![screenshot_01](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screenshot_01.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - El Ramate to Antigua](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like.**

After our awesome [trip to Tikal](/posts/the-trip-2013-playa-del-carmen-to-tikal/) in Guatamala we returned to our hotel on the lake shore in El Ramate. It had been a long hot day so we relaxed by paddling in the warm waters of the lake.



[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo2.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3)

The following day we hopped in another bus and headed to our next destination, Rio Dulce. We stayed at the backpackers which sits on the river

[![photo-4](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-412.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773313761031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

We were quite literally on the water as the rooms were on stilts over the water

[![photo-5](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-512.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773314011031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

I spent the afternoon learning how to stand up paddle

[![photo-6](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-612.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778493886031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was good fun tho I felt it needed spicing up a little

[![photo-7](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-712.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778495401031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening we had fun playing around in the river around the hotel

[![photo-10](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1012.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773316096031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-15](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-152.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773320531031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day was spent taking a day trip up the river to some small villages buried in the jungle

[![photo-18](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-182.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773325361031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-25](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-252.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773327371031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-213.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773325631031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

In the jungle were a number of caves that we explored. We spent some time jumping off a ledge in the dark into one.

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-332.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773329161031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The last part of the boat trip took us to the famous town of Livingstone to see the native people there, I however was more interested in the forna of the region

[![photo-38](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-382.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773330426031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

That night was our last big night together so we partied in style.

[![photo-41](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-413.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773330966031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-42](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-422.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331001031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-43](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-432.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331176031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we made our way to our final destination, Antigua, Guatamala. There we had our final meal together in a rather nice resturant that served savory and sweet pancakes. They didnt think much of their own terrace however.

[![photo-46](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-462.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331751031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

I spent the last 32 days with these peeps travelling all the way from LA, there were ups there were downs but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jac, Dan, Rosie, Ralph, Kelsie, Simon, Emma, Suzanne, Colette and Madeline, cheers guys!

The following day I made my way to Lake Atican for a relaxing few days at a health retreat on Lake Atitlan high in the hills 2 hours outside of Antigua.

[![photo-58](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-582.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778495856031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

This was exactly the perfect environment I needed to unwind after the previous month of being on the road.

[![photo-60](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-602.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778496901031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-62](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-622.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773335966031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xNybI3rJdQU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It even had a traditional Mayan sauna

[![photo-59](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-592.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778496521031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The place was a perfect stop off before we embarked on the next 17 day adventure that would take us through 4 different countries

[![photo-70](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-702.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778498306031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-71](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-713.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778498496031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-68](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-682.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778497246031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

![screenshot_01](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screenshot_01.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - Oaxaca to Chichen Itza](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like**

The next stop after leaving Mexico city was the town of Oaxaca. This town has a much different feel to the rest of the destinations we have visited so far. Gone is the dusty desert, instead it has been replaced by lush tree covered hills.



The first day there we spent some time exploring the city checking out the local grub

[![photo-7](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-7.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733428216031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-3](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-3.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733427701031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we took a tour around the local Aztec ruins at Monte Alban

[![photo-15](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-15.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733429901031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

We saw the court where they used to play a ball game. Apparently the looser (or winner) would then be decapitated and have his heart offered to the gods.

[![photo-13](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-13.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733429901031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

I decided that I needed to test the gravity in the region, see if it was any stronger:

[![photo-28](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-28.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733430831031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

On the way out we saw a broken rainbow

[![photo-29](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-29.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733431101031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

That afternoon we went for some traditional Mexican BBQ in the market.

[![photo-30](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-30.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733432116031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was dubious at first after looking at the flies buzzing around the racks of raw meat:

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-21.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733432456031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Once it gets nuked on the bbq and served with jalepenos salsa and tortillas however it tasted great

[![photo-23](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-23.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733432921031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-24](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-24.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733433091031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Next up was a small city called San Cristóbal de las Casas

[![photo-50](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-50.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733436751031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

There our guide Suzanne taught us how to drink Mescal

[![photo-46](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-46.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733436666031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Mescal is derived from the Agave plant, the same plant as Tequila but a different variety. Worms that live in the plants are often included in the bottle. If your glass ends up with the worm then everyone has to buy you drinks all night:

[![photo-47](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-47.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733437086031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

The stuff can also be phenomenally cheap. I found this stuff in the super market, almost half a litre for 35p!!

