Manaus: Brazil’s Gateway to the Amazon

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach
Manaus Brazil

Teatro do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil

Manaus is green and tranquilly chaotic with charming and inviting people. It is a city where over 600 billion-dollar industries collide with the impending brute force of the surrounding sea of inhospitable jungle. No man-made roads lead to Manaus; there was a failed attempt at one from Matto Grosso, which the Amazon took hold of and promptly re-ingested into its suffocating embrace. Now, the only ways into the city are, as was always the case, via one of the thousands of waterways winding their way to the Amazon itself, and flight. The heat has character. It has a weight, music and flavor all its own; it works its way into the wood of the small houses along the riverbanks, into the fibers of clothing and finally into deeper epidermal layers where it gleefully takes hold. It smells lush- every plant fighting to dominate the dense air with its own native, pungent and glorious perfume. The fish is meaty- it tastes like the earthy tannins that dye the Rio Negro while complimented by the vibrant local condiments: onions, exotic fruits, manioc, oils, lime juice and petit, pale, green peppers that burn all the way down.

Manaus Brazil

Manaus Port

Manaus Brazil

Local Dining in Manaus along the Amazon River

Manaus Amazon

Amazon fish for sale in local market

 

Manaus is a city of contrasts; today’s frenzied metropolis of 3 million inhabitants still has the shadows of European wealth from the rubber and diamond boom lingering in its doorways alongside the struggle of displaced natives from ancient indigenous cultures often times living on the fringe of society. Within any one person in Manaus culture and identity are deeply rooted yet strongly polarized between western-centric 21st-century appropriation and the centuries of traditional ways that date back to pre-Colombian times. The best representation of Manaus’ puzzling character is its iconic Teatro do Amazonas (Amazon Theater). In the heart of this gritty city, a mighty tribute to the turn of the century wealth that once flourished in this unsuspecting locale stands, seemingly untouched by time, in its full splendor and glory as it has for the past 100 years. Once a space reserved solely for the upper, European class, the theater today has been made a public space and platform for local visual and performing arts- it is free so anyone and everyone in the community can share and take part in what is showcased. Performers of all types come here to present local dance, music, theater and more. Smartly dressed locals come from all over the city to partake in what are now deemed cultural nights at the theater.

Manaus Brazil

Teatro do Amazonas Interior

Manaus Brazil

Building began in 1896

 

While recently in Manaus, I had the blessed opportunity to see one of these free shows at the Amazon Theater. I climbed the polished stairs to the highest balcony level. Dim lights illuminated the way and red velvet covered chairs awaited the theater’s patrons. When the performance began, around 10-14 guitarists came out on stage and performed local classics. Deeply moving, the crowd was instantly entranced- people began swaying, tapping feet and singing along; these songs were heartfelt and connected the youngest children through to the oldest grandmothers in the crowd with themes of love, loss and longing. Halfway through the show, a surprise guest group came out: a group of about 12 middle-school children from a rural town in the Amazon called Manacapuru. Several local public schools in Manacapuru participate in a developing project focused on bringing youth together with music as a focus. Each student in the program builds their own Ukulele by hand with wood gathered from trees that have fallen down naturally in the jungle; through this process they learn about the importance of their surroundings and build pride in protecting the Amazon. Before playing, several of the students gave moving speeches about the importance of protecting the crowd and the performers’ collective home: The Amazon. “If we don’t protect and take pride in our home, who will?” one boy demanded. The ukulele band performed more local songs and then harmoniously joined the larger group of guitars for a grand finale.

With the mounting threats the world poses on this life-giving area of our planet, hearing these students speak from the heart and collectively sing, play and unite the crowd, one could not help but feel an overwhelming feeling of respect, joy and hope. Please watch the following video about the Manacapuru students and music project and watch some of their behind the scenes performances.

Manaus is a city in flux. Its exterior a cold, industrial port in the middle of a jungle the size of the United States with an interior raw and beautiful in its roots and genuine collective struggle for identity and a place on the modern world’s stage.

Check out some of our Amazon Programs:

  1. 5-Day Complete Amazon: Boat Expedition
  2. 4-Day Amazon Immersion: Jungle Adventure

Want to visit Brazil? Let me help you design your ultimate custom trip to Brazil!

Warm regards from the Amazon,

Gretchen

Posted in Amazon, Brazil | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Hidden Gem Treks in South America (Plus one bonus trek!)

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach
Chile Patagonia trekking

Trekking in Torres del Paine, Chile

If you are hoping to broaden your adventure portfolio this year, then I am here to help! This year I am extremely excited to share several new treks throughout South America for travelers looking for truly unique, rare and enticing experiences that showcase the various gems of South America’s diverse landscapes and the local peoples that call these enchanting places home.

Come trek in the steps of the Inca, through Martian landscapes and past table top mountains. Adventure into caves with glittering blue lagoons or venture amongst guanacos, condors and Puma on the Patagonian steppe. We have something for everyone and look forward to helping you plan your next epic journey!

Trek through a land of glittering waterfalls and dazzling caves! Near Salvador we find the most important trekking spot in Brazil: Chapada Diamantina. Large quantities of rivers are born in this spectacular region, forming over the years, beautiful streams, bubbling waterfalls and clear, natural pools. Some natural attractions include the Cachoeira da Fumaça, with its free fall of 380 meters, or the awe-inspiring cave, Poço Encantado. Throughout the trek, the marvelous natural landscape will continue to surprise and amaze.

