Category Archives: Travel Journals

The lodge at Parque Valle Chacabuco

Feb 23 After a flight to Balmaceda airport, a rental truck, a night in Coyhaique, then an all day drive over many mountain passes, all dirt roads, about 9 hours…. we are here. The last 9 kilometers off the Carratera … Continue reading

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Drive from Coyhaique to Chacabuco

The drive started by 8:30 AM. We have to pass Cerro Castillo before 2 when construction will close the road. We will be on pavement until there – about 90 Kms but dirt the rest of the way – 315kms … Continue reading

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Santiago to Balmaceda and Coyhaique – en route to Valle Chacabuco

Aisen Province, Chile – Region XI Destination – Patagonia National Park in the Chacabuco Valley. We fly from JFK overnight to Santiago, check in to a hotel near Center City for one night. This gives us enough time to catch up on … Continue reading

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Santiago continued

We stroll the early evening, summer time here of course, across the enormous Plaza del Armas in the center of Santiago. There is a breeze to cut the heat that can be impressive especially now. The Museo Historico is closed, … Continue reading

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Mapuche Myth

The myth is about two enormous reptiles depicted on this carved stone star: CaiCai is the ruler of the sea. Tran Tran is the ruler of the land. Like the Mapuche culture that had warring factions, these two were always … Continue reading

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Santiago arrival

Well, we don’t have 36 hours here in Santiago – only this day and an overnight. We combine essential sleep, a long walk home from the museum through the Lasstarria neighborhood with book stalls and colorful musicians, cafes and lots … Continue reading

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Parque del Condor

An American eagle landing after flight demonstration – a daily event at Parque del Condor above Peguche in the High Sierras of Ecuador! — at Parque del Condor. Here she is taking off!

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SOUTHWEST FRANCE

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6 Travel days: Arrive Bordeaux Wednesday September 7; depart Bordeaux for USA Saturday, September 17, 2016 Tour is designed for 6-10 travelers Cost: $6,500 per person single $4,700 … Continue reading

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ECUADOR

ART & YOGA IN THE HIGH SIERRAS J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 This tour is FULL. If you would like to be on a waiting list, please send us your contact information. 10 days … Continue reading

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Travel Note – Ecuador was amazing!

One of the reasons to travel is to discover new people! It was our third or fourth visit to Sachaji retreat. But this time, we met the charming Maria Teresa Ponce. She is an architect, a photographer, and the owner … Continue reading

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Hiking through Intag

Owner, host Peter Joost orients us to the plants, birds and bugs of this lush landscape. He is an encyclopedia of all the different species. By evening, we are walking through the Intag Cloud Forest after a good downpour. Luckily … Continue reading

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Zuleta

The celebrations on both equinox and the solstices continue every three months here. We find a couple of early revelers eager to dance in their two sided masks with llama chaps, long whip and horn/conch shell to call the community! … Continue reading

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The Equator

This is the same design created by pre Incan civilizations – here designed by scientists measuring the exact center of the world! The sun rises and sets against the mountain peaks creating a point of orientation to measure the seasons … Continue reading

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Our room at SachaJi

– a quiet surprise in the valley of Imbarura overlooking San Pablo de Lago. These grounds are stripped of invasive plants – and the result is just beautiful. Such a pleasure to visit

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El Refugio de Intag is a very special place

We walk on moss covered paths through thick vegetation by a rushing stream. We take an art class. We watch birds. We meditate. We do yoga. And we are enchanted with the energy and beauty of this place. Good morning … Continue reading

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Otavalo animal and food markets are bustling on Saturdays – all year long!

It’s near the end of the market by 9 am and many are leaving by now! This man found a pig to take home – the pig is squealing like it being tortured! The truck is here for rent in … Continue reading

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A day in Quichinche, Ecuador

         

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Near San Pablo

It’s mid day and time to gather to kick off the festivities arranged for the upcoming soccer tournament in February – an annual affair in this sleepy community that attracts amateurs and professional players from all over the world. The … Continue reading

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Caves to… Castles

Day 4 This morning, we leave Les Eyzies and drive through the Vazere, a part of the Dordogne valley that is carefully protected from development for having the longest uninterrupted history of mankind in Europe. We weave along beautiful roadways … Continue reading

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Travel Journal: Castles & Caves of Southern France & Northern Spain

September 9 – A Note from Bordeaux It is Wednesday. We have planned this tour for over a year to explore the first known art works created by Cro-Magnon and Neanderthal man. Easing our way back through time, we explore … Continue reading

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