Iguassu Falls and a Visit to Paraguay

With an exchange rate of 1 American Dollar = 4,672 Paraguay Pesos, a quick trip across the border was the first order of business after I booked a hotel on the Brazil side of the falls. I started the day searching for an English speaking guide. On short notice I had the choice of Japanese or German, and this is how I met Helena (upper left hand pic). It's amazing how quickly the German comes back when you need it. Helena was Brazilian but learned German from Grandparents who had immigrated from Germany.
Her advice was to travel to Paraguay first, before visiting the falls. My luggage had been demolished by the airline and this was a chance to get a cheap suitcase.
The actual border crossing took almost an hour because so many people enter Paraguay every day to work in the electronics industry.
My first impression of the shopping area was of Tijuana Mexico - hundreds of stalls with people hawking their wares. Tube socks and soft drinks seemed to be the hot items of the day. Helena led me into a shopping center type of building and my impression changed. Every type of technology was on sale for unbelievable prices. I wish that I had done my homework ahead of time to buy a laptop. It was techno heaven. If you are visiting the Falls, this side trip is highly recommended if you need laptops or the latest gadget at unheard of prices.
On to the Falls.

Final Day in Curitiba, Brazil

I scheduled one day to see the local sights in Curitiba. The large historic down town was a massive cobblestone area blocked off to traffic and filled with shoppers. Like most of the shops in touristy sections, they are turn of the century buildings painted in the bright almost day-glo colors. Of more interest to me was the majestic giant eye of the Oscar Niemeyer Museum. Walking through the ground level area was like walking through an optical illusion of a rolling white wave of ceiling. Through it all, the giant eye stares at you from its perch in the water.
As usual, I got lost wandering around the city and the local people could not have been kinder.
Unique to the city is the unusual local transit system (upper left photo). You pay for your bus ticket to get into the glass tube that protects you from the elements as you wait for your bus. It also has an elevator part for handicapped riders.
As I wrote earlier, the hardest part of leaving Curitiba was leaving the Slaviera Full Jazz, my favorite hotel of the trip. The bottom 2 pics show the lobby and some of the great (and gorgeous) staff. In the final analysis, the hotel was my number one favorite reason for visiting Curitiba.
Next stop - the spectacular Iguassu Falls at the meeting of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.
Hppt Trails until then.

Antonina, Brazil

This is the last stop on the tour from Curitiba that began with the train ride and ends on a mini bus to Morretes and finally Antonia. The town of Antonia has a lovely view of the ocean and the streets are lined with electric colored houses and stores, especially in the tourist areas. As always, the prime view of the ocean is from the church. The son of one of my fellow travellers on the bus trip back to Curitiba, was fascinated with me - a chance to try out his few English expressions - "You should be ashamed" and "hello." I won't begin to try to analyze why someone would teach "You should be ashamed" to a kid learning English. Curiouser and curiouser. Happy Trails for now.

Seaside Jewel; Antonia, Brazil

Stroll Through Morretes Brazil

Morretes is a small town not far from the coast. It is surrounded by mountains and is intersected by a meandering river. The town is a profusion of tropical plants, beautiful colors and intriguing little spots of interest hidden throughout the town.
It's the last stop of the tourist train trip and from here on a bus takes us on our way.

Onward to Morretes, Brazil

Luck was with me when I found myself sitting next to a group of three who spoke English and were kind enough to include me in their group for the trip duration. Jeffrey, Yao, and Roberto (top right), met when they all worked for Microsoft in Seattle. Roberto is back, living in Sao Paulo and served as tour guide for his friends on this trip. It was a treat talking to him and getting his perspective, especially with his experiences in both the US and Brazil. The remainder of the trip was filled with everyone on the train taking pictures of each other during the times we waited for the rain to stop. It amuses me to think that I'm in the background of over 20 pictures in family albums throughout Brazil, (unless they have photoshop).
The tent in the picture bottom left was a prevalent site. The clearings were packed with campers on their climbs up the surrounding mountains. Finally, bottom right, shows that horseback is still the transportation of choice for many of the folks along the way.
Next stop - the picturesque town of Morretes and a traditional Brazilian meal.
Happy trails until then.

