Viva America Latina

Awwww! I’m wandering to Chile, Cuba and Peru for the first time in my life :D Read more

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Trip start
April 6, 2018
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Day 1
Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:00 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Maribyrnong -37.780964, 144.89352437°46’51” S 144°53’37” E
¡A Grand Plan!
April 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
🌈My whereabouts for the following weeks:

April 06
20:00 Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Flight LA0804
20:15 Chile Santiago Airport. Omg It only takes 15mins to get to Chile! 🤣

April 07-09
Just chill in Chile ~

April 10-12
Bus ride to the *real special Valparaiso* for a little wander.
*Gracias beloved 🧜🏼‍♀️🎸 :)*

April 13
06:55 Chile Santiago Airport. Flight AV0624
10:30 Lima Airport. Flight TA0958
17:00 Havana Airport.

April 14-17
Getting in the mood for some Cuban singing and dancing in Havana.
*Heard that internet access is patchy at best in Cuba and my phone will not work there so I’m likely to disconnect for a couple of weeks*
*Yay!*

April 18-20
I’ll be in Santiago. Again? No not the one in Chile. it’s Santiago in Cuba this time :)

April 21
Camaguey, Cuba

April 22-24
Trinidad, Cuba

April 25-26
Havana, Cuba

April 27
16:20 Havana Airport. Flight TA0959
20:30 Lima Airport

April 28-May 03
I may do a homestay in a small community near Huaraz and some hikes around the area. Or I may not..

May 04
Meet up with the Intrepid tour group in Lima

May 05-11
Visit Cusco, Sacred Valley & Ollamntaytambo.
Hike the quarry trail to Machu Picchu!

May 12-13
Explore the Peruvian Amazon. Wowwww

May 14-15
Laze around for a couple more days in Peru.

May 16
22:55 Lima airport. Flight LA2371 to Santiago Chile then sleep at the airport until the next flight...

May 17
12:40 Chile airport. Flight LA0805 to Melbourne

May 18
17:50 The wanderer returns!

Ok. Now you can all envy me... HaHaHa
Also please be assured that I’m the most sensible and smart wanderer 😉
Thank you all who’ve been feeling excited for me, telling me tips and tricks and caring for my safety and well-being. 🙇🏻‍♀️
My little wander means so much more because of you beautiful people. Ta ta 😊
Watch this space... wonderful moments will happen in Latin America! 😎

——————————————————
The two organised tours I’m taking are
1. April 14-27 Singing adventure in Cuba led by this choir leader based in Sydney and organised by Cuban Adventures.
http://www.stuartdavis.biz/About.html
http://www.cubagrouptour.com/index.html
2. May 04-14 Inca trail and Amazon tour by Intrepid (I’m taking the Inca quarry trail route).
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/peru/inca-tra…Read more
TravelerSo eventful!
4/6/18Reply
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Day 1
Friday, April 6, 2018 at 6:30 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 118 m
Australia Tullamarine Airport -37.669693, 144.84849537°40’11” S 144°50’55” E
¡Flying out!
April 6, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
This deserves a post because
How often do you see an empty TRS?
And i was allowed to claim some *petty cash* back for my first iPhone
Plus a celebratory selfie with the iconic (but fake) melbourne tram
Ah my stiff :)Read more
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Day 1
Friday, April 6, 2018 at 9:37 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 588 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.438656, -70.64100633°26’19” S 70°38’28” W
1
A lively welcome :D
April 6, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Bus then train then walk and i found my Airbnb without trouble ;)

While I was walking, I saw this group of people approaching me,
happily drumming and dancing in the street

And when I arrived at my Airbnb, there’s another party
A group of people gathering together,
I was treated with many warm smiles, some chips, peanuts, vodka, juice, wine, reggeaton
And even a cute little hedgehog

And guess what
It was a celebration for their upcoming examination
They’ll surely have another party after the exam too.

They told me:
Win or lose
We celebrate

How cool!Read more
TravelerGreat photos!!!
4/7/18Reply
Traveler This is how the southern hemisphere comrades do before their examination?!
4/7/18Reply
TravelerSafe travels
4/7/18Reply
TravelerI love your blog - what a fantastic idea. (It’s teasing my inner travel bug though 😢). Take care chickie. xx
4/7/18Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 10:07 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 588 m
Chile Cerro San Cristóbal -33.430229, -70.63600233°25’49” S 70°38’10” W
Home of Ines & Muy-ling
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
My hosts are Ines the grandma and Muy-lung the granddaughter. Muy-ling told me this is her Chinese name and her mum is currently working in China.

