Heiwa's Round The World

Live for Travelling... Travel for Living

2007-06-06T00:36:00.000+02:00

Hi whoever still reads this!!!

It is well passed midnight... and almost half a year since the previous post... why this post??? Because this one is the last one. I need to finish what I started to be able to start new more things. New dreams.

I am sitting in the lounge of my new apartment... it is the first night I am here. It is also the first place I can call my place in more than 20 months. There is an empty fridge and a few empty walls... but it feels really good to have somewhere I can simply call home. It is in Amsterdam. Lovely town more famous for the drugs and sex scene than for its beautiful canals, good museums and great Indonesian restaurants. I have already been here for almost two months enjoying (until today ;D) Ruben and Laura's fantastic hospitality.

Since I went back to what people wrongly call the "real world" I have been trying to figure out one 'big' problem stuck in my head. I was trying to figure out how to live with the feeling I was travelling through life. This way I would be able to experience the things that make me feel so special, and are the leif motiv of this blog: discovering, travelling, chasing change, etc.

Until someone tells me a better way of doing it... I have decided to take a new job in this new beautiful city doing lots of new things. I guess it is a way of keeping my eyes wide open and my life running as if I was in a train that stops everywhere :oD.

How I got here... it is all a successful mixture of fortune, friends and of course family (this order is not base on importance)... what happened before I got the job was basically that I had the chance to realize I am surrounded by great friends that not only accept me the way I am (which proves how incredibly talented they are) but that they actively support, listen to and help me. I hope I have learnt enough from them and that I will behave naturally the same way :o)

Before Amsterdam there was London, Barcelona, Serbia, South of Spain and Morocco with incredible friends, and Jordan with my great family. And of course León. And of course Madrid. And of course Amsterdam.

I am happy. I manage to do lots of things during the last 18 months: manage to conclude the whole trip around this little pretty world we live in; manage to give back a little bit of all I have received and keep on receiving from it; manage to find a way of sorting my little problem (hope all problems in life are as big as mine!). Manage to dream with my eyes wide open. Manage to set an end to this blog (I written this final post around 20 different times in my head).

Now is almost 3am. Perfect time to finish it here. To finish this window open to my thoughts and, in some cases, to yours as well. But not the time to stop going around this world smiling and ringing the bell in my bicycle. There is still a lot of that to come... but you will not read it here... we will laugh about it and tell stories while sharing a beer or a parchita smoothie (depending on where we meet up) in some random bar. Till then, make sure you look after your dreams!

Hope you are all happy, enjoying fully each day!!

Un beso muy fuerte para todos! Seguid siendo felices y disfrutad de cada instante con la intensidad que se merece!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Felices Reyes Magos!!

2007-01-07T13:22:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year to everyone!!! If you are still out there, of course!

Hope you are feeling good after all the parties and huge meals and new toys from the Reyes Magos and Santa Cloux. I am still in the recovery process. You wanna hear something funny¿? We missed the local midnight and had to have the greips tradition while listening to the BigBen. On the good side is that I introduced Isobella and Harvey to this great Spanish classic!!

The feelings since I arrived are very mixed. Super Happy to see family and friends again. The super fun Willy and Laura's wedding where I got considerably hammered. Changing my clothes for the first time in 12 months. Back in my home mountains and other great things.

But at the same time... I am a bit confused... don't know... the days are not as packed as they used to be and somehow life has got out of control... hope it was just Xmas and that I will find my feet on the ground from now onwards. Or may be I just need to change my look... what about this one¿?

A bit boring, maybe... appart from the map behind... sooooooo temmmmmptinggggg... and so much more to see!!!!! hmmmmmmmm... anyway, I guess this time it has to be you, ok¿?!

As I cannot keep my feet quiet, I am off to London on Thursday... to be honest I can't wait to see everybody. I am considering to go and thank Mr. BT plc. for its sponsoring... such a nice touch!!! I will be there one or two weeks to relax, catch up and look for a job. It should be nice and fun...

Another thing is that I am sorry to say we are getting close to the end of this sweet beautiful blog :o)... but there is one trip left... so, if you are still interested, keep connected :oP

Un besito fuerte para todas/os!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XxX

... en realidad... ché... es medio recomplicado!

2006-12-22T19:32:00.000+01:00

Hola a todo el mundo!!! Hello everybody!!!

Last day in this side of the Atlantic, and still a bit hangovered from the Leaving Night with Osku and Sergio... we might not see each other in some time from now, so we decided to visit "Las Cañitas" for the night! Great area... but we still prefer Palermo! More our style... more... how can I say... Cool¿? ;o)

Agos and Lore made a break in their Xmas busy agendas and it was great to meet them so we could say "See You Soon"... now that we know that the world is so little and confirmed that is rounded we are certained that we will meet again somewhere soon ;o)

Osku is already in the air, and I should be flying soon... I will only do it to make sure that what the map says is right. I think is the first time it is so up to date that it can also show the future (Thanks so much BigBro!!!)

I can't really tell you the feelings coz' I don't really understand them... let me get to the old continent so I can find words or at least find one image (that will save me a thousand words!).

The only thing that has moved to the boreal hemisphere is my Xmas attitude (there is none here... or at least it feels like none when you have lived in London before)... and I can't go without sharing with you my wishes for a great New Year and for very Happy Xmas days:

¡¡¡Feliz Navidad & Próspero Año Nuevo!!!
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!!!

Lots of kisses!!!! Does anybody know what is the weather like in Madrid¿? I'm still in my sandals and shorts, and can't imagine the world being different ;oP Be Happy!!!!

Un beso gordo gordo, sed muy felices en estos días y Buena Onda!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

El Puerto de Buenos Aires!

2006-12-20T22:56:00.000+01:00

Hola Chicas/os!!! Ya queda poquito... ultimos días antes de continuar viaje hacia el Viejo Continente. Pero si uno quiere estar en alguna gran ciudad de Sudamérica... esa es Buenos Aires... y por supuesto compartirla con mis Travelling Buddies, con Osku y con Sergines!!

En estos últimos días estamos tratando temas superimportantes como puedes ser una dieta estricta de recuperación de peso a base de bifés de Lomo y Chorizo y otras partes de la vaca argentina que hasta llegar acá desconocíamos. Yo creo que al final conseguiré que me sirva el traje para ir a la boda de Willy... si no... vaqueros ;o).

Muchos paseítos por San Telmo y de ¿?compras¿? por Palermo... bueno, mirando mucho... pero poquito más. Recibiendo los lindos aunque contaminados aires bonarenses y disfrutando de mirar a las minas argentinas por la calle embelleciendo la primavera austral.

Tras un pequeño susto con el billete... que por suerte se solucionó sin problemas parece ser que tenemos confirmada la llegada a Madrid para las 14.30 del 23 de Diciembre... ¿?Preparado para el Shock¿? Para que os voy a engañar... conocéis la respuesta ;o) Pero con muchas ganas de darle un beso muy gordo a la Mami.

Hoy saldremos con Euge & Co a conocer Belgrano... una especie de despedida para una genial anfitriona. Ya llegamos tarde así que lo mejor es que corte con esto.

Un besote muy fuerte para todas y un abracito para todos!! Cuidaros mucho, ok¿?

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

From coast to coast... once more!

2006-12-15T22:57:00.000+01:00

Hello Everybody from the Atlantic Ocean!

We (Osku, Sergio and I) are back in the Argentinian coast... surprisingly enough. We are exactly in Pinamar. Normally one visit to this area should be enough, but these two guys tricked me to come for a second round... and... well... same impression about it as the last time.

How did I get here? Well... after the last post (I promised not to mention the topic anymore) booked a flight to Bs As so I could spend the days b4 going back to Europe with Sergio and Osku... so I could prepare for the change shock we have ahead of us ;oP

I skip telling you about Easter Island for various reasons... but, hey, that wasn't fare. Isla de Pascua is one of those amazing places that one thinks he might never visit in his life. Being there was really amazing, including the fact that it was my first time in Polynesia.

The island is supersmall, and you can visit it in less than three days, specially if you meet great people such as Cristobal (thanks so much for your hospitality in Santiago!!! That was superbe!), Mike, Helen, Misato, Ines, Adán and Gonzalo! You can walk to many places, and if the weather is good renting a bicycle is the perfect option (I didn't rent one... guess why!). But the best thing is to travel around in a 4x4. All the places are spectacular and really impressive. What you get in the pictures can really show how this place is. Kind of Magical. Ah... and BTW, Mr. Costner made lots of things up... so don't trust the film (they show it twice a week in one of the bars in the island... classy!!!)

We will probably back in Capital tomorrow... and stay there until Friday... when we flight (back?? forward??) to Europe. I am looking forward to seeing you soon and hearing all your stories of all this time. Hope I can still recognize you!! ;oP. Hugs and kisses for you all!!

Un besote para todas/os... espero daroslo en persona dentro de poco! Cuidaros mucho y disfrutad de cada día!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Pinochet is Finally Dead!

2006-12-11T00:25:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody! I would lie if I didn't say that I am happy to be in Santiago de Chile in a day like this.

The General (R), as they called him, has died... and half of the people of this town is out to celebrate it. What do I see in people faces¿? Well, I wouldn't call it happines... I would call it relief. Somehow this old man (bastard¿?) had cause so much pain and terror, than even being 91 he was able to make people upset just with being alive.

I had to analize it and compare it to Spain recent history of which I know very little. I could imaging what the streets of Madrid should have looked when the other "horror maker" died the year before I was born. I was looking around me and tried to feel what this guys were feeling... and what my parents probably (surely) felt.

After I heard the news I found myself with Misato (she had never seen something like this... apparently in Japan are more... how can I say... selfcontroled¿?) in Baquedano square, where people met naturaly. People kept on arriving for hours non stop. It was a Carnival. Is it alright to celebrate the dead¿? I guess in some cases can be justified.

After a while, everybody started walking towards the "Palacio de la Moneda". The famous building where the coup d'etat images where taken. Where Allende was killed.

The pictures of faces of the disappeared where everywhere, red flags, blue flags, multicolour flags. And music. There were old people, babies, teens, families. High society and low society mixed together. Songs of revenge and songs of peace and love. Never seen such a mixture of people (even more than in Soho Square in sunny summer day). And they were all together to share this weird feeling of fear and hate, mixed with happines.

The thing hasn't finsihed yet... but it did for me when the lacrimogic bombs started flying and the water trucks decided to rally around the Palace getting everybody wet. This was not my past neither my story. Still it feels very good to be here and be able to show my anger against a criminal, at least on the day of his dead.

I was gonna tell about how nice Easter Island was... but I will do it some other time ;o) These news have capture my attention, and felt I wanted to share it with you. I know lots of you would like to be here as well. No pics... you'll see plenty in the papers. Trust me.

Hope you are keeping yourself in good shape... and that you are ready for the big meals that are ahead of you!

Besos, amor y república! ;oP No, en serio, lo más importante es que estéis todos estupendamente y que las Navidades se presenten con mucha animación. Un beso muy fuerte a todos... y prometo que el prox blog será un poco más divertido!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Up the Volcano!!!!

2006-12-04T20:35:00.000+01:00

Hola a todos! Qué tal van los preparativos de Navidad¿?

Here is Spring... and it is beautiful to walk around the streets of Santiago with all those white Tees... trust me! Got here this morning after a few days of contrast between rushing and relaxing. Don't really know if I am tired or if I am feeling superactive.

Left the island of Chiloé with its pretty wooden churches and houses after last post... and believe or not, but in the quick ferry that links the island to the Continent you can see sea lions and pinguins swimming next to the ship... super cool... can't believe we paid to watch them a few weeks ago in Península Valdés ;o) Dumb!

The weather was rubbish when I was in Puerto Varas... so I didn't stay there long... left to Valdivia before I could see the Osorno Volcano (never mind, I got to see it a couple of days later... just keep on reading). Valdivia is famous for having Spanish forts all over the place and huge Sea Lions and Cormorans that eat all the waste from the Fish Market (smaller than the London one, I am sure... but way cooler!). In summary... it is a weird place... but I couldn't find a bus that could get me to Pucón on the same day and have to spend the night there (movies night ;oD).

Once in Pucón and after a week of taking it easy I got into the rush attitude. In less than an hour since I arrived I had booked a place out of town, the climbing of the Villarica Volcano, the Hot Springs for the night, cooked dinner and done the shopping. Ok... maybe it was a couple of hours instead of one... but still... pretty stressing for my actual pace!

The HotSprings were so good that brought serious memories of Papayacta, Ecuador (don't check back in the blog... that is from the previous trip). Full moon, no clouds, a valley... well... just guess what was missing ;o).

It was a good way of going to bed before the climbing of the Volcano yesterday morning. The day started covered in mist... to become a perfect day for climbing. more than 2.800 metres to the crater, starting from 1.200. Plenty of snow from 1.500 maybe... up up up! until we got to the top. Manu, Mish, Oscar (great guide) and me were the brave team that did it from the bottom (the rest, the clever, took the chair lift). We didn't get to see any lava... but we breathed plenty of gas, trust me.

The views from the top are amazing. That's when I got to see not only the Osorno Volcano, but also the Lanin (it was shy and cloudy when we went to the park a month ago) and Tronador. There are pictures... but none of them captures the view. Sorry!

Back in town got the last overnight bus back to Santiago. And here I am... just come back from the LAN agency... where a pretty nice lady has managed to arrange my itinery and I am off to Easter Island tomorrow morning!!!! Yuuuuhuuuu!!!! Xmas is coming early for me this year... or should I say late, coz' is Spring here! Anyway... the thing is that I am off to see more (in)famous stones ;o) Can't wait!

Well... that is all for now folks... take care, keep smiling and see you soon!

Un beso fuerte para todos desde Santiago... el de Chile. Cuidenseme muchíiiiiiiiiiisimo, ok¿?

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Northen Patagonia (again¿?) - Argentina & Chile

2006-11-30T01:34:00.000+01:00

Hello Gals and Guys! How are triks¿?

Well... last time I gave any news I was in the Atlantic Ocean... and guess what... I am now back in the Pacific Ocean... I think I was missing something about it!!

We made it to Puerto Madryn and, as proper tourist, we did the trip to see the whales... and I don't know what those animals have, but they are amazing!!! I never get bored of watching at them... and next time I'd better make sure that I can swim with them... coz' they are magical. Península Valdés it an amazing place. There are sea lions (the ones with ears) and sea elephant (the ones with the funny nose) in all the beaches... shame you cannot get close to them. Pinguins
(aren't they cute) sleeping everywhere. But the stars are the whales... we saw three couples, mum and just born,... beautiful. And they show as the tail to say goodbye.

We had a great sunny day... so after the show... we checked the water and went for quick swim in underpants... a classic!

The day after Osku and I split. He went back to Capital to meet the 'paddies', and I went back to the lake distric. I was hoping to meet them all in Bariloche, but they finally diceded to go up North, so no reunion :'(. In the lake distric, this time I went to the south part: Epuyen, El Hoyo and El Bolsón... spent three days getting lost (literally) in forrest, checking out new lakes, and making sure I did not forget how water falls look like! I had great time, and the weather was awesome this time. I even finally got something like a tan (not like Thailand good old days, though :oP=). From there I head to Villa La Angostura, to see the Arrayanes National Park and meet Greg, Pam, Dean and Margaret. Spent the whole day with them. Great company, and great conversations. The four of them transmit great vibes, and made me feel important... Aren't they nice¿? Great people, and I am looking forward to meeting them again.

For the night, Ignacio, was so nice and let me crash in his beautiful house and gave me dinner. Not happy with that, he shared experience and advices that he doesn't even know how important they've been to me.

From La Angostura I crossed the border into Chile... getting all the way down to Chiloé, and to find out it was as nice as I had been told so many times. This place really feels remote, and I like that. I over slept this morning and Ali, Patri, Carmen and Sonia followed the last days tendency and gave me a lift to the National Park today... which was really sweet. Otherwise I would have not been able to see it.

Tomorrow, after visiting Dalcahue and Achao, I am slowly heading North again. On my way to Santiago, and Easter Island as an interesting option in mind. Maybe in a week. Will see what destiny has in mind for me ;o)

I am off to bed now. I wish you all the best for the day, week, month... etc!! Talk to you soon!

Un beso muy fuerte a todas/os. Todo sigue bien, y con muchas ganas de veros a todas/os pronto! Cuidenseme mucho, ok¿?

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

On the road again... heading South!

2006-11-20T23:56:00.000+01:00

Hi Everybody!

After stopping in shocking San Ignacio de Mini, the family met in BsAs... just as we used to do in Madrid... as normal... as usual... weird.

We walked Boca, Palermo, San Telmo... classics... before saying sad goodbyes to Chiqui and Gemma on Saturday. Shame. Sunday was a bit of anti-Turist attitude and we found our selves in a Gaucho Market in Mataderos. Awesome... and beautiful horses... you have to check Osku's to see the pics, as I have none.

At night we decided to leave Raul and Sergio on their own, so they can catch up, and I can go back to sleeping in a normal bed... instead of the floor. Osku and I took a night bus down to Viedma, the quietest town so far, but curiosly enough it is the sister town of Astorga. Yes, Astorga, a town just 60Km away from León. Yeap, Leon... the town I was born! The friendly people from here is called 'Maragatos', like the ones back home... ain't that strange.

Well... appart from that, there is not much to see around here, so we are off to Puerto Madryn to see some Sea Lions and Wales (hopefuly)... and we'll take it from there. If we are lucky we will go diving as well... in a bit of cold waters.

Hope you guys are all looking after yourselves, and that you are starting to think what you can get me for Xmas... don't worry too much... just something simple... you know, I am not a material guy!

Un beso pa to's y pa to'as! Todo va bien... noticia de última hora es que definitivamente estaré por la península hacia el 23... no sé hasta cuando, though... pero la boda de Willy el 29 será el evento estrella. Trataré de tener un look más convencional... lo prometo ;o)

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XxX

From South to North - From El Chaltén to Iguazú!

2006-11-16T04:29:00.000+01:00

Night night from Iguazu!

Just a quick one to let you, gals and guys, know that I'm doing fine... and that the extremes landscapes of the extremes of this country, Argentina (for those who are a bit lost at this stage), are taking my breath away!

I am glad we got away of the standard visit to El Calafate and after a quick visit to the amazing Perito Moreno Glacier we headed to El Chalten.

