South America, Antarctica, Central America

Hard to believe but true: Time doesn’t stop – now I turned 30. Although I couldn’t celebrate together with you, I’ve thought of you! :)
A brief summary of the recent months.
After I crossed the Pacific and went through the Panama Canal, I left the container ship in Colombia in late January (after 31 days on the ship). I had only 3.5 weeks to cross the entire South American continent (without airplane) to reach the southern tip – if I really wanted to see the Antarctica. Anyone who has been in South America would tell me I’m crazy – that was the reaction of the travelers I met on the road. The continent would be too big, too long the distances and too many stops on my plan. Of course on the way I wanted to see and learn about country and people. To make it short: It was an unforgettable challenge … and it worked! :) Each day I changed the places, half of all nights I slept in buses and during the day the discovery of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
From this adventure I went non-stop to the next: The White Continent – Antarctica! Whales, penguins, leopard seals and much more between pack ice and icebergs embedded in an exceptional landscape. It was breathtaking in many ways.
After this unique experience I went back to South America to explore Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, before I started to cross Central America. Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize – many small countries with a lot to offer – again, in more ways than one. Finally, Mexico was the last stop of my truly intense trip through Latin America.
How was it? Here is a small series of pictures of the recent months. :)

First foot on Latin America.
Port Cristobál, Colón, Panama

Welcome at best weather,…
San Felipe Castle, Cartagena, Colombia

…delicious coffee and traditional Ajiaco soup.
Bogota, Colombia

One of many moments in the bussssssssss…
On the way to Ecuador

View from my hostel.
Quito, Ecuador

Food procurement: Lama-hunting.
Machu Picchu, Peru

Change of plan: Lama is too small and needs to gain more weight.
Machu Picchu, Peru

Inka site in heavy rain.
Machu Picchu, Peru

After rain comes the sun.
At Moon Island with view to Sun Island, Lake Titicaca near Copacabana, Bolivia

Thrill on the world’s most dangerous road.
Yungas Road (Death Road), near La Paz, Bolivia

>3000 altimeter downhill through snow, rain, waterfalls and endless mud!
Yungas Road (Death Road), near La Paz, Bolivia

No photomontage – total reality!
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Floating in the sky.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The lama has gained enough weight – now it’s eating time… ;)
At around 4000 m altitude somewhere on the Altiplano of Bolivia

At the Stone Tree at 4600 m altitude.
Altiplano, Bolivia

Off steam at almost 5000 m…
Solar de Manana Geysirs, Bolivia

One of many huge volcanoes in this vastness (see car to compare).
Near the border to Chile, Altiplano, Bolivia

Cool & the Gang on the ship through the fjords of southern Chile.
On the Navimag ferry, Sur Grande, Chile

At the biggest glacier of the southern hemisphere* with ship’s flag and a real Chilean. ;)
Brüggen / Pio XI Glacier, Chile (*exclude Antarctica)

After four days on the ship: Carnal lusts.
Puerto Natales, Chile

Arrival on Fireland after crossing the Strait of Magellan.
Tierra del Fuego, Chile

Gynmastics in the world’s southernmost city.
Ushuaia, Argentina

Final preparations before departure to the real end of the world.
Ushuaia, Argentina

Crossing the wildest waters worldwide – and it gets colder…
Drake Passage

…and colder and the icebergs getting larger and larger.
Drake Passage

Preparation for the first landfall – 8 layers of clothes.
Antarctic Dream Expedition Ship

Disguised among penguins…
Cuverville Island, Antarctica

…the definitely coolest birds…
Cuverville Island, Antarctica

…with the funniest behaviors. Just supercute!
Cuverville Island, Antarctica

Greeting from a humpback whale next to our zodiac.
Paradise Bay, Antarctica

A monster leopard seal in action.
Paradise Bay, Antarctica

First footsteps on continental Antarctica-mainland – in the midst of penguin shit.
González Videla Base, Antarctica

Researcher in research station at work.
González Videla Base, Antarctica

Magnificent research result: Antarctic icicle is icy cold.
Near Pleneau Island, Antarctica

