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Hometown
Colne, Lancashire, England
Location now
England
Going next
I am travelling around Argentina and Chile - mainly Patagonia, then off to Bolivia and Peru. Who knows after that....
Dream Destination
Such a difficult question!!! So many places in the world I dream of visiting. At present, it is Colombia. The reason? I've heard so many fascinating stories about the wonderful people. Would also like to learn more about the political situation and history of the country.
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Catherine Ellis's Home Page

Zesty and spirited, yet calm and extremely tolerant of others. I am an open-minded person who loves listening to and learning from others. I crave adventure and am at my happiest when travelling, taking in first-hand the country and it´s people.

Catherine Ellis's Full profile

Hometown

Colne, Lancashire, England

Location now

England

Work published

In local newspapers, university newspaper and also in a South African lifestyle magazine. I have also contrubuted stories on the BBC World Service´s World Today Programme.

Travel philosophy

Travelling is the best way of learning.

Craziest place

The Amazon Jungle. Incredible and somewhat crazy at the same time. The vastness and power of the rainforest is profound. Camping in the jungle overnight was probably one of the scariest and craziest things I have ever done, but also one of the best. Sleeping in a hammock, under a star-filled sky, surrounded by nature and wildlife (including jaguars and snakes!) isn´t something you get to experience everyday!!

Bizarre experience

Ending up at a random festival in France (Bayonne Festival) that I didn´t know was taking place and had no idea what it was about. Everyone was dresed in white clothes with red neck ties around their necks. (My friend and I were the only people not in this attire!) Bull fighting, fireworks, street music and lots of dancing were just some of the festivities taking place. The most bizzare thing about the festival was the ritual of drinking a concoction of Coca Cola and red wine and spitting it at each other. We made friends with a bunch of French people, who took us under their wing and showed us the Bayonne way of partying until sunrise! A bizarre experience but one of my most memorable.

Advice

General - Learn some of the local language and also a bit about the history and local customs. Not only does it show a tremendous amount of respect for the people, it is also an invaluable tool of conversation, whether just ordering food in a cafe or having a debate in a local bar. Practical - Take some rehydration sachets and anti-diorreah tablets. They are invaluable. You WILL get ill at some point.

Dream destination

Such a difficult question!!! So many places in the world I dream of visiting. At present, it is Colombia. The reason? I've heard so many fascinating stories about the wonderful people. Would also like to learn more about the political situation and history of the country.

Traveled before

I have travelled extensively around Europe, including spending some time interrailing and also a year living in Germany. In recent years I have also taken backpacking and holiday trips to USA, Asia (Vietnam and Cambodia), South Africa and most recently Brazil and Argentina.

Going next

I am travelling around Argentina and Chile - mainly Patagonia, then off to Bolivia and Peru. Who knows after that....

Catherine Ellis's V!VA List Articles

V!VA World

Paradise on a Shoestring
Mar 21, 2008 - Brazil
Paradise doesn't come cheap. It is even more expensive when the place in mind is an ecological sanctuary and a ......
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Catherine Ellis's Guide Book Entries

Info

Restaurant Summary
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Unfortunately Tupiza has very few restaurants to choose from. Most of the ones that are available in the center offer ......
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Things to See and Do
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Tupiza have many worthwhile spots and attractions, including canyons, red rock formations and beautiful lakes. Explore the surrounding landscape on ......
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Services
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
There is no formal tourism office in Tupiza. Most tour operators have information about the town and provide maps. Or, ......
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See all Info (12)

Hotels

Hostal Valle Hermoso
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Valle Hermoso is an HI hostel conveniently located only a few meters from the bus and train stations. The hostal ......
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Macuquina Dora Hotel
Sep 08, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
The Macuquina Dora hotel is in the center of town, close to restaurants, bars and other useful amenities. The rooms ......
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Hotel Libertador
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Rooms at Hotel Libertador are spacious and bright. Plus, the hotel offers fantastic views of Cerro Rico as well the convent and ......
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See all Hotels (8)

Restaurants

Cherry´s Salon de Te
Sep 08, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Cherry's is a small and quiet tea room in the center of town. Open early in the morning, it’s the ......
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La Plata Café
Sep 08, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
La Plata is a stylish café on the main plaza that is perfect for lunch or an afternoon treat. This upmarket ......
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El Fogon
Sep 08, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This central restaurant in the old town is long-standing favorite with Potosí visitors. It has a good range of international ......
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See all Restaurants (8)

Activities

Triathlon tours
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Triathlon tours to the red canyons and breathtaking mountains are perfect for adrenaline junkies and/or anyone wanting to explore the ......
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Salar de Uyuni
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Although Uyuni is the principal starting point for tours to the Salt Flats, many tour agencies also offer the trip ......
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Iglesia de la Merced
Sep 09, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This restored church was originally built in 1555 and completed in 1580, and further renovation took place in the following ......
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Iglesia de San Agustín
Sep 09, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This is a fascinating church with fine architecture and a grand Renaissance entryway. San Augustín has underground catacombs tha create ......
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Los Ingenios
Sep 09, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Some fine examples of former ingenios (smelters) that were an important infrastructure used to extract silver from the ore in ......
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Iglesia San Bernardo
Sep 09, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This former church and convent was built in the late 16th Century, further restoration took place in the late 1720s ......
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Temple of San Lorenzo
Sep 09, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
San Lorenzo is an attractive church next to the central market. Construction started in 1548, but by the middle of the ......
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Calle Quijarro
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This quaint street has many colonial buildings, and is thought to have once been home to many of the city's potters. Family crests ......
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Catédral
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Work began on the Cathedral in 1564, but reconstruction took place during the 18th Century, after the center aisle collapsed. ......
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La Torre de la Compañía de Jesús
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
The bell tower is all that remains of the former Jesuit church. The tower was completed in 1707, before original ......
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Museo y Convento de Santa Teresa
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
The construction of the impressive Santa Teresa convent began in 1685 and construction took six years. The woman who was responsible for ......
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Museo y Convento de San Francisco
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
San Francisco is the oldest church in Potosí. The convent was founded in 1547 by Fray Gaspar de Valverde, was later ......
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Lagunas del Kari Kari
Sep 07, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Eight kilometers southeast of Potosí, are artificial lakes that were constructed in the late 16th and early 17th Centuries by ......
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La Capilla de Nuestra Señora de Jerusalén
Sep 06, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
This chapel was originally constructed in honor of the Virgen de Candelaria and was rebuilt during the 18th Century. There ......
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Mine Tours
Sep 06, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Potosí’s star attraction is most likely the Cerro Rico Mountain, which is the town’s lifeblood and has been mined for ......
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Horseback Riding
Jul 25, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Many visitors come to Tupiza to sample Bolivia’s version of the Wild Wild West and to explore the area on ......
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See all Activities (16)

Tours

El Gran de Oro
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
El Gran de Oro is a relatively new, family-run agency that comes highly recommended for their personal and friendly service. ......
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Valle Hermoso
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Valle Hermoso offer a range of exciting tours for visitors to Tupiza. As well as the standard horseback riding and ......
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Tupiza Tours
Sep 09, 2008 - Tupiza, Bolivia
Tupiza tours is popular with backpackers looking for adventure-filled trips at decent prices. Guides are knowledgeable and friendly, some speak ......
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See all Tours (6)

Services

Shopping
Sep 06, 2008 - Potosi, Bolivia
Potosí is a good place to purchase jewelery, silver, tin products and local handicrafts at reasonable prices. Many of the ......
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