Morocco is a great adventure paradise because of the close proximity to Europe. Excellent surfing, mountain climbing (even some skiing) trekking the Western Sahara as well as the Rif and High Atlas mountains are all possible within a few days.

The Sahara meets the Mediterranean in this vast nation where Americans were barred for many years. Now, all are free to explore the trackless sand dunes and completely isolated beaches dotted with Roman ruins.

2008 saw several trips to the Far South. Above, a forest road in Southern Chile. In March.

Surf in Pichelemu, Chile. March.

Western Argentina highway – March.

Mexico – June.

El Popo Volcano – Mexico , June.

Pie de la Cuesta , Mexico – June.

Pie de la Cuesta , Mexico – June.

Jalapão, Tocantins,Brazil – August.

Jalapão, Tocantins,Brazil – August.

Rafting, Rio Novo ,Brazil – September.

Night forest fire,Jalapão, Tocantins,Brazil – September.

São Paulo,Brazil – September.

Andes crossing – Chile to Argentina – November.

Mendoza, Argentina – November.

Springtime – Mendoza, Argentina – November.

Cafayate, Argentina – November.

Salta, Argentina – November.

Buenos Aires, Argentina – November.

2009 plans include Asia and the Middle East.

Yesterday we drove 1480 kilometers from San Juan to Cafayate – a grueling trip through the cold,rainy desert. An Antarctic storm had blown up from the south, taking temperatures from near 100 down into the 40s. Now we are in Cafayate – a high altitude paradise in Northern Argentina.

Mother and Child.

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Yesterday we drove from Mendoza to San Juan, about 200 km North. The climate is much dryer – it only rains a couple of days a year here. Sometimes not for several years.

Andes snowmelt makes ideal growing conditions.

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Yesterday we ventured into the wine country about 2 hours south of Mendoza.THe scenery was spectacular and the wine was excellent.

Destined for Christmas dinner tables in the USA.

In order to maintain composure during wine tasting , none must be swallowed.

A 2007 is poured to taste – one week before bottling.

Wine is not the only precious liquid produced in the Mendoza Region. In fact, oil is the number one revenue producer,especially with the high prices earlier this year.

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This morning the Korubo truck takes us to join a new expedition, with Quatro Elementos – for a three-day rafting trip down the Rio Novo. In that time we will cover only 60 kilometers, but it will be action packed. Two nights will be spent camping on riverside beaches.

Qautro Elementos is another very professional adventure travel company. It is owned and operated by Massimo Desiati – one time kayaking champion of Brazil . Check out the website HERE.

About 10 AM we set off down the river. These kids were having a Sunday morning swim – they came from a nearby settlement of 150 people.

We are given safety instruction – helmets, preservers and shoes must be on at all times unless otherwise indicated.

The first day featured a small amount of rapids up to Class 2. Other times it was calm enough swim or drift in the fast moving water alongside the raft.

The cargo raft is transporting the very computer I am now blogging on – an ancient G4 iBook that will soon be replaced. Dry bags are used to protect valuables – but that’s no help if they are swept away downstream.

Late afternoon we pitch camp. At night we dine at a farmers house about a kilometer away from the camp. Everything is made of local ingredients, except for the meat since there is no cattle grazing in the area.

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Our final day – with the biggest rapids – Class 4! We hike around Cachoeira Velha about 100 feet high and even walk behind it.

The final rapids are like a roller coaster – it is hard to stay in the boat.

Massimo – the Brazilian Kayak Champion – goes over the Class 4 in his kayak.

After a relaxing swim we board the 4 Elementos truck for the 8 hour ride back to civilization – in Palmas.

At night – back online for the first time in a week – I have heard no news since then – so it is interesting to read about hurricanes in the US, as well as the surprising Republican choice for Vice President.

The next morning we are off to the ATTA/ABETA Summit in São Paulo. Details soon, after everyone has a chance to read about the adventures.

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The morning of September 1st dawns like every other – clear and cool. While daytime temperatures soar to near 38 – 100 F , it is about 14 C – 57 F in the early morning.

We pack up – everything . This is “leave no trace” camping. Even the bonfire is built over a screen in the sand – in the morning the ashes are thrown in the river. Other than footprints , that will be blown away by the wind within an hour – no one would know that a camp of tents and cooking /eating areas was there only hours before.

The rapids today are more frequent and more powerful – up to class 3.

We set up camp at a beautiful river beach – but forest fires flare up throughout the night. Some of the crew puts out the fires with sticks.

Dinner was delicious – pasta followed by flambé, with champagne and red wine.

We saw no people other than our crew the entire day.

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Today we have an all day trip to several springs – water holes that have very strange natural phenomena.

Poço do Fervedouro has an underground river emptying into a hole on the bottom. The effect is like reverse quicksand. It is impossible to swim down more than a meter. Legs disappear into the white quicksand, which is also being forced up.

We then visit Cachoeira da Formiga. The river is known to have diamonds in it – recently a stone of more than 8 carats was found.

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On the way back we stopped for cold beer in the frontier town of Mateiros.

The town has a population of 1800, with a school, 7 Evangelist churches, one Catholic church and 3 bars, all of which do a great business

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