Well... if I try to define how beautiful this place is I won't find the words, and the pics won't be online till Chiqui makes his way back to the old Continent. So all I can say is that the place is just incredible! Chiqui and I went on a long trek that got as into the Torres Glacier. We got to walk over the ice for more than 3 hours... and we even got to do ice climbing. All that with my super gear, i.e. the same shity white trainers full of holes that I wore when I flew off to HK on 12th Jan 2006... hehe

Never done it before... and hope is not the last, coz' the experience was great!!!

After that we flew to Iguazu with a quick stopover in BsAs of less than 16 hours... I feel like I am back in the "rushing mode" that I had in January!!!

Well... how to explain Iguazu. The place is beautiful. A unique place! It is just that it feels like a Theme Park for grown ups. People rushing everywhere. People pushing and fighting to get the picture that is in every single brochure... well, you know... one of those awesome places that make you feel: Another tick in the box! and there are thousands of people to make sure you don't forget it. They even catch our moment in their cameras... coz' it is imposible not to be in other peoples pictures. We did smile for them though :oP.

Today instead of doing the Brazilian (upsss!) side we decided to skip it and head to the jungle in an eco-tour. That was really fun... a bit of local culture and history, lots of bird watching and, of course, swimming and swimming in the river... Cant get better!

Tomorrow we are off to Misiones to see some stones (ruins), so Chiqui can complete the basic tour of a country: Big City, Nature and History. And then to BsAs for a family reunion before BigBro and Gemma fly back to Spain.

Following plans¿? ¿? ¿? As always... no plans!

Kisses for all the ladies... hugs for all the guys! Good night and sweet dreams (I honestly wish you they all come true)!

Ya saben... lo de siempre... cuidenseme mucho y sean muy felices! Ah... y no se olviden de soñar!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Qué Noche... Bariloche!, un poco de costa... parada y fonda en BsAs... y a por los Glaciares!

2006-11-04T00:44:00.000+01:00

Hello everybody from Southern Argentina!

I know, I know... yeap... and you are right... I am rubbish to keep this thing up to date... but well... you know... I have a few excuses that it would not be polite to post them in here... I hope you understand :oD

Well... so this trip keeps on being crazy... nothing sticks to plan... specially coz' of me. I left you when I was already in Northern Patagonia where we spent almost a week of cold (freezing!!!) weather. We visited between Bariloche and San Martin as many beautiful lakes and mountains as we could, always thinking what we should do if the sun were shining. And, of course, we stuff our selves with great meat and good wine at the Boliche de Alberto... Incredible food!!!

From there we went to the coast, to take it easy for a few days before Shayna had to go back to the States and catch some waves (aloha aloha :oP)... but the weather wasnt the best again... so we decided to chill, and try the night life. It is still low season around here, so do not think that it was something comparable to the West End, ok¿?

Back in Capital (Buenos Aires... for those who are a bit lost) I changed (and obviously got no benefit out of that change) travel partners... Had to sadly see Shayna at the airport leave towards the North Hemisphere, and got BigBro Chiqui in return. Sh*t! ;oD

After driven me crazy for almost 24 hours, I took control of the situation and when he was still a bit sleepy got him in a flight (kinda of Mr T... or M.A. if you've ever watch the 'A' Team in Spanish) to El Calafate - Base camp for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The village is rubbish, as you can guess... but we went sailing the whole day in the lake Argentina to see 5 or 6 different Glaciers... and this is a Hell of a Good Place to come! Amazing, Awesome... and cold... but beautiful...

And you can even Swim!!!!! Isn't it great!... well... as you can guess that is not a swimming hat... and going beyond the knees requires a strong will and small brain. I only comply with the second requirement, so the picture shows how far I went ;o)

Tonight we will have a superb meeting with Raul, Gemma and Osku... with no previous plannings. As if it was normal to meet up in one of the 7 most southern towns in South America. A classic, I would say!

Lots of love from the cold Spring towards all of you. Hope you are enjoying the colourful Autumn, wherever you are!!!

Un beso muy fuerte a todos desde esta parte del mundo. Los que habeis pasado ultimamente por acá ya sabéis lo maravillosa que es, verdad Natacha y Eva¿? Nosotros vamos a seguir disfrutándola con los ojillos bien abiertos... pero por lo pronto esta noche toca reencuentro, i.e. Bifé de Chorizo y vino... qué peligro!!! Cuidenseme mucho y sean felices, ok¿?

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Dieguitos y Mafaldas!

2006-10-27T19:23:00.000+02:00

Hola a todos!!!

Bueno, despues de un par de posts, distanciados y retrasados, llega el momento de escribir algo un poquito actualizado... verdad¿?... bueno... hace mas de una semana que dejé la samba y Brasil... y lo cambié por Tango, Bifé de Chorizo y los aires Argentinos que tan bien me sientan!

Especialmente con la llegada a BsAs... una ciudad increible... mi primera sensación (inevitable hacer comparaciones) fue como estar en Madrid, pero rodeado de gente que habla taaaaaan lindo!!! Además de encontrarme con Sergio, Esther, Agos, Shayna, Osku... era literalmente como estar en casa... y al mismo tiempo dentro de una tira cómica de Mafalda o una de las canciones del crapulilla Sabina (acá les encanta!). Pasear por sus calles, volver al mundo de las cafeterías, museos, bares... sin duda alguna una ciudad especial!

Por acá es superfacil desplazarse... se trata solo de tiempo y un poco de plata... por lo demás las infraestructuras están montadas. Una maravilla... y en los autobuses te dan de comer hasta que te hartes!! Estos Argentinos son unos artistas :oD

Ahorita estoy por Bariloche, despues de una visitilla a Mendoza a retomar el placer del vino y a alucinar con la vista del Aconcagua (la montaña más alta fuera del Himalaya) y todas las montañas que lo rodean... un paisaje inolvidable!

Ahora estoy por Bariloche, rodeado de lagos de ensueño, montañas nevadas y paisajes bien verdes (en contraste con la aridez de Mendoza). Ayer nos agarramos una bici y nos recorrimos una pequeña parte de las orillas del lago Nahuel Huapi y subimos al cerro campanario para ver toda la region de los lagos desde el alto. Una maravilla!! Tuvimos suerte con el dia, y nos acompañó el sol durante todo el tiempo... hoy las cosas han cambiado... y estamos descubriendo porque esta zona ya forma parte de la Patagonia!

Quizá mañana los vientos nos lleven hacia San Martin de los Andes... para seguir descubriendo las maravillas de esta región!

Un besito muy muy fuerte a todas/os... y perdón por la falta de noticias! Espero que esteis todos cuidandoos en esta llegada del Otoño ;o)

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Obrigado... Obrigado Voçé!

2006-10-24T23:45:00.000+02:00

Oi everybody!!!! Tudo Bem? Tudo Bem!

Just arrived in Aregentina after a couple of weeks downing Caipirinhas in southern Brazil with Osku (3rd time we meet so far in 3 diff countries) and Chau (surprise surprise).

I got to Brazil on 4th Nov, and found out that Dri had to leave Sao Paulo, so I decided not to stop there and head directly to the beautiful little town of Parati for a couple of days, a stopover in my way to Rio. Parati is surrounded by lots of beaches that are well known in all the guides, but ther is one they forgot to mention: Praia do Sono... amazing hidden beach that you find out after walking for almost 1 hour through a tropical forrest. You have to take my word for it, coz' the stupid memory card went wrong again and so far I haven't been able to repair it... sh*t!

From there I had to make my way to my date. Organizer: Osku. Invitees: Chau, Osku and Javitron. Time: 13.30 (Brazilian time). Meeting point: IPANEMA BEACH, Río de Janeiro!! Cool, isn't it¿?

Arriving into this "cidade maravilhosa" (I copied this from Osku) is like being in one of those video brochures of travel agencies. You feel that you've been here before. Still, the setting of this city is spectacular and leaves yo out of breath when you watch it from the top of the Sugar Loaf.

The weather wasn't too good though, so we decided to visit Petropolis (did you know Brazil had an Emperor¿? I didn't have a clue until I got there ;oD). Then... as the weather wasn't getting better we went for a bit of beach time in Buzios. We went diving there... well... I should say we tried to go diving. We had a 'bit' of rough sea, i.e.... merky waters and sea sickness. I think Chau still has nightmares over this day.

Chau lef us for the Iguazu falls (fair enough!) on the morning of the 13th, but Rio decided to be kind and gave us the chance of seeing Corcovado just before heading to the Airport.

We were sad to see her go, and the only thing that could make us feel better was to put another tick in the box: "swimming in Ipanema". Not the best beach in the world... true... but who cares... It was IPANEMA!!!

Osky and I, on our own now, backpackers again (Chau treat us to some comodities we had already forgotten... i.e. not eating at Bob's ;oD) made a bold move and got an 18 hours bus to Florianapolis... pffffff... it was raining when we got there, so we decided to carry on to Puerto Alegre!!!! Another 8 hours! That was a killer, trust me. Specially when you feel you are arriving into 'Dark City'.

Amazing nightlife though ;o)!

We went for a quick dinner and we end up staying till 4am. Happy Music. Beautiful girls. Good beer. And a good friend! The best night out so far since the trip started.

PA on a Sunday is not a place to stay, so we went to Canela, a little town that looks like Switzerland, with people that look like Swiss, with Swiss landscape, and swiss prices... just that everybody speaks Portuguese. Weird!

Now I am in a bus (I am witting this here coz' I never find time to update the blog... and I forget things) on my way to BsAs. Osku has probably already arrived in Montevideo. i have been here 17hours... and I have at least another 3 to go. The road is straight. No corners. It has been like this for the last 2 hours. They don't play films. AirCon is at its maximum and sleeping is not an option... just the way I like travelling... Great!

3 hours more and I will meet Sergio and Esther. More from there... or from Bariloche... if I get time to update thisª

Muitos Besijnos a todas y abrazinhos a todos... cuidense mucho. Empieza la aventura Porteña!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XX

Stones & Pichus

2006-10-09T23:50:00.000+02:00

After a couple of days of seeing Inca ruins and listening to peculiar and contradictory stories from funny guides I finally found myself in the Orient Express train to Aguas Calientes. "Basecamp" of Machu Pichu.

I woke up early with only one objetive: If there's a chance of geting to MP before sunrise I want to take it. I started a race up the inca stairs, breaking the world record with my 58 min mark.

During my way up I met people that had the same idea as me... but were brave enough to wake up earlier. However, they were not as strong, handsome, used to high altitude and stupidly stubborn as me. My legs were aking for 3 days!!!

So I made it to the first Pichu, Machu, just after 6am. Better than the sunrise (it was partially cloudy) was the chance of seeing MP with hardly any tourist.

Machu Pichu is an amazing place. Not only for what it is but for where it is. The mountains, the valleys, the jungle... and the river, make the Pichus a magical place.

At 7am I made my way to the second Pichu, Wayna, meeting point for early visitors and crazy hikers. Met Daniel (who disappered 15min after offering me to stay at his in Sao Paulo... funny Brazilians!), Sebastian and Shayna (we had exchange photographs at the endless stairway to the Inca Heaven an hour before).

From there we (Shayna, Sebastian and me... Daniel had gone!!!) started the super trek through the jungle following an Inca path to the Temple of the Moon and the Great Cavern. More stones placed in a tidy way following the stars and sorrounded by beautiful views. Only 5% of the tourist make their way here... you can guess how quiet it was at 9am. Perfect to enjoy the quietness... and a lunch break!

Sebastian quit the group before going up the third Pichu (don't remember the name... it started with a 'H'). A good place to test my "vertigo" for the nth time and two get a great view of the first two Pichus... and to start making up stories as if we were tourist guides!!

At Peak tourist hour we went for another luch, leaving the breath taking (specially if you are scared of hights) Inca Bridge and the beautiful and tranquil sunset fr the end of the day. The location chosen: the place were all the MP brochure pictures are taken ;o)

We said goodbye to the "spiritual" city of Machu Pichu and started decending the stairs again while it was getting dark.

At the end of the stairway, the half moon and the cold waters of the Urubamba river compleed a perfect day. Nothing like a night swim after a whole day walking to calm our tired feet.

- This all happened a week ago... but it is what I wrote then... and therefore you should read it as such... some of the pics got lost... but hopefully you will be able to see some of them up in the site soon.

Hope you are doing well... I will tell you how it is going in Brazil soon... off to Buzios tomorrow... see if we can get wet and see some fishes!!!

Muchos besos a todos desde el Atlántico!!!!!

Ciao Ciao,

Heiwa XX

Goodbyes, Animals and Incas... all in a week!!!

2006-09-30T03:56:00.000+02:00

What's up!!!??? Hello from the city of Cuzco (or Cusco... depends where you check it)... 3400 metres over the sea level... I can hardly move without struggling.

I left Loja just a week ago, and I have managed to go into my hectic travelling again. This time is a bit more difficult though... coz' I miss the boys/girls big time. I am always thinking where and how they are. It is incredible how close I feel to them, even thogh we spent only a couple of months together. I think I will come back as soon as I can... dunno if they need me... but I am sure I need them ;o)

After I left Loja, I spent the weekend in the border town of Macara with Pau... there is nothing going on over there appart from big cars sponsored by drugs traffic across the border. We thought it was "Fiestas" but when we got there it was basically dead.

From there I head finally (and sadly) on my own to the dreadful city of Lima, stopping over in Piura and crazy Paita (the town were Manuelita Saenz died... you should read "El General en su Laberinto" if you don´t know who she is yet!). It was a big surprise and very nice to meet Manolín there after two or three years we hadn't seen each other. I visit the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) and Barranquillo area... and got to appreciate a bit more this city... but not too much :oP

That was only a stop over in my way to Iquitos, i.e. the Peruvian Jungle (La Selva!!!). Oscar gave me the contact of a superlodge in the Yanayacu River. And one should always follow a friends advice... and I had the time of my life in the jungle. Played with monkeys, parrots, one tapir... saw lots of different birds, fished piranhas and swam in the same river where we fished them... cool!!! Ah... and we were really close to the Amazon Pink Dolphins (Known as the people of the water). But that is just a little part of it... night trips in canoe... morning trips in canoe... walks in the jungle... a very interesting chat about Chamans and Ayaguasca (next visit... ;oD). Three days is not enough... but it was all I could... If you ever plan a trip to the jungle contact Clever Sinarahua Tulumba or Timo, our superguide. You will not regret it!!!

Now I am in Cuzco (or Cusco :oP)... and have spent the day checking the sights around town. This is really tourist... but as mum said... you cannot come to Peru and not visit Cuzco (Cusco)... and she is damm right! As always! So tomorrow morning I am off to visit the Sacred Valley, and the day after Machu Pichu. I leave the Inka Trail for when I am old... and rich ;o).

After that... big bus trip back to sh*ty Lima... and flying off to Sao Paulo... Looking forward for Dri's Samba lessons ;o)... and spring time!!!

You all take care, ok¿? And don't let the Autumm put you down!!! You're stronger than him!

Un abrazo muy fuerte a todos!!!! David, no pude ir a Chile... los niños/as son la caña... imposible dejarlos para ir al pueblo de al lado... como para irme dos paises más allá ;o) Si algún dia los conoces lo comprenderas... y tú también te quedaras!!! jejeje!

Cuidenseme mucho mucho... ok¿?

Ciao ciao!!!!

Heiwa X

The end is near... tutututuuuuutu

2006-09-15T07:17:00.000+02:00

Hola a toitos! How're tricks?

I know this blog haven't been updated at all in the last few weeks... but you won't believe how hectic leaving/working in Loja with the kids can be (well... Sergio, Esther and Co have a clue, don't you?)!

It is hard... but as you can guess it is also very interesting and most of the times the job here can be described as amazing! Osku got here when I was kinda tired and running out of batteries, and he was like an energy burst! We did a couple of trips... one to Vilcabamba, where people is supposed to leave until the age of 125 and have sex at least until the are 100 years old... can you believe it? Well.. Osku and I did our bit to get the most amount of energy out of the place and climbed up the "Mandango" (not "Mandingo"). It is a shame we lost most of it in our way down... scary cliffs... trust me!

We also went to meet the so long waited Hermanito Ángel... the heart of the children project were I am staying here in Ecuador. We took all the kids for the day out thanks to Nat&Ben's sponsorship. They had an smazing day with three highlights: Roast chicken for lunch (yummy yummy), swimming pool (no words for how much they loved it!) and plain spotting while waiting for Hermanito Ángel in one of the most scary airports I've ever seen... the landing approach is breath taking!

The day after we had a welcome "café" with the Hermanito, were we could catch up, and Osku and I had the first chance of seing him in action. Awesome... he manages the older and the younger in an amazing way... and he is 81!!! All of them respect him, and he doesn't even rise his voice!!! So much to learn... and he has been like a lesson every single day since he got back. He is a really cool guy!

After that Osku and I decided that it was time to spend a couple of days by the sea. We stopped in hippy Montañita and ugly Manta... the weather wasn't too good, but when we were considering heading North to Canoa it turned even worse... so we decided to quit. Went back to Guayaquil to sort out some paper work... and come back to Loja... where all the teenagers were already waiting for us ;o)

Osku was planning to go... even before we went to the coast. But they guys here loved him so much he end up staying until the kids went back to school (and he would have stayed longer)... that was on Monday. It was my first day of school in more than 10 years... woke up early... quick breakfast... shower... check the lists... well... you know... all that shit... and funny to see all the teenagers in their uniforms (specilly when I have seen them cover in paint during the past 6 weeks... hehe). They all looked very sweet! and nervous... they got to school more than 45 mins in advance. I bet it will be the only day they are going to be on time! ;o)

Now life has gone into more rutine. I help out Ximena with the youngest kids, i.e. 3years old, in the mornings... and spend the afternoons and evenings doing homeworks of all kinds! But mainly English and Computing... I bet none of them is learning anything! :oP

But over all the new issue is that I am planning to head out myself... two months here was my commitment from the start... and I am going to follow it. I think I have given a bit (and taken a lot as it happens when working with young fellows), easy their contact with the former volunteers, and monitored the improvements in Hilda's left hand (she can grab things now... she is awesome!) :oD. My rucksack is calling me againg... and I will hit the road next week... with no clear plans yet... but I will let you know as soon as I know them... or after I have finished them ;o)

It is 1am here now... and the right time to go to bed (well the right time was a couple of hours ago... but this is my only time free... those of you who are daddys/mummys know what I am talking about!).

Hope you are all doing fine and happy back home after your holidays... I am close to (re-)start mine!!! hehe! Hugs and Kisses to all of you whereever you are!

