Travels in South America

As a farewell to the freedom furnished on us each summer by our easy gong college student existence myself and a friend ventured to South America for six weeks.

Our trip

It was our first experience of travelling- we skipped the usual baby paddle pool of inter-railing around central Europe and dove straight into the deep end. We were possibly the two most conspicuous tourists South America has ever witnessed. Recipe for disaster: One tall blonde of Dutch/Irish origin; one average height (then skinny) red-head and leave to stew in continent famous for its level of criminality towards foreign people. Surprisingly, we managed to avoid any crime with the exception of the bizarre person who stole my friends shampoo and face cloth!!

We touched down in Rio de Janerio and stayed in the city during their annual three days of rain and gloom. We did manage to go to Coppacabanna beach for two hours of sun and also the Christi. And yes, my friend did the Christi photo pose. Shame on you Lady!

We then flew to Igazzu falls and listened to the overwhelming crash of 1.76m3 of water per second. These are the correct units. It's a lot of water.

Igazzu Falls

We did the Brazilian side first which gives you an overview of the landscape. The next day we visited the Argentinian side where you are actually strolling about next to the waterfalls.
Some of the best experiences were scoffing dulce de leche ice-cream and speed-boating through one of the waterfall. Probably should not have worn a purple bra beneath my white top that day

We stopped over in Buenos Ares and managed to jam in a 500g steak and a midnight snack with some genuine Argentinians on the roof our hostel.

Traditional Argentinian Delicacy

 On to Santa Cruz (and swiftly out of there), we took a 20 hour local bus to La Paz. 

Coppacabanna- Andean People

 Next we went Coppacabanna and Lake Tittikakka (where I dropped my phone in the ocean). We rushed through to Cusco to get acclimatised and attend the Inti Rami festival. The views on the 4 days of the Inca trail were breathtaking (literally- altitude is a bee-atch)

Lake Tittikakka

Outside Machu Picchu

Yellow finch next on Lava Rock

After the Inca trail we got some TLC from my friends distant relative in Peru. Ceviche, beef heart and the coast are just three of the reasons I want to go back to Lima.

The Galapagos were astounding. We swam with sea lions and turtles. The anmals are not as varied as I expected. The main point of interets is how adapated the animals are to ther environment (as Darwin pointed out). For instance the yellow finch which lives in a bush of the same colour flowers as its feathers. I will post more photos from the Galapogos later.

Finally, we flew out of Quito. I was pretty sad to leave South America but very glad to get out of Quito! All in all a very busy trip but anyone could do it and I fell like we got a good overview of the continent.