First month in Lima

 Yes, one month is gone! Tomorrow will be the day of my landing in the City of Kings, Lima.

It flew by on some days and dragged on others, though no complaint!!

Naturally, the arrival hype is slowly dying – which is how things should be, however needless to say that the month was action-packed on numerous levels.

It is Mothering Sunday here today and the district of San Isidro is nice and quiet.

I had my -now religious – ritual of the morning; my walk around the Golf club in the heart of the district and around the famous El Olivar – a park dating back to the 1770s full of mature olive trees.

At 6.45 the area was hardly awake except the birds who were providing me with a rather outstanding morning concerto.

This morning was the first time I walked without my iPod in my ears and felt like a pleasant walk in the woods. (Started to learn Spanish with Coffeebreak Espanol. Scottish podcast made in Glasgow! I am laughing out laud every time at the fun ways they teach Spanish! Highly recommended!!)

So, to follow on from my previous blog, life here has a rather different rhythm.

Not that they are not crazy busy like we are in London/Europe, but here there is this phenomenon called “peruvian time”. So for a social meeting agreed for 2pm one can be easily waiting up to an hour. Than the person arrives, with a grin like a Cheshire cat, gives you a hug and one kiss and as if nothing on this earth had happened goes into the tirade of emotional small talk.

Ok, I said, this is a social meeting, so hey! I will just have to get used to it and ride the storm.

But when on Friday I went for my first driving lesson and at the gates been told that the class will start about 15-20 minutes later as there is a Mother’s Day celebration for the Ladies of the School!!

I counted till three and smiled like the above mentioned famous cat.

Now that I started talking about the driving lesson it will be foolish to switch topic. The summary of the lesson is that I surprised myself how calm and collective I was. Thank God, the drive on the “correct side of the road” not like in England so the gear shifting went smooth as silk. After the initial “getting used to the car” phase I rode along the coastline of Lima with a great joy. It is a one way system, and cars were driving in an unusual orderly manner in three lanes. The view was fantastic! The surfers were riding the waves and many sunbathers were still enjoying the beaches despite being late autumn. It was my first sightseeing tour as such!

But all good things come to an end and it was time to return back to the madness of the traffic. Once hit the main road leading back to Miraflores and onto San Isidro, the traffic got really thick and slow.

I foolishly assumed that being in the pretty red Auto-school car will give me some advantage in this madness, but was I mistaken??!! At a jam-packed intersections a Gentleman (ok,churro!Understand here not the famous Churros, doughnuts, but a dckhead…) pulled in front of me. And this was the point when one just had to do like Romans do in Rome and used the horn with a gusto I have never felt before!

Carina – my teacher – burst out laughing and complimented my action: “ I think you will fit in just fine!” 5 more lessons to come next week! (-: Lima, brace yourself!

Tracking back in time I would like to take you back to my second weekend.

What a Saturday night that was! I will remember it till my last breath!

After a lovely shopping day at the local market I got home my bags full of yummy, fresh local produce. One of them is my latest favorite fruit of Peru by the name of chirimoya.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirimoya

I was looking forward to relish on the flavours of it since the purchase – simply said: by just looking at it I was salivating like Pavlov’s dog.

Once home, dropped the bags on the floor, got the knife out and cut up the fruit. It has a semi-dense texture with black “lady nail” size seeds. Got all the seeds out from my first slice and bit into it. Mnammmm! Orgasmic! Another bite, Mnammmmm!! one more and the slice is gone! Mnammm…

Upppps! I felt a seed in between my teeth and was just about to spit it out when the biting reflex took over and with my front gnashers I bit on the seed.

The NOISE I heard gave and still gives me goosebumps!! and the porcelain layer on my right 1 cracked in half.

Time according to Accurist…was 5.28(ish)pm, Saturday. I am a stranger in the night!!

Yes, the French Connection abbreviation left my mouth in all the languages that can I speak!

Rushed to the bathroom to check the damage…it was HUGE and of course the person looking back from the mirror was like the Witch from Disney’s Snowwhite!

Had no other option but to contact my friends Carmen and Gustavo. Being Saturday evening I felt awful bothering them, but they were the only locals I knew. Plus, to make matters worse, the next day I had my first brunch with my new expat friends that I did not wish to miss!

My text message got replied and by 7.30pm I was in a car with my friends whom were taking me to their family-dentist friend, who opened his surgery just for me!! Mind you it is Saturday night in Lima, Peru!

The dentist was in jeans and cool about this emergency of the “gringo” new comer…

By 9.10pm I walked out with a rather precious dental work!!

Of course such service has a cost, that I truly took into account, however it was beyond my wildest dreams !! I am glad that I was sitting, as the charge came to 350 USD for the emergency alone + the work for the porcelain veneer another 1200…..Guys, you better love my smile!

Ohh, and how is work?

Challenging! (the Brits would say…)

Working with teenage girls is not an easy task! I was expecting the ups and downs after the initial novelty wore off and it arrived fast and furious on the second week! The war got declared!