Patagonia

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Complete a circuit of the park on this challenging trek while hiking among Torres del Paine’s famous craggy mountains. This trek is a circuit around the famous Paine Massif. This is the best adventure for trekkers who seek a challenging trip in Torres del Paine and a true wilderness experience. The accommodation is camping every night. Guides provide the tent and trekkers only need to bring a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Trekkers only carry a day pack with box lunches and personal belongings. The guides provide two duffel bags and porters will carry them during the trek.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, Peru

A challenging trek to Choquequirao, then on to Machu Picchu: this is the best of the best! This program has you trekking past the Apurimac river canyon, into the amazing ruins of Choquequirao, through the Cordillera Vilcabamba to finally reach Machu Picchu from its south side. This unique program is perfect for those who want to combine archaeology and mountains. Some of the trail is following the footsteps of Hiram Bingham!

Way off the beaten track, Choquequirao (the “Cradle of Gold”) is an amazingly preserved Inca outpost. Only accessible by a tough trek, it is comparable in size to Machu Picchu and dramatically located on a promontory nearly 1,700m above the roaring Apurimac River. Our seven-day mule supported hike to Choquequirao and beyond takes in high passes, perfectly preserved Inca Trails and awesome Andean peaks, and ends with a spectacular and rarely seen view of Machu Picchu, complete with a fully guided tour of these incredible ruins.

This is a long, spectacular and strenuous hike crossing the entire Vilcabamba mountain range from the Apurimac to the Urubamba watershed. It is approximately 75km long with almost 5,000m of both ascent and descent, passes up to 4,100m and river crossings as low as 1,450m.

This is your chance to be amongst one of the few adventurers to visit this incredible site and complete this rewarding trek to Machu Picchu.

Salta Argentina

Trekking to the Clouds, Argentina

Follow an Inca trail through the Andes of Salta, Argentina! This trek begins at the foot of Cerro El Gólgota in Ingeniero Maury and ends four days later in Quebrada de San Lorenzo, right next to Salta city. Explore an old Inca trail amid landscapes of great contrasts. The first part of the tour takes place in a dry and arid climate. During the final segment we will enter the rainforests of Salta’s Yunga. Along the route, we will be in contact with nature and the culture of a special area of Salta.

Starting at the Quebrada del Toro, our first ascent will be surrounded by cardones (giant cacti) and will reveal the snowy peaks of Cerro San Miguel and Acay. The trail leads to the archaeological site of “Sillón del Inca” (Inca Seat), ruins that once belonged to the southern part of the Inca empire. We will continue the trip visiting the local inhabitants of the area, who work the fields and breed livestock over in villages over 3,000 meters high. Camp sites and dinners will be the time to share moments with the group and sometimes with locals when we camp near their homes at night.

Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego Trek, Argentina

Camp and trek in the remote wilderness of Tierra del Fuego! The National Park of Tierra del Fuego is in the heart of the rugged wilderness that comprises the land of fire at the end of the world.

Explore this extreme remote area of the Andes just outside of Argentina’s southernmost city: Ushuaia. Valleys, lagoons, streams, prairies, cliffs, peaks, mountains, birds, guanacos, fox and numerous other species add to this amazingly pristine and unique landscape. Explore, breathe and feel, step by step, the rhythm and heart of Tierra del Fuego along the trail to Laguna del Caminante, at Laguna Superior and at each campsite surrounded by lush, green woods, rolling hills and snowcapped peaks.

Green Coast Brazil

Trekking the Green Coast, Brazil

Trek through lush mountains, rainforest, crystal lagoons and tropical islands! South of Rio de Janeiro, the Green Coast is a unique combination of mountains, tropical rainforest, crystal water lagoons and untouched tropical islands. In this region, we can still find small fishing villages where the electricity has not yet arrived and where they still use traditional fishing techniques. The Ecological Reserve Joatinga is one place we’ll where we will learn from several fishing communities their lifestyle and customs. At the end, we will also visit the beautiful colonial town of Paraty and its romantic and cozy atmosphere.

Have questions about any of these exhilarating treks? Want to book your spot? Feel free to contact me!

Your friendly South America expert,

Gretchen

Posted in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Peru, South America, Trekking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Travel Apps #1 – Organizing Your Trip and Flight Information

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

Best Travel AppsWe have rounded up our favorite apps in our Best Travel Apps series.  Here is Part I – Organizing your trip and Flight Information.

Please visit the other installments of our Best Travel Apps series:

We would love to hear what your favorites are!

