Date: 21/01/2013 à 23/01/2013

Following the road, Our next stop was Antigua point, Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 1979, and recognized by visitors for its charming Spanish Renaissance architecture in the middle of a valley surrounded by volcanoes like volcano volcano of fire and water. Its historical value is enormous for the country, since the first half of the sixteenth century became the capital of the kingdom of Guatemala, embracing the whole current Central American continental, with the exception of Panama. Full-blown, the city was victim of an earthquake in the year 1773, which led to a break in their growth process. Due to the severe earthquakes that followed, destruiram and much of the city, it was decided that the capital would need to be rebuilt in a safer place. A 40km dali surgiu a cidade da Guatemala, it became the capital of the country, enquanto Antígua foi reconstruída mantendo seu charme colonial apesar de ter perdido sua importância política.

Arrived it was night, after catching Gustav in hospital around 18:30 and pass the Subway for a snack still in Guatemala City. The road was good, but due to the time, traffic out of the city was intense, and so it took a little longer to flow. It was a mountain with lots of curves and hills sloping down well and so, ramps had to be lost if the brake, something we had not seen before. At the entrance of the city there were several hostels, but as we were already engaged SAVER MODE, we went after other options and ended up finding the center of a huge space tourist police and insurance, where to our surprise, had other “campers”, including a couple who had stayed in the same campsite we, wool in Mexico (Guanajuato)! Soon after mounting tents, we talked for hours with 3 American couples, (one was from Alaska and working with oil company, knew and deeply admired Petrobras). It was a nice conversation where we talk about the differences between car travel and backpacking (they were all car), about the future roadmap and post-trip!

Tanajura no pátio da Polícia Turística.

The next day, we were walking around town and soon saw a McDonalds, a colonial style house, with a huge garden that eventually convincing us to eat there on one of the nights! We visited the ruins of the Convent Mercedarios, church Our Lady of Mercy, which was destroyed by earthquake in the sixteenth century and rebuilt 50 anos depois.

The Mc Donalds cozier, does not seem fast food!

Igreja Our Lady of Mercy

As ruins of the Convent of Mercy

Inside the ruins

Exploring the ruins

Source within the ruins

One of the many crafts Antigua

With a few minutes' walk up the hill, arrived at Cerro de la Cruz, where we had an amazing view of the city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes!

View from Cerro

Bruno enjoying the view

The cross on the mountain

Along the way we passed a very traditional restaurant, with musicians playing xylophone (instrument that the Guatemalan claim to be the inventors), and had a flawless garden. Despite the left side of the menu is tempting, the right side of the impossible, hahaha!

Photo on the restaurant terrace

Carriage amid the garden

Top view of the garden

We ended up eating num restaurant called La pitch, indicated by the guide. We walked to the back of the grocery, where there was a large table, we share with you a couple of tourists and a guy who seemed to be local. The food is chamava “Pepi chicken”, a stew with plenty of spice that the nice lady served us! As in many places throughout the Americas, could not miss the “avocado” (avocado) to accompany!!!

Street with the arch in the background

Walk the streets with colonial style buildings

Hunger sated, we left the restaurant, and walk the streets visited a gallery of super cool photos in which the models are local people! Some photos were taken almost 20 years old, and today some of the people who work in the stores are in photographs! Eventually can recognize the face of the vendors in photos, because some are old photos, result of a friendship between the photographer and some places that lasts for more than 2 generations! We sat in the main square, for nearly two hours, where we were observing the habits of tourists! The vast majority were couples, de todas as idades e diferentes lugares do globo.

Tourists walking through the main square of Antigua

Bruno and Gabriel talking about the architecture of the city

André seeking a restaurant for lunch

Gustavo having fun on the square

Beside the square is the palace of “Captains General”, former seat of government when Antigua was still the capital of all Central America, from Chiapas to Costa Rica! When we were out of the square, find Paul and Andrea, Brazilian couple mining super good people, that despite the elegance, resolveram face Central America by 22 day backpack! After almost 2 hours of talk time, with the sun having already fired, fomos ao encontro da Tanajura e retornamos para Guatemala city.

Picture with Paul and Andrea, no por do sol.

