BLOG.
UK.
Here are some pictures i have taken around the UK. Admitedly, i have not seen as much of the UK as i would like to,however, i plan to travel the UK in a campervan when i finish my travels around the world. I will be updating pictures as i go and adding posts to this page weekly (hopefully).
22-FEB-2024.
Flights have been booked, first hostel has been booked and yellow fever vaccine taken as specified on the .gov website, although im unsure and confussed how necessary it was because when i went to get the jab i was told that the hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid where more important? I am packed and ready to take off on the 28th of feb ill also be taking a singleman tent and sleeping bag so that i can save myself some money on accommodation in the warmer climates. It’s all getting exciting, and im buzzing to get going. First stop, Manaus! catch up soon.
28-FEB-2024
Arrived at heathrow way too early but on the other hand, better early than too late, unbelievably greatfull for the Elizabeth line which goes straight from my local station straight to all heathrow terminals and saved me a ball acke of lugging arround my backpack on multiple trains. i have 2 hours until boarding starts so enough time for a wagamama! the feeling open ended travel is new but good , i said my goodbyes to everyone and i am keen to explore the world for as long as i can. catch up soon!!
BRAZIL.
29-FEB-2024
Ok, so the journey has begun, i made it here feeling better than when i left and the flights where suprisingly comfortable (for economy on a 12 hour flight and a smaller domestic flight) and i managed to sleep a little on both flights. i had a transfer in sao paulo which i was worried i might miss as i needed to collect my luggage and check it back in but there was no stress doing this and i made it to the gate with plenty of time. taxi from manaus airport to the ‘Local hostel manaus’ took around 15 mins.
Arriving at the hostel a few hours before check in they allowed me to relax and use the lobby facilities, its a very calm atmosphere and with the decore being jungle themed i definately started to feel more like i was starting a new journey in life, slightly alone, but comforted by a feeling of excitement which, in the same as with the feeling of anxiety, seems to give me this almost uncontrollable feeling to discover, explore and conquer whatever lays infront of me (i like this feeling).
after checking in and having a well needed and probably the most enjoyable cold shower in my life i ended up going for a walk into manaus center and then to a few shopping centers with another lodger who had just arrived and was staying in the same dorm as me. randomly walking around new places is most definitely something i like and i would have been happy to get lost and figure out my way back, i didnt feel unsafe in any way while walking around the area although there was a few streets we walked where you could tell that tourists/travelers werent realy too common when all eyes would divert to us (quick smile and nod was mostly mirrored). First rookie error was made on this walk though. I am not used to flip flops and wearing them walking arround for a few hours was not the best idea so i did get back to the hostel with a soft cushion of water on the souls of my feel 😅 *socks and trainers untill healed then work my way into the flipflops*.
01-MAR-2024
After an early night and a great, well needed sleep i am up and ready for the day unlike i have ever been, i feel productive and efficient. few coffees, quick blog update and im off to look for some amazon jungle tours to book onto, which nearly everyone here is leaving for thismorning. A few people have mentioned a few different tour companies so ill have a look and add a list here after.
IN ABIT ✌️
02-MAR-2024
Had another walk about thismorning, the markets seem to be unavoidable here its hectic (in a good way, music, people laughing and a constant smell of baked bread and sweet snacks). went to the port and got a ticket for the ferry to belem for 13th march, this was easy with google translate otherwise i would have been shit out of luck 😂 there was a few people hanging around outside that where offering tickets only slightly cheaper but i would say just to be safe cue up at the ticket booth. my hostel also offered to sort the ticket through an intermediary but charged more than what you would pay at the port, not to much more, but still its easy to get your own so why pay extra ?
second time being called a gringo buy an angry drunk but this one was pretty brave face to face in the middle of the cue to buy a ticket i think he wanted money or drink (not important) but a simple ‘no entiendo’ repeated a couple times got rid of him. they understand spanish here better than the spanish understand Portuguese which was news to me.
supermarket trip was easy and very cheap just stocked up on some basics (noodles and veg) for the next few days to keep my spending down abit. NOTE the boat trip dont include food with the ticket price (rs435), you can buy food on board but ill probably stock up on some noodles and some protien shake packets just to keep me going. see what happens. this price is also basic sleeping (in a hammock, that ill need to buy before i board).
