TourBackpacker

Saving and managing your money, before and while traveling

2015-04-08T08:45:00.000-04:00

Have you been traveling or planning a long trip. Whether it is just for a few weeks or for many months there are many ways to save money before and while on the road.

Before you leave

First of all, cut down on any extra expenses. Restaurants, theater, movies, etc... Less activities before you leave will mean more activities while traveling. If your goal really is to travel you will easily be able to cut down on some unnecessary expenses.

Think ahead of what you will need in your backpack and buy when on special, try looking online for some stuff you might find great deals compared to local shops.

If you have too much stuff that you would need to store in the time you will be gone and are willing to sell some, do a big yard sale and get rid of what you can live without. Make some extra money at the same time. I had sold all of my furniture and most of my electronics before I left for South America.

Choose where you want to travel carefully. Many countries are a lot cheaper than others. Choose wisely, read about the countries you prefer and think ahead of time. From my experience countries like Peru and Bolivia were very cheap to travel, that is if you travel wisely. Other countries like Chile and Argentina are awesome too but a little more expensive especially in high season. If you are flexible and have more than one option to choose from, take time to research. There are plenty of websites that will help. So saving money on the road means some planning before you leave.

To be flexible on your time of departure will also save you a lot of money. Shop around for plane tickets is the first step to cheaper travels. There are many flight planners out there and they will not all have the same prices. Look at all them sites and more than once, some days of the weeks are always better to buy plane ticket. Tuesday is always the cheapest day of the week to buy tickets, many companies make changes to the prices on Tuesday, which is why some prices go down a lot on that day of the week. But keep looking you could also find better deals on some other days. Here are some of my favorite flight finders, but there are many many more.

Skyscanner
Booking Buddy
One Travel
ITA Software - Matrix seach

If you do not mind having a bit of rain or lower temperatures for some countries you can always travel off season. Many countries will be a lot cheaper to travel in those times. Activities and accommodations will have a difference in prices since there are a lot less tourists and they are trying to book their tours or fill their rooms. Lowering prices is a way to get more customers, so look around you could find some incredible deals. But be aware that it is low season for a reason. Some countries will only have colder weather, some others will be rainy season. But even in rainy season you can manage to get there at the beginning or end of low season and still have awesome weather, but it is always a guess. You might be lucky or not.

Dealing with money and currency

The first tip will always be to use the local currency, it will always be easier to deal with locals in their own money. There are some exceptions, for example in Argentina the American money as a higher value than normal, where it is possible to negotiate better prices for accommodations for example. But for most countries, do not try this you will end up having a very bad exchange rate. In most underdeveloped countries you can always negotiate prices with street vendor or even accommodations if you plan on staying many nights in a row. With street vendors it is obvious that they will most likely give you a tourist price. On the first few days always be aggressive while negotiating it will give you a general idea of how much lower the true price will be. If you can always negotiate prices down by 30% of the price they give you then you will know that most vendors will easily go down by 25% of the price they give you at first without ripping them off. After a few week you will have a fairly good idea of what the price of four bananas might be everywhere else, so if a vendor does not want to bring down is prices simply turn around a go see another one, most of the time they will call you back and sell it to you for a lower price, not wanting to loose a customer.

1.2 Million Guarani in Paraguay

If you wish to save money on exchange rates, the best way to do so is to not exchange any money at all, unless there are no other options. I always used my credit card in bank machines and not my debit card. Here is how I did it : Do an over payment on your credit card so that they will owe you money, wait a few days for the payment to be processed. Go to most bank machines and take money out in local currency. Since the credit company was owing me the money, they never charged me for exchange rates on my Visa card for example. Another saving is to withdraw enough money to last a few weeks at a time. Lets say 300$, in Peru would last me more than two weeks generally. I was charged a 5$ fee every time for making a withdrawal, so making bigger withdrawals would last me longer and cost me less fees. From there make sure not to carry all your money in the same place. Hide some in different pockets of you bags, use a money belt, be wise and never carry money in an easily accessible pocket. There could be some pickpockets in some countries or even someone wanting to steal from you in hostals, keep your bag locked up and safe even if you have no money in it. Never carry more easy access money than what you need for a day or two, that way if you would ever have the bad luck of being robbed you only give that little bit, saying that's all you have. I was never robbed or had anything stolen from me, but always be on the safe side, it could still happen.

Food & transport

Many people are afraid of street food, don't be. It will be the cheapest lunches you can get and the freshest food you will get. The locals eat street food all the time and the products they use will most likely be freshest than many tourist restaurant, that will be more expensive. Also try out the local markets for cheap food stands. Good full local meals for one quarter of the price of local restaurant for similar food. Look for places with set meals at a fix prices. In many countries in South America I would see signs outside of small restaurants saying Almuerzo (lunch) or Cena (dinner) for a fix cheap price. For example while in La Paz, Bolivia I would often go to one place that had a Cena sign for 5 Bolivanos, which was a full supper for less than a dollar. I could sometimes eat for a whole day for less than 5$, but it always depends where you are and when you are there. Look around when you get to a new country and find these good deals and to get to know what you can expect to pay for different services.

Street food is always great

How to save on transportation. The first option to consider is to see if there are different types of buses available in the country you are in. Some countries like Peru have tourist buses and local buses. Although the tourist buses are still affordable, your best bet will be to go with the locals for cheaper transport. In many countries the bus stations have many different operators and the prices will vary from one to the other. Shop around and try bargaining from one operator to the other, you will be surprised at the differences you will see. For sure you must expect that the cheapest prices will probably be less comfortable buses and maybe more stops on the way but one way or another you will get to your destination in the end. I must recommend that while traveling in local buses, stay careful and watch your belongings. If a bus makes a stop, always ask the driver how much time you have and don't wander too far. The drivers most likely will not count heads before leaving, so don't miss your bus. Always be patient, because the local buses will, most of the time, run late. If you wish to save even more money while on transportation, try taking the night bus. You will save a one night stay in a room, when the traveling time is more than a few hours.

Local buses will sometimes be overfilled

Whenever dealing with taxis, always ask what the fare is before getting in the cab. If you are just getting into town and wanting to find a taxi from a bus terminal, look around for other travelers that might want to share the fare with you. Be careful and ask some personnel inside the terminal what the price should be to get to your destination, they usually have a fairly good idea. Or if you have a reservation with a hotel or hostal, ask them what the price should be. If the driver asks for too much, try negotiating. If he does not want to lower his price, go see another taxi driver. If you are in a country where they have rickshaws or mototaxi, go for them for their fares will always be much lower than any taxi.

Mototaxi in Peru

In city buses or transport, if you are not sure when to get out for your destination, ask another local if he can help you out. They are always of good help and will let you know when you are getting close to your station or stop. Don't be shy to ask, it will most likely save you time and trouble.

Accommodations

Looking for a place to stay. You have various option for various prices. The cheapest and most rewarding will be to live with locals if you have the opportunity. Then you have the Couchsurfing option that is always a great way to meet locals and a cheap bed. If you have a camping gear and are in a country suitable for camping you have another cheap option. There is the youth hostal that are most of the time very affordable and great for meeting other travelers. Sites like Hostelworld and Hostelbookers were my favorite to find a place to stay, but look around town they are not all promoting on such sites. The last one I will suggest is sometimes the best, depends where you are, they are guesthouses or local hostels. Guesthouse are usually like a bed & breakfast with shared accommodations, and local hostels are cheap hotels usually also with shared accommodations, but here you will always have more openness to dealing prices when you plan on staying many nights, these are usually never advertised anywhere, the only way to find out their prices will be to walk in and ask.

I often was making reservations in youth hostals on the first nights I would get to a new town. If it suited me I would stay for more days, if not I would leave early in the morning and would find myself a cheaper place to stay before I had to check-out, usually around 11am or noon. That way I did not have to carry my backpack all around town just to find a new place.

In the end

Having a few tips like these in the beginning will be a great way to start your travel, but I am sure that once you will get used to the traveling way of life, you will find tips of your own. If you have any tips that you would like to share with others please feel free to share them in the comments below. I will also be glad to hear them, the more you have the cheaper your travels will be. Have fun, be safe and travel far and long.

Colombia - January 2014

2014-02-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

Cartagena

This past January I went to visit a small part of Colombia for a two week holiday. I was only able to make it in a small part of northern Colombia. Cartagena and around Santa Marta. I must say that two weeks was absolutely not enough. There was so much more to see in just that part of the country and I haven't seen anything else. Now I definitely wish to go back to visit the rest of this incredible country.

January 4th, 2014 I take the plane from Toronto towards Cartagena. I get there around 4:30 pm. I get to my hostel 'Las Chancletas' and meet with four Argentinians that also just got in town. We chat around the hostel for a while and later in the evening we head out into town to find some good street food. Awesome as usual, why is street food always so good.

(Little note for people seeking hostel, you will find all kinds of hostel to suit you in this part of Colombia. Prices vary mostly in between 12$ to 20$ a night for dorm rooms.)

Street food is always good, Cartagena

On the 5th, I get up way too early at 6:30am. It's too early to find breakfast anywhere so I just walk around and discover the town a little. Around 10, I leave with Marsol buses to head to Santa Marta. With my luck, the ride that was supposed to take around 3:30 ends up taking more like 6:30 hours. The motor belt broke on the first bus about an hour after we left. Broken down on the side of the road for at least an hour, happily the four Argentinians I met yesterday are on the same bus and they have a guitar. The play all kinds of songs while we wait and time passes quickly. A second bus comes to pick us up and we are back on the road, but about an hour and a half later, this one breaks down also with exactly the same trouble. Now this is bad luck. This time we end up waiting about another hour, luckily we are in a small town were we can get to a store and we assist to a football (soccer) game from a bunch of kids having fun nearby. I finally get to "Hostel Drop Bear" in Santa Marta at around 5pm. In the evening the owner of the hostel gives us a tour of the house that used to be a cartel house and explains to us the history of this huge house (quite an interesting history).

(The bus service from Marsol is a very nice option. Yes a bit more expensive, but they come and pick you up right at your hotel. Instead of having to catch a cab, find a local bus that could be full with your baggage. I was unlucky on the day I used it here, but used it again on the way back to Cartagena and everything went incredibly well. The price to go from Cartagena to Santa Marta was of 38,000$ Colombian Pesos and the same the other way around.)

Waiting for the next bus between

Cartagena and Santa Marta

Monday January 6th, I spent most of the morning chatting around with other people at the hostel. I meet with a few very nice people. In the afternoon I go into town with someone I met that morning to find the Turcol agency with whom I will be going on a five day trek to 'Ciudad Perdida'. We then find a bus to go see Taganga for the afternoon, it's only a few kilometers from Santa Marta. Nice little place filled with tourists everywhere.

(To get to Taganga catch a bus anywhere downtown Santa Marta, just look for signs in the front windows of the bus saying Taganga. It only takes about 20 minutes to go from one town to the other)

Taganga

January 7th finally arrives. It is the day that I leave for the 5 day trek to 'Ciudad Perdida' (lost city). The tour company comes and picks me up at around 10h30 and we get on the road heading to Mamey where the trek will begin. We have lunch before we start walking. After a first easy 30-40 minutes, the trail start going up. A pretty good incline and we climb that hill for an hour and a half, but once we got to the top the trail becomes much easier again going down towards the first camp. Dinner is cooked and it's very good food. I was told that the food was good on the tour, but I was half expecting it to be that good, I was delightedly surprised. The people from the group gets to know each other a little more in the evening.

