Canada/ New York

March 9, 2010

Hi..

it is done..I never thought before that I could do a whole year, but today the 365 days of marek’s world tournee is over..
It was the best time in my live and thanks a lot to all the awesome people that I’ve met on the way. I flew from Cancun to Vancouver, Canada.. I arrived in the Hostel and met two German guys who worked for the winter Olympics.. One of the guys, Leon joined me to my friends party, we had a great night view of English bay..
Everybody knows, that Vancouver hosted the 2010 winter Olympics, but the weather was more like spring, so we went two days to the beach and had some beers..
I planned to spent one week in Whistler (biggest Ski resort in Canada) but the ski pass was 100 bucks a day, so I stayed only two days.. :(
It was nice to snowboard and I watched the downhill ski for free.. Since it was my first winter Olympic experience, I decided to attend one event..I bought a ticket for the hockey game Finland vs. Belarus and enjoyed the game in the first row, direct on the rink.. Yeah..

The day after I flew to Toronto, to meet my friend Marissa who I’ve met in Mexico before.. She invited me to stay with her.. On the way to visit Marissa’s friend we stopped for ten minutes to see Niagara falls.. Ten minutes were enough.. ;) A few days later, we took a road trip to Montreal where we ice skated in the Old Port and we had great bagels.. Back to Toronto watched the hockey final downtown, Canada won Gold, great atmosphere and we enjoyed the sunny days in small cafes .. Thank you so much.. I’ve had a great time.. It was amazing, awesome. :)
Last three days in New York: shopping, walking, being a tourist and spent a great day with Marissa again..XX

Travel details:

19 countries (120 different cities)
35 flights (90000 km)
25000 km by car
35000 km by bus (12000 km by chicken bus)
7000 km by boat
140 days “on the beach”
12000 pictures

LIFE IS GOOD..

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Honduras, Nicaragua

February 10, 2010

Hiya..

It is already eleven months since I have left home and one sentence is enough to tell you how I feel.. “Life is Good” :-) My travel buddy’s and all travelers that I’ve met on the way knows what I mean..
Just a few words, what happens the last months.. Went by chicken bus from El Salvador to Honduras. It was supposed to be the last country in central America, but after two dives and seven days rain on Utila (Bay island in Honduras) I’ve decided to spent the last three weeks by sunshine in Nicaragua.. Met again a “English” guy, Neil (the English are like the Irish, everywhere) and we went together to Granada, Nicaragua.. Spend two nights waiting for Salem, drinking and smoking Nicaraguan cigars in local bars.. After Salem arrived, next morning we went to Ometepe (volcano Island on the biggest lake in central America) hiked the Maderas volcano and fought against plants, doors and sinks.. ;-) Oh man! We fished and relaxed in San Juan del Sur and had lobster dinner in Pochomil.. Of course every day.. Thanks guys..
The last four days I have spent in Cancun, Mexico on the beautiful beach.. Thanks Caro for your help and everything..
(Met Caro eight months ago in the Philippines and now stay three times with her in Mexico) It was a great time staying and partying with you and your friends.. All the best for your Pastry.. Next and last Stop, Canada..

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Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador

January 8, 2010

Hiya..

happy new year..
I’ve started the new one like the old one, traveling around.. What been I’ve been up to these last weeks of traveling.. Well I’m doing great.. Feeling like I’m twenty again.. :) (Just kidding, I’m feeling free and unworried).. I’ve changed my plans a bit..
I wanted to go for three months to Canada and work, but I decided to travel two months longer in central America.. So once I got back from Cuba I met back up with my travel mate Salem (that guy from Michigan) in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and we went down to Belize for my birthday..
We started drinking at eight o’clock in the morning to celebrate with Havana Club (imported from Cuba) and a big breakfast in Chetumal, Mexico and finished in Caye Caulker, Belize with Cuban Cigars and a lobster dinner.. It was an amazing day..Thanks buddy..
The next few days I snorkeled with sharks and manta rays then we had lobster for dinner again and again, lol every night we were on the island..Delicious..
Next we went to Guatemala, visited the Maya ruins in Tikal then we went swimming in a hot waterfall in Rio Dulce before we went for Christmas to Antigua.. In Antigua we claimed a active Vulcano “Pacaya” and Salem cooked a big turkey dinner.. WOW.. The best and biggest turkey I’ve ever eaten.. ;)
I’ve met a family (Gregory, Rocio and daughter Galla) in Antigua and joined them traveling down to El Salvador.. We enjoyed the black beach in El Tunco and had a great barbecue (red snapper and big tuna) for new years eve.. It was nice to meet you.. See you in Cologne..
Once again I’ve tried to body board and this time it was much more better than in Bali, Indonesia.. The day before I left El Salvador, we went with some friends from our hostel to a nice waterfall in Tamenique.. Next stop Honduras..

