New York in Style

Location: New York, New York

Visiting New York City during the Christmas Season is like being inside a Pinata. Bright lights line the streets, tinsel surrounds, there are Christmas trees at every corner and music plays from the speakers above. The weather is surprisingly nice, not too cold at all. LS and I arrived first around 10 am on Wednesday and quickly hit the streets of SoHo to do a little shopping and get us some lunch. The day was wonderful, we felt like real New Yorkers roaming the streets. AJP was the next to arrive around 6:30 in the evening. After dinner we went for a long walk up Broadway, through the East Village to Time Square, where we met Elizabeth Berkley. We then took a fabulous Rickshaw ride (above left) around Time Square to Rockefeller Centre to see the big Christmas Tree! Had a bit of a photo shoot there as well. It was getting fairly cold at this point and it was getting late so we made our way back to the apartment.

Thursday was spent in SoHo again, LS and I wondered into all the fancy shops just to see what we couldn't afford. AJP also went shopping but on his own. The majority of the afternoon was spent in Washington Square Park (right) where they also have a tree. I people watched and read my book until it got too cold. TG arrived around 7 pm and he began to pour drinks immediately. We headed out to a party at the Maritime Hotel's bar Hiro around 11 and met up with Silent Observer S.S. Who I met in South America and her boyfriend M.S. We had a great time dancing the night away which of course implies I was drinking, and I was. I blame the group for getting me too many rounds and not getting me home until 4 am off my chopps.

Friday was a right off for me. I went for Dim Sum with LS, AJP and a friend of L's but quickly came back home to sleep as I was having the worst hangover of my life. Despite same they managed to convince me to go out with them Friday night to Marquee the hottest bar in NYC at the moment. I had a nice time there, but was careful not to drink too much. Wasn't willing to feel like death 2 days in a row, can't miss another day in NYC. The others on the other hand went all out. We again didn't get home until 6 am. That was after our traditional Limo Ride to the "Flame" 24 hour restaurant for Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

Saturday was a day to relax, by the time we got in gear and had something to eat it was 3 pm. I then went on a mission with AJP to find boots, which I did. We then had a nice time chatting, catching up and having our favourite Starbucks coffee. We didn't want to go out and ruin New Years so we spent Saturday night very low key. Inside enjoying the warmth and chillin'. AJP & TG went out for a bit, but the girls stayed in and had some girl time.

The Finale

Location: Santiago, Chile

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago,_Chile
Santiago was the final destination on my trip around South America (for now). I was hear for only 2 1/2 days and now I must depart.

We arrived early Sunday Morning, not sleeping well on the bus I took a nap until about 9:00 am at the hotel. Upon awakening the group took a short walk around downtown. Shit it was hot! Had a horrible lunch experience the waiter was awful and the food was worse. At the end Guava smiled at the waiter and said "That was disgusting, thank you", he looked confused but saw her smile, so smiled back. I busted a gut.

In the afternoon I went on my own to see the Cathedral and Christmas Tree; not 'cause I like Christmas, but because I am always amazed to see Christmas decorations in a tropical climate. I enjoyed the street people the culture, the chaos the heat and sucked in as much as I could. In the evening we went for a Peruvian dinner, tried Chiviche, had lots of good wine, Pisco Sour and a nice risotto. Afterward we went out for another farewell night out but being Sunday there wasn't much. We ended up at a dodgy bar, with good music and bad drinks. Ended fairly early, but somehow on the way home we managed to 'bar hop' get a few more drinks and some smoke and had a fun walk home, sorry back to the hotel and continued our pow wow in our room.

Monday the girls and I had a nice breakfast at which I thought I might have drugged myself. I realize that needs an explanation. I went to put sweetener in my coffee and when I open the packet and poured the contents in what fell out of the little bag was not powdered sugar but sugar in pill form. I just looked up at the girls and said, 'I think I just roofied myself ' jokes of unwillingly masturbating of course followed. I digress, in the afternoon we headed to the Concha y Toro vineyards for a wine tour. Some of us were there to learn about vineyards, and some of us were there solely for the wine... I fell into the later group. That being said the tour was good but it was almost too hot to be outside again.

Once we got back I decided I was going to treat myself to Gelato. We bid farewell to Dwende (bye bye Peruvian guy) and went to Estrada to find ice cream. I ate a huge ice cream and when I was done I went in for Guava's left overs. I ate so much I couldn't have dinner, but I still went to check out the new group of travelers and to say goodbye to the old ones. This was it, the end was near. I was sad to go, but excited to get home.

