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South America Backpacking Trip
  • Zach Henshall
  • Charlotte Fricker
  • Zach Henshall
  • Charlotte Fricker

South America Backpacking Trip

Our first backpacking trip. A few months touring the most spectacular locations of South and Central America! Read more
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  • South America Backpacking Trip

    The Secret Garden... Cotopaxi Getaway!

    January 22, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    So we travelled to the high altitude of around 3,400 metres above sea level (so similar to Cusco in Perú) ... Which we weren't aware of until we got there lol 😢😳😂 We got the mini van transfer from Quito in the morning and took around 2hrs to get there, we drove for ages on the bumpy cobbled roads to get there, but as we arrived the views came into sight of where we'd be staying, in the Secret Garden, it was beautiful! Overlooking the mountains, green hills & fields and if course Cotapaxi volcano (it was actually behind clouds when we got there, until we left the last day... About 7.30am in the morning!). It was such a shame that we we're both extremely ill 🤒 while here! Zach did the waterfall walk on our first day, I attempted the first 5 seconds and had to bail, and go to bed! It was truly horrible being so ill, but we did get out of our lodge house one day for a few hours to read our books on the trampoline overlooking the countryside.. Which was really nice! 😍 Also the lodge had some lovely dogs that kept us company when all the other tourists were out on walks, hiking cotapaxi or horse riding... Which was a real shame to miss out on! But there was a silver lining of beautiful views over the whole landscape on our last day... So all was not lost, even if we didn't get to do any activities, we got great view without moving at all lol 😂Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    DAY 1 Guayaquil to Galápagos..Santa Cruz

    January 27, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    So today we are finally feeling more human, and pretty much over our illnesses 🤗😁☺️ Glad to say so as today was the day we started our Galapagos part of our travels. We never thought we would make it here, and definitely as we had to pre book in advance (does 2 weeks count lol 😂) only so it wouldn't be as pricey in the long run... As they charge $100 per person just to land on the soil here 😂 its crazy! But you can see how they have put so much of it into the beautifully set port town on Santa Cruz and obviously maintaining the protection of the wildlife here, with their ban on any produce onto the islands, constant spray downs on the plane here, the 'foot and mouth' like wash mats on arrival and face masks! Anyway we made it here by mid day... With a bus ride from the airport to a ferry, and back on another bus to get to the main port town of Puerto Ayora... Then, a small walk to our hotel 😊( I know HOTEL this time, not a hostel for once lol 😂) After we checked in to our lovely pool equipped hotel, we manage to have time to book most of our day trips in one of the local tour companies for each of the 3 islands we're staying on for the next 10days! Whoop soo excited 😁🙌 Later we got to know the streets alittle better, and had a walk around to the main harbour front where we instantly had our first close up encounter with the wonderful wildlife here. At the harbour front where the local fishermen had just docked with there daily catches, there were seals chilling and making fuss (well mainly a baby seal who had clearly got caught up chasing a Marine Iguana on the harbour front, it suddenly realised it had lost its mum, and made some attempts to cry out and panic...😢😅😂) We also saw Pelicans trying to get some action on the fishing trip goods.. Well with anything actually lol 😂 and Frigate birds flying around the harbour boats, among many other birds that we couldn't name lol. Amazing first day here, can't wait for what's to come...Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Day 2 Galápagos... Pinzón & La Fay

