Backpacking

8 December 2024

Colombia 🇨🇴

Janet DannehlBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

A week through Colombia 🌴

My 🔝 visited places!

1. Bogotá📍

Plaza de Bolívar

the Square of 1000 Doves 🕊️ 🕊️

Surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the Palacio Liévano, the Capitolio Nacional and the Catedral Primada,

is the central square " Plaza de Bolívar“. In the middle of the square, hundreds of doves gather, and occasionally, an alpaca crosses their path 😃. For a small fee, you can buy dried corn here to feed the doves or take a photo with an alpaca 📸. In the past, the square served as a bullfighting arena and public market square.

Take a sip ☕️ + 🧀

,,Chocolate caliente con queso“

A hot chocolate with cheese might sound a bit strange to some 🤔. At first, I was almost certain that this combination couldn't taste good 😆! It somehow reminded me of people who used to eat cheese sandwiches with Nutella. Weird people. But like in any other country, I wanted to try the "delicacies" of the land 😌. When the infamous drink finally arrived, we had no idea how to drink it ☕️. Bite the cheese first, then take a sip of the hot chocolate.

! ❌ WRONG ❌ !

The cheese must be added directly to the cup so that it can melt with the hot chocolate 🤓. Admittedly, the taste of the traditional "Chocolate con queso" is a bit strange at first, but afterwards, it's somehow tasty. 😋

Conclusion: I would buy it again. ☑

La Candelaria 🧑🏻‍🎨

The Old Town of Bogotá

Just let yourself be carried away by the fascinating streets and admire the colorful colonial houses, the numerous sights, and charming cafes and restaurants. Don't miss out on the graffiti and urban art either! 🎨

Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen 🔔

This impressive Catholic church dates back to the 20th century. Its striped color makes it so extraordinary. 😯

Due to the narrow streets, it's not so easy to get a good picture of this landmark 😂. When we arrived, it was very rainy, so we didn't stay long. Still, it was worth a short visit 😉.

Museo del Oro 🏅

The Gold Museum

In this museum, you'll find plenty of information about indigenous peoples and a detailed history of gold, silver, and copper mining. The entry fee was just under 3 euros per person in November 2022.

Places we unfortunately missed:

Mount Monserrate

Due to time constraints, we didn't manage to visit Cerro de Monserrate. The mountain is 3,152 meters high and located in the Santa district.On-site, you have two options:

either lace up your hiking boots and take the 2-hour hiking route, or hop on the cable car for around 5 euros per person. The view is said to offer a spectacular vista over Bogota and part of the Andes. It's a shame we couldn't see that!

2. Cartagena📍

The Old Town

Of course, you shouldn't miss the colonial Old Town of Cartagena 😊. In 1984, the historic city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains a sought-after destination to this day. You can either stroll through the labyrinth of streets on foot or even explore the city in a horse-drawn carriage 🐴. There are countless shopping opportunities available, and especially in the evening, it's lovely to sip a cocktail on one of the many hotel decks. 😍

Especially in the evening, the Old Town exudes its own charm. ✨

San Felipe de barajas ⛫

The Fortress of Cartagena

The fortress Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, built in 1536, is located on the hill of San Lázaro. The highest point of the fortress can be reached in just a few minutes on foot. Along the way, there are small, dark underpasses that add excitement to the excursion. 👻 Especially at sunset, the view from above is truly impressive! 🌆

Get Semani 🧑🏻‍🎨

the colorful hippie neighborhood

A perfect place to buy a beer and stroll through the crazy streets 🤩. Everywhere, there are vibrant colors, hanging flags, artworks, and chalk-painted paths. For me, one of the most beautiful places in Cartagena! 📸

But it's not just the houses and streets that amaze you, but also the people and the talking parrot! 🦜

Playa Blanca 🏝️

the little paradise

Just about 1 hour away from the city center of Cartagena, you'll find Playa Blanca beach ☀️. In most cases, you can reach the beach on foot. We had to walk along a really narrow stretch of beach for about 10 minutes with our luggage to reach our glamping accommodation. However, you have the option to have your luggage transported by wheelbarrow for a fee. These are usually readily available at the parking lot. Unfortunately, my stay was a bit disappointing as everything was just filled with sunbeds, people, and accommodations. Next time, I would prefer a different beach or only visit for excursions.

Isla Rosaria 🌴

From Playa Blanca, we took a boat to the Islas del Rosario 🚤. There are 28 different small islands here. From there, we did a shipwreck dive, which was pretty cool! I must add that the visibility underwater was very murky, and there were few underwater creatures to see 🫤. Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience to dive through the sunken ship 😍!!!! On another day, we went on a snorkeling tour, which was only partially worth it. Unfortunately, almost all boats visit the same hotspots, so it was quite crowded. However, we found a spot where we had some peace and could admire the spectacular underwater world 🐠!

🦚 Aviario Nacional de Colombia 🦚

Definitely one of my highlights on the trip through Colombia! The birdlife was extremely impressive 😍! I have never seen so many different bird species like here. The facility was lovingly designed, and the animals had plenty of space 💕. Some birds, such as the parrots, even lived in complete freedom 😯. For only 7 euros per person, it's an absolutely fair price. Honestly, I would have paid three times as much 😉.

Take your time as the park is quite large. Also, it's really nice to just sit on a bench and enjoy the bird sounds 🥰.

Conclusion

All in all, Colombia was an unforgettable adventure. Besides Peru and Chile, Colombia is now also one of my favorite countries in South America!

23 November 2024

Armenia 🇦🇲

Janet DannehlAsia, Backpacking, Continents, Reisestil

. 🔝 Highlights from Armenia

1. Yerevan📍

The International Hot Air Balloon Festival

On the Republic Square, early in the morning on October 14th, hot air balloonists from all over the world gathered 🗺. I had been looking forward to this day for weeks. At half past seven, it was finally time. The Brazilian hot air balloonist was already waiting for our arrival. In total, there were five of us, standing shoulder to shoulder. Shortly after, not only did the balloon rise, but so did our excitement 😁. It felt somewhat insecure. "So helpless, so unpredictable." Max even said he found it worse than paragliding 😯. But for me, it was the opposite. In the first half-hour, we ascended up to 2000 meters and enjoyed the incredible panoramic view 🥰. Then I felt nauseous for five minutes, and luckily I felt better afterwards 🤮 🤣. I don't usually have a fear of heights, but even for me, that was pretty high 😂! (By the way, the ride lasted an hour).