This morning we went for another healthy breakfast, walk and said goodbye, this time to me. I have to admit I was a bit emotional. I think Guava cried, bless her, but that didn't break me, it was more when the city was passing me by through the window of a cab. I had such a wonderful trip, met some wonderful people, had a ton of fun and so many laughs. I couldn't have asked for a better trip.

I would like to send a shout out to my new found friends Guava and Sponge Bob. Honestly they are a big part of what made my trip so good. Guava has so much passion and emotion it is contagious. I was lucky enough not to catch it (kidding) but appreciated how open and honest she was about her feelings, something I've never been. Sponge is a strong, fun, independent, brilliant women. I could always count on her to make me laugh or smile when the rest of the group was gossiping or judging. Thank you both, I heart you.

Crazy (me) Guava (Ria) and Sponge Bob (Jen)

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Location: 3000 metres above Pucon
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villarrica_%28volcano%29

Today I hiked up Volcano Villarrica one of Chile's most active Volcanos. . Bright and early (after 3 hours of sleep) we were off to have breakfast, suit up and climb a volcano. Regardless of the lack of sleep I felt better then I did the night before which proves my theory that beer is good for you.

It was the most challenging thing I think I've ever done. It wasn't just physically challenging but mentally. When you are standing on a snow capped mountain, sweating your ass off, exhausted and hungry you look 1800 metres down and 1000 metres up and the thought of walking any further up is daunting. It would be so much easier to just go back down, I mean the views from here were already magnificent why do I have to continue. Well as I answer myself I didn't come this far to give up. So I continued with the Odyssey :-)

The walk had ups and downs, I had fears and doubts but it was worth it. I don't know how long it took, I think it took 4 hours to get to the top. I was one of the slower walkers, I felt fine, in fact I got more energy the higher, closer I got. When we got to the 'Top of the world' I felt like I was in heaven... or at least what I would picture heaven to look like. I was above the clouds for crying out loud! It really makes you appreciate the wonders of nature. Honestly not even my pictures can capture the essence, but I did my best.

I felt that this trek was the kick in the butt I needed during a vacation of debauchery. The best part of the hike was getting down. We had to slid down the mountain on our butts. When I was 10 it would have been the perfect tobogganing hill, now, it was fun for about 1500 metres, and then I was over it :-) I was tired and headachey from the altitude, and soaking wet. Couldn't wait to get back to the Hostel and peel off my underwear.





On a side note I wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to my friend Dee back home. I just want you to know while you are out celebrating 3o years I will be trying to sleep on a night bus... again :-(

Rafting & Riding in Chile

Location: Pucon, Chile http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pucon

I have just spent 2 days in Pucon, and they were fun packed - there is lots to do here, so here goes.

First day I went White Water Rafting. It was great fun, better then in Oz, the water was a little cold, but all suited up you didn't really notice. I got some funny shots of me being a 'serious' paddler, and of few of me being an asshole :-) No one fell in, but there might have been some I wanted to throw in ha ha. No we actually had a fun boat, it was Me (Top Right), Dwende, Sponge, Guava and Raton.. and the only one I was worried would fall out was Raton cause he is tiny, I'd have to save him :-) A few funny incidents for the girls trying to getting into their wetsuits. For some reason I was last in the change room and when I walked in ALL the girls had their wetsuits on backwards! I giggled, no I laughed out loud, I was like, the reason they look lumpy is 'cause you all have them on backwards. Then I left my shoes in the change room (that we never went back to) so I had to go home barefoot. Good going Scarps. In the evening we went to bed early as we had to climb the Volcano the next day.

Day two we were suppose to hike up the volcano, but the weather was shit so it was postponed. It rained until about 3:00 and then Laura, Raton, Guava, Sponge and I went horseback riding. The ride was fun, the views were spectacular, but my butt was sore. I think it would have been fine except that my horse decided to run at almost full speed away from the group. I thought I was going to fall off, and for the first time ever I was afraid... mostly 'cause I didn't want to break something as I had to climb the volcano the next day, but also as I didn't want to fall in the mud/shit etc. With the help of our guide I was able to stop her... and was happy to get off.

In the evening despite having to climb a volcano the next day (or in anticipation that it would be cancelled) I had a few too many drinks, and that was just at dinner... then I continued until 3 am. Call me a moron. I woke up in the morning at 6 am feeling like shit as I couldn't sleep and instead of catching up I drank... again stupid.. or was it?