January 29th - February 8th, 2011
January 29, 2011. (Recife and Olinda)
Arrived on an earlier flight to Recife around 11 pm and of course, the buses quit running. Luckily a taxi was only $10 even though that still hurts to pay. The lack of English and high prices, especially along the coast of Brazil are beginning to take its toll on me. With rooms at $30 a night in the dorm and transportation being so much more than anticipated, my budget is being crushed. However, leave for Manaus in the middle of the Amazon on Feb. 9th and then will bus up into Venezuela. Will discuss that trip a little more when I get a better grasp on it and way the dangers. Almost like traveling in China except most of the hostels there spoke better English.
January 31, 2011. (Natal, Brazil)
So glad to be out of Recife. Hard to see sights in Olinda when no one at the hostel speaks more than 2 words of English. Even in China, many people learned at least a little English in preparation of the Olympics. Most Brazilians speak neither English or Spanish. With the World Cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 you would think that everyone would be learning to speak English. Enough ranting. Chilling out in Natal for 10 days until I bus for 8 hrs to Fortaleeza to catch my flight to Manaus. From there I bus into Venezuela. Got to talk to Scott, Kade and Madison on Skype last night and it was long overdue. Hopefully I will get recharged over next 10 days. No plans except for beach, swimming pool and 1 days of dune buggies on the high sand dune around Natal. It is supposed to be great fun with professional drivers taking you flying over the sand dunes for an entire day. Another unplanned expenditure. Luckily the free breakfast not only includes fruit but bread, ham and cheese. You know what I am thinking , right. Always make 1 or 2 ham sandwiches and keep for lunch.
February 3, 2011. (New hostel (home) in Natal)
Moved to a new hostel, actually a home masquerading as a hostel 2 days ago. Got a private room, they have the better beach on Ponto Negra and a pool. Staying here until my flight to Manaus. Doing nothing but relaxing and trying not to spend any money. Still thinking about Venezuela. Either way I will be going on the slow boat for 6.5 days up the Amazon in a hammock. I did that once before and while an experience, not that much fun either. But it gets me to Leticia where Colombia, Brazil and Peru meet and I can get a cheap plane to Cartagenca. Then Colombia will be my home for the rest of my trip. ( I think) Cuba ???????????????????????????
The beaches here are beautiful and found my new favorite food, Acai Ice Cream. Acai's taste is often described as a cross between blackberries and unsweetened chocolate. There are full of antioxidants.
February 8, 2011. (Bus to Fortaleeza and plane to Manaus then bus to Santa Elena)
After 11 days of fun and sun and getting recharged in Natal, I am ready to resume my backpacking through South America for the last few legs of my journey. Tonight at 8:15 pm I take a bus for 8.5 hrs to Fortaleeza and then a taxi (since its 4 am) to the airport. Then I take a 9am flight to Manaus and then straight to the bus station, where I will wait for 7 hrs until the 8 pm bus to Santa Elena, Venezuela which will take 15 hrs. Busy 40 hrs of backpacking.
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