Peutro Veijo in Costa Rica

Diving in Puerto Veijo
Hanging out with Jenn from Canada
Set up my tent in the Rocking J, US$4 a night
Beach in P. Veijo
Sunsetting in Manuel Antonio

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Costa Rica

Sunset in La Fortuna, near the Volcano Areanal
Volcanoe areanal
The Humming bird in Montevede
The Norwegian chickas met in La fortuna, hotspring in Baldi
Looking up in the famous Cloud forest Montevede

I left Santiago, Chile on 10 April with a sad heart, cos I had finished my travels in South America, and I had actually no idea what I was to do or see or visit in Costa Rica, I came here because my flight had a stopover here, so had decided to visit this country. When I first arrived San Jose, I wanted to get out of the city fast, next day early in the morning, I took the morning bus to La Fortuna, to see the active Volcanoe Areanal, but was quite disappointed, cos only get to see speck of rocks fell over the Volcanoe, not like what I had experience in Volcanoe Pacaya (Guatemala) we saw the the actual red hot burning lava right in front of us. But in La Fortuna, I had fun with the 6 Norwegien chickas travellers. After 3 days, I went to Montevede, the cloud forest to do the 21 canopy zip line and amazing tarzan swing. It was so much excitement and I enjoyed the Tarzan swing so much so that my heart almost pop out. Went to the frog farm, never expect what i was seeing, so many species, as tiny as 1 cm, skin as transparent and smooth as glass. It was a learning experience. Next, I head to the Pacific Coast beaches in Manuel Antonio and the beach here is like a paradise, the walk in the forest by the beach was great. But I spent the most part of my time in Puerto Veijo, the Carribean beaches, I like it here, is very different, many of the blacks live here, is a laidback, rustic, nature feel. Camp in this cool Rocking J hostel, doing practically nothing on certain days, cycled to the other beaches nearby, did diving and watch video. Afterall, Costa Rica is still a nice place ot visit and there are many American tourist here, so many of the locals do speak some English.

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Santiago, Chile

Does this look like HDB flat or what

Birdeye view of Santiago at San Lucia park

Congested, polluted but yet has it's own charm

Having tradition Chilean lunch with my hospitable host Serena

Serena's and her sheeps in Santiago VFC

Hey look, here's the younger version of Arnold Swatzernager (Bill, USA)

Rendevous with Feargal (Ireland) and Eunice (England) in Santiago

This is my final pit stop, after traveling in South America for 4.5 months, and I need to fly out of Santiago to Costa Rica for 2 weeks and to Guatemala before heading to Europe for another 6 months or so. And it so happen that some of my travelers friends happen to be in town during the same time, thus we arrange to meet up again.

While traveling in the bus to Santiago, I met a Peruvian man Paul who went to be in Singapore for a month and he loves Singapore so much that he is so happy to meet me and make friend with me. After meeting up with Serena (for the first time, we connected - maybe we are Singaporean) there was so much to talk about and catch up with news. Sister Serena had been living in Santiago for about 3 to 4 years and she had been very faithful to the people and ministry here, She was so kind to offer me a bed to sleep in while in Santiago. God bless her soul. Together with Paul we proceed to find a Chinese restaurant to have a good Chinese meal (indeed we had, siyao chicken, ching chai, wan tan soup and friend beef noodles) sumptuous dinner.

Meeting up with Feargal and Eunice over dinner was great. I met Feargal in Ushuaia, Argentina while trekking in the National park, he gave me a shock when he suddenly appeared behind my back. Then I met him again, 1.5 week later, while trekking in Torres del Paine, Chile. What a coincidence. I found him very familiar and thought he look like one of the contacts I had in Dublin, Ireland, during the time I was there for mission. Feargal loves to trek, and his mission to S.A is to trek as many mountains as he could (he carry a checklist of mountains). It so happened that he also came in contact with the same Mario in one of the hostel they stayed in when in Pto Natales. They happened to mentioned my name while talking about trekking in Torres del Paine. What a small world. Thus, my conclusion is travellers circle is small, thus gossip or rumours spread, and people know.

Also I met up with Bill again here, as he was scheduled to fly out of Santiago one day before me. He had been traveling to many places for 2.3 years already and is wanting to complete his 3 years of traveling plans, Wow! What a life. I know him while on the 4 nights Navimeg ferry cruise via the Chilean channel from Pto Natales to Pto Montt. Our first encounter, is that I spilled my tea over his books, Ipod, and precious Spanish learning note pad that he created. What an embarrassment.

Meeting up with May (Japanese girl, she is a kind and wonderful woman) was exciting, so many things and events had happened to her during our short 1.5 weeks of not seeing each other, so much to catch up and talk about. We maybe meeting each other again in Europe sometime.

Its such a blessing to make new friends from all over the world, and having the internet to make our distance seemingly near.

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Mendoza

My first time doing Canopy zipline, exciting

Friends met in Mendoza and having our super beef meal

Rafting in Mendoza River, grade 3, fun

At the park in Mendoza
San Martin and his liberation party sculpture.

Again after the mad rush 3 days in Bariloche, we, Eunice and myself travel to Mendoza (famous for its winery) This is a city with many historical architectual buildings. We had a pleasant 19hrs overnight bus ride. We arrived at about 7am not tried at all. After checking in, shower and bath. We immediately head out to explore the city. Within the city itself there is nothing much to see, so we went to the park and spent a good half day there. What we saw in the park is that many of the Argentinas love to jog and excerise, and either they don't have to work or finish works at about 3pm, we saw many people jogging. Up at the San Martin sculpture, we get to see the birdeye view of the city and learn abit of the history of the local historical latin America hero, San Martin, from a local law student who happen to be there. On the back to the hostel, we had a very cheap lunch/dinner for 5.5 peso (less than US2) for a plate of pasta, juice, bread and desert. Great deal. Then in the hostel we met 3 funny jokers Brett (St Monica, USA), Greg and Alex (Australia). Together, we had a night of laugh and joking, talking almost everything and nothing. That the joy of traveling, you meet people and you get connected and you leave to meet others, no committment to each other, most travellers seems to be like minded. Next day, Eunice left for Santiago, Chile (a day earlier) while the 4 of us, went to do the Mendoza adventure of rafting, kayaking and canopy. It was an absolutely amazing day for me. I met a group of people from South Africa, who happen to be in Argentina for their ruby tornument. We did the rafting together and it was so fun and easy for me, cos most of them are strong guys who does all the works. But the water is freezing cold, we got to wear layer of wetsuite and a rain coat over it. My treat of the day is doing the canopy zipline with Brett (he suddenly becomes my offical cameraman, kind soul) This is my first time, and it was so much fun and trills. I screamed almost all the time when zipping through the rivers. Being in Argentina and not trying their beef is like not having been here. So we arrange to have dinner together in one of the local resturant famous for it's beef, an dI had it medium rare. It was such yummy.

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Bariloche

Dressing and dolling up is such fun, while traveling?
First time meeting up with my Friend Mario (from Australia met in One thorn tree) in Bariloche
Beautiful and interesting colour autumn tree
Spectacular view of the lake district on the hill in Bariloche
Cathedral during sun setting in town of Bariloche

After our sad departure with May in Pto Varas, we 3, Eunice and Patrick, made our way through the beautiful bus journey to come to Bariloche. Indeed, this is a well known place for it's natural beauty in the lake districts. The first picture you see is me and Eunice dressing up to look pretty to go to a local Irish pub, cos we want some change to our backpacker looks and dressings (it was fun) Together with 2 other staffs in the hostel we came to the Mackinney pub at about 10pm, but there is one 1 customer, it is really dead and quite. But soon after about 1am, people began to flood in till its was so crowded and full of people. This is so common in Argentina, club gets active only after 1 or 2 am . The 2nd pic is taken with Mario on top of one of the mountian to see the overall view of the lake. I was so surprise to see him here. I actually had never met Mario in person prior to this. We only got to know each other in the One Throne Tree, while posting our request and queries traveling in South America. And for couples of time we surpose to meet up and travel together, but never make it due to our travels schedules. But I was really surprised when he called out my name after coming out of the chairlift. Because I thought Mario is a girl and never expect to meet him here. Mario recognise me because he visited my blog and seen me before. Nevertheless, it was a great meeting up, and it shows me that the world is big but travellers circle is small and we meet up somehow (very interesting).

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Puerto Varas

Tranquilty in Peutro Varas
We 3 asains Patrick (Hong Kong) and May (Japan) doing action pose
Beautiful Ice cap Volcano Orsono
How beautiful is tranquility You could win this mountain? Posing with Eunice (England)

After Spending 3 days in Chiloe, 3 of us, May and Patrick, we made our way to Pto Varas and met Eunice in the Bus station. So we decided to share a cab to go to our hostel. Eunice is a joker, she is full of nonsense, but highly intelligent. We really had fun teasing each other. After settling down our lodging, we went for a stroll round the town, also to check out on some tourist infomations. Then we land ourself in a very cool cafe with great view of the lake (1st pic you see on the top) to have tea and the special Kuchen cake (German name). Pto Varas has very strong German influences, most of the building have German architecture style. A very pleasant town to live in. Next day, we took the public bus to visit the Orsono Volcanoe. We had lunch picnic after walking and taking lots of photos for 3hrs. After lunch, we 3 girls head towards the lake for a nap and to enjoy the beautiful and tranquil creation of God. It was a nice day of outing.

email: joydive@gmail.com

Chiloe and Puerto Varas - Chile

We cook our own food in this very small kitchen in Chileo, fun Met another Japanese girl and doing the famous Japanese pose
Beautiful wide ocean
Some interesting looking leave, almost as big as me
Colourful stilt houses by the lake in Chiloe

After the 4 days of interesting experience Navimeg ferry ride to Peutro Montt. 5 of us, May, Patrick, Brandon and Ceci took the 2.5hrs of bus/ boat ride across to the historical and serene island of Chiloe (just off of Puetro Montt). It is a very interesting island with houses make out of Achia wood designs. It is an island with many natural beauty (a bit like southern Ireland) and it is quite chilly on certian day but I really like the scerenity and Jesuit history behind it. We went for a full day excursion and we totally enjoyed ourself very much, esp. visiting the historicall museum and watching the interesting video presentation on using the cows to help move houses. We also visited the national park, it is a very dense and moist forest, with interesting moss on the trunk of the trees. After 2 nights of stay, we quickly move on to Puetro Varas to see the Orsono Volcano next.
my email: joydive@gmail.com

Navimeg ferry to Puerto Montt

Trying to navigate the ship in the Navimeg
lots of ice berg falling from the glacier
Beautiful sights from the Navimeg cruise
Some of the good friends Bernard and May I had known in the ferry, at lounge area
Morning scene where we dock the ship at Puerto Montt

After the trekking in Torres del Paine, I went on the 4 days Navimeg ferry ride to Puerto Montt. It was suppose to be one of the spectscular trip on the Chile Channel, but the weather was terribly cold and windy, thus it was impossible for us to chill out on the open deck to enjoy the scenery. Most of the time we will be spending time in the dinning area, which is a good place for people to meet and talk. So one thing which I say is very good about the Navimeg is the meeting of people. In the ferry, I had met and make so many good travellers friend, whom I know we will be in contact for a very long time. We check into the ferry at about 9pm on 1st night, and I was so dirty (after the 5 days treking) that I really long for a good hot shower, but the water was too cold (after 30 minutes of waiting, crazy) so again I had to go to bed earlier (very tired) and to take shower in the morning. Day 2, had a very long hot shower (great feelings) just hanging out and meeting people. But being the clumsy me, I spilled my tea over, and gotten Bill notes, books and Ipod wet. I was really afriad, cos Bill seems flustered. Immediately ran away, after cleaning up the mess, good gracious. Day 3, was terrible, we had a 12 hours of rocking as the Ferry needs to pass thru the big wave ocean. many wasn´t feeling good, I almost vomitted but thank God for my tiger medicated oil and dramamine. I survived. Day 4, our last night on the Ferry, there is the Bingo game and feista time. I had great fun and enjoyed myself totally. Day 5, early morning, after disembarking form the Ferry a group of us continue our journey together to Chiloe, a very rustic small island.

my email: joydive@gmail.com

More Pic in Torres Del Paine

Gazing out into the beautiful Grey Glacier, awesome
Breath taking view while trekking in Torres del Paine

Icy cold mountain

my email: joydive@gmail.com

Torres Del Paine - Chile

Trekking 5 days in Torres del Paine, with Matt (from Sdyney Australia, he is holding the cup) and Mark (from Portland USA) Our campsite, my red tent that I bought with in Ushuaia.

Up at the Torres del Paine
The Grey Glacier view, so awesome
Up at the French Valley, excellent trekking scenery.

Trekking 5 days in the Torres del Paine was my best journey in the Patagonia. It is such an awesome and wonderful experience for, especially given the great and beautiful weather, and the wonderful treking companions Mark and Matt. Met these 2 guys when in Peutro Natales and got hook up with them when we ended up in the same guest house. What I enjoyed the most is really the beauty of God´s wonderful creation in nature. Everyday, we were treated with the spectacular view of the snow cap mountain and the beautiful turqouise lake. Though the hike was not easy but as someday we got to walk as much as 8 to 9 hrs and uphills. Also to beat the cold at night and morning. But all was worthwhile. Gracias Deus.
my email: joydive@gmail.com