South America – it’s a Wrap
We have left South America!
We had never been there before (except Francine’s very short Venezuelan visit, a long time ago) and we were not sure what to expect, but it has very much lived up to the hype – we have really enjoyed our nearly two year trip around this massive continent. Of course, there have been some ‘bumps’ along the way; namely Big Bertha’s starter motor issue (stranded roadside), transfer box issue (stranded in the middle of nowhere and subsequent delay waiting for parts) and EGR/rear axle issue (delaying us leaving Santiago). But in every case, we received help from unexpected quarters and we have met many wonderful people along the way. We have published the stats here.
David’s Perspective: I liked Argentina and southern Chile. The landscapes in Patagonia are just so ‘big’ and I am glad we took our time down there. And I enjoyed traveling with our German tribe, whom we met on the road south. People told us that the road down the east coast of Argentina is a long slog to Ushuaia – but we had a really good time and with many excursions to view the wildlife. Northern Chile, was less interesting until we reached the Atacama desert. Our road trip across the Puna with Ivan and the Laguna Route / Uyuni Salt Flats with Javier, Dana and the kids were very special. Southern Peru was very interesting, northern Peru less so. Ecuador was a pleasant surprise, Colombia was so-so, Uruguay was OK, but expensive. Brazil was great fun; especially Rio de Janeiro.
Francine’s Perspective: Argentina has everything – jungles, mountains, glaciers, lakes and some of the nicest people on the planet. Chile has some wonderful locations to watch the night skies. Brazil offers ample wildlife viewing along the roads of the Pantanal. Uruguay has a pleasant sculpture park and a good tinned meat factory museum. Bolivia has a fantastic cable car system in its capital. Peru had lots of Incas. Visiting Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands was like being on the set of a wildlife documentary. Colombia is not the scary place it used to be, unless you’re travelling on the “Trampolin de la Muerte” (Death Road) and Antarctica is just phenomenal. Although English is not widely spoken, people were very tolerant of my bad Spanish and it wasn’t a big problem. Lastly, South Americans are, generally, very friendly and welcoming – but Brazilians are by far the huggiest!
And there have been highlights! Here are some of them….
Our steak meal in Buenos Aries, Argentina – nothing compares to the meat in Argentina!
The Iguazu Falls, on the Argentine and Brazilian border, were phenomenal.
Seeing our first Jaguar in the Brazilian Pantanal.
Visiting Latin America’s largest annual rodeo festival at Barretos, Brazil.
Parking in downtown Rio and trying our first caipirinha cocktail at the top of the Christ the Redeemer.
Meeting fellow overlanders and travelling with them down the east coast of Argentina.
Walking at dawn on the beach at El Condor, Argentina, with millions of parrots flying all around us.
Watching the whales from the beach near Puerto Madyrn, Argentina.
Our trip to Isla Penguino, Argentina, to visit the Rock Hopper penguin colony.
Seeing our first armadillo.
Driving down to the ‘end of the road’ in Chile. There was no one else there. Beavers were at work in this pond.
Reaching Ushuaia, Argentina – the southern tip of South America.
Antarctica – we both enjoyed our visit more than we expected.
Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile.
Spending 2023 NYE in El Calafate, Argentina, and visiting the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares.
Hiking the wonderful trails around El Chaltén, Argentina.
More hiking! – Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, Argentina.
Kayking to the marble cave on Lake General Carrera near Puerto Río Tranquilo, Chile.
Driving the Carretera Austral in Southern Chile.
Being Gauchos for a day at Lago Puelo, Argentina.
Camping under the active volcano Volcán Lanin, Chile.
Did I mention the meat in Argentina, this time in Mendoza, Argentina.
Crossing the high pass El Paso Internacional Cristo Redentor from Argentina to Chile.
Meeting our friends again in northern Argentina.
Driving the high Puna with Ivan in northern Argentina.
Driving the high Laguna Route with Dana, Javier and kids in southern Bolivia.
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia – there is nothing like it anywhere else.
Visiting a working mine in Potosí, Bolivia – HSE professionals: close your eyes!
Riding the ‘Mi Teleférico‘ in La Paz, Bolivia.
Riding the ‘Death Road‘ Bolivia.
Having Big Bertha blessed, as is the tradition, in Copacabana, Bolivia.
Visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in southern Peru.
Flying over the Nazca Lines in Peru.
Making chocolate in Ecuador.
Our two weeks in the Galapagos Islands.
Visiting the colourful towns of Colombia.
Wow!
What a trip! You guys have had so much fun and seen so much! Fraser and I also really loved Argentina – Iguazu Falls and the Steaks were highlights. In Chile we almost ran into a student revolution in Santiago – actually we WERE in it! They were burning traffic cones and police were closing all the metros… thank God we got back to lodgings as we had a very early plane to catch next morning! Yes to the Uyuni Salt fields – we stayed in a salt hotel.. And the La Paz Cable car is something else!
It was great to see your photos ( reminded me of our trip ) and read about your experiences.
Wow – you two did a real tour!!
Absolutely wonderful, you have so many brilliant memories!!
We just hope we will be able to remember them!!
Looks fantastic. I am going to Chile, Argentina and Brazil in November so I will ask you for some tips.
jphn
You’ll have a great time, John
It’s lovely to hear how enjoyable your trip to South America was. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for reading our blog Betty
Absolutely wonderful. Bit behind with my watching but will catch up with Mum very soon.
Thank you , take care
Thank you Polly
Wow wow wow such an incredible trip. I truly enjoy your emails xx
I’d like to see inside big Bertha please?
Hi Jo, yes I am working on a video tour of BB.
Absolutely amazing!!! what an inspiration.
Thanks Christophe
You’ve only gone and made me jealous! Lol.
I have more countries to visit now, on my already long list. You’ve had amazing experiences and have been courageous in taking such a long tour around our planet. Safe onwards travels through Central America. (Thankfully I’ve already been there! Haha.)
Hi Cathy, we will be following in your footsteps!
Lovely blog. Thank you for sharing this, guys.
Your trip is amazing and I look forward to reading more.
Ditto Dave!
Hi there absolutely wonderful adventure and I did it all with you and loved every episode. Looking forward to the next part of our adventure😂🤣😂🤣 I hang on every word, go my friends go, go go and tell 👍😄