{"id":3804,"date":"2015-04-19T00:02:57","date_gmt":"2015-04-18T23:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jimily.org\/?p=3804"},"modified":"2015-04-19T16:45:48","modified_gmt":"2015-04-19T15:45:48","slug":"the-jimilys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jimily.org\/?p=3804","title":{"rendered":"The Jimilys"},"content":{"rendered":"

Awards. Yep, we’ve become ‘awards’. ‘wards of the court’ you may assume, but, no, what we have done is make some nominations for the Best Bits of Latin America. And chosen the winners. We’re not just<\/em> the award, but also the judge and jury.<\/p>\n

Hmmm, sounding a little megalomaniacal.<\/p>\n

Shhh!!! No criticism is allowed in Jimiland. Keep quiet or\u00a0forfeit your place in this community!<\/p>\n

Welcome to the jimily.<\/p>\n

Ahem.<\/p>\n

Now, imagine red carpets, gold envelopes and lengthy victory speeches … here we go:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Best Conversation<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Panama, 18th January: Isla Col\u00f3n, Bocas del Toro.<\/p>\n

Jill E Bean and the intricacies of “Professional Tickling”<\/a><\/p>\n

Best Meal<\/h2>\n

There are LOTS of runners up here (tortillas in Mexico, humus\u00a0in Guatemala, noodles\u00a0in El Salvador, fresh lobster and crab in San Blas, ceviche in Lima), but the winners are:<\/p>\n

Emily: Peru, 18th March:\u00a0comida tipica<\/strong>\u00a0with local Chivay lady<\/p>\n

Jim: Bolivia, 8th March:\u00a0Argentinian Steak<\/strong> in La Paz<\/p>\n

.. neither of which we have photos of, too interested in the food!<\/p>\n

Best Pudding<\/h2>\n

Peru, 27th March: Meringue Lips at Tanta<\/strong>, Lima<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n

Best Drink<\/h2>\n

Peru, 21st March:\u00a0Pisco Sours<\/strong> at El Albergue, Ollantaytambo<\/p>\n

Beautiful bombs of fury. More, more, more.<\/p>\n

Best Fruit<\/h2>\n

Peru, 18th March:\u00a0Sancayo<\/strong> in Chivay<\/p>\n

Like a sour kiwi fruit. Also makes an excellent sour cocktail when combined with pisco!<\/p>\n

Best Journey<\/h2>\n

Guatemala, 25th November:\u00a0Journey to Semuc Champey<\/strong> – both the Best and the Worst!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n

Normal for 2 hours, uncertain for 6 hours, over excited for 6 hours, absolutely soaked to the bone and freezing for 4 hours.<\/p>\n

Best Border Crossing<\/h2>\n

Special Mention: Costa Rica; The bridge to Panama….<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_2_placeholder\n

“2 stars, half-board. The Costa Rica -> Panama border, a precarious set of planks over a river (plus the bridge was a bit worn).”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Winner: Panama,\u00a026th January;\u00a0San Blas Islands<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>boat trip to Colombia<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_3_placeholder\n

Absolute paradise; tiny islands of white sand, azure water and reef –\u00a0each with just a few Kuna huts and a bar. What a great way to border.<\/p>\n

Best Beach\/Sea<\/h2>\n

Tough one…. Runner Up is\u00a0Panama, 24th January:\u00a0Kuandiup<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_4_placeholder\n

Perfect. Just perfect. Just a little\u00a0too\u00a0<\/em>perfect – judging by the ferries now pulling up.<\/p>\n

Winner: M\u00e9xico, 10th Nov; Tulum<\/strong><\/p>\nngg_shortcode_5_placeholder\n

Bike there, azure sea, short trees to give shade and somewhere to hang your things, white\/ fine grain sand, not much visible in the tree line but palm trees… oh please take me back!<\/p>\n

Best Sunset<\/h2>\n

El Salvador, 31st December:\u00a0El Tunco<\/strong>.\u00a0Absolutely no doubt…<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_6_placeholder\n

Best Accommodation<\/h2>\n

Emily: Nicaragua, 4th Jan: Hotel Cacique Adiact <\/b><\/a>in L\u00e9on –\u00a0what a relief!!<\/p>\n

Jim: Peru, 26th March:\u00a02nd Lima Apartment<\/strong> – for cost, location, comfort, wifi, TV channels, pool\/sunbathing etc<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_7_placeholder\n

Best Ruins<\/h2>\n

Peru, 22nd March: There can be only one…. Machu Picchu<\/strong> of course!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_8_placeholder\n

Total disbelief the entire time you are there.<\/p>\n

Best Travelling Tip<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Russ: Pack light. You really won’t need it – there are plenty of cheap laundries & you can buy whatever you need (within reason)<\/li>\n
  • Chris: Find the menu del dia<\/li>\n
  • Chris: If there’s one thing you put on your credit card, make it the Gal\u00e1pagos<\/li>\n
  • Vicky: Use clothes with closeable pockets (buttons\/zips etc) – very useful when you don’t want to carry a bag around.<\/li>\n
  • Vicky: Vacuum pack bags<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Best Joke<\/h2>\n

    \u201cNo one likes a smartarse Emily. Apart from me, apparently.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    We all know who said this, no need for more credit.<\/p>\n

    Funniest Moment<\/h2>\n