An experience that will probably stay in my memory forever. ✨

Cascade Complex 😎

One of the most beautiful viewpoints over the city of Yerevan is probably the 118-meter-high staircase complex, the Cascade. Don't worry: There are enough escalators available that slowly take you up through the interior of the Cascade 😁. Meanwhile, you can admire the artful exhibits and make a stop on the outdoor terrace at each level. ☺️

Mother Armenia Complex 🙂

In Victory Park, you'll find the "Mother Armenia" monument, which consists of a mausoleum, military museum, and a large statue. 🤗

From there, you also get another impressive view over the city! 😇

Modern Art Museum 🎨

In Mashtots Avenue, you'll find the modern art museum, where you can find various paintings and some statues. The artworks are truly impressive, allowing your imagination to run wild. 🎭

Vernissage 🛍️

A paradise for all souvenir buyers and shopping enthusiasts. ❤️

Here you'll find a good mix of knick-knacks and high-quality craftsmanship! At some stands, you can even see how the chessboards are made. Did you know that chess is a separate subject in Armenian schools? ♟️

Dancing Fontains 💦

In the evening, you'll find illuminated water fountains at Republic Square, presenting their water display with diverse music and changing colors 😯. Additionally, you'll have a view of the Marriott Hotel, the Post Office, the Government Building with Clock Tower, and former buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 🥰

Freedom Square 📸

At this city square, you'll find the Opera and Ballet Theater. It's the most important and largest music theater! 🎶

Also, a cool spot to zip around in an electric car 🤙.

Yerevan Zipline Airlines 🙌

A zipline that runs directly under the bridge! 😱

The first route starts at a height of 123 meters and is 870 meters long. The second one is slightly shorter, only 650 meters in length. You don't really need to worry about much since the track has an automatic stop system installed. That's why it was pretty easy. The only important thing is to ensure that the minimum weight is met, so you don't get stuck halfway 🤣.

Max and I rode together, which was pretty cool! 💨

2. Garni📍

The Symphonie of Stones, Garni Gorge

This majestic natural monument is only about 23km away from the capital and is truly admirable! ✨

Das majestätische Naturdenkmal liegt nur ungefähr 23km entfernt von der Hauptstadt und ist wirklich bewundernswert! ✨

Next Stopp: Back to Camperlife! 🤙

9 June 2024

Australia - Part 2 🦘

Janet DannehlAustralien, Backpacking, Continents, Reisestil

2018/19 Recap:

Continuing the Journey Alone ☀️☀️

Jessi and I both received different job offers, so our paths diverged. Sad, but true 😢😀

I had found an au pair job where I earned $350 a week looking after three children aged 7, 5, and 2. Additionally, I could live and eat with the family for free. In the afternoons and on weekends, I mostly helped out on the farm to earn some extra cash. Usually, I was paid $600 - $700 a week. 🤑 I'll admit, I was pretty nervous! 😨 Solo travel all of a sudden? Can it really work out? 😰 Anyone who knows me knows I can be a bit scatterbrained at times 😳. Sometimes it's good, but when it comes to finding my way back to the right place, it could be challenging. My sense of direction is not the best, to be honest. And believe me, I thought it would get better during my travels. No, it didn't. You can't even imagine the bizarre places I've ended up sometimes. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for Google Maps – otherwise, my dear ones – you probably would never see me again 😀 So..., let's continue with the story... Jessi got a job in Sydney, so she didn't need our car anymore, and I could drive Apollo (our car) to my job as an au pair and farm worker in the Outback. And here's where the first point comes in. Outback? Totally dangerous! So many people have died there. Thirsty. Accidents. Driving this route alone? Who doesn't know these horror stories? My host mother offered to pick me up, but in the end, I decided to drive alone. For whatever reason... I can tell you one thing: It was incredibly beautiful! 🥰 Along the way, I saw so many animals, and hundreds of eagles were circling above me 🦅. Once, a flock of sheep blocked my path ⤵️😀.

On the next image, you'll see in the upper right corner, in beautiful, ultra-poor quality, an emu crossing the road. Unfortunately, I had a really bad phone camera during my travels in Australia, so I can't offer you anything else – just consider it as retro/vintage or whatever. Actually, my journey to the Outback took 7 hours and 19 minutes. With all the animal stops and admiration, it took at least twice as long 😄.

When I finally arrived shortly before evening, the host family was already expecting me. 😊 Over the next few days, I looked after the incredibly lovely children of my host parents! I've heard so many bad things about au pair work in Australia from some backpacker stories. However, I must say that I absolutely loved it! My host family was really super nice! 🙂 And I also loved the farm work on weekends. You can't believe how much fun it was for me 🤩! The family had around 450 cattle, plus 2 pigs, a goat, 3 dogs, chickens, and more. During my time there, one pig died (most likely from a snake bite – as the nest was completely disturbed 😢).

I helped with the cattle work, assisting in moving the cattle slowly for kilometers into the yards. You're full of adrenaline when you stand in front of such a huge bull and try to drive it forward. Did you know? When a bull becomes aggressive, it runs straight toward you and doesn't stop! 😃 😃

One day, I visited the neighbor who had a sheep farm. It was incredibly interesting to learn about his daily life and see how the sheep were sheared. This only happens 1 - 2 times a year, so I was glad to experience it once. Overall, the work looked quite strenuous. I mean, a sheep weighs quite a bit. Did you know that sheep spend most of their time eating? 🐑

Overall, I learned a lot and gained incredible experiences: I rode a motorcycle for the first time, learned to shoot with various guns, drove through the Outback on a quad, and so much more... It was such an exciting time, and I wouldn't want to miss a second of it! 😊

Did you know that kangaroos are a real nuisance for most farmers? They're just everywhere. In a report, I once read that there are twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are residents. Unfortunately, kangaroos cause a lot of damage to the fields. As you can see in the bottom right image, there's a kangaroo accidently caught on a fence, or at least what's left of it... ☹️ Kangaroos try to jump over the fences, but sometimes they get stuck in the wire. They're then so tightly trapped with their legs that they can't free themselves. A cruel sight ☹️!

Repairing fences was also part of my duties in the Outback. The weather was very hot, usually around 45 degrees Celsius. Your mouth dries up just from breathing. So, cold water was an absolute delight for me! Fortunately, there are tablets for dehydration! The flies in the Outback are particularly annoying! They stick to your whole body. I would have gone crazy without music in my ears 😃🪰🪰🪰. buzzzzz buzzzzz buzzzzz 🤯😬

After about a month, it was time to say goodbye. 😢 But I was also a bit excited to finally be around people again. With loud music blaring, I headed towards civilization 🙂. The road was sandy, and the sun beat down on the car. There were occasional grooves on the ground, so I had to drive a bit slower. And then it happened. So fast. And unexpected. When I hit the brake to slow down, the car swayed to the right. Then to the left. Then to the right again. Then back to the left. I lost all control of my vehicle. It felt like an eternity. In that moment, I knew exactly what was happening. "Janet, you're going to have an accident. And you can't do anything about it." So, I let fate decide.

