EL SALVADOR , HONDURAS AND GUATEMALA IN NOVEMBER 2016

On 10th day of our trip we went by a boat to La Union in El Salvador. First from Leon to Potosi along beautiful Nicaragua- lake seeing the magnificent San Cristobal vulcan. Next day brings us to the ruins of old Maya city Jaya de Ceren, which was destroyed in year 590 by vulcan Lama Calderan. Luckily all inhabitants could escape then. We later arrive to capital San Salvador, where we spend the night after a roundtrip in the city. On the way to Honduras we pass an ancient Maya city Copan which was found in the jungle in 1839 by Juan Galido.
 Our route brought us to Guatemala,where we visited another Maya city Quirigua with great stone statues, the weight over 65 tons. There was also at Rio Dulce a fortress build by spaniards against pirates in 16th century, Le Castillo de San Felipe.  After overnighting in Flores we arrived to Tikal, the pearl of the Mayas! Tikal was found in1848, but it was opened for tourists around 20 years ago.
I remember my first visit there in 2006, and a lot has been done there since. The oldest temples there are from 600 B.C. but the classic Maya culture florished  there around anno domini 300-800.
The highest pyramids are about 70 meters. The jungle around is rich of all kind of animals, and after darkness forbidden for people. After Tikal we drove to Mundo Maya Airport to continue by flight to Antigua, the former Guatemalan capital. Having been in this beautiful colonial city before I spent my day alone with some glasses of very good red wine in this Unesco's World Heritage site. The city was badly destroyed by an earthquake in 17th century, and still 10 years ago practically nothing was done.
Now anyhow they were re-building the cathedral and some other medieval buildings.
The last two nights we spent on Atitlan-lake in a very good 5*-hotel. I relaxed the last day at the pool enjoying the view to the vulcans on the other side of the lake on a perfect day.
By the way one of those vulcans had erupted some days earlier, but without no considerable harm.
In all, our trip was very lucky, two days after we left Costa Rica, there were heavy tropical rains and big flooding, in Nicaragua was an earthquake but we had just sunshine except one day in Costa Rica.

NICARAGUA

On the day 8. we arrived along Lake Nicaragua to a beautiful city of Granada from the year 1524. After a roundtrip and a cruise on the lake we visited Masaya known of all kind of artistic hand krafts before we continued to Managua, which was grounded in 1819 and named as new capital city of the country after the pirates had burned Granada down.  Managua also has suffered in several earthquakes especially 1931 and 1972. Late afternoon we were in Leon to overnight there. I decided to spend my evening by my own. I was looking for a shop which could repair my iPhone, which had stopped to co-operate with me. Luckily, thanks my Spanish I soon found a place, where they managed to fix it for 36 dollars including new battery. I was in very good mood and needed a drink or two.  After asking I soon found myself in a Irish type bar. Next to me sat 3 pretty young ladies.
And of course I had to check if my camera was working, and I asked for a permission to take a photo of them. They laughed, agreed and asked me to join them, what I quickly did without hesitation...
We sat there several hours and had fun together. After 11pm they said that they have working day tomorrow and it's time to go to sleep. But before that they wanted to show Leon by night to me, having a car outside. I had missed the sight seeing trip with group but now I got it with special transportation, and finally they drove me back to my hotel.  Afterwards I have got messages from two of them asking when I would return to Leon.
  

