Caribbean/Latin America 2001

After living and working in New Zealand for one year, it was time to hit the road again. This time, I thought I'd try do the language thing too....

Take me to the beach on time......
February 2001

Well as most of you know a lot of happenings have been happening and to conclude it all nicely I'm off to do what I do best and travel the world (well a wee bit more of the unseen territory!) I've just spent over a month doing the visit-your-own-country buzz, and have been having a hell of a time lying on beaches, drinking local wine/beer, doing the concert/boogie scene in Auckland, free-camping at exotic locations, sailing on million dollar yachts and free scuba diving at one of the top dive sights in NZ - it's alright I s'pose!

To Celebrate leaving - I'm having a 'Anti-Valentines/Buggar-off-ski' BBQ on Wednesday, 14th Feb 2001, in Lower Hutt (all welcome) followed by another drunken occasion in Auckland on Thursday 15th Feb, b4 I hop on the big steel bird to LA on the 16th Feb @ 1530...

Itinerary from there:

  • 16 Feb - LA (off to Vegas to earn money? and jump into the Grand Canyon...) - Does anyone know anyone I can stay in LA?!?!?! 21 Feb - Miami - anyone to stay with here too!?!!?
  • 22 Feb - Trinidad - Yehaaa!! - the TRINIDAD CARNIVAL!! With Leonie and friends to party like silly party things!! Feb-March - Caribbean Island hopping (scamming a crew position on a multi-million-dollar yacht or something!?!? hmmmm) March-May - Central America - Starting in Guatemala with an intense Espanol course, followed by beaches (who me!??!), tequila (just a little), history and all things good.... May- June - Southern America - Peru, Bolivia .... The Inca trail... yippeee
  • 28 June - Fly from Miami to New York - for Independence day and my dodgy Frank Sinatra singing....
  • 5 July - Fly to Washington and join the FBI (I mean if the NZ police would have me....) 8 July - Go to London! Yehaaa - a cup of tea with maties, family and anyone who will have me!
  • 1 August - Dublin - I've applied for a one year working holiday visa so intend to pop on a suit and make me some pounds (and probably put on some pounds with the likely Guinness intake!!)
  • 13 Nov - Madrid - maybe Paulos and Teresa will be there and maybe my Espanol will be good enough to make it to a beach and order beer! 20 Nov - Geneva - Jo K's b'day must be celebrated with style!!
  • 26 Nov - Bangkok - have chk'ed the calendar and another Full-moon party on the beaches of Koh Pang Yang may be a go'er!! He heee (don't know if I'll be the oldest there?!?!)
  • 4 Dec - Kuala Lumpur - buy lotsa cheap computer software and games?!?! - orders anyone?!
  • 6 Dec - Singapore - Ex-pats nite on the waterfront - 10pound drink what ya can type effort...
  • 7 Dec - Sydney - Catch up with Dad and maties Dec/Jan - Melbourne Dec/Jan/Feb?? - Wellington - for another summer on the gorgeous beaches of NZ After this - who know!??! Back to Dublin for more work/money!?!? Ideas anyone? As you can tell working for 8 months in 3 years is obviously too much for me so venture again I must!!

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From the Caribbean with love....
March 2001

I am living in Caribbean time, I've been away for over a month now and it's been alllll good! First was the great US of A! I stayed in Hollywood - where alas, I was not spotted for the amazing talents I'm yet to discover.... then Las Vegas - where alas, I didn't make my millions (lost it all in at least 4 mins!) Teamed up with Lisa and Lisa (oz and pom), hired a car, broke the 100mph mark and zoomed off to the Grand Canyon. It was amazing, breath-taking and everything else you've ever heard.... took loadsa photos and did the fly thing... Back in LA, did the Universal Studios buzz and zoomed to Miami (all in less than a week!)

The Trinidad carnival was fantastic!! Teamed up with Leonie (her fantastic family) and Cathy (Irish), Appa (Pom) and Clements (German) to do the 'silly-nations take on the Caribbean!' The Carnival has got to be the best 5 day party in the world! The music, the family, the rum/gin! The dancing is something else: you're boogieing along when some spunky local comes up behind and starts gyrating into you like there's no tomorrow - welcome to the Caribbean dancing experience! Everyone is pounding anyone and the heat is on! (why this semi-exotic dance is not a haps in the Western world is a question of personal space and not enough rum punch!)

Did a day trip to visit the fish off the tropical island of TOBAGO with Leonie and co. - thanks a ton babe, you're a star!

Next Island was ST VINCENT, went here with Franka (Leonie's sis) and stayed with their 79 yr old aunt - what a character! There is something about this island and life-restoring-properties! I meet a 80 yr old karate master on the beach (with dyed black hair and moustache!) who had the hugest arm muscles believable, then climbed the highest peak on the island (and active volcano crater) with a 70 and 75 year old! Hmmm maybe I'll retire here?!

