The final touchdown could not come soon enough. 39 hours prior I left my place in California for the airport at 430am. After a night in Miami (part of which involved nearly a 2 hour drive to go 3.1 miles from the airport - you think Los Angeles traffic is horrendous, think again), I finally arrived in Guyana. Most people I told prior to my trip that I was going to Guyana greeted me with a blank stare. The few older folks correctly equated Guyana … [Read more...]
Cruising the Beagle Channel on the Paludine, Ushuaia Argentina
I wandered into one of the small tour operator huts down by the harbour in Ushuaia this afternoon to escape the rain and the cold. After inquiring about one of their tours I was soon booked for the next morning - a sailing trip through the Beagle Channel on the Paludine. Allowing only 8 people maximum on board, these sailing tours are intimate and a great way to see the wildlife. After an hour drive on both pavement and a graded dirt road we … [Read more...]
Exploring Ushuaia, El Fin Del Mundo
After four days in a row on a plane, two of which were overnight flights I have reached El Fin del Mundo, Ushuaia - the world's southernmost city. Flying over Tierra del Fuego, we were treated to spectacularly clear views of the jagged mountains, glaciers and lakes - ultimately reaching the bays near Ushuaia and dropping into the small airport on a nearly cloudless day. My visual research prior to this trip indicated Ushuaia is rarely clear … [Read more...]
Are they really *Panama* Hats?
The last time I was in Panama I purchased a Panama Hat - a misleading name considering these hats are made in Ecuador. During the construction of the Panama Canal workers wore these hats. When USA President at the time, Teddy Roosevelt saw one - he wanted to wear it - he was photographed wearing this hat and the name "Panama Hat" soon stuck. In actuality these hats should be called Ecuadorian Hats! After wearing out the 'Panama Hat' I bought … [Read more...]
Exploring the Quito Surroundings
With a visit to the market yesterday evening - we were set for breakfast this morning. Cherimoya, Guanabana (soursop) and Granadilla (passion fruit) made for a delicious fruit based breakfast. The inside of a Granadilla looks like something from the guts of an alien - with black seeds surrounded by some goopy stuff encased in a white sack encased in the entire orange outside of the fruit. Never trust looks when it comes to fruit - sometimes you … [Read more...]
Up, Up into the Andes – Ecuador
After seeing the streets flooded with people last night - alcohol flowing like water, dancing, music and lots of action - we stumbled out of our hotel early this morning to eerily empty streets. However, remnants of last nights' craziness were clearly evident - including broken bottles, other shattered glass and nasty messiness left from those who had to much liquor and were unable to keep it in their stomachs. Saturday is the big party night … [Read more...]
Exploring Quito
A young English teacher found us wandering the streets of Quito this morning. He was properly dressed - in suit and tie while bopping to tunes with his large earphones. He saw us struggling with a paper map and stopped to give us a hand. Eventually we found our way to a travel agency - made arrangements for the "avenue of volcanoes" tour - the spine of the country south of Quito which boasts some of the tallest volcanoes on the planet including … [Read more...]
Stop in Quito Ecuador
I've been to South America quite a few times (focusing on Peru) but it has been too long since I was last here - so it was quite nice to finally touch down again on the continent very late this evening. It often feels like you are imposing and or are under acute suspicion when you enter some countries - stopping in front of grim faced immigration officials who give you suspicious glances. Not so here - the officials were laughing and joking … [Read more...]
Peru 05
Peru trip was incredible. High mountains, steamy jungles, dry deserts and the ocean - all in one country. Can't wait to return and next time will visit the high altiplano of Bolivia and parts of the Patagonia. Article about Iquitos finished but won't be posted on the main page for a few months as there are other articles currently queued. http://www.davestravel.com/articles/iquitos/index.htm & the Peruvian Rainforest Article about … [Read more...]