(A few tips for the trek, you will not need that much on the tour other than your clothes, towel and your personal hygiene things. Don't do the same as me and bring your big backpack, if I would have known I would have only carried my day-pack. There some place where the trail goes uphill at a good incline for a little while, so the less you carry the easier it will be for you. You can bring some snacks if you wish, like granola bars. They will give you some snacks in the day while trekking, but it's always nice to have a little extra. If you have any fast drying clothes, bring them, the humidity level is pretty high in the mountains and nothing dries easily)

On the way to Mamey

Cooking supper on the first day

We get up very early at 5am on the second day. We have breakfast and get walking at 6:30. The trail is going up for a while but then goes back down towards the camp where we have lunch. There is a river where we can go for a swim and the pretty cold water is so refreshing after sweating all morning. We leave again after lunch and get to the second camp at 3:30pm. I spent an awesome evening with the whole group. Our group is composed of one American, one German, one Australian me Canadian, and the other 12 are all Colombians. I must say that we had a great group that made the experience so much better.

Beautiful sunrise on the second morning

Swimming in the river Indigenous hut

Third day of the trek. This morning we leave camp at 7am to climb the 1200 steps (so it is said, I did not count them) that will lead us to the site of 'Ciudad Perdida'. Early enough to see the rising sun over the mountains down onto the site. The site is very nice, there are so many terraces in every direction. Very impressing to see that the indigenous of the time would thing of building this infrastructure in such an environment. We walk all around the site for a few hours and get back down to the camp for lunch and after walk back towards one of the camps we have seen the day before.

Going up Beginning of the site

Ciudad Perdida (Lost city)

Second camp

Day number 4 of the trek. This morning our group of 16 splits up. When you go on the tour you have the option of 4 or 5 days, so 7 of us had taken the 4 day tour and leave in the early morning. 9 of us are left for the 5 days tour, we leave the camp after having breakfast about an hour and a half after the first group. This is a very easy day because we only walk back to the camp we stayed at on the first night and we get there by noon. We have lunch and the whole afternoon is for us to enjoy, relax, swim in the river.

Sadly comes the fifth and last day of the trek. We leave early again and walk for a few hours and stop at natural pool, where some will go swim. From that point on we only have about half an hour walking to get to Mamey where we started off on the trek. They have some very cold beer that is very welcome after a few days of sweating. We have our last lunch together and get back in the jeep to go back to Santa Marta. We say our goodbyes and who knows I might see some of them again because I will definitely be going back to Colombia. Soon I hope. If you ever wish to do the trek to 'Ciudad Perdida' I will give a big recommendation to go with Turcol Agency, they were very nice and professional. Price for the tour 600,000$ Colombian Pesos and that's for 4 or 5 days, the price is the same.

Sierra Nevada Mountains

The highest point of Colombia

January 12th, I had planned on going to Parque National Natural Tayrone today and spend the night, but I end up changing my plans. In the morning I go walking around the historic center of Santa Marta. I buy a few souvenirs while exploring the town. It get very hot in the afternoon and decide to head back to the hostel and take it easy because it is too warm to walk around everywhere. Tomorrow will be Tayrona Park for the whole day (4 hours of walking, more or less), where I will get to see the most beautiful beaches of Colombia, So I was told.

Santa Marta

I leave in the early morning with two Americans and one man from England and get to Calabazo. Most people will walk the park the other way around from Canaveral to Calabazo. But I prefer having done it this way. The trail goes up for about an hour towards Pueblito, but after that point it mostly goes down. The trail in between Pueblito and Cabo San Juan is mostly big rock and I was happy to go down instead of having to climb up this trail. We stopped in Cabo san Juan for a while to enjoy the beach and the sun. Stayed there for close to two hours and then get walking again towards Canaveral. I short walk that takes us a little more than an hour. When we got to Canaveral we took a taxi that brought us back into Santa Marta for about 10$ each. The cheapest option is to take a cab or walk to the main gate (about 7-8km) and take the colectivo back into town.

Entrance prices for the Parque National Natural Tayrona
Kids -- 7,500$ Colombian Pesos
Students less than 26, with documents -- 7,500$ Colombian Pesos
Colombian adults and resident foreigners -- 14,000$ Colombian Pesos
Adult Foreigners -- 37,500$ Colombian Pesos

(Bring some extra money with you if you want to have lunch in the park, naturally prices are a little more expensive than into town. There is a restaurant in Cabo San Juan that only opens around noon and when it does there is a like-up that gets pretty long pretty quick. If you are going only for a day, bring yourself some food in your bags, this way you will not have to get in line and wait for a lunch. Your time will be all yours to enjoy the beach and the surroundings)

Pueblito Cabo San Juan

Cabo San Juan

January 14th, Quiet day visiting downtown. I also went to see the little "Museo de Oro". Around 12pm, it starts being very warm and I decide to go see the botanical Garden called "Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino", it is also the place where Simon Bolivar died, the liberator of Latin America. I go around to do some shopping in the end of afternoon and spend the evening at the hostel.

(The museum of gold is free if charge, don't expect a big museum. It is fairly small but interesting just the same. Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino has a entry fee of 12,000$ for adults and 10,000$ for children)

Santa Marta

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

The next morning I leave at 11:30am to get back to Cartagena at 4:30pm, I soon as I booked in my hotel I leave again to go walk around town. I did not have much chance to visit around when I got here on my first day so I will visit more this time for my last few days. It make me think of Quebec city a bit because of the fortified walls around the historic center. The walls were built for the same reasons as Quebec city, to protect against the invading English, but here it was also built to protect from the pirates. It is a very nice town that I won't have much time to explore, but I guess it's one more reason to come back at another time. I want to get up early the next morning to enjoy as much as possible my last day in Colombia.

I do get up early and get to Castillo San Felipe at around 8:30am. I visit the fortress from one side to the other and then head back to the historic center. I walk the whole 11km of the walls that surrounds the center, then walked all around the labyrinth of small streets while buying a few things to bring back home at the same time. I get back to my hotel for a well deserved shower and, surprise I have a message from one of the girls that was on the 'Ciudad Perdida' trek with me. She says that she lives in Cartagena and that we can go have supper and drinks with a couple that was on the trek with us also. I agree to an evening with friends, what's better than to spend my last evening in Colombia.

Click on image below to see the complete picture album from Colombia

Fortified wall and cannons of Cartagena

My plane leaves from Cartagena at 9:30am and I get to Toronto at 6pm. I get to my hotel and have a small nap but can't seem to be able to sleep. I guess all the excitement from the last few weeks and the disappointment from having to get back home as to do with it. So I decide to get on the road to get home. I live a little over 600km from Toronto. I leave at about 11:30pm and will be driving all night, I love driving at night there is less traffic. I finally get home at 6:30am very tired but with a bunch of very nice memories.

I must say that I loved Colombia and since I have only seen but a little part of it and seeing how welcoming the people were, I do want to visit the rest of the country. I will need to take a month or two at one time to really have time to visit the country from north to south and from east to west. Everyone I ever met that went to Colombia loved it and told everyone they should go there. Now I understand why, and I will also tell everyone to go and visit the country. Don't hesitate and don't believe all the stories from 20 years ago about it being a dangerous country, it is no worse than anywhere else. Feel free to go and enjoy.

The time I thought I was being followed...

2013-09-04T10:24:00.000-04:00

Paranoia, possibly I will never know for sure. In the end everything went fine, but I will forever wonder if that one time I thought I was being followed, was I really paranoid.

I was in Huancayo, Peru in July 2013 only for an afternoon. First I must say that I was in a very weird mood of feeling lost and loneliness. Having gotten to Peru only a little less than two weeks, I was homesick and had headaches due mostly to altitude sickness, I had no appetite and did not drink enough water (very important in altitude I have learned), so my second week of traveling was very weird.

Huancayo Main Plaza

I got to Huancayo around noon from a 3 hour bus ride from Tarma. From there I decided to book another bus the same evening to get to Ayacucho. Long story short, I was walking to the bus terminal that was ten blocks away. After 11 and 12 blocks without seeing the agency for the bus, I realized that was had headed the wrong way, so I was now 22 blocks away from taking the bus in time about half an hour later (I did not know yet that in Peru buses almost always leaves half an hour late or more). So I turn around and realize that the neighborhood I'm in does not look like the best one for a tourist with a huge backpack to walk around.

The streets going parallel to the one I was on was close enough to see it when I passed intersection. A few blocks later I realize that I had seen the same guy going the same way I did but on the other street corner. He did look like he was looking towards me (I must say that I'm the only tourist around and easy to spot with my backpack). It was getting dark and got a little scared so I started walking faster and still saw him on the next street corner and so on for another two or three. By then I had starting to look around and find a spot to hide or simply be in a crowd for a few minutes, because on the streets there were only a few people here and there.

Huancayo Main Plaza

I finally get to a ''plaza'', that are everywhere in South America, where there was an open market. A lot more people around and I get in just to lose whoever was following me. But could not stay there long because I still had to walk 7 or 8 blocks to the bus terminal. I did not see the other guy again.

The question is... Have I been paranoid or cautious? Foremost I think I have been cautious. Whenever you get a bad feeling about a situation while traveling, make sure to listen to it. It will sometimes be wrong and sometimes right. I was maybe a bit paranoid also and very tired and imagined this whole thing. I will never know now, but I remember this moment like it was a few weeks ago.

What do you think? Did you ever have any experience like this one?

A wink at ... Easter Island's History

2013-07-27T22:49:00.000-04:00

Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it is known today, is part of Polynesian islands and positioned in the Pacific Ocean, around 3,500 km (2,180 mi) west of continental Chile. It is one of the world's most isolated inhabited islands, its nearest inhabited neighbor (Pitcairn Island), located some 2,075 km (1,289.35 mi) to the west.

The history of this island is captivating and still mysterious to this day, mainly because of the nearly 900 monumental statues, called Moai that were created by the early Rapa Nui people. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site, with much of the island is the protected area of Rapa Nui National Park.

The first known painting of Easter Island in 1775 by William Hodge (Source : Wikipedia)

The remnants of these massive Moai statues, were hypothetically representation of past chiefs of each villages. The early settlements of the island were located along the coastline and Moai were erected there to watch over their descendants, this is why they were facing inland towards the living and they had their backs toward the spirit world in the sea. Archeologist have found the remains of men under the Moai statues, it is thought that each statue represents one important chief.

Toppling of the statues

Like most cultures. as population increased it came to have many villages and internal war was inevitable between clans. The first navigator to find the island was on Easter day in 1722, he was a Dutch navigator named Jacob Roggeveen, he named it Easter Island. In is reports it is said that the island was lined with massive stone statues.

The next expedition that went by the island was in 1770, and it was still lined with statues. This time it was two Spanish ships sailed by Captain Felipe Gonzalez y Haedo who claimed Easter Island for Spain and renamed it San Carlos.

Ancestral house foundations

Rano Kau Crater

Rano Raraku "The quarry where all the Moai come from"

Maunga Terevaka : View from the top "Highest point of the island"

James Cook then visited the island in 1774, he noted that several Moai were lying face down. From then the topplings of the Moai continued into the 1820's because of internal fighting between the Rapa Nui clans, and in 1825 the British ship HMS Blossom reported seeing no standing statues.

History

It is believed that the initial inhabitants arrived between 700–1000, and they got to the island in canoes or catamarans from the Marquesas Islands of Polynesia. The Rapa Nui culture had a thriving culture and customs. However, the clans activities and the rising population led to gradual deforestation and extinction of a lot of the natural resources, it caused the downfall of the Rapa Nui civilization.

When European arrived in 1722, the island's population was only of about 2,000–3,000, it is thought that it has been of close to 15,000 in it highest point only a century earlier. Diseases carried by European sailors and Peruvian slave raiding of the 1860's further reduced the Rapa Nui population, down to 111 in 1877.

What were the reasons of fighting between the Rapa Nui clans over it's history. There are many hypothesis : the need for more land for agriculture, the difference in ideas, the change that occurred once European first came to the island.

