Peru: Huayhuash Circuit – Part 1
A detailed first half of the Huayhuash Circuit trek, covering altitude, pacing, group size, logistics, and real conditions on one of Peru’s most demanding routes.
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Viana do Castelo – Portugal
My second-last day in Portugal, Pedro and I headed out for a day-trip to Viana do Castelo, a town with a gorgeous historic centre and strong ties to the sea. Our first stop was the Basílica de Santa Luzia, a massive, domed, Neo-Byzantine construction that was clearly inspired by the architecture of the Sacré Coeur in Paris. Something that always fascinates…
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Eat Porto!
So, if you’ve been reading along for the past year, you know by now that I have an obsession with typical foods of whichever country I’m visiting. Portugal was no exception – and I have to admit – it has some of the best treats on the planet! I reckon I put on…
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Porto favourites – Portugal
Although I had visited Portugal (my favourite country in Europe) twice previously, this was the first time I had made it to Porto. The purpose was to visit Pedro, my newest Portuguese friend (I have a few – I seem to get along very well with the Portuguese) who I’d met at La Mariposa Spanish School…
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Kayaking the Comau Fjord – Leptepu and Porcelana
Day 5 Out in the kayaks early today for a paddle to explore the southern end of the Comau Fjord. Glassy water, no wind, easy paddling – now THIS is what I was expecting! THIS is what all those kayaking videos spruik – paddling lazily along taking your time and poking your nose…
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Kayaking the Comau Fjord – Termas de Cahuelmó to Porcelana
Day 4 The next day saw another brilliant blue sky and an opportunity to do a little hiking – up to a lake a little further up the valley. This hike had to be timed to coincide with low tide, and we had to get there and back before the tide rose too much,…
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Kayaking the Comau Fjord – Cahuelmó Fjord
Day 3 Day 3 of our kayaking trip to explore the fjords in the north of Pumalín Park dawned bright and sunny again. Given we were already just across from our campsite scheduled for Day 3 (thanks to the storm), after another amazing breakfast aboard the Don Miguel, we hit the kayaks and went for a…
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Kayaking the Comau Fjord – Isla Llancahué to Quintupeu Fjord
Day 2 Awoke not feeling too bad given the unfamiliar and extended exercise of yesterday. The clouds had rolled in, however, and the forecast of rain was looking more and more accurate. After an amazing breakfast on board the Don Miguel, we suited up in our kayaking gear and headed off towards Quintupeu Fjord. …
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Kayaking the Comau Fjord – Hornopirén to Isla Llancahué
A first-person account of day one kayaking Patagonia’s Comau Fjord, covering first-time nerves, group logistics, weather, physical reality, and the demands ahead.
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Petroglyphs – La Silla Observatory
Much closer than Cerro Vizcachas, in fact just below the road where it passes below the 3.6m telescope, are the rock engravings, or petroglyphs, of La Silla. I visited these a couple of times when I first arrived at La Silla about 15 years ago, but haven’t been back since. Given I was wandering…
