Here are some pictures of our trip to Iceland and Greenland:

http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/eabilling/library/Iceland%20and%20Greenland%202014?sort=6&page=1

Easter Island: The most remote inhabited island, the most remote airport in the world.  For pictures, CLICK HERE

Return to Tikal, October, 2011

March of 1988, Amelia and I journeyed by bus from Mexico to Beliz, then rented an ancient 4 wheel drive Land Rover with rusted out floorboards and drove to the Mayan Ruins of Tikal. Tikal is in Northern Guatemala and, at that time, had only been recently opened up to tourist coming in by land. This time we flew in a few minutes from Guatemala City to the airport near Flores and were taken by air conditioned van an hour or so to our hotel. Still no air conditioning and the electricity is off during the night. We had a great guide, Antonio Ortiz, who had grown up there but was educated in the states. We got up in the morning at 4:00 to head up to the top of Temple IV, watch the sun rise and listen to the howler monkeys wake the jungle.

Ireland - September, 2011

A few too many photos (Click Here) that are a disappointment in that they do not capture the fun of climbing over ruins, the delight and luxury of our castle stay, the magic of the music, nor the delight of friendly folk who sometimes "went away with the fairies". Hy and Hilary / Weyland and Amelia -- lose amongst the leprachauns and the wildIrish Sea. Hope you enjoy them.

The Camino de Santiago, Spain

Day 1: (14K) We started with a half day in Sarria, Spain, where we had an incredible meal and George dropped his pants in the restaurant. (He had on another pair beneath.) Over hills and through woods, water-filled trails and cow dung, we trod and finally found an alburgue in which to stay -- bunks and 20 other folks in the dorm. Weyland was treated to 2 German girls dropping their pants to crawl into their bunks. (He spent the rest of the trip muttering "how can you walk 15 miles a day in a blue thong?) TODAY we were thankful for a bed -- it was late and we were beginning to worry.

Day 2: (34+K) Our first full day was long, delightfully filled with lush grasses, farmers, and good weather. A long day but at last a hotel of sorts in Hospital de la Cruz. A cold night, a bad food day. TODAY we were thankful for hot water -- very hot water!

Click here for photos of Days 1 & 2
https://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/CaminoSantiagoDay12#

Day 3: (25-28 K) Our longest day of walking, up and down mountains, beside rivers, chatting with farmers on the way. It was the day my boots began to separate but a bit of glue and yellow duct tape did the job. We intentionally set our goal for Melide and the "best pulperia" in the area. At Ezequiel's Pulperia, we feasted on Pulpo Gallego (local octopus dish), cheese with membrillo, salad, potatoes, fantastic bread. We were also introduced to the Albarino (a much touted white wine) and St. James cake, a treat we would enjoy often. TODAY we were obviously thankful for food. The food of northern Spain was unbelievably fresh and delicious. For photos of Day 3, click below: https://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/CaminoSantiagoDay3# Day 4: A real day in the country with horses, dairy herds, sheep and pathways under cloudy but dry skies. Since a great part of the adventure was "giving ourselves to the Camino", we had no way to be sure of where we would spend the night or where we would eat. We had goals and hopes but no reservations. It was amazing that we always found decent and reasonably priced housing and, for the most part, fantastically good fresh meals. Sometimes even my Spanish did not identify exactly what we were ordering, but we were not disapointed. One day, our camera battery died ... just outside a cafe/bar where we needed to sit out a rain shower, have a hot chocolate and charge up the camera. TODAY we were thankful that good food, a warm room, and good hot water all came together again. And, always clean -- always clean. Day 5: Nothing made the journey more wonderful than the people along the way. A man who literally begged me to take an orange from him when I commented that I was looking for a place for breakfast. A restaurant owner who cooked us a special meal even though it was "off the menu" by that time of evening. Advice on where to find "habitaciones" or food or glue for the boots -- never failed to be just right. Shop keepers who usually followed us into the street to point out directions. Fellow pilgrims from all over the world, shared a chat along the way and crossed our paths again and again. We met only one other American but shared our path with Germans, French, Czechs, Aussies, Kiwis, a group of Chinese students, etc. TODAY we were thankful for the people who helped us on our way. Friends to pilgrims. "Buen Camino." Click below for days 4 & 5 -- a short set of photos https://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/CaminoSantiagoDays45 As pilgrims have done for over a thousand years, we completed our journey at the Cathedral of Santiago. Our last half day began in Arco de Pino with heavy clouds. We were within 8 miles of the city when we saw the predicted rains of Galicia, Spain. Into town seemed uphill all the way -- past the airport and into the industrail Santiago. At Monte de Gozo, pilgrims prepared for their entry to the city they could see ahead. We wrapped in our rain gear and trudged on. Boots began to leak and we struggled to keep track of the golden scallop shells in the sidewalks that marked our way. And ... at last ... we stood in the courtyard to view the magnificence of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It was an indescribable moment with a rush of thanksgiving and relief. We had done it! From the courtyard rains, we made our way to the Pilgrim Office to present our stamped credentials (2 stamps per day) and receive our official Compostela. Then we treated ourselves to a nice hotel, food and rest for church in the morning. TODAY we were thankful for the rain because it made us so aware of the blessing of good weather we had experienced for the 4 1/2 previous days. To complete our journey, we attended Sunday mass at the Cathedral, walked behind the statue of St. James to give him a hug, and queued up to see the silver casket where his bones are presumed to be. Of course, we finished with a final morning of souvenir shopping, photo taking and even another visit to the Cathedral. (I still have photos of our 2 days in Madrid and Toledo but refuse to subject you to them ... so ... by request ... Madrid and Toledo are to be had.) For our final days and Santiago de Compostela, click below: https://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/CaminoDeSantiagoWeArrive For those of you who held out to the end ... a few shots of Madrid and Toledo Spain. I must admit I was down to looking and eating by this time so don't have a lot of these beautiful cities to show but ... just smell the chocolate and churros at San Ginese and that is sufficient. https://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/MadridToledoSpain# We have traveled a lot but never in this walking mode of a centuries old trek. It is the one trip I would do again and again and again.

