http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Laurence/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Laurence en-us Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:47:09 BST Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:47:09 BST Home Sweet Home Back to Canada Our trip had a typical South American ending...we were stuck 24 hours in Costa Rica after missing our connections due our late arrival But I have to admit that TACA the airline company was not responsible for the bad weather...even if they said that they would wait for us Fortunately we succeeded to reschedule our connection with Air Canada in Los Angeles a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/blog-162827.html Caracas Venezuela May 49 2007After spending 24 hours on a bus and stopping for several military checks travelling from Cartagena to Caracas we arrived stiff and sore to the Venezuelan capital. I have to admit that I was also relieved to arrive safe and sound as we heard unpleasant comments about crossing the ColombiaVenezuela border. Unfortunately my first impressions of Caracas were da http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Venezuela/Capital/Caracas/blog-155476.html Colombia April 12 May 5 2007 BOGOTA We were glad to arrive in Colombia to get back in touch with the outside world Cuba has isolated us from the rest of the world for one month as we could barely use emails or phones due to their very slow speed and outrageous costs. The history of Colombia has been known for its constant struggles among the military guerilla and paramilitary. The latter a http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/blog-152968.html VIALES This rural part of Cuba was a true pleasure for the eyes The small village was surrounded by limestone mountains and lush agricultural fields. Palm trees and fruit trees were filled with delicious pineapples mangoes oranges grapefruits.... The coffee cultivated by the farmers had a delicious taste and wonderful smell I have rarely tasted such coffee The tobacco fields were abun http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/blog-148299.html Cuba March 13 to April 12 2007 Cuba is a fascinating country and travelling one month on this island has been a tremendous experience. We were glad to have made the decision to travel to Cuba while Castro was still alive... Because of the high travelling costs and the challenge to use public transportation we decided to restrict our exploration to the Western area of the island. Our onemonth http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cuba/blog-148259.html Machu Picchu March 2 2007Our adventure to Machu Picchu started with a series of buses to get to the closest city to Aguas Calientes in order to take the train from there rather than from Cuzco... so that we can cut back on the prices imposed on tourists. The next morning we embarked on the first bus at 530am and luckily were the first ones at the site. We therefore enjoyed a spectacular vie http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Machu-Picchu/blog-134386.html Cuzco Peru February 25 to March 6 2007The magical city of Cuzco has seduced me with its colonial architecture and Inca legacy. The blend of these two different cultures creates an unique atmosphere within the city. From the main plaza Plaza de Armas to the narrow steep streets it is always pleasant to walk throughout the symbolic capital. I have to admit that despite the presence of n http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/blog-133503.html Lake TiticacaIsla del Sol February 2225 2007Early morning we headed to the beach to get a boat to transport us to the famous Isla del Sol situated at about two hours from Copacabana. After buying our oneway ticket on a wooden boat filled with locals and travellers we started our navigation on Lake Titicaca. Sitting outside on a bench and feeling the wind and sun against my face I truly e http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Isla-del-Sol/blog-133487.html Lake Titicaca Copacabana February 1921 2007What a relief to finally see the water and hear the waves along the shore Despite the fact that Titicaca is actually a lake its impressive superficy makes you think it is an ocean The colourful fishermen boats were floating along the shore small green mountains were surrounding the village and fresh marine air were filling my lungs...Besides the http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Copacabana/blog-131451.html Carnaval de Oruro Fenruary 1518 2007The Carnaval in Rio Brazil may have acquired an international reputation throughout the years but the Carnaval in Oruro Bolivia definitely deserves a visit I will even say that this Carnaval is intimate as the stands along the road where the dancers and musicians parade are located only few meters from this colourful and loud spectacle The Diablada wh http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Oruro-Department/Oruro/blog-129856.html The Bolivian capital literally left me out of breath the city is constantly bustling with activity....and is located at more than 3600 meters of altitude No need to say that I needed a couple of hours to adjust to this high location...and the city's steep hillsWhen you arrive by bus from El Alto one of the poorest neighbourhoods you can observe the capital built between a gigantic colourful http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-128356.html Coroico Bolivia February 49 2007After our adventure on the TupizaUyuni circuit we left Uyuni by train for Orouro where we briefly stopped to confirm our hostal for the famous Carnaval before taking a bus to La Paz. Arrving to the Bolivian capital we immediately took another bus for Coroico where we stayed for couple of days of hamac pool and reading.The road between La Paz and Coroico has http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Coroico/blog-127027.html BoliviaTupiza to Uyuni Tour January 31 to February 3 2007On January 30 we left the Argentinean Northern city of Salta to reach La Quiaca the town located at the limit of the Bolivian border. The last hours of this bus ride haver been challenging as I started to feel the altitude La Quiaca is located at 3442 meters above sea level. For those who have never experienced the altitude sickness s http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/blog-125373.html Salta January 25 to 30As we walked towards our hostel we were pleasantly surprised with the city. While we expected a small dry area Salta ended up being a charming city filled with colonian architecture and green plazas surrounded by lush mountains. Once our luggages were safe and our room confirmed we headed to the living Plaza 9 de julio for a late lunch. The square plaza was filled with r http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Salta/blog-123456.html PART VI Cueva de las Manos January 78January 7The next morning we woke up early in order to drive all day on the eternal dirt road of Route 40. Despite the desertic region and flat landscape animals were constantly animating the scenery. Quoiques wild austriches guanacos deerlama pinches armadillos and birds of prey were always present along the road. After several hours of bum http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Santa-Cruz/Perito-Moreno-Glacier/blog-121889.html PART V Parque Nacional los Alerces January 56On the road to the National Park we admired the mountains and their reflections in the calm morning water. It was a true pleasure for the eyes to see the mirror effect of these impressive mountains into the lake. After setting our tent at Lago Verde we gathered around the fire before a great night of sleep...The next morningwe went for a fantastic http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Chubut/blog-121887.html We returned to Mendoza to bring back our 2x4 truck to the rental agency and waited in this pleasant city for the next bus to Salta.Next stop Salta http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Mendoza/Mendoza/blog-121299.html PART IX Puerto Madryn January 18We drove to Puerto Madryn from Parque Nacional Monte Leon hoping to find a room or camping spot for the night. The entire city was booked...and we had to sleep in the truck After a short night we headed to Peninsula Valdes early morning hoping to watch killer whales at high tides Peninsula Valdes is the only place in the world where the killer whales come at hi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Chubut/Puerto-Madryn/blog-121291.html PART VIII Parque Nacional Monte Leon January 1718Leaving El Calafate we crossed to Parque Nacional Monte Leon in order to reach the East Coast of Argentina. Arriving during a rainy windy evening we set up our tent in the national park while watccing the guanacos eating in the distance....and went immediately to sleepThe next morning we headed to the Pinguinera in order to watch more than 60 http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/blog-121276.html PART VI El Chalten January 8 to January 13 2007The isolated village of El Chalten located at the base of Mount Fitz Roy is a true international destination for amateurs and experts in hiking trekking and climbing. According to the Lonely planet El Chalten was built in 1985 in order to claim the territory over Chile and consequently became the youngest Argentinean city. From the village we http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Santa-Cruz/El-Chalten/blog-119480.html