[![photo-37](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-37.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733435031031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

The next day we drove (and I strove not to puke) the windy road to Palenque. Along the way we stopped at the beautiful Agua Azul (blue water) waterfalls:

[![photo-53](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-53.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733439336031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-64](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-64.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733442526031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-56](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-56.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733440246031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

We were taken on a guided tour around the myriad of falls before given the opportunity to take a dip:

[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733443556031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

As usual I got a little exited around the water and went scampering off up the falls without telling anyone where I was going. Whoops!

Palenque the following day was excellent.

[![photo-87](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-87.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733444366031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

What I found fascinating about this vast Mayan city is that barely 1% of it has been uncovered and explored by Archaeologists. The vast majority of it is still buried under dense jungle. It makes you wonder what other wonders are waiting to be discovered just a few meteres away.

[![photo-73](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-73.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733447466031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Our guide for the whole thing was a cute little Mexican named Viktor who claimed to have guided the president of Germany and Margret Thatcher's daughter around the ruins over his 30 years there

[![photo-84](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-84.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733451191031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Victor had some strange opinions on things. He believed that everything the Archaeologists had discovered was false and only he knew the true history of the place. He told us how he believed that Palenque had been visited and invaded by many different peoples over its history such as the Chinese, Greeks and Egyptians. He claimed that Tutankhamun himself visited the site. He bases this belief on a statue found at the site that he believes bears a similarity to the Egyptian emperor:

[![photo-85](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-85.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733451331031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Regardless I had a good time running up and down the ruins and generally messing about.

[![photo-96](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-96.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733449741031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-97](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-97.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733449916031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we found ourselfs at a small town called Meridia. We spent just a single night at this small colonial town. We didnt do a whole lot, though our hotel did have an inside jungle..

[![photo-107](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-107.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733452481031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. and apparently it had a possum somewhere ..

[![photo-106](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-106.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733452496031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

The next day we hit the very wet Chicken Pizza (Chichen Itza)

[![photo-116](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-116.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733453266031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

Despite the rain we tried to keep spirits up in front of one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world

[![photo-118](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-118.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151733455151031&set=a.10151733427046031.1073741837.593661030&type=3&theater)

We were all kind of wet and miserable after Chicken Pizza but all was not lost as we knew that the next stop on our adventure was going to be the sun, sand and fiesta at Playa del Carma!

![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screenshot_021.png)

Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - Guadalajara to Mexico City](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like



Following on from the LA to Mazatlan, we began to head into mainland Mexico. The next stop on our journey was second largest city in Mexico Guadalajara. The first night there we hopped on the 'party bus' bound for the ever popular Mexican wrestling.

[![photo-150](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-150.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708376546031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

Im not usually one for WWE but I totally loved this. It could have had something to do with the incredible energy in the place or the extra large beers I was chugging, either way I totally loved every second of it. I joined in the chanting even though I had no idea what I was shouting at the people on the other side of the stadium.

At times I couldnt work out what to look at, what was going on in the ring or what was going on in the crowd. Talking about the ring, there were some really strange things going on in there. There were men dressed as Predator, there was a bloke mincing around grabbing the other competitors asses, there was a huge fat guy wearing fairy wings, there was a midget / child that was was thrown around the ring at the other competitors. Unfortunately I didnt take my camera so couldnt get any pictures to prove any of this so you will have to just take my word for it.

Of all the competitors my favourite (and incidently the only one I could catch the name of because the crowd kept chanting his name) was Mistico.

[![photo-152](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-152.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708376631031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

He was incredibly acrobatic jumping and flipping about all over the place. After the fight I felt that I just had to get a souvenir:

[![photo-154](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-154.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708377486031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the fight the energy levels were high, we drove around in the party bus dancing and drinking while DJ Fantashtic (not his real name) spun out the marimba tunes

[![photo-159](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-159.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708378466031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

The next day we hopped on a bus bound for Tequila (the place not the drinl). We took a tour around a distillery and learnt how the drink goes from the heart of the Agave plant..