Organizing Your Trip

Itineraries / Confirmation

TripIt

  • Features:
    • Organize travel plans in one place
    • Synchronizes with your calendar
    • Ability to share travel plans
    • Store travel documents in one place
  • Cost:
    • Free
    • TripIt Pro – $49/year
      • Real-time flight alerts
      • Locate alternate flights
      • Save money with VIP travel benefits
  • Platforms:
iPhone Screenshot 1iPhone Screenshot 2
iPhone Screenshot 3iPhone Screenshot 4

Go to top

Packing

Packing Pro

  • Features:
    • Generates expert packing list based on number of adults, children, and days of travel
      • Takes into account temperature, destination, food preparation, and laundry preferences
    • Sample template lists available
    • Create, edit, and check-off customized packing lists
    • Allows creation of sub-lists for managing business or large family trips
  • Cost: $0.99
  • Platform:
  • Screenshots:
Home pageExpert list assistance
Sample listsPacking list

Go to top

PackPoint

  •  Features:
    • Generates packing list based on length of travel, weather, and activities
    • Share packing lists with others
  • Cost: Free
    • PackPoint Premium (sponsored by Sheraton)
      • Connects to TripIt and Evernote
      • Customize with your own activities and packing list items
  • Platforms:
  • Screenshots:

iPhone Screenshot 1iPhone Screenshot 2

iPhone Screenshot 3iPhone Screenshot 4

Go to top

Flight Information

Flight Tracking

Flight+

  • Features:
    • Track live flight status at every airport (16,000+) in the world, in real-time
    • Departure, arrival, terminal, gate, and flight Status information available
    • Aircraft and seat maps available
    • Weather forecasts for destinations
  • Cost: Free
  • Platforms:  Apple
iPhone Screenshot 1iPhone Screenshot 2
iPhone Screenshot 4iPhone Screenshot 5

Go to top

FlightAware

    • Features:
      • Live flight tracking (status, gate/terminal information, delays, cancellations)
      • Track charter, private and GA aircraft
      • See nearby aircraft flying overhead
      • Mobile push notifications and flight alerts
      • Flight planning and routes
    • Cost: Free
    • Platforms:
    • Screenshots:

FlightAware Flight Tracker- screenshot thumbnail FlightAware Flight Tracker- screenshot thumbnail

FlightAware Flight Tracker- screenshot thumbnail FlightAware Flight Tracker- screenshot thumbnail

Go to top

Airport Information

GateGuru

  • Features:
    • Door-to-door solution for travelers
    • Find services, retailers and restaurants at more than 200 airports, as reviewed by users, with maps
    • Flight information and real-time push notifications for thousands of worldwide airports
    • See security line wait times
  • Cost: Free
  • Platforms:
  • Screenshots:

iPhone Screenshot 2GateGuru, feat. Airport Maps - screenshotiPhone Screenshot 5iPhone Screenshot 3

Go to top

LoungeBuddy

  • Features:
    • Find airport lounges all over the world
      • Find lounges available for a fee (beginning at $25)
      • Find lounges associated with airline elite status, lounge membership, and credit card affiliation
  • Cost:  Free
  • Platforms:
  • Screenshots:

iPhone Screenshot 2iPhone Screenshot 3

iPhone Screenshot 4iPhone Screenshot 5

Go to top

U.S. Immigration

Mobile Passport

  • Features:
    • Expedited passport processing at 20 U.S. airports and one cruise port
  • Cost:  Free
  • Platforms:
  • Screenshots:

iPhone Screenshot 1iPhone Screenshot 2

iPhone Screenshot 4iPhone Screenshot 5

Go to top

Compensation for EU Flight

AirHelp

  • Features:
    • Get up to $680 compensation if your EU flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked
      • For any flight subject to EU passenger rights within the last three years
    • AirHelp handles your claim on a no win, no fee basis
      • If AirHelp is successful, you get 75% of the claim
  • Cost:  Free
  • Platforms:
  • Screenshots:

AirHelp- screenshot thumbnail AirHelp- screenshot thumbnail

AirHelp- screenshot thumbnail AirHelp- screenshot thumbnail

 Go to top

Best Travel Apps series:

Save

Save

Posted in Travel Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Trip Report: Chamonix, France: August 2016

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

Staff Members: Robin Paschall & Dean Paschall
Travel Dates: August 18-21, 2016
Destinations Visited: Chamonix, France

Chamonix is the starting point for the Tour du Mont Blanc Trek.  There is so much to do here that it is worth a few extra days to enjoy the area.  The town is lovely, there is much to do in the mountains, and great restaurants.

Activities

Aguille du Midi

For the Aguille du Midi, you take two trams 20 minutes up towards the Mont Blanc to a height of 3777m.

At the top, there are outside terraces with great view of the Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains and towns.  You can see hikers on the glacier, which you can do with a guide.

A highlight is the “Step into the Void” room is a clear glass cage over a 1000m precipice.  On our day, there was a 45-minute wait.

Go to the tram office early to check on tickets (60 Euros for adults).  During busy times, there can be a 2 hour wait before your time slot.  There may still be a delay even with the ticket time.  It can be very tight inside, but a very interesting ride.

Mer de Glace — Walk inside a Glacier

The Mer de Glace is a real glacier where you walk through the ice tube of the glacier with ice sculptures. There are some hikes in the area for the more adventurous.

Take the train from the train station in Chamonix (30 Euro/adult), then a gondola down, and then walk down 420 stairs into the valley (80 meters vertical).  Along the way, there are signs showing the height of the glacier in decades past.  It is amazing to see how it has receded!

There is a terrace with great views of the glacier and valley as well as a snack bar.  They have an interesting crystal collection and Glaciology Exhibit.  There is also unique mountain hotel here, which would be fun for an overnight or dinner.

Paragliding

There are a number of companies in Chamonix that offer paragliding in tandem.  They often go every hour on the hour.

Hotels

Les Balcons de Savoy

Les Balcons de Savoy are condos with kitchenette, living room, and separate bedroom.  The complex had a swimming pool, spa, and gym.  There was free parking in an uncover parking garage.  Breakfast was 10 Euros/person.

