South America - Complete

My time in South America has come to an end. My first 3 months of traveling have been an unforgettable experience. People ask what the most memorable experience has been so far. I have to say - the people I met. It seemed that in every country I visited, there were people welcoming me - a complete stranger in most cases - with open arms.

It was my first stop, not in South America but El Salvador was quite the eye opener. A country still rebuilding after a devastating civil war, has come a long way, but still has a long hard journey ahead. Beaches, volcanoes, 'pupusarias' and coffee plantations all dominate the beautiful landscape of this tiny country. The people are extremely welcoming and take great pride in being El Salvadorian. Poetry and art museums are helping to shape the slowly growing but fairly popular art scene. Anita and Ivannia were amazing hosts and I felt so welcome with Marcella and her family in Santa Ana.

Peru was my second destination and probably one of the most memorable. Not all of Peru but Machu Picchu was unforgettable. An place everyone should visit. My 2 weeks in Lima allowed me to take a Spanish course, have Christmas dinner with complete strangers and have a really good New Years party at the hostel. Cuzco, the Salkantay Trail hike to Machu Picchu - amazing! The 11 people on the tour made the trip what it was. Mateus, Daniel, Marcos and Agustina are great people. I hope to stay in touch with them all.

Next, I traveled south to Chile. Before I even entered the country, I was taken in by some of the most generous people in the world. A mom and 3 boys invited me, a total stranger, into their home and took care of me like a brother.

Argentina I definitely want to visit again. I stayed in Buenos Aires the majority of my time in this country. My dad and uncle arrived two days after I did and made my stay a great one. I was lifted up from the backpacker lifestyle into the luxury of great restaurants, swimming pools and king-size beds. Thanks Dad!! The trip to Iguazu Falls was absolutely unforgettable as well. Another highlight for sure! It was so nice to experience the boat tour with my dad and uncle. I think I can speak for them both but it the boat trip was definitely the best part!

A quick few days in Uruguay followed. I took a boat trip from BA to Punta Del Este where I enjoyed the sun and beach! One night in Montevideo followed with a flight to Sao Paulo the next day.

If I could only come back to one country in South America, I think it would have to be Brazil. The country has it all - beautiful people, great food, remarkable landscapes, the best beaches and perfect weather. Although the crime in Brazil is very high, I never experienced any. There were, however, two hostels robbed while I was staying in Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo was my first stop in Brazil. Once again, the people made my time here what it was. Laura, Rinaldo and Gabriel treated me life family, opening their home to me. Rio de Janeiro was next. I stayed with Marcia for a few nights and then was invited to stay with Mateus and Anne. They showed me around Rio and explained what it was like to be a real 'Carioca'
Buzios - a small beach town still holds it's small town roots. No huge developments, apartment buildings, etc. I stayed there for a few nights and definitely want to return. Some of the most beautiful beaches around!

Arrived in South Africa

I stepped off the plane in Joburg to catch a connecting flight to Cape Town yesterday. This was after a 9 hour journey from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight was long but the time passed fairly quickly since I was playing games and watching movies. Sleep - did not get much of that on the flight. So, after checking into my hostel around noon, I crashed for 5 hours.
Wish I could explain what South Africa is like, but I have only seen out the window of the shuttle from the airport to the hostel.
Updates to come on my time in South America and my first day in South Africa.

Day 1 of Carnaval

Rio De Janeiro is a beautiful city. The beaches are amazing and mountains allow for some of the most spectacular views. (pictures to come)

If you thought the Red Mile was crazy...wait until you experience Carnaval. I have only seen one Bloco - a street party where thousands of people dressed up like it is Halloween, follow a bus driving down the street, covered in speakers, blasting Brazilian Samba music!
It was 35 degrees today...if it wasn~t for the people spraying water from their balconies, the heat would have killed me.

Have to run but will write more later...

Uruguay and São Paulo

So, I figured since I was so close to Uruguay that I should stop by for a few days. I took a boat from Buenos Aires to Colonia where I jumped on a bus to Punta Del Este. It was about an 8 hour trip in total, including a 30 minute stop in Colonia. It wasn't all that bad, except for the fact it started at 23:00!!!! I figured the overnight travel would be okay, but since there was a stop over 1/2 way through the night, it completely broke up my sleep and I was sooo tired when I arrived in Punta. I stayed at this hostel - Roger's House. Was about a 3 minute walk to the beach. I toured around the town, enjoyed the beach for a little while and then had to head to Montevideo to catch my flight to São Paulo, Brazil.
I arrived in São Paulo on Thursday morning, took a taxi to Laura, Rinaldo and Gabriel's home. They greeted me with open arms. I guess I should say who they are. Elizabeth Cardoso Pereira, a co-worker from back in Calgary, arranged our meeting before I even left for my trip. It has been wonderful. They have shown me around São Paulo and treated me like family. Tomorrow, we are heading to a museum, shopping and tour the city by car.
The plan is to head to Rio and the state of Bahia on Monday...

Bye bye luxury

No more 5 star luxury living for me for a while! Although, I did enjoy another night on my own at the Sheraton, curtesy of my dad. Thanks!!! Paps and Uncle Garry left the hot climate of Argentina to return to the cold Canadian winter. I took a taxi to see them off at the airport. We figured there would be enough time to sit down, have a beer for an hour or so before they would have to head through security and customs. However, the one hour cue at the Air Canada ticket counter, waiting in line to pay departure tax, waiting in line to find out that they will get not tax back on goods purchased in Argentina...AND the one hour cue to get through security made for a quick goodbye after confirming seats on the flight.

Highlights during their visit (for me):

1. Speeding up the Devil´s Throat on the water at the Igauzú Falls, getting absolutely drenched!
2. Argentinian Tango show and dinner at the Piazzolla Theatre
3. Endulgining in steak every single day, for 10 days straight! mmmm....beef
4. Playing numerous games of cards with the 2 old farts, and only winning one game!
5. Having family visit for 10 days after being on my own for 2 months.

I just booked a boat/bus trip using Buquebus to Punta Del Este, Uruguay. I have a quick stopover in Montevideo (the capital city) and then heading to the beach!! I booked a few nights at Rogers House Hostel. The plan is to hang out in Uruguay until February 12 when I will catch a flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Iguazú Falls

Argentina - Buenos Aires

Chile (other photos)

Argentina

My Dad and Uncle Garry arrived in Buenos Aires (BA) last Wednesday. I jumped in a taxi 8 minutes before they were suppose to land and the drive to the airport normally takes 35 minutes. I was hoping they wouldn´t take a taxi back to the city before I got there. Luckily, the taxi driver surpassed the fastest land speed record with a taxi, driving 150km/h the entire way there...18 minutes later, we were at the airport.
I ran inside to find the two looking for a shuttle to the hotel. It was really nice seeing family after 2 months of being on my own.
That evening, we all had a fantastic steak dinner. Quite the treat considering I have been living the backpacker life for the past 2 months. Every dinner for the past week has consisted of at least a 400g piece of steak! Argentinian beef is awesome!! It definitely gives Alberta beef a run for it´s money.
The next few days, we enjoyed the roof-top pool at the hotel, did some sightseeing around the city and engaged in a little bit of shopping. Not to mention all the food we ate! It´s crazy, lunch is no earlier than 1pm and dinner doesn´t start until at least 8pm. The restaurants start getting full around 10pm!
The three of us took a city tour of Buenos Aires since my dad´s knee was bothering him. An easy and efficient way to see the main attrations.
Saturday night I met up with Agustina, a friend that I met on my Machu Picchu hike. She lives in BA and asked if I wanted to join her and her friends at a disco. I received a text from her stating I can meet them at 1:30 in the morning to start the night! I was back at the hotel at 6am! That evening, Dad, Garry and myself had a nice dinner at an outdoor patio in the district of Palermo.
Sunday we had to check out of the hotel sicne there were no more rooms available. Actually, there were a few rooms available but were uber expensive! We decided to find one of the thousands around that hotel.
The next hotel we stayed at was an experience to itself. The airconditioning units didn´t work, and there were a few issues with bugs. We spent as little time as possible at the hotel. Woke up early on Monday and caught a 2 1/2 hour flight to Iguazú Falls.
We booked a tour at the airport using Iguazu Jungle Explorers and made our way to the hotel. Swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, spa, pingpong, weighroom...it had everything! Even a minigolf course! We enjoyed the pool that afternoon and had another wonderful steak meal! The next morning we woke up early to be picked up by our Iguazu tour. We experienced the Argentinian side of the falls, taking breathtaking photos of waterfalls, wildlife and jungle. The photos don´t do it justice. At 11am, the three of us embarked on a boat tour into the falls. We were giving big bags to put all of our clothes and cameras in because apprarently, they woudl get wet. Let´s just say, when we stepped off the boat, every thing was soaking wet! We went right into a few differnt waterfalls! Amazing experience!
Since I have my Brazilian visa, I had the option of heading to Brazil to see the falls from the other side. Figuring I won´t be here again (or for a long time), I took the tour. It only lasted a few hours but it was completely worth it. Some of the most spectacular views I have seen. For me, Iguazú is definitely up there with Machu Picchu.
Thinking we had a very hard day of walking in the sun, I booked us each a massage at the hotel. A very good decision on my part!! haha (considering Dad is paying too!) I might try to get another one in before he leaves.
We lounged by the pool yesterday, in the 35 degree heat! The two Albino men mimiced the great RED Atlantic lobster! We caught our flight back to BA in the evening. Checked into the Sheraton again for the remainder of their stay.

One last thing in BA before they leave is a Tango Show. We will book one for Friday night.

Quick update

I have now been to Brazil, even though it was for a few hours to take pictures of Argentina.
The three of us (Dad, Uncle and myself) caught our flight from Buenos Aires to Puerto Iguazú on Monday to experience Iguazú Falls. Absolutely, unbelievable!! Pictures will come in a few days as the computers here won´t allow me to download photos. I will explain in more detail tomorrow about our experience.
We catch a flight back to Buenos Aires tonight at 17:25. Planning on heading to downtown to do some shopping and enjoy a few hours of the jungle.