Cuidenseme mucho! Que sepan que en estos dos meses he pensado mucho en vosotros y como atacarían cada una de las situaciones que me he encontrado. Sin que lo sepan muy bien... me han sido de una grandisima ayuda! Muchíiiisimas gracias!

Un beso muy fuerte para todas/os!!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XX

Loja... and guess who is coming for dinner tomorrow¿?

2006-08-28T18:01:00.000+02:00

Hello everybody!!!!

Well, well... after 4 months we said good bye to each other in Ko Lanta... Osku is arriving in Loja tomorrow night. Time for catch up... "culebrear"... and a beer... I think I've had one in the last 3 months... so it should be refreshing!!!

Well... You remember the religious walk we had to do¿?... well... we did it... but I didn't really get the reason why, coz' we didn't get to see the "Virgen del Cisne" - Swam Virgin (I met her last night in the Cathedral, at last... no easy jokes... please). But we did the 30 Km in around 6 or 7 hours... which is quite good!

Appart from we have celebrated 3 birthdays in one day (Diego, Pato and Jordan)... and this time I 'acolité' Mercy with the cakes... and we even cooked my mums version of cheesecake that delicious. Did you know that here they hit the guys with a belt as many times as the number of years since they were born¿? I couldn't believe it... otherwise it is hard luck for the rest of the year!

Mercy and I are a bit of the 'cocinillas' here and we are always planning what to do. We even cooked 'croquetas' one day and they were pretty good!!! Classic spanish cuisine.

What else, what else... we have gone back to the river, and we have broken the rules again and got completely soaked... I think they are not going to let me take the kids there again, coz' it is a big mess to sort them out afterwards. BTW... they always appreciate English teachers over here (bed and food could be sorted... but resources are very low to consider a salary... unless hugs and kisses is what you want... then there is plenty!!!!! I tell you!!!!), so if any of you is interested... just contact ALIN in Spain or even me.

Ah... and of course we have gone to Jipiro... a park with games that kids love... here is an example of what is a game... a VSAT antenna... why not¿? Health and Safety¿?... BT's got lots to learn ;oD

Well... just a couple of curiosities before I go to serve lunch to more than 50 kids:

1.- Rafita has been working hard on its own cultural site and left a link to this one... which is very much appreciated!!!! good luck with it!!

2.- Chiqui has also found a blog called 42, La respuesta, that is got a link to my blog (people is certainly bored ;oD)... and people's been wondering if I am nuts or not... with no final result at the end. The best thing is that I have no clue of who those guys are... As it happens with tonnet (another one kind enough to place a comment... but that I cannot contact back :oD)

So... keep on smiling... and having fun!!!! I will be doing my share of it over here!!!

Besos y Abrazos fuertes para todas/os... me largo a hacer que curro!

Cioa ciao,

Heiwa

I've got a couple of seconds!!!

2006-08-16T18:30:00.000+02:00

Uaaauuuuhh!!! It's been nearly a month since I arrived in Loja... and I have had no time to write, read or breath... this is the most hectic time I've had since I left BT... ehhhh... well... I mean... since I joined BT ;oD

So... Hello Everybody!!! How's the summer going¿? Mine is like winter again... Loja is around 2600m over the sea level... so, even though it's August and we are around latitude 0º... it is sunny, it rains, it is warm and it is cold all in the same day... several times each kind of weather... and then is cold during the night. A lot of fun!!! ;oD

Lots of things have happened during this month... The first one was Natacha & Ben's visit! They arrived in Quito on 1st August... and I sure made my way there to introduce them to our Ecuadorian family... they were great 4 days going through lots of good memories, stories, and catching up after 4 years... and I had a good session of 'escondidas' (Ecuadorian version of Hyde and Seek) with Vero, Ricardito, Pedrito and familia. Great food, great "tropical jugos" and a shock when I discovered how much I have been missing all this time for not tasting Chirimoyas before... Nightmare!!!

The second event was my birthday. Thank You very much to everybody that remembered it!!!!! You are great!!! It was great to get so many messages that day, and I do apologize for those I haven't been able to answer before but interné does not work so well around here (trust me... I am not sure I am going to be able to finish this post!!!!). I was back in Loja for that day... and the celebration started a couple of days before thanks to Laxia and Joana, that decided to make me part of their leaving do and surprised me with a cake and presents... and then it came 8th August... and I had a couple of celebrations... I tried Quimbolitos, The kids (under Mercy's supervision) cooked a superb chocolate birthday cake (the one in the pic!!) and we had a good laugh... and then me and the boys slept outside in the terrace... with a little bit of cold, rain and stars... so... even though I was on the other side of the Atlantic I had a great party, and I felt at home at the same time!!! Ain't it cool!!! And here are some of the postcards I got this year... I hope they are still working :o)

http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=5159491950804M126481667Y
http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=4554691960693M127563270Y
http://www.postalescachondas.com/tarjetas/pickup.php?id=0608082032304KUIbLbh1zJ3

Then it was Nat&Ben's visit to Loja... and their chance to meet the children I spent all my time here with... we took them to the (frozen) river for a swim one day... and then the other one we went for a bit of family history in Catacocha, where Hno Santos showed us around (he took us to a different and much better Chiriculapo - Gods' Chair) and treated us as Kings.

Now things are slowing down here... the kids will be back in school soon, and they know it... so they have a bit of the feeling "shit, the summer's over", but still very good fun. We have some religous walk on Sunday (not my cup of tea... but when in Rome...) and I am trying to organize a couple of weekends at the Podocarpus National Park, which should be pretty good!

Well... the guys are waiting for me to celebrate "San Viernes" up in the roof... with another night under the stars... we have been waiting the whole week for it... as Antonieta banned it coz' we're tired the morning after... sometimes I am not sure if I am the responsible one... or the worst one in the house ;oD

Well... make sure you all take care of yourselves, ok¿? Lots of kisses for the ladies... and some hugs for the boys!!!

El veranito bien, verdad¿? Pues no podía ser de otra manera... espero que lo estéis pasando en grande! Por acá todo sigue iendo bien... aunque interné me pone un poquillo dificil el estar en contacto con todos vosotros... y del Tunguragua no os preocupéis, que estoy bastante lejos... por desgracia!!!

Un beso muy fuerte a todos!!!!!

Ciao ciao

Heiwa XXX

Ecuadorian Contact!

2006-08-04T18:24:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody from the most beautiful city in SouthAmerica!!! Quito! At least from my point of view...

It has got even better since the last time I was here... and it is really nice!

Well... I am busy with my Ecuadorian family ;oD and I have only a few minutes to give you my new mobile number, while I am here:

00593(0)86144930

Feel free to use your company phones to contact me... no... I am kidding... use the phone in your collegue office desk... so nobody can track you ;o)

Make sure you are all fine, ok¿?

Muchos besos y cuidense mucho!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

PS: Les recuerdo que mi cumple es el 8 de Agosto... para aquellos que se quieran apuntar a una fiestecilla!!! ;oD

Comfort Zone¿? I am miles away from it!!!

2006-07-31T00:44:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody!!!

Things have changed completely!!! From my constant chaos and lack of rutine... to waking up everyday before 7am, cook breakfast, be on time for when the kids finish theirs... and play, teach, tell off, heal, wash hands-faces-noses, hike with the older ones, go out to play arcade games, etc etc...

And I have never had such a huge responsability and I have never gone to bed sooooooooooo tired and sooooooooo early! But I tell you what... this is FAB! First thing I get in the morning when I start it is not a cup of coffee or tea... nope... it is around 30 to 40 hugs, kisses, good mornings and things like that... and when I go... well that is bad, coz' I get 30 to 40 sad faces asking me to stay and to go back the day after... uaaaaauuuuhhhh: so intense!

I arrived in Ecuador around ten days ago with all the great moments in Venezuela still running through my blood. But I was full of energy and already looking forward to starting the volunteering with the kids in Loja :oD.

I spend the mornings with kids from the age of 3 (Mayra, she's the cutest thing I have ever seen!) to the age of 13 (teaching Maths and English to them is a real challenge... and not the Sat Comms projects I used to do before!).

In the evenings I am with the older ones in the house. This is more like being part of a family, and check that they do their duties and stuff. Until now there are only 3boys and 2girls, but the rest arrive tomorrow: another 7 in total... NIGHTMARE!!! ;oD I am kidding... they are all great and very good fun to be with!

In the weekends we try to get away and do some hiking. Last Sunday we went with Monica and Fam to the Podocarpus National Park (Zamora) where we got absolutely soaked... but we tried fruits from the trees, we saw orchids birds, La Poderosa waterfall... Awesome!!

Today Pato, Diego, María, Luisa y yo decided to go to the mountains near by... and we climb up, slided over the mud, eat wild strawberries and blackberries, climb down waterfalls, walk through bushes with stings, got burnt, got wet... GREAT! And that was all only 30min walk away from the house... Can we ask for more ¿!?

Tomorrow I am off to Quito (only 12hours in the night bus) to welcome Nat&Ben on their first time in SAmerca. I will make sure they fall in love with this little part of the world! I will be crashing at Conchita's... which sounds great to me!

Before going to bed, just let you know that superChiqui has started to upload the pics to a new server. Some of them are already there, so if you are bored in the office and want to have a look at them, feel free to go through them.

Well... I am off to bed now... blogger has hung my post a couple of times now, and if this doesn't go through this time... there will be no post! Make sure you are all happy with the heat wave that is bathing Europe! I do think of you from this beautiful spot in the middle of the Andes full of surprises and very very special to me!

Un besazo muy fuerte para todas/os. Cada vez os voy echando más y a más de menos, así que cuídense muchíiiiisimo entre tanta barbacoa rica y tintito de verano! XoD

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

PS."Chiqui: Ecuador. Recuerdos¿? Recuerdas¿?". Muchos! Mucho! Como no podía ser de otra forma... bonito es a la vez, ver cómo estos días generan muchos más. Un beso BigBro!

... y los sueños, ¿sueños son??!?!??!?!!

2006-07-20T02:53:00.000+02:00

Sin casi darme cuenta estoy otra vez en la Plaza San Martín de Lima. El mismo cielo gris, la misma sensación de salir de esta ciudad en poco tiempo.

Todo refuerza la sensación de que Venezuela ha sido un sueño. Que Helios y Adriana sólo existen en mi imaginación. Que las tortugas son monstruos marinos de un comic de Calvin & Hobbes y Querepare la inspiración inmaterial de un libro de Gabriel García Márquez.

Mientras Verónica me dice que yo inspiro a soñar, yo no hago más que pensar que en estas últimas cinco semanas cada persona que he conocido me ha mantenido alejado de la realidad y anclado a un mundo de fantasía en el que cada día, cada minuto, cada segundo es un sueño.

Si no fuese por la presencia de Bea en este sueño quizá no podría hablar de Él con nadie (de hecho fue juntos como esta 'vaina' nos fue 'agarrando').

Si no fuese por Emigdio, que unió el pasado menos reciente, el pasado más reciente, incluso el futuro cercano, con este presente (que siento como 'regalo') jamás podría ubicar estos días en el tiempo, con la esperanza y la necesidad de que se repitan.

Si no fuese por Aurelio, no habría disfrutado desde el primer día de la maravillosa hospitalidad que me ha seguido rodeando hasta el último instante.

Entre 'vainas' y 'cacharras', 'carros' locos y 'coches', 'franelas' y 'camisetas', 'comiquitas' y 'dibujos animados', 'bergas' y 'trankas' fui olvidando el lenguaje. Pasé de no entender nada al Chino, a Merengue y a Amarillo (Luis Alfredo) a no ser capaz de encontrar una palabra para describir el sentimiento de agradecimiento. 'Gracias' se vació de significado tras repetirla 'n' veces, cuando 'n' tiende a infinito.

Los últimos días de Caracas se me han escapado entre las manos mientras Teresa me contaba historias de los dos lados del Atlántico y me hacía ganar un poco de peso con sus sorpresas culinarias (quedan pendientes unos pimientos rellenos). Y tan a gusto se me fue el tiempo que ni siquiera conseguí despedirme de Soe, de Aurelio o de Mª Teresa. Por lo menos a Hedelvi pude, en persona, darle las gracias por la franela que me convierte en parte de los tortugueros (ahora, gracias al colgante de Vero, soy todavía más tortuguero).

Y en estas cinco semanas... en el camino, de un sitio a otro, parecían esperar gentes como Meyvi y Vicente. Fulful y sus arepas para salvarnos de la inhalición a Simone, a Igor, a Simon y a mí. Carlos con su sonrisa siempre a punto. Melecio, el ron y el vendedor de perros. Esquiza (perdón si me equivoqué al escribirlo) y sus cetáceos fantásticos. Y muchos más que no por no mencionar son menos importantes.

Y si me pusiese a escribirlo todo necesitaría otras cinco semanas, porque no quitaría nada. Pero, quizá, así sea la única forma de convertir este sueño en realidad.

Mientras Verónica me dice que inspiro a soñar yo ingenua y vanidosamente me lo creo. Vanidoso, porque es una de las cosas más lindas que me dijeron nunca. Supongo que eso me convierte en una espcie de anti-avatar capaz de desmaterializar la realidad... pero al mismo tiempo los sueños nos convierten en avatares potenciales, con la habilidad de 'materializar' nuestros deseos.

Compartir un sueño propio es un placer, del que disfruto cada día. Formar parte del sueño de otra persona ha sido totalmente mágico. Ser parte de las condiciones que los crean es un concepto 'arrechisimo' en el que uno no puede, por menos, estar agradecido de semejante honor.

Ahora en Lima... mientras me desperezo... voy ya pensando en cerrar poquito a poco los ojos a medida que me vaya acercando a Loja.

Más de 6 meses de viaje... y superchévere! Un beso muy fuerte!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

PS. Es un estracto de mi diario... quiza no tenga sentido en conjunto para todo el conjunto... pero seguro que quien quiera encontrar algo personal lo encontrará... de todas formas yo no sabría explicar de otra forma qué ha pasado en estas últimas 5 semanas ;oD

Merida - Back in Uni...

2006-07-09T14:11:00.000+02:00

Épale!

How is everybody around the world doing¿? I guess most of you are already on holidays, or ready to go, so there will be no jealous people writting back... Which is good!

Well... after a few days in Merida I am now in Maracay, in my way to Choroní (following David's wise advice) and planning to stay there around five days and then back to Caracas, to meet up with the people from the turtles project.

Merida has been great. Emigdio's family hospitality was just incredible... but, to carry on with the weird things that can happen to me, he suggested that I should give a lecture (or something similar) at the Universidad de los Andes (the oldest Uni in Venezuela), where he is a Professor. Believe or not, I accepted, and gave a 2 hours presentation on Digital TV... I couldn't believe that I remembered so much! But it was amazing to be back in Uni, so far away from my normal enviroment and try to communicate some stuff (I could hear the ones at the back of the class snoring, so there were losses in the link... :oD)

Well... this implied a new change in my dates... I am flying away from Venezuela on the 18th... and to cancel most of the tourism in Merida. At the begining I thought it was going to be easy peasy... but then the nerve kicked it, and decided to spend more time working on the slides! But a visit to Merida is not a visit, with out going up on the "Teleférico".

The view from the top is amazing, and walking over 3000 metres is always a nice challenge. Also, one have to see the amazing Frailejones, the typical plants from these mountains.

You will get more news soon... but I have to go to the beach now... hehehe... Holidays!!!!

Un beso muy fuerte a todso,

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

A third world Paradise: Querepare

2006-07-04T22:08:00.000+02:00

Hello Everybody!

Long time since my last post... but I've been isolated in one of the most beautiful, magical and special places I've ever seen. Querepare! A little village by the Caribean sea, with an empty incredible beach. We had running water half a day every two days; light only from time to time (you knew it coz' you could listen high volume 'Bayenato' while the electricity was working); no drinking water and no shops or bars to buy any other drinking stuff... No beds for all of us, and that meant sleeping on a Chinchorro.

But there were Mangos, Cocos, Mararabes, Caña de Azucar, the sea, the incredible children, the people living in poor houses offering you food everyday. There were "tetas" - boobs - which were home made icecreams, Juan bringing Arepas and Galetas in the morning. There were Cacoa in all shorts: fresh, dry, toasted, processed, home-processed... And there were this marine monster called Letherback Marine Turtles (Tortugas Cardón). All this and that made it worthy.

There is no pics yet... but hope I can upload some soon. The turtles are scared of light... so I could not take any of the big ones... but I recorded them breathing while nesting... and, at least to me, it is impressive! That is going to be the night pic of them.

There are so many things I could say about the days in the beach... but they will bore you to death, or I'll make you really jealous. One of the two... and I will not be able to tell you everything, anyway. Those back in Leon... check with Bea, she will explain it a little bit better... the others... the others... well... get a plane and come to the beach!

Appart from that, I am enjoying the fantastic way the people from Venezuela is treating me. Aurelio & Zoe, Emigdio & Family, and Helios & Adriana had made me feel so much welcome that I am speechless most of the time. I have only slept in Posadas back in Mochima (went diving again... saw a huge "chucho"!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a pez Murcielago... but not the kind of batfish that were in the GBR) and Puerto de la Cruz. Appart from that, everybody lodges me in their house. Great!!!!!!!!! So much like being at home! Great great feeling! I am so much thankful to all of them.

Mochima... beautiful... lovely beaches...

Caracas... Crazy... not as dangerous as they said... but not 100% safe. Helios made it easy to move around!!!

Merida... Bohemian... and green. This is were I am now. With Emigdio, Victor and Gabriela. I arrived this morning and I will stay for a few days here, before going back to Caracas to fly to Lima on the 9th (new change of dates... I needed two extra days to be able to visit Merida!).

Hope you are all happy happy, and that the summer sun is tanning your skins (some of you might be red, by now!). I am going to see the Germany-Italy extra time... and join the winning party afterwards!

Un beso para todos... y el mundial... por lo que parece nos eliminaron... no me lo explico... en serio... no me lo explico... crei que este año ibamos a ganar... y yo trankilito en Querepare esperando para salir y ver la final... y fijate tu... bueno... no me lloren mucho... sean felices y cuidense mucho con la sangria veraniega y las barbacoas nocturnas! Pensare mucho en ustedes!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Off to Lima in recovery process

2006-06-12T18:04:00.000+02:00

Hola a Todos!!!

