So, the adventure comes to an end on an aeroplane across the Atlantic. The flight isn't too full, so we have three middle seats between the two of us. T is, as usual, having a nice nap whilst I type up the last of the blog.
Pretty soon we'll arrive at Gatwick and the next task will be to try to eat all the foods that we have been missing (and compiling lists thereof) without being sick!
Hasta la vista, America.
We decided to spend our last few days in Texas (Our Trans-Atlantic flight was ex-Houston). Originally we were due to go to San Antonio, but it appears that the weather is appalling there, so we cancelled the reservation and indended to head up to Austin.
As our plane arrived at 4pm, we didn't book a hotel in Austin.
Unfortunatley, US Airways managed to lose our luggage in Charlotte and so we had to hang around the airport for 4 hours. We did get to see some of David Beckham's first match in LA (Chelski won 1-0). We watched it in the same bar that we had had our dinner in on our way out - it was a real deja vu moment.
I managed to remember the way to the bit of Austin I knew (I had spent 6 weeks there in 2003) and we checked into the Holiday Inn at 2am.
Austin is nice. We did a few things:
Eventually, we set off for Houston and stopped by a Waffle House to experience one. T approved. Apart from forgetting to refill the tank, we had an uneventful journey and arrived in plenty of time for our last hop.
We were up before the crack of dawn to check in. I had been especially selected for super security screening. We had a puff machine - which was funky. That's the second time I've be singled out on an internal US flight to Boston. Hmm.
The flight was fine and our luggage arrived safely. T commented (somewhat prematurely, I felt) that we hadn't lost our luggage once on our travels. It was true - then.
We took the T (T, the Boston train, not the travelling companion) to Davis square and waited for ages to get a taxi. Eventually we got to my friend Cindy's house (O.K. Cindy, Tim, Fiona and Bean's house) and let ourselves in.
Cindy and Tim hosted us excellently. And Maria came over to have a holiday photo exchange. We managed to bore everybody to sleep. One of our tasks before we go visiting must be to pare down the pix.
We did go into town. We touristed: Lunch at the Bull and Finch (now called the Cheers bar) and lots of walking around. And a beer at the top of the Prudential tower.
Some of our time was helping look after Fiona. I'm not sure T would get her Girl Guide parenting badge - if this picture is anything to go by. (actually, she would)
We hired a car and went up to Salem and Rockport, which was nice.
We also went whale watching, it was really enjoyable and we saw lots of whales. Mostly whale tails. The guides were very good though.
Our car was from New Hampshire. I had to take a picture of the license plate.
We lived free.
After a magnificent breakfast, we were dropped off at the airport and goodbyes were said. Thanks Cindy and Tim.
We stayed a night in Miami because we pretty much had to. As our flight to Boston needed a 5am check-in, we decided to stay at the airport. It was OK, if noisy (from people banging doors, not planes taking off).
After initially deciding to get an early night, we changed our minds and headed into town for a cocktail and some food. Which was a good decision.
We had drinkies at a very nice hotel (the Raleigh) on the beach.
And then we went down to SoBe (South Beach) to 'Mangoes' - an institution. It was fun. Many mojitos were taken. Dancing was watched.
As we left to go back to the hotel, Brazilians were thronging the streets. They had just beaten Argentina 3-0 in the Copa America final.
And so to bed - early to rise.
So, the Latin American part of the tour is over. We have 10 days in the USA to help acclimatise to English; food; being able to put bog roll in the toilet; that kind of thing.
Apart from endless security checks, going to Miami was a breeze. We were in Business class (the only ticket they had left, and not that much more anyway). Which was OK, but not super-good. We did drink fizzy wine though.
Cartagena is a very pretty place - we took a horse drawn trip around it and T took some pictures
Another horse pulled up next to us.
We also took a three day trip to the beach north of Cartagena, we did little but read, watch TV and Swim. It was very relaxing and the food was exquisite.
Our last evening in Cartagena was spent wandering around.
The old walls are quite a sight.
And so to bed. (via Cafe del Mar, without bumping into friends this time, and a nice pizza on the square)
Partially because our hotel was full, but mostly because it was a place to go to - we decided to go to the Islas del Rosario. Our hotel recommended Isla del Piratas, which was pretty expensive, but we decided to go for it anyway.
Up at the crack of dawn (obviously they didn't know we were now on holiday) we went to the rather haphazard dock to get our boat.
After much faffage, we were on our way. Cartagena is in a natural harbour, protected by islands - it's quite cool. The Spanish build fortresses to guard the main entrance.
We checked into our hotel and then had to get put in the right room. It was right on the beach and we were constantly barraged by people trying to sell us crabs; lobsters; snorkelling trips; bangles; stuff. Some of them did it from boats passing by.
T made herself at home.
The location and the scenery were quite amazing.
