SNAPS FROM ECUADOR

TORTOISES NEAR PORTA LOPEZ

LISA INTERVIEWED FOR ECUADORIAN TRAVEL SHOW

MAIN SQUARE QUITO

CHIMBONZARO IN DISTANCE. HOMESTAY VILLAGE

BANOS HILL CLIMB OVERVIEW

TOP OF CHIMBONZARO VOLCANO

SAN FRANSISCO CHURCH QUITO

VILLAGE PEOPLE SANTA ANITA

HAMMOCK ON BEACH OF PORTO LOPEZ. MANY HOURS HERE

ZE BLUE FOOTED BOOBIE

MORE BOOBIES

CABLE CAR OVER WATERFALL. BANOS

LEFT CENTRAL AMERICA NOW IN ECUADOR

BLANCO GATTO
We ended our costa rica trip with some canyoning, whitewater rafting, and bikeing and a few ales along the way. the rafting was more relaxing than the grade 5 zambezi river in africa so we still enjoyed it not fearing for our lives along the way so much.
we left c.rica and hit miami beach with sun, english speaking, expensive resteraunts *$45 for bfast not happy* so it was a good relax before the rush of ecuador. watching our bags, wallets and an american on our trip has already had the bag snatched. so have to keep eyes open again.
we began our trip in ecuador at 9pm walking out to get our prepaid transfer from one of the worst airports for security in the world to find there was nobody to meet us. experianced as we were haggled the taximan down to a mere $6 from $40 so it was a win for us. we arrived slept and haircuts laundry and met our group the next day. eng, amer, dutch, aus on the trip so anything can happen. day 1 we visited the ecuator line and saw how one side the water flows right, the other side left and the middle straight down. also there was an egg balance on a nail that lisa tinass did with ease. tour of the quito old town and dinner with our new group then off on an overnight bus 11hours to the beach. the bus was local and half way through the night drive military stormed on and booted us all off to search the bus and bags. scary but after the search back on to our bus.
morning came and we arrived to the hot beach weather and checked in, had a bite and headed to the sandy beach for some major body surfing. the pom landed on his face. a day here and drinks in hammocks and seafood it was so relaxing. the other thing was lisa was interviewed on the beach for some ecuadorian travel show like getaway. az got missed in the lineup.
the next day we went to the poor mans gallopagus which is the exact same animals and snorkeling for $30 instead of $1300. we saw blue, red and white footed boobies and giant tortouses, many vulchers, crabs, birds, bugs. the boobies were the best. we walked around the island for 3 hours had lunch then snorkeled with many colored tropical fish. it was a great day. we returned to puurto lopez layed in a hammok drinking cocktails watching the sun go down. dinner followed by more hammok time then next day up early and on to guayaquil city for a valentines day boat cruise and a walk to a pirate lookout with a fake ship bar. giant iguanas all over the park were good to see.
we are now in riobamba where tomorrow morning we are going bike riding down the chimbonzaro volcano then after to a community stay for more adventure.
keep you all posted on the tour.
pura vida

MORE PICS OF CENTRAL AMERICA TO WERE IN MIAMI BITCH

MONKEY IN COSTA RICA - EVIL CREATURES

TOUCAN IN COSTA RICA - SO FAST TO GET A GOOD PICTURE

WE WERE IN MIAMI BITCH

MIAMI BEACH HUT

WATERFALL IN LA FORTUNA - COSTA RICA - VERY STRONG TO SWIM AGAINST

WATERFALL AGAIN

THE CHIEF OF EVIL ON LEFT OUTSIDE OUR ROOM IN COSTA RICA

MIAMI BEACH CITY

SANDBOARDING THE NEGRO

TYPICAN PLATE ON THE ROATAN CARRIBBEAN. $15

LISA JUNGLE ZIPLINING COSTA RICA SUPERMAN STYLE.

volcano boarding pictures and more

VOLCANO BOARDING ON NEGRO VOLCANO NICARAGUA

AZ ON BOARD. STAR

BLUE MACCAW IN COSTA RICA

CHURCH IN GRANADA

HORSE RIDE AROUND MONTVERDE - COSTA RICA

AZ ON HORSE - MR MORO BLANCO

FAMILY SHOT OF GUATAMALIANS UNDER ARCHWAY ANTIGUA

LISA SNAPPED SLEEPING ON ROATAN BEACH - HONDURAS

TONA BEERS OVERLOOKING CONCEPTION VOLCANO AFTER WE KICKED ITS ASS

OMETEPE ISLAND VIEW OF CONCEPTION. WE CLIMBED THIS 1600M MONSTER

POOLSIDE IN THE CARRIBBEAN ISLAND OF ROATAN.