Well... today is the last day I have to make my way to Lima. It's only 14 hours trip and I have to do it! The sixth moon (I still remember the first one... HK, Nic & Leigh... so close and so far :oP) of my trip has helped me to improve a little bit, but I'm not fully fit yet.

Australia has just won the only match they were expected to win (it looks like they can do better than expected), and I think I am going to celebrate it the opposite of the Australian way... visiting the monasteries, churches and cathedral of this beautiful colonial town (a mixture, in my mind, of Oaxaca and Quito).

Then on the 14th I am flying to Caracas, staying overnight with Aurelio (He lets me crash in his... isn't he kind!!!) and meeting Bea the day after to make our way to Peninsula de Paria. I will probably stay there for a week with her and the turtles... which sounds great to me!!!

Well... I am going to behave as a proper tourist and take some pics!

You all take care of yourselves (more or less as much as I have done in the last two days ;oD) and be happy... for most of you (I have quite a few friends now on the SHemisphere) Summer is just there... so get ready for it! BTW... Congrats to the Tuckers... they are now and forever properly married!!!!! Looked like a great wedding!

Un beso muy fuerte a todos y cuidense mucho muchísimo! Que sean felices... y hasta muy pronto!

Heiwa XX

PS. The pics server went to hell a few days ago... but there are an awful lot of them waiting to be uploaded... if you are not bored yet of them, of course :oP... Chiqui will update on this!

Huyendo de Moctezuma! Lo conseguí hasta llegar a Arequipa!

2006-06-09T17:34:00.000+02:00

Hola a todos!!!!

Llevaba tiempo moviendome bastante rapido en mi primer contacto con Sudamerica (me recordaba a los primeros dias en el SE Asiatico). Primero fue subir rapidito por Chile hasta llegar al desierto de Atacama; luego atravesar los Andes para conocer el impresionante Salar de Uyuni; más adelante fue el irnos Simon y Kate rapidito para La Paz (a quién se le ocurriría ese nombre¿? Es que no se imagino que el tráfico acabaría siendo un caos y que nadie se molestaría en pintar las fachadas de los edificios¿?); Luego fui a descubrir el Lago Titicaca (el lado de Bolivia), un mar a mas de 3.800 metros, y la isla del sol, donde conocí a Fran y Hector (o mejor dicho, Pat Garret y Cordo); y por último un viajecito de 10 horas hasta Arequipa, donde me encuentro ahora.

Yo estaba convencido de que lo que hacía era acercarme lo más posible a Lima, para poder tomar (que no "coger") el vuelo a Caracas que me va a permitir encontrarme con Aurelio y con Bea. Pero no. Estaba totalmente equivocado. Yo todavía no lo sabía, pero lo que hacía era huir de Moctezuma y su temible maldición... y finalmente me dió caza nada más llegar a esta preciosa ciudad, desplegando toda su furia en mi estomago!!!! Pfffffffffffffffffff!

Así que he decidido quedarme en un hotelillo bien chulo con vistas a los volcanes que rodean la ciudad, y con televisión por cable, para ver como Argentina gana a Costa de Marfil... a que suena bien¿? Sólo me falta poder comer...

La verdad es que el viajecito hasta acá ha sido estupendo. Quizá lo mejor ha sido la visión del salar de Uyuni, y la gente maja que formamos el Team A (Claire, Billy, Sophie, Kate, Simon, Javi - el conductor del Jeep - y yo) durante los tres días que duró la travesía. Cruzar los Andes viendo flamencos en lagunas de mil colores, geyseres, volcanes, nevados... y todo esto sin bajar de los 4000 metros, y pasando un frío impresionante (si no es por el jersey que me prestaron Elisa y John en Wellington no habría llegado a Uyuni). El momento culmen (de frío y de bonito) fue cuando nos despertamos a las 4am para ver el amanecer desde la Isla del Pescado (hay que estar un poco colgado... pero mereció la pena!). Llegamos los primeros, y eso se lo debemos a Javi - el conductor.

En Uyuni, no hicimos nada especialmente... bueno... celebramos el cumpleaños de Claire... que no está mal! Y salimos la noche siguiente en dirección La Paz... que como ya he dicho, no es especialmente bonita... así que puse ruta al Lago Titicaca... más concretamente la isla del sol, donde supuestamente nació el sol dentro de la cultura Inca. Me quedé en un chamizo que no solo no tenia agua caliente, sino que no tenía ni agua... pffffffff... ahora, mi ventana daba justo al Este, para poder disfrutar del amanecer detras de los nevados y con el lago separando la isla de 'tierra firme'. Tras hacernos una pateada de 5 horas por la isla, volvimos a Copacabana (Bolivia), donde aparte de sufrir con el cambio de dinero, descubrimos un lugar donde hacían unas Caipiriñas estupendas! Nos tomamos las suficientes para acabar teniendo conversaciones extremadamente profundas para una mente limitada como la mía! Fran y Hector están ahora en La Paz comprobando si el Gato sobre el Buddha salta de alegría o no... pero esto es algo que ya averiguaremos!

Yo por mi parte me vine a Arequipa, y estoy analizando la situación tan circunstancial en la que me hayo... y considerando en salir hoy hacia Lima, para asegurarme de que llegaré al avión del día 14...

Ah!... y hoy es un día especial. Es el cumple de la mami, y como no he podido localizarla, pues por estos medios la mando un besote muy muy gordo! A ver si conseguimos ponernos en contacto :oD

Un beso muy fuerte a todos y cuidense mucho. Yo estoy haciendo lo que puedo para ponerme bueno... y ustedes deberían hacer lo posible por estar muchíiiiiiiiiiiisimo mejor!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Sydney - Chile - Bolivia - ¿Peru?

2006-06-06T01:20:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody!

Just a quick one to let you know that I'm fine!!!

I am in Uyuni, and in 10min my bus to La Paz, capital of Bolivia, starts its 12hours journey (at least... coz we all know how reliables these schedules are...).

Everything is going fine here, as always.

In the last days in Sydney I went for dinner with Louise in "Spice I am", for the third time in a row, went surfing with Timm in Manly Beach, a must do when you're in Sydney, and take a flying trapeze lesson, yeah... I had a kind of "cold turkey" with the trapeze. Then I took a 16 hours flight into Santiago and as soon as I landed took a 8 hours bus to La Serena and Valle del Elqui in Chile. It was the longest day of my life, 38 hours, and I spent most of it travelling... hehe

After that I went to the Atacama dessert in Chile visiting amazing landscapes of geisers and desert formations... there is no way I can describe the scenery... never been in a dessert before... and I cannot explain how it looks like... appart from cold... very cold... and hot... very hot... just depends on the time of the day!

Then I took a three days tour across the Andes to arrive to the "Salar de Uyuni"... and well I will discribe that other day... otherwise I will miss my bus... and that is "no good". I lost most of the pics of these days, but I will find the way of describing it all!

Espero que todos esteis bien... me tengo que ir, que no quiero pasar otra noche en Uyuni... es un poco aburridillo... sobre todo despues de todo lo que he visto!

Un beso muy fuerte a todos!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

Confirmed Changes!!

2006-05-22T12:06:00.000+02:00

God... I have always been hopeles at planning... but this is getting worse!

This morning (last night for her) I called Bea, and we replanned my trip so we can meet up in Venezuela on 15th June. Isn't it great?! :o)

This means that I postpone a month or two my arrival in Ecuador... but I also got carried away but the new possibilities (it was all the for the same price!) and decided to go directly from Lima to Brazil... but things do not finish there... I have also decided to go South in Argentina and go North to Santiago (I have to get there before 15th Dec)... and then fly back to Buenos Aires (it took me around five minutes to set up this last plan... the guy from Quantas was freaking out with me!!!)

So here it is the new Itinerary... it's getting smaller and smaller... makes me feel sad... or well... means more time on the road, and less time on boring planes ;o)...

----------------------------------------------------------------
QANTAS AIRWAYS QF321 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 26MAY06 SYDNEY/KINGSFORDSMITH 1055
ARRIVE 26MAY06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 1245
OPERATED BY LA LAN AIRLINES
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 1 1 STOP
ARRIVES AT INTL TERMINAL 15:50 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-300 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 23D
BA98494746 GONZALEZ/JAVIERMR
----------------------------------------------------------------
LANPERU LP564 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 14JUN06 LIMA/J CHAVEZ INTL 1235
ARRIVE 14JUN06 CARACAS/SIMON BOLIVAR 1735
4:00 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 17J
----------------------------------------------------------------
DEPART 07JUL06 CARACAS/SIMON BOLIVAR 2005
ARRIVE 07JUL06 LIMA/J CHAVEZ INTL 2305
4:00 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 17C
----------------------------------------------------------------
LANPERU LP769 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 20SEP06 LIMA/J CHAVEZ INTL 0140
ARRIVE 20SEP06 SAO PAULO/GUARULHOS INTL 0830
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 2 4:50 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 767-300/300ER NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 22J
----------------------------------------------------------------
LAN AIRLINES LA431 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 15DEC06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 1050
ARRIVE 15DEC06 BUENOS AIRES/PISTARINI 1245
DEPARTS FROM INTL TERMINAL
1:55 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
----------------------------------------------------------------
IBERIA IB6846 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 22DEC06 BUENOS AIRES/PISTARINI 2140
ARRIVE 23DEC06 MADRID/BARAJAS 1430
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 4S 12:50 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-600
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 30J
----------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH AIRWAYS BA455 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 11JAN07 MADRID/BARAJAS 0700
ARRIVE 11JAN07 LONDON/HEATHROW 0830
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 4S
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 1 2:30 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
----------------------------------------------------------------

And tomorrow... Trapeze session... pfffffffffffff! Outdoors... and now it's raining and it's cold!!! One of my brilliant ideas, isn't it??? I am a kind of a "not too clever" clown, obviously!

If this looks like a boring day to you... well... I am sorry... but imagine the "rush" of changing my plans for the next 6 months... hey... I needed to take it easy, don't you think? ;oP

Make sure you have a nice day... not only for me... but for you!

Un besote muy muy gordo a tod@s !!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XX

Sydney and the Mountains... the Blue ones

2006-05-21T11:27:00.000+02:00

Hello Everybody from Sydney!!!!

Well you can guess it from the pictures I guess... The Opera House is probably one of the most representative buildings in the world... i.e. after so many constant changes from one place to another, from one country to another, from one city to another... I got to a point that I didn't realize where the hell I was. But, hey... you see the spinnaker of the Opera House here... and there is no doubt that you are in Sydney!

If you then look a little bit further north you see the Harbour bridge... and then you feel like part of the postcard... so sweet!!! As you can imagine that was the first thing I visit when I got here... even before I met Louise and Helen for dinner in Chinatown that night. So cool to catch up after four months!

Somebody told me about the Blue Mountains (I didn't see anything blue over there... so don't ask me why they are called like that... ain't got a clue!) 2 hours west of Sydney (there is only water on the East side!!!), and I had a bit of mountain and trecking "cold turkey". So the morning after... got my Rucksack, and went there... and found an incredibly beautiful Canyon, with rainforest, parrots, cockatoos and lots of other things... ah... and the famous and sacred (at least on this part of the world) three sisters! The incredible thing is that I met Matt again... this world is sometimes huge... and some other so small...

I went back to Sydney on time for the Surrey Hills (hippie) festival... and decided to take Andy's children with me, so they could have some fresh air and some live music... and then I went to see "Circus Oz". Damn... I miss my trapeze!!!!! It was really good... and felt kind of different to be in a theatre after so long... I might go to the Opera House and see some theatre this week.

Today all the backpackers I was with left town in different directions, so I went to walk the weekend markets, get on a ferry to see the Bay (the pic shows how I always imagined the Sydney Bay... full of sailing boats with the SkyLand in the back), and see the (in)famous Bondi Beach with all the surfers...

Now some news... for those that managed to read until of this huge "post"... Just to let you know that SuperBea has decided to quit her boring job, and make one of her dreams come true: looking after Turtles in Venezuela (well... I never had good friends that I could define as "normal"... and that includes most of you)... so I am planning to go and welcome her in Caracas on 15th June, i.e. I might change my itinerary for this one:

- Santiago - Lima overland from 27th May till 14th June
- 3 weeks in Venezuela (or so)
- Fly back to Lima and go to Ecuador until the end of August
- Travel Peru and Bolivia for 3 weeks
- Fly to Santiago... and then off to Sau Paulo (Samba pa mi... y pa ti!)
- Go from South Brazil to Argentina... mientras el cuerpo aguante... or while money last (maybe time to find a job and settle down... for a few weeks!)

And the best thing of all this is that it might happen... but it will certainly change... as everything I planned half a year ago!

Well... I hope I haven't bored you toooooooo much! Make sure you keep on smiling everyday... Big Time, ok?!?

Un besazo gordo mis ninh@s !!!! Cuidaros mucho... Tengo muchas ganas de saber que estan todos ustedes en perfecto estado... asi que ya me estan mandando noticias frescas!!!

Ciao ciao!!

Heiwa XXX

Off to Sydney

2006-05-16T12:28:00.000+02:00

What's up Buddies!?!!

What did I the last days in Cairns??? Basically F*** all... i.e. we spent one day at the fake beach, the lagoon, and the next day rained... so it was a day for "cafe" visit.

The day at the lagoon was really good, actually. I met some of the people from the diving boat, and Cedric brought the torches with him, so I got my first try at juggling... absolute dissaster after three hours of trying hard!!! The park around the fake beach is quite cool, coz' you have some places where you can cook your own stuff, and it is all for free... for a change :oD. It is not the classical BBQ where you have to bring coal or something to make fire... it is a kind of a flat hot grill... so we bought some food and cook ourselves a few burgers...well Andy, Cedric and Mike did most of the work... I just looked... too many cooks spoil the soup ;oD. Awesome!!!

When the sun was going down... the professional got out his professional torches out... and showed the crew what joggling is about :oD. On the pic you can see Cedric performing!!! He should have lit them with fire... and the show would have been perfect!!!

When yesterday morning was raining I decided to change my flight to Sydney and bring the dates one day forward... so this morning I took a plane, and I am now in Sydney... not sure what to do yet here, but I am meeting Lou and Hel (Tobi is back in Germany :o( ) for dinner tomorrow and I am sure they will give lots of tips... and we'll have a big party!!!

Hope you are all fine!!! Lots of kisses!!!

Muchos besos a todos... manhana me voy a ver el edificio de la opera!!! Y luego a ver si veo algun Koala en el Zoo... que no me puedo ir de aca sin verlos :oD

Heiwa X

Back from the GBR

2006-05-14T04:33:00.000+02:00

Hello buddies! What's up??

Back in Land now after three days in a boat that didn't stop rocking... and now it's me the one that can't stop rolling... or maybe is the computer's screen... don't know, but I think this symptom is call sea-legs... and alcohol hasn't make it any better, believe me!!

The weather was quite bad and the sea was not at its best. I have to admit that end up "largando por la borda" on the way to the reef... pfffffff... but once there I spent more time under the water than on the boat. We did 11 dives and we saw lots of corals (of course), quite a few white tip sharks, huge turtles (that will not go away when you got close to them), massive wrasses, big batfish, great barracudas, little flatworms... and lots of other stuff. Again, the visibility wasn't at it best, but we could really enjoy it. You can see why diving becomes addictive so quick.

The boat was great (I got a berth for my own... first time I got my own room in the last 6 weeks!!!). And the crew were awesome. If anybody is diving around here, the company is called Pro-Dive. Recommended.

It feels like at the reef the fish grow bigger than in other places... like looked through a magnifying glass!! Ah... and we also dived where the famous "nemo" was copied from... so, I guessed we "found" him!!! At last!!!

Last night after getting in land I was soooooo tired I went straight to bed, and then we all met for a drink (or two) (or three) and it was all going very well, until I lost everybody... and end up really tipsy (?!?) in my dorm speaking French with a couple of Canadians that were in the other bunk bed... weird!!!

Anyway... I'm still in the boat and when I close my eyes I still see fish all around me... so I am getting more dives for the same price. Ain't that good?

Virginia, thanks for your tip, but I don't think I can go if it is still close... can I?? :oD But it might be a good place for a Honey Moon. I would definitely consider it if I were to get married around 1st Sept... is that your case!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!???!??!!!?

Lots of kisses and hugs from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR)... or its proximity :oP

Muchos besos a todos... sigo vivo, aunque me mareo de mirar a la pantalla... no deja de moverse... es la leche!!! Cuidense mucho y cuando coman pescadito rico, piensen en como seria cuando estaba debajo del agua... asi lo saborearan mucho mas. Os dejo que me voy a hacer una barbacoa de Kanguro a la playa de mentira que hay por aca.

Ciao ciao!!

Heiwa XXX

Going to the Great Barrier Reef

2006-05-10T13:28:00.000+02:00

Hello hello!!!

I have spent the last two days in Cairns in a Backpackers called Gilligans that is a super trendy backpackers (it looks more like a swanky students resident than anything else) where the whole of Cairns meet up at night. That is not a lot, as Cairn is quite a small town.

I have also spent the last days checking the beaches around Cairns. They are really nice as you can see how the Tropical Rain Forrest meets the sea, so you get these green montains with beautiful Palm trees and Mangroves (anybody keen on trying to spell this??!?) that end up in the lively waters of the East Coast... but is only when you are thinking about getting in the water when you realize that no one else is swimming. You then wonder why... and ask around... and they tell you about the stinger jelly-fish. Apparently it is still the season (like if they were peach or apples)... so you have to go in the water with a Stinger Suit... pfffffff!!! And just in the imaginary case that I had one of those suits (that I haven't)... when you carry on walking you find pannels like this ones:

Serious injure or death??!?!?!? Damm... and Tarzan used to kill them with a swiss army knife!!! Well... I left mine at Gilligans... so no swimming in this waters... serious injure... pffffff... I can imagine the pannel in the UK: "For safe and healthy reasons, blablabla"

Anyway... as these guys want to enjoy the sea... what do they do??? They just create a fake beach just right next to the sea... like they did in Brisbane. They are, actually, quite good at it :oP. And that is really the Cairns beach: the Lagoon! So I spent my afternoon in the local beach checking out the "cheeks".

Tomorrow I am going to get myself in a boat for three days and dive around the great barrier reef. It is suposed to be one of the best places of the world for diving, but apparently the recent cyclon Monica has left the visibility a little bit bad. Still... it should be quite good!

I'm off to see the Gilligans Wednesday night... no drinking tonight... and early night!