Part of me also understands the Girls very much – I am new in their life and at the moment I am the one who is making them talk English after hard day in school. Like with all relationships first we fight and underneath slowly develop the love. It is hard to be a teenager and I was not a smooth sample either – so my Mum says!

Thank you Rescue Remedy to giving me the holy patience and calm! (-:

Last but not least I finally enjoyed a tasty lunch of the famous Peruvian signature dish with a writer I met on a expat meeting in the Punta Azul, one of very revered restaurants of Lima, Miraflores.

It was a feast! I had ceviche Lon had Tiradito with three different sauces. I missed out on the Inca Cola….it is scarily well colored and tastes like Hubba Bubba!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_Kola

Just a few photos here

Sorry Soila! check the rest on FB.

The girls are camera-shy these days, so will show them off to you as and when the mood turns.

Enjoy!

On the road again…

Greetings to all  “faithful readers of my shenanigans”!

Lima calling!

It has been an action-packed 10 days since I arrived here and feels that I am here at least a month!

 

For those of you who do not know the story of my latest “continent-hopping” here is the short version. After 6 months of unsuccessful job-hunting in London the time was drawing closer (19^th March) to make a choice. Should I stay or should I go!

My Peruvian friends approached me whether I will consider to teach English for their daughters.

I said “Yes”! So here I am in Lima and loving it!

 

Of course it is early days to make assumptions! However, being helped by my lovely friends moving land is a dream to come true! Not mentioning the other best thing the weather!! Since my arrival the Sun was shining every day. 28 degrees by midday! I know I am rubbing it in specially to you in England!

What happened since?

Landed knackered after close to 20 hrs..had a terrible jetlag till a few days ago!

Was off to bed by latest 9pm an up croaking with the roosters by 4am! It was taxing! I felt spaced out most of my first days.

My Friends here are going out miles to help me with all the necessary matters. So, just after 10 days I have a bank account and a really nice apartment in the heart of San Isidro district of Lima.

 

My working day really starts in the afternoon when I collect the Girls (3) from school and we do homework and play together at their home. The main task is and will be for another few weeks is to get to know each other. So far so good, but once the novelty wares off, I feel there will be days to come that are going to be a bit rocky! It is not easy being a teenager!

In the morning I go for a walk/jog around the Golf grounds around 6.30-7 and join the girls on their way to school around 7.30. After that I am free as a bird till 3pm.

I am not driving yet, but will probably start from next month…and that is the scary bit!

Driving in Lima is mad!! Indicating is a non-existent concept. If you want to turn left you stick your hand out the window or just pull into the left lane and use the claxon to express your annoyance that the other person behind you did not read your mind! The right turn works in a similar fashion.

The best lane to travel in is the middle of the road – you are the Champion!! (-:

 

My “best” experience so far is my very first trip to the nearby supermarket last Friday afternoon.

Moved into the apartment by 10am and after the inventory check with the Landlady I made my way to Wong 4 blocks away to get the essentials in the house…like a bottle of red and proper wine-glasses…(-:

My list was slightly long so started at the first isle and worked my way through all of them.

The dictionary in one hand of course! It took me close to 2 hours to get 90% of what I needed.

A smiling lady greets me at the till : Buenas tardes Senora! And goes into the customary small-talk out of which I understood very little. So if knowledge fails, just smile!! and I did grin like a Cheshire-cat!

There was another chap packing the stuff systematically – surprise!! chilled products separately, chemicals separately, fruit and veg also…What a service!!

Handed over my UK current account bank card and all hell broke!

The payment was declined 3 times! I was red like a lobster …embarrassed and angry.

If Barclays would be a man in front me at the till I would kick his rare-side till blue!!

After trying the transaction at another machine and failing again, I had no other choice but to return home and grab my credit card. And of course for “anything else is Mastercard”…the payment went through.

The packing boy guarded my shopping while I did the trip.They also put my refrigerated items into a coolbox! Get this service!! And he did not take the tip I offered! (Though they need to learn English!! Do I sound like an arrogant Pom?? (-: )

Waitrose you have a sister in Peru!! (-:

p.s. Snippets from my weekly diet: Peruvian custom: On Mondays eat pulses to keep good luck and money with you for the week ahead! (-:

 

TTFN

London calling!

My year of travels came to full circle when I landed at London on Friday, 21^st May.

 

Today, 10 days back in London and the living in “Mid-Earth” continues.

It is nice to be back, however my spirit is still roaming the World.

 

One year ago I was in Mexico close to finish my first trip of the year of adventures and shennanigans.

 

The year went fast and in a way it does not seem a year, however looking back and calling up my close held memories I have done a LOT and made dreams into reality!

 

My flightpath says it all:

 

London – Miami-Cancun.

From here it was a round road trip through Guatemala, Belize and back in Cancun.

 

Mexico city than nightbus to Oaxaca and around.

Mexico city – Days with Ricardo in Coyoacan and the band El Clan in Colima.

 

Mexico city – Lima

Weekend with Gustavo & Carmen – ace.

Than off to Cusco meeting Lincoln from London, John from Melbourne after 9 years parting in Cusco there again and Marco my Inca tour guide.