    January 28, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    So today we took a boat trip our to first La Fay and then Pinzón Island. We had both never snorkeled before so we were super excited about seeing the different wildlife... And it was absolutely amazing 😊😁😘 loved every minute of it! At La Fay we stopped for an hour with our small group and tour guide to explore the shallow waters for wildlife, we managed to see soo many types of tropical fish and a sting ray hiding in the sand at the bottom of the ocean. After our 1 hour at La Fay we travelled an hour to our next snorkeling spot; at Pinzón which, unbeknown to us, was much deeper and a little colder, but the water here is pretty warm tbh, even though people wore wetsuits! So after getting ready on board with our flippers and snorkel, we got in the water, only to look down and see a reef shark swimming under us as we all piled into the water 😂🦈😅 it was pretty scary to be greeted with on such short notice but absolutely awesome to see in the open water 🤗😍... Don't worry nobody got eaten! Again we had another hour here to explore the deeper waters and shallower waters near Pinzón Island. Here we saw soo much! It was incredible! Again we saw so many tropical fish, but also massive schools of them where you couldn't literally see the bottom, as there were soo many! We got to see an optopus swimming then changing from black to grey/white spots as it landed on a rock (it was trying to hide from us!) As we swam along to the shallower parts we saw a few more sting rays and got to swim alongside a sea turtle 🐢 sooo amazing 😍🏊. As we started to return to the boat we clocked another see turtle swimming along, another reef shark in the shallows and we took a rest in the shallow area to watch 3 baby sealions playing in the water near us, with its mum watching us closely on the rockside! As we made it back to the boat, on board they made us a lovely fish lunch and we enjoyed a relaxed journey back to mainland in the late afternoon. Although i will add I got giddy with my phone, filming the sealions and didn't realise it had got wet on the trip (even though I had a waterproof case) and subsequently the charging port broke, and wouldn't charge! But luckily we found a place that would fix it... Soo lucky 🍀 which means no lost travel pics and vids... Woo close one! 😂Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Charles Darwin Reserve

    January 29, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today we took a walk through the town towards the Charles Darwin Reserve research centre and national park, where we found out about the ongoing research and development of the land tortoises on all of the galapagos islands including other countries in south America that help with the research (also New Zealand research has helped them alot). We visited lonesome George (he was a 'pinta island tortoise' and the last known of his species ever 😯😯🏝️) unfortunately he died in 2012 at the grand age of 102 years old... And he looked almost life like seeing his body preserved (in a big fridge) and he was absolutely massive 😯 among the other species we saw baby nurseries all the way to full grown adult tortoises; mainly Española species. Throughout the park we also got a glimpse of lizards, crabs and marine Iguanas ( their nesting areas that lay next to the beaches) 😁. The sun is so strong here we decided to take a break on one if the beaches within the reserve, which was absolutely stunning (really good for snorkeling to see marine wildlife!).Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Santa Cruz Galápagos

    January 30, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    More of our adventures on Santa Cruz Island in the galapagos. Its crazy seeing so much wildlife everyday while being here 😍😊

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Isabela Island Galapagos & Los Túneles

    January 31, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today we booked a guided trip through the lava tunnels on the coast of Isabela. These are the remnants of the huge lava flows that built the islands over millennia 🌋🤯 The tunnels are formed close to the sea where the water and sea breeze cools the surface of the lava whilst the underneath continues to flow. When the lava flow stops the hollow crust is left. This slowly collapses to reveal the tunnels we see today.
    Now it is home to tropical fish, reef sharks and loads of sea turtles (apparently the tunnels are a bit of a highway for the turtles on their way to/from the open ocean 🛣) of which we saw plenty. We also saw blue footed boobys and their babies, or baby boobys to use the Latin. When we set off from the port we were even lucky enough to spot a couple of penguins! 🐧😯 It was an amazing trip, awesome landscape, Crystal clear water and incredible wildlife. Couldn't ask for more!    Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Isabela - Playa del Amor (Beach of ❤️)..

    February 1, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today we hired bikes, as we seem to love bike rides in the sun 😂😍🚲☀️ and took the route from the small beach town we were staying on Isabela Island. The route took us along the coast line, along the the beach on one side and lots of flora & fauna filled with wildlife on the other. The route was mainly flat (love it 😍 lol!) and we made our first stop at La Playita beach where we took a breather and enjoyed the beach views to ourselves and gained company of many Marine Iguanas passing by or swimming in the sea 😊😘🏊🌊 (marine Iguanas only swim with their tails so they can move fast and really smoothly in the water). As we cycled on we got Playa del Amor aka beach of love ❤️ and it was absolutely lovely with black volcanic rocks, trees surrounding the area and lots more marine wildlife to see. We also visited the red lagoon.. I think that's what it's called! And it's red because of the type of soil it's sat on. We then cycled through the heat towards the view point of the island and on the way discovered many land tortoises chilling in the shade of the trees... So cool 😁😍. We made it to the view point after alittle hill cycling and many steps.. But so worth it! With a 360° view of the island and coast, with other islands in sight. Oh btw the pictures of this our on our next post... As we have way too many pictures that we can't fit on in just one post 😂Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Isabela Bike Tour & Sunset Evening!

