Collect Experiences. Not Things. :')

December 30, 2007

Another Drunken Evening - Parque Nacional Queulat, Chile

This is one of Tanya's pics (hence, the graininess). I like the picture (of me, at least), but I'm not sure of who the lady is sitting next to me, or how much she drank.

December 26, 2007

Villarrica Volcano Climb – Pucon, Chile

 
Volcano from Town

 
At Summit



Into the Volcano

 
Sliding Down

Technical climbing wasn’t required to climb the Volcano (2847 meters), even though the Volcano was covered in snow. It took about three hour to zig-zag to the top in a fairly slow and tedious manner. On top, we were about to peek into the volcano, trying to avoid the sulfur smoke spouting out of the top of it; gagging every time we did get a whiff. The descent, however, was fast and a lot of fun. We slid down snow shoots, wearing water proof pants with reinforced butts.

December 25, 2007

Christmas Day - Pucon, Chile

 
 
 
 
 
On Christmas morning we woke and headed for the local natural hot springs where we spent the afternoon soaking in the hot springs. Upon returning back to the campsite our two group leaders roasted two sheep for dinner and then group member wrote a Christmas day skit. We all had a part – mine was the part of the cowboy, as per the hat in the group picture. Following the skit, Santa had a secret of his own under his Santa outfit and passed out the Secret Santa present. My present was a coffee press. I no longer have to suffer drinking instant Nescafe.

December 22, 2007

Undurraga Winery – Santiago, Chile

 
When in Chile visit a winery. I couldn’t possible conceive going to Chile without visiting a winery, especially after all the Red Chilean Wine I’ve been drinking recently, but unfortunately the wine at the winery we visited wasn’t anything spectacular. It was a little disappointing.

December 17, 2007

Mountain Biking – San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

 
A small group of us spent a couple of hours mountain biking in San Pedro, a town located just north of the Adecama Dessert, the driest dessert in the world. The cycling was relatively easy, but nevertheless provided some much needed physical activity, since we’ve been spending a lot of time sitting on the truck. While cycling we opted for a quick swim in the river. It was a little cold, but refreshing.

December 14, 2007

Salt Flats, Bolivia

 
 
 
 
 







The Salt Flat, especially “Fish Island”, an island located in the middle of the Salt Flats, has been one of the best excursions of the trip, so far. Much of its wonder was embodied in its serendipity. While the Salt Flats were spectacular in themselves, I didn't expected an Island populated with numerous green cactuses located in the middle of them. Also, I’ve no idea why they call it “Fish Island” there was not fish in sight.

Random Landscape Pictures, Bolivia

 
Red Lagoon

 
Turquoise Lagoon

 
White Lagoon

 
Desert Landscape

Within a 25 hour period we arrive on these landscapes. In comparison to the “Ultimate Asia” Trip in 2005, which of full of cultural and historical site this trip is packed full of outdoor landscapes and camping. We are only made it to Bolivia, so far, and have seen some of the most amazing landscapes (as pictured) I’ve seen in my life. Supposedly, the best is still yet to coming as we continue to travel south to Patagonia, in southern South America.

Random Pics, Bolivia

 




 




 

Salt Flats, Bolivia

 
Tanya's loving the moment!

December 11, 2007

A Touch of Normal - La Paz, Bolivia

















Exercise Journal
Quito, Ecuador: Hilton Hotel - Treadmill, Stationary Bike, Steam Room, Sauna, Pool,
Banos, Ecuador: Jogging
Paunta de Sal, Peru: Jogging
Inquitos, Peru: Local gym
Nazca, Peru: Jogging
Cusco, Peru: Local gym
La Pa, Boliva: Hotel El Presidente - Gym & Sauna

Update:
La Serena, Chile – Jogging (along the beach sidewalk)
Pucon, Chile – Jogging (local road) twice
El Chalten, Argentina – Jogging (local road) - windy morning
Torres del Paine, Chile – Jogging (rocky gravel road) twice
Puerto Madryn, Argentina – Jogging along the beach sidewalk
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Treadmill (posh gym) - twice
Iguazu, Argentina – Jogging (local road)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Imperial Hotel (exercise room)


Movie (DVD) Viewing List

American Gangster
Alpha Dog
Superbad (Super Cool)
Blood Diamond
Syriana
Team American

Life while traveling isn't all "new" and "exciting". On a fairly regular basis there is time to exercise and watch a few movies on my laptop.

Carnage in LaPaz, Boliva

 
I'm getting to old for this!! Sufficiently drunk, I left the bar early and went to bed. After the bar closed, the party came back to my hotel room.

Llama Fetuses - La Paz, Bolivia

 
I'm not sure what purpose these llama fetuses serve, but there were a lot of them hanging in shops of the local witch doctors market.

December 08, 2007

Homestay - Lake Titikaka, Peru

 
While visiting Lake Titikaka, we spend the night with a local family. The accommodations were very basis. Upper left quadrant: mud brick house; upper right quadrant: interior of the courtyard; lower left quadrant: outhouse (the house didn’t have indoor plumbing); and lower right quadrant: our two host (mother and daughter) are seated in the kitchen next to the stove.

The experience really makes one ponder what is really necessary to exist.

Random Pics - Lake Titikaka, Peru

 
Lake Titikaka is an immense sheet of deep blue water, over 100 miles in length, lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia, and is the focus of several early civilizations. The brilliant light, the clear air and the beautiful colors of the hills and villages around the lake where quintessential South America.

December 05, 2007

Machu Picchu, Peru

 

 

 

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s foremost archaeological sites. The amazing ruins was completely lost in the jungle until some local s led Hiram Bingham there in 1911. The Spaniards never found it , the Incas left no records about it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a whole city set on a saddle surrounded by immense jungle-covered mountains.

Prior to reaching Machu Picchu, I finished the book “The Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self- Guided Tour” by Ruth M. Wright & Dr. Alfredo Valencia Zegarra. The book help prepare for the visit, but our tour guide provide significantly better and more comprehensive information than what was available in the book. The book was very rout and westernized. Our tour guide had more to offer from a local’s (native Peruvian’s) perspective.

I also finished reading “The Conquest of the Incas” by John Hemming. I enjoyed the book a lot and learned much about the Spanish conquest of the Inca nation. The book was somewhat dense (it included 100 pages of footnote), but well worth the read. I get a particular thrill out of reading about local area’s history while traveling through it.

I’m currently reading “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garci’a Ma’rquez. I’m about halfway through it. I like it, but I really had great expectations and its not really living up to those expectations. Moreover, I’m really not a fiction reader. That may also be the problem.

More Machu Picchu Pics - Peru

 


                      

                    Storage House 
 



 



 








                             Temple of the Sun



















                      Sacred Temple



















                             Trapizoid Doorway
 
















              "The Most Beautiful Wall"

December 02, 2007

Group Photo - Inca Trail - Peru

 
Walking the Inca trail was one of the trip’s highlights. The route crosses three high passes and visits several remote Inca sites, ending at the Intipunku, the Inca Sun Gate, from which opens up a superb panorama of Machu Picchu. The trek was fully supported with experienced guides, cooks, and porters.

In total, there are 21 participants and two male leaders/drivers for a total of 23. Of the 23 participants, 10 are male, while the remainder (13) are female. . There are three couples and the average age is about early thirties. All are British Citizen expect for one French woman and myself.

Scared Valley - Near Cusco, Peru

 

 
A few miles outside of Cuzco is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, then ends of which are guarded by two impressive fortresses, Pisca and Ollantaytambo.