Seeing once more the majestic Macchu Pichu and expoloring other hidden gems of Peru (Arequipa with its Juanita the ice-maiden, white-water rafting with Marcos, Trujillo, Chan-Chan and Mancora the surfers paradise.

 

Equador once more though this time it was a short visit in Guayaquil as I headed for the Galapagos Islands. 5 days on the boat in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. Bespoke!

 

Quito to Bogota

Claude (my ex work colleguae) gave me a warm welcome and helped me to see/feel Colombia.

Cali – the capital of Salsa, Santa Marta, the memorable trek to Ciudad Perdida with the mud-slide accident, Cartagena as the Pearl of the Carribien, Medellin with the Escobars, Mompox with it past glory.

 

After flying across the South-American continent from Bogota to Sao Paolo I returned for a 6 weeks “lul” Home – London and Home-Home to my parents.

Many celebrations to enjoy: the wedding of Claudia and Jon and my round big birthday.

 

On the 14^th October I hit the road again from London via Singapore to Bali.

 

Bali is magical and spiritual to an unbelivable degree – at least it was for me.

I learned to dive and saw a royal cremation in Ubud.

 

Than after 3 weeks in the sun headed for the land of the Kiwi bird.

Here another “sub-adventure started” as I started to Couchsurf.

Don’t know what it is?

Look it up as it is THE way to travel!

www.couchsurfing.org.

My first host Chris was an absolute Gent and I fell in love with the experience.

In Auckland I also met Marika – a lady from my region back in Slovakia – and we had a wicked time.

Saw the glow-worm caves and had a thermal water cooked corn on the cob in Rotorua after learning a lot about the Maori culture.

From the North Island I flew down to Queenstown from where I visited the Milton Sounds. It was real Lord of the Rings scenery! Breathtaking!

Than off to Franz Josef where I took my first helicopter ride over the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.

I even had 10 minutes on top of the Fox to frolick in the snow! Smitted with this experience still!

Picton treated me with its famous mussels…Jummie!

The Transcenic train took me to Christchurch where I Couchsurfed with Anthony and became his first apprendice in putting plastic ads onto the back of busses…you can only do things like this when you couchsurf!!

 

From Kiwi-land to the land of the Kangoroo I went.

Spent magical months here: had a tremendous fun with Gavin (another CS host) in Sydney, dived with sharks in the Great Barrier Reef, saw beautiful rock painting in Kakadu & Litchfield National Parks, did the Track (road journey from Darwin to Alice Springs), celebrated Christmas Eve in Kathrine in bikinis in the rain and had the best of times in Alice Springs and around the Red Centre for 3 weeks.

The Ghan took me down to Adelaide from where I visited the famous wine region the Barossa Valley. Gulp…(-: red wine!

Had incredible fun on the Kangaroo Island and on the way down to Melbourne on the Great Ocean Road. Here I took another helicopter flight over the 12 Apostols (8 only now).

Melbourne was a chapter of adventures on its own.

Friends, Food, Tennis and meeting the first Hungarians in OZ!

 

From Melbourne I flew to Perth. Well that is on its own a rather system-shocking flight.

Close to 4 hours flight with 3 hours time difference! I had jet-lag for 3 days after that.

Here I met my friend Caroline with whom I travelled in the Galapagos last year. It was great to see her again and we went out for trips together. First was the Rottnest Island than the Pinnacles.

What great memories!

 

From Perth I flew to Bangkok via Singapore. En route in Singapore I met another fellow traveller Isaac from Scotland whom I met in Melbourne then swiftly plunged into the madness of Bangkok.

Here I got my first deep culture-shock.

Like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. I am not sure where I am still but it was an experience.

Though did not Couchsurf throught the social website I met Neil the Scott – we went to Koh Samet for 6 days and had a blast with an Aussie couple.

Return to Bangkok to join my lovely friend from London Angela and spend travelling together for 2 weeks. We really went for the adventure and headed up to North with a 1^st class!? Night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It was “emotional” as we had a mini ZOO in the cabin too. I slept Angela used her flip flops to kill them.

Up North we visited Wats, rode on elephants, rafted on a bamboo raft, treked in the rainforest and been at the Golden Triangle (the triple boarder Laos, Burma and Thailand).

 

Cambodia was the next step on the Adventure. The stressful boarder crossing from Thailand on the road to Siem Reap tried us all. But Angkor Wat and the temples rewarded us for our stress with beauty and awe. The time soon arrived when we felt “Wat-ed out”…so off we went with a sleeper nightbus down to the sea side town of Sihanoukville to chilax.

After Angela left I anchored down here and found a charity school where I tought for a month.

It was a very rewarding experience that made me grow a lot as a person.

I felt Cambodia well and being there was just right. I met Dammien, Elena, Nick and Stacy, Fiona and many more. Tried the “King of the Fruits” the durian in Kep with Elena – hmmm…it does acquire taste!!

While about 9 days in Sihanoukville I got the biggest “shock” of my Asian adventure when I met Kate with whom I spent some time in Cartaghena (Colombia) last August.

