Destination One: Miami

So, I have four and a half weeks till the travel adventure begins and I thought it would make sense to go through some of the main places I am going to and what I want to do there.

Miami, Florida is my first destination and through the three months I am going there three times (mainly a gateway to other places). I have been to Miami twice before, 2010 being the last time with my Grandad, Shana and Larry, it is a very fun place to be with a constant buzz of people primarily around the South Beach area with people on rollerblades and a lots of motorbikes around the front promenade;

When I went it was quite wet and humid, but the temperature was nice allowing us to hang on the beach even with the rain clouds (something I could never EVER do with the north sea lol!). When there we went to Versaces house, although I had my photo taken there, I didnt realsie he was actually shot there, so here I am laughing and taking photos in the place a poor man was shot dead =S;

When Ben and I go, we plan to simply head to the promenade, have a walk, grab some pancakes with Maple Syrup (yum yum) and head back for our very very early 7am departure to Lima, Peru =D. But when I come back late Septemberm heading to my Grandads house, I plan to spend  a little more time there; I have been invited to look around the Miami Childrens Hospital where they have a Radio Lollipop branch (a charity for which I work) and I also want to have a look around the university (never hurts to have a look around, assess potential future opportunites ;-) lol). The cruise ships there are huge! the new Freedom of the Seas (worlds largest passenger ship) is moored there so I fancy goign to see her and have a brief look around....one of my dream hols! All in all I am not going to be in Miami for long, just a few visits but im looking forward to them as Miami is a very exciting and interesting city =D (32 days to go!)

Next Update- Destination Two: Peru

The Projects

Hi again, just thought i'd explain more of the projects I will be involved with when im away. I begin my journey with Ben (seen here carrying Laura in York, I had to put you in Laura lol!)

 

We decided to go to South America (ok it was mostly me wanting to go to Machu Pichu, but for this purpose I will say we) and fancied doing something which would make a difference to the world and also which would enhance and give meaning to our travels. We found a small independant travel company called I-to-I who offer ethical volutourism all over the world, including in Peru. We originally booked up to work with orphans in Trujillo, in the very North of the country however there were several issues (main one being the orphanage was wahsed away in a storm!!!) and then decided to transfer to a project in Arequipa, a large city in the very South of country to work with disadvantaged children in workshops (please see below). In this project, we will be working with children to increase their social interaction with adults in a society where economical reasons means that parents have very limited personal time with their children; we will help by playing games, teaching english, teaching life skills such as cooking and generally just attempting to talk and comfort them.

After Arequipa, Ben and I are travelling around South America before seperating. He will be returning home and I will be going on to Florida for a week before going to Costa Rica. Here I booked again with I-to-I, and I will be working with conservationists, living on the beaches of Costa Rica (with no electricity or hot water!!!) to help conserve the endangered giant sea turtles. This coincides with my degree and is a major interest of mine so I felt it was worthwhile to give conservation a go as a prelude to my decision of future career paths, but I cant think of anything better than living on a beach for just under a month in the hot climate of the Caribbean Sea!!;

Ok so that was a quick update on the projects and reasons behind the travelling, if anyone has any questions, or fancies enquiring about similar projects just ask =D

Welcome

Hi Guys,

So this is my first ever blog, its taking me a while to work out how to use this thing! I thought I would start my first blog by introducing what im going to do, and a rough guide on where I am going and when;

1st August- Fly to London
2nd August- Fly to Miami
3rd August- Fly to Bogota and then onwards to Lima (business class, woop woop!!!)
4th August to the 2nd September- Community work in Arequipa with disadvantaged children; we will be working on their english, cooking and social skills, with emphasis on fun activites including games and crafts (on weekends go to Machu Pichu and Colca Canyon etc)
2nd September to 21st September- Travel around South America including Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay
21st September- Fly from Buenos Aires to Bogota and then onwards to Miami
22nd September to 1st October- Spending time with my Grandad in sunny Florida =D

1st October- Fly to Atlanta and onwards to San Jose Airport, Costa Rica
2nd October to 22nd October- Working with conservationists aiming to save the endangered Sea Turtles on the beaches of Costa Rica =D

23rd October- Fly to Atlanta
23rd October to 28th October- Spend time with Aunty Shana and Uncle Larry in Atlanta =D!!!!!

29th October- Go home =( Fly into London, then onwards to Newcastle, back to reality!!
30th October- Back to work!!!!

So, I have 13 flights, 6 airport hotels, and 89 days away!!! Im looking forward to it, just 56 day to go =D