Germany Travel report Author

Germany travel guide - GLOBOsapiens.net Home Guides Reports Tips Hostels Pictures People Forum Chat more Travel search: You are here: Guides Europe Germany -- Germany's most popular places Berlin Munich Dresden Hamburg Dusseldorf Pillnitz Bad Berleburg Frankfurt am M. Stuttgart Cologne other places in Germany Reports (59) Travel tips (127) Pictures (1262) Members (1038) Travel reports on Germany Travel report Author Rating Date The island exchanged for Zanzibar Helgoland, Germany jorgesanchez 2005-08-05 A Brief Guide to Dresden Dresden, Germany fieryfox 2004-10-13 Dsseldorf - you'll love it! Dusseldorf, Germany christianj. 2003-11-02 Intriguing Beauty of Pillnitz Pillnitz, Germany fieryfox 2004-09-11 Hamburg - Germans most beautiful city... Hamburg, Germany andreas 2003-07-20 more travel reports on Germany (59) Travel tips on Germany picture place / location rating / by member Achat Hotel Dresden Germany - Dresden fieryfox Dorint Sofitel (NEW) Germany - Munchen rangutan A&O Hostel (NEW) Germany - Munchen rangutan Ibis Koeln City Messe Arena Germany - Cologne suhadis Drr Expeditionsservice GmbH Germany - Munich rangutan more travel tips on Germany (127) About Germany Reports (59) Travel tips (127) Pictures (1262) Members (1038) introduction info map flag More on Germany You can add a link to your Germany website here. Member snaps member points rrawer Karlsruhe 65 thomas Ottobeuren 50 gary Koblenz 58 cycleboy Hamburg 3632 herbert Bayreuth 50 Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Sitemap About us Jobs Press Advertise Contact Impressum © 2002 - 2005 GLOBOsapiens GmbH Germany Travel Portal Version: 3.1.8 Germany , International -- Hotel Guide Login join us today! Online: 4 danilbruce ksgachnang trondpg willauer forum | chat Top 3 members Last week All time ranguta. 294 isaacmo. 236 eirekay 169 britman 16572 spaceou. 15395 davidx 15201 Member snaps Other resources Travel Insurance Chiang Mai Hotels Heat Exchanger Rome Hotels Flight & Hotel Deals Youth Hostels Cheap Flights Car Hire Spain Holiday in Cornwall findix Kleinanzeigen List your site here!

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Central America Travel Stories

Central America Travel Stories Archives: BootsnAll Travel Network Visit other BootsnAll sites: BootBlog | Bali | London | Australia | Written Road | Travel News Daily Home | Ask an Insider | Members Forum Plane Tickets | Youth Hostels | RTW Guide About Us | Advertising | Contact | RSS | Staff First Time Visitor? Home » Central America » Central America Travel Stories Central America Travel Stories Making a Splash in St. Croix - St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Linda Vissat finds herself surrounded by the ocean...and running out of water. A Taste of Tranquility: Life on the Shores of Lake Atitlan - San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala Amy Richardson discovers the gem of Guatemala. Island Moment - Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua Hilary Miller longs to return to Nicaragua's most beautiful island and the best host she's ever had. The Perfect Panama - Panama City, Panama Kat Edwards found traveling in Panama to be the perfect experience. Guatemala City - Worth a visit? - Guatemala City, Guatemala Hilary Miller decides that although she wouldn't make Guatemala City a destination, it's not a bad place to be stuck for a day or two. Ocho Locos en Costa Rica - Costa Rica Susan Gottfried and her band of friends take on Costa Rica for less than 2,000 a piece. What We Offer - Santa Ines, Honduras Devin Foxall believes that to cherish the good that survives this world, it may be necessary to acknowledge the scars that bind us as well. Pyramids and Political Strife: A Day in the Belize River Valley - Belize River Valley, Belize David W. Kingsley examines the lives of the native people of Belize on his travels. Costa Rica, Hostels, and Plastic Surgery - Costa Rica There comes a time in every traveller's life when she realizes that she absolutely cannot spend even one more night in a dorm, and it's time to spring for a single. Maximon - the Saint that Loves to Drink and Smoke - Santiago de Atitlan, Guatemala Luminita Bianca Cuna pays her respects to a Mayan saint. Land of Eternal Spring - Guatemala Rites of spring and Passion Week go hand-in-hand in Guatemala. Soaring Skyscrapers of the Jungle-City of Tikal - Tikal, Guatemala Lito Galvan thinks George Lucas wasn't too discreet imagineering the aerial scenes in his film "Star Wars" - it's unmistakably copied from the magical fantasy city of Tikal. Shooting Two Birds with One Stone - Antigua, Guatemala Lito Galvan finds tourist police to be clueless crosses between cinema ushers and supermarket security guards that might have been recruited just days before the onslaught of the peak tourist season from a pool of the habitually indolent and unemployed. Chuckling Post from a Chicken Bus Ride - Pan American Highway, Guatemala The chicken bus offered limited outside view but inside, there is free entertainment, ride fare not inclusive. Temblor en Puerto Viejo - Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica Natural disasters aside, and being scammed to get her wallet back, Lisa Britt discovers there is something very real about being out there away from everything. Guatemalan Interlude - Guatemala Allan Taylor revisits his favorite spots in Guatemala and also discovers some new ones. Pura Vida! - Costa Rica Lisa Britt says that you won't see the seedier side of Costa Rica unless you go looking. Welcome to Costa Rica - Costa Rica Theresa Yiju Lin finds herself in an unusual position when she's welcomed into a country. Heros and Pleasers - San Salvador, El Salvador Traveling - the lack of sleep, the cessation of routine, the unbalanced diet, the abusive drinking - always turns Gary Pollitt into a mentally unstable 14-year-old girl. The Modern Bus: Smell The Magic - Latin America Dave Prival became an expert in Latin American busology while traveling by bus from Mexico to Argentina over 15 months and has a few tips to share about choosing the least-worse seat. Panama Living - Panama City, Panama, Less touristy than Costa Rica, but safer than other Latin American countries, Alexis Lojowsky thinks Panama is an excellent country to spend some time in. Love and Kindness in San Antonio Aguas Caliente - San Antonio Aguas Caliente, Vicinity of Antigua, Guatemala Luminita Bianca Cuna plays godmother twice - once in a monk wedding, and again on the street. Coming home to Costa Rica - San Jose, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica Lisa Britt visits a place she knew she belonged before she even set foot on the ground: Costa Rica. Costa Rica: Gold, Floods and a Robbery - Costa Rica A flood, a robbery and a strenuous hike still don't deter Jerome Burdi from enjoying the Pura Vida. Guatemala Chicken Bus Travel - Guatemala It's Heather Okvat's chicken bus versus her sanity! Who will win?! Hello from Costa Rica - Alajuela, Costa Rica Sara Lamnin tromps through the jungles, mountains and the second-largest city in Costa Rica. The School of Life - Tamarindo, Costa Rica Solbeam learns that despite what her economics teacher says, the value of life