Cheers from Easter Island

We awoke before dawn and drove the rental to this site just in time to capture the sunrise on Easter Island. Watching the light increase and cast dramatic shadows across the site was breathtaking and one of my fondest memories of our time on Easter Island. We stayed for hours and had a champagne breakfast at this very spot. This ranks as one of the best days of my life. One day I will return.

Apple tea is not for me!

Apple tea is the equivalent to an espresso with equal amounts of sugar added, afternoon tea with one fresh lemon squeezed and simple syrup added, or a super fattening, super sweet, extra sugar with vanilla syrup extra hot latte. Dean loves apple tea, I can not even stand one sip. Turkish people love apple tea and I endured several while touring the country, of course I am always polite and would never refuse this rather yucky drink.
Other than the horrible flavour what I dislike even more is that it is served in a tiny glass that is too hot to touch let alone hold in your hand. So you are forced to either burn yourself or wait for about 45 minutes while the glass cools down in order to savour the now cooled sugary drink referred to as tea in Turkey. The cooling time is not helpful when you are trying to make a subtle yet quick exit from, let's say a carpet shop you have no intention of purchasing a carpet in or a restaurant you have chosen not to order food in. Turkish hospitality is superb, I just wish it didn't involve apple tea. Thumbs down Turkey - this is not a highlight!

Merhaba Turkey!

For those that have been to Turkey I hope you went the extra mile to get to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is one of the strangest and most mind-blowing places I have ever been to, so enchanting and so much history to take in. We stayed 4 or 5 days and I could have stayed a little longer, I could have easily made it a week but keep in mind I really like to linger when I have the time...now which way to go first?

H*A*P*P*Y B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y to me from Istanbul!

Headed to Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Dean boarding flight for Bocas del Toro

The runway may have been flooded and completely unsafe for passengers to walk on but the crew somehow convinced everyone that is was safe, perhaps that is because most of the passengers couldn’t speak a word of Spanish. By the time the plane was airborne a lake of water had pooled on the runway and it didn’t feel safe. As the plane accelerated and Dean was lost in thought about runway drainage systems, I quietly regretted seeing the Queen’s head land face up only days before, maybe coin toss is not the best way to make decisions. Once we were in the air and I knew all was well, I quickly disposed of all regret about having won the coin toss, a win is a win after all and what could possibly go wrong in Panama?

First Class with Air Panama

Bocas Del Toro, Panama

We love islands and really love island time so Panama was just what we needed. A proper trip packed with adventure and a lot of island time. Stilt houses built on the water, dutch pirates, boat taxis, huge stingrays, torrential rain, crisp cold beer and endless reggae music blasting out of every hut. I won the coin toss to decide all domestic transport while in Panama and booked us two first class tickets to Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean Sea, just south of the border with Costa Rica.

the navy dinner jacket

Dean with Steve

Living in remote Patagonia could be tough at times and so we had to invent ways to amuse ourselves. Dean found humour in fashion, sporting this navy dinner jacket while hiking in rugged Patagonia. Most of the Canadian crew battled culture shock and the challenges of working in isolation on a daily basis, so when a local stray dog started hanging around it wasn't long before she was named Steve....poor little thing. Steve was the name of their boss at the time, knowing Steve the man made the very sight of Steve the dog an excellent way to laugh off the days frustrations. To Steve the man, if you ever read this, I am sorry that you heard it from me first buddy.