POOF. POOF. I was dead straight. My whole body was tense. It took a while for me to realize that my car was on its side. The music was still blaring in the background. I'll never forget this song. Tim Benzko. "Ich Laufe." Well, in any case, after struggling to turn off that stupid music, I had a little panic attack. CRAP. What if the car starts burning? Or if it explodes? 💥 I have to get out of here 😨!!! Yep. That's what happens when you watch too much TV 📺❌. After finally managing that, I unbuckled myself from the seat belt – which wasn't easy when you're lying on your side in the car. Then I tried to open the door above me to climb out of the car. Unfortunately, the other door had become one with the ground 😃. After somewhat clumsily getting out of the car, I moved a few safety meters away from it (explosion risk and all 😋). My body felt heavy. I can't describe it. I was full of adrenaline. There was blood running down my shin, and I thought – now I'm going to die. But believe it or not. Apart from a tiny scratch, I was perfectly fine. No injuries at all. You know how it is when you cut yourself and the blood just flows, but it doesn't hurt at all & it's not serious at all. Yeah, it was kind of like that with me. So, it could have been worse 😀. After checking that everything was okay with me & cursing and spreading more panic, I finally pulled out my phone. And YAY. Almost forgot. There's no network in the boonies. Great 😠! The nearest house was extremely far away, and there was no one around. My host family goes to town about once a month 🚘. Well, hope started to emerge. But... For some reason.... For some reason, I always have such luck, I got reception for about half a minute. Practically impossible in that place. I just shouted into the phone: "Accident. Accident." After about an hour, my host father arrived and took care of me. Thank goodness 🙏.

Our beautiful Apollo... There he lay. Half-dead... I was so angry. And sad. And ohhh.... Everything at once... Well, long story short: The car was taken to the workshop, in the nearest village. They wanted 1000 euros for the repair there. So I said goodbye to my hard-earned money 🙋🏼‍♀️💸. A night in the village where the workshop was located cost about 200 dollars 🤑. Exorbitantly expensive and unaffordable for me at the time 😵! I tried my luck and went from shop to shop looking for a job 👀. Nobody... 😔 Nothing... 😞 The people there were just happy they could keep their stores running at all. But my search paid off anyway. I met Debbi. A wonderful person 😊! She supported me so much during this time 🙏. I was allowed to sleep in her vacation apartment, which saved me a lot of money 🐷!

I was also mega happy that our car was at least repairable... 😍 Hahahha, wrong thought... I drove about 30 minutes towards the beach – full of anticipation... and POOF. Our beloved car died for good... 😢 I stopped right in the middle of the road and had to be towed. Engine failure. I still haven't received a cent from the "unnecessary 1000 euros repair"... & so I paid everything completely in vain... So much savings... I was so angry 😡. Really angry 😤. In the end, I had to leave our Apollo there & move on by bus. You wouldn't believe how many things I had to leave in this car... I couldn't carry everything... 💔

New Castle☀️

So I drove to New Castle. There I met great people, so I could almost forget the whole nightmare 😌! I stayed there for a while because I started a job at a café ☕️. Plus, I could sleep for free in the hostel, in exchange I just had to clean for 1-2 hours a day. In New Castle, I had found a perfect way to quickly refill my cash 💰💰💰.

A better remedy for sorrow than the sea does not exist! 🥰

Coffs Harbour☀️

After some time, I left Newcastle again and drove to Coffs Harbour 🚍. There, I worked in a cool bar 🍸. Additionally, I once again slept for free in a hostel, in exchange for providing a shuttle service. The coolest thing about the hostel was that I could go stand-up paddling for free, and the lake was only 5 minutes away. Here, I saw brightly blue crabs & hundreds of stingrays 😍. Did you know that stingrays can jump? I have a video on my Instagram profile where you can see it! There, they were hopping about 1 meter high just before sunset! Really crazy! 😦

Once again, I must emphasize how AMAZING the beaches in Australia are!!! 😍☀️🏖

Brisbane☀️

Then the time finally came, and my then-boyfriend and my best friend came to visit me. After such a long time, you really get homesick occasionally... That's why I was really, really excited! We explored Brisbane together (beautiful city!!!) & chatted endlessly. I had a lot to tell... 😀! In Brisbane, we visited, among other things, the world-famous Australian Zoo. Steve Irwin (the "Crocodile Hunter") was buried on this site. I thought he was sooo cool. When I was a kid, I watched his show a lot... Unfortunately, he died during his filming from the effects of a stingray barb. ☹️ Also really nice to see in Brisbane: the botanical garden, the Story Bridge & South Bank!

Mooloolaba☀️

Mooloolaba is a small town in the southeast of Queensland and belongs to the Sunshine Coast. If you love walking along the harbor or sunbathing on a beautiful beach in the sun, this is the place for you! The place is very quiet, but you can also find some bars with great live music! 🎶

Townvsville City☀️

Townsville is a coastal town in northeastern Queensland. There is a great waterfront promenade here! In the evenings, we always hung out at the sports field and played basketball with some cool people! 🏀

Magnetic Island☀️

An absolute dream! My absolute highlights here were: snorkeling along the spectacular reefs, our hike ("Forts Walk"), and

spotting the rock wallabies & koalas. Also, you shouldn't miss the sunset! 🌅

Mission beach☀️

Oh, I loved jogging along the beach at Mission Beach. The beach was deserted! 😍🙏 I actually only went to Mission Beach because the hostel promised me a farm job, which unfortunately I had to wait for way too long... In the end, I moved on again... Unfortunately, not everything always goes according to plan, but despite everything, I enjoyed the time! ❤️

What's better: Traveling alone or together? ☀️☀️

There are pros and cons to both options! Clearly... But one thing I've learned: I was never really alone on my solo travels. I met thousands of people and definitely much more than on my trips with another person. Strange, isn't it? When you have another person with you, it's usually natural to sit down with them somewhere at a table for two, plan activities together, and chat with each other. But if you're alone, firstly: Other people are more likely to approach you and talk to you. Secondly: You're more likely to approach other people or just sit down at larger tables. At first, I was a bit hesitant, but I realized how easy it is to connect with other backpackers! And if you're not brave enough to approach others, I promise you - it won't be long before someone talks to you 😋 Because we backpackers all have one big thing in common: We love traveling!

Next Stop: Cuba - Caribbean 🏝

30 May 2024

Australia Part 1 🦘

Janet DannehlAustralien, Backpacking, Continents, Reisestil, Work & Travel

Off to Australia in 2018 ☀️☀️

Australia. Australia has always been a dream for me. As a child, I used to watch animal documentaries on Animal Planet 📺.

"When I grow up, I'll become a wildlife researcher 😌!"

Well, that didn't quite work out 😄. But still, I managed to make it to the other end of the world & experience incredible adventures on my journeys.

