Blog #1

Blog #1

New Delhi, India.

After enduring my 15 hour flight to New Delhi three days ago I was a foolish mess unable to regulate my personal grooming, sleep patterns and appetite. But thanks to the lovely staff at the Leeda Palace I am feeling rejuvenated after my massage, facial and body scrub!

So far in New Delhi I have spent my time soaking in the culture and excitement that this beautiful country has to offer, it is so exotic and colorful!

Last night, I dined at a traditional Indian restaurant named Karims. I have always had a love for Indian food, so this little restaurant was my own personal dream come true! I had some gorgeous and perfectly crisp samosas for my entree and a succulent, creamy butter chicken as my main. While leaving, I noticed the overwhelming number of people outside Karims. There is so much congestion in this little country; they’re like hundreds of tiny little ants all working on their individual jobs and dodging each other! This has lead me into a minor case of culture shock, feeling sick and making it difficult to motivate myself to leave the western hotel lobby.

But I moved on and visited a good's market today and just like Karims had such a large troop of people! The market was located in what seemed to have once been a crops paddock but was now filled with an array of items. There were beautiful saris, old clothing, used clothing, second-hand household items and household décor that the stalls men deemed “priceless” and “vintage”. I was astounded by the vibrant flavors and excitement that engulfed me. Everyone haggling for money and trying to sell me useless things that I will most likely never look at again, but I got sucked in. I purchased a beautiful, fuchsia, silk sari that is encrusted with what seems like millions of diamonds, something I will cherish.

In two days I shall be departing New Delhi and staying in Agra. I am really looking forward to visiting the Taj Mahal, a luxurious palace built in 1500 and 1600 hundreds by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Until next time,

Mia.

Blog #1 Xi'an

Tonfa Fafa Island Highlights

 

 

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It’s my sixth day in Japan and I am staying at the Cross Hotel Sapporo, Japan. It has amazing views of the tall beautiful building surrounded by cherry blossoms. It also offers two free diners if you stay over six nights.

I have already indulged in so many exotic foods. Although I made a terrible mistake the other day, I tasted Sukiyaki, which is fried beef and noodles with raw egg. Never going to make that mistake again! On my first morning I had steamed rice for breakfast with diced tofu, which I found really unusual at first although this is what most people in Japan indulge in.

Yesterday, I participated in the Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Japan's largest winter events. There are small and large magnificent ice sculptures; my favorite was the splendid Mini Mouse. This event takes place on the 5^th of February and ends on the 11^th of February. I got to help an old man and his grandson make an ice sculpture of a snow man. It’s nothing like the mini mouse one but I’m very grateful that I got to participate in this event. Every moment I spend here just takes my breath away. I would love to re-experience this delightful tradition event every year. I can't wait to arrive in Tokyo as i will get to live so many new experiences!

  

 

 

 

 

 

Trekking Taichung

After hours of travel, late departures and lost luggage I have arrived in Taichung City – the cultural capital of Taiwan and the ultimate hub of beauty and amiable people. Today, I visited the Taroko Gorge. It’s famed Baiyang Waterfall and rocky ranges were a sight I simply had to see – and I was not disappointed. I began my hike at a small, natural trail located behind a church. It was certainly off the beaten path. I scaled the steep rock face and traversed the harsh ranges for over two hours. As I neared closer to the site of the Baiyang Waterfall, I passed a clearing which once housed the Truku People – a native tribe of Taiwan. At one point, over 193 villages could be found in the Gorge. At around midday, I reached the waterfall. I was greeted by the vibrantly blue water colliding with the cool rock face. The refreshing breeze lapped against my face. In just 4 short hours, I’d felt like I’d seen the true heart of Taiwan. I left shortly after lunchtime and returned to my hotel – the Hotel One.

I started my shopping experience far from the typical night markets and malls, at Fantasy Story – an area of old shophouses that have been converted into cute corner cafes and trendy lifestyle stores. The retail there was refreshing, a far cry from typical Asian shopping big name international brands and cutting-edge facilities to suit. There were not many tourists in the area; instead its small pathways were filled with young locals. Each store was full of character; I could have easily spent a day in each. Whilst there, I got my bearings in the Chinese art of Feng Shui at a local lifestyle store hidden within the complex. Two older Taiwanese ladies fussed over me, advising me to balance the colours in my house and furnish the North-eastern area of my room with a globe to encourage positive energy of expanded thinking. After my impromptu beginners class, I certainly think my hotel room could use some work.

