iBankCoin
My name is Rob and I'm a gregarious gentleman who travels and blogs. http://stophavingaboringlife.com/
Joined Jan 9, 2014
222 Blog Posts

Carelessness, Cockatoos and Cameras

cockatoos_australia

This morning thanks to jet lag I was making a pointless time lapse thanks to a lapse in judgement and for a lack of better things to do. At this time a cockatoo knocked said camera off the 16th floor balcony and it fell to what I seemed a certain death.

Turns out the GoPro camera that wasn’t in the protective casing hit a tin roof and exploded onto the street all to be put together again. It’s in fine working order with only a slight scratch on the lens, huh?!

This is a public service announcement that when you’re in the jungle, don’t leave things out or you’ll be sorry you did.

I should have known better and got incredibly lucky as I almost wasted my opportunity to film a helicopter tour and scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef.

I assure you my blood pressure on the elevator down was at near fatal levels.

If you’ve been thinking of visiting the Great Barrier Reef I suggest you do, it’s an unforgettable experience; more on that later.

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Greetings from Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia

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I’m writing this from the Reef View Hotel on Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia. Hamilton Island is basically designed from start to finish with the pleasure of its guests in mind. To say I’m pleased to be here would be an understatement.

The photo above is the view from my balcony on the 16th floor overlooking the bay and where I’ll be calling home for the next few nights. I’m here to play the Hamilton Island Golf Club which is a short ferry ride away on Dent Island.

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Apart from that I’ll be going scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow as well as doing a helicopter tour of the area. I’ll  also be visiting Qualia which is their newest luxury resort for a champagne and oyster pairing.

Seriously now, if you’re looking to get away form it all with your loved one or loved ones aka whole family; this place is a great potential choice.

watersports_hamilton_island_australia

A bit of background, yes? Hamilton Island is one of 74 island that comprise the Whitsundays and acts as a gateway to explore the region as it’s the only island with a commercial and private airport, yacht marina and everything else you’d imagine in such a place.

Looking for more? I just wrote Hamilton Island, Australia is Heavenly on SHABL.

I can see how people come to Australia, meet a beautiful lady and never leave.

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First Photo from Photogenic Australia

flying_into_brisbane_australia

Australia is beautiful and this is the first photo I took of this wonderful country / continent. I had been in no rush to get here and now scratching my head wondering why?

It sorta feels like being in North America but the accents are different and you’re in the middle of the tropics, what’s not to like?

Missed my flight to Hamilton Island so met up with some new friends and played 9 at The Brisbane Golf Club.

Now I’m fighting jet lag aka up at dawn and catching a flight to Hamilton Island; stay tuned and the 36 hours to get here have already faded to black nothingness in my memory.

This photo was taken from the plane; feels like a different world down under…

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Lackluster Sleepover at LAX

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Greetings,

The time is 2:13am here in Los Angeles and gate 41 waiting for Qantas Airways to get their act together is turning into a lackluster sleepover. There are no girls bouncing on beds slapping themselves in the face with pillows filled of down feathers though, nothing of the kind.

Supposedly this isn’t new for Qantas as these ladies near me are lamenting their travel woes and I’m listening like I’m quasi interested as I partly am and I’m partly bored to death. What’s great is that I’m now at hour 20 of my trip and still have the 14 hour long haul to Brisbane.

If you travel enough, this type of stuff happens but considering I’m losing time on Hamilton Island it is quite a drag. This update is in keeping with the current theme of accommodations though, yes? We’ve now covered ghetto, luxury and whatever this is.

As I write this, the Aussie Captain with a 1970’s handlebar mustache has come out to say it’s now 4am earliest as the part they got and were trying to fit turns out to be the wrong part; huh? If we don’t leave in two hours we won’t go as pilots legally won’t be allowed to fly.

Really though, if there is an issue I’d rather be on the ground in Los Angeles as once you fly west to Oz, not much but a wet grave until you get there…

Tips hat,

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Presidential Suite at Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita

 

Greetings from LAX,

Oh how it feels good to be back in North America, albeit briefly. There is lots I love and hate about this part of the world but ultimately I’ve voted with my feet and have no plans on ever returning long-term. In this game called life,  I much prefer playing the part of pioneer but more on that later.

Yesterday I featured some ghetto hotel I stayed in so today I figured I’d show one of my favorite places on this planet; The Presidential Suite at Four Seasons Mauritius Resort at Anahita. I went on a video editing binge on my flight from Lima and uploaded this video from my hotel last night; of all places.

