May 22, 2018
Peru is situated on the west coast of South America between Chile and Ecuador. Its has a diverse landscape that includes rugged mountains, beaches, desert, sand dunes and lush river valleys. It is best know for Machu Pichu, a reminder of its Inca heritage and the Nazca lines of mysterious origin depicting large illustrations of birds and plants spread over 300 miles in the desert in south Peru. The Peruvian culture reflects its ancient Andean... View Article
May 17, 2018
A long and slender sliver of land, Chile stretches along the west coast of South America, clinging to the continent between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the rugged Andes to the east. To the north, at 3500 meters elevation, lies El Norte Grande: the stark and desolate Atacama dessert, known as the driest dessert in the world. Vast salt flat, geysers and star gazing are some of the extraordinary features of... View Article
May 13, 2018
I have always had a thing for cowboys, you know, the rugged, romantic image is appealing. My interest is theoretical though, so no cowboys need apply….. So, it goes without saying that when we were travelling around South America I wanted to see these guys at work, umm, I mean, I wanted to see their horses. Cowboys are referred to as Gauchos in Argentina and Uruguay, Vaqueiro in Brazil, Huasus in Chile, Morochuco in... View Article
May 7, 2018
As we left Ushuaia the ship set an easterly course and once abeam (at right angle) to the lighthouse Faro Les Eclaireurs the ship altered course and begun sailing west on the Beagle Channel. Where the Beagle Channel splits into two arms the ship took the north one and entered a gorgeous channel known as Glacier Alley (I prefer the more elegant “Glacier Avenue“). Cruising the crystal waters, surrounded by rugged Andes mountains with their dramatic... View Article
May 3, 2018
The highlight of our trip around South America in terms of historical significance was sailing around Cape Horn. This rocky point on Hornos Island, part of the Tiera del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, is where many seafarers perished in an attempt to cross these rough waters. The treacherous pass was the route from Europe to the far east and many ships went down trying to navigate around the Cape. The opening of the Panama... View Article
May 1, 2018
From Puerto Madryn we continued sailing south and east to our next destination, the Falkland Islands. Port Stanley on the East island cannot accommodate our large ship so we dropped anchor across from the port and traveled between the ship and shore in the life boats used as tenders. It was quite windy and the water was rough, splashing up along the sides of the tender. The town of Stanley is sheltered... View Article
April 19, 2018
After a short stay in Montevideo we drove 150 km east to visit Punta del Este, a famous resort town known as the Riviera or Monaco of South America. It is so well known that the entire coast is now referred to by this name. Well to do Uruguayans, Argentinians and Brazilians made this place a summer playground where the South American elite play. They are lured to this sun drenched peninsula by the promise... View Article
April 14, 2018
Nestled at the edge of the rio de la Plata (more like a sea, being the widest river in the world) before it spills its content into the Atlantic ocean, Uruguay is a small country squeezed between the much larger Brazil in the north and Argentina to the south. Perfect for visiting any time of the year thanks to it warm, mild climate Uruguay makes a great destination for visiting historical Montevideo, enjoying the beaches... View Article
March 10, 2018
Buenos Aires is divided into barrios and each has its own character and style. San Telmo is the oldest neighborhood and oozes with history, character and tradition. It is situated in south Buenos Aires next to the colourful La Boca that sits along the mouth of the Rio Plata (hence the name La Boca, meaning the mouth). The time to visit San Telmo, at least once, is on a Sunday. Sunday is Feria day at... View Article
February 25, 2018
After lingering over breakfast at our Recoleta neighbourhood cafe we left and headed up the street towards Plaza Francia where a Sunday market was going on. The entire area was a lively scene on Sundays with crafts fair they call Feria des Artesanos de Plaza Francia. We looked around a bit but were not taken with the scene so we headed over to the Recoleta Cemetery situated at the edge of the park. Entrance to the... View Article
February 23, 2018
So, we are in South America. It has been on my travel radar for a long time and finally now I am here. The flight to Buenos Aires from Miami was 9 h long but went quickly, thanks in large part to onboard movies and a kindle with a few good books. We landed in the Buenos Aires international airport and had a driver waiting to whisk us to our rented apartment in the Recoleta... View Article