cannot be charted on a map. Mango Season Madness - Playa Zunzal, El Salvador Catherine Mojsiewicz discovers Playa Zunzal by randomly picking a place on a map of the coast, and is overwhelemed by mango madness. El Dia de Todos Santos - Santiago, Guatemala Lafe Metz enjoys the Guatemalan custom of flying giant kites in graveyards to honor the dead each November - and the drinking that goes with it. Dodging the Bullet - Honduras When Derek Lalonde decides between beer and bed, he learns the latter might not have been a bad idea after all. Journey to Tambor - Costa Rica Bert Brun heads to Costa Rica thinking that he may invest in a resort - however, after a rough ride, a new bus may be a better use of his funds. Loud Volcanoes and Dense Jungles - Playa Hermosa/Central America/Costa Rica There is much to see and do in Costa Rica, but Tamara Garcia fears it will all soon dissapear. The Last Chicken Bus - Guatemala There are three of us in this row: me in half of my seat, his bag of mangoes in half of his, and him straddling the middle between us. Today is not a day I need anyone else's body heat. Roatan: a Caribbean Island in Transition - Roatan, Honduras David Alan Robinson snoops around Roatan and witnesses another Caribbean island that is poised for development. Don't Worry, It's Straight Ahead, and Other Guatemalan Fibs - Guatemala Children run from her shrieking, she has to catch a ride on a dump drunk and Claire MacDonell still has another week in the mountains of Guatemala. Petén: The Guatemalan North As anyone coming to Guatemala is painfully aware of, if you miss the ruins at Tikal, you might as well not come at all. As the number one tourist attraction in the country, this jungle encrusted ancient city of... Over Copan Out - Mexico & Honduras Chris Matcham is astounded by the impressive Aztec and Maya ruins in Mexico and Honduras. After too much 'stone-watching,' he is ready to call it quits. 8: Did I Tell You I've Never... - Diary of a Single Girl - La Fortuna, Costa Rica Fun abounds in La Fortuna: lava-boiled hot springs, toxic sulfur fumes, mutant cucharachas. You can also swing around the forest and wham-bang into a tree at high speeds. 7: Hey Mon... - Diary of a Single Girl - Puerto Viejo Talamanca, Costa Rica Fun abounds in La Fortuna: lava-boiled hot springs, toxic sulfur fumes, mutant cucharachas. You can also swing around the forest and wham-bang into a tree at high speeds. 6: Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head... - Diary of a Single Girl - Quepos, Costa Rica Life stays pretty hazy on CR's Caribbean side, but Maria's clear on one thing: just because she likes the chicken doesn't mean she likes the chef. A Year and a Day #25: An Often Depressing Paradise - Costa Rica Costa Rica and its natural beauty was one of the main reasons for Daniel Wallace to visit Central America. Reality was far different from expectation. A Year and a Day #26: Conclusion: No ticket home - Central America Daniel Wallace's travelogue is drawing to a close, but that does not mean his trip is ending. Rather, he's starting fresh, with a new perspective on his travels than he had when he started 6 months ago. A Year and a Day #24: Christmas and New Year\'s Eve, but where was the fiesta? - Nicaragua Daniel crossed over into Nicaragua and found his favourite city in Central America so far: Grenada. A Year and a Day #23: Diving on Utila - Honduras Daniel left with very warm memories of his very cold time on Utila. The diving was great and the people were fantastic. A Year and a Day #22: Honduras - Honduras Daniel crosses the border into Honduras and immediately sees the differences from Guatemala. A Year and a Day #21: El Retiro and the Day of the Devil - Guatemala Those of a nervous disposition may wish to avoid Guatemala on December seventh as the Day of the Devil celebrations explode with fireworks. A Year and a Day #19: Xela, Antigua and Chichi - Guatemala Daniel found Antigua and Xela to be places that are pleasant enough for a holiday from your holiday, but any longer and he started to feel uncomfortable. A Year and a Day #18: Todosantos Chuchumantan - Guatemala Todosantos was exactly what Daniel was looking for in Guatemala. It wasn't Utopia by any means, but he was able to feel more a part of the community than anywhere else he had been. A Year and a Day #17: Arrival in Guatemala - Guatemala Daniel has only been there a week, but already he is sure Guatemala is a lovely, amazing country to travel in. Even a bit of mysterious illness and the upcoming general elections can't discourage him. The Year of Living Differently #1: The Plan - Central America Trisha's plan, including her route, visas she needed, travel insurance and shots she got before she left. A Year and a Day #20: Coban - Guatemala Daniel discovered that the Gringo Trail is very heavily trafficked. He's also a staunch defender of the Chicken Bus. A Year and a Day #25: An Often Depressing Paradise - Costa Rica An Often Depressing Paradise Tuesday, 13th January 2004 "Ten years ago, this country was a paradise", grumped the ageing and slightly slimy Costa Rican barrister, speaking as our bus to the coast paused for a food break. He blamed the... Hippocrates Laughs - Nicaragua Shawna Kenney goes to Central America to cure her friend's loneliness and finds another world in the process. Caye Caulker - Belize & Tikal, Guatemala (4 of 5) Justin Bryant tackles wildlife, forests, scary restaurants and rickety bars, but why worry, man? It's Belize. Cayo District - Belize & Tikal, Guatemala (1 of 5) May-June 1999 I spent 27 days in Belize in the summer of 1999. The trip cost me $1300 or so, including $330 for my flight from Miami. I could have done it cheaper, but I splurged a little in... Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve - Belize & Tikal, Guatemala (2 of 5) Justin Bryant tackles wildlife, forests, scary restaurants and rickety bars, but why worry, man? It's Belize. Placencia - Belize & Tikal, Guatemala (3 of 5) Justin Bryant tackles wildlife, forests, scary restaurants and rickety bars, but why worry, man? It's Belize. Tikal, and Difficulties & General Info - Belize & Tikal, Guatemala (5 of 5) Justin Bryant tackles wildlife, forests, scary restaurants and rickety bars, but why worry, man? It's Belize. La Catarata - Costa Rica Rebecca Bowe and her friends put their clothes back on and made their way back up the path feeling exhausted and full of wonder. Utila - Hangover in Paradise A tequila hangover doesn't stop Malcolm Blakey from spending 2 weeks diving and eating on the island of Utila. Avoid being Ripped-off in Guatemala Maury Englander follows up his story of being robbed in Guatemala City with some tips to help you avoid the same fate. Deconstructing Travels To Tikal - Tikal, Guatemala Amongst the huge stone temples at Tikal, Shawn Cooley waxes philosophical. Biting the Bullet - El Salvador William Koplitz went to El Salvador to go surfing and was shot by thieves after being in the country for 24 hours. Fear (but no loathing) in Guatemala - Guatemala Explosions ripped Shannan Murphy out of an exhausted sleep. But she learned she had nothing to fear, but fear itself. ER in Guatemala - Guatemala The nightly turtle races were all