Going South for the Winter: Working in Costa Rica, Belize and Ecuador

Two trips to Costa Rica, three weeks in Belize and two weeks in Ecuador very conveniently helped me avoid most of what was considered one of the harsher winters Western NC has seen in a while. While it felt like I was always on the move and never in one place for more than a couple days, I can't really complain. From golfing for my first time in 10 years, to seeing Mayan skeletons, to spear fishing to swimming like a fish in Ecuador, it was a great winter. Check out some of my favorite photos from each trip below.

COSTA RICA

Working on some rolling at the Fischer Condo pool

Taking a day off of boating to work on our golf swings

El Rio Tenorio

El Rio Colorado

A self portrait from an early morning chill session on the beach by the condo

BELIZE

Scouting out the islands we would return to with the Wofford College group (this picture was taking after the bumpiest/scariest boat ride I've ever had)

Pat and I doing our best jaguar impressions

Chilling in hammocks in San Ignacio

Some Wofford students showing off their mad canoeing skills

Catepillars that will soon turn into beautiful blue morph butterflies

Beautiful day at the Mayan Ruins of Caracol

A pot with a Gorilla carving found in an old Mayan cave

A full skeleton of a sacrificed body found in the Mayan cave

The Wofford students tasting the fruit of chocolate tree (Cacao tree) on our farm tour

One of the farmer's many children

The Cacao beans roasting

Unloading all of our gear at Queen Key for the star of our 5 day island adventure

Looking out at the ocean from my tent door

The first morning on the islands, also the morning after the epic wind/rain storm that took out tents left and right

The students getting out in the sea kayaks

Sunset on Queen Key

Busting open some fresh Conch for dinner

A view from Pomkon key

Jono showing of his mad sea kayaking skills

Preparing our freshly caught lobster for dinner


ECUADOR

An unusually clear view of Volcan Antisana

Getting loaded in Baeza

Gareth filming, which turned out to be a pretty common scene

Taking a break to check out a sweet waterfall

Sketchy bridge

Beautiful day of the Misahualli

A peaceful breakfast in Tena

Putting on the Lower Jondachi

Nightlife in Tena

Riding motorcycles in Banos

Mmmm... Guinea Pig

Gareth and I in front of Volcan Tungurahua

Gareth finishing up our run down the Papallacta