The Jungle Book

Yikes this old man is one pooped puppy. Just out of the Guatemalan jungle and ready to tumble into a luxury hotel. Luxury has a whole new meaning to me now. Like lodgings without a frog as big as a plate hopping through. Snakes on beams is another of the wish list event. I also have a new respect for Deet. It was hot and steamy and it will take a few weeks to totally dry out. Saw some very amazing places though and dropped about ten pounds. Weight Watchers the hard way! We traveled by river in small boat, hiked hills and generally pushed the limits. Mine anyway! The guide is great and Inguat has done a terrific job handling the trip. Some special places such as a school for Mayan villagers set up near Rio Dulce. Another Mayan village that with US AID money has set up a eco lodge complete with caves that you travel through by inner tube. Duck for the bats. Sunrise over Tikal this morning so I am beat. Waiting for the plane back to Guatemala City to see if a five star hotel will kill me. Bet not, it's like riding a bike.

Just Me

I am sitting in my room at the Crowne Plaza in Guatemala City and happy to report that at this airport hotel everything works. The sauna is hot and there really is a health spa. I am living it up tonight with a bottle of Tarapaca wine from Chile and blasting tunes. I gather that I am going to head out early for a couple of days in some little explored Mayan ruins. It is just my guide Ivania and driver Carlos and myself. The places have great names such as Chocon, Quiriqua and Sayaxche. Carlos looks like a US Ranger and I am sure he is as tough as he looks! A guy I know who took some great photos on his trip to Guatemala for GoNOMAD assures me that Ivania is tops. Seems so Paul. Anyway think it will be tough to keep in touch, adios amigos!

A few posts ago I mentioned the if you do not meet a jerk on a press trip its you. Geuss this time I will play the part, sure I have before.

No Holiday!

In preparation of my very early flight to Guatemala tomorrow I checked into the JFK Holiday Inn. The one with sauna, health club and fitness room. Or maybe not! The sauna heated to about 60% the fitness room filled broken machines. I will not even get into the health club. I wonder if the manager here ever reads his website? Maybe not or he might think he is working at the wrong hotel. Fortunately the free wireless works so I can bitch a bit! I tried tonight to figure out a round number of hotels I’ve stayed in over the last ten years to no avail. I couldn’t even come up with a figure for the last two. Most have been great. For some reason most near airports stink. It is worth it to catch the flight to Guatemala in the wee hours. Just not sure I’ll trust the Priority Club website anymore.

Back to Batam 

Its coming, its coming

Catching up is hard to do. Three more nights at home then on to Guatemala, first there are finishing touches on three pieces before leaving. Batam, SW Louisiana and Rio/Buzios. Paraty is now in the hopper and a sigh of relief is released. Makes me realize how easy radio taping for Around the World Radio is. No prep just wing it. That said though, how good is it to go back to a piece written for GoNOMAD and relive a trip. Especially love how GoNOMAD is growing. I am a lucky guy!

On the schedule for Guatemala is Petan, Tikal, Biotopo Chocon, Flores and Antigua. Looks like an outdoors adventure, with some glamour thrown in. Only one more scheduled trip and that is early June to Croatia. That will be with my good buddy Max owner of GoNOMAD. But first Max is headed to a clothing optional resort near San Diego. That should provide a lot of laughs over our dinners.

Chuckie in Love 

Outback 

Out Doors

Got e-mail from João H. Rodrigues this afternoon from Myriad Travel Marketing. Outdoor Life Network wanted someone to get interviewed about the Northern Territory in Australia. He thought of me. One of the best trips I have ever taken was on the Ghan Railway last spring. It was for the opening of the railway stretch from Darwin to Alice Springs. The two-night trip was on a luxury ride on steel wheels. Through some of the most beautiful but desolate country around. A helicopter hop over Kathleen’s Gorge broke the trip up nicely! But then again Myriad doesn’t do anything half way. Look on GoNOMAD for the story.

Lil and I made it successfully through my son Chance’s orientation at Sarah Lawrence College. Sure brought back memories of long ago. I am very proud of my SLC bound son. August will come to fast!

Checking In

The weather in Upstate NY was just perfect. They are still talking about the flood of 2005 here though. Missed it totally. It is on record as the worst ever recorded in Ulster County. Since I've returned from Brazil the weather has been great. It was golf with one of my oldest buddies then dinner with Lil and my old 8th grade girlfriend Saturday. Sunday was spring cleaning in the yard.The plants are poping out of the ground and the grill put out on the new deck. It feels great to be home, still the Foders guidebook on Guatemala is pulled and in one week I am off again.

Back in Time 

Back South of the Border

Home for a day and it is T Minus Ten till Guatemala. Just received my itinerary and it is totally in Spanish. I can speak the language a little but reading it is impossible. That’s okay because I am now sure that the trip will proceed. I have never been to Guatemala before so the extra excitement is building.

I had a chance to catch up on my favorite blogs and sites last night. Besides Max’s readuponit Jen Leo’s written road is always a great read. More on the business side of travel writing is Travelwriter.com and Media Kitty. Both offer possible press trips for writers. Ten days, four pieces for GoNOMAD and three dinners with friends till I am off!

