Looking back on 2025: a year full of adventures.
In 2025, we were on the road for the entire year. There were no quick flights back to Europe and no visits to see family – although that’s not entirely true, we visited Michael’s sister living in Costa Rica and his other sister came to visit us.
We experienced a great deal, mostly good. Nevertheless, there are moments when homesickness creeps in.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe we had the time to live all these things. The year went by so quickly. Here is a brief look back to remind ourselves of all the wonderful things we saw and experienced.
Peru
The year began in northern Peru. We spent a lot of money on our New Year’s Eve celebrations with friends from Switzerland (far too much, but it was fun nonetheless). We visited the world’s third-highest waterfalls and hiked alone to ancient sarcophagi. Then came the accident with the tuk-tuk and a few nights spent in a garage to fix the door. We weren’t able to replace the window until we reached Colombia. In the meantime, the window Michi had fashioned out of a road sign held up remarkably well. Before crossing the border, we enjoyed a few more excellent Peruvian meals: Ceviche, Chicharrones, Causa… mmm!
Ecuador
Finally, we were in a small country where we didn’t have to cover thousands of kilometres, and it was incredibly diverse. It was definitely one of our highlights. We went mountain trekking in the snow, dived in the Pacific, sweated in the jungle, and saw hundreds of hummingbirds, several snakes, and Andean bears. The hospitality was wonderful, and somehow most things went according to plan.
A true wildlife highlight was the Galápagos. Three weeks of sun and sand – finally escaping the rain! We snorkelled every day, ate fresh fish at the market, and watched the animals – anywhere, anytime. And of course, the diving: we saw hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, and schools of fish so dense you could only see through them when a sea lion or shark broke through the barrier.
Colombia
Things got off to a great start in Colombia with the world’s smallest monkeys, the pygmy marmosets. Then the itinerary included a drive through guerrilla territory for Cora’s birthday, followed by a few weeks helping out on a cocoa farm and searching for anacondas in the Llanos. During the search, we were surprised by an Orinoco crocodile coming our way.
We also went on a hippo safari on the Magdalena River – we couldn’t stop marvelling at it all. Afterwards, Michi did his dive instructor training. For once, we stayed in one place for an entire month and were able to do some repairs on the car, such as fixing our window. Only the Airbnb host was peculiar; we definitely don’t want to go back there.
Venezuela
Venezuela – our favourite! Finally, a real adventure! Right at the start, we were met by the secret service and asked into a white container for a three-hour interview. That wasn’t exactly great. But once we were allowed in the country, everything went like clockwork.
Maracaibo was like a journey back to the 1970s. The food and service were good—a blessing after Colombia. And the people were exceptionally kind – everyone. They invited us into their homes for barbecues and rum. They organised diesel whenever things didn’t go smoothly.
Only the amount of driving was exhausting. Unfortunately, our container ship to Panama departed from Colombia, so we had to do a round trip through the vastness of Venezuela. We sat in the car for hours and had the occasional row. However, prospecting for gold in the Wild South of Venezuela put everything right again.
Back to Colombia!
Back in Colombia, we had to bridge two exhausting weeks until the ship set sail. Everything went smoothly, but the constant waiting and the sparse information were annoying. However, thanks to our container buddy, we were able to enjoy a few nights of luxury at the Hilton in Cartagena and Panama. We even stayed at the Waldorf Astoria for one night. Nevertheless, we were glad when the car arrived safely and we were sleeping in our own bed again.
Panama
In Panama, there was plenty of nature again: we dived in the Pacific, watched whales, hiked on the Barú volcano, and walked along the Panama Canal surrounded by jungle. But there was also plenty car stuff to do: we spent two weeks in Panama City renewing the seals and applying rust protection. However, it was the rainy season, so the weather wasn’t ideal. It was worth it, though, as we met some wonderful new people.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica – the green paradise. The people there were very used to tourists, the prices are very high, and nothing is free – except for parking on the beach. We took full advantage of that. We spent ten days alone in San Josecito on the Osa Peninsula. Every day we hiked a little, cooked, and read. Eventually, however, everything became so damp and clammy that we had to head back to the mainland.
We saw tapirs, monkeys, snakes, frogs, macaws, raccoons, and coatis. We released baby turtles and saw large ones swimming in the water. Whales and dolphins. There were so many animals.
Family time was lovely too. We spent a month with Michael’s sister. His other sister came to visit as well, and we had a great time with her, her niece, and her family. We ate delicious food, did a lot of laundry, and constantly fought the mould.
Finally, more visitors arrived from Switzerland. Cora’s friends came to visit and brought us many parts for the car – and chocolate, of course! We also made new friends and spent a wonderful week with them. A fitting end to Costa Rica.
Nicaragua
There were no difficulties or complications in Nicaragua. Everything went wonderfully at customs. It became hot again and there was less rain. We visited several cities: Granada and León. We went out at night and felt old among the backpackers.
We also went diving in a volcanic crater, which was very impressive. Unfortunately, we couldn’t visit another crater because it had erupted.
Michael was worried he’d have to spend his birthday with only Cora for company, but then fate decided otherwise. At the last moment, we got the contact details for Orlando and Nubia (a Swiss man and a Nicaraguan woman), who gave us a warm welcome. There were three days of rum and coke, some beer, and delicious food. We also visited a coffee farm. Then it time to go to the border.
Honduras
To welcome us, there was a two-hour traffic jam at the border followed by a pizza flying into the windscreen. Not exactly the best start. However, the first few days next to an old aparthotel were quite cosy, and the next destination in the mountains – pine trees once again – was relaxing. The driving was less pleasant because of the crazy drivers.
The food was mediocre. The last day was lovely, though: we visited local weavers, walked through a colonial town, and bought cowboy boots for Michael. Finally, we went to the thermal baths to relax. One week was enough.
El Salvador
A small colonial village, good pupusas (stuffed tortillas), plenty of peace and quiet, and a hike up the Santa Ana volcano; only the weather didn’t cooperate. Added to that was a great off-road track through the mountains and a quick dip in the Pacific.
El Salvador was full of kind people, and you felt safe everywhere. However, we didn’t want to celebrate Christmas alone. Since we didn’t encounter any other travellers, we decided to push on to Guatemala.
Guatemala
Guatemala gave us a warm welcome. We were invited to Christmas Eve by the owners of the campsite. There were a few glasses of rum and delicious food. We spent the final days of the year in a city once again. We are wandering the alleys of Antigua and celebrating with other overlanders at the campsite.
Here’s to many more adventures in 2026!
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