2011 - Going, going, gone...

Schedule for 2011 is shaping up.

January: NYC and Iceland

March: Spain, Madrid and the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestela

June: San Antonio, San Pedro Sula Honduras (medical mission)

October: Guatemala (medical mission)

All subject to change and we are always open for new adventures that might come up any time. Let us know if you want to go with us or want us to go with you.

Israel & Jordan October 2011

Our trip to Israel with the Jim King Ministries was really more than expected. We had a great tour of the Holy Land with Jim and Pam, our very knowledgeable guide Johnathan and the best bus driver in the country. To see our pictures click on Israel and Jerusalem.

At the end of the Israel tour, we boarded a bus to Eilat and then on to Jordan where we spent two days at Petra. For best viewing run the slideshow on Petra, Jordan.

World Travels

A list of the countries we have visited:

North America: Canada*(6 provinces), USA (all 50 states), Mexico*

Central America: Beliz, Guatemala*, El Salvador*, Honduras*, Costa Rica*, Panama*

South America: Peru, Chile, Argentina

Europe: England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain*, Iceland, Portugal

Middle East: Israel, Jordan

Africa: Morocco, Egypt

Asia: China* (including Tibet), Nepal, Singapore

Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands
Antarctica

* indicates more than one visit

Amelia has also visited Japan and Cuba

We have slept on all 7 continents including camping in Antarctica. On the trip to Norway we were at 71 degrees North and in Antarctica, we were at 66 degrees South.

At the Everest Base Camp (North...in Tibet) we were at 17,590 feet above sea level, then about 5 months later, we were at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at 1,312 feet below sea level.

On Roatan Island, off the coast of Honduras we took a homemade submarine to the depth of 1,000 feet. http://www.stanleysubmarines.com/welcome/index.php

Nepal and Tibet

We finally made our trip to Nepal and Tibet, April 21 to May 9, 2010. Links to pictures follow:

1. Chitwan Royal National Park: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/ChitwanParkNepal#

2. Lhasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/Lhasa#

3. Gyantse and Shigatse: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/GyantseAndShigatse#

4. Mt. Everest: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/ToMtEverest#

5. Kathmandu: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/Kathmandu#

6. People: http://picasaweb.google.com/eabpicasa1/PeopleEtAl#

Honduras--A Dangerous Day

Honduras: A Most Dangerous Day by Amelia Billingsley

The rocks did not seem to be rocks. The volcanic formations were indeed like brain coral but not burned black. They were rather colorless, having centuries of falling water wash away their very souls. Brown algae covered them while pools of water filled the holes of their surface. Everything lay flattened by the cascade of hundreds of gallons of water constantly battering their surface. We walked gingerly, kneeling to touch their surfaces, placing our feet with our eyes.
The mist from the falls was more than expected. With turned heads, the four of us followed Rafael and tried to look into his smiling face between what had now become rain drops. Down into crevices and back up to pinnacles of slick rock just large enough for one foot to land solid leaving a partial purchase for the other. A fifth one came through the mist. We did not know the Belgian girl, dressed totally wrong ... long jeans, full foot coverings, struggling with a plastic headband to keep it from the drenching water.
It had been described as a “walk behind the falls”. It was a reality a walk in the powerful cascade. In single file, we held hands ... except for the stranger who did not seem to comprehend the need to find safety in unity. “You must hold the one behind you.” It was not the language barrier but the experience barrier that broke the chain.
Rafael led us forward, over the rocky slippery terrain, into the water chest high, pointing us to underwater rocks that would lift us to the next soaking downpour. At last a spot behind the draperies of water. We crowded into the tiny space and followed his directions to “breath through the mouth”, rest a minute here. And we mistakenly questioned the $5 we were paying him to lead us.
“Sit down, slide into the water, put your foot here, come to the rock and climb here.” Thought was lost and it became a matter of following his direction. “Watch your head.” “Look up and see the wall of water falling on you.” A second opening appears, smaller than the last and we gasp a little more to fill our lungs and let some calm re-enter our bodies. Huddled in a tiny crevice, we watch hundreds of gallons of water rush before us. Flattened against the moss covered rocks behind us, we can see nothing in front but a vertical river. Rafael's price was not so bad after all.
But, of course, there is a farther place if we want to go on but we must go there in twos. Dumbly we nod “yes” with sparkling eyes. We have reached the temporary insanity of adrenalin junkies, drunk with excitement. Two of us are again plunged into the river up to our chests while the others huddle behind the cascade, wondering if we will really return.
We rise again onto a tiny rock ledge, gasping for breath. Never have I been so clean, scrubbed by a downpour of water that stings and pushed the flesh against ones bones. We laugh as Rafael yells into the mass of water in glee ... or is he signaling to those below the falls that we are safe. There is a cave, a tiny one. Behind the thousands of gallons of water, there is a tiny dry cave. It is enough to stick our heads in to see dark nothingness, not enough room for our entire bodies. At this far end of our journey, I ask “Do we return the same path we came?” He assures me it is so and then asks his burning question, “How old are you?” He responds to my reply with delight. “You are very strong, a very brave woman.” I have a feeling I may be his record antiquity for this adventure.
We step back into the river of water and lose all sense of direction or power of decision in the quest for survival. The water beats on us and our heads search for openings to draw breath into open mouths. It occurs to me that Rafael carries no “throw bag” or rope. We have no helmets. If our hands lose grip, we will be swept into a rocky chasm and carried crashing through the water flow to God knows where. Or, perhaps we will simply be plunged into one of a multitude of powerful hydraulics that surround us where our bodies will be beaten continuously against the submerged boulders that partially block the sun. At last the hand we have trusted pulls us upward to stand on a rock dome and reach for the waiting hand of a fellow idiot. We have passed into semi-dryness again and scream words of delight and awe at one another against the roar of the beating water. We wait for Rafael to take the others to the far place and eventually reunite us.
Danger is so relative. The same rocks we climbed over in terror to get into the water fall seem as nothing as we return. We have been to the place of extreme danger. This is almost safety. Rafael unlocks the gate that keeps the casual tourist away from our path of danger and delivers us to the misty pathway that will take us away from the falls. We have no regret at paying the $5 fee. He had taken us to the brink of death and brought us back safe.

Hilton Head Island

In June Amelia and I went down to Hilton Head Island for a few days. My cousin Jimmie Lou from Texas and her daughter's family were vacationing there. My cousin had gotten us tickets to a cooking class at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Shirley Ann Robinson was the cook. She was raised on Daufuskie Island, near Hilton Head. When in elementary school, her teacher one year was Pat Conroy who wrote The Water is Wide about his experiences there. She taught us how to make smothered shrimp and grits with bread pudding for desert...wonderful food and entertaining teacher.

The second day we went out on a 42' sail boat. Dick, the skipper was a member of the Power Squadron, my cousin was the National Commander of the Sea Scouts a few years back and mutual friends set it up for Dick to take us out on his boat. We had a nice trip out to Daufuskie Island but there wasn't any wind for the sails. We anchored and had lunch, Jimmie Lou had made a old family recipe, Mexican Salad that really tasted good on the boat. Nice day out on the water.

Click here for pictures.

AMELIA’S Tips for Italy!

LEARN to cross the street in Naples, Italy, so it will never ever get any harder to do. It takes guts to practice the “step out in front of the cars and they will stop for you” system. Our guide in Rome said it was best to “never make eye contact with the drivers” as they would know they could bluff you into stopping. Best ideas -- find an Italian to cross with because they know how to do it … or step in front of scooters. They can dodge you better.

DO -- Take a paid tour of Sistine Chapel & Vatican and of Michelangelo’s David in Florence. In fact, don’t go to Italy if you can’t see David in Florence. It’s that great. And to both of these the lines are hours long so the early paid tour is by far the best way to do it. Lines are unreal also at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence but you can call on a Skype phone and make reservations there (and only pay for it if you get there!).

-- Go to Venice NOW before all the locals leave. Insist on staying on the island. DO NOT settle for staying in Mestre and touring into the city. The evening walks through alleys and winding streets is the best of Italy. DO ride the “vaparetto” (water bus) with the locals … a 24 hours pass will get you everywhere, including nearby islands.