Well, and tell me that the world is big!!

 

Than the “big plunge” idea ripenned within: Home or back to OZ to try my luck with a job.

The later became the strongest link so from Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur I arrived to Perth once more on the 6^th May 2011.

This time it was a Couchsurfing stint again…and what a welcome I got.

Matt, the Perth Ambassasor of the CS Group went an extra 2 miles to help me out. Due his will to help I met Angie and James with whom I stayed one night and Katrina who provided me with her House&Home for a week and a day.

It felt so good to be back in Perth that I had to pinch myself to realize it is not a dream.

To the fantastic time added Matt’s festival Birthday party on my first weekend back at their family farm one hour out of Perth. Words are not enough to say what a party it was: Close to 200 people from all over the world having a BBQ and fun in costumes depicting past, present & in my case maybe future civilizations. I wrapped a blue sheet around me and a straw heat and created the retro-21^st century couchsurfing Greek Godess…(-:

At this party I have been lead to by my French CS traveller Marie to the other !”only” Hungarian!

It was a shrieking surprise meeting Mark!

The Hungariannes called and we got on superb. My last 4 days in Perth were in his home going “hungarian” on all levels – cooking, talking and being.

 

Luck was over me on the friday, 13^th…and I got a job offer.

After the initial shock and joy swift actions had to be taken…so “Dice Man” style I tossed the one dollar coin…It was head equals rounding up the trip and returning to the Old Europe.

The emotions going through me those last days were like hurricans.

It was not just coming home from a trip, it was and still is much much more!

Closures and new openings…it was a dawn of a new/other life-changing adventure.

 

Just now by writing my closing blog I relived each and every mentioned story once more and I will be doing that for a long time – I feel.

These moments are my priceless diamonds that no one can really see and feel, but by sharing them they will be kept polished to shine through me for years to come.

 

I would like to thank all my friends who kept reading my stories and helped me in many ways to achieve my Dream for the past year.

Last but not least to my Family for their support and care throughout.

 

One Life! Live it!

 

(-:

Chillax in Sihanoukville

Since I started travelling – nearly one year – there were places I visited that welcomed me and let me go within few days and there were places that welcomed me and kept me staying.

Sihanoukville is one of the latter.

With a big smile I am happy to announce that this little town became a kind of “home away from home”.

The last time I felt so at peace and happy was in Alice Springs, Australia and before that in Mompox in Colombia.

Words are not enough…it just feels right and in harmony with what is.

I am still at the New Sea View Villa where we checked in with Angela and proud to be part of the inventary…so to say!

The owners Stacy and Nick regards me like one of the staff. They have planted ideas into my head as to open a nursery with them or run one of their caffes up the road!

The staff are not even bothered to ask me anymore what I would like for breakfast. The cup of tea and the musli with fresh fruit and yoghurt just appears on the table.

Sweet hey?!

My days are full but sometimes don’t know how they fill up!

The mornings if I am not at school are easy at the restaurant talking to Dammien, Stacy or Nick.

Then the afternoons are at the quiet part of the beach reading or talking to other travellers.

Than it is nightime soon and one is never bored!

The expat community of Sihanoukville alike travellers get together regularly in the Aussie bar – Outback Bar (what else could it be called…) for a Monday night pub Quiz!

The group I joined came now 2^nd two weeks in the row!Great fun every time!

Then here is the Galaxy Cinema where we went already twice with Dammien – the day manager- from the Villa. They have an awesome deal: to show a movie in the big auditorium they need 3 people minimum. One ticket is $3. But if you rent a private room – like a lounge with a huge plasma screen – the minimum is 2 people for the same price. It is the bingo deal in town.

So on both occasions we went we had a lounge to ourself. With our feet up we watched the King’s Speech and the Black Swan. Great nights out!

To add a lil’ luxury to this “dog’s life” once a week I treat myself to a day in the 5 star resort of Sokha. It is $10 to get in but the beach is sprakling clean with huge sun beds and unbrellas.

On a weekdays when hardly nobody is there one feels like on a deserted island.

Last Sunday I went on a luxury cruise. Well, it is luxury here, but in any western country the boat will not even pass the safety test to being put on water! I am not one of the fainthearted, but there were moments on that trip that I said a prayer to get back safe on shore.

Regardless, the island we visited was worth the tupsy-turvy stomach and the bit of queeziness.

Cambodia still has untouched beaches that are paradise like. How long will it last?

Maybe another 5 years before the 5 star hotels grow out of the sparkling white sand like mushrooms.

Here the world has shown me once again how small it is.

Right on my second week I was walking into a bar to settle down to read with a cold beverage when a lady calls out my name.

“Sylvia! Hello! It is Kate! Remember we met in Cartaghena in Colombia last August?”

I got stopped in my stride and had the shivers going fast and furious up and down on my body. In disbelieve and joy we hugged and just giggled for a few minutes. It was suddenly “beer-oclock” and catch-up time! We spent two days together again with Kate her travelling friend Eimear.