In other news, I’m having sticker shock here in the USA looking at salads that cost more than double some delicious three course meals I’ve recently had. I’m sure it will fade fast and I’ll start thinking $7 beers are a good deal again in no time.

A few hours at LAX and it’s off to Brisbane with Quantas before catching a flight to Hamilton Island with Virgin. It will be first time with Virgin and excited to be finally losing my virginity.

Tips hat,

P.S: They have a slick golf course; video coming soon.

 

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Greetings from a Ghetto in Lima, Peru & Operation Oz

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Greetings,

First, never trust Expedia for “hotels near Lima, Peru Airport”. I was fully prepared to stay somewhere nice when I saw this cheap deal come through and jumped on it.

It’s not so much a deal as this “hotel” is basically a room in this pleasant families house who live in a ghetto near the airport. Oh well, it’s morning now and what’s done is done

If you’re flying Peruvian Airlines, wrap your bag as mine got broken into and the customer service did nothing but I filmed our heated exchanges; may publish it one day. Better yet, don’t fly with them..

So I’m sitting here with a half broken bag ready to go to Australia. I’ve been invited by Tourism Queensland to experience some of what they have to offer for two weeks. Got the invite while in Montevideo, Uruguay and told them to fly me from Lima; hence the manic pace of late.

First I’m visiting Hamilton Island for some golf, seafood and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Afterwards I’m taking a road-trip up the Sunshine Coast to play the best golf courses and do some deep sea fishing.

To unwind, I’m going to be hanging out in an apartment in Brisbane for a week where I’ll learn to kitesurf; strong winds on Little Corn Island where I live part of the year. I started in the Dominican Republic and have much to learn.

I had plans on writing a post about highlights from South America but I wasted my evening arguing with a cement head supervisor at Peruvian Air who was as helpful as an armless waiter at a banquet.

The best part of this whole bag issue is that by the time I left it was getting dark out; one of my main rules is avoid moving into strange areas with everything at night. The concrete jungle is similar to the Serengeti; predators come out at night.

South America was cool but besides Buenos Aires, don’t see myself really returning anywhere else. Bring $100US bills and with the crazy inflation you can change them on the black market for 50% gain on every dollar… If you run out, reload in Uruguay as you can take out $US from an ATM.

If you’re in Uruguay, hit up Punta del Este for a few days.

Tips hat,

P.S: This is the view from the open air roof at my hotel / family home stay in a barrio near Lima’s Airport. I’ve had great luck so all I can do is laugh at yesterday’s turn of events and naturally, had nothing of value in my bag.

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Dining on Guinea Pig in Cusco, Peru

 

So last night was my last night and I was feeling lazy. I remembered that you can’t see the world and experience all it has without getting out there and doing it so I grabbed my gopro and went in search of guinea pig.

I had not eaten rodent since my time in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam some years ago and figured it was high time to dine on its disgusting flesh once more.

Found a joint serving guinea pig in its purest form aka a guinea pig with little else on the plate. Guinea pig tastes like it looks and is mainly just skin and bone and best suited for a soup.

The best part of the meal was the pisco sour and the surprise company of three random South Koreans who stumbled in not long after myself.

I’ll never pay for guinea pig again but if / when I find myself in some cashew tree-fort and someone offers it to me, I’ll hit it up.

Have you ever eaten rodent? Would you?

If you’re killing time at work, you can check out other vids of mine here.

In closing, aware that wearing a hat is bad form in an establishment but figured if I look I’m from a halfway house and dining on rat it’s alright.

 

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Child Street Gangs of Lima – The Piranhas

I’m flying into Lima from Cusco tomorrow and arrive at about 4:20pm. It’s a 22 hour bus ride or 1 hour flight, sort of a no brainer with a long trip to Australia following.

I have been warned by many that Lima is a dangerous city, especially when traveling alone. Supposedly even at the airport you need to be careful; green means go and black is our friend the grim reaper when it comes to cabs.

Anyways, take a look at that video. A reader named “The Welsh Wizard” sent it to me as he knows I’m one to enjoy solo strolls through the streets.

I arrive late afternoon and have a flight to LAX the following day at 12:40pm; an airport hotel is looking like the play of choice.

I’ve been around the block but never seen anything like this… Every 5 minutes?!

 

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An Update from Machu Picchu

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Good day,

Below are photos from my trip to Machu Picchu yesterday…

I’m not sure what else I could add except this is one of the few things in the world that I implore you to go see if it interests you. All the photos you’ve ever seen, Youtube videos or documentaries don’t do it even a shred of justice. I *thought* I had an idea of what I was going to see but was simply blown away; my mind exploded in a mushroom cloud and I explored it with child-like curiosity which is exactly how I think you’d experience it as well.