the excitement the village of Monterrico was supposed to offer. Laurie Magree found a bit more than that after helping to save two locals attacked by a machete-wielding drunk. Pepperoni, Island Style - Belize A Washington state man sells off three pizza joints and stateside life to open shop in a bamboo-covered trailer in Belize. Touch the Wire (Part Two) - San Jose, Costa Rica After 2 years of highs and lows Brandon Dane's hand got pried off the high-voltage line of life. He can't wait to clutch on again. Touch the Wire (Part One) - Costa Rica After 2 years of highs and lows Brandon Dane's hand got pried off the high-voltage line of life. He can't wait to clutch on again. Don't Miss the Boat - Costa Rica Costa Rica is considered one of the most ecologically abundant areas in the hemisphere, writes Judy Wolf. It has distractions and attractions galore - beaches, surfing, nesting sea turtles, cloud forests, active volcanoes, rivers and more. Pura Vida en Costa Rica - Costa Rica Whatever your taste, you can find it in Costa Rica. Lee Abbamonte promises that you will want to return time and again. The Idiot's Guide to Good Transport in Guatemala Diana Espirito Santo navigates the scary, but rewarding, world of Guatemalan transportation. Bloody Football - Honduras Today's football heroes are worshipped, but in an ancient time, they worshipped the gods with human sacrifice. I Will Survive: Early Morning in the Guatemalan Jungle with a Drag Queen - Guatemala The temples of Tikal are cause for awe and wonder. But Diana Reed found herself wondering about one of her fellow visitors to the ancient ruins. Counting the Hours on Contadora - Panama Troy White visited the only nude beach in Central America, called 'Swedish Girls Beach.' The problem was: there were no Swedish girls, just he and his friends. Casa Viejo Mike Heavers is awed by resilient, sensual, enticing Casco Vieja - epitomized by the daily struggle against poverty by its people. A Bridge in The Bay Islands - Roatan, Honduras The Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea pale in comparison to the quality of the Bay Islands of Roatan. Time may be running out, writes Lee Abbamonte, to see this unspoiled area. Don't wait. Escape from Roatan - Roatan, Honduras Leaving Roatan, Honduras felt more like an escape than a departure for Diana Espirito Santo. Diving Adventure in Belize - Belize Seasickness, wild waves and an overflowing toilet weren't going to keep Kristin Piljay from diving in Belize's blue waters. Costa Rica Beach Bum Buddha - Costa Rica People can touch your life, even if you know them only for a short while. Shawn Cooley reflects on the people that touch the life of a traveler. Seven Days in Costa Rica - Costa Rica Traversing through the rainforests next to an active volcano, David Alan Robinson makes the most of his seven days in Costa Rica. La Fortuna Fiesta - Costa Rica A spring break with a difference, Catharine Wells traveled to Costa Rica to see Volcan Arenal. Instead she arrived in time for a local festival. Relax, Mon - Caye Caulker, Belize Matt Scott quickly adapts to the easy-going pace of Caye Caulker - both above and below the water. The Legend of La Mona - Puntarenas, Costa Rica Did a half-woman half-monkey, with a hysterical laugh, prey on Andrew Black's sanity? The Complete Rules of the Road for Driving in Guatemala Ken McCormick provides a basic set of rules for surviving (or not) Guatemala's notorious highways. La Casa Grande What Chris Lele's search from the website blurb on Casa Grande led him to expect and what he found was different, even shocking. Belize and Tikal, Guatemala Justin Bryant tackles wildlife, forests, scary restaurants and rickety bars, but why worry, man? It's Belize. A Guatemalan (Sad) Story - Guatemala City, Guatemala Maury Englander was distracted for just a second, but that's all it took for thieves to end his holiday in Guatemala. Island Time - Roatan, Honduras Island Time - undetermined quantity of time just long enough to infuriate, confuse and befuddle a sick-stomached mainlander, writes Thomas Jones. Like a Fish to Air - Roatan, Honduras Roatan is reknown for diving, but it also forces Kristina Johnson to confront her fears. From Baja to the Land of Fire #9: Panama City, Panama (part II) What was that about South America? Things were going to plan, but then romance called for a change in itinerary. From Baja to the Land of Fire #8: Panama City, Panama Nicaragua, Costa Rica, an awesome dancer named Arlen, and a bit of illness (well, a lot of illness) can only mean one thing: it's time for South America. From Baja to the Land of Fire #7: Tegucigalpa, Honduras Theo takes rain delays in stride as he visits the ruins of Copan, has a near death experience while rafting, and takes a night dive on Roatan. From Baja to the Land of Fire #6: Coban, Guatemala A week of Spanish lessons, volcanoes, learning how the chickens feel and, at last, arrival in the city of everlasting drizzling rain. From Baja to the Land of Fire #5: Guatemala Cool long-term travelers, colorful locals and plenty of good times meet Theo throughout Guatemala, from Tikal to Xela. From Baja to the Land of Fire #4: Caye Caulker, Belize Belize is a midpoint between Mexico and Central America, a chance to finish adapting from home life to road life, before plunging in to some real traveling. Worldwide with Wee-Cheng #27: After Latin America, What\'s Next? Recap & More on Plans The full statistical breakdown of Wee-Cheng's trip, but it's only this part that's coming to a final destination. Look for him in Europe soon... Worldwide with Wee-Cheng #23: Mad Rush Through Honduras, El Salvador & Belize - Honduras, El Salvador, Belize Late, late, late. WeeCheng is behind schedule, and so he had to rush through Honduras, El Salvador and Belize. Worldwide with Wee-Cheng #22: Nicaragua: Bulls' Testicles in the Land of Fire and Revolution - Nicaragua If the North Americans will leave the place alone, peaceful Nicaragua can finish the process of rebuilding after years of conflict. Worldwide with Wee-Cheng #21: Costa Rica: Rice and Beans, Beans and Rice - San Jose, Costa Rica Gringolandia at its finest, but for heaven's sake, not another jungle-and-volcano tour... Worldwide with Wee-Cheng #1: Project Infinite Liberation Wee-Cheng outlines his trip, route and destinations. Latin America is only the beginning. Paget's Belize Journal #10 September 27: Here I Am and It's Hot! Here I am in Belize and well on my way to slowing down. Since we have lots of new people on the list since my June visit, I will repeat some... Paget's Belize Journal #11 September 28: More Weather; Sensations; Housing Today Dangriga is back to being a refreshingly breezy coastal community, but when I first arrived here, it was very still. The staff at Pelican Beach (the resort where I'm staying temporarily) say... Paget's Belize Journal #12 October 1: Housing Styles and Security A few people have expressed some interest in the security measures that are in place here, presumably because of my mention both of the issue of security bars on houses and the night... Paget's Belize Journal #13 October 4: Security and SNORKELING! Just a short note to finish the security topic for now and then on