CLIMBED CONCEPTION VOLCANO (1600M) AND LEFT NICARAGUA NOW COSTA RICA AMIGOS

After a massive climb which was a full day 100% up then 100% down we conquered Conception volcano on ometepe island, nicaragua.  The 5 hour climb was the hardest we had ever done as the base was flat then it was all up after that.  The last 600meters was the hardest as it could only be done on hands and feet with freezing cold huricane rain pelting us from all angles. The wind was dangerous and the ground was slippery and loose boulders and sandy rock all the way. High altitude and sulfur gas made it very tuff but the top was great sharing a snickers bar sitting on the edge of the smoking active massive crater. One slip and we would not be writing this now never to be seen again.  Down was hard and took another 4 and a half hours of mud and slippery loose stones all the way and the icy wind was really bad.
After an early night we woke and travelled into Costa Rica to Montverde which is known for its wildlife and adventure sports. On arrival we saw maccaws blue and red and toucans. The following day we awoke to find monkeys swinging from the trees all around then our day was spent at the cable park where we did massive canyon swings and superman face first jumps. amazing time here and we saw several birds including two emerald toucans.
 We returned had lunch the went on a 3 hour horseback ride through jungle where we saw sloth bears, woodpeckers, owls and ended with a saw ass and walking like a cowboy.
THE next few days we are whitewater rafting, canyoning, and chilling in hot springs with full view of a constant eruupting volcano.
cant wait all the best az n lele

MORE FUN IN THE CARRIBEAN SUN OF HONDURAS, COPAN RUINS, INTO NICARAGUA WITH MORE VOLCANOS.

HOLA AMIGOS AND AMIGETTES
Our trip has continued to bang on with our trip to the Caribbean once again out to the lovely sun soaked islands of Roatan bay. Lisa got sea sick on the ferry over which was a 1 and a half hour trip at rough sea but was helped as the crew give everyone a spew bag before leaving port.
On the island was hot sunny and baking on the beaches was prime. we hired snorkels and fins for the day exploring the corals and lobsters were everywhere as well as Honduras fish.  We were a bit over baking in the extreme heat so we jumped on the banana boat and flipped about 10 times. funny stuff.
The next day az decided to become a frog man and went on his first scuba dive in open shark infested water. the dive was a beginner course so at deep sea az descended to 50feet under for around 50 minutes. now az wants to get the full licence. it was full of corals and stacks of tropical fish including the lion duce bigalo fish.
More relaxing on the beach, seafood lobsters platters for $20 we really needed some exercise.
Our next day was 11 hours on 3 buses which was fun to end up in the capital of Honduras which was a real shit hole and very dangerous so we couldn't go far but it was only for a night. we stayed up and chatted to our travel companions then bed. Next day we were out of there and headed over the boarder into Nicaragua to end up in a nice town called Granada which has a massive nearby lake and surrounded by volcano's. Dinner at a Thai restaurant and a few drinks and then bed as we had a big volcano trip planned the next day.
Morning came and we had breakfast of pancakes and fruits then headed for salvo negro the active black volcano which last erupted in1999 and is said to erupt between 8-10 years every cycle. This tour of negro volcano was a snow boarding trip but no snow just black sandy volcano gravel all over. Our group hiked an hour up the steep volcano viewing and smelling the smoky sulfa spewing from the large crater. the view from the top was amazing but had to be left as we suited up for the descent down the volcano on our sandbourds.  speeds of up to 70km could be gained however Lisa could not get this as she was on her arse the whole way down. az was a volcano boarding master only falling to wait for lisa.  covered in gravel and black volcano soot we headed back to Granada for a few tone beers and some burgers. Mexican like banjo playing amigos keep pestering us for dineros and kids selling all sort of bits n bobs add to the atmosphere of the town.
Tomorrow we will relax with a full 90min massage for $25 before heading off to climb another active volcano with lava and for this one we can go inside the lava tubes wearing masks and protective suits as the heat and gasses can only be exposed for 20minutes. And that's not including the bat colony that inhabit the tunnels which at sunset swarm out for food and tourists.
So amigos we will post back soon.
lele n az and blanco gatto.

PACAYA VOLCANO AND LAKE ATITLAN HOMESTAY

HI ALL
Well since our last message we have hiked up Pacaya volcano which is still active, we had a welcome to antigua by some bed bugs in our room which feasted on lisas arm and back (az not a bite), lost $130 out of a dodgy ATM at chichi market, stayed with a family in a village on lake atitlan who could barely speak english but we bought stuff for the kids and got the full homestay experiance in their home (dinner was awkward with lisa nudging me under the table), more tortillas and guatamalan beer.
Antigua is great and very old looking with a massive volcano in the backdrop. the volcano we hiked up was nearby active pacaya and we walked across the crater and entered an extremely hot opening in the top. many marshmellows were toasted and the hike was tuff but worth it.
At 2am in antigua lisa awoke to a biting frenzy and i flicked on the lights to see several bed bugs on the walls and bed. we swapped rooms and got free laundry for the trouble and lucky for us the bag was at its peak.
lake atitlan was nice but lisa got seasick on the boat but the several volcanos were a nice setting. the family stay was good and the kids loved  us.  one night was enough sleeping in a concrete hut with a bed with no mattress. the other thing was watching lisa nicely kicking the cat from her pillow trying not to upset the 2 kids. she loves blanco the gatto. we bought the kids school books, pens and a basketball and the ball almost launched into a picture of jesus on a table in the corner. we would have been sleeping outside instead of the shed. haha

tomorrow we meet our new group and the day after cross the boarder into honduras and head for the beaches in the roatan carribean islands. till the adious amigos.

