So this is how it goes.

Boy meets girl freshman year of highschool.

Erica and Shaun start dating and makes her boyfriend go to silly little things like ROTC functions (girl was in the Air Force branch of JROTC).

Erica even manages to get this blackmail photo during prom. Shaun was determined to wear this baby blue three piece suit his 70 year old neighbor gave to him.

Shaun and Erica moved in together during college. They shared shaved head haircuts and fear of parents when they found out about the joint household.

Shaun and Erica get married on May 15, 2004. Shaun was 20. Erica was 21. They looked like babies.

They went on a honeymoon to Barbados – their first time out of the country. This trip is what started their wanderlust. Oh man, look at the lack of tattoos on those bodies.

It was like they were in love or something.

They traveled whenever their jobs allowed.

And took advantage of the fact they worked at Blizzard and went traveling to Anaheim to work BlizzCon.

And even make it across the street to Disneyland for Erica’s first visit.

But most of all, they really enjoy each others company.

And take the time to laugh and be silly.

They can only hope they look this badass when they are old and gray after all of their future adventures around the world.

And the best part of the day is when I open my facebook and see this awesome, mushy message on my wall:

 
From Shaun:

“I found the best partner to chase dreams with, both at home and abroad, and here we are after 9 years of marriage (and 5 dating before that) more in love than ever. Happy anniversary, sugarlips”

So after 14 years together, 9 of them married and celebrated today, we raise our virtual glass to you guys and thank you for joining us on our journey.

*Cheers!*

I hope you enjoy our horribad pictures.

Our 9th Wedding Anniversary and a Few Embarrassing Pictures is a post from: Over Yonderlust

We glided across the glass-like water of the Rio Dulce in Mother Jones’ dinghy. The only sounds that could be heard was the occasional “putt putt” of the motor, the lone bird that would sing out in the mangroves, and the occasional clank of the empty beer cans on the floor.

“I hope there aren’t any crocodiles.” A devilish smile curled my lips as I stuck my hand in the brackish water.

L flinched a bit. “I hope so too!”

Today we were participating in what D and L loving referred to as “dinghy-splorin’” in which you hop into the inflatable boat, start ‘driving’ and hope for the best as you navigate the narrow waterways and shallow depths.

We had overheard some sailors talking about a lagoon in the area that could be found only by making your way through the maze of mangrove channels. We were determined.

The mangroves were beautiful, rugged, and untouched. I couldn’t help but be creeped out by the decaying houses that found themselves hidden in this near-unnavigable area.

Long vines fell from the trees into the water and spider webs decorated trees with their detailed and delicate designs.

Crab traps lined the docks and shore. As we looked over the side of the boat, hundreds of pinchy-hands were waving at us from the crap traps like a Miss America pageant gone wrong. I licked my lips. “You’re going to taste delicious.”

Submerged tree stumps posed an interesting obstacle. “PULL UP THE MOTOR!” had to be screamed a few times as we playfully meandered through the fallen trees. Motors have been wrecked for less and we weren’t about to let that happen in the middle of our expedition.

We weren’t sure how much further we could make it before it got too dangerous for the boat, the motor, and us (besides the fact that I think I was starting to creep myself out at the thought of crocs in the area). But before we lost hope the mangroves parted and before us opened the hidden, lone lagoon.

Civilization was nowhere to be found and we had it all to ourselves. I can’t even explain how awesome of a feeling that is.

Mr. K (the dog) immediately started whining. He knew what places like this meant. The sun was intense and this sea pig wanted into the water! With a quick shove there was a massive splash and K swam around in a few circles only to immediately want to get back into the boat when none of us joined him.

Can you imagine what it looks like as two people grab onto a 75 pound pitbull by his lifejacket and haul him over the walls of a dinghy? K started floundering about as his solid body was dragged back into the boat, bringing what seemed like half of the lagoon with him.

We did a couple of victory dinghy donuts and slowly made our way back to the sailboat. The boat was full of smiles. There are no mangrove maps. We had managed to find the hidden lagoon that the local sailors had whispered about. It was like we were in on this secret club.