That night, I experienced my first glimpse of traditional Taiwan street food culture at the Feng Chia night market. I’m glad I only found out afterwards about the truth behind its existence as apparently the market is the first port of call between innovative chefs and the stalls of Taiwan. Food there was brand new, and I was one of the few tourists brave enough to visit this testing ground normally only populated by hungry locals. I was the only one in the area who looked lost and unfortunately it seemed the shopkeepers could tell, as upon arrival I was flocked by passionate Taiwanese chefs looking for a test subject on their latest flavoursome concoction. My first dish of the night was Gua Bao – one of the lesser known dishes of Taiwan hidden in the shadows of Bubble Tea and Soup Dumplings. It consisted of pork belly with cilantro and peanuts in a steamed bun. It was irresistibly rich and engaged my sweet, sour and salty tastebuds and just enough to satisfy but not ward off my hunger as I continued further through the marketplace. Later on, I tried traditional bubble tea – which is surprisingly different to those you might find in Melbourne – and a range of Taiwanese sausages, exclusive to the market. I was pretty proud of myself, having not seen a middle aged Australian tourist inappropriately dressed in a Hawaiian shirt or walking tour packed with older ladies wearing cameras around their neck and fanny packs the whole night. I’d certainly stayed away from the stereotypical Taichung destinations.

As I sit at my desk reflecting on all my experiences in just one day and admire the view, I eagerly await my arrival in Taipei. I have not planned how I’ll get between the two cities, though I hear it’ll take me about three hours by car. Whatever happens, I’m sure it will only immerse me fuller and deepen my understanding of Taiwanese culture. I cannot wait!

My trip to vanuatu

On the first day of my holiday to Vanuatu I had arrived at my destination. The flight was terrible! There was a family sitting behind me and a small child was kicking the back of my chair and the mother was crying and worst of all…there was a crying baby.Once we arrived in Vanuatu there was a line of women and men all dressed in tribal like garb. The women and men greeted us warmly with big smiles, pleasant greetings and also put a necklace of flowers around our necks and then the men started doing a dance and the women sang and played instruments. Ugh! I got to the motel and I hate it already! I checked when I arrived here how much it was rated on motelssssuck.net and it was rated a 20/10. There are insects and bugs everywhere however this is the only place I could get for $1.27 and some pocket lint. Today I will finish unpacking my things and setting them where they need to be and then I will set out onto the town of Port Vila to do some much needed exploring. Maybe tomorrow I can see if there are any cultural events unfolding at the tourism centre as well. I’ll also need to get the souvenir shopping out of the way so I can have more time to do other, more important things. Today has been great so far! I have been to the tourism centre to see if there are  going to be any cultural events happening and I am right on time for the “Naghol” festival. From what I can gather from the tour guide it is some sort of homemade bungie jumping ceremony made from wood and vine. Apparently it only takes place every Saturday from April to May.

                 

 A TRIP TO NEPAL

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Blog #1: Arriving in Singapore

Raffles Hotel

When I first landed in Singapore it was extremely hot and humid. It felt like you had just finished a huge workout, except you hadn't. When I got into the airport it was really big and felt luxurious. There were so many activities for children and adults, like a swimming pool, gym and a fun playground. It was also nicely air-conditioned. We decided to hang around at the airport for an hour or so, we visited the butterfly garden and had some sushi. After this we decided to go to our hotel, we took a taxi and it cost us around $18 - $38 sing dollars, it took us around 20mins to get to the city.

Raffles City Shopping Complex

    We stayed at the Swissotel The Stamford and it was very nice and cozy. It also seemed like the other hotels in the city were very similar. The Stamford wasn’t over the top and a grand breakfast was included. It was also in a spectacular position, at the bottom of the hotel was the Raffles City shopping complex which had good restaurants and some major shopping stores like Havaianas and Pandora. It was very convenient as all we had to do is take the elevator.

The next day we decide to visit the raffles hotel which was 2 minutes away. It is such a beautiful hotel, and it was fascinating to walk around that area of Singapore as it felt like no other city. Singapore is such a lovely place to visit as it has something for everyone. There is nightlife, great shopping, museums and lots of sightseeing.

Our first day in Singapore was so exciting and I can’t wait for this holiday to continue. 

