May – Jun 2017

South America

A 38-day adventure by Rebecca and Allan Read more

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Trip start
May 12, 2017
South America Rebecca and Allan
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Day 1
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:22 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 18 m
New Zealand Auckland International Airport -37.00724, 174.7820937°0’26” S 174°46’56” E
1
Auckland Airport
May 12, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
After a day dragging ourselves around wet and windy Auckland we are finally ready to go. Helped along by a few beers and wines we are hoping to get some sleep!
Diane Woodall 😘😘
5/12/17Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, May 13, 2017
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 44 m
Argentina Illuminated Block -34.60942, -58.3784934°36’34” S 58°22’43” W
Buenos Aires
May 13, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Spent our first day out on a free walking tour (that wasn't actually free) around the city.
Had our first attempt at trying to order food and coffee in Spanish, which was somewhat successful.
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Day 4
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10:10 AM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 43 m
Argentina Illuminated Block -34.61129, -58.37234°36’41” S 58°22’19” W
BA Markets
May 15, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Got to explore a market that stretched for almost 2kms today. Lots to see - managed to resist buying nearly everything I wanted haha.
Also happened to come across some sort of festival. Not sure what it was about but got to see some (presumably) local dancing.
We are both finding the eating habits very strange. They tend to eat late here both lunch and dinner (10 or 11pm) so we can't find much open when we want to eat. The food is lots and lots of bread, pizza and pasta. They give you a big bread basket at every meal. We still havnt found a supermarket so we are craving something to eat that is not white!Read more
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Day 4
Monday, May 15, 2017
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 30 m
Argentina Plaza Francia -34.58758, -58.3934234°35’15” S 58°23’36” W
Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires
May 15, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Attended a free Spanish lesson this morning where we learnt the difference between Argentina's Spanish and everyone else's Spanish. But like a typical Gringo we forgot as soon we left.
Spent the rest of the day on a tour of Recoleta Cementary which was amazing! One of the Mausoleums can hold up to 90 family members.
Then out for dinner where (After yet another basket of bread) we had the best steak of our lives!!! We are seriously considering eating there for the rest of the week!Read more
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Day 5
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 22 m
Argentina Matanza River -34.63937, -58.3621434°38’22” S 58°21’44” W
La Boca, Buenos Aires
May 16, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Explored La Boca today, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. We only saw the tourist area as its too unsafe to go any further into the area. Most of the houses were built out of the old ships that arrived and most are still members of the original families who bulit them. They have no running water and the houses are so dangerous to live in that the firemen of the area are practically worshiped. Yet none of the families will take up offers of other housing elsewhere. We finished the day off with a tango show.Read more
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Day 7
Thursday, May 18, 2017
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 38 m
Uruguay Centro Cultural de España (cce)-34.90583, -56.2037134°54’21” S 56°12’13” W
Montevideo, Uruguay
May 18, 2017 in Uruguay ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Early start on the ferry this morning to make it to Uruguay. Then on the bus to Montevideo. Nothing like New Zealand bus trips thank goodness, so no sickness. Nothing but straight roads and reclining seats (with foot rests), very nice.
Had a wander around Montevideo and explored an old palace and a museum dedicated to the Andes plane crash in the 70s.Read more
Diane WoodallSo did your legs reach the foot rest ok 💕
5/18/17Reply
Rebecca and AllanHaha yes they did!
5/18/17Reply
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Day 8
Friday, May 19, 2017
🌫 16 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Uruguay Punta del Este -34.93343, -54.9299834°56’0” S 54°55’48” W
Punta Del Este
May 19, 2017 in Uruguay ⋅ 🌫 16 °C
Today was a miserable weather day so thankfully it was spend in a warm bus to tour Punta Del Esta, a tourist town on Uruguay's coast.
We were the only ones on the bus who spoke English but had a very impressive tour guide who said everything in 3 languages (Spanish, Portuguese & English) for the whole day.Read more
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Day 11
Monday, May 22, 2017
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 180 m
Brazil Jardim Jupira -25.51554, -54.5843625°30’56” S 54°35’4” W
Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil
May 22, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
This morning we we got our first taste of the Iguazu falls when we explored the Brazil side of the park. Pictures did not prepare us for the sheer size of it all. This place was incredible!
We did have a rocky start here though..... Right before I got off the bus I read the brochure that said "don't feed the Coati as they could have rabies". Turns out they don't actually wait for you to feed them or yourself. Within 5 minutes of getting off the bus (right after I took a photo of it) I had one jump on me and break into my backpack to steal my sandwich! Thankfully Allan pulled it off before it scratched or bit me!
Unfortunately after screaming and running around panicking in the crowd of people I looked like the typical foreigner who disobeyed the rules!Read more
Diane WoodallThat would of been hilarious to see
5/25/17Reply
Rebecca and AllanIt was so funny. We still crack up when talking about it. Was such a fluke how it happend too. Another tourist said to me that it nuzzled it's way into my bag through the tiniest of holes in the zip. I felt like asking him why he didn't tell me what was happening if he saw it that closely!