[![photo-166](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-166.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708380271031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. gets fermented...

[![photo-168](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-168.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708381031031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. then distilled into pure Tequila

[![photo-171](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-171.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708381611031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the tour we had a little tasting session and learnt about the different types of Tequila. Tequila Blanco comes straight from the distillery, gets watered down a little to bring it in the 38-40% range and sold. This stuff tastes most like the Agave plant and has a very strong pure taste to it.

The usual stuff you see in England is the gold Tequila that just the white Tequila but aged in oak casks for a number of years. The longer you age it the softer tasting Tequila you get as the drink absorbs colours and flavours from the oak. I personally preferred the softer aged stuff much more.

[![photo-178](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-178.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708383601031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

On the way back to the hostel we stopped off in an Agave field for a group photo, these plants were much bigger and sharper than I expected, particularly when they are digging into your back:

[![photo-185](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-185.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708385236031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening a few of us took a trip to downtown Guadalajara.

[![photo-193](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-193.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708388316031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

Many of the buildings have a very European / French feel to them, this apparently is largely due to the Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz in the late 1800's who had a thing for everything French.

We also met up with Suzanne's (our trek leader) friend Nerio..

[![photo-201](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-201.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708389911031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. who was kind enough to donate me his Mistico keyring ..

[![photo-194](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-194.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708388036031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. which is now attached to my backpack :)

The following day we found ourselfs in the incredibly picturesque town of Guanajato. Set onto the side of a hill with small streets winding chaotically between colourful buildings you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy or the south of France.

[![photo-251](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-251.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708403931031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

While there we soaked up the atmosphere around the central Plaza or Zocaro..

[![photo-213](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-213.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708394041031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. ate some great food ..

[![photo-209](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-209.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708392536031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. and drank some cold beers

[![photo-221](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-221.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708396156031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

In the evening we went on a tour around the city with a traditional band / theatre company. At the start they gave us small pewter containers that we had no clue to their purpose until near the end when they were filled with orange juice and we were told to long-arm them into our mouth as part of a ceremony.

[![photo-227](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-227.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708397171031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

Kelsie and I decided to wake up a little earlier the next morning and go and try to get some good photos from the hillside of the beautiful city. Im glad we made the effort as the view was spectacular:

[![photo-254](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-254.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708404491031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

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[![photo-259](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-259.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708405411031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

Our final stop before Mexico city was a small colonial town called San Miguel. This place was like a lesser version of Guanajuato, a beautiful central plaza and colourful buildings but not quite meeting up to the same level as the previous destination.

[![photo-237](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-237.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708400066031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

It did have some nice bars however in particular there was one on the top of a building near the plaza that had a braizier, good cocktails and house music, definitely my cup of tea

[![photo-247](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-247.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708400066031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

The final destination for this part of our journey was the capital of Mexico, Mexico City. Here we said goodbye to two members of our group Madeline and Colette..

[![photo-268](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-268.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708407281031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. and said hello to two new members Simon and Emma.

While there I had one of the best sandwiches I have ever had

[![photo-270](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-270.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708407686031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was called the Milanesa Torta and was stuffed with crumbley beef that just melted in your mouth. Throw a few pickels, jalepenos and mustard on the top and it didnt last long. Infact it was so good we went back and had it again the next day.

[![photo-271](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-271.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708407986031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

Before leaving for this trip I read a few lists of things that you should definitely take with you. One of those things was duct-tape. I was a little dubious at first but im glad I took it as it has come in handy from repairing sandals to securing loose plugs:

[![photo-272](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-272.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708408156031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

While there we visited some of the Aztec ruins right in the centre of the city.

[![photo-282](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-282.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708410911031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-285](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-285.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708411646031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

The last evening of Mexico city we decided to go shopping in the biggest shopping mall in the city. After shopping we grabbed some food in TGI's in the mall, all was going well until disaster strook

[![photo-286](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-286.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708411721031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

A few weeks before leaving for this trip Kelsie had had a bad allergic reaction to something she ate. She was rushed to the hospital, the doctors had to induce a coma so they could get oxygen into her. She almost died as a result. They did a whole battery of tests but couldnt work out what had caused the reaction. The best idea was it was a sudden rection to the fish in the fish and chips she had eaten. She decided that rather than cancel her whole trip she was going to continue on but avoid any fish.

