Cuba, Central and South America

Hello All,

Well this is our last email update as we have decided to come home a couple of weeks early because we weren´t able to make it to Antarctica as we had hoped, (would have been continent #7 boohoo). This leg of the journey started with us flying down to Cancun so we could find a flight to Cuba. We made it to the forbidden land without a problem and had an amazing time. Havana was awesome, 1 in 3 cars on the street is a sweeet old American boat of a car (called Yank Tanks), The anti-American sentiment was pretty strong as was the anti-American propaganda, but everyone treated us pretty well overall. We bought lots of Cuban cigars (some were 25 for $1), Rum (1.5 liters for $1), and lobsters (20 big tails for $20) and just had some amazing times, especially with our awesome Cuban friend David. The highlight was a spur of the moment fiesta at his sisters house where we all partied and learned to Salsa until the wee hours of the morning. Definitely one for the memory books.

Then it was back to Mexico where we started busing our way down through all of Central America. The buses were all old retired American school buses with sweet new paintjobs and crazy ass drivers (nicknamed chicken buses because of all of the fun animals people bring on with them). Belize was great, with awesome people and Lisa was lucky enough to pick up the botfly there in the inner mountains (more on that later). Then it was Guatemala with Tikal, the biggest Mayan ruins and a great hot springs waterfall where you swam closer or further away from the falls in the river to control the temperature you wanted to be in. Then to El Salvador where we climbed the youngest volcano in the world (it was a hole in the ground 200 years ago), then one that had erupted 5 years ago that has a huge toxic sulfur lake in the crater. We passed through Honduras pretty quickly because of the government problems they are having. Then to Nicaragua where we spent some nice beach time, and stayed with a lovely family who helped with Lisas botflies. Basically long story short, Lisa was bit by a mosquito carrying botfly eggs. 3 weeks later she had big swollen bumps on her head with the larvae growing inside. The lady at our hotel said that she knew what it was and said she had a special sap that you use to suffocate/kill them, then all you have to do is pull them out. Well lucky Gregorio got to be the MD for the day and pulled 4 inch-long larvae out of Lisas head. If thats not true love, I dont know what is. Next up was Costa Rica which has some of the most amazing rainforest and wildlife of anywhere we have been. Got to zip line through the cloud forest in Monte Verde, waded through alligator infested rivers in Corcovado, and just had an all around good time. Next was Panama where we met a great crew on the Bocas Del Toro Islands, then checked out the Panama Canal Leopard style (Cezar you have been warned).

At this point we took our first plane to Columbia where we did the 6 day Lost city trek through the Columbian jungle, and got to stop in for a tour at a coca factory. Then we hung out in Cartegena for a few days and went swimming in a mud volcano where the mud is 2000 meters deep, and checked out a soccer game where we were the only non Columbians in the stadium. Then it was off to Peru for some of the worlds best Ceviche and some roasted Guinea Pig. We did a 5 day hike to Machu Picchu, then headed off to see Lake Titikaka, and the floating islands made of only reeds that they have there.

Next up was Bolivia which was definitely one of our favorites. We took a 19 hour bus ride out to the Amazon Jungle/Pampas. It was a really cool experience to see so much wildlife and learn about all of the medicinal properties of the plants there, not to mention getting into the leopard gear and wrestling with a big ol´ Anaconda we found one day. Then it was off to the mind bending Salt Flats where we took a 3 day jeep ride all over the flats and high desert.

Finally after a quick stop in Chile, it was off to Argentina to rent bikes and wine taste in Mendoza. Then to Puerto Madryn to hang out with 1 million Magellanic Penguins and see the place where the killer whales beach themselves to try to catch baby seals (unfortunately no whales that day). Then to Perito Moreno Glacier which is the most active in the world and drops huge chunks of ice into the lake all day long each with a boom like thunder echoing off the glacier walls. Then finally to the southern tip of South America to try to get to Antarctica, but unfortunately both of our sweet talking nor my huge beard were enough to sway them to give us a reasonable price, so instead we came home the day before Thanksgiving to give the fam a bit of a surprise.

Thats about it. It was an amazing 17 months, 42 countries, and 6 continents. The world is a crazy crazy place, thats for sure. Soooo so much to see. Well hope to see everyone soon. Next stop, find a house in San Diego.