It was located a few blocks away from the main square (just a short walk), right on the edge of an open park where the paragliders land.

Park Suisse Hotel

The Park Suisse Hotel is located right in the central area of town next to the Tourism Office.  Some rooms have a balcony, which was very nice to have.  There was a hot tub, pool, and spa on the roof, but the hot tub was not very hot and very crowded.

Parking is available for 20 euros/day but limited.  Breakfast is 18 Euros/person.

Dining

There are so many great places to eat in Chamonix, the hard part is picking where to go first!

  • La National – Grilled meat on a BBQ at the table
  • The Cave – Pizza, pasta, salad and to go
  • Cap Horn – Mussels, shrimp pasta stir fry, swordfish

Save

Save

Posted in Alps, Europe, Trip Journals | Leave a comment

Trip Report: Enchanted by Adventure in the Brazilian Amazon

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach
Brazil Amazon

Taking off in a prop plane to explore the Amazon

Falling asleep to claps of thunder and waking up to howler monkeys calling in the canopy outside my window, were just fragments of the beautiful dream I stepped into while spending almost 3 weeks in the Brazilian Amazon.

Brazil Amazon

Evening storms brewing on the horizon

Brazil Amazon

Squirrel monkey family

Each morning, as the sun slowly reared its mighty head over the lush horizon, I woke up to run along miles of trails that wound in and out of the exotic jungle. Running before the intense heat of midday meant comingling with families of squirrel monkeys, dodging sleepy caimans and watching majestic white herons take flight.

Brazil Amazon

Canopy climbing in the Samauma trees

Brazil Amazon

Swimming with pink dolphins

During the day we ascended ropes into the dense canopy to gain a new perspective from the tops of ancient Samauma trees and swam with powerful pink river dolphins. We paddled in the quiet off shooting rivers and lakes as the sun started to set and watched as the Milky Way painted the sky.

Brazil Amazon

Paddling at sunset

Brazil Amazon

Amazon from above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Amazon is untamed, raw and stunningly beautiful; it is humbling, as every aspect of it dwarfs the human form and leaves one feeling exposed and simultaneously entranced. The air is thick and the perfumed heat carries notes of bromeliads and orchids as it leisurely snakes its way across the massive and mighty Negro and Solimoes Rivers.

Brazil Amazon

Flying over the Anavilhanas Archipelago

Brazil Amazon

Jumping into the meeting of the waters

My time in the jungle ended with a breathtaking prop-plane flight above the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the largest in the region, and an invigorating plunge into the legendary meeting of the waters where the Solimoes and Negro rivers become one in the same: the beginning of the Amazon.

Brazil Amazon

Taking off in the prop-plane

To learn more about Adventures Within Reach’s new Brazil adventures to Brazil and the Brazilian Amazon, check out:

Or, for more information about travel to Brazil in general, contact me!

Your friendly Brazil expert,

Gretchen

Posted in Trip Journals | Leave a comment

Why You Should Be Planning Your Trip to Brazil Now

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

During the past year, I had the mind-blowing opportunity to spend almost two collective months on adventure trips in Brazil. Between sleeping in the Amazon canopy, working with local communities, trail running with monkeys, experiencing the Pantaneiro (cowboy) lifestyle in the wetlands, spelunking into caves, snorkeling in crystal clear rivers, admiring vibrant street art over a few cold cervejas with locals in the hip urban centers and trekking through ancient mountains and small villages lost in time, Brazil quickly stole my heart and has become one of my new personal favorite destinations.

pantanal brazil

Boating at sunset in the Pantanal

Brazil Amazon

Boarding a prop plane in the Amazon jungle

Brazil Amazon

Anavilhanas Archipelago from the sky. Brazil Amazon

This massive country has so much to offer and has somehow managed to fly under the radar for far too long. This summer (May-September) is the ultimate chance for travelers hungry for unrivaled adventure to come and see what Brazil is all about (and it’s a lot more than Carnival and Rio de Janeiro!). Whether you travel to Brazil in search of adventures, wildlife or culture, there is a region to appeal to every interest!

Bonito Brazil

Swimming in waterfalls in Bonito

Sao Paulo Brazil

Street art in Sao Paulo

Pantanal Brazil

Jaguar tracking in Pantanal

Why Visit Brazil NOW?

  • The US dollar is the strongest it’s ever been in Brazil right now at an exchange rate of between 3.5-4 Reals to the Dollar.
  • Roundtrip flights from the US to Brazil are as low as $450 for May – August.
  • There is still hotel and lodge availability in many of the highlight destinations for May – August.
  • Brazil is an untapped adventure hub brimming with opportunities for trekking, kayaking, snorkeling, tubing, zip lining, wildlife viewing, surfing and more!
  • Brazil is one of greatest cultural melting pots in the world (did you know that the largest Italian and Japanese populations outside of Italy and Japan call Brazil home?)
  • Cutting-edge gastronomic journeys offer excellent supplementary experiences to daytime active excursions.
Chapada Diamantina Brazil

Trekking in Chapada Diamantina

Pantanal Brazil

Sunset in quaint town of Corumba, Pantanal, Brazil

Green Coast Brazil

Trekking along the Green Coast

Where to go?

