Coming Full Circle (The One Post You Should Read!)
After 96 days, 30,616 frequent flyer points, 17 countries and 14 currencies, I am back in Melbourne (town hall pictured).
So, welcome to the final post (number 41) of my holiday - albeit written two weeks after arriving home!
That's a lot of words, hey? But then, I have never been known for my brevity... and for those not so enamoured with words, I have a table and a few key links below - just scroll down, go on, you can risk that you might get distracted and read something on the way... ;-)
As you can gather, on returning I have usually received one of two greetings:
The blog was so great, thank you, I was travelling with you from the comfort of home...
I have a confession, I read none/one of your blog entries... (or it's alternative - you only did a couple, right? I saw those... ;-) )
Well, I understand; I will confess too that at times writing about the holiday has felt like a chore, but I am glad I persevered as it feels good to see it through to the end. And thank you for those who have contributed through comments - my apologies for those who wrote and lost comments. I am certainly the poorer for it.
And the Business Analyst in me loves that the server hosting this blog compiles some statistics about its readers - so it's fascinating to see that "Travellin' with Aveline" was read in every continent, except Africa and Antarctica (and no - it wasn't all me, the timestamps show that!). I'm still trying to work out which of my well-travelled friends were reading in the more exotic locations of Russia, China, South Korea, Iran, and Serbia... (I have a list of suspects, you know!)
And we are so close to 2000 views - I hope these final posts can tip us over that number. Given the limited number of people I shared the link with (and that many opted for the email, so maybe didn't visit the blog at all), that's pretty amazing. Again - thank you for sticking with it, and for the kind comments!
But it wasn't all roses... I see that the least popular post was about the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, with only 7 hits... for shame all you green thumbs! And that this was closely followed by my first post on Cuba. A tragedy, really, as this had some of my favourite photos in it (and why would more people read part 2?).
Speaking of which - if you just want to look at the photos - all 367 photos from this blog can be found on the Travel Blog Gallery (arranged by country).
And not that we need evidence of the existence of Schadenfreude, but coincidentally, the two highest hits were on the two "disaster" entries. *sighs* Guess it's more newsworthy when it's something bad? I know, you were just concerned enough to actually read if I was still alive... ;-)
Bah Humbug! (or Lessons Learnt from Travel) - a whopping 72 Views (and the most comments - your sympathy was much appreciated though)
Do Cry for me in Argentina - 34 Views
Oh, and between them - The Itinerary (with 54 views - all possibly checking to see when the endless stream of blogging might stop!?) ;-)
Okay - enough navel gazing... let me sum up the trip.
Despite all my travel, this was the first time I circumnavigated the globe. I wish I had made more of an effort to compile an itinerary going west, rather than east. All that getting up earlier lark is so not me! Also - by going to Europe and the US earlier, and South America later, I probably would have averaged out the temperatures a bit more. I don't mind (in fact I prefer) to travel in cold weather - but with only the carry on luggage, it did mean owning and wearing only one jumper for six weeks (albeit a very nice Calvin Klein number, purchased in the sales in New York!).
The most common question I have been asked on returning has been where was my favourite place? I would have to say it is a tie between Peru and Cuba (and notwithstanding the regular favourites I always return to: NYC, London, Paris). Both countries are fantastic for their diverse attractions, great value (ie things are cheap!) and friendly people. The worst for me was Guatemala and Belize - for the weather mostly, and breaking a toe, the sandfly bites, upset tummy, as well as the room-mate from hell... yeah - it kinda fell apart at that point...
But to be thorough - here's a best of/worst of table for you all - if you like, the cheat's guide to Aveline's holiday, so I need never know you didn't read any of the blog!
WHAT?
BEST
WORST
Country
Peru – so much to see and do! And very cheap drinks to go with the great food!
Belize – rain, sandflies, and pushy guides - need I say more?
City
Amsterdam - a new discovery for me and up there with NYC, Paris, and London.
Dubai – hot, spread, out, and limited to shopping or swimming…
Town
Cusco – lovely historic plaza
Lugano – so scenic and tranquil
Foz do Iguacu/Puerto Iguazu – not much besides the magnificent falls.
Tikal – a lodge in the tropical and very damp Guatemalan jungle
Food
Peru – ceviche, seafood, Pisco sour, and half-decent white wine…
$10 Lobsters in Belize (huge too!).
Cuba – a bit better in the private family restaurants, but mostly bland chicken and rice…
Drink
Glüwein in the Netherlands/Germany/ Switzerland
Mojitos in the Thermal Baths in Machu Picchu Town / Aguas Calientes
Saffron and Cinnamon tea in Dubai
Inca Cola – it’s luminescent yellow! But it does taste OK – like creaming soda.
