Itinera mundi mentisque

This is my complete 5-week itinerary (without transfer airports)

From: Great Circle Mapper

HEL	AIP	Helsinki [Vantaa], FI
WAS	city	Washington [Metro Area], DC, US
SAP	DAFIF	La Mesa (San Pedro Sula) [Ramón Villeda Morales Intl], HN
UII	unreliable	Utila Island, HN
LCE	DAFIF	La Ceiba [Golosón Intl], HN
TGU	DAFIF	Tegucigalpa [Toncontín Intl], HN
SNA	FAA	Santa Ana [John Wayne-Orange County Airport], CA, US
LAX	FAA	Los Angeles [Intl], CA, US
SFO	FAA	San Francisco [Intl], CA, US
DPS	DAFIF	Denpasar [Ngurah Rai - Bali Intl], Bali, ID
DIL	AIP	Dili [Presidente Nicolau Lobato Intl (Komoro Intl)], TP
SIN	DAFIF	Singapore [Changi Intl], SG
CMB	DAFIF	Colombo [Bandaranaike Intl], LK

Labels: English, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 23:59 | Permalink | Comments

So, the journey finally came to its end (accompagnied with yet another set of lost luggage...) It was sunny in Helsinki, but the temperature was freezing. Here's a picture taken when I came out of the airport bus, at Hakaniemi square next to my home.

Labels: English, Finland, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 23:58 | Permalink | Comments

Ok this post is backdated as it took some time for me to get organised...

So, this is a short vide of the blinking Budhha reliefs at the front of the bus (or maybe they are Hindu gods, I'm not sure). You should also hear the sound of the 'entertainment system' that was on. As the coach was moving, the picture is not quite stable...

Labels: English, Round-the-world, Sri Lanka, Travel

Posted by Janne at 22:47 | Permalink | Comments

The trip is almost over. In about an hour, I am to start the homeward journey from Colombo, where I'm right now waiting at the airport.

I spent the weekend in Unawatuna in southern Sri Lanka with a few friends. The place is not very far from Colombo, but the ride took about four hours in a bus fully packed with passengers who were 'entertained' with high-desibelic local music. I got a short video recording of the music and blinking Buddha-figures that were probably meant to give protection to the bus. Protection may indeed be a good idea provided the driving habits and the facts that the Tamil fighters sometimes set bombs t0 these vehicles (though much less so in the souther part of the country). There was also a guy selling protective amulets prior to the departure.

I cannot upload the video right now, so have to wait for later. I also haven't got any other photos, because the phone went out of battery and I didn't have the charger with me. So, you have to take my word that the place is truly pleasant and beautiful. It was somewhat hard to believe this is the are that was worst hit by the Tsunami in Sri Lanka. To get an idea, you can have a look at the Sri Lanka Travel Guide photos.

Labels: English, Round-the-world, Sri Lanka, Travel

Posted by Janne at 09:48 | Permalink | Comments

At the same time, Dili is the same and different compared to nine months ago. On the surface many things look like nothing had happened, but the IDP (internally displaced people) camps quickly make it clear that there is a difference. On the way from the airport on Friday, I was 'greeted' at Comoro bridge by a gang fight that was being handled with tear-gas by the international police forces.

On the other hand, lunch and swim at the beach side made me feel as if I never had left.

I had really great three days meeting many old friends and I realise I had missed this country despite all the work-related stress that I used to complain about.

Just before leaving today, I had a luch at my usual table 9 at Hotel Timor and again, it felt like I didn't ever really leave...

Labels: East Timor, English, Round-the-world, Timor-Leste, Travel

Posted by Janne at 15:38 | Permalink | Comments

After the breakfast, I visited some of the mandatory sites in the city. After a cable car ride to Fisherman's Wharf I could see the Alcatraz prison and the famous Sea Lions at Pier 39. As you can see, the weather is really sunny (though still cool).


A view from Chirardelli Square, a short walk from the Fisherman's Wharf.


Of course, any San Francisco touristic itinerary should include the Golden Gate. I walked a little bit on the bridge, but didn't cross it to the other side.

Labels: California, English, Round-the-world, San Francisco, Travel

Posted by Janne at 19:30 | Permalink | Comments

It's a bit chilly here, but the Sun is shining.

And, they have proper cafés here that serve proper Italian coffee in proper cups!

Labels: California, English, Round-the-world, San Francisco, Travel

Posted by Janne at 10:58 | Permalink | Comments

Two days is not much to see a big city like LA. On Wednesday, the weather was still warm, so I was walking around Downtown areas.



Yesterday was a bit chilly already. I went to see Old Pasadena and had lunch there. Not really anything spectacular, but it was interesting to note that almost nobody was using a fast and clean public transportation - and LA county alone is supposed to have 8 million inhabitants.

Then my intention was to visit some museums, but when I got out from the metro station, I realised it was clearly not the right one. I then just hopped into the next train and continued all the way to the Universal City.



