Lakes and Volcanoes

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Hi all

Its been another furious two weeks since the last blog. We basically changed groups for the second part of the tour in Antigua, where amazingly, there was more welsh on the tour than any other nationality! Now people say its a small world, and its always pretty weird when you meet somebody abroad who knows the same people as you. But I´d say its very bloody weird when you meet somebody in Guatemala who says they have a photo of your dad on their mantlepiece!!!! So it seems that Kate from Crickhowell´s Dad (Morning Uncle Ken!), works with my Dad up in Brecon. Small bloody world!!! So Major Jackson, I´m afraid that as my budget dwindles, I may be forced to post some questionable photos online of your daughter unless we can reach some agreement. (Only kidding. Your daughter has been the model of morality and has done the Jackson name proud!)

Anyway, in two weeks, we´ve basically been through the remainder of Guatemala, Honduras, the Bay Islands, Nicaragua and now we´re in Costa Rica!!! It´s not really been as impressive as Mexico and Guatemala as there has been more travelling time but there has still been loads of great experiences.

So after Antigua, we travelled to Copan in Honduras to visit more ruins. The place wasn´t as impressive as Palenque or Chitchen Itza and we kind of had the same adage 'You´ve seen one, you´ve seen them all!'What we did go to was a local orphanage. A couple of us bought them some food and essentials and spent about two hours with them. Now most of you who know me know would that I´m not a man of great sentiment, but we both found it a really humbling experience. Despite the appalling conditions and lives that the kids had had up to then, they were they happiest kids I´d ever seen! I tell you what, they could teach some of the scrotes at home a little something. In fact I think that some of their english was better as well!!! Nadine nearly got trampled as she was handing out lollipops, and I nearly had a nervous breakdown as 6 five year old kids fought over my camera to take my picture. Try smiling for that photo!?

Off then to Roatan Island, 50 miles off the coast of Honduras in the Carribean. It was the setting for Temptation Island for those that know and is the cheapest place to do diving in the world. Wonderful setting where we snorkelled 50m of the beach over the coral reef. The only problem is thats all there is to do there, so we were pleased to leave after three days. Plus Nadine was freaking as Cockroaches were climbing out of the shower all the time and yours truly was fed up of the screaming and chasing them around!

After Roatan, it was fairly uneventful up until Granada (Nicaragua), where we did rainforest Canopy ziplining. 40m above the ground you basically repel along these wires through the rainforest checking out monkeys and the like. It was great fun although Nadine screamed so loud, that the howler monkeys thought mating season had come early! She wasn´t best pleased when she was told that once you had done the first one, there was no other way down, but 11 ziplines and one pair of knickers later, we both made it down in one piece!!!

So we´re in Costa Rica now in La Fortuna. Volcan Arenal is here, and hopefully, if its a clear night, we´ll be able to see it erupting and lava pouring down the sides. We are gonna walk up part of it tomorrow to some hot springs with a swim up bar (lifes a bitch, but someone has got to do it)

So all in all, Central America has been great and hugely surpassed our expectations. The people here are amazingly friendly and only once have ´we felt unsafe (Nicaragua Capital City bus station) but we ´ve probably got as much chance getting mugged in Victoria Station!
Mexico and Guatemala have definitely been real highlights and would recommend it to anyone.

Thats all for now, my chilled beer under the volcano is calling me!

Lots of love

Stu and Nadine

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Photos

Volcano at Masaya National Park
Anyone got any marshmallows?

One for you Uncle Ken!
The Welsh Posse living it up in Nicaragua

Copan Orphanage
Nadine plays Willy Wonka at the orphanage!

Copan Orphanage
The kid on the right is auditioning for Austin Powers 4: ´Mini-me´s revenge!

Roatan Island
Nadine and Kylie (Aussie!) snorkelling over the reef

Canopy Tour in Nicaragua
Mmmmm! So that´s what fear smells like!

Roatan Island
Sunset over the infinity pool

Copan Orphanage
Happy Chappy!

Costa Rica
If you zoom in there´s a hummingbird. There a bugger to photo as they dont keep still!

Roatan Island
Enjoying the sunset!

Comments

[Irene and Rob]

Still wish we were there
Great to hear from you, pleased to here you are having a good time. Take care of yourselves. xx

[Chriss and Phill]

Now beginning to get jealous!!!
So glad to hear you are both well and enjoying the experience. Really envy you the experience with the orphanage Nadine, as you say has the effect of being very humbling. We look forward to hearing the updates of your travels - almost feels as if we are also travelling (well kind of). Take good care of yourselves and continue to enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Wales is managing without you both (just). Ciao for now Chriss and Phill

[Claire B]

Hi guys so glad you are both having a fab time, I know hearing about S America is going to make me want to go again, more than I do now!!!!! pictures ae great will fill you in on the news form 'church Aston' in a email take care both and continue to have loads of fun.