We knew where the secret lair was and the secret was safe with us.

Dinghy-splorin’ the Rio Dulce is a post from: Over Yonderlust

I swore that I was not a resort girl. I was fighting them tooth and nail. I wanted to prove to myself that, somehow, I was a “true” traveler. I didn’t need the luxury. We’re hardcore right?

My world was turned upside down when we were invited to Chaa Creek in San Ignacio, Belize.

Situated in the heart of the Belizean rainforest, they brought everything I could imagine to the table. One of the big things that really drew me to Chaa Creek was their social responsibility as a company to keep their resort green and sustainable. How many other places put 10% of their room revenue back into the community – supporting environmental, educational, and community programs? This is something that we care deeply about it and I am proud to be able to support Chaa Creek in this endeavor.

We arrived dusty, hot, and sunburned after making our way on a ferry, 2 chicken buses, and a taxi over a period of 10 hours. As we fumbled up to the front desk we were greeted with a hearty hello, a complimentary cup of jamaica juice, and a cold towel that smelled phenomenal. We quickly gulped down the deliciousness and took a moment to bury our scorched faces into the towel. Little did I know that this would set the precedent for the rest of our stay.

We were taken through a quick tour of the property that carried a calm and ethereal ambiance. Tiki torches, candles, and lights lit the paths, bar, restaurant, and the pool. Everything gave off a glow that was welcoming and warm.

Our guide left us at our personal bungalow complete with robes, hammocks, bottled water, enough towels to be able to clean a small army, and an incredibly comfortable bed. After being in hostels and on the boat, we quickly jumped in and made ourselves a comforter burrito… but not before the solar shower – with HOT water. *swoon* With the distant cry of the howlers in the morning, we found ourselves in a small slice of heaven. There is nothing in the world quite like the sounds of a rainforest.

I think I gained all the weight I had managed to lose during the course of our trip due to the meals. I like to eat. *pokes stomach* The restaurant didn’t disappoint. During our stay we had a traditional Belizean breakfast, french toast, a breakfast burrito, fresh coffee, ceviche, corn fritters, beet tostadas, thai salad, jicama salad, steak with a pesto sauce, fish chowder, chicken kabobs, coconut shrimp, and a rich chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream on top. Obviously not all at once but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have given it a go if I had the opportunity. Everything was artfully put together and I just barely remembered to take pictures of the food before I shoved it into my mouth.

There are so many free things you can do there that are part of the Chaa Creek eco resort as well. Here are a few things that we did:

Natural History Museum:

From the history of the Maya to the flora and fauna of the area, Shaun and I were able to geek out at all the information and specimens presented. My favorite part of this area? The Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm. Those pretty blue butterflies you see everywhere are kept in a hands on area where you can experience these beauties landing all over you. (I just hope you’re not creeped out by bugs.) I can’t even fully express the glee I had when interacting with the Blue Morphos.

Canoeing

Take a canoe and head up the Macal River. If you can make it up the third set of rapids, there are some awesome areas to picnic, a botanical garden, and ruins. Shaun and I only made it up the second set before giving up. I’m not sure if it was because we were lazy or that another argument on how to steer the canoe was going to end up in WWIII.

Regardless, the moments of serenity afforded you views like this.

…and our very popular picture of canoeing with our feet in (I swear Shaun was helping too. I’m not his pack mule.).

The hike there is beautiful as well:

The Rainforest Medicine Trail

If you’re into plants, this hike covers quite a bit. If you show up on the hour, you get a free tour of the area. Many trees and bushes are labeled with descriptions of the genus and overall makes a very scenic hike as you make your way next to the Macal River.

The Salt Water Swimming Pool

As a kid growing up in Arizona, Shaun always had a pool in his backyard. In the 15 years I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him so excited about a pool. We took the opportunity to take both day swims and night swims (to peek at the nearly full moon in the rainforest). Although I think people get annoyed with how playful we are in the pool.

