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CENTRAL AMERICA

Central America - - view all photos -- view diary
I arrived here by 74ft yacht from Cartagena, Columbia. Now foraging around in Panama tying up loose ends and building a database of information to assist with the future months of exploration. If anyone has any recommendations of worthy caves, abandoned dirt roads, shark feeding bays, base jumping opportunities, or anything that may increase my heart beat but not quite kill me in the process I would appreciate. Email me here

Belize - - view photos - - view diary

Guatemala - - view photos - - view diary

El Salvador - - view photos - - view diary

Honduras - - view photos - - view diary

Nicaragua - - view photos - - view diary

Costa Rica - - view photos - - view diary
Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronic exports.
The most gringo riddled country I have had the pleasure of visiting thus far.

Panama - - view photos - - view diary
In 1903 Panama signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by December 1999. More information later...

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SOUTH AMERICA

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South America - - view all photos - - view diary
15months, over 70,000 land and sea kilometres (more than 7,000kms on over 50 boats), crossing thousands of rivers, passing 15 countries, bouncing over the Andes, cruising the Caribbean, rolling around the Bays of Rio De Janeiro, penetrating the southern most point in the world Cape Horn, passing wild pumas in the forests of Guyana, floating from the Ecuadorian Andes to the mouth of the Amazon with my bike in tow, performing two engine rebuilds in Bolivia and Venezuela and other such things... I have almost killed my bike. It cries every day. But it still moves, so theres a positive for you.

Columbia - - view photos - - view diary
Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand, austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflict, but seems poised for recovery. I love Colombia. They are some of the most sincere, helpful and considerate people I have ever met. Phenomenal natural scenery, cheap travel, fantastic historical architecture and a positive environment. At heart these people are lovers of life, not fighters of war. They just do what they have to do to survive. If you visit South America Colombia should definately be included in your adventure.

Venezuela - - view photos - - view diary
In the early 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: a polarized political environment, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. Images of Chavez their president, ponder your future from most walls. Venezuela is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. It is a modern and expanding country with a huge tract of the Amazon rising up from the south. Great place, just try to avoid the touristy parts. From what I saw beer is more popular than water.

Guyana - - view photos - - view diary
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s it was ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. The local people speak English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Hindi and Urdu. Over 30% of the population is Hindu.
I have never met so many Rastafaris in my life. Favourite pickup line.. You got sumwun ta share dat pineapple witd? First place I have ever seen a Puma in its natural environs. Mind boggling virgin rainforest and reggae music.

Suriname - - view photos - - view diary
Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. In 1989, the military overthrew the civilian government, but a democratically-elected government returned to power in 1991.

Growing transhipment point for South American drugs destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing.

Christmas was spent in the capital, Paramaribo, relaxing in a small white single windowed room with Hayley, a green plastic Christmas tree, silver tinsle and various newspaper wrapped presents out the back of a small Javanese
restuarant near the town centre.

French Guiana - - view photos - - view diary

First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou.

A well-known survivor of its cells Papillon, wrote an awesome book about life on the inside. I read it once, then it slid through four different brains. I read it once more and have since discarded the book pages at a time throughout various parts of the Guyana's. I still have 97 pages left.

Over 90% of the land is forest and its population is 191,309 (2004 est.)

It has 722kms of paved road and 3760kms of navigatable waterway