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Date: 1/11/2012 à 3/11/2012

We arrived at the park around 15:30, and at the entrance already impressed us with 1 arc and 1 tunnel formed by pedras! As enormes montanhas avermelhadas dos dois lados da estrada, where green trees and yellow divide the landscape, also draw a lot of attention. It was so impressive that soon stopped to make a video!

Vista still park entry

Pause at the entrance to photos and videos

Continue to visitor center, where we took some cues from the ever knowledgeable park guides. Then, Our visit began with a video quite enlightening history of the park, containing a range of information. Among which, was the fact that the Zion contain one of the highest mountains in the world. We also found that, as well as Bryce Canyon, o Zion também integra o Colorado Plateau. Aprendemos que a paisagem vem sendo modificada há mais de 5 million years, with water as the main agent of change. Under the effect of water erosion, de vulcões e de temperaturas acima de 43^theC, the canyons of Zion were gaining its current form. Over these thousands of years, rivers were drying up and the mountains rising up to 300m in the park. Currently, or Zion has com or Virgin River (virgin river), contributing to human survival in the park. Moreover, currently there are varied fauna and flora, including 75 types of mammalian and 32 tipos de répteis.

Mountains of Zion

The Green kills, the red rocks and the blue sky of Zion

Over time, various groups occupied the park, as freemont - One of the first people- and os publeons- group of which is up to now traces. The southern paioute came later, and you can still find people that civilization, although the majority have migrated due to drought and resource scarcity. But, explorção the park was made by the white man in 1858, by a Mormon named Nephi Johnson, and enlisted the help of an Indian Southern Paiute. With the religious persecution that occurred in the period, several Mormons began migrating to the state of Utah, that was established but increasingly as a bastion of Mormons. One was Isaac Behunin, which named the Zion Park (Zion, muitas vezes usado na bíblia para se referir à própria terra santa). Moreover, many other mountains received biblical names. Com o reconhecimento do estado, Park won two titles 10 years - National Monument em 1909 and National Park em 1919. Com o início do turismo e a contrução de uma estrada principal de acesso, in 1925, built a lodge. For this, was necessary implode mountains and build tunnels that passed within the stones, which were only completed in 1930. In the course of time, o Zion virou um importante pólo turístico para aventureiros em busca de adrelina e contato com a natureza.

After this information-rich video, went to the track known as Emerald Pools. After a short walk, no less than 30 minutes, found a set of three pools, that serve as an oasis in the midst of that dry. The scenery was stunning. With a waterfall that flows through stone walls, the lakes are formed, while the trees color the view with its different shades of orange, red, amarelo and green. Ficamos sitting by uns 20 minutes, enjoying the landscape of vibrant colors, do canto dos pássaros e do cheiro de terra das rochas até que a “dona preta” desse sinais de sua chegada.

Gives rise Emerald Pools

Vegetation varied colors

NAND and Bruno admire is d'água

Well at the end of the trail

Water, earth and CEU

André analyzing the trail map

View along the trail

Despite not having rock paintings and the rock formations were eroded and more pointed, vimos certa semelhança do Zion com a Serra da Capivara.

Open cracks in rocks

We closed the trail around 18:40 e Fomos em Internet searches, since in there was camping. How many times in the United States, found in the restaurant where we had dinner. De once per campsite, we had a pleasant night's sleep with the noise of the water rushing by Virgin River.

On the morning of 02/11, agree well prepared, we set up a tasty breakfast and recorded 2 videos (assembling the tent and breakfast). We followed the trail towards more recommended, call Observation Point, advanced level, lasting about 6 hours. As we prepared for the climb, still around the car, know Primochz, a Slovenian who was alone, but within two minutes of conversation gained 5 escorts. We were the 6 together, talking about trails, national parks around, and access roads, já que iríamos visitar lugares que ele havia passado e vice-versa.

After 2 hours rise apace num, reached the top – Observation Point, hence the name of the trail - around 14:30h, where we stayed for 1 time, relaxing and enjoying the scenery, besides kill hunger with snacks we had brought. Upstairs, know a couple of Colombians, além do Yurgen, um alemão bastante viajado que nos fez companhia na descida também.

