South America on the Mind

When the weather starts feeling a bit colder in the northern hemisphere where Base Camp is, we start dreaming about places south of the equator. On today’s particular daydream, a few different spots in South America came to mind, so we thought we’d pull together three facts on three different places that we’d be more than excited to hop on a plane to right now.
The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Photo by Attit Patel

The Galapagos Islands are famous for a variety of unusual creatures, from marine iguanas to blue-footed boobies, and you’ll get closer to the wildlife than you would anywhere else in the world. The Galapagos Archipelago lies 600 miles off the coast of South America and is reached via a short flight from Quito, Ecuador. The isolation and late discovery by humans, along with a historical lack of predators has set the stage for a unique environmental experiment and developed into perhaps the greatest showcase for evolution to be witnessed anywhere.
1. More than sixty volcanic eruptions have been documented over the last two hundred years in the Galapagos region.
2. The notorious scolopendra centipede lives on the islands and frequently dines on lava lizards and even young rats. These creatures grow to about thirty centimeters.
3. The famous Galapagos penguin is the only type of penguin to live at the equator. An endangered species, there are less than 1500 examples according to scientific studies.
Easter Island, Chile

One of the world’s most famous yet least visited archaeological sites, Easter Island is a small, hilly, now treeless island of volcanic origin. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile, it is considered to be the world’s most remote inhabited island. Sixty-three square miles in size and with three extinct volcanoes (the tallest rising to 1674 feet), the island is, technically speaking, a single massive volcano rising over ten thousand feet from the Pacific Ocean floor. In the 1860’s, Tahitian sailors gave the island the name Rapa Nui, meaning ‘Great Rapa,’ due to its resemblance to another island in Polynesia called Rapa Iti, meaning ‘Little Rapa’.
1. Easter Island’s most famous features are its enormous stone statues called moai, at least 288 of which once stood upon massive stone platforms called ahu. There are some 250 of these ahu platforms spaced approximately one half mile apart to create an almost unbroken line around the perimeter of the island.
2. The island received its most well known current name, Easter Island, from the Dutch sea captain Jacob Roggeveen who became the first European to visit Easter Sunday, April 5, 1722.
3. The average moai statue is 14 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 14 tons. Some moai were as large as 33 feet and weighed more than 80 tons. Depending upon the size of the statues, it is estimated that 50-150 people were needed to drag them across the countryside on sleds and rollers made from the island’s trees.
Iguazu Falls, Brazil & Argentina

The stupendous roar of 275 different waterfalls crashing 80m (262ft) into the Rio Iguaçu means that even on the sleepiest, hottest afternoon, nature’s relentless churning power will stir your heart here. The falls are actually divided between Brazil and Argentina. The best time to visit is between August and November. To see the falls properly, you must visit both sides – Brazil gives the grand overview and Argentina the closer look. The Brazilian side has far fewer attractions than the Argentine side; and the costs are higher here if you want to arrange an under-the-falls boat trip.
1. The mist and foam caused by the falls, boils up all around, causing almost permanent rainbows and providing to the surrounding forest an additional green.
2. Iguazu Falls is part of a subtropical jungle that is rich in wildlife, including tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys and jaguars.
3. One of the falls on the Argentinean side of the Iguazu Falls is named for Spanish Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca who in 1541 became the first European to discover them.
LAN Airlines now flies from North America to The Galapagos Islands, from Lima to Easter Island as of January 5th, 2011 and from Lima to Iguazu Falls (Argentina side) as of January 11th, 2011. 

Source: http://travelblog.gapadventures.com/

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Dazzling Brazil – A Superb Travel Destination

Brazil is a superb place to visit for that long awaited vacation. The largest country in the South American continent and the fifth largest in the world, Brazil has a lot to offer the global tourist who is always looking for the out of the ordinary. Rio de Janeiro’s beaches and their annual carnival attract people in thousands. Apart from this, Brazil is the best place for nature lovers as the Amazon rainforest exists here ready to enthrall people with its natural wonder. It is a land filled with adventure and excitement, numerous picturesque surroundings like mountains and hills. The Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator pass through Brazil.
Amazonia National Park

The place is one of natural splendor spreading over seven of the 27 states of Brazil. The Rainforest is home to many animals such as the boa constrictor and the jaguar. You can also see the beautiful which is a favorite of scientists. Bird watching, climbing, trekking and boating along the river are some of the things that you can get to do in this wonderful place.