Blog #1 - Thaipusam: celebration, colour and dedication

Already, I am finding myself enveloped in the diversity of Malaysia and I am beginning to truly appreciate what this spectacular culture has to offer. After venturing through the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur for the past few days, I feel lost in this array of new beliefs and aspects of life I am not yet familiar with. It is becoming progressively apparent to me that Malay people love to celebrate but the way they express  their customs make me feel utterly displaced in a new world of remarkable yet horrific tradition.

My latest Malay experience in the heart of Kuala Lumpur left me feeling engulfed in a world of concrete jungles and remarkable man-made structures. Although I thoroughly enjoyed journeying through this magnificent city, I must remember my true intentions when planning this trip: to experience the ceremonial and rural features of this country.

Having arrived in Malaysia in late January, the crucial time for harvest, has me in the midst of excitement, fun and celebration. I yearned for a fun, vibrant festival to escape from the city scene. This proved more difficult than initially thought until I found the annual Thaipusam festival posters splayed across the ally way walls.

Held at the renowned Batu Caves at full moon, the festival is a celebration of devotion and gratitude. Every year, people of the Hindu faith sacrifice their bodies to prove to the Hindu gods that they are still faithful and thankful to them. I was beginning to lose confidence in my decision for trusting a flyer on the back of a decrepit wall but I knew I would regret not experiencing this festival if I left before the midst of celebration. I was greeted by the pulsating crowds and the eccentric atmosphere. I stared in disbelief as the many devotees began preparing for the 272 step climb to the caves. Climbing them is a victory in itself, but in comparison to men carrying kavadis, I felt unperturbed. Kavadis is a physical burden as proof of their dedication to the Hindu gods. These included hooks attached to their backs and many spears piecing their now damaged skin.

When reaching the pinnacle of the painful climb, I found all my previous feelings of regret disappeared into the vibrant crowds and amazing scenery. The caves were decorated with intricate statues and adorned with flowers. The aroma of incense, the sound of the dedicated crowd, the sight of the beautiful caves and the taste of new culture left me with a feeling of ecstasy. The Thaipusam Festival will with me as I memory I will now cherish forever. This has been an amazing experience in the depth of Malay culture but I now find myself looking forward to lying comatose in my hotel in one of the most complex parts of the world.

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The Dead Sea and Ein Gedi

Even though my stay in Israel has been minimal, I already feel the place making an impression on me. One thing for certain is that it is beautiful. At the moment I am staying at the phenomenal Shkedi’s camp lodge, and I can tell you it is an experience like no other. The whole place is set up like a camp site, with multiple fires and gathering areas. The bedding, although not in the least bit flashy, is good enough. In a relatively large room around 8 mattresses are sprawled onto the wooden floor, and wrapped in cute old fashioned blankets. My room was relatively empty, and so there were copious amounts of blankets and pillows between the three of us in there. It certainly is not the type of place you come to get a good nights sleep. Although it is a place you come to meet interesting people. I was lucky enough to get along extremely well with another young woman my age (Annabel) and we were able to visit many of the nearby sights together. 

The camp fire of Shkedi’s camp lodge

The first place we ventured to was the remarkable Dead Sea. Although I have since discovered it is not actually a sea but a lake, it is also the lowest place on earth! Annabel had already visited the sea and advised me to wear old bathers because of all the salt and wear some ugly old water shoes as the extremely salty and rocky shore can be extremely uncomfortable! As we got there I was astounded by the picturesque scenery, the water was incredibly blue and everyone in the water looked like they were sitting on pool toys they were floating so high! I rushed to get in and try out the sensation. I must have looked crazy hopping from rock to rock in hideous pink crocs. As I got in the water my face must have dropped as I discovered I had a cut on my arm. The pain was atrocious, but I battled through and I soon got used to the sting. Over the two days we enjoyed the beach I still did not become accustomed to the obscene amounts of salt in the water. It really is not swimming but drifting in the water. It was funny to see younger kids trying to swim in the water – their flapping arms were waving with no control. 

The Dead Sea 

 Whilst staying at Shkedi’s Camp Lodge I also had the privilege of being able to visit Ein Gedi which is an incredible getaway, which surprisingly, I think I enjoyed as much as the Dead Sea. It is a rare treat to find something as remarkable as this in such an isolated place. It really was a strike of luck that I found it at all. When walking back from the Dead Sea I must have turned the wrong way and ended up finding the unprecedented Ein Gedi. The hot springs were so tranquil I could feel myself relaxing to the sound of the peaceful waterfalls. Although the place can get busy with tourists if you walk around you will soon find somewhere to yourself. I must say, I am not much of a fan of mud baths, although it was nice to change things up. It still baffles me to think that in the middle of the dessert there are two places as magnificent as these.  I literally cannot wait until I return, but there are a few other places on my bucket list that I need to attend to first.