ST LUICA - I was here for the Friday nite 'jump-up' (a smaller version of the Trinidad carnival) - great calypso music and sexy men! Teamed up with Ann (a scouser pom!), had a 'real' meal at her flash hotel and showed the tourist how to wiggle ya bum at the street party! Hung out with the Rasta-boys and went to a very intriguing Rasta bar - interesting atmosphere!

DOMINICA - Climbed the highest mountain up to a steaming lake and the bestest hot waterfall and pool - v. relaxing... Ann came over and joined me, and I did the same walk again (8 hrs!) hmmm - a bit fit or stupid maybe. Ate mountain chicken (frogs legs) which sadly tasted like KFC... and played with the locals (all good!)

ST KITTS AND NEVIS - we hired a car (not quite 100mph!) saw the island and it's forts, beaches and breweries. Adopted some local kids for a day (or maybe they adopted us?!) and did ice skating on the grass. The island of Nevis for some more paradisiacal beaches - lovely tan.....

ANTIGA - where I am now. We're going on a 6-7 hour 'eat and drink as much as you want' snorkel boat trip tomorrow - should be grand for $40! Also may go and sun soak on a few beaches and talk shite to the locals (as I have had to explain to quite a few of my local admirers: If I was to spend the amount of time they all like to promise, with each of the punters, I'd spend my whole time on my back and would never get to see any of the island!!!!

After here, the plan is to go to Puerto Rico (shop and practice my espanol (or lack of it!)) b4 heading to Guatemala to play in Central America for a couple of months! Then again, have just received an email about crewing on a yacht for a few weeks.... Hmmmm that may be nice! May the sun be as beautiful and fluffy as it is here.

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With Avocadoes from Guatemala
April 2001

I last left you on a tropical beach on the island of Antigua.... from there Ann (my trusty reflexologist/hairdresser/accountant) and I flew off to Puerto Rico. It was so nice to touch civilization again! Home of the Pina Colada, fine beaches, and funky old forts. We hired a car and circled the island staying in a Luxury resort without a restaurant but with a v.relaxing mineral pool - this was great fun as you couldn't sink, but floated above the water (just like Jesus).

We sadly said our farewells (cups of tea in London arranged) and I took off to Guatemala! First major stop was another Antigua (pronounce differently of course!?¿?) Where I threw myself into a Esapañol skool and attempted to conquer the language.

Antigua is the place to be for Semana Santa (Easter Week) so I ended up not studying as hard as I would of like to, (is anyone surprise?¿?) but got into a v.social gròup of pissheads from around the world (Canadian, English, Finish, Danish, Norway, Yank, German, Guatemalan....). We had a right blast celebrating my b´day (arhhhh¿!¡ old moo!) with a week of partying. There was free Gin´n´tonic lady's nights, almost getting arrested (for being out drinking after 1am - "I don't have any money Mr Policeman...honest") and saucy silly salsa dancing!

The semana santa was a spectacular event. No chocolate easter eggs, but a tri-century old tradition of 2000 men clothed in purple, walking the cobblestone streets for 9 hours carrying a heavy 350yr old Jesus! Roman soldiers, women and niños as young as 6yrs do this (major kodak moment!). By doing so they repent their sins for the year and are holy again (how many sins can a 6 yr old have?¿?) All the neighborhoods make these amazing carpets made of coloured sawdust (more kodak moments...) and the procession of sinners walk over them - truly special (and confusing?¿¡)

I also climbed a Volcano with no ´Health and Safety´ standards. This meant you could stare right down into the crater where bubbling lava is boiling away giving off wonderful woofs of toxic suphuric monoxide... the food didn't taste that good! The run down the lose scoria was a blast!!

From there I teamed up with a Fin, Pekka, and we went of to Lago de Atitlan. This is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains with quant villages on the sides. We stayed at a couple of these, swam, ate, drunk, smoked and I managed to get a b´day massage.

It was out here, that the debate of where santa claus really comes from started. Pekka swears it's Finland/Lapland of course, Norway was also a keen owner, but the best was the Dutchies who swore he came from Turkey each year picking up his black knights on a boat (with horse) from Spain?¿!?!... Has anyone heard this?¿ Is it true¿? Can somebody please tell me where he truly comes from.... (a little confused out here´in Guatemala!!! help!)

