Allans trip to Morocco and Sth America Allans trip to Morocco and Sth America tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-09-24:/blog/?domain=allan01 2006-11-19T19:27:35Z allan01 img/travel-blog-feed.png Huanchacu, Peru tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-19:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=25&entryid=31759 2006-11-19T19:27:35Z 2006-11-19T19:22:28Z * Having travelled for a few days, stopping at Cuenca and Loja in Ecuador along the way - it was time to cross the Border into Peru. * I chose to stick inland as the border crossing on the Coast is notorious as a Gringo trap. There is a 3km strtch of no mans land between Peru´s and Ecuador immigration offic ... DSC00619.JPGDSC00623.JPGDSC00628.JPGDSC00629.JPG* Having travelled for a few days, stopping at Cuenca and Loja in Ecuador along the way - it was time to cross the Border into Peru.

  • I chose to stick inland as the border crossing on the Coast is notorious as a Gringo trap. There is a 3km strtch of no mans land between Peru´s and Ecuador immigration offices and its full of thiefs and cons - I spoke to people first hand in Quito who had the displeasure of being conned.
  • Arrived in Piura in Peru at 9 pm - was going to stay and then decided against it - decided to jump on the next night bus down to Trujillo not far from Huanchuca (a nice quite beach side town). All in I travelled for 25 hours straight.
  • Huanchacu was cool - took a a surfing lesson, fell off, got up, surfed, fell obn some rocks - was good fun.

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]]> BANOS, ECUADOR tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-19:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=24&entryid=31754 2006-11-19T19:13:37Z 2006-11-19T18:59:21Z [i ... DSC00588.JPGDSC00589.JPGDSC00591.JPGDSC00593.JPGDSC00595.JPGDSC00595.JPGDSC00597.JPGDSC00600.JPGDSC00601.JPGDSC00602.JPGDSC00605.JPGDSC00607.JPGDSC00609.JPG* Racing South now to get to Lima in Peru and catch a flight into Cuzco, Machu Pichu. Havde decided to make a few stops along the way.

  • First stop Banos. Small town nestled in a valley and surrounded by an active Volcano.
  • The Volcano is that active that only a few weeks ago - most people took off because it was spewing hot ash into the town.
  • The towns peopl are pissed with the Govt for not giving them enought monitoring equip and compensation - so when I was there they decided to protest in the streets and blockade the roads in and out of Banos. This posed a little bit of a problem to me - because I needed to keep moving South to get ino Peru. I stayed a couple of days and then got up early one mornign along with 5 other travellers and we crossed the blockade, walked then paid a few US dollars to get in the back of a ute and drive us out of the town - money well spent.
  • Did some canyoning / rappelling down a few waterfalls when I was there - good fun - one waterfall was 44m high and was an overhang - so it meant you couldnt put your feet on any thing you just sort of free fall.

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]]> QUITO, ECUADOR tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-19:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=23&entryid=31742 2006-11-19T18:49:09Z 2006-11-19T18:10:11Z [i ... DSC00568.JPGDSC00567.JPGDSC00570.JPGDSC00574.JPGDSC00580.JPGDSC00580.JPGDSC00581.JPGDSC00549.JPGDSC00559.JPGDSC00541.JPGDSC00543.JPGDSC00545.JPGcotapaxi[1.jpg thumb=http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/72928/thumb_cotapaxi[1].jpg]cotapaxi[1.jpg]DSC00530.JPGDSC00533.JPGDSC00536.JPG* Quito is the Biggest city in Ecuador and sits at 2800m above sea level.

  • Arrived in Quito feeling crap - had flu like symptoms - aches, fever etc. Could be Malaria or the Flu - so did what the Travel Doc said to do if this happened and took a double dose of the Anti Malaria - antibiotics I was given. After two days I felt good.

