Gonzo's quest WAS based on a real spanish explorer!

I had my suspicions was looking up explorers with the name gonzalo to come up with some amusing puns. I found this guy on wiki Gonzala Guerrero same beard just not as many clothes but Net-ent seemed to overlook this and dress him smartly. Learn something new every day right! Pretty cool he was real though! With that beard and cheerful look in this statue commemorating him no doubt Net-ENT got inspiration for Gonzo's Quest from this guy! He even explored Mayan surroundings. 

Ok so done a bit more research and it looks as though I was slightly wrong the story seems to be based on this tyrant from Spain Alonso de Alvarado Montaya González de Cevallos y Miranda but the look and kind nature could well have been inspired by this guy above. The gonzo we know and love is not portrayed as a  brutal killer who did whatever was required to take gold. I hope the bearded man above was mostly the inspiration behind gonzo's guest.

Short extract from wiki page of Alonso de Alvarado: Alonso de Alvarado Montaya González de Cevallos y Miranda (1500–1556) was a Spanish conquistador and knight of the Order of Santiago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alonso_de_Alvarado

He was born at Secadura, now part of Voto, Cantabria. After a period in Mexico under the orders of Hernán Cortés, he joined the campaign of Francisco Pizarro.

He went to Peru with Pedro de Alvarado in search of gold in 1534. There he fought against the armies of Manco Inca Yupanqui that were besieging Lima in 1536, against Diego de Almagro in 1537 and at the Battle of Las Salinas in 1538. He later fought at Chupas and Jaquijahuana.

While charged by some contemporaries with avarice and cruelty, it is undeniable that during the period of civil wars in Peru (about 1537 to 1555) Alvarado was an unflinching and determined adherent to the interests of the Spanish crown. He always sided with those whom he thought to be sincere representatives of the crown, and it was not always profitable and safe to be on that side. Thus in 1537, he commanded the troops of Pizarro's followers, when Diego de Almagro claimed the mythical Inca city of Cuzco. Defeated and captured by the latter at Abancay, after effecting his escape under great difficulties as well as dangers, and rejoining Pizarro, whom he looked upon as the legitimate governor of Peru, he took part in all the bloody troubles that followed, always as a prominent military leader and always unsuccessful when in immediate command. Still, he was counted upon as a mainstay of the Spanish cause, and occupied a high military position.

Search for Eldorado
In Chachapoyas, Alvarado had knowledge of the fabulous treasures that a legendary city was keeping in the thickness of the forest, the mythical "El Dorado" and from there he organized new expeditions that mended the High Cashew and that came up to grounds of the lay-brothers, next to Moyobamba.

Very cool history and research! 

yep thanks for this friend 

yep thanks for this friend 

No problem it was a must share item! Good for the pub quiz too ha ha!