Ein Gedi 

My Visit to Phuket

Hello all

Last week on Monday I arrived in Phuket, located off the west side of Thailand in the Andaman Sea.  I am staying at the Westin Siary Bay Resort & Spa. On the evening of my arrival, I was picked up from my hotel to be taken to the Phuket Fantasea Show and Dinner. The complex has a theme park and the night consists of a traditional show depicting Thailand’s rich, exotic heritage, while enjoying a buffet dinner.

I have also recently gone on a half-day safari tour.This amazing and peaceful tour starts at the top of a mountain at the Siam Safari elephant camp. Before you go on the tour you can meet the elephants and their carer; I also learnt about the Thai elephant conservation. During the tour, while riding on the back of an elephant, you can take in the unspoiled surrounding of Chalong Highlands and I had amazing views over the Chalong bay and out to the spectacular Phi Phi islands. I also canoed through the calm waters of Phuket; I then rode a farmers cart on a bumpy ride through the jungle enjoying the scenery.  During the tour I was able to partake in a cooking demonstration and I smelled the exquisite aromas of the food. Later I was able to see how rubber trees are taped to produce rubber latex, then I learned about the processing of coconuts to produce coconut milk. The final part of the tour was to take a cruise in a small junk and, that alone, was an amazing experience. The coastline was amazing and absolutely serene.

The last thing I did was visit the big Buddha at the top of Mount Nagakerd. This is an enormous, white, jade, marble-covered statue of a Buddha. The statue is not yet completed as workers are still working on the huge seat the Buddha is sitting on, but even incomplete it is still a wonderful impressive sight. It is even more spectacular with magnificent views of the Andaman Sea. 

I am having an excellent time in Phuket and I hope to see everyone soon.

Mongolia blog 1

Mongolia has hit a spot within me. Whether it is the breathtaking landscapes, the unperturbed culture of the locals or even just the serene atmosphere; I don’t know. Or perhaps it is a combination of them all. Either way, my stay in the Gun-Galuut Nature reserve has been sensational so far. I have been staying in the Steppe Nomads Eco Camp, which provides accommodation similar to the native Mongolians. The natives traditionally live in a Ger (or yurt), a felt lined tent style hut made quite low and simply. They are very important possessions for a family in the Mongolian culture. I have been sleeping in one for the past three days, and found them to be surprisingly cosy, surpassing my expectations. The camp itself impressed me, as they are conscious and aware of the wonderful environment around them and strive to keep it that way, which many places would not. I have to say, I have not gone ‘full wilderness’, as the camp still has the luxury of hot water and meals. Steppe Nomads also provide a wide range of activities for guests, that don’t ruin the natural lands. I have been fortunate enough to meet some of the local Nomads (amazing in itself – I have never met such down to earth people), horse ride around the countryside (led by Nomads) and to kayak on the Kherlen River. Somehow, although all I have kayaked and horse ridden before, this was unforgettable, I have never seen a lake so undisturbed by human contact. It pains me to think that I will ever have to leave this place. I must now leave as I am visiting the Swan Gathering Lakes, Lakes Ayaga and Ikh-Gun, where hundreds of swans gather each year. Just another thing that will make me want to stay I’m sure.

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After 10 and half hours of pleasant flying, the plane descended and the view from my window was extraordinary. I saw Thousands of lights and colors  many cars and fantastic blossom trees filled the view from my window.

After i admired the view the wheels of the plane landed softly on the concrete ground in Narita airport Tokyo. I cleared through passport control and customs very calmly, but all changed as soon as I walked out the airport doors. I was faced with loud voices shouting for taxis, many cars trying to receive a new customer and being shoved into endless taxi queues.

I arrived at the Ritz Carlton hotel Tokyo, and my mouth droped with shock. The lobby was filled with luxurious modern décor and long brow panels, filled with sumptuous paintings. 

I took the lift to my hotel suite and looked out the view of Tokyo. I saw thousands and thousands of lights and tall skyscrapers, busy streets filled with businessmen and children, people eating sushi, drinking and lounging around the fantastic Tokyo tower.