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Mexico, Cuba

December 10, 2009

Hiya..

first I’ve to say, thanks you for all the birthday congratulations.. I’m also felling really happy to traveling around Central America now..
I flew from San Diego to Cancun, Mexico and spent the first two nights in Playa del Carmen.. Met Salem (Michigan) and Jose (Munich).. We decided to traveled south Mexico for two weeks together.. But before I visited my friend Caro (met her six month ago in el Nido) in Cancun downtown and relaxed a coupe days at her place & by her amazing pool..
Met the guys three days later in Merida, where we spent the night and we had some delicious Tacos, Burritos and a few drinks..
After we went to Palanque to see waterfalls called Agua Azul.. Where for the first time in my life I enjoyed a shower under a waterfall.. :-)
Next stop was San Cristobal de las Casas, the most beautiful town I’ve seen in Mexico.. Its filled with colorful old beautiful buildings and “El Canon” a big canon where we took a river boat ride.. WOW.. We saw crocodiles and iguanas.
For my hole life I’ve been thinking I’d like to go once to Cuba.. So I finely did it..
I flew from Cancun into Havana and spent 10 days in Cuba.. It is one of the last communist Countries in the world and this is how Havana Vieja looks like.. Everybody knows pictures with the famous old cars and old buildings.. I was able to enjoy this special atmosphere with a Cuba Libre and a Cuban cigar.. :-)
At the beginning it was a little bit difficult trying to figure out how to traveling on low budget.. Everything works differently there.. Can you imagine that they have a spacial currency just for tourists and it is not allowed for locals to talk to you .. But this is how it is..
I met a couple (Laura and Alex) from Australia on the Airplane and we traveled to Havana, Vinales and Trinidad together.. Thanks guys.. You are welcome in to visit me in Cologne anytime..
In the end I’ve got to say, Havana Vieje (Old Havana) is the city which makes Cuba so special..
Next destination Belize, Guatemala.. Happy Chrisms and a happy new year..

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America

November 10, 2009

Hi..

how is going.. Well, how to explain America in one sentence.. “Everything is huge”..I’ve started in San Francisco, i think it is the city on the West coast..It is easy going, a little bit hippie and alternative.. Sounds like a perfect city to me..I spent few days there hanging and cycling around.. After, I’ve moved to Los Angeles and this was totally different.. Massive.. The streets had more than 20000 house numbers.. However, met two nice guys (Werner and Werner) from Freiburg, Germany and they joined me to a basketball game.. But before I’ve met Felix, another guy from Germany (a lot of German’s all over the world) and we rented a car for one week and drove around California.. We went to San Fran again, Sequoia National Park, Las Vegas and one of my favorite spots, Grand Canyon.. If somebody ever goes to California, don’t miss this.. Awesome, like Americans say..Really nice spot.. :-) Las Vegas, you need a lot of money there.. Never saw so many lights in a street in my life before.. Felix flow from Las Vegas back home and I went back to LA for the basketball game LA Clippers against Dallas Mavericks.. Met the both Werner’s and we drove in a Mustang cabriolet to LA downtown..YEAH.. American feeling.. Watched the game, Dirk Nowitzki was playing and we had a few beers.. Thanks guys..It was a beautiful evening.. The day after tomorrow went to San Diego relaxed in the sun and enjoyed the night life.. Next stop Mexico..Hola..Como esta..

