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South America ’23

September – October 2023
  • Jamie Nicholson
  • Alex van de Velde
Join us on an epic Sth American adventure! From tango nights in Buenos Aires to samba vibes in Rio, we'll desert-hop in Atacama, get high (altitude-wise) in La Paz, salsa through Colombia, and wrap up with sun-kissed LA. Ready for a wild ride? 🌎🌞🌵 Read more
  • Jamie Nicholson
  • Alex van de Velde
+5

List of countries

  • United States United States
  • Ecuador Ecuador
  • Panama Panama
  • Colombia Colombia
  • Bolivia Bolivia
  • Brazil Brazil
  • Paraguay Paraguay
  • Show all (12)
Categories
Beach, City trip, Couple, Culture, Photography, Sightseeing, Tours, Vacation, Wilderness, Wildlife
  • 47.2kkilometers traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight42.2kkilometers
  • Car1,258kilometers
  • Ferry55kilometers
  • Motorboat48kilometers
  • Train39kilometers
  • Walking30kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing16kilometers
  • Cable car12kilometers
  • Hiking11kilometers
  • Horse7kilometers
  • Helicopter7kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 149footprints
  • 52days
  • 1.5kphotos
  • 690likes
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  • South America ’23
    1

    Santa Teresa Tram

    September 12, 2023 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    When researching Rio and we discovered that there is a tram that goes over the top of an old aquaduct, we just had to go! What we didn't know was just how much fun it was going to be.

    A tram driver that epitomised swagger. A rocky and bumpy ride. Dodging taxis, buses and trucks stopped in the way. Skimming past park cars with literally no more then an inch in one case. And a beautiful view up the hill as we went.

    Sorry to the people trying to get to work but were denied because our two bums were taking up seats.    Read more

  • South America ’23

    Last city walk in Rio

    September 12, 2023 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After the tram we continued to do a walk a bit more for a few extra sights to see.

    The old aquaduct that looked straight out of Rome, formally water and now for a tram.

    Metropolitan Cathedral which is a cone shape. From the outside I personally think it looks terrible, but it is much better looking in the inside. It was designed and finished in 1979 to replace the original church which was not big enough for the growing population at the time.

    Ladeira da Misericórdia, also known as Mercy Slope, is a historic street. Named after the Misericórdia Church, a prominent religious institution founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese crown to provide assistance to the poor and sick. The church was part of the Misericórdia Brotherhood, an organization dedicated to charitable work.

    We even happened to walk into a central market area where people were hustling and selling literally everything you could imagine. Mainly cheap imports though.    Read more

  • South America ’23
    1

    Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading

    September 12, 2023 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This building services as a place to house Portugese literature, manuscripts and documents. Some of the rarest books are here and it is huge. It was used to help keep ties between Brazil and Portugal. Unfortunately can't touch anything.Read more

  • South America ’23

    Final drinks and thoughts

    September 12, 2023 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Before leaving, people asked me "Where are you looking forward to the most for your holiday?". Not once did I answer "Rio". I had the complete wrong impression of this city.

    Not only was it great, we fell in love with it. It's beautiful to look at and the people are beautiful to be with. It's lively, diverse, fascinating.

    We did so much, but there was so much more to do... Like swim 🤦‍♂️ who comes to Rio and not swim once?!

    We hope to be able to come back one day. And if someone asks me that same question, my answer will be Rio de Janiero.    Read more

  • South America ’23

    Chilly in Chile

    September 13, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    We are definitely not in Rio anymore. Different language, and very different temperature. Blowing mist from our breath as we headed outside to the nearby sculpture park. A super pretty spot to wait for our tour guide.

    Towered over us was the ever present Sky Constanera building, the tallest in South America.

    Today, City Tour!    Read more

  • South America ’23
    1

    Santiago

    September 13, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Today started with a big city walk. By city walk, I just mean the central area, because Santiago is massive area wide.

    The best location to begin was at Santa Lucía Hill, this iconic hill was here the Spanish conquistador founded Santiago. Talking this from the indigenous of this region unfortunately, who also cherished this hill for their rituals. It is a panoramic view of the city as you walk around it.