Then on the morning of the cruise trip while waiting for the tuk-tuk in front of the hotel I heard the group of people standing next to me speak Slovakian.

And they were Slovakian! One of them from near by where I was born!!

It was a day of fine chinwagging in Slovakian with the occasional Hungarian swear word “baszd meg!” (fuck it) by Marcel. We had a fine time and laughed out loud many times. Marta with her giggles was infectious!

These are the moments that I would not trade for any amount of money in the world!

The re-setting of the compas is still in a making.

The direction will soon get clear – back to OZ or back home…but only for a while!

(-:

Thailand & Cambodia

Adventures in Asia.

 

It has been over a month since I arrived to Bangkok where the “adventure” (if one can call it that way) started fast and furious.

On the very first full day of my stay my tooth-ache worsened and had to go to see the dentist.

I was petrified but there was no other choice.

Three hours later I left my tooth at the Paolo Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

The experience was outstanding – the care I received was top Western at the emergency ward! On Sunday afternoon I was seen within 30 minutes from arrival!! The hygiene, technology and patience care was better than in the private clinique of my London dentist!and CHEAP! Paid 25 pounds!!

I will go back there to have a check up before leaving Asia 100%!

 

After few days of being poorly and feeling sorry for myself things got increasingly better and fun!

Roamed the city every day.I was amazed by the place,its palaces, canals, its people and the life in this metropolis in general. Madning!!People EVERYWHERE!

Bangkok is like Marmite…you love it or hate it! I am inclined to the later…

 

Through Couchsurfing I met Neil a proud Scotsman with whom we headed for some chillax on the beaches of Koh Samet. We took the local transport which was rather rudimentary but got us where we aimed to go. It was nice to travel with a Gentleman.

We rented a moto and cruised the island’s beaches. It was fun! The road conditions are hair-raisingly dangerous here but Neil was a good driver! I hold onto him for my dear life …(-:

Found a small resort by the name of Candlelight where we met Debbie and Smithy from Australia.

We had a blast with them for a few days.

 

I left Koh Samet for Bangkok after 5 days to meet my friend Angela, who came to travel with me for two weeks from London.

It was fantastic to see her again. We could not stop talking the first night! We saw each other in September back in London. The next day we chilled by the pool and started our adventure by taking a 15 hour train journey to the north of Thailand to Chaing Mai.

Special Express train and 1^st class sleeper ….Gosh what a pit it was!!

Since I am travelling I developed the ability to sleep whereever I can but Angela had a big problem and suffered the journey awake. Her entertainment became to kill our ZOO – bugs and coakroaches with her flip-flops.

 

In Chaing Mai rail station we got pestered by the usual gang of tuk-tuk drivers the moment we stepped off the train. I knew it is normal, however after the journey it got to me and I flew off the handle…Hail Angela kept her cool.

 

We stayed in Chaing Mai for 4 days. We rode on an elephant, rafted on a bamboo raft, went to Chaing Rai, visited the long neck Karen Tribe, the awesome White Temple and to the Golden Triangle. We met lovely people and laughed our heart out on many occasions.

 

For some reason I didn’t “feel” Thailand and as Angela visited the South 6 years ago we chose to go to Cambodia.

So, we flew back to Bangkok and took the local bus towards the border and to the city of Siem Reap – the gateway to Angkor and its Wats.

 

And here came the adventure of our trip!

 

We did our “homework” and read all available info on the subject of crossing the border. Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor, Couchsurfing recommendation …the whole lot!

Yet found being ripped off with smile in the Land of Smiles!..sorry (not) for the pun!

 

Our journey went smooth until the minivan (government bus from BKK airport bus terminal – cost 182 Bhat close to 4 hours journey)dropped us off at Aranyapratet border off the main street.

As soon as we stepped off the van a gang of about 6 young man surrounded us ( by now 4 girls, Angela, Dani & Beatriz from Mexico) telling us to move into a room to fill up some Thai immigration forms and pay a departure fee. (there is no such fee as departure fee from Thailand)

They were rather forceful and tried hard to usher us into the building. They talked in broken English but with authority – they even had ID cards hanging from their necks…they looked “official” but they were crooks.

We ignored them after asking them questions to which they did not know the answers and refused to follow their orders. On the minivan I sat next to an American guy who was on his “visa-run” and he mentioned that he has an agent on the border. I remembered his name and called it out loud to the gang of men on the Thai border. The sound of the name scared the gang and they stopped to understand and speak English.

We grabbed the moment and our bags and headed towards the main street to join the stream of locals heading towards the border control.

 

The Thai crossing was smooth and respectful.

Once over in the Cambodian side rip-off number one came at purchasing the Cambodian Visa.

On the board of the office it has been written that the tourist visa is $20 USD on arrival.

We, however as a little “tip” had to pay an extra 100 Bhat each. When questioned the officer who did not understand English 3 minutes before, suddenly said that it is a fee for the visa purchased on arrival. It was no point to argue – Sweet hey?!

 

On our way towards the border a young man started to talk to us. He spoke reasonable English, wore blue shirt and an ID card in his neck.He said he is a volunteer for the Cambodian Tourists Department who helps tourist.We ignored him.