Sweet dreams to all of you!!!

Un beso gordo... os dejo que tengo que ir a ver como esta de ambiente mi supergarito y hacer la mochila... manhana a las 5.30am arriba... menudo stress de vida que tengo... a ver si me tomo unas vacaciones que me va a dar algo!!!!

Heiwa XX

Now in Cairns

2006-05-08T08:41:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody again!!

The last few days I have been chilling out in this beautiful place called Byron Bay, south of Brisbane. It is again one of those little paradise where you can easily see pelicans, parrots and even dolphins in the wild... really cool. That is during the day. But at night it turns into a place quite similar to Clapham (including its own version of Inferno's: CheekyMonkey). So you get the two sides of the world.

There were no waves so we couldn't surf... So me and the other guys in the Backpackers (very nice people. Share a 10bed dorm with 9 brits... why did I come to Australia?!?!), sticked to the beach during the day and the clubs during the night. I had forgotten how much people could drink... I was the wimp, and drunk in three days as much as I had drink in the last 4 months. Nightmare!!!! :oP

Last night I went back to BrisVegas, and met Michelle for dinner. Had the best pizza since I left Europe and a incredibly good chat with Michelle. She had been at the Australian football and I had to wake up early... so we decided to stick to the water... which was a very good decision!

This morning I had a great time waiting at the Airport... I cheked all the shops, enjoyed the view of the planes taking off and landing and observed what people do in the airports on a Monday morning... all thanks to Quantas and their flight changes. So nice of them!!!

And now I am in Cairns. Staying at (in)famous Gilligan's. Apparently the place to be, when you are a backpacker in this town... sooooooooo coooooool! The weather is a bit crap at the moment (shame!) but I think I will go Diving on Thursday. I am trying to get a Standbay price in a 3 days boat-trip. Until then I haven't got a clue of what to do around Cairns... but i will find out :oD.

Also these last days I had great news:

1.- Mr Chubby Bennett is in its way to maturity... November is the deadline
2.- Evita ya esta aca y se queda en casa de Nacho y Elena!!!! Tengo foto de la gordita (que ya no lo estara), pero quiero pronta foto de la bebita!!!!
3.- Marta y Alberto han dejado de vivir en el pecado terrenal y se han convertido a los ojos de todo el mundo en Marido y Mujer (o vice-berza)!!! Viva los NOVIOS!!!!

Well mates (I am picking up the lingo ;oP), make sure you are having fun, ok??!

Un beso muy muy fuerte para todos (especialmente para Evita!) y cuidaros mucho!!

Heiwa X

New Changes in the Itinerary

2006-05-08T07:55:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody!!

Well... what a nice surprise today when I woke up at 4.45am to get to Brisbane airport to fly to Cairns and found out that the have booked me on a flight a couple of hours later. Sweeeeeeeeet!!!

So I decided to check out the situation of my different flights (specially the one towards Santiago) and decided to make a few changes, mainly in the dates. For anyone interested (it is quite useful for me to have them available in the web ;oD) here are the new details:

----------------------------------------------------------------

QANTAS AIRWAYS QF925 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 17MAY06 CAIRNS 1355
ARRIVE 17MAY06 SYDNEYKINGSFORDSMITH 1655
DEPARTS FROM DOM TERMINAL
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 3 3:00 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200 NON SMOKING
----------------------------------------------------------------

QANTAS AIRWAYS QF321 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 26MAY06 SYDNEY/KINGSFORDSMITH 1055
ARRIVE 26MAY06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 1245
FLIGHT OPERATED BY LA LAN AIRLINES
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 1 1 STOP
ARRIVES AT INTL TERMINAL 15:50 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-300 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 23D
----------------------------------------------------------------

LAN AIRLINES LA572 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 01JUN06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 0740
ARRIVE 01JUN06 LIMA/J CHAVEZ INTL 1025
DEPARTS FROM INTL TERMINAL
3:45 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 767-300/300ER NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 22L
----------------------------------------------------------------

LANPERU LP564 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 28AUG06 LIMA/J CHAVEZ INTL 1235
ARRIVE 28AUG06 CARACAS/SIMON BOLIVAR 1735
4:00 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 05L
----------------------------------------------------------------

LAN AIRLINES LA561 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 18SEP06 CARACAS/SIMON BOLIVAR 1055
ARRIVE 18SEP06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 1735
ARRIVES AT INTL TERMINAL 6:40 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 767-300/300ER NON SMOKING
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 22L
----------------------------------------------------------------

LAN AIRLINES LA750 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 15OCT06 SANTIAGO/A MERINO BENITEZ 0800
ARRIVE 15OCT06 SAO PAULO/GUARULHOS INTL 1240
FLIGHT OPERATED BY LANEXPRESS
DEPARTS FROM INTL TERMINAL
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 2 3:40 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : BOEING 767-300/300ER NON SMOKING
----------------------------------------------------------------

IBERIA IB6846 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 22DEC06 BUENOS AIRES/PISTARINI 2140
ARRIVE 23DEC06 MADRID/BARAJAS 1430
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 4S 12:50 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A340-600
SEATS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) : 30J
----------------------------------------------------------------

BRITISH AIRWAYS BA455 ECONOMY CLASS (L) CONFIRMED
DEPART 11JAN07 MADRID/BARAJAS 0700
ARRIVE 11JAN07 LONDON/HEATHROW 0830
DEPARTS FROM TERMINAL 4S
ARRIVES AT TERMINAL 1 2:30 DURATION
AIRCRAFT : AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200 NON SMOKING
----------------------------------------------------------------

Un beso fuerte para todos!!!

Heiwa X

OzLand

2006-05-04T03:19:00.000+02:00

Hello Everybody!

I got to OzLand yesterday Morning... in fact I got to BrisVegas (Brisbane) and spent most of the day recovering from the nigth in the airport, the funny trip and the new status! This town is kind of different... there are high buildings, but it is really quite... I thought people were on holidays! and also they have a fake beach inside the town... when we are like an hour away from the gold coast... it doesn't make any sense to me... does it make sense to you?!

At night I met Michelle (Jane's school friend) and Fran... and they invite me to a home dinner!!! Awesome... people here are just great... I couldn't contact Michelle until very late in the afternoon, and I got a pick up at the Backpackers, a Malaysian meal, a great chat and a plan for my stay in the area... Ain't that great!! Superb people!!

So the plan they made for me is: Byron Bay... and chill out there for a few days... Cool. There is the Mardi Grass as well this weekend in the area, so I might get some good music appart from the sun and the surf (I think I am going to kill my budget completely in this country!!!). I don't think that is the London kind of Mardi Grass... for those interested in it... but sure there will be lots of beer: This is Australia!!!!

Well... I hope you are all ok and having fun... On my side... I have a bus to catch, and a beach to lie down at... coooooooooooooool!!!!

Muchos besos a todos. Espero que os esteis cuidando mucho, ok??? Mantenedme informado!!

Heiwa XX

Kia Ora... NZ

2006-05-02T08:34:00.000+02:00

Bueno, pues llega el momento de la despedida de mami. Han sido 20 dias muy especiales.

La mami se lo ha pasado genial. y yo, por mi parte, me lo he pasado genial. En unas horas ella se embarca en otras 30 horas de vuelta a la tierra patria, y yo me largo en direccion a Australia... A empezar una nueva etapa, otra vez solo.

Haciendo revision de todo lo visitado anoche nos dieron las 1000, y no habiamos llegado a la mitad del viaje. Buena senhal. Penilla por dejar esta locura de pais, sus paisajes, sus gentes (Elisa y John se llevan la palma) y el Toyota Corolla que nos ha acompanhado estas tres semanas. No me he ido y ya tengo ganas de volver.

Penilla tambien por dejar a la mami... companhera de viaje bueniiiiiiiiiiisima. Clarisimamente no sera el ultimo viaje que nos peguemos juntos :oD... y los tours organizados para otros, que la jefa quiere rollo mochilero (eso si, con viajecito en helicoptero a ser posible). Con ella se van las fotos de estos dias. Fotos de Ballenas, de montanhas, de delfines, de volcanes... y tambien recuerdos que no se pueden fotografiar. Cuando ella llegue, supongo que el Chiqui se luzca y las ponga a disposicion del personal (ya hay bastantes colgadas en la red).

Si alguien se plantea pasar por aca... un consejo... dejad de plantearoslo y veniros. Esto es precioso!

Bueno... me voy que me espera una noche entretenidisima durmiendo en el aeropuerto mienttras espero al avion de las seis.

Cuidenseme ustedes mucho!!!

Un besazo muy muy fuerte!!!!

Heiwa X

ChristChurch and it's raining!!

2006-04-25T02:51:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody from rainy Christchurch!

I had two summers in less than a year... two new years... and of course two autumns... and it rains in autumn, doesn't it??! Well, it's been raining for 24 hours and it doesn't seem like it is going to stop... but still... we cannot stop now :oD

Things are fine appart from that... we spend a more time in the cafes but we carry on travelling! Ahead of us we have whale watching and some hot water springs to relax and go back to the North Island and meet John and Elisa again!

No more news appart from that... Un beso muy fuerte para todos y cuidaros mucho, ok???

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa

New Zealand New Zealand - Middle Earth

2006-04-14T09:14:00.000+02:00

Hello Everybody from the beautiful islands of the Antipodes... The Land of the elfs... New Zealand!!!

It's been a while since the last post... But here seems like Gandalf is still worried about fire works more than implementing internet all over the Middle Earth... must become lazy since the orks were all well beaten up by the Fellowship ;)

Here I met mum... She did a dam long trip to come here... so I let her rest for a week before making her cook a good real Spanish omelet... hmmmmm yummy yummy... That was in Te Anau while getting ready for one of the most beautiful sceneries ever seen. They say that Mildford Sound is the 8th marvel of the world (like they say about Angkor, and many other places... but I'm not bother about the marks)... and it deserves to be in that group... we were lucky (?!?) and it was raining all day... like it does 80% of the time there... and it all looks like the mountains around the fiord are melting or that the sky is spilling all over the rock walls... no words... no pictures... no way to explain this in here... as Agos and I used to say in Vietnam ;)

But that is just one thing that keeps us with "la boca abierta". Every day we think that what we seen is so special, that the day after is not going to be that "cool"... but everyday NZ prove us wrong... Helicopter trips to the glaciers (Mum loved this one!!!!!!!!!! First helicopter ride for her... and for me... and she was behaving like a little girl on her birthday!!! so cool!!!!), treks following gorgeous rivers that reward you with blocks of ice, Volcanos and volcanic pools, black sand wild beaches -full of sandflies-, lakes (there are loads... sometimes I think this island is sinking, honestly :oD) that have all the colours you can think off... and when you think you've seen them all you go and find a grey one!!! Animals, mountains, plants... constant changeable landscapes... and great friendly people always ready to help and show you their great piece of the world!

When Elisa was giving me the great suggestions about these islands, I think she kept a lot of the information so we could get to see all this with my eyes wide wide open, and get surprised every minute we were here. Never cross my mind that I was going to see all this... you guys can have a look at the pics (as soon as Chiqui uploads them, of course)... but the probably capture 10% (at the most... considering the prof photografer that's taken the pictures) of what is kept here!!!

This is just like a little paradise for people that like nature and extreme sports (that's been postponed till the next visit... I will leave mum at home for that one ;oD)! I love it!

Hope you are all keeping fine... Spring is right there, so I am sure you are enjoying the good nice weather after the winter... We are having a great time in this side of the world, trust me ;)

Un beso super fuerte a todas/os... esto es precioso, y me encanta... y viajar con mami esta genial, sobre todo cuando cocina! Cuidaros mucho, y aquellos que estais pensando en venir por aqui (Marta y Alberto, Angel y Marta, Osku y... ejemm...)... preparaos para las sorpresas!

Heiwa XXX

PS. It is great to find someone who will search for the pleasure of searching and not for what he may find

Ciao Ciao SE Asia!!!

2006-04-10T06:12:00.000+02:00

Last hours in Bangkok!

I never felt quite confortable in this town... must be that I've never been here in the right mood... and always thinking about leaving instead of staying... well that is the case today... in about 5 hours I should be flying away to Hong Kong... and then NZ!

Mix feelings right now... the last couple of days I've said good bye to Oscar (I won't see him in three months from now... at least... next appointment is my birthday... but I "dunno" where), said good bye to Roger and Quim again in Bangkok (these two I don't know when I'll see them again)... and I am saying good bye to SE Asia and all the great moments and experiences I had here in the last three months (it feels like the end of the summer holidays now, but I will come back soon ;oD).

On the other hand I'm quite excited. Mum is already flying to New Zealand... 30 hours trip, and we will be both arriving at the same time in Auckland (that's great planning, isn't it?). Completely new mind set in my head... low budget is never going to be as easy as it has been in the last 90 days... but it is going to be fun :oD!

The last day in BKK was to check out the famous Royal Palace, the Esmerald Buddha and the Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha. I took the kids with me, so they could get a last pic of one of the most amazing sites in SE Asia. The place is amazing, there Chedis everywhere with golden statues, beautiful buildings, cool stone statues and all shorts of different building built by the different kings (they are all called "King Rama" and the number... no originallity here!)... and people praying with flowers and incense everywhere.

And what about the famous golden reclyning buddha???!? I was told it was big... but not that it was huge... it hardly fits in the building :oP. It is really cool. People get (god knows how many) 1 bath coins and put one in a line of (god knows how many) buckets for good luck, the main drive in the religions I've seen in this part of the world.
Makes kind of sense to worry more about the life you have now than the one you might have in the future... doesn't it???

After the classic tourism I had my last "great" Thai Massage, and started to get mentally ready for departure... had fresh fruit, good curry and a good night of sleep.

Now is time to get my bus to the airport... Can't wait to see Mum's face when landing in Auckland :oP... she doesn't know yet that she is going to be cooking home made food for 3 weeks, hehe... but I've already been dreaming about it!!! Time to put some weight on!

Take care you all... and have a lovely week... and remember to post all your recommendations for NZ! Haven't got much clue on what to do there ;oD...

Un beso muy fuerte a todas/os... parto hacia los confines del mundo... o asi parece por la de horas que me quedan de avion... Tenganme mucho cuidadin con lo que hacen, y disfruten de cada dia! Yo ya voy centrado pensando en la tortilla de patata "de la casa" que me voy a comer en cuanto encontremos un lugar con cocina!!!

LaKon Kab!

Heiwa XXX

Sawadee kab Andaman Sea...

2006-04-08T09:22:00.000+02:00

Hi Everybody!

I'm writing from Ao Nam in Krabi, while I am waiting for the bus to Bangkok. I only have 14 hours ride back to the capital of Thailand... pffffffffffffff!

The last few days (weeks?!) I have been in this beautiful paradise: The Andaman coast and its islands... I finally decide to leave Oscar in Kao Lak and went to Ko Phi Phi, SwedeLand #2... but if you look and ask around a little bit, you can get good tips and end up in a bungalow in a beautiful isolated beach called "ToKo Beach" with two great friends that you've just met in the ferry from Krabi...

The picture on the right is the present we had for sunrise every morning... it worths the lack of sunset... no electricity during daytime, great restarurant, and a very familiar bar... all that to make you feel even better when you are swimming at night before going to bed! Can't get any better? Some sharks while diving would have been nice... but it was very good still.

In the island I met Osku again and he brought Roger and Quim along... and the day after we met Karina in a boat trip around the islands. Great beaches and great waters... the colours are amazing!! The only thing is that the season is ending, so there is not so much going on in any of the places... not a big deal!

After a few days we went to Ko Lanta, SwedeLand #3. Also very nice... but after seeing Ko Phi Phi... and the fact that the season is nearly finished and the weather is not so good any more (you can check in the pic).

But it has also been quite a rough time... Two bad news had made the stay here a bit sad at times. Specially the fact of being so far away of people I love so much, knowing that they are going through some of the hardest moments in their lifes and I cannot be there to support then. But this is part of my life (not always holidays). There are good things, and bad ones. However... I still feel you very close, no matter where I am.

Now we have all split again... Osku is off to Malaysia, getting ready for his new single status (una mancha de mora con otra verde se quita!!!). Roger and Quim are going back to Europe... and I am ready to meet mum in NZ in a couple of days... ah... and Karina has stayed in Ko Lanta!

Well... I have to go to get my great bus back to Bangkok... Cant wait, as you can see :o). I hope you are all keeping fine, and that life goes well. Take care, ok??!!

Un beso muy fuerte para todos... en especial para Bea... que sepas que desde la distancia no dejo de pensar en ti y en tu familia.

Cuidaros mucho todos!!!

Heiwa XXX

Ko Samui, Khao Lak and the Simillan Islands

2006-03-30T12:20:00.000+02:00

Hi all, from lovely sunny beautiful Thailand!!!

Hey, after flying from Chiang Mai into the amazing airport of Ko Samui (it is just like being in the resort already) head off to the beach... It had been a month since the last time I got in the salty water... and I really needed, trust me :)

Chiang Mai has been special, and there are very special moments to remember... but the palm trees at the beach... that is amazing, ok?? and the sunrise... and the sunsets...pfffffff... they are owesome... and the water... sometimes it looks exactly like in the brochures... at first I couldn't believe it. Now I'm getting awfully spoilt, and used to this paradise.

From Ko Samui we've come all the way to KhaoLak, to do some diving... well... Osku is learning, but I took a boat to the Simillian Islands, and loved it. I was lucky. I had an amazing weather all day through, great visibility, and saw all the fish I wanted!!!! There were lots of Nemo fish (clown fish) and tropical fish, and trigger fish, and a turtle, and... and... and a Giant Morey (don't know how to spell it :oP). It was like being in Gareth King's Fish Tank :oP... more or less!!! All that with the incredible landscape of multicolour corals of all types... there are no pics of that... you will have to move you a*** here and experience it. Do it!!! It is worthy!

Khao Lak is one of the points were the famous big wave hit more than a year ago. Today I went for a walk towards the north and I saw a police boat that is lying in land, that was dragged from the sea about one or two kilometres inland. It is really impressive. It gives you an idea on how strong the earthequake was, and how much effort this people is putting into carrying on with their lives, and, in some cases, get them back. It is something to learn from.

Tomorrow, I think I will Osku with his course, and head off to Ko Lanta... but I will decide that while having dinner, tonight... planning is not my best quality!! Ah... and I will be going to NZ a couple of days later... Will get there on the 11th... same day as Mum!!! I can't believe she's coming!!! She is really cool!! And I am going to be eating mummy's food... in NZ!!! Sooooooooo good!