I truly am from Wellington - the city of Wind. None of my wind dances worked, so I didn't get to go Hang gliding (poop) Maybe I'll look out for parachuting in Mexico or something equally exciting and dodgy in 3rd world countries miles away from any decent medical facilities!! hehe

I'm now in a highland city of Queztaltatango (2000m) where it is bloody cold (my tan is falling off). I am attempting to study Spanish again, this time really (truly) hard and with no drinking (except last nite which was a Saturday and I had to drink a Swede under the table - he's still vomiting today!!?¿ he hee!). Anyway apart from that, I will be speaking perfectly by the end of the week - right!! Next is Mexico (beach, Silver, ruins..) then Cuba....

May you be comfortable in the fact that I get to eat Avocadoes everyday and I have a new Spanish name - Huliana!!!

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With tequila from the Caribbean...
May 2001

¡Hola luvlies! On the beach again and looking forward to the boogie land of Cuba!

This last month has been an interesting and fast one... Did the español bizzo in Xela, Guatemala for 2 weeks... I can now order more than 2 bears in the native tongue. Had a fab time studying there, including a few local futbol games (the super chivos - goats?¡? are into the semi-finals so the whole town was pumping?¡!) pity half the players had trouble kicking a ball! A bit of mountain biking (I'm so unfit!), hot pools with hangovers and mucho bailar .. salsa style!

Next was Mexico. First the pacific coast where I learnt that Mexican men have to be in the top 5 nations of dodgy sleazy men (am I really surprised?¡?) Did a bit of the surf buzz and worked on me tan.

Went to a highland village where they use coke (cola) and corn whiskey in the church to make them burp... by doing so they are bringing up the evil spirits from inside that makes people sick! Also chicken sacrifices can cure a cold. This has to be the only place in the world that consider sheep sacred (and intelligent?¡) you are not allowed to take photos of sheep (as I was obviously considering....) as you may steal their soul (or memory?) hmmm A revolution occurred in this town only 7 years ago. This occurred when Pepsi cola came in as competition to Coca cola and gave money to officials... ¨´war of the coke´ broke out, and many chickens were forfeited and bribes taken. Now, the shops are painted either Red or Blue to show their loyalties! They have only just got Christmas 3 years ago and don't know where Lapland is?¡? - has got to be one on the most interesting towns I have ever visited!!

Teamed up with a great bunch of multi-nationalities and visited Palenque - amazing Maya ruins (huge pyramid structures) surrounded by romantic and humid rainforest... was a beautiful setting with waterfalls to swim in and hammocks under the stars (and mozzies) to sleep in... a wee bit of tequila suxed back...

Since then 4 of us have joined forces (Christina a Dane, Ryan a Canadian and Paddy a Pom). Together we hired a car and zoomed to all the sites: a flamingo estuary where we swam in a fresh water spring, the Gulf of Mexico for a swim (and fantastic cheap seafood), funky ruins, salsa bars, late nite swimming in the hotel's pool, a limestone cave with massive stagnates (for guess what - a swim!)

Currently on the Caribbean Island of women (Islet Mujers) where most bars have lady's drink free... it's a real bummer! Lotsa volleyball, Frisbee, work on the tan and trying not to drown (alcoholic influences otherwise....)... hmmm - all good!

Tomorrow Paddy the Pom and I shoot off to Cuba for 2-3 weeks where I will dance my wee (or not so wee due to excess alcohol consumption) butt off to live salsa and meringue ... can't wait! Hopefully my Spanish will be of more use there.... Hope the world is fluffy and tequila like to all out there... Bubbles of Besos

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With Cuban Cigars from Honduras
June 2001

Have had many a marvelous experiences in Cuba! Gotta be one of me top countries to visit (and that's saying something!!) Everyday, gave new adventures into the world of Fidel and the revolution...

Cuba is a bit like a revolutional jacket- frayed at the collar, thread bare at the elbows and a few shinny medals showing off. Everyone has a story: the guy with the same birth date, who aged 21 years sat on a inner tube for 72 hours in hope of being picked up by a US boat (and the 25 days in prison for his effort). The family that had to choose 2 of their 93 casas to live in while the others got re-distributed to farm workers...

Havana was a hoot! Dodgy locals and state owned restaurants that serve the same horrible chicken and chips day after day (same cooking oil for 2 months I'm sure! - Cuba would have to have some of the worst food in the world and that's a fact!) However, it has some of the best old yank tank cars cruising in style down the Malecon surrounded by beautiful crumbling buildings. It is also one of the best looking nation of sexy bodies in the world (apart from the 80s fashions (including striped lyrica cat suits on all shapes!!!))

Paddy the 19 year old Pom and I teamed up with a Kiwi couple (Heidi and Jimmy) in Trinidad (Cuba) and hired a car to tour out East for some mean salsa and meringue dancing and some of the best live music in the world! Oh to dance like a Cuban! First they learn to crawl followed closely by dance, then towards a stumble and a walk. 2 year olds (with mama in tow) hang outside cafes dancing more moves than an entire techno club put together!!