Salvador Brazil

Gorgeous historic downtown of Salvador

Amazon Brazil

Meet Elias, one of the last artists that still works with rubber in the Amazon

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Stop for a refreshing cerveja (beer) in Rio

Travel Tips:

  • Travel with an open mind: Brazil is roughly the same size as the continental US and is extremely varied in its local cultures, landscapes, traditions and customs.
  • Safety: in urban centers, just like in any large city, use common sense and good judgment. You can bring your camera, iPhone, etc with you (I ran by myself every morning alongside Copacabana beach when I was in Rio, iPod in hand, and felt 100% safe); don’t call unnecessary attention to yourself and don’t wander into areas of the city that are obviously not soliciting an outsider’s presence.
  • Money: Where some countries in South America will accept US dollars as payment, in most Brazilian restaurants, shops, markets and bars they will only accept Brazilian Reals. Credit Cards are widely accepted and another option for payment.
  • Tipping: Dollars are happily and readily accepted as tip (due to the favorable exchange rate currently).
  • Uber: Just like in the US, is a great way to get around in Brazil when in larger cities and going out at night.
  • Know your facts: Though Spanish is spoken in most of the rest of South America, Portuguese is the official language spoken in Brazil.

Want to plan your summer escape to Brazil? Contact us!

Your friendly Brazil expert,

Gretchen

 

Posted in Brazil, Kayak, Trekking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adventures Within Reach Introduces Brazil !

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

We are extremely excited to announce that Adventures Within Reach will now be offering our newest travel destination: Brazil! Adventure to the glittering Iguazu Falls, swim with pink dolphins and tree climb in the canopy of the Amazon, trek along ancient sand dunes and bathe in hidden lagoons in Lencois de Maranhenses, snorkel and rappel into caves in Bonito, trek past table-top mountains and swim under waterfalls in Chapada Diamantina, track jaguars and see some of the continent’s rarest birds in the Pantanal, or dance the night away to the samba beats in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil has something for everyone- come enjoy this treasure trove of adventure in the heart of South America!

COME CHECK OUT OUR TOP NEW TOURS TO BRAZIL:

Brazil Pantanal

Jaguars in the Pantanal

1) 7-Day In the Footsteps of the Elusive Jaguar

The Pantanal, the largest flood plain on the planet, is an exotic and extraordinary wildlife reserve. There is a huge variety of birds, fish and other species such as caimans, deer, capibaras, anteaters and even jaguars, all in plain view. In this expedition we will travel across the northern part of the Pantanal to fully enjoy its ecosystems. We will get to the end of the Transpantaneira where we will understand why the Pantanal is a Natural World Heritage Site.

Chapada Diamantina

Trekking in Chapada Diamantina

2) 6-Day Trekking the fantasy world of Chapada Diamantina

Near Salvador we find the most important trekking spot in Brazil: Chapada Diamantina. Large quantities of rivers are born in this spectacular region, forming over the years, beautiful streams, bubbling waterfalls and clear, natural pools. Some natural attractions include the Cachoeira da Fumaça, with its free fall of 380 meters, or the dazzling cave, Poço Encantado. Throughout the trek, the marvelous natural landscape will continue to surprise and amaze.

Green Coast Brazil

Trekking on Brazil’s Green Coast

3) 6-Day Trekking Reserva da Joatinga: Wonders of the Green Coast

South of Rio de Janeiro, the Green Coast is a unique combination of mountains, tropical rainforest, crystal water lagoons and untouched tropical islands. In this region, we can still find small fishing villages where the electricity has not yet arrived and where they still use traditional fishing techniques. The Ecological Reserve Joatinga is one place we’ll where we will learn from several fishing communities their lifestyle and customs. At the end, we will also visit the beautiful colonial town of Paraty and its romantic and cozy atmosphere.

Brazil Amazon

Amazon Boat Expedition

4) 5-Day Complete Amazon: Boat Expedition

The remote and unexplored Amazon is the largest rain forest and home to the highest population of indigenous people in Brazil. With few exceptions, the jungle is relatively untouched and we will have abundant opportunities to experience a fascinating adventure observing the region’s flora and fauna while learning from our local hosts. The best option for exploring this lush region lies in this expedition of five days that includes hiking, nocturnal observation of caimans, piranha fishing, swimming with the pink Amazon dolphins, a jungle survival tour, a visit to the caboclo communities and canoe trips along the igarapés and the igapós. It is a truly unique and unparalleled experience.

Brazil Bonito

Swim and snorkel in the waterfalls and rivers of Bonito

5) 4-Day River Snorkel and Waterfall Walks

Bonito is a town in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, world famous for its ecotourism. The main attractions are its magnificent natural landscapes, especially the water attractions; crystalline rivers with great variety of wildlife where you can go floating or scuba diving. Besides the beauty of its rivers there are also totally or partially flooded caverns, formed thousands of years ago in the stone. It’s an ideal place to do nature activities like snorkeling down the river, visit caverns and enjoy hiking around.

Lencois Maranhenses Brazil

Trek along sand dunes and hidden lagoons in Lencois Maranhenses

6) 4-Day Hidden Pools and Dunes of Lencois Maranhenses

The name of this park makes reference to the immense dunes that look like a bed sheet (lençóis) spread across the land. Near São Luis, this park is divided into Grandes Lençóis and Pequenos Lençóis, separated by Rio Preguiças. The zone contains beaches, mangrove swamps, lagoons and dunes, and it was declared a National Park in 1981. This experience takes us across the shifting dunes of fine white sand and crystal clear blue lagoons that seem to glow under the sunshine or the moonlight; a true spectacle for our eyes.