Have fun... and keep on enjoying each day... I know you do... and I try to do it as well ;o)

Muchos besos a todos... este paraiso me esta volviendo loco... va a ser duriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisimo tener que dejarlo para ir a NZ... aunque claro... seguro que partir de alli sera igual de duro. Cuidense... que yo hare lo propio ;o)

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa XX

Chiang Mai

2006-03-25T03:56:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!

I've been the last two days trekking in the Doi Inthanon National Park near Chiang Mai and it has been great. Rode elephants for the first time in my life, did some bamboo rafting, swim in the waterfalls, camp fire with guitars and local instruments... really good!

The places around Chiang Mai are really nice, but we are in the dry season and there are lots of fires trying to get the things ready to grow the diff veggies when the rain comes... so it is not as beautiful as it normally is.

Appart from that, I have been visiting CM, taking my little travelling bodies to see the temples (there are like three hundred... we've seen two... and the three of us agree that is enough!) and enjoying the easylife of this town. Backpakers hang around in the same area of the town, so it is like a small village inside the second biggest Thai city... I recognize lots of people everywhere... weird!

Now I've decided to buy a ticket and head to the south... specially after reading Osku's blog... I should be in Ko Samui tomorrow Sunday at around 16.00... and ready to go swiming the morning after. Can't wait to be in the beach! A little bit of sun before I go towards the cold in NZ!!!

Make sure you carry on having fun! I will do my bit from here :oD

Un beso muy gordo para todos... cuidense mucho, ok?!? Y esos planes de BA querido... que me vaya la gente poniendo al dia... ;oP

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa

Estimada Luang Prabang

2006-03-22T13:33:00.000+01:00

Hola a todos!

Por aqui siguen los cambios de ciudad, pais, companhia, etc etc... Ahora estoy en Chiang Mai, Tailandia, y otra vez solo. El Osku se ha ido a disfrutar directamente de las preciosas playas del sur. Yo por mi parte queria seguir el Mekong hasta la frontera y ver como era el famoso Chiang Mai.

Pero de todo... lo mejor ha sido Luang Prabang. Hasta la fecha la ciudad mas bonita que he visto en el viaje. Rollito frances, del que me gusta a mi, con sus teterias y casitas pequenhas. Buena comida (croissants de lujo... os lo prometo) y la gente superfeliz. Unos cuantos templos en los que ocupar el dia y la camara de fotos. Y unas excursiones con muy buena pinta. Yo al final solo hice una... pero fue de lujo... a una cascada en la que nos pasamos el dia banhandonos como crios. Ole! El tipico rollo de Laos!!

El viaje por el Mekong, un poco rollo... pero tenia ganas de hacerlo, asi que no podia seguir viaje pensando en como seria. De todas formas siempre es bueno tener tiempo para leer... y ya casi me he acabado a los Karamazov... que falta me hacia.

Chiang Mai es chulo... pero despues de la trankilidad total de Luang Prabang la comparacion es inevitable... y no se lo que aguantare aca... por lo pronto hoy me he dado un supermasaje tailandes (de los normales... del massage boom boom todavia no he probado, pero espero que sea mas placentero...) que me ha dejado para el arrastre. Quiza manhana necesite uno para recuperarme. Que vida tan dura!!!

Bueno, besines a todos y cuidense mucho mucho. Pronto habra mas fotos... para aquellos que se quieran aburrir con estas historias.

Hope you are all fine!!!! See ya soon!

Heiwa X

Vientiane and Vang Vieng

2006-03-15T13:44:00.000+01:00

When I started this thing... don't know if I should call it experience, trip or luxury year... and decided to keep this other thing called blog, diary or "cuaderno de Bitacora", never thought that anybody would be interested in reading it. I thouhgt of it for myself, and just a way of saying "hey, I'm still alive in case you were worried". But it is great to see that, more than any thing, it's keeping me in touch with all of you .

There are lots of moments, lots of instants, where I felt the need of sharing them with you. I felt how much some of you would have loved to be there: meet this or that person; have this conversation; dive in those waters; listen to Moonman and share a beer while watching that beautiful sunset; walk those temples. And, why not, be far away from the smoke.

Well... I am glad that this "cuaderno de Bitacora", has become the way of sharing parts of this with you. For those that don't like internet... well... I still have 9 months ahead of me... just use this thing to find me!!! I won't be waiting... but I will be very happy to see you!!!

If you move fast, tomorrow you can find us in Luang Prabang. We're off to this UNESCO heritage town after a few days in Vientiane and Vang Vieng (Lao Capital of "Happy Lassies"... don't worry Andy, I left the kids at the Bungalow. They are too young for this sh*t!).

We had a couple of disappointments in here. First one is that the Myanmar embassy was close, and that the Visa will take too long... so we decided to cancelled the idea of visiting Myanmar. Shame... next trip! Good thing is that we gave ourselves a day to discover Vientiane. Enough to take my little travel mates for a cultural visit :oD.

Second was Vang Vieng. This area is beautiful... I would say: incredibly beautiful. But is full of places selling happy shakes, happy pizzas, happy lassies, magic mushroom sh*t... and they have "Friends" full volume in every restaurant :-O!! Upppppsssss... a bit too old for this cr*p. And the worst thing... there are no kids to go swimming in the river!!!!! The best, actually, is to get something that get you away from the village... a bicycle for example... and destroy your legs while pedaling up and down the hills!! We went to see some of the caves, and that was very very good. And the people was smiling again!!!

Then sunset by the river... more fresh milkshakes... and a conference with mum to find out that she is coming to NZ with me in a couple of weeks!!! Isn't she brave!!!!!!! Does anybody know any "decent" (and I mean DECENT) guesthouse in Aukland?!?!? Just joking ;o) That is great news!

Well... Lots of kisses to all of you, and please... keep on working hard. Make sure that one of you becomes a boss soon, and offers me a job in a few moths ;oD

Muchiiiiiiiiiiisimos besos a todas/os. Espero que esteis disfrutando de la cercana llegada de la primavera... yo en breves paso del verano abrasador al otonho fresquito!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa

Si Phan Don & Tadlo

2006-03-12T09:52:00.000+01:00

Hi all from SuperRelaxing Lao!!!

Time seems to stop in this country... well you know that the watches keep on counting because the sun moves... but people seem to keep still in the shadow the whole day.

Well this is not exactly true. There are, at least in the south, three parts of the day. From Morning until 3.30 - 4.00 p.m. when people stick to the shadows, and they are sleepy (might have something to do that green thing they smoke ;oD). Don't even think saying "sabaidee"... as you might wake them up!

Then is bath time 3.30 till 6.00 p.m. Everybody is off to the river and they are really alive. Believe me... it looks like a methamorphosis (do you write this like this??? :oP). Then everybody is happy, loud and cheerful. Great! This is my favourite part of the day!!!!

And finally... night time. It just gets dark... and is bed time... there is nothing you can do. Specially when the black outs are normal and internet is not so common when you get out of the cities. I.e. we had been sleeping between 10 and 12 hours a day!!!!! Pfffffffffffff.

We got to Lao last Thurs and we headed directly to Si Phan Don also known as the 4 thousand islands (well... actually both things mean the same). There were some "canelada" moments, but we manage to do it right!

There is not much to do around there but chilling out visiting WaterFalls, look for river dolphins (we manage to see their backs... ehhhh, well, we think they were dolphins ;D), swim in the Mekong and play with the kids (main attraction of the last few days!!).

As that was all we could do we decided to try in Tadlo. See if it was more lively than Si Phan Don. Nope. It was as quite as the other!!! More waterfalls, more swimming in the river with the local kids -picture- (I'm sure that if you check in the LP they are part of a Minority group... pfffffff... somebody should burn the LP!!) and more relaxing time for us! Well... we enjoyed a good 3 hours trekking while the sun was really burning... yeah, that was good (and really stupid!).

We are now in Pakse ready to go to Vientiane in a night bus (we had another "canelada" moment while buying the ticket this morning... nothing serious!!!!). We see if we can sort out our VISA to Myanmar tomorrow morning...

I hope you are all fine, and that keeping happy!

Muchos besos para todos!!! Espero que esteis bien y que nos veamos pronto!!!!

Ciao ciao!

Heiwa

Splurge in Siam Reap

2006-03-07T15:25:00.000+01:00

Hi all!!!

If any of you has looked at a Lonely Planet guide before you've seen the little box that says "Splurge"... well... normally when you check that out is disappointing.

So... Osku and I decided to create our own Splurge... and went to a 5* hotel to spend the worst hours of the day (cause' of the heat) in the Gym and the Swimming Pool... Excellent!!!! It was like being on Holidays (the rest is not holidays... it is just travelling, visiting monuments, having milkshakes and pancakes... i.e. hard work!).

We added a homemade icecream to the plan of the day after the swimming pool and a sandwich of "Lomo Iberico" (Thanks Natacha!!!!!!!!) while watching the sunset.

And just to finish the day... and recover our boddies for such a long day: A full 1hr massage (a normal one ;oD). Pfffffffffffffffff... I am so tired!!!!

Well... that is to say that Cambodia has been great, and that we are sorry to leave this wonderful smiling people (that offer you tuk-tuk, drugs and ladies every 20 metres). Tomorrow morning we will fly off to Pakse in Lao, for a new leg of the trip. We are also planning to get to Myanmar in the next couple of weeks... we'll keep you inform.

Make sure you all keep well, and hope to see you soon along the way!!!

Besos fuertes para todos y cuidaros mucho!... Nos vamos para Laos a buscar el dinero del Roldan... si en una semana no hay noticias nuestras es que dimos con el ;o)

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa X

La ciudad "perdida" de Angkor

2006-03-06T12:48:00.000+01:00

Al Oeste del pais de Camboya, antigua Indochina, se encuentran los restos de una ciudad inmensa que devora a los arboles que devoran la ciudad. Piedras, Garudas y Apsaras de mas de mil anhos que cambian de color con el paso del dia. Ninhos que te persiguen con una sonrisa para venderte agua fria para apaciguar el sol abrasador.

El lugar es magico, pese a que en la ciudad ahora habitan ordas de comerciantes y grupos de humanos con camaras de fotos (y no sabria decir de que grupo hay mas numero). Las petreas miradas que te observan desde lo alto, las seductoras danzarinas Khmeres y las miticas batallas entre dioses, demonios y angeles nos transportan en el tiempo. Algunos de los templos se pueden ver como eran hace mil anhos... y otros se ven como los encontraron los exploradores hace apenas doscientos. Imposible decir cual de las dos visiones es la mas epica, o al menos la mas bonita.

Pero es imposible evocar la imagen de semejante lugar y olvidar los ninhos de los que hablaba antes. Comerciantes profesionales que juntos podrian construir una torre de babel y que son capaces de luchar con todas sus armas por sacar medio dolar mas por unas postales, un chal de seda o unos pantalones de hippie "wanna be" (i.e. "wanna be hippie"). Esos mismos genios siguen teniendo claras las cosas importantes, las prioridades en la vida. Saben perfectamente que una partida de Escondite ha de jugarse sin prisas y terminarse antes de volver a la tediosa tarea de vender chuminadas a los aburridos turistas. Esos comerciantes, son ninhos ante todo. Tienen historias que contar. Tienen suenhos que compartir. Tienen ganas de escuchar "you are very pretty" or "you are very handsome" en lugar de un regateo o un "no thank you" o un "leave me alone".

Esos ninhos estan cargados de sonrisas que regalar. De dibujos de flores y princesas para alguien que les mire a los ojos. Están encantados de estar en fotos que recibiran por email, aunque nunca hayan visto un ordenador. Tienen flores escondidas para aquellos que se atrevan a esperar a su lado y escuchar alguno de sus bonitos suenhos.

Nosotros, quiza sin querer, o quiza porque siempre nos han atraido mas las cosas que estan vivas que equellas inertes (por bonitas que sean) fuimos afortunados y disfrutamos de este Angkor. El de los habitantes de la ciudad perdida. Los que duermen en una casita detras de un templo... puede que igual que hace 8000 anhos. A lo mejor todos los que visitan Angkor tambien ven esta parte. En ese caso, seguro que todos se van sintiendose unicos. Sintiendose especiales. Sintiendo que han vivido ese algo que sin estar en los libros es la esencia del lugar.

Quiza sea esta, y no otra, la magia de la ciudad de Angkor. Que devora los arboles que devoran la ciudad...

Buenas noches a todos... donde quiera que esteis!

Heiwa
XX

PS: Para fotos visitad el blog de Osku. El resto estaran disponibles en un par de dias... cuando Chiqui se recupere de su agotador viaje.

Lost with out Internet!

2006-03-01T13:44:00.000+01:00

Uaaauhhhh... I can't remember the last time I spent so much time with out connecting to the internet... I think I was 12 and my computer broke down... hehe... joking!

Well... it's been a while since the last post and lots of things have happened, lots of things have changed, and a couple of countries have been left behind (I love to be able to say this :oD)

Well... so what has happened??? Well... I met Chiqui in Mumbai when I wrote the last post... that was almost a fortnight ago... ok... to prove it, here is a pic of the two of us. Who looks like he has been travelling??!? :oD

Chiqui and I more than visiting India... we did a good visit to Indian Public Transport during a week. We visited Ajanta and Ellora (Miguel was right: This is a five star place... incredible!!!) caves near Aurangabad. From there we travelled to a beach in the south of the Maharastra state called Ganpatipule where everything was written with Sanscrit characters and the light went off every night after 7.30pm... wicked!!!! and from there we went to see the capital of Goa: Panjim. A very nice colonial town. Ah... and we took the risk of seeing the apocaliptic view of a Goan Beach, Calangute. I only have one word for it: Disgusting... but it might be only this one beach.

From there back to Mumbai, and fly to Bangkok (a bit of a surprise when they said that I couldn't fly cos' I hadn't confirmed the flight and that my reservation had been cancelled... It was all solved 20 minutes before the departure... pffffffffffffff!).

In Bangkok the expected encounter happened!!! Chiqui appeared in the Guest House (near Kao San, following Isabella's advice ;D) bringing superOsku with him. Both safe and sound (Specially Chiqui... after a disgraceful flight with Air India!) and ready to hit a restaurant and a couple of beers!

In the morning breakfast with Gemmmmmmma's parents to catch up about Myanmar (and to finish the hotel buffet :oP) and then off to the island of KoChang. A paradise island near the Cambodian border. We manage to get ourselves a hut 10 metres away from the see... i.e. wake up early in the morning... run, swim, hire a bike, water falls, some other falls... and see food to recover from all the intense day. The surprise was that the morning after it started to rain cats and dogs... so we changed plans and decided to leave to Cambodia that very day. It was a shame, because it was Osku's birthday (26th Feb), and instead of celebrate it we spend the whole day travelling.

We spent a night at the border in a place called Koh Kong (I think...) and in the morning we took a boat to Sihanoukville. 4 hours of beautiful scenery. Little islands everywhere, and little fishing boats. We burnt ourselves completely... but it was more than worthy.

Sihanoukville was beautiful and relaxing. Also we had the chance to celebrate Osku's birthday with a "Bocadillo de Jamon de Grijuelo" with French bread and proper stuff that Chiqui brought from Spain. However after one day the rain catch us again... and we left to Phnom Penh.

And in Phnom Penh finally we experienced a bit of proper rain... as you can see in the picture the whole lake area got completely flooded... amazing view, honestly... never seen rain so much for so long!

This morning the sun was shining again, so Osku and I started the research to go to Myanmar and also bought our ticket to Lao. We fly to Paksi on the 8th... fantastic! We will sort out the stuff for Myanmar when we get to Vientianne.

We then splitted. I went to the Russian Market (didn't buy anything... as always) and the other two went in their motos to the Killing Fields. We met up to see the Royal Palace... and well that was all falks!

Sorry for the long a boring post... but this is like a quick summary to say that I am fine, I miss you all, and I keep on having fun with all this stuff!

Love you all!!! Besos fuertes para todos!!!

Heiwa

Tras Gokarna... sin fotos...

2006-02-16T06:15:00.000+01:00

Bueno... lo siento mucho por aquellos que disfrutais con las fotos del viaje... pero mi camara se ha vuelto tonta, y me he quedado sin fotos de Gokarna, y apenas unas de Hampi (y no son las mejores). Os aseguro qeu la pena de mi corazon es superior a la vuestra!!! :oP

Gokarna. Aaaay.... donde esta eso ya... no me queda nada del relax alcanzado alli. No se como lo hice, pero consegui irme de las paradisiacas playas hasta una ciudad increible llamada Hampi. Una especie de Angkor Wat a lo indio. Nuevamente recomendacion de Miguel y Rosi (gracias, gracias y gracias!!). Es como una superextension llena de templos y edificios del siglo XVI. Suuuuuperchulo... pero no hay fotos... asi que no me podeis reprochar mi opinion.

De hay, me embarque en la aventura de los trenes (y autobuses, y barcas, y... y...) para encontrarme con Chiqui en Mumbai. Tan solo 25 horas de viaje (incluyendo montar en un tren sin billete y soborno correspondiente a revisor avaro) y ayer me plante en la puerta de la habitacion de Chiqui a las 8am. Sorpresa de todo el mundo por llegar con 24 horas de antelacion... ja! Hasta yo me sorprendi de que todo saliese bien. Los viajes en tren son como un viaje en el tiempo por las distintas castas de este pais... que es... ciertamente... "incredible !ndia".

Aqui... duchita, afeitado... para reconocerme, que ya se me habia olvidado como era... y esta noche el Chiqui y yo nos vamos para Ajanti y Ellora. Por lo visto son unas cuevas increibles recomendadas no solo por la LP (estoy a ver si la quemo), sino por Gemma y Raul, y por Miguel y Rosi (de estos 4 si que me fio yo bien). Desde donde mandaremos mas informacion.

Un besote a todos!!!!

Hewia

Gokarna (Karnataka)

2006-02-08T16:24:00.000+01:00

How did I get here??!? Well... you should ask Miguel and Rosi (I owe you one!!!). Why didn't I go to Om Beach resort??!? Well... that's Mirko and Gaya's responsability ;o)

Why using a LP that is useless... if the trip is full of people ready to share little tips with you... little secrets... little things, that allow me to discover great places. Thank you very much to all the ones that are making my trip so easy and special!!!!

