Getting into it

Mexico - Guatemala

8am, 11th June 2013. Wake up feeling incredibly sore, sick and sorry for myself in Tulum, Mexico. A bottle of rum the night before with Clay my new American buddy turned out to be more trouble then I imagined. Lesson 1 - never do sit ups just before bed when you`re drunk. Woke up the next morning feeling like I had ripped my stomach open, apparently just because you feel like you can do thousands when you´re drunk doesn't mean you actually can. Packing my bag that morning consisted of me folding up 1 t-shirt, sitting down on bed for 5 minutes. Putting t-shirt in bag, laying down for 3 minutes. Folding up shorts, lying on floor for 4 minutes.... you get the picture, I was in agony as well as having a hangover. Finally get my bag packed and rush to meet up with the group just as everyone is walking out to taxis to get to the bus station. Still feeling like shit and have to get some girls to carry my backpack. Get on the bus towards the Belizean border which is about a 4 hour bus ride. Everything is finally good, I´m on the bus and we´re on our way. Lesson 2 - Always remember to check your hotel safe before checking out, even when in pain. Turns out I was lucky enough to be able to return to Tulum to check out the sights again as I had left my passports there and wouldn´t be entering Belize that day. Had to finish the 4 hour bus ride to the border then get on another 4 hour bus back to Tulum. Return to hotel and get passport. Sit in town for 8 hours waiting for next bus back to border at midnight. Catch express bus that actually takes me over the border at about 4am, continue onto Belize City where I arrive about 6:30am. Wait for 8am ferry to the island we are staying at, eventually catch up with my group at 9am, 24 hours later and well and truly ready for bed.
This is just one of the many highlights on the last couple of weeks.

Passport mishap aside I´m still having a ball. Travelling with and meeting heaps of great people and going to some amazing places. Beaches along the Yucatan Peninsula, English speaking Belize where the locals are great fun, Caya Caulker which is a tropical island just off the coast of Belize City, Mayan ruins, cave exploring, hot springs, a jungle resort and heaps more. Have just arrived in Panajachel, Guatemala after a homestay with a local family which was a great experience. Leaving for Antigua tomorrow morning. Enjoy the photos.

Chichen Itza, one of the "New" 7 wonders of the world

 

 

Swimming and snorkelling in the Grand Cenote

 

Paradise Beach near Tulum

 

 

Sunset cruise on a sailboat at Caya Caulker

 

 

Our jungle resort in Rio Dulce

 

Spanish fort built in the 1500's which we kayaked to from the resort above

 

Making tortillas with my homestay family

 

Mama & Papa and grandchildren above

 

more...

 

Viva la Mexico

Not kidnapped yet

 

Been on the road for 2 weeks now and have loved every last minute of it. Its kind if sad that I've only got another 18.5 months to go...

Haven't been mugged, shot, tortured or abused in Mexico at all yet so its all going pretty well. The people are friendly, the food is great and everything is dirt cheap. Only real downside has been a few drops of rain in the evenings, mostly due to it being wet season.

San Cristobel was lucky enough to receive 10 months rain in the 2 days we were there, don't think I've seen such constant heavy rain before. Better get used to it I suppose. Have just arrived in Playa del Carmen which is just south of Cancun, USAs version of Bali for us. Beach, bikinis and lots of mojitos.

 

Hierve el Agua & the pools above

 

Another hard days work

Mexican wrestling aka Nacho Libre + a midget

 

Ruins at Palanque

 

Sumidero Canyon 1km high

 

more...

Have discovered that I cant upload pictures onto my blog using my tablet so the updates here may be a little sporadic. Hope you're all having fun back in reality.

Pre-departure

21st May 2013

Hundreds of days waiting, hundreds or hours planning, its finally time to get out of here. Another cancellation last week on part of my trip but it has been all patched up, similar route just with another company and moved a few things around but it has all worked out. Have moved out of my flat in Ascot Vale and am back in Bendigo with family for my last few days before flying out.

Thanks to everyone who attended my Going Aways, you must be getting sick of them by now but you put in a good effort and it means a lot to me.

Packing up Munro St

 

19 Months worth of belongings

 

 

 



Fly out for Mexico City early Friday morning, next 2 months in Central America, gonna be tough.

 

For all you people that have told me "I wish I could do what you're doing" I have some words of wisdom for you:

 

 

 

 

 

 Plan ahead;

Do it!

 

"Because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the

office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddman mountain."



 

April 2012 - In the beginning

This blog has been created to record and document the events that occur throughout my 18 month journey around the world. I don't expect anybody to read each and every update, I am making this mainly as a diary for myself but also for anyone wanting to keep an eye on where I may currently be and what I'm up to.

"I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it"

Enjoy - Matt

24th April 2012

Have just booked the first leg of my world trip starting in March 2013. This trip has been about 3-4 years in the making and has got progressively bigger as the years passed. As many people close to me know I caught a pretty severe case of the travel bug in my early 20's after my first trip overseas to Europe which pretty much ended in disaster after a car prang in northern Scotland. Ever since then I have pretty much worked to save for the next trip, rinse and repeat. Can't wait to be travelling again.

3rd April 2013

Before the trip has even begun I have had to endure 2 false starts with trips being cancelled due to low numbers. This has just added to my resolve and determination to actually get on the road and back to where I feel I really belong. The trip has snowballed into 18 months encompassing 66 countries, 60 of which I have not yet visited. Departure is now May 2013.

The majority of my trip will now be on 2 overland tours. Here are some rough maps of where my trip as planned will take me:

Starting in Central America for 2 months

Some time in the USA

 

And heading home via the scenic route

The actual route may end up being a bit different but that's half the fun of travelling.




Farewell, au revoir, arrivederci and adios. May you still recognise me when I return home half the weight but twice the person!