The Slovenian Primochz along with the expedition

Vista de cima do observation point

View of the river and the park road, they go hand in hand

Yurgen, Primochz and the expedition with the flag of Brazil

Em meio à descida e às belas paisagens, talked a lot about pros and cons of the U.S., and also about the country's presidential election, já que era véspera da mesma.

Way back

View under the gigantic walls

A beam of light amid the rocks

Break off and slide

On the way, still to find 4 women in the state of Utah, que ouvindo nossa conversa, manifestaram rapidamente que apoiavam Obama, to our surprise. One, to explain the reasons for the preference, told us he had worked in the government of Massachusetts, where Romney was gorvernador and left a rather bad impression. After pausing to discuss the political direction of the U.S., continue to descida, until you get back to Tanajura. At the despedirmos, received an invitation from Yurgen to spend the evening in your camping area, with your RV (recreational vehicle, kind of trailer, very common in the U.S. and Canada). We accepted the invitation, and went along with Primochz, até seu hotel, that was adjacent to a market, where to buy breads and cold colaborarar in "pique-nique". Lulled by the flames of the bonfire, a delicious stew prepared by Yurgen and by 6 liters of red wine and stayed until the 23:00 gathered ali. Like the adventurous spirit, o gosto pelo desconhecido era algo em comum entre todos ao redor daquela fogueira e o assunto ficou em torno das experiências de viagem de cada um.

Stew, wine, fogugueira and stories

Heating with fire and red wine

The next day, Wake up early, because we would have a few hours of road to Las Vegas, Our next destination. Leaving behind all that natural beauty, and take with us to make sure that, with all modifications that great natural wonder suffers over time, o Zion National Park é uma verdadeira obra de arte ainda em progresso.

To check out more photos from this Adventure, visit our flickr.

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…Next morning it was time to know each other well downtown de Seattle! As explained above, Seattle é um istmo. (see previous post here ) With the proximity of the estuary of the Pacific Ocean (the east of the city) aos lagos Washington e Union (west of the city), no ano de 1911 was built in the channel connecting the lake to the ocean, a complex of locks (or locks English), called: “Ballard Locks”.

Seattle map showing the Pacific (Left) e o Lago Washington (right), hair tied channel where the Ballard Locks

Movable bridge for the passage of boats in Ballard Locks

Besides avoiding the seawater invades the freshwater lakes, the locks also allow the passage of boats in the region. So, so the locks do not prevent the traditional route of salmon on site (that the end of life migrate back to the ocean to freshwater, to spawn) built a kind of ladder beside the locks, keeping, so, o ciclo natural dos peixes.

Boat passing ocean to Lake Washignton, through the sluice

It's really cool to see the salmon rising above channel! Only it's strange to think that in a few hours we would be seeing the "relatives" of those pets exposed in Pike Place Market, and then being deliciously served on our plates! (Excuse us vegetarians)

Salmões "subindo" back to freshwater at Ballard Locks

Salmões no Pike Place Market (o Public Market in Seattle)

And there was us know Pike Place Market, the famous Public Market Seattle is by far the most visited tourist attraction in the city! (receives up to 9 million visitors a year!). The market is the oldest public market in the U.S. and received a more modern reform as a result of the fall of Boeing, in the early 1970, as a stimulus to tourism (Boeing looks around again!). The huge market sells fruits, legumes, flowers, meat, peixes e conta com restaurantes e lojas de antiquário e outras coisas mais “hippies”.

Pike non traditional restaurant almoçamos num, o Athenian Inn, with views of the bay and where, at the end of comermos, found that one of the banks in the restaurant, had sat actor Tom Hanks in movie recording Sleepless in Seattle (Sleepless in Seatle), with actress Meg Ryan! Another curiosity is that the region, ali no Pike Place Market, is the first Starbucks! The city that has the headquarters of giants like Boeing, Microsoft and Amazon, is also the birthplace of the famous coffee chain!