I am staying in a little place, that looks like a hut... but it is a little bit worse. With Palm trees full of coconuts. With a classic Hindi guy called Rama. And all happens very slowly when you are in the Guesthouse... cool!

It is surronded by incredible beaches, that one would not want to leave ever. Great for relaxing, catch up with my diary and to enjoy the view of the beautiful girls. For one reason or another, they all get incredibly pretty when the rest their foots in this coast :o)

Here time since to stop... so I don't know how I am going to do to leave to my next destination (whereever it is). Somehow I feel it is going to be hard!

If you feel like you wish you were here... well let me tell you that I would like to share this with you as well. This is too much to keep it for my own... and I often think of what would you think if you could experience this.

Lo dicho arriba va tambien para los que hablais el espanhol bien fluido ;o)

Muchos besos para todos! Cuidaos mucho (en serio... a veces pienso que lo necesitais vosotros mas que yo!!!!)

Namaste,

Heiwa

PS. Para aquellos que no habeis pasado por India, Namaste es la palabra que se utiliza aca para saludarse la gente. Su significado, segun algunas fuentes no 100% fiables, viene a ser algo asi como "Mi Divinidad saluda a tu Divinidad". Pues eso... que os saludo divinamente

Mumbai - Former Bombai

2006-02-08T16:16:00.000+01:00

Hawaii Bombai, es un paraiso, que a veces yo... me monto en mi piso!!! - Personalmente, cualquiera que considere Bombai un paraiso no esta en sus cabales o se encuentra bajo el efecto clarisimo de las drogas!!!!

Yes... Mumbai... What am I doing here??? Well... I got to Bangkok... and asked if I could board on the plane to Mumbai... and they said: Yes! So I found myself in the middle of this chaos!

The shock has been pretty strong. Just the change from Vietnam to here is incredible. Can't explain... but it is really strong. The people in the street, the way kids look at you, the cars coming from everywhere... honestly... I thought the bike ride in Phnom Penh had been too much for a quite guy like me. Well... the taxi ride I had last night should be part of Alton Towers more scary roller costers. Including the taxi change in the middle of nowhere... and not understanding what the hell was going on. Cool?!?!? No... but interesting.Anyway.

After less than 24 hours I think I need a break of this town, and I am off to Goa tonight. A superSleeper train... I don't want to think what is going to happen... but I am sure that there will be some surprises. I'll keep you posted... if I can.

I had bought a SIM card for the telephone now, so feel free to call me from your work place, hehe! The number is: +919833141130. I am going to be available in that mobile more often than in the Spanish one.

I have to go now. I hope you all are fine.

I also think that there are more pics uploaded now to the website.

Besos muy gordos para todos.

Namaste,

Heiwa

Tisingtao Vietnam

2006-02-08T16:11:00.000+01:00

Hello everybody!!!

Well tomorrow is the end of my visit of this country where they perfectly paint the front of each house and they forget to paint the sides :o). The problems with the Visa forced me to leave it, so tomorrow I am off to Bangkok, and then to Mumbai, if I can change the flight ticket... we will see tomorrow when I get there.

The last few days in Vietnam have been really cool, specially Halong Bay. i can recommend anybody to visit it. The scenery is just amazing. I don't think there is really a word that can describe it. The weather wasn't very good, but still, the views are breathtaking. I think it is impossible to capture it in a picture (pictures that I haven't been able to upload yet, BTW). So you will really have to come here to understand what I am talking about.

From Hanoi I take a mixture of feelings. The town is more authentic than Saigon, and it has more character. However I don't think the people is as friendly and happy as they were in the south. Having said this, I have to admit that it was here where happened one of the most incredible things of the trip. Thanks to Agos curiosity (I have been travelling with Agos and Bren since we left Hoi An a week ago) we found ourselves in the middle of a private ceremony where a medium (a lady with the ability to talk with the dead ancestress) offered different kind of things, such as drink, food, cigarettes, money... to the divinities and past kings and then shared it with us. During this ceremony she will wear the different kimonos of the dead ancestress changing them every 10 or 15 min. She will also, each time, dance with the weapon associated to the Kimono she was wearing. It was incredible... specially because i didn't even know that something like that could exist. If any one know anything more about this ritual, please add your comment, as I am really interested to understand what I have been part off (nobody there spoke a word of English... well... one could speak a bit of broken English... but this was too deep for her level :oP).

Apart from that, today has been a kind of a sad day. A bit of tourism in the morning... Ho Chi Ming mausoleum, one pillar pagoda, the temple of Literature, the water puppets (this is really good!!!! If you have the chance of seeing it wherever you are... go for it!). But after that it has been the moment to say goodbye to all the people I have met while being in Vietnam: Miguel and Rosi (the constant travellers), Mario (the crazy Sicilian... Toro Loco!!!) and Agos and Bren (!!!!Soys Grandes!!!! Os voy a echar mucho de menos!!!), my two beautiful travel mates through the north of VietNam.

So here we are... on my own again... and heading towards a new country... I have with me some great recommendations from Miguel and Rosi... and I will certainly follow them ;o)

Hope you are all fine!!!!

Cuidaros mucho... y espero que esteis felices. Como dice un muy buen amigo: Que tengais siempre alegria en el cuerpo. Un beso muy fuerte para todos... especialmente para ellas!

Tisingtao,

Heiwa

La Ciudad Invisible de Halong Bay

2006-02-08T15:25:00.000+01:00

A mas de 1000 millas al sur de tu imperio, estimado Kublai, y tras cruzar montanhas, rios y fronteras se encuantra la Bahia de Halong. Es este lugar el acceso por mar a un pais hermoso y es precisamente aqui donde tus tropas han fracasado en varias ocasiones al intentar conquistar el pais. Un pais que nadie ha conseguido someter realmente.

De la Bahia de Halong os podria decir muchas cosas. Os podria hablar de la tranquilidad que transmiten sus aguas, o de como cientos de islotes flotan en sus aguas. Contaros como el visitante no puede olvidar como el sol, las nubes o la niebla hacen de la Bahia un lugar vivo y en constante cambio. Deciros como un fotografo profesional necesita varias camaras y mas de seis cientas fotos para que al menos 5 consigan capturar lo que oculta este lugar: Magia. No podria olvidar mencionar el parque natural de la isla de CatBa y sus innumrables colinas cubiertas de arboles. Tambien deberia anhadir que los hombres la convirtieron en Patrimonio de la humanidad por ser unica en el mundo y que los hombres cambian y se sienten afortunados al formar parte de semejante paisaje.

Pero yo os contare lo que me llevo conmigo de la Bahia de Halong. Me llevo un carpintero que escribe cuentos para ninhos. Un carpintero que se esconde en una playa que al caer la noche el placton dibuja en la arena el cielo estrellado. Un cielo que dibuja con sus estrellas el placton en la playa. Me llevo el placer de banharme rodeado de luces magicas. Me llevo canciones al lado de una hoguera e historias de viajes por lugares ocultos en los mapas. Me llevo suenhos. Los mios y los de los demas.

Asi es la Bahia de Halong. Un lugar incapturable. Un lugar indescriptible. Un lugar para sonhar.

Heiwa

PS. Vulgar y Carinhoso homenaje a las Ciudades Invisibles de Italo Calvino. Gracias Pitu por el libro. Espero que esto responda a tu pregunta ;o)

Chuc Mong Nam Moi!!!!!!

2006-01-30T10:16:00.000+01:00

!!!!Feliz Anho Nuevo!!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

It is the year of the dog!!!! And what does that mean??? Absolutely nothing to me, but there are lots of people in this side of the world that are really aware of it.

It has been pretty special the feeling of celebrating the New Year twice in a month... ;o) and also to watch the fireworks from a Hue's bridge next to the Citadel. Three months ago (well a couple of weeks ago) I could not think of the sensation of being away and now things happen every day that make this trip so different to being on Holidays.

Since last post I've been in Hoi An (I am sure that they could do taylor made scruffy clothes for me if I ask them to) and visited the old Charm town of MySon. And also Hue, its Citadel and the Tumbs around the river Perfume (it doesn't smell to anything in particular though). All very nice. All very pretty. But I need a break of dragons, trust me. So I am learning a lot about the history of Vietnam... but not much about the recent past... i.e. American war.

Thanks for the tip M-b... but I was already in Hue when I saw your recommendation about the Marmaid. We found some good places in Hoi An anyway ;o). Any suggestions about Hanoi or Halong Bay???????!?

BTW, I think I am going to be the only person visiting Vietnam, with out seeing the tunnels, the war museum or anything of that sort. Reason Whay??? Well, it is not only my atitude against weapons and wars... it is also the fact that in New Year the whole country stops and it is very difficult to find a place in any of the bus trips arranged by the tour operators. Shame.

Now I am off to Hanoi... and then to Halong Bay. The weather is pretty bad around here now... but hope it gets better there.

I hope you are all keeping yourself well... and that you don't work too much. You know I would not do it!!!

Besos para todos!!!

Heiwa

Saigon, Mekhong and Nha Trang

2006-01-25T11:25:00.000+01:00

Well... It has been a busy week... and most of the time on the road or on the boat!!!
i.e. no posts!

What have I been doing this time???? Well... first I moved myself to Saigon... great town, great felling and great people. We had to crossed a river we crossed the border... we tip the guards... and we were welcome in Vietnam. The assistant even sang a song for us... amazing!!!! Trust me, this country is quality.

Saigon, is a crazy town, with bikes coming from all directions... just crossing the road is a big high. We even got ourselves in the New Year's party of LG... just because we were round eyes!!!! That was the first Vietnamese lesson I had (forgot everything already!!!! :oD). That was after having a great dinner of Beef in a bamboo roll...

The day after we went to a turistic tour around the Mekhong... a bit boring... but interesting to be in a paddling boat... in the delta... and thinking on all the Americans that made all the way here to struggle through the jungle (what a waste of time!!! They should have been in the restaurants!!!).

After that I came to Nha Trang to do some diving with corals and funny fishes... but didn't know that the weather was going to change so much... and today the visibility was horrendous (sth like two metres!!!)... so I guess it is a good time to move on.

I get the bus in an hour... next stop: Hoi An... I have been told that it is a great city and I can't wait to see it.

I hope you all are having a good time where ever you are. Take care and see you soon.

Muchos besos para todos!!!!

Heiwa

PS. The pics are all in: http://www.heiwasroundtheworld.name/RTW/

Say Good Bye to Phnom Penh

2006-01-21T15:26:00.000+01:00

Hi all... tomorrow I am off to HCMC (Saigon).

Phnom Penh it has been great. The sunsets by the lake... the moto rides... all very cool. But it is also a very hard encounter with the worst bit of human nature. All the stuff of what Pol Pot did make one feel sick and wonder how humans can think of something so cruel.

It is also a good example of how the "western" countries support a cruel regimen in the name of democracy and human rights... were it was only the own interest and the fear of communism. Really scary when you see it here. The worst bit is the memorial of the Killing Fields. There you still can see bones coming out of the surface while you are walking around. Ben Kelly will find this fascinating ;o)... but when you consider that they have already taken out more than 8000 skulls... is scary to think that there still boddies in the field.

Even though the families were broken and destroyed... and considering that it wasn't so long ago, it is amazing that this people is already smiling and thinking about the future. They work hard and there are more children going to school than beggin in the streets (in fact there aren't so many). And if they do, they are more than happy if you give them food... also really refreshing, cos' it shows that they are not spoilt (yet??!?).

People might think different, and this is only an oppinion from one day in this crazy city of motos all over the place.

Also a visit to the National Museum makes me wish so much to visit Angkor Wat... It is amazing what they have here... Can't wait to see the real thing!

Tomorrow is time to set off to Saigon... and relax for sometime in the beach... hopefully soon!!!!

Hope you are all keeping well!

Muchos besos Europa/America donde quiera que estes (guinho a una de mis series de television favoritas... muy muy muy vieja!)

Ciao Ciao,

Heiwa

Llegada a Phnom Pen (Capital de Cambodia) - lazy again, i.e. no English

2006-01-20T14:21:00.000+01:00

"Me gustaria compartir este momento con vosotros. El cielo va cambiando sus tonos morados por el negro nocturno. El agua del lago los refleja y los mezcla con las ondas que produce la suave brisa. Orquideas y flores de colores muestran los suenhos que hacia tiempo que no recordabas. La musica va llevandote a esos lugares por los que has pasado para llegar hasta aqui... y la sensacion de tranquilidad es muy buena."

Esto es lo que me dio por escribir al llegar a la GuestHouse en Phnom Penh al ladito del lago. Tras un trepidante viaje de moto desde el aeropuerto. Pense que el pulso no me iba a bajar de 240 en una semana... pero claro, luego llegas y te encuentras una estampa del atardecer... y lo que ocurre es que hasta yo pienso que puedo escribir... ju@sju@s!

Atras queda KL en esta carrera por ser la persona que mas visados consigue en menos tiempo. Van seis paises en los ultimos 10 dias... y como me despiste esto aumenta otro mas en un par de dias. Prometo que esto se va para en algun momento... pero habia que cambiar planes urgentemente. Ya hay confirmacion de que Osku se une el 23 de Febrero en Bangkok... de Pitu sabemos que esta a la espera de estar a la espera... y de Danilovich no sabersmos absolutamente nada... pero sabremos ;o)

KL ha estado muy bien... sobre todo por el grupillo que nos juntamos y las noches de fiesta. Ademas de Tobi y Michael se unieron Helen y Louise, dos Australianas que venian de disfrutar de la isla de Penang. Entre lo mejor de todo el garito en el que nos quedamos. Un hotelito de 4* al lado de las petronas. Asi que estabamos de lujo (literalmente). El precio era mejor que el de los hostels... asi que aunque fue una dura decision entre el pundonor y el orgullo del mochilero... y el cerebro practico... nos quedamos en el hotelazo (vaya cara cuando le dijimos al taxista a donde ibamos... con la mochila y la ropa llena de mierda... puffff). El merito todo de Michael!!!! Gracias, campeon!!! Las torres petronas nos hartamos de verlas... pero siguen impresionandome... este rollo de ciudad vertical (tipo Moebius) es mu fuerte!!!

Las fotos nuevamente se haran esperar... porque en este mundo de ordenadores con Windows XP Professional... corriendo en ordenadores que ni siquiera existia el USB cuando los hicieron... es imposible que las pase. Pero no os preocupeis, que como veo que teneis mucho tiempo libre y que este tema os esta gustando... pues yo mantengo la informacion al dia. Y si de verdad estais aburridos y desesperados... podeis ver las fotos que he mandado hasta ahora en: http://grid.ifca.unican.es/user/iglez/Javi/index.html. A ver si alguno mas se apunta a dejar algunas cosas 'behind' y unirse a esta historia!

Bueno... no hay mas por hoy. En cuanto pueda os mando fotos de lo visto hasta ahora.

Un besillo fuerte para todos/as.

Heiwa

PS... como seguro que todos os estais mordiendo las unhas con la duda, la terrible duda, con su simpatico nombre de perrita rusa: no... no me lie con ninguna de las dos ;o)

Melaka to KL

2006-01-18T11:05:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody!!!

So here we are... in Melaka, Malacca or however you want to call it!!! Arrived here with a couple of German fellows who speak spanish better than I do...

Melaka is a colonial town with a couple of interesting buildings, and a seashore that we cannot really enjoy, as it is raining quite often... and belive me... when it rains here... it does bloody rain!!!!!!!! So I have decided to buy a ticket to Phnom Penh for Friday... and leave Malaysia... I think I am trying to break a world record... it will be my 6th country in 10 days... but I will reserve Malaysia for better weather and Osku.

We are now ready to go to KL. We should be able to add an extra bed an enjoy a decent hotel with a swiming pool... we are going to indulge ourselves a little bit (I hope the place looks like the website!!!!). My fellow travellers, Mike and Tobbi, are making this a little bit cheaper for me!!!

Have a good one.

Besos para todas... y bueno... venga... tambien para todos!!!

Ciao ciao,

Heiwa

HK Pics and Sg pic

2006-01-17T05:58:00.000+01:00

HK has been a great experience... and definitely it is a great city to live in... for not more than 6 months... I think any one would go nuts there (Steve was a good sample of it ;oD)

We had a great time, and Divia, Ramez and Steve were incredibly kind in showing HK's night live... though we suffer it the day after. Best place of the night: Gekko... be brave and try to find it if you are ever in HK... it is not an easy task, but it worths the effort.

It was great to have a drink after a whole day of markets. Specially when you are as lucky as me to go with two girls ready to buy everything they see. Great experience honestly. I had a free training in Bargain, with the extra lesson on "how to get your money back in the Lady's Market" by Nicola Griffiths. That was great.

Leigh wasn't much softer. She manage to get a Balenciaga Hand Bag so cheap that the other sellers in the street want to rebuy it from her. Unbelievable.

The next day we went off to see the largest outside sitting bronce Buddha (there might be a bigger one made of stone... but when it comes to bronce... this is the one!!). This was in Lantau Island, and I thought it was the right time to take a pic with my travel buddies. It is good to introduce them to the spiritual life at an early age... well... that is what they did with me, and I am now a full agnostic believer. Isobella and Harvey.

Then we had the fantastic idea of going hyking... and in the pic you can see the wisdom path... obviously didn't affect us... as we took the wrong turn, lost half an hour, and had to speed up for two hours down the hill... I am still in pain from that hyke!! But it was a great thing to do. Was wicked to see the female monks... I didn't know they also saved their heads... they all looked like Osku... weird, trust me!

And finally... the night skyline from the peak... after the light show display. Very interesting seen that people from this massive corporatation use their buildings to do this... and also thinking that some of them are rivals... cool... I am sure it is good fen shui... It must be.

Finally Singapore, where I am now. I don't like it that much... so I haven't got many pics, and I am actually planning to leave as soon as I can. Which is as soon as I finish to write this blog. Here is a pic of ChinaTown... but is not as cahotic as HK... and everybody speaks a bit of English... While HK was great madness!!! It can also be that I am on my own now... and I miss N & L... yes... I think is probably that.

Anyway... I am off to Melaka... if I find the right bus, of course. I will take it from there... and let you know how are things going.

Just one more thing! Thanks for all the comments and emails... I miss you all a lot! I didn't know that so many people were going to be reading this. Hope you are all fine.

Dani, muchas gracias por escribir... cuidate mucho! A los demas tambien... pero es que de Dani hacia mucho mas que no sabia nada! Un besazo para todos... Me piro de aqui!!!!

