Bolivia is a geographically interesting country. We entered in the flat, green zone. Then we traveled to the foothills and up into the Andes. After some time in the capital of La Paz it was time to move down the mountains to the large plains. The west side of the Andes includes many interesting … More Bolivia- the western side of the Andes
The well-known wine region of Argentina is Mendoza. While it is a dry beautiful area, wine is just not our thing. So we searched the map and found Malargue and some mountain hot springs. We headed across the vast plains of Argentina, and up into the mountains. Malargue was made famous by its remote, wide … More Cosmic Rays, Goats and Hot Springs
In between our city street parking we did a bit of roaming around. The last post was about wine and salt. This time we went to the mountains for some refreshingly cold nights and a soak in some hot springs. The photo above shows a glimpse of typical highway driving near Santiago, Chile. We … More Hot springs in a mountain setting
The ferry crossed a large inlet of the South Pacific Ocean and deposited us in the city of Quellon. This is a bustling port city with a seedy energy about it and a lot of traffic. Most of the homes looked worn down and weathered by the sea, the storms and lack of maintenance. But … More Isla Chiloe – A step back in time
We are on the final leg of the Carretera Austral through the Patagonia region of Chile. The road through Patagonia has been challenging and beautiful. This final section continued that theme! The curves were sharp and the warnings of approaching vehicles were non-existent. So we drove slowly and cautiously. The flora changed as we went … More Patagonia Region – Walls, Waterfalls, Hot Springs
After a brief run through the edge of Uruguay we were back in Argentina to have a peaceful new year. We just have a few days left with our Korean/Latino son, Myungsu and we want to make the best of them. Swimming, nature and a big city for the fun. Our campsite offered open grassy … More America and Lincoln, Argentina
With all the dog paperwork prepared, we were ready to cross the border to Uruguay from Argentina. This was to be a quick visit, as we didn’t find much we wanted to see or do there. But some hot springs and an interesting cannery tour lie ahead. But first, a detour to a little … More Uruguay- briefly!
Leaving the edge of the Amazon meant leaving the lush, wet jungle behind us. The surroundings started to change quickly. We looked ahead on the map and realized we would be crossing the Andes on some rough, desolate dirt roads. The plants around us became smaller and smaller, quite different than the jungle area. Then … More Peru- The Cordillera Blanca and an amazing blue lake.
This country is rich with indigenous heritage. The various cultures (tribes) are respected and honored with positions in the government and opportunities to improve their communities. Many traditions and practices continue to be a part of their daily lives. Raising, cooking and eating cuy is one of those traditions. Cuy (in the USA we call … More Ecuador- Daily life and history combined.
Baños is a bustling town built in a volcanic valley. The weather is nearly perfect year-round. The main business is tourism, and everything revolves around that income. Good restaurants, thermal pool spas, massage parlors, night clubs, a few parks and a beautiful church. The cathedral is the central point in town, as always. And while … More Ecuador- The Baños area