I’m excited to announce that I’ve been shortlisted for the Post Office Travel Blogger Awards 2018, you can read my entry below on my dream trip of a lifetime.
Thanks so much to everyone that voted, results will be announced soon, fingers crossed!
Ok, so if you’re anything like me, you probably spend a lot of your time in the office at home day dreaming of your next holiday? Yep, I know the feeling. So then this usually brings me on to the ultimate debate: if you had £5,000 to spend on your adventure of a lifetime, where would it take you?
Having thought long and hard about this, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are several things every great adventure needs to include:
Where on earth can you discover all of this on one trip? Sure, you could explore the great wildlife of the savanna in the Maasai Mara, get your culture kick at the temples of Bagan, eat endless delights in Italy, wander through the vineyards of the Napa Valley and marvel at the beauty of the Himalayan foothills, however packing all that into one adventure could indeed take you a lifetime!
I’m going to stick my neck out and suggest a South American adventure, starting in the north in Peru and exploring all the way down through Bolivia and Western Brazil to the southern tip of Argentina, and here’s what you (and hopefully, fingers crossed, me) could find along the way…
1. An incredible variety of wildlife to see
Swim with pink dolphins in the Amazon - Whilst the murky waters of the world’s most famous river might not seem too inviting, particularly when many other unknown critters also swim within them, I’d jump straight in for the chance to swim with dolphins in the wild. You can get into the river and discover these amazingly intelligent creatures, and many people report that the dolphins are so friendly they’ll swim up close and rub against you – what an amazing memory to have. Their awesome pink colour is due to their diet and exposure to sunlight, and they’ve even been said to ‘blush’ a darker pink due to excitement!
Visit a manatee rescue centre - Sadly I’ve never been able to see a “sea cow” in the wild (although seeing them in Florida is high on my bucket list). The Amazonian species of manatee is becoming rarer to find throughout the rainforest basin due to habitat degradation and poaching. The rescue centre in Peru focuses on raising young rescued manatees before releasing them back into river, imagine how cute they are as babies! This up-close encounter with such a rare creature would be unforgettable.
Spot giant otters - Anyone who knows me, knows that otters are my favourite animal! Whilst found across most of the continent, this endangered species of otter is found most commonly around the Pantanal, and I would love to spot them in their native habitat. Measuring up to 2m in size, big enough to keep a jaguar at bay, you can stay in a ‘flotel’ (a converted fishing vessel) with the hopes of finding these inquisitive and adorable creatures lounging or swimming around the lagoons nearby.
Spy penguins and sea lions on the Ballestas islands - Just off the shore of Paracas, Peru, sits a small group of rocky islands likened to a much more accessible version of The Galapagos. Although visitors can’t set foot on the islands due to conservation reasons, speed boat tours can get you up close and personal with the Humboldt penguins, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and a mindboggling amount of other species of bird that live here. In all honesty I would have loved to include The Galapagos islands on this list but for practicalities sake I’m not sure I can fit them in my already ambitious trip, so I’m hoping the Ballestas islands will give me a taste of the wonderful wildlife that can be found in these far corners of the world!
2. An array of cultural experiences
Trek Machu Picchu - Ok, so it may be a cliche, but any trip to Peru isn’t complete without a visit to this stunning complex of Inca ruins. With the choice of either a full trek through the area or an easier visit by train, you can be sure to spend several days exploring this ‘new’ picture perfect wonder of the world. With the risk of sounding lazy, I would opt to take the Machu Picchu train, sitting back and enjoying the panoramic views from this luxury train journey as the excitement builds approaching this amazing landmark. My excuse? Saving my energy to explore more of the ruins whilst I’m there, of course!
Celebrate the Day of the Dead - Although Mexico is most famous for its Day of the Dead festivities, many countries across South America hold their own versions of this annual celebration which I would love to experience. Bolivia in particular holds its annual Day of the Skulls festival centred in La Paz where families visit cemeteries to celebrate their ancestors, playing guitar and singing to the dead, and giving thanks to colourfully adorned “Natitas” - the skulls of deceased family members!
Learn to tango dance - I’m the first to admit that I’ve got two left feet but when in Argentina I want to learn how to do as the locals do and tango the night away! Born from a combination of over seven different dance styles from across Europe and Latin America, the tango is a vibrant and playful dance between two people. Practiced worldwide, where better to learn and find my rhythm than where it all began in Buenos Aires back in the 1880s?
3. Amazing foodie adventures to enjoy
Dine on delicious ceviche - Ceviche, a marinated fish dish, has exploded across the London food scene in the past couple of years and has rapidly become my favourite summer dish. Commonly made from sea bass served in ‘tigers milk’ I can’t wait to explore truly authentic ceviche in Peru (home of ceviche) and the wide variety of different ceviche flavours available in South America.
