South America trip taking shape

March 1, 2006

We’ve booked our flights to South America now - we’re leaving Auckland on the 20th of June and returning on the 16th of July. We’re flying via Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. I’m really excited about the 9 day tour we’ll be doing with Intrepid which will take us through the Amazon staying in a little jungle hut, to Machu Picchu, Lima and Cuzco. We’re still needing to book our flights up to Igacu falls and look at tours into Uruguay. I’m going to play it safe by leaving my valuables safe at home (first time not wearing my wedding rings for any length of time, no laptop).

I’m full of anticipation for the trip - I don’t have too many preconceived ideas about what the place is like. I just think of The Motorcycle Diaries, Evita, tango, soccer, coffee and massive steaks… but I know there’s a lot more to discover. We’ve got a handy Rough Guide to South America and a teeny phrase book but I’m still looking out for an interesting book to read up on the culture and/or history.. any suggestions?

Anywhere we should go/eat at/stay at in those cities? Do you know of any great sites for South America? The ones I keep finding aren’t so great.

See also
Comments

  1. How long are you staying in BA? Been there a few times and there is much to see in and around the city. I’ll try to dig up what was the best from my wife. She’s from Cordoba, Argentina in the Interior. Man you are covering a lot of territory for one trip! Be sure to bring lots of the memory cards! LOL

    — John Labriola, March 2, 2006

  2. Just came back from 6 days in Buneos Aires - if you are looking for a hotel, here is my recommendation - http://www.designce.com/ - very well designed and modern.

    — Roy, March 2, 2006

  3. fun! I’m very jealous - although we’ll be having our baby in that time so I guess I’ll be on my own little ‘journey’ while you’re away :-)

    — Darren, March 2, 2006

  4. From memory, 5 days in BA in total, 1 on the way over, 4 on the way back.

    Thanks Roy, just having a look at the site now, looks a lovely hotel!

    — Rachel, March 2, 2006

  5. Looks fantastic. I’m connecting with more people who’re visiting SA -one of our staff is doing the INCA trail in June…A little while off, but I hoe that you ENJOY the experience very much.

    — Paul Fromont, March 17, 2006

  6. wait, Oh my GOD I just saw this. You can’t LEAVE! who’ll take care of techcrunch? seriously, you have to cancel.

    — michael arrington, May 15, 2006

  7. Make sure you talk about how your trip was when you get back. Im from Kumeu (Auckland), im planning to go to South America this time next year - hopefully to spend a year or two travelling around there.

    Also, i like the new look of TechCrunch. Im working on a web app/service thing http://frondiz.com and might contact you soon regarding template designs.

    Its great to see NZ up there with the best of them (TechCrunch).

    — Robert Kern, May 15, 2006