The "Favorites" Lists
Australia - July 24, 2006
Today officially marks the midway point in our adventure! To mark this occasion, we have decided to compile a list of some of our favorites and and not-so-favorite memories from the past 6 months of travel.
Favorite Country
(Both) Bolivia
Favorite Cities
(P) Lausanne, Switzerland
Sydney, Australia
(L) Buenos Aires, Argentina
London, England
Lausanne, Switzerland
Least Favorite Country
(Both) Paraguay. Can also be referred to as Hellaguay.
Least Favorite City
(P) Asuncion, Paraguay
(L) Ciudad de Este, Paraguay
Best Hostels
Hostel Inn Marco Polo in Bariloche, Argentina
Free breakfast and dinner, free internet/WiFi, free movies, free travel bookings, free coffee, very trendy cafe/bar, great staff
Hotel Esmeralda in Coroico, Bolivia
Sub-tropical surroundings, huge rooms, private balconies and spectacular views.
Hotel Playa Blanca (Salt Hotel) in Uyuni, Bolivia
A hotel built completely out of salt blocks in the middle of the incredible salt flats. It's rumored Madonna even stayed there.
Worst Hostel
HI Hostel Campo Base I, Mendoza, Argentina
If you've pulled a Tour of Duty in a submarine you'll feel right at home here.
Favorite Meals
(P) Fondue at the Junod Residence in Switzerland
Any food at Las Islas in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Fruit Salad, Cochabamba, Bolivia
(L) Crepes at the Junod Residence in Switzerland
Indian food with Mr. and Mrs. Boys Smith in London, England
Fruit Salad in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Burrito at the Bearded Monkey hostel in Granada, Nicaragua
Food We Crave The Most:
(Both) Liquados (fruit smoothies) for $0.40 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Dulce Saltenas in Bolivia
(L) Ice cream in Argentina
(P) Sliced Mangos in Honduras
Most Affordable Meal:
Baguette, Soup, Side Salad, Main Entree and Desert
$0.56
La Paz Bolivia
Most Epic Commute:
(P) Water taxi from Caye Caulker to Belize City
(L) Entering Santiago, Chile. There's something amazing about riding into a metropolis and looking up to see the second highest mountain range in the world just a few miles away.
Worst Commute
(Both) Santa Cruz, Bolivia to Asuncion, Paraguay
Besides the fact that this was a 30 hour bus ride on bumpy dirt roads, we also had the privledge of getting our laptop, digital camera and a slew of other items stolen on this horrid journey.
Most Crowded Vehicle
Huaraz, Peru: 21 people & 1 chicken in 15 passenger mini-van
Best Trek
Santa Cruz trek in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru. There are more than 50 peaks over 18,000 feet in this region! By contrast, North America has only three such mountains.
Favorite Moments
(P) Mountain biking on the World's Most Dangerous Road
(L) Base jumping off the 630 foot Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand
Best Gear
(Both) iGo universal power, External micro hard drive, Laptop, iPods, GoreTex jackets
(L) Shure E3c headphones, Custom-molded earplugs (for the really loud nights), Waterproof ASolo shoes with Vibram soles
(P) Deuter waterproof backpack cover, Cocoon silk travel liner, U3 compatible USB thumb drive
Must-Haves For the Long Term Traveler:
Audio books from Audible for those long bus rides or endless hours/days of waiting at bus terminals and airports.
Anything from PacSafe
A Skype account.
First Need water filter
leno said...Great report! Keep up the good work in reporting.
Matthew Turner said...Glad things are back to normal. Well, I hope they are anyway. Praying for you both. Peace. Matthew
Mikoi said...Meal in La Paz Bolivia- $0.56 Fruit smoothies in Santa Cruz, Bolivia- $.40 21 people & 1 chicken in 15 passenger mini-van- Priceless
aaron + kara said...Sounds like you guys are having a blast. Look forward seeing to what the 2nd half will bring.
Monie said...Hope you keep enjoying the ride--even when there is a chicken involved! :o)
Grandma said...Very interesting report. Lee , how would you compare the food to Grandma's lunch box? eating pudding without a spoon. God's blessings on the rest of your trip. love you so much
Abby said...I love what you guys are doing!! I've also stayed at the Hotel Esmeralda in Coroico, Bolivia and LOVED IT!
Alejandra said...mmm... salteñaaaas! las extraño! :(
cleve & kathleen said...So thankful you are having a wonderful trip.We loved reading about your favorites and worsts! God bless.
Elise said...Best & worst list....that's awesome!! Keep up the amazing work ya'll!!
Oliver said...mmmm las ensaladas de fruta estan rebuenas pero se olvidaron el api con pastel ja ja ja!!! bendiciones desde Cochabamba Oliver Gabriela Y Mateo
Foodie said...Where in London did you have that terrific Indian food?
Paudar said...Your pics are just beautiful. Really enjoyed your site. Just got back from Oz myself, and found that the reefs around the Whitsundays are infinitely more colourful than in Cairns... thought a photographer might appreciate the tip. If you're not "sick" of diving, you might head to Airlie Beach! Happiest travels... !P