Crossing Central America in six states Nov. 9 - 26. 2016

1. Panama It took more than 15 hours to reach Panama City via Amsterdam from Helsinki. Our group of 12 people was understandable quite tired when arriving to the hotel. I was one of the few ones who still enjoyed a drink or two after dinner. Next day we had a round tour in Panama City. There was mostly nothing new for me as I had spent some days there already some years ago. Panama City consists actually from two different parts the Old and New parts. The old one was destroyed by pirate captein Henry Morgan in 1671.It was rebuilt later some kilometers away from the original site, which today is almost inside of the new city. Anyhow a pleasant hot day with about +32C. I bought an "Original Panama - Hat" made in Ecuador.
 2. Costa Rica Very early in the morning we flew to San Jose in Costa Rica. From the airport we were transported directly to a famous coffee plantague, where we learnt everything "how-to-make-a-good-cup-of- coffee" or cocoa. We drove many hours trough hills and valleys and saw a lot of Costa Rican landscape before coming to our Hotel Palma Real in San Jose. Again an early wake-up call but due the big time difference everybody easily jump up at 5.30am. We then drove trough Braulio Carrillo National park towards Caribbean Sea trough rainforests consisting more than 6000 different plants. We then arrive to tiny La Pavona harbor, where a boat waits for us to take us in heavy tropical rain trough a adventurous jungle river to our next hotel Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero. Actually the experience to be in heavy tropical rain was like to be cloths on in a warm shower! Next day on an interesting river cruise we saw sloths, frogs, monkeys, turtles and o lot of different even strange looking tropical birds. That evening we arrive to Tilajari Resort to overnight after good dinner and some nice drinks. Well, then on the 7th day of our excursion in Central America is our most exciting and frightening event, crossing the rainforest in Arenal in Arenal Hanging Bridges Park not too far away from the vulcan Arenal. The slippery paht or trail trough and over the forest did consist of 16 hanging bridges, the longest 97 meters, 24m high and another 92m long, 45m high over forest rivers and slopes. Total route was over 3,1 km, and we all made it successfully. To be continued..

Short trip to Budapest on Oct.25 - 27.2016

After many years I once again visited Budapest. Together with Mr. Seppo Panhelainen we strolled on the streets of Pest visiting various bars and restaurants. We also had a date with charming Miss Hajni Kiss, whom I had met in Croatia a year earlier. Unusual for me I did go shopping, some beautiful porcelain figurines of nude ladies from the beginning of last century. We had fun there, and 48 hours there was absolutely too short.

Round trip in Romania and Moldova Aug.30. -Sept.9. 2016

A group of 20 Finnish traveller flew via Istanbul to Bucharest to stay for two first nights at The Sheraton Hotel. On the second day we visited the huge Parliament House and the home museum of the former president Ceausescu. Even Buchrest is called the Paris of Balkan with it's parks and boulevards, I did not find the city as that interesting. On third day we continued by bus 200 kilometers to Brasov known also with the German name Kronstadt. This medieval city of 275.000 inhabitants charmed me totally. But before arriving to this partly or mostly German speaking city we overnighted 2 nights in beautiful surroundings of magnificent Carpathian mountains,in 4star Teleferic Grand Hotel. During the day we did stop at Peles Castle (one of the most beautiful ones in the world), in Sinaia a romantic resort. The castle belongs to King Michael of Romania, and it's treasures are fantastic. We then visited in Azuga the famous winery Rhein&Cie with different wine tastings. It still supplies the king. Transilvania, where Brasov lies, became a new home of North German Saxons in 13 century, and you can see the German influence in buildings and architecture. I just wondered, why this beautiful country and this city is not better known by tourists. Nearby lies also The Castle of Bran, "Draculas" home. We then visited Sighisoara town, where Vlad III (Dracula) was born and still suppose to be around. On the 7th day we did round driving in Bukovina country side studying some medieval monasteries which are on Unesco list. Next day we visit Iasi town before continuing to Moldova. The border between Romania and Moldova is River Prut. In Moldova we will see an antic site Orheiul Vechi, partly over 2000 years old and Cricova's Winery with cellars over 165 km. It's told that cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin lost his way in these tunnels for two days. At liest he had something to drink. We were offered a nice tasting with good food and entertainment. Next day we walked round the capital of Moldova Chisinau, but my main target was the terrace bar of our 5star hotel Radisson Blu. This hotel was elected by customers as the best Radisson Blu in Europe.And I was taken very good care by the pretty waitresses of the terrace bar. My favorit experience of this trip. Next day we still visited the last communist country in Europe, Transnistria, with 15000 Russian peacekeepers. Huge statue of Lenin to see with some government buildings and a Sheriff-department store. Then back to Moldova and next day via Istanbul to Helsinki.