to the good stuff. The point of all this security is not physical protection but possessions protection. As I was... Paget's Belize Journal #14 October 5: Dock Activities, Yoga and Nightlife One of the reasons I will be very sad to leave Pelican Beach Resort (when I finally find a house) is the dock. It's about 120 feet out into the ocean and... Paget's Belize Journal #15 October 7: Day-to-Day Life - Part 1: Avoiding Nocturnal Mosquito Bites It appears to be true that mosquitoes do not land in a breeze and that although they can bite through cloth, it has to be taut enough to... Paget's Belize Journal #16 October 8: The Quadrille, or, Lewis Carrol Ain't Got Nuthin' On Us! I offer here, an entire, unedited article from the online version of the Belize Reporter Newspaper - one of four national newspapers in the country (there are... Paget's Belize Journal #17 October 8: A Place to Live, Hooray! My househunting efforts have been successful and I will be moving into an apartment in the next few days! I'm a little apprehensive, it's been cozy and safe and quiet at Pelican,... Paget's Belize Journal #18 October 13: Cleaning and Culture Well, the weekend did not go quite as I had planned. I got felled by one of those lovely stranger-in-a-strange land bugs and wasn't too lively for most of it. But I did get... Paget's Belize Journal #19 October 14: Hurricane Irene Just in case you were wondering, here is this morning's evaluation of our weather GENERAL SITUATION: HURRICANE IRENE NEARING THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF CUBA POSES NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO BELIZE EXCEPT FOR AN OCCASIONAL BAND... Paget's Belize Journal #2 Monday, June 14 Things are going well here in Belize, but it's taken me this long to get an e-mail connection operating via the account of my hosts Tony and Therese. Weather has been lovely, the rainy season here... Paget's Belize Journal #20 October 19: A Weekend in Hopkins Village Since I didn't have a new bedstead and I still had quite a few not-so-tiny roommates, I decided to get on the bus and go to Hopkins - a small Garifuna village... Paget's Belize Journal #21 October 19: Hopkins Village Part II There are a few more things I want to relate about my visit to Hopkins before I forget. Hopkins is primarily a fishing village, the fishing boats (really slightly enlarged rowboats in a... Paget's Belize Journal #22 October 23: A Weather Report or, What they think is cold Here's another Belize weather report for you: GENERAL SITUATION: COLD FRONT AFFECTING THE COUNTRY! TEMPERATURES: HIGHS(TODAY) COASTAL 30C/86F INLAND 30C/86F LOWS(TONIGHT) COASTAL 20C/68 INLAND 16C/61F And that's what... Paget's Belize Journal #23 November 2: Observations on Transportation As I think I've mentioned, there's not much in the way of paved roads in Belize. There's a big project to pave the Southern Highway and most of the Hummingbird Highway is paved, and... Paget's Belize Journal #24 November 6: Food Experiments Even though Belizeans (or at least the Garifuna) are content to eat beans and rice and stewed chicken every day, the food here is really quite good and varied. The fresh fish and shellfish of... Paget's Belize Journal #25 November 12: The Brits; Furniture Therese and I just got back from a trip to the capitol, Belmopan, to talk to the British High Commissioner (a super-ambassador) and his staff about developing a web site. It looks like we'll... Paget's Belize Journal #26 November 17: Night Noise, Settlement Day I've had a restless enough go of it the last two nights that I decided to complain a little. Although there are not enough people here to make a truly difficult noise pollution... Paget's Belize Journal #27 November 18: Dragonflies! Just a quickie. There was a dragonfly hatch yesterday and it is the most amazing thing to have a sky full of dragonflies. There were truly millions of them, all drifting lazily from where they were... Paget's Belize Journal #28 November 24: A Good 19th As I told you earlier, November 19 is the major Garifuna holiday and Dangriga is the center of Garifuna culture, so it is a very big thing here. (You refer to it as "the... Paget's Belize Journal #29 November 30: Wrapping Up the 19th Some interesting things to tell about the Thanksgiving trip to Mexico to visit Carol, so I'll just do a quick wrap up on 19th festivities and hope for time to write more later... Paget's Belize Journal #3 Wednesday, June 16: A tourist trip Yesterday I had my tourist day. Went by van up from the coast on various "highways" and back roads through the citrus fields to the Belize zoo which is a natural habitat approach... Paget's Belize Journal #30 December 1: Traveling to Mexico Getting to and from Mexico and across the border was half the fun of the Thanksgiving trip to Bacalar to visit Carol (a friend from the States, "wintering" there). I flew from Dangriga to... Paget's Belize Journal #31 December 7: Thanksgiving in Mexico Thanksgiving in Mexico with Carol's friends was a good combination of traditional and local color. Carol and J.B. are back in Bacalar, located about 10 miles from Chetumal (just across the Belize border) on... Paget's Belize Journal #32 December 10: A Trip to Cockscomb Basin They called me Wednesday from Pelican Beach and said that there was a tour going to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday that had space available. So I went. There hasn't been... Paget's Belize Journal #33 December 15: A Belizean Week-end I got a little more adventurous this weekend and ended up with some typically Belizean experiences, unlike my usual mode which is mostly observation. On Saturday night I finally visited a Belizean bar (a... Paget's Belize Journal #34 December 15: Tobacco Caye: A "Trip" The plan after my night at the lodge with Capt. Frank, Sgt. Alejandro and the drunk (a Saturday) was that we would meet on the street in front of my house at 7:30... Paget's Belize Journal #35 December 21: Is it really Christmas? Several of you have had the experience of trying to get into the Christmas spirit in a tropical clime. Just doesn't work for me. I put up my Christmas lights and got out... Paget's Belize Journal #36 December 24: This is the Life I know that Oregon and Massachusetts and many other spots also had good viewing for this beautiful, bright full moon and it sounds glorious, but it's hard to believe it could get any... Paget's Belize Journal #37 December 24: Christmas Wishes Christmas wishes for you and yours. Here's a nice Christmas wish I just got from Kurt, the young programmer here at Naturalight. Worth passing on, I thought. We wish you the courage to be warm,... Paget's Belize Journal #38 December 31: Some Christmas Experiences I had quite a nice time over the Christmas holiday even though nothing topped the moon, caye, shrimp and Chardonnay of early in the week. Christmas Eve I went visiting with Therese and the... Paget's Belize Journal #39 January 7: Bits and Pieces About Life in Belize As my time here begins to wind down, I've been thinking about the major social characteristics and influences that I've written little or nothing about. The short list is: Lottery,... Paget's Belize Journal #4 Friday, June 18: Flying