My revised itinerary

I thought I would detail my full itinerary just in case you decide you really want to know where I will be on a specific day, you can now know... :-)

My travelling adventures starts on Monday 23rd July. I'll be flying from London Heathrow at 11:35 to San Jose, Costa Rice via Miami arriving at 20:35 local time.

Monday 23rd July 2012- Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rice at approx. 19:55 local time and transfer to my first ever hostel stay at Costa Rica Love Hostel. (http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Costa-Rica-Love-Hostel/San-Jose/54196)

Tuesday 24th July 2012- My first tour does not start until Saturday 28th July so my time will be spent exploring San Jose and the local areas.

Wednesday 25th July 2012- Free time in San Jose.

Thursday 26th July 2012- Perhaps some shopping in the local markets in San Jose.

Friday 27th July 2012- Final free day in San Jose. Transfer from my hostel to my tour hotel.

Saturday 28th July 2012- Day one of the Costa Rica Adventure tour. Everyone arrives in San Jose today then we get to meet everyone at a meeting in the evening.

Sunday 29th July 2012- Day two we take the bus over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo Talamanca boasts 14km of black and white sandy beaches. optional activities include biking, hiking to Monkey's Point through the Gandoca or strolling through the La Isla Botanical gardens. (http://www.govisitcostarica.com/region/city.asp?cID=176)

Monday 30th July 2012- Day three still enjoying Puerto Viejo Talamanca, if the waves are right we can hire a boogie board or enjoy some snorkling.

Tuesday 31st July 2012- Day four a morning boat ride takes us from Moin to Tortugero, this beautiful village has walking paths that extend into the national park.

Wednesday 1st August 2012- Day five Tortugero national park helps protect four endangered sea turtles that nest on the beach. A boat ride up the river allows ample opportunity to view some amazing wildlife. (http://costa-rica-guide.com/Natural/Tortuguero.html)

Thursday 2nd August 2012- Day six today we go by boat and tractor to the Sarapiqui rainforest where we will be staying in lodges. The river runs right outside the lodge and should provide beautiful swimming opportunities. (http://www.sarapiquis.org/frameset.htm)

Friday 3rd August 2012- Day seven today we can explore the rain forest further in search of some cheeky monkeys.

Saturday 4th Augut 2012- Day eight we transfer to La Fortuna at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

Sunday 5th August 2012- Day nine still exploring La Fortuna, today maybe a good day to swim in the chilly La Fortuna waterfalls or perhaps hike one of the many trails.

Monday 6th August 2012- Day 10 the Baldi hot springs maybe calling for me today. (http://baldicostarica.com/springs/)

Tuesday 7th August 2012- Day 11 from the central valley we ascend into the mountain area of Monteverde cloud forest region. We stay at a ranch and enjoy traditional meals. Optional activities include visiting a butterfly garden or sky walk through the jungle canopy. (http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/)

Wednesday 8th August 2012- Day 12 another day enjoying the cloud forest. Today could include a thrilling canopy zip line.

Thursday 9th August 2012- Day 13 we drive to Qupeos, a small on the Pacific coast where we can enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches. The nightlife here is some of the best in the country. (http://www.puertoquepos.com/costa-rica/quepos.html)

Friday 10th August 2012- Day 14 Manuel Antonio National park is an ideal place to boogie board, sailing or surfing. The park has lots of animals and we maybe lucky to see some monkeys. (http://www.manuelantoniopark.com/mapk/default.asp)

Saturday 11th August 2012- Day 15 transfer back to San Jose for some last minute shopping and a final night on the town.

Sunday 12th August 2012- Day 16 today we depart from San Jose and I head over to Antigua, Guatemala. I fly from San Jose leaving at 19:21 and arrive at Guatemala at 21:01.

Monday 13th August 2012- Check into Hostel Antigua for a few days before my next tour starts. (http://hostalantigua.com/)

Tuesday 14th August 2012- Today I may explore Central Park which is located only two blocks from my hostel. (http://www.visitguatemala.com/en/destinations/guatemala-modern-and-colonial/central-park)

Wednesday 15th August 2012- Day one today is the start of my second tour called Mayan Encounter. It's arrival day for everyone then a meeting in the evening to meet everyone. I transfer from my hostel to the tour hotel.

Thursday 16th August 2012- Day two today we head north to Flores to explore this charming town. Today we also visit the famous ruins of Tikal and view the wildlife in the national park.

Friday 17th August 2012- Day three still exploring the wonderful area of Flores, our local guide will explain to us the beautiful birds and flowers.

Saturday 18th August 2012- Day four we head from Guatemala over to San Ignacio, Belize. This is a very Caribbean influenced country so the rum shall be flowing. Optional activities include horse riding, caving or explore the Mountain Pain Ridge area.

Sunday 19th August 2012- Day five today can include a visit to the astounding Actun Tunichil Maknal cave or Xunantunich. (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/travelblogs/508/15986/Actun+Tunichil+Muknal+Cave+%E2%80%93+Incredible?destId=358218)

Monday 20th August 2012- Day six today we head to Caye Caulker an easy going friendly island. Obviously today is going to be a difficult day being the year anniversary since Dean passed away so hopefully i'll have the chance to have some 'me time' and reflect on what has happened over the past year.

Tuesday 21st August 2012- Day seven today gives plenty of time to snorkel or dive the beautiful Hol Chan Marine reserve. This is the second largest reef (after Australia) and provides a great opportunity to swim with sting rays ans nurse sharks. (http://www.holchanbelize.org/overview.html)

Wednesday 22nd August 2012- Day eight our last day on the beautiful island. Today I may try my hand at fishing and cook what we catch up on the beach BBQ.