Unfortunately, the local wildlife was quite ferocious and the room was a bit too rustic to keep them out. After a sleepless night, bitten to within an inch of our lives, we decided to return back to town (and A/C) the next day. It was an expensive and unpleasant trip. Which was a shame - as it could have been so nice.
Upon return to town, we checked into a nice (but also very expensive) hotel with a rooftop pool. After observing 3 Colombians showing off their iPhones, we were informed that the bar couldn't serve us any beer. Apparently there was an election the next day and so there is no alcohol allowed to be sold the night before or the day itself. Bizarre.
Cartagena is nice. We like it. We are staying in the old town which is very picturesque, safe and interesting. There is another area nearby which is the 'beach' area which we haven't been to yet - but it is full of tall buildings and chain hotels. Here in the old town, things are much more relaxed.
We haven't seen much evidence of large numbers of foreign (i.e. non South American) tourists here - which is quite nice too.
Cartagena has its fair share of pretty squares with churches too.
After strolling around town, we decided to head to Cafe del Mar for sundowners. We were the first there, but by the time sunset arrived, there were about 40 people in all. We had a Mojito each. It was pretty.
After sunset, T had an "Oh, My, God!" moment as she spotted some people she knew from London-town. Emma and Simon were duly joined and we had a couple more mojitos to celebrate.
A lovely evening which involved a meal; some strolling; going to a cash machine; lots of nattering ; some mojitos; some beer and, half a bottle of rum; was had by all.
We did not get up early the next day. We are On Holiday
We are investigating going to Panama by boat, but T isn't very keen at all - after Captain Eric.
BTW - it is hot and humid. A/C in the room is a must.
So, we got up in time for our flight (at 11:30am - what a reasonable time it was too) and flew from Quito to Bogota and thence to Cartagena.
Bogota airport is quite the most surreal one I've been to. Amongst the many bizarre events, was the rather curious sight of people flying with plastic bags stuffed to the gunnels with Dunkin Donuts (sic).
We finally arrived in the sweltering heat of Cartagena (pronounced "cart-a-hen-yer") and checked into our lovely hotel with soft beds, air conditioning and a pool.
We cracked open a couple of beers and declared the travelling to be over and that we were now, officially on holiday.
So far, on holiday has been: have a nice meal; have a nice sleep; lie in bed reading books.
We awoke, stiff and tired and went for breakfast. We then decided to do some admin: laundry; book exchanges and lunch soon passed and we were at leisure to become tourists.
We took a taxi to the old part of town which, whilst interesting, was yet another old part of a South American city with lots of churches, squares and white buildings.
We took the walking tour recommended in the Lonely Planet as far as the (rather disappointing, if old) ice cream shop and then decided on a change of tack.
T reluctantly agreed to come with me up the new Teleferico (cable car - T hates cable cars) to have a view over the city. It was OK.
After a slightly unpleasant return trip (the two lads in the car with us were restless and T had to resort to glowering at them to get them to stop moving about) we alighted in the amusement arcade where I beat T at driving games and she beat me at Dolphin Derby (and won herself a stuffed toy to boot). We got a cheap bus back down to town, which stopped outside the laundrette. Which was closed.
After waiting for an hour or so in the Cafe next door, the lass came out of the laundry and gave us our clothes. We retired to our rock (in a nicer room, but still a rock) for another restless night.
So, we arrived in Quito and spent our first night savouring the cheap rates at the Marriott. T had an early night and I went down to the bar for a burger and to read my book. We had a great night's sleep and were ready to face the day.
After discovering that the hotel's rates were going to increase dramatically for Sunday night, we decided to check out and look for somewhere else. We spotted Hotel Vieja Cuba on Trip advisor and so got in a taxi to it.
About 1 minute later our taxi driver pulled up outside the new hotel. We booked the last room for two nights and then got the driver to go back and pick up our bags.
Once we'd deposited our bags in our new (and significantly cheaper) accommodation, we asked our driver to take us to the Equator.
We drove for about 45 mins and were taken to a spectacular view over a volcanic crater (which was now green and fields and had people living on it). Then he took us to the Museum (Inti something) where they have some 'ethnic' displays (including a shrunken head)
There was the real equator (as defined by GPS - no less. Of course, after carting the thing around for the last 5 months, I forgot to take my GPS to prove it. Doh!)
Finally, there were some 'experiments' that were supposed to demonstrate the power of the Equator. (Total and utter rubbish). However, I did balance an egg; and get a certificate for so doing.
After the unofficial (but amusing) visitor centre, we went to the less amusing but much more touristy official centre. About 240m away from the real equator.
After all that middle of the road adventure, we decided to go for a Thai meal. At the most central, slowest (and possibly worst) Thai restaurant in the world.
We then retired to the igneous rock that they called a bed for a fitful night's sleep.
