Paraguay – 113th Country
Paraguay – 113th Country. To see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Paraguay is my 113th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! I took a three hour flight from Santiago and touched down in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. Paraguay with seven million citizens is a landlocked country, surrounded by Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Paraguay was the loser in the Paraguayan War from 1864-1870, the bloodiest conflict in South America. Paraguay lost approximately 60-70% of its population and 25% of its territory. Paraguay also holds claim to the longest serving leader of South America, Alfredo Stroessner, who led from 1954 to 1989, until he was toppled in a military coup. I spent three nights in Paraguay, based in the capital of Asuncion. Asuncion is a sleepy, laid back town with a lack of tourists. It is a walkable town, and you are able to visit the sites in a day. I spent another [...]
Three Days Paraguay
Three Days Paraguay. Paraguay might be considered one of the ugly stepsisters of South America, with less than 650,000 tourists visiting this landlocked country. On this southern continent, Paraguay is only more popular than Guyana and Suriname, not household names for tourists. I spent three nights in Asuncion, the sleepy, river-based capital. Asuncion is an acquired taste. There is no landmark beckoning you to witness its magnificence such as the Christ Redeemer soaring above Rio de Janerio or the majestic Machu Picchu ensconced in the Peruvian Andes. I will share with you how I spent my time visiting this country of less than seven million. What To See Plaza Uruguaya Asuncion is a very walkable city, very quiet and easy to navigate. And like many Spanish colonized countries, there are many plazas to stroll around. Feel free to relax, people watch, and check out some of the statues located in this plaza. Estacion Central del Ferrocarril Located on the plaza, it is the former train station and now present-day museum. Don’t worry about fighting off the crowds [...]
Ultimate Guide Easter Island
Ultimate Guide Easter Island. The Taj Mahal. The Pyramids. The Eifel Tower. The Statue of Liberty. There are certain monuments around the world that are known to all. I remember even as a kid I knew these landmarks. And there was another landmark that made an impression on me as a child … the mysterious Moai of Easter Island. Easter Island History Easter Island is one of the most remote civilizations on the planet. There are flights from only two places … a daily flight and two flights during high season (five hours) from Santiago, the capita of Chile, and a weekly flight (five hours) from Tahiti. Easter Island is 2,300 miles from Chile, which annexed the Island in 1888. And on a side note, if in the Santiago airport, do not look for Easter Island on the board, keep your eye out for Isla de Pascua, its Spanish name. Easter Island was discovered by Dutch explorer, Jacob Roggeveen, in 1722; on, surprise, surprise, Easter day. Easter Island natives had a traumatic relationship with the outside world. [...]
Easter Island Moai – Must-See
Easter Island Moai – Must-See. Easter Island is one of those must-see, unique places on earth, which is the just reward for the potential trials for travel. Scattered across Easter Island, this Pacific Polynesian wonderland, are 900 monolithic status known as the Moai. The Moai were constructed in honor of the Rapa Nui’s (the natives) ancestors from 1250 and 1500. Having the opportunity to explore this island for four days was a travel highlight for me. Here are some of the highlights of the island. Ahu Tongariki Fifteen Moai are gathered on the largest ahu platform on Easter Island. These Moai were all toppled during the island’s civil wars and then damaged again in the 20th century from a tsunami. Today, they have been reconstructed and repaired. The largest Moai, weighing in at 86 tons, can be found here. This is a breathtaking place to visit, almost a primordial setting with a volcano and the ocean in the background. There is a Park Ranger who will check your ticket, and the area is surrounded by a [...]
Chile – 112th Country
Chile – 112th CountryTo see where I have been so far, check out my map as I count down the final 93 countries on the road to all 193 UN countries. Chile is my 112th country. Check out the best 193 travel books to read! I crossed into Chile overland after exploring Salar de Uyuni for three days. A chilly and high altitude crossing. Chile, another former colony of Spain, is a long sliver of a country, with a coast of over 2,600 miles. Today, Chile is arguably South America’s most stable and developed nations. Chile had to overcome a 17 year military dictatorship that overthrew the prior democratically elected government. Similar to Bolivia, I divided my time into three regions overly nearly two weeks. I began my adventures in the Atacama Desert, in the north of Chile. It is a high altitude, very dry desert of immense natural beauty. I then spent four nights on the magical Easter Island. The isolated island has a mysterious history and is populated by giant stone statues. My trip ended [...]
Lemu Lodge Vaihu – Must-Stay
Lemu Lodge Vaihu – Must-Stay. Lemu Lodge Vaihu sits in isolation facing the Pacific Ocean on a working Rapa Nui farm. Most lodging options are found in the main town of Hanga Roa, but Lemu Lodge Vaihu offers a tranquil alternative. The lodge offers four bungalows and two luxury suites with an accompanying Club House. The red-roofed Club House includes the restaurant, bar, and just a great place to relax. The lodge offers a laid-back and intimate setting. I stayed in one of the luxury suites, a high-ceiling tented room. The tensile-structured suites reminded me of a bit of glamping on safari with their tent-like roofs. The room was bathed in white with natural wood, with a sitting area and a very comfortable bed. Wide sliding glass doors open up to a wooden patio. Across the way, I listened to the ocean lap against the shore as I read my book on my personal patio. Adjacent to my suite is the Club House, known as a Hare in the local Rapa Nui language. This Club House formally [...]