If you’re looking for something a little more budget friendly, they also offer the opportunity to stay in the Camp Casitas at the end of the Medicine Trail. This campground is super cute! With a bonfire ring, a kitchen that serves breakfast and dinner, along with all the activities mentioned above, you have everything at your fingertips!

To say the least, we were impressed and I may have been converted. Dare I say that Shaun and I are considering making a resort stay part of our yearly itinerary? Chaa Creek showed us that all inclusives can also line with our ecological ethics. As we found ourselves wrapped in the lap of luxury, I realized that occasionally, even the most hardcore traveler just needs to splurge for a couple of days. We not only rested our bodies, but our minds. If it is good enough for Prince Harry, it is good enough for us!

If you’re looking to make your way to Belize this summer, make sure to make your reservations at Chaa Creek as they are celebrating the 2013 Summer of Love sale. Until June 14, 2013, they are offering 20% off of all accommodation – and in the month of May, you can also receive 10% off the “Belize Swim Suits and Hiking Boots” tour package which takes you from the the amazing beaches of Placencia to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. You really can’t beat that!

Make sure to include them in your summer vacation plans!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Disclosure: We were guests of Chaa Creek, however all opinions are our own. I mean, come on, look at those pictures. We can’t lie about dreamy!

A Slice of Heaven at Chaa Creek Eco-Lodge is a post from: Over Yonderlust

Shaun precariously hid in an ongoing dance with the ever-changing shade spots of the catamaran as we made our way down the Rio Dulce. Life on a boat is unkind to those with fair skin. Freckles started dotting their way along his pale landscape but they did little to protect him from the harsh Guatemalan sun. I was soaking it in. It felt perfect.

I think I was a sailor in a past life or something; I connect with the water. The sun on my now brown Latina skin felt right. I nimbly made my way to the front of the boat and started furiously scribbling in my personal diary. It had been a while since I had felt so inspired.

We had fallen in love with Guatemala when we took our Spanish lessons in Xela, two years prior. This was a side of Guate we hadn’t familiarized ourselves with and I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing experience.

Small huts and palapas dotted the shore as we made our way to the mouth of the river. We were getting tiny glimpses of the real Guatemala as we sailed and my eyes were glued to the shoreline. These places were only accessible by water and I immediately felt as though I was part of some exclusive club – and in a way I was. Not everyone gets the opportunity to slowly float their way to Livingston.

I almost felt like a voyeur as I watched locals swimming and bathing on the side of the river. Everyone was smiling and waving at us happily, I couldn’t help myself as my camera joyfully clicked away.

Sparrows playfully flew through the air, taking a brief moment to find their personal spot on the catamaran to rest up a bit before quickly taking off.

The occasional manatee made themselves known by waving hello with a quick tail whip.

L and D started fumbling around in the galley.

“Where is it?”

“Where is what?”

“The iPod?”

…and after a quick hookup, it started.

As we approached the high canyon walls on the Rio Dulce, a familiar song that reminded me so much of my youth slowly made its way into a crescendo…

Jurassic Park.

It couldn’t have been more perfect. My friends are nerds and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect soundtrack to our sail.

Pelicans and other various birds gracefully glided along the green, placid water.

The grandeur of the canyon walls were made even more epic.

The local fisherman were dwarfed by the sharp drop of canyon wall. Can you spot them?

I sat there in awe. These places exist.

This is why I travel. I love to be a child again, being in a world of wonder.

I hope it never stops. I can’t stop wanting to discover.

What drives you to travel?

Glimpses of the Real Guatemala is a post from: Over Yonderlust

So we have been soaking it in as much as possible. We spend every free moment at the beach. We have a beer in hand during sunsets. I had forgotten how much my brown skin makes me happy – and Shaun’s freckled body makes me smile.

More than anything, you can see how genuine our smiles are here.

