Startled from the pop of gun powder meeting metal, I reflexively let out a little yelp, accompanied by an equally little jump. There's no real danger in a game of tejo, but every explosion is met with initial surprise and quickly followed with elated celebration among the players. Colombia's national game is, frankly, the type … Continue reading Eat, Drink, Hike – Colombia
Even though I knew that we could expect to see tons of wildlife in the Galapagos, I didn’t expect to feel the magic I felt as we snorkeled between two tall cliffs at Kicker Rock, surrounded by sea lions, reef sharks, and rays. This pristine environment is truly something unique, and there is intangible energy … Continue reading Exploring the Galapagos Islands
As I turned over to my other side for the 6th or 7th time in the last few hours, trying to find a position where my hip didn’t dig into the hard edges of my seatbelt fastener, I heard the unmistakable sound of snoring coming from the seat behind me, merely a foot away from … Continue reading Peru’s Last Leg – Cusco to Lima
We spent 6 days hiking through the high-altitude Andes of Peru around Ausangate Mountain and its spectacular lakes and glaciers.
Five years after my disastrous first visit to Cusco, Peru, we returned for another shot at exploring ancient Incan heritage sites.
I don't remember the exact words Tim and I were yelling at each other, as we scrambled through farming terraces in a frantic dash to try to make our boat. But, I do know we weren't being nice. We were in an all-out stress-fight. It was one of those fights where the problem actually had … Continue reading Lake Titicaca – 2 Countries, 1 Lake
The story of how we entered Bolivia is a wild one that I kept to myself until we left the country, just in case there were legal implications that would get us in trouble while we were there. Itinerary: Days 1-3: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile to Uyuni, Bolivia desert tour Days 4-7: La Paz, … Continue reading Bolivia – Uyuni to La Paz
Maya’s Notebook by Chilean author Isabel Allende is a read that will pull at your emotions. Maya is a young woman who, after hitting rock bottom with drugs and prostitution in Las Vegas, is sent by her Chilean grandmother to stay with her friend, an elderly man on a small island off the coast of … Continue reading Maya’s Notebook
I highly recommend Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams for anyone traveling to Machu Picchu and especially to those hiking the Inca Trail! The author recreates the original journey Bingham made to the ancient site in the early 1900s. Weaving the history of the exploration itself with that of the ancient Quechua people … Continue reading Turn Right at Machu Picchu
Tim and I noticed a few quirks about South American culture and so we decided to draw a picture summarizing our informal findings for each major segment or region we visit. As a disclaimer, we know these are generalizations and that every culture has nuances, and we certainly don’t mean for it to be taken … Continue reading If I Had to Describe South America in a Drawing…
Our 21st Century Odyssey 