Many people know that it's not so easy to just take a trip to Australia. If you're lucky, you might get maybe 3 weeks of vacation in a row 😒. That sucks, right? But that's somehow life & you just have to accept it. NO. I don't have to! A dream should eventually come true & why not make the most of it 🤔? After considering 1000 different options, and watching 1000 YouTube videos of various travelers, I finally decided to do a Work & Travel. Well, in any case, this decision was one of the best and has completely turned my life upside down to this day. 🙃

As I told you in my Thailand blog post, initially, I traveled around with my travel buddy (and now good friend) Jessi 🥰. Our first stop was Melbourne. One thing I really don't miss is jet lag ☠️! This time we had real trouble falling asleep in the evening, but you should always make the best of it. So, we immediately bought a bottle of champagne & a few beers. Of course, we didn't drink it in the hostel room. Or did we? 😂

Melbourne☀️

Melbourne is one of the largest cities in Australia and is the capital of the state of Victoria. We stayed in the suburb of St. Kilda and visited the St. Kilda Botanical Garden & some sights, like Luna Park. But the absolute coolest thing was that at the end of St. Kilda Pier, we could see penguins among the rocks 🐧! How cute is that??? 🤩

Apollo – Our Ride 🚙🔥.

After just one week, we decided to buy a car 🙌. We got our Apollo for an incredibly good price, only paying 4200 dollars (around 2600 euros at the time). We were a bit lucky because the sellers were backpackers who had to fly to Thailand the next day. 🍀 An absolutely great car... It had everything a backpacker could wish for. There was a rooftop tent on top, we had plenty of space for all our stuff, lots of camping gear, and if we were ever too lazy to set up the tent, there was even the option to sleep in the car. I still mourn our beautiful Apollo... 😢 More on that later... 😪

Roadtrip😎☀️

We didn't waste any time & got our car ready to go. The registration of the car went quickly & smoothly. Then we drove along the Great Ocean Road. One of my favorite routes in Australia and highly recommended!! ❤️ At the 12 Apostles, we almost got blown away, it was so windy 😄 & in the parking lot, we saw a fox 🦊 That was cool!

Apollo Bay😎☀️

This place is an absolute must-see! 😍 I've never seen such baby-blue water before!!! 🤩💦 In Apollo Bay, we found friends and even started our first job as cleaners. Our task was to do the laundry, iron, and clean the rooms. What a tough job! Believe me! Anyone who has never worked as a proper cleaner can hardly imagine it. After just 4 days, my fingernails were split about 4 times. Everything hurt. My back... My hands... Terrible! 😩 As if that wasn't enough, we also had a really peculiar boss. He liked to hold someone's hand when he wanted to show something. Okay?? And he even wanted to happily hop around the place. We'll never forget the shrill voice when he called out "It’s Tea – Time" at break time. Well, it was time to go. 😁 Definitely. But one thing we learned: Cleaners really deserve respect (and tips 😅)!

Except for a fallen tree on the road, we never really had any problems on our journey. Oops, I almost forgot 😳. When we started driving and had only been on the road for about an hour, a kangaroo suddenly jumped out of the bushes – right onto the car! 😢 "That's a great start," I thought at that time. My heart was pounding like crazy 😧. Luckily, I wasn't driving too fast (about 50 km/h) & the cute kangaroo survived the impact. At first, it lay briefly on the ground, but when we got out, it hopped off into the wild. 🦘 You can probably imagine now how scared I was that another one might jump out of the bushes. And yes... my fears were confirmed. It wasn't the only kangaroo that crossed our paths.

Good to know: Kangaroos are really everywhere & they like to hop across the roads! Some backpackers told me that they didn't see a single one on their travels. How is that possible? I still wonder... 😄 Probably they were too often trapped in the spell of the big cities. Oh, when you're in Apollo Bay – don't forget to visit the Eucalyptus Forest!! There you can see looooots of koalas 🐨. At lunchtime, one was hanging about 2 meters above us in a tree. 🌳 Unbelievable...

Towards Adelaide 🚙🚙

On the way to Adelaide, we saw beautiful, deserted beaches 🏖. The sand looked like powdered sugar at times, and sometimes it was pitch black. The sea was once again baby-blue. That's exactly how I always imagined the beaches in Australia! And believe me – I've been disappointed before! Almost everything looks more enchanting on Google images than in reality. But one thing I can say: In Australia & New Zealand, it's even more beautiful in reality! 🥰 🥰

Also great was our trip to Admirals Arch. There we could see sea lions in the wild. Absolutely awesome!! 😍🦭

We continued on to Warrnambool, where we rode along the beach for the first time. We were able to park our car here at a hostel in the garden & only had to pay half. 🤑 On another day, we visited the Grampians National Park (highly recommended!) & went for a beautiful hike. 🥾❤️

If you love waterfalls, don't forget to visit the McKenzie Falls & Fish Falls! 😉

The Last Stop 🐧 🐧

Another highlight was the Hot Springs in Mornington Peninsula ♨! The hot springs are located right in the middle of nature 🌿& one pool was even up on the mountain, with an insanely great view! As we continued on to Phillip Island, we saw a penguin parade for the first time 🐧. In total, 1904 little penguins waddled from the sea to their nests. It was super cute 😍. The penguins walk in a line and occasionally one falls over. You can imagine it a bit like the old Domino blocks. 😄

My Conclusion:

On our road trip, we saw a lot of nature. Looking back, it was a really good decision to buy the car right at the beginning. We were much more mobile with it & felt a bit more independent as a result. Plus, we could blast music and cruise through the streets while admiring the scenery 🌿. The best part was that we could stay wherever we wanted 🏕. During our road trip, we met some great people & got our first job experiences (W&T Jobs: https://janetsworld3.de/2019/06/14/worktravel-jobs/ ). Plus, a great friendship developed with Jessi, for which I am very grateful. When you spend days on end with one person, 24/7, you get to know that person in a hundred different ways & one thing I can tell you, we sometimes really got on each other's nerves -

Next Blogpost : Australia Part 2

15 May 2024

Costa Verde Tour - Brazil

Janet DannehlBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

Our road trip from Rio to São Paulo ☀️

After Carnival in Rio, we embarked on an 8-day car rental tour along the Costa Verde. Our first stop was Ilha Grande.

A stunningly beautiful island & definitely one of my MUST SEEs in Brazil! 😍☀️

On the first day, we took a speedboat from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande🚤. The crossing took half an hour in total. When we arrived, we were completely speechless😶. A beautiful golden beach, crystal-clear water & in the background, the green jungle🥰. Where have we landed? In paradise?😮🙌

It was simply indescribably beautiful. But the best part: the deserted beaches! Absolute peace & pure nature!

In our first accommodation, we had a cute balcony overlooking the sea. What could be better than relaxing in a hammock & listening to the birds chirping? Maybe a hearty breakfast? I don't know. I found both awesome! 😄

In the evening, we strolled around the small village. Here you'll find shopping opportunities & plenty of restaurants on every corner. Prices for a good dinner range from about 20-30 euros per plate, so quite high! In the supermarket, prices are roughly the same as on the mainland - but of course, with slightly less choice. You can get clothes here at fairly reasonable prices.

The tours are inexpensive. We paid 20 euros per person for our 5-hour snorkeling tour. Totally okay 😛 With this water, snorkeling is also one of the MUST DO's! The underwater world was incredible!

The tours are inexpensive. We paid 20 euros per person for our 5-hour snorkeling tour. Totally okay 😛 With this water, snorkeling is also one of the MUST DO's! The underwater world was incredible!