After the Cambodian entry point his fellow colleguae joined him with even better knowledge of English. This guy sounded so genuine that we believed him.

They told us that the Government provides a free shuttle bus to a local bus station about 15 minutes away where we have the option of taking a government bus, a direct taxi or a minivan to Siem Reap.They also told us that a car to Siem Reap costs 450 Bhat, can take 4 people and will drop us off at the Hostel we are staying in town.They also highlighted the danger of taking a private car from the square we have been standing on and told us horror stories from the past – highlighting the benefits of the Government service.

 

We fell for it and feeling in good hands we boarded the free shuttle bus to the so called local bus station.

Firstly, it was 30 minutes away.

Secondly, it was not the local bus terminal! It was a western style- purpose built station distingtivelly aimed at tourists way out of the center of the town.

 

We started to feel the “pinch” of being cornered and being at the mercy of this crooks.

At the counter there were many men laughing at us and suddenly the price has changed!

The bus cost 9 USD per person, the taxi 12 USD per person and there were no minivans available.

They all understood a reasonable English and a couple of them spoke it OK too but the quality of these men suddenly acting numb and ignorant drove us furious.

We got in a well thought out tourist trap and the crooks knew they will win no matter what.

After nearly of agonising bartering and arguing we just had enough and took a car for 48 USD.

The deal was that the car will drop us off at the Hosteling International Hostel in Siem Reap.

Happy with the prospect of being in town in 2 hours we chatted all the way to Siem Reap . We showed the driver who pretended not to speak or understand English, but smiled. When shown the hostel address to where to take us he nodded with agreement.

When we reached the outskirts of Siem Reap the car suddenly pulled in in-front of a Guest house.

The driver literally jumped out of the car and we got approached by another young man telling us that we need to swap car as the taxi can not go further into town and he will free of charge take us where-ever we want to go.

At this point all four of us got livid. There was no way to get heard that we have been told we are were to be dropped of to our hostel and the man just kept saying it is a free ride.

We walked off from the crook gang with spitting verbal threats at him & his company that we will spread the news to all travellers about their scam.

N.B.

While in Siem Reap we went to a travel agency where we have been told that a car to the boarder is USD 4 and to Bangkok USD 9.

 

After this stressful event our time in Cambodia got better. People are warm and welcoming here and I feel better here than in Thailand.

 

At the moment I am again a solo traveler – Angela went back two days ago – in Sihanoukville, by the beach. It is taken me a little time to get used to the solo existence again after travelling with company for close to a month!

 

I like it here and will rest here till my plans clarify and able to re-set my compass.

In the mean time I found a local school (Goodwill School) where I started teaching the staff English and a little bit about the Montessori Method of teaching.

It is so rewarding to make a lil’ difference.

 

 

 

The Tooth Tale

The Story of the Tooth!

 

It all started in Sydney on the day I was leaving for Cairns in early December.

On a soft forkfull of pasta!! my back tooth broke.

In Cairns my first trip was to the dentist who fixed it and it was all fine.

I have forgotten about it till about 10 days ago when it started to feel sensitive.

I was already in Perth on my last days in OZ.

Another quick visit to the dentist where I got given antibiotics to clear the infection.

 

And here the strory really started:

3 days into taking the antibiotics the sensation returned and I was not able to chew on my right side.

Called the dentist for an appointment and got it for the morning of my flight from Perth to Singapore.Great!…

 

Came friday morning.

Lastminute preparations for the departure…stressed to the top and battling the normal departure sadness.

Caro left for work just after 7am – saying good bye chocked me bad.

It needed a coffee and a cigi out on the terace. Had two in a row and leisurely walked back to the door that I found locked! FCK!!I locked myself out!!

It was around 10 past 8 – my doc appointment was at 8.45 and I needed to catch a flight!!

Sheer panic as there was no way I could get inside. Windows closed and too high to climb.

Rear gate locked and too high to climb! Mobile inside, keys inside…shoooootttt!

I started to bounce and screem for help frantically.

Nobody answered!! Not a soul in the alley. Not a soul next door!!

Help! Hello! Anybody around?

My heart was beating in my mouth…

Think Sylv, Think!!

The only constructive thought trail that could get me inside was to find somebody to go two doors up to Jane, a taylor lady, who was doing some work on Caro’s dress. She has Caro’s mobile number so she can call Caro to let her know what is happening and possibly ask Angela (the landlady) to come to the house and let me in!

But first I needed to find THAT one soul!!

I kept screeming for help when I heard noise from next door.

Me standing on the top of the rubbish container I must have looked like a mentally disturbed mad woman to this guy, but he was to be my saviour!

Mark I think was his name went to Jane and asked her to call Caro but by the time Jane arrived Mark offered to open the front door. I had to take that offer even dealing with the consequences of a payment to repair the lock! Mark ended up to be a locksmith by trade!! How fortunate is that!!

He openned the door without damage and I was in the house!

Pheww!