In the 1870s, because of many unsolveable disputes, the missionaries now on the island decided to evacuate most of the Rapa Nui population to the Gambier islands. By the end of the decade a mere 100 people lived on the island, and much of its cultural knowledge had been lost.

And by then the surviving Rapa Nui people were confined to the settlement of Hanga Roa, which is now the only town on the island. The rest of the island was then used and rented by sheep farmers named Williamson-Balfour Company.

Easter Island was annexed by Chile on September 9, 1888, and the validity of that annexation is still contested by many of the Rapa Nui still to this day.

At that time the surviving Rapa Nui were confined to the settlement of Hanga Roa. The rest of the island was rented to the Williamson-Balfour Company as a sheep farm. It was believed that the deforestation of the island had been caused mainly because of the use of wood to roll the statues into place, but there is also but the sheep farms on the island were what really caused the forest to grow thinner and thinner because the sheep would eat any new regrowth of trees.

In 1914, a British citizen Katherine Routeledge visited the island and stayed for a yearlong expedition. It was the first time that there was in-depth study of local artifacts and inhabitants. She and her team found connections between elders’ tattoos and the Moai. Some tattoos were also found sculpted on the statues. She was able to give a detailed clan system in a 1919 book called "The Mystery of Easter Island".

In the mid-1950's, Thor Heyerdahl organized the Norwegian Archaeological Expedition to Easter Island. After many months of living on the island the expedition published two large volumes of scientific reports.

In 1966, Chile declared Easter Island a province and the Rapa Nui given Chilean citizenship.

In 1995 the airport was built and the island was then managed by the Chilean Navy. It has been since then a very popular tourist destination with a growing number of curious people like me going to visit and explore this unusual and mysterious place.

Anakena site and beach

Ahu Tongariki "The largest site and biggest restoration project"

Rano Raraku Volcano "Quarry Site"

The official language of the island is Spanish, since it is owned by Chile, but the Rapa Nui ancestral language still exists and is spoken by many locals. Many speak English for tourism purpose, but I was surprised to see that many locals also speak French. My guess is that some have immigrated from French Polynesia that is among the closest neighbors. One little anecdote I have is that I took a taxi and when the woman driver realized that I also spoke french, she started being so much more friendly, I mean much more friendly. She almost gave me her phone number, but I did not get in the flirt simply because she was much older than me, but I had a good laugh with her and we had a great conversation, in both French and Spanish.

Parts of the story from the movie 'Rapa Nui' is true, but maybe not all of it. I do recommend seeing the movie if you feel like having a sense of how the Rapa Nui people lived or just curious to see some of the great landscapes from the island. It really was filmed on the island in many locations and archeological sites and it explains pretty well the history and mysteries of the Rapa Nui people., but keep in mind that it is a fictional movie, not a historical one.

Preview of the 'Rapa Nui' movie

The Rapa Nui tribes back in history have created something that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. There is only on this island that Moai statues have been made. Their whole history and civilization has been completely one of a kind because of how isolated from the rest of the world they were.

So whether you are just curious or passionate about the history and the mystery of Easter Island, you will be satisfied. Not only very interesting, but a little paradise of a place. If you would ever feel like visiting the island, see by post on the time I spend on Easter Island for some tips & tricks and more pictures.

To situate where Easter Island is exactly, follow this link to Google Maps

Reason to travel ...... or not

2013-07-26T17:59:00.001-04:00

There are many reasons for which people will decide to whether or not leave to travel the world or parts of it. I am listing here all these reason with either the positive of negative sides of it all.

Loneliness : Are you afraid to be lonely while traveling solo. You have two options, you find a partner that is willing to go along or go alone and meet other travelers on the way. While traveling and living in hostels you will not always be alone, as long as you are sociable and willing to talk to strangers. Not only that you will meet locals on the way that will become friends even thought there might be a language barrier.

Even alone, some places are incredible.

No one to share : If you travel solo, you will not always have someone along the road to share all your experiences, but with the social networks and blogs of today you will always be able to share your adventures with friends and family back home that will interact and keep contact with you along the way.

Language : Language will always be a barrier if you let it be one. The international language is not English, it's sign language. Signs and mimics will always help you be understood and understand others. No need to always know the exact words, if you really need something you will always find a way to get it, I promise. Many smartphones now have very good apps to help you with this also.

Money : Well here is the biggest thing to point out. Money, money, money will always be the one thing stopping people from traveling the world.There are always ways to do it if you put your heart to it. Look around the internet there are a thousand tips & tricks for money issues.

I've never done this : You don't know anything about travel (Once you get there, moving around is easier.) Every long term traveler started with a first step outside the door. Take that first step and things will fall into place quite quickly after.

It's not a good time for me : I've heard that one so many times. It will never be the good time if you don't make your project of traveling a priority, you will always find constrains and will eventually abandon the idea or wait too long. It will never be too late to do it either, but if you really want it you will make time for it. DO IT!

You will at some moments feel like this, but it's all part of the magic of travels.

It's scary : It is at first I must admit, I was a lousy and scared traveler when I first left for South America, after a while I realized that it was not that scary and embraced the road.

Get out of your shoe box :)

Where should I go : Wherever you feel like it. You might end up in random places (flexibility) sometimes and meet the most awesome people ever. Get out of the beaten path and go to a small village no tourists ever go. The locals will be so curious as of why you are there, most will want to help and know you a bit more. Learn to Adapt and Improvise, You will feel on an adventure that no tourists will ever have.

Experience the culture of different countries : Go live with locals once in a while to really get the feel of the country and how people really live their daily lives.

Rappelling down 17 stories on the side of El Presidente Hotel in La Paz, Bolivia was incredible

Feel the need to push your limits (do things you have never done before) : so very important to me. I went Zip lining, rappelling, climbed a volcano, try it you will love it and feel so happy you did after.

You will learn so much about yourself : and you will increase your confidence and trust in yourself so much more.

Realize That You Do Not Need Much To Survive : While traveling for a while, you will surely leave with too much stuff. As you will go, you will be able to choose more appropriately what you really need to carry around or not. I first left with close to 23-24 kg of stuff and came back home with no more than 11-12 kg.

Pay With Different Currencies : Make sure to always use the local money. It's more fun (I think), but it gives you so much more ways to deal prices in many countries. You will have a more appropriate price also, show the seller that you know what the money is worth and if you fell like he's giving you a tourist price that is above normal, let him know. Many times I simply turned around to show him or her that I would not pay so much, and they would come back to me with a better price.

By using local money, you might end up being a millionaire

Become Streetwise : Be aware of your surroundings at all times. I always say to keep an eye in front of you and one behind you. Don't go paranoid, not everyone wants to steal from you, but keep secure. I've spotted many pickpockets while I was in La Paz, Bolivia, but never got robbed so I guess I was showing that I was careful enough. Some may have tried but I never had anything easy to steal in the outside pockets of my daypack. Don't give your stuff away to potential theft.

Get away from your troubles : Leave your troubles at home or solve your issues before leaving. Don't carry around the weight of your "life at home" with you while traveling. Enjoy, appreciate and have fun along the way.

Manage Your Own Time : There is no reason to be ‘late’ or in a ‘rush’ when you are on your own agenda. Sleep in, wake up early, do whatever you like when you like. Learn to enjoy the moment and plan ahead, that way you will keep away from bad moments. Well mostly, because while traveling around you will always have some unsuspected bad moments, but learn to deal with them as best you can and move on to the next best thing.

Just down from the plane in Nazca, Peru. I survived....

You can wear the same clothes all the time : You won't need a wardrobe with you, you don't want to be carrying it either. I traveled with four or five t-shirts and did laundry whenever I had a chance. Keep a few extra pairs of socks when needed, because your shoes will get smelly one way of another. Underwear are small, have a few extras too. For the rest you choose, but the less you have, the easier your life will be.

You will be proud of yourself when it’s over : After you travel across the world or parts of it, you will look back on all these moments and be proud of what you have done, seen and experienced.

You Only Live Once : Absolutely true, enjoy.

Eat and Drink! : Eat what you want when you want it. Street food, when available is great. But do go and eat out in a restaurant once in a while, treat yourself to a more expensive meal once in a while. Different experience will never hurt you.

Freshly fished Tuna on a beach in Honduras, great meals

And most of all enjoy your Freedom

My victory on top of Villarica Volcano in Pucon, Chile

Things to keep in mind while you travel

1. Be open minded – don’t judge and embrace the differences.
2. Be patient – with people and with events. Some countries have a much slower style of life than Europeans and North American. Enjoy the pace, take it easy, be patient. Getting mad or impatient won't help you solve any situation, it will sometimes make it even worst.
3. Be respectful – in what you say, what you do, how you react to events.
4. Be responsible – don’t do anything that would harm anyone or damage anything.
5. Be generous – not on money (you can if you choose to!). Be generous of yourself: Give yourself fully to your experiences, take time for others.
6. Be humble – no one is superior to anyone. whatever skin color, whatever background, whatever wealth. Treat people as equals and they will treat you equally.
7. Be curious - in a sensible way. Look, feel, taste, smell, listen. Live life of the countries you visit even if it's just for a short moment.
8. Be flexible – for sure many thing won’t happen as you planned! Go with the flow and things eventually always fall back into places if you really want it.

In the end you will thank yourself for choosing to travel. If any of this sounds too big for you, maybe you're not made to be a traveler. Nahhhh! Everyone can do it, you only need to want it hard enough.

Roatan Island, Honduras

2013-07-08T21:46:00.001-04:00

A month and a half after coming back home from 8 months in South America I went back south to Roatan Island in mid-April with a few friends. It was an all inclusive week in of of the many resorts of the island. Roatan is becoming more and more a tourist destination. With it's Caribbean mood and feel, everyone would fall in love with the island way of life. I loved it in Easter Island and I also did enjoy it as much in Roatan.

Situated at about 50km north of Honduran mainland. It is a fair size island of 60km wide and 8km across, where most of the 25,000 of population lives near the west coast. For snorkeling and scuba-diving fans, you should love the place. It is the second biggest barrier reef of the world with a wildlife that will amaze you. I had to pass on that, but would have loved to.

I guess we were lucky because we had awesome weather the whole week. Some sparse clouds and sun, sun, sun. After being back in Canada for the end of winter I was glad to soak in the warm sun again.

We had a blast, as much just staying on the resort and having a few drinks and swimming in the ocean or going around the island and exploring. We stayed in a resort called "Media Luna Resort" and instead of the usual big hotel, it was all separate cabins and the whole place was quite nice and quiet. The only downside is that the bar closed at eleven every night, which is a bit early but it was no big deal because by eleven on most nights I was almost ready to go to bed. We did have a few evenings sitting outside on our balcony with ocean view. It was quite a nice place to be and much more liked it than a big hotel type of place.

We mostly stayed on the resort the first few days. On the fourth day we hired a cab to drive us around every town, village and beaches. The fifth day we went deep sea fishing in the morning and each caught a small tuna. We could have our own tuna cooked in a small beach restaurant and I must say it was incredibly good. On the Sixth day, we went zip-lining at "Pirates of the Caribbean" company. It was incredible. I had done some in Iguazu, Argentina, but it was far from being this long. And finally it was already time to go back home. We enjoyed every moment of our time there, either by the pool or on the beach, soaking in the sun of Roatan was awesome.

Click picture to see the whole "Roatan" album

I would go back to Roatan Island anytime and if the people of continental Honduras are as welcoming, I would love to visit the rest of the country as well.

Passport Stamps

2013-06-01T20:15:00.000-04:00

I finally came around to scanning the pages of my passport. For safekeeping souvenir but also because I wanted to share it. So here they are.... Have you ever been to any of these countries? Do you recognize them?

