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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 24, 2016 9:08:27 GMT 2
Playing around with the idea of South America (after years of putting it off it has come to the top of my bucket list. Found a small group tour that will suit and am (almost) prepared to suck it up re the cost of the airfares. The trip I've found hits my 3 ticks places and suits the work dates, however have a week somewhere between Lima and Santiago to fill in (before heading home) which is over the New Years dates and presumably the holiday period there.
Looked at Valpariso as a place to spend a quiet New Year holed up in an apartment or a hotel with a stunning view and time to do some leisurely sightseeing, sit and reflect, and gather strength to face another year etc, which is what I normally do at the end of each big trip. Valpariso seems to be super popular and as I'm not familiar with SA at all find it hard to judge if the places that are left are in a safe area. Any suggestions or suggestions of other places that may fit the bill?
At the moment the departure isn't guaranteed so have worked around another option also.
Just played around with the airfares a bit and if Valpariso doesn't work out it is actually cheaper but not time efficient to go back to BA. Any ideas there?
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Post by Baz Faz on Jul 24, 2016 10:17:20 GMT 2
Sorry I can't help. My only experience of South America was a research trip to Bolivia which I found amazing (in a crazy way not a touristic way).
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Post by OnlyMark on Jul 24, 2016 10:45:01 GMT 2
I spent time working for the cartels in Columbia but didn't see much. Just jungle and hidden airstrips.
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 24, 2016 15:31:49 GMT 2
what is the itinerary? then we'll have a better idea of what to suggest...
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Post by sophie on Jul 24, 2016 16:55:58 GMT 2
My experience in South America is limited, but I felt safe everywhere in chile..much more so than in other places, including BA. I loved southern chile, where there are small lazy towns, incredible national parks and stunning scenery but that area is very weather dependant and much less English is spoken. Another place you might want to look at is Arequipa, in southern Peru. It is much quieter than other major places in Peru, good history and interesting places in the vicinity.
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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 24, 2016 20:48:11 GMT 2
Thanks. The itinerary is one of those pot boiler jobs that rushes around hectically - but for this trip and my stage it suits. Will be a bit of a change for me as I haven't done this style of trip for years and then it was into China back in the early 80's.
Starts in Rio and goes to the Falls, across into Paraguay for a couple of nights, onto La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Cusco and back to Lima. Nothing in the Amazon (or Colombia - sorry Mark could have used you as the tour guide). The Amazon doesn't appeal at all.
Arequipa looks a possibility (thanks Sophie). In my head I have this vision of somewhere safe, with a lovely view where I can sit and contemplate, relax, yet go out and absorb some of the atmosphere, and I love looking at the sea or a harbour with ferries etc. Think I have been spoilt with the view in Malta of the Grand Harbour and in Paris with the Tower. My current home doesn't have a view - only of my garden - and after 40 odd years of having somewhere to sit and look I miss it.
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 25, 2016 4:31:09 GMT 2
north of lima is an archeologically rich area...check out 'lord of sipan'...
arequipa has lots of views of the andes... those are merely local flights from lima... and finally... lima itself for a week gazing at the ocean...
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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 25, 2016 6:26:18 GMT 2
Looks as if Lima may be a good option. Can't remember why I discounted it but will have a better look and see if that suits. Thanks Jeff
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 25, 2016 8:01:37 GMT 2
lima has become a hotbed of innovative peruvian cuisine... except for indigenous dishes like guinea pig and vicuna steaks (they're pushing the vicuna because it supposedly has minimal cholesterol, though it is lean and tough and llama is supposed to be tastier but isn't in vogue) the cuisine is greatly influenced by japanese immigrants, thus the ceviche appearing similar to marinated sashimi...
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 25, 2016 17:10:45 GMT 2
btw, arequipa with a trip to the valley of the condors was a highlight... depends upon whether you want to just chill or do some sightseeing as well during that week... giant andean condor in peru |
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Post by sophie on Jul 25, 2016 18:35:35 GMT 2
Agree with the food on Peru.. Wonderful! And the Colca canyon Jeff refers to near Arequipa was indeed a highlight..but keep in mind there is very high altitude on the pass getting there.
