South America is Where I’d Take My Partner To…

if I had one.

Yes! South America! All of it! For 6 months — or maybe 3 if I run out of money.

South America has been on my bucket list forever. I had flights booked to Santiago, Chile leaving in November 2015 and returning in January 2016. My eldest daughter had spent several months exploring South and Central America on one of her 12-month round-the-world trips. She travelled alone, but her husband who grew up in the favelas in Rio de Janeiro didn’t advise my going on my own.

My partner wasn’t keen on going to South America so convinced me to change my flight to Dublin, Ireland and spend our holiday travelling round Europe together in a motorhome. I didn’t need much convincing. I love Europe.

We spent two weeks seeing Ireland from the windows of a motorhome. He had never been to Ireland — this was my third visit — unfortunately, Storm Desmond hit as we were driving down the Wild Atlantic Way to Dingle but that’s a story all on its own.

Back to South America. I’ll need 6 months if I’m going to see everything I want to. There’ll probably be things my date wants to see that aren’t on my list. I suppose I’ll have to indulge him in a football game or two, or maybe a Formula One race.

Macchu Piccu — Top of the List

Ever since I heard about the Lost City of the Incas, I’ve wanted to see it for myself. I’ve had friends who trekked up to it for 4 days — I’m not going to do that — I plan to catch the train.

While there, a visit to the Aguas Calientes and Cocalmayo Hot Springs is a must.

The floating islands on Lake Titicaca

Apart from being the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca has the floating Uros Islands. The islands are made of roots braided by the tribespeople who have built villages on the islands. … I have friends who’ve stayed there and reported it’s amazing and the people are so friendly.

The Galapagos Islands

Do I need to explain why I have to go here? So many unique creatures living side by side in harmony. My friends have photos of several different species in the same shot — just amazing!

Easter Island

The moai — how they were carved and put in position has always fascinated me.

Patagonia

The Atacama Desert, the Perito Moreno Glacier, the icefields, the volcanoes, the wilderness — do you need any more reasons?

The Amazon Jungle

Well, not the actual jungle but there’s a cruise (loosely used) as you sleep on sacks on the floor of the boat but I’ve heard it’s such fun exploring the jungle from the river.

Paratay

Just south of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty has a well-preserved historic centre and streets that have been designed to flood at high tide as a street cleaning measure. My friend stayed there and loved it — a chilled vibe if you want a break from Rio.

Iguazu Falls

Rio de Janeiro

I really want to see these steps!

And lastly, a place I only just heard of…

Salta

Thanks, Alex Markham, for whetting my appetite for South America.

Now, all I need is someone — man or woman — who’s easy to get along with and can tolerate me for a few months, and we’ll be on our way!