Overall, we had a lot of fun! Ilha Grande was one of my absolute highlights on our tour🥰! It definitely won't be the last time we visit this beautiful island! So, if you love snorkeling with turtles, sunbathing on a deserted beach, & swimming in crystal-clear water - you're in the right place! ☀️😍

Paraty☀️

Next, we headed back to the mainland. From there, we got our rental car to drive to Paraty🚘. The car ride was super easy. Finally, no potholes on the roads! 👍 Fuel prices are around 1.20 euros per liter. ⛽️

When we arrived, we were initially enchanted by our new suite at the Hotel Pousada do Ouro! The whole building, like the city of Paraty, is kept in a chic, colonial style. Incredibly cool! 😎

In the afternoon, we explored the beautiful old town of Paraty. There were restaurants and small boutiques on every corner🛍. Jewelry makers sold their handmade works in the narrow streets. Everything was very well maintained. I was particularly fascinated by the beautiful, brightly painted doors! 🖍

In the evening, the city exuded a romantic charm. It reminded me of the sweet fishing village in Faro - one of my absolute highlights from Portugal. I love those gold-yellow lanterns❣️

São Sebastião 😊

On the way to São Sebastião, we made a few stops at great waterfalls! That's what I love about road trips. Just stop wherever you want. Max took the pictures - Doesn't it look like something out of a storybook, right? ☺️

When we arrived at our new accommodation at Maui Maresias, there was a little gift for me on the bed🎁. Have you ever received a piece of jewelry from a hotel? It was definitely the first time for me! 🥰 Later, we had a freshly squeezed juice outside. Meanwhile, a saxophonist played his music - absolutely delightful atmosphere! 🎷🎶

The next day, we spent a night at our final accommodation called Nau Royal Hotel Boutique and Spa. As the name suggests, there was a large spa offering & outside there was a swimming pool, as well as a whirlpool with a sea view. We also enjoyed the view during the rich breakfast! The staff were once again very nice & fulfilled our every wish. A nice end to our Costa Verde tour!

Conclusion: The Gateway Tour was one of the best parts of our Brazil trip. My absolute highlight was definitely Ilha Grande - this island simply enchanted me🪄. The waterfalls were also particularly beautiful & of course, the chic accommodations - with the super delicious breakfast! It was sooo nice not to have to plan anything. The organization went smoothly - there were no problems at all👏😍! A big thank you to the great Gateway Team 💐!

Mehr Informationen über die Tour findest du hier:

Gateway Latin America´

Next Stop: Who knows... 😄

5 May 2024

Carnival - Rio

Janet DannehlBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

Here's what you should know before going to Carnival: 🥳

Usually, bags are not allowed! However, I didn't have any problems and could simply bring my big fabric bag. 😛
Each person can bring 2x 500ml plastic bottles (alcoholic drinks are allowed too! 🍻)
Each person is allowed 2 snacks🍫.
It's not common for spectators to dress up big. A bit of glitter here & there is totally sufficient. ✨
Food & drinks are affordable at the counter! 🍽
Each samba school performs for a maximum of 2 hours - then there's a 20-30 minute break. ⏸
Toilets are free & easily accessible. 🚻
You should be there about 2-3 hours in advance to secure a good spot! 🪑
There's plenty of space & you won't feel crowded (at least that was our experience). 🙂
Wear comfortable shoes or just take them off (there's plenty of dancing) 💃
Bring a cushion or a blanket as you'll be sitting on stones. 🥰
Find a group to party with before the event, e.g., on Facebook. 👯‍♀️
The event is on Brazilian time. So, don't expect German punctuality! 🕦
If you want to see all 6 samba schools, expect to be there all night! 🎇
You won't need a jacket in these temperatures! It's more likely to be too hot than too cold! 🥵
Book tickets & accommodation early!!! (around 50 euros per person) 🎫
Don't forget your good mood! 🥳

Off to Rio de Janeiro 🥰

This year, due to Corona, Carnival was postponed to April 20-30. On April 23, 2022, we took our flight at 03:00 in the morning from Fortaleza to Rio. So we arrived pretty exhausted. 😄 Our accommodation was right on Copacabana Beach. A beautiful beach! 🥰 Of course, hotel prices were extremely high again. For a really shabby hostel, you'll have to reckon with 60 euros per night (for spontaneous booking). Luckily, we got the last relatively good accommodation! 😌

During our last stay in Rio, we met a group via Facebook, which we met up with again. At first, we thought there would be a lot going on at the beach, but no such luck 😄. That's why we quickly got tickets for one of the biggest events in the world - the Carnival Parade 😍. Here, a total of 6 different samba schools performed. An incredible experience! 💃

Small tip: Always book tickets in advance! We paid double - so 100 euros per person! 🤓🤦‍♀️

In total, there is space for about 90,000 people. The best samba schools (escolas do samba) parade along the 700-meter-long street of the Sambadrome. I couldn't stop marveling. 🤩 One artistically decorated float after another passed by us. I don't even need to start on the fascinating dancers. It was simply impressive! 😍

There was also a totally beautiful fireworks display 🎆! The music was great & everyone was singing along loudly. Some even danced samba in the stands. It was a totally crazy feeling. You didn't know where to look first! 👀

Fact is: You should see this breathtaking event at least once in your life! Believe me ☺️

I can only say it again: It was breathtaking! 🤩 Here's another before & after picture:

In the end, we finally took an UBER back to the hotel & fell asleep with our earworm. 😴 Despite the shower in the evening, everything, but really EVERYTHING, was covered in glitter the next morning 😄 And let me tell you, that glitter is stubborn! Days later, we found glitter in our washed socks. Hallelujah. Finally, we set off for our next adventure: an absolutely amazing road trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo! 😍

Next Stop: Costa Verde Tour

17 April 2024

Ceará - Brazil 🚘

baaconBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

Road Trip by Car through Ceará

Cumbuco - Kitesurf & Beach Vibes 🌊

Cumbuco is located in the northeast of Brazil in the state of Ceará. Here you'll find one of the best kitesurfing spots in all of Brazil 🥰! The nearest major city is Fortaleza. From there, we took an extremely cheap UBER – Taxi (App)🚗. We only paid about 5 euros for the 45-minute ride 🤑! There were some larger supermarkets and small shops. You can get almost everything you need here. Costs are comparable to Germany. The best time to travel is from July to January 😎. So, of course, we were once again in the wrong place at the wrong time 🤦‍♀️! However, it was still possible to kite on 1-2 days a week!

