Chris E.

LB2

Chris E.

Traveler, Husband, Father, Football fan (soccer), Airplane designer, Born in England, Live near Seattle.

Visited Countries Map




North America » United States » Washington » Kenmore July 6th 2011

Posted after we got back, this is the route of all the places we went, not too far away from our original plan. Here is our itinerary: Jan 4 Leave Seattle Jan 5 Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando Jan 6 - Mar 15 Costa Rica Mar 17–Mar 26 Ecuador Mar 26–Apr 16 Peru Apr 18–Apr 21 England Apr 21-Jun 1 Spain, Portugal Jun 2–Jun 18 Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, France Jun 18–July 5 England, Scotland July 6 Return to Seattle By the numbers: 16 countries visited (including Belgium where I stepped off the train for about 5 seconds) Over 30,000 miles traveled 16 flights with 6 different airlines 10 cars rented Over 100 taxi rides 15 train rides Over 100 different accommodations 6 cameras Over 70,000 photos ~600 miles walked 184 days, about 40 of ... read more

North America » United States » Washington » Kenmore July 6th 2011

Back in Seattle after over six months away - arrived to a beautiful sunset over the Sound and Olympic mountains and Mount Rainier was out to greet us. After all this travel, remembering what an amazing place this is and how lucky we are to live here.... read more
Arrival at Seatac

South America » Peru » Lima » Lima » Miraflores April 16th 2011

Best part of the trip in my view: Cusco Machu Picchu Lake Titicaca Arequipa Colca Canyon Lima Magnificent scenery, history, culture, traditions and people. Need to write down the memories before they disappear....... read more

South America » Ecuador » West » Guayaquil March 26th 2011

Last day in Ecuador after 9 amazing days exploring the "Avenue of the Volcanoes" Highlights included: Standing on the Equator on March 20, one day before the Equinox - sun was right overhead. The irony of being 50 miles south of the Equator, 15,000 feet above sea-level and throwing snowballs at each other (Cotapaxi). Visiting an indigenous market full of textiles and crafts on Market day (Otavalo). Relaxing in thermal baths heated by a nearby active volcano (aptly named Banos) Eating some of the best (tasty and cheap) food on our whole trip (Posado del Arte hotel in Banos and El Jardin restaurant in Cuenca) Driving through scenery that makes the Lake District look amateur by comparison (Riobambo - Alausi) Riding on the Devil´s Nose train named by the engineers that built it as the most ... read more


Last day in Costa Rica and how to sum it all up? I had a perfect paragraph composed on the bus but now that I am actually writing, I can’t remember how I summed up ten weeks in a few sentences. It probably listed a few of the highlights like white-water rafting and the Chocolate Tour this weekend, maybe mentioned the amazing experience we all had at the Colegio Santa Teresa for four weeks, where the staff and the students were so good to us and it was very hard to leave. We’ll never forget Ana, our host mother and her son Kenneth, especially after this evening when Ana invited her whole family (four sisters and a great many nieces and nephews) to her house to meet us and wish us well on our travels. Her ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » Alajuela February 25th 2011

For the record, this is the first entry of our trip, but we will go back and fill in what we have done so far. Current status - living with our host family in Alajuela, attending Colegio Santa Teresa, a private school (K-12) where the boys are taking classes in Spanish and English (and wearing smart uniforms) and Dianne ad Chris are volunteering doing whatever is needed. Chris is at home for the third day in a row after a stomach upset and so has been unable to deliver his presentation on airplanes that he has been preparing for the last couple of weeks. Oh well. Rory has also missed three days of school and has gone to the doctor, who thinks he has strep throat as well as an upset stomach that had him worshipping ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » Alajuela February 14th 2011

Four weeks at a private school just outside Alajuela. Boys attended classes, some in English, some in Spanish, made some great friends and played soccer. Chris helped in the High School English classes, Dianne helped in the Elementary school and preschool, teaching first grade and helping evaluate the teachers. All this time (including previous two weeks while at ICLC), we were staying with a wonderful host mother and her son in Alajuela. She cooked and cleaned our clothes and made us feel so welcome in her home - genuine Tico hospitality. ... read more
Colegio Santa Teresa


Sunday trip to the Poas Volcano. Very wet and windy, didn't see much except Dianne's poncho flying into the forest, ripped off by the strong wind. ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » Alajuela February 12th 2011

Park dedicated to preserving biodiversity. Spiders, snakes, scorpions, sloths, caiman, iguanas. Very interesting and well presented. Good tour, decent restaurant.... read more

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica » Alajuela » Alajuela January 30th 2011

Boys taking Spanish classes with Gloria and several local boys who want to improve their English. Chris taking beginning Spanish with Xinia and Audry. Dianne helping around the school. ... read more




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