We both caught the travel bug early in life. No, not the bug you get while traveling that makes you hug the toilet for days on end…although we’ve had that too…the travel bug that creates an insatiable feeling of needing to go new places, see new things, experience new cultures, meet new people, try new food. After studying abroad during college (Mike in Chile and Amy in Denmark), we both realized the need to see the world. And thus a dream was born, to travel the world for an extended period of time. Setting a goal is easy enough, but sticking with it can be a challenge. How do you stay motivated to reach your dreams?
We created a picture wall in our living room to remind us of our love for travel and keep us motivated to reaching our goal of traveling the world. Well, ok, let’s be real, the picture wall really evolved because we needed a cheap way to decorate the stark white walls in our apartment. Not bad, huh?
Our Picture Wall
In addition to being a fun piece of art and conversation piece, the picture wall truly has served as a motivator for our travels. We can look at a photo of one of our past trips and remember the people we met, the lessons we learned, the new thing or food we tried. All 26 of these photos represent something different, but together they make up the story of how The Chamborres Expedition was born.
Here are a few stories of the photos on our picture wall…We can’t even imagine the pictures and tales we’ll have a year from now.
Billy @ the Blue Hole, St. Ann, Jamaica
During our honeymoon in Jamaica, we met an awesome rasta named Billy who showed us around for a day. The Blue Hole was one of our many stops that day. Good people. Rope swinging into beautiful water. Everyting irie.
Von Frelser Kirke, Copenhagen, Denmark
We went to Denmark in June 2011 for Amy’s host parents’ silver anniversary party. We highly recommend attending such an event if you have the opportunity – the Danes know how to party! While sightseeing in Copenhagen, we climbed to the top of Von Frelser Kirke, overcoming our uneasiness with heights to see the amazing views of Copenhagen and the Øresund Bridge to Sweden.
Hot Air Balloon, Napa, California
While Mike was living in San Jose, CA for a year in 2008, we took a week long vacation to Sonoma/Napa, where we actually ended up getting engaged:) We were feeling a little queasy on the drive to the hot air balloon launch site from celebrating a little too much the night before, but once we were in the air, all other feelings subsided and we were left in awe. What a peaceful and mesmerizing sport.
The Chamborres Expedition 
Love your picture wall…….such great memories, with many more to come!!!
Billy in Jamaica is a fantastic man!! We went on many trips with him=). And the blue hole was amazing!! What did you see more then the blue hole. We were in Jamaica okt 2011.
/ Camilla from Sweden
We loved Jamaica and especially enjoyed our day exploring with Billy! We were there just about one year before you, in December of 2010. In addition to the Blue Hole, we went around downtown Ochi, ate at a small locals fish place by the water and drove around the Saint Ann parish. Hope to go back someday:)