Ongoing nsr TR: Taking the tribe across the other Americas
Life gave us a window so my wife and I are taking our 4 and 2 year olds on a long "backpacking" trip. Chose Central and South America because we have never been there and also want to learn Spanish. Goal is to stretch severance payment received from prior employer by seeing cheaper places in the world rather than squandering around NYC. Unfortunately no uber cheap hostels or treehouses in the jungle for us due to better sense from my other half, but few if any pricy resorts either. Spent a crap load of time outfitting for 6 months living from two backpacks for four humans but damn we still have too much stuff... Nebulize this!
We started the other day in Bay Islands, Honduras. One way flight for 12,500 United miles, NICE. Flew from EWR into Roatan and ferried over to Utila, where my wife and sis are getting their open water dive cert at UDC. Pretty cheap for that here. Heading for a week on Little Cay, can't wait to report back on this one. It's our own island for cheap. If I see bonefish near there so help us flyfishing mags.
Internet is spotty so sorry for being light on pics tonight but I'll get them up as we travel. Want to share our journey, unsmart decisions made, and the conservation and sustainability issues I come across as that will hopefully become my new career. Also will have travel questions along the way the collective always knocks out of the park.
Itinerary so far:
Newark
Utila (Mango Inn)
Little Cay (private island)
Roatan (Hutton House in Oak Ridge and Caribe Tesoro resort in West Bay)
Costa Rica (Ecolodge San Luis in Monteverde and then someplace with Spanish school and daycare)
Chile (Patagonia by early March hopefully for trout fishing and sight seeing)
After that TBD although Galapagos is in the back of our minds
Expect to return early July
Lesson of the day: don't let your little girl stand on the dinner chair while trying to put on the baby sling. Man I suck, she fell and hit her head. While she is alright it is terrifying.
Parenting win of the day: caught a gecko for my son to hold. The lizard was very slow and basically mailing it in. Released unharmed I think.
Questions of the night: Looking for a cheapish west coast town in Costa Rica for Spanish lessons including kids or with good daycare. Thinking two weeks and hopefully a VRBO be for under $100 per so we can cook. Brief effort shows schools in Tamarindo and Nosara seem to have that. Surfing not a priority for us regrettably. Budget, proximity to wildlife, good food, and family to stuff most important. Tarpon and snook a bonus.
Has anyone speared a Lionfish? Would you do it again? That seems big here.
Ongoing nsr TR: Taking the tribe across the other Americas
Adventure comes in many forms
Good parents give experiences
Good job to you both and your kids!
Ongoing nsr TR: Taking the tribe across the other Americas
Not fighting with your wife is always a good move. Good choice!
Your CR trips sounds great. Hope it all goes well.
I'm not a big fan of Lima and try to miss it whenever I can. I'm not a city person but find it especially unpleasant.
Lake Titicaca (~12,000 ft) is higher than Cusco (~11,000)/ Machu Picchu (~8,000). Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley are so awesome they are worth visiting. If you go, fly to Cusco and then go straight to the Sacred Valley, maybe Ollantaytambo to acclimatize. There are awesome ruins there and it is a cool place to hang for a few days. Then go to Machu Picchu and end in Cusco.
I used to guide treks in Torres del Paine (mid to late 90's) so have spent some time there. Puta Anus is not my favorite place haha, and I wouldn't spend to much time there. I think Torres del Paine is worth visiting as you will see guanacos, rheas (ostrich relatives), condors, and with a weather break great views. The lakes are beautiful and the peaks are stunning if you see them. Even if not it is cool. Hiking is definitely best but you can enjoy it without hiking. Maybe take turns watching the kids while the other hikes to the base of the towers. Take a boat out onto Lago Grey and cruise past icebergs and check out the face of the glacier.
Disclaimer: All suggestions/advice are based on adult travel more than kid travel, as I haven't traveled to these destinations with kids. Plus, all kids are different so I won't presume to have any idea how any of this would go over with your kids. Listen to your wife and do what she suggests. Haha.
Have fun and let us know how it goes!