All was going well until she had a chicken salad in TGI's (no fish) when the alergic reaction struck again. This time she was carrying an epi-pen with her so immediately jabbed it in her thigh before legging it into the nearest taxi and we motored at top speed to the hospital. Fortunately this time either the reaction wasnt as strong or the epi-pen lessened the effects but she made it to the hospital still able to breathe.

[![photo-287](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-287.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708411966031&set=a.10151708375871031.1073741836.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was and still is seriously scary though as we have no idea what could have triggered it this time, perhaps the salad dressing? She has bravely decided to continue on with the trip but is being very careful about what she eats. Rice and beans seems to be safe so far.

An interesting end to the first 14 days in Mexico. I have experienced so much already, I cant believe I have another 6 months to go!

![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/screenshot_02.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 – LA to Mazatlan](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=1). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like**

Its been a while since my last post, the past three weeks spent travelling across Mexico have been an intense non-stop tour of northern and western Mexico. The small amount of downtime we have been afforded has usually been spent catching up on much needed sleep.



That being said its been incredible so far, heres the highlights.

The trip kicked off from the Hacienda hotel in LA on the 26th of May.

[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708306186031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

There I met the people I would be spending the next 32 days with. Kelsie, Colette, Madeline, Rosie, Jac, Ralph and one incredible shock, Dan Blackhurst.

[![photo-3](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-3.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708304921031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Incredibly I had met Dan about 10 years ago on a holiday in Lanzarote, he is a friend of a friend and I had no idea he was going to be joining us on the trip, its a small world.

It was a short drive from LA down to San Diego, then a hop across the border at Tijuana and we were in Mexico!

Our first night was in a town an hour or two south of Tijuana called Ensenada. There I spotted something Karl Pilkonton was searching high and low for:

[![photo-6](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-6.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708309516031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That first night we revealed some tension by going for a nice meal, sharing a beer or two and watching the Mexicans celebrate Mexico City América's victory in the Mexican football cup.

The next day was spent in a town called Guerro Negro, south of Ensanada. There some of us took a trip out to a salt farm in the desert. This place was pretty other-worldly:

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-21.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708313181031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-19](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-19.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708312871031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I had a ball:

[![photo-14](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-14.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708311706031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-15](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-15.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708311646031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-20](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-20.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708312971031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Next up was a small town built round an Oasis called San Ignacio. We took a little trip out to see the oasis. The water was really warm and crstal clear.

[![photo-28](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-28.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708316531031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A little around the corner was a small rock that you could only access by a rickety ladder.

[![photo-29](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-29.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708317581031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

There was no way that ladder was going to support us using it to get back, so there was only one thing for it..

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-31.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708317761031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-32](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-32.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708319171031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-33.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708319171031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That afternoon was spent in the hotel pool, splashing about enjoying the sun. Kelsie, had an underwater camera which we had a play with.

[![photo-46](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-46.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708327221031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Had a great time that avo doing what I do best

[![photo-47](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-47.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708329711031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Next up was a town calld Loretto next to the ocean, this place was really cool. Not literally as the temperature was into the 40's luckally there was plenty of shade.

[![photo-51](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-51.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708331796031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

In Loretto a few of us took a boat out to a nearby island and nature reserve. We weren't expecting much, perhaps some fish, the odd turtle. To our great surprise we stumbled upon a massive pod of dolphins:

[![photo-63](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-63.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708335686031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We drove up and down and the dolphins chased us, darting in and out, over and under the boat, I have never seen anything like it before:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4FiMkVPibUI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

After a little while I dived in with flippers and tried to chase them down with the underwater camera but they were too fast for me and I couldn't get any good photos. Still, at times they were very close to me it was incredible.

After that we hopped back in the boat and headed round the coast where we came upon a group of noisy sea lions:

[![photo-68](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-68.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708337366031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was really nervous about getting in the water with these things as they were noisy and smelly and looked a lot more aggressive than the dolphins. The boat captain assured me however that they were safe to swim with so I jumped in.

