Central Guatemala: Cultural and Scenic Beauty

Lanquin, a small mountain village 9k from the famed Semuc Champey, took me by surprise and became a temporary home for four weeks. After meeting a local American guy working on a start-up NGO and needing additional help, it seemed the perfect time and place to take advantage of such an opportunity. Unusual for me as I typically seek coastal destinations to plant for a bit, but the local people, the mountains, and the surrounding Mayan (in this region Qek'chi) culture offered more than I was initially expecting. With such a helpful community it was a great way to get immersion into the rural life of Guatemalecos and the Indeginous. Most travelers quickly speed through Lanquin, but the area surrounding it is full of little treasures including waterfalls, rivers and caves. For those who spend a little more time here, the rewards are plentiful.

A full truck; Beautiful view of the mountains surrounding Lanquin; Brother and sister help haul wood back to the house; Wooden boats in the nearby river; Setsol Caves near Las Conchas waterfalls; The Las Conchas waterfalls

Checking off goals in Guatemala

Crossing the border from Mexico to Guatemala with Oli the German surfer and Shaun the round-the-world-motorbike rider was hardly a breeze as so many people were trying to "help" or rather get something from us, but alas we crossed and made our way to a little village in the mountains where the locals were excited to see tourists coming for the night. The following day I jumped on a local bus and arrived at the very tranquil Lake Atitlan. Living expenses are low here which draws a lot of people for the purpose of language study. I found a nice guest house with a magnificent view and deck, perfect for passing lazy afternoons so, having completed my list of goals for the year, I decided to stick around and check a couple off the list; a Spanish class and volcano numero uno... Pictures below: Studies show if you write goals/ideas down on paper, you're more likely to complete them. I was proud to finally display my list in tangible form. Studying hard but not without a little break for some sunshine! The view from my deck, always beautiful.

Bienvenidos a Mexico!

After an introductory period to the Mexican culture and attitude in Baja, it was finally time to embark to the mainland. The "trucker" ferry had few people and mostly cargo carrying or receiving semi-trucks. After a 16-hour cruise across the Sea of Cortez, Mazatlan was a welcome site with all its authentically Mexican wonder. From there it was due south for beach, surf, cacti-based moonshine and more. Having little expectations of the Mexican landscape, I was pleasantly surprised and awed by it's lush green vegetation, long stretches of picturesque coastline and rocky headlands. The Mexican people are overwhelmingly friendly and pleased to help in any way. Camping is easy, food is cheap, waves are rolling, beer is cold and smiles are all around. There were some warnings about traveling through the state of Michocoan given its current state of civilian unrest, but the coast doesn't seem to be as involved and there weren't any problems driving there, at least during daylight hours. In fact, it was perhaps the most beautiful drive as it hugs the coast all the way through. Some of my favorite spots include: In Jalisco- El Tuito (southeast of Puerto Vallarta) a quaint town with artists and moonshine (Raicilla), Mayto for its secluded beach; In Michocoan- La Ticla for waves and tranquillo factor; In Oaxaca- Chacahua for big smiles and friendly folk (see Roy below, a charming fisherman on the "island"). And don't miss the mezcal in Oaxaca either...

Baja Days...

Camping, snorkeling, margarita-ing, mango ranching, sunset jonesing and many more 'ing's to boot... some current desert listens include claude vonstroke 'urban animal' and parra for cuva 'wicked games'...pictures to come shortly

Burma Myanmar

Oh Burma how lovely you are. The country is an absolute gem and I feel so privileged for having had the opportunity to live and work there in 2012. The wonder of Shwedagon, particularly at night, makes the rat race of Yangon worth dealing with. Inle lake, famed for its fishermen and their unique fishing style was a worthy stop as well. I was even able to sample some wine there at the Red Mountain Estate vineyard which I accessed via bicycle...perhaps some foreshadowing to the bicylce/wine antics of 2013 (more on that later). But one of Burma's highlights is the Shan state. Home to some of the most warmhearted individuals one could hope to meet and a gateway to some of the country's exciting hiking and trails. In 2012 there were still no ATMs, cell phones or any high-speed internet. But I've since been told that all of that is quickly changing with the "opening up" of the country. So if you're at all interested in seeing it in its original, untouched glory now is better than later... Photos from top down: Shwedagon at night, meditation time, water jars outside a temple, peppers and spices, young monks out for morning almsgiving, Inle Lake fisherman, cheroots (Burmese cigars hand rolled by girls and women), Shan village home with green tea drying outside, local Shan gals (I love her Shan style longyi), me with a sweet local Chinese girl who invited us in for lunch

South East

Vang Vieng Laos young monk and back country bike ride, Green tea in Malaysia and quiet Tioman Island (ABC beach on Tioman is a favorite spot of mine in South East Asia, it's a duty free island with cheap beers, no cars, and one of the best mie curries I've had in my life)

Philippines!

From jungles to volcanoes to beaches and surf the Philippines really does have it all...Starting in Cebu and traveling through the Visayas to Siargao, down to Mindanoa and all the way north to Luzon, two months was hardly enough time to do more than whet the appetite for island adventure. Despite the extreme unemployment and poverty that plagues Filipinos, the locals are beautiful and engaging. The local cuisine is a little lackluster (with the exception of the agressively purple ube ice cream) but the beers are cold and deicious. Photos below include white beach island and waterfall on Camiguin; Chocolate Hills on Bicol, rice terraces near Sagada on Luzon, view deck at cloud 9 on Siargao, local villagers outside of Surigao City; sunset on Bantayan