All I could think about is food, my stomach grumbled and I decided to go eat some dinner. I walked down stairs and stopped in front of the Michelin star restaurant Hinokizaka. I had never had food like this in my life. The Wagu Steak was filled with absolute flavor and. Melted in my mouth, the Sushi was moist and succulent and the Pastries where divine and sweet.                                                                                                                                                                          

I am having such an amazing time and can’t wait to experience the rest of my trip.

Dear reader,

Earlier today I finally touched down in Tribhuvan International Airport. I've spent the rest of the day practically (as the Nepali often say) in ninth heaven! As soon as I settled into my brilliant hotel I've seen so much that I just have no idea where to start, so I’ll start at the beginning. The first thing I saw as I left the not-so-safe-looking airport (a minimalist area without the usual fast food outlets and souvenir shops that fill most Australian airports) was grab a taxi which took me straight to my hotel in inner-city Kathmandu. The taxi was an extremely uncomfortable drive; I could barely fit into the back and the seats only had a thin layer of cotton-like material as cushioning (fortunately it was unusually cool for most of today so the heat wasn't that much of an issue). The drive was tolerable however, because of the lovely views of terraced fields in Kathmandu Valley which I could see through the grimy windows of the cab. Over-all the trip cost me a full 1000 Nepalese Rupees as my driver was one of the many taxi drivers in Nepal that do not use a meter and, although this is illegal, the corrupt authorities do nothing to prevent this diddling of tourists. Once I reached my hotel and settled my luggage in, I went straight off to one of the main cultural centers of Buddhism: Bodnath Stupa. There I paid the modest sum of 200 rupees for a full guided tour of this magnificent temple, with its huge concrete floor and golden tower. I especially liked the intricate yet majestic carvings throughout the temple. Afterwards I experienced the many shops and cultural attractions around the Bodnath area, I’ll explain this later when I’m more energized. Now that I’m back in my accommodation, the famous Dwarika's Hotel, I am exhausted and I think I’ll go to sleep straight after I go out for dinner. That’s all for today, I’ll keep you posted!

Bodnath Stupa

One highlight of my trip to Japan was the Tokyo International Anime Fair on the 22^nd of March. It is so popular that even people who had booked had camped out on the street to make sure they were the first to go in when the convention opened. Inside the convention there was a variety of anime and manga stands ranging from the more popular worldwide amines and manga’s  such as ‘Death Note’ and ‘Sword Art Online’ to the lesser known single nation anime and manga’s which include ‘Say I love you’.  All of the exhibits had products that they were trying to advertise and some of the things they were selling where action figures, comic books and things that had never made it to the public. There were also a couple of panel discussions by “crunchyroll” (a company that shows new anime episodes online before they have even been released). 

After the convention I walked around the surrounding area to find a food joint and there where many ranging from fast food noodles to expensive traditional Japanese restaurants. I decided to eat at a fairly cheap café no more then 1-2 kilometres from Tokyo Big Sight (the building that the convention was held at. It's a little bit like Federation  Square in Melbourne but with an incredible design.) I found a small cafe that sold okonomiyaki which is Japan’s savory pancake made of cabbage. It was really good. After dinner I hopped on a train to Shibuya which is Tokyo’s youth capital(with a wide range of bars, cafes, hotels and arcades. After wandering around for a while I found a small hotel, Hotagaya, which was ranked 14 out of 29 hotels in Shibuya. It wasn’t that nice, however for the price it was reasonable.

Tokyo big sight

national Anime fair.

 Hello All,

Two days ago on Friday I arrived in the smallest capital city in the world Thimphu of Bhutan! So far, I have checked in to my hotel. It is called Simplicity. My hotel room is decorated in traditional style paintings and serves traditional style food. Yak meat is a very common type of food and is commonly stewed or curried; it also seems that steamed red rice is served with everything.  

One thing that I have noticed is that there are no traffic lights in Thimphu which gives it the record of the only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights.