to San Pedro; Sand Crabs Here I am in San Pedro (Canon Beach, or maybe Rockaway Beach at 110 degrees with dreadlocks) and finally got a connection that seems "normal" in a streetside lab ($16/hr... Paget's Belize Journal #40 January 10: Caye Caulker - The Haircut Well, my trip to Caye Caulker was one of those mixed experiences. The water taxi from Belize City takes about 45 minutes and it was threatening to rain and the wind was... Paget's Belize Journal #41 January 14: Caye Caulker Again After my haircut I went walking around the village to see what I could see. This is a nice little beach town (in the middle of the ocean), pretty much focused on tourism and... Paget's Belize Journal #42 January 18: Red Bank, Scarlet Macaws, Gray Skies My last nature trip in Belize was a good one, very strange and jungly. We (Godfrey the guide, a couple from Las Vegas and me) started out from Dangriga a little... Paget's Belize Journal #43 January 25: The Last Few Days Well, I'm back home, taking hot showers and goggling at all the white people. But I have a few more thoughts in me about Belize. If it's not as interesting because the dramatic... Paget's Belize Journal #5 Saturday, June 19: Saturday in San Pedro Gradually sorting out what I'm here to do. Last night I went to the annual banquet of the Belize Tourism Industry Association at the grand opening of a convention center facility -... Paget's Belize Journal #6 Monday, June 21: Braids, Snakes and Dogs Well, I'm not sure the Caribbean braids are an unqualified success. They're certainly cooler, but I have to be very careful and wear my hat all the time in order not to... Paget's Belize Journal #7 June 30: Leaving Dangriga I was to leave on Tuesday afternoon about 2:00 and had lots of things to take care of - finishing up a project at the office, packing all the hot sauce and belongings, sorting out... Paget's Belize Journal #8 September 10: Can You Help the Library? I will be leaving for a four-month stay in Belize in two weeks. One of the things I want to do in Belize this time is to help the Dangriga librarian, Mrs.... Tapir Travels #15: The Ixil Highlands Talking abou the war with the locals and visiting the hidden city of Tikal. Tapir Travels #14: Back in School Again Spanish schools and internet cafes in Antigua and plans for the next part of the trip to the Ixil triangle. Tapir Travels #13: Men of Corn After visiting Lake Atitlan, Mattias meets his friend from Sweden in Guatemala City. Tapir Travels #12: The Tourist Trap After coming from El Salvador, Guatemala's Antigua has a very different atmosphere. Tapir Travels #6: Colonial Charm Granada's European architecture and then in to the jungles of the Miskito Coast. Tapir Travels #5 Slowing down for a chronic allergy and then on to Isla de Ometepe, Nicaragua. Tapir Travels #4: Prejudices Nicaraguans in Costa Rica and the Caribbean influence. Tapir Travels #3: Critters and Creeps Volunteering in Barra Honda national park and then back to civilisation in San Jose. Tapir Travels #2: Birthday Celebrations A ceremony for a 15th birthday and life in Nicoya. Tapir Travels #1: The Arrival Flying into San Jose, Costa Rica from Mexico City and travelling across country. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #11: The End - Taulabe to Copan, Honduras Honduras is Kelli's country. She will never again voluntarily eat bananas. She now know the best alternates to toilet paper. And she thanks everything holy for flushing toilets and warm showers. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #10: The Ticket to Taxis - Tegucigalpa, Honduras Kelli gives you three very good reasons why not to slam the doors of the taxi when you're trying to bargain a ride. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #9: Pulhapanzak - Pulhapanzak, Honduras Was it the brilliant 200 foot waterfall surrounded by jungle or the green-eyed prodigy jumping from top of said waterfall that took Kelli's breath away? Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #8: Emmex - Tegucigalpa, Honduras Volunteering in a Honduran hospital, Kelli didn't think she was strong enough to handle it. Until she met a little orphan named Emmex. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #7: Bus or Bust - Tegucigalpa, Honduras Honduran buses, be them yellow American school buses or masterpieces with the face of Bob Marley plastered on the rear, always made Kelli a little nervous and provided several entertaining stories... Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #6: Washed and Pressed with Bullets Included - Tegucigalpa, Honduras Running late to make a meeting became irrelevant after Kelli looked into the front seat of the taxi, engine running but dead driver hunched over the steering wheel. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #5: Hotel Juticalpa - Juticalpa, Honduras Hotel Juticalpa is a lot like Kelli imagined Hotel California to be. The owners guarded the entrance with a fully loaded machine gun...as they slept on the couch watching a Latin soap opera. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #4: Hitch Hiking 101 - Talanga, Honduras It's not as easy as throwing your thumb in the air and kissing public buses goodbye. There is definitely skill involved, as Kelli found out on the way to Guaimaca. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #3: Homemade Barbed Wire - Tegucigalpa, Honduras What do you do when a 40 year old drunk man comes straight at you with a machete? Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #2: Que La Vaye Bien... - Copan Ruinas, Honduras Almost as soon as she arrived, Kelli was off on a trip to the ruins at Copan, where she learned that dogs hate rocks and always hike with your passport. Hammocks, E-Coli, and Liquados #1: Introduction Kelli knew she needed to be somewhere else in the world besides the monotony and mediocrity of her college town in Utah. Two weeks later she showed up at the airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Finger On The Trigger - Costa Rica It was a cool morning in April 2000 in San Jose, Costa Rica, when Brandon Dane had his run-in with the Costa Rican Police, aptly named: FUERZA PUBLICA. Hear No Evil - Costa Rica I was sitting in my room in San Pedro minding my own business when a buddy of mine calls me to tell me that there has been ANOTHER American girl found dead in Costa Rica. I held my tongue... Volcano Pacaya (1 of 2) Hiking a live volcano should be adventure enough, but throw in a few bandits and it's downright scary. Volcano Pacaya (2 of 2) Hiking a live volcano should be adventure enough, but throw in a few bandits and it's downright scary. The Jungle - San Jose, Costa Rica Qualifying Statement #8 This article is dedicated to Joy Rothke, my harshest critic. Well, I came sliding back into San Jose, Costa Rica, last Saturday afternoon. Four months in The States was all that I could stand, even with... Disturbing the Peace Clouds fall over the sleepy village of Santa Elena, Costa Rica as the chirping birds sing in the sweet symphony of the night. The occasional monkey howls off in the distance as the wind rustles the branches and leaves... Dreadlocks & Voodoo (1 of 4) Jack Simpson, Jr honeymoons in Belize where he experiences