    February 1, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    More showing the viewpoint at the end of our bike ride, overlooking the whole of Isabela Island (well most of it) as Isabela is the biggest island of all of the galapagos, even though the town itself feels the smallest out of all 3 main islands (Isabela, San Cristóbal & Santa Cruz). At the end of the day we decided to have tea out along one of the many beach front shacks overlooking the beach and beautiful sunset.. And of course the seafood here is soo good as its soo fresh! 👌😋 Yum could eat prawns all the time!Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip
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    San Cristóbal 360° tour Galápagos

    February 4, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Today we took a whole day boat trip around San Cristóbal Island, stopping at beautiful beaches, snorkeling spots and 'kicker rock' (named by Charles Darwin, as when he look at it it reminded him of a football boot ⚽. Kicker rock is a large volcanic rock with a distinctive shape and most importantly known for its wildlife that surrounds it in the waters between the channel in the rocks we saw soo many different types of marine fish; barracudas and rainbow fish 🐠🌈 we also managed to spot, lobsters, crabs, rays, sea lions and apparently there was a hammerhead shark close to the surface but we missed it 🦈😭... Next time we'll see one! As kicker rock is quit dangerous for snorkeling we had to follow our tour guide closely as possible as the tide is very rough, we also made it through the 2 rocks, through the channel which was scary but fun as the tide raised and feel so quickly, and we had to swim hard to get out. But while in there we saw 3 rays swimming below us, twisting and turning 🐟🐠😁 as we swam for 40mins around the kicker rock we ran into lots of jellyfish and got unavoidably stung! As they were mini ones just everywhere! 😳 On the return to the boat be saw a sea lion and I managed to swim alongside a turtle... Which was so awesome given the clear water conditions 😁😜 one of stops that day was the beautiful paradise beach of Cerro Brujo... It's without doubt the best beach we've ever been on! Be had lunch here, did some flips and turns off the boat into the sea and then had free time to snorkel and enjoy this piece of paradise. We were joined by a sealion of course, as they're absolutely everywhere on the galapagos... Just popping up in the water next to you when you least expect it lol 😂. On the day 360° we also visited islands to spot blue footed boobies and see a possible galapagos penguin! 🐧Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    San Cristóbal 360° tour pt3

    February 5, 2020, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    On our 360° tour we came across a family of dolphins, as soon as we saw them they were swimming in time with each other and passing under our boat, so naturally the our tour guide 'Brian' got so excited, and let us all sit (feet dangling) at the front of the boat... All trying to touch them with our feet 😂😂 at one point Brian got soo excited he couldn't help but jump in the water and swim with them! 😂 It was such a special moment to see them in the wild, we got soo lucky!Read more

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    San Cristóbal Island

    February 5, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We had quite along time on San Cristóbal Island so we had alot of time to wonder and enjoy the port town, go on own snorkeling adventures, long sweaty walks and to other beach's to chill or watch the sunset over a beer or ice-cream sunday for tea... Because who says you can't have dessert for tea 😂🍰😋 We also learnt alot of history about the islands from the research centre based within the about 30 min walk through the nature reserve from our hostel, which was very close to a few the lovely beaches 😍. The walk took us past Playa Mann beach with its snorkeling spots and a good place for a 2 course $5 lunch each! Not bad as the seafood was excellent 👌. As we continued towards the research centre we came across a quiter beach, great for chilling under shaded trees, with birds trying to steal your lunch and lizards jumping on you! 😂😂🐦. We visited this particular beach a few times as the wildlife was amazing, I was sat in the water keeping cool and out of nowhere a sealion swam right next to me with its baby, a Pelican fishing near me and marine Iguanas taking a swim or just chilling on the rocks and sand! Further past the research centre, along the reserve path we found a great snorkeling cove on the other side of the nature reserve, the water was rough the day we went in for a snorkel, so didn't see alot but was nice just to cool down after along walk in the sun to get there! 😎☀️😊Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    Last days in Galápagos

