Mendoza, Argentina evokes an image of a quaint village surrounded by endless vineyards with wineries that produce the best Malbec in the world. The Malbec part was accurate, but Mendoza Continue Reading →
Hannah (with doubt): “Nacho? We are staying with a stranger named Nacho?” Me: “I think it’d be fun – his CouchSurfing profile looks really awesome. Hopefully you’re ok with this?” Continue Reading →
This is the final part of a Patagonia 3-part blog Part 1 – Marley, Torres del Paine and Chinita Love Part 2 – Glacier Tossing, Argentine Tango and Penguins!!! Before Continue Reading →
Bolivia’s guide to Lonely Planet advised that we ask several people when asking for directions. It went on to explain that in wanting so much to be helpful, locals will Continue Reading →
Rose was already at the hostel when we arrived to Punta Arenas; she made a 25-hour journey from the US. She had made quick friends with others guests and the Continue Reading →
We didn’t let the two hour bus breakdown in the middle of the desert spoil our excitement for the week ahead. Two Couchsurfing hosts and a mutual friend would be Continue Reading →
Déjà vu. Adobe buildings, dry desert sun, and it was the first time we heard English spoken more often than Spanish. It didn’t help that the Chilean flag is very Continue Reading →
All the travelers we had encountered advised us to get in and out of Uyuni as quickly as possible. A desert town with wide streets to match the open sky, Continue Reading →
(Note: We have not updated the blog recently, however we plan on finishing blogging our South American adventures coupled with updates from Leg 2 of our journey – SE Asia) Continue Reading →
Other travelers spoke very poorly of Puno, so we had a negative bias before even arriving. The moment we set foot in the bus terminal, we were being hustled to Continue Reading →
Another night bus to Arequipa – seems like all arrive between 5-6AM; the streets were silent. Sunday meant that most of the tourist attractions were closed, so we walked around, Continue Reading →
On-demand movies on personal TVs, WiFi, full recline seats, meals and a bus attendant call button – almost better than flying! 22- hours in a bus wasn’t as bad as Continue Reading →
We arrived in Lima at 4:30AM, but this time there would be no bus station sleeping, we were going to live in the lap of luxury at the Sheraton! We Continue Reading →
We had been looking forward to Huaraz, Peru as we’ve heard such great things – one friend even declared that she thought the hikes were more spectacular than the trail Continue Reading →
Sube, sube, sube! Huanchaco, Huanchaco, Huanchaco! This was a familiar call from the combi* hustlers from my 3 months in Huanchaco in 2008 with 12 other Duke students volunteering with Continue Reading →
Enter: Lobitos, Peru. In the 1900s, Lobitos was an oil boom town with South America’s first cinema, a casino, the works. Surprised you haven’t heard of it? Well, fast-forward and Continue Reading →
Originally, the plan was to take buses through southern Colombia, through Ecuador then Peru. Unfortunately, extensive protests/road closures made bus travel difficult, so we flew as far south as we Continue Reading →
The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Colombia – many homes had small store fronts, carts vendors lined the streets, plentiful farmer’s markets and every bus ride included a Continue Reading →
We took the opportunity of Juan Diego and Ana Maria’s amazing kitchen to prepare and share a few home cooked meals. Saturday, Matt made his (favorite!) breakfast tacos, something new Continue Reading →
“You can’t party forever, but you can live happily and healthy, well not forever, but a lot longer.” We met Jonathan at the Roof Hostel in Cartagena, Colombia. We were Continue Reading →