South America 2011 and 2012: Summary

Rebecca
Highlights:

• Day 3 of the Inca Trail, it was a moderate walk, through the Clouded Forest

• Swimming with the Penguins in the Galapagos
• Seeing the Macaws at the clay lick in the Amazon

Recommendations:

• Take two swim suits for the Galapagos - this was by far the best advice I got and I'm glad I took it!
• Be prepared to get wet on the Inca Trail - we were rather lucky, but most people we met had horror stories of days of rain
• All we heard about Tahiti was how expensive it was. Reality for us, living in one of the most expensive cities in the world was that it wasn't really. The food/drinks in the supermarket was cheaper than home. Shop there for basics. Local restaurants were moderate cost if not inexpensive, eat where the locals do. Finally if you eat in the Hilton in Sydney you will pay $30+ for a hamburger, it should not shock you then when a hamburger in the Hilton Moorea is $30+.
• It's nature not a zoo

Favourite Photo:

Machu Picchu, Peru - the end of our 4 day hike

The 7 Explorers - Rapa Nui/Easter Island

Favourite Meal/Dish:

• I loved being able to eat raw fish/ika mata/ceviche everywhere!

• Our dinner at Zig Zag in Arequipa was fantastic

• As was dinner at in Rapa Nui

Low lights:

• South America is a huge continent, there was just no way we could see everything

DH
Highlights:

• Seeing Machu Picchu after the 4 day Inca Trail

• The stunning Iguazu Falls - from both sides
• Galapagos Cruise

Recommendations:

• Avoid western chain restaurants - they always disappoint and we should know better by now!
• Pre-plan with medication - you might not need the altitude sickness meds, but if you do you need Diamox it's better to have it then use the local version
• Don't be disappointed if things don't go according to plan - go with the flow, you never know what you might experience

Favourite Photo:
It's hard to pick, but this one of the Devil's Throat is hard to beat

Favourite Meal/Dish:

• Zig Zag, Arequipa

•  The raw fish/ceviche was also good

Low lights:

• TGIF - give western meals a miss, even though everything else was closed we would have been better off eating in the hotel

South America Day 41: Moorea to Papeete

January 2012

Up at 730 am to make the most of our snorkling opportunity. Got two more swims in before having to checkout.

Hang out by the pool before catching the transfer back to the wharf and the ferry.

We walked back to our hotel and dropped off our bags before heading back down to the wharf for the Roulottes. This is where there are heaps of different food carts, we found one with the local raw fish and steak with blue cheese sauce and fries. It was inexpensive and fantastic. We choose one that was busy and it was a good choice.

Stay
Fare Suisse, Papeete

Eat
Les Roulottes, Papeete

Do
Snorkle, Moorea

South America Day 40: Papeete to Moorea

January 2012

Up early to pack before heading off to catch the ferry. Stopped at the supermarket to buy breakfast, lunch and some water before heading down to the wharf.

We got the Amereti 5 at 915 am and about 30 minutes later we were on Moorea.

We were picked up at the wharf and taken about 30 minutes around the Island to our accommodation. We were surprised that we were able to check in and spend the full day in our over water bungalow.

We grabbed our snorkel and got straight into the water right off our balcony. The water was warm (but good) and we were able to see heaps of tropical fish. After a quick baguette lunch we headed back in for another snorkel.

We went for about a 5 k walk to find a place that sold soda, only to find one about 300 meters away from the hotel!

We went for another snorkel before watching the sunset.

We then headed down the road for dinner. We both had the set menu, DH having the pizza and I having the local raw fish, followed by ice cream, before heading back to the hotel.

Stay
Hilton Moorea, 107 Over water Bungalow

Eat
Pension Motu Iti (left out of the hotel)

Do
Snorkel

South America Day 39: Rapa Nui to Papeete

January 2012

One more day in my childhood dream location.

Out on a snorkeling excursion at Orongo. We got in the water and snorkeled for about an hour seeing blue and white coral and tropical fish.


We headed back to town for lunch before going on a walk along the coast to the Tahai Complex. Here they have a few different Moai's, one with eyes.

We continued further along to the museum. The exhibit is small but they have booklets explaining each item in whatever language you need.

We headed back into town and ending up dipping our feet in the water and then heading to dinner and ordering the same dishes we had our first day here - ceviche and the baked crab dish.

We then headed back to the hotel for our transfer to the airport and 6 hours later arrived in Papeete, where we were picked up and headed to our hotel.

Stay
Fare Suisee, Papeete

Eat
Haka Honu, Rapa Nui

Do
Snorkeling at Orongo
Tahai Complex
   Ahu Vai Uri
   Ahu Tahai
   Ahu Ko Te Riko
Museum