I found a great travel deal to Australia ,$850.00 return Canadian on Qantas Airlines.[cheaper a month later!],,,My first time on a double decker A380 was totally amazing! The plane has a camera on the tail that can be watched from your TV screen seat [similar to what a pilot sees while flying].., love Qantas airlines.... free food, drinks, beer,, wine, headsets and movies. I had a slight connecting problem and they changed my flight from Sydney to Perth for free. [North America Airlines usually charge for any changes]...The Video's above show taking off from Sydney and landing in LA.
I am so grateful for the stay at the home of my long time friend Andrew Moore, his wife Jessica and kids Araluen and Casey. They toured me around south coastal region of Western Australia, I saw kangaroos and dolphins. Andrew took me on many scenic trips while I was there. On our way to the Perth from Andy’s family’s home in Mandurah, We again took the scenic coastal route, and saw many beautiful, modern cities and towns we went were so new and clean. While I was in Perth, I did a small hike up the hill to Kings Park for an amazing view of the city of Perth. I am now on my way to Brisbane late this afternoon for a couple days. Left video' was my first up close encounter with a Kangaroo (totally unpredictable)! Right video Andrew and I saw dolphins up close. After landing in Brisbane, I spent the night at an Airbnb near the airport. Next day I made my way by train to meet up with a long time friend Sam Schmidt in the Beautiful Sunshine Coast. In the above photo we are hanging out with two other Canadians.I also met a few of Sam’s friends and roommates, great Aussie's! Can you believe that I was a winner at the race track? That’s it, I’m moving here! Funny thing is I had a come to Australia to get a Canadian club hat. It was given to me from an Australian stranger in the piano bar (good people here in Australia). Sam's hospitality was amazing, After spending time with Sam, I took a train to the Gold Coast, I got a real good deal on Airbnb at the Surfers Paradise, Queensland Australia. Photos above are from my Airbnb balcony in the Gold Coast of Australia, a 5-star facility witch I paid only $60.00 Canadian a night, (price went up to $90.00 after my stay). The view from my room on the 32nd floor was amazing (the photo above). It was a good walk to the main beach or the tram in minutes. This week I’m going to TRY and take it easy and relax, as I'm always on the go. I never did relax as there is way to much to see and do. Now back in Brisbane, caught up with a few other old friends, Rob, wife Kirsty, kids and Daniel. Brisbane, We ROCK!! The reason I took this trip was to catch up with some old friends and how many changes since the last time I as there. Had a great night out with Robert, wife Kirsty, their three kids Matilda is 9 Oliver is 7 Patrick is 4 and Daniel Williams. With all the walking I do in a day,it was great to get around on a power scooter. I will be back in Australia to catch up with some old friends that I missed.
I just arrived in Sydney Central Hostel, the place where my journey of traveling began over 16 years ago. Back then they never had Uber or Airbnb where I now stay most of the time. Now people have Facebook where they can keep in touch with each other while traveling and most of all, what would we do without the google maps app. We would also be lost without traveling websites that include schedules for bus, train, boat, cable cars and planes. So, for my last three nights in Australia, I’m booked into the Sydney Central Hostel where it all began over 16 years ago. Video one above on left, I leave back home tomorrow Wednesday; I had a layover in Los Angeles for 6 hours and strolled over to Venice Beach for a couple hours. In my video I’m explaining how I might change my ways of travelling next winter, perhaps staying in one country for four or five months instead of bouncing around like I have been. Then again, I can change my mind by November. Just found out the Sydney central Hostel has 650 beds and I'm seeing a lot more older people are travelling Hostels these days. Home Wednesday booked Mexico for Friday too cold in Canada right now. Again, to my Australian friends, thank you for making my vacation so amazing. It was so nice to meet so many new great new people. Yesterday I walked down to the Sydney harbour and took the ferry to Manley Beach, afternoon I went to Bondi beach all on the same $15.00 day ticket (opal card). Most people from Sydney don't know that the $15.00 ticket (opal card) is good for all transit include boats, trains, and buses for the day. Because of the cyclones in the north, most of beaches are closed in Sydney and the East Coast. Video two, is about young students learning to save lives, it's amazing to watch. I had no idea what was going on in Bondi beach. First was a kids learning to save lives in the water, kayaks racing and of course the surfers are out there too. In Canada we get the TV show Bondi Vet, great show. On my home from Australia, who says you can’t be in two places at the same time? I left Sydney, Australia February 27 at 11:20 AM and arrived in Los Angeles February 27th at 6 AM. If only I thought of it, I could have been in the South Pacific Bondi beach touching water at 8 AM, then take the public bus and train to Sydney airport, In my seven hour layover in Los Angeles. I did take the shuttle to the city bus stop at the LA airport for free, then the Santa Monica big blue bus #3 to Venice Boulevard and finally took the number 33 to Venice Beach. It was here that I put my feet in the water at 8 AM February 27th. Same time and date, two different countries and two different beaches from the South Pacific Sydney to the North Pacific LA, Never say things that can’t be done. I am home in Calgary for 38 hours then off to San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico next. EXCITING TIMES CONTINUE!!! Next Blog,Cabo Mexico...
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Photos: left to right - Playa Del Carmen - second photo: SellOffVacations.com….. I found a deal for Playa Del Carmen - Mexico hotel, flight with taxes in, $97% off - $29.00 plus $500.00 taxes, I ended up paying a bit more because the posted price was for double occupancy. The next photo was posted on YYCdeals.com Calgary …… Canada to Sydney Australia for as low as $651.00 to $685.00 round trip, including taxes…. Unbelievable! As for the third photo, I found this deal on NextDeparture.com; across Canada to Sydney, Australia for $624.00 to $808.00 round trip including taxes. People that are living in Canada and looking for great deals can sign up with Ydeals and NextDeparture. They will email you when they find deals in your city and it’s free. I use ydeals for my flights. To check prices, scroll down to flights…. google flights or ITA Matrix . when you get to dates, put in search exact dates, meaning you can put in up to two day before or after. I like to use the calendar for lowest fares; for example. if you put in 14 days, it will show you best prices or add or minuses days, Also, be sure to put in Canadian $$$$ under currency, I also use SkyScanner to find great deals. Once you find a good price, it is best to go directly to the airlines, Expedia or your own travel agent. They will give it to you for the price you see most of the time, but prices change so fast sometimes. If I’m in Canada with my phone on April till November, then I could help you book all your travel needs with my Expedia. I got laid off the last week of November 2018, so I went shopping online for a deal and found the Playa Del Carmen deal with Mexico hotel, flight with taxes in - $97% off =($29.00) plus $500.00 taxes, I ended up paying a bit more because the posted deal was for double occupancy. I go to Mexico quite a bit, so it was just a relaxing holiday and meet up with some old friends.
I have been to Panama many times, but this was my first Christmas there. Spending it there was all about family, parks all lit up (lights), decorations and the parade and fireworks were all amazing. My friends, Martin and Victor came by for Christmas dinner. I had also invited a few other friends, but they thought I was having the dinner on Christmas eve as that’s when most people celebrate Christmas; sorry about that Conrad and Louis. This is the first time I took the Panama Canal Railway from Panama City to Colon, for only $25.00 and I took the bus back from Colon. While in Colon, I checked out the free zone and the new locks. Colon is not a place to visit at night.
Wow! New Years Eve in Cartagena, Colombia; met quite a few good people from England, Miami, Brazil and Mexico and we had a great time in the old town on a rooftop bar for the new year. Cartagena is a beautiful city with dark gray beaches. After the great time in Cartagena, I wanted to check out Medellin, Colombia for the first time. It’s a city surrounded with mountains. It has a great subway system that even has a gondola (cable car) that you get to take, as it is part of the subway system and you don’t have to pay extra. It’s worth checking out the amazing views of the city from the top of the mountain. I also enjoyed the cool nights as you don’t need air conditioning there at night. I spent a relaxing week back in Panama after my trip to Colombia. I made it out to Coronado to visit a couple of old friends Jimmy and Derek for a round of golf. For this whole trip of a t month and a half, I stayed in a hotel in Play Del Carmen, because it came with the flight, but the rest of the traveling I stayed in Airbnb.com. I strongly recommend Airbnb over hotels now as you get to meet so many good people in the world that live in the city you are visiting but the secret is make sure they are a 5 star or a super host and they will go out of the way for you. Funny story: …a friend of mine stayed at an Airbnb and said it was OK, so I asked him what star rating it was, His answer was no star but it was OK because he paid $120.00 . I showed him that a 5 star or super host was only average $40.00 a night in the same city and a better location too. Anyway, for some reason people think if you pay more it will be a better place. I proved him wrong so take it from an experienced traveler, read up on the person you are staying with and also read up on the people that have stayed at their place. I am a 5 star host myself when I put my place back on line with Airbnb. Amazing tile art work in Havana, see if you can recognize the person on the tile. Always love the people of Cuba. I went to visit my friend Fernando’s wife, Yarelys and daughter Monica in Cardenas about 30 minutes from the resort town of Varadero. It was great to meet up with her family (photos 7&8). It’s so cheap to get around on horse and buggy (photos 9&10) in these small towns (love it). Off to Havana (Habana) with my travelling amigo Normando Salsa (aka Norm Freele) . The first six photos are of celebrity caricatures in our new favorite bar Cinema (cervezas 2.75 CUC). I took time for a shower down at the harbour (photo 1). Hotel Lido (Dean's favorite when visiting), just two blocks off the Prado, was 30 CUC per night ($30) on the last visit. It had risen to 57 CUC so we stayed next door at the Casa Particular for 30 CUC. The Casa did not appear to be too Particular about shared occupancy, but we still got our own rooms,,,, Heh! Heh! The restored car lineup (photos 2&6) at the main plaza is amazing. We visited the National building (photos 3&4) , spent some time with Ernest (photo 5) at his favorite bar Floridita and capped the visit with some salsa back down by the Malecon. My heart is in Havana Ahha!  My next trip, February 6th to the 27th in Australia looking foreword to see some old friends and their extended families in Australia as they all moved back home after living in Canada for a few years.
