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

 

Travels on my Birthday

Taiwan ©Solange Hando

Which birthday? Well, let us say somewhere on the wiser side of middle-age.

Lovely celebration with the Tsou tribe up in the hills... See the tiny peach in my right hand? Straight from the garden and a special present from the family.

Rio de Janeiro ©Solange Hando

Well, I could show you the clocktower near the beach confirming the date but this is a much more exciting picture.

Loved this view from Corcovado and in the afternoon, went up the Sugar loaf  (front right) up two cable cars. Fabulous.

Namibia ©Solange Hando

I loved Namibia and I still dream about this beautiful cheetah out in the wild, just posing for my birthday, it seemed, in the heat of the day.

Did you know Namibia was the first country in the world to include conservation in its Constitution?

Wildlife always has the right of way and it certainly works, can't beat it.

Peru ©Solange Hando

Hold on, don't let me drift!

This is me on Lake Titicaca with the Uros Indians who build their homes on reed islands. Up there, on the roof of the world, this was indeed an amazing day.

Madagascar ©Solange Hando

My birthday wish? There it was, a real lemur in the wild, hard work for me clambering through the forest but so easy for them swinging from branch to branch...

Watched many different species in different areas, guides knew exactly where to go.

Reunion Island ©Solange Hando

Something I'd never done before, flying on a microflight over a volcanic island...on the other side of the world.

Scenery wise, never seen any island as dramatic as this one, canyons, craters and peaks everywhere and, would you believe it, this is a French department...

Costa Rica ©Solange Hando

Celebrating with Local Farmer

Remembering lots of  happy times

and planning many more
Blogged on my birhday
at home
Lockdown 2020

Images of Peru, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca

Cusco, Main Square ©Solange Hando

At 3400 metres, the former Inca capital is a lovely place with a mix of ancient remains and Spanish colonial buildings. Mountains, flower beds, colonial balconies and arcades, it's all there, around the spacious square or along the steep narrow lanes of the old town.

Santa Domingo in Cusco ©Solange Hando

The church/and convent were built on the site of an Inca temple -to ensure it could never be used again- but remains of the original walls survived earthquakes and are still visible.

The Incas always kept their way and in the cathedral, the Last Supper image is not bread and wine,but Andean cheese and guinea pig (their favourite meat). 

Weaving ©Solange Hando

This lady got it right, beautiful work, so much colour and the best tourist spot around, with great views of Cusco and nearby mountains... Who could resist?

Arriving in Aguas Calientes ©Solange Hando

Cusco is the start of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, just 40 km or so but 4 challenging days across the Andes.

The alternative is train or road with stunning panoramas and a chance to visit several Inca sites along the way.

Machu Picchu ©Solange Hando

Unless you trek, access to Machu Picchu is from the lively little resort of Aguas Calientes where a shuttle bus takes you to the site, totally hidden in the mountains.

It simply takes your breath away but be sure to book your ticket well ahead of time for visitors' numbers are restricted.

Pachacutec ©Solange Hando

The 9th Inca Emperor holds pride of place on the square in Aguas Calientes.

One of the most important leaders, he started building Machu Picchu, the work of 50,000 labourers and crafstmen which lasted 50-70 years. 

Lake Titicaca, Uros Islands ©Solange Hando

Shared between Peru and Bolivia, Titicaca (the'puma rock') is the highest navigable lake in the world  and said to be the birth place of the Incas.

It is 190 km long, 80 across at its widest, fed by 25 rivers and dotted with islands.

Traditional Boat on Floating Island ©Solange Hando

Close to the shore but most amazing of all are the floating islands, built with reeds and reshaped  as need be by the indigenous Uros Indians. 

The water is usually calm and perfectly blue and sailing on one of these magnificent reed boats, home- made like islands and huts, is out of this world.

My Friends, the Uros Indians ©Solange Hando

Lake Titicaca where Uros Indians Live on Man-Made Islands

Reed Boat on Lake Titicaca, Peru ©Solange Hando

Imagine building your own islands on a high Andean lake, cutting reeds in the shallows to assemble and anchor in deeper waters. Why should you take so much trouble?

Safety, thought the Uros Indians who set up home close enough to the shore for trading but ready to move at a moment's notice, pulling their islands along if danger arose. There are around 40 Uros islands on lake Titicaca, many easily accessed from the market town and tourist centre of Puno.

Uros Village on Titicaca Reed Islands ©Solange Hando

Here, in the world of the Uros Indians, everything is afloat, school, clinic, shrines and homes, glowing coppery gold as reed canoes and dragon-headed boats glide to and fro.

The islands must be constantly renewed to stop the reeds from taking root and everyone has work to do. Men fish and cut reeds, women in vivid skirts and bowler hats cook outdoors, embroider and knit while children chop up vegetables or do their homework at the water's edge under a crisp blue sky.

Lake Titicaca near Puno in the High Andes ©Solange Hando

At over 3800 metres, Titicaca is said to be the world's highest navigable lake, 80 km across at its widest point and 190 km long, stretching across the border into Bolivia. Close to Puno, the hills rise in shades of purple and pink, Andean gulls shriek now and then and coots and moorhens leave meandering trails across the water.

As in all high places, visitors who had little time to acclimatise should take care to avoid the dangers of altitude sickness.

Welcome Gate on Reed Island, Peru, Titicaca ©Solange Hando

Meanwhile for the Uros, visitors bring the promise of a little trade from boat trips around the islands to hard-to-resist souvenirs. You may even be invited into a hut , tiny, but complete with cell phone, black and white TV and the brightest rugs you've ever seen.

Family Life on Uros Island in High Andes ©Solange Hando

Lots of smiles, no hassle and just a few visitors to brighten up the day...Ready to sail? Or would you like a rug to keep you warm or hang on your wall?