Guatemala

Well, we are now in Guatemala! We crossed the border from Belize. We were told not to pay a fee to get into Gua., however the Customs official was charging $2. each (ludicrous such a small unofficial amount). I said that I would not pay and that I wanted a receipt. He said a receipt would take time and that I must see someone else in another line (having taken 15 minutes to get to the front of this line). So I said that he should give it to me and then another officer came and verified the charge. They then ignored me. I reached for my passport and they moved it out of my reach. ....so I gave up and paid! A Frenchman behind us, shouted and demanded to see officials - they let him through. How to take advantage of reasonable jobs!

Later as we got closer to our destination, we were told to get off our first class bus and hop onto a min-bus (we`ve done that before) to go the last couple of km. onto an island joined by a causeway to the mainland. So that was fine - I said that we needed a bank first (no banks on this island) and we had no currency. No problem, I`ll wait for you at the ATM. Fine. That was a 15 minute line as well - they are few and far between here (this one only allotted so much money per customer). ....strange I thought... I know that time is of little consequence here so...we got our money and he took us to the town. He was trying to sell us tours and transportation (like in so many places) and the pressure is always on. We insisted on finding our own hotel at our speed. Of course he waited and wanted to sell a tour for the next day. We checked a couple in town and they all seemed similar. So we bought from the guy - his office was on the mainland and closing for the day. He promised us coffee on our 3:30am sunrise tour to Tikal. He promised that we could take any bus back.

Suffice to say the sunrise was fantastic!! and walking in Tikal in the dark with night still there was very nice.

It wasn`t too long before we realized everyone was on the same tour - no coffee. Some had even been promised breakfast!

About this time we realized that it was part of the game to transfer us to the mini-bus. The mini-bus guy pays the big bus guy to tranfer passengars in the hope of selling tours, etc. to you. ....so a different way to do business. Everybody paying everybody else and everyone competing for all of the business. Tough for everyone, it seems. We did fine, had a great time but did not like the lying and deceit. The guy had even introduced us to `^our great English speaking guide^- never saw him again - and -ôur superior tour^^ -.,,,, guess this makes travel interesting and shows you how these poorer countries sometimes operate.

....maybe it happens at home too and in governments and so on - this is just what we saw here.

We enjoyed the sunrise in Tikal and then the boat ride down a river to the coast again. We are relaxing today before we head off to the city tomorrow and towards the place where Spanish lessons begin in earnest on Monday.

By the way, we enjoyed the beaches of Belize and the laid back atmosphere of Caye Caulker. Tulum in Mexico also had crystal clear waters and sunshine (and a few wonderful ruins with a seaview as well).

Jan 30, 2007 Valladolid, Mexico

Ole,

Having a great time yet again. Soaking up the sunshine in the tropical paradise on the Yucatan coast of Mexico. Crystal clear blue waters, breezes, relaxed attitude, lots of american and ´´American´type resorts here. We are loving the sea and the pace.

We spent a week at Sue´s time share and that was great - rather like a cruise - even the towels folded like swans and stuff on the beds every night. Then stretch classes on the beach, aquasize, meditation and so on. Very insulated but nevertheless, a wonderful time.

Then we went to Isla Mujeres which used to be a bit of a hippie haven. A great island with lots of casual restaurants, beautiful fine sand beaches and crystal clear waters. We have been snorkelling. The reef is not in great shape there, however we saw quite a few fish and enjoyed it. People say that there are less fish than some years but hey, I love it and it´s all good.

After a few days there, we started to travel today. Caught a second class bus to a Mexican colonial town and situated ourselves in a nice colonial hotel. Second class buses here are awesome - a little different than Indian standards - much to Clive´s relief.

Tomorrow we will get a bit of culture at some ruins and swim in a cenote (underground river with pools).

Funchal, Madeira

We enjoyed Rome so busy - you line up for the sights or get there early in the morning. The cruise looks great but so far not too good for us. We have travelled so much of the world and then get onto a cruise liner and get sick. Dad and I have had gastorenteritis for the past 6 days. Missed the last 2 ports and not feeling too well today. HOpe that it all improves soon....lots of oldtimers on this cruise 0 we feel that we prefer younger people, I think. and people that are a little more independent. Anyways hopefully the sun will shine. Can you imagine going on a cruise and losing weight! don´t even want a drink « except water!