Another important result: Even snow angels (and snowball fights) are possible.
Dorian Bay, Antarctica

Crunching and crashing through pack ice…
On the way to the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

…from one breathtaking landscape…
Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

…to the next unforgettable scenery.
Neko harbour, Antarctica

A curious group…
Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

…of humpback whales…
Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

…during their nearly two-hour…
Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

…and impressive…
Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

…exploration game with our expedition ship. More than stunning!
Dallmann Bay, Antarctica

Curious-lazy seal (the mammalian left). ;)
Deception Island, Antarctica

Expedition ship, 0°C water temperature and me *…* Indeed, it was f*** COLD!
Deception Island, Antarctica

Skin and limbs without feeling is no reason to be sad. :D
Deception Island, Antarctica

In the chocolate paradise in the south american Switzerland.
Bariloche, Argentina

Exploring Argentina’s capital.
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Relaxation in a truly great country.
Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Moments of life: Pure beauty…
Iguazu-Falls, Argentina

…and an incredible power at this unique natural spectacle.
Iguazu-Falls, Argentina

Exploration of what was once the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant.
Itaipu Dam, Paraguay

View from the other side to…
Iguazu-Falls, Brazil

…the by far most impressive waterfalls in the world.
Iguazu-Falls, Brazil

In one of the largest favelas of South America…
Rocinha Favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

…and spontaneous dance fun with the kids.
Rocinha Favela, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The most significant landmark of Rio…
Christ the Redeemer, Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

…and the view from the Sugarloaf.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Back in Panama and the start of my travel through Central America.
Colón, Panama

Gray in gray in gray in gray in gray.
Panama City, Panama

Always close to the locals.
San José, Costa Rica

View over a charming town just before sunset.
Granada, Nicaragua

Smuggled into the picture. ;)
Granada, Nicaragua

Insight into the active hellmouth.
Masaya Volcano, Nicaragua

Volcano crater hike with great views to other volcanoes around.
Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua

Scary fun in a by lava flows formed bat cave.
Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua

42°C and still look “cool” – that’s only possible at distance. ;)
Choluteca, Honduras

Waiting for the bus in the heat of the day – no shadow around.
Southern Honduras

Oh you dear cool water.
San Salvador, El Salvador

:)
Hostel in San Salvador, El Salvador

Exploration in one of the most violent cities in the world.
Guatemala City, Guatemala

Quite impressive Maya buildings.
Tikal, Guatemala

In close contact with over 1300 years old mayan artifacts and skeletons…
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, Belize

…in a breathtakingly beautiful…
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, Belize

…and quite challenging cave system…
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, Belize

…off from civilization protected in the jungle.
Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve, Belize

At night, amid the deepest ghetto after getting to know the local gang leaders.
Belize City, Belize

Pretty touristy but still nice to be here.
Tulum, Mexico

Everything is a matter of perspective. ;)
Tulum, Mexico

On the Tepeyac mountain – the most visited pilgrimage site in the world.
Villa de Guadalupe, Mexico-City, Mexico

Price Question 1: What am I doing there?

Price Question 2: What am I doing here?

Magnificent aztec pyramids.
Teotihuacán, view from the Pyramid of the Moon to the Pyramid of the Sun, Mexico

Mexico drug war: Stop at one of dozens (!) of military checkpoints.
Hardcore 50 hours bus trip from Mexico-City to Tijuana, Mexico

Some of the experiences in the past few months have been only possible by the support of unique people. Again my heartfelt thanks for your trust! I’m looking forward tell you in person about this trip soon. :)
What’s next and when I’m back? There are still some exciting months ahead: The crossing of North America, crossing the Atlantic, and a little bit of Africa. A few days ago I booked a container ship across the big pond and that means for the first time I can announce my arrival in my beloved homeland with great certainty. It’ll most probably be the September 2012 – after two uninterrupted years and through more than 50 countries in a truly diverse adventure – now, I’m looking forward to return! :)
There are priceless things in the world, that includes sincere appreciation: If you like to support me on that last mile and want to be forever a part of this journey, my thanks is certain. [For more information please click here.]

It remains exciting,
yours Mathias