5/25/17Reply
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Day 11
Monday, May 22, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 167 m
Paraguay Itaipu -25.40855, -54.5951525°24’31” S 54°35’43” W
Puerto Iguazu, Argentina
May 22, 2017 in Paraguay ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
This afternoon we explored Itiapu Dam which is the biggest producer of electricity in the world. It also happens to be shared between Brazil and Paraguay so it was an interesting surprise to find ourselves in yet another country on the otherside. The Dam was quite impressive and we were quite lucky to see it with the overflow gates open as they we last open in November.
Once we returned to our hostel in Argentina we visited the "3 Frontiers" where the 3 countries meet, where we were treated to a light and water show.Read more
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Day 12
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 178 m
Argentina Iguaçu Falls -25.68721, -54.4540925°41’14” S 54°27’15” W
Iguazu Falls, Argentina
May 23, 2017 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Today we were to visit one of the places which inspired our trip to South America, we were not disappointed. Word and photos do not do this place justice. We thought viewing the falls from the Brazil side was amazing but today we got to explore the national park of Iguazu and take the trails which lead you to some amazing and breathtaking views. We were also able to take a boat ride which takes you into one of the waterfalls. This was a slightly terrifying experience as you can't see a thing and feel like you almost drown in a boat!
This really is a must see place!Read more
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Day 13
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Brazil Vila do Abraao -23.14097, -44.1665223°8’27” S 44°9’59” W
Ilha Grande, Brazil
May 24, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Today after an evening of flight dramas we headed off to our island get away. After quickly trying to download the Portuguese language file on our translate app before we left we were fairly chuffed to find most people spoke a little English.
After an afternoon spent lazing on the beach we explore a few of the beach restaurants where ingot my first taste of the Brazilian cocktail Caprihina.Read more
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Day 14
Thursday, May 25, 2017
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Brazil Praia de Lopes Mendes -23.16697, -44.1393823°10’1” S 44°8’22” W
Lopes Mendes, Ilha Grande.
May 25, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
After a morning of watching some Marmoset Monkeys in the backyard of our hostel we boarded a boat to Lopes Mendes beach. This huge beach is incredible. Only accessible by boat and a short walk through the jungle it is pristine. We stayed until the last boat of the day which meant we got to enjoy the sunset on the way.Read more
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Day 15
Friday, May 26, 2017
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Brazil Vila do Abraao -23.14071, -44.1669123°8’27” S 44°10’1” W
Ilha Grande, Brazil
May 26, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Today we had a wander around the island and village and found ourselves another beautiful beach to laze around on for they day. Spent another beautiful sundet having drinks on the beach.
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Day 16
Saturday, May 27, 2017
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Brazil Morro do Cantagalo -22.97723, -43.1879122°58’38” S 43°11’16” W
Rio de Janeiro
May 27, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
After saying goodbye to Ilha grande, and wishing it was closer so we could come back... we boarded the boat back to the main land to head to Rio. It was an incredibly hot day so we shot straight down to Copacobana beach. Unfortunately we were instantly harassed by people trying us sell us stuff. They were relentless, a couple of people even squirted mustard on my sandals to then try and get me to pay to clean it off! Thankfully we cottoned on to their trick early enough and used the shower on the beach to clean them instead. It was crazy! Thankfully we were able to retreat to the roof of our hotel for some peace.Read more
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Day 18
Monday, May 29, 2017
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 509 m
Brazil Christ the Redeemer -22.95198, -43.2102622°57’7” S 43°12’37” W
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
May 29, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
With the clouds looking like they were clearing a little we headed up to see Christ the Redeemer. It was much smaller than I had anticipated but still very cool to see it. Unfortunately the photos of this incredible view aren't very clear but it is a long way down!Read more
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Day 19
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 187 m
Brazil Sugarloaf Mountain -22.94922, -43.1587822°56’57” S 43°9’32” W
Sugar loaf, Rio de Janeiro
May 30, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Had a full on day today. Started off with a walking tour around the old part of Rio. After finishing the tour at the beautiful tiled Escadaria Selarón steps we headed up Sugar loaf mountain. This gave amazing views of the city as well as an incredibly high gondola ride. Allan then got to have some fun once we returned to ground level with a mime dressed as Charlie Chaplin.Read more
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Day 20
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 91 m
Brazil Pedra Dois Irmãos -22.98864, -43.2475222°59’19” S 43°14’51” W
Rocinha favela, Rio de Janeiro
May 31, 2017 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today we hopped into an open top jeep to head to the biggest favela in Rio for a walking tour. This place has a bigger population that Dunedin (about 150,000) and would barely cover a quarter of the city in size. The locals here were super welcoming but we were very pleased to have a guide as it would be so easy to get lost in the maze of streets and alley ways here. We then spent our last afternoon in Rio relaxing in beach chairs on the much quieter Ipanema Beach.Read more
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Day 22
Friday, June 2, 2017
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 142 m
Peru Lima -12.04797, -77.0430812°2’53” S 77°2’35” W
Lima, Peru
June 2, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
After arriving in Peru yesterday, today we explored the centre of Lima city and took a tour through the catacombs and some of the museums. Lots more beautiful and very old buildings to see.