BEACHES IN MEXICO & BELIZE

 MEXICAN BEACH NEAR TULUM RUINS

 BEACH IN BELIZE

REGGAE BAR ON CAYE CAULKER - RUM PUNCH FOR $2

KIDS IN GUATAMALA

SNAPS OF BELIZE / GUATAMALA / MEXICO

AZ SWIMMING IN CAYE CAULKER WITH SHARKS N RAYS.

MEXICAN BEACHES TO BELIZEAN CAVES

BEACH IN TULAM / MAYAN RUINS

CHICHEN ITZA / 1 OF THE 7 WONDERS

CHICHEN ITZA - MEXICO

TULEM MAYAN SITE ON BEACH - MEXICO

SHARKS WE SWAM WITH - BELIZE REEF SNORKLING

LISA ON MEXICO BEACH

CAVING IN BELIZE AT MAYAN CRYSTAL CAVE

ON TOP OF TIKAL IN GUATAMALA

WHITE SANDY REGGAE BEACHES TO THE JUNGLES OF GUATAMALA

HOLA ALL
We spent our days in caye caulker swimming and baking in the sun with reggae music in the background. the people all say its go slow here so thats what we did. Our snorkel trip was amazin with so many fish and to end it off our guide swam us around the corals and pointed out lobster, green eels, sharks, and many fish but to top it off we swam with a sea turtle which swam faster than us. our guide got hold of a sting ray and let us pat it and all around were sharks and fish.  The sharks felt like sandpaper. our sail headed back in with rum punch and again more reggae mon. Dinner was lobster for around  20 aud and soooo nice.
We headed back to land the next day lucky as a storm was ready to hit and after a day on chicken buses and local transport we arrived at our jungle lodge in san ignacio. Here was our opportunity to go on a full day caving trip which was hard, tight and muddy. the cave system only lets a few people in a day as it was a sacred mayan site and spotted around the crystal cave where bones of sacraficed mayans adults and children. the cave has never been renovated or changed in any way since it was found. after this day which included scaling up formations and mud hills we were tired and had a swim in a waterhole. great day.
The next day we left for more Mayan ruins of Tikal after our border crossing into guatamala. the ruins were great surrounded by jungle and we were told to look out for jaguar in the area. tikal are the highest of the mayan ruins and we had the guts to climb the thing trusting in a wooden ladder up the side which had no real angle to it just straight up. Afew of the people did not do it but we went to the top which was realy scary but the view was spectacular and getting back down was more scary. Tikal was nice but lisa is getting over the ruins now.
We spent the night in San ignacio followed by the next day traveling to rio dulce.
Today is our wedding anniversary and our tour took us to a waterfall which had water running into it from a hot spring. Az and a few others jumped from the top down into the rock pool below and lisa chickened out as it was too high for her. Now we have just had dinner and relaxing on a little island where we are sleeping in little wooden stilt houses surrounded by jungle.  In the morning az will be kayaking to see the howler monkeys but lisa is hanging by the pool and baking a little more. She must be afraid of monkeys or something. haha.
Phones are hard to come by and time for the net is also hard so sorry for not calling or messaging.
keeping in touch from guatamala az n lele

Mexico & Belize

hola amigos
We have just left Mexico after seeing chichen itza (Mayan ruins) & Tulum (ruins on the beach) we meet up with our GAP group of 16 people & 12 of them are Aussies from Adelaide (Az being the oldest).  Mexico is nice & we finally got some sun after 2 weeks of cold & snow.
Today we have arrived in Caye caulker ( an island in the Caribbean where all the locals speak like Jamaicans (how r u mon) food is great & we are eating masses of Lobster & drinking rum punch.  Tomorrow we are going snorkeling & swimming with sharks & sting rays.
hope everyone is well & miss u all.
love Le & Az

P.S phones are hard because we are on an island.

zebras at our camp in okavango delta - botswana

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

HOLLYWOODS WALK OF FAME

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

HOLLYWOOD STAR ON WALK OF FAME

PREPARING FOR THE SNOW OF NEW YORK

DEVILS POOL - VICTORIA FALLS

DEVILS POOL - VICTORIA FALLS

ON THE EDGE OF VICTORIA FALLS. TOURIST DIED 4 WEEKS PRIOR DOING THIS

XMAS IN NEW YORK LONG ISLAND

XMAS DRINKS WITH FAMILY

AZ AND MARIE DRUNK

CATHERINE AND LELE

MORE XMAS DRINKS