Summer 2018, I wanted to go to Canada's 150-year celebration in Ottawa, seeing old friends then making it to my daughter’s wedding in Golden B.C. The first part of my trip was going to King City just north of Toronto and staying with my buddy Tim and Christine great host every time I go there. I get to camp out at Tim’s he has an amazing Car collection and he always has new cars and collectibles to check out every time I go there, we went to a auction where Tim bought a lot of old gas station collectibles. His garage is like no other I have ever seen before just amazing check out the photos above. Wasaga Beach and camping, While I was there I caught up to a few old friends, Russ, Fuzzy and his wife Meriaul, Mike, Leeann, Debbie and her husband Mike that were great host at their place in one of my favorite places growing up was to go to Wasaga beach, They invited me to their barbecue and met a lot of people I grew up with, It was nice catching up with the old crew again a few drinks and chat about the good old days and I don’t think any of us have change or got any older. Thanks again Deb and Mike for allowing me to camp at your place it was a fun get together we will have to do it again sometime soon. I wanted to go east for Canada day in Ottawa, where else would I want to be for Canada’s 150 birthday, I contacted a friend Ken to whom I met in Panama while I was on my road trip Calgary to Panama a year ago, Ken let me camp out at his family’s place in Wakefield, Quebec while waiting for Canada in Ottawa, we could not find a place in Ottawa so the night before Canada day July 1st we camped overnight in a Walmart parking lot and Canada day we made our way to the big show as close as we could get to the Parliament buildings in a parking lot overnight, we could not get into the big event, low cloud and rain stopped the air show from happening but we did stick around for the amazing fireworks that night, met a nice couple of backpackers Valentina is from Smolensk, Russia and Michiel is from Utrecht, Netherlands I invited them back to my camper for a peanut butter and jam sandwich. I have been watching their travels too. The next day I caught up with my cousin Debbie, husband Dean and their daughter Michelle for breakfast, the last time I saw Debbie is when we were young kids ourselves. Our parents came to Canada from Belfast Island, The Dowies my mother’s maiden name they grew up in New Brunswick, so we did not have a chance to see each other growing up as our family grew up in Toronto. Did a bit of camping with an old buddy Russ we even made it to Niagara Falls where we got invited for dinner at a couple of friends of mine I met in Panama City a few years ago, great dinner Derek and Jim thanks guys. Guy walking across Canada canforrest.blogspot.ca On my way to Ontario, I noticed a guy with a big sign on his back saying walking across Canada please help with food, so I pulled over to chat with a guy, his website (canforrest.blogspot.ca) that was walking across Canada for the second time for mental health. Story about trip home from Toronto, Before heading back to Calgary I decided to go to the hostel in downtown Toronto to see if I could find some backpackers to share the expense, Brent Oldfield from Canada replied so we hit the road picking up backpackers on the way back sharing expenses photos left to right Leo, Johanna a couple we picked hitchhiking in Moose Jaw to Medicine Hat they are backpackers from Germany Pete then Ludwig Winter a 19 year old hitchhiker (backpacker) again from Germany we picked him up in Sault Ste Marie Ontario to Swift Currant Saskatchewan and on the far right Brent traveling from Toronto to Calgary soon moving to Australia, I posted on the Toronto Hi Hostel bulletin board to share expenses to Calgary and Brent Oldfield responded. It took us 4 days three nights camping. I will be blogging soon about my trip to Toronto and back on TravelCheapWithPete). My daughters wedding. It was time to head back to Calgary because of course I must attend my daughter Crystal’s wedding who else is going to give her away? Crystal and now her husband Ben picked a fantastic location in the mountains of Golden British Columbia. It’s so nice to see all the family and meet Crystal’s new extended family, wonderful time. Camping with friends and family summer 2017 after my daughters wedding last month I did plenty of camping to Turner Valley in the mountains love the heated outdoor swimming pool, Friends dropped by from there Carol Ann and Dave. Banff, Took friends from Toronto on a road trip to Banff day trip. Sylvan Lake where my sister Carol lives a few friends and family dropped by. Golden B.C my Daughter Crystals wedding, Strathmore rodeo always a great time with friends. Beaver Dam golf and camping resort, great deal golf and camping my friend Joe and I stayed here and Ron and Rob dropped in for a golf game, in the photo you will see how close Ron and my drive were to each other from the tea off. And southern British Columbia. My buddy Joey had time off, so I asked him if he wanted to go on a road trip to Kelowna, British Columbia and I decided I wanted to take the long root mostly hwy #3 close along the Canadian US boarder as I have never done it before it is longer but worth checking out. It was great to meet up with a world traveler from Calgary and chat travel. check out his book http://www.mikespencerbown.com/ the third photo was taken by The Eagle 100.9 FM Winter 2017-2018, Mexico twice, Panama twice, Cuba and Florida once.  I started in Varadero Cuba, I started my winter vacation in Varadero Cuba on November 19th the next day after I arrived I got two messages from both my Daughters saying, Dad call home right away, I know in my gut this can't be good, so I waited about an hour and then I called and talked to my daughter Crystal she told me that my 28 year old niece Shelby pasted away that was the hardest call I have every received while traveling all I wanted to do was get home right away to be with my sister Carol and family, I remember how hard it was trying to get home directly to Calgary until I thought of my good friend Kyla that worked for Westjet and I thank everyone on Westjet that took care of me, I was an emotional wreck, first Veradero to Toronto and the connecting flight to Calgary was full but they made room for me on a buddy pass, thank you so much Kyla and Westjet. Airbnb in Playa, Christmas & New Year, bike and apt Dean and family. My next trip was to (Cancun) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico on my $800.00 vulture with Air Canada, had to use it up within a year. Found a wonderful place with great host on Airbnb Maria, Ralf and family. The picture is the front of the house and the balcony is from my bedroom the small jungle between the house and the beach. They even invited me to join them for Christmas dinner a few days after I moved out, wonderful time with their family and friends. I ended up renting my own one bedroom apartment in Playa Del Carmen in a great location ( 4 blocks from the beach 5th avenue), only 8000 pesos a month I think it’s something like $550 Canadian, great location too. Merry Christmas🎄🏝 from Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. I am so grateful Maria and Ralf for having me over for Christmas eve dinner with family and friends, I met the family the first day I arrived in Playa Del Carmen, I stayed at their home thanks to Airbnb and they invited me back for Christmas eve celebrations, I find in South America, Central America and Mexico they celebrate Christmas eve not Christmas day and it was so much fun. They had family over from Germany, Mexico and the United States and another Airbnb guest Eric from USA and myself Canada. I like to help in the kitchen cooking, so I ask Maria how I can help she said you can make German knodel, it’s a potato that I rolled like meatballs then they into boiling water, they were so good. In the pictures and videos, you will see me working in the kitchen, the game where you throw the dice and hope you get an even number, so you can pick a present that is wrapped them open it and show everyone what you have got because the next time you roll the dice you can trade in you don’t like yours. It starts off with everyone must bring a wrapped gift then roll the dice, we went around about 4 times, it was so much fun. I just got a good deal on a 🚲 Bicycle. I’ve been shopping for a bike since I’ve been here in Playa Del Carmen, prices are high due to Christmas, even in the pond shops, so I just got talking to a couple of Mexicans and an American having a problem with the bank machine on Fifth Avenue I said nice bike to the one Mexican guy and asked him do you know where I can buy a bike like his? He said yes, this one he said it’s worth about 1200 pesos but he will give it to me for 800 that’s a bargain, I said I have 640 that’s it, he said deal, I’m so 🍀 Lucky. Even the guy behind us selling tours watched the transaction heard us, I took a picture of the seller and I he said why? do I want a photo of him, I said just in case it’s stolen then he asked me if I was a cop, I laughed and said no, then he walked away I looked over at the guy selling the tours he said what a great deal you got there and it’s not stolen because he knows the seller he is a local. I never did listen to mom saying don’t talk to stranger’s son, you have to strangers all the time if you want to be a traveler that’s always looking and finding good deals. friends came down for Christmas and new year’s, Randy, Rossie, Dean and 35 family members Happy new year from Playa Del Carmen Mexico. More photos to come, hanging out with Derek, they set off fireworks from one end of the beach to the other at the hotels. Tim's place in Florida and flames game. Change of plans, means change my flight too, I was supposed to fly back to Calgary but I saw it was too cold in Calgary, so I changed my ticket to Florida, I wanted to visit my friend Tim and his girlfriend Christine and do some car shows with them, love Tim’s car collection, I posted to my Facebook friends you have to guess who drove what vehicle from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach, left to right you have Pete Montgomery, Cole Kay, Christine Wheeler Tim Schmidt and Brad Chapman. Bugatti Chiron. McLaren P1. Lamborghini Huracan. Corvette Z06. Conquest Knight XV, all beautiful autos, I got to drive the Conquest Knight XV, Canadian made worth over a million, if I knew it was worth that much I don’t think I would have drove it, as I think I would have been too nervous. It was a great visit, Tim bought a new house on the water 2 bedroom and a 12 car garage on the water in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and we went up to visit his mother Helga who also has a house on the water just north of Fort Lauderdale. The next day after I arrived I met a new young friend and now a new traveler from Ecuador Luigy Muñoz came into the Airbnb place he was too early he could not check in till 2:00pm he arrived at 10:00am so I showed him how to get around on the city bus to the mall, so he can get to Miami the next day and showed him the beach in Hollywood. I said that I wanted to go to hockey game tonight and asked him if he wanted to join me and he said yes, he has never seen hockey before, so this is his first time at a hockey game in Florida and his first time travelling alone, go flames go. I don’t have my red jersey because I had no idea I going to hockey game I was in Mexico yesterday Florida today, I booked my flight and I didn’t even know the Calgary Flames were playing until after a book my ticket I looked to see what teams will be in Florida while I was there, and it ended up being the flames. I had money left from Air Canada so I made a short stop in Playa Del Carmen then back to Panama, found a great deal with money left over from my Air Canada voucher. Great deal on Airbnb, Martin $29.00 Canadian and San Blas and blues fest, After Florida I ended up going home to Calgary for about a week and then it got cold again, I decided I’m out of here. I had some money left on my Air Canada voucher, so I ended up going back to Playa Del Carmen for a few days working with Expedia Mexico, I am an Expedia agent in Canada. After a few days in Mexico I decided it was time for change again, so I found a great deal to Panama but I had to fly north to Houston then Panama where I found a great apartment with an Ocean view a rooftop pool and gym, a block from the Hard Rock hotel, cheap $29.00 Canadian a night thanks Airbnb and a great host now good friend Martin he is a young entrepreneur just starting on his own and just move to Panama from China. Martin and I (business partners) were looking at buying a hostel in Panama City and I could look after it in the winter months but some friends of mine (other hostel owners) said no it is not worth it. Friends always ask me why I like Panama so much. Well it’s a good small country with great friendly helpful people, you can drink the water from the tap, I’m living on the Pacific Ocean in the new modern Panama City and it will only take me just over an hour to go snorkeling in the Caribbean, I can take a bus to visit friends in Coronado at their golf condo resort just over an hour to get there for only $2.50 on a new modern bus the whole country has everything you need, beaches, mountains, rain forest, hiking and lots of jungle to