Short visit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 26.-29.2016

I left Helsinki one evening by a ship "Baltic Queen" with an old friend Mr.Seppo Panhelainen to Tallinn in Estonia. Next morning we left the vessel and took a bus, which took us via Latvia to Vilnius. This capital of Lithuania is a beautiful and very pleasant city of some 540,000 habitants. The weather was perfect and we mostly did enjoy the street life in many different bars at the walking zone. Wine and beer were cheap and the food was really very good. Three days were soon over, and we returned to Helsinki.

Luxury life in Seminyak, Bali

Since coming to Australia and further to Bali, Indonesia, the standard level of my days have been upgraded pleasantly. Here in Seminyak my Hotel TS Suites has last year been elected by some professionals as one of the best hotels of the world.  I have during my life stayed in many top hotels around the world, and this is absolutely one of them. In courtesy and friendliness maybe No.1.
The breakfast included is very rich and variable. I have not eaten lunch or dinner here yet, because just 50 meters away is a very good Swiss restaurant Malo's, where I have with great enthusiasm consumed some best beef ever ( Indonesian ) among other delicious food since my arrival here.
The quality / price is excellent, and some 30-40 percent cheaper than in this hotel.
It's been around 35C outside, so I have spent a lot of time in my very nice room with a TV of 62 channels, including DW, CNN, Aljazeera, Euronews, plus many sport-, movie channels. Today and yesterday I saw Formula One directly from Melbourne on Foxsport.  

A party at Hotel Satriya Cottages, Bali

In the first evening I was sitting alone at the hotels bar in the restaurants first floor around 7.30 pm.  People coming in to eat had to go to second floor. It was not too difficult to guess that something was going on downstairs.  Then they managed an awesome buffet with a roasted pig in the center. Soon started a flow of mainly big strong 50+  mainly Australian men, over 30 altogether. It was surely not a bridge-club, but a reunion of former rugby players. They were mainly drunk, happily in good mood.
Soon somebody started to by drinks to me too, and there was no use to say thank you but...
When they started to enjoy the buffet , their leader came to me and said " please help yourself there is enough  for you too".  The roasted  pig was best I ever had. There was a good local rock band playing hot music from 70's and the bunch of guys was wild with the band. Some had wives or girl friends with them but they were sent upstairs.    I was the only outsider accepted, at least I was the first at the bar. At midnight I retired, many of them too.

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia

On Sunday Mar.6. I flew from Honiara to Brisbane,  from where my very good friend since 1981, Mr.David Maxwell did pick me up with his grandson Brendan. His invitation had been to stay at his home, but his wife Denise had become sick, and instead David had booked and paid a nice hotel for me at the center of Surfers Paradise for 4 nights. I did visit them twice finding Denise in pretty  good condition but very tired. David made a fantastic barbeque with beers and very good wine.
The rest of my time I spent strolling along this fantastic city with it's bars and restaurants, including Hard Rock Cafe with it's friendly personal. At midnight Mar.10. I arrived to Denpasar , Bali to stay here about two weeks.

Honiara /Guadalcanal, March1. 2016

I was strolling in the streets of Honiara to find a travel agency to get to famous battle fields of Guadalcanal of which I had read stories and seen movies in my teenage years.
I found an agency and I told a pretty young lady that I would like to get to see those famous battle fields and djungles;  so how to get there?  By boat or by plain? She shook her pretty head telling me, that I am in Guadalcanal, and it all just happened right here. So I bought a round trip to most important places for next day with all memorial places of American, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese fighters including a private museum of remains of guns, tanks and fighters and bombers from both sides. I was happy I got there. I was very thirsty too. However it was not so easy to find a place in the afternoon serving a beer. But I then found a nice Chinese restaurant, and I got beer and wine, whatever I wanted. Afterwards I saw a sailing club sign and went there, telling that I am not a club member but cosmopolitan sailor anyway. They friendly asked me to sign their guest book and I was there. I.. immediately I saw a local beauty serving drinks to certain tables, and I found a free one in her area. Her name was Wendy 23 years young and very sexy. During the following days we became very good friends, and I am still dreaming what could have happened, if I had stayed there for several weeks or months.
Next morning on the tour our first stop was the sailing club. On this beach the first Americans landed on Aug.7th. 1942. There was a memorial in the club of  a 23 years old hero, Douglas Munro; who died just there, but got later special honor and medal from US. president, maybe from J. F. Kennedy ,whose torpedo boat did sink in these waters, and he managed to survive with his crew here.  .

