Visiting San Augustín, Colombia

This place is a little out of the way from the typical beach resorts where most who vacation in Colombia go. But if you head to the southwest of Colombia there are incredible treasures in store. San Augustín’s stunning landscapes and Archeological parks were among the most memorable stops along my two month Colombian adventure.

If you love traveling to lesser-known off-the-beaten-path places and have an affinity for history and ancient mysteries, then San Augstín should definitely be on your list of adventures. Continue reading “Visiting San Augustín, Colombia”

Nazca, Peru

Two millennia before the Inca would exist to create Machu Picchu in Eastern Peru, the Nazca people ruled the deserts 197 miles (317 km) to the West.  The region is scattered with ruins, leaving behind clues to this ancient civilization.   Continue reading “Nazca, Peru”

The Ruins of Cusco & The Sacred Valley – Learn From My Mistakes.

I don’t think I saw this region properly.  I don’t often say that.  But considering that the Inca Ruins were among the places that I was most excited to explore in South America, I have to be honest and say that if I ever do it a second time in life, I will do it differently.  Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful time and am thrilled that I finally made it here.  But those of you planning your Cusco trips, please learn from my mistakes! Continue reading “The Ruins of Cusco & The Sacred Valley – Learn From My Mistakes.”

Cusco, City and Celebration

Having spent a full month just in Cusco, 1 blog post doesn’t seem like fair attention to this fascinating place.  So I am going to break this up into 3 posts.  This post is dedicated to the City of Cusco, as well as the Inti Raymi festival that I was lucky to be able to celebrate there.

When I first set my sights on South America, Machu Picchu felt like the pinnacle that had to be reached.  My initial plan was to start in the South of Patagonia, and finish 4 months later in Cusco, the launching point for visitors from around the globe visiting the wondrous Inca ruins.  That is not what happened.  After 4 months, I hadn’t even reached Peru.  So I returned to South America a second time, this time with 6 months to spare.  The second time around, I still had my heart set on visiting Machu Picchu, but I no longer envisioned it as the climax of my journey.  After being awestruck by so many unexpected things along my way, Machu Picchu became another exciting stop along a journey that would continue well beyond.
Continue reading “Cusco, City and Celebration”

Tiwanaku, Bolivia

11smFor my final day in Bolivia, I wanted to take a closer look into the region’s ancient history.  Tiwanaku is the site of  a once thriving Pre-Columbian civilization that died out long before it’s discovery by Spaniards in the mid 1500’s.   Continue reading “Tiwanaku, Bolivia”