My first experience of South America was in 2006 on a 14-day group tour that seemed to just flash past my eyes – all I remember from that trip was that it made me determined to go back. And two years later I was there, this time for 9 months. I fell in love with Argentina, its people, its music and its food. I would travel away to other parts of the continent but found myself always returning to Argentina. My choice of favourite city is a close call between Bariloche and Buenos Aires – I can’t help but love a good steak and a glass of red! As for next time … I think it will definitely be Chilean Patagonia.
Along with South America, Antarctica really stood out as a place that was incomparable to the many others that I had been too. The wildlife and landscapes were simply unforgettable.
Places Visited
Argentina: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Bariloche, Cordoba, Salta, Mendoza, El Calafate, Ushuaia, El Chalten (Los Glaciares National Park)
Brazil: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Paraty, Buzios, Fortaleza, Salvador, Natal, Ilha do Mel, Ilha Grande, Iguassu Falls
Bolivia: La Paz, Uyuni (Salt Flats)
Chile: Santiago, Valparaiso/Vina del Mar, Atacama Desert, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas
Cuba: Havana, Baracoa, Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Trinidad, Santa Clara
Ecuador: Quito, Otavalo, Cuenca, Amazon Rainforest & Galapagos Islands.
Mexico: Mexico City, Taxco, Playa del Carmen, Tulum.
Peru: Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Puerto Maldonado, Puno & Lake Titicaca.
Uruguay: Montevideo.
Antarctica: Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Lemaire Channel, Gerlache Strait, Bransfield Strait (Antarctica XXI)