SAMOA, TUVALU, VANUATU AND THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

I can finally comment my last weeks in Polynesia and Melanesia even my memory is not very fresh anymore especially when thinking the quantity of red wine consumed.
On Feb.11. I flew to Faleolo, the Samoan capital, a boring place filled up with all kind of churches of different Christian movements. I spent my days mainly sitting in the bar of my Hotel Millenia with red wine bottles looking beautiful views to the sea. I could not use my laptop, my phone did not work there because of Fiji SIM -card,  and then came the big bang ..... my Visa card was cancelled, my Diner's was not accepted in Samoa, and I was practically out of money. I called from the hotel phone to Visa Finland, and they told me that even I had not lost my card someone was using it happily in NEW YORK ! They sent me via ATM then as much I needed to get back to Fiji, where I could use my Diner's. I then spent 3 nights in Suva in Holiday Inn. In the second evening was invited to hotels cocktail party, where I was introduced to two fellow Finns, technicians from Wärtsilä working there for 4 months.  On Feb.18 I flew to Funafuti a tiny village but the capital of Tuvalu. There was no possibility to do anything because the stormy sea, heavy rains and strong winds, just at the same time when the cyclone Winston , the strongest ever,  hit Fiji badly,  leaving 49 people dead. There was a small grocery near by, where I could get inexpensive Australian wine. I drank 9 liters of wine, some beers, read a book and made crosswords with me in 4 days. People there were most nice and friendly.
When I wanted to leave my very primitive lodge Afelita ,with 5 guest rooms, to a quite same standard   restaurant 2km away, lady Afelita, the owner said, wait a minute I'll ask my daughter to drive you there. So I sat behind her back on her motorbike, and she brought me safely to that place. When I then some hours later asked for a taxi , the young woman in the bar said that she cannot remember taxi's number, but do not worry I'll drive you back. So I sat on the back of a motor bike again and she refused to take any money for the ride. On Feb.23. I was in Fiji again, this time at Novotel Resort in Suva for 3nights. On Feb.26. I was in Vanuatu at the most perfect place on this trip until now. The resort Vanuatu Beachfront Apartments was ideal, and I was the only guest. On a lagoon finest sandy beach, calm and clear sea 20 meters, the pool and the bar only some steps from my sea view room.    
The capital Port Vila was most picturesque and pleasant small town in South Seas I have seen, and luckily they had recovered very well of last years cyclone. On Feb. 29 I was once again Fiji for one night to get to Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal Island. This was the place of heaviest fights during WWII for 6 months, when americans finally 1943 won the Japanese troops.

Club Fiji Resort, Nadi /Fiji Feb.4.

This is my 5th day here. Because I am a shy character I did not speak to anybody in three first days,
except personal. I had no need to. Then an Australian, Bruce, about 50 came to me and we were very soon talking about the girls.  He told me that because he is from rural countryside selling tractors to farmers, he never had a chance to get practically more girl friends except his wife. Then he asked how about me.
About that matter we talked two hours. He was very curious to know of my many adventures around the world. He told me that I definitely must write a book. Meanwhile I saw two very pretty and very young girls checking into Resort.  Yesterday I saw them sitting with a Californian Bob, whom I had met earlier. Bob is almost my age, and I went to them in the bar and asked if it is permitted to join them.We then sat several hours together there before we all four had a dinner together. It was a very joyful evening until we all said good night to each other.  The young ladies are from Adelaide, Australia. Imogen is 18, very talkative and studying to be a teacher, Mary is 19 and maybe more serious and is interested in criminology for some future profession. They both have fantastic smiles and charmed Bob and me totally.

