without protest and sat there for a good hour listening to a strange sound coming from the trees. Eventually we were told to very quietly go inside the cabin and continue being silent. The guide and his family followed us in and at this point we asked to know exactly why we were acting so odd. He explained that there was a pack of monkeys with a history of attacking and even killing humans waiting outside in the trees. Of course my skepticism kicked in immediately, but the fact that he waited in the cabin for over an hour after we had all gotten into the beds made me a little unsure, and an internet search turned up little information other than the fact that 'there are hundreds of species of monkeys in the Amazon, and many yet to be discovered.' Nevertheless, we all slept well avoiding any harm from the Cujo-monkeys, and the next day we resumed the wildlife search. At some point the guide had ventured off listening to a call in the distance and left us a short distance behind when we started to hear an odd groaning sound getting louder. The groan was intensified by the noise of the insects, which followed the crescendo. Soon the guide heard as well and came creeping back, passing us and instructing us to follow. The noise was close now and we could hear grunts and snorts as well as what sounded like the clashing of horns. The herd of animals was just on the other side of the bush, but as we crept closer they heard us and fled, allowing me only the faintest look at some brown object retreating into the distance. The guide explained to us that they were a pack of wild boars, battling and foraging for food. Eventually I accepted the loss and we continued the hike. Another few hours later we approached what we knew would be our best chance to see wildlife. In the middle of the jungle there is a small opening with some mud pits that are said to have a very high salt content, drawing all types of animals in for the nutrients. As we came close we went into stealth mode, and tiptoeing towards the pits we soon heard a familiar snorting noise. Sure enough there was a herd of around 40 wild boars congregating around the mud pit and taking in the precious mineral. We hid for a good five minutes watching them play before they finally noticed us and took off, leaving us all very content with the experience. Upon returning to the hut I began preparing for bed with my flashlight under the mosquito net. As I did so I noticed a familiar small dot on my skin and quickly recognized it as a tick. Then I saw another. Then another. And another. Soon I called Viviana over to make sure she wasn't infested as well. That night I pulled six ticks of of my own body and twelve off of Viviana, leaving a nice pattern of horribly itchy dots on both of us. The rest of the time in the jungle was spent scratching wounds and learning about the various medicinal and otherwise useful plants, which included a vine that filtered water, a fruit that makes henna tattoos, and a bark that can clear up bloodshot eyes (a sure money maker in Oregon). After only three days in the jungle I hopped back on the boat and headed to Rurre, ready to continue the journey south.
A painful 22 hour dirt road led us to the next stop in Potosi, one of the most important contributors to the rapid spanish colonization of South America. Although the city now boasts a collection of impressive colonial architecture and a lot of other fancy crap, we decided to go for the true heart of the city and enter the centuries old silver mines where it all started. There are a number of agencies that will lead you up to the still functioning mines, but they all depend on the cooperation of the miners. To appease the miners, and their devil ´El Tio,´ all visitors must bring gifts to give to the miners they encounter in the shafts along the way. The list of acceptable offerings is: alcohol, coca leaves, cigarrettes, dynamite, and soda. Clearly the miners have given up on a healthy diet. So we loaded up and went deep into the mine, ducking out of the way every few minutes as groups of miners pushed 1.5 ton mine carts by. The coca leaves proved to be absolutely necessary, as the already thin oxygen at 12000 ft becomes even more scarce deep inside the mine. At one point we stopped by and paid homage to ´El Tio,´ an ancient clay effigy that the miners worship for safety and success. This consisted of sticking a couple of burning cigarrettes in his tar covered mouth, taking a swig of horrific 96% alcohol, and then pouring a little out for the Pachamama. With my lungs burning as much as my mouth, we retreated to the outside world and headed back down to Potosi, where we caught another bus over to the desert town of Uyuni.