Especially great was the accommodation for only 20 euros per night. Finally, a vacation rental with a washing machine and sufficient kitchen accessories

(Rarely found in Brazil!). 🤩

Also, there were delicious cocktails on every corner here! 🍹

Pro tip: Carmel Cumbuco Resort. Here we got a frozen cocktail and could relax beautifully in the hot tub. 😉

Last but not least, the sand dunes were absolutely cool too! From here you can jump straight into the water 😜

Good to know: It's dead quiet here in the off-season 🤓

Jericoacoara

The National Park

Big tip: Inform yourself before you just drive off! Our rental car had to endure quite a bit. The route to the National Park is actually only suitable for 4x4 cars. Buuut No Risk- No Fun. We raced over the extremely hilly sand roads and through the, way too deep, puddles. Don't ask me how we managed that. Everyone would have thought we were crazy 🤦‍♀️. But as Max always used to say:

,,Don’t be gentle with your rental!“😆

Just before the National Park, we had to park our car because only quad vehicles or horse-drawn carriages were allowed - 😄. The parking lot cost about 8 euros per day. In addition, there was the tourism fee of 4 euros per day. So, the first 60 euros were already gone before we even got to our accommodation. 😂 Plus, our rented car was also useless for the 5 days... So: Inform yourself beforehand 🤦‍♀️😂 nevertheless, the National Park was really worth it ☀️! It reminded me so much of Gili Trawangan (BALI)!

Simply beautiful. 😍

There are numerous restaurants & bars on every corner here! 🤤

But the best part: Live music 🎶

& the beach was absolutely stunning! Extremely spacious - Absolute paradise!

Additionally, in Jeri, you'll find many enchanting plant species & really cool surfer vibes! 😎

Tatajuba🥰

Here, we had a perfect accommodation right on the beach! 🏝

La Ventana was a beautiful hotel located right on the beach. In the mornings, there was a delicious traditional breakfast with tapioca, crepes, pão de queijo, omelets, and freshly squeezed juices. Simply heavenly 🥰! The staff were super friendly and fulfilled every wish. The hotel rooms are stylishly furnished & most accommodations have a sea view! My personal highlight: Definitely the infinity pool!

So if you ever find yourself in Tatajuba - Don't forget to stop by La Ventana!

To La Ventana

I also finally learned kitesurfing! We were there during the off-season and unfortunately, the wind wasn't always sufficient. However, the Kiteworldwide team was super flexible, so every opportunity to learn could be used. Within this week, I managed to get to the water start, but I will definitely continue! The good thing is: Kiteworldwide offers international courses & amazing kite camps. So if you want to try something new or even already kite - feel free to browse through the Kiteworldwide website!

Zu Kiteworldwide

Not to forget: You'll also find pigs on the beach here 🥰

Fortaleza🌤

The last stop on the Ceará road trip!

The waves were just awesome! Perfect for body-surfing! 🌊 There was also a beautiful beach, and the water was once again beautifully warm.

In the evening, we strolled through the night markets. I love that 😍

CAUTION: Danger of binge eating!

My absolute favorite: Açai! 😍 You have a huge counter with 100 different options: fruits, cookies... etc! When refilling, I always have to be really quick so Max doesn't see how much white chocolate & Smarties I put on my açai 🤫

Unhealthy for the body, but healthy for the soul 😛In the supermarkets, there are giant avocados - yummy 🥰 Unfortunately, everything is wrapped 10 times - The plastic consumption is enormous...

In den Supermärkten gibt es Riesen Avocados – leecker 🥰 Leider wieder alles 10 x eingepackt – Der Plastikverbrauch ist enorm…

The shopping centers were really cool too 🛍! At least they looked great. Prices are definitely higher than in Germany. Nothing for backpackers & penny pinchers. In the bargain corner (my favorite corner 😄), there's usually only clothing in XL or XXL. When paying at the checkout, you'll be asked almost everywhere if you want to pay in installments (even for small amounts). Absolutely crazy. 😯

Especially at night, Fortaleza looks impressive!

In conclusion: The road trip was extremely action-packed 😄! It's somehow always cooler to be even more flexible & that's what we were with the car 😌. If you ever find yourself in Brazil and are thinking about getting a car - you should be aware that it won't be easy. Especially outside the big cities, there are many potholes on the roads & the car/scooter drivers are quite fast 💨. But you get to know the country from a different perspective by car, as you drive through many small villages. Unfortunately, we have to return our car again, buuut of course, the next adventure is already waiting! The next few days, it's carnival in Rio de Janeiro & then we're going on a car rental tour from Rio down to São Paulo! It's going to be absolutely insane!

NEXT STOP: RIO DE JANEIRO - CARNIVAL 🥳

28 February 2024

Rio de Janeiro🇧🇷

Janet DannehlBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

🥗🥗 Food in Brazil is simply amazing! 🥗 🥗

There are cheap buffet restaurants on every corner (plate portion about 2.50 euros! 🤑) & here you really have everything to choose from, whether healthy 🥦, greasy 🍔, vegetarian 🥬 or grilled 🍗! The plates are weighed (about 70 cents per 100 g). Beer or a delicious Caipirinha freshly mixed will cost you 2 euros (also at the beach!). I especially LOVE Acai, whether as a milkshake, ice cream, or bowl! It just tastes SUPER 😍!

When shopping, every little thing is packed in an extra bag. Usually even directly in 2! Whatever 🤷‍♀️

We've gotten used to always bringing a cloth bag 🤓

Museu do Amanhã😊

Museum of Tomorrow

Science, Technology, and Knowledge in Sustainability 🌿🌿

The museum was super interesting! But also somewhat frightening to see the "expected" future of the world… 🥺

Every day is great with my sweetheart! 🥰

Escadaria Selarón😊

by the artist Jorge Selarón

He called it "my homage to the Brazilian people".

You can't believe how crowded it was 🤯! People formed whole lines to get the "perfect" photo on the colorful steps 📸.

We just took one on the side 🤓. At 35 degrees and a lot of steps, we don't need to climb to the highest step 😝

Cristo Redentor🤩

… one of the 7 new wonders of the world…

The Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Mountain was really impressive at 30 meters high! 😯

But at least as cool was the amazing view! 🔨

And not to forget: the cool train ride through the jungle! 🍃

Cost: about 15 euros per person for entry + train ride // Tip: the earlier, the better & book on the official website! 😉

Walk over the market

Ohhh how I love markets! You never know what to eat or drink first.

Super cheap, freshly squeezed juice and traditional food! Yummy! 🤤 Yummy!🤤

Max has discovered his love for Caipirinha 😂

Karneval🥳

A little taste of it 🎉

Once again, our dear friend Corona spoiled the fun for us ☹️. The carnival was canceled. Of course, the hotel prices were not canceled though, they were totally overpriced. Accommodations were at least twice as expensive as usual and almost fully booked weeks in advance 💸. Nevertheless, some people still partied in the streets. Most people were dressed liberally or in funny costumes 🤡. Many men and women were topless and mostly wore thongs or swimsuits 👙. It was absolutely crazy. Everywhere, there was a good mood. People were covered in glitter, painted in bright colors, and dancing wildly in the streets 💃🕺!

The fact is: We want to experience the real carnival! That's why we're coming back at the end of April (new date for this year's carnival).

Beach Meet up ☀️

That's why I love Facebook so much! We found a great group that regularly meets up at the beach.