Another day on a Fijian schooner "Whale's Tales" on Jan. 29

Due recommendation I had booked a whole day tour to an uninhibited island with this schooner.
The day was perfect, we were a group of 10. I immediately found two persons, I did like to socialize with. They were best friends from Auckland, New Zealand. Cindy was 26 originally from Korea, and Angela 34 and from China. I had good fun with them, especially because this very sweet Cindy was almost a copy of a great love of mine 40 years ago,  Eun Joo from Seoul, then 26 too. We were going to marry that time, but her father on a high social position then told the young lady that he will cut her family relationships, if she should marry an European.  That was the end of 2 years love affair.
I told Cindy the whole story, and she said that Korea was a totally different country then.
She then added that it was no wonder that Eun Joo fell in love with me, because I have so beautiful blue  eyes like the sky or the sea!

Sailing on Fijian waters Jan 28.

It has been a marvelous day. I was sailing all day in a schooner "Seaspray" built in Sydney 1928.
We were 21 people  from many nationalities, aged between 19-35, plus two ladies from Texas in their 50's and me. I enjoyed my time mostly with two couples, honeymooners from Ireland and Italy but had good fun with the young Colombian, French and German couples too, as well as those ladies from Texas, not to forget the 3 pretty 19 years old from Munich / Germany.  There were also youngsters from Australia, New Zealand, England and Japan . On board was served free as many you could drink water, beer and vine, including a nice grilled lunch. Temperature was +33C, but soft trade winds made staying on board pleasant. Because of the wound in my leg, I could not join other people in swimming or snorkeling. But very seldom you can have a perfect day.

Tarawa / Kiribati 24.- 25. 1. and Nadi /Fiji 25.1. ....

I met on the way to the airport in Majuro 3 friendly Polish people, a married couple and lovely Marta, their guide. We happened to have same Fema Lodge Resort in Tarawa / Kiribati, and so we had a nice evening together. They had booked their flight to Nadi /Fiji for the next morning. It was however delayed by some 8 hours. I had found out that there were absolutely nothing to do, most boring and primitive place I've ever seen. Even though the young women were most beautiful to look at. So I decided to try to join my new Polish friends and fly to Fiji together with them. After some difficulties I managed to book same flight. Before leaving the resort, we met a young Russian from near Moscow, who had been 15 years away from there, and did not intend to return his home country as long as a certain president rules there. However he was optimistic that the power will be in new hands not so far in future. My friends and I departed at Nadi airport, and Marta and I promised to see each other one day in Krakowa and Helsinki. I was my first night in Capricorn Hotel having a funny evening with an Australian. Jake and I decided to taste different Fijian Rums among some other drinks. His favorite was Coffee Rum, mine Chocolate Rum. Today I changed my hotel due lack of WI-FI connection to Tokatoka Resort near the airport until next Sunday. Bula Bula!

Majuro, The Marshall Islands, Jan.!8-24. 2016

I've been here since last Sunday, 5 days. Nothing special to tell. Spending mainly my days at the hotel  pool bar having in this open air place a nice view to Majuro lagoon, where bigger and smaller tuna fish trawlers lay in anchor. Weather has been mostly sunny, some quick showers, but warm +30C.
I visited with my leg the local hospital but according to the doctor the wound is heeling well.
The city of Majuro does not offer to much to see. Some cathedrals of different religions, a few bars and some shopping centers with very good vine selection 9 - 17 dollars a bottle.
Next Sunday I'll fly  to Kiribati.