Uyuni is basically just a jumping off point for the massive Salar de Uyuni, the worlds largest salt flat. Again the only way to access this remote region is by tour, so we signed up and hopped in a 4x4 with a few other French and Italitan tourists. After a few stops for photos in the middle of the giant salt flat we drove way out to the Isla del Pez, a cacti covered island that really makes you feel like you are in the middle of a giant white sea. Back in the jeep we drove for a few hours in a perfectly straight line to the edge of the salt flat, where we spent the night in a hotel made completely out of salt. The next morning we got up, stretched our legs and necks and drove up to an altiplano lake absolutely packed with 3 different species of flamingos. Adding another accent to the spectacular scenery was a pack of wild vicuñas (a relative of the llama) grazing along the lakeshore. We passed three more similar lakes before coming to the Laguna Colorada, a slightly larger lake with blood-red water, and of course it´s own little flamingo colony. This was on the 25th, so our christmas celebration was slightly unusual. We had a bottle of champagne and some of the most amazing stargazing of my life, but no tree and unfortunately no family either. The next day was my birthday, and it proved to be equally unusual and uniquely incredible. The day started with a trip to some steaming geysers on the top of a ridge at sunrise, after which we descended to a mere 13000 ft for a dip in some hot springs, also with the requisite flock of flamingos. Then we passed by the ´Salvador Dali Desert´ and headed on into Chile, where we finished the trip in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Since then we have made a 22 hours bus journey into Santiago, and are awaiting the arrival of my parents who will travel with us for 3 weeks. It has suddenly hit me that my trip to the third world is over, and the rest of the trip will be a little more expensive. However this also brings some serious benefits, such as healthy food, comfortable rooms, and even good beer. Now I will put to the test all of my acquired cost saving armaments to survive in the modern world, and some new weapons as well. Tomorrow we will be trying out couchsurfing for the first time, and of course I will keep you informed on how it goes.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Klayar Beach Pacitan Earth Java
Beach klayar in Donorojo District, District Pacitan.Pantai It is about 35 km to the west of Pacitan. Beach klayar might be obtained in about 60 minutes from the city of Pacitan. on the fringe of beach dune klayar many that have characteristics of other beaches which are in Pacitan.
This white sandy beach has a privilege in the crevice between rocks and waves that can be waved like a flute sound of the sea. It has a white sand and blue water that is fun to be visited and enjoyed. In addition there is also a natural fountain. The fountain is due to air pressure at sea wave which hit rock rock hollow. fountain height can reach about 10 meters and can produce drizzle and dew sea water by surrounding communities is believed to have special qualities as an ageless medicine.
Indonesia Tourist Paradise
Friday, December 10, 2010
BANTEN , TANJUNG LESUNG
Pulau Umang the District of Wells, Pandeglang, Banten away. This place is to escape from the noise of the city and enjoy the beautiful moments honeymoon.
On this island there is a resort that add an artistic touch of nature, beauty of the sea, surrounded by mountains on the atmosphere is more romantic set during their honeymoon.
On this island there is a resort that add an artistic touch of nature, beauty of the sea, surrounded by mountains on the atmosphere is more romantic set during their honeymoon.
Searching for Peace
We left Copacabana looking for a little quiet time. It turned out to be much harder to find than we had hoped. Our first stop was in La Paz, a giant cloud of smog and traffic with every street as packed as the busses that clog them. The only thing tidy and clean in this city was my chin after the barber cut my beard off against my orders. After a couple of days we had had enough and continued on to Cochabamba to search for greener pastures. This turned out to be a bad choice.
Our intention was to work at an NGO that made and promoted solar ovens in an effort to help delay deforestation. In the first day we had stopped by the site and arranged things with the owner, and although the city was rather depressing, we even managed to find a nice little apartment right downtown. It was going well so far, perhaps too well. The landlord at the apartment was a little old Bolivian lady, probably in her late 40´s, with huge fangs and twisted horns protruding from the side of her head. Despite her slightly terrifying demeanor and penetrating stench, we signed the rental contract for the month and moved all our stuff into the apartment. I awoke the next morning to the unfortunate sight of Viviana battling another sickness, and while I tried to reassure her I heard the loud clopping of hooves on the staircase and immediately knew our happy little apartment wasn´t going to last. I could see the landlord was upset by the smoke protruding from her nostrils. She explained to us that she had added a few rules to the contract and wanted us to sign a new one. This time it included such clauses as ´no guests ever in the house´ and ´no alcoholic beverages allowed in the apartment.´ Clearly this wasn´t going to work, so less than 12 short hours after our arrival we were packing up again.
A glance at the calendar made me aware that we only had about 3 weeks left to volunteer, and the solar place had asked for a 1 month minimum commitment. After checking the place out we didn´t feel like we could help much in so short a time, so we went to investigate our backup plan, a school in the poor suburbs of Cochabamba where we could help with classes and activities. Again we spoke with the director and got things arranged. Our spirits lifted with the sight of all the adorable little children bouncing around the playground and we felt renewed. That is until we got back to the depressing concrete prison of Cochabamba and realized we still had nowhere to stay. This time we were just looking for a hostel we could live at for a few weeks. It needed a kitchen, a common area, and a decent price. After a thorough 3 day search of the city we were still completely empty handed, and now I was starting to feel a similar sickness as Viviana had been feeling the last couple days. Depressed and defeated, we decided to take evasive action and hop the next bus out of town. A claustrophobically awkward ride with our backpacks on a public city bus, a hectic terminal with rude employees, and a retarded kid pacing up and down the bus screeching out of key religious songs put us on the edge of a nervous breakdown until we finally saw the city lights fade away behind the bus. We had spent a horrifically stressful week trying to volunteer, and as those in search of peace often do, we followed the road to the East.