dark caves and voodoo rituals. No tigers though. Dreadlocks & Voodoo (2 of 4) Jack Simpson, Jr honeymoons in Belize where he experiences dark caves and voodoo rituals. No tigers though. Dreadlocks & Voodoo (3 of 4) Jack Simpson, Jr honeymoons in Belize where he experiences dark caves and voodoo rituals. No tigers though. Dreadlocks & Voodoo (4 of 4) Jack Simpson, Jr honeymoons in Belize where he experiences dark caves and voodoo rituals. No tigers though. Dead Pirates and Frozen Fish (1 of 2) Battling a fever in Honduras, Christine Michaud uses the only thing at her disposal to cool down: a frozen fish. Dead Pirates and Frozen Fish (2 of 2) Battling a fever in Honduras, Christine Michaud uses the only thing at her disposal to cool down: a frozen fish. Tico's Rampage (1 of 3) The story of Craig Guillot's right leg dashes on a mad horse through Costa Rica. Tico's Rampage (2 of 3) The story of Craig Guillot's right leg dashes on a mad horse through Costa Rica. Tico's Rampage (3 of 3) The story of Craig Guillot's right leg dashes on a mad horse through Costa Rica. Paget's Belize Journal #1 How Paget's adventure began. Paget's Belize Journal #9 Paget comments on her gifts. Antigua: Home Sweet Home Semana Santa is one week when Antigua gets even more international visitors than usual. La Union to Potosi Boat problems lead to a refreshing break on the island of Conchaquita. Los Chiles to Lago Nicaragua Many different ways to travel on this river, in varying degrees of comfort. Puntarenas to Nicaragua Taking the bus from Puntarenas to Nicaragua and back. Tikal to Rio Dulce & on to Livingston The Hotel Backpackers is a great way to meet other travellers in Rio Dulce. Home » Central America » Central America Travel Stories Book It! 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Switzerland Travel

Switzerland.....the land of aching muscles Switzerland......the land ofaching muscles! Join the Budget Travel Mailing List Disclaimer : This travelogue is based on my travel experience in 1995. Things have changed since I've been there. I write this only to let you know of MY experiences. We are all different, so what I observe and experience may be different for you. Please do not take everything I say too seriously or take offence at my opinions or observations. I do not pretend to be a professional travel writer or to know this destination extremely well. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Getting Around Without a doubt the best way toget around Switzerland is by train - it is fast, convenient and every place isaccessible. If you plan on doing a moderate amount of train travel, I wouldrecommend that prior to arriving in Switzerland, you purchase the Swiss Card. Withthis card, you will receive 1 free transfer from any Swiss airport or border town to anycity or town in Switzerland + 1 free transfer from any Swiss city or town to any Swissairport or border town + 50% off all other rail, steamboat, bus and mountain excursions. Thesavings really add up. Depending on how you use your free transfers, the card may payfor itself right there. In Canada the pass costs approx. CA$ 160. In the US, it costsapprox. US$ 116. Links: Rail Europe or Swiss Bahn sites formore details. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Geneva What to see and do: Geneva is a charming world class city withlots to offer travellers looking for history, architecture, shopping, and a lot more.Located on Lake Geneva, the city has been said to be the most peaceful in the world. It isno wonder when institutions like the Red Cross and League of Nations were born in Geneva.The city is home to the United Nations. Sights you may want to take in include: the St.Pierre Cathedral, the UN building, the Jet d'eau on Lake Geneva, and the Jardin Anglaiswhich has a huge clock made out of flowers and a fountain which is popular with the kidson a hot day. If you are there during the summer and don't feel like frolicking with thekids in the fountain there is a beach which, I gather from the lack of visible swimwear,is a nude beach. Walking around the old part of the city is interesting and veryenjoyable. Where to stay: Although there are quite a few youth hostels and budgetaccommodations (budget in Swiss terms), sometimes cheap people like me just stay at theairport. Links: The Budget Traveller's Guide to Sleeping inAirports Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Interlaken What to see and do: I could write a bookabout things to see and do in and around Interlaken. The options are really just too much.I spent a week in Interlaken and I still did not see or do everything. Things to see intown include the Casino (have to be 21 years of age - if you still look 16 like me,you will be carded) There are also bars and restaurants. Apparently there is a bowlingalley somewhere in town for you wild and crazy party-animals. The Berner Oberland (Switzerland actually) is a hikers dream. There are many signedpaths to follow. No matter where you are in the mountains, you can easily find your wayback. Here are just a few of the activities that I suggest: Since Interlaken is located in the middle of two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, cruises are available. The Lake Brienz, the cleanest lake in Europe, is much more scenic than Thun, which has high cliffs and a few waterfalls. A round trip ticket in the Lake Thun costs SFR 22 (14 with Swiss Card). You can off as many times as you want. Hike from Lauterbrunnen up to Kleine Schedeige. I did it the other way around and it was really just too steep for anybody to go down. HIKING UP IS ALWAYS EASIER THAN COMING DOWN! The Trummelbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen is a waste of money. I think I paid SFR 10 to see the inside of the falls. There is no tour, all you are paying for is the privilege of seeing this. On the Lake Thun, the Beatushlen prehistoric caves has stalactites, waterfalls and an ancient cell of the St. Beatus monk. This is a good trip for a rainy day. From here you can hike along a path to the next village or town that proves to be interesting. Oberhofen has a huge castle-like place. I am not sure if there are tours or if people just like to take pictures of it. Take the steam boat from Interlaken to Iselwelt (SRF 5.20 or 2.60 with Swiss Card). Get off at Iselwelt and walk to Geissbach Falls. This is not a challenging walk, but is more leisurely. When you arrive at the foot of the falls, you will have the option of taking a cable car higher up or hiking up. Hike up!! The cable car is for lazy people. When you arrive at the hotel you will see that you have not made it to the top of the falls yet. Keep going. There are paths that meander through the falls. The Geissbach Falls are impressive! Where to stay: Although Balmer's Herberge is said to be one of the best hostels in Europe, that is really a personal choice. If you do not mind sharing two bathrooms with 50 other people, sharing your room with 50 other people and climbing three beds up to get to your bed on the top bunk, then Balmer's will make you very happy. If you are a light sleeper, there is no way you will be able to sleep with the constant chatter of drunk young backpackers wandering in at