I've only been through seven countries, but crossed the borders of these countries many times. This is all between July 2012 and April 2013.

I hope to be collecting more stamps in the future.

Easter Island - Last stop ... for now

2013-04-12T17:43:00.001-04:00

Wednesday Feb. 20, 2013
The plane land on the island at 6:30am. I go to a hotel named "Chez Cecelia". The lady tells me that she will have something available but only in the afternoon. No problem, so I leave my bags there and head out in the direction of the trail that will lead me to the "Rano Kau" volcano top and the archeological site of "Orongo". What a view from up there on the town and the ocean. The crater is very impressive and "Orongo" is quite an interesting site. I get back in town and go back to the hotel and the lady tells me to pick my bags that she will bring me to her hotel house where she as an available room. We are almost all the way out of town and I would have to walk 30 minutes to get in town or have to take cabs every time. She had not told me that earlier, a little later she gets mad at me because I booked a tour to the Maoi sites with an agency downtown when she had already told me that she organized tours (Can I choose who I want for my tours, please). Not long after I go back to town to find another hotel because with the attitude she gave me and the dump she brought me too does not please me at all. I find another room, private this one, in town for only a few more dollars a day. I take a cab and go back to the other place and take my bags back and leave without saying thanks. She was asking 45$ US a night for a room shared with her nephew, no personal lockers for my valuables and the front door to the house doesn't lock. So I went back to Hotel "Atariki", where she asks 50$ US a night and I'm right downtown.

Mirador "Rano Kau", volcano crater

"Rano Kau"

View on the ocean from "Orongo" site

Ancestral homes of the Rapa Nui tribes, "Orongo" site

Petroglyphes "Orongo"

Town of Hanga Roa seen from "Rano Kau"

Thursday Feb. 21, 2013
I leave early you the tour group to go around the main Moai sites. First we go to "Hanga Te'e" and Aka Hanga" sites, to show us what all sites looked like before they were restored. Then "Ahu Tongariki" that is one of the sites that was restored and where the statues stand up. It is also the biggest site of Easter Island. Then it's off to "Rano Raraku" that was where they built all the statues of the island. The whole quarry is the the site of the volcano and the statues were carved right from the rock of the volcano. There is a very large quantities of Moai right on the quarry site. In the afternoon we then go to "Te Pito Kura" and we finish the tour at "Anakena" site where there are other standing Moai, but it's also where there is the nicest beach of the island. Back in town at 5pm. Such a nice day seeing and these sites and learning about the mysteries of Easter Island, there are still many unanswered questions. The cost of the tour was 30,000 Chilean pesos that would be about 63,74$ Can. with Rapa Nui tours. I would recommend the agency, because the guide was very interesting and interested in the subject. He knew the history extremely well and answered all of the questions we asked him.

Entrance from an ancient house, "Hanga Te'e" site

Ancient fire pit

"Aka Hanga"

"Ahu Tongariki"

"Ahu Tongariki" with a view over to "Rano Raraku" volcano

"Rano Raraku"

The worlds navel, "Te Pito Kura" site

"Anakena"

Friday Feb. 22, 2013
I walk a little everywhere around town in the morning and in the afternoon I walk all the way to the museum and also go see the "Tahai" site that is the only original site that as a Moai with eyes. I come back towards town slowly walking along the coast and stop in a small harbor restaurant when I get back. In the evening I decide to go rent a car to go drive around the island at my own pace this time and be able to go see some of the sites I had not yet went to. The same evening I decide to drive to "Ahu Tahiri" site and then go back to "Tahai" hoping to catch an very nice sunset over the ocean, but no luck tonight the sky is cloudy.

Statue at the entrance of the museum

"Tahai"

Entrance to a ancestral home, "Tahai" site

Quite an original cemetery

Park at the side of "Hanga Roa" town

West coast from a restaurant terrace

Saturday Feb. 23, 2013
I leave at 8am and go strait to "Panu Pau" site and then to "Ahu A Kivi". From there I take a walking trail to go up the highest volcano, that is "Maunga Terevaka". The volcano is only 511 meters but I have to go up a trail that's a total of 8km to go and come back on my steps. You can see almost the whole island from up there. Then I go to "Ana Te Pahu" a formation of caves that are in fact magma canals that date back to the volcanic era of the island. I do go quite deep, but at one point my headlamp is not powerful enough, so I turn around after a while. Then it to "Ahu Tepeu" that I go before deciding to go back on the road that goes around the whole island. I quickly stop again at the quarry of "Rano Raraku" and at "Ahu Tongariki", I then head to "Papa Vaka" and "O Vahe" that I had not seen on the tour. I get back in town at 6pm just in time to bring the rental car back.

(Car rental with "Insular Rental" for 60,000 Chilean pesos that is more or less 125$ Can. and the gas cost me 10,000 pesos, 20$ Can.)

"Ahu Tahiri"

"Ahu Tahiri", a good example of how big the Moai red hats really are

"Panu Pau"

A very impressive sunrise over the island from "Panu Pau" site

"Ahu A Kivi"

On the top of "Maunga Terevaka" volcano

Sunday Feb. 24, 2013
A very big lazy day. I get up at 10:30am and spend most of the day at the hotel. I go walk in town a bit, but since it rains on and off all day I don't go very far and enjoy the time to do some reading.

Click on image to see the whole picture album for "Easter Island"

Panoramic view from the top of "Maunga Terevaka"

Wild horses are everywhere on the island

Magma Canal, "Ana Te Pahu" site

"Ana Te Pahu"

West coast near "Ahu Tepeu" site

"Rano Raraku"

Northern Coast near "O Vahe" site

Monday Feb. 25, 2013
I spent most of the day in town and at the beach. At the end of the afternoon I go to the tattoo parlor to immortalize my passage on Easter Island and also the end of my trip (I only have 4 more days before going back to Canada). The tattoo cost me 50,000 pesos that is around 100$. I had also gotten one tattoo done in Cusco at the beginning of the trip and I must say they are probably two of my favorite places I was to on this trip.

Town of "Hanga Roa"

My immortalized souvenir on my left leg

Tuesday Feb. 26, 2013
I walk around town here and there, exploring some parts I had not been to yet.In the afternoon, I go to the beach again to get one last sunburn before leaving. I go see the site of "Hanga Kioe". In the evening I decide to go back to "Tahai" site to catch some sunset pictures again. I get some good shots but in the last few minutes before sunset some clouds come in again and I can't get the shots I rally wanted.

"Hanga Kioe"

Beginning of sunset on the way between "Hanga Kioe" and "Tahai"

Sunset over "Tahai"

Wednesday Feb. 27, 2013
Another lazy day going around town buying some souvenirs for some friends back home and for myself. I take the plane at 6:30pm, tha plane is late about 15-20 minutes. We arrive in Lima around 10:30pm and I go to "Pay Purix Hostel" for a very short night.

Sunset over "Tahai"

Thursday Feb. 28, 2013
I leave for the airport as soon as possible after having breakfast. My flight for Toronto is at 10:25am and we get there being 20-25 minutes late. I did not have much time to catch my next flight for Montreal, but I manage to get there with a few minutes to spare. I get to Montreal at 9:30pm where a friend is waiting for me to get on the road to go home in Rouyn-Noranda at 630km north-west of Montreal.

Copy of my Easter Island map

(Click on image to view larger format then right-click and "save image as...")

Friday March 1st, 2013
We finally get in Rouyn at 6am. I am back home, incredible after all these adventures the house seems very quiet but I'll be able to start planning the next adventures. I am still undecided as of where I will decide to go next. I hesitate in between going around Europe for 5-6 months or around Australia and New-Zealand on a 8-9 months period. But we never know I have been known to change my mind. Before taking any decisions, I already have a trip to Roatan Island in Honduras planned with some friends in the week of the 18 to 25th of April.

*** Here ends my adventures in South America. I will have visited 6 countries and seen places I would have not imagined seeing before I left. So I come back to Canada with my head filled with awesome memories. While on the road, I made friends from all around the world and I would love to be able to go see them in their own countries when I,ll be able to. Thanks to all these companions that shared the road with me. Whether it was only for a few days or for a few months, you were all great and I very much appreciated your company. Goodbye and all I can say, meet you again on the next adventures, very soon I hope.

April 2013 Calendar - Desktop Backgroung

2013-04-05T15:29:00.002-04:00

Cusco in Peru was a wonderful town to visit. While you are there take the time to visit the many archeological sites around before going to Machu Picchu.

There are many sites around Cusco Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Q'enqo and Sacsayhuaman are right by the town itself. Pisac is only half an hour away and on your way to Aguas Caliente stop in Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo. Look around because there are also many more site to see nearby. I always suggest to visit all the sites you want before going to see Machu Picchu. Once you'll see this last one all the others will seem less interesting even though they really are worth visiting also.

How to install :

Click on pictures to get full size image. Then click the right side mouse button and choose 'Save Picture As' or 'Set As Background Image'.

Forastero Guest House

2013-04-01T12:09:00.001-04:00

Forastero Guesthouse was a very nice place to stay. Very quiet place and quite a nice house. Not many people were in the hostel when I was there and the place was always good. The facilities were complete in every way, except that there was only one shower.

It was good while I was there because we were few in the house, but I can guess how crowded it can get if the place is full. Beatrice, the owner, was very helpful and very nice, she also speaks pretty good english if it is needed for you. She also has a service for tour booking.

Outside view of the house and the entrance

The yard and another outside view

The kitchen is very big and well equipped, there is also a computer with internet available in the upstairs TV room, also Wifi that worked very good. It is a little walk from the Plaza 25 de Mayo (5 blocks), but it can easily be done even with your luggage.

The Entrance Hall

Breakfast was included, which is bread and jam and you can ask for eggs if you wish, it also includes coffee or tea. You can also sit outside in the very nice backyard. I stayed in Forastero for 6 days and I have had a very good stay in the guesthouse. If you are looking for a party place or a place to meet many other travelers it is definitely not the place to stay.

Downstairs living room and dining room

One thing to take into consideration is that at the time I was there, there was no lockers that you could lock you stuff in inside the rooms. I just dont like leaving my stuff around the room, luckily I was alone in my room the whole time.

The kitchen and smaller dining room

The prices for the beds are the following (these prices might differ a bit they were the ones effective in December 2012 and taken by Hostelbookers website, please look it up it might change in time or be lower directly at the hostel) :

3 Bed Dorm - Mixed (Shared bathroom) - 45 Bolivianos

Double Garden View (Shared bathroom) - 50 Bolivianos

2 person Garden View (Shared bathroom) - 50 Bolivianos

Deluxe Double Garden View (Private bathroom) - 90 Bolivianos

Upstairs Living room (TV and computer room)

Here is a complete list of the amenities you will find here :

-24 Hour Reception (to this I must say that you might have to ring the bell a few times)
-24 Hour Security
-Airport Transfers
-BBQ area
-Bicycle Hire
-Bicycle Parking
-Book Exchange
-Breakfast Included
-Cable TV
-DVD's
-Free City Maps
-Free WiFi
-Housekeeping
-Internet Access
-Kitchen
-Laundry Facilities
-Luggage Storage
-Meals available
-Outdoor Terrace
-Parking
-Safe Deposit Box (Front Desk)
-Tea/Coffee Making Facilities
-Towels Included

Example of rooms

Upstairs and downstairs washrooms

So all in all I did like the place and if you are looking for a quiet place to stay in Sucre I would recommend Forastero Guest House anytime.

I would give a 4 out of 5 note, taking a point out because of having only one shower and no personnal lockers in the rooms, but other than that it's very well.

