I apologize for the serious content of this post. Haha, no I don’t! It’s butterflies. And they are just delightful. My latest video has been described as “joyful”. Continue reading “Butterflies of the Amazon”
Tag: wander
A Conversation About Jungle Life
I’m ready to share my latest youtube video. My last video introduced Miguel, a.k.a Chapa, an indigenous Tacana jungle boy from the Amazon in Bolivia. I am working on a series of videos that offer a peak into jungle life of the native people who live there.
In this video Miguel answers a few questions about what life is like in the indigenous communities. He mentions how life is different “in the city”. But, “the city” which he refers to is actually a very small town. Continue reading “A Conversation About Jungle Life”
How Not To Do Machu Picchu
First of all, Machu Picchu is amazing. Even if your tour is as terrible as mine was. No matter how you choose to do Machu Picchu, you should choose to do Machu Picchu.
With that said, I would do it very differently with the hindsight I now have. Continue reading “How Not To Do Machu Picchu”
A Modern Day Tarzan Story
Meet Miguel. Born and raised in the heart of the Bolivian Amazon, this Native Bolivian Indian knows how to live off the land completely. He puts everyone on survivalist reality TV shows to shame. Although he did not grow up in one of the “uncontacted” communities that have received recent attention in the Amazon jungle, he comes from a primitive tribe in the same region, likely with close genetic relationships. This community lives a natural lifestyle without modern amenities. Continue reading “A Modern Day Tarzan Story”
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”
Arequipa & Colca Canyon, Peru
Arequipa was my “Welcome to Peru” city. I had heard from repeated backpackers that the city center was really lovely, and that the nearby Colca Canyon was something that shouldn’t be missed on a good tour of Peru. So of course, I headed straight there. Continue reading “Arequipa & Colca Canyon, Peru”
Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia
This was an incredible way to say goodbye to Bolivia after an incredible 3 months (4 if you count last year). I love this country beyond words! For my the final leg of my Bolivian journey, I visited Copacabana and Isla Del Sol. Continue reading “Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia”
Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle
When I was preparing for my second big South American adventure, many people asked me if I planned to revisit anywhere I had already been. For the most part, I was only interested in seeing new things. But there was one place I absolutely had my heart set on to revisit: Rurrenabaque, Bolivia. From the moment I left this town last year, I knew I hadn’t had enough. I needed more of the charming small town, more of the beautiful local people, and more of the Amazon. Continue reading “Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle”
At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.
La frontera… Otra vez. So my second “first impression” of Bolivia was equally as strange and frustrating as my first. Continue reading “At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.”