Here is the link to the pictures:
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=147211258849916651/l=3804081017/g=7367679/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

The End

XOXO

Gregorio and Lisa

SE Asia, Nepal, Everest, AUS

Hello to All,

Well a whole lot has happened since we last wrote. Here is the express version with pictures. From Vietnam we headed into Laos via a hellish 2 day dirt road journey in a bus overflowing with people and baggage. From our landing point we hopped on a couple of longboats and sped down river to some really isolated villages. Next up was Vang Vieng which is an awesome river party town where you float in inner tubes from bar to bar, each of which have the biggest rope swings and waterslides you have ever seen. Luckily no injuries while we were there. The other highlight from Laos was going to 4000 Islands, which are a bunch of islands that sit in the middle of the Mighty Mekong River. Quite a sight to behold. After Laos we went back to Thailand for a bit to hit up the Thai New Year (which is in April). It is the biggest waterfight in the world and happens on all of the streets of Chiang Mai for 5 days straight. We also rented a moped and did a one week trip through the mountains of Northern Thailand which was amazingly beautiful.

Next up was Nepal, which we kind of decided to go to on a whim, but was the best decision we ever made (thanks Chris). While we were there we trekked to the Mt. Everest Base Camp, which was a 2 week hike high into the Himalayas. Definitely some of the most beautiful country we have ever seen. 2 weeks and one short shower later, we were definitely exhausted, and just a bit stinky. We spent a couple more weeks in Nepal, before heading off to Australia.

In Australia we decided to just keep to the Eastern Coast because the country is so big and we only had a month. We met up with our friend Rene in Brisbane, rode some horses and continued up north to Cairns which is where the Great Barrier Reef is. Definitely the best snorkeling we have ever done, and we even got to give diving a try while we were there. We also drove up further north into Crocodile country where Lisa proceeded to accidentally fall on her butt right next to a croc infested river (ooops). Finally we decided to rent a camper van and drive/camp our way back to Sydney for our flight. Who would have thought we got a VW just like my old one, just 35 years newer. We did lots of hiking, and even a bit of wine tasting on our way down.

From there it was off to Hawaii for a one day layover, and now we are back stateside for a few weeks to get some R&R, and to see the family before we head off to Central and South America. You can see the pictures at:

http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=131251245967175318/l=1662278017/g=7367679/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

Hope everyone is doing great.
XOXO
Gregorio and Lisa

Well we have finally gotten a chance to write and upload some pics from our latest adventures through Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam (internet has been pretty bad). It has been a blast to say the least and here is the short version. The first part of the trip involved lots of islands, beaches, snorkeling, and cheap beers. The highlight would probably be Koh Lipe in the south of Thailand where we found a sweet little deserted island that we had to snorkel out to, which meant that we had it and its beaches to ourselves for a few days.. Next we headed down to Malaysia for a few days for Xmas with a couple we met, where we shared the beaches with lots of fully clothed Muslim Malaysians which was pretty cool.
Next up we made our way up to Bangkok to make sure the government protesters were behaving themselves (which they were). We met up with our friend Molly, ate some bugs, then went down to Koh Phangan (Koh = island if you were wondering) for New Years Eve, which is the location of the infamous full moon/New Years parties. The next day we both made New Years resolutions to not drink for a month which has since blossomed into 2 months (can you believe it).
Next we were off to Burma which was a very different experience. The people there were amazing, so friendly and kind. It is a real shame that the government is so corrupt and repressive of the people. 2 more highlights from Thailand were Phetchaburi aka land of a thousand monkeys (see pictures for some incredibly inappropriate monkey business). We even got into a fight with some rogue monkeys that were chasing us. I had to steal a stick that one of them was holding and fend them off with it (no joke this really happened). The other highlight would be Kanchanaburi where we went to the "Tiger Temple". Quite an experience. You get to pet and walk with 20-30 young to full grown tigers. Roar.
Cambodia was next which boasted the amazing temples of Angkor. We pedaled around the complex for 3 days, then headed down to the beaches to celebrate Tet before venturing into Vietnam. Vietnam was a bit of a rollercoaster, having the most amazing experiences one minute and wanting to strangle the guy trying to rip you off the next. We have been trying to rent scooters in most of the cities, because it gives you the chance to get well off the usual tourist path and we have seen and met some incredible people on the journey. I also got a sweet replica made of the John Travolta white 3 piece suit from Saturday Night Fever. Can’t wait to put that bad boy to use. The highlight of Vietnam was definitely Sapa in the northern mountains with its ethnic mountain tribes in their traditional clothes. Very cool..
That is about it for now. Next up is Laos, Northern Thailand, and then ??? we will see.

Here is the link to our pictures:
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=6341236166612419/l=468481816/g=7367679/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Let us know how things are going back home. We miss you guys!XOXOGregorio and Lisa