MOUNTAIN CLIMB

  • The main thing I wanted to do in Quito was climb Mt Cotopaxi which is the largest active volcano in the world - at a height of 5970m. Its not that difficult a climb - there are only some steep parts where an Ice axe is needed - however, its the altitude that you need to overcome. Check out the photo - its the snow capped mountain.
  • Checked out a few places which will take you up Cotopaxi - struggled to find a second climber to go with me - then I was told that having lived in London (sea level) for a while I would need to acclimitise to the altitude before attempting Cotopaxi. I was advised to climb Mt Pichincha (approx 4800m)- see how I felt - If I was fine then I could attempt Cotopaxi- If not then I would need to stya in Quito for a few weeks or an expensive fast track acclimitisation course.
  • So of I went, hired some gloves and a full face balaclava - couldnt find any one to climb with me - its the wet season so the weather for climbing isnt the best esp in the afternoon. Caught a gondola (cabkle car) up to 4100m and then chnaged into my thermals and off I went. Check out the photos - its the mountain wihtout snow on it.
  • Got to about 4500m and started to feel the lack of oxygen - breathing became harder and I had a mild head ache. At about º100m from the top the weather closed in - the clouds wrapped around the mountain cutting visability to about 15m - its was like walking through a cloud. Then hail started to fall. I was really starting to struggle with the altitude, I had to make a goal of taking 100 steps and then sitting down, 100 steps sit down - the peak got steeper and I was so close but felt so far - I was absolutely exhausted. So much for living at sea level. I finally got to the top. My body just wanted to sleep - I put on my gloves, my balaclava and set my alrm for half an hours sleep.I laid down and was out in an instant - I woke up 10mins later because of the hail hitting me in the face - reality hit me and I thought this isnt the smatest thing to do - its amazing how your brain reacts with a lack of oxygen - I got myself up and headed back down the mountain - the track was a little hard to find because of the cloud and hail - but I found it - a hundred or so metres down and I felt fine - other than being soaking wet.
  • So I had to give Cotopaxi a miss - Didnt have the time to spend acclimitising or the money to spemd on a fast track course - maybe another time.

THE EQUATOR, DOWN HILL MOUNTAIN BIKING, VOLCANIC BATHS AND QUITOS OLD TOWN

  • Went to the Equator (Mitad Del Mundo), checked out the monuments - boring, then did the experiments i.e watching which way the water runs down the sink on diff sides of the equator, balancing an egg on a nail etc. Funny thing about this place is that they built a monument where they thought the Equator was years ago - by using geometry equip measuring the stars etc and then recently they found out by using GPS that they got it all wrong and are actually 270m away from the actuual equator. There is a small museum built on the actual equator which carries out the experiments - I wonder why they didnt just use the draining water experiment to find the ecuator back in the day.
  • Couldnt climb Cotopaxi so I decided to ride down it with a mountain bike - well not from the top - from tha base camp - was good fun expect for the weather - i turned up in shorts and it started snowing - freezing !!! but a good rush.
  • Went on a bus ride to visit some volcanic springs (volcano heated water pools) - was good, Best part was sitting in the warm water and then jumping into the cold stream runnign beside the baths.
  • Walked around Quitos old Colonial Town - nice place, nice buildings etc.

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]]> BOGOTA, COLOMBIA tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-19:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=22&entryid=31740 2006-11-19T17:34:20Z 2006-11-19T17:34:20Z * Bogota is (Im pretty sure) the Capital of Colombia - it sits a 2750m above sea level. *Caught a Bus from Medillin to Bogota (approx 10 hrs) - arrived early in the evening. * In Bogota in transit really - had a plane to catch to Quito in Ecuador at about 2:00pm the next day. * The next morning was a public holiday in Bogota - I followed the masses of people to walk up a hill and then ...
  • Bogota is (Im pretty sure) the Capital of Colombia - it sits a 2750m above sea level.
  • Caught a Bus from Medillin to Bogota (approx 10 hrs) - arrived early in the evening.
  • In Bogota in transit really - had a plane to catch to Quito in Ecuador at about 2:00pm the next day.
  • The next morning was a public holiday in Bogota - I followed the masses of people to walk up a hill and then climb the 200m high stairs to the top of a hill overlooking bogota. Good view over Bogota but the altitude (3000m) made for a decent work out.DSC00519.JPGDSC00521.JPGDSC00523.JPGDSC00525.JPG

