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This is the travel page of Whitney and Andreas. We love to see the world. Read more Solana Beach, United States
  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 309

    Santiago, Chile

    March 18, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We made it to Santiago, Chile’s capital. After a quick exploration of our area, Andreas and I discovered the most delicious taco place right across the street from our hostel. They only have three items on the menu: Beef, chicken, or slow roasted pork tacos. So good! As I picked up a small cold, Andreas went solo and hiked to the top of a nearby hill to get a good view of the entire city. Later in the day, Andreas and I went on a walking tour of the city learning about the Pinochet dictatorship. Next, we are skipping the 24hr bus ride and flying north to the most arid non-polar desert in the world.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    12
    Day 306

    Valparaiso, Chile

    March 15, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    After a stunning bus ride through the Andes, Whit and I made it to Chile and back to the Pacific Ocean! Our first stop was the artsy coastal city of Valparaiso, think Wellington or San Francisco. The 'cerros' (hills) of the city, where most of the population live, rise up out of the ocean and are remarkably easy to get lost in - both literally and metaphorically. The narrow cobbled streets wind their way upwards while hundreds of twisting and turning walkways and staircases give you picturesque views of the coast. There are colourful graffiti murals around every corner and buskers fill the streets with their Spanish music. Valparaiso is a wonderful place.

    We did a walking tour of Valparaiso, learning about its history as a key port town during the California goldrush. We also spent a day on the beach relaxing, watching a sea lion colony fight amongst themselves, and an evening out singing karaoke. We now head to Chile's capital city, Santiago.    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 303

    Mendoza, Argentina

    March 12, 2018 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We are engaged!!! Mendoza is famous for its beautiful vineyards and wine tasting! Andreas and I rented bicycles and planned on a day of riding from vineyard to vineyard. We went with a group of people from our hostel.

    To the good stuff, how he popped the question! At the second winery (MEVI Bodega Boutique) after a delicious tasting, Andreas suggested we go on a walk through the grapevines. Another girl in our group said “let’s all go,” but Andreas said "no, let’s go just us." I thought that was a little strange, but agreed. As we were walking down the steps Andreas was acting a bit odd and I thought this is it! Because I am a crazy person, I immediately did a sneaky check of both of his front pockets for a ring box bulge. I didn’t see one so I thought okay, it’s not happening, enjoy the walk. As we were walking through the vines and I was busy commenting on grapes, Andreas said “Whitney...” I turned around and there he was... on one knee in the dirt holding out a ring. My jaw immediately dropped. He said “... I forgot what I was going to say... I love you! Will you marry me?” Obviously I said “YES!!!” Andreas knows I am super observant, so he hid the ring in his back pocket! We went back inside the winery and everyone was cheering for us! The owner gave us two glasses of very special wine to celebrate! We ended up buying two bottles, one to drink now and one to mail home (great sales tactic). We were on cloud nine for the rest of the day! Andreas later told me that he bought the ring back in Zurich airport and that the ring box has been hidden in a sock in his bag our entire time in South America. Sneaky boy!

    If traveling has taught us one thing, it is that Andreas and I can get through anything together and we have a ton of fun doing it! I didn’t think it was possible, but our bond and love for each other is so much stronger now than when we left (aside from the occasional argument when we are hungry, hot, and tired). He proves time and time again what a loving, strong, intelligent, funny, and beautiful person he is. I am so overjoyed that we get to spend our lives together. I am honored to be his FIANCÉ!    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 301

    Bariloche, Argentina

    March 10, 2018 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Bariloche is a beautiful little adventure town in the north of Argentina's Patagonia region. It sits next to a glacial lake surrounded by the Andes. Just out of town is the well-known Chico circuit - a 22km road threading its way between lakes and mountains. We hired scooters and biked around this circuit with friends we met at our hostel. The circuit is unbelievably picturesque and we all had a refreshing dip in the lake.

    The town of Bariloche was abuzz with athletes due to an Ironman event happening during the weekend. Totally unexpectedly, I ran into an old Argentinean friend named Luca who was in town to compete in this event. Luca went to my high school in New Zealand in 2007 as part of an exchange programme and we hadn't seen each other since. It was great to catch up with him over a drink (me beer and he lemonade)... such a small world!    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 298

    Buenos Aires, Argentina

    March 7, 2018 in Argentina ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Buenos Aires is a vibrant, huge city that reminds me a lot of New York. We started traveling with a friend we met from New Zealand who is traveling the world in search of the ultimate party. Per his recommendation we stayed at the ‘best party hostel in Argentina,’ Milhouse. We explored the city by day and tried to keep up with the partiers at night, but failed miserably. In Argentina people do not go to the clubs before 3:00 am!! This is way past Andreas and my bedtime. We did manage to hang in there until 1-2am. However, I didn’t mind when we saw people coming HOME from the club while we were eating breakfast at 9am!!!