    February 6, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    On our 2 days in the Galapagos, and back on Santa Cruz Island after a pleasant 2hr boat ride from San Cristóbal (where I slept 😂) we spent a day at Tortuga Bay with the hopes of seeing more wildlife. Lucky the tour company 'Discovery Galápagos' that we booked all our trips with let us borrow snorkeling gear for the whole of our stay for free! So we headed of from the centre on, what we thought was, a 20 minute walk to the beach... Well I can tell you it was more like 50mins from when we got to the park reserve, but it was a lovely walk through nature and we saw some interesting things along the way. As we got to the beach it opened up on to a vast stretch of white sand and crystal blue sea 😍 the beach we arrived in was quite a rough beach not for swimming, only for surfing, but that didn't stop is dipping our toes in. Tortuga Bay was 15mins walk down the beach at the other end with calm waters and shade. We snorkeled here, swam for alittle and had lunch (don't get excited was a pack lunch lol 😂) then found some better snorkeling spots at the right next to the '' dangerous '' beach! 😳 We found lots of marine fish here, as the tide was low enough to see big schools of them everywhere (with some territorial fish too lol 😂) and we witnessed a Marine Iguana swim right next to us 😁 Also only fair to include some of the food we ate here and got on the happy hour for cocktails.... Although they have 'happy days' here instead of just an hour each day.... Winner! 🤗Read more

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    Montañita, Ecuador...Surf, Yoga & Chill

    February 7, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    So after alot of travelling back and forth the last few months we thought we'd book a beach escape where we could chill, relax... Laze in hammocks, do yoga and learn to surf! 🤗....😂 So we thought! When we arrived it was a surf competition weekend, so we didn't get much sleep for a few days here, although was pretty cool to watch the surf competition right from out balcony (of a hostel we didn't originally book into!.. That's too long of a story 😂😂). Anyway things quietened down here after 2 days, so finally good for relaxing.. And getting sleep at night! 😊 In our hostel (the original one we booked into) they offer surf lessons and yoga classes everyday 🙏😍 love it here! We obviously we're straight onto the surf lesson with a great teacher called Pablo, he taugh us all about the types of waves, dangers and about the equipment we would be using.... Then we headed to the yoga studio to learn how to stand up on a surf board! After a few practice runs we were ready to try the real thing! It was really fun, we both loved it and our teacher was at hand all the time to help us catch the waves 😜 it was really hard to paddle and stand up on the board, so think we need more practice! The days following we have taken a Yin Yoga class and today (10th Feb) we took the Basic of Yoga class, which was faster than Yin Yoga which I like more, but not sure it was Zachs favourite out of the 2 😅 Good workout though. Also they have lots of cats and dogs here... Always a good sign when a places has nice pets! 😘😻🐱🐕Read more

  • South America Backpacking Trip

    More Montañita chillin!

    February 12, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Most of our time here in Montañita has been mainly relaxing and enjoying the hostel 'casa del sol' because the people here are so nice, and most of the time we can go to the bar and meet new travellers that are here for the same thing... Plus surfing! I think that's a given as its known for its beach life, parties and a good place to catch some waves!... The town centre itself is made up of boutique shops (hippy style) and restaurants with happy hour deals! 😁🍻🍷👍 Then nearer the sea front more touristy shops, including roulette shots at street food /drinking places and I would like to say that the clubs and loud music was just here too, but once you're in the centre it's everywhere 😂 We stayed out a few nights for food and drinks, while catching up with a couple we met in Quito a few weeks before (also from the North of England 😊) and its great if you're in a group.... Or on the pull I guess 😂😂 it's an experience! So we we're pretty happy staying away from most of the noises of the clubs for sleeping 😴 just adding though the nights seem short on a week day if you want to party as most places shut near 10 or 11pm 🙄 alittle odd! We definitely have put on some weight here though, eating either pancakes or breakfast burritos in a morning with a different fruit and topping on the pancakes everyday! (omg they even had cinnamon french toast with fruity cinnamon jam on 2 days 😋😍.. Will deffo have to try making these ourselves! ) This hostel out of all we've been to in the last 3 1/2 months has had the best breakfast... Good work chef.. Muy bueno! 😁👌Read more

