Category Archives: Travelogues

End of the world, “land of fire”

It is hard to say which was the highpoint of my trip.  But probably the most exciting part was the trip to Ushuia, the world’s southern-most town, near the tip of the South American continent, “the end of the world” … Continue reading

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Across the Andes, to Buenos Aires

About two hundred kilometres south of the flight path of my plane, on the Argentinian side of the border with Chile, had occurred one of the most tragic air disasters and an amazing tale of human survival.  A chartered Uruguayan … Continue reading

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Over Atacama Desert and Andes Mountains

As our plane took off from Bolivia’s El Alto airport for Santiago, the capital of Chile, my excitement soared just like the plane did.  We were flying out of the world’s highest airport and over a fascinating land, the most … Continue reading

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From Lake Titicaca to La Paz – II

In one splendid day-trip from La Paz, we were able to see landscape befitting the moon and scenery fit for the Himalayas, less than three hours’ drive apart from each other. To the south of the city is the “Valley … Continue reading

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From Lake Titicaca to La Paz – I

Now, if you saw a map of Bolivia, you would notice that the country is land-locked with no access to the sea.  Why, on earth, would it need or have a navy?

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An American in Cuzco and Pakistanis in Tacna

Give them a hint of a job or the scent of a business prospect, and they will go anywhere, sometimes with the instinct of migratory birds, no questions asked, no maps required.

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Andean empire of the Incas

At its height the Inca Empire incorporated a large part of western South America, around the Andean mountain range. Centred in Peru, it included large parts of modern Ecuador and Bolivia, northwest Argentina, north and central Chile, and a small … Continue reading

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Land of Amazon, Samba and Carnival – ll

There are 67 indigenous tribes still living in Brazil who have had no contact with any outsider whatsoever, happily living in their own pristine – call it primitive if you like – little worlds, a few miles square!  Surely this … Continue reading

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Land of Amazon, Samba and Carnival – l

In a very horrific sense, they were the lucky ones, for every two out of five captives died while being herded overland to the African coast for shipment to Brazil. A further 15% met their deaths in the dangerous crossing … Continue reading

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Wondrous South America

If Brazil has the Amazon River and Amazon jungle, which has been called the lung of the world, Argentina has the lofty Andes, including the highest peak in South America, and the rugged Patagonia, which some regard as the most … Continue reading

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