Ok so if you just logged on the story is the heading before this is basically just photos.

Hello everybody. Thought it was about time we dropped a line and filled you in with the latest. Though theres not so much to report as weve slowed down alot and are enjoying the sun! We spent a month in Bahia, northern Brazil. We were drawn back after being here 4 years ago for carnaval. The state is rich in Afro Brazilian culture with plentifull amounts of music, dance and capoeira. It was a sensory overload and delight to be back amongst the high energy, vibrant brazilians...

Buenos tardes folks! We are now in Bolivia, Sucre to be precise. Alot has happened since our last entry so before we tell you tales of beautiful Bolivia, we must go back to a small ruin in the mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu... also don´t forget to check the random picture mix!!! You were too quick Ben with your comment, we were still writing. Sorry cant make your wedding, we will be in Brasil but will definately drink a caprinha to your health and good fortune!

Hola folks, its been a while since our last entry we´ve been travelling fast on boats, buses and our first plane since arriving. we are now in Cusco, Peru. its the belly button of the world with stunning views at 3350m. It is our favourite city so far but first we need to back track to colombia, san augustin...

just thought we would update you with the last known news of the good ship Valhalla. the norwegian couple split and the girl ran off with one of the germans on the back of his motorbike. the captain is handing over the ship to morris the kuni indian for six months(drunken talk may not eventuate). the english chap spent a drunken night in the harbour on another yacht, went to shore sinking the dingy and wetting his passport. with our feet now firmly planted on shore we feel that although the journey was drawn out and full of mishaps we had a great experience and a little part of us is still at sea. now we are deep in the Colombian mountains in a small village called San Augustin.

We are going to keep updating this with unused pictures for the blogg. enjoyeth.

As of yesterday we have started the South American leg of our journey. we arrived in Cartagena, Colombia on the Valhalla, a 65 ft yacht. our last entry was way back in Costa Rica so here is a quick summary before the tale of the Valhalla.

Hola buenos tardes todos amigos y familia. You are probably wondering what happened to us or maybe not as you are all busy and hard at work . We can assure you (a) Louise has not been eaten alive by crocodiles or bitten by a deadly scorpion.(B) Mike has not been caught in a current and swept away never to be seen again.(C) Louise has not run off with a Guatemalan guerilla in a fight for cheaper bus fares (d) Mike has not been killed in a brutal machette fight. In fact we are fine and dandy, living in a huton stilts on the pacific coast of Costa Rica!! the coast here is stunning and reminds me of the indian ocean off w.a apart from the jungle which surrounds it full of howler monkeys, iguanas, crabs,parrots, humming birds and 20 toed dogs. oh and wont be putting anymore pictures on for a while as mike took it out into the surf to capture louise on her surf board and a wave splashed and well you can guess what happened.

On the surface Xela (pronounced shay-la) appears to have little to offer. with its mish mash of old and new architecture (due to earthquakes-felt a small one(tremer) was kinda like the tube passing underneath) and narrow cobbled and beat up streets it doesnt have an obvious charm. it turned out to be a really good place to study spanish. with its friendly locals, slow pace and little bakeries we relaxed with our new surroundings and settled in with a week of study.

an early start saw us heading for guatemala. the journey took 9 hours which included a collectivo, a short boat ride and a rickety old bus which blew a tyre.