Mate – it’s OK, but not my favourite taste; I prefer Coca tea…
Take away Meal
Turkey ciabatta, sweet potato salad, apple cider and pumpkin pie picnic (courtesy of Dean and Deluca Gourmet Deli) under the Manhattan Bridge on Thanksgiving.
McDonalds value lunch (the only time I ate there in 3 months) in Geneva, because it was all I could afford with my last CHF$8!
Snack
Cheesesteak filled pretzel – Philadelphia
Amish Donuts - Philadelphia
Atun Queso Empanada – Rapa Nui
Can’t think of any… I did carry a peanut muesli bar in my handbag for 2 weeks. It still tasted OK though…
Sight
The views of Rio de Janeiro from the Sugarloaf Mountain – spectacular!
Geneva’s Floral Clock
(What’s the big deal with the big dial?)
And Dubai’s “old” souk (I’m older!)
Site
RAPA NUI – loved finally seeing the Moai and learning about the island culture. This has been long on my wishlist.
INCAN – such impressive, large, well-built monuments in amazing locations!
Roman Amphitheatre in London (bit of a wall, drain pipe, and lots of green art work to make up for it! Do I sense an Olympic theme here?) At least I saw it for free!
Smell
Two century old perfume shop in Havana
Rio de Janeiro – what a pong for such a pretty looker!
Safety
Strangely enough – the little Cessna with 5 of us flying over the Nasca Lines in south Peru – crashing never once entered my mind…
Yucatan, Mexico - Driving in torrential rain in the dark on a country road with oncoming trucks… pleased to live to tell the tale!
Weather
Cuba – sunny, but not too hot.
Staying ahead of bad weather by 1 day in USA and Northern Europe – blue skies in snowy Switzerland!
Icy pavements in Washington DC
(although the Snow was REALLY cool for the first 30 minutes…)
Airport
Geneva – precision and efficiency! They have a sorting conveyor belt before you hit security scanning!
Santiago – for the 90 minute wait to get through customs (their lunch break was more important…)
Customs Officers
Lima – so friendly, I probably would have told him anything (very clever!)
Miami – I was in transit for heaven’s sake – why the mean barrage of questions in Spanish?!! I gave you an Australian passport! *rolls eyes*
Hotel Outlook
Balcony with beach views - Paracas, Peru.
Corner suite, Dubai.
Bay Window - Philadelphia
The small window onto a lightwell hotels – New York City, Puerto Iguazu, and Puno.
Historic Building
Mexico City’s palaces and Museo de Bellas Artes
Opera House in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
National History Museum in Santiago Chile (nice architecture, but rather empty)
Tour
Favela tour in Rio de Janeiro. Really interesting to learn about life for the poorer workers in this flash town.
Night tour of Dubai. How many five star hotel lights can you see in 90 minutes?
Wildlife
Giant Iguanas lazing in the sun at Tulum, Mexico
Marmosets in Rio de Janeiro’s parks
DC’s Squirrels. Cute little critters!
Not seeing a single Tucan in all of South America…
Swim
Tulum, Mexico – even if I did get dumped by a massive wave
Iguazu Falls (not strictly speaking a swim, but we did get just as wet with loads more fun!)
Caye Caulker – Belize with sharks and stingrays… (that was supposed to be the attraction!), and walking 20 minutes in the rain to swim in an inaccessible channel between islands with a rip! Are you kidding?!
Show
The Book of Mormon - in London with NY cast, was fantastically funny. Loved the music from Kinky Boots on Broadway.
Every single Cuban performer I heard was fantastic.
Rapa Nui – a bit too similar to the Kiwi and Hawaiian song and dance shows – brief, expensive, and I had the huge head of the person in front of me in all my photos!
Moment
Stepping through the arch onto the vista of Machu Picchu. A real WOW moment!
Dancing Salsa in Cuba – both having the dance instructor whisper in my ear that I was the best in the class, and being asked to dance by locals in the clubs.
Meeting online friends.
Losing use of the iPhone and having to buy a watch and camera to replace its two key functions.
Reading the email in Amsterdam with the sad news of my beloved’s death.
Not being able to meet online friends… *pouts*
And so now, according to my TripAdvisor map, I have been to 39 countries and over 160 cities. There are still big gaps - notably Africa and North America. I also have India, Scandinavia (northern lights!), and Japan on my wishlist. I am always amazed when people say I am so well travelled. Because, yes, I have been to more places than most, but there are so many more to see.
And there is so much more to travel than actually travelling. Which is why I have been thinking I might continue with the occasional post on this blog. What do you think? Would you continue to read it? Perhaps if I can find a better template that allows easier comment... anyway the intention is one thing, we will see whether anything comes of it.
So thank you for accompanying me on this journey. We may not have done it in 80 days, but we have now been around the world. We have come full circle - I hope you didn't get too dizzy?
Until the next post if there is one... cheers, Aveline. xxx