Thursday 23rd August 2012- Day nine today we leave Belize and travel to Playa Del Carman, Mexico. We can enjoy the great nightlife Mexico has to offer. Also enjoy the wonderful Caribbean sea.

Friday 24th August 2012- Day 10 we can take the boat over to Cozumel and enjoy some excellent diving. Or explore the ruins of Tulum.

Saturday 25th August 2012- Day 11/Day one today we say farewell to everyone and leave Playa Del Carman. I head straight over to Quito, Ecuador to start my third tour Comfort Galapagos. I have a long day of travelling leaving Cancun airport at 12:10 to a stop over at Salvador, then to Colombia then finally to Quinto. Total flight time is 6 hours and 40 mins but a few hours waiting in airports. Hopefully a good opportunity to use wifi.

Sunday 26th August 2012- Day two we transfer early to the airport and take a flight to San Cristobal, Galapagos islands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos islands. (http://www.galapagosonline.com/Islands/islands/San_Cristobal/San_Cristobal.html)

Monday 27th August 2012- Day three we set sail for North Seymour, home to sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls and lots of boobies... (the birdies).

Tuesday 28th August 2012- Day four we visit Sullivan Bay on Santiago Island. We can hike to the top of Bartolome Island and see the beautiful views.

Wednesday 29th August 2012- Day five we arrive in Puerta Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island where we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. We then transfer to the airport and return to Quinto for a final night on the town. (http://www.darwinfoundation.org/english/pages/index.php)

Thursday 30th August 2012- Day six today we finish the tour. I was hoping to stay in Quinto but my silly travel agent has booked me straight to Lima so I will be flying from Quinto at 20:50 arriving at Lima at 23:05.

Friday 31st August 2012- A free day in Lima today.

Saturday 1st September 2012- Day one arrive in Lima and get to meet everyone before we head off exploring Peru. My final tour is called Peru Multisport.

Sunday 2nd September 2012- Day two we take an early flight to Cuzco and spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the altitude.

Monday 3rd September 2012- Day three today I start a two day bike tour exploring The Sacred Valley. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Valley)

Tuesday 4th September 2012- Day four today continues to Ollantaytambo where we will be spending the night.

Wednesday 5th September 2012- Day five today is a free day in Ollantaytambo where we can horse ride, visit the ruins or simply relax before we set off on the Inca Trail.

Thursday 6th September 2012- Day six today we start the four day hike of the Inca Trail. This will be physically challenging but well worth it. (http://www.incatrailperu.com/)

Friday 7th September 2012- Day seven today we should pass the Llactapata ruins. We climb along the steep path to Warmiwanusca, or Dead Women's Pass. At 4198m above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the trek.

Saturday 8th September 2012- Day eight the second pass of the hike is at 3998m, where on clear days we can enjoy the views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba.

Sunday 9th September 2012- Day nine on the final day of the hike we climb the steps to the SunGate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu.

Monday 10th September 2012- Day 10 today is a free day in Cuzco to explore the area and recoup after the Inca Trail.

Tuesday 11th September 2012- Day 11 we take a full day travelling from Cuzco to Puno and we get to see the beautiful scenery along the way. Titicaca is the largest lake in the World and we get to stop here. We visit the floating island of Uros.

Wednesday 12th September 2012- Day 12 today we start a kayak journey to Taquile. Considering I've never been in a kayak, this could be interesting. That night we stay with a host family.

Thursday 13th September 2012- Day 13 we paddle to Llachon and visit the Uros Islands. We stay overnight in Puno.

Friday 14th September 2012- Day 14 we take a flight back to Lima and enjoy a final night on the town with the group.

Saturday 15th September 2012- Day 15 today everyone departs from Lima. I will be transferring from the tour hotel and treating myself for a few nights in the luxury of Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores in Lima. (http://www.radisson.com/miraflores-hotel-pe-lima18/peflores)

Sunday 16th September 2012- Today I will continue to relax and recoup from my amazing journey and explore Lima and the surrounding area a little more.

Monday 17th September 2012- Today see's my return to the UK. I leave Lima via Miami at 0700 and arrive back in sunny London Heathrow on Tuesday 18th September 2012 at 0755. After 14 hours and 25 minutes flight time, I will be looking forward to geeting home to see my beloved family, friends and most of all Shiloh.

Welcome....

After several people have questions how are they going to keep in contact with me and know that I am safe when I'm travelling, I've decided to set up a new travel blog.

I will aim to update as often as possible to keep you all updated (and jealous!) of the funfilled adventures I will be up to.

Obviously many of you will know that 2011 was the worse year of my life. It has been very difficult coping without Dean in my life but his passing made me realise just how short life is. I intend to have as much fun as possible. I've decided 2012 is my year to get this crazy stuff out of my system and then try to settle down a bit more in 2013.

Trying to decide where to travel was very difficult. Other than The Maldives, there isn't really any other place that I have thought 'I have to go there'. I am very specific with my travelling dates due to being a councillor, I can not miss any full council meetings so that was the biggest factor to my decision on where to go.

I have never 'backpacked' before. Quite frankly, I'm used to travelling on packed holidays with a minimum of four star all inclusive so this will certainly be an eye opener, and guess what I can't wait.

You can not experience travelling properly without staying in hostels or small B&B's. I'll even be camping for parts of my trip. That'll be a new experience, now I hope I can read the signs for where the bathrooms are....

I was debating about organising trips completely on my own. But I figured (and much to Dad's relief) that organised tours are the way forward. yes, they are more expensive but hopefully they should be safer and better on timings as I will be able to explore a lot more than if I went alone.

I am hoping I will meet some people of similar ages to me and have the opportunity to make some new friends. It will certainly make the trip a whole lot better to make some friends along the way.

Well this was just a little intro to my travelling plans. I will go into detail all the places I will be travelling to.

So, in Spanish "gracias por leer".