Tourists queuing to enter the 1st Starbucks

Another attraction of downtown Seattle's Space Needle. With the crisis of the postwar causing huge losses for Boeing (again it) and consequentemente for city, rulers were in search of a new "revitalization" of his downtown. Therewith, in 1962 the city hosts the World's Fair (World Fair) e Seattle, following the trend Futuristic Friday, solves then build the tower, and current city landmark, chamada Space Needle. That same "wave" is released in the same period monotrem (this same, that of Levy Fidelix! ). Saindo of the, já to noite, were behind the musical center of the city. Seattle has a remarkable musical history, because it is the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix and the movement "grunge", in which arose from local bands, nothing more nothing less, as Nirvana and Pearl Jam!! It is also the place where career did Ray Charles and Quincy Jones!! Not bad hein?!?! We noted that the classic style of rock and a little grunge movement are still present in some bars in the neighborhood Capitol Hill.

Space Needle – Postcard from Seattle

Monotrilho e a Space Needle ao fundo

Yes…so much history!!! And to think that in our initial script was just a Seattle city support to sleep on our way to Alaska…

But on 17 September came the big day! It's like the saying goes: "God helps those early madruga". And so it was. At 5:50 a.m. Rebecca wakes us up to go with her on a jog through the neighborhood. After much effort were only André, Gabriel s Nandes. Most mornings Rebecca raises early, even with very cold and dark, for a run. In one of the routes Rebecca always takes an apple to give a horse a farm near, que vem correndo comer a fruta e sai feliz galopando de volta para sua baia.

And that was our route. We went home and raises the 7:30 news with Gustavo: "Came the email from Ronald EPA! A Tanajura is released!"We packed up and left in a hurry for Customs. Procedures here, papelada of laser, hours and hours and finally the reunion! She was perfect! Not a small scratch. Hugged her like she was a relative. It was a piece of the group that returned! We returned the rental car and at the end of the day we came home and…

Taking the Tanajura Port of Tacoma, WA

Arrival of the house of Valentine Tanajura – Expedition 4×1 and Rebecca!

More surprising: Rebecca had prepared us 'fish tacos'. The traditional Mexican tacos, but even more delicious because they were stuffed with fish and prawns in! But the surprise did not stop there… As 20h00, IN POINT, (Brazil was not 0h00), which neither desconfiássemos, James and Rebecca appear with a cake and candles lit to celebrate the birthday of André!!! (in Brazil was finally the day 18)! Neither knew they distrusted birthday because Andrew had not commented anything (they must have seen on Facebook). And besides the cake gave him a T-shirt 'Seattle Seahwaks', The football team of the city!! Foir something really amazing!! We finished the evening watching the Monday Night Footbal (football game that is nationally broadcast on Mondays, more or less as liberators of our games on Wednesday night).

Andre with Jaimie in her Birthday surprise done by Valentine!

James, Rebecca and small Jaimie giving the shirt to the Seattle Seahawks André

The next day was marked by check-ups and reviews in Tanajura before departure to Alaska. Brakes and oil changed, rotate the tires and anti-freeze to the radiator; the Tanajura was ready to start the climb towards the north of the continent! And we also bought some things we needed to face the cold in the amazing REI store - which is focused on adventure sports and even has a ranger to give directions within each national park american! James returned home and took us for a few beers in typical local bars to celebrate the birthday of André! The tequilas left us more "loose". The conversation went until the wee hours, muitas risadas e jogo de dardos.

One of the dinners at the house along with the Valentine's cousin Rebecca, a Kelli

We woke up late and the least we could do to repay all that they did to us was trying to play a Brazilian meal. The Brazilian market in Seattle, as expected, there was not many options. And so Gustavo cooked a potato stroganoff accompanied straw and as dessert: the traditional Brigadier, paçoca and foot-boy!