Try the local cuy - Always one to try something new I’m excited to tick another unique dish off my food bucket list. Cuy, a Peruvian delicacy, is one I’ve been told not to miss before leaving the country. Prepared over a spit roast and salted to give it a delicious crispy skin, this dish is delicious juicy and tender and supposedly tastes like chicken (what doesn’t ‘taste like chicken’?!). Dig in with your hands, alongside corn, yellow potatoes and a simple salsa for a traditional take on this dish. Oh, I might have forgotten to mention… cuy means guinea pig!
Feast at an Argentinian asado - There’s so much delicious food to try as you carry on travelling South, and you haven’t made it to Argentina yet! Home of the ‘gauchos’ - Argentina’s skilled horsemen (and inspiration for a yummy chain of London steakhouses) the beef in Argentina is one not to miss. Similar to a BBQ in the UK, or a South African braai, an Argentinian asado is a seriously meaty and social affair. Dig into asado di tira (ribs) or a succulent lomo (fillet steak) fresh from the grill washed down with a glass of Malbec, I can’t think of a better dinner!
Dine at Central - Having drooled over many a restaurant on the popular Netflix series ‘Chef’s Table’ and created my ultimate restaurant list it would be rude to travel all the way to Peru and not tick one off! Flagship restaurant of Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, Central in Lima, named the best restaurant in Latin America is a must for any foodie. Martinez takes diners on a complete journey through Peru incorporating lesser known ingredients from the Andes, the Amazon and the sea to create the ultimate tasting menu.
4. Top vineyards and a vibrant drinks scene
Explore the vineyards of Mendoza - I couldn’t miss out such a famous wine region as Mendoza from my South American adventure! With over 1,500 vineyards spread in the rolling hills around the city of Mendoza there’s many a winery to explore, with some even offering wine tours on horseback. A perfect day in Mendoza consists of sipping several glasses of Malbec against the beautiful backdrop of the Andes, before heading back into the city to enjoy a leisurely, and of course wine fuelled, dinner.
Sip on a Pisco sour - If you’ve ever visited a Peruvian restaurant before, no doubt you will also have enjoyed a Pisco Sour alongside your ceviche – being a fan of ceviche (see above), I’m also a big fan of Pisco sours! To make this heavenly cocktail, Pisco, a South American brandy made from fermented grape juice, is mixed with egg white, lime juice and bitters. Learn more about how Pisco is made in the Ica region of Southern Peru, with a must-see pit stop at the small village of Huacachina, a tiny oasis in the middle of the desert.
5. Breathtaking natural wonders and scenery
Take a breathtaking journey by rail - I love a great train adventure and the landscapes of South America make it perfect to explore by rail. Whether it’s relaxing on the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer, the “Train to the Clouds” in Argentina or travelling on one of the highest routes in the world from Lima to Huancayo, 16,000 feet above sea level, travelling by train is the best way to capture the dramatic scenery.
Marvel at the salt flats of Salar de Uyuni - Laying claim to the largest salt lake in the world is Bolivia, with Salar de Uyuni talked about as the most unworldly place on Earth, and a dream for photographers to boot. At certain times of year a thin layer of water covers the salt flats creating even more spectacular endless vistas and reflections of the sky. I would love to explore these amazing landscapes, feel tiny in a sea of salt, and be cliché and take some of those funny perspective photos that seem to be a rite of passage for all visitors!
Soak up the spectacular scenery of Patagonia - Covering over 256 million acres, picking just one place to visit in Patagonia will never be able to do it justice. However, the Torres del Paine national park, almost as far South as you can reach before reaching the edge of the continent, must be hard to beat! Explore ice blue lakes, sparkling glaciers and rolling grasslands, inhabited with pumas, condors and numerous other magnificent creatures, not to mention incredible panoramas.
After this incredible South American adventure I’d have seen some of the greatest ruins of ancient civilisation, witnessed some of the planet’s rarest species, nearly eaten myself into a food coma and marvelled at an unending array of majestic landscapes. All this and I wouldn’t even have begun to scratch the surface of this incredible continent. There’s still Las Lajas Sanctuary in Colombia to see, the famous carnival in Rio to experience, the statues of Easter Island to marvel at or the sea lions of the Galapagos to snorkel with!
So how on earth can I get this trip of a lifetime organised into a manageable itinerary or within budget, who knows, but I’d welcome the challenge!
If you want to read about this incredible adventure and spur your own wanderlust - vote for The Travelling Stomach in the Post Office Travel Blogger Awards 2018 here! Update: Voting has now closed, thank you so much to all who voted for The Travelling Stomach. Results are out soon, keep your fingers crossed!
