Latin America, My Favourite Spots

Iguazu Falls, Brazil ©Solange Hando

My top favourite, on the border between Argentina (80% of the falls) and Brazil (best views of them all.) Notice the walkway (top right) where you can get amazingly close beyond the rainbow and get soaking wet, plastic gear provided.

The falls (over 200 of them) stretch 2.7km and drop 82 metres in places. Tourists carefully monitored so you really feel at the heart of it all, overwhelmed by sound and sight. 

La Boca, Buenos Aires ©Solange Hando

Just one of 48 'barrio' in the Argentinian capital, this neighbourhood is all traditional buildings and cobbled lanes close to the old harbour and 21st century tower blocks.

Enjoy Italian tavernas and Spanish Tango on the streets  -join in if you dare- and see artists, markets and humble dwellings, bright cheerful colours, all along the way.

Lake District, Chile ©Solange Hando

South of the capital Santiago, a spectacular flight takes you over the snow-capped mountains to the Andes Lake District shared between Chile and Argentina. Above is the lovely Peulla in Chile, so quiet and pristine.

On the Argentinian side, I enjoyed the attractive resort of Bariloche with its luminous lake, volcanoes, forests and spectacular views, hike in summer, ski in winter.

Costa Rica, Making Friends ©Solange Hando

Well, I'd need a whole album to show you Costa Rica -wild life and volcanoes included- but here's just one happy friend, helping me to celebrate my birthday.

Let's jus say that that this is an amazing country, top rated for Human Development and Conservation, between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Back in 1949, it abolished its army to spend money on health care, education and preserving the natural world. A lesson for us all?

 

Peru, Lake Titicaca ©Solange Hando

So much to see in Peru, I especially loved Cusco and Machu Picchu, but meeting the Uros Indians on Lake Titicaca is my most endearing memory.

Long ago, they set up home on the lake, harvesting reeds to build floating islands where enemies could not reach them. It's a continuous process even today but the Uros are doing well with fishing, local crafts and even technology. Shared with Bolivia, Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, 3810 metres.

Mexico, Chichen Itza ©Solange Hando

In the Yucatan peninsula, this was the largest city built by the Mayas and Kukulcan (above) is the most spectacular monument. The 30 metre high stepped pyramid takes its name from a snake god, said to cast its 'shadow' across the steps during the spring and autumn equinox.

It's a top attraction, accessible from coastal resorts, but go early and you can have it all to yourself as you ponder on this powerful yet cruel civilisation.

Guatemala, Sunset on Lake Atitlan ©Solange Hando

Up in the highlands of Sierra Madre, Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America (max. 340 metres). Set in a vast caldera in the National Park, it is 18 km long and fringed by three 'new' volcanoes, at least one of them still active.

There are traditional Maya villages in the neighbourhood but no road around the lake so it is often considered one of the most beautiful in the world

Cuba ©Solange Hando

The largest island in the Caribbean

Dancing, music, tradition, colour

What more could you want?

A cigar?

Rolled on a lady's thigh, of course

  

Br

 

Antigua Guatemala

La Antigua Guatemala ©Solange Hando

Here's a bird's eye view of Antigua from the hill of Santa Cruz, up 133 steps if your tuk-tuk can't make it to the top. In the highlands of Guatemala, Antigua is a convenient stop on the way to Tikal  or Lake Atitlan.
This colourful city is framed by three volcanoes approaching 4,000 metres.The massive Water Volcano (above) has not caused any disasters in modern times but Acatenango, the highest, erupted in 1972. Most awesome however is the Fire Volcano which frequently puffs out gases and fumes from the top and side vent. Its last eruption was in 2012.

Mr Choc, Come in and Taste ©Solange Hando

Love chocolate? Guatemala is the place, and especially Antigua with wonderful hand-crafted chocolates made from local beans and sold along the lanes and in the coffee shops. Delicious!

For a healthy treat, try fresh tropical fruit with lashings of yogurt or a scrumptious salad topped with a succulent over-sized avocado.

Colourful Maya Textiles ©Solange Hando

Shopping is pretty good in Antigua. Top of the range are the brightly-coloured Maya textiles found in the central market alongside other items, mugs, dolls, pots and more. It's a great place to wander around and try your bargaining skills, feeling safer than you would do in Guatemala City, the modern capital not so far away. 

Santa Catalina Archway, Antigua ©Solange Hando

Beautifully restored after successive earthquakes and eruptions, this former capital truly deserves its place on the Unesco list.Colourful houses, flower-draped balconies, pristine lanes and a flurry of elegant buildings in Spanish-Baroque style sprinkled with colonial churches.

Puzzled Resident, Antigua Guatemala©Solange Hando

With a population of just 50,0000, Antigua Guatemala has a few surprises in store besides its listed buildings. Relax under the trees on the central square, pop into the jade museum and see 25 shades of green and the recently discovered 'lavender' jade, watch weavers at work in the grounds of Santo Domingo and stare back at a red macaw in a tropical garden.

Local Transport in Antigua Guatemala ©Solange Hando

Then try the local transport, as pictured above, or the more eye-catching tourist version with a purple roof, unless you prefer the ubiquitous tuk-tuk but when the school bus rattles down the lane, don't expect a lift, just make do with waving to the kids.

Springtime in Antigua Guatemala ©Solange Hando

Tikal, Lost City of the Maya in Guatemala

Tikal Iconic Temple ©Solange Hando

Over 3000 Maya structures are scattered in the Peten jungle but the lost city which gives its name to the National Park is the most impressive.

Early archaeologists cleared a few monuments, such as Temple I seen above, but today, remains are deliberately left in their natural environment, eerie and hauntingly beautiful. Tikal means 'Voices of the Spirits'.

Exploring Tikal ©Solange Hando

It's hot and humid in the subtropical forest but beyond Temple I and nearby structures, the best way  to explore is on foot.

There's plenty to discover along the way, from jungle-covered ruins to rare plants and trees, such as  the 'incense stick' or the tall Ceiba or 'stairway to heaven'.

You might spot howling monkeys up in the trees but small tigers and jaguars keep well away, as do crocs and venomous snakes unless you stray off the well-marked trails.

View from the Top of Temple IV ©Solange Hando

When you approach Temple IV, the highest, only the top peeps above the trees  but a carefully concealed stairway takes you up to a viewing platform. There the jungle unfolds as far as you can see, bristling here and here with abandoned Maya ruins.

There's no better place to reflect on this lost city, founded in 600 BC, a place where arts and science flourished under the watchful eye of the gods and an ongoing building boom catered for up to 100,00 people.

A Colourful Resident ©Solange Hando

Where there's a bench, there's humans and this bright ocellated turkey knows it well, hoping for crumbs as you take a break on your hot 6 km walk around the main complex.

But it's only one of the many creatures you might meet, alongside 352 species of birds and 535 of butterflies.

Expect Lots of Steps ©Solange Hando

Once you've had a rest, there's always more to explore, plazas and palaces, twin pyramids, acropolis,temples, altars, rock sculpture...

Yet all along, one can't help wondering why after 1500 years, this thriving city was abandoned, drought, war, disease, no one knows, but at least it was rediscovered in the 19th century and remains to this day one of the most atmospheric sites in the Maya world.

Lake Tikal ©Solange Hando

After a long day in the jungle, Lake Tikal is just a drive away, the perfect place to relax and enjoy a fabulous sunset.