The first thing I did this morning was to take a good look at their home. It’s a bit rundown yet charming in its own way. Great views all around the apartment and very thin windows that let all bustling downtown noises in. Best of it all are the gorgeous plants and furniture :)

Ines and Muy-ling are both very friendly. Ines only speaks Spanish. I had fun speaking very broken Spanish with her using my lonely planet Spanish phrase book.

I also got to meet Paulina, a friend and classmate of May-ling’s. She told me that she loved practicing English and she’d even speak to herself in English, so she’s been happily translating for me. It reminded me of my own school days trying to learn a foreign language and that exciting, nervous and fun feeling when I tried to communicate with a native speaker :)Read more
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:04 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 581 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.439381, -70.63976333°26’22” S 70°38’23” W
Centro Gabriela Mistral
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Stumbled into this arty space.
A huge fish hanging above
A record sale
And some energetic hip-hop dance moves
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 540 m
Chile Santa Carolina -33.475479, -70.63922133°28’32” S 70°38’21” W
Romanze@persa bio bio
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
This footprint is dedicated to my good friend Rose.

Hey Rose,
As promised I completed the Romantic mission. flew all the way to Chile and found love for my new iPhone..indeed love and protection that wrap all around it haha a phone cover I mean 😂

It’s a huge, crazy market place.
I spoke to a few vendors
well none of them actually spoke English
But they all seemed so happy to help

I had a Churrasco, ie the Chilean hamburger too
Yayyy!Read more
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 1:55 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 588 m
Chile Cerro San Cristóbal -33.430192, -70.63599533°25’49” S 70°38’10” W
Estacion Pio Nono
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
There was quite a queue but I had fun taking the funicular up the Cerro San Cristóbal
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 3:19 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 836 m
Chile Cerro San Cristóbal -33.426236, -70.6333133°25’34” S 70°37’60” W
Cumbre de Cerro San cristobal
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 756 m
Chile Canal El Carmen -33.40756, -70.6113533°24’27” S 70°36’41” W
Amazing teleferico ride!
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Incredible views!!!
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 584 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.436787, -70.64070933°26’12” S 70°38’27” W
Back at Ines'
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
So I got back at around 6 or 7ish
And was so tired that I fell asleep
And I woke to this busker right below my bedroom window
Kinda cool heyyy

Chatted a bit more with my hosts afterwards
Ines and Paulina asked for photos
After taking the photo, Ines pointed at herself and said to me: mama Ines
Ahhh sweeeeeet :)Read more
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 588 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.43686, -70.6405333°26’13” S 70°38’26” W
Random finds inbetween 01
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
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Day 2
Saturday, April 7, 2018
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 588 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.43688, -70.6405633°26’13” S 70°38’26” W
Random finds 02
April 7, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Buenas noches ❤️
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Day 3
Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 11:29 AM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 599 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.44118, -70.64383733°26’28” S 70°38’38” W
Cerro santa lucia
April 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Lovingly landscaped little hill overlooking the vast city... initially done by prisoners in 1872

A Spanish speaking lady asked me for a selfie with her and she took a picture of me while I was like “si si si😶”

Ref
http://www.santiagocapital.cl/fichas/home/cerro…Read more
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Day 3
Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 12:19 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 586 m
Chile Plaza de Armas de Santiago -33.438317, -70.65089533°26’18” S 70°39’3” W
Historic centre
April 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
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Day 3
Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:06 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 570 m
Chile Plaza de Armas de Santiago -33.434009, -70.65116733°26’2” S 70°39’4” W
Mercedo central
April 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
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Day 3
Sunday, April 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 574 m
Chile Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts -33.435238, -70.64323333°26’7” S 70°38’36” W
Parque forestal & national art museum
April 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
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Day 3
Sunday, April 8, 2018
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 590 m
Chile Santa Lucia Hill -33.437988, -70.64125833°26’17” S 70°38’29” W
Bocanariz Vinobar
April 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
After feeling very sleepy and lazing around for a few hours, I finally took myself out for dinner and so glad that I did!

Mark this spot all good food and wine lovers * BOCANÁRIZ vinobar *

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, chill vibes, great interior design accommodating to both groups and solo eaters, HUGE selection of Chilean wines & a VERY interesting food menu - love how they categorise their dishes by different tastes.

