January 9, 2009 – 12:57 pm
Although leaving Ecuador was a 4 hour nightmare, the happenstance of arriving in Colombia on January 6th, however was a giddy dream come true!
We had been warned about a potential delay at the border, but for whatever reason we had somewhat dismissed those warnings until, in line, after a full hour we hadn’t moved one inch. The best part was that we were waiting outside, in the sun, just miles from the equator. There were actually two lines on each side of the immigration building; one for those leaving Ecuador and one for those arriving. The lines merged not so gracefully together at the guarded front door, and 4 hours later we were in (albeit at the back of another line), only to come face to face with 3 unimpressed immigration employees behind the only three desks. Business as usual, I suppose.
Posted in Action Sports, Borders, Visas and Paperwork, Colombia, For some laughs, History, South America
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Tagged Borders, Visas and Paperwork, Carnival de Negros and Blancos, Colombia, Colombia/Ecuador border, Pasto, traveling through Southern Colombia
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November 23, 2008 – 7:22 am
From Santiago we crossed the border back into Argentina from Chile for what might have been the 10th time. Over the past two months of zig-zagging between through the smallest of border crossings we have seen gorgeous countryside only available to those with their own transportation. This time, though, even some of you at home might be familiar with this particular pass as it is known for over a dozen switchbacks snaking the mountain side and eventually taking you back into Argentina by Chile’s Portillo ski resort and mighty Mount Aconcagua-the highest peak in the world outside of the Himalayas.
November 14, 2008 – 1:47 pm
The World by Road is pleased to announce that all crew members are now officially certified in the world’s most elaborate hobby: scuba diving! On Friday last, Fernando Bischof, Melissa Terry, Darrell Stephenson and Laura Sutton passed the PADI open water scuba written test with flying colors after already having completed the actual open water dives. Aside from the written exam taken in Santiago, all other courses were coordinated and conducted at San Alfonso del Mar in Algarrobo, Chile. Not only that, but the three English-speaking members have also had the unbeknownst pleasure of adding a barrage of SCUBA-centered words to their flourishing Spanish vocabularies.
November 11, 2008 – 11:58 am
This is to transcribe, as best as memory serves, the events that took place between Friday October 24, 2008 and Monday October 27, 2008 aboard the NaviMag local. What occurred on Monday could not have been what any of the 90 passengers had in mind upon boarding on Friday-that is unless anyone was expecting to disembark 12 hours early via tugboat, 500 yards from the port while sporting damp life jackets under their backpacks. What exactly went wrong, no one can ever really know for sure. What we do know is that on the night of Friday October 24, those 90 passengers, albeit mostly eager coeds, boarded the NaviMag excited to spend the following 3 nights and 4 solid days gawking the beauty of the southern Chilean fjords.
October 18, 2008 – 5:22 am
The two towns of El Calafate and El Chalten are easily considered the jumping off points for quenching all of your basic Patagonia needs. While El Calafate is more of a destination in and of itself these days catering to any and all, El Chalten is geared more towards climbing and trekking enthusiasts as it’s tucked at the foot of world famous Mount Fitz Roy.
October 17, 2008 – 5:13 pm
For all of us, visiting the far reaches of the Patagonian region of Argentina has been a dream come true. It’s generally in the destination top ten list of any traveler and is now one of those places that will one day require a return trip. Driving on the famed Austral is an extra bonus that few will ever know. Keep in mind though that it is a long way down and some stretches can be pretty difficult. Most roads roads aren’t paved and the barren land outside the window is exhausting.
October 13, 2008 – 7:34 pm
If you’ve got a story to tell, and you want the southern states of Argentina to be the first to know, then Esquel, Argentina should be your first stop! Speaking from experience, you’re going to want to head down to city hall (or wherever any major press conference is taking place) introduce yourself to at least one person with either a microphone, pen and paper, fancy hair do, etc. That is pretty much all it takes to get the attention of every other journalist in the vicinity. Don’t worry, they can resume their conference later.
October 11, 2008 – 11:10 am
On May 2 of this year in the early morning, Chaitén Volcano began to erupt for the first time since what is believed to be 7,400 BCE. For most of the world, this particular eruption is but a vague memory from a segment of international news, but for residents in close proximity it was and still is life altering. Surprisingly, for all of the destruction only one life has been lost …
October 9, 2008 – 6:58 am
Well, folks, the zig-zagging of the southern cone of South America has officially begun! Saying that we have covered some serious ground since leaving Bahia Blanca, Argentina would be an understatement. Over the dizzying 1,300+ miles that we have driven in 10 days, we have toured the East coast of Argentina all the way to the West coast of Chile …
Posted in Argentina, Environment, South America
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Tagged Argentina, elephant seal, hi patagonia hostel, peninsula valdes, puerto madryn, puerto pyramides, punta delgada, southern right whale, whale watching, world heritage site
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