Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Hit me with it. Initial thoughts are: Mexico for Aztec related stuff(7 days) Colombia for non drug related stuff but maybe a tour of some drug related stuff(7 days) Peru for Incan stuff(10 days) Argentina to get nostalgic about 1978 even though I wasn't born then(7 days) Brazil because I'll be in South America and that's a big bit of it(10 days) Mostly not sure if 10 days is enough to do the Incan trail and walk up to Machu Pichu and also see some of the rest of Peru. The rest of it, other than the capital cities, what would folk recommend? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor von Doom Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 The absence of a "First World Problems" sub-forum on this site is a shocking omission. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 2 minutes ago, Victor von Doom said: The absence of a "First World Problems" sub-forum on this site is a shocking omission. General nonsense forum for this already covered pish. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshbairn Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, Victor von Doom said: The absence of a "First World Problems" sub-forum on this site is a shocking omission. https://www.pieandbovril.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222605-first-world-problems/ Anyway, I want to be the first pedant to point out that Mexico isn't in South America and to ask when the OP started his teaching job. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 31 minutes ago, welshbairn said: https://www.pieandbovril.com/forum/index.php?/topic/222605-first-world-problems/ Anyway, I want to be the first pedant to point out that Mexico isn't in South America and to ask when the OP started his teaching job. I thought about adding an ETA: I know Mexico isn't in South America but decided that I deserved any abuse coming my way for the obvious initial error. Hoping to take a bit of unpaid leave and use that along with some of my remaining holiday time. Want to have a fairly nailed down idea of what I will be doing before I expend the energy required to argue that I deserve to be allowed to take unpaid leave... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doulikefish Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Thats some serious distances you are talking about covering.Cartegena is superb in Colombia.But i would probably do Peru for Machu Pichu Then head ho Izguazu falls in Bazil.Then Rio for fun and games .Finishing in Buenos Aries and Montivedio taking the ferry between the latter 2 at the weekend for its party vibe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 11 minutes ago, doulikefish said: Thats some serious distances you are talking about covering.Cartegena is superb in Colombia.But i would probably do Peru for Machu Pichu Then head ho Izguazu falls in Bazil.Then Rio for fun and games .Finishing in Buenos Aries and Montivedio taking the ferry between the latter 2 at the weekend for its party vibe The distance is pretty astonishing. Mexico is probably the part that we would drop, it would be nice but Peru, Colombia and Argentina are the three that we both agree on completely so will be working around that and seeing what extras we can add in. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doulikefish Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Just hope you or your missus arenae vegi or vegans.Its a meat feast continent 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 15 minutes ago, doulikefish said: Just hope you or your missus arenae vegi or vegans.Its a meat feast continent Doubtful that either of us will lose much weight if we get away with this then. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Connolly Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 One of my mates went traveling in South America with his girlfriend, and ended up getting engaged when he was there. This seems to be one of the dangers you don't read about in the guide books. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 18 minutes ago, Mark Connolly said: One of my mates went traveling in South America with his girlfriend, and ended up getting engaged when he was there. This seems to be one of the dangers you don't read about in the guide books. Me and her have been together 9 years now and living together for 7 of them. Already agreed that marriage will be for passport purposes only, with possible consideration given in the event of her ending up with child, provided said child is half mines... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, Ross. said: Hit me with it. Initial thoughts are: Mexico for Aztec related stuff(7 days) Colombia for non drug related stuff but maybe a tour of some drug related stuff(7 days) Peru for Incan stuff(10 days) Argentina to get nostalgic about 1978 even though I wasn't born then(7 days) Brazil because I'll be in South America and that's a big bit of it(10 days) Mostly not sure if 10 days is enough to do the Incan trail and walk up to Machu Pichu and also see some of the rest of Peru. The rest of it, other than the capital cities, what would folk recommend? Sounds like a great trip you've got planned. I spent 6 weeks in Venezuela back in 2002 with my then gf. We hired a 4x4 and travelled all over the Country taking in Caracas, Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz, Cuidad Bolivar (including Angel falls), Merida (including Mt Bolivar), Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, and a tiny wee place called Adicora. Whilst it was enjoyable and interesting, the stress of having to find a hotel/hostel/B&B with off road parking in order to prevent a brand new vehicle being stolen diminished the enjoyment somewhat! Don't expect it to be cheap and be prepared to be ripped off! If you want cheap, I'd suggest Africa! ETA - I'd definitely recommend Angel falls, which ironically enough, you can pick up a cheap 3 day tour from Cuidad Bolivar. Edited July 15, 2019 by sjc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, sjc said: Sounds like a great trip you've got planned. I spent 6 weeks in Venezuela back in 2002 with my then gf. We hired a 4x4 and travelled all over the Country taking in Caracas, Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz, Cuidad Bolivar (including Angel falls), Merida (including Mt Bolivar), Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, and a tiny wee place called Adicora. Whilst it was enjoyable and interesting, the stress of having to find a hotel/hostel/B&B with off road parking in order to prevent a brand new vehicle being stolen diminished the enjoyment somewhat! Don't expect it to be cheap and be prepared to be ripped off! If you want cheap, I'd suggest Africa! ETA - I'd definitely recommend Angel falls, which ironically enough, you can pick up a cheap 3 day tour from Cuidad Bolivar. Very early stages so far so more a rough outline than a serious plan. Also dependent on my ability to convince management that I deserve an extended break that doesn't involve my permanent removal from the payroll... As it stands, I can't see Venezuela being on the cards... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Don't be fooled by the Western media reports on the current "situation"........I was there during the height of similar "protests and riots" under Chavez......the reality was very different. I don't really blame you though, given your outline plans. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross. Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, sjc said: Don't be fooled by the Western media reports on the current "situation"........I was there during the height of similar "protests and riots" under Chavez......the reality was very different. I don't really blame you though, given your outline plans. Her boss is Venezuelan, he has told her a few times in the last year or so that it's really not worth going to at the moment. Odd thing is it would probably be easier for us to go there and travel around than it would be for him to even get into the country! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul wright scores Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 We went to Peru in 2013 and it was a fantastic holiday. Went to Puno, did a trip to Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca, visited the Uros Floating Islands, built on dried Totora reeds, and then stayed overnight in a local homestead. We ended up playing football against the locals at 8,000ft altitude. Following that we went to onto Cusco, which is a lovely city, then Ollantaytambo which has lots of Inca ruins, following which we did the Inca Trail which ended with a visit to Machu Picchu. The walk and visit to MP lasted 4 days and is hard going at times. We then went back to Cusco for a couple of nights then onto Puerto Maldonado where we had a 3 night visit in the Amazon, which was great fun. The holiday finished as it started with some time in Lima, which is a great city to visit. Earlier this year we went to Quito in Ecuador as we were en route to Galapagos Islands. We had a couple of days before and after the trip in Quito and it was a good visit. Plenty to see and do. Following that we went to the Iguacu Falls - we stayed in Brazil but viewed them from the Argentinian side. It is best to get there early to avoid the mass invasion of tourists wanting to pose and take pictures. It was a good visit, something worth seeing but an expensive detour so bear that in mind if money is a factor. Our final destination was Rio for 3 nights. We hired a tour guide - $250 for the day for the 2 of us, but it was worth every penny/cent, when you take into account what it would cost in terms of both taxis/transport costs and in particular lost time working out how to get to the various places you want to get to. When you compare what we paid to what travel companies charge for a half day visit, most of which will be lost picking up and dropping off other tourists it was money well spent. We saw far more than we would have been able to see otherwise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doulikefish Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 We went to Peru in 2013 and it was a fantastic holiday. Went to Puno, did a trip to Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca, visited the Uros Floating Islands, built on dried Totora reeds, and then stayed overnight in a local homestead. We ended up playing football against the locals at 8,000ft altitude. Following that we went to onto Cusco, which is a lovely city, then Ollantaytambo which has lots of Inca ruins, following which we did the Inca Trail which ended with a visit to Machu Picchu. The walk and visit to MP lasted 4 days and is hard going at times. We then went back to Cusco for a couple of nights then onto Puerto Maldonado where we had a 3 night visit in the Amazon, which was great fun. The holiday finished as it started with some time in Lima, which is a great city to visit. Earlier this year we went to Quito in Ecuador as we were en route to Galapagos Islands. We had a couple of days before and after the trip in Quito and it was a good visit. Plenty to see and do. Following that we went to the Iguacu Falls - we stayed in Brazil but viewed them from the Argentinian side. It is best to get there early to avoid the mass invasion of tourists wanting to pose and take pictures. It was a good visit, something worth seeing but an expensive detour so bear that in mind if money is a factor. Our final destination was Rio for 3 nights. We hired a tour guide - $250 for the day for the 2 of us, but it was worth every penny/cent, when you take into account what it would cost in terms of both taxis/transport costs and in particular lost time working out how to get to the various places you want to get to. When you compare what we paid to what travel companies charge for a half day visit, most of which will be lost picking up and dropping off other tourists it was money well spent. We saw far more than we would have been able to see otherwise. I was working in Rio in when you were there....I would have given you the tour for $100 [emoji23] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul wright scores Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 6 minutes ago, doulikefish said: I was working in Rio in when you were there....I would have given you the tour for $100 Lol - Could you have got us to the front of virtually every queue though without being hassled? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doulikefish Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Lol - Could you have got us to the front of virtually every queue though without being hassled?Dont want to hijack Ross's thread but did you do lunch at the middle station on sugarloaf ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerberus Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I work with a guy from El Salvador. He said all the men get pressed into the gangs so there are a tons of women in their 20s looking for a man. I'm not sure if that is helpful at all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.