Chile sure has a lot of laid back and beautiful rural cities. And of all of these, Pucon has to be my favorite so far. The town lies on the shores of sprawling and beautiful Lago Villarrica, at an elevation of 227 meters, and surrounded in all directions by dramatic peaks covered in lush, green forests. Above all towers the glacier of the great volcano. Like the eye of Sauron, but perhaps less sinister, it keeps constant vigil over the valley … [Read more...]
From Los Angeles to Bogota – a Day Trip
Yup, you read the headline right. I made a day trip to Bogota, Colombia from Los Angeles, USA. I'm probably not the first one to do it, but I bet not many people have done it before. So how'd it happen? Mostly through my opportunism: I managed to squeeze in a stop in Bogota while on my way to Santiago, Chile. It wasn't really on my original plans but I had a choice of two flights - one with a 4-hour layover in Lima, Peru and one with a 16-hour … [Read more...]
Chile Producing Premiere Carmenere
Chile’s signature grape varietal arrived just before phylloxera hit Europe in the mid 19th century. With the country's new wine region just getting established, a few Carménère cuttings were imported and planted in the valleys of Santiago among Merlot vines. Despite the sparse rainfall and hot days, they immediately flourished in their new climate. Carménère was at first confused for “Chilean Merlot” until a 1994 DNA analysis revealed its … [Read more...]
Peru’s Inca Heartland: An Experiential Vacation With Kuoda Travel
I’m in a remote Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley, deep in the heart of the Inca world. Surrounded by mist-shrouded mountains and cobalt blue lakes, agrarian rhythms define life here, just as they have for centuries. I feel as far off the beaten track as I can possibly get. I’m spending the afternoon with the women of the village. Traditionally dressed with their long black hair in precise plaits, it’s as if time has stood still. They … [Read more...]
Spring Skiing at Valle Nevado in Chile
The Mountain As the ski lift reached the mountain top, I released my white knuckled grip on the J-bar and slid forward toward the majestic snow capped Andean peaks looming large in the distance. It was spring in South America and the backside of the mountain, was nearly empty, inhabited only by myself and the occasional lift operator. The resort was visible as a spec in the distance beyond the lift I had just exited, and a mountain vista of … [Read more...]
A Remington and a Volvo
At 9, I thought it was crazy. My dad was going to squeeze Mom and all six of us kids into a boxy, top heavy, narrow Volvo station wagon, and we were going to drive for three months from our home in Paraguay to Kansas where my father grew up. This trip had been his dream since coming to Paraguay in 1951 to found and manage a Mennonite leprosy mission. “Is there really a road that goes all the way from Paraguay to the States?” I asked. Dad … [Read more...]
Cuzco, Peru: Things Learned During an Eight-Day Visit
When I arrived in Cuzco, a city of 350,000 people known as the Inca Capital of Peru, I had near-zero knowledge about the place. All I knew is that it is home to a famous tourist attraction which most of my friends have kept on their Bucket Lists - forever! Stepping out of the airport, I wore that moronic look tourists wear when they arrive at a place where the primary language is something they cannot fluently speak. I did a little chicken … [Read more...]
5 Interesting Facts About Argentina
When you think of Argentina, the first images that will most likely come to mind will involve tango, Madonna's Evita, gauchos and delicious steaks. And for very good reason! But there's a whole lot more to this fascinating South American country. Gay travel bloggers Stefan and Sebastien spent 2 months travelling in Argentina and they give us their 5 interesting facts about Argentina, which you may not have known. 1. MATE: the ubiquitous … [Read more...]
Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine + Springtime Exploration in Buenos Aires
THE EVENT The Park Hyatt Masters of Food & Wine are events held at all Park Hyatt locations; these bring guests and visitors together to connect with their award-winning chefs, sommeliers and other artisan food and beverage purveyors. I recently attended a Master's Food and Wine event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Palacio Duhau joining the Park Hyatt family. This was held at the Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires, Argentina. … [Read more...]
Backpacking in Venezuela
Venezuela must be one of the most unique countries I have ever been to. Since so few people travel here, most of what we heard, from its beauty to its dangerous reputation is a combination of myth and mystery. It is a country that has never been on my travel radar; Alya however has been talking about visiting the amazing Mount Roraima for a while. THE REPUTATION When we started to investigate we heard so much nonsense, it seemed like … [Read more...]
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