If you would like to reach the Hostel, here are the contact infos :

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/forastero.guesthouse

The adress is :

394 Destacamento, 111 Street, Sucre, Bolivia

Nasca and Huacachina, Peru

2013-03-31T15:45:00.000-04:00

Thursday Feb. 14, 2013
I must get up early again to go catch a bus for a 10-12 hour ride to get from Arequipa to Nasca. The bus leaves at 10:45am and we get to Nasca almost 12 hours later around 10:30pm. I get to "Nasca Trails Hostel" (40 soles for private room = 16$ Can.). The owners were waiting for me because I had made a reservation and they thought I would get there a bit earlier. I get to my room and go to bed not so long after because I must get up very early again in the morning.

Just before going for the plane ride

The monkey

The hummingbird

Click on image to see the whole picture album from "Nasca"

The Condor

Friday Feb. 15, 2013
I have a quick breakfast and leave as soon as possible to get to the airport for a plane tour above the famous Nasca Lines in the desert. The ride is short, around 30-35 minutes. The pilotes show us the main lines and I must say that it was an incredible experience to finally see the lines with my own eyes. I paid 80$ USD for the tour, it was a little ore than expected but I think I would have regretted not stopping in Nasca. Since I've been around South America that I hear people talk about the Nasca Lines and it is quite hard to imagine to size of the site and the mysteries of Nasca. In the afternoon I go for another tour to the pre-incan cemetery of mummies in "Chauchilla" at thirty kilometers from Nasca. There are a lot of mummies and they are very well preserved due to the extreme dryness of the desert. I must say that is was very cool to see this also. In the evening I was talking with two Australian girls that say they are going to the Planetarium that gives some extra information about the Nasca lines and the history since they have been discovered. I decided to join them there and I am quite happy that I did, because it was very interesting and I also suggest it to anyone going to Nasca.

Saturday Feb. 16, 2013
Today I can finally sleep a little more because my bus to go to Ica only leaves at 11:30am. I get there at 2pm and take a cab from Ica to Huacachina that is only a few minutes away. "Desert nights hostel" is the hostel I go to and it's right in front of the oasis and probably one of the best hostels in town (16.65 Soles = 6.52$ Can.). I spend the evening at the terrace of the restaurant of the hostel having a chat with a few other travelers and with a few beers.

The Oasis of Huacachina

Sunday Feb. 17, 2013
I'm up at 6:15am to go for a tour to the "Islas Ballestas" (50 soles = 20$ Can.), back from there around noon. I'm not completely impressed with this tour because most of the animals I had already seen in other places and it was only a boat tour from which we could not get off. I knew before leaving that it was like this, but I was half expecting to see a little more. But that's OK, I do not want to discourage others to go, because it was pretty nice anyways. I spend the afternoon walking around the small town and the oasis.

The small town of Paracas from where we went to the Islas Ballestas

The mysterious "Candleabra"

There were hundreds of sea lions under this natural arch

Peruvian Boobies

Pelican

Monday Feb. 18, 2013
In the morning I meet two other Quebecker at the restaurant while having breakfast. We leave a little later all together to go up the sand dunes near the oasis by foot. It was a bit harder than I would have imagined, but what a view from up there. I spend the day into town and at 4:30pm I leave with a group for a Dune Buggy ride in the sand dunes and we stop in a few places to slide down with sand-boards (tour 35 Soles = 13.70$ an.). So very cool, I wish I could have driven the Buggy and we had a great group that made it even better. Spend the evening with some friends and a few beers.

Click on image to see the picture album for "Huacachina & Islas Ballestas"

Huacachina viewed from the top of the sand dunes

Ahhhhhhhh!

Sunset over the dunes

An amazing group

Tuesday Feb. 19, 2013
I spent most of the day pretty relax at the hostel and walk around the place a bit. I leave at 4:15pm to get to Ica from where I took a bus that left at 5:20pm to go to Lime. When I got to Lima it was a strait taxi ride to the airport for a flight to Easter Island that left at 1:15am.

Sunset on the way to Lima

La Paz, Bolivia (3)

2013-03-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

Thursday Feb. 7, 2013
We arrive in La Paz at 11am, a lot earlier than I thought. Me and Oscar (an Australian I met in the last few days), go to "Adventure Brew Backpackers" hostel near the bus terminal where I had spent a few days when I was in La Paz back in last September. I have a small headache in the afternoon due to the altitude, but I have a nap and feel great when I got back up. I meet up with another friend from Switzerland (Simon) at the hostel that I had met a few times before, but we had actually met the first time in this same hostel months before. We spent the evening at the bar having a chat and a few beers.

Friday Feb. 8, 2013
I got up that morning with an incredible headache, I blame the altitude but the beers from the evening before probably did not help either. I must get used to the altitude again, it will take a few days for that. "If I could give a good tip to anyone going in a high altitude destination like La Paz, I would say to stop in a place half way where the altitude is a little lower for a day or two. For exemple, I left Santa Cruz that is 300 meters and went strait to La Paz that is 3900 meters, I should have stopped for a day or two in Cochabamba that is at 2200 meters to get used to altitude a little more progressively." So on this morning even though I have that headache and the lack of appetite we leave at 9am to go for a tour in Tiwanaku that we had already booked the day before (50 Bob = 7.32$ Can.), an archeological site near La Paz. I have a very bad day because the aches just don't want to go away and stays all day and I also can't eat anything, or else I vomit in the next 15 minutes. Wheb we got back to town at 5pm, I go strait to bed and wake back up at 10pm, I get up for a little while and go back to bed at 11pm and spend the night waking up often because of the headaches.

Click on picture to see the whole "Tiwanaku" album.

Saturday Feb. 9, 2013
I woke up at 7h30 and go have a coca tea that seems to go down well. I then go for a shower and I'm finally able to eat a bit. What a relief when the headaches finally mostly goes away, I spent the day taking it easy not to overdue myself. I think I'll feel better the next day. The headaches come back in the evening, but much lighter and easier to deal with.

Sunday Feb. 10, 2013
I feel a lot better this morning. I spend all morning at the hostel anyways and go for a long walk in the afternoon. I already know my way around downtown La Paz, so I don't really visit anything and just walk around town simply because I need to move a bit after spending two days of not feeling good. I start eating normally again and everything seems to be back to normal. Small headaches come and go all day, but very minor and nothing compared to a few days back.

Monday Feb. 11, 2013
Another mellow day in La Paz. There was a parade in the streets yesterday and again today. The reason of the parades is that it's Carnival in Oruro and La Paz does its own parades too. So I'll spend part of the day watching that go by in the streets.

Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013
In the beginning of afternoon I leave and go to the Hotel Presidente where I'm going to do the "Urban Rush", that is a rappeling activity right downtown and you get to go down the side wall of the building (140 Bob = 20.50$ Can.). 50 meters of going down face front and the last 20 meters in free fall. When I got to the bottom, I was shaking from the adrenaline rush from the free fall, but what an incredible experience. I then go walk in the small market streets of town near the witches market to buy some souvenirs to bring back home for some friends, because it's official now I'm going back home on the first of March 2013.

Little practice before I really go

Woohoo

Free Fall

I made it.....

Hotel Presidente

Click on image to see the whole album "Urban Rush"

The view from Hotel Presidente

Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013
I get to the bus terminal in the early morning to get the first bus I can get that goes towards Puno, I find one for 8h30. We go through the border towards Peru and in Puno I take another bus to go to Arequipa. But before I could buy my ticket to Arequipa I needed local money. The bank machines at the terminal don't accept my cards or they are simply all empty, so I have to go into town to get a bank with a bank machine. I take a moto-taxi to go and come back. When I got into town it starts raining and I get caught right into it and do get wet. When I managed to get back to the terminal, I am just a little too late to be able to buy a ticket for the 3pm bus, even if I was quick going in town and back (goos thing I already knew the place), I have to wait for the 4pm bus. I get to Arequipa at 9h30pm and go to the "Amazing Hostel Arequipa" (50 soles for a private room = 20$ Can.), but before I look around the terminal for an early bus to go to Nasca the next morning. I am a bit against the clock for the next few days.

Winks - A look at ...

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Here you will find ''Winks'', which are a quick look at either a special building, a city, historical characters or even objects. I always love to know more about certain things and I am sure that I am not the only one. Being curious about the past of places and things is a big part of traveling. One wants to know the past to understand the present. These articles will be short and give the big details on different historical subjects.

So these will be my little ''Winks'' at the past.

The first installment is a bit of history behind the 'Chateau Frontenac' in Quebec city.

A wink at 'Chateau Frontenac'

The second post is about the ramparts and Citadel that still surrounds Quebec City

A Wink at 'Quebec city Ramparts and Citadel'

This third post is in honor of the northernlands 'Inuksuk'
A Wink at the 'Inuksuk'

Fourth post is in honor of my home town.

A 'Wink' at Rouyn-Noranda

An amazing place for the curious ones
A 'Wink' at the History of Easter Island

Good reading.

My Bucketlist

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Well here goes the Bucket List. Things I would love to see or do before I kick the bucket (that's still a long way to go), this is version 1.0 of the list. It surely will have other stuff added to it with time. I am not setting any limits of time like I've seen some do, wanting to do a 200 items list in the next five years. Nahhhh let's be realist, I do not pretend that all this list will be crossed out, but let's just say that if I would be able cross out 1/2 or 3/4 of it, I would be more than a happy backpacker.

- Skydive anywhere in the world

- Go to Australia

- Go to New Zealand

- I have got to see the pyramids (Egypt)

- Go see the northern lights way up north (where they are the nicest)

- ~~See Machu Pichu (Peru)~~ (Awesome, just awesome) - August 2012

- Hike the Bruce Trail in Canada

- ~~See the Canadian Rockies~~ (oh yeah, that's done)

- ~~Hitchhike across Canada~~ (almost done, but missing a few spots)

- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa)

- Go for at least a three to six month tour across Europe

~~- Take a picture of myself with monkeys (anywhere)~~ - Sept. 2012 (Rurrenabaque, Bolivia)

~~- Go to any Desert on earth~~ (Atacama Desert) - Oct. 2012

- See the Great Wall of China

~~- See Atacama Desert (Chile)~~- Oct. 2012

~~- See Easter Island, gotta go there~~ Feb 20 to 27, 2013

- Set foot on at least one deserted island

~~- Become at ease with speaking Spanish~~ (not completely at ease, but I can have an
conversation with someone)

- Write a book (any kind) and have it published

~~- Visit Lake Titicaca (Peru, Bolivia)~~ - Sept. 2012

- Go to Madagascar (Africa)

- Try Bungee jumping

- See all new seven Great Wonders of the world (1 down, 6 to go)

~~- Climb a Volcano (or more than one)~~ (Villarrica Volcano, Chile) - Nov. 2012

~~- See Iguazu Falls~~ (Argentina-Brazil) - Janv. 2013

- Ride a camel in the Sahara Desert

~~- Visit Ushuaia (Argentina)~~ - Southernmost town before Antarctica - Dec. 2012

- See Stonehenge (England)

- Visit every Central American countries

~~- Spend a few days in the Amazon Jungle~~ - Sept. 2012 (Rurrenabaque, Bolivia)

- Visit every major Island in the Caribbeans

- Try to get a royal guard in London to laugh (or take a stupid picture with one)

- Go on a Safari picture Hunt in Africa

- See Yellowstone National Park (US)

- Go to the Rio De Janeiro Carnival

- See Angel Falls (Venezuela)

- Visit every South American countries

- See Ayers Rock (Australia)

- Go on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

- Take the first plane on of nowhere with the next available flight

About my Itinerary

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A map of the road I took in South America

I started in Lima, Peru, then went from Peru to Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay before coming back through Bolivia and Peru again. I finished the trip again in Lima after doing a short trip to Easter Island.