explore. I finally made it over to San Blas, Panama and stayed in a hut (don’t need windows you can see through the walls), this is not for most of my friends, but I sure did enjoy just relaxing for a couple of days. There are 365 Islands to explore I made it to a couple of the Islands (No phone or internet service) that was so nice. So busy traveling Panama and still have my Airbnb in the city, I went to Boquete, Panama for the Jazz and Blues festival on the redeye bus and stay with my old buddy from Texas Backpacker Bob. http://www.boquetejazzandbluesfestival.com/festival-2018.ht… Penthouse condo Panama. I arrived home to a snow storm (Saturday March 3rd, saying to myself what was I thinking coming back to this? I took care of business (job interview) and I have one more meeting tomorrow morning, so that means I can get out of here. I found a great deal back to Panama leaving Wednesday March 7th only $522.41 Canadian. Thank god I did my laundry in Panama before I left two days ago that means I don’t even have to unpack. I knew Martin had his place booked for the month of March, so I put it out there to other friends in Panama, My friend Marcela, that owned the hostel when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama, I stayed at her hostel, she said her sister Gilda has a place for rent in Panama City two-story penthouse three bedroom three bathroom with a pool and gym. She offered it to me for $30 a night USD and I asked her about the other room she said she’ll rent it out as long as it’s a friend of mine for $45 USD a night. So, I put it out to my Facebook friends that want to check out Panama city it’s a good deal. Remember flights leaving Wednesday from Calgary I got it cheap for $522.00 return, this deal is only while I am here. The forgotten People of Panama by tour guide Victor Peretz.Next to old town (Casco Viejo) Panamá, what they call the undesirables living in Chorrillo area where Police tell us to stay out of, they are people the forgotten people my this blog will be about the tour I had with Víctor Peretz yesterday. Two out of the six of us playing basketball tonight we’re from the poor area, after the lights went out we all went our separate ways shook hands and said thanks, I think I have a pulled muscle in my leg no worries will it will be better tomorrow. Thanks Victor for the tour we will be working together in the future to show the world how great Panama really is. This is Victor's story Well, let me share with you some important details about El Chorrillo. On December 20th, 1989, President George Bush launches Operation Just Cause and has sent US forces into the Central American country of Panama in a bid to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. El Chorrillo is on the water's edge in Panama City, not far from the entrance to the Panama Canal. Many of the canal's builders -- immigrants from the Caribbean -- lived here. Decades later the neighborhood was poor and dangerous because of the invasion in that time, home to teachers and clerks, as well as hustlers who sold contraband cigarettes or beer stolen from the American military bases. Although many people moved out after the invasion, there are still others who stayed and recall the 1989 attack. They were caught unawares, they said, when they heard American helicopters coming over the hills and waterfront. Members of the Dignity Battalions, armed civilians sworn to protect General Noriega's Panama, scrambled. Some residents said the Americans urged them to leave the neighborhood. Others said they had cringed inside their homes, while people on the street tried to get into any home they could, or rushed to the local church. When the government and private investors started seeing the potential of this area, they started removing the poor people from this area. Many of them moved to El Chorrillo, only a stone’s throw away from Casco Viejo. Get off the beaten path with me and see where boxer Roberto Duran trained and our local panamanian soccer player who will be representing Panama in the World Cup 2018, learn about how the U.S. invasion of Panama affected this neighborhood since 1989, try local food and drinks, visit the park where dominoes are played, chat with the locals in their homes and get to know the people of this area, and learn about the gentrification that has taken place in the now trendy Casco Viejo historic district. That's how the gang members took the control of the neighborhood of El Chorrillo. I wanted to show to travellers something that goes beyond typical tourist places, like the Canal and Casco Viejo. So I started offering different tours. One of them caught my attention immediately: The Walking Tour through El Chorrillo. The idea is to show tourists the real side of Panama: the local people, their living conditions and culture. I run the tour under the slogan: “WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A FAMOUS CANAL – WE ARE PEOPLE“ During the tour, visitors can also find old colonial buildings, but they are not renovated since they have been built. There are apartment buildings, with colorful, but mostly old facades, where freshly washed clothes are hanging for drying. Some houses are sporadically made of wood, almost falling apart. Travellers will see a lot of street art about sports, people of El Chorrillo and some who remind of the US invasion. Let me tell you about the local history, daily life and living conditions of the locals. I will show you the sports hall, where the famous boxer Roberto "Hands of stone" Duran trained and other places that are related to sport, especially to football. The locals love it and are proud that a few “Chorrilleros” became famous athletes. The neighborhood is very lively, with children running around in the streets, people chatting and Latin music sounds in every corner. Locals always will greet you friendly with a smile. So we will stop a few times. We will also visit a Police station, where Victor’s weekly program "Educate Me and You Educate A Nation", is taking place. The idea is to get the kids away from the street and give them a place to learn and play. Especially tourists are welcome to interact with the kids and learn English with them. I want the locals and tourists to connect, exchange knowledge from different countries, traditions and cultures. You can meet the kids, help to educate them and have an authentic experience in Panama. The program is quite new, but I want to develop it with more and different classes in English, music and art. In the long term I plan to educate and empower also the mothers of the children. The locals are very friendly and welcoming and You will feel safe with me. For sure, it’s not as safe as Casco Viejo to walk around as a tourist – especially after sunset. You will have a very good experience there, where you will take home more than souvenir, You will take home memories to share. After walking around in El Chorrillo, I will bring you back to our starting point (Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo). The tour takes around 1,5 hours and it's 40 USD. If you are interested in seeing another, non-touristy side of Panama or spend time with the kids of this area, connect with me on Facebook @Local in PTY or send me an E-Mail. I guarantee you an amazing, unique and authentic experience in Panama City! Any other question you have, let me know. Best regards, Víctor A. Pérez M. Founder & CEO Two out of the six of us playing basketball tonight we’re from the poor area, after the lights went out we all went our separate ways shook hands and said thanks, I think I have a pulled muscle in my leg no worries will it will be better tomorrow. I met Luis just a few weeks ago just hanging out in old town Panama City Victor Peretz, origionally from beautiful San Blas, Panama, is now giving tours in what some people call the undesirables in the El Chorrillo area. Police tell us to stay out of El Chorrillo, but it is right next to ‘Old Town[Casco Viejo]’one of Panama’s biggest tourist areas! Hats off to Victor showing the world his great country. Video of city from Martin’s place. My buddy Martin and I took a little road trip on the weekend from Panama City to Isla Grande (Caribbean side of Panama) about a 2-hour drive from the city. You must watch your speed (fake radar) and you must watch for the real police too. Met Stanley and family from Panama City who own a Caribbean Panamanian Restaurant (Donde Stanpty) going to check it out sometime this week. Dinner on the balcony and yes, I brought my own HP sauce from Canada. I think I will check out the Pearl Island next, a boat ride from the City. The Bottom line: I love Panama and the People who live in this great country! I am so grateful for the people who brought me into their homes. Jim & Derrek, buddies from Ontario who live in Coronado 6 months a year. Marcela, whom I met a couple years ago when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama. She ran the Hostel in Panama city and introduced me to her sister Gilda who took me into an amazing two story three bedroom penthouse with a city and ocean view for only $30.00 USD a night. My newest young buddy Martin Cheng ,who I met through Airbnb, just moved to Panama from China. I stayed at his amazing condo rooftop pool, barbeque area and gym for 3 weeks at $29.00 Canadian a night. Also grateful to the new people I met on this trip and nice to catch up to old friends while I was there. Thank you Victor, the tour guide of the not so dangerous El Carrillo area where the police say do not enter and Luis, the street person who will make a great tour guide someday [I will buy him a phone soon to assist his tour business]!...,So many more people to mention! I remember when I first started traveling some 15 years ago, someone from Malaysia said to me “You Lucky Guy”!.... Well, I am beginning to understand what she really meant by that statement! Now I am back to work after my four years of traveling, it has been the best four years of my life and anyone I have met on my travels are welcome to my place here in Calgary anytime, we met for a reason, but you will not catch me here in the winters as I will be taking winters off work still. Pete Montgomery from TravelCheapWithPete.com https://youtu.be/YcwrRA2BIlw I have more photos and videos. Problem with my computer will upload in a few days.The forgotten people of Panama.You can see some of the photos & videos on my facebook for now. More videos in a few days. Sorry, computer problems! Again, view photos & videos on my facebook for now. The photos and videos will show you the good and the bad of Panama City. The bad area ,El Chorrillo,has what I call “ the forgotten people”… Victor Peretz, origionally from beautiful San Blas, Panama, is now giving tours in what some people call the undesirables in the El Chorrillo area. Police tell us to stay out of El Chorrillo, but it is right next to ‘Old Town[Casco Viejo]’one of Panama’s biggest tourist areas!Hats off to Victor showing the world his great country. In the video where I had a chance to play basketball, two out of the six players are from the poor area El Chorrillo. After the lights went out we all went our separate ways, shook hands and said thanks for the great game! [Hey,I did pretty well but may have pulled a muscle,,,?] I will be working with Victor in the future to show the world the great Panama City. Story below was written by Victor Peretz, my tour guide in El Chorrillo, Panama. facebook.com/peter.montgomery.100 The forgotten People of Panama by tour guide Victor Peretz.Well, let me share with you some important details about El Chorrillo. On December 20th, 1989, President George Bush launches Operation Just Cause and has sent US forces into the Central American country of Panama in a bid to oust dictator Manuel Noriega. El Chorrillo is on the water's edge in Panama City, not far from the entrance to the Panama Canal. Many of the canal's builders -- immigrants from the Caribbean -- lived here. Decades later the neighborhood was poor and dangerous because of the invasion in that time, home to teachers and clerks, as well as hustlers who sold contraband cigarettes or beer stolen from the American military bases. Although many people moved out after the invasion, there are still others who stayed and recall the 1989 attack. They were caught unawares, they said, when they heard American helicopters coming over the hills and waterfront. Members of the Dignity Battalions, armed civilians sworn to protect General Noriega's Panama, scrambled. Some residents said the Americans urged them to leave the neighborhood. Others said they had cringed inside their homes, while people on the street tried to get into any home they could, or rushed to the local church. When the government and private investors started seeing the potential of this area, they started removing the poor people from this area. Many of them moved to El Chorrillo, only a stone’s throw away from Casco Viejo. Get off the beaten path with me and see where boxer Roberto Duran trained and our local panamanian soccer player who will be representing Panama in the World Cup 2018, learn about how the U.S. invasion of Panama affected this neighborhood since 1989, try local food and drinks, visit the park where dominoes are played, chat with the locals in their homes and get to know the people of this area, and learn about the gentrification that has taken