    • BOGOTA, COLOMBIA remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Medillin, Colombia tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-04:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=21&entryid=30240 2006-11-04T21:23:19Z 2006-11-04T21:13:35Z *Medillin, pronounced Mediggin. Is famous for Cocaine, Pablo Escobar the Medillin drug cartel and Botero (the artist who paints and sculpts obscenely round / obese people). * Previously ...
  • Medillin, pronounced Mediggin. Is famous for Cocaine, Pablo Escobar the Medillin drug cartel and Botero (the artist who paints and sculpts obscenely round / obese people).DSC00501.JPGDSC00502.JPGDSC00497.JPGDSC00506.JPGDSC00508.JPGDSC00505.JPG
    • Previously a dangerous place for travellers, the drug cartels are seemingly gone and this place has become alot safer. Set in the bottom of a valley and surrounded by mountains / hills on all sides this place is beatiful. With 2.2 mil people its a big city and can be pretty hectic.
    • The people from this region are famous for their independent streak and warm hositality. I had the pleasure of experiencing their warm hospitality when I went out on Friday night to check out the local night life. Whilst there are some travellers, there arent that many - the stigma of Colombia being a dangerous place through out keeps most people away - I found the locals fantastic - they are proud of their Country and want more travellers to come and experiennce the new Colombia.
    • This openess was in contrast to my experience earlier in the afternoon, when I was spat on by a druggie after I took a wrong turn. Could have happened anywhere in the world - just a case of me being in the wrong place i guess!

    Medillin, Colombia remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Taganga, Colombia (Open water dive Course) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-04:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=20&entryid=30237 2006-11-04T21:02:20Z 2006-11-04T20:52:52Z *Taganga is a little fishing village North East of Santa Marta and right beside Pargue National Tyronne - the place is famous ... DSC00475.JPGDSC00477.JPGDSC00478.JPGDSC00482.JPGDSC00485.JPGDSC00487.JPGDSC00488.JPG*Taganga is a little fishing village North East of Santa Marta and right beside Pargue National Tyronne - the place is famous for its diving in the Caribbean and its fresh fish.

    • Headed up to Taganga solely to do my 4 day open water dive course. Found a reputable place that offerred the course for approx $230 US.
    • The first day of the diving course was little difficult - just convincing myself to breath underwater was a bit of a hurdle to start with - but once i got my head round it it was great - dived to 10m on the first day.
    • 2nd day, more diving, fantastic reefs, warm water. Had some trouble with my bouyency - which meant I shot up to the surface from 30 feet a couple of times - no real danger because it is not deep enough but the thought crossed my mind that a boat might shoot over my head.
    • Completed my course, did the test at the end and now have my license to dive to 18m. Looking forward to diving in Sydney or somewhere else in Oz.
    • Plenty of good fish to eat at night, whole snapper etc - very cheap a large meal cost $5 US.
    • The hostel was good, set back from the beach and up in the hills, it had hammocks which were perfect for kicking back with a beer in the hand, a book and a view over the bay.

    Taganga, Colombia (Open water dive Course) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Cartagena, Colombia tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-04:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=19&entryid=30234 2006-11-04T20:37:21Z 2006-11-04T20:21:25Z * Referred to as the jewel in the Sth American crown. This place is impressive. An old Spanish Colonial town this place has retained its architecture and history. * Nestled on the coast of the Caribbean, its a little hard to believe you are in Colombia. * Checked out the old town, saw the churches and cathedrals, got a bit of a history lesson and checked out the night life. *Cartgena is famous for being a port that the Sapniards ...
  • Referred to as the jewel in the Sth American crown. This place is impressive. An old Spanish Colonial town this place has retained its architecture and history.
    • Nestled on the coast of the Caribbean, its a little hard to believe you are in Colombia.
    • Checked out the old town, saw the churches and cathedrals, got a bit of a history lesson and checked out the night life.
    • Cartgena is famous for being a port that the Sapniards used to store the gold and resources they extracted from the rest of sth america and then send it back to Spain. The British attacked it several times and eventually the Spaniards built huge defensive walls and a fort on top of the mountain to safeguard it from attack.
    • It was also a port where black slaves where delivered and sold by the Portugese and DSC00432.JPGDSC00434.JPGDSC00452.JPGDSC00465.JPGDSC00468.JPGDSC00474.JPG to the Spaniards. The Jesuits led by Priest Clevar were intrumental in freeing many and giving them a better option than slavery (they were converted into Cristians and given rights).
    • I was staying in the old town but in a bit of bad area, we were warned not to travel alone at night. After 10pm this place changes, dealers and prostitutes take over the streets and shops etc lock their doors. I went down the street to pick up a some drinks and found it amusing when a young bloke at the corner store asked the shop owner for some coke (the snorting kind) and was handed a small bag in full view me - welcome to Colombia where coke is sold at the corner store!