90/365 Ice cream before dinner? Of course! #365days #Mexico

91/365 Went snorkeling at #Akumal today. The water got super clear and we gotta hang out with sea turtles. Couldn’t believe that we were out there for over 45 minutes! #365days #Mexico #RivieraMaya

92/365 It is 2 for 1 margarita time ’round these parts. #Mexico #yum #delish #365days

93/365 Rooftop sunset coffee cup beers in #Mexico? Of course! #365days

94/365 Went through the craziest storm. Had some of the loudest thunder I have ever heard- and I come from Texas. That is saying A LOT. Had a blackout for a few hours. #365days #Mexico

95/365 Look how excited we are to be in Playa del Carmen! Seriously though… This beach gives lakes a run for the money in regards to calmness. #365days

96/365 Living 15 minutes away from the tourist street in Playa del Carmen has been awesome. What a great way to get in shape! #365days

Week In Review – 365 Days Project: 90-96 is a post from: Over Yonderlust

New Zealand is top of many a bucket list. It’s a dream destination with towering mountains, icy glaciers, bubbling hot pools and sweeping scenes straight out of Middle Earth. The only catch… it’s expensive. If you’re making the trek all the way down under though you’ve got to make it count. It’s got to be a trip of a lifetime. Save yourself a few precious bucks along the way by trying out some of these simple tips.

Cromwell, New Zealand

1. Take advantage of some Kiwi hospitality and Couchsurf. New Zealanders are a very friendly bunch and many will open their door to couchsurfers for a night or two. Locals always know of secret spots off the tourist trail so the insider knowledge is just as valuable as the free bed.

2. If you want to road trip at least a portion of the country, look for a relocation car rental. Instead of spending $60 a day on a car rental you can get a relocation between most major centres for $1 a day. There are quire a few companies who offer relocation. Some will even throw in petrol money and ferry tickets for the driver. The only downside is the limited time allowed for the relocation – from Christchurch to Queenstown usually just a day or two and from Christchurch to Auckland four or five days.

3. Wifi is notoriously expensive in NZ. A Vodafone dongle with just 2GB of data will set you back a whopping $69. Many cafés will have limited wifi (20MB) available with purchase. This isn’t going to get you very far. You will find free Wifi at McDonald’s and public libraries.

4. House sitting is popular in New Zealand. There are always plenty of properties in New Zealand on house sitting websites. Because the country is so geographically isolated, many Kiwis only take one or two long extended trips abroad in their lifetime. It’s common for couples & families to head off and explore Europe for six weeks, leaving their lovely homes behind. By house sitting in New Zealand you can save yourself a tonne of cash and extend your trip. Plus you get to live as part of a community and see what life is live for the locals.

5. Buy New Zealand dollars when they’re cheap. The NZ dollar is currently sitting at record highs against the US dollar but it does wobble around quite a bit. Back in the 90s, one NZD only bought about 40 US cents – now it’s over double that. This makes it even more expensive for Americans to visit Aotearoa. Monitor the currency and buy up your NZ dollars when it dips. You’ll need a lot of them while you’re here, this country ain’t cheap.

Wellington Waterfront, New Zealand

6. If you want to extend your holiday, look for wwoofing opportunities. Wwoofing is a work exchange programme which gives volunteers free room and board in exchange for work on farms, vineyards and orchards. New Zealand is an agricultural country so there are opportunities for wwoofing all over the country.

7. Find bargains on group booking. New Zealanders’ love group booking sites and there a few around the country that offer deals on meals, activities, hotel accommodation and even car & camper hire. In general you save about 50% on the ticket price but occasionally there’s a really great deal on these sites. I’ve seen tickets for the Shotover Jet in Queenstown on sale for just $1… that’s 99% off! Check out my post on how to get cheap accommodation and activities in New Zealand for a complete list of these sites.

8. Sign up to Jetstar’s “Friday Fare Frenzy” alert newsletters. Jetstar only flies between the main centres but often posts fares for as little as $9 including taxes! Cheap fares are emailed out every Friday afternoon NZ time. You’ll need to move quickly to book them as they get snapped up fast.