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New Zealand 2

October 13, 2009

Hello friends..

seven months already done, five months left..It is a long time and many things happen when I’m travelling.. I had a lot of time to think about what’s gone on in the last few years back home and before I started to write about NZ, I would like to say..THANKS to all of you..It is beautiful to know everyone and I hope when I’m back we have a great time again..But for now I’ll still enjoy this part of my life..
One day before I left Christchurch, I met Dan (do you remember, he is the guy from England?) in a Backpacker and now after six’s weeks travelling,digging, knitting and drinking around NZ, I can say that English mates are not too bad.. ;-) Cheers mate for the English lessons..
I even don’t know how to start, because there are so many nice spots.. We went for some extreme activities to Queenstown..On the way we have hiked in Takapo, Mt.Cook and kayaked with Sarah from Canada in Wanaka..Sarah joined in for a couple of days..Thank you too..
In Queenstown I did a bungee jump off a bridge into a river and i went snowboarding for a second time.. The first bungee jump in my life and it was great..Free fall and at the end I dropped my arms into the water.. :-)
The next days we went to Milford Sound and the Catlins..Milford Sound is one of the famous spots in NZ and is now on the list of the 24 natural wonders of the world.. Before we drove to the West coast, we spent three nights in the student town Dunedin..
On the West cost we went climbing on the Franz Josef Glacier and enjoyed the beautiful Landscapes (Pinnacles)..
North of the south Island in Nelson we mountain biked around the city and I went for a hike to the Abel Tasman National Park..One of my favorite places..
We took the ferry from Picton to Wellington..I met my friend Karsten again..We cooked dinner and spent a nice evening in a Pub..In Wellington we met Johannes and I promised the guys (Dan and J) to take them to Lake Taupo for a skydive because it was the only sunny day for the next week, but I missed the time change..It was a quick drive, we were caught by the police,but Dan and J did the skydive and at the end nothing bad happened..As ever..
The next days we went to the East coast of the north’s Island (Napier, Gisborne and East cape) Nice places, too..The last days we have spent in Tauranga, Roturua and Coromandel Region.. Good to relax after 7000km driving around NZ..Before I forget NZ has 4 Million people but 16 Million Sheep..They are everywhere.. ;-) Spent the last few day with my friends in Auckland (Pippa and Jess, thank you so much and it was a nice concert) and went for a hike back to Tongoriro National Park near Taupo..At the end I can say, that it is a adventure to sleep in a station wagon, to have a bath in a 9 degree cold lake and cook wherever you want.. I’ve done it.. Next stop San Francisco..

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New Zealand

September 3, 2009

Hiya..

Whats going on..I’m in New Zealand.. Amazing country and I’m just at the beginning..First three days spend in Auckland, nice city but
too huge.. Flew from Auckland to the capital city, Wellington..On the way met Pippa, Jessica who visited Tess and the day after tomorrow they showed me around Wellington, so I feel much better..
Stayed in Wellington one week and tried to find a job..I got two, one in a restaurant and the other one in a cafe bar, but I decided to
start traveling again, because the salary was bad..(5 Euro)..
The day after I flew to Christchurch to buy a van, but the next day I was sat in front of the cathedral in the city and met my travel mate of Australia, Franz.. We enjoyed the afternoon and night with a big bottle of Gin..
He rented a Jucy van for four weeks :-o and we spent the last five days in Timaru, Danedin and Methven..
On the way to Mt. Hutt we met some nice Australians and they invited us to stay in their cabin..Thanks guys..
It was a beautiful day on Mt. Hutt, so for the first time in NZ i got to go snowboarding for a half day..Great..Happy.. :-)
When you are on the peak of the mountain, you can see the sea.. Incredible!!..Now I’m in Christchurch again, I bought a car ( a station wagon) yesterday and got all my camping stuff include a mattress for 25 NZD in the second hand shop..Good price..
Today we (my English friend Dan and me) are starting to travel around the south Island.. Cheers..

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Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Darwin, Australia

August 10, 2009

Hi..