ohh also booked a 3 day trip (rs990) in the amazon for next week (7th)camping in the wild and doing night time canoe trips looking for alligators sounds right up my street, so should be fun. let you know how it goes when im back im gonna chill for a few days ✌️
04-MAR-2024
very chilled few days, took a walk into a local area named ‘Japiim’ to find a nutrition shop. protien powder, protien bars and vitamin/mineral tablets. reason being is i will be doing a fair amount of none stop traveling for the next month or so with only short stop offs of 3/4 days in rio and beunos aires. i wanted to have a nice supply of suppliments to keep costs down and to make sure i have energy to keep going. busses are sometimes hot and uncomfortable depending on the provider, i heavent yet so i will update when i do.
10-MAR-2024
HOLY SHIT !! where do i even start.
Arrived back yesterday evening from the amazon trip. its difficult to put into words the extent of how amazing and beautiful the rainforest and amazon river are. Genuinely feel like it has cleared away some negative energy i didnt know i had, its so intense yet gives an overwhelming feeling of freedom and openness.
Day 1 of the trip arriving around 12 was a quick settle in to our jungle huts, lunch (rice, fish, beans and salad), then out for fishing. i was lucky enough to catch a small fish and a piranha (released back as we already had food for the trip). after this we went into a large openening of the river for a sunset swim (see pictures). this was a very special moment i hope i never forget, floating around in the middle of the amazon watching the sun set is an experience i would recommend for anyone. after sunset we then went back for a qucik dinner (repeat of lunch) then back into the river for cayman spotting. unfortunately we didnt manage to catch any as they where too big or too fast and swam off before the boat got close enough. This was commpletely overshadowed when i looked up at the night sky for the first time on the river, you can literaly see the structure of the milky way and more stars than i have ever seen, almost dont look real, as if someone has flicked white paint off a brush onto a piece of black paper, the stars illuminate the sky. unfortunately my camera was not good enough to capyure in any detail but i may try to find a picture on google to show a fair example of what i saw.
Day 2 started off with a sunrise trip, where we took a small boat to a opening in the river, anopther unreal moment to see the sunrise in the background of the vast horizon of giant greenery that is the rainforest, followed by a swim at the camp after breakfast and coffee (met with a few other travelers in a different group). after lunch we travelled into the jungle for the day and night. Our guide (Lima) grew up inn the amazon and showed us various medicinal plants, trees that produce milk, rubber and a sticky sap that can be burned as an incent to help with breathing, this one is actually called (vix) which we have some pharmaceutical derivative in the uk but has the same purpose. we looked out for various animals, monkeys, lizards, and various birds but the forest is so dense that sounds where all we experienced. we also ate some nut larve which where suprisingly tasty although some were not a fan of the pop from the first bite followed by a milky filling haha. i could snack on them if i needed too they are known to be a good source of protien so a thumbs up from me haha.
after a few hours treking we went back to the boat and searched along the river for a glimpse of monkeys and sloths, which we was lucky enough to experience (forgive the poor image quality, they where high up in the trees).
traveling back into the jungle to set up camp, we started with the fire and pot of food, then set up our hammocks. we did have some friends (spiders) stay with us above the hammocks but the way i see it, im staying in their house so i appreciated the company and the fly nets stopped any attempt they might have made to join me while i slept, we also see a beautiful tarantula on one of the trees next to the camp, slighty daunting but exiting thought when i woke in the middle of the night to take a piss was that Lima told us there was large snakes and also jaguars around the area that he was always listening out for so the thought of being a midnight snack for them was definitely present in my head for the duration of said piss 😅.