    We had a great night at a tango show. It included a three course meal, unlimited wine, tango lessons, and a spectacular tango show. The costumes, music, and dancing blew us both away. We even got certificates to show that we passed a basic tango course... if you are lucky we will show you our new skills. Another day we went on a bike tour of the city and the famously colorful La Boca area. It is clear that football (soccer) is life here. We met one fan who is so dedicated to his team that he had the La Boca stadium tattooed on his back. We experienced this passion first hand at a football game! Getting into the game was an experience in itself. We walked through multiple security checks and passed rows and rows of police in full riot gear. Once in the game we sat behind chain linked fence topped with barb wire. Alcohol is also banned in the stadium. Obviously these games get pretty out of control. The game was fun and full of spirit (we tied 1:1). Fans even climbed the fence and shook the barbed wire to show their support!

    On a side note, we had an attempted break in of our hostel locker. The lock was very bent, but it held. Luckily nothing was taken. A reminder that we need to be diligent of theft in South America. Next stop we head south to Bariloche, the top of Patagonia.    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    1
    Day 292

    Iguazu Falls, Brazil and Argentina

    March 1, 2018 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Iguazu falls, running along the Brazil/Argentina border, is amazing. It is the largest waterfall system in the world with between 150 and 300 waterfalls flowing at any one time. The falls span 2.7km (1.7mi) with an average flow rate of almost 1800 cubic metres per second! Whit and I visited both sides of the falls. I was more impressed by the Brazilian side because you got the full panorama of the falls. Whit preferred the Argentinian side as you got to stand on the walkways above them. Either way, the experience was spectacular and a must-do on any South American excursion.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 291

    Florianopolis, Brazil

    February 28, 2018 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Florianopolis is home to beautiful white sand beaches and wild waves. Andreas and I spent our time lounging on these beaches. One secluded area was a nude beach! Although it was mainly old men. Andreas also watched soccer in a local bar with our English friends, Sean and Ben. We discovered that it is much more expensive to eat out in South America compared with Asia. We have started getting most of our meals from the grocery store and cooking in the hostel kitchen. This also means more picnics on park benches! Next stop, an 18 hour bus ride to Iguazu Falls.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    1
    Day 286

    Paraty, Brazil

    February 23, 2018 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Paraty is a beautiful historic town situated on the Brazilian coast about half-way between Rio and Sao Paulo. Crazily, because the town is so low-lying and built next to the ocean, during the full moon and a high tide sections of it flood up to ten inches. As a result, the beautiful Portuguese buildings closest to the shore have about a foot of concrete foundation raising them off of the ground. The streets have the largest and most uneven cobble-stones Whit and I have ever seen. Driving over them shakes your bones!

    The region around Paraty produces high quality sugar cane. Consequently, it is renown throughout Brazil for its cachaça production - the key alcoholic ingredient in the delicious Brazilian caipirinha cocktail. Of course Whit and I spent some of our time in Paraty taste testing the various forms and qualities of cachaça. Through local recommendation, we even had the best regional caipirinha and it was delicious!    Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    Day 284

    Ilha Grande, Brazil

    February 21, 2018 in Brazil ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After vibrant Rio, we slowed things down and headed to the island of Ilha Grande. The main island activities are hiking and beaches. As my knee is still not up to strenuous activity, I sent Andreas on a two hour jungle hike with some friends from our hostel, while I took a scenic boat ride. We arrived around the same time at the beautiful white sand beach of Lopez Mendez. It is said that this is the best beach in Brazil (Andreas and I thought it was great, but not in our top 5). The water is colder here than in Southeast Asia, but it feels great on a hot day. We spent time swimming in the clear water and relaxing in the shade of the jungle. Next stop, the sleepy beach town of Paraty.Read more

  • Andreas and WhitneyWorld Adventure
    1
    Day 282

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    February 19, 2018 in Brazil ⋅ 🌧 31 °C

    After a flight change and 12 extra hours at the airport we finally made it to South America! We were both pleasantly surprised by Rio de Janeiro despite the warnings from friends about its high crime rate. We found Rio to be a vibrant, fun, and relatively safe city (at least in the areas we visited).

    Our time in Rio was largely spent lounging on Copacabana beach and Impanema beach absorbing the relaxed culture of the Brazilians. One day we took the gondolla up Sugar Loaf mountain to see the beautiful views of the city. Another day we partook in a Carnival blocos party, following a large float blasting samba music through the city streets as we danced with 200,000 other revellers. This bloco party was considered small compared to some which host up to 1.5 million partiers... insane! Despite making our way to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooking the city, poor weather put a stop to this adventure. We will be happy to come back and see it another time.    Read more

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