    Next we moved to the Plaza de Armas (Which most Latin American cities have) which is a large square surrounded by government buildings and cathedral. A very lavish cathedral at that. We did have a little laugh at the arrangement for confessional here in Santiago. The cathedrals have multiple confessional areas around the walls facing inwards to the church. But the priest and person are literally completely visible and within earshot of anyone walking past. There is even a row of chairs just in front for those waiting.

    We went around to a museum for the fascinating eras of Pre-Columbian history. We have been listening to a podcast on the History of Latin America for the past 6 months, and we've found it so interesting. But the pottery, woodwork and fabric of this era is so unique and unusual.

    We walked though a lot of markets, everywhere people are selling things on the streets. One of the things we saw was the size of the hot dogs (Completos) and Hamburgers they have here. Every store has these in the window and they were gigantic, and the one labelled as gigantic was more epic. I asked if it was for one person, and my mouth dropped to hear yes. Lunch is the most important part of the day.

    This weekend is Chile Independence Day. They take that very seriously here, so everything was covered in the flags of Chile. Buildings, people, cars and pets.    Read more

  • South America ’23

    San Cristóbal Hill

    September 13, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    For a city, that we were told, doesn't actively practice religion... Almost everything we saw today was deeply religious based. This San Cristobal Hill continues that theme. It's the second highest point in the city and to get to the top you take a steep funicular, which is my new favourite word. They appear to be trying to make it a bit of a fun park by having an avery, market, food stalls, cable car, pools and all sorts of things. But sitting in pride of place on top of the hill is a 14-meter statue of the Virgin Mary. Someone worshipped heavily here in Santiago it seems based from the other cathedrals we saw today.

    Here we had a special local drink only made in Spring called More con Huesillo. Best I can describe it as a very sweet tea, it has a bottom of wheat that you eat with a spoon and an entire dried apricot soaking inside it (Seed and all). I didn't understand it, but I liked the taste. But definitely not for everyone.

    Our hotel was conveniently located a few blocks from the bottom of the cable car. So we took the ride on that back down to the bottom, getting a view of the northern part of the district and how pretty that area was.

    A big day of walking unexpectedly, my feet are definitely not best friends with me at the moment.    Read more

  • South America ’23

    Borago Restaurant

    September 13, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Borago is #29 of the 50 Best Restaurants in the world. And we are in this city maybe once and on holiday so we are going to do it.

    I can't really explain what any of these dishes are, apart from they are the creation of someone who has spent a long time researching and putting together a menu that celebrates the regions, tastes and delicacies of all of Chile.

    You are there for the experience of being taken on a journey from the north to the south, from the ocean to the Andes. Things like a soy sauce made from a special type of sea weed, to a perfectly cooked piece of slow bbq lamb.

    Matching Chilean wines that we absolutely loved every one of. Getting me the most drunk I've been in an exceptionally long time.

    We had a beautiful night in every way. And so did the bank of my credit card.    Read more

  • South America ’23
    1211

    Valparíso

    September 14, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    "This is my favourite place." is what Alex turned to me and said as we walked around the colourful, sunny, warm and exciting port city of Valparíso. The reason is in the name, Paríso is Spanish for Paradise. The hills we visited were declared UNESCO World Heritage to maintain the rich history of these buildings from the era where all the ships would stop here to refuel before the Panama Canal was established.

    Steep hills mean only one thing, more funiculars! Originally the city had 16 of these in operation dating back over a century. But now only 5 are in operation and maintained. Which I joked with our guide that it is a little concerning.

    Covered in some of the most creative and beautiful street art that we've seen. An area that has attracted the Bohemian lifestyle of artists of all types. Walking through the crazy steep an narrow streets to the sound of people making music and selling their art. Nothing square or straight, you question how any of this stays up in a light breeze let alone an incredibly earthquake prone region.

    Alex was definitely in his element, wowing around every corner. It was such a contrast to yesterday where Santiago was very grey and plain.    Read more

  • South America ’23

    Casas del Bosque Wineyard

    September 14, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After last night's dinner we were now experts in Chilean wine. No, that's why it was good to come see the prices of how it was made in the Casablanca region half way between Santiago and Vapraíso.

    Doing a tour around this smallish winery, it was impressive to see the amount of automation they have been able to achieve through technology. Also using technology to be as conservative as possible since there are no natural lakes or rivers in this area so every drop of water counts. Running on only a handful of staff, even in the peek season.

    Finishing with a wine tasting of the different varieties here before heading back to Santiago.    Read more

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