Today the temperature has gone further down, so I chose some indoors activity instead and took a tour in the Walt Disney Concert hall. This is a view from the roof garden.

Labels: California, English, Los Angeles, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 11:34 | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday, I arrived in Orange County to spend a couple of days with my Uncle Ilkka and his wife Pirjo. Some pictures from today:

Mission San Juan Capistrano:


Pier at San Clmente:


View from New Port shopping centre:

Labels: California, English, Orange County, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 22:10 | Permalink | Comments

Yesterday, I was mostly familiarising mysef with different types of lines and waiting. First line was at Tegucigalpa airport; Everyone seemed to have chosen this day to return from holidays. It took about one hour to reach the American Airlines check-in counter. Then, a much shorter line to pay the airport tax.

The flight to Miami was delayed almost by an hour, so we had to wait in the terminal that didn't feature enough seats for all passangers.

At arrival, surprisingly, there wasn't any line to passport control. This was, however, compensated by another hour's wait at the luggage belt (as 'customs clarance at final destination airport' is an unknown concept in the US).

Then, when we were supposed to board our flight to DC, they announce that they are still looking for some crew members... Good things for the rest of the trip:

1. They finally managed to find some flight attendants for our flight, which ended up only about half an hour late.
2. 50% of the luggage did actually arrive with us - it is of course understandable that the Miami airport could not make the transfer, since there were only four hours between the flights. So for the final touch, some standing in the line to claim missing luggage.
3. There were taxis at the airport so we didn't have to walk in rainy DC.
   
   

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 10:40 | Permalink | Comments

Half an hour drive from Tegucigalpa lays Valle de Angeles, a small village full of artisan shops. Though a bit touristic, the village is very pittoresque and offers great vatiety of good buys. I would have bought a richly decorated chest if only it hadn't been so difficult to carry...


On the way back, we stopped at another little village, Santa Lucia, which offered a stricking night view to illuminated Tegucigalpa, which reminded me of Rome viewed from the hills after dinner time.

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 15:17 | Permalink | Comments

We flew yesterday from La Ceiba to Tegucigalpa with an Atlantic Airlines flight operated with an Avro 748 that was probably the oldes aircraft I've ever flown.

Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, is located in a scenic valley between mountains at an altitude of about one kilometre. The weather is sunny but pleasantly cool. At night it gets almost chilly.

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 12:30 | Permalink | Comments

We managed to get back to La Ceiba just a couple of hours late last night. The boat was waiting for another temporary licence from Tegucigalpa until the very last moment, after which the sail woudn't have been possible the same day any more. We were supposed to go to visit some hot springs today, but they have been sweapt away, or rather destroyed by a mud slide during big storms a week ago. So I'm just going to read a book under the palm trees. Not a bad option.

Here are some more photos from Utila, including the empty dock where the boat was supposed to leave from.

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 10:28 | Permalink | Comments

I guess this morning has been the mandatory chaos part of any trip. We were supposed to take the 14:00 ferry back to La Ceiba after a lazy breakfast and morning at Bundu Cafe, clearly the most comfortable place on this island. Getting to the docks for bying the tickets in advance, there is a total bazar. Apparently the paperwork for the boat was not in order, and it had no permission to leave for today, but they were trying to get a temporary licence sorted out (the morning ferry was supposed to have left at 6:30).

The second discuovery: Bundu cafe is closed on Wednesday so good bye for a nice cappucciono for breakfast. After breakfast we go back to the harbour to find out that the boat is justr about to leave. So I rush with the golf car to pick up the luggage from the hotel and check out. Alas, the vehicle is not very fast, and we miss the boat by some 10 minutes. They also say the boat is not coming back today in any case.

Off we go to inquire about fligts, and are told that it is possible to charter a small plane this afternoon, but the booking wouldn't be possible until after luch. We go for a coffee and come back just to double-check that it's possible to book on aftrenoon. You guessed it probably already: the plane is completely booked for the rest of the day. For Elsa it is essential to be at La Ceiba tomorrow morning, since she has some work-related stuff there. So, we book a plane for early tomorow morning.

Coming back from the flight agent (whom we already paid), we see people gathering around the docks with their luggage - miraculously, the boat has got it's licence and is going to leave as scheduled at 14:00...

So, back to the flight agent to cancel and get our $150 back. The office is closed for lunch. Call to the lady there, and she tells it's no problem, we can get reimbursed at 13:30 when she'll be back from lunch. So, apparently we are leaving with the boat in an hour and a half.

But I'm not counting on it.

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 12:17 | Permalink | Comments

I haven't (at least yet) managed to make the wap work in Honduras, so the comments are coming with a delay. New year's pictures are all too dark, so at least without manipulating or before getting Elsa's or Miwako's photos there is not much to show there.

I went diving today and we have also rented a golf car, a popular means of transportation in the narrow paths of Utila.

Labels: English, Honduras, Round-the-world, Travel

Posted by Janne at 16:46 | Permalink | Comments