Tag: Latin America

Guide to ARGENTINA – from sweltering heat to eternal ice.

Posted onAuthorRenata6 Comments

How do you choose your travel destination? Do you have a list of dream countries? A bucket list that you are working off?

As for me, my list consists of every country on planet earth. I don’t have dream destinations. There are a couple of countries that I think of visiting. But mostly, I decide on where to go rather spontaneously. It can be really silly things that lead my steps.

What was it that brought me to Argentina then?

Well, I was standing on the Brazilian side of the powerful waterfalls of Iguazu. Looking across the border, I thought to myself “Argentina – why not making Argentina one of my next trips?!”

A couple of week later, there was a photo of those impressive walls of eternal ice in Patagonia on the facebook-timeline of a friend. That moment, I knew where to next: Argentina.

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PUERTO MADRYN – all about whales and wales

Posted onAuthorRenata18 Comments

As much as I enjoy road trips, getting off the bus at yet another terminal, looking for accommodation, exploring new surroundings – it gets tiresome. Therefore, towards the end of a road trip, I’m looking forward to spending a couple of days in a beach destination. Somewhere I can lay on the beach, reading a nice book – or just napping.

Patagonian sea lion on the Valdes Peninsula close to Puerto Madryn
Between beach days, you get to see fascinating creatures in the surroundings of Puerto Madryn.

In Argentina, I’d chosen Puerto Madryn for this purpose. A beach town on the northern coast of Patagonia, famous for whales in the waters and migrants from Wales on the shores.

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PUERTO SANTA CRUZ – the forgotten capital

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Travelling along the endless Argentine Atlantic coast, Puerto Santa Cruz is a perfect spot for a stopover.

Monument at the easternmost Punta Reparo, remembers the landing of Commodore Luis Py's Naval Squadron in defense Argentina against Chile in 1878.
Santa Cruz’ glory might be a bit forgotten, however, but it’s still very far from sinking.
This monument, located at the easternmost Punta Reparo, remembers the landing of Commodore Luis Py’s Naval Squadron in defense of Argentina against Chile in 1878.

Actually, Patagonia’s former capital is so serene and pleasant that, for a while, you might forget travelling on.

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EL CALAFATE & EL CHALTEN – Argentina’s Winter Wonderland

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A couple of months ago, a friend of mine posted a photo on her facebook-timeline: A small boat floating on a light turquoise lake in front of a high wall of ice.

Couple taking pictures of the Perito Moreno Glacier close to El Calafate in Patagonia, Argentina
…and this is only a fraction of the gigantic glacier Perito Moreno!

What a mesmerizing sight!
It just sucked me in.
Just looking at this picture, I felt the cold crawling up my spine. I was sure I could see my breath if I exhaled.
This place must be a mysterious place, a world of its own, governed by some beautiful, chilled ice-queen.

It was the National Park Los Glaciares in southern Patagonia.

I had to see this place for myself. As soon as possible.

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LOS ANTIGUOS – borderline serenity

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Argentina is Latin America’s second-largest country and shares with Chile one of the world’s longest international borders. From North to South, those two countries snuggle on about 5,300 kilometers!

Lago Buenos Aires at sunset in Los Antiguos
The sun is tenderly setting over Lago Buenos Aires.

Unless you are flying, these dimensions can make travelling a bit challenging. Routes can be very long, trips of about 15 hours are not unusual.

An invitation to include some stops – for instance in the border-town of Los Antiguos.

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BARILOCHE – a Swiss Vacation on the Opposite Side of the Globe

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Dramatically jagged mountains, covered by a picturesque layer of eternal snow overtowering fir-covered hills.
Trouts jumping in ice-cold turquoise waters of glacier lakes, rivers, and creeks.

Renata Green standing on the shore of Lago Puelo close to El Bolson
Embracing Beauty!

Not Swiss enough?
Well, the town of San Carlos de Bariloche cranks it up a notch by manufacturing some of the world’s best artisan chocolate and making you pose with a Saint Bernard dog – including the small barrel of rum around the neck; his neck, not yours.

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BUENOS AIRES – from the must-sees to the hidden gems

Posted onAuthorRenata19 Comments

Buenos Aires and me – it was love at first sight. The stately baroque architecture like in Madrid, the elegant cafés – even a bit more charming than those in Paris. Old fashioned gelato parlors like in Rome. The powerful street art of Bogotá next to the picturesque decay of old Havana.

This city simply has it all.

Couple dancing Tango at the Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango – that’s what Buenos Aires stands for. But it’s only a fraction of what Argentina’s capital has to offer.

The beauty and energy of Buenos Aires took me by storm – and was definitely the highlight of my first trip to Argentina.

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COLOMBIA – a complete guide

Posted onAuthorRenata Green31 Comments

Colombia is still suffering from the stigma of being a dangerous place torn between drug barons and guerillas. But actually, it is a beautiful and interesting place – with wonderful, honest people.
On just one visit, it became one of my favorite countries on earth. Wanna see for yourself? Then here is my complete guide

At the Goldmuseum in Bogotá, Colombia
Treasures at the Gold Museum in Bogotá – by far not Colombia’s only treasure…
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Guide to BOGOTÁ – Colombia’s hip ‘n’ artsy capital

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Guide to Bogotá – Colombia’s hip ‘n’ artsy capital.
It’s the most energetic and vibrant Latin American city I’ve ever visited, indeed.

Graffiti in Bogotá
All the ingenious and powerful murales, colorful graffitis, are one of Bogotá’s strongest suit.

I’m still overwhelmed by the charm and the beauty of many neighborhoods. I’m also impressed by the environmental awareness, by the countless delightful little shops and vegetarian and vegan snack bars. The most amazing suit, however, is the eclectic, outstanding, creative art that can be found at every corner.

Totally unexpectedly, Bogotá took me by storm.

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Guide to CALI – And a Day Trip to Paradisiac Haciendas

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Cali, next to Medellín another Colombian city’s name that in the late 20th century made your blood freeze. The so-called Cali-cartel had a firm grip on the city and its surroundings, the lovely Valle del Cauca.

Cali prides itself to be the Salsa capital of the world; their words – sorry, Cuba.
Where others need an entire troop of musicians, this gentleman rocks the street all bye:himself.

After the last Gentlemen of Cali were arrested in 1995, the city came to peace. Without the world noticing, though. Hence, to this date, Cali carries the stigma of a dangerous cradle of a dangerous drug syndicate.

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