pwilkinson.net » South America

Some random stats and facts

Paul — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:00:54 +0000

Distance travelled in air: 24125 miles (13 flights)
Number of delays: 4 (3 in Argentina and one in London)
Distance travelled on land: 940 miles
Distance travelled on water: about 50 miles
Number of different electrical sockets used: 4
Country with least stray dogs but most dog poo on pavements: Argentina
Highest point reached: 4900m
Highest point slept at: 4200m
Number of steaks claire sent back to get cooked a little more: 4
Easter Island is one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world (1290 miles from the nearest inhabited place)
The Uyuni Salt Flats are about half the size of Wales
Longest ladder climbed: 50m
Most descent on a bike in one day: 3700m from top to bottom on the most dangerous road in the world near La Paz in Bolivia

Highlights and remaining photos

Paul — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:58:45 +0000

Are online now. Highlights here:

http://zenphoto.pwilkinson.net/southamerica082008/highlights/

And the rest of the photos from Peru and Argentina are now online if you follow the link from the last post.

Back home…

Paul — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:57:15 +0000

After a few hours sitting in the plane on the tarmac at Heathrow waiting for a parking space we’re finally home safe and sound.

I’ve been going through the photos and have managed to finish Easter Island, Chile and Bolivia so far. I took over 3000 photos on the trip, deleted about half on the camera then half again on the PC, so I’ve got close to 900 photos left. To save you looking through all of them now I’ll post a highlights album in a couple of days once I’ve sorted the Peru and Argentina pics.

http://zenphoto.pwilkinson.net/southamerica082008/

Iguazu Falls

Paul — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:48:18 +0000

One night of luxury in the Sheraton overlooking the falls felt well deserved and just about worth the cost for the amazing view from the balcony and the great buffet (complete with Argentinian moet). We have well and truly seen the falls (from both the brazilian side and the argentinian). Back to hostels now and only 3 nights left in Buenos Aires before we fly home.

Machu Picchu

Paul — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:01:56 +0000

After a tour of the sacred valley taking in some more ruins we caught a train to aguas calientes, the closest village to Machu Picchu (make sure you pronounce the hard c in picchu to avoid making phallic references in native Peruvian).
After arriving I went up Putucusi, the mountain opposite Machu Picchu which was hard work. Lots of steps with the occaisional wooden ladder to get to the top. Claire went to the hot springs.
Next morning we got up at about half 4 to go and join the queue for buses to Machu Picchu. It was misty at first, but it cleared up after a couple of hours to give the classic postcards views, complete with lamas which are kept there to keep the grass short.

Swimming and Guinea Pig

Paul — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:17:23 +0000

Today we’ve been on the Peruvian shores of lake titicaca. We visited the floating islands, and another island where I had a bit of a swim. It wasn’t as cold as I thought it was going to be, and the sun has been hot all day. A whole guinea pig for dinner too, which is a bit different, a lot of work for a little meat though, but tasty.

Highest, highest, highest.

Paul — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:36:59 +0000

Alot of it depends on definitions, but if you believe what they say we’ve been to the highest city in the world (Potosi) before flying into the highest international airport in the world – La Paz – which also happens to be the highest capital city in the world.
Yesterday I cycled down the most dangerous road in the world (also near La Paz and a total of about 3600m of descent). It was a bit cloudy in the middle but still good fun. It’s not nearly as dangerous as it used to be as 2 years ago they opened a proper 2 lane tamac/concrete road that goes to the same place, but in the last year it was in full use about 150 people died on (or off I suppose) it.
Right now were heading to lake titicaca (another highest) and as I write this on the bus there is a large body of water out the window so I guess we’re there.
Pic below is of part of the death road when it wasn’t too cloudy.
Update: and now one of titicaca too.

A few photos…

Paul — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:32:30 +0000

Finally got some photos online from the camera and not just rubbish ones taken with my phone. They should be okay, but this monitor doesn´t have any red, so I can´t be sure.

Link here: http://zenphoto.pwilkinson.net/southamerica082008/

Pizzas, pancakes and pringles

Paul — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:14:32 +0000

Not quite traditional Bolivian food, but after living in a 4×4 for 3 days the part American owned hostel in uyuni was a welcome bit of comfort. With fantastic pizzas and pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast. The trip across the salt flats was amazing, if a bit surreal with flat White stuff as far as you could see in every direction.
Being at over 4000m in places where clouds are rare has also enabled me to take some great pics of the milky way.
We’re in Sucre now which is nicer than potosi where we’ve just been, although the silver mine tour was fairly interesting.

Rapa Nui

Paul — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:56:34 +0000

Arrived on this small dot of land thousands of miles from the nearest continent on tuesday. Blue skies, palm trees and large statues everywhere you turn. Hired bikes today and went up to one of the highest points ok the island, and also has a spectacular crater lake (not sure about the bond villain lair underneath though). Just phone photos again I’m afraid.