Heiwa X

Datos sobre HK

2006-01-16T14:56:00.000+01:00

I do apologize for the lack of English message today, but I am toooooooooo tired to write two messages. Just let you know that I've arrived to Sg today, and that I think that I am out of here tomorrow... havent decided yet... but I can see that happening ;o)... ah! and this computer cannot upload the pictures... it si not that it has been stolen already ;oD. You all take care!!!! Heiwa X

Bueno... y en espanhol... pues respondo a las cuestiones...

El garito con un banho con vistas se llama Fenix, y esta en lo alto del hotel Peninsula... mu chulo... pero yo no pude acceder al interior por cometer el gravisimo error de llevar bermudas y playeros. Lo primero lo podria haber solucionado si no hiciera un calor de mil demonios... pero lo segundo habria sido ya imposible... aunque me podria haber comprado unos 'prada' superfalsos e ir mas chulo que nadie, claro!

Para salir por la noche, el mejor sitio es uno que se llama Gekko, que esta escondido en una callejuela y es para los locales. Tuvimos una ayuda inestimable de Divia, Steve y Ramez... si no este sitio no lo encontramos nunca!!!

Las pantallas gigantes con el volumen a tope son la canha... te crees que estas rodeado de replicantes por todas partes. Se llamaban Nexus??? No soy lo suficiente freak para conocerlo.

Las fotos imposible incluirlas todavia... estos ordenadores son una patata y no funciona mi camara (bueno... la camara tambien es bastante mala...). El prox mensaje llevara foto por narices!!! y se veran algunos rascacielos!

Por cierto... que necesitamos ayuda para que Pitu consiga una beca y se de una vuelta por estos lares. Asi que propongo una tormenta de ideas... todas son validas. El caso es que hay una asociación para mecenazgo de proyectos artísticos. Por ahora se le ha ocurrido hacer un seguimiento artístico del viaje y relacionarla de alguna manera con el arte contemporáneo de los sitios por donde pasemos. Cualquier idea es estupenda... y puede hacer que esto derive en una locura de viaje!!!

Un beso muy fuerte a todos!!!!

Heiwa

Hong Kong Connection

2006-01-13T12:20:00.000+01:00

After a quick stop over in London, where I met lots of good friends, visit the office (felt a bit left out as I don't have a proper passcard) and played a good basketball match (which I've been regretting during the whole 11hours flight!!!) I finally arrived in HK.

Managed to find my hostel... even though I needed to pass in front of it around ten times... that gives you a clue of how cool it is. Good thing: it is cheap!!

Now it is time to have a nice drink surrounded with skyscrapers (I might try to get a view of the bay)

Ahora un poquillo en Espanol. Esta ciudad es una pasada... la meca de los constructores... aqui nadie ha considerado lo de "un maximo de 4 alturas"... todos tienen una media de 40 yo creo. Ahora, de vistas nada... porque estan todos encima de los otros... asi que aunque te compres el ultimo piso sigue sin darte el sol.

Luego la mezcla entre supertecnologia y supercutreria es tremenda... no hay termino medio. Aqui estoy con un ordenador que funciona casi a manivela, con Windows XP y WiFi con ADSL... y la habitacion es para no perdersela... un claro ejemplo de impedir que te traigas a nadie contigo... porque uno de los dos se tiene que quedar fuera (grande, lo que se dice grande, no es!)

Bueno un besote muy fuerte, y me voy a dar una vuelta por la ciudad!

Heiwa

London - Back home... and got the ticket!!

2006-01-11T12:11:00.000+01:00

I arrived in London yesterday at lunch time... and felt like home. Great!! Head off to Oscar's and then quickly to pick up the ticket from Trailfinders... Yuhuuuu!!!!! (See pic). It really deserved a nice beer to cool the nerves down.

After that... another drink and dinner with the good friends... proper QQT (Quality Qime Together)!!

To be honest it doesnt feel like I have started the tirp yet... the worst bit is that my luggage was set up for the summer... and here is gray and pissing down... real London... you know?

Also... I have just found out that two friends are expecting kids... this seems to be the year of changes... and it seems like I am going to miss them all... well... I am going to miss you all, in fact.

Ok... I am leaving to have lunch with a good friend (honestly... I really feel at home... I do miss this rainy city!!!)

Ciao ciao!

Heiwa

Leon... and here we go!!!

2006-01-07T10:22:00.000+01:00

So... here we go... Last night @ home, things unpack a few drinks with mates (it should've been one... but I lost count at the end... we all know how this things work ;oD) and, hopefully in the morning, ready to leave.

Leon is the first place in the trip. Maybe not to visit... I know it pretty well... but it clearly deserves the first picture. Before I left London I promised Andy that I will take pics of Isobella and Harvey in any cool place I visited... well, Leon's cathedral is among the great monuments of the world (if not more!!?!). And, of course, it is soooooooooooo cool ;)

Well I need to go back to my backpack, and decide if I take one t-shirt or two... check the malaria tablets... and any other stuff.... ah... and make sure I picked the passport!!

See you soon!

Heiwa

Habemus Ticket!!!

2005-12-22T12:18:00.000+01:00

At last we have the precious ticket... and the Itinerary is:

BA025 - THU 12 JAN - LONDON (HEATHROW) to HONG KONG - 1855 1440

CX717 - MON 16 JAN - HONG KONG to SINGAPORE - 0910 1250

CX751 - THU 16 FEB - BANGKOK to MUMBAI (FORMERLY BOMBAY) - 1720 2005

CX750 - THU 23 FEB - MUMBAI (FORMERLY BOMBAY) to BANGKOK - 0520 1045

CX754 - SAT 08 APR - BANGKOK to HONG KONG - 1115 1510

CX107 - SAT 08 APR - HONG KONG to AUCKLAND - 2035 1125

QF116 - THU 04 MAY - AUCKLAND to BRISBANE - 0630 0805

QF788 - MON 08 MAY - BRISBANE to CAIRNS - 0715 0935

QF925 - WED 17 MAY - CAIRNS to SYDNEY - 1320 1620

LA800 - SAT 27 MAY - SYDNEY to SANTIAGO,CHILE - 1030 1245
VIA AUCKLAND

LA572 - THU 01 JUN - SANTIAGO,CHILE to LIMA - 0740 1025

LP564 - MON 28 AUG - LIMA to CARACAS - 1245 1745

LA561 - MON 18 SEP - CARACAS to SANTIAGO,CHILE - 1055 1735

LA750 - SAT 18 NOV - SANTIAGO,CHILE to SAO PAULO (GUARULHOS) - 0730 1210

IB6846 - SUN 19 NOV - BUENOS AIRES (INTERNATIONAL) to MADRID - 2230 1430

BA459 - TUE 21 NOV - MADRID to LONDON (HEATHROW) - 1405 1530

The dates might change ;o)

Bss,

Heiwa

Reportaje en El Mundo - La Cronica

2005-12-19T13:29:00.000+01:00

El día 19 de diciembre de 2005 salio este articulo en El Mundo - La Crónica. El objetivo era ver si eramos capaces de animar a mas gente a hacer viajes con los que sueñan.

Muchas gracias a J.J.Porras por escribirlo y a Chiqui por recuperarlo una vez que habia desaparecido de internet.

Espero que os guste. Un abrazo fuerte!!

Heiwa

SOCIEDAD

El leonés Javier González Caballero iniciará en las próximas semanas un largo viaje que le llevará por cuatro continentes

Javier González Caballero iniciará su andadura por el mundo el próximo mes de enero. / MAURICIO PEÑA J.J. PORRAS

LEON.- Javier González Caballero, 28 años, leonés de cuna pero con vocación de ciudadano del mundo. El año, el 2006. Un proyecto, dar la vuelta al mundo.

En su mente la idea de conocer a gente de distintas partes del mundo, en su lugar de origen, en su contexto. «Conocer su cultura y buscar experiencias vitales», explica entusiasmado.

Para hacer realidad este sueño este Ingeniero Superior de Telecomunicaciones ha decidido tomarse un año sabático y ha abandonado su trabajo en Londres para viajar durante el próximo año por gran parte del mundo, centrando su 'aventura' en países del sudeste asiático, Oceanía y Sudamérica.

365 días por delante y una mochila como equipaje que a buen seguro repletará de experiencias vitales e irrepetibles.

A la pregunta de cómo surgió la idea, Javier González subraya la importancia de haber desarrollado su labor profesional durante los últimos tres años en Inglaterra, primero en la localidad de Hereford y más tarde en Londres en la empresa de telecomunicaciones BT. «He conocido a gente de tantos países durante estos años que ha despertado mi interés por conocer culturas diferentes, porque aunque hayas viajado te das cuenta de lo grande que es el mundo y de lo poco que conoces».

Con esta premisa ahorró 8.000 euros para financiar un viaje que iniciará en los primeros días del próximo mes de enero, comenzando su periplo por el sudeste asiático. Singapur, Malasia, Tailandia, Camboya, Vietnam, Laos y la India son algunos de sus objetivos, aunque el tiempo y las experiencias que se vayan desarrollando marcarán y variarán a buen seguro el ritmo y destinos de su agenda de viaje.

Para sus desplazamientos utilizará el avión para saltar de continente a continente, pero todos los recorridos los realizará por tierra en autobuses y sobretodo trenes, «es la mejor forma de ver un país, de conocer a sus gentes de mimetizarte un poco con ellos e interactuar», señala el joven.

Su siguiente parada de postas le llevará a Oceanía, en concreto a Australia y Nueva Zelanda, González destaca que «tengo muchas ganas de conocer estos países, aunque quizás permanezca menos tiempo ya que la cultura anglosajona la he vivido más».

Hasta aquí la primera parte de su 'vuelta' al mundo, que le llevará a partir de junio a Sudamérica: Chile, Perú, Bolivia y Ecuador serán sus siguientes fondas.

En julio y agosto se producirá un alto en el camino a su llegada a Ecuador, el motivo permanecer durante estos dos meses colaborando con la ONG ALIN, Aldeas infantiles en el albergue marista ubicado en la localidad de Loja, en los Andes ecuatorianos.

«Es algo que me hace muchísima ilusión, mi padre -ya fallecido- colaboraba en León con esta ONG y estaba muy ilusionado con este albergue», en el que se acogen niños que envía el Tribunal de Protección de Menores. Durante este periodo colaborará desinteresadamente en el albergue y aprovechará para visitar más a fondo este país. «Además espero que el trato con la gente me aporte una mejor visión de la cultura y me enriquezca», apunta González.

En la última etapa del viaje, y siempre que el presupuesto llegue, ha dejado Brasil y Argentina que prevé recorrer durante los últimos tres meses del viaje para regresar a León en las Navidades del año que viene, «porque digo yo que habrá que contarlo».

Sobre lo que espera del viaje Javier afirma que es un año «en el que me voy a dedicar a cumplir con todas esas cosas que nunca tienes tiempo para hacer y que están perennes en el apartado de tareas pendientes». Añadiendo que sobre todo «intento tener una visión más global del mundo, que sin duda alguna me servirá para mejorar tanto en mi vida personal como profesional».

Itinerary #3

2005-12-13T22:50:00.000+01:00

Hello all!

This is the 3rd Itinerary I have 'officially' created... hoping that it will be the last ;oD and that I will stick to it (at least until the day that I leave!!).

Itinerary Details
Round The World #3 - via Mumbai w/o Ha Noi
10/01/2006 Through 10/01/2007
------------------------------------------------------------

Depart: LEN - Leon, SP, Spain and Canary Islands (Leon)
Arrive: LHR - London, EN, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Via: MAD - Madrid, SP, Spain and Canary Islands (Barajas)

Leg 1:
Depart: LEN 08:00 10/01/2006
Arrive: MAD 09:05 10/01/2006
Flight: IB 8473 - Iberia
DH3 - De Havilland DHC-8-300 Dash 8/8Q
Operating Carrier: Iberia
Connecting flight leaves in 3 hours 25 minutes

Leg 2:
Depart: MAD 12:30 10/01/2006 Terminal: 1
Arrive: LHR 13:50 10/01/2006 Terminal: 1
Flight: BA 457 - British Airways
757 - Boeing 757 Passenger
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 6 hours 50 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: LHR - London, EN, United Kingdom (Heathrow)
Arrive: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

Leg 1:
Depart: LHR 18:55 12/01/2006 Terminal: 1
Arrive: HKG 14:40 13/01/2006
Flight: BA 25 - British Airways
744 - Boeing 747-400 Passenger
Operating Carrier: British Airways
Total Duration: 11 hours 45 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Arrive: SIN - Singapore, Singapore (Changi)

Leg 1:
Depart: HKG 09:10 16/01/2006
Arrive: SIN 12:50 16/01/2006 Terminal: 1
Flight: CX 717 - Cathay Pacific Airways
777 - Boeing 777 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: BKK - Bangkok, Thailand (Bangkok)
Arrive: BOM - Mumbai, India (Mumbai)

Leg 1:
Depart: BKK 17:20 14/02/2006 Terminal: 2
Arrive: BOM 20:05 14/02/2006
Flight: CX 751 - Cathay Pacific Airways
773 - Boeing 777-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 4 hours 15 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: BOM - Mumbai, India (Mumbai)
Arrive: BKK - Bangkok, Thailand (Bangkok)

Leg 1:
Depart: BOM 05:00 25/02/2006
Arrive: BKK 10:25 25/02/2006 Terminal: 2
Flight: CX 754 - Cathay Pacific Airways
773 - Boeing 777-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 55 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: BKK - Bangkok, Thailand (Bangkok)
Arrive: AKL - Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland)
Via: HKG - Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

Leg 1:
Depart: BKK 11:55 09/04/2006 Terminal: 2
Arrive: HKG 15:30 09/04/2006
Flight: CX 750 - Cathay Pacific Airways
773 - Boeing 777-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Connecting flight leaves in 5 hours 35 minutes

Leg 2:
Depart: HKG 21:05 09/04/2006
Arrive: AKL 13:05 10/04/2006
Flight: CX 107 - Cathay Pacific Airways
343 - Airbus Industrie A340-300
Operating Carrier: Cathay Pacific Airways
Total Duration: 19 hours 10 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: AKL - Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland)
Arrive: PPT - Papeete, French Polynesia (Faaa)

Leg 1:
Depart: AKL 14:30 05/05/2006 Terminal: I
Arrive: PPT 20:35 05/05/2006
Flight: QF 3825 - Qantas Airways
343 - Airbus Industrie A340-300
Operating Carrier: Air Tahiti Nui
Total Duration: 5 hours 5 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: PPT - Papeete, French Polynesia (Faaa)
Arrive: SYD - Sydney, NS, Australia (Kingsford Smith)

Leg 1:
Depart: PPT 02:05 12/05/2006
Arrive: SYD 07:45 13/05/2006 Terminal: 1
Flight: QF 328 - Qantas Airways
343 - Airbus Industrie A340-300
Operating Carrier: Air Tahiti Nui
Total Duration: 8 hours 40 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: SYD - Sydney, NS, Australia (Kingsford Smith)
Arrive: CNS - Cairns, QL, Australia (Cairns)

Leg 1:
Depart: SYD 09:05 15/05/2006 Terminal: 1
Arrive: CNS 11:05 15/05/2006 Terminal: I
Flight: QF 167 - Qantas Airways
763 - Boeing 767-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 0 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: CNS - Cairns, QL, Australia (Cairns)
Arrive: SYD - Sydney, NS, Australia (Kingsford Smith)

Leg 1:
Depart: CNS 12:55 21/05/2006 Terminal: D
Arrive: SYD 16:55 21/05/2006 Terminal: 3
Flight: QF 925 - Qantas Airways
332 - Airbus Industrie A330-200
Operating Carrier: Qantas Airways
Total Duration: 3 hours 0 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: SYD - Sydney, NS, Australia (Kingsford Smith)
Arrive: SCL - Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benitez)

Leg 1:
Depart: SYD 10:15 27/05/2006 Terminal: 1
Arrive: SCL 12:10 27/05/2006 Terminal: I
Flight: QF 321 - Qantas Airways
343 - Airbus Industrie A340-300
Operating Carrier: LAN
Total Duration: 15 hours 55 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: SCL - Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benitez)
Arrive: UIO - Quito, Ecuador (Mariscal Sucre)

Leg 1:
Depart: SCL 15:50 01/06/2006
Arrive: UIO 20:30 01/06/2006
Flight: LA 556 - LAN
320 - Airbus Industrie A320
Operating Carrier: LAN
Total Duration: 6 hours 40 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: LIM - Lima, Peru (J Chavez)
Arrive: CCS - Caracas, Venezuela (Simon Bolivar)

Leg 1:
Depart: LIM 12:45 01/09/2006
Arrive: CCS 17:45 01/09/2006
Flight: LP 564 - LAN PERU
32S - Airbus Industrie A318/319/320/321
Operating Carrier: LAN PERU
Total Duration: 4 hours 0 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: CCS - Caracas, Venezuela (Simon Bolivar)
Arrive: SCL - Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benitez)

Leg 1:
Depart: CCS 11:20 15/09/2006
Arrive: SCL 20:30 15/09/2006
Flight: LA 563 - LAN
763 - Boeing 767-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: LAN
Total Duration: 8 hours 10 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: SCL - Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benitez)
Arrive: GRU - Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil (Guarulhos)

Leg 1:
Depart: SCL 08:00 22/09/2006
Arrive: GRU 12:40 22/09/2006
Flight: LA 750 - LAN
763 - Boeing 767-300 Passenger
Operating Carrier: LAN
Total Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: EZE - Buenos Aires, BA, Argentina (Ministro Pistarini)
Arrive: MAD - Madrid, SP, Spain and Canary Islands (Barajas)

Leg 1:
Depart: EZE 22:30 19/12/2006
Arrive: MAD 14:30 20/12/2006 Terminal: 1
Flight: IB 6844 - Iberia
340 - Airbus Industrie A340
Operating Carrier: Iberia
Total Duration: 12 hours 0 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------
Depart: MAD - Madrid, SP, Spain and Canary Islands (Barajas)
Arrive: LEN - Leon, SP, Spain and Canary Islands (Leon)

Leg 1:
Depart: MAD 19:20 22/12/2006
Arrive: LEN 20:30 22/12/2006
Flight: IB 8472 - Iberia
DH3 - De Havilland DHC-8-300 Dash 8/8Q
Operating Carrier: Iberia
Total Duration: 1 hours 10 minutes

------------------------------------------------------------