place in the now trendy Casco Viejo historic district. That's how the gang members took the control of the neighborhood of El Chorrillo. I wanted to show to travellers something that goes beyond typical tourist places, like the Canal and Casco Viejo. So I started offering different tours. One of them caught my attention immediately: The Walking Tour through El Chorrillo. The idea is to show tourists the real side of Panama: the local people, their living conditions and culture. I run the tour under the slogan: “WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A FAMOUS CANAL – WE ARE PEOPLE“ During the tour, visitors can also find old colonial buildings, but they are not renovated since they have been built. There are apartment buildings, with colorful, but mostly old facades, where freshly washed clothes are hanging for drying. Some houses are sporadically made of wood, almost falling apart. Travellers will see a lot of street art about sports, people of El Chorrillo and some who remind of the US invasion. Let me tell you about the local history, daily life and living conditions of the locals. I will show you the sports hall, where the famous boxer Roberto "Hands of stone" Duran trained and other places that are related to sport, especially to football. The locals love it and are proud that a few “Chorrilleros” became famous athletes. The neighborhood is very lively, with children running around in the streets, people chatting and Latin music sounds in every corner. Locals always will greet you friendly with a smile. So we will stop a few times. We will also visit a Police station, where Victor’s weekly program "Educate Me and You Educate A Nation", is taking place. The idea is to get the kids away from the street and give them a place to learn and play. Especially tourists are welcome to interact with the kids and learn English with them. I want the locals and tourists to connect, exchange knowledge from different countries, traditions and cultures. You can meet the kids, help to educate them and have an authentic experience in Panama. The program is quite new, but I want to develop it with more and different classes in English, music and art. In the long term I plan to educate and empower also the mothers of the children. The locals are very friendly and welcoming and You will feel safe with me. For sure, it’s not as safe as Casco Viejo to walk around as a tourist – especially after sunset. You will have a very good experience there, where you will take home more than souvenir, You will take home memories to share. After walking around in El Chorrillo, I will bring you back to our starting point (Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo). The tour takes around 1,5 hours and it's 40 USD. If you are interested in seeing another, non-touristy side of Panama or spend time with the kids of this area, connect with me on Facebook @Local in PTY or send me an E-Mail. I guarantee you an amazing, unique and authentic experience in Panama City! Any other question you have, let me know. Best regards, Víctor A. Pérez M. Founder & CEO "Live & Experience the local spirit with locals"Contact Information; ✅WhatsApp: (+507) 61187621 Facebook.com/ConozcaSanBlasPan ama/ Facebook.com/localinpty/ Instagram.com/localinpty/?hl=e sCasco Viejo, Panamá City. After hanging out in old town Casco Viejo, then dinner at the fish market I like to walk along the ocean to Malticentro (near the Hard Rock Hotel) it's about an hours walk. So many people out walking, jogging, running, biking, working out in an(outdoor gym), volleyball, basketball, tennis, badminton, children's playgrounds, soccer and even dancing. Rich or poor everyone is welcome. I met Luis just a few weeks ago just hanging out in old town Panama City. I had the feeling he was a tour guide for old town (Casco Viejo). I was intrigued and wanted to know more about this person. His English was perfect, I could not even hear a Spanish accent. After my tour of El Chorrillo with Victor the day before ,I asked Luis if he would like to join me for lunch, my treat! I was shocked to discover that he was homeless,living in Casco Viejo the rich part of town old town. Wow! After lunch, I asked him if he could film me in front of Café Coka Cola and he agreed. We got along well and I asked if he would like to do a video explaining the Big fire in Old Town. He did well explaining the bad fire! Luis does all his tours for FREE! I told him no more free tours, you have to start charging now! I saw him working with other tour guides, helping them get clients. Luis is a great guy, and if anyone visits Old Town ask for Luis and tip him a few bucks for all the great information., I gave him some money and saw in his face that he was hiding tears! Video and photos coming soon. So many people to thank for this trip to Panama.The Bottom line: I love Panama and the People who live in this great country! I am so grateful for the people who brought me into their homes. Jim & Derrek, buddies from Ontario who live in in Coronado 6 months a year. Marcela, whom I met a couple years ago when I did my road trip Calgary to Panama. She ran the Hostel in Panama city and introduced me to her sister Gilda who took me into an amazing two story three bedroom penthouse with a city and ocean view for only $30.00 USD a night. My newest young buddy Martin Cheng ,who I met through Airbnb, just moved to Panama from China. I stayed at his amazing condo rooftop pool, barbeque area and gym for 3 weeks at $29.00 Canadian a night. Also grateful to the new people I met on this trip and nice to catch up to old friends while I was there. Thank you Victor, the tour guide of the not so dangerous El Carrillo area where the police say do not enter and Luis,the street person who will make a great tour guide someday[I will buy him a phone soon to assist his tour business]!...,So many more people to mention! I remember when I first started traveling some 15 years ago, someone from Malaysia said to me “You Lucky Guy”!.... Well, I am beginning to understand what she really meant by that statement!
Had to move out of my Airbnb mansion today in (Playa Car) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Great host Maria, Ralf and family. They even invited me to join them for Christmas dinner, I’m such a lucky guy. Today I moved into my own one-bedroom apartment it is also a suitable place, 8000 pesos a month I think it’s something like $500 Canadian, excellent location too. I may have to leave sooner if I go back to work before the month is up. The picture is the front of the house and the balcony is from my bedroom the small jungle between the house and the beach This is where I live now in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Not bad for 8000 pesos a month, I think it adds up to about $500.00 Canadian a month. About 6 blocks from the beach and 5th Avenue  I just got a good deal on a 🚲 Bicycle. I’ve been shopping for a bike since I’ve been here in Playa Del Carmen, prices are high due to Christmas, even in the pond shops, so I just got talking to a couple of Mexicans and an American having a problem with the bank machine on Fifth Avenue I said nice bike to the one Mexican guy and asked him? do you know where I can buy a bike like his? He said yes, this one he said it’s worth about 1200 pesos, but he will give it to me for 800 that’s a bargain, I said I have 640 that’s it, he said deal, I’m so 🍀 Lucky. Even the guy behind us selling tours watched the transaction heard us, I took a picture of the seller and I he said why? do I want a photo of him, I said just in case it’s stolen then he asked me if I was a cop, I laughed and said no, then he walked away I looked over at the guy selling the tours he said what a great deal you got there and it’s not stolen because he knows the seller he is a local. I never did listen to mom saying don’t talk to strangers’ son, you have to strangers all the time if you want to be a traveller that’s always looking and finding good deals.
CouchSurfing.com is a web site set up to for travellers to meet up with fellow travellers from around the world. When a traveller visits a city, they can connect on line with a couch surfing host to stay with them or hang out with them…Great for experiencing local knowledge! I was introduced to couch surfing from a traveller I met while traveling around Panama. Her name is Babette, a big time traveller for the past 8 years from Kansas City, Missouri. I have met many couch surfers during my travels, but never thought of trying it out until Babette mentioned it to me. Through the CouchSurfing web site, she organized a free sail boat ride through the Panama Canal. Included were all meals and the 2 night accommodation! I’m in. Last year during my Calgary to Panama campervan road trip, I met Stephanie, another backpacker/couch surfer. Stephanie is also a bigtime traveller, she did all the America’s on her own. Stephanie introduced us to Peter who also had a boat in Rio Dulce, Guatemala . He took us out for a great afternoon of sailing the local waters! Stephanie was couch surfing on Peter’s boat a couple of weeks before. The route through the Panama Canal was well worth my accepting the offer. The 47’ sail boat was clean and well equipped with a great crew. My job on board was a line man, working with the people who represented the canal. I had to pass the line/rope to the canal operator in order to walk the sail boat through the canal safely. The great crew included owner ,captain Josh from California, his buddy Travis from Florida, couch surfers Maru from Argentina, Babette from Kansas City and myself Pete from Calgary, Alberta, Canada! The fresh water Panama Canal is actually 28 miles long with two lock systems at either end. As we passed through from the Caribbean side, the boat had to be raised 15 meters through 3 systems of locks. Approximately 3 miles into the lake, we had to anchor for the night. After a good night’s sleep and breakfast we continued to the Pacific side, an all day journey. We motored at 7 knots passing a lots of ships and a beautiful landscape, even saw a 15 ft alligator. The final lock system at Panama City lowered us 15 meters to the Pacific ocean, where my job was complete!...Thanks again Josh, Travis and the crew for such a great experience! Thanks to all the CouchSurfers.com hosts Josh, Travis and Peter for allowing me the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of living on an ocean boat. Story from Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com Wow, what a great deal for our Golf and Beach condo in Coronado Panama, only one hour drive from Panama City!! Joe and I paid only $650 each for a large two bedroom 12th floor ocean/golf course panoramic view. Bonus was the $130.00 each paid for a month golf membership with full use of all hotel facilities including 3 pools, beach club, gym and bar/food orders. The 18-hole Tom Fasio golf course is tough and beautiful! A few days after we arrived, we had our first road trip to Panama City, picking up Gregory visiting from Calgary. We stayed at the Panama Central lofts, the hostel I planned to purchase last year. It was great to meet up with Marcela, the owner of the hostel as well as a few friends that I have known for the past few years! Joe appeared to enjoy his first hostel stay, a clean 3 bedroom unit with delicious pancake breakfast! Met some interesting travellers from around the world! Returning to Coronado the next day, Gregory discovered a great hotel special. An all inclusive $70/night stay included all food and drinks, and full use of hotel facilities. Great deal for him! After a couple of days of relaxing at the condo, the 3 of us headed out on another road trip. We drove 4hours to the northers part of Panama on roads mainly under construction, but very drivable!. Joe did a excellent job of getting us there! We met up with old friends that I met last year. Kim, originally from Ottawa and 85 year old backpacker Bob, a retired business man from Texas greeted us at nice T.G.I. Friday in David city. it was great to get caught up again and chat about our lives and travel stories. We drove to the far North West side of Panama, bordering country of Costa Rica. The border to Costa Rica was amazing! The road along the Panama side was filled with a wide variety of Duty Free Shops, tire stores and souvenir shops. Pete parked the car and we walked in one of the tire stores. We were shocked to discover that the opposite end of the store entrance was another street in, can you believe, Costa Rica. Frontera Costa Rica was the boarder town we were suddenly arrived! We entered Costa Rica without going through immigration. First time for Joe in Costa Rica. We then drove Kim’s town of Puerto Armuelles, a busy open area beach town. We stayed the night at Heavenly Beach Hotel located on a beautiful secluded sandy beach. Home cooked dinner of fresh fish and veggies was amazing! Next day we drove through David, the 2nd largest city in Panama and up a long windy road to the quaint mountain town of Boquete, at 5,500 ft above sea level. We had a nice visit with Backpacker Bob again and drove around the small windy roads. Boquete is an old, very fertile volcanic area known world wide to rock climbers, coffee berry beans and summer Jazz/Blues concerts. We stayed the evening at another great hostel/hotel Pension Topas, and met some very interesting travellers from around the world!