I ordered
Conger eel confit, creamy black rice, mushroom mix & garlic & red chili purée
with the Arboleda Pinot Noir from Aconcagua Valley
So full of flavours & textures in every bite and sip😍Read more
TravelerWhat you are drinking...
4/9/18Reply
Traveler😋
4/9/18Reply
I guess it could be Pinot Noir. Good choice.
4/10/18Reply
TravelerIt is Sammy it’s so good😍
4/10/18Reply
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Day 4
Monday, April 9, 2018 at 11:03 AM
☀️ 11 °C
Altitude: 833 m
Chile Loma de Los Baños -33.43338, -70.51799733°26’0” S 70°31’5” W
Picnic in the Andes
April 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
I went for a picnic and a little hike in Aguas de Ramón. Also picked up a couple of empanadas at a bakery on the way. One with cheese and the other with beef and egg inside 😋

I asked for empanadas in Spanish but the girl at the bakery replied in perfect English. Ahh big failure to pretend local 😩😂

Also had a ride in both taxi and uber. The drivers were friendly and reliable 😊

(I’m typing this on the bus to Valparaíso. The trip has been amazing but I do get tired. Hope my body will pick up soon! *taking plenty of vitamin C* 😉)Read more
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Day 4
Monday, April 9, 2018 at 1:26 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 722 m
Chile Los Dominicos Handicraft Village -33.408314, -70.54190833°24’30” S 70°32’31” W
Artesanos los Dominicos
April 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Really nice artisan village that feels real and not touristy at all.

There were so many beautiful plants and handicrafts.
The artists/vendors were all so friendly that I felt completely comfortable just browsing through their creations.

Another surprise: I found a luthier there! We both played each other some tunes and he showed me his guitars, ocarinas and charangos. Such a beautiful encounter :)

Only drawback: hey Sammy I wish I had mr Hogan the sheet music with me or I could play it from memory!Read more
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 1:25 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 92 m
Chile Barón -33.051495, -71.59431533°3’5” S 71°35’40” W
Double decker ride to Valparaiso
April 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Very impressed with the Chilean bus service. 👍👍👍
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 1:54 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Chile Edificio Monseñor Gimpert - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -33.046234, -71.60963433°2’46” S 71°36’35” W
Chaos!
April 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Unlike Santiago which I found very clean and orderly in most parts of it, my first impression of Valparaíso was: what a mess!

Unpleasant smell around the bus station, chaotic traffic, people and stray dogs everywhere... and the bus stop! It didn’t even have any signs or directions on it!

Fortunately I did manage to catch the bus to my Airbnb. All I did was 👋 the bus, hop on, pay 💰 and say the name of the stop I’d like to get off. The bus driver was very kind and reminded me to get off :)Read more
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 5:45 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 109 m
Chile Cerro Cárcel -33.044174, -71.63242333°2’39” S 71°37’57” W
Loving the mess!
April 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
I was warmly welcomed by my host Carolina and Juan, a young Chilean couple.

Carolina passionately showed me places that she recommends on a map for over half an hour. Then we had some good chats and laughs.

They just came back from a year of working holiday in NZ. They said NZ was good for 💵 but here in Valparaiso they have a life... Nice to hear people prioritise life and love being where they are right now :)

Then I went for another empanada in a place that Carolina recommended to me. There I met another Carolina. She tried so hard to talk to me in English, also reminded me of safety concerns in the area and introduced me to some Chilean herbs. With her limited English and my hopeless Spanish plus some creative doodling, we were able to chat about so much from food to languages to places to careers to... she also took me for a little walk in a flea market nearby and a funicular before we parted.

Thank you so much for your kindness Carolina’s 🙏Read more
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 5:48 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 109 m
Chile Cerro Cárcel -33.044163, -71.6323733°2’39” S 71°37’57” W
Loving the mess 2
April 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
And of course no one can miss the overwhelming amount of crazy graffiti and vandalism
ahh no i should call it *street art* 😉
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Day 5
Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 10:07 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 109 m
Chile Cerro Cárcel -33.04408, -71.6324533°2’39” S 71°37’57” W
Cedrón
April 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
This post is dedicated to the Carolina I met in empanada famosas this afternoon :)
I am drinking the Cedrón tea now. Very nice! I think I’ll sleep well tonight.
Gracias ❤️
TravelerLoving your pics! Is this like lemon verbena?
4/11/18Reply
Traveler🥂 hey Karla. I tried to google and seems to me they’re the same thing? It’s really calming wish I could bring some back to oz
4/12/18Reply
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Day 6
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 11:17 AM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 84 m
Chile Cerro Panteón -33.046684, -71.62751833°2’48” S 71°37’39” W
Parque Cultural Valparaiso
April 11, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
In today’s walking tour, Parque Cultural Valparaiso was the highlight for me. The idea of turning a prison into a public cultural space is impressive. Many human rights violations happened here during the military dictatorship of Chile, but this place - now a cultural centre and public space - has finally started to gain acceptance from its people despite haunting memories of those years.

I’ve learned that Valparaíso is a place of resilience not only in the face of natural disasters but also political traumas.Read more
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