Saying Adios to South America

Being on the move quite a bit, you get accustomed to looking forward and not back. But as we pass into New Zealand, and with it, the half way mark of our trip, we found ourselves reflecting fondly on our 6 months in South America and what a rewarding and exciting journey together it has been so far. 

From the absorbing Atlantic Rainforest trails of REGUA, north of Rio, with the lovely people we shared time with - the owners, volunteers and delightful children at the Guiapaçu school - to the amazing, memorable, close-up wildlife experiences of the Pantanal, that we enjoyed on horseback, on foot, by boat and by truck.

Getting to know the sunny South American coastline from Rio in Brazil down through Uruguay to Buenos Aires in Argentina, and the fun we spent at Ilha do Mel, Ubatuba, and the uniquely tranquil, querky and beautiful Cabo Polonio, where we celebrated Louis‘  9th birthday and the boys surfed and sand-boarded for the first time.

Learning about life in the Galapagos, the differences across the various islands and enjoying the unforgettable encounters with wild and playful sea-lions there, (and the not-so-playful huge grumpy one), and paragliding over Lima on the way back.

Enjoying our introduction to Argentina with Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires and the freedom of horse-riding across the wide open plains a few hours south with the impressive and engaging Gauchos at the Estancia La Margarita.

Relaxing and sometimes being restless on the long, very long bus trips across Argentina, and all the amazing wildlife experiences that these journeys afforded us, with penguins, Southern Right Whales, Orcas and other dolphins; with baby fur seals as well as huge elephant seals, not to mention hairy tarantulas and our time with dinosaurs (though the latter is not strictly “wildlife!”)

And in the south of Argentina, where the boys learned all about glaciers, (both advancing and retreating!) whilst finding their trekking feet on the lovely, natural trails of El Chalten against the breathtaking beauty of Patagonia there.

Thinking of home a little, whilst celebrating Christmas in Bariloche with our good friend Jarrod, who came all the way from the UK to see us, ahead of our drive along the best and worst of the famed Ruta 40.

Climbing volcanos in Chile, and the fun and games with borders in between, as well as getting up close to lofty Aconcagua.   

Finishing with one of our favourite places, at San Rafael, in Argentina, so good, we went there twice, with my fathers 80th birthday celebration, to enjoy the tranquility of the place, and the warmth and hospitality of our hosts Mike and Vicki, the volunteers and other guests (and of course the dogs!)

And across all these places, we’ve been struck by the kindness and friendliness of far too many people to name, their patient and welcoming nature, especially with the boys, their interest in our own adventure and openness to share about themselves.  It's helped make the experiences we've shared as a family together, which, after all, was the prime motivation for this trip, that much more memorable. 

So it's not hard to see whey we’ll be wanting to come back to South America someday.  Perhaps the World Cup or the Olympics might afford an opportunity!