Together, we chatted a lot and enjoyed some delicious passion fruit cocktails! 😍

Afterwards, we indulged in some delicious pizza! 🤤🍕

Pão de Açucar

Hike to Sugarloaf

It took about 40 minutes steep uphill. We were surrounded by magnificent plant life! 🌿

Unfortunately, we didn't see any monkeys or snakes, but we did see a Blue-chinned Sapphire hummingbird 😍

Good to know:

It is also possible to take the cable car up. There are two stages. You can hike up to the first stage, but you need a cable car ticket for the second stage!

The next few days, we saw the beautiful

Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro

☀️☀️ Small conclusion from Rio de Janeiro ☀️:

Rio is totally beautiful 🥰! The wide beaches, the delicious food, the fruity cocktails, the party-crazy people, and the impressive sights.

Unfortunately, there are, as in almost every country, also downsides here… Every day you are confronted full-on with the homelessness of people. They lie around randomly on the sidewalks. Among them, the garbage and one, two cockroaches. Feet as black as I have never seen them in my life. Some beg, some desperately try to sell something, and others just lie motionless. Definitely, there are also drugs in play more often. One day I even saw a child lying on the sidewalk. Opposite him, his father. Just terrible… 😔

But now it's time to say goodbye to Rio again! 👋🏻

We'll see you again soon! Keep your fingers crossed that the carnival won't be canceled again!

Next Stop: Cumbuco

24 January 2024

Chile - City & Desert 🇨🇱

baaconBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

Die Hauptstadt, die unendliche Wüste und das ganze Einreise Corona Programm

Santiago de Chile☀️

Off to the capital and largest city of Chile! ✈️

Ah, Corona, my dear friend.

Before departing from Peru, as per the usual routine, we had to undergo a PCR test, and guess what? Just after a mere 2 hours of flight time, another one was waiting for us (despite being fully vaccinated + having recovered status + previous negative PCR test results!) 😠. At the airport, they shoved the new test swabs deep into our throats and then even deeper into both nostrils. Yummy. 🤤

With tears in our eyes and coughing, we finally headed to passport control 🥲...

So far, so good. Now it was time for yet another round of quarantine until the new test results arrived. By now, we had become accustomed to it. Luckily, the results only took 1 day, so we had time to explore Santiago de Chile right after 🙏.

Cool city. Lots of skyscrapers. A scorching heat of 30 degrees Celsius. German prices. 😎👍

Coronavirus measure: Temperature check before entering any store!

After strolling around, we visited the Chilean National Zoo🦛

Then, we tried the traditional cocktail: ,,Terremoto“🍹

Very sweet, but oh so delicious with the pineapple ice! 😍

And what could be better than finding watermelon on every corner? 🍉

We definitely made the most out of this one day in Santiago de Chile! ❤️

San Pedro de Atacama🌵

Off to the driest desert in the world! 🏜

Ahead of us lay the dry earth, a heat of at least 30 degrees Celsius, and snow-capped mountains in the background. What a panorama! 🥰

In the city center, the small adobe houses with shops and restaurants stood close together. Small dust clouds formed as cars passed by. Tourists from all over the world crossed paths, admiring the colorful clothing and souvenirs.

Various stray dogs roamed the streets 🐕. Occasionally, we stumbled upon a drunken man regenerating in the shade.

After filling our stomachs with the first Empanadas (one of Chile's typical dishes), we went shopping. The largest supermarket here is roughly comparable to a late-night shop. In Peru, we paid only a third of the original German prices in supermarkets. Hence, the first shock came when we reached the cashier 💸. We paid almost double for some products compared to Germany 😯. Mostly, it's because transportation costs in the desert are naturally much higher. After reluctantly completing our first shopping, we drove to our new accommodation. One of Max's best friends currently lives here and works as a tour guide. His name is Moritz. Max and Moritz – it's clear they get along well 🤣! Anyway, we can consider ourselves lucky to know Moritz; otherwise, accommodations in the area would have been almost unaffordable. So, we got a free accommodation with a refrigerator, a hot shower, a stove, and a large bed. What more could we ask for? 😊

Next to us lived Moritz's grandparents and other relatives.

They own hundreds of animals, including rabbits 🐰, guinea pigs, various bird species 🦜, pigs, horses, llamas, cats, dogs, chickens 🐓, ostriches, goats, deer – and yes, I definitely forgot some. Maybe "farm" isn't the right word; it's more like a "zoo." Anyway.

The family welcomed us warmly, and we all had dinner together.

Note: Before entering the room, ask for permission with the word "Permiso"! 👍👍

We enjoyed fresh goat cheese with pastries, a huge cake, and a horror for all vegetarians: boiled goat.

However, everything tasted delicious, and it couldn't get fresher than this!

Just like in almost every country we've visited in South America, football was on during dinner. Everyone sat around a big table. Next to us, the little chickens were in a cage, and the cats and dogs roamed around the kitchen. 😂

Here, humans and animals live closely together! 👧🐓👧🐓

The Pool Party at the Hostel 💦💦

A perfect way to cool off in over 30-degree weather! 😍 I must say, South Americans have incredibly good taste in music 💃! Perfect dance music that instantly lifts your spirits! Quite the opposite of the current German chart music. Most German radio songs can almost make you depressed 🙄!

Mountain Biking through the Desert

SO MUCH FUN!

VALLE DE JEREZ☀️😎

This beautiful oasis lies amidst the desert landscape, surrounded by towering rocks.

There are small caves in the rock walls that we could even crawl into. 👻

Definitely worth a visit for only 2 euros entrance per person! 🙏

Hot Springs 💦

After our hike, we jumped into the hot springs 😍.

It was just a perfect day ❤️.

Horseback Riding🏇

After slathering ourselves with sunscreen, we hopped into the saddle! We were both a bit nervous 😆. It was even Max's first time on a horse 🙈.

Off we went through the desert landscape. Once again, breathtaking! 😍

Volcano Blanco🌋

Half-day hike 🥾

Such beautiful animals 😍

Guatín

Valle de los Cactus

Cerro Toco

It goes up 5,604 meters high! 😲

The heart pumps like crazy, and the head starts to ache slightly. The top rule, when climbing to such an extremely high altitude, is to stay calm and have a good attitude 🙌! We actually made it up without any problems, with a few breaks 💪.

The Universe 🌌 🌌

Let's take a look at the sky... ❤️

Moritz's cousin brought out his telescope for us!

The stars were a bit blurry. They somehow looked like little bacteria 🤣✨.

But THEN the madness: we could see and photograph the moon through the telescope 😍.

Floriemiento Fest

A traditional Chilean festival that only happens once a year.

What a festival, I tell you! I don't think I've ever seen so much alcohol in my life. Crates of beer after crates of beer. Thousands of llamas, sheep, and goats in the midst of it all. Nearly the entire village gathered to celebrate this special occasion. When we received our first beer, it was first poured onto the ground as a tradition, for the animals and to Pachamama, "Mother Earth." Here, it's normal to share a bit with the earth (the goddess) with every drink!