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Turns out what I wrote yesterday about how to get there was just the tip of the iceberg. Truth be told, I’m no source for guidebook information as I merely show up with pockets filled with fiat currency and go with the flow. That said, while soaking wet on the train home yesterday I fantasized about the perfect way to play it had I known what I knew then. Hindsight is 20/20 so heed this advice and make the most out of this wonderful experience. Don’t be a glutton who gulps his fine wine, slowly sip on it and savor it with a smile.

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Take the train the afternoon before and stroll about the town, it’s pretty small but quite quaint and you’ll spend your time purchasing unique items in small shops and dining on llama. The next morning visit Machu Picchu at your leisure and marvel at its extreme beauty before returning with a smile. Take a hot shower, relax and enjoy casual drinks before dinner while chatting about the once in a lifetime experience you’ve just had with friends, family and/or anyone who is around and equally ecstatic to be there. The next morning visit the hot springs, let it all soak into your skull and take the train back shortly thereafter.

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For lots more info and photos check out my latest bloggery titled “Machu Picchu is Amazing – Believe the Hype“.

Tips hat,

P.S: Macchu Picchu aside, I’m sure you’ll also enjoy Cusco aka “Inca Town”.

P.P.S: Brought my GoPro and made a vlog, lots of editing but stay tuned…

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Cusco is Chill & the Deal With Machu Picchu, Peru

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Greetings from Cusco,

Tomorrow I’m off to Machu Picchu despite the fact I’m confident it’s going to pour on me all day. It’s rainy season here and it’s been raining everyday; the forecast which I rarely check but have on this occasion says 90% rain; perfect. There are two main ways to get to Machu Picchu; we’ll call them the piker and the gentlemen.

The Piker:

This trip is two days and one night and will cost you $120-$130US or so. Basically you take a bus for 7 hours then hike for 3 hours to get to where the train drops you off. You spend the night, eat some food, eat breakfast and hike 2 hours to get to Machu Picchu.

The Gentleman:

This trip is one day and will cost you ~200-$230 or so. You take a bus to the train station, then take a train to where you’d sleep the first night with the piker plan and from there you take a bus to Machu Picchu or walk; the bus is $10 each way. This is a day trip unless you wish to stay longer and saves lots of time.

I’m going the gentlemen route and taking a bus all the way to Machu Picchu because the weather is horrific and getting soaking wet on some steep up hill climb at high altitude sounds like torture. Speaking of torture, I need to be ready tomorrow at 3:30-4AM which is a bit of a buzz kill to be honest.

If you want to see Wayna Picchu which is a high peak next to the main event it’s an extra $10 and you need to book at least a few days in advance as it’s a maximum of 400 people per day. These ruins are big business around here and Cusco aka the base town where I am now looks like some cosmopolitan city of sorts.

Cusco is great with an awe inspiring backdrop and everything you’d want from slummy guesthouses to high end hotels. You can buy dinner for next to nothing or enjoy some fine dining; the choice is all yours. Also, if you ever book a tour I assure you that the girl across the hall from Buenos Aires will invite you to her friend’s birthday party after a few minutes of flirty chit-chat.

In closing, it’s a small world. I stumbled across this Sunday market of sorts with children gambling when I saw a lady selling soup. I fancied the chicken soup she was stirring so I ordered one. As I was about to lift the spoon to my mouth to taste the heavenly smelling broth a lady from California asked me how it was.

I tasted it, told her it was divine and worth every penny for the 4 soles it cost. We started talking and she works for a PR firm in California. I told her about my blog then mentioned I just started writing for arguably the world’s largest independent financial blog and she asked which one…

I proudly told her iBankCoin and she immediately knew about it as she sometimes has financial clients. As a result they keep tabs of all the top blogs in any niche to possibly advertise on; random yes? Great news is they also have travel clients; why not do some networking over cheap soup in the mountains of Peru?

If you’re reading this during trading hours, I’m in Machu Picchu probably being drenched with cold rain and quasi enjoying every minute of it. End of the day, the world doesn’t need more pictures of Machu Picchu but I want to check it out because I’ve come this far.

If you really want to check it out, come in high season… The photo is of Plaza de Armas aka the main plaza in Cusco; it was sunny the day I got here so glad I ran around like mad man taking photos despite having a nightmarish bus ride from Bolivia. That could be the bus that broke this camels back; I’m flying to Lima and done with buses.

Have you ever been to Machu Picchu? How was it?

Tips hat

P.S: The lady from Argentina took the piker route and said it poured on her the whole time as well as she can barely feel her knees.

 

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