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    Valentines Day in Olon

    February 14, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    So today we spent the day in Olon, which is the next town over along the coast from Montañita. We jumped in a taxi (which is only $1.50 anywhere to and from Olon or to Montañita centre from our hostel). We were dropped off on the main road and had no idea where to go, but managed to find our way to the beach front easily enough, as Olon is very small compared to Montañita. There a few restaurants, and most street foods for sale nearer the main road, but as we got closer to the beach alot more beach shops started to appear and right on the beach are a few rows beach hut style seafood restaurants with local style meals. We had met a guy in Montañita the night before, while waiting for friends, that had invited us on his date 😂 ( he was clearly not happy with her company for some reason) but anyway after lots if talking he recommended 'Mar y Sol' on the beach front to eat at, we found it and it was packed full of locals and a few tourists. It was great food and cheap, I had coconut prawns with... Yes you've guessed it double carbs 🤗 of fried plantain and rice (they love this in Peru and Ecuador). We spent the rest of the day on the beach here, as its so much quieter and cleaner than Montañita. Also it seemed to be more local families that use this beach rather than tourists 😁 the beach also has some beautiful views of the mountains further down the coast, and a nature reserve just off the beach front past the town centre. In the evening we went out for a meal in Montañita... Being valentines and all ❤️😘💕 and we had the best Pineapple Daiquiri, and of course goes without saying while we ate our romantic meal we had club music and parties in the street next to us 😂 once in a lifetime experience lol.Read more

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    Last night Montañita! Out with a Bang

    February 15, 2020 in Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    So today was our last full day in Montañita, and as other days go here, it was pretty normal.... sit on the beach, have a walk into town for some street food and chill in a hammock /read a book maybe and obviously befriend the hostel cat who was waiting for us on our porch aww 😻. But this was the day we most definitely went out with a bang, or fire! 😳 🔥 So as we both agreed we had been indulging quite alot in the really nice restaurant right next to our hostel, and on the sea front (that does amazing Thai and Ecuadorian food, but was a little pricey) So we thought let's cook a full meal for once instead of having our usual tuna sweetcorn wraps that we were eating for lunch all week! 😂😂 So we cracked on and decided to cook some pasta... Mmm fancy! At one point the gas on the stove stopped working, so realised it needed a new cannister, so we asked the hostel guy Jackson to change it, which he did, and we managed to light it again.. Whoop! As we went on suddenly the gas connection came off, and caught the fire we were cooking with, and exploded with flames from under the stove, with the whole of the stove catching fire....we ran back but was too late for zachs leg hair and toes! 😳 Zach screamed "fire fire", and luckily one of hostel guys ran to switch off the gas, which stopped the fire! We both got away without burns gladly but we're we're in real shock, good job we already had a beer to drink after!! So in the end Jackson checked on us, then said because of this (as we had no way of cooking tea plus the trama 😔) he offered to pay for us to eat and drink at the restaurant we loved so much at the beach front... And of course we milked it for a full meal and red wine at sunset. And the freebies didn't stop there, we also got free beers at the hostel bar later! To say we have had such bad luck at this hostel, including the mess up with our room booking from day 1 (we managed to get a superior room and more free beers after this mess too 😂) and the fire! Despite all this we still loved our stay here, and were quite sad to leave after nearly 2 weeks. We'd deffo go back and hope the bad luck wouldn't follow us again lol.Read more

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    México City Day 1!

    February 17, 2020 in Mexico ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Today we travelled to Mexico City and arrived around 3am in the morning, so managed to grab a few hours sleep before breakfast, and a busy, jam packed day!... As we do and had pretty much relaxed for 2 weeks prior lol! 😁 As soon as we landed here (even though it was at night) we knew we loved it straight away and couldn't wait to get out and see the sights, eat the food and drink the local beverages... tequila if we're being mega tourists lol 😂 zach wanted to sleep longer but I knew we had to get out in the city, as we only have 3 days here, and we definitely realised we should have booked more time here! But we're coming back hopefully to get our flight to the land of Oz (maybe) . So we decided to do the free walking tour (as its good way to get to know the city and the tour guides always recommended places 😉) Centro is where we are staying, so it was a good meeting point infront of the cathedral about 20mins walk away. On the walking tour Javier took us around the streets of the Historic centre with its many gallery's, museums, aztec archialogical ruins, Spanish inspired architecture (mixed with Spanish designs and even chinese decorated tiles). We also visited some good street food vendors, to see the way locals eat and its around £1 each for a huge filled taco with any meat you like, refried black beans, guacamole, chillies, picante sauce.. If you feeling brave 😏😤🔥 and the traditional white crumbly cheese topping! (they also have blue coloured tacos if you fancy it!! 😮) There is soo much history to explore here in Mexico City, its truely overwhelming but amazing. There is around 150 museums just in the city, so we definitely need more time here 😁😍Read more

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