Then the music started! Five men began to play the guitar, while people gathered behind them. Everyone danced three times in a circle around the animals. There was loud singing, occasional spins, and suddenly, the woman in the middle smeared red paint on my face. OH OH. It took me a moment to realize that it definitely wasn't paint but llama blood!

After the dance, the llama wool was processed to adorn the animals.

After the dance, the llama wool was processed to adorn the animals.

Now, for all animal lovers, brace yourselves: After the ritual, one animal of each kind was slaughtered. A sheep, a llama, and a goat 😢.

In the end, the helpers were given a living goat!

We could have gotten one too, but it wouldn't fit quite right in our backpack 😄.

The festival was interesting, shocking, fun, sad, touching, and exciting all at once.

Moon Valley

Or right before it!

Due to Corona, we couldn't get tickets on the same day... Not a big deal! We just hopped on our bikes and explored on our own, discovering a cool cave and breathtaking views!

Until next time, Chile.

We had an incredible time!Coronavirus problems upon entry 🙄:

Die Corona Probleme bei der Einreise🙄:

Die Validierung für unsere Impfungen dauerte länger als erwartet ( bis zu 40 Tagen!! ). Unser Flieger flog daher ohne uns! Gut. Der erste unnötige Geldverlust ( PCR-Test 60 Euro, Flugverschiebung…)!😐
Als nach einiger Zeit, dann doch endlich die Validierung funktionierte starteten wir unseren zweiten Versuch ein paar Tage später🙏. Diesmal war der schöne, wie immer äußerst angenehme Test auch noch bei einem von uns positiv😭. Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Genau das haben wir jetzt auch noch gebraucht😖! Hiermit also der zweite unnötige Geldverlust💸. Mit null, wirklich null Prozent Symptomen und einem trotzdem positiven und überteuerten PCR-Test standen wir nun da. 😐👍
Beautiful two weeks "locked up" in an Airbnb apartment (which thankfully was really nice 🙏). Yes, what can you do? Wait 🧍‍♀️. Reschedule flights and look forward to the next super PCR test for Chile. Who doesn't love getting their nose swabbed 10 times❓. I gladly pay 60 euros each time for that 👍. Well, enough of that rant 😁.

The fact is, traveling in the time of Corona is very expensive and occasionally nerve-wracking 😌.

But one should always see the good things ☀️. We made the most of our quarantine time, working very hard 💻, continuing to learn Spanish 📚, chatting with our friends/family over Skype 🙂, or baking oat cookies 🍪, rolls, etc...

All in all, time passed by fairly quickly ⌛️.

Next Post: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.

4 January 2024

Facts - Peru

Janet DannehlBackpacking, Continents, Reisestil, South America

Drinks:

National Drink: ,,Pisco Sour‘‘

made from grape brandy, egg white, lime juice, and a bit of sugar.

Chicha Morada

Made from cinnamon, sugar, pineapple, purple corn, and clove.

Coca - Tea

Made from coca leaves, similar to green tea.

Inca Kola

Extremely sweet with a bubblegum-like taste, similar to Mountain Dew.

Freshly squeezed juices

All kinds of fruit juices are available.

The Food:

Local restaurants are abundant and cheap.

They are super cheap and tasty as well!

Prices approximately:

1-2 Euro for Chaufa (rice, vegetables, chicken, egg)

3 Euro for a burger menu with fries and a drink

2-3 Euro for various soups

4 Euro for higher-quality meat dishes

The touristy restaurants are roughly twice-three times the cost.

Try the national dish Ceviche: .

Raw fish with accompaniments.

Enjoy a Crepe with fruits.

A fruit dream!

Churros

similar to filled doughnuts.

Dulche Leche

Taste Dulce de Leche, similar to Nutella.

Chaufa or Aeropuerto

a rice dish with various vegetables, chicken, and egg.

Arroz con Leche

just arroz con leche ^^

Soups

There are hundreds of soup variations.

For the adventurous - Try Cuy!

a type of guinea pig.

Craving European food?

You'll find good pizza, pasta, potato dishes, burgers, and more.

For Fruit Lovers:

Granadilla (Genus: Passion Fruit)
Prickly Pear (Cactus Fruit)
Chirimoya (Taste: Banana, Pineapple, Cinnamon)
Yellow Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit)
Watermelon
Mango

Should I give tips?

Definitely! Locals appreciate even 1-2 Soles (30 cents).

The Weather:

Naturally, the weather depends on the seasons. We were there during the rainy season in December, and apart from occasional 15-minute showers or a rainy night, there wasn't much to notice.

Also good to know:

Peruvians apparently don't like to heat places. Often, it's very cold in establishments, so you often see people sitting there with jackets.

People:

Incredibly friendly and helpful.
They live very family-oriented lives and work long hours, even at a very old age.

Many don't speak English, so knowing basic Spanish words is helpful.

Nature:

Breathtakingly diverse. Peru has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty.

Accommodations:

Standards may not match those of Europe, but most hotels are clean and well-maintained.

Sanitary Facilities:

Toilet paper goes in the trash, not the toilet.

----

Make sure to bring your own toilet paper as it may not always be available.

-----

Hygiene:

Good. As mentioned in my other blog articles, it takes some getting used to. Especially in the markets, people often have long, dirty fingernails, and the meat is left in the blazing sun. Flies crawl over some uncovered meat, and dead guinea pigs are stacked in a plastic bucket, while the fruit is placed among free-roaming dogs, on a tarp, on the ground.

Don't be discouraged! We didn't have any stomach problems, so it can't be all that bad! Just wash everything thoroughly, and you'll be fine!

Additionally, you have the option to spend a bit more money and achieve a higher level of hygiene!

Altitude:

Keep in mind the extreme differences in altitude between places. Altitude sickness (dizziness, headaches, etc.) is not uncommon, so prepare before your travels!

Safety:

Peru is one of the safest countries in South America! Of course, you should still keep an eye on your belongings, but that's a general rule anywhere in the world.

The Police:

In the city, the police are often overtaken by cars without any reaction. In Germany, you would have been stopped 10 times already. It's a different world. Definitely!

The police even run red lights...

Currency:

The currency here is the Peruvian Sol.

1 Euro is approximately 4.5 Sol.Traffic:

Traffic:

"Insane" is the right word, I think! Red lights are often ignored. Honking is constant. The cars drive very closely and all look quite damaged. There are many road damages, and people don't often wear seatbelts here. We prefer to avoid renting a car. Driving yourself is definitely risky.

Transportation Options:

Of course, you can also take the bus here, but it's usually overcrowded. It's best to use UBER, as you can get from A to B relatively safely and at a reasonable price. However, be prepared to ride without a seatbelt here too... Don't just hop into any random taxi!

Conclusion:

Peru is definitely a country that I would recommend to everyone. It's especially great:

if you love nature
enjoy hiking
love to indulge in local cuisine
want to live affordably
want to experience a new culture
and want to immerse yourself in a completely different world.