Luke Nibourg returned home in June having spent five months discovering the full beauty of the, previously unknown to him, continent of South America with all its culture and nature. Luke started in early January in the small city of Belem, Brazil. He was a pasty, lost gringo on the largest and most picturesque of rivers, the mighty Amazon. Taking a local river transport on a five day journey to Manaus is a story he won’t forget. You haven’t lived until an Amazon river boat load is singing happy birthday to you in Portuguese in unison.
After the Amazon, he moved southward down the eastern coast of the continent, beach hopping from city to city until he arrived in Salvador where he met his parents, Tony and Clara.
He then partied it up in the world famous Brazilian carnival. Through the Chapada Diamondina, spending nights on the mountainside alone under the stars and on to a ranch in southern Brazil called Pantanal Xaraes, where he worked for six weeks, helping tend to 4,500 head of cattle.
After quick trips to Sao Paula and Rio, he was finished with Brazil and off to meet a beautiful lady, Alyssa, in Lima, Peru. They travelled for two weeks through the sand dunes of Huacachina, stayed on a floating island on Lake Titicaca and did the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu, a most beautiful place.
Luke has provided a snapshot of his travels to encourage others to go for a journey similar to his. You can read his blog at Farmboy adventures.
Tiana Gamroth was player on the Zone 4, U16 girls’ fastball team playing in the Alberta Summer games at Airdrie this weekend. Congratulations to them for bringing home a bronze. Allen, Laura and girls watched and cheered on the team.
Jean and Don Farmer, who live on Vancouver island, visited last Tuesday with Bill and May Jamieson at Points West. Jean is the daughter of Eunice Doan Lindsay and a niece to Bill and May.
Paul and Jacquie Dietrich visited with Stephanie and Scott in Calgary and helped grandson Ethan celebrate his 11th birthday. They also took in the Calgary – Hamilton football games at the Saddledome.
Coming up: Aug 23 – the 19th annual Halkirk Elks Bull-a-rama at the rodeo grounds. Put a shine on your boots and crease in your jeans and plan to be there!