    Cartagena, Colombia remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Panama to Colombia by sail boat through the Caribbean Sea tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-11-04:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=18&entryid=30229 2006-11-04T20:12:07Z 2006-11-04T19:41:31Z [i ... DSC00328.JPGDSC00368.JPGDSC00384.JPGDSC00383.JPGDSC00390.JPGDSC00421.JPGDSC00403.JPGDSC00410.JPGDSC00415.JPGDSC00420.JPGDSC00426.JPG*Arrived in Panama City after flying from London to Madrid to Costa Rica and then Panama City.

    • My plan was to take some Spanish Language lessons while in Panama and waiting for a sail boat to leave for Cartagena ,Colombia. That plan changed however when I found a boat leaving the next morning from Portobello in the North of the Country(Panama City is located in the Sth on the other side). So I packed up my gear and raced across this small country which is only about 80km wide.
    • In Portobello they were holding a religious festival. This meant extra military security and check points. There were plenty of soldiers with guns and soldiers on the back of motorbikes with automatic weapons. The bus got stopped a couple of times, searched and I had to show identification and explain where I was going etc. I must admit I got a little nervous when we were ordered of the bus and I saw the locals pulling out money and offering it to the soldiers - I was carrying a little over 300 hundred US dollars with me and hadn´t planned on donating it the soldiers. Thankfully I had no issues and was able to pass through without a problem.
    • I arrived in Portobello late in the afternoon to find the place jumping with street music and a real party atmosphere. All the hotels were booked out so I had the joy of asking the locals (in my limited Spanish tongue) for a place to stay for the night. Managed to score a room in someones house for about $20 US for the night.
    • Found some of the other travellers who were going on the same boat down at the dock, one of them was a Japanise dude who was riding his motorbike from LA in the states to the bottom of Argentina. We helped load his bike onto the boat and then settled down for local cuisine and a few cervesa´s.
    • Up early and onto the boat. First stop the San Blas Islands on the coast of Panama. The San Blas islands are a group of a couple hundred small islands that are inhabited by the Kuna people (Indigenous people). They are picturesque, with coconut trees and surrounded by blue clear water - great for snorkelling and kicking back.
    • Stayed at the San Blas Islands for a few days, paid a visit to the biggest island which has about 2000 kunanites / kunamanians or whatever they are called living there. I ran into a couple of local kids playing a game of baseball in the street - decided to join in - was a good laugh - check out the photo which I got a little kid about 7 years old to take - this could should be a photographer.
    • While snorkelling around one of the small islands, a Kuna family tuned up on a wooden canoe and asked if we wanted to buy coconuts, lobster etc. The little kids were running around naked - very natural - check out the photo.
    • Left the beauty of the San Blas islands for the 2 day and 1 night leg across the caribbean to Cartagena in Colombia. Ran into some dolphins along the way (check out the photo). We also experienced some rough seas and rain for most of the night - I didnt get any sleep all night - stayed in the cockpit and got drenched. The stupid Captain decided to pack more people onto the boat this time so there was a lack of beds on his boat.
    • Arrived in Cartagena, a little weathered and ready for a shower and a chnage of clothes.

    Panama to Colombia by sail boat through the Caribbean Sea remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 14 (13th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=17&entryid=27689 2006-10-16T11:37:29Z 2006-10-16T07:58:35Z *Last day *Drove up the road to a coastal town *Home of Hercules cave. Apparently Hercules created the cave for somwhere to rest, whilst he was tunneling between the African and European Continents. * Had a game of beach soccer and a swim. * Last night - Party night, bonfire and BBQ.Lots of drink and food - I was on cook duty so had the pleasure with one of the tour guides of working the BBQ which consisted of a grill over ... Dsc00308.jpg*Last day

    • Drove up the road to a coastal town
    • Home of Hercules cave. Apparently Hercules created the cave for somwhere to rest, whilst he was tunneling between the African and European Continents.
    • Had a game of beach soccer and a swim.
    • Last night - Party night, bonfire and BBQ.Lots of drink and food - I was on cook duty so had the pleasure with one of the tour guides of working the BBQ which consisted of a grill over the top of the bon fire - damn hot - im missing the hairs on my arm.
    • Up early, off to the Port in Tangier - along the way we had some dudes trying to jump on the back of the truck thinking they could hitch a ride to Spàin.