About 30 seconds after getting in I went under water and came up and this big bugger had disappeared:

[![photo-69](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-69.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708337686031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I couldnt see him anywhere, everyone the boat was pointing behind me so I turned around the next thing I know Rosie sneaks up behind me and grabs my leg scaring the crap out of me.

I spent the next 20 minutes or so chasing after the sea lions trying to get a good photo, they were all around me but the water was kind of cloudy and they were fast making a picture difficult:

[![photo-72](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-72.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708339006031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

I eventually gave up when one of the ones I was chasing let go of his bowels directly in front of me, from then on I decided to take some pictures of more continent sea creatures:

[![photo-77](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-77.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708341586031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

On the way back the captain let Rosie drive the boat:

[![photo-85](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-85.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708344081031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

All was going well until..

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HC50W_PxA4o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Still I had a cracking time that day

[![photo-86](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-86.jpg)](<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HC50W_PxA4o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>)

That evening was spend drinking beer and enjoying the gorgeous sunset:

[![photo-95](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-95.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708346601031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A few days later we found ourselves taking a ferry across from the Baja to mainland Mexico. Before hopping on the ferry however we spotted a big group of manta rays playing and jumping out of the water:

[![photo-99](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-99.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708347491031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

Apparently they do this to clean gunk off themselfs (technical term).

The overnight ferry across was fairly uneventful and boring, there wasn't much to do other than drink beer and take pictures. Here's one of the highlights:

[![photo-115](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-115.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708350201031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

When we finally arrived in Mazatlan we collectively exhaled as this was a place to chill:

[![photo-118](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-118.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708351941031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

During the day we took a boat then a Mexican taxi to the restaurant / beach:

[![photo-119](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-119.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708351891031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-144](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-144.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708361546031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

The water here was super warm. We were meant to go surfing but apparently in the usual surf spot the chances of jellyfish was too high. Instead we all jumped in the water and hired bodyboards and rode some of the surf on our bellys instead:

[![photo-149](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-149.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708362066031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

A coupple of the group hired horses and galloped up and down the beach:

[![photo-148](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-148.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708362061031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening we hopped in another Mexican taxi, picked up some beers and cruised around the town:

[![photo-133](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-133.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708357891031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We stopped up on one of the highest hills surrounding Mazatlan for a quick Pacifico promotional photoshoot:

[![photo-137](/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/photo-137.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151708359116031&set=a.10151708298921031.1073741835.593661030&type=3&theater)

We polished off an incredible day by eating and drinking in the best restaurant of the trip so far.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lejkCYFJH00" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Suzanne our trek leader (the one singing in the above video) got talking to man who turned out to be the ex mayor of the city.

I cant believe all that is less than 10 days of travelling, so much stuff crammed into such a short amount of time, I cant wait to see what the next 10 days brings!

![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_021.png)

Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album The [Trip 2013 – North Carolina](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like



After leaving Chicago behind I was desperately in need of some time to R&R before the Central American leg of my trip began, fortunately I was heading to North Carolina where I would be getting just that.

I arrived into Charlotte early afternoon on the 18th of May, due to the flight being domestic I wasnt hassled at immigration for the first time. David Wilson brother of Martin (my travelling buddy and old friend whom I stayed with in DC) met me at the airport and we headed back to his place. Lindsay his wife was up in the mountains filming so we went out and grabbed a bite to eat and sampled some of the local beers.

[![beerage](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/beerage.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150191031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

I was totally shattered so I went to bed early that night and awoke late the following morning. We had organised to go to Carrowinds, a theme park about 20 minutes away from his home in Charlotte.

[![carrowinds](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/carrowinds.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150181031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

We picked a great day to go as the weather wasnt great but that meant that there were far fewer people there and we were able to go on the rides several times in a row often without queueing.

[![loop](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/loop.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150186031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

One of the best rides was a giant swing that simulated free-fall / hang gliding. You have to wear special harnesses and are winched up to the top of a huge tower. After the count of 3.. 2... 1... you pull the rip cord and fall.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tuS-caaUeKI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I had a great time. We had a go at some of the game stalls during the down time (thunder shuts the rides), David managed to win a basketball and I incredibly managed to remmeber enough of my scool rugby hooker position to throw an american football through a hole and thus win it as a prize.

