Miami

The city, being situated on a number of little islands as well as the mainland offers some stunning views, especially from the many connecting bridges. The downtown is not the most spectacular but therefore the residential neighbourhoods are all the
nicer with palm trees running along the streets and avenues. But it's really all about chilling at the beach and in the warm ocean and the conditions could not be better.

Lima

I went to visit a poor suburb in the cold hills outside the city with a Pastor I met on the bus to Peru. A bunch of little kids took me around the neighbourhood and showed me their houses. I many cases they could hardly be called houses yet the kinds were some of the happiest kids I have ever seen.

Somewhere in Peru

On my long bus trip through long stretches of Peru the buss past some amazing desert scenery. We had the ocean and beaches to one side for hours non stop with nothing else around for most of the time. There were a total of four people on the beaches.

Quito

I went to see the capital of Ecuador which has a good mix of old and modern, the former being the prettier and more interesting of course. A lot of the big old buildings are very nicely lit up at night.

Middle of the world

Took a bus the equator and the centre of the world as it is called. Not too spectacular really but one of the things that have to be done. Standing on the equator isn't something you get to do too often and it's kind of a strange idea.

The south of Colombia

The mountains in the south of Colombia can be quite terrifying because of the narrow gravel roads twisting their way past deep drops. But the view was spectacular none the less.

San Agustin

I visited an archiological sight in San Agustin where there are loads of monumental stone statues along a trail. When a bunch of nearby Colombian tourists heard I was from Ireland they asked for a picture with me and so I posed with the entire family in front of some of the stone statues.

Bogota

Then it was the capital Bogota where I went to see the gold museum, supposed to be a highlight but really boring. I also visited a host of other, far more interesting museums which are all near the hostel in the really nice old part of the city.
One evening I joined a group from the hostel to go and see a football match - Bogota against Cali - and we were on the Cali side which turned out to be the winning side. The atmosphere was great with the fans singing non stop throughout the match.

One afternoon I went on an hours hike 500m up a mountain to a church to catch the view from the top.

Medellin

The next stop was Medellin a city in the mountains and running off one of the surrounding mountains I paraglided down into the city and crash landed nearly hitting a goat. The cab driver that then took us to the station was not very happy about the mud left behind on the seat I'd been sitting. In the evening we took a cable car up another mountain over the poorer and rougher areas and we were recommended or rather warned not to get out. And so we didn't.

Cartagena

The old town of Cartagena is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen. Narrow streets pass the colourful houses with churches and cathedrals popping up in between and there is a most pleasant atmosphere.

San Blas Islands

About 8 hours of sailing the Caribbean got us to the San Blas islands. Absolute paradise with loads of tiny islands amongst the small islands. Some only had one palm tree on them, that's how small they were. One lonely island I swam too had a massive turtle shell on it. Did some snorkeling too and some of the other lads hunted the dinner with a spear gun.

Panama

When I got to Panama after that long bus trip I had to of course see the famous Panama Canal which was impressive and I was told I was lucky to see so many ships pass through. I also visited the old city and some ruins before making my way to the Portobello to board the sailing boat Da Capa.

Costa Rica

Took the Tica bus to San Jose the capital of Costa Rica. It´s a pretty big city and not the prettiest but I had already been told that. Somehow I liked it anyway.
The best thing here though was the bungee jump by Naranjo about 40 km outside the city. An 80m drop from an old bridge over a stream full of rocks but I guess at that height it doesn´t matter what´s beneath you. Anyway, it was pretty awesome!!!

Nicaragua

I took a few buses to the capital Managua which doesn't offer many cultural sights but I passed some spectacular scenery on the way.
Then I moved on to Granada which is really pretty and relaxing and very comfortable to walk around.

El Salvador

I briefly visited El Salvador which from what I heard is the most dangerous country in Central America and have to say that the people there were probably the nicest. When leaving a bus the conductor will usually ask where you`re going next and give directions.
One guy not only took a great amount of time explaining that that same bus I was on was going where I was going - a long time because they talk faster there than anywhere else too - but when he left the bus to get water for himself and the driver he brought back a bag of water for me too and wouldn't let me give him the money for it.

Utila Island, Honduras

Did my PADI in Utila Island, one of the Bay Islands. It was a bit like being back at school with part of the course taking place in a classroom in addition to all the diving of course. The best thing was that I got to see a turtle, twice!

Caye Caulker, Belize

Really enjoyed the relaxed ways of on the Belize island Caye Caulker. Hearing the weird English they speak there was kind of funny. And on the island there were no cars, only golf buggies, pretty cool!

Tikal, Guatemala

I booked the sunrise tour to Tikal, the ancient Mayan city. From the top of one of the many temples we could hear the birds and monkeys wake up and the little monkeys actually made quite a lot of noise. Then the guide took us around to all the temples for a couple of hours and told us all about them, the ancient civilization and showed us many of the animals living there and told us all about them. The whole place which is in a massive jungle is most impressive.

San Cristobal de las Casas

Not as elaborate as Oaxaca but far more colourful. The narrow cobblestone roads really added to the atmosphere.

Oaxaca y Monte Alban

A really fancy, relaxed town with some amazing old architecture and some interesting colours too.

And then a bus ride away were the ancient ruins in Monte Alban which were very impressive. Just after leaving the skies went dark and it poured down and we were absolutely drenched.

Mexico City

Mexico City is a really cool and massive city with loads of parks, great architecture and a lot of displayed art in the streets. I went to see the gondolas in Xochimilco and visited a cathedral and a sinking church near a pretty cool market. And I of course had a ride in one of the famous green Beetle taxis. We actually squeezed in 6 people and there is no front seat.
I also went on a day trip to see the Pyramids in Teotihuacan an hour away.

Monterrey

I got my first taste of Mexico here in the city of the mountains as is also called. In a park I saw some traditional Mexican dance performances with all the fancy outfits.
I also went for a walk through the poor areas in the hills and saw all the basic houses in all the ugly colours you can imagine. And there are so many car wrecks around, all smashed up and some even with bullet holes. The higher I went the more dense and poor and uncomfortable it got, especially when people kept shouting 'gringo' after me.