    Morocco Day 14 (13th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco - Day 13 (12th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=16&entryid=27686 2006-10-16T11:36:12Z 2006-10-16T07:50:10Z * Big drive from the South Coast to the North Coast today. * This place is stunning, one of the prettiest places I have seen in Morocco, very Greece like, beautiful murals on the walls (check out the photos). ... Dsc00291.jpg* Big drive from the South Coast to the North Coast today.

    • This place is stunning, one of the prettiest places I have seen in Morocco, very Greece like, beautiful murals on the walls (check out the photos).

    Morocco - Day 13 (12th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 12 (11th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=15&entryid=27683 2006-10-16T11:33:24Z 2006-10-16T07:42:38Z *Feel sick again, stomach cramps etc. * Stayed at the camp site until 1:30 hoping to get better. * Went into the towm - checked out the kite surfers on the beach I can see why its called the windy city. *Checked out the fish market - busy and chaotic. ... Dsc00266.jpg*Feel sick again, stomach cramps etc.

    • Stayed at the camp site until 1:30 hoping to get better.
    • Went into the towm - checked out the kite surfers on the beach I can see why its called the windy city.
    • Checked out the fish market - busy and chaotic.

    Morocco Day 12 (11th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 11 (10th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=14&entryid=27681 2006-10-16T07:37:50Z 2006-10-16T07:37:50Z *Felt good today. * Arrived in the windy city at about midday. * Went into the Medina - had a shave at a barbers - I feel and look 5 years younger. *Had a big serving of Chilli Con Carni for Dinner - not a good move made me sick again. ...
  • Felt good today.
  • Arrived in the windy city at about midday.
  • Went into the Medina - had a shave at a barbers - I feel and look 5 years younger.
  • Had a big serving of Chilli Con Carni for Dinner - not a good move made me sick again.

    • Morocco Day 11 (10th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco - Day 10 (9th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=13&entryid=27677 2006-10-16T07:34:55Z 2006-10-16T07:34:55Z *Woke up - The Moroccon Mudslide has begun - had an emotional time on the toilet. *Braved it and went to the Hamam - which is a bath house with a steam room, scrubbing and massage room - very refreshing but had to hang on. * Went out for dinner - checked out Marakech - this place is hectic. ...
  • Woke up - The Moroccon Mudslide has begun - had an emotional time on the toilet.
  • Braved it and went to the Hamam - which is a bath house with a steam room, scrubbing and massage room - very refreshing but had to hang on.
  • Went out for dinner - checked out Marakech - this place is hectic.

    • Morocco - Day 10 (9th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 9 (8th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=12&entryid=27673 2006-10-16T07:31:11Z 2006-10-16T07:31:11Z *Bg day of driving today - 9hrs *Stopped at a Movie set - Moroccos equiv to Universal studios. They had a big castle that they used for the movie Kingdom of Heaven - got to explore it - pretty cool. *Then it hit me - sore stomach, Nausua, shivering etc. The kebab from yesterday must have been dodgy - me a two other blokes sufferred on the truck for the drive into Marakech. *Arrived in Marakesh -feeling like sh*t. *Had a fever and headache ...
  • Bg day of driving today - 9hrs
  • Stopped at a Movie set - Moroccos equiv to Universal studios. They had a big castle that they used for the movie Kingdom of Heaven - got to explore it - pretty cool.
  • Then it hit me - sore stomach, Nausua, shivering etc. The kebab from yesterday must have been dodgy - me a two other blokes sufferred on the truck for the drive into Marakech.
  • Arrived in Marakesh -feeling like sh*t.
  • Had a fever and headache all night .