all hours of the night. In short, Balmer's is a PARTY hostel. Depending on when you go, the average guest age could very well be 18. Even if you stay somewhere else, you will probably return to Balmers several times during your stay. There is a store that sells everything you may need (not including groceries), a mini bar/restaurant for alcoholics, currency exchange and many day tours can be arranged. There are double rooms, but you have to be there early in the morning to grab those ones. After one sleepless night at Balmers, I stayed at the Hotel Beyeler/Heidi's Hostel. Don't ask me why it has two names. The owner told me that many Balmers refugees come to this place. It is not fancy, but it is an affordable roof over your head. The cheap travellers room is on the third floor and has three beds. If you get the single bed near the window, you better have extra blankets, because the window sometimes blows open and the cold mountain air may kill you. The room has a sink and there is a shared washroom in the hall. Oh, one more tip about this place. Bring your own WD-40. The door to this room is very loud!!! If you are travelling solo don't want to stay couped up in your room alone, let the owner know that you are willing to share if any other people are looking for a roommate. If anyone comes along, she will accommodate everybody. I don't think you will save any money, but it is good company. My roomies were one of the highlights of my trip. Contact: Heidi's Garni/Hotel Beyeler - 37 Bernastr (tel. 229 030) or if you are desparate, Balmer's Herberge 23-25 Hauptstr (tel 221 961). Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Grindelwald What to see and do: Grindelwald is smaller than Interlaken and not so infested with tourists. There is a lot to keep you busy for a few days at least. From town you can hike to the Upper Glacier or the Glacier Gorge. The hike to up to the top of the Upper Glacier is very challenging. No matter how fit you claim to be, you will be huffing and puffing a few times at least. And if you have big feet, it will probably take you twice as long to get to the top. The stairs are painfully narrow and small. I did the hike up First Mountain twice (once from Bort and the second from Grindelwald). The part from Grindelwald is very steep and tiring, so bring lots of water with you. To avoid the steep part, take the chair lift (the longest in Europe) to Bort, get off and hike up the rest of the way. The fresh air is revitalizing!!! Depending on the time of year you go, there might be snow at the top and lots of it. Here is the recipe to make your own slushie: take some hard fruit-flavoured candy with you, grab some snow (that is not yellow) and place both in your mouth. Yummy!!! When you get to the top, you will have a magnificent view of Eiger, Jungfrau and Mnch. Take one of those disposable panoramic cameras and snap away. If you think you are hearing a thunder storm approaching, it is just an avalanche. If the sound is more distant, you can probably turn around and see the avalanche on the other side of the valley. If it sounds really close, then I am afraid that you will be a fair bit of trouble!!! Where to stay: Lehmann's Herberge is a real Swiss chalet-like lodge. Rooms are wooden with red curtains, have nice, warm comforters, and a shared washroom for every two units. The washrooms are modern and have hot water. Many rooms overlook a valley, while a few others overlook a road. Lehmann's is VERY COMFORTABLE right off one of the main roads in town. 25-35 SFR per night - breakfast is included. There are some other youth hostels, but for comfort Lehmann's is the place to go! Contact: Lehmann's Herberge (tel. 531 141). The woman that runs the hostel does speak English. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Costs You probably know that Switzerland is a very expensive place to visit. Here are a few extra tips when planning your Swiss vacation: When looking for accommodations it will cost you an extra bundle for a private washroom. Unless you are staying at a really nice hotel, most lower end hotels have a couple of shared washrooms per floor. Showers usually cost extra. Food is very expensive. I am from Canada and the cost of a loaf of bread was a shocking SFR 3.10. Four bananas cost SFR 2.05 and 6 pack of pop cost SFR 5.10. Luckily, I brought my own peanut butter and ate A LOT of peanut butter sandwiches!!! Transportation is reasonably priced if you have a Swiss Card, Pass or Eurail Card. And things like postcards aren't too bad in price! Clothing is expensive. A movie costs SFR 13. Getting Around / Geneva / Interlaken / Grindelwald / Costs ($) / Hiking Tips Hiking Unless you hike often and are use to the strain of hiking up/down steep mountains, start off easy. I ruined the whole trip for myself by starting big. The result was that I could barely walk for a few days and I had to put plastic Pepsi bottles full of HOT water on my legs at night. Although I was able to do some great hiking, I could have done more if I didn't start of thinking I was superwoman. This is not to say that I do not exercise at all, because I do everyday. I just don't hike up and down mountains everyday. Please sign my guest book! [ HOME ] This travelogue is based on the travel experiences of Donna McSherry

Argentina travel a few

Argentina Travel & Tours - Argentina Tour Extensions 1.800.344.6118 { contact us } Argentina Tours & Travel Home · Testimonials · In the News · About Us · Once You're Booked · Lodging · e-News South America Amazon Tours Argentina Tours Bolivia Tours Chile Tours Ecuador Tours Galapagos Tours Patagonia Tours Peru Tours Central America Belize Tours Costa Rica Tours Guatemala Tours Panama Tours Antarctica Antarctica Tours Extensions Extend your Argentina travel a few more days with an Argentina extension. Argentina Tour Extensions » Buenos Aires Hospitality Packages » Icon Legend Please click to see a detailed explanation of these icons used throughout the site. Escort Escorted Unescorted Difficulty Easy Moderate Challenging When to Travel Excellent Very Good Unpredictable Unavailable Discounts Register for Adventure Weather Map of Argentina Customized Travel Articles & Information Argentina FAQs Argentina Family Travel HOME » Argentina Travel » Argentina Tour Extensions Argentina Tour Extensions Iguazu Falls *3 Day* Iguazu Falls, where over 275 distinct cascades tumble through lush subtropical forest, is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in South America. The falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil, and we'll explore the Argentine side to get up close to the plummeting water. With a few more days, visit the subtropical rainforest and discover the thousands of species of flowering plants, butterflies, birds and mammals that make this their home. 3 days starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina « click here » Iguazu Falls *5 Day* Iguazu Falls, where over 275 distinct cascades tumble through lush subtropical forest, is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in South America. The falls straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil, and we'll explore the Argentine side to get up close to the plummeting water. With a few more days, visit the subtropical rainforest and discover the thousands of species of flowering plants, butterflies, birds and mammals that make this their home. We offer both 3 and 5 day itineraries in Iguazu. 