South America 2012 Galleries

Rio de Janiero & Petropolis : October 16, 2012, I flew via Miami to Rio de Janeiro to start a two month South America trip. The weather wasn't the best and I'm not a beach person, so I spent more time in the city proper. I also took a day trip to Petropolis. for text to go with the photos go here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/a-first-taste-of-rio/

Rio de Janiero & Petropolis

October 16, 2012, I flew via Miami to Rio de Janeiro to start a two mo ...

Updated: Jan 12, 2013 2:49pm PST

Foz do Iguaçu (Iguassu, Brazil) : From Rio I flew to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to visit the Iguassu/Iguazu waterfalls on the border with Argentina. The falls themselves are in Argentina, but you get a great view from the Brazilian side, too. I slept in Argentina, but I spent my first full day on the Brazilian side. After walking through the woods admiring the falls across the river, I came into the sunshine to hear the thunder and see the spray from Devil's Throat, and then walk out right below it. (The views were even better on the Argentine side - see separate gallery.)

Foz do Iguaçu (Iguassu, Brazil)

From Rio I flew to Foz do Iguaçu (IGU) to visit the Iguassu/Iguazu wat ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2013 3:00pm PST

Cataratas del Iguazú (Iguassu, Argentina) : On the Argentinian side of the falls there are walkways above and below the falls, and one that takes you right into the heart of Devil's Throat

Cataratas del Iguazú (Iguassu, Argentina)

On the Argentinian side of the falls there are walkways above and belo ...

Updated: Jan 15, 2013 7:10am PST

Montevideo, Uruguay : From Iguazu I flew via Buenos Aires to Montevideo. I stayed at Casa Sarandi, an apartment on the edge of the Old Town, and enjoyed wandering around the city, although not in the Old City after dark. For text to go with the photos see http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/old-city-needs-care/

Montevideo, Uruguay

From Iguazu I flew via Buenos Aires to Montevideo. I stayed at Casa Sa ...

Updated: Jan 16, 2013 1:35pm PST

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay : From Montevideo, founded by the Spanish, I took a bus to Colonia, founded by the Portuguese. The old city offers steep cobbled streets, colorful buildings and beautiful trees and flowers. For text go here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/cute-colonia/

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

From Montevideo, founded by the Spanish, I took a bus to Colonia, foun ...

Updated: Jan 17, 2013 1:12pm PST

Buenos Aires : From Colonia I took the ferry across the very wide river to Buenos Aires, where I stayed at the lovely Duque Hotel. I took a morning bus tour to get an overview, and also enjoyed the company of a volunteer greeter another day. For text start here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/beginning-buenos-aires/

Buenos Aires

From Colonia I took the ferry across the very wide river to Buenos Air ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2013 4:03pm PST

Buenos Aires: Street Art : My last day in Buenos Aires I did a street art tour of Palermo with Graffitimundo - http://graffitimundo.com - highly recommended! The art was amazing, and the guide informative. Street art started as a way to cheer people up after the financial crash in 2001, it's legal here, so the artists can work in daylight and take their time.

Buenos Aires: Street Art

My last day in Buenos Aires I did a street art tour of Palermo with Gr ...

Updated: Jan 23, 2013 1:40pm PST

Buenos Aires: Recoleta Cemetery : Recoleta Cemetery always shows up on the lists of sights to see in Buenos Aires. While it's large, and there's plenty to see, I found the pathways, lined by tall sepulchers, rather confining. It didn't displace Lviv's cemetery in my affections.

Buenos Aires: Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery always shows up on the lists of sights to see in Bue ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2013 2:57pm PST

El Calafate: Perito Moreno : From Buenos Aires I flew to El Calafate in Patagonia. Next day I took a tour to visit the Perito Merino glacier, first by boat, and then on land.

El Calafate: Perito Moreno

From Buenos Aires I flew to El Calafate in Patagonia. Next day I took ...

Updated: Jan 25, 2013 12:54pm PST

El Calafate and More Glaciers : My second day in El Calafate I took a full day boat tour, visiting Upsala and Spegazzini. They were both spectacular, with electric blue highlights. El Calafate itself was very touristy, just useful as a base. For text go here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/glaciers-and-more-glaciers/

El Calafate and More Glaciers

My second day in El Calafate I took a full day boat tour, visiting Ups ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2013 8:47am PST

El Chalten : From El Calafate I took a bus to El Chalten. Unfortunately the weather turned bad, but I did have one clear day that I used to hike part of the Laguna de los Tres trail to see Mt. Fitz Roy. The next day I did a mini-tour to Lago del Desierto, but the weather was just too bad. For text go here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/must-exercise-must-exercise/

El Chalten

From El Calafate I took a bus to El Chalten. Unfortunately the weather ...