    • Morocco Day 9 (8th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 8 (7th Oct 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=11&entryid=27671 2006-10-16T07:22:32Z 2006-10-16T07:22:32Z * Met two locals who will take you rock climbing for 15 Euros. * They have some well used shoes for you to use with holes in them etc, dont explain any safety rules, no waiver forms to sign etc - just harness up and start climbing. * I went up first - at that point you start thinking whether you trust the equipment and the bloke (only wears one shoe)who holds your life in his hands should you fall is ...
  • Met two locals who will take you rock climbing for 15 Euros.
  • They have some well used shoes for you to use with holes in them etc, dont explain any safety rules, no waiver forms to sign etc - just harness up and start climbing.
  • I went up first - at that point you start thinking whether you trust the equipment and the bloke (only wears one shoe)who holds your life in his hands should you fall is up the task.
  • We did three climbs - the highest was approx 50m - the hardest had a small overhang and took me two attempts to get over - when you're 25m up and you cant hold any more its a bit a of a mind job just letting go!
  • After the rock climb we went into the town and picked up some kebabs - point of note dont eat the local meat - after this point my trip turned into a ´Moroccon Mudslide´! I am still sufferring at the time of writing 7 days after the event.

    • Morocco Day 8 (7th Oct 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 7 (6th Oct 06 ) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=10&entryid=27668 2006-10-16T11:32:15Z 2006-10-16T07:12:14Z *Drove from the desert to the Todra gorge. *The Todra Gorge is Moroccos equivelant to the US' Grand Canyon. * Slept on the roof of the hotel under the stars. ... Dsc00249.jpgDsc00243.jpgDsc00241.jpg*Drove from the desert to the Todra gorge.

    • The Todra Gorge is Moroccos equivelant to the US' Grand Canyon.
    • Slept on the roof of the hotel under the stars.

    Morocco Day 7 (6th Oct 06 ) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 6 ( 5th October 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=9&entryid=27666 2006-10-16T11:30:47Z 2006-10-16T07:09:28Z *Drove into the fringe of the desert - met our camels and camel guides. *One of the camels went a bit crazy and bucked one of the girls off of it. * Treked into the desert on camel. Raced up to the top of a sand dune to watch the sunset (check out the photos). * Campsite was awesome, had a traditional meal, had a bit of sing song with the camel guides and then camped ... Dsc00230.jpgDsc00209.jpgDsc00199.jpg*Drove into the fringe of the desert - met our camels and camel guides.

    • One of the camels went a bit crazy and bucked one of the girls off of it.
    • Treked into the desert on camel. Raced up to the top of a sand dune to watch the sunset (check out the photos).
    • Campsite was awesome, had a traditional meal, had a bit of sing song with the camel guides and then camped under the stars.
    • Woke up at 5:30 to see the sunrise over the desert.

    Morocco Day 6 ( 5th October 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 5 (4th October 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-16:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=8&entryid=27661 2006-10-16T11:29:01Z 2006-10-16T07:02:53Z *Fantastic scenery - one of my better road trip experiences. * Arrived in Meski - an oasis with a a natural spring. *Explored the ruins of an abandoned nearby town. Apparently they packed up and left after the town would get cut off whenever it there was a flood. *Knocked some dates out of the palm tress and ate a few. One of the locals saw me, came over and tried to ... Dsc00186.jpgDsc00184.jpgDsc00176.jpg*Fantastic scenery - one of my better road trip experiences.

    • Arrived in Meski - an oasis with a a natural spring.
    • Explored the ruins of an abandoned nearby town. Apparently they packed up and left after the town would get cut off whenever it there was a flood.
    • Knocked some dates out of the palm tress and ate a few. One of the locals saw me, came over and tried to sell me some dates - I thought whats the point of selling them when a can get them for free!