9. Get to know Grabaseat. Air New Zealand offers up cheap flights in New Zealand through their fun Grabaseat site. There are quite a few different options for making the most of Grabaseat including auctions and standby tickets. For a complete rundown on the different ways to save money with Grabaseat check out my post on finding cheap flights in New Zealand.

10. Prepare to self-cater. Eating out in Aotearoa is one of the biggest ways to blow your budget. Bring or buy a plastic bowls, cutlery and utensils so you can prepare a few simple meals on the fly.

Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

11. Supplies are more expensive in smaller towns so stock up on essentials when you’re in the big city. If you’re self-catering in a camper, apartment or motels, do your grocery shopping in the main centres. Pak n’ Save is the cheapest major supermarket chain. Farmers’ markets are becoming increasingly popular and are great value.

12. Petrol is going to be a major cost if you’re roadtripping in a camper or car and it’s some of the world’s most expensive. Collect fuel vouchers from the bottom of your supermarket receipts to save a few cents per litre. Sign up for an AA rewards card at BP. This will give you 6 cent per litre discount every time you get gas at BP. Fill up in the main centres as they are cheaper than the small towns.

13. Clothes, books, electronics, sunscreen, cosmetics and medicines are particularly expensive in New Zealand. Bring these from home if you need them. If you do need to buy any of these items when you’re in New Zealand, The Warehouse is the cheapest store for almost everything.

14. If you need to get a sim card, Two Degrees is the cheapest network across New Zealand – $5 for a regular sim card or $20 for a micro sim card with 100MB of data.

15. New Zealand is paradise for adrenaline junkies and home of the bungey jump. Taking part in these thrilling activities will take a big bite out of your budget – a bungy jump in Queenstown will cost you NZ$180 plus another $45 if you want the DVD. Know when these big ticket items are coming around in your itinerary and keep money aside for them rather than trying to eek it out of your daily budget.

Canterbury Plains, New Zealand

16. Balance the expensive activities with free activities. There are plenty of free things to do in New Zealand and most of them involve getting out into the great outdoors. If you really want to skydive then opt for the free walk to the Franz Josef & Fox glaciers instead of the heli-hike.

17. Bring a refillable water bottle. Tap water in New Zealand is safe to drink and tastes good especially in cities like Christchurch where the water comes directly from the melting snow on the Southern Alps. Much better than buying bottled water!

18. Steer clear of the travel in the peak season. New Zealander’s take their summer holiday at Christmas meaning that for three or four weeks between Christmas and mid-January every road, campground, jet boat ride and sunny beach will be chock-a-block. If you want sunshine, February and March are an even better time to visit than January anyway. Be aware that places like Queenstown and Wanaka fill up with snow bunnies in the winter.

19. Mix your modes of transport. Plan your route and then identify where you can get a transportation bargain. You can fly between Auckland and Wellington for only $29 any day of the week on the Air New Zealand Nightrider. You can drive from Queenstown to Christchurch in a relocation car for only $1. You can get deals on campers that include ferry tickets which, on their own, can cost you $250. It might be cheaper to buy a car and sell it on than to rent. I’ve got everything you need to know in this post about cheap transportation in New Zealand.

20. Whatever you do, make to most of your time in New Zealand. You’ve spent a tonne of money to get all the way down here and, chances are, you won’t be here again anytime soon. It’s cheaper to whack an extra $200 on that credit card today for your whale watching, bungy jumping or skydiving experience than to buy another $2000 return ticket to New Zealand in a few years time because you regret not doing it all when you were here the first.

Bethaney Davies is one third of Flashpacker Family – a semi-nomadic, globetrotting family from Christchurch, New Zealand. Bethaney, Lee and their toddler Reuben spend half the year at home and the rest out exploring and enjoying the world. Flashpacker Family has great tales from the road, tips on travelling on a budget & travelling with a toddler and information on living a location independent lifestyle. You can follow Flashpacker Family on Google +Bethaney Davies, Twitter and Facebook.

20 Tips for Tackling New Zealand on a Tight Budget is a post from: Over Yonderlust

Crazy Rio Dulce!

