i’m really starting to like backpacking. you just meet the most interesting people from around the world. nobody knows you, nobody judges you, and nobody cares what you do. but there is one thing i must say, backpacking is super dangerous. always looking for the cheapest way to get from place to place. in this case, 18 of us jumped in the back of this pickup truck. drove 30 minutes down the mountain at speeds you can’t imagine. you either hold on, or fall off. and since i was the last guy in, i had to sit on the back gate, which is the most dangerous spot.

but once you get there, it’s all worth it. welcome to Semuc Champey. i wanted nature, and i got nature.

this kid Renaldo was so cute. he would run up to the truck and offer us beer. of course, we had to pay for it. the start of the businessman.

then there were more kids and more beer. these kids speaking all sorts of languages. they know where you are from by just looking at you, then start speaking your native language. it was amazing.

just a day after i hiked the most challenging volcano, here i was hiking again. 30 minutes of a steep trail that made you sweat like a pig. and my legs were burning so bad!

once again, worth every step and every ounce of sweat.

wrong shoes again. the stupid backpacker continues… haha.

then the lunch was amazing. bbq chicken and beef cooked the hawaiian style way!

from the top of the highest mountain to the bottom of the most beautiful lake, guatemala has it all!

this bridge was so scary! all the wood boards were loose. one slip and you fall 80′ to death. once again, not a place to travel if you don’t like to take risks on your life.

had an amazing time with new backpacker friends from around the world. i learn more from these guys than i could ever learn in any amount of books. real life experiences, real life stories. can’t wait to do it again.

Do you believe in ghosts?
Good morning 6am.
Small waves today.
Sandy Beach and Makapuu biggest at head high. Very windy shore break.
Ala Moana chest high sets from the South/East. Very clean.
Diamond Head head high and windy side winds.
Strong trade winds at 25-30mph.
Super sunny and warm day.
Going surfing.
Have a wonderful day!

gosh, as soon as i jumped into the water this morning, i felt revived. super fun waves, only 3 locals, and had a great session. then had to run around today catching up on things. gosh, why is the sky so blue in hawaii??? i love it!

the surf talk in hawaii is about Joshua Moniz and his big win. everybody coming up and congratulating me on Josh. my response was “i didn’t know Josh can surf that good?” haha. but hey, i was really surprised on his level of surfing recently. only 18 years old and beating seasoned adult professionals. amazing.

so Joshua Moniz is sitting #14 in the world on the current mens QS rankings. unbelievable.

so i come back to hawaii, check CNN, and just see chaos. we are at war in america. the people vs. the government. pretty sad.

than in nepal, the huge earthquake? omg, i didn’t even know. i’m speechless now, and pretty sad too.

then the 2 australians that were executed by firing squad in bali? when ever i see people getting caught for drugs in indonesia, i always remember what i saw the first time, and every time i arrive to indonesia. the immigrations form clearly states in red block letters: DRUG TRAFFICKING IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH. the government wasn’t kidding. over 18,000 indonesian people die each year due to using drugs. the government has a zero tolerance policy with drug traffickers and will not make any exceptions. that’s what the world just learned.

knowing you will be facing death at midnight must be haunting. i feel sorry for the families left behind.
also some sad news out of hawaii. a lady that lives in maui died from a shark attack today. omg.
one of the Israeli guys i met backpacking told me something after i asked if Israel is dangerous or not. this is what he said “hey kirby, stop watching that bullshit news CNN. it’s all negative, it’s all bullshit, and they just tell the story they want so viewers will watch.” after today, i wish i listened to him. sad depressing news all day long. makes me feel like hiking to the top of that volcano again where i felt so happy and at peace.