    Morocco Day 5 (4th October 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 4 (3rd October 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-15:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=7&entryid=27659 2006-10-16T11:27:14Z 2006-10-16T06:56:26Z * This city is unreal. Fes is believed to be the largest carfree urban area in the world. Fes is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. *Alley way after alley way. The main form of transport through the thousands of alleyways is by donkey. These donkeys are loaded up and are the equivelant of transport trucks where we come from. These donkeys with all their gear jus ... Dsc00141.jpgDsc00136.jpgDsc00119.jpg* This city is unreal. Fes is believed to be the largest carfree urban area in the world. Fes is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • Alley way after alley way. The main form of transport through the thousands of alleyways is by donkey. These donkeys are loaded up and are the equivelant of transport trucks where we come from. These donkeys with all their gear just fit through the alley ways. When the bloke behind the donkey yells out àttention`you know to jump into a shop or you will get trampled by a donkey.
    • Went to a carpet store, a Medicine man, a tannery (where they dye the leather - check out the photo) and a pottery. The artisans are very skillful and great to watch. Learnt the Moroccan equivelant of calling someone a stingy Jew , it is a you are a ´berber´ (the original inhabitants of morocco before the arabs arrived).
    • One of the boys, Jack, was accosted by a dagger salesman. The bloke left his shop and followed jack up the alleyway trying his best to get him to buy something - when he realised he wouldnt get a sale he said `the next time I see you it will be with god´. One thing about ramadan - the locals cant eat until night fall so some of them get a little hungry and aggresive throughout the day - but rarely towards the locals - over the course of the trip I saw 3 -4 fights between the locals - i felt like giving them a mars bar a saying chill out dude!
    • Went into the main town for a 5 course dinner and entertainment at a Moroccon restaurant - was very nice.
    • The birth of taxi grand prix! This would have to be a highlight of my trip. Whilst coming back from the restaurant to the camp site - all 26 of us jumped into taxis. I was with Jack (19) and Les the writer (circa 50) - the taxi drivers and the general driving in this place is chaotic like most backward Countries - but we decided to spice it up a little by offerring him an extra 10 Dirhams if he got back to the campsite first. There were a couple of close calls expecially an overtaking manouvere that put us in 2nd place but could easily have ended with us hitting the oncoming truck.The taxi driver loved us as we yelled out taxi grand prix´´ and called him Schumacher. At the campsite he offerred me a drive in his taxi and some hash - i decided to call it a night.

    Morocco Day 4 (3rd October 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 3 (2nd October) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-15:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=6&entryid=27656 2006-10-16T11:22:48Z 2006-10-16T06:21:39Z * Stopped off for a coffee along the way, loads of donkeys etc and young local boys who took an interest in the girls on our bus. One of the young boys took his ring from his finger and proposed to one of the girls on our group. * Stopped off at the ruins of the Ancient City of Volubilis - an ancient roman city dating back to the period 0 - 300 AD. Was mostly destroyed in the Lisbon earth ... Dsc00109.jpgDsc00108.jpg* Stopped off for a coffee along the way, loads of donkeys etc and young local boys who took an interest in the girls on our bus. One of the young boys took his ring from his finger and proposed to one of the girls on our group.

    • Stopped off at the ruins of the Ancient City of Volubilis - an ancient roman city dating back to the period 0 - 300 AD. Was mostly destroyed in the Lisbon earth quake cicra 1757. Rediscovered in the late 1800s by two passing diplomats. Very modern for its a age - one of the first things I noticed was an underground drainage system complete with man hole lids.
    • Arrived at the campsite in Fes, nice camp site with a pool.

    Morocco Day 3 (2nd October) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 2 ( 1st October 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-15:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=5&entryid=27654 2006-10-16T11:19:18Z 2006-10-16T06:10:02Z * The trip heads around Morocco in a clock wise direction. * CH means `looking through the horns`and comes from the shape of the mountains nearby. * Arrived in CH, set up campsite. The King was in town ........ and so too was his entourage, all 700 policemen who decided to use the same camp site as us. They made good use of the toilets to! * Had a guided tour of CH. Th ... Dsc00087.jpgDsc00084.jpgDSC00077.JPG* The trip heads around Morocco in a clock wise direction.