I had 10 minutes to make the dentist appt…it was no way I could get there and of course my state was not the most calm! So called them and apologised profuselly for not able to making it.

 

Not even half an hour passed my mobile was ringing. Private number.

What a heck!!?

“Hi, my name is Phil so and so from Qantas. Unfortunatelly we had to cancel your flight due technical problems. We managed to put you onto another, later flight today for Singapore at 15.35.”

 

GREAT!! What is next!!??

I had a friend waiting for me in Singapore and planned a dinner in China-town…

 

I called the taxi company to re-schedule the taxi when I am being told at 9.30am that they are not able to guarantee the 1pm sharp collection at the house! WHAT???

This was the point when I said, OK, just do your best.

I hang up and burst to tears…

It never rains it always pours!

 

I left Perth/ Australia with deep sadness but joy at the same time.

I had an awesome time here and met many good people with whom I shared my adventures.

I am lucky, I know!!

 

But life and tide waits for no man!

Had to hit the road Jack ..again!

 

Singapore – madness at the Arrivals and the shuttle bus drops me off the last at the M Hotel.

Midnight snack and a good catch up with my friend Isaac and it was morning again.

 

Skytrain to the airport and off to Bankok.

Isaac, who has already visited Bankok recommended me a nice hostel…Udee.

Not on Khao San Rd – just a little away but it is a true heaven!

 

And the tooth was bothering me increasingly. The flight from Perth to SGP “killed” it…it was throbbing unbearably.

At the hostel reception I have been advised to go to the Paolo Hospital (around the corner) where they have an emergency dental ward. Though scared to admit to myself I knew I will need to get there fast!

But fist I wanted to have some fun!

It was Sunday and the Weekend Market at Chatuchak was not to be missed.

My first Bankok adventure, here I come!

It is massive (over 2000 stalls!)iit is the “Bankok Harrods”…you can buy here EVERYTHING!

From pins to live animals….crazy place but fun at the same time.

I wondered the stalls for oer 3 hours….window shopping! (-:

The smells, sounds and mess was mindblowing. It is Asia and I felt the culture shock…a temporarily state of mind of wonder and reality of a dreamstate…like being in love…you sleep it off in a few days, like my friend Stuszi used to do!

(-:

I had the best coconut icecream ever here – served in the coconut shell with sweet rice and peanuts!

Moorish!!

Than off to have a foot-massage…in the middle of the market-mess!

What a ZEN environment, hey? The parlour Missus was shouting like crazy!!

The 30 minutes did wonders…it felt so good. My mind and back was just relishing the relief!

 

Than off to THE Hospital…

It was a surprise at first site. Western ways of patience care – registration on one-to-one than escorted up to the 4^th floor to the dental word. I was seen by the doc in less then 30 minutes.

It had to be a root-canal (at first) and the doc had a booked in patience, so I had to wait.

When the time came I have been cared for by a young doc who was speciallising in root-canal treatment. He got onto the job but after about an hour and a half he had to give up…the tooth can not be saved as the infection has spread. It had to be taken out.

It was a shock…but there was no other option!

Another 2 shots of injections and I did not feel my head on my neck. It was over fast!

I wish humans could have teeth like sharks…lost one and the otherone is on its way!

From here it just can get better! (-:

Fair Well Aussie!Hello Asia!

Highlights from Melbourne and Perth.

 

Two glorious cities. Both with a different vibe, not to mention the weather!

Do I sound like a Pommy here?…

Melbourne is like London…a temperamental Lady!

There was heat, flashfloods and cold. After a long time I was forced to wear my jacket there!

In the heat of the OZ summer!!

Perth on the other hand is sparkling sunshine every day since I arrived. Purrrfect weather!

Cool in the mornings and evenings and hot hot hot during the day – but the air-con is a priceless gadget!

 

Melbourne

it was a hectic start to my stay as the Hostel I booked into called me on the day that sorry mate, but we managed to get overbooked…so no bed for yah!

Doh!! Frantically tried to get a bed somewhere…fully booked…”it is the Australian Open love!”…was the reply I mostly got.

I had to call my friend John and gate-crash with my request.

John with his lovely wife Justine took me under their wings and I had a fab weekend with them, just being, chilling, chattting and enjoying it all.

As I was coming to Melbourne through the Great Ocean Road I have one word to sum it all up.

Bespoke!

On the way from Adelaide the group slept in a prison at Mount Gambier – The Old Gaol – the last inmate left in 1992!! now it is made into a backpackers.Rather and experience sleeping in a cell!The vibes were tingling weirdly.

Than the helicopter ride….I was high like a kite! The views were breathtaking!The pilot fun who added to the already flowing adrenaline by doing sharp forks…Wheeeee!

 

Melbourne was a joyful stay. I have met with Mahala and Aaron with whom I travelled with in Mexico last year. We had a wicked time catching up and sampling Melbourne’s culinary delights.

Cookies restaurant is a MUST to all visiting Melbourne and a nice macaroon in the Art Museum’s Tea Room!

Than met with Cath – an ex-colleguae from London. We had a nice girlie day and caught up with life since we saw each other – yes, back in London in the autumn.

