Posts

Heading back to Chile and Argentina!

Image
 Saturday I leave for a month of travel and adventure!  This trip came together for three reasons: Our daughter Margo has been studying in Valparaiso, Chile since July.  Noel hasn't been to South America and decided it was time, so we'll visit Margo for Thanksgiving. 4.5 years ago I made some friends in Patagonia who live near Valparaiso and others who live in Salta, Argentina.  I'm looking forward to seeing them again! Hmmm, Salta's in NW Argentina and the Atacama is in N Chile.  Looks like a cool bike ride over 15000' through a spectacular area.  Guess it's time to ride over the high Andes 😁 I'll be back before Christmas and even get a short stop in Lima on the return.  

Travel, reentry and reflections

Image
  Getting home went smoothly, but it sure took a while!  I definitely enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger, salad and double IPA at my brother's (thanks Derek and Matthew!) in Oakland for my first meal back in the US.  We had a basement flood right before I left the Philippines, so it's been less relaxing to be home than usual.  Things are under control and we're on track to get repairs started soon.  Extra thanks to Noel for dealing with everything plus an emergency while I was away.   Highlights:  Friendly and helpful Filipinos!  I really enjoyed seeing all that goes into growing rice, which is the primary food for so many people worldwide.  Tropical birds, beaches, snorkeling, fruit, weather, etc. in January and February.  Touring Takeaways:  I prefer camping some/most of the time as it gives some independence (not tied to finding lodging) and much more time in nature.  Time to buy easier gears for climbing!  Not sure I'll tour in the tropics again as the humidity and warmth

Bohol

Image
Wrapping up the trip on Bohol showed off another part of the Philippines.  We headed inland and started by visiting a Tarsier Sanctuary to see some of the world's smallest primates. On the way we ran into 2 other cyclists from Salt Lake City traveling with folding bikes. We all connected and exchanged contacts in case our paths cross again.  Next up was a visit to a national park for some birding and a night safari. I'm up to 107 new species of bird here, which is nice.  We took a relaxing rest day at a place run as an inn and butterfly sanctuary by the founder, Christie from New Zealand. Today, after a short walk to see the famous Chocolate Hills (they turn brown when the grass dries up), we went our separate ways. Rice harvest (1 of 3 each year on Bohol) was under way, so we've seen the full cycle. Rice pro

3 of us...

Image
Photos copied from ebird, but I saw both the Magnificent Sunbird and the Visayan Hornbill along with 18 other new species on my birding day. Ferda joined us on Siquijor for snorkeling and poking around. Enjoying star apples right off the tree! Snorkeling was quite nice! Unfortunately Ferda ruptured an eardrum (painful at first and inconvenient, but not serious) diving down to see a huge sea cucumber, so we're switching to a more land-based itinerary while it heals.  Today we visited an Instagramable waterfall... which showed up in many tourists' posts today.  Definitely on a circuit here, unlike most of Luzon.  Now we're waiting for the ferry to Bohol.  Interesting snacking options!