Kosrae Jan.16, 2016

The Federal State of Micronesia consists of four different states Chuuk ( Truk ), Yap, Pohnape and Kosrae. The people on these four islands (states) do not understand each others language at all but have to communicate in English to get along. Here is one Kosraean example from the beach
" Tia sisi kutkut nu inkoe". It means "Do not litter ".
On Tuesday I had with a private driver for 3 hours roundtrip on the island, not much to see but real tropical surroundings. On Wednesday I didn't do anything but reading a bit and consuming a bottle of
"Jacobs Creek" Shiraz Cabernet for USD 28. I do not remember what happened on Thursday, but it was a bit rainy day, I guess I did look CNN and making crosswords. Yesterday I then decided to go snorkeling in the "Blue  Hole" at the lagoon but inside the reef. I should have known it, I stumbled at the corals  and hit my right leg on coral. The result a bleeding wound, not big but dangerous enough. Happily it happened just afterwards I already had studied the coral world and those fishes enough.
The medical man of the hotel has taken care of my leg, and he is studying it every day. We'll see.

Kosrae, Federal state of Micronesia Jan.11.-18. 2016

Well, I arrived here yesterday afternoon around 3PM after hop-on-hop -off in Guam, Truk and Pohnape,  just a local trip of 17 hours.  After a sandwich and a quick beer I went to sleep for 14 hours. Today I waked up at 7 o'clock , and realized that I am almost alone in paradise.
Then I remembered that I yesterday did walk not far  but along the  beach to find some local guys
charcoiling all kind of meets. I just stopped to look, and someone gave me a fat chicken leg.  It was the best part of chicken I ever tasted.  These 4 guys laughed, when I told that I never did like chickens very much but this was something special, and I got an another big tasty leg.  They then said that I am invited to their party starting two hours later but unhappily I already was deep in sleep.
Today after breakfast around 7.30, I was on the beach alone peacefully looking at the sea and my life
backwards. I was then later advised by personal that it would be clever to by drinks from a shop a mile away by taxi cost of 2 US dollars. So I got a lady taxi for 2 dollars but paid 3 because her friendliness.  I bought 1,75 liter bottle American grain vodka 50%, mango juices over 2 liter and 6 cans beer to start for my next 5 days. Today was sunny +32C.

Koror, Republic of Palau Jan. 8.- !0.

Alii!  This is hello in Palauan language. I have had two superb days here in Palau, sunny +30C.
Yesterday morning I just did not do anything except drank two San Miguel beers . During the afternoon I visited for couple of hours a fine dolphin park with 7 funny creatures, making all kind of tricks on command or even by them selves. After  dinner I enjoyed hotels free car service to a bar "Poseidon"due recommendation. It was a Karaoke place, and immediately a 25- years old Philippine-girl Aya De Los Reyes took care of me and said that we are going to sing together. I wasn't too eager, but she selected "My way" and I  could not resist it anymore also because her beautiful smile and black eyes. We then sang several pieces together from 60's-70's with some beers and vines. Her voice helped and gave courage to me a lot, before I was picked up to my Airai Waterpark Hotel.  
This morning I was picked up at 8.30 to participate to a whole day tour to Peleliu Island, where in Autumn 1944 Japanese and American troops had heavy fights, before the Japanese were killed almost until last man.  We could see reminiscences of tanks, cannons, a Zero fighter, caves and the ruins of Japanese  head quarter .  I was in a company of 9 young Japanese, and some of them were very friendly and spoke surprisingly well English. This Peleliu Island was quite far . It took by speedboat one hour to get to there and one hour back on a bit rough open sea.
Tonight at 01.45 I'll have my next flight to Kosrae. Who can guess, where it is?    

Hong Kong Jan.6.2016

First thing, when I did wake up a couple of hours ago, I wanted to know the game results of yesterday
between FINLAND and RUSSIA in Ice hockey Junior World Championship final.
I could not believe my eyes when reading of Finnish Victory. Marvellous!
Yesterday here was a rainy day . What else could I do than to sit in some of the famous bars of Wanchai surrounded by beautiful girls and having  glasses of Tsingtao Beer in my hands. I survived with my own inexpensive beer costs and some minor tips, but having much fun. The rest of the evening I spent in Captain's Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, listening a very good trio playing main stream jazz.
Today Buddha smiles . It's a great sunny day, cloudless blue sky, 22C.