Rio Brazil

Visit Rio like a local

7) 4-Day Rio de Janeiro Essentials Adventure

Over its nearly 500 years of history, it has been the spring board for all the country’s principal cultural exports, and the port of entry for major international art exhibitions or musical events bringing top names from the classical to the contemporary. Rio’s architecture embraces churches and buildings dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, blending with the world renowned designs of the 20th. In the South Zone, along the sea front, the city preserves the memory of names such as Tom Jobim and João Gilberto, who wrote the first chords of the Bossa Nova.

Brazil Amazon

Amazon Jungle Lodge Adventure

8) 4-Day Amazon Immersion: Jungle Adventure

On the banks of the mighty Amazon River, we find our jungle lodge. Here, it is possible to take part in hikes through the jungle, go bird watching, visit typical dwellings of the caboclas communities, fish for piranhas, observe the nocturnal habits of the caiman and canoe along the river at sunrise and sunset. During the visit, it is also possible to see the famous “Encontro das Águas” (Meeting of the Waters), where the Solimões River and the Rio Negro meet without mixing their waters.

Brazil Iguazu

Iguazu Falls

9) 3-Day Iguazu Falls Discovery

Iguaçu River wriggles in a western direction for 600 km, picking up along its way the waters of dozens of tributaries. The river widens and flows majestically through forests before descending into the various levels of the famous Iguazu (Iguaçu) waterfalls. They consist of 275 waterfalls that occupy an area more than 3 km wide and 80 m tall. They are wider than Victoria Falls, taller than Niagara Falls and more beautiful than both. There are neither words nor photographs that can properly describe them, you simply have to see and hear them for yourself.

Don’t see what you want? We can customize any itinerary or work with you to build your own dream Brazil adventure.

Want to plan your next Brazil adventure? Contact us!

Your friendly Brazil expert,

Gretchen

 

Posted in Brazil, South America, Trekking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Peru Family Adventures

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

Come explore Peru with your family on one of our uniquely crafted tours, designed with your kids in mind! Our family-designed tours are based on our own experiences traveling with our own kids to Peru and around the world. We choose routes that maximize time in the field, in sight of ancient Incan ruins, ziplining and biking while minimizing time on the road.

Peru family adventure

Ziplining near Machu Picchu

We take care of all the planning while you deepen your appreciation for nature, culture and adventure in Peru. All tours are escorted by private local naturalist bilingual guides who also do the driving so you can sit back and enjoy the cloud forest, alpacas and llamas!

Want to bring a babysitter along? Grandma? Your sister and her kids? Peru is excellent for multi-generational travel and small groups.

Biking Peru Family

Biking in the Sacred Valley for all ages

Depending on the ages and skill levels of family members, we can always add in more high paced activities such as whitewater rafting, longer treks, ziplining, horseback riding, overnights in sky capsules or in tree houses, standup paddling, kayaking and more!

Kayaking Peru Family

Kayaking in the Sacred Valley

Three of our very best multi-generational itineraries are:

1) 7-Day Machu Picchu by Train

This itinerary is highly flexible and can be tailored to best fit your family’s specific interests and needs. For multi-generational groups, we can offer a couple different activity options each day so everyone can enjoy what Peru has to offer while remaining in their own appropriate comfort zones. Add on extra time after Machu Picchu and spend the night in Tree Houses. At night, kids design and cook their own pizzas from scratch while the family enjoys around the camp fire. In the morning, rise early and do as the monkeys do- follow an epic (and safe) set of zip lines through the cloud forest!  For brave at heart, add on a night in your very own Sky Capsule and spend the night hanging from a cliff above the Scared Valley!

Peru Family Zipline

Champions of the trees getting ready for action!

2) 5-Day Luxury Lodge to Lodge Lares Trek

Choose your own adventure on this adventurous trek that successfully balances exhilarating activities with meaningful cultural experiences. This lodge to lodge experience is wonderful for multi-generational families or for families with varying interests. Each day all travelers will have the chance to choose from easy, moderate and more challenging excursions. Everyone gets to decide on the spot what they want to do depending on how they are feeling; no one has to make any choices before the trip (all activities are included in the pricing).

Family Peru Lares

Learning about ancient Inca traditions

Family Peru Lares

Culture and physical activity are equally balanced on the Lares Trek

3) 3-Day Amazon Rainforest

Head to the Peruvian Amazon with the family and climb in the towering canopy amongst howler monkeys, sloths, and colorful macaws! Our favorite lodges for families are Reserva Amazonica and its sister lodge Hacienda Concepcion. At the lodges, guests have a whole excursion menu to choose from every day (all excursions are included in the rate). Pick and choose what best reflects your interests and do what you feel like doing each day to make the most of your time while in the Amazon.

Peru Family Amazon

Hacienda Concepcion Lodge, Amazon

Peru Family Amazon

Experience the Amazon canopy up close

Want to design your next family Peru vacation? Contact us!

Your friendly South America expert,

Gretchen

Posted in Family Travel, Machu Picchu, Peru, Travel Advice, Trekking | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trip Report: Thailand: January 2017

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

Here is the end of Tina C.’s trip journal – covering the Thailand portion of her multi-family group’s trip (11 people) to Southeast Asia.  We customized our 16-Day Southeast Asia Explorer: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia trip for these clients. Many thanks to Tina C., who agreed to allow us to publish her trip report.