More Train Talk - Curitiba to Morretes, Brazil

The train trip from Curitiba to Morretes can best be described as green and wet. The train ran through tunnels of green that had been hacked away just for the train. At times the train itself was trimming back some of the greenery. January is the wettest month in Brazil but Maria the guide insisted that it is the best month for the trip. For a lot of the trip visibility was close to zero but the times in between gave beautiful lush vistas of greenery, ferns,wild flowers, orchids growing wild on trees trunks, and rushing streams. The picture - top right is Maria, our guide and giver of snakes,(see last blog), and the other two members of my English speaking tour. Bottom left is the one train car used. I still have no idea how it was powered as I saw no engine and no power connections. On the bottom right is one of the many houses along the way built by the original company that built the railroad. At the time it was the single provider and only method of transportation for the people in these outlaying areas. In the picture bottom right, the details in the center peak under the roof is the symbol of the railway company. This railway is still used to shuttle people back and forth to work as well as providing this tourist ride.

Curitiba Brazil and the Great Train Ride

After landing in Sao Paulo, there was a mad dash across town to make my connection in a smaller airport to fly to Curitiba, Brazil. Because the flight from Dulles was 3 hours late I missed that connection, but thanks to the great staff of Gol Airlines at Congonhaus Airport in Sao Paulo I was able to make a later plane - and -after 24 hours of travelling - I made it to my Hotel in Curitiba; Hotel Slavierra Full Jazz. With its unusual name and description as a "concept hotel" focused on classic jazz, I couldn't pass it up. The small hotel (pictured bottom left in the middle of the pic) was a treasure and I would highly recommend it to anyone travelling to Curitiba. See my earlier blog on Curitiba for more details.
After a catch-up night of sleep, I made the voyage to the train station for the primary reason for the Curitiba trip - a train ride through Amazonian greenery. From Lonely Planet's South America on a Shoestring; "The railway from Curitiba (altitude 900 m) to the port of Paranagua is the most exciting in Brazil, with sublime panoramas."
The train trip consisted of one railway car carrying about 40 people. 3 of us were with an English speaking guide, who admitted that the usual English speaking guide was sick and she was filling in. She aplogized that English wasn't her stong suite and the last time she had to fill in for the English speaking guide, she told her tour group that she would be along shortly to hand out "snakes" to each of them. It would have been an unforgettable and very appropriate momento of the tour through the Amazonian rain forrest. Unfortunately (or fortunately) she handed out "snacks" to everyone.
More later. Happy Trails for now.

(Picture to left is of different types of architecture, all within a 2 block radius of my hotel in Curitiba, Brazil. The city is a hodge podge of small modern tall buildings, fading and also revived Victorian mansions, amid a lot of modern indutrial buildings. It's a relatively new city with great pride in its commitment to ecology and conservation)

Flying Into Sao Paulo Brazil

After arriving back home and sleeping for 2 days, I'm starting this blog at the beginning of the trip - this time with photos. Leaving Jacksonville Florida, I flew to Dulles in Washington DC and then on to Sao Paulo Brazil - a city of skyscrapers and very beautiful people - a little intimidating.

Chile's Enticing Secret, the Islands of Chiloe

The islands are south of Santiago, well on the way to Antarctica. Landing near Puerto Montt, a rental car was my way to make it to the large island of Chiloe. It was an easy drive down Rt 5 with an exciting ferry trip over to the island and then into Ancud to the Hotel Ancud, a large log cabin type structure sitting on a peninsula overlooking the ocean (gulf). The view from their balcony covers 270 degrees of water. It is breathtaking. One day a tour to visit the penguins (pen GWEE no) on the tiny islands offshore and then a day trip to drive all the way to the south of the island to Quellon which is as far south as you can go by road. The entire place is untouched by anything modern and feels like you have stepped back 30 years in time. Pure magic.
Now, I am back in Santiago at my home away from home, the Forresta, waiting for my ride to the airport for the last stop on the trip - Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hard to believe the trip is almost over.
For now - Happy Trails to you (and good luck to Sonny who is having surgery today. You are in my thoughts).
Ramblin Me

The Castle Across the street - Santiago Chile

The Forresta Hotel was an intentional choice both for price ($36 a night ) and location (directly across from Santa Lucia Park). It is one of the highest points in the city as well as a park full of exotic trees and plants, and winding trails that climb or level off at other small parks. It's like an Escher staircase of rambling trails that ultimately lead to a castle turret with a spectacular 360 degree view of the city. It was my last adventure in Santiago before flying south to Puerto Montt and driving down to Chiloe Island. (I actually drove in a foreign language and made it - at least this far). Stay tuned and Happy Trails....

Cyberspace Ate My Blog

A long blog that I wrote disappeared into cyberspace, so from now on - only short snippets. My heart can't take another cyber attack.
Two quick notes on Santaiago Chile - Valpairaso is great -90 min from Santiago - through beautiful wine country. Val looks like an eclectic more bohemian version of the victorian houses in San Francisco, only the hills are taller and steeper in Valporaiso. The town used to have over 40 fenunculars (elevator trolley cars that run at a sharp angle) and my tour group rode in one of the few left. Loved the town and its Kool Aid colors. Tune in for Santa Lucia Park In Santiago....
Happy Trails.

Santiago Chile-Snow in Mid Summer

Flying in yesterday I was amazed to see the city of Santiago surrounded by mountains. many of them topped with snow. This is prime skiing country, but I didnt expect snow in the middle of their summer. It is now my first morning here and as I wait for the restaurant to open for my first 10 cups of coffee, here are a few final notes on Brazil. The Carnivale there did start Feb 1 but tickets were impossible to get. They sold for $90 USD through regular channels but sold out almost immediately. I heard that the day of the event scalped tickets were selling for over $800 - so no Carnivale for me. One last experience that I would recommend is dinner at a Japanese retaurant called Irori. It has every combination of every kind of japanese food imaginable and the topper was a desert, - Banana Flam Bada Com Calde de Laranja. Actually it is the only bananna dessert on the menu and for $3 USD you get heaven. It is a variation of banannas Foster with the banannas sauted in butter and served hot over vanilla ice cream. In this version the very rich vanilla ice cream has a hint of mango in it.
Happy Trails

Lifechanging Experience - Iguassu Falls, Brazil and Argentina

The Falls are the pure genius of nature and the people who designed and operate the tourist experience. I had to sample it all.. First a helicopter ride over the falls. The copter takes off and in the distance in all the lush greenery is a cloud of what looks like smoke. As you get closer you see that there is a giant hole in the world where all the streams are converging to fall in massive water falls. The helicopter is a clear bubble so you miss nothing. Then the walking part which is miles of walkways to create a photographers dream - then a train trip to take you from one part of the falls to the other and then the ride of all rides - a boat trip that takes you into the falls itself. Did I mention that you get drenched? The boat ride decision was last minute for me so I wasnt prepared. You need a bathing suit under your clothes and I would suggest ear plugs. When you go into the falls the water is coming at you from all directions and I am still getting my hearing back - 2 days later. Another tip - remember to breathe. The pounding and cold water had me holding my breath and forgetting this basic rule of breathing. .....Walking back up the walkway after the ride, people were looking horrified at the completely soaked me - "are you okey? Would you do it again?" In a second! Its better than Disneyland - the ultimate E ticket.......
Including the falls, Ive taken almost 800 pictures, but attempts to send pictures to my blog have failed. I have to thank the incredible guys Thiago and Ispael from the Hotel Full Jazz in Curitiba, Brazil for going beyond the call of duty to help me try to transfer pictures. They were kindness and patience personified, especially with someone so computer challenged.... Their Hotel Slaviero Full Jazz is now among my top two in the world. It really is jazz themed. The decor is all cool browns, blacks and greys with full walls devoted to sepia toned photos of the jazz greats. Every room has high res flat screened TVs to play one of the hundreds of videos of the classic jazz concerts of the world. As much as I love music, it was hard to leave the hotel. I could easily live there. Obrigata (thanks) to everyone there.....
Its now 9 am in Sao Paulo Brazil and I hear that for the city, Carnivale (Mardi Gras) has begun early - so its off to find the festivites. A 3 am wake-up call for tomorrow and then its off to Santiago Chile and a farewell to the truly beautiful Brazil. Until then
Happy Trails

OLA FROM BRAZIL

I am writing from Curitiba just south of Sao Paulo Brazil. (White pin at right on map below). The city is beautiful and the people incredibly friendly. Most folks I meet have taken at least 4 years of English in school and everyone wants to try it out. This is the middle of their summer and the rainy season, so all is lush and green with the most exotic flowers growing everywhere. After all, this is the edge of the Amazonian rain forrest. Yesterday was devoted to an all day train trip through the mountain forrests to some small towns on the ocean. Tommorow I fly to Iguassu Falls, also in Brazil. It is actually 200+ spectacular water falls on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. But for now - it´s off to try the traditional drink of Brazil, which is supposed to make tequila seem like water. Happy Trails. .............Oh, did I mention that every one here is drop dead gorgeous? I hope it´s the drink causing it.

From Jacksonville Beach to Sao Paulo Brazil - TOMORROW!

The Best Holiday Present: Another Journey

It's the holiday season and the best time to plan a trip to South America for Jan and Feb 2008, thanks to United frequent flyer miles. A notice from United that all my miles go away if not used by the end of 2007 prompted the trip. The flights are booked from Florida to Sao Paulo Brazil to Santiago Chile and back, but hopefully the trip will include side ventures to Argentina, Uraguay, and Paraguay. Brazil has been booked to include a trip on the scenic cliff hanger railroad from Curitiba to Paranagua and back as well as a trip to see the Iguassu Falls. The falls are supposed to be spectacular, and also, happen to be located on the borders of Brazil, Argentina. and Paraguay: a chance to see one world class site and 3 countries. Planning the Chile portion is next and should be interesting. The country isn't that wide, but runs almost the entire length of South America. It could involve a lot of mileage to see a few sites. Any suggestions are appreciated.........One other dream trip in the making - thanks to Delta frequent flyer miles - is another trip around the world in the fall of 2008. This time it will hopefully include the trip to Abu Sibel Eqypt to see the special sunrise on the monuments that happen only twice a year; Feb 21 and Oct 21. Egypt was also the home of the yearly presentation of the opera Aida at the foot of the pyramids in Cairo, but this may be a thing of the past. In recent years, productions have been cancelled because of international tensions. E-mail requests to Egypt have gone unanswered but research is ongoing. In the meantime, Happy Holidays and Happy Trails to you.

Beach Holidays

Friends United!

From Left, Pat, Janet, Lee, and Roy at our reunion. Still crazy after all these years!

View From My Condo Balcony-JAX Beach,FL

 

You're Still Here!

It's humbling to hear that some folks still check in to my blog, even though it has been over a year (?) since my last entry. An article in the local news stated that even though there are many millions of blogs, the average readership is 1 (0ne). My favorite quote from the article; "This means that not even your Mom is reading it." Given the statistics, thanks for reading!.......one reason for restarting the blog is that somehow, I've saved almost enough frequent flyer miles for a second trip around the world. Again I want to travel to 6 places I have never been. As plans are confirmed I will give details here, so stay tuned.....Finally, as someone who has traveled my entire life, (My Dad was in the military so I moved a lot. Moving here to Florida was my 26th move), I am realizing that some of the greatest happiness can come from travelling back in time - to renew old friendships. Last week a group of friends who worked together with me in California decades ago, came for a visit. To quote Hallmark, "a true friend is someone who knows the worst about you, but remains your friend anyway." Thanks to great friends who don't give up..............Happy Trails, RamblinMe

Travel Tips for You

Now that my wings are clipped while I'm saving for the next trip, it is a good time to share a few travel tips that may make your next trip even easier. I highly recommend a computer product called GoToMyPC. In every country that I travelled, I was able to use a local computer to update my blog and check my messages. The beauty of GoToMyPC is that it brings up the exact computer screen that you have at home when you go online and it allows you to perform all of the functions that you would if you were at home, including accessing your phone book and files, replying easily to emails, printing, etc. It made all the difference for me. If you're interested, log on to gotomypc.com. Customer service is outstanding, the entire process and company is very savvy about international travel, and it costs only $20 a month. Also, you are not locked into a contract. I've stopped the service and will start again whenever I travel........Second recommendation - a product called Everglades Outdoor Protective Clothing Treatment Insect Repellent. You use it to make any clothes that you have bugproof. This is especially important to avoid malaria carrying mosquitos. I almost bought BuzzOff clothing that has a built in repellent but they are outrageously expensive. Everglades treated clothes have the exact same protection that BuzzOff advertises. Also Everglades works and it stays on your clothes through five washings!!! I was the only tourist that I saw in Peru who wasn't covered in bug bites. I found mine over the internet.........Third, don't hug! Being a southerner I want to hug everyone. In Africa I was sadly saying goodby to my guides and hugged one of them. He responded by grabbing my butt. Hugs, just don't translate as well......Finally, this last idea is from my Virginia friend Bill - instead of bringing candy to give away to kids, bring children's flavored vitamins to hand out. There is so much malnutrition in some countries that even this small effort helps.....That's all for now - and happy trails from Ramblin Me

Egypt on Hold for Now

Sadly the trip to Egypt is on hold until the Muslim political situation calms down. Even though I received word from the Egyptian consulate that everything is fine there, the news is telling me the opposite. All the furor over the cartoon of Mohamed in a Danish newspaper seems to be escalating. I think Sue's advice to wait 6 months is sound. Thanks to all who helped me research this!!
In the meantime, I'll be hiding out on Valentine's Day to stay away from all of the reminders that I don't have a valentine. It's a tough holiday for single folks. For those of you who are coupled - enjoy! Eat lots of chocolate. It's wonderful that scientists are finally acknowledging that chocolate is good for you.
See you next trip. Marion aka RamblinMe

Some of the Gorgeous Carved Statues in Abu Simbel

 

Back to Egypt

The entire time that I travelled through Egypt, people were telling me that it's too bad that I won't be there for the Feb festival at Abu Simbel. Twice a year the sunrise is in perfect alignment with the massive statues cut into the rock - Feb 22 and a day in Oct. Feb is the best because of the cooler temperatures. The alignment is coupled with a huge fair and festival at the site. With the frequent flyer miles I earned from my trip around the world I have purchased tickets to fly back to Egypt, leaving Feb 14. It's a valentines gift to moi! How did you know? It's just what I wanted!
Abu Simbel is in the southernmost part of Egypt - almost at the border with the Sudan. It is far away from any of the other typical tourist sites, so it actually requires a separate trip, at least for me. I currently have tickets for JAX to Cairo and back and also hotel reservations in Abu Simbel. Now I just need to find some way to get from Cairo to Abu Simbel and back. This part seems impossible from the US and may have to wait until I'm actually in Egypt
You are invited to come along for the adventure. Marion

A Final Farewell to India with a Last look at the Taj Mahal in the Mists....

....and an end to my journey around the world. Thank you for travelling with me. Until my next trip. Happy Trails, Marion (aka RamblinMe) 

Mr. Singh, Guide, Driver, Gentleman, Kind Person, and a Wonderful Ambassadore of India and his company, Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd.

 

The Adventure of Driving in India

 

View of the Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort

 

Architectural Details of the Palace in the Agra Fort

Bottom left hand corner shows indentations carved in the walls which cover an entire room. The room served as a "jewel box" for the Shaw's daughter. Each daughter had an entire room to store their jewelry. And I was worried about what to do with all my jewelry........ 

Other Views of the Agra Fort, India

 

The Agra Fort - a Wonderful Surprise Down the River from the Taj Mahal

 

View of the Taj Mahal from my hotel window - Agra, India

 

The Taj Mahal at Sunrise - Agra, India

 

How to Carry Stuff/ People in India

 

Humeyun's Tomb, Delhi, India

This tomb was mentioned in an earlier blog entry. It served as the model for the Taj Mahal. 

Johann, my Guide in Delhi, India, in front of the President's Home

Johann is an exceptional person and guide. He is working as a tour guide to pay for his work towards his PhD. The work involves studying an ancient tribe in a remote area in Northeast India. Johann speaks 5-6 languages (his English and German are better than mine!)
Johann mentioned that the President of India is single - so perhaps there is hope for me. One can always hope!