Story from Pete Montgomery and Joe Forzani      Love Air Canada. Joe Forzani and I started our trip from Calgary to Panama 7:00am on Monday February 27, including an overnight layover in Toronto. Waiting for the flight Monday morning at 6:00 am, Air Canada put an announcement over the PA asking that any passages wishing to wait for a later flight will receive an $800.00 voucher plus two dinner vouchers on AC. I said to Joe” wow”! That would pay more then the total cost of my trip and we were not going to miss our next morning flight from Toronto to Panama. AC confirmed me on the 1:30 PM flight and tried to get me on the 10 am and noon flights. All flights were full! I had to call my TO friends Mike & Murielle to apologize for cancelling dinner later that night as I would arrive far to late. I hope to be back in the Toronto this spring or summer and re kindle our dinner. I buy!! I finally arrived in Toronto about 9:00pm and decided that I would no longer need the rental car. I lost $26.00 for cancelling the reservation. Well worth it! I was tired and wondered where I would sleep the night? An AC Agent recommended a place to sleep at one end of the airport. I quickly walked to the area and found people sleeping on benches, but I found the bench very uncomfortable! I discovered a playground in the same area that looked comfortable to sleep on the foam/rubber floor. Upon waking after a good sleep, I found 10 other people sleeping there as well! Can you believe up to that point I have not paid for anything that day. My flight cost me $720.00, AC voucher $800, net profit to me $80,00…Yippee! I may book Europe this summer/fall with my $800.00 voucher.
It even gets better with air Canada. While waiting in Calgary for my TO flight, I could not get on the terminal Wi-Fi and thought AC Maple Leaf lounge might help? The agent at Maple Leaf said to me” this is your lucky day” …. Come in and use the facility because another traveller left a voucher. Wow, things were going well! I had breakfast and lunch there! Next day met Joe at TO airport and we had breakfast before our flight to Panama. Bill came, my part was $13, gave him $20 and received no change what so ever! Maybe mad I got everything free? Leaving the gate, Pilot came on PA system and had to pull plane back due to mechanical problem. After repairing problems, flight attendants announced a free lunch to compensate for the delay! And so, another free meal! In the meantime, Joe and I got a great price at the Coronado Golf Resort. Our Month golf dues are $130 including club storage and cleaning. Play as much as we want on the beautiful Tom Fazio layout! We also have access to all the hotel and large, beautiful resort facilities. First golf game tomorrow morning 8:00 AM Sharp! Story from Pete Montgomery and Joe Forzani Growing up in Ontario and hitch hiking to Alberta at 19, I have never seen much of the east coast. Wow, what a beautiful part of Canada! Oh yes, I plan to go back and spend more time there one day. Tim and I began our trip in Prince Edward Island, crossing the amazing 12.9 kilometer Confederation Bridge! Wow, I hear it is the longest bridge in the world? Tim knew Keith and Luc, a couple of friends from their winter campsite (resort) in Florida. Keith, who grew up in Prince Edward Island, showed Tim and I most of the Island. Along the way, we looked at a house that Tim might buy for a summer cottage. Located on the water, it was very well priced from my prior Real Estate knowledge. Further along, we met Keith’s parents, very nice people. We saw some fishermen bringing in their catch for the day, very picturesque! I learned so much about the local fishermen, as a government official checks fish quota’s everyday.. Most fishermen were done their quotas for the year. I so have to thank the guys for the tour around the beautiful PEI!.... On to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail. From PEI, we drove about 8 hours along the scenic Cabot Trail. As the sun was setting, we pulled into a cozy campsite. Next day, to our surprise, we learned that we were next to Canada’s # 1 ranked golf course and 19th best golf course in the world! We had no time for golf that day, but one day I will be back to Play history! We only spent three days in Nova Scotia, but the beauty there will bring me back for sure!!.... On to Newfoundland, where we took the ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Channel-Port Aux Basques Newfoundland. The boat trip takes about 7 hours, and upon our late arrival, we found a campsite about an hour from the port. We made quite a few overnight, sightseeing stops along the 3 day destination to St John’s. Oh love George Street, where we went bar hopping and got “screeched” in and ‘kiss the cod (fish)”, all in fun of course!. So mush to see and do around St John’s. We went site seeing, and about a half hour drive from St John’s, saw the most easterly point in North America, Cape-Spear Lighthouse.
I still can’t believe how many cruise ship ports there are in Eastern Canada! I learned so many new things while traveling Eastern Canada. One day we saw three cruise ships in the small City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com Our first stop was in Montreal we stopped at Tim’s step Daughter Kim's place. We hung out with Kim, her husband Joe, and their three daughters for a couple of days. It was wonderful, and we also had a chance to have a birthday party for his step son in-law Joe. From Montreal, we headed east to Marina Village campsite near Batiscan Quebec. Tim wanted to visit a couple of friends, Pierre and Luc from his winter resort in Margate Florida (Aztec resort). The first day Luc, with the owner Mario of the campsite, took us out fishing on the Saint-Lawrence River. Tim was the best, caught most of the fish! We all caught enough fish to feed 10 people that night and many more for our trip down the road. We also visited St Tite, Quebec for their rodeo (stampede). Unbelievable how many people were there! People camped everywhere on the streets! Most town residences even had their RV’s parked on their lawns….Wow! Estimated about 600,000 people will show up for the 10 day event [city Population is only about 4,000 people!]. Again, thanks to all the people I met for their friendship and hospitality. In addition, another great city we stopped at was Quebec City, so beautiful and so much history. Truly an historical landmark in Canada! We drove to New Brunswick where we met up with an old friend of Tim’s. Her name was Jill. She was visiting her friends Dawn, Paul and their three boys, Carson, Jack and Kyle. They took us all over the province, we were so grateful! They just moved and gave us great hospitality [we had 8 acres of land to camp on again]. We met many old friends and thanks to Facebook, we met up with Tim Wade a boyhood friend who lives in Moncton NB near Dawn and Paul.
On the way here, I missed a lot of people I wanted to catch up with. Next time I will try and drop in to see you all on my way back home after Newfoundland. Bon Voyage….! Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com We started our trip by driving from my place in Calgary to Tim's place in King City just north of Toronto. We had an overnight in Saskatchewan (Wal-Mart), then drove direct to northern Ontario the next night. Next spring, we plan to again travel Saskatchewan and Manitoba on our way to Yellowknife, NWT and Nunavut. The photos and video below are at Tim's farm in King City. Exploring King City it has been amazing above video and photos are at Tim's place in King City. We visited with old friends and met new people. Tim’s friends, family and farm workers all agree that Tim has a big heart. He does so much for others in this world. It is great to see someone of his wealth act like all of us. In his eyes, we are basically all the same. He will walk up to a stranger and just say hi how areyou doing, with a smile! Everyone loves him and he treats everyone with respect. It’s great to see Tim treat the CEO of a company the same way as a gas station attended serving us fuel. This video is from facebook, I have to figure out how to take the video from Tim's phone to my website.(click this link to see video) I grew up in Ontario housing with a single mom and three sisters. I always had a great relationship with my father. I will admit that growing up in these housing projects was a bit humbling, but I have never forgot where I came from. Neither has Tim. I grew up a couple of blocks from where Tim lived. His parents owned the home that they lived in. Both of our parents were immigrants. Tim’s family were from Germany and mine Ireland. Can you believe that both sides had nothing coming to this great country of ours (love Canada). This video is from facebook, I have to figure out how to take the video from Tim's phone to my website. (click this link to see video) Tim and I drove through the area where we grew up and I shot a video of the neighbourhood. It was very emotional for me, brought a tear to my eye! What a difference from then till now! We are special travellers just living the dream! While shooting the video, a stranger pulled over to ask us what we were doing in front of my old house? [We did grow up here but we were in a beautiful Rolls Royce convertible]! I walked over to him and said “buddy, I never forgot where I came from, can you believe this is where I grew up”? The person responded by saying ”can I play you a tune with my guitar”? I said wow, absolutely, and I have it on video! It’s amazing how Tim and I attract so many people at the right time. Like the street singer, we meet for a reason. I traded my campervan “Old Faithful” plus $ to Tim for his Mercedes campervan. Yipee, I can now keep up with him on our travels. BTW, Tim just bought a new Mercedes campervan similar to mine including a few upgrades like an outside TV….
Our next journey is to the East Coast of Canada…. Pease, Love and Happiness to all…. Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com and traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com Road trip across Canada, Northern British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alberta...8/21/2016
Highways to see so scenic; #99 from Vancouver to highway #97 near Cache Creek, as well as the Alaskan highway from Whitehorse to Dawson Creek and from Hinton through Jasper to Banff. Tim and traveled on highway #99 and wow what beautiful views. We were above mountain tops looking down in the valleys from Whistler to highway #97 it took us two days to arrive in Whitehorse,Yukon, where we stopped at an B&B on the way. We met a few people there, three of them rode their motorcycles from Argentina heading to Alaska. I travel by the comforts of a campervan but I can't believe how many people travel the whole world by motorcycle, bicycle, cars etc.. and so many with campervans crossing the Americas. The Alaskan highway from Whitehorse to Dawson Creek wow! breathtaking! Must stop in Watson Lake Yukon (sign post forest)! They have a place where people from around the world drop off their License plates, street and city signs, name of family signs, there is about 72.000 signs, plates and so much more. We also were going off the Alaskan highway to Fort Liard, Northwest Territories where we drove for about 30 minutes without seeing a car even coming the other way. Another must stop is in Fort Nelson BC where they have an old museum that have everything from autos, trackers, oil & gas, mining a real hoarder that had everything you can think of... Wow! unbelievable. http://www.watsonlake.ca/our-community/sign-post-forest/ Entering Alberta, the drive from Hinton to Canmore again breathtaking. We stopped in Jasper where Tim wanted to release his brother Frank's ashes from the top of Whistler Mountain, one of the places where Frank loved to come to. Then we went off camping, and the girl in charge gave us a bear warning I said great, I am a thrill seeker as I get to sleep with the bears in my tent. OK she said, No food in the tent because I will attract these wild animals... lol.. The final leg on the trip we checked out the ice fields and the new sky walk. All well worth checking out and so close to home. Don't know why I have never done it before. Home stretch to Calgary we saw a Grizzly bear where we Pulled over like everyone else ....So close to Banff, and we were lucky it was behind the fence. What a small world we live in. My sister Carol has been following us on facebook. She knew we were in B.C. and she was on her way to Tofino to see her boyfriends daughter. When sis was waiting for the ferry from Tsawwassen, she text me to see where we were in B.C. It ended up that we were in different rows to board the same ferry to go to Victoria. Tim and I didn't have a place booked but sis and her guy Don were staying at the Ocean Village Resort where Don's daughter Christel works. We ended up camping one night and having a cabin the second night at the resort next door to them and really enjoyed getting together at night for fires on the beach. It really is a sight to see when the whole beach is lit up with fire pits and people releasing Chinese lanterns. We dipped our feet into the ocean in Tofino which as far west as you can go in this beautiful country. We are soon heading as far east as you can go to dip our feet into the ocean in Newfoundland. It was awesome to go whale watching in Tofino and now looking forward to see what whale watching is like in Newfoundland. Stay tuned friends!!! Many more adventures for you to follow!!! Cheers!!!
Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com traveling with Tim Schmidt TimsHorsePowerHaven.com Road Trip Across Canada- Journey 1: Banff, Lake Louise and beautiful southern British Columbia...8/19/2016  On our first day on the road my camper van "old faithful" broke down, lucky I still had a warranty on the transmission since I just had it repaired from my last road trip. We ended up at Hi hostel in Banff where I stayed while Tim stayed in his motor home in the parking lot at the hostel; however, at about 4:00 am in the morning a security guard told Tim that he cannot camp in the parking lot he would have to go to a campsite. I did tell the lady at reception at the hostel that Tim would be staying in his camper; I guess she did not know the rules of parks Canada and the NO camping outside the campsites. I did not know this rule until we went to Jasper and I called the Hi hostel and the women told me it is a national parks Canada rule. We spent a couple of days in Banff and Lake Louise where Tim started a heartfelt releasing of his brother Frank. Banff and Lake Louise were a couple of places where Frank loved to go to when he was alive. Tim released Frank in the mountain tops of Whistler and Jasper.
After Banff we headed west to visit friends we grew up with from Rexdale (Toronto). First Anthony in Kelowna and his family. I stayed in a hostel the first night and then Antony’s back yard in my new tent. We then headed west to Chilliwack to meet up with Sue and her husband we went out for lunch and it was time to get on the road again.
We spent a couple of days in Vancouver camping then headed up to Whistler to visit Tim’s friend’s son Harrison, Kris and Andrew. A couple of young bucks they were, so we ended up doing the Zip line called Sasquatch, they say it is one of the biggest in the world and you go 140 kilometres an hour. You should have seen Tim’s face, it was priceless, he is afraid of heights and we were side by side going down. Tim took off ahead of me he did not hit the third step like he was suppose to do, it was way too funny and what a great ride over the mountains. We also did the peak to peak in Whistler that I recommend for its amazing views.
I got to stay at Kris’s place and Tim camped out in his parking lot, thanks a lot Kris for the awesome hospitality. This blog is one of three just getting caught up while time off in Toronto. Pete Montgomery WorldTripPete.com traveling with Tim Schmidt timshorsepowerhaven.com Just over six weeks ago my buddy Tim, whom I grew up with in Rexdale (Toronto), called me and asked if I wanted to take another road trip with him across Canada. I never thought of taking a trip around my own great country before, but I gladly accepted. I thought it would be fun as well as working on new information for my travel website starting soon in Canada.
It all started with Tim coming to Calgary in July to catch a bit of the Stampede. A week later we hit the road, and about an hour out of Calgary (Canmore), I had to pull Old Faithful over because of problems with my transmission. I immediately called the transmission shop where I got it fixed for my last road trip to Panama, and happily it was still under warranty. They would replace the transmission for a small fee. Great, no more rebuilt transmissions!
Tim and I continued traveling in his campervan after we sent old faithful back to Calgary to get repaired. The objective of the trip was to find and visit with old friends that we grew up with back home in Toronto. This would be so much fun, visiting with friends and seeing the vast area of Canada. Our plan was to travel by campervan until winter, then head to Florida for the winter. After driving Tim’s comfortable, brand new Mercedes campervan a few weeks, we agreed that I should upgrade my campervan to a newer model that has everything like a bathroom, kitchen and a generator. The hunt is on for a newer van for myself! My new blogging domain name changed from Travel Cheap with Pete to “World Trip Pete”! Hey, Just maybe it’s time for me to travel the world. Pete Montgomery from WorldTripPete.com with Tim Schmidt from TimHorsePowerHaven.com  I will have a domain name change from travelcheapwithpete.com to worldtrippete.com. I also have been working on a new website where I will be selling travel, flights/hotels, all-inclusive, autos, cruises, advertising and so much more. So far I am affiliated with Expedia.ca and Hostelz.com and talking with two more travel agencies. From the new website I will be advertising accommodations and things to see and do while in those Cities. I will start the new website first in Canada then off to the world next fall. The new website will be up soon, I will keep everyone posted. Looks like I'm off to another road trip across Canada this summer to promote the new website.  We are now affiliated with Hostelz, they are more than a hostel. You can book B&B'S, private homes, cabins and so much more.  I am affiliated with Expedia.ca but not ready to sell tickets yet. We will have it set up on my new website.
Additional affiliates/partners coming soon!  Panama City Beach, Florida After leaving Tim’s place in Margate, Florida, I headed North West to Panama City, Florida. This City felt personally good, and, as soon as I arrived I knew I was going to stay for a couple of days. I got in late, and ended up camping out in the Wal Mart parking lot for the first night. I met and chatted with a nice father and son from Germany that were also traveling in a campervan like mine. The next morning, I left to find a campsite or hostel nearby. I found a campsite near the beach, but there was no hostel in that City. That was a surprise for the size of the city! That started me thinking about an idea to build a hostel here [I do own the domain name “Panama Pete’s Hostel”]. I took the next step and saw a realtor, but there was nothing worth looking at right now. I know it would be a great location year round because of the heavy population from the neighbouring States. After a couple of days in Panama City, Florida, I began to plan making my way home for Easter to be with my family, friends and my friend Margaret’s 103rd birthday (she was on the news before I left) what an amazing lady. I decided to look at my US road map for the first time. Most days, I would wake up and rely on my intuition to look for new adventures. I initially choose a warmer Southern route and wanted to avoid the cold Northern route. After checking out the best weather for travel, I chose the middle route. I would travel through Montgomery Alabama [I own the city of course], Nashville, St Louis, Kansas City, Denver and Montana. I heard Nashville was the place to see! After arriving late in Nashville, I found the campsite was closed. I checked Google maps on my phone and found a Wal Mart, where I could stay the night. The next morning I searched for a campsite on the outskirts of the City. I stayed two more nights because I loved Nashville. Wow, where else could you see a one man band playing in McDonald’s restaurant! Took a $10 return shuttle to downtown to see a hockey game and experience a fun filled city full of noisy bars, museums and music madness! The people were friendly and the mood electric! I WILL return! After leaving bright lights of Nashville, it was time to get serious about getting home. I experienced some problems along the way with Old Faithful. Who knows, maybe the cooler weather was not acceptable to both of us…lol. Some mechanical problems occurred but I kept focused on achieving my destination. Maybe I pushed her to much? Had to buy her a new re built transmission but I had a lot to be thankful for .Old Faithful was totally reliable, dependable, honourable my rock and my trustworthy campion. Took me return from Calgary to Panama City, Panama, and, in five months, covered over 22,500 kilometers. SHE IS A KEEPER! It took me almost two weeks to get my campervan back from customs; and after all that the company that shipped my van here ended up charging me more than double of the quote. I ended up staying in hostels around the south beach area in Miami and they were the most expensive hostels on the whole trip. They charge what the market dictates, I got charged from $33.00 to $56.00 a night for 6 bed mixed dorms. I had a great time there I met a lot of good people and enjoyed so many events going on every weekend.
Thanks to facebook I connected with an old friend I grew up with in Toronto (Rexdale). Now it’s hard to start heading anywhere else as we are having a great time! We went to Daytona Beach for a couple of days during bike week; we saw so many nice bikes. I got to ride Tim’s pedal electric bike down the main strip and received a lot of attention. I could see lot of people trying to get their cameras out to take a photo; I was having a good laugh with it all. Hanging out with Tim at his place in Margate, Florida has been great we’ve had so much fun. It's nice to talk about the good old days when we were in our teens just a few years ago ;). It’s hard to leave here, I am a car lover and Tim has a big collection. At his home in King City Ontario he has 35 cars and trucks I would like to see his collection this summer and could also visit lots of our old friends we grew up with, perhaps a get together at Tim's place that would be great. He only has a few cars here down in Florida a Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Harley Davidson bike, three custom golf carts a really big campervan bus and lucky for me I got to use his Nissan GT-R sports car while I’m in town, he also has some cars here in storage.
The bottom line it’s always nice to get caught up with old friends from the past and reminisce all the old stories both good and bad, I definitely got in a bit of trouble in my day, shh don't tell my kids ;). I have two great daughters that I am missing, maybe home soon (maybe) just living and loving life and they understand. Pete Montgomery from TravelCheapWithPete.com Again, I can’t believe I ran into three young guys from Munich, West Germany. They road their bicycles more than 17,500km from Germany to Panama City they are heading to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympics later this year. The video showed the nice hostel they were staying at while in Panama City. This is an email I received from them today is unedited: Hey the reason why we camped so much in the last 10 month. Is not just too save the money for hotel. It’s even nice to have your own stuff (mattress sleeping bag also) another imported point is, to feel the nature.. Go sleeping with the sunset and get up with the sunrise.... The ride all started for them on April 27th 2015 in Munich. The countries they have travelled through so far are: Germany, France, England, Scotland, Iceland, North America, Alaska, Canada, USA , Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and now Panama.  The Trio For Rio in Panama City Panama.. Translated from German to English on google: blog from their website at the start of their trip: Looking for new goals came us an idea of what has become more concrete in recent months and the decision has been made:
We radl'n to the Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro in 2016! Our Baden-Württemberg government says yes: "We can do everything except speak High German!" So it is for us: On 01 May 2015 we go! From Munich, we want to ride our native Swabia Rottenburg-Hailfingen and birthplace Tübingen via France, England to Scotland. There goes on May 26, the plane from Glasgow to Reykjavik. In Iceland, the aircraft starts on 7 June 2015 in accordance with Anchorage, Alaska, from where we should lead the longest street in the world, the legendary Pan-American, to Tierra del Fuego. The last stage is ultimately to Brazil, where we hope to arrive in time for the Olympic Games in Rio. All in all, a nearly 30,000 km long, adventurous and fun-full travel. Their goal is to get to see the Olympic Games in Brazil, plus my other three friends, two from Canada Kyle and Jaryd and Ade from California as well as Sandro Reiter , Julian Schmieder and Nicolas Schmieder all need help to achieve their riding goals. Please donate to Team North America or team Europe (German) Just click the blue link. Now we have three countries involved in donations to these six amazing riders. Let’s see what country can raise the most. Just like our own Olympics between three counties (let the games begin) by donating. The German guys website TrioForRio Jaryd and the boys website TheHustle These six young men are all winners. Let’s help them with their goals and make their country proud. Pete Montgomery with three amazing German’s TravelCheapWithPete.com Sometimes I like to do things different, start backwards and still get the results I want...2/21/2016  The view from the hostel, my favorite office tower. A couple years ago I was searching for a good bed to buy , but could not find what I really wanted. I ended up buying the sheets first, then the bed came to me afterwards…. I have been trying to get old faithful (my campervan) from Panama to Miami for about a week and a half, with no luck. Rather than spending time frustrating over shipping my campervan, I went out and bought a flight to Miami. I truly believe that old faithful will follow me there okay, and she will probably get there before I do…..  I can see it now Panama Pete's Hostel Wow, how fate has kept me here in Panama. After my campervan left for Miami, I got a great deal on a hostel that someone was trying to sell. I am looking to buy it with a Panamanian friend. To complete the purchase, I require a Panamanian partner as I am not a resident or of landed immigrant status. The hostel purchase is so good that I have two Panamanians interested in investing with me. I need to urgently choose one of them. So, guess what, I am going to work backwards again! First, I build the website, knowing that a good partner will come forward with me to take over this Hostel. You can search this hostel at PanamaPetesHostel.com. I have regrets about old faithful leaving. Looks like I have to start this new business off now, here in Panama without transportation….