Updated: Jan 26, 2013 12:34pm PST

Puerto Natales and Navimag : I took a bus across the Andes from El Calafate to Puerto Natales in Chile, a remarkably clean port town with a splendid setting on Last Hope Sound. After a lovely day touring Torres del Paine, I spent a rainly day hanging out waiting to board the Navimag boat to Puerto Montt. This is really freighter, bringing in all the supplies for southern Chile, but it also carries passengers. See http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/towers-of-blue/

Puerto Natales and Navimag

I took a bus across the Andes from El Calafate to Puerto Natales in Ch ...

Updated: Jan 29, 2013 7:09am PST

Torres del Paine, Chile : I spent a full day on a bus trip of Torres del Paine. I wasn't up for a multi-day hike, and I thought the in-park lodges way too expensive. Although I'm not a fan of bus tours this one worked out well - I had the front seat on the bus, the guide was good, and we had beautiful weather. I was booked on the tour by my hotel in Puerto Natales, the Hallef.

Torres del Paine, Chile

I spent a full day on a bus trip of Torres del Paine. I wasn't up for ...

Updated: Jan 28, 2013 8:00am PST

Castro, Chiloe Island : As soon as I got off the Evangelistas in Puerto Montt, I got on a bus to Chiloe Island, where I stayed in Castro. I was lucky enough to catch a local festival on another, smaller island, but didn't find Chiloe as interesting as I had hoped and only stayed a couple of nights. See also: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/charles-darwin-didnt-care-for-it/

Castro, Chiloe Island

As soon as I got off the Evangelistas in Puerto Montt, I got on a bus ...

Updated: Jan 30, 2013 11:30am PST

Puerto Varas and Frutillar : From Castro I took the bus to Puerto Varas, on Lago Llanquihue. I didn't get to see Mt. Fuji in Japan, so was thrilled by the marvelous views of Volcan Orsono. Further north the views from Frutillar were just as good, and the houses prettier. I did make a day trip to Puerto Montt for the market, but wasn't impressed. See also: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/lazing-by-lago-llanquihue/

Puerto Varas and Frutillar

From Castro I took the bus to Puerto Varas, on Lago Llanquihue. I didn ...

Updated: Feb 02, 2013 6:56am PST

Across the Andes via Peulla : I spent two days crossing the Andes from Puerto Varas in Chile to Bariloche in Argentina, doing the bus-boat trip known as Cruce Andino, and over-nighting in the hamlet of Peulla. See: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/bus-boat-bus-boat-day-one/

Across the Andes via Peulla

I spent two days crossing the Andes from Puerto Varas in Chile to Bari ...

Updated: Feb 05, 2013 9:43am PST

San Carlos de Bariloche : I had a good time in Bariloche, where stunning views are available from Cerro Campanario. I resisted the chocolates available all over town, and noted the German influenced architecture. See also: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/a-most-beautiful-view/

San Carlos de Bariloche

I had a good time in Bariloche, where stunning views are available fro ...

Updated: Feb 08, 2013 4:21pm PST

San Martin and Pucon : I took the Seven Lakes route on to San Martin de los Andes, where my good weather luck ran out. I did get to hike up to the Bandurria viewpoint, and admire all the rose bushes. I also made it across the Andes to Pucon before the rain set in, but it rained almost all the time I was in Pucon.

San Martin and Pucon

I took the Seven Lakes route on to San Martin de los Andes, where my g ...

Updated: Feb 08, 2013 4:22pm PST

Valparaiso : From Pucon I took a night bus to Valparaiso (not as comfortable as I hoped). Great town for the energetic, with all those hills! Also plenty of colorful houses. I particularly like Neruda's town house, but no photos are allowed indoors. My trip down the coast didn't work out so well. Go here for details: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/valparaiso-the-not-good/

Valparaiso

From Pucon I took a night bus to Valparaiso (not as comfortable as I h ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2013 1:40pm PST

Santiago : My last night in South America was in Santiago. Unfortunately, the best museum was closed for renovation.

Santiago

My last night in South America was in Santiago. Unfortunately, the bes ...

Updated: Jan 05, 2013 6:58am PST