Traveler: Tina C.
Travel Dates: January 6-12, 2017
Destination Visited: Thailand

DAY 13 – Bangkok

[T]he W’s and the W’s took off for Bangkok!  Our wonderful guide….can you guess his name…wait for it…VING (after Vong, Phong, and Cong) met us and was a delicious shift from our last one, as we could understand his English very clearly, and he had lots of great stories.  Surprised again, by the modern feel of the highways from the airport…and thankful to be staying in the older part of Bangkok…with that third world feeling!  Our first FAMILY SIZE hotel room was DIVINE, and the Nuovo Hotel had a rooftop pool and gym…awesome sauce (maybe I could do a workout and burn a grain or two of the vats of rice I’ve consumed in two weeks!  ???).  We checked in and head out for a DELICIOUS meal just around the corner of our abode…oh my…Thai may be my favorite cuisine of this trip!  I ordered a glass of house white (NO SELECTION if by the glass), and as G. said…what they make up for in quality, is handled in QUANTITY…as my VASE OF WINE arrived.  Cute neighborhood we were situated in…:-).

DAY 14 – Bangkok (Walking Tour & Canal Boat Tour)

Ving met us after breakfast and we engaged a walking tour of Old Bangkok.  We water-taxied to the Grand Palace, several temples, ate Taro ice cream, and watched monks pray in the palace temple.  Ving was a great tour guide…he shared much knowledge and had lots of fun anecdotal stories.  Lunch was in a small resto in the back of a market area, and Ving ordered some spectacular Thai fare for us to enjoy.  Afterward, we got a private motorboat (motored by a gargantuan Diesel engine!), sat forever through the locks, and got a fantastic ride through the back canals of Bangkok!  Very cool to see the housing, and watch the locals embrace life on the canal.   Far more interesting to me to see the culture and how it functions, than more temples (although they were possibly the most beautiful of the four countries).  We also learned about the salience of the monarchy in Thailand, and how the King had just died on October 13…many locals were still in black to show respect. It seems if you utter a negative word about the king, you could go to jail! 

After some AWESOME downtime at the pool (including 20 laps), we took off by taxi for our evening adventure!  ONE NIGHT IN BANGKOK, INDEEEEEED…???!  Ving recommended a resto called CABBAGES AND CONDOMS, located in the downtown core, where their motto is “We promise our food will NOT make you pregnant”!  We hailed two taxis to take us into the newer, corporate, and red light district of the city.  Our cabbie spoke ZEROOOOOO ENGLISH, and the boys and I were feeling VERY ANXIOUS about our ride there, when he seemed clueless about how to LEAVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, TURNING THE WRONG WAY AND TRYING TO DRIVE THROUGH AN OPEN-AIR RESTO!  We found it eventually, and enjoyed a nice evening, very good food, and yummy dessert, and received a dozen condoms with the bill (like mints)!  The idea behind the concept is population control and support in Thailand’s rural areas, such that condoms are as readily available as cabbage in the market!  Very cool and important community work…and fun to see condoms EVERYWHERE…statues, table decor, etc…made for a good chuckle. 

The fun didn’t end there, as we meandered through the red light district searching for a taxi.  WOOOOOOOOWWWWW!  A FEAST for the senses INDEEEEED…????!  Heaps of peeps, nightclubs galore, loud music, women (“some of whom propositioned the boys, but not the men!), “women”, and tons of “massage” offerings…you name it, it was for sale!  Found a taxi that agreed to drive us the 10km back, but only discovered after driving a few blocks that he had no meter and was demanding over TWICE the amount the last metered taxi charged.  When he refused to budge on price, or put on his meter, G. yelled “Get out now!” at a red light!  I thought the guy might grab his arm when we didn’t leave him a cent, and felt TOTALLY BADASS about running out on a main downtown boulevard…?!  NEGOTIATE IN ADVANCE…WE FORGET THIS ONCE EVERY HOLIDAY!!!

DAY 15 – Chiang Mai (Temple & Sunday Walking Street)

G. and I got up for a rooftop treadmill run before heading out to the airport for our last town…Chiang Mai! . . . Mui Mui, a lovely, warm, enthusiastic guide, met us at the airport and we took off for some town exploration.  Ventured to the mountains, and climbed a couple of hundred steps, alongside heaps of Thai folks and visitors to the area, for a temple built in the 14th century.  It was pretty cool to be in the mountains overlooking the city of Chiang Mai, and enjoying the more modest temperature.  We watched some monks praying in the temple, and I got blessed with water and another string tied around my wrist.  The Thai people came from other areas of Thailand to this temple in order to receive blessings for the New Year. We then checked into our hotel…essentially, the least satisfactory venue of the whole trip…with questionably clean bathrooms, “too hot” running water and very poor wifi!  The rooms were actually traditional and attractive, but there were a few disappointments.  No biggie. 

Headed out on foot to the “Sunday Walking Street“…a lively, bustling night market with hundreds of stalls, heaps of yummy street food, and lots of action.  We bought a few things, and then found a resto for our dinner meal…where apparently “stir-fry means “deep-fry”…but was I really going to argue in THAI?!!!  L., D. and I continued shopping and wandering after dinner, while the boys and G. headed back (quelle surprise!). We eventually walked home carrying a street-cooked waffle (for R.) and coconut hot cakes for the famjam…PAS FACILE through SUPER dense crowds and a lengthy walk back I can tell ya ?!