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Day 23
Saturday, June 3, 2017
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 82 m
Peru Parque Kennedy -12.12, -77.0292512°7’12” S 77°1’45” W
Huaca Pucllana, Lima
June 3, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
This morning we explored an ancient pyramid, that is still in the process of being uncovered. It was built before the Inca empire but was covered with dirt until about 30 years ago. For the afternoon we met up with our intrepid group and caught the local bus back to the city centre to check out the huge local market.Read more
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Day 24
Sunday, June 4, 2017
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 204 m
Peru Micaela Bastidas -12.59186, -69.1974312°35’31” S 69°11’51” W
Puerto Maldonado
June 4, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Today we took off for the Amazon to stay a few nights in a jungle lodge. We had a lovely 2.5hour boat ride to get there, and due to our flight delays we got to watch the beautiful sunset on the way.
Unfortunately due to our late arrival it meant we got straight into our night jungle walk... this was a terrifying experience to put it lightly. Not only did we see poisionus ants, scorpions, hundreds of spiders including the most poisionus spider in the world but we got to see all 3 types of tarantulas that live in this jungle (including the one they name 'Amanda' that lives in the tree outside the dinning hall)! And to top it all off to "give us a different perspective of the jungle" they made us stand in the middle of it for several minutes with no torches on! This was less than 2 metres from a nest of tarantulas they showed us.....
It was only after we got back to the lodge that I could appreciate how cool it had been.Read more
Diane WoodallSo does that mean you will no longer be screaming when you have spiders in your room here
6/16/17Reply
Rebecca and AllanOh no it's now more likely to bring back memories of this traumatic night haha
6/23/17Reply
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Day 25
Monday, June 5, 2017
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 225 m
Peru San Pedro De Putina Punco -12.92625, -69.2613512°55’35” S 69°15’41” W
The Amazon
June 5, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Today we headed out to the jungle early. We were headed to a lake to hopefully see a family of giant otters - an endangered species. We were given gumbooots for the walk as the tracks are often very muddy and hard to walk through. Once at the lake we took a canoe around to see the otters and then explored around the edge of the lake to see more wildlife. After the canoe ride we headed back to the lodge stopping to climb a 40m tower to get a view over the tree tops.
Exhausted after 5 hours stomping through muddy tracks we got to relax in hammocks at the lodge and 'enjoy' the 35° humid heat.
Later on they loaded us back into the boat in the dark for some Cayman (amazon crocodile) hunting.Read more
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Day 26
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 3,346 m
Peru Cusco -13.53035, -71.9689513°31’49” S 71°58’8” W
Cusco, Peru
June 6, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today we arrived in the beautiful old city of Cusco. At an altitude of over 3500m we were starting to feel the affects of the lack of oxygen... well at least that's what I think drove Allan to eat an Alpaca steak for dinner.Read more
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Day 27
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 2,857 m
Peru Ollantaytambo -13.25828, -72.2643313°15’30” S 72°15’52” W
Sacred Valley, Cusco
June 7, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
After checking out the look out above Cusco we started our drive into the sacred valley, stopping at a small community for lunch.
Here they literally danced us down their cobblestone streets to their community centre where we were then dressed up in their local costume and we got to try guinea pig!
After this we were back on the bus to another beautiful town called Ollantaytambo hoping for a good night sleep in preparation for our hike tomorrow!Read more
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Day 28
Thursday, June 8, 2017
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 4,461 m
Peru Quebrada Ocororoyoc -13.28848, -72.2899513°17’19” S 72°17’24” W
Quarry trail, Day 1
June 8, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today we headed off and up! Up up & up! Starting at 2920m we made it to our campsite by lunch time, just in time for our first 2 course hiking lunch, prepared by our chef and sous chef!
After lunch there was time for a siesta before exploring our first Inka site close to camp. As the temperature dropped we all started teaching each other dances and songs from our own countries (including a poor attempt at a haka from us) as a way to keep ourselves warm before our 3 course dinner! Then it was straight to bed to rest for the hardest day tomorrow!Read more
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Day 29
Friday, June 9, 2017
☀️ 25 °C
Altitude: 3,361 m
Peru Quebrada Apahuasi -13.2606, -72.3044413°15’38” S 72°18’16” W
Quarry trail, Day 2
June 9, 2017 in Peru ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Well today's 11hours of walking was hard, not going to lie. We reached the highest point in our trek today at 4424m shortly after lunch. It's not the hill that kills you (although it was nearly all uphill for the first 5 hours), but the altitude. Thankfully for our lunch break our team of horsemen set up their kitchen etc so we could enjoy another 2 course meal, but most importantly a rest and a cup of their coca tea, which definetly helps with the headache.
Unfortunately after we had our celebration of reaching the top we were soon aware why the first downhill section is labeled as one of the hardest sections. Loose rock and an almost vertical slope. Probably only about 1km in length which took us about an hour or more.
We were rewarded tho by another Inca site further down and reached camp before sunset - the group goal for the day.
Camped underneath some beautiful snow capped mountains it wasn't long before we stacked on the layers for what was likely going to be a chilly night. Also helped along by a Pisco tea brew to 'help us sleep'.Read more
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