Pay rates varies from $US 8-15 a month. The communist system making all things equal. However, with the influx of the great US$ fluttering tourist, a chambermaid, can get more tips in a couple of days than a doctor gets in a month!! Mad system… will be an interesting place to watch! Highly recommend a visit to this nation!

After two and half weeks there it was back to the beaches of Mexico (more free drinks for women!!). Accomplished salsa dancing with a pile of Frenchies in the waters off Tulum, singing national songs in the sea under the full moon!

On to Belize where I swam with Sharks and Stingrays!! Heaps of them circling about.. very scary and adrenalinising (I even picked up a stingray and got a hikki (love bite) on my arm for the honor!)

Onto Tikal in Guatemala. Climbed all over pyramids aged over 2700 years (bloody Spanish have destroyed all the history in the name of Christianity so it's still very mysterious and not known about - they played a game of ball where the losing team's captain got beheaded... fascinating! )

Joined up with some Angels, namely and Irish lass, Catherine and a Manchesterian bird, Alice. When to a farm and went pot holing thru caves of limestone. We did a swim-thru. You must swim in the dark through a constricting passage that connects two caves with only an underwater flashlight to aim for and rock above your head... v. scary and great fun!

We tried our hardest to get onto a yacht sailing to Honduras. Regrettably our timing was out and they were all dirty old American men anyway! Now in La Ceiba trying to suss tickets out for Miami. Off to the Island of Utila tomorrow (one last chance to touch up the tan!!) b4 heading for Miami, Washington, New York and London on the 20 July! Then I might even try and do the normal thing and get a job in Ireland (a v. scary concept for this young mungbean!!)

May you be glad to know that I might have to work one day too!!
PS - Does anyone want to buy some Cuban cigars!?¿?

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With Guinness from Geneva
October 2001

"Co'mair ya" all - I last left you in what seems a very far away warm land of Honduras. I was spending a few days on the paradise island of Utila diving, eating, swimming, volleyballing, drinking and chilling, when I landed on my feet and had to stay another week (bummer). I also go offered work (bummer - had been a while) and designed a web page for the dive school I was staying with! Yah - free accommodation, food, diving, beers and money!! Check it out - www.divealtons.com

Next it was to the great US of A - the land of the BIG. First to Miami where I met up with Simon (kiwi) whom I had first met in Laos many moons ago! The cheese fairy was upon us (real NZ cheese) and I was in heaven! Who says I'm not easily pleased!

Washington DC was destination new - and I played and stayed with my old flatmaties from Acton-town, London - Michael Butcher and Chris Sheridan. Chris took us on the DC tour by nite and I got reunited, and am currently in love with a kitchen and BBQ! (feasts and vino with Mikie in the sun!) - hard life!

Onwards and upwards to NYC! Hard to believe that I was up the World Trade Centre only 2 months ago??

Reunited with all my family and friends in London. Was the best!!! Meant to stay 10 days, ended up being 3 weeks! Pubs & grubs, parks & picnics, memories & creations. Caught up with Mum and Guy, and got to meet my brother's wife Teresa (lovely!!). Had a curry house session one Wednesday, what a turn out!! Faces I'd met in NZ, UK, Cuba, Asia and Africa all munching curry and drinking in merriment. Need to do again soon!

The weather was so good that I teamed up with teachers on holiday and extended mine!! Andrea Grant, Kathy Martin-Smith and 2.5year old Seoras and I created the chatterbox team and zoomed off to Cornwall to camp by the sea and swim in the surf! Andrea even managed to get sun burnt so an English summer life can't be too bad! hmmmm

Next to start the normalness of life and get a real job - Dublin! Greeted by Paul and Lou and inhaling my first (but not last) Guinness. Home was on a Manor estate!! Smashing! Out in the 'Coach house' with 6 acres of land, horses, beach and of course a little bit of the cold.

Got a job making cement but reverted to the office chica and worked for Gilbeys (they are affiliated with Guinness and make Bailey's and Smirnoff (what other industries are there in Ireland??)). There was much drinking, dancing, Irish jigging (badly!), salsa'ing and hockey playing as I went back to normal life of work and home!??? Very scary concept!

However, after 5 weeks in an office I needed a holiday and shot of to Spain for a week to eat tapas, drink vino, practice espanol and play with Pekka (real name!! Finnish friend from Guatemala)
I'm currently in Geneva where I have teamed up with Jo Killalea who has scored me a pretty nifty job for the World Health Organization!!! It's only for one month, and then back to Ireland, and hopefully if I save enough - NZ for chrissie?! Who knows in this weird and changing world!

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Contact: me@jillianreichenbach.com