Day 3 was a journey back, and down the river for a visit to an indiginous family who produce and process casava, spotting a few animals along the way, some cattle, horses, sloths, osprey, falcons, stalks and breif sightings of some small monkeys. the visit to the family was an interesting experience to see how they live solely from the food they can grow and by exchanging the casava flour they produce for rice and beans (fish, rice, beans, casava and tapioca are the daily foods for the people living on the river, also chicken). after meeting the family we went for a short walk around the land and forest, tried some wild fruits which i forget the name and then headed back to our pick up point which we started from.
what an amazing experience the past 3 days where, never forgotten and i met some amazing people which i will never forget. ❤️
Back in the hostel aftyer a great well needed air conditioned sleep, today will be a trip to the MUSSA, a national museum of the amazon to see more animals and learn more about the area of amazonas. 🫡
12-march-2024
Ok, so my website has stopped working for some reason and it apparently no longer exists??? Shame really as i had a good set up. Got too much to get on with to bother worrying over so i will just use word and do a blog later down the line. I have saved the previous blog entries so i can retype later.
I am going to sort a temporary cpf number, this allows you to purchase items at stores and online in brazil. This is difficult would be easier with someone who has already done this i will sort it out in rio . but im going near the port anyway so i will check this out at the federal building.
No cpf sorted but i will manage a way, i am only here for another 3 weeks, maybe? No rush.
13-march-2024
Can honestly say that i have had a none stop amazing time here in manaus, this will also be my end point for my world travel. I have met some amazing people and i will make sure to visit as many of them as possible whilst on my journey. Im thinking that the short interactions of travelling is allowing me to be fully myself as i have no time to waste easing in to get to know pople . i have always liked to consider myself as a good judge of character and this helps alot when meeting people briefly, i can instantly tell who i will get along with and who i will not.
Things i done in manaus: walking the streets and markets, visited the port and indigenous market, visited MUSA the museum of the amazon, manaus beach, theatre and main square.
18-march-2024
Belem is a small stop over for me i have had a walk around and been to a few markets but not much of interest for my personal liking. There are some trips to small islands off of belem that are meant to be really nice but i have other plans.
Traveling this evening to sao luis which leaves at 18:30 and arrrives tomorrow at around 11:00, from there i will be getting a bus to barrieirinha lencois and stay for 2/3 nights.
Catch up soon,,
19-march-2024
Arrived in sao luis and waited a few hours for connecting bus to lencois barrieirinha, slept on this bus for a few hours, arrived at around 8:30 went to supermarket got some lanches and had a smoke.
20-march-2024
Went to the dunes today, unbveleavable views and no words to describe how small it made me realise i am compared to the world. I would love to camp here and see the stars at night and see how small the world is compared to the universe.
21-march-2024
Booked extra 7 days in lencois. I want to do more and i am learning portugues with these 2 they are very helpful and patient. I will get this down before i leave brazil…. then onto spanish hahahaha. Booking for onward travel done. Bus to sao luis @ 22:30 on the 29th . went to a bar on the river with tables and hammocks in the water.
22-march-2024
Today we got the boat to Vassouras, preguicas lighthouse and cabure beach. Vassouras is where we see the monkeys and the beach was amazing, river on one side and the ocean on the other.
23-march2024
Chilled day , walked to mercado made some food and stayed at the hostel.
24-march-2024
Went to the beach on the river in barrieirinha.
25-march-2024
Met up with a couple i met on the boat to belem for the afternoon and went back to the bar on the river.
26-march-2024
Went to Atins today for a few days to see the dunes.
27-march-2024
Very eventful day today, started off early heading into the dunes by car we drove for about an hour an a half to our set off point. Kayaks ready we set off back down towards Atins. I was not aware this would be a 6hour trip…. and i was unaware how exhausting kayaking can be when inexperienced 😅🤣. Anyways 6 hours later we arrived back, i was missing a hat, my haviannas and a machete but i had gained an amazing experience and 1000 bites from various insects, owed to my side quests into the bushes along the edge of the river (unintentionally of course).
28-march-2024
Relaxed today, and stayed at a homestead in Atins for the night.
29-march-2024
Headed back to barrieirinha in the morning, got my stuff ready and checked out of the hostel. I went for something to eat (best shrimp pastels) at the river bar before i got the bus back to sao luis. Set off at arround 23:00 and arrived around 04:30, i waited at sau luis bus terminal untill my bus to Recife arrived at 06:00.
30-march-2024
Set off for Recife at 06:00. 29 hours journey 🙂
31-march-2024
Arrived thismorning around 09:30 headed to the hostel in porto de galinhas, checked in and headed straight to the beach.