[![balls](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/balls.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150646031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

All in all a great day

[![sexy](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sexy.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150636031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we woke early, I had a 4 hour train journey to catch to Wilson North Carolina where Lorna (mother of Martin and David) was picking me up and taking me to Greenville, about an hour away from Wilson.

Lorna and Colin live in a beautiful house in Greenville.

[![house](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/house.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150866031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

I had a great time there catching up on some much needed sleep and recharging my batteries. Peter (the youngest son of Lorna and Colin) drove all the way down from his home in the mountains (5 hours away) to come visit me. It was really cool to hang out with him again.

We all went out to get some traditional North Carolina bbq one lunch time. Pulled pork and sweet coldslaw with cornbread. I enjoyed the pork and the coldslaw though the bread was a little tough.

[![pulled pork](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/pulled-pork.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150686031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

Their house had a swimming pool out the back which they very kindly opened early so I could work off some of the callories I had accrewed over the past coupple of weeks of (a little too) tastey American food and beer.

They also still have their elderly gent of a cat Ashley which I remember from the last time I visited 13 years ago.

[![ash](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ash.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666150891031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

After just a few days in Greenville I was off again, taking the train in the rain back to Charlotte.

[![rain](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/rain.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666151061031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

The next day was spent with Lindsay (David's wife) wile David was at work. We decided to head down to the centre of Charlotte where hill billies were gathering for the NASCAR themed Speed Street.

[![speedstreet](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/speedstreet.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666151256031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![car2](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/car2.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666151291031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

There was some interesting tens there where we managed to blag a load of free stuff. There was even a Tony the tiger where I managed to get a GRRRREAT thigh rub.

[![thigh](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/thigh.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666151776031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

I even tried funnel cake for the first time which tasted like donut but nicer.

[![funnel](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/funnel.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666151836031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

Unfortunately that was my last day in North Carolina, my flight the next day was taking me to LA where the Central American leg of my journey would be beginning.

I had a great time in NC and it was exactly what I needed, massive thanks to David, Lindsay, Lorna, Colin and Peter for letting me stay and showing me some of the awesome North Carolina.

[![dave and l](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/dave-and-l.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151666152016031&set=a.10151666149991031.1073741833.593661030&type=3&theater)

![screenshot_08](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_08.png)

_Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 – Chicago](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like_



May the 15th just 8 days after I had started I took a flight from Toronto to Chicago. I was flying into the windy city to see the sights and meet my good uni mate Mark. Mark was due to arrive the following day with a few other friends of his from back in England they were all over here visiting their friend Damien.

I arrived late afternoon and made my way to the hostel I was staying at downtown. This place was quite a change from the hostel in Toronto, it was HUGE. 6 floors of dorms with each dorm being about twice the size of the ones in Toronto. Apparently it is one of the biggest hostels in the world. It felt more like a hotel than a hotel.

That first night I headed north to meet Damien for the first time. We hung out is his local, drinking local beers and Jager (ughh). We went for some food around the corner and I managed to sample Chicago style pizza, which is odd with the tomato and cheese positioning reversed so the cheese is on the bottom with tomato on top. It tasted great still.

The following day I spent downtown doing some touristy things. I visited the flagship McDonalds:

[![macdonalds](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/macdonalds.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154236031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

I spent some time down by the waterfront updating my diary.

[![diarywater](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/diarywater.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154871031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

I saw some wierd mushroom buildings.

[![mushroom](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mushroom.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154281031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

The city was really beautiful, helped by the fact that there was tons of bushes in bloom:

[![bloom](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/bloom.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154891031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening I met up with Mark and the lads and we went out for drinks downtown. I met some more of Damien's friends including a girl named Angee who is Venezuelan and informed me that if I go to Venezuela I am totally going to get mugged / raped, oh joy.

[![angee](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/angee.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154891031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

We went to some really cool bars. One called the Rooftop in the Wit had a violinist who riffed along to the house music that the DJ was spinning out, I was in heaven.

[![violin](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/violin.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656154891031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

Needless to say that was a tough night for the lads with jetag.

