Audrey Ho
I am really looking forward to hit the road on this 5-month tour. I have spent the last 4 months planning my travels, learning Spanish, buying a new backpack (I was upset to have to replace my broken 20-year old one which had traveled many thousands of miles with me), and now getting started with this travel blog. I am a tiny little bit worried about giving up my creature comforts ... it has been 15 years since I last backpacked, when roughing it out was probably less of a hardship. Then again, it will be a lot easier now, than waiting for another 10 years .... so South America, here I come.
Here is a quick rundown of my itinerary:
Aug 7- 16: Venezuela: Travel from Caribbean beaches to Ciudad Bolivar for a hike to Angel Falls, the tallest in the world. Hike Canaima National Park for more waterfalls and spectacular scenery.
Aug 17 - Sep 25: Brazil: Travel from the depths of the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean. Follow the coast, past historic cities and remote beaches to Bahía, the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Fly to Rio, and then continue to Curitiba and laid-back Ilha do Mel, before heading west to Iguassu Falls.
Sep 26 -30: Uruguay: Soak in the thermals bath of Salto. From Montevideo and its white sand beaches, travel back through time with a night in colonial Colonia del Sacramento.
Oct 1 - 6: Argentina: Arrive in Buenos Aires, before continuing on to Bariloche, famous for its chocolate, great hiking and skiing.
Oct 7 - 22: Chile: Travel through the Andes and cross into Chile at Puerto Montt. Continue to the outdoor mecca of Pucón, and on to Santiago. Visit La Serena and San Pedro de Atacama, on the edge of the driest desert in the world.
Oct 23 - Nov 3: Bolivia: Spend 3 days crossing into Bolivia through mountains and blinding salt flats by 4x4. Travel north to Potosí, Sucre, Bolivia's "White City," Cochabamba and La Paz.
Nov 4 - 27: Peru: Drive to the shores of Lake Titicaca, and stay with a local family. Next are Cuzco, the Inca trail and the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Explore the Colca Canyon from colonial Arequipa. Fly over the Nazca Lines before continuing to Pisco, and then to Lima, Trujillo, Huanchaco, and the beaches of Mancora.
Nov 28 - Dec 7: Ecuador: Cuenca is a laid-back colonial gem filled with galleries and museums, while Baños, is famous for hot springs. Camp out in the Amazon rain forest, then travel to Quito. Visit the traditional market at Otavalo followed by the town of Cayambe located at the base of a volcano.
Dec 8 - 30: Colombia:Travel to Cartagena, a modern city with a fabled past. Continue along the coast to Santa Marta, the country's oldest town, then visit Tayrona National Park, renowned for its coral and jungle vegetation, before returning to Caracas.
Dec 31 - Jan 5: Bonaire, Dutch Antilles: scuba diving and lots of pampering, prior to heading back to LA.
Please keep in touch ......... send me e-mails via the Contact tab, or post a message on the Message Board.