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 26, 2016 3:40:13 GMT 2
well... lake titicaca is the highest point and that's where i suffered from altitude... cusco was already pretty low in comparison  since we just sat in the vehicle through colca canyon and didn't have to exert ourselves i didn't feel anything and it'll be after kus had adjusted to the heights... |
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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 26, 2016 6:45:40 GMT 2
Wow Jeff. Fantastic photo
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 26, 2016 7:24:42 GMT 2
the condors nest at the base of the canyon so in the morning they have to find an updraft and work their way up high enough to catch the winds to commute to their hunting grounds... therefore it is a matter of luck and where along the canyon one waits and we hit it right on our way out back to the road from arequipa to lake titicata... saw lots and got lots of good pictures...
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Post by Netsuke on Jul 27, 2016 2:54:17 GMT 2
The closest I came to South America was a hand made scarf from Peru bought back by family members.  |
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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 27, 2016 6:21:25 GMT 2
Nice. Will look for it's mate.
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Post by shrjeff on Jul 27, 2016 6:50:47 GMT 2
the road from lake titicaca to cusco is lined with handicraft stands, particularly at rest stops... prices were pretty reasonable as one is in the area of production with lots of competition...
remember the rule: if you like it (and its price), buy it... you may not see it again...
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Post by Voy on Jul 27, 2016 15:47:36 GMT 2
Arequipa is wonderful! I would turn catholic and even be a nun if it meant I could live in the convent of Sta Catalina! And I went to an amazing Bach concert in the Cathedral...
Also, look at some of the beach suburbs of Lima.. you might find what you need there?
If going back to BA "the" beach is quite a ways away and would be JAMMED and not at all what you are looking for...
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Post by kuskiwi on Jul 27, 2016 20:34:49 GMT 2
Pottering around on the net I've found a few things in BA that interest me and maybe rest isn't the answer  Air NZ flies direct to BA from Auckland 4 times a week which makes the journey so much easier - no changes or layovers. Next step is to give the temps and humidity levels some consideration. Voy I found a nice little apartment with a view out by a beach in Lima and have put it on hold using booking.com so that's also a possibility if I think BA will be too hot to be comfy. It's ironic that I actually hate being on a beach, but love sitting watching the sea. Keep those suggestions coming please as this is an area I know absolutely nothing about personally - and the net can be quite misleading. |
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Post by rikita on Aug 3, 2016 23:42:37 GMT 2
as mentioned above, arequipa and the colca canyon are really nice, i also thought nazca was interesting (though only for a shorter stop maybe). also liked the lauca national park near arica ... st. pedro de atacama i suppose is nice too (though very touristy), but when i was there the weather was bad and not much was possible ...
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Post by tzarine on Aug 4, 2016 6:32:04 GMT 2
love ba, iguazu, montevideo, colonia, sao paulo & of course, rio!
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Post by kuskiwi on Aug 7, 2016 20:42:07 GMT 2
Decision made. Booked my flights and paid as the price goes up over 1000 dollars if not paid for now and the cheapie seats are full booked.
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Post by auntieannie on Aug 7, 2016 22:55:32 GMT 2
yey! Now you can begin anticipating. One of the best parts of the whole travelling thing.
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Post by sophie on Aug 8, 2016 3:56:43 GMT 2
Well done! Where are you spending those days..chile or Argentina?
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Post by kuskiwi on Aug 8, 2016 6:27:21 GMT 2
Thanks. The extra days will be in BA and as it is over the New Year will also use the time as downtime to catch my breath. Loving the thought of being on the move again but it does seem a long while until December. Getting fit is going to be a big issue though.
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Post by tzarine on Aug 16, 2016 12:31:15 GMT 2
ba is great
between malba, the great architecture y dulce de leche
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Post by Voy on Aug 16, 2016 22:06:45 GMT 2
and - don't forget, the lovely Itsa lives in BA... and is a serious icecreaam and chocolate freak!
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Post by kuskiwi on Aug 17, 2016 6:27:18 GMT 2
^ trouble is Itsa isn't speaking to me ... so will have to manage without her company and advice.
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Post by auntieannie on Aug 18, 2016 0:26:13 GMT 2
what about farsi?
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Post by kuskiwi on Aug 20, 2016 1:14:56 GMT 2
She had almost stopped posting when I joined so think it would be a bit rude to contact her.
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since we just sat in the vehicle through colca canyon and didn't have to exert ourselves i didn't feel anything and it'll be after kus had adjusted to the heights...
Air NZ flies direct to BA from Auckland 4 times a week which makes the journey so much easier - no changes or layovers. Next step is to give the temps and humidity levels some consideration. 