What to say about Australia? The beginning was pretty good but the end was better.. First have a look at the pictures: how did we possibly enjoy four weeks of driving many hours a day, camping and sleeping stuffed in the back of a van..the last week THREE of us in one small loft? It was a new and different part of travel, but if somebody asked me to do it again.. My answer would be: YES. Arrived in Cairns (the rest of the story you already know) but met Dany (it takes to long to explain how we met her) and
we gave her a lift to Darwin. First, though, we drove down to Alice Springs to vee the Uluru (Ayers Rock). It sounds easy, but the way between Cairns to Ayers Rock is 2200km and Ayers Rock to Darwin is 1400km.. When I picked up the Van in Lismore, I was already thinking of going to the heart of Australia, the Uluru. The Uluru is a big, red Stone in the middle of the Continent, but to be there it’s different, an amazing feeling I can’t describe it..WOW. We took a rest at the front of the Ayers Rock, enjoyed the beautiful Sunset and had Dany’s birthday dinner (Beefsteak in Gorgonzola sauce and french fries).

On the way to Darwin we stopped in the Devil’s Marbles and Mataranka (Hot Springs). The last week, after two days Franz left for Sydney and Dany and I went to Litchfield National Park, spent few hours on the water falls and tried to sell the Van.. Sometimes I have a little bit luck, and we sold the Van only one day before I left Darwin.
Before I forget..Thanks Franz (every time again, best Austrian commander and cook), Dany (nice girl from Aachen) and Albert (a real, live hippie and wood artist, for staying in your house)..

At least, spend few days in Melbourne and Sydney.. Met my sweety Jodi again and had a nice picnic (cheese cracker and red wine) at Darling Harbour..:-)

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Great Barrier Reef,Cairns/Australia

July 20, 2009

Howdy..

Five days ago, I said that I have a little bit luck.. But now I am really happy..
What happens..Stayed with Franz a couple of days in Cairns, went to Cape Tribulation and decide to snorkel one day on the Great Barrier Reef, Upolu Cay..
We booked the tour on “the Falla” (a old sailing boat) for the 19th, but missed it because we got drunk the night before..
It was possible to change the trip for the next day, so we did it..
Woke up at six o’clock in the morning and went on board.. The first imagine of the boat..Not to bad and captain “Dog” was a nice guy.. Start the trip, Dog explain the emergency advices and a few minutes later, how to snorkel on the reef.. NOW LISTEN..
One minute later the boat crashed the reef and the boat started to sink.. Ten minutes later the boat sunk.. But I, Franz, 25 people and the crew jumped into the water..
Before the boat sunk, captain send a SOS and few minutes later a rescue boat arrived..
All people alive, nobody is seriously hurt and I could saved my camera.. I only loosed my Asics Tiger shoes..
We spend the rest of the day on a other boat “Ozean Freedom” and snorkel on the Reef..
WOW..WHAT A DAY.. ;-)

(Details on: www.sanfranzisco.at)

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Australia

July 15, 2009

Here we are again..

Ready for Australia.. Yes.. I don’t now why, but I enjoy this travel and sometimes I have a bit luck..
Meet Agathe from Cologne in Bali..She spend the last year in Australia.. and missed to sell the Van (Ford Economy) with a sleeping place in the back and asked me to pick up the car, drive a month around Australia and sell it for her in Darwin..
Flew from Singapore to Sydney..Spend a night on the Airport in Sydney, to catch the next flight to Brisbane at six o’clock in the morning.. Took the bus from Brisbane to Lismore and picked up the Van from Kurt.. Stayed two days in Lismore in Kurt’s house.. He helped me to register the van on my name and a lot more things..Mary his wife and Kurt are so lovely.. Best bed and cookies.. :) Thanks for all..
Next day I start to travel with my own Van around Australia, picked up Franz from Austria in Bayron Bay (meet him on Bali, and asked him if he would like to jump on and he did) and drive now up the east cost..
Hiked 50 km and camped the last three days on Fraser Island, the biggest sand Island in the World..Difficult but nice exercise.. Meet some nice Austrailen (Penelope and Nick) on the Island again..Hot shower, sleeping place and barbecue..Wow..Thanks..
Now we are on the way to Airlie Beach and Cairns..

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