Join me as I travel the world and give regular insights into what it is really like being a solo backpacker and tips to help you plan your own adventures
We decided to stay for an extra couple of days in Montevideo as we really enjoyed that city. The couple we were staying with, Fernando and Claudette, were lovely hosts and their house was lovely. Claudette did all the interior design herself so the place was lush. Our breakfast was the most delicious of the... Continue Reading →
To get to Montevideo we decided to pay for a direct ferry as it takes about 2 hours less than the ferry + bus combo and the tickets only cost about $10USD more as we booked last minute. The alternative route does a short ferry hop from Buenos Aires to Colonia in Uruguay before continuing... Continue Reading →
There are lots of faces to Buenos Aires so it's worth spending at least 4 or 5 days here to see all the major sights without rushing. I've got until 9th January before I fly down to Southern Argentina so we're splitting the time between Buenos Aires and a few days in Montevideo, Uruguay. On... Continue Reading →
When I first dreamt up this trip all I knew was that I wanted to be in Buenos Aires to celebrate New Year, so our two week road trip of almost 3,000km ended here on the 30th. Today was our shortest drive day so we didn't rush at all. We found a place to exchange... Continue Reading →
We spent two days at Iberá in a tiny lakeside village called Carlos Pellegrini, with 1000 inhabitants on the shore of the largest lake in the park. There aren't actually very many trails to walk but you can see so much wildlife that perhaps it's not a big deal. There are quite a few ranches... Continue Reading →
First impressions of Paraguay were great! It's totally different to Brazil and Argentina despite being just across the river. As you cross the bridge the cars and motorbikes decide to make four exciting lanes rather than two mundane ones so you're absolutely surrounded. The city itself has a wall of high rise shopping malls and... Continue Reading →
Alongside our adventuring at the Iguazu falls we stayed in both Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Puerto Iguazu (Argentina). On our way over the border from Brazil we stopped at the Monument to the Three Borders in Brazil, with great views across the river to Argentina and Paraguay. It was a nice place to chill... Continue Reading →
The monumental power of the falls has to be seen to be believed. We spent a day exploring the Brazilian side and another day on the Argentinian side. It's worth having a day or two spare to allow you to pick a day with good weather. Park Entrance Prices Entry in Brazil costs 63.60 Reals... Continue Reading →
The 8 hour drive from Corrientes to Foz do Iguaçu across the border into Brazil on December 23rd was phenomenal. The weather at the start was apocalyptic. We also came across a large wildfire and had to drive through patches of smoke which totally obscured the road! But as we headed East along the Paraguayan... Continue Reading →
Corrientes is a great place to spend a few days! An unexpected gem when really all we needed was a stopover to break up a 1,400km drive. It's a chilled out place where you could easily get lost for two weeks unwinding. We spent our time walking along the huge Paraná River and going to... Continue Reading →
I arrived in Rosario bus station on time at 7am and had completely run out of money so I had to walk 3.5km with my bags to get to the hostel in the city. It was nice and cool in the early morning but my bags weigh a tonne and I was exhausted when I... Continue Reading →
At the end of my last post I arrived at around 9:30pm in a village called Uspallata. I only intended to stay overnight and leave early the next morning but I loved it so much I stayed for the weekend. Close enough to the Andes for them to dominate the horizon, and at an altitude... Continue Reading →
Today, 15th December, I caught the bus from Mendoza to a national park and hiked to Aconcagua base camp and back. It was a really long day but it was fantastic! I decided to catch the 10:15 bus (more details about the practicalities later) and it takes you almost all the way back to the... Continue Reading →
Today, 14th December, was my first full day in Mendoza. It's flat and surrounded by world class wineries producing millions of litres of wine per year, including my favourite - Malbec. What better way to explore than to take a bike and wine tour!! The tour started at Bodegas Lopez, one of the best in... Continue Reading →
Mendoza is the first sizable city you reach in Argentina and from here you can look back to the Andes and see the looming giant, Aconcagua, on the horizon. I plan to stay for about 4 days to enjoy the Argentinian steak, wine and some hiking. My hostel, Punto Urbano, is fairly central, the staff... Continue Reading →
We passed through the Christ the Redeemer tunnel deep in the Andes and crossed the land border into Argentina, with cars and buses beeping their horns as they passed the flags. This cool metallic pod houses immigration! It was such a nice shelter from the scorching sun. The border guards were really friendly and we... Continue Reading →
After nearly two weeks in Chile (Santiago, Rapa Nui and Valparaiso) I'm heading over the Andes today in search of the perfect steak and wine. I do love a good mountain too. The bus is 8 hours and cost just under $50USD. The best two sites to book buses are Recorrido and Busbud, where you... Continue Reading →
Valparaiso, or Valpo, is a chilled out Mecca for street art, I will fondly remember it for the epic art and also it's epic steps!! It's an important port city for Chile and is home to the Navy, but the best of the city can be found on its steep hilly streets. For the weary,... Continue Reading →
The second time around, Santiago was spot on! I stayed in a vibrant area called Bella Vista at a hostel called the Bella Vista Hostel for about £12 per night. The neighborhood, "Barrio" in Chilean, is home to some fantastic street art and is walking distance to all the major attractions. I spent a few... Continue Reading →
Rapa Nui, just South of the Tropic of Capricorn, forms the South-Eastern point of the Polynesian triangle, the other two points being New Zealand (Aotearoa) and Hawai’i. The closest inhabited island is Pitcairn (2,000km to the West). The island is part of Chile, which is over 3,700km away. The people, island and language are all... Continue Reading →
After saying goodbye to the beach chickens and my biker gang I had another date with a dramatic sunset. I watched it with Holly, from Guernsey, as we enjoyed some pisco sours, and she taught me a bit about Guernsey. We stayed out chatting and drinking until it got really dark, then eventually I went... Continue Reading →
I hadn't dived in a few years (since the debacle with kit in Mexico) so I started off with a refresher dive in the Hanga Roa Bay and it turned out to be the right thing to do. The dive was fantastic, at a depth of about 17 metres on a bustling coral reef including... Continue Reading →
My night in the tent by the ocean was fantastic, if a little terrifying. Every now and again, a huge booming wave would hit the coast, waking me up with the thought I might be washed away. On closer inspection this afternoon the cliffs are fairly high and pretty sturdy, so tonight I expect I... Continue Reading →
As I predicted, Santiago was a bit much for the senses so as soon as I arrived I bought a flight straight to the tropical island paradise of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). It's super hot and sticky despite being quite windy but it's ace already. Just check out the photos as the plane approached the... Continue Reading →