An overnight bus to Santa Cruz followed by a collectivo along the Amborò Jungle Reserve brought us to the chilled out hamlet of Samaipata. We checked into a hostel with a nice balcony and an open kitchen and let out a big sigh of relief. Now it was just a question of sleeping in and enjoying the nearby attractions at our leisure. We managed to visit the Fuerte de Samaipata, an ancient pre-incan ruin carved into a humongous rock, and the waterfalls of Las Cuevas, which included some nice quick-sand beaches you could sink deep into. The next night brought a little hannukah celebration, which included donuts, potato pancakes, and a pissed off hostel owner that kicked all of our new Israeli friends out of the hostel the next day. After another lazy day of rest we headed out to the remote La Pajcha waterfall for some camping and playing in the sand. Finally we were starting to feel the stress leaving the body, and after 5 nights in Samaipata we decided to leave the fresh mountain air and head down into the steamy jungle.
Trinidad is the capital of the Beni province in northern Bolivia. It´s hot and sticky, and just a stones throw from the Rio Ibara and the Rio Mamorè, two large Amazonian rivers full of life. While Viviana has been battling yet another bout of stomach problems (Bolivian hospitals make Peruvian hospitals look like palaces of cleanliness and security), we have managed to enjoy the splendors of the jungle a bit so far. This time we rented a motorcycle... ok it was a scooter... and cruised off to the river where we saw pink river dolphins swimming amongst the lillipads. We paid a local $2 to use his canoe for the day and paddled down the river a little ways, sighting a large family of capybaras on the bank, as well as numerous species of birds and a lot of jumping fish. Now we are waiting out the last fading signs of Vivianas stomach illness, at which point we will probably move on to the more touristy town of Rurrenabaque to continue exploring the Bolivian Amazon. We´ve made a point to slow down a bit in Bolivia and it has definitely been a nice break from the constant travelling. Hopefully the rivers of western Beni will continue to wash away the stress and channel in the relaxation...
Our intention was to work at an NGO that made and promoted solar ovens in an effort to help delay deforestation. In the first day we had stopped by the site and arranged things with the owner, and although the city was rather depressing, we even managed to find a nice little apartment right downtown. It was going well so far, perhaps too well. The landlord at the apartment was a little old Bolivian lady, probably in her late 40´s, with huge fangs and twisted horns protruding from the side of her head. Despite her slightly terrifying demeanor and penetrating stench, we signed the rental contract for the month and moved all our stuff into the apartment. I awoke the next morning to the unfortunate sight of Viviana battling another sickness, and while I tried to reassure her I heard the loud clopping of hooves on the staircase and immediately knew our happy little apartment wasn´t going to last. I could see the landlord was upset by the smoke protruding from her nostrils. She explained to us that she had added a few rules to the contract and wanted us to sign a new one. This time it included such clauses as ´no guests ever in the house´ and ´no alcoholic beverages allowed in the apartment.´ Clearly this wasn´t going to work, so less than 12 short hours after our arrival we were packing up again.
A glance at the calendar made me aware that we only had about 3 weeks left to volunteer, and the solar place had asked for a 1 month minimum commitment. After checking the place out we didn´t feel like we could help much in so short a time, so we went to investigate our backup plan, a school in the poor suburbs of Cochabamba where we could help with classes and activities. Again we spoke with the director and got things arranged. Our spirits lifted with the sight of all the adorable little children bouncing around the playground and we felt renewed. That is until we got back to the depressing concrete prison of Cochabamba and realized we still had nowhere to stay. This time we were just looking for a hostel we could live at for a few weeks. It needed a kitchen, a common area, and a decent price. After a thorough 3 day search of the city we were still completely empty handed, and now I was starting to feel a similar sickness as Viviana had been feeling the last couple days. Depressed and defeated, we decided to take evasive action and hop the next bus out of town. A claustrophobically awkward ride with our backpacks on a public city bus, a hectic terminal with rude employees, and a retarded kid pacing up and down the bus screeching out of key religious songs put us on the edge of a nervous breakdown until we finally saw the city lights fade away behind the bus. We had spent a horrifically stressful week trying to volunteer, and as those in search of peace often do, we followed the road to the East.