 I also want to go up to the Taktsang Monastery which is a stunning Buddhist temple built on the side of a mountain. One thing worth noting about Bhutan and especially Thimphu is how great they are for mountain biking, mountain trekking and bird watching. I was surprised to see all of the bike riding that was taking place, I guess this is because it is surrounded by mountains. Today I have been on a small trek in a stunning valley and in Bhutanese culture, to walk between mountains is very special. This is said to be because of a pilgrimage that walked in between a valley 1000's of years ago, their aim was to build a monastery but it has never been proven. Built around the 16 century, is an absolutely stunning palace called Punakhu Dzong.  Next week the Thimphu festival is on and it is all very exciting. People are putting up decorations all around the city. There is red and yellow everywhere. The festival was originally held in honor of Bhutan’s first patron saint, Buru Padmasambhava.    

Some dangers and annoyances are theft and haggling. Already there has been lots of haggling and I have been lucky that my wallet has not been taken. This is due to the small population with Bhutan having only 725,296 and Thimphu having only 104,000 people and the fact that most of those people are living below the poverty line. The transport is very expensive with the average tourist paying $200 a day just to get around.  There is also a lot of water borne diseases so if any of you were to come you would probably need to look into being immunised.  I am hoping that I won’t catch any hepatitis or Deli belly.

Other than those dangers and annoyances, Bhutan is a place of wonder and breath taking beauty. In two months I will be going to Phuntsholing (if I can get my visa!)

Bye for now. 

My first day in japan

I landed in Japan after being crammed into a plane and it took me ten minutes just to get the taxi to drive me to my hotel that I had booked.  I watched thousands of people walking on the busy streets of Tokyo with people knocking into each other as the shop keepers tried to herd them into their stores. If this was Australia there would be people marveling at the traffic but here everyone found it normal. Once the taxi stopped at the hotel he asked for the money. I awkwardly checked Google translator to find out how much I owed him. Then I entered the hotel the Emperor’s hotel .I had an awkward encounter in the toilet where I couldn't find out how to flush the toilet and the buttons confused me. When I was finally in my room then I sat on the bed and watched television soon I was hungry. I ventured down stairs to the street and checked Google map for a good restaurant. After browsing the web I found Ginnabe which is apparently a great sushi bar and me not being a huge fan of sushi I found the best one possible. I traveled through the packed streets with my head bopping over the crowd trying to look for land marks but I could only see the hoods and hair with lights from the   restaurants and stores shining down on everyone. Then I thought this is probably why the world is dying because someone is using so much energy to power these buildings. Then it began to rain and umbrellas shot up and rain began to pour down, I got hit in the eye and it was unpleasant. I entered the restaurant. It was a nice classical sushi bar with paper walls and sat in front of a large list of food. Being the westerner that I am I ordered the one with the most fish. After sitting around looking at my phone with a blank look on my face I looked up to see the food was coming. If my Japanese was better I would have seen the dish came with wasabi.  Wasabi was laying on top of the fish that was served to me. I had eaten a small amount of wasabi and I was on my forth glass of water but that just made it worst. I called quits and headed to my hotel room for a night in bed. I hope tomorrow is better because if not I’m not coming back to japan.

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Bulla! (Hello) When I arrived in Fiji I felt relaxed instantly because of the calm atmosphere. Nothing is in time and they describe their time as Fiji time (no time!). Even though this can be very frustrating at times it is also good because you don’t have to worry about rushing around and being on time. Everybody is so friendly here and I’m not at all surprised that it is such a common holiday destination. I have been here for 5 days so far and have spent my time visiting little village markets and relaxing by the pool. I left the main land on Monday and am at Paradise Cove Resort on one of the little islands. Paradise Cove had only been open for 6 days when I got there and I was so surprised by how smoothly everything was going, I had been a bit worried that it wouldn’t be very organized but they proved me wrong.

Yesterday I went snorkelling with the manta rays (giant stingrays without a barb on their tail) and I was amazed at how such a huge animal with such great strength can be so gentle. There were so many brightly coloured fish and heaps of beautiful coral. It feels unreal when you are swimming in the ocean and you are all alone in a silent world you can really focus on the scenery around you. The only problem was all the tiny jelly fish that kept stinging us they didn’t really hurt but they were very annoying. When you look down into the water it is fascinating to see the huge mouths of the manta rays looking back up at you.

So far my holiday has been a success but I would recommend going on one of the big cruise boats because the seas can be very choppy. It wasn’t a very relaxed boat ride on the small motor, which I made the mistake of choosing to go on, we almost capsized multiple times and the boat started to fill up with water. Anyway that is all I have done so far but I will keep my blog updated as my journey continues. (I have attached photos from my holiday to this page too)

By Simone Marks