“You will be on the sailor schedule soon enough. You’re going to be OLD SALTS!”

I didn’t want to believe it. How could we, who normally head to bed around 2am, possibly be asleep by 10pm (Sailor’s Midnight)? But to be honest, there were a slew of other things that happened over our three weeks of saltiness that were even more unbelievable.

…9:30 crept upon us and I rubbed my eyes. “Aww, crap.”

Sailors are different breed of people I hadn’t had the pleasure of hanging out with during our last two years of travel. Sure we had sailed from Panama to Colombia but almost everyone on the boat was a passenger.

We drank beers at bars with Iraq and Vietnam veterans. People compared scars, told battle stories, and talked about their latest conquests of Guatemalan women. Did I mention these guys are well into their 60s? They were a loud, drunk, rowdy bunch. I rather liked their panache.

Crazy old salts in the background right there.

It explained the occurrence of the…

Ship gone rogue.

One particular evening, as we were watching the sun set, we looked out onto the beautiful lake to see a man anchoring his sailboat and heading to the bow to get some of the last rays of sun for the day. Except, his anchor didn’t take and he seemed oblivious. As we watched him slowly float away from his spot and toward a dock with a giant palapa on it, we couldn’t turn away. It was like watching a train wreck. No matter how much screaming you do, they can’t hear you and it won’t change the outcome.

I would be staring at this sunset too… You can see the crash pad palapa on the left.

The sailboat futilely bobbed towards the dock and the sailor finally took notice about 20 feet out. Panicking, he ran to the cockpit to start his engine – only to find out that as he started it, it ran over his anchorline and got caught in the propellers. He slumped over defeatedly as the boat came to a crashing halt on the other side of the palapa. We held our breath.

A rescuer jumped into the water and quickly started untying the anchorline from the engine. With help from a few good samaritans, he got his boat anchored and they all went for drinks… except over the next half hour, we watched the newly badly anchored boat swing back and forth, nearly missing the boats around him.

Which lead to the…

Near bar fight.

The guys came for drinks at the bar we were at. As they sat down and gave frat boys a run for their money on how quickly a beer can go down, an old salt lady came barreling into the bar, a scowl permanently attached to her face. She had a local in tow as an impromptu bodyguard.

“THE” bar.

“Your boat hit my friends boat!”

All the men at the table immediately stand up, like dogs raising their hackles.

“You’re a lying b****!” one of the guys shouted.

You could cut the tension with a knife. I was half expecting the woman to grab one of their beer bottles, break it open on the table and start shanking the bunch.

But mainly it didn’t lead to much more than (supposed) empty threats. I would be a bit concerned though… Rio Dulce is known to be the wild, wild West of Guatemala.

But that doesn’t compare to the….

Drunk Irish guys with AK-47s.

Shaun and I dragged the mattress from our room on to the top of the sailboat. We were docked at Burnt Key Bay and the night was stagnant. We were hoping for a bit of reprieve and a good breeze on the roof.

As we slowly drifted to sleep around 9:30pm, feedback filled my ears and a loud guitar riff echoed across the bay. Am I dreaming? What is going on? OMG, is that… PINK FLOYD? A rowdy bunch of shouts could be heard from the bar. I rolled over and tried to get some sleep.

We should have gotten the hint of this crazy bay by the confederate flag flying on one of the boats…

The next morning we were talking to Sandy (the owner of BK) and she was talking about the crazy Irish guys who drunkenly pulled up to the dock on the boat, Irish Miss. I remember the pink, sunburnt skin of these guys as they stumbled onto land.

Apparently they asked Sandy if it was okay if they shot off their automatic weapons during the night. They were drunk and wanted to have some fun.

Sandy, an old salt herself, was not pleased. And by not pleased, I’ve seen honey badgers look more appealing than her when she gets riled up. At 5 feet tall, this woman is like hell on wheels. She is scary if she doesn’t like you. She lets you know. She freaked OUT on these guys. The swarm of Sandy was released. She screamed, “Get the *F* out of my BAY!” and went to go get her machete. She wanted to make a point.