    • CH means `looking through the horns`and comes from the shape of the mountains nearby.
    • Arrived in CH, set up campsite. The King was in town ........ and so too was his entourage, all 700 policemen who decided to use the same camp site as us. They made good use of the toilets to!
    • Had a guided tour of CH. The place has a Med look about it with the walls painted blue to stop the flys - apparently flys dont like the shade.
    • The hills leading down to CH are dotted with grave sites, all the Mulslim ones point in the same direction, towards Mecca.
    • High up on a hill is a an old Mosque that is not used. The story goes that the Conquering Spaniards built it for the locals - but the locals refused to use it because it is not facing Mecca. I think it also has something to do with the fact that it is high up on a hill making it a bastard to get to 5 times a day!
    • My tent buddy was Les, a travel writer who has written several books including one about his journey across the trans siberian railway. Top Bloke, from Canada and has the funniest stories to tell. Hell of a Snorer though, I ended up sleeping outside of the tent for half the night.
    • First exposure to Prayer tinme at 4 in the morning. The sound of Air raid sirens, drums and wailing make for an interesting way to wake up. I thought the king was under attack! Welcome to RAMADAN!

    Morocco Day 2 ( 1st October 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Morocco Day 1 (30th Sept 06) tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-10-15:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=4&entryid=27649 2006-10-16T05:42:51Z 2006-10-16T05:42:51Z London to Gibralter to Spain to Morocco * A day of Travel - up early, 3 Countries and a British Overseas Territory in one day. *Gibralter was interesting, the runway goes right through the middle of Gib because it is so small. As the plane touched down, I could see tennis courts running alongside the runway. * Arrived in Tangier, Morocco after a ferry ride. Plenty of dodgy looking dudes and scammers around. Walked from the Port into the city to the place ... London to Gibralter to Spain to Morocco

    • A day of Travel - up early, 3 Countries and a British Overseas Territory in one day.
    • Gibralter was interesting, the runway goes right through the middle of Gib because it is so small. As the plane touched down, I could see tennis courts running alongside the runway.
    • Arrived in Tangier, Morocco after a ferry ride. Plenty of dodgy looking dudes and scammers around. Walked from the Port into the city to the place where someone would be waiting to take me to the hotel. The walk was like being on parade. Every scammer wants to show you the way or carry your bag etc etc all for a fee of course!
    • Got to the Hotel Tarik where we would spend the night and meet the rest of the people on the group. Matt Damon was in town filming the third sequel to the Bourne Supremacy.The film crew were staying in our hotel.

    Morocco Day 1 (30th Sept 06) remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Map of Morocco and Sth America tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-09-24:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=3&entryid=25153 2006-09-24T18:07:58Z 2006-09-24T18:07:58Z ... morocco.JPGSth America.JPG

    Map of Morocco and Sth America remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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    ]]>         Plan of attack: Morocco and then on to Sth America tag:travellerspoint.com,2006-09-24:/blog/?domain=allan01&thisblog_entryid=2&entryid=25145 2006-09-24T17:42:25Z 2006-09-24T17:42:25Z Hi all, So this is my travel blog / website - rather than sending emails with large attachments which clog up your email accounts - i thought I would try this instead. Watch this space for updates on where I am and what I have been doing - I will try and update it once a week for the next 12 weeks or so. So with 3 months annual leave accrued, I plan on using it all and have decided ... Hi all,

    So this is my travel blog / website - rather than sending emails with large attachments which clog up your email accounts - i thought I would try this instead. Watch this space for updates on where I am and what I have been doing - I will try and update it once a week for the next 12 weeks or so.

    So with 3 months annual leave accrued, I plan on using it all and have decided to travel through Morocco (2 week camping / treking tour) and spend the remaining 2.5 months backpacking through Sth America. Before returning to Sydney at the Beginning of January 07.

    My rough itinerary looks a little like this:
    > 30th September: Fly to Gibralter, Cross into Spain, catch a Ferry to Tangier in Morocco
    >1st Oct - 14th Nov: Trek through Morocco on a 4*4 truck
    >15th Oct - head back to Spain travel up to Alicante, fly back to London and then fly to Panama
    >18th Oct - Now in Panama: plan on hitching a ride on a private yacht over to Cartagena in Colombia
    > Cartagena, Colombia
    > 6th Nov: Fly to Quito in Ecuador
    > Travel Sth to Lima in Peru
    > Approx 20th Nov: Fly to Cuzco
    > Approx 24th Nov: 4 Day Inca trail hike to the lost city of the Incas.
    > Head to La Paz in Bolivia
    > Head East to Salvador in Brazil
    > Head South to Rio De Janeiro - Spend New Years here

    • Depart for Sydney

    Plan of attack: Morocco and then on to Sth America remains copyright of the author allan01, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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