We entered Chile and headed straight for the coast. Having a bit of an addiction for sea breeze it was time to recharge. We found a secluded surf camp outside of Constitution set next to a pine forest, where finally in flip flops we roamed the beach and the forest collecting a following of dogs happy…
June in Argentina
Since Brett heard about the Argentinean grilled meat culture, he was determined not to miss out. So shortly after we entered Chile, we made a scenic detour into Argentina for about 2000km before entering back. Our first stop was the city of Salta with a population of about 500,000. We were hungry and dehydrated but…
Bolivia’s Salty Adventures
We crossed over into Bolivia, clearly disturbing the border officials who had to pause watching TV shows to deal with us, the only folks apparently crossing this border. We entered via Lake Titikaka and spent a few days at Copacabana, parked on the lake. From there a ferry would take us closer to La Paz,…
Peru’s Changing Landscapes and other misadventures
We were on Peru’s well trotted trail by now. Our brief time in Lima was spent wandering around the pretty metropolis (at least the rich parts), which is where we chose to perch our van for a sleepover and enjoy the view from the malacon. Lima is well known for its culinary delights, and we were…
Hiking Peru (Cordillera Blanca)
Unlike the fine costal highway, the one leading into the Andes was far from what the GPS should be calling a highway. The deserted dirt road cut along the river valley. It was strangely beautiful and the ride was fun as we caravanned with our German friends Paula and Constantine. Neither of us expected the 260 km…
Peru’s Northern Desert
Penniless (in local currency that is) and with a busted AC we were gunning it at 120 km/h in Peru’s Northern desert. The fastest we have gone since Mexico. Our ear drums rattled as the strong winds shook the car and partially pealed the skin off of our faces, but at 37 degrees we were not…
Volcanoes of Ecuador
(Warning: there may be an over-reference to altitude levels at times) There they were, the Andes, stretching before us with volcanoes rising on both side. Some snow-capped, others actively spewing smoke, yet all magnificent or so we were told. It was rainy season once again and the fog had descended to the point we could…
Colombia: The Road to Ecuador
Colombia’s colonial towns preoccupied much of our time. As we made our way south on the Pan-American highway we strayed off a few times to visit some non colonial places and relax our senses in the countryside. From there we took the scenic route across the mountains. At a max speed of 20 km/hr it…
Colours of Colombia: Cartagena to Medellin
We spent about a week in Cartagena, sitting in various squares, drinking twenty cent coffee and searching for the Arepa guy we quickly deemed our favourite even though he was our first. And endlessly walking, trying to breath in the life that steamed from the streets. By evening the walking continued in search of more…
Crossing the Darian Gap or Travels with Pero (Perro)
Between Alaska and Chile runs the Pan American highway, the longest stretch of drivable roads, except for the 100km break known as the Darien Gap. While you could potentially take a car and hope to find your way throught the forest, it would be short of a suicide mission considering the terrain and human activities…