Throwing it out there, I’ve been looking for my future ex wife for years? I think I have to start losing the (ex) part?... lol.. The Universe moves in mysterious ways (love it , live it). Pete Montgomery from PanamaPeteHostel.com and TravelCheapWithPete.com
I wrote many times before about the patience required while driving in Panama City. Problems included major traffic jams, noise. Continual horn honking and being aggressively aware to move when you see an opening! Now I want to talk a little more about patience. I contacted six insurance companies because I needed insurance to extend my campervan permit. As well, I needed a passport stamp for the van every month while I was in Panama. I tried contacting five shipping companies to send my van to Miami, what seemed like a simple matter. Can you believe only 1 insurance company and two shipping companies got back to me? It seems that no one wants to make the effort to help me out and make some money. I have never experienced anything like this before. I have been working nonstop for a week and a half now trying to get my campervan to Miami. I realize that some of the frustration it is my own fault, because I don’t understand Spanish. I thought that the only thing required was to get quotes from shipping companies, until, I arrived at port. Surprise, they told me I needed a police clearance. As well, I had to hire a custom broker (agent) for $450.00 U.S. I tried to find a cheaper way. I found out that if I get the police clearance on my own, I could save $300.00. So I did! Patience, it’s an all day thing. First thing in the morning, I had to go to an inspector who checked the vin # and the motor # make sure nothing is stolen. By 2:00 pm, I was required to go to the National police where the inspector confirmed the information was all correct. Wow, I was ready to go. All this happened a few days before Carnival, Panama’s national holiday.. No agents work before or during Carnival and the ship leaves Wednesday. Carnival ends Tuesday, and more broker delays of course. As well, I had no idea the police clearance expired after 7 days, another delay repeating the police application. In my mind, I look at things like they are meant to be! So be it! I had a lot of great experiences and met some good people at the police station. First time there, I met three motor cycle drivers who were from Vancouver, Europe and the United States. The second time around, I met two more bikers who were from Alberta and Vermont. Their mission was to get their motor cycles to Columbia. I also met a young family who bought a motor home in Miami and were taking it home to Argentina. Conclusion, if the campervan isn’t shipped this week, I am going to either sell it or l am not going home to Canada. I am going to stay in Panama, my new home for sure! It’s meant to be?
I was a bit frustrated, so I decided to just take a holiday away from it all. I travelled to stay with a nice couple I met while staying at the last resort (hostel). They invited 83 year old backpacker Bob, and myself, over to their place. Kim and Ken are from Ottawa, and they house sit in two counties Costa Rica and Panama, anywhere warm. While there, I took them over to visit other friends of mine, Jim and Derrick from Toronto. As well, we visited big Johnny Calgary who lives in that massive condo an hour from Panama City. Kim and Ken allowed Bob and I a free room I got to sleep in the van (old faithful) again and they let me cook spaghetti dinner for everyone! Happiness can develop from patience! I lost my phone a couple of weeks ago, so if you have sent me a message on whatsapp I have not received it and I will not set up whatsapp until I get home. My number right now is country code 507-6564-9586 and I hope to have a US number a week Thursday if the van makes it to Miami next week. Pete Montgomery TravelCheapWithPete.com
One beautiful day on my way camping, I stopped in Coronado, Panama to do some grocery shopping. I had to set my google maps and knew McDonald’s had wifi in the restaurant. Oh, I could not resist apple pie and coffee before the trip. Looking around the place, I noticed a couple of guys who looked like backpackers, so I went over to chat with them. They were totally open and interesting travellers. I offered them a ride in the direction I was going, but they declined. They were on their way to Panama City, the city I was leaving from. They were riding their bicycles there, to me a fairly lengthy ride. I was very curious, so I asked where they were from? To my amazement and excitement, Jaryd said they were from Calgary. Jaryd rode his bike from all the way from my city, and Kyle joined him in Nicaragua. I was in awe, wow! I kept yelling“ good for you guys”, unbelievable strength and endurance! They agreed to meet up in Panama City in a couple of days. I can’t wait to get their fascinating story! Their long range goal is Argentina, after they meet up with another friend Abraham from California who has joined them in Panama City. I may have drove my campervan from Calgary to Panama but the story below a guy from Calgary rode his bicycle and still heading south to Argentina.  Kyle- After missing my original start date of October 2014 with Jaryd from Calgary, my adventure would start in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua October 2015. I had tied up any loose ends and was finally ready to travel for an unknown period of time. All I knew was that Argentina was the final goal. I was excited to see Jaryd again and take a time out from the North American life style. Overall the trip for me is to grow my skills in photography, spread a positive mind set and go on a fun bike ride. So far the trip has provided all of these things. So far my favourite area on the trip has been Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. It was a super relaxed, welcoming and safe feeling area. I would recommend it to anyone looking to visit Costa Rica. Heading south I look forward to Peru. I feel it will be a magic place and can’t wait to explore all it has to offer. Always remember the fear in your head is something you can concur, if you choose to live in it though you will miss many beautiful opportunities in life. Jaryd- So it all started with a dream of snowboarding in Chile. One of the only things I didn’t sell before I left was a globe that I looked at and decided that riding a bicycle would be my way of obtaining this goal. I was flat broke after a winter in Revelstoke, where I was riding my bicycle to the hill and around the town all winter. I met a couple people who had done some long distance cycling trips and I was inspired to do one myself. I gave myself 4 months to get everything together and leave before the snow started to fall again. I asked Kyle to join and he was in the same financial position, he was a little less confident in just leaving and making things work. I was on the grind everyday; working Monday to Thursday gardening, Thursday- Saturday nights on the bike taxi and working at the bike shop and selling art on the weekends to pay off my freedom machine and all the necessary things to get me however many kms south. I told everybody of my dream and they never really took it seriously. October 1 was approaching quick and Kyle had just told me he didn’t have enough funds to make it happen. He suggested we leave in March to give ourselves more time to make money. I was stubborn in leaving on the date I set as I had sold everything I owned minus two bikes, my snowboard and skateboard. I had never gone on an overnight bike trip before leaving. When he told me this I was stumped for a couple days as to if I could actually make this happen alone. My friends thought I was insane; my family was even more worried about my intentions with such a huge journey. It almost wasn’t an option to not make it happen. I had a calling of adventure and self discovery that I needed to fulfill. The night before I left was one of the most difficult and emotional days ever. My father who was always supportive of my endeavors was now crying and really lost as to why I would want to enter Mexico and all these countries alone. He wasn’t in a financial position to fund my journey and neither was I. I had just under $2000.00. I arranged a final coffee meeting with friends and family at my favorite coffee shop the morning I left. I loaded up my bike for the first time that morning and wondered how in the world I was going to ride this thing that weighed as much as a dirt bike up hills and across 15 countries. My friends couldn’t believe I was going through with this. I enjoyed the last moments with all these people who supported me and walked with my mom as she cried and probably wondered when I would be back for another Sunday family dinner. That’s all it ever was, no maps just south. Holy shit, I was doing this! I rode a good 65 km fueled by excitement and what the unknown would bring. When I got to a popular beef jerky shop and bunch of friends came to meet me and camp out for the first night. This whole day I rode in shorts with no shirt. As we got comfortable for the night mother nature threw us a curve ball. It snowed a good 2 feet overnight and left me wondering if I was doing the right thing. I contemplated going home but saw the birds flying south through the blizzard and knew that was my direction. It took me another 10 days or so of amazing hospitality from strangers and friends before I made it over some mountains and to my first border crossing. Here I was at the border and the guard asked where I was headed. I said Argentina. He looked at me like I had 6 arms and two heads and said “on your bicycle?” He was completely blown away. He gave me the go ahead and along I went. I ended up in Santa Cruz, CA in 2 months. I now had about $100.00 to my name. Luckily I had an amazing host who housed me for a month and allowed me time to figure out how I was going to make this happen. I lauched a pizza fund which was a way for people to help me out on this adventure. I was blown away with how much support I had. I also sold art on the streets and ended up leaving there with nearly $1000 dollars. I then sold a condo developer in Calgary some art when I was nearing Mexico 2 months later. Entering Tijuana was one of the most intimidating moments of my life. Everybody I met was blown away that I was going there by myself. Several people told me I was going to die, get robbed, all of the worst things possible. I survived, made my way south and met up with a couple other guys headed to Mexico City. We rode together, shared unforgettable views and moments over the next 1500 kms together. Mexico blew my mind every single day. I knew nothing about it, so when we went through colonial cities and mountains (Mexico has mountains?!) I was like a newborn baby seeing everything for the first time. All of these thing plus learning a new language were motivating to keep me going. We made it to the Capital City and I was again so stimulated, one day in a voodoo/black magic market was the first time I had ever experienced what people would call “culture shock”. Those boys left to go back home and I was alone in this city that has more people then all of Canada. I was again flat broke and wondering how I was going to make things work. I started some social media ideas that were well received and sold one of my bicycles at home. This was where my passion for art and creativity really started to pave the way. People believed and supported my talent and I began painting some of the biggest projects yet. This really started the snowball of how I was going to make my way south. A couple months later I was 2 countries south In El Salvador and selling postcards to tourists and started a postcard club, another way for people to help me keep truckin’. I had unbelievable support again from not only family and friends but complete strangers. The entire way I have been gifted meals, snacks, and even cold hard cash by people who just loved what I was doing. Being alone I think really gave people sympathy towards my mission. Everybody knows what It feels like to be alone, but in a foreign country with no money is a whole other ball game. Almost a year later I was in Nicaragua, I had made it to a popular beach town called San Juan Del Sur. I had no plans of staying more then a couple days. I stayed almost 4 months and painted a dozen murals in town. The postcards were selling faster then I could make them and I met a super talented young lady who helped my make a video for a project I had been planning for the past couple months. This really changed the whole trip once again as she made a video that was fueled with passion and emotion. It really showed what this trip had turned into for me. MAGIC. In a month I raised over $8000 Canadian dollars to help fund a book about my journey. Focusing on all the talented artists/ photographers I had met along the way and their views on what paradise means. Kyle messaged me and told me he was going to fly in and join the mission. I would believe it when I saw him on his bike a month later. In this time I had recruited a young whipper snapper named Abraham Ramirez. A photographer on a 2 week vacation before going back to school in his home state of California. He was super motivated to join me on the trip. He went and bought a $100 dollar bike that was all anodized blue. This thing was meant for a simple A-B if that. We went on a couple “training rides” and he quickly realized this unit was not going to cut it. He wasn’t taking no for an answer and once Kyle arrived they went to the capital city and got him the best they could find. This bike would last until the end of Costa Rica. It was amazing the teamwork and friendship building that happened along the way. Crossing rivers, riding up hills that cars could barely figure out and just having such a blast sharing how amazing travelling by bicycle could be with these 2 amazing humans. All of us are so different but share a passion for adventure, fun and creativity. Abe was still very determined to make this happen so he took a bus south to Panama City and got himself a bike that will make the journey. We are here now In Panama City together and ready to cross over to the unknown again which is South America. Stay tuned as we are just getting started. If you would like to contribute to this journey through the pizza fund or our respective postcard clubs you can email me [email protected] or through paypal.me/jaryd. Thanks to everybody who has helped out along the way! There is way too many people to list but you know who you are. Follow your dreams, and just go, the universe has got your back! Jaryd’s riding my bike from Canada to Argentina article.  Abe Ramirez- I quit my job and never showed up for the first day back to school. Riding a bike across Central and south America is a opportunity that fell into my lap and I just couldn't say no. I decided to pursue photography full time. With no previous biking experience, I think anyone is capable of doing extraordinary things regardless of your background, age, or gender.