-- Wander up a side street and stop in a local deli. Buy cheese and meat for a picnic. A fun pantomime with non-English speaking, friendly Italians will give you a 5E lunch and a 25E memory plus a photo.

-- Try public transportation – buses in Rome (buy tickets at Tobacco Stores and search for a bus stop. Get the bus going the wrong way and go the whole loop … you’ll see something new at any rate.)

-- Stop at the Autogrill – an upscale truck stop. Good food … especially the risotto!!!

DO NOT -- Buy all those other tours. You can easily do the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, etc. on your own in Rome. You can do Venice, Pompeii, and the Uffizi in Florence with a little courage.

-- Get upset when Italians ignore your line or don’t get to you when you think they should. There is a word for people like that and it is “Italian”. It’s their country; don’t expect them to be “Americans.”

-- Buy into the idea that everyone is a “pickpocket”. Be reasonably cautious – “day wallet” with only basic moneys and ID, big money in money belt or in your right shoe (my favorite place / pry up the inner sole and stick in a couple of big bills). Watch out for one anther.

-- Wait. Tourism is down by 40% or more in Italy which means smaller crowds.

IPOD – Great for travel. Download an audio book or two for the plane, and Italian lessons to make you think you will be able to speak Italian, and travel guides. We had 2 or more pod casts on every town and wonderful guided tours of Uffizi and of Venice by Rick Steves. Free downloads and lots of information.

Insights – Naples is the dirtiest city I’ve ever been in (and that includes all of Central America.) The museum is filled with great things but poorly captioned. Probably a better stay would have been Sorrento and train back up to Pompeii on the “Circumvesuviana” train.

Click Here for Pictures!

Montreal & Quebec Winter Carnival

In February we took a trip to NYC to see our new granddaughter, Zemi. During that time we also took a trip to Montreal and Quebec.
We left out of Penn Station on Amtrak and took the 11 hour trip to Montreal. Ride on the left side going North to Albany to see the Hudson River, then on the right side to see Lake Placid. We only spent one day in Montreal, walking around to see some of the buildings in the old city and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Then a three hour train trip to Quebec.

In Quebec they were having the Winter Carnival, with ice castles, snow sculptures and other activities. We stayed in a B&B in the old city, near the Carnival sites. After a day and half in Quebec, we returned to Montreal for a night, then back to NYC on the train (a long ride since the scenery was not new.) If you do the train ride, be sure to take food since they only have pre-made sandwiches in the cafe car. In Albany, there is a 20 minute brake but not a whole lot of food in that station either.

Go to the link on the left side of the page for pictures.

Norway, Sweden, Denmark

We had a great trip to Scandinavia and I will try to expand this later. The picture is at the Russian/Norwegian border near the town of Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle.

Click here to see pictures of our trip to Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Hiking the Pico Bonito National Forest

Vicky took a group of us to the Pico Bonito National Forest for a hike. We drove out of La Ceiba, past the airport. We were just going down the road when she stopped and turned into a pineapple field. Then I looked and saw a beat up sign, barely readable. After about a mile we came to a forested area and a gate. We paid $6 US (evidently it is sometimes $8) and drove to a parking area with picnic tables and toilets.

Following the trail, we started uphill through the rain forest. Vines hung down from trees and flowers bloomed here and there. Mostly it was ferns and other tropical species growing between large trees. There were signs every once in a while with information about the plants and animals. The sign about the snakes indicated that if you go past the sign you would be in an area of snakes, some venomous. We wondered how the snakes knew to stay behind the sign? After an hour or so of uphill we arrived at a waterfall and pools. Some of up dipped in the pool but only Lana jumped off of the rock.

After a while we started downhill. Near the bottom we met a group of middle aged people who asked how far up it was...we said they were about a quarter of the way up. Then they asked if it was better than the waterfall at the bottom...we said we hadn't seen the waterfall at the bottom. A few minutes later we came out at the picnic area and Vicky had the best spread laid out and we were making peanut butter sandwiches.

Then she took us to the waterfall at the bottom! After a hike of 200 meters we came to a beautiful pool, at the end of which was a nice waterfall flowing down in a round vestibule. If we had known it was there, we wouldn't have hiked up!

Heading out to Honduras

Monday Amelia and I head out to Honduras. We are watching Tropical Storm Fay. It is scheduled to arrive in Miami about the same time we are. Our flight goes to El Salvador, right trough the path of the storm. So we will see what happens then.

The picture on the right is of a house in a village near our friends, Allen and Vicky. They are helping the village re-locate and build better houses. It will be closer to schools so the children can walk in a reasonable amount of time.

Click here for more Honduras pictures.