 

And the tennis on Federation Sq. I simply got hooked! The mojo was awesome mate!!

 

Met Ali – english girl – in the Urban Central hostel…we had fun times in St. Kilda beach and town and of course on the Free Wine Tasting…well it turned out not free for me as I fell in love with the Shiraz and had to have a bottle …40 bucks! But man…it was a wine a BEAUTIFUL ONE!

 

Penquin Parade…as much as I loath touristy places this was another 3D Imax experience.

Seeing the little pingus hurrying out of the sea to land slowly hip-hoping to their homes and being away from them only one step was indeed watching David Attenborough’s work live in action.

 

 

Perth

 

Carolina and I met last year on the Galapagos; we got on like house on fire and kept in touch since.

Last July she got a new contract with a drilling company off-shore and moved to Perth – so I moved into her Home instead of the Hostel. I have to sincerelly confess that it is so so good to sleep in the room alone! So, I anchored down and enjoyed it to its best.

 

 

We had so much to talk about and we did a lot of adventures together.

First was a day trip to Rottnest Island. What a day on the wheels!!

We cycled the entire island and saw the beauty of the land. It is a MUST too!

 

Than in Perth/Subiaco while she worked, I cruised the suburb of Subiaco, Fremantle, Cotteslow…

WA is another world again! The nature is mesmerising!

The ocean on the doorstep is priceless as well as the green places Perth is so rich with.

We got into a biking routine too – woke early and went for rides into Kings’ Park and along the Swan River. The best start to our days!

This city caters for sport to its utmost. People of all ages are up early every day and pedaling or jogging the green hills. It is amazing to see young Mum’s running and pushing the pushchair!

Sport is the here!

 

Perth city is also a meddley of old and new.

The Victorian heritage buildings are impressively restored and the new is added with thought.

The city’s architecture is dynamic and alive.

The green spaces are well kept and there is so much to see and do.

And eat…

On my first day in the city I treated myself to a lunch by the river.

When made the choice I had in mind a light lunch of a few mussels.

When I saw the waitress approaching me with a bowl of towering shells I thought I duck under the table. The bowl contained 37 mussles…(counted them religiously after consumption). It took me over an hour to get the job done…What a gluttony it was a VERY tasty one!

 

Walked Perth – as I do most of the time – aimlessly and stuff just poppede into my way.

In the St.George’s cathedral I found my first Hungarian “imput” into the society – The way of the Cross by Andror Meszaros. Sadly all the accents were missed from above his name that remained me of Sandor Marai, who summed up the life abroad by saying that one feels out of the Homeland when the accents leave ones’ name. True! (I only miss one comma over the “O” of my family name and I miss it regardless.)

 

Than I went to be a bell-ringer for a short time up to the Bell Tower. It is not that easy as it looks…the 475 kg bell nearly made me airbourne…fun times!

 

The district Subiaco is a couple of stops from Perth central but it is a suburb full of character – at the end Italian settled here first! I enjoyed walking and cycling around a lot. The coffee culture is big here too and one can meet artists and interesting individuals.

 

Time flies, oh and how much!

The last weekend was coming fast and furious.

Caro and I headed for the Pinnacles. They are rock formations that are though not unique to OZ but they are found in the largest numbers (over 3000) in Pinnacles. The pictures I have seen of them reminded me of a “moon-like landscape”.

The 200 km journey went fast. We stopped in the town of Lancelin…a rather funny vibrating place flooded with Germans…the coffee at the Isabella’s Cafe was nice though.

Than we headed to Cervantes.

Nice city names, hey? Don Quiote de la Mancha and the Knights of the Round Table.

Spaniards and Pomms!

 

The Pinnacles – I could not talk for a while when got there. The desert and the pointing rockformations demand silence. Some of them are 3 or even 5 meters high. The landscape is unique indeed.

And here after a long time – Walpa Gorge in the Kata Tjuja near Uluru – the flies lounged the invasion! Merde!! This is all I heard from Caro who had not yet experienced the relentless attack.

These flies here go for a moist of the body and absolutely LOVE going into your mouth and nose…it is madning!

 

The Pinnacles is a national park also. When I saw the first car amongst the rockformations I thought it is the ranger…well it was not! There is a ring-road one can drive around the spectacular sites.

I did not like it, but as we had the car we drove through too – I changed my view as it was indeed a scenic drive. In the heat of the day few people would face the scorching of the merciless sun.

 

I have 3 more days in Perth and OZ.

I found myself sentimental this morning. Surprise!?

I had seen so much beauty of this Land. Many of my dreams came true. Met people with whom shared my joy and they gave me joy by sharing time together.

The summary of distances covered: over 18000 km in air, on rails, roads, sea,bike and foot in 3 moths! With lots of love!

 

I feel rich, so so rich! Thank you Mates!

I will be back like the Batman!

I will have a sob before the iron-bird takes off on Friday… joys and sorrows of the travellers’ life!

 

Next destination: Bankok via Singapore!

Culture shock …it will be!

Angela & I = adventure gurus!

Wheehaw!