Story written by Jaryd Adair, Kyle Messier, Abe Ramirez and Pete Montgomery from TravelCheapWithPete.com I have been working with the Universe as my Guide and Google as my Road Map, for this trip….1/18/2016  A couple months before I decided to drive to Panama City, I told my good friend ,Calgary icon Joe Forzani, that I was going to buy a campervan. I told him I planned to drive from Calgary to Panama this winter, and even put a $50.00 bet that I would be gone before November 15 2015. By mid October, Joe began to question me about my commitment to go! I told him not to worry, and, one day, the whole trip appeared in my mind. Joe did put a little pressure on me, and I changed the way I was looking for the right campervan. I put my 2005 Yukon up for trade [for a camper or campervan. Can you believe a couple of days later a person contacted me asking for a camper/truck trade. After checking out each other’s trucks, we made a deal, my Yukon SUV for his campervan. Joe assisted me with the trade and agreed with my new purchase. The campervan had only 92k and I knew right there this was my ticket to Panama. I just felt the magic was going to happen and there it was….The Universe took care of me again.. I used Google maps out of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. I used Google maps frequently, and if I saw a bad road that was not used much, it looked more like a bike path. I simply asked the Universe, the Spirit, the man above [think it is a women anyway!]. I call them my Angels above and it felt good so I went ahead and drove it. When I did take a bad road, they were the size of bad bike paths in a jungle with no pavement. Steep hills, rock, gravel, mud and all nine kilometers would take about 45 minutes. Once, about 25 min into the trip, I ran into a big 4x4 truck coming the opposite direction. We had no choice but talk to each other and solve the problem getting around each other on the narrow road. We had to find a wider spot where one of us could drive around the other. While all that was going on, another truck pulled up behind mine. I told him to go ahead of me, as I didn’t know this road. Funny thing, all three of us had no idea how bad this road really was, the guy coming the opposite direction told us the road was really bad he did say we could make it but there was a bridge that was half washed away! At times I was looking up in the sky (my Angels) this feels good I’m going to make it, I don’t think a car can make it through this road and I was hard on (old faithful) my campervan. Again working with the Universe and Google maps got me through the jungle it just felt right to proceed and drive-through. When I crossed the border at Panama, they only gave me a 30 day permit. I wanted to extend the permit. While there, I chatted with a person who had trouble getting his car from Cost Rica to Panama. I told him I had lots border problems, almost from the time I left Canada. Funny, he was originally from Lethbridge, Alberta but now resides in Seattle Washington with his wife and 5 children. They had to leave their car at the Costa Rica border, so I offered them a ride to a boat in Bocas del Toro. It was just over an hour drive, I learned a lot about them in that short time. They took their children out of school for a year to travel Costa Rica, then off to Europe this spring. I told all 5 kids wow! what an amazing education and experience they are getting from their traveling and home schooling from their parents. I hope they read this and send me the photo they took of us. A very adventurous family! The meditation pose photo of me above, was fun to take. It started by me asking my 83 year old airbnb next room neighbor Bob, to take a picture on top of my campervan, in the city while in a meditation position. While driving to the location, Bob suggested that I will have a hard time finding a place to take the photo. I said not at all, I know where I want to take it. While driving through rush hour traffic, a perfect location stumbled upon us. We pulled over to the side of the busy road and I climbed to the top of the van. I got into a meditation pose and Bob started snapping pictures of me between two uniquely designed office towers. No one got mad; people were taking pictures and got many thumbs for my ordeal. Wow, sometimes a picture is worth a 1,000 words and this is one of them…. Check out my buddy John’s penthouse condo in Gorgona, Panama and I told him what a great deal for me a buck a night I still owe him two buck maybe next time I go there, sometimes the universe give me things for next to nothing. I received such a good response on facebook for this video so I have to post it on my website. Where I got my education and knowing is from my loving family, traveling, friends, Landmark education, Centre for Spiritual Living, my friend ask KJ, Rose, my last job with 1111 the office staff and the hard working men and women in the field and of course all those courageous travelers I get to meet while traveling. I thank you all. I have applied to Global Degree, I could see it now the campervan (old faithful) in Europe or for my traveling friends you can also apply yourself just make a 2 to 3 minute video of yourself of why you want to get your Global Degree and how you can contribute to the team. You will see 50 countries in Europe. You get free airfare, free accommodation and free insurance for 8 months of travel. You can also see my video on Global Degree and vote for me.
Pete Montgomery from TravelCheapWithPete.com The drive from Calgary to Panama City Panama old faithful (the campervan) makes it without a scratch, (winter 2015/16) started in Canada    Then the United States, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and now in Panama
Dutch Peter and I left El Salvador after Christmas, with no real plans of our next adventure. We heard from other backpackers who suggested for us to check out Leon Nicaragua, so that is where we were headed. We drove through Honduras, on the worst roads in Central America. People often say it is part of the Pan America highway, and everyone who drives it pays for it?....Don’t know where that money is going? We drove to Leon, a nice little Colonial city and stayed for a couple of days. We then drove off to another Colonial City, Granada. Motoring around the lake on the way to Granada, we experienced for the first time a Policia trying to take us for money. We got pulled over. Alarm set in!. They acused me of not wearing a seatbelt? As well, we were also charged for not having a front licence plate! The Policia took and held my license and told me to go to a bank in the next town and withdraw $200.00 US for him!. At the time, they were in the back of their van. I had some money, about $50.00 bucks, and tried to give it to him. He yelled “NO”, go back into your van and we will talk. The Policia do not like people pulling out cash in public where other people might see. We came up with another $75 dollars, made a deal and got my licence back! Wow, what an experience and we continued onward! Can you believe about half hour later, another Policia pulled us over. I explained to them strait out that another couple Policia a while back took all our money. I was upset, and said rather loudly ” we have no money left”. I felt I got robbed by someone who has authority (police)over me and it’s not a good feeling. When in Granada I just wanted to get out of the country. I told Peter that my wish was to go to a small beach and just chill out for a couple of days. So that is how we ended up in San Juan del Sur. It was a great place to just relax, chill, reenergize and it was only about an hour to the Costa Rica boarder. We saw totally amazing fireworks all over town, particularly after midnight. I did get a bit of the fireworks on video .Approaching the grand finale, they had a “burning man” displayed in the middle of the street full of fireworks and firecrackers. We watched him burn! Wow, just maybe this is the day where women can get back at their man…lol. Things are so different when you travel!
’It’s New Years day and I am on the road again, alone, this time to Playa del Coco, Costa Rica. I have visited there before with my nephew Shane and his cousin Josh. A few years ago, I took the two of them to a hostel for their first time. At the time, we were staying in a five star resort, but the contrast to a hostel was a great experience for them. The same hostel was not available when I arrived this time, so I found another one nearby. The usual routine when I enter a new hostel is to let them know I will sleep in my campervan. Usually this gets me a great deal! Upon entering this hostel, the room was large and had air conditioning that really worked. I ended up staying in the room for the night. Oh, did I sleep! Lounging around the hostel, I got acquainted to three fun guys: Joel from Costa Rica, Leon from Germany and Korbyn from California. I discussed the fact that I was off to San Jose the next day and asked if they wanted to join me on the trip in Old Faithful? Well, both Joel and Leon lived in San Jose, and accepted a ride there with gleam. Korbyn, we called him (Bruce) because that was on the back of his football shirt, and myself went to visit an old friend of mine from Calgary. He and his wife Olga were great hosts. We had dinner, a few drinks even breakfast the next morning. Thanks again Scott and Olga for your hospitality! The next morning after breakfast, Korbyn and I were back on the road to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. We found a great place to stay at the Rocking J’s campsite/hostel. Wow, it was so big! I think they had about 100 tents to rent or bring your own tents, hammocks, dorms and private rooms. Here were the two of us in a campervan, sometimes a bit boring! I heard they had 600 people there the night before. After a few days, I told Korbyn it’s time for me to commence the final leg of my journey to Panama, a place where I have a few good friends. If truth be known, I am a bit worried about Korbyn because he is only 19 years of age with not much experience travelling and backpacking. He likes to drink and buy people drinks. He is a good kid, and I asked a mature Canadian traveller that I met that night, to keep an eye on him for me. After talking to Korbyn the next morning, he assured me that there is nothing to worry about. He said he will take good care of himself and thanked me for caring and being his friend. I will definitely call him upon his return to LA on Sunday.
On the road again with Old Faithful (the campervan)…. Pete Montgomery TravelCheapWithPete.com |
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