Learning to Cook Peruvian food

Arequipa was not originally on my travel plans – I´d never read anything about it or bothered to . not sure why not. But Camille, whom I met in Potosi, and spent Christmas with in Sucre, told me there was a gigantic monastery here and I should spend some time. Monastery? Old buildings? I´m in.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Dec 22, 2011 in Bolivia, South America

Bolivia’s World Wonder – Salar de Uyuni

Day 11,12,13,14,15 – Bolivia – Salar de Uyuni

So, after making my way from Tilcara to the Border town of La Quieca spending 1 hour crossing the border into Bolivia, and immediately catching a 25B ($4 CAD) taxi ride with the German couple I met on the bus. I was happy in Tupiza. I booked into the Valle Hermano Hostel and was convinced by an 11 year old boy who spoke like an adult to take the 4 day Salar de Uyuni Tour. It would leave on Sunday, 18th December 2011.

img 1476 Bolivias World Wonder Salar de Uyuni

I LOVE GIANT LOLLYPOPS!

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Sep 19, 2011 in Argentina, South America

Buenos Aires Graffiti Culture and Tour

Buenos Aires Graffiti Culture and Tour.

Jaz, Chu, Roma, Nerf, Banksy, PumPum, Zumi, Pastel. I am not going crazy. These are all names of famous graffiti artists in Buenos Aires, and I had the opportunity to learn all about them on my bicycle tour with GraffitiMundo.

Posted by Chrystal McKay on Jul 20, 2010 in Asia, Philippines

Samal Island, Philippines – Island Hopping Tour

One of the interns – Lukas – set up an island hopping tour for all us interns here in Davao city. There are a lot of us, about 40. So last saturday we woke up early and made our way to the wharf to catch our boat for our island hopping tour.

The boat was nice enough; it had side panels to sit off on and these wooden pieces to balance the boat but which also worked as climbing structures for some water fun. It was crazy how the boat workers could just walk around across these wooden planks while the boat was moving and the rest of us struggled to wander onto them while the boat was just floating gently.

We swam all day – some scuba dived, some snorkled, and the half which were Chinese stayed on the boat because they don’t want their skin to get darker. While those of us who are exceptionally pale went out in the hot sun and got very red. I think my Chinese roommates selected the better route. Then we finally landed on our overnight island. Got into a room with a nice bed shared with two other ladies. They cooked us bbq meats for dinner, mmmm tuna, and then we drank (not much for me cause I’m battling a cold) and sang for the evening – with one of the Czech interns playing guitar for us. Earlier we saw some Filipino’s playing volleyball and we joined in with them for a very fun game. My legs were sore afterwards. I didn’t think I was that lazy- apparently I am.

When I finally went to bed about midnight, I wrapped up in my blanket and was out like a light, until it started to rain, hard, which normally I wouldn’t wake up during, BUT, the roof above ONLY MY BED leaked ALL OVER ME AND MY BED. I woke up and saw that the other two girls beds were fine and not being leaked on but mine was getting soaked. What did I do to deserve this? So I slept cold, wet, and sickly, and woke up feeling 20x WORSE than the day before. But it was STILL raining in the morning so we all got up and boarded the first boat home to Davao City.

Back in my nice, warm, DRY room. Happy as one can be with a nasty cold and a bathing suit bottoms sunburn!