La Paz and the Amazon Jungle, Bolivia

La Paz - the highest capital in the world, raised above 3,660m sea level - is a gorgeous city filled with historical buildings, rich culture, markets, indigenous people, colorful garments and much more.

As any tourist would, we visited the central plaza, Cathedral, saw the alpaca fetus and special herbs in the Witches Market etc...we were too chicken to visit the La Paz Prison or the "World´s Most Dangerous Road" (from La Cumbre to Coroico). I refused to mountain bike there as I believe my number is not up yet.

We bumped into a German family we met during the Colca Trek and had a nice dinner with them.  Then on May 5 2011, we flew to Rurrenabaque and took a 5 hour boat ride to Pampas, the first part of our Amazon Jungle adventure.

During the day, we went wildlife watching, we saw lots of things like squirrel / howler / night monkeys, black / spectacled caimans, snakes, capybaras (the largest rodents), turtles, squirrels, armadillos and lucky enough, we saw a SLOTH.  We went looking for anacondas and jaguars but were unsuccessful.  It´s like looking for a needle in a haystack.

In the afternoon, we swam with pink dolphins which was such a unique experience.  They come up and swim next to you, nibble on your toes or foot and play with you.  It was just an incredible experience.  Then at twilight, we went fishing for piranas (fish with crazy teeth), they were pretty scary but I was lucky enough to catch one haha...

At night, we took a boat ride in the river, and when our guide turned off the lights and engine, all that were there were you, the sound of the jungle and the starry night, which reminded me of Van Gogh´s famous painting.  It was truly a privilege to experience it.  No words or photos could do such moment justice.

We were in Pampas for 2 nights, before we headed off to Madidi, the second part of our Amazon Rainforest adventure. We stayed at a gorgeous lodge with friendly and professional stafff.  We saw walking trees, strangular fig (trees that kill trees), jaguar prints, red howler / cappuccino monkeys, taranchula, monkey frog, jungle papaya (pre-historic tree, it has thorns on its body to prevent dinosaurs from eating them, pretty cool), leaf cutter / bullet / fire ants, owl butterfly and so on...

We were REALLY lucky to see a giant ant-eater, wild pigs, a tucan (you can usually hear them but it´s hard to see them) and spider monkeys. 

The jungle experience was truly amazing.  Although we were bitten to bits, it was all worth it.  I think my hubby has over 100 bites on him...I probably have only 20 or so.

It was heart breaking to learn from our guide, whose grandfather and father also grew up in and around the jungle, that what we saw were only 50% of the Amazon rainforest, the rest were gone, destroyed by humans.  So many species scientists have yet to discover may never be discovered because their homes are, and will continued to be, destroyed.

So the next time you use a new sheet of paper, consider recycling.  You have to be there to see experience the magnificence of the Amazon Rainforest, I liked the starry night the best and swimming with pink dolphins was the second on the list.  I have seen the northern lights and it was nothing compared to being in the middle of the jungle, listening to the jungle, breathing the jungle, living the jungle and watching the starry sky.

I feel so privileged to experience all these and I wish whoever is reading this will have the opportunity to do so too.

The Galapagos Islands - wildlife paradise

The Galapagos Islands are nothing like you have ever seen. It's bloody expensive but it's worth every single penny.

The wildlife in the Galapagos Islands is unreal - giant tortoise (bigger than me), land and marine iguanas that look like mini-dinosaurs, Sally Lightfoot crabs that are bright orange, sea turtles, sea lions, sting rays, manta rays, white tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, blue-footed boobies, flamingos, penguins, Frigate birds with heart-shaped red pouches, over 1,500 species of birds and much more.

The best way to get around the islands is by taking a cruise where you do island hiking with knowledgable English-speaking guides and snorkeling and get fed like a Queen each day.

To dive and snorkel with sea lions who come up and blow bubbles in your face and hammerhead sharks, is such a privilege and amazing experience.

It's the best biology class I've taken.

Did you know that 'sharks attack' is NOT due to the fact that they mistake humans as seals due to poor eye sights? In fact, their eye sight is as good as their smell (senses); Sharks attack because when we splash water, it sends magnetic waves to the sharks that resemble the ones caused by distressed animals, like something is injured? So sharks come up and check you out or take a nibble.

Humans are not in their food chain, tests has been done and proven that sharks move away when they smell human blood, even when they can see a tuna but with human blood around it. Also, they belong to the ocean, not us, after all, we invaded their territory at our own risks, it's not the shark's fault.

I have dived with a good number of sharks (not aggressive ones like great white or tiger or bull shark but still...many other species of sharks) and they are not threatening at all. In fact, they are phenomenal and one of the most beautiful creatures in the world.

It breaks my heart when people hate on the Chinese for eating shark fins. I promise you, it's because many of them are not aware of the process and they need to be educated. Just like you don't question how baby lambs are made or cows are slaughtered. The younger generation is more aware but if you are reading this, tell everyone you know (but please be polite and aim to bring awareness, don't challenge them and become a nightmare because how would you feel if someone had a go at you for eating meat)?

There are over a billion Chinese and we need to start somewhere. We can make a change, maybe small but we can. I have started a while ago, if you haven't already, start now.

Puerto Escondido, Mexico

The bus ride from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido took 7 hours!!! It was pleasant but I flipped in the beginning because of the crazy turns and narrow 2-way roads next to the valley. Our driver was driving with one hand while fiddling around with the other. And it got seriously worrying when we were in the middle of a 2-way road and I could see many crosses at the turn ahead of the road!!!

Anyhow, we got here safe and sound. We strolled around the area as it wasn't very big. The locals were really friendly and if they came up to sell you stuff, you can just say no politely and the would walk away, they won't hassle you.

The next day, we headed off to the beach - Playa Zicatela and Playa Principal. Playa Zicatela is more suitable for surfers as the waves were huge! And I am not joking, most of the surfers were totally ripped and typical blonde with tan skin, like I was watching Home and Away or something.

Playa Principal is more suitable for swimming. I didn't get into the water because there were too many kids, I could just imagine how much piss there is in the water. Yes, I know I am weird. My hubby already said it haha..

It took us about 3 hours to walk the beaches, Playa Zicatela is massive. And we felt like total athletes after the walk haha..

Then this morning, we went fishing and dolphins watching. We didn't catch anything but we saw about a hundred dolphins and 3 whales...they were as big as a bus! It's my first time to see a whale so I was thrilled, they are incredible animals. I couldn't take any up close photos because I froze when we got near them. All I could say was, "oh my god, oh my god."

A huge bonus - we saw turtles having sex (again my first time!) haha...and our guide picked up A DEAD SHARK on our way back!!! I was sad for the dead shark but I was also really excited to see and touch one! When we got back to the shore, all the locals came crowding around our boat, everyone was curious I guess.

So it's been an incredible day today. We are now waiting for our bus to San Cristobal in 4 hours and the journey will be about 12 hours, so God knows when we will be online again.