An overnight bus to Santa Cruz followed by a collectivo along the Amborò Jungle Reserve brought us to the chilled out hamlet of Samaipata. We checked into a hostel with a nice balcony and an open kitchen and let out a big sigh of relief. Now it was just a question of sleeping in and enjoying the nearby attractions at our leisure. We managed to visit the Fuerte de Samaipata, an ancient pre-incan ruin carved into a humongous rock, and the waterfalls of Las Cuevas, which included some nice quick-sand beaches you could sink deep into. The next night brought a little hannukah celebration, which included donuts, potato pancakes, and a pissed off hostel owner that kicked all of our new Israeli friends out of the hostel the next day. After another lazy day of rest we headed out to the remote La Pajcha waterfall for some camping and playing in the sand. Finally we were starting to feel the stress leaving the body, and after 5 nights in Samaipata we decided to leave the fresh mountain air and head down into the steamy jungle.
Trinidad is the capital of the Beni province in northern Bolivia. It´s hot and sticky, and just a stones throw from the Rio Ibara and the Rio Mamorè, two large Amazonian rivers full of life. While Viviana has been battling yet another bout of stomach problems (Bolivian hospitals make Peruvian hospitals look like palaces of cleanliness and security), we have managed to enjoy the splendors of the jungle a bit so far. This time we rented a motorcycle... ok it was a scooter... and cruised off to the river where we saw pink river dolphins swimming amongst the lillipads. We paid a local $2 to use his canoe for the day and paddled down the river a little ways, sighting a large family of capybaras on the bank, as well as numerous species of birds and a lot of jumping fish. Now we are waiting out the last fading signs of Vivianas stomach illness, at which point we will probably move on to the more touristy town of Rurrenabaque to continue exploring the Bolivian Amazon. We´ve made a point to slow down a bit in Bolivia and it has definitely been a nice break from the constant travelling. Hopefully the rivers of western Beni will continue to wash away the stress and channel in the relaxation...
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
BELITUNG ISLAND
Belitung Island is dominated coast with beautiful views, crystal clear water and white sand along the coast. Number of bays with calm water makes this place suitable for honeymooners who enjoy water sports. Beautiful landscape of the island of Belitung, perhaps can not be found on other islands, it is the privilege of the island, attracting a place for a romantic honeymoon nan.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Kampung Sampireun, Garut, Jawa Barat
As a tourist attraction that recently put Kampung name Sampireun often. This is not report freely from various electronic and print media, the beauty and form of satisfaction as the expressed purpose of this tour.
The village is situated in the village Sampireun Sukakarya, Samarang can be a place to let go of saturation is different from other resorts.
Garut After about half an hour's drive from Bandung direction, point the way to Kampung Sampireun began to see. After turning off the main road, asphalt road narrows. On the left-right-way alternating fields with houses, and one of the two properties to begin color the views of the tobacco plant.
Although the streets are crowded not only by one or two public transport and trucks, speeding cars can not, because a lot of bumps. Perhaps because of the way to Kampung Sampireun direction of the steam power plant and Kamojang Kamojang Park on the slopes of Mount Guntur.
When you arrive, is the first court, the natural can be enjoyed a look at a lake with an area of 1.4 hectares with a bamboo-walled houses overlooking the lake immediately welcome as you arrive in the lobby. Bamboo and wood was the dominant element within and outside the cabin is often Sebuat cabana and lanai.
Every weekend at the resort where guests can relax area of about four hectares of fully charged. However, on normal days only a few guests who stop by here.
A variety of unique beauty of the place can either be enjoyed at different times of day or night. The atmosphere of the night you can feel as described Kompas, Sunday 30 July, 2000. At nightfall in his own views for those who were there, overwritten as the waves of the lake water surface sparkling moonlight. At the right end of the weak bamboo leaves, to protect the spring water as a source of lake water.
The village is situated in the village Sampireun Sukakarya, Samarang can be a place to let go of saturation is different from other resorts.
Garut After about half an hour's drive from Bandung direction, point the way to Kampung Sampireun began to see. After turning off the main road, asphalt road narrows. On the left-right-way alternating fields with houses, and one of the two properties to begin color the views of the tobacco plant.
Although the streets are crowded not only by one or two public transport and trucks, speeding cars can not, because a lot of bumps. Perhaps because of the way to Kampung Sampireun direction of the steam power plant and Kamojang Kamojang Park on the slopes of Mount Guntur.
When you arrive, is the first court, the natural can be enjoyed a look at a lake with an area of 1.4 hectares with a bamboo-walled houses overlooking the lake immediately welcome as you arrive in the lobby. Bamboo and wood was the dominant element within and outside the cabin is often Sebuat cabana and lanai.
Every weekend at the resort where guests can relax area of about four hectares of fully charged. However, on normal days only a few guests who stop by here.
A variety of unique beauty of the place can either be enjoyed at different times of day or night. The atmosphere of the night you can feel as described Kompas, Sunday 30 July, 2000. At nightfall in his own views for those who were there, overwritten as the waves of the lake water surface sparkling moonlight. At the right end of the weak bamboo leaves, to protect the spring water as a source of lake water.
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