About Me

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Hey, I'm Normand Boulanger, a young man of 38 that, after spending 8 months in Latin America, wishes to travel even more. Since I learned spanish in translation classes in college, I had a dream of exploring South America. Now that I have spent some time there ans visited some of it's countries in 2012-13, I dream of getting on the road again, only this time around Asia. How long I will stay and explore the region is still undecided or certain. I am in work mode to get the pennies I'll need for this adventure. I also speak English and French fluently.

I dreamed of traveling until I was 36 and now I only thing of leaving again. Yep, I think I caught the travel bug. It is the time for me to live my dream of exploring the world. What the point in waiting to retire to see bits and pieces of the world but can't truly appreciate in all it's ways. :)

One day I met someone that had just came back from traveling around the world for four years, he had only came back to Canada a few months before. I read their blog (in french), and my final decision was taken. I then knew that it was possible for me to do the same.

My next adventures are for now on ice since I cannot leave right away, but I will definitely keep you up to date on this blog.

I share on this blog, pictures and videos of places where I've been.

You can also find me here

My Home

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Just to show people that are not from my part of the world. I simply wanted to show you where I’m from on a map, but also in pictures. I introduce you to Rouyn-Noranda in the region of Abitibi-Temiscamingue in the western part of the province of Quebec in Canada. The region has 5 main towns that are Rouyn-Noranda, Val d'or, Amos, La Sarre and Ville-Marie.

Here is a map. Where the arrow is, that’s my birth place. It is at 650km north of biggest city of the province, which is Montreal

The climate in Quebec is really different between summer and winter. In the summer time the weather will go to around 30° Celsius in the warmest moments and in the winter time it’s the opposite it will go down to -30° Celsius in the coldest times.

The longest day of the year, is June 21st and the sun-up is at around 5am and sun-down is close to 9:30pm, a little more than 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness. For the shortest day of the year, December 21st, sun-up is around 8am and sun-down around 4:30pm, so the opposite of summer, 8 hours of sunlight and 16 hours of darkness.

Having such a big difference between summer and winter, the scenery's change a lot. You can see pictures of my region in my 'Pictures'.

My home town is Rouyn-Noranda, I've lived here for most of my life. But I also lived in LaSarre, St-Jerome, Montreal, Joliette, Quebec and I also spent close to five years in Alberta, Canada, In the following towns, Brooks, Calgary, Trochu et Elnora.

Santa Cruz and Samaipata, Bolivia

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Thursday Jan. 31st, 2013
Ah yes, I cheated. I booked a plane ticket from Asuncion, Paraguay to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It will have cost me more than the bus would have (around 80$), but I had an excellent price and decide to take it, so I saved on time but not on money. The flight cost me 248.31$ Can.

I leave the hostel in Asuncion at 9:30am to get to the airport as early as possible to do my check-in. My flight was only at 12h10pm, but when it comes to flight I hate being late or last minute. I get to Santa Cruz at 2pm (but one hour behind in Bolivia). I go the the hostel "Residential Bolivar" (80 Bolivianos = 11.71$ Can.). I go for a walk into town, to the main plaza and around downtown.

Santa Cruz main plaza

Friday Feb. 1st, 2013
I go to walk around town and visit a bit more, but I don't go much farther. Santa Cruz is a nice town but not a whole lot to do that appealed to me that much, and I'm not that much into museums.

Click on image to view the album "Santa Cruz"

View from the church clock-tower

Saturday Feb. 2, 2013
I take a taxi at 1pm to go to Samaipata (30 Bob = 4.39$ Can.). I meet another traveler on the cab named Miguel from Argentina and we decide to go to the hostel "Posada Del Sol" (70 Bob = 10.25$ Can). Then we go for a walk to look around tha small town in the end of the afternoon and spend the evening at the hostel that as a great restaurant service. The owner is American and was very welcoming.

Samaipata

Samaipata, central plaza

Sunday Feb. 3, 2013
We leave at 10am to go visit the "El fuerte" archeological Inca ruins near Samaipata. Take a taxi to go at 25 Bob (3.66$ Can.), simply because we were 4. Me, Miguel and two Brazilians we met that morning. Entrance to he site is 50 Bob (7.32$ Can.). The site is quite interesting. We get back into town at 2:30pm. Then I go around different agencies to go for a one day tour in the southern part of Amboro National Park.

El Fuerte

Monday Feb. 4, 2013
I leave at 9:30am for a day visit in the Yunga forest in the southern part of Amboro park (tour 120 Bob = 17.57$ Can.) with 3 other persons. On the way to the park the guide car breaks down and we have to wait for half an hour on the side of the road for another taxi to come and pick us up. As I always say "In Bolivia, expect the unexpected, cause anything can happen". Having said that, we keep going on the road towards the park and when we get there we are off for a 5 hour of trekking in the forest. In these mountains grows a type of tree called "Helechos Gigantices (Cyatheaceae)", a type of fern trees and it is the one place in the world were they grow the tallest. We get back in the village at 5pm. I spend the evening at the hostel with some quite interesting people. A couple of old Belgians that have been traveling for many years and that walk to everywhere they go.

Click on image to view the whole album "Samaipata & around"

Incredible view, don't you think?

Tuesday Feb. 5, 2013
I leave Samaipata at 11:30am to get back to Santa Cruz for one more day. Most of the day quiet making internet researches to plan my next destinations but also to get myself a bit up to date.

Wednesday Feb. 6, 2013
Spend the day in Santa Cruz. I get to the terminal early in the morning to buy my bus ticket to be sure to have a good seat. Departure at 5pm for a ride of 20-22h. A guy from Australia met at the hostel decide to come along with me to La Paz.

Paraguay

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All money conversion in Paraguay made from the exchange rate I had at the bank machine, because rates vary a lot from one day to the next. So the rate used is 1$ Can. = 4200 Guarani.

Sunday Jan. 20, 2013

I wake up late (because of the few beers of very good evening before) and miss the 7:45am bus, I must wait for the next one that is at 9:40. The bus to get to Ciudad del Este in Paraguay only costs 15 pesos (3.02$ Can.), because it is very near but we have to cross the borders. But to all bad luck a good luck follows, I meet up with another Canadian guy in the bus that's heading the same way as me into Paraguay, so we will spend a few days together. For the border crossing, the bus that leaves Argentina stop at the Argentinian customs to stamp us out of the country before we go on. We must go through Brazil, because there is no bridge direct between Argentina and Paraguay. No need for a visa because the bus does not stop at the Brazilian customs. The bus then stops a bit after the Paraguay border where we must get off to get our entry stamps at the Paraguay customs (very important, or else you will get big fees to pay when you'll exit the country). A bit weird because the bus lets you off after the customs building, but inform yourselves before leaving Argentina on the way it works. We get to the Hotel Austria (55,00 Guarani = 13.41$ Can.), then we take a cab to get to the "Salto Del Monday" waterfalls, a very small cousin of Iguazu Falls, less impressive but also very nice. (Taxi to the falls : 100,000 Gu for the both of us, so 50,000 Gu each = 12.19$ and the entrance fees for the falls of 5,000 Gu = 1.22$).

The first time I ever was a millionaire :)

View of Ciudad Del Este from the Hotel

Monday Jan. 21, 2013

We get up early to get to the hydroelectric dam of Itaipu, to do the guided visit that is free, at 8am. It consists of only getting to a point of view on the dam to take pictures of the place, then a small ride takes us on the dam to the Brazilian side then back to the entrance. It's not a very long tour and I would have appreciated that we would have stopped in other spots as well, but it was free. Before the tour itself they present a short movie of about 25-30 minutes that explains the history of the construction of the dam site. It's the second biggest hydroelectric dam in the world in term of longest and highest. A bit of info : height : 196m (643 feet), Leigh 7,919 m (25,981 feet). It is in fact a very impressive structure. If you would like to visit the inside of the dam, you would need to go to the Brazilian site, but it is not free. We get back to the hotel at around 9:45, just in time for check-out at 10am. We then go to the bus terminal to catch a bus that goes to Encarnation at 11am (60,000 Guarani = 14.29$ Can.). We get there at around 4pm and go to a hotel right in front of the terminal called "Hostal Germano" where we get a room with two beds for 70,000 Guaranis, do 35,000 each (8.34$ Can.). We then go walk around town for the rest of the afternoon and beginning of evening.

Encarnation

Tuesday Jan. 22, 2013

We get up early, wanting to go to the ruins of Trinidad and Jesus, but the sky is completely covered and I would love to have a nice blue sky to get some good pictures of the site. In the afternoon we decide to go to the ruins even thought it's still a bit cloudy. 7000 guaranis for the bus to get there (1.67$ can.), 25,000 for the entrance ticket to both ruins (5.95$ Can.), 20,000 for the tuk-tuk to go and come back to the Jesus site (4.76$ can.) and another 7000 to get back to Encarnation. On the site of Trinidad we meet with a girl from Germany that decide to come along to the Jesus site with us. On the bus back to Encarnation we meet with an American girl that lives in Encarnation, she invites us to go for a beer on a terrace of a beach bar, we spend the rest of the afternoon and most of the evening there. We then go for supper at about 9h30pm and finally make it back to the hotel at about 11h30.

Trinidad

Jesus

Wednesday Jan. 23, 2013

I leave Encarnation at 11h30am on a bus to Asuncion (80,000 guarani = 19.05$ Can.). I arrive to Asuncion at 5pm and go strait to the "Hostel Black Cat" (45,000 guarani = 13.66$ Can.). I go walk around a bit and go for supper in the evening, but that's it for today, I enjoy the evening reading a bit.

Thursday Jan. 24, 2013

Today I went walking a bit around town and visited the "Casa de la libertad", a small free museum where the declaration of independence of Paraguay was signed. In the afternoon I come back to the hostel because it is way too hot to be walking around town (39 deg. Celsius -- with humidity 46). I went for supper in the evening and enjoyed the rest of the evening working on the blog a bit because I was way behind on my travel log.

Jan. 25-26-27-28-29, 2013

At around 12pm, on the 25th, I leave Asuncion to go to Aregua. In fact I'm going to about 3km before the town to a hotel named "Los Jardines de Aregua". A french friend that I met through a travel forum online is the owner and he invited me to stay over for a few days. I spend 5 days there, very very mellow, in a dream atmosphere. It is very appreciated to be in a large and nice room all by myself after spending the last 6 months mostly in dorm rooms. I have an incredible stay and must thank Jean-Claude for the invitation in is little paradise.

I leave Aregua on the 29th at 4pm to get back to Asuncion. I take the local bus (2500 guarani = 0.60$ Can.) that takes about 1h to get back into town. I go back to the same hostel I was before leaving "Black Cat". Evening of working a bit and reading to plan the next destinations.

Wednesday Jan. 30, 2013

I enjoy all morning walking around to visit a bit more the city center. I still had a few spots to see that I had kept for visiting today. But honestly there is not that much to do in Asuncion. In the afternoon it is very hot once again and simply stay at the hostel chilling around.

Click on image to see the whole picture album of "Paraguay".

Here ends my small stay in Paraguay, I will have spent 11 days in total. It's not a lot, but I am now a little in a hurry to move on, I must be in Lima before the 20th of February and time seems to be going very fast all of a sudden. I will have a flight from Lima to Easter Island that is already booked. I am very anxious for that, but I still have 20 days to visit a few places in Bolivia and in Peru that I had not seen while I was there the first time.

March 2013 Calendar - Desktop Backgroung

2013-03-03T13:02:00.001-05:00

Easter Island is a wonder, in every way. It is a small paradise island that holds a rich history and culture, but also holds a lot of mysteries. The Maoi statues were firstly built to cover the sepultures of dead village chiefs.

Represented here is the site of Ahu Tongariki, that is on the south-east coast and also the biggest site and one of the only restaured sites. You must know that every standing Maoi statues on the island have been restaured, only fifty years ago they were all fallen.

