Hi friends! You’re getting this email because you had signed up for weekly digests from our big 100-Day Adventure Around the World. We turned those emails off once that grand adventure was over. But we’ve gotten enough complaints since then that we’re launching it again—but only for our international trips. If you want to stay on the list, you’ll go back to getting a weekly email digest of everything we post at AdventuresAroundthe.
Took the ferry through the Lysefjord to Lauvvik before driving to our friend’s, Beathe and Erik, house. The ferry went past Pulpit Rock, so we were able to see it, albeit from the water. -J 🇳🇴
Saw some pretty great scenery today! -J 🇳🇴
Visited a UNESCO site today: Rjukan-Nottoden Industriarv: the company town where two men developed a method to extract nitrogen from the air and turn it into fertilizer. The area became the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant. They have a cute town square and many protected buildings. -J 🇳🇴
The Vemork Power Plant in Rjukan, Norway, had the ability to create heavy water, used in nuclear bombs. The Nazis took over this plant when they occupied Norway, but a group of Norwegian Resistance Fighters sabotaged the plant to inhibit Germany’s ability to create nuclear weapons. -J 🇳🇴
Norway has 28 stave churches remaining and we visited the Heddal Stave Church, built in the 13th Century. Stave churches are not made with any nails! -J 🇳🇴
Next up: campervanning around Norway! 🇳🇴
Unfortunately, we had to pull the plug on our trip to El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama due to a concerning health diagnosis that was ultimately deemed a false alarm. We expect to reschedule the trip for January or February 2027 instead.
Next international trip: El Salvador, Honduras, and Panama in February.
Today sorta sucked, but at least we can mark off another country on our Drink a Guinness in an Irish Pub in 32 Countries quest.
What’s that? The only Irish pub, that took 35 mins to uber to, does not have any Guinness to offer, not even in bottles? Whew boy, can’t catch a break… -S🇨🇷
Today was a crappy day of driving in heavy traffic, punctuated by getting hit by a semi truck. We’re fine (and yes, bought all the insurance) but still…not a fun endeavor in a foreign country. Might bail on our wildlife viewing plans tomorrow and just uber around the city to avoid the driving.
I am always amazed at some of the things people manage to transport while riding a motorcycle. -S🇳🇮
Our last adventure of the day was a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua among the many small islands. We were even lucky enough to find some spider monkeys. -J 🇳🇮
We enjoyed a brief carriage ride around Grenada, one of the first European cities in the Americas, founded by Cordoba in 1524. -J 🇳🇮
We were fortunate enough to be able to visit Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua’s oldest and largest National Park. It was closed in March 2024, when a landslide covered the lava lake with debris, blocking the release of volcanic gases. As a result, there is a significant potential for volcanic explosion. The Park has been closed until very recently. They have reopened, but due to the explosion potential, a ranger is based at the overlook strictly enforcing the rule that groups are only permitted to spend 5 minutes there before they must leave the park.
After breakfast, we stopped in Catarina to visit the overlook to a crater lake and check out the markets. - J 🇳🇮
After standing in immigration lines for two hours, we’ve made it into Nicaragua. Here was our traditional breakfast just over the border, which provided a great view of the two volcanoes of Ometepe Island on Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca). -S 🇳🇮
Well, talking travel at happy hour has struck again!
During today’s brewery visit, we discussed altering our El Salvador itinerary next month to sneak in a visit to Panama. And, well, we’ve already changed all the bookings. 😂
Our 3 days there will finish off Central America for us both. 🙌 -S🇨🇷
We managed a quick stop at another craft brewery this afternoon, conveniently located within walking distance of our hotel. Cheers! 🍻 -S 🇨🇷
These huge fan palms in La Fortuna were so unusual. -J 🇨🇷
Today we repositioned ourselves from La Fortuna to Liberia in preparation for a very long day tour over the border into Nicaragua tomorrow. The tour is listed as being between 14-17 hours long, but it’ll allow us to visit a country we otherwise wouldn’t have attempted by ourselves. -S 🇨🇷