Turkey

Well, the sun fýnally shone today but not before we experýenced torrentýal downpours whýlst on a motorýzed fake saýlýng boat. We sat for most of 24 hours readýng, talkýng, watchýng lýghtnýng and the downpour that never seemed to stop. The sky was amazýng. It was lýke a tropýcal downpour that had no off swýtch. The boat was not up to such a test. The beds started to get wet and a few other problems contýnued. ...so we and a German couple made our way off the boat. We - or rather the German managed to get us a boat made for about 100 passengers to come and pýck us up - so the 4 of us got back to land. Funny that our boat wasnot movýng as the other boats were. Then we had a taxý pýck us up but not before we walked several hundred meters uphýll because the road had been washed out. A být lýke the stýff ýcýng comýng off the cake - the road was a mýghty uneven surface beneath the asphalt. Small rývers were comýng down the mountaýn. We enjoyed the spectacular sunset ýn the vehýcle as ýt took us to the nearnest town some 20km away - Kas.
Thýs ýs a spectacular small town - cobbled streets, such frýendly people - a haven for the snowbýrds of Germany and England. The locals are so frýendly - they look you straýght ýn the eye and talk so openly and warmly. We found a great hotel - ýt was full tonýght so found another great one down the street.

Had a walk on the Lycýan Way thýs pm. So much fun gettýng there ýn a bus up the hýll, then off ýn the countrysýde we went. It ýs pretty dry and lots of scrub growýng here beneath lots of rocks. When we were comýng back, a Turkýsh fellow drove us back down the hýll. He was accompanýed by Grandma ýn her peasant outfýt. Such genuýne frýendlýness.

We hear that the Turks wýll be on holýday ýn a couple of days as Ramadan ýs endýng.

Well, that brýngs you up to the mýnute ýn the synoptýc versýon. We are off to Fettýye tomorrow for 2 nýghts.

Turkey first impression

Had a great time in England. Managed to catch the musical Billy Eliott before our night at the airport. Arrived in lstanbul yesterday morning and leave tomorrow night on a pre-arranged tour returning to Istanbul on the 26th.
It all seems very modern, relatively wealthy and very international. Ramadan again this year on our travels so though food is available lots of locals are fasting.
Had an interesting time this pm as we picked up a shoe shiner's brush for him. He thanked us and was trying to take us to the market. We went the other way. Then as we were on our way to the market another shoeshiner dropped his brush and we picked it up for him. He wanted to brush our runners then. ....uh, we had figured it out before we fell for it. ..a sales ploy ...if we go back, will there be another one to pick up? As Clive says once is an accident, twice is coincidence and three times is enemy action.
The people here are friendly, one feels very safe, though careful (not too much poverty) here, food is good - kebabs, pizzas, tomatoes, cucumber, olives. Weather is cool and cloudy so far - hoping for sun and warmth as we travel south and inland.
We have booked 4 days on a gulet - small boat cruise along the coast. Should be relaxing - as if we don't do enough of that already.
Managed to eat a fish sandwich on the pier yesterday - wood fire cooked and always very fresh. Catching some history and enjoying the roof top view from our hotel.

Mammalapuran

Thought I would write one more time before our time in India comes to an end next week. It has been a wonderful and colorful time here.
This week we are enjoying being at the seaside - beaches (not very populated), fishermen (with new boats after the tsunami), ruins from the 8th century, stone carvers working, some non-Indian food (and Indian), relative quiet from the noises of India, no traffic to speak of, ambling around and enjoying being, yoga (for me) each day, still the garbage and smells present and sunshine every single day that we have been away!! ...hope that we manage to bring some of this sunshine home with us.
We are going to spend a few days in Chennai - it will remind us of the India that greeted us when we arrived. We would like some time to go into a few shops as we have not done any shopping!!! on our trip.
As we think of leaving we think of all the wonderful experiences that we have had and hopefully we have a little better understanding of India. We first saw congestion, noise, poverty, garbage and it is still there as we come closer to leaving. There is a lot of color, good hotels, historical and religious sites, people, and experiences that affected those impressions but quite a lot of that is still there. We realize that we enjoyed the 'real India' but that we also enjoyed and relaxed at the more touristy areas - a must for anyone that wants to enjoy a long stay in India. For me, I loved being able to participate in so many yoga classes - I may have to return to do some more!

Feb. 1, 2006

It is wonderful to travel but memories are made from the people you meet twisted into the things that you do and see.
Yes, India is sooo full of people and noise!!! We had coffee with a German lady yesterday who has spent the last 5 years helping an outcaste (bottom caste) of people trying to discourage prostitution and thus aids within the family and extended unit. This then means coming up with alternative employment and power for women.....
last week met a women who spent time in Malawi helping women photograph and put their views into pictures. They went from subdued to much more confident and created some images through the programme. Interesting stuff that happens all over the world....

The world is such an interesting place.....