paradisedreamer's VirtualTourist Home Page

I thought it was about time I updated, it’s been three years since I first wrote my intro and much has changed since then. A few basics about me…. Born in Zambia to British parents, grew up in South Africa, met my husband (Marc) when I was 15 but only got married 11 years later. We got married in Las Vegas and the family has yet to forgive us. I did a Bachelor of Commerce degree and shortly after that Marc and I left for London to work and travel and just basically do something different. Eight years later and after much travelling we returned to Cape Town with a container of stuff and a 5 year old daughter, Samantha. She is quiet the little traveller herself and has notched up 12 countries in those few years. After working in Asset Management I am a stay at home mom and loving it. I don’t miss my life in London but I miss certain things about living in such a cosmopolitan city, the romantic side of London not the reality. I miss cheap flights the most though!!!

So many people ask me how I manage to travel so much, financially and time wise. It really is very simple, you have a plan, save like crazy and just do it, its not rocket science. My ideal holiday is definitely not one that runs to plan and exactly as expected. It has to have a beach, an archaeological ruin (pyramid, temple or palace - I am not too fussed) a bus trip from hell to really make it complete, throw in a filthy toilet and some really weird and crazy locals (preferably drunk) and you have perfection.
My holiday from hell would have to be a fully inclusive bus tour. Dear God may I never follow a yellow umbrella or red flag, have a tag on my wrist letting everyone know what meals I am allowed to have in my boring yet comfortable hotel. May I never have to attend an orientation meeting so I can be told how and when I can take a wee. And don’t tell me I now have 30 minutes to see the Colosseum and the Forum so we can be back on the bus and in Venice by sunset, you know what I am getting at - those ‘see 12 countries in 10 days’ type of holidays.. I have stayed in a few 5 star hotels and yes it is quite nice but I will probably not do it again in a hurry. Carrying my own bag to my room is quicker; checking in at a hostel takes 2 minutes and only involves the handing over of a few dollars. At a 5 star hotel they need your life history and then you still have to check out and wait while they check you haven’t nicked the towels (sooo embarrassing having to pull them out your suitcase while standing in reception and your grey knackered knickers slide across the highly polished floor). Nope give me a bit tatty, a little rundown but with character, some friendly people, an opportunity to meet other travellers and a private bathroom (my one stipulation that is non-negotiable) and I am a happy camper.

24 Oct 04..........London..........Preparing to leave the UK
06 Nov 04..........Florida..........Miami
07 Nov 04..........Florida.........Florida Keys
11 Nov 04..........Florida.........Everglades / Tampa
13 Nov 04..........Florida..........Busch Gardens
22 Nov 04.........Mexico..........Journey from Belize
24 Nov 04.........Mexico..........Playa del Carmen
9 Dec 04.........Mexico..........Playa del Carmen (2)
14 Dec 04.........Belize..........Caye caulker
28 Dec 04.........Belize..........Hopkins
30 Dec 04.........Belize..........Placencia
07 Jan 05.........Belize..........Orange Walk
10 Jan 05........ Nicaragua ........Managua
11 Jan 05........ Nicaragua ......Selva Negra
14 Jan 05........ Nicaragua .......Granada
20 Jan 05........ Nicaragua ........Isla Ometepe
24 Jan 05........ Nicaragua ........San Juan Del Sur / Granada (2)
02 Feb 05.........Mexico ........Mexico City
07 Feb 05........ Mexico ........Oaxaca
12 Feb 05........ Mexico ........Tuxtla Gutierrez
14 Feb 05........ Mexico ........San Cristobal de la Casas
18 Feb 05........ Mexico ........Palenque
20 Feb 05........ Mexico ........Playa del Carmen
12 March 05...............Belize City - London

My upcoming trips are hopefully as follows:

2009 - Eastern Cape (Cintsa, Coffee Bay, Hogsback),
2008 - London, Paris

The trips I have done in the past are as follows:
2007 - Mauritius
2006 - Namibia - Fish river Canyon, Sossusvlei, Keetmanshoop
2004/2005 - 5 month trip - USA - Florida; Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua
2004 - South Africa, I finally got to meet Pee Wee see my Benoni page for more!
2003 – Cape Town, Egypt, Jordan
2002 – Europe – Bern, Munich, Dachau, Prague, Venice, Tuscany, Pisa, Portofino
2001 – Canada - Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, Edmonton, Whistler; France -
Loire valley
2000 – USA - California, Nevada, Grand Canyon
1999 – Six month RTW:
Fiji
Australia - Sydney, Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Cairns, Whitsunday Islands
Indonesia - Bali, Lombok, Java
Singapore,
Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Perhentian islands, Penang
Thailand – Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui, Ko PhaNgan, Bangkok, Konchanaburi, Chiang Mai
Vietnam – Saigon, Nha Trang
Hong Kong
1998 – Romania, Barcelona, Rome, New York,
1997 – Amsterdam, South Africa
1994 - Europe; London, Holland, Paris, Switzerland.
1990 - Thailand, Hong Kong
1989 - Munich, Germany.
1988 - Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan

Future plans are to go back to Thailand and hopefully see Angkor Wat in Cambodia, travel southern Africa, visit Madagascar, Morocco, India and I would love to see more of the Pacific islands - Bora Bora, Tahiti, Samoa etc as well as more of Indonesia. Then there's Maurtius, Maldives and Seychelles...I'll stop there lol!

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I find it very difficult to say what are my favourite cities, beaches etc. Each place is special for what it is. There are some places I would like to visit again and others I will never return to, not because they are horrible but because I have such wonderful memories I want to leave it at that and not see that it has been ruined.

I have tried to list my favourites:

Natural wonder – Petra, Jordan; Grand Canyon, USA
Modern City – San Francisco, USA
Small City – Granada, Nicaragua
Village – Mevagissey, UK
Island – Caye Caulker, Belize; Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Beach – Playa Del Carmen (Mamitas beach);
Snorkelling spot – Whitsunday islands, Australia
Pyramids – Teotihuacán and Palenque, Mexico; Giza, Egypt
Ruin – Roman Forum and Colosseum, Italy
Palace – Sinaia, Romania
Sunset – Viti Levu, Fiji; Kho Pha Ngan, Thailand
View – Bloubergstrand across to Table Mountain, South Africa; Watson’s Bay overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Bridge, Australia

Please feel free to drop me a mail, I will answer when I can!!

My husband and daughter