[![mark dead](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mark-dead.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3)

The following day we went to watch the Cubs loose to the Mets

[![cubs](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cubs.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656155876031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was fun tho I think I prefer ice hockey over baseball, far more action in hockey. It doesnt help that the wind was really cold making where we were sat in the shade even colder.

[![sat](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sat.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656155921031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

Still, the beer and nachos helped. Mark and Damien even went for the \$18 helmet of them.. mental

[![helm](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/helm.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656156066031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the game we headed across the road to Sluggers, which is a bar with batting nets.

[![nets](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/nets.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656156261031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

That was really good fun, I have always enjoyed getting involved with sports more than watching them. The fastball nets however were really tough. The ball comes at you at about 60mph which is fairly slow compared to the real pitchers, but unlike the real thing you have no clue when the ball is about to leave the machine. Also unlike the real thing your belly is full of beer, making things trickier :P

The rest of the evening was spent getting messy. At one point we spotted a group of people who were taking their parrot for a walk. I dont think I have ever seen more emotional in an animal than this bird. Just by looking at its eyes you could tell what it was thinking, it was really fascinating.

[![parrot](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/parrot.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151656156401031&set=a.10151656151696031.1073741832.593661030&type=3&theater)

A fitting end to to a great stay in the windy city. I rose early the next day to catch a flight to my next destination; North Carolina!

![screenshot_05](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_05.png)

_Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - Toronto](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=1&l=8f6f5e5355). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like_



After a short 3 day stop in[ Washington DC](/posts/the-trip-2013-washington-dc/) next up on my list was Toronto Canada. I knew I had about 5 days to kill following Washington. I had heard from several people that Toronto is a cool city to visit so I thought why not, I wasn't disappointed.

I was nervous arriving as this would be my first time staying in a hostel by myself and thus I wasnt sure how a lot of things worked or whether I would be able to make friends. Fortunately within only a few minutes of arriving I met one of my dorm-mate, a great guy called Heeday.

[![heeday](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/heeday.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648949771031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

He invited me long to a meetup he had organised with a local to Toronto through Couchsurfing. We went down to the distillery district to meet a truly lovely girl named Mindy.

[![mindy](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mindy.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648954091031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

She showed us around and told us a bit more about Toronto and Canada in general. We went to the Mill Street brewery for some beer sampling. They had some odd stuff there like beer soap, which smelt unsurprisingly like beer, not sure why you would want to rub that all over your body.

[![soap](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/soap.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648939636031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

After some beer sampling we headed to an Ethiopian restaurant for some traditional Ethiopian grub. It was tasty tho im not sure I really enjoyed the foamy / sponge like bread that you eat it with.

That evening was spent sipping some local beer and meeting some more of the other residents in the Hostel.

[![comb](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/comb.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648941631031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day Heeday and I headed off to watch the Toronto Marlies play ice hockey.

[![playersonice](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/playersonice.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648946861031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

The game was awesome and we were sat right down on the front row, nearest the action. The game was great, plenty of action and violence.

Its quite a hard game to follow because its so fast and action packed. At one point during the game I lost track of the puck, the next thing I know I feel a sharp pain on my shin. I bend down and pick up a puck. Incredibly the thing had somehow sailed over the barrier without me noticing and hitting me in the leg.

[![legpuck](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/legpuck.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648949146031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![puck](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/puck.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648951396031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening Heeday had organised another meetup with some people that were organizing a Japanese meet and greet. It was an interesting evening talking to a whole bunch of Japanese people tho a lot of work due to their lack of English speaking skills and the volume in the place.

[![heedayandgirl](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/heedayandgirl.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648951816031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

Later in the evening Mindy drove down and met us and we went next door and ate some Korean food which was similar to Vietnamese / Chinese food. We decided to try some Korean wine too which turned out to taste really very strange and when left to stand "looks like spunk".

[![spunkwine](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/spunkwine.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648952331031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day was really cold, it even hailed on Heeday and I as we wondered around town.

[![hal](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/hal.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648965281031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

I managed to get some shots of the CN Tower, the tallest building in Toronto. I even managed to squeeze a thigh rub in

[![thighcn#](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/thighcn.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151648968876031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

We tried to go to the St Laurence Market in Toronto which apparently is one of the biggest food markets in the world. We should however have checked online first as it was closed on Sundays.