Brazilian Party Girls 

Party Boat in Paraty 

Paraty Church 

Fresh 

Room at the Buzios Hotel 

Paraty 

Beach babe 

Bye Bye Brazil

Its time to pack the sack and head to the airport. Two wonderful weeks of exloring the State of Rio winds down. When I woke up this morning I gazed down at Ipanema Beach and watched as scores of Cariocas were biking and hiking up and down. I went down and joined the parade. The sun was already hot and the coconut water sweet and cool. This just maybe the way to live. I however have a life to return to. I will have the sack of Brazilian coffee to jump start every morning home. Lily has e-mailed that the flowers are poking up through the ground and spring has sprung in upstate NY.

Home is a great place to travel to. Time to get Brazil down in words. To sing for my supper as the saying goes. Its funny at the end of every trip. Some fellow writers on the trip, I will always remember. Some I will not want to. And then some will just fade from memory. Fortunatly the memories of the places visited will always remain. Bye Bye Brazil!

Last One Standing

For the last two nights I have been the last of the group still in Brazil. In travel writing terms the, "last one standing". Luckily I had several nights in Buzios with Victoria Rivers and her Texas freinds. It is like a poker game, her buddies left the afternoon before her. Next afternoon she left. Two days later I left. Her freinds though had to scramble from a lobster and grouper lunch on the beach. Sad because they got to pick and choose the actual sea creatures. We however ate a huge meal as the surf pounded near by. Hope they caught the bus to Rio then the plane to Texas.

Tonight I am on the 14th floor of the Everest Hotel overlooking Ipanema Beach. Tried checking into Caeser Park right next to the Everest. My hotel is 1/3rd the price and they are letting me have my room till six PM tommorow. Funny how when it is your dime, you will find a bargain. Tried to post some pictures of Paraty and Buzios but didn't happen. Will try again in the morning. Ready to report home before heading out again.

Report from Buzios

It feels like weeks since I have been able to post. It has only been a few days. Paraty and Buzious have been temp homes and both are so very different. Both very Brazilian and very ocean and beaches. Will have much to write for GoNOMAD Paraty was historical and situated near the Atlantic Rain Forest.

Buzios is hipper and all about good times. Visually stunning and 23 beaches all different. The town is lined with shops and restaurants. Very much a walking through town.

I will post some shots when I get to Rio for my last day in Brazil tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing family and home. Buzios Article click here.

Kent to Earth

Last day in Rio and then down to Paraty. After being guided around the city for a week I sometimes feel a little disoriented on my own. In other words having to deal with things by myself. That’s why I like either staying longer than a press trip or coming before. It gives a different take on a destination. I have a new favorite area of Rio to explore today. The Lapa district with its charm. Run down and back in time, yet vibrant and growing. Favorite nightspot from the trip is Scenarium. By day an antiques store but by night a restaurant/entertainment spot. Live music and finger foods.

Also phoning in my report to the radio show in California. First time live and on location. Just like the rest of the trip, its time to wing it!

The Real Girl from Ipanema 

The Princess and the Peeved

For the first time in my years of press trips, I left the last dinner early. I was sitting across from the Princess and Hollywood. Arrogance and meanness can really kill a good appetite. Even a big one like mine. Here are some press trip givens so you won’t be a bad guest on your next press trip Princess. Show up for all scheduled events as requested on our itinerary. A lot of planning goes in to it. If shopping is so very important do it in the free time built into the itinerary. Treat us as if our Dads have huge yachts also. It makes for a warmer fuzzier feeling. Last but not least, if you’re going to have Travel Photojournalist on your business card, ditch the disposable camera. Have Dad buy you a real one!

On the upside the people of Rio have treated us all royally. The same for the Myriad staff. My heart-felt thanks go out to all of you. Thanks for the travel memories of truly Cidade Maravilhosa, Rio!

Party 

Boot Camp

I know you all think that a press trip in Brazil is all caipirinhas and feijoada. That is the national drink and dish. But here is the reality, long busy days. Okay make those long interesting days. It is on the go from 9AM to 11PM. It is all about seeing as much of a city or area as possible. Yesterday started at Rio’s sports temple Maracana Stadium and ended with a ferry ride across Guanabara Bay. After a visit to the Contemporary Art Museum in Niteroi. To add insult to injury We had to end up the night with dinner at one of Rio’s prettiest restaurants, the Figner Mansion. Ah the things I have to endure.

Scroll down and catch one of the team going local. Top writer V Rivers suited up and ready for the game!

Carmen 

The Cast

Ah the hustle and bustle of a press trip. Hurry up we are on schedule. In a laid back city like Rio it is strange to do the press shuffle. It is very normal after two days. Of course the cast of press characters remains the same. There is super star and princess and hard-core adventure junkie. The Good the Bad and the Ugly! As usual when first meeting the same posturing begins, “so you write for who”? “ I just got back from” is often repeated. Yes I am also a guilty party.

Our hosts though have been extremely gracious and accommodating. Myriad PR has a good staff and their trips always special. The hotel Sheraton of Barra de Tijuca fabulous and the sound of surf pounding as I write. Got to go for now, it is another 9AM to 10PM day. Will ad on tonight, but check some picts below.

Laugh