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Well, 2008 was certainly quite a year for me. The original plan was five weeks in Mexico scuba diving, followed by two weeks exploring Cuba by bicycle and then return to London and work again.
However after a few weeks away I soon began toying with the idea of extending my trip, and gradually then thought about doing further travelling through the year as well. That's what happened, with a return after Cuba to Mexico for another three weeks of scuba diving and a further week exploring Belize before returning to the UK at the end of March.
I spent April 'packing up my life' as it were, leaving the London flat behind in favour of my belongings being stored in Mum's garage in north Lincolnshire. I was also planning my next trip away during these weeks while I was back in the UK.
May saw a return to Central America with two weeks Spanish school whilst living with a Guatemalan family, four weeks scuba diving in Honduras on a marine conservation project, and a week travelling through Nicaragua to arrive at the turtle project destination on the pacific coast of Costa Rica for four weeks.
After a two week exploration of Costa Rica following the turtle project, I returned to the UK for the month of August. It was great to catch up with friends and to get out cycling in the countryside, in preparation for my next trip; cycling from St Petersburg to Moscow. This was a swift, sharp, shock really, as you probably all know by now. Russia, its people and its weather seemed harsh, the cycling was challenging, but we had lots of fun with bizarre experiences along the way with a great group of people. (one of whom I visited afterwards in Northern Ireland for a long weekend which was lovely) After this, I left the UK again and headed out to the Seychelles for nearly three months.
The ten week marine conservation project in the Seychelles involved lots of scuba diving, and the definite highlights were swimming with whale sharks, turtles and being around giant tortoises. We got weekends to explore the main island of Mahe, as well as visiting three of the other islands. A beautiful place, but after ten weeks I was relieved to leave the communal living scenario behind and enjoy my one week holiday at the end. Returning to the UK six days before Christmas was ideal, missing the months of commercial build up, but enjoying a nice relaxing Christmas and new year with family and friends.
So, quite a year - here are some stats, you may, or may not, find of interest !
10 - Countries visited
11 - Different currencies used
255 - Days spent out of the country
2 - Times luggage didn't arrive on carousel
3 Top highlights; i) swimming with whale sharks, dolphins & turtles in the Seychelles ii) Pacaya volcano trek in Guatemala iii) learning & having some success in Spanish conversation
3 Worst moments; i) being grabbed by a man in Guatemala ii) repeated sea sickness in Honduras iii) the land border crossing from Nicaragua to Costa Rica
3 Most bizarre things; i) horse on a ferry ii) plane journey from Utila island to mainland Honduras iii) 7 out of 12 pairs of shoes being stolen overnight from our verandah
27 - Nationalities of people met
141 - Scuba dives
102 - Hours spent under water
8 - Scuba diving qualifications gained, culminating in 'Master Scuba Diver'
€800 - Most expensive accommodation visited [Seychelles](didn't actually stay there though!)
$6 - Cheapest accommodation visited [Nicaragua] (did stay in this one!)
28 - Internet cafes used
55 - Different beds slept in
1091 - Photos put onto facebook and off exploring website
Seychelles - Hottest & most beautiful country
Cuba - Favourite country
Guatemala - Scariest country
Russia - Least comfortable time
Honduras - Best diving
Mexico - Best sunrise (loved watching it whilst raking sand fly eggs from beach where we lived)
Costa Rica - Best sunset
Badamier - Best beach (on Curieuse island, Seychelles)
Medical things/accidents/illnesses
Mexico - Impetigo infection
Mexico - Eye pain/blepharitis
Mexico - Travel sickness/dehydration
Cuba - Upset stomach (the only one all year thankfully!)
Guatemala - Lava cut leg
Honduras - Repeated sea sickness
Honduras - Coral cut on backside (while being towed to shore in a lifejacket because of the sea sickness!)
Russia - Hypothermia (at least that's what it felt like a lot of the time - thanks for the warming hugs Aaron!)
Seychelles - Fell onto knee on patio
Seychelles - Lost a filling
Lots - Money spent on the trips
Very little - Money spent whilst away
Lots - Fun and amazing times experienced :-)
So for now I'm getting my CV together and thinking about a return to work. It will be a stark contrast being in the commercial world again, but I am ready. It probably seems all very glamorous travelling around, and it has been amazing, but the appeal of living out of bags and communal living really does diminish after so long! So whilst the country experiences an economic downturn, it's a good time to be looking for an HR contract as companies often have a lot of 'people' work on at such times.
So expect less 'blogging' from me this year…………… although Chile/Patagonia/Easter Island seem to be beckoning for a bit of trekking and exploring…………… watch this space !
Safe and happy travels to all of you
Nicky x
- comments
margaret finch just re-read this and again just dumbstruck with awe