5 days starting and ending in Buenos Aires, Argentina « click here » M/V Mare Australis Discover the waterways of Tierra del Fuego aboard the newly built Mare Australis or Via Australis-- spacious and comfortable ships that will take you through the remote waterways of Patagonia. Daily zodiac trips ashore allow you to experience the beauty of the remote landscape, its animals and flora. Onboard enjoy informative slide shows, a knowledgeable, attentive crew and delicious food on this exceptional Patagonia cruise. 3-7 nights onboard the 129 passenger M/V Mare Australis. « click here » M/V Via Australis 3-7 nights aboard the 129 passenger M/V Via Australis « click here » Peninsula Valdes from Buenos Aires: PV3 - BA US$820/person: 2 travelers or more US$1278/person: 1 traveler Single supplement: US$118 Day 1 Punta Tombo Penguin Colony (L) Our extension begins with a flight south to Trelew. From here we continue our journey, driving through the sweeping Patagonia plains - keep your eyes out for herds of guanacos! Seventy miles south of Trelew is our destination, the Punta Tombo penguin colony. Marked trails wind through the teeming colony where over half a million Magellanic penguins make their homes. After spending a few hours watching these comical - and monogamous - birds, we drive back north to Trelew to visit the historic buildings of this former Welsh colony. We overnight in casual comfort this evening in the nearby beach town of Puerto Madryn. Day 2 Peninsula Valdes (L,D) Start the day by indulging in some freshly baked regional pastries and savoring a cup of coffee. Today we have a full day to explore the famous Peninsula Valdes wildlife reserve, so you'll need the energy! The Peninsula Valdes, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, provides important natural habitat for a number of species including sea lions, Patagonian foxes, armadillos, guanacos, Magellanic penguins, and numerous others. The biggest attraction, however, is the population of southern right whales that comes here to breed between June and mid-December. After being hunted to near-extinction during the heyday of the whaling industry, the southern right is now one of the most rare whales in the world. We'll have the opportunity to join a whale-watching excursion, and with luck we'll witness the magnificent creatures swimming alongside our vessel. Our lodge this evening is the charming and cozy Estancia Rincon Chico, located within the Peninsula. The eight rooms are simply and tastefully decorated, with down comforters to lull you to sleep! Day 3 Return Home Peninsula Valdes: PV4 US$880/person: 2 travelers or more US$1365/person: 1 traveler Single supplement: US$151 If flying from anywhere other than Buenos Aires, a flight and an extra night hotel at Bahia Nueva will be added to itinerary. El Calafate: CAL3 US$465/person: 2 travelers or more US$607/person: 1 traveler Single supplement: US$177 Day 1 Fly El Calafate (D) Rise early to catch a morning flight to the lively town of El Calafate. Spend some time getting acquainted with this international village of peak baggers, trekkers, mountaineers and intrepid travelers. Once we've browsed the shops along the tree-lined streets, we'll head to the working sheep ranch of Estancia Alice for dinner and overnight. Day 2 Perito Moreno Glacier (L,D) Today we drive into Parque Nacional Los Glaciares for views of the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. This huge advancing glacier is more than 3 miles wide at its front and over 20 stories high. We take a zodiac across Lago Argentino and pass the massive front wall of blue ice, all the while watching for icebergs. After landing on a small beach we start hiking through the beech forest to the ice pack of the glacier. We'll eat our lunch sitting on the lateral moraine of the glacier, where we can absorb the magnificence of the glacier's anatomy and listen to its thunderous concerto of groaning and cracking ice dropping into the lake below. Tonight, sample some of El Calafate's Patagonian nightlife before return home! Day 3 Return home Ushuaia: USH4 US$638/person: 2 travelers or more US$994/person: 1 traveler Single supplement: US$75 Day 1 Arrive Ushuaia With previous incarnations as a missionary outpost and, subsequently, prison town, Ushuaia is now most well-known as the "Gateway to Antarctica." From its dramatic setting between the Beagle Channel and the rugged glaciated peaks rising from the landscape, opportunities for hiking and exploring abound. The afternoon is free to wander local museums or explore nearby trails. Day 2 Beagle Channel and Gable Island Our Ushuua extension begins early in the morning as we cross the green central valley of Tierra del Fuego to reach Harberton Farm, a private ranch built by the first British missionaries to reach the area. After a short visit we'll board a zodiac and wind through the Beagle Channel to Gable Island, part of the Harberton estate. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch in an old, rustic shelter before embarking on a 3 hour hike around the island. Our path leads to many amazing vantage points of the Beagle Channel, and if the weather cooperates we might glimpse the distant town of Puerto Willams across the Chilean border. Returning to the zodiac, we resume our navigation to the penguin rookery on Martillo Island. The location of the island makes it a birdwatcher's paradise; we'll be on the lookout for petrels, skuas, cormorants, seagulls, and albatross. We depart for Harberton and begin the return trip to Ushuaia. Day 3 Tierra del Fuego National Park Just north of Ushuaia is the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's first coastal national park. The trail system of easy and undemanding paths makes this an ideal place to spend a relaxing day exploring Patagonia. We'll wander along the coastal path, undoubtedly the most beautiful in the park. The 3 ½ hour hike takes us through forests of both high and low deciduous beech, evergreen beech, winterbark, firebrush, and more. We finish the walk at Lake Roca in time for lunch. After eating our fill, we climb into inflatable canoes and begin the easy downstream paddle to the Ovando River. The crystal-clear water runs into Laguna Verde, one of the most picturesque, panoramic spots in the park. Our take-out point is Lapataia Bay, where we may see petrels, albatross, steamer ducks, and on occasion, penguins. We'll return to Ushuaia for dinner and a restful sleep. Day 4 Return Home Argentina Articles & Information : Iguazu Falls + Ibera Marshlands | Patagonia - The Last Refuge of Nature | Buenos Aires | Argentina Estancias | Northwestern Argentina | The Southern Most Point in the World the international ecotourism society international mountain explorers connection america outdoors international association of antarctica tour operators leave no trace international galapagos tour operators association Adventure Life • 1655 S 3rd St. W, Suite 1 • Missoula, MT 59801 • 1-800-344-6118 :: Site Map ::