Went for a walk around porto de galinhas in the evening, very busy, very expensive, not abit of me but its a lively place if thats what your looking for.
01-april-2024
I woke up early thismorning to go to the beach for the sunrise, stayed here for about an hour walking up and down taking in the views of the ocean, so vast and so clear from this beach if you look east the next land would be africa.
I tried to vbook my onward travel to salvador today but was unable to book anything online without a CPF, this has not been needed before even when booking through the same sites and agencies online. New plan is to just buy tickets at the bus terminals rather than online. It is easier but i just have to get to the terinals a few hours early to make sure i get a ticket as some busses are full. Got to the bus terminal at 12 and waited for the bus until 5pm.
2-april-2024
Arrived thismorning at 10:30 in salvador, got an uber to the hostel as it was pretty far but still only cost around £3.50. so cheap for ubers here.
First things first, shower and a shave, im a mess.
Many people here a few english a few french and a few finish. Seems like a good vibe and i found someone with edibles so fucking bonus….. always nice to find a little treat here and there along the way 😋.
I went to the beach and had a swim and went food shopping for the 3-days here. What a mistake that was i intended to save money buy buying food and cooking myself ant that backfired in this place it was a fucking fortune, pretty much the same as a weeks shop back in england and i only got basics, spaghetti, chicken and some veg im fuming 😂😂😂.
Note to self, stick to small food stalls.
3-april-2024
Went to the beach thismorning, had a swim and a beer. Not sure if im feeling the vibe here for to much longer i would have been ok wit 2 days here.
4-april-2024
Washed clothes and went to the beach.
5-april-2024
It Rained all day today, but stopped later in the afternoon, went into the center in the evening to see a live orchestra , it was an incredible vibe, packed with people on a narrow street and with the venue outside between 2 buildings it created such a buzzing atmosphere. I think this may have made the stay worth its length.
6-april-2024
Check out at 11:00, headed to the bus termonal to get the bus to chapada diamontina (6hrs), bus times where online so i just arrived 2 hours before and brought a ticket.
Arrived in the evening and checked in to the hostel, nice place, clean and relaxed.
7-april-2024
Went on a trek to Fumaca waterfall. Fuck my life i was not expecting this, im so unfit, im going to pass out, what am i doing, what was i thinking, go back now, my lungs are on fire, i cant feel my legs. These where all things i was thinking on the 2km vertical trip at the beggining of the hike, what gave me abit of motivation was the fact that the 3 others i was with seemed to be half mountain goat so i had to keep up and couldnt let them see me dying inside 😅😂 fortunately the second part was an easier 4km on a pretty flat terrain. And the destination was one of the most incredible views i think i will ever see. 1350 odd meters up, a view of the mountain range and a clear sky with a lovely rock to sit on overlooking this and the waterfall. We stayed up there for lunch and started heading back down going to another view point of the waterfall which really put into perspective the height when i see the people on the top where we just was.
Stacked it on my way down, note to self… maybe dont record the amazing views and look at your phone while descending a steep mountain.
We also went to another smaller waterfall for a swim, this was also beautiful.
8-april-2024
I will be avoiding any steps for today. Relaxed and sorted blog out as it has not been working and done some laundry.
9-april-2024
Heading to national park lencois this afternoon its cheap to enter and apparently has many little waterfalls and places to swim.
Blog sorted…..🤙
10-april-2024
last day in lencois, after checkout at 11 i went back to the national park and chilled untill about 3. got back to the hostel and slept on the hammock for a few hours then went for a meal with some people from the hostel.
got to the bus station for around 22:30 and enjoyed a semi decent sleep on the 7 hours back to salvador.
11-april-2024
Arrived in salvador around 6 and my next bus to rio is at 7. bus to Rio is around 32 hours, very greatfull for spotify and disney+.
plan to stay in rio for 4 nights then head on to Florionopolis in the south, brazil is slowly coming to an end and im not sure how i feel about it. on one hand im excited to be travelling the world but on the other i could stay here forever and explore, its an amazing country with beautiful views, people, food, culture and music, never dull.