South America Day 36: Santiago to Rapa Nui

January 2012

When I was younger a primary school teacher showed us pictures of the statues of Easter Island, I had grown up around people that had travelled to all types of places (East Germany, Israel, Afghanistan) but from this point on Easter Island and it's Moai's was the pinnacle of travelling. Little did I know that 20 something years later I would be married to someone of Polynesian heritage who's interest in this Island on the tip of the South Pacific region would be nearly as strong as mine.

So after a 5 hour flight from Santiago we arrived in Rapa Nui (or Easter Island or Isla de Pascua).

After checking into our hotel, we took the short stroll down to the water and along to Haka Honu for lunch. We enjoyed the local raw fish and a baked crab and cheese dish.

We had an afternoon dip in the rock pool at Playa Pea, we even saw a sea turtle swimming.

We had dinner at a Pizzeria - the large pizza would have fed 4, before calling it a night.

Stay
O'Tai Hotel

Eat
Haka Honu, so much better than what Trip advisor says (and where there were plenty of locals on a Sunday afternoon)
Pizzeria La Esquina

Do
Swim in the rock pool
Walk along the main street

South America Day 35: Santiago

January 2012

Up to catch the tour bus. Once on the bus we headed 2.5 hours North West from Santiago out to Vina del Mar. We first stopped at the botanical gardens where they hold concerts every year and they have an old house (currently being restored due to damage sustained in a major earthquake).

 
We then stopped at the Easter Island museum, where they have one of the large Moai's on display. We then headed towards the coast stopping for a fish lunch on the Pacific ocean.

We then headed towards Valparaiso to the Chilean Poets Pablo Neruela, we didn't do the tour but took pictures of the outside and walked to the poets park.

We then visited the painted buildings and rode the funicular. We then headed back on the bus to Santiago.

That night we had a quick dinner. I had a large Churrasco Completo which was a beef sandwich with sauerkraut, tomatoes and salsa. DH had the Churrasco pobre, which was steak strips, eggs and chips.

Stay
Blue Tree Fundador

Eat
The Red Bar

Do
Valparaiso
Vina del mar

South America Day 34: Iguazu to Santiago

January 2012

This day was a prime example of how things when travelling never go to plan. There was meant to be a 5 hour gap between our flight landing at the domestic airport and the flight departing from the international airport in Buenos Aires. By time our plane was 1 hour late leaving Iguazu, Argentina and baggage taking over an hour at the domestic airport, the mad dash across town in what was now peak hour traffic, we only made our plane to Santiago because that flight was delayed 1.5 hours.

The joy of travelling...

Stay
Blue Fundador, Santiago

Soth America Day 33: Iguazu Falls - Brazil side

January 2012

We got to the Brazilian side of the falls gate at around 9 am. We got our tickets and drove a bit further around to the hotel where the start of the trail starts. The advantage of the Brazilian side is that you get to see the full falls, instead of being on top of the falls.

We stopped many times to get pictures before heading to the point where you get a different perspective to the Devil's Throat.

We decided not to do the helicopter after the view we got from both sides and instead decided on visiting the bird park. Here we saw many tropical birds including the Macaws and Toucans.

That evening we walked to a local bar for dinner and drinks

Stay
Hotel Del Ray

Eat
El Capitano (bar)

Do
Brazil side of the falls
Parque Das Aves (bird park)

South America Day 32: Iguazu Falls - Argentina side

January 2012

We had a private guided tour arranged to try and beat the crowds of the bus tours. We drove for about 30 minutes from our hotel to the Brazil/Argentina boarder. We were in line at the park when the gates opened at 9 am and we caught the first train to the Devil's Throat.

These falls are about a 15 minute flat walk from the train and are loud, wet and huge!

After about 30 minutes we caught the train back to the Upper Circuit, walking down through to the lower circuit trail. This was my favourite area, in particular the two sisters falls.

We did the zodiac tour under and around the falls (you will get soaked there is no way around it, try and change beforehand).

The open air trucks took us back up to the main entrance of the park and after a quick lunch returned to the hotel.

That night we Brazilian BBQ for dinner (too much meat!).

Stay
Hotel Del Rey

Eat
Churrascaria de Gaucho

Do
Argentina side of the falls
- Devils Throat
- Upper Circuit
- Lower Circuit
- Grand Adventure Zodiac

South America Day 31: Lima to Iguacu

January 2012

We added the Iguacu or Iguazu Falls late in our planning. Most of the day was spent in transit from Lima to Iguacu (3.5 hr direct flight), arriving for a late dinner at our hotel.

Stay
Hotel Del Ray

Eat
Hotel Del Ray

Do
Transit day

South America Day 30: Quito, Equador

January 2012

We were up late for a city tour around Quito. We met our guide and made our way to the largest church in the city with spectacular stain glass windows.

We walked into the old town to the Presidential Palace, where on Mondays the President and Vice president will go onto the balcony for the changing of the guards. It was Monday and both the president and Vice President were in attendance. We also got to see an extra display for the 5 year anniversary of the revolution celebrations.

We then walked down to the San Francisco square.

We got picked up and headed towards the equator line stopping for lunch along the way. There is a small museum at the equator line and they show you some of the effects the equator has.

Once back at the hotel we took a quick cab ride to see the Handicraft markets which were disappointing before heading back to the hotel to catch a flight to Lima.

Stay
Ramada Airport, Lima

Eat
Rumicucho, Equador

Do
Equator Line
Changing of the guards mondays at the Presidental Palace
San Francisco Square