“Colombia? Wow, you’re brave!” Just one of the reactions I’ve had since I came back. Several others have joked that at least I didn’t get kidnapped. But there’s nothing brave about visiting Colombia. Sure, a lot of people still associate it with the FARC. There are still areas not recommended for travel due to residual…
Category: South America
An amazing deal and an unexpected destination
Photo credit: Fernando Zuleta – Flickr Creative Commons Always be open to the opportunities life throws you…especially when it involves travel. One day back in November an email dropped into my inbox at work from my husband. ‘Ever thought about visiting Colombia?’ I’ve found this unbelievable fare…’. Colombia has always intrigued me, ever since I…
An old favourite, now in living colour (Canaima and Angel Falls)
Way back in the mists of time (ok, 2007) when I started this travel blog, it was more of a travel diary, notes copied from my trusty Moleskine. Although we travelled with an SLR, it wasn’t digital. So for some reason, the photos from my first trip to South America remained in an elusive Flickr…
Why Yasuni matters to all of us #saveYasuninow
A six-year initiative to protect a vital part of the most biodiverse region on Earth has come to an end in Ecuador. President Rafael Correa announced yesterday that the Yasuni-ITT project, which asked governments and organisations around the world to support Ecuador financially in return for keeping oil in the ground, is no longer viable….
The magic of the rainforest – how Shiripuno saved my Ecuador trip
I posted before my trip to Ecuador how unsure I was about returning to the rainforest. In a nutshell, I didn’t think anything could come close to my Mamiraua experiences from my first visit to South America. My first week in Ecuador somehow didn’t live up to my expectations. Something was missing. Shiripuno taught me…
Touching the sky in Quito
It’s not often a marketing slogan rings true, but ‘toca el cielo’ or ‘touch the sky’ seems the perfect fit for Quito, a city ringed by volcanoes, some of them still active. After spending the first week wondering why I just wasn’t clicking with Ecuador, Quito went a long way to turning it around. The…
Tales of the unexpected in rural Ecuador
“Miguel? Miguel Andrango?” The taxi driver’s voice rang out again. More insistent this time. I shrugged. Maybe Ecuador’s most famous weaver wasn’t in. It was Sunday, after all. Finally, after five minutes the side door creaked open. This little, nondescript village high in the hills above Otavalo was home to a man renowned for his…
Travel resources – plan a great South American trip
As another email drops into my inbox offering a two-week trip to South America for an eye-watering £3500 (without flights), it’s little wonder so many people think it’s out of their price range. It’s true that some of these companies offer a reliable, tailored approach which takes the stress out of planning for first-time visitors….
Just as good second time around? Heading back to the rainforest in Ecuador
Photo credit: sara y tzunky (Flickr creative commons) This summer I’ll be visiting a new country, Ecuador. Definitely looking forward to seeing some more Andean scenery, volcanoes and visiting Quito. But one element of our plans had me hesitating for weeks – visiting a remote jungle lodge in the Oriente. It’s not from any fear…
Half-time report: Brazil with Michael Palin
I’ve been looking forward to this show since I first heard plans for it back in 2010. I couldn’t wait to see Palin’s take on my favourite country in the world (so far). I’m also a huge fan of Palin’s early travel series (Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle and…