The Iguassu Falls

The Iguassu Falls are composed of 275 cataracts and is a splendid sight acting as a natural border to the countries of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Things to do
The Federative Republic of Brazil is filled with natural resources. Visit Pantanal which is one the world’s greatest wildlife reserves.
Manaus is situated right inside the Amazonian Basin and is a popular destination for tourists wanting an excursion inside the forests.
Visit the city of Salvador situated on the Bay of All Saints. Get the unique experience of walking down narrow cobblestone streets and also visit the Igreja de Sao Francisco which has the inside of the church covered in gold leaf! 17^th century antiques are also on display at the Museu de Arte da bahia and Museu de Arte Sacra.
Do visit Sao Paulo, the commercial center of Brazil with huge buildings, pubs and clubs. It is a more modern side to Brazil.
Recife is another place worth visiting in Brazil. It is filled with canals, bridges, museums and churches.
Sao Luis named after Louis XIII of France is one of Brazil’s most beautiful cities. It is a wonderful combination of the Brazilian and African cultures.
How to get there
Going by bus is the best way to reach places in Brazil. In fact, it is the only efficient way of reaching your destination due to the lack of good train and car services. The bicycle is a common means of transport taking you to places where a car or bus may not be able to. For moving around in the Amazon areas, the boat is the only way out and the most recommended means of transport.

Source: http://www.explorerworldtravel.net/

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Food, Travel & Identity

I just wanted to share with you the latest happy addition to my bookshelf – The Brazilian Table by chef Yara Roberts who is, as it says on her website:

“…the first Brazilian chef to write about Brazilian cuisine in English. She gives an intimate look at the regions of Minas Gerais, the Amazon, the Cerado, and Bahia from a food perspective, not only introducing one hundred delicious recipes but also providing an in-depth cultural lesson on the regions and their unique foods.”

Flicking through this wonderful book got me thinking about food and my relationship to it.

Such a big part of travelling for me is about food – few things bring as much pleasure. As well as the pure enjoyment of taste, food can tell you so much about a country and about its history and its people. All over the world day-to-day life revolves entirely around, and is structured by food (well, perhaps not entirely, but I can safely say that my thoughts are often occupied by what the next meal will be and when). People connect over food - it brings them together, families, friends, old and young. There is something basically human about sharing a meal, whether it’s a chunk of cheese and some dry bread shared with a fellow traveler on some endless bus journey across Bolivia, or an invitation to a family asado in Argentina.

Food and the customs and rituals surrounding it provide a framework for a country’s character, showing you their humanity. People are fiercely proud of their culinary heritage, it speaks of their past and of their values. In Argentina sharing mate (a bitter tea like drink) demonstrates a warmth and openness that strangers can immediately connect with.

Food is surrounded by these emotions; friendship and generosity; comfort and nostalgia. When people are homesick it often manifests itself in missing the flavors of home, and home-cooked food features in many a childhood memory. A bowl of hot soup at the end of a long, cold journey can switch your mood in a moment, and in England pretty much any problem can be solved by putting the kettle on for a cup of tea.

As well as this, layers of a country’s history can be seen in its culinary styles and influences. In Buenos Aires, waves of Italian immigrants opened pizzerias and ice-cream parlors all over the city, and today ice cream is a big part of the city’s culture – heladerias to rival Rome’s finest gelato emporiums are dotted throughout the city serving towering cones in multiples of delicious flavors.

Whenever I think of summer in Buenos Aires I think of heading to the heladeria at midnight, even at this late hour lively with groups of teenagers and tables of smartly dressed old folks. Getting my ticket, waiting for my number to come up and choosing my two scoops from the dozens of options - for me this experience is part of the patchwork of Buenos Aires. Just as when I think of Tokyo I think of spicy wasabi with soy sauce, and slivers of vivid pink pickled ginger, and just as Morocco brings back memories of steaming tagines of lamb and apricot, and sweet, hot mint tea in colored glasses.

I have always been intrigued by food, recipes and cooking styles, and their inextricable link to a country’s history, culture and character. This is why, for me, The Brazilian Table is the perfect recipe book. Combining delicious Brazilian dishes, with an in depth knowledge of their origins and influences and an obvious passion for the country and its flavors. All this in one delectable and beautifully written full-color package. Time to cook!

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