…and when we woke up the next morning to the calm, placid waters of the bay… the Irish Miss was gone.

As Sandy recounted the story the next morning, I sat in disbelief.

I swear I’ve had some of the craziest things occur while boatsitting and sailing rather than being on the road with locals and chicken buses.

So BEWARE. Are you looking to become a sailor? Are you looking to get into boatsitting? THESE are the people you will be spending time with

Sound fun?

I thought so.

Old Salts of the Earth, A Travel Story is a post from: Over Yonderlust

They came by the busloads- patrons, shop owners, revelers and travelers alike. During Semana Santa (Holy Week), if you’re near the water, expect it to get a bit more crowded and fast. Gambling games (where they slyly rob you blind), B.B. gun shooting games, merry-go-rounds, bumper cars, and vendors crowd the streets to claim their space for the yearly carnival that everyone looked forward to.

These people know how to party, my friends. This is the business of amusement.

So for three straight weeks, reggaeton was pumping at all hours, the ferris wheel spun at lightning fast (and very unsafe) speeds, and beer was found on every corner. It got crazier and crazier during nightly fireworks displays, all night dancing, and bands filling the air with their music.

Walking down the crowded streets you could smell french fries, churros, roasted corn, fresh fruit, tacos and pizza. It was a bit much for the senses but worth every moment.

We got to see a slice of life in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

It was fantastic.

Photo Essay: A Semana Santa Carnival on the Rio Dulce, Guatemala is a post from: Over Yonderlust

This past week was spent in Livingston, Guatemala, into San Ignacio, Belize, and into Chetumal and Tulum, Mexico. I can’t remember the last time we have moved so quickly! I’m glad to have the memories documented because after spending 20 hours on buses and boats this past week, it is easy to forget what happened.

So here we go!

83/365 We can’t help ourselves when we see a see-saw.

84/365 Started our day with a ferry ride into Belize. Took us 10 hours to arrive but it was worth every moment.

85/365 I think we are doing it wrong… Canoeing down the Macal River at Chaa Creek in San Ignacio, Belize.

86/365 SHOVE IT IN MY TACO HOLE! We have arrived in the land of tacos al pastor (my fav food EVER). #Mexico

87/365 Spending our evening watching a local league futbol game! #Mexico

88/365 Quite the face of my ancestor! Finally made it to Tulum an our hostel owner remembered us! #Mexico

89/365 No cares given today. #Mexico

Week In Review – 365 Days Project: 83-89 is a post from: Over Yonderlust

Sure I got the opportunity to slip away to Finca Paraiso, but in between beers, good food, book reading and early evenings, I probably had some of the most relaxing weeks of my life. I had a moment to escape. I could think. I could NOT think. So here are a few slices of life that we got to experience during our time on the Rio. This is definitely a place where expats, old salts, and travelers get stuck… and I’m not entirely sure why.

With a heat index of 100 today, it REALLY needs to rain to cool us off.

This is K, our buddy for the next week while we dogsit/boatsit.

Happy dog. Happy Shaun.

Can we say low season? This place is a ghost town after Semana Santa.

Great place to catch the afternoon breeze and cheap beer!!!

Margarita to celebrate our 2 year anniversary!

Nice little view, eh? What $25 can get you in #Guatemala AND A/C!

The wind arrived! Time to celebrate the nice breeze w a beer!

Ever wonder what it is like to work on the road? Something like this.

The bridge connecting the two sides of RioDulce, Guatemala is one of the longest bridges in Central America spanning 860 meters.

The amazing #sunsets continue around the world. Great one in #Guatemala!

Celebrating our last night in Rio Dulce. There will be no pics updated for the next couple of days but keep an eye out for updates when we get Internet again. Sailing tomorrow! Wish us luck!

***Make sure to follow our adventures on Instagram!***

Photo Friday: Instagram Dreams of Rio Dulce, Guatemala is a post from: Over Yonderlust