Thursday, on the 20. It was our last day before departure to Alaska. We were excited and eager. Finally we managed to visit the Boeing factory, after having to reschedule due to the withdrawal of Tanajura. O Gabriel, passionate about commercial aviation, was very anxious for the visit - it was a childhood dream being realized. Boeing still has its main factories in Seattle and visit comes within the largest of which are manufactured models 747, 777 and the brand new model 787 Dreamliner - The newest concept of commercial jets with greater fuel efficiency and range, but that has not been ordered by any Brazilian company,,pt,The visit is very detailed and we could even see a,,pt,We went on a common keychain that had a van "technological" and right there,,pt,Gaston,,en,this is Gabriel and I was the one that wrote the journal,,en,not Gustavo,,en,And we all agree on what was written in this post,,en,We as Expedition 4,,en,not only Gabriel or Gustavo,,en,That said,,en,I’d like to point that I chose not to go much on details on the post because I did not want to argue about the whole situation anymore,,en,since I believe those mistakes happen and so life goes on,,en,There were no hard feelings about it until the mean e-mail you sent to us,,en,which I briefly mentioned on the post,,en,And now this comment,,en. A visita é muito detalhada e pudemos até ver um 777 commissioned by TAM in the final stages of construction, but now with the logo painted. Infelizmente não temos fotos da fábrica pois era proibido câmeras e celulares.

We left enraptured with such complexity and enormity of the factory. But it was time to re-focus in Alaska. We needed to make an extra copy of the keys Tanajura that Gabriel had lost one of police stops in Venezuela. After trying in Nissan (that the U.S. could do nothing, as the codes vary in each country) fomos em um chaveiro comum que possuía uma van “tecnológica” e ali mesmo, in his van, was able to do the unexpected! They were able to reproduce the code and voilá Tana: we had a new spare key! Compramos correntes para os pneus em caso de alguma emergência em nevasca e estávamos finalmente prontos.

We returned home. Arrumamos as bad, bathed in silence and each of us left for the comfortable sleep that would last for a long time. The silence of each seizure and showed our respect for what we were about to experience in the coming days. It would be the beginning of a new stage in the Expedition. We were about to achieve one of our main goals after listening over many miles (and hitherto USA) amazed faces as they said: "Alaska?! You are going to drive pro Alaska?! What great adventure! You guys are crazy!"And in various places in Seattle alerted: "Best you go soon because the cold is coming and, face, there cold is no joke!”

Rebecca woke up early and we had prepared an upgraded breakfast. The Valentine are even people out of series. We arrange things in Tanajura and began the toughest part of the day: a farewell. Under cries and photos, Jaimie, Rebecca James and the American flag stuck in Tanajura. Hugs and more hugs and it was time to departure…next stop would already be at the entrance of the Alaska Highway…

Rebecca, James Jaimie and pasting the U.S. flag in Tanajura!

And so was our stay in Seattle, the city which today lies in our hearts. Seattle is also our home today, pois lá temos pessoas que aprendemos a chamar de família.

For more photos of Seattle, click here!

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If it was difficult to count the days to departure , delaying was even more. We had to postpone our departure for four days. Each day of delay was one less experience and more than hard work and anxiety. When we believed were all set, something unforeseen arose or a new detail appeared. And even after the delay in relation to our planned departure (on the 30 May ), we can't say we were fully prepared. And who is? Things in life are so unpredictable that it would be a lie to say we were all proof. It is true that we were very careful (maybe too much!) to avoid any unpleasant surprises in our way. But, sincerely, we ask if it the trip would be so fun if they don't. Ready or not, Sunday was the limit, could not stand to wait. Anything that, by chance, has lagged behind, teria que ser resolvida ao longo do trajeto.

The place of departure could not be another: our beloved University of Sao Paulo, where we became inseparable friends, we have graduated and expanded our world view. USP has been our home for years and is always an inspiration for our ideas. Nada mais justo que partir simbolicamente de onde tudo começou.

Lots of tears, a lot of emotion. The Expedition 4×1 is finally on the road! Happiness is huge! Even greater is the curiosity about what we know at this 70 thousand miles of adventure. Thank you all for the support and see you for America!

The post The dream has began appeared first on 4x1.

Here you will find a record of all our stories, tips, suggestions and what we'll learn!

The Expedition 4×1 has not yet begun but has become extremely present in our lives. The pre-travel activities are numerous: we have spoken with companies, banks, consulates, skilled hikers and several adventurers. Moreover, we are planning the route, rising budgets for adaptations of the car, taking vaccines, buying itens…and many other things!

Ultimately, looks like the work never ends! Without taking in consideration the construction of this blog, which is a separate chapter ; )

Well, this is just the first post, soon we will post news and many other things!

We hope you have enjoyed the site!!

Expedition 4×1

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