Only nine months had passed since I returned from travels around Asia, but when a job contract I was working on ended, it was time yet again to travel. I bought my tickets, packed my bags, kissed the girlfriend goodbye, and one week later, set off. Over the next couple months, I travelled through Ecuador and Venezuela. I climbed in the Andes, danced in the clubs, mellowed out on the beaches, surfed some waves, and even had a little fun along the way.