That evening was spent in the hostel watching the Toronto Maple Leafs play hockey on TV.

The following day I spent by myself walking around Toronto. I went to a huge LCBO (off license) and bought some wierd and wonderful beers

[![glutenfree](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/glutenfree.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151649028356031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

The next day I woke early with a killer hangover. I forced myself to get up as it was my last day in Toronto and I was going to go and see the Niagra falls. It was definitely worth it as it was an incredible view.

[![falls1](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/falls1.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151649035261031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

I even took a boat trip out right to the edge of the falls and got completely soaked despite the plastic coats they give you.

[![falls2](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/falls2.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151649035106031&set=a.10151648934686031.1073741831.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was a fitting end to an awesome stay in an awesome city. The next up on my trip, Chicago!

![screenshot_02](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/screenshot_02.png)

So my trip has finally started! I have not had anywhere near as much free time thus far as I thought I would have before I left. A great thing as there is no chance of me getting bored, it does however mean that I haven't had time to write the frequent blog posts I had promised.



I have decided to try and write these posts a a sort of slideshow with narrative  Im not sure its the correct format however as it takes quite a while to write each one, so perhaps ill tweak the way I do this as I go along. Each photo taken links back to a publicly available image on facebook so you can like and comment and see a larger version if you wish.

This is just a condensed summary, there are more images in the album [The Trip 2013 - Washington DC](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=1&l=5197ba3b4a)

So I left the UK early on the 7th of May, after saying goodbye to my parents

[![mumanddad](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mumanddad.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640173181031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

I hopped on a train bound for Heathrow. A short 8 hour flight later I arrived in Washington DC where I bummed a bed from my Vietnam travelling buddy Martin

[![martins house](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/martins-house.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640179236031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After a couple of beers at his local my jet-lagged body forced me to bed. The next day Martin went to work leaving me free to head downtown to do a spot of tourism. First up was a park full of wierd and wonderful artwork

[![spider pic](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/spider-pic.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640190041031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![mayan ruins](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mayan-ruins.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640194986031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

it even had a pair of fountain spotters

[![fountain spotters](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/fountain-spotters.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640191006031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the park I took a wander around capital hill

[![capitol hill](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/capitol-hill.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640198656031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

before heading to the botanical gardens

[![botanical](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/botanical.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640212346031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

then the air and space museum

[![spaceship one](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/spaceship-one.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640223256031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After lunch I shimmied over to the Washington monument

[![obelisk](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/obelisk.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640227906031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

then some ducks decided to photo bomb my pic of the Lincon memorial.

[![duck photobomb](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/duck-photobomb.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640231586031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

At about this point it started to rain so I scurried back to the house. That night I went out with Martin and his very lovely girlfriend Kim. We hit one of his local haunts followed by a gig venue. I drank too much as usual and spent most of the next day trying to remember what I had said to people.

The following day I woke and decided to head back to the area I was in the previous day and do the things I missed. First up was The Museum of Natural History. A fascinating place that has everything, including the most badass creature in the ocean

[![mantis shrimp](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/mantis-shrimp.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640234691031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

it even had an indoor butterfly enclosure, gingerly I took photos while trying not to crush the delicate insects

[![butterfly](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/butterfly.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640242761031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the museum I took the short walk over to the Whitehouse for the obligatory pic

[![whitehouse](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/whitehouse.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640243686031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the whitehouse I walked over to the Jefferson memorial and wrote my diary entry before finally heading back.

[![jefferson](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/jefferson.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640246986031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening I went to watch Martins team play local football. Its really interesting how football is taking off in the states, particularly as they play it in mixed sex teams.

[![martins team](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/martins-team.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640247956031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

After the game Kim drove us over to a gig at breakneck speeds, we saw [Sir Sly](https://soundcloud.com/sirsly) warm up for the headline for someone. Even though its not traditionally my sort of music I really enjoyed it and was the perfect end for my rather short stay in DC.

[![night out](/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/night-out.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151640248756031&set=a.10151640158721031.1073741830.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day Martin and Kim were heading down to New Orleans for a stag and hen do so I grabbed a flight to my next destination, Toronto.