Category Archives: South America

Jesuits, Israelis and ‘El Che’.

Posted on 19/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

After two days of rest and recuperation in Mendoza (it rained none stop) I took an overnight bus, north, to Córdoba. Despite being Argentina’s second city it doesn’t overwhelm you like Buenos Aires, and is everything a city should be … Continue reading →

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Crossing the Andes.

Posted on 18/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Miercoles 12/02/2014 Departure 08:31, Arrival 18:30. Crossing the Andes between Valparaiso (Chile) and Mendoza (Argentina) was a unique and memorable experience. The journey provided magnificent mountain scenery, and included a close view of Mount Aconcagua (6,962 meters above sea level). … Continue reading →

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The city of hills.

Posted on 13/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Brimming with wonderful restaurants and cafés, stunning vistas, super friendly people, and a ‘things to see and do’ list that most cities would die for. Let me introduce Valparaiso, the spectacular faded beauty of its chaotic hills, the maze of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile | 5 Comments

Chile facts.

Posted on 11/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Chile is approximately 4,630 kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. The total geographical area of Chile is roughly 756,096 square kilometres. The UK covers 243,610 square kilometres. Chile Con Carne (literally hot sauce with meat) does not originate from Chile. … Continue reading →

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Ships in the night.

Posted on 10/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

“No one even considered it a volcano, but that changed quickly. On May 2, 2008, Volcán Chaitén, 10km northeast of its namesake town, began a month-long eruption with a 20km-high column of ash. During the first week, successive explosions emitted … Continue reading →

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The wheels on the bus go….

Posted on 08/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Coyhaique to Chaiten. My next journey was supposed to take 10-hours but due to road works I was advised that it could take up to 12 – mmm, if only that had been the case! This bus was the second … Continue reading →

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Carretera Austral.

Posted on 08/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Puerto Tranquil to Coyhaique: Starting south of Puerto Montt, the Carretera Austral (highway number 7) links widely separated towns and hamlets all the way down to Villa O’Higgins, covering a distance of some 1200km (745 miles). It’s mainly a gravel … Continue reading →

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Bucking Broncos & BBQ’s.

Posted on 07/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

I liked Puerto Tranquilo – it’s just that, tranquil. A nice place to recharge your batteries and great place to get over any ‘incidents’ that might have occurred during the day! I eventually found a bed for the night and … Continue reading →

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The second boat related disaster!

Posted on 06/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

Lago General Carrera. “Shared with Argentina (where it’s called Lago Buenos Aires), this massive 224,000-hectare lake is a wind-stirred green-blue sea in the middle of sculpted Patagonian steppe. The rough and twisty roads dwarf the traveler making you feel like … Continue reading →

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Chile Chico.

Posted on 05/02/2014 by Richard Griffith

El Chalten (Argentina) to Chile Chico (Chile). Those of you who know me well enough will be aware that I can be very single minded. When I set myself a goal I dam well make sure I achieve it. If … Continue reading →

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