DAY 16 – Baan Chang Elephant Camp & Thai Cooking Adventure

Our last full day!!!  We drove an hour out of town with 8 others to Baan Chang Elephant Camp…a rescue for Thailand’s threatened elephants.  The Thai government has imposed huge fines for poaching, but some continue to kill elephants for their tusks…?.  As such, most of Thailand’s elephants are domesticated and cared for in camps.  They are highly respected, and treated very well.  We had a fantastic day embracing the life of a mahout and enjoying these fabulous creatures…they were soooooo sweet!  Smart, social, caring, protective of one another…I fell in love. We first fed them a huuuuuuge snack of plantains and sugar cane.  It was adorable having them take food from our hands with their sweet trunks, and consume an entire bucket!  We learned that they never load them with any bench seating (for humans, as they do elsewhere (e.g. India)), as it hurts their spines, and they’re treated kindly and respectfully.  They taught us not to tease them when feeding, and how to ride, command, wash and brush them.

We had a great lunch of soup, pad Thai and pineapple, and LOAO when hip-deep in brown water as large balls of poop floated around us during our “bathing the elephants” experience!  Thankfully, showers and towels were provided to clean up…NO CLOROX BLEACH HOWEVER (as memories returned of pouring cups of bleach in the bathtub when baby pooped in there…and here we were ESSENTIALLY SWIMMING IN IT!!!).  It was a really novel experience for us…a highlight of Thailand.  THANKFULLY, I did NOT FALL OFF THE BAREBACK ELEPHANT…although I DEFINITELY THOUGHT I MIGHT A FEW TIMES…particularly when walking downhill!  T’s typical “Aaaaaah”s and “Oh my”s were heard nearby…I’M SURE THE B’S WOULD HAVE BEEN FLOOOOOORED TO HEAR THEM HAD THEY BEEN HERE…????!

In the late afternoon, we hung out by the pool with the W’s and heard about their awesome Thai cooking adventure.  Then went out for our final evening in SE Asia, to a beautiful, delicious resto recommended by the cooking teacher…WHOLE EARTH.  We walked through Chiang Mai to this stunning venue, with lovely tables set up outside, white string lights and colored paper lanterns hung about…and enjoyed a spectacular Thai meal (red prawn curry was my FAV!).  We toasted E. for his 18th birthday, and walked back through the vibrant night markets, purchasing a couple of wooden elephants for the boys to remember their trip to Thailand. 

DAY 17 – Chiang Mai (Local Market Tour & End of Tour)

After breakfast today, we made a final tour through a local market . . .

[If Thailand has caught your fancy, you may be interested in our Thailand Tours.  To read more about Tina C.’s group trip, follow the links below:

Save

Save

Posted in Family Travel, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Trip Journals | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Trip Report: Vietnam: January 2017

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Adventures Within Reach

Here is the continuation of Tina C.’s trip journal – covering the Vietnam portion of her multi-family group’s trip (11 people) to Southeast Asia.  We customized our 16-Day Southeast Asia Explorer: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia trip for these clients. Many thanks to Tina C., who agreed to allow us to publish her trip report.

Traveler: Tina C.
Travel Dates: January 1 -January 6, 2017
Destination Visited: Vietnam

DAY 9 – Hanoi, Vietnam (Old Town District)

Phong met us in Hanoi, and our first impression of Vietnam’s roads was “This feels like the Trans Canada Highway”!  The airport was brilliant, the roads were fabulous, and I couldn’t be more shocked by its modern feel…UNTIL we got to the Old Town district where we were staying…phew!  Old Town was more third world and where the action was…and as we approached, I started to feel much more like I was in SE Asia.  Hustle/bustle, tuk tuks and scooter traffic, density, noise, tons of peeps…LOOOOOVE!  I was soooooo excited to be here…the piece de resistance of this trip, albeit Cambodia and Laos had already FAR exceeded expectations.  We checked into our hotel and Phong took us immediately for a walk about town, to our evening dinner venue.  OMG…what incredible stimulation for the senses!  It was wild…lots of peeps sitting on tiny stools outside restaurants, eating, drinking, and happy, loud music, honking horns, dense traffic…I was seriously in my HAPPY PLACE!  Love. That. Scene.  ?

We had a great meal for less than 40$ per family, and wandered back afterwards, with some ‘The North Face’ and ‘Old Propaganda Poster’ shopping en route!  Off to bed and already feeling that we hadn’t booked enough time here!  This trip has just been one awesome experience after another…and the time was starting to fly!

DAY 10 – Hanoi (West Lake, City Tour, Hanoi Hilton, & Bicycle Rickshaw Ride)

Up early to meet Phong and embrace a run/walk around West Lake…a beautiful lake and park situated a block from our hotel.  Tons of city folk were up and at ’em with their morning exercise routines…tai chi, line dancing, yoga, walking and running.  One group of women was sporting dark capris and fuschia tshirts…matching my outfit exactly…but I missed the photo opp by joining them!  We then went through some markets and Old Town on foot, and got THE BEST COFFEE YET…ICED COFFEE WITH SