World cup of soccer has been a dream come true, a wonderful tournament put on by FIFA and the country of South Africa. I have enjoyed thoroughly the matches, the atmosphere and living with a very kind generous family in Pretoria during the tournament. Our first match was the USA vs England in the city of Rustenburg. What a game! A draw to the delight of many USA fans. The Vuvavella made famous here (loud horn used at matches) created an unforgettable atmosphere. Staying in a camp within a nature reserve was very nice. Had projector and nice television so I was able to watch every match. My cousin and I camped with Timmy D from Canada, and Redman from the UK who just completed volunteer work together in Madagascar. On the 5th night in Rustenburg ... read more

I am sitting in a relaxing hostel in the coastal city of Maputo, Mozambique commited to a day of catching up. Wash some laundry, do some typing and make some good food today. The last month has been a whirlwind of excitement going from location to location seeing southern Africa. I am nearly a month behind on my updates. Those that get my cousin Justin's blog have been more frequently updated. If you would like to join his blog just Google Justin Hintz travel blog and his link will show up, or http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/JJH99/ then subscribe. Computer time for me has been a least priority with so much going on around me. I will attempt to do a summary of all the places I have been with highlights and some photos, to catch up before the upcoming ... read more

If you like big cities you'll love Buenos Aires along with loads of tourist that arrive every year. It's got the personality of a playful youth with the sophistication of a fine wine. ( a favorite beverage in all of argentina) Buenos Aires city known for steaks and tango has much to offer even to a wandering vegetarian that doesn't dance much. The city has many public parks, large art filled plazas, unique neighborhoods with differing personalities. There's a large cafe scene with nightlife galore that pumps until the sun comes up. A city of atleast 10 million, I truly enjoyed Buenos Aires, there is to much to do or see in the total of two weeks I was there. I will describe some of the highlights while in the city that never sleeps. As ... read more

The city of El Clafate, Argentina attracts tourists of all kinds for its famous Perito Moreno glaciar nearby in the Glaciar Natianal park. The park is home to over 300 glaciers. The Perito Moreno glaciar is very accesable with look out paths and platforms with great close up viewings of the active glaciar. It is one of the only glaciars in the park that is stable or even growing. While the rest are suffering from warmer temperatures in the last several decades which is increasing their melting rate. Perito Moreno glaciar dramatically has house size pieces of ice break off, and fall into the lake below. The scene is very interesting displaying large splashes and the unique colors of different sides of the fallen iceburg as it slowly surfaces. I found most interesting the sound ... read more

As I continue to head south from my origin in Lima, I left Santiago´s big city life for the village feel of Pucon, Chile. A town for everybody, with the back dròp of the towering Volcan Villarrica looking over the city, and the lago of the same name at the edge of the small town. Activities are plenty from volcano trekking, summer snowboarding, climbing, hiking through multiple natianal parks, horse back riding, mountain biking. The water sports included kayaking, paddle boat, swimming, parasailing, jet ski, sailing, boating, canyoning, and whitewater rafting. I took part in the exellent rafting, which included some falls, a class V rapid that the guides only ran, and a 20 ft jump into the river to meet up with boats. All in chilly clear water, while'passing through semitropical forest and views ... read more