South American Tango: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay
For two weeks in March 2010 we sampled the best of central South America, focusing on the countries of Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay.
South America: Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires was the first stop on our central South American journey. Our email provides all the details of our time there.
South America: Encarnación and Jesuit Missions
We visited Paraguay to see the Jesuit mission ruins at Trinidad and Jesus de Tavarangue. Our base was the border city of Encarnacion.
South America: Iguazu Falls
We spent two days viewing Iguazu Falls from both the Brazil and Argentina sides and enjoyed the panorama from each side.
South America: Uruguay
Uruguay was the last country that we visited during our South American trip. Here we spent time in the historic city of Colonia del Sacramento and in the capital, Montevideo.
Best of Ecuador: Haciendas, Volcanoes and the Jungle
Ecuador provided a great getaway to experience historic haciendas, beautiful volcanoes with sweeping vistas and natural rain forest jungle in the Amazon Basin. All of this was experienced during a 10 day trip in November 2008.
Ecuador: Otavalo
Our first stop on our Ecuador journey was at a Hacienda near Otavalo, north of Quito. Otavalo is famous for their craft market. It is the largest indigenous market in Ecuador. It takes place in Plaza de Panchos. There are food and animal markets in other parts of the city.
Ecuador: Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi National Park is 50 miles south of Quito. We stayed at a wonderful hacienda in the area that contains some original Inca empire walls. We also took a day trip into the park and a short hike.
Ecuador: Lower Rio Napo Amazon
We spent three days hiking and viewing wildlife in the Amazon Basin. Our home base was Sacha Lodge, which is approximately 50 miles downstream from Coca, Ecuador on the Rio Napo (Napo River).
Ecuador: Quito
Quito was our last stop during our Ecuador journey. We had an afternoon to explore the Old Town, designated a World Heritage Site.