How to install : Click on pictures to get full size image. Then click the right side mouse button and choose 'Save Picture As' or 'Set As Background Image'.

Puerto Iguazu & around, Argentina

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Sunday Jan. 13, 2013
We arrive in Puerto Iguazu at 10am. We head to "Mango Tree Hostel & Bar" that is very close to the bus station (90 pesos = 18.15$ Can.), one of the staff tells us that we can easily go visit the Brazilian side of the waterfalls in the afternoon. There are many buses all day and even if, like me, you need a visa to go to Brazil, you won't need one just to go to the waterfalls. Round-trip bus to go to the Brazilian side is 60 pesos = 12.10$ Can. The entrance fees cost me 150 pesos = 30.25$ Can., because I did not have any Brazilian Reals and that their exchange rate was very bad for Argentinian pesos. The real price in Reals is of 41.10 Reals (the equivalent of 102 pesos = 20.57$ Can.)

Iguazu Falls, Brazilian side

Clicl on image to see the whole album "Iguazu Falls - Brazilian side"

Monday Jan. 14, 2013
We spend most of the day very relax at the hostel, in he pool. In the afternoon we decide to go take a walk up to the Hito (small tower at the corner of all three neighboring countries, Argentina - Brazil - Paraguay). Really not anything wonderful but pretty cool to see the corners of three countries only separated by two crossing rivers. The walk was quite agonizing because it is so very hot and once we got back at the hostel it was pool time again. The evening is pretty much the same as the day before, which is drinking with people met there and some of the staff.

Hito Argentine

Hito Brazil

Hito Paraguay

The three flags united

Parana River, that splits the three countries

Tuesday Jan. 15, 2013
I leave with two friends at 7:40 am to get to the Iguazu National Park on Argentina side. The entrance to the park is 130 pesos = 26.22$ Can. Round-trip for the bus is 60 pesos = 12.10$ Can. We walk around just about everywhere on the catwalks of the park to see the falls from every angle possible. An incredible landscape that was definitely worth the detour up to here. I regret a bit of not doing the boat ride that goes strait into the waterfall because many have told me afterwards that it was very cool, oh well one less experience. We leave the park around 2pm and go back to the hostel to relax. It is still extremely hot so once again the pool is very welcoming.

First view on the falls of the day

Everlasting Rainbow

Coati, be careful they are food snatchers.

They stole two empanadas in a paper bag from me.

Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013
Big day of being lazy. The only thing I really do on this day is to go to the Paraguay Embassy to get some info and make a demand for my travel Visa. Spend the afternoon around the pool and in the evening another few drinks with the guys. My friend Renee left today going to Brazil, but my friend Susanne got here, she is coming back from Paraguay so I'll still have company for the next few days.

The falls can be seen from above and under

Garganta del Diablo (the biggest part of the waterfalls)

Thursday Jan. 17, 2013
At 2pm we leave for a small organized tour to go do some zip-lining and rappelling. Only three stretches of zip-lining but a very cool experience none the less, but I would have loved it to last a bit longer. For the rappelling part, we go down a small cliff into a waterfall assisted by the guides. I really liked the small tour, but I would have loved it to be somewhat longer on both activities, but it was awesome anyways for a first experience doing both things. The price of the tour was 275 pesos = 55.46$ Can. with the company "Iguazu Forest". Back at the hostel around 6:30pm and it is pool time once more. If you ever go to the hostel "Mango Tree", be aware that they make BBQ every night and you can have steaks (2-3 inches thick), fish (very big) and hamburgers (enormous), that are all very god. Evening with drinks again.

Zip-lining

Rappelling

Steaks and fish on the grill

Friday Jan. 18, 2013
I get up early to go get my travel visa for Paraguay. The cost of the visa itself is 65$ US, but I also had to pay in US$ and the exchange rate that the "casa de cambio" was offering me was ridiculous. It would have cost me 102$ Can. to get 65$ US. So I ended up asking one of the guys at the hostel if he would sell me some US$, he accepted at a much more reasonable rate. I got 65$ US for 80$ Can. instead of 102$, so my visa that is 65$ ended costing me 80$, but in Argentina exchange rates are very bad. I spend most of the rest of the day at the hostel and once again it is very warm and spend my time in and out of the pool, I also got a pretty good sunburn too :)

Saturday Jan. 19, 2013
In the morning we go the the animal shelter "Guira Oga" (75 pesos = 15.12$ Can.), for a guided tour (no option on that). Seen some very nice animals, if you have not had the chance to see much in the surrounding forest. Spend the afternoon at the hostel and we go take a walk in the evening before coming back for the BBQ at 9pm. It is really the last evening me and my friend Susanne spend together, she will be leaving for Brazil before going back home to Switzerland. We have a few drinks, I end up staying up late having drinks with the guys and go to bed at 2:30am, to get up late the next morning and miss my bus at 7:45am :)

Click on image to see the whole album "Puerto Iguazu & around"

Toucan

Cayman

Capibara (worlds biggest rodent)

This is the end of my adventure in Argentina, there is so many places I did not have a chance to go and see. Maybe I will come back one day to see more of this wonderful country.

Uruguay and Buenos Aires (take 2)

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Sunday Dec. 30th 2012
We leave for Montevideo at 6h30 pm, we take a ferry that brings us to Colonia del Sacremento and then transfer to a bus that will bring us the rest of the way to Montevideo. We get to the hostel at 12h30 am, but there is a 1h difference in Uruguay, so it's really 11h30, for us. The travel lasted about 5h. We stay at the "Hostel Dolce Vita" for 260 UYU "Uruguayan pesos" per night (13.36$ Can.).

Monday 31st Dec. 2012
Around noon we leave to head to downtown, where the big fiesta will be. The steets already starts to be crouded when we get close to the port, there is already quite a bit of people and the tam-tams give the rhytem to the fiesta. The cider fight is already started and before long we are completely drenched. The new years eve the most special I have seen so far (especially in daytime). At around 2pm the streets are full of people and everyone is soaked with cider and the fight and tam-tams goes on and on. Around 2h30 an incident happens that kind of ruins our afternoon. My friend gets her handbag ripped of of her and the thief runs through the crowd. I had no chance to follow him at all. We then decide to head back to the hostel because we both had our credit cards in her bag and we want to call the companies to report them stolen. Other than the cards, there was only a bit of money left because we had spent it to buy cider bottles. My friend had her small camera that was also stolen, she said it was not worth that much, so the losses where not so bad. The important part was that she did not get hurt when the guy ripped the bag off of her shoulder, becuase he did yank it off pretty good. We will spend the rest of the afternoon at the hostel and in the evening the hostel staff prepares a new years supper and at midnight we are all on the rooftop for the fireworks (that we don't really see, ohhh well). Before the countdown to midnight they bring sparkling wine for everybody to celebrate.

Tuesday 1st of January 2013
Today is a very relax day at the hostel. A little tired of the evening, I don't really feel like going to visit the town that much. Also after spending 10 days in Buenos Aires, I have enough of being in a big town and just want to leave for a smaller place.

Wednesday Jan. 2nd 2013
I take a bus a 9h40 to go to Punta del Diablo. I get to the "Hostel Manais Point" (550 UYU = 28.27$ Can.) at 4pm. after walking 4km from the bus station to the hostel with all of my gear. You can see that the prices are quite more higher, because it is Summer holiday season that is starting here. Then I go to take a walk into town, but the temperature is a bit cold to go to the beach and swim today. I spend the end of the day and the evening at the hostel with people I met here.

Punta Del Diablo

Small street of Punta Del Diablo

Punta Del Diablo

Thursday Jan. 3rd. 2013
I spend all morning very relax at the hostel but in the afternoon I finally go to the beach to take some sun and swim for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a pleasure to be able to appreciate such a nice beach after spending many months in the mountains and then another good period in Patagonia. I stay at the beach the biggest part of the afternoon, in the evening there are other travelers from Australia to chat with at the hostel.

Punta Del Diablo

Friday Jan. 4th 2013
I spent a good part of the day at the hostel and later I go for a walk to the bus terminal with another guy to buy my bus ticket (if you are in high season in Diablo, buy your bus tickets in advance because the buses are overfilled and you might end up having to stand up the whole way if you buy your tickets at last minute) for tomorrow to go to La Paloma (145 UYU = 7.57$ Can.) and then go downtown a bit cause I need some money from the bank machine. "Warning to people who go to Punta del Diablo, there is only one bank machine and whenever it gets filled up, it gets emptied just as fast. So if you don't want to be stuck like me with no money for you last day, take extra money out before you get there". The bank machine is empty again for the second time I go. I then go back to the beach for a while in the afternoon, but not too long because my little white skin already tells me that it will be burning if I stay too long :) Evening very mellow doing some reading around the yard.

View from the balcony of the hostel - Punta Del Diablo

Punta Del Diablo

Saturday Jan. 5th 2013
I take the bus at 11:15, it was supposed to leave at 10h30. I arrive at La Paloma and meet up with my friend Susanne that had been waiting because the bus was later an hour. We spend most of the day hanging out on the beach and having a beer on a terrace. In the evening we go out for a big supper because we think it might be the last time we see each other for the traveling ahead (in fact it is not, but we did not know this at that time). The hostel I went to in La Paloma is named "Hostel Cruz del Sur" (465 UYU = 23.66$ Can.).

La Paloma

Sunday Jan. 6 2013
I hang around the hostel in the morning and go walk around town a bit more in the afternoon. I also go to the bus station to get my ticket for the next day to go back to Montevideo (315 UYU = 16.07$ Can.). Spend the evening having a drink with a few people I met at the hostel.

La Paloma

Monday Jan. 7 2013
I leave La Paloma in the morning and go to Montevideo but I don't stay there very long because I catch the next bus to go to Colonia Del Sacremento (245 UYU = 12.50$ Can.). When I get to Colonia a bit later in the afternoon, I head to the "Hostel El Viajero & Suite" (350 UYU = 17.75$ Can.). I end up meeting Renee (Holland), a friend I had met in Buenos Aires and had seen again in Montevideo. We spend the evening having a few drink with a few other girls from Holland and a guy from England. Lots of fun and good discussions.

Colonia Del Sacremento

Typical sidewalk of Latin America - Colonia Del Sacremento

Colonia Del Sacremento

Tuesday Jan. 8 2013
I leave in in the end of morning to visit the historical center of Colonia. Very charming little town, but also very small (the historic center, that is). I take my time and wander here and there in the small cobbled streets. I get back to the hostel at mid-afternoon. In the evening I go out for a beer with a guy from Switzerland that I had previously met in La Paz in Bolivia, we had kept contact by facebook.

Click on image to see the whole picture album "Uruguay"

Colonia Del Sacremento

Wednesday Jan. 9 2013
Now now, here is a crazy day. I spend moast of the day chilling at the hostel and go walk around town in places I had not seen yesterday. I leave to go to the ferry terminal at 3:45pm, my ferry was at 5pm to head back to Buenos Aires. When I get there I go through check-in and the guy at the counter asks me if I have my paper for reciprocity fees, or else I will have to pay it. I say no, from Canada I do not need to pay a fee. He says that yes, the law as changed on January 1st (in fact it changed on January 7th). He tells me to go to the internet kiosk and to fill the forms online and I will need to pay with my credit card, but does not give me any website adress to go. So I try to find the website but after 30 minutes lost trying to find the site I decide to go see him again (he has no clue), he ends up going to see a collegue that finally gives me a paper with the web site adress on it. In the meentime the internet kiosk has closed for the day. I have no other choice but to go back at the hostel for another night (400 pesos, because all the other rooms are full). I finally am able to fill the forms online and pay the fees. I must also make a reservation for another ferry for the next day, bacause I missed mine. First ferry, 185 Argentinian pesos = 37.50$ Can. Second ferry, 202 pesos = 40.95$ Can. and the reciprocity fees that were 75$ Am. It's a day that cost me a lot in the end. In the evening I can finally relax a bit, it was a day rich in negative emotions.

Thursday Jan. 10 2013
I wake up at 4am, because the guy in the bed under me snores like a tractor truck. I get up and bring a blanket to find a spot to sleep, because even with earplugs I can ear him quite well. So I go lie on a bench in the backyard of the hostel, because the guy at reception does not want me to sleep for a few hours on the living room couch saying that he needs to do some clean up. I wake up again at 7am. At least I was able to sleep a bit more. At 9h30 I leave again for the ferry terminal, this time I pass check in with my papers, everything is in order, I can finally leave back to Argentina. Departure for Buenos Aires at 11h15 and get there at 1pm. I meet up with Renee again, we had given us a meeting there because we will be taking the bus to Puerto Iguazu together, we are at the same hostel in Buenos Aires where we were before new years, which is "Hostel Puerto Limon". After the episode of the stolen credit card, I had asked my company to send one back to this hostel as fast as possible. Nice surprise when I arrive, the parcel is here. Credit card problem solved.

Finally back in Buenos Aires

Friday Jan. 11 2013
We had booked bus tickets for 3pm to go to Puerto Iguazu (657 pesos Arg. = 133.17$ Can.). We go to the terminal at around 2h30pm to wait for the bus, but it does not arrive. So we wait and we wait, thinking it would be late, until 5pm. At that point we tell each other that something is really wrong. We go see the bus company and they tall us that is was cancelled for mechanical problems. They must have announced it in the speakers but we either did not ear or understand it. They propose for us to wait until 9pm, they would have another bus. We decide to change our tickets completely for the next day at 3pm again for free naturally), so we spent another night in Buenos Aires.

Saturday Jan. 12 2013
We spend the day chilling at the hostel and finally take our bus, that is on time, at 3pm for a ride of abotr 19-20 hours up to Puerto Iguazu. With this my small period of bad luck ends, with all my biggest happiness, because these last few days had been a bit stressful in a certain way, and cost me much more than expected. But to all bad luck there is good luck around the corner. The next step of the trip in Puerto Igauzu was wonderful.

February 2013 Calendar - Desktop Background

2013-01-29T09:44:00.000-05:00

Iguazú National Park holds "Los Cataratas del Iguazú" (Iguazú Falls), the longuest stretch of waterfalls in the world. Separated by the borders of Argentina and Brazil, on the Iguazú river. You will not find such impressive waterfalls anywhere else in the world. The name comes from Guarani (local indigenous language), meening "Big Water". 80% of the falls are on the Argentinian territory and only 20% on the Brazilian territory.

Some interesting facts :

Total Height : 60 - 82 meters (197 - 269 feet)

Number of drops : 275

Highest Fall : 82 meters (269 feet)

Total Width : 2.7 km (1.7 miles)

Average flow rate : 1,756 m³/s (62,010 cu³ft/s)

How to install : Click on pictures to get full size image. Then click the right side mouse button and choose 'Save Picture As' or 'Set As Background Image'.

Buenos Aires - Argentina

2013-01-24T20:04:00.000-05:00

Friday Dec. 21st 2012
I manage to sleep in the train until 7am. The cold and not so comfortable seats are compensated by some very nice landscapes in the morning. Fields as far as the eye can see, and I finally see the first big herds of Argentinian cattle (I was starting to wonder where they were hiding them). In some places the fields are completely flooded that gives an impression of being big lakes. At around 8h30 the trains suddenly stops in the middle of nowhere and the old man sitting next to me explains that we must wait for the crossing of the trains, but not sure what he exactly means or if it is really that. We finally leave again at around 12:00 and get to Buenos Aires at 3pm. I go to the hostel ''Puerto Limon'' for 75 pesos a night (15.01$ Can.). I stay there for the evening and have a few beers with a few people I met there. I finally go to bed at around 2am.

Landscape viewed from the train

Morning sun while we were stopped on the track

Argentinian Cattle

Saturday Dec. 22th 2012
I leave at around 11am to go walk around town a bit, I start at the Natural reserve "Costanera Sur" and then go up along the river (or canal) then go back down towards my hostel through downtown. Back there at about 5pm and spend the evening with a group of people, lots of good times.

Buenos Aires seen from the "Reserva Natural"

Canal Puerto Madero

Casa Rosada (Casa de Gobierno)

Cathedrale Metropolitana

Downtown Buenos Aires

Sunday Dec. 23th 2012
I go take a walk in La Boca neighborhood in beginning of the afternoon. Then it gets way to warm to walk around town so I just decide to go do the fiesta with some friends at the hostel.

Colorful houses of "La Boca"

With the colors of the local football team "La Boca"

Monday Dec. 24th 2012
I meet up with my friend Susanne thats back from Antarctica and we go take a walk into town for a few hours, but the temperature is so very high today (around 46 degrees with humidity), so we decide to go back to the hostel for a beer. In the evening we go out for a Christmas supper in one of the only restaurant that we find that is open. Back at the hostel later for the fiesta once again. The hostel is full and it's the big christmas party for everyone, lots a fun once again.

Buenos Aires obelisk seen from afar

And from very close

Argentina flag with a huge sign behing on a building

representing the famous diva "Évita Perron"

Old building

Tuesday Dec. 25th 2012
Ho boy, waking up was hard today. In the afternoon it's much better and it is a lot less warm than yesterday. We go walk around downtown again and in many places it almost looks like a ghost town. Everybody is on holiday, but almost everyone satys at homes with family on the 25th of December, so the only ones in the streets are tourists or almost. Very impressive to see such a big city with empty streets.

The deserted streets of Buenos Aires

Wednesday Dec. 26th 2012
Today we leave at around 10am and we go to take the tourist bus that goes around all the major spots in town, we can get off and on the buses as much as we want at any stops on the way. The ticket is only 120 pesos (24$ Can.). We go around like that all day visiting different points of interest and monuments in town. We get back at around 6pm and spend the evening very quiet. No alcool tonight I have to rest. :)

Plaza Del Congreso

Modern Buenos Aires (close to Puerto Madero)

Torre de los Inglesses

United Nations Plaza - Floralis Generica

"The flower open and closes mechanically in the morning and evening"

Click on picture to see the whole picture album from Buenos Aires

Planetarium

Thursday Dec. 27th 2012
I leave beginning of afternoon to go visit the Recoleta cematary. There are gigantic tombstones and the place where rests the very popular "Evita". I meet up there with some friends. We walk around here and there in the neighborhood and have a beer on a terrace before hesding back to the hostel at around 6pm.

The mausoleums are incredibly big

The resting place of the diva "Évita Perron"

Friday Dec. 28th 2012
I take a day off to rest today. I spend the day at the hostel getting up to date on the internet, do some reading and very relax. In the evening I finally go out and go to the cinema to see "The Hobbit". I could not miss this movie on big screen and in 3D. Back at the hostel for a few beers and a game of poker against a few guys and I win 50 pesos (10$ Can.), it's not much but I have won anyways :)

Saturday Dec. 29th 2012
Pretty much the same as the day before. I start being tired of Buenos Aires now and I know that I will be back here after going to Uruguay. Happily we are leaving for Uruguay the next day so I spend the whole day pretty mellow. In the evening I play poker against the same guys again and win again another 75 pesos (15$). Hahaha

Puerto Madryn and around & Bahia Blanca, Argentina

2012-12-28T13:14:00.001-05:00

Saturday Dec. 15th 2012

I get to Puerto Madryn at 2pm, so 19 hours of bus in the end. I go to the hostel ''La Casa de Tounens'' for 70 pesos (14.16$ Can.) a night. Like I always usually do, I leave my stuff and go take a walk into town to discover the place a bit. Back at the hostel in the beginning of the evening where I meet a couple of Scottish that I had meet a few time before in the last month. They tell me that they rented a car for the next day and that they are going to the penguin colony. I asked if it would be possible to join and they gladly accept, Very cool. Thanks Graham & Julie.

Puerto Madryn

Sunday Dec. 16th 2012

We leave at 8h30 to go to Punta Tombo where there is the biggest penguin colony in South America. The entrance fee is of 60 pesos (12.14$ Can.) and we have seen thousands of penguins, there are even some with babies. Incredible to see such a quantity of penguins all in one spot. Then we leave and go north a bit to ''Isla Escondida'', we were told that we could see sea lions and sea elephants. There were a few but not as many as we though. Today we will have seen penguins, sea lions and sea elephants, an armadillo, Emus ans somekind of stupid bird that resemble a lot to a partridge. We leave there for the travel back to Puerto Madryn and are back in town at 6pm. I must go to another hostel ''Hostel Cheapatagonia'', because there was no beds available at ''Casa de Tounens'', this new hostel cost 75 pesos (15.17$ Can.). I will stay here for the next two nights.

Punta Tombo

Penguin nest

Magellanic Penguin

Fatherly love

Sea elephants

Monday Dec. 17th 2012

A few other people that I had met at "Casa de Tounens" invited me to go with them around the "Peninsula Valdès". The yalso rented a car and we leave at around 9am. The entrance fees to the Peninsula reserve is of 100 pesos (20.23$ Can.). We first went to the eastern shore to "Calete Valdès" to see some animals, then we left and went to "Punta Cantor" and "Punta Norte". We did not have any chance of seeing whales or orcas, but the season for the whales is over now and I knew that my chances were slim, but I had to go see anyways. I can add Guanacos to the list of animals seen around Puerto Madryn. The landscapes seen in the Peninsula are awesome. We get back into town at 8h30 pm. A very nice and interesting day, and I'm very happy because the last two days have cost me a lot less than if I would have had to do tours. I only had to pay for my share of the rental and gas :-)

Sea elephants

A sign I am absolutely not used to seeing

Guanaco

Armadillo

Sea Lion

A small lizard on the beach

There are even sand dunes on Peninsula Valdès

Tuesday Dec. 18th 2012

I leave Puerto Madryn today but only at 9h30 pm. So I spend the day getting up to date on many little things with the blog and more, and it rained all day, so there is not much more to do. The bus leaves at 10pm (321 pesos = 64.94$ Can.).

The coast on the southern part of the Peninsula

Atlantic Ocean

Click on image to see the full album for ''Puerto Madryn & Bahia Blanca''

Wednesday Dec. 19th 2012

I get to Bahia Blanca at 8am. First impression, don't go to Bahia Blanca :) I go to the Hostel Bahia Blanca for 60 pesos a night and it is not luxury at all, but still pretty good. I will see later if I can change my first impression of the town when I will go in the city center. It rains all day, but I decide in the afternoon to take a walk anyway because I need to find a supermarket anyway. I have to say that I take back my words for my first impression, the city center is much nicer than what I have seen earlier. here is not much to do, but it is quite nice, but only one or two days max here.

Bahia Blanca

Thursday Dec. 20th 2012

I change my plans, I was supposed to stay here for two nights, but after speaking with a French couple met at the Hostel, I learn that there is a train that goes from here to Buenos Aires and much more cheaper. So I will be taking the train in the evening at 7h30 pm and should get there in the morning. On top of saving over 300 pesos for the same road. I save a night at the hostel, so in the end my ticket is almost like it was for free. The bus ticket would have been 360 pesos (72.83$ Can.) and the train only costs 75 pesos (15.38$ Can.). I leave the hostel in the morning at 10am and go wander around town. Happily it is much nicer outside today. I take the train in the evening at 7h30pm. In the night it is a bit cold and not very comfortable, but for an almost free travel I absolutely cannot complain.

Bahia Blanca train station just before I left