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First stop on the overland route from Central America to South America? The Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and specifically Cancun.5 nights of decompression were welcome before setting out on backpacking adventures.

Blog - Fifth Corner of the World

20 files, last one added on Nov 16, 2009
Album viewed 366 times

After a small vacation it was backpacking time, and though it wasn't part of the plan, my first stop was Playa Del Carmen. This proved to be a wise move not only because I loved it here but also because I met up with a friend from Saskatoon.

Blog - Don't Be A Playa Hate-ah

34 files, last one added on Nov 16, 2009
Album viewed 426 times

A favourite stop of many, we used Tulum as a base to explore the ruins of Coba as well as, of course, Tulum. With terrible weather, however, it wasn't all that we'd hoped it would be. Still, Hurricane Ida was a great backdrop for photographing Tulum.

Blog - To Tulum

41 files, last one added on Nov 16, 2009
Album viewed 473 times

The first stop in Belize did not auger well for the country. Orange Walk town was a bit dodgy (no, we didn't take that hotel on Slaughterhouse Lane) but the ruins at and boat trip to Lamanai were worth the bars over the windows.

Blog - The Run From Orange Walk

43 files, last one added on Nov 17, 2009
Album viewed 477 times

The best stop to date on this tour was the small island (or caye = quai = key) of Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize. SCUBA diving the Blue Hole and the amazing reef, a day at the beach (with sun!), and lobster everynight.

Blog - The Cayes to Belize

39 files, last one added on Nov 17, 2009
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A final stop in Belize, about 3 miles from the Guatemala border was a particularly serendipitous one. We wound up staying with an expat family (sort of) in a small village, visiting a Mayan burial cave, and the ruins across the street.

Blog - Don't Ignore Ignacio

45 files, last one added on Nov 22, 2009
Album viewed 531 times

After hitching a ride across the border in Guatemala, Phil and I spent a couple days in Flores doing laundry, exploring the little island town-within-a-town, and most importantly, visiting the ancient Mayan metropolis of Tikal.

Blog - Guatemala in a Pickup

43 files, last one added on Nov 22, 2009
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Without a doubt one of the best stops I will have made along the Pan American highway was the small village of Lanquin near Semuc Champey. Waterfalls, pools, tubing, caves, a cheap resort, great local characters, and a beautiful setting. Aside from skiing, I'm not sure what more a person could ask for?

Blog - Dieter Libre!

64 files, last one added on Nov 25, 2009
Album viewed 546 times

At last, we arrived in Antigua, where I began my Spanish study in earnest. We spent a week here studying in this great little town, living with a family and immersing ourselves as much as possible in Spanish. On the weekend, a volcano climb, some markets, fun nightlife and a beautiful colonial town to explore.

Blog - 20 Hours to Great Spanish

78 files, last one added on Dec 07, 2009
Album viewed 543 times

Lake Atitlan is a pretty famous mountain lake located, as it happens, directly on my travel path from Antigua to Xela. We stopped in the small lakeside village of San Pedro and admired the volcanoes and other towns also ringing the lakeside. And met up with a few old friends.

Blog - Atitlan: Green with Envyronmental Problems

40 files, last one added on Dec 09, 2009
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Xela turned out to be a pleasant surprise and one of those places that you could lose weeks visiting and trying to see it all. It had a certain beguiling charm, like a European woman full of makeup: good from afar, but far from good.

Blog - Low light is a Xela's best friend.
Blog - Adios, Guate!

45 files, last one added on Dec 11, 2009
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A two-day hike to the highest point in Central America, a dormant volcano that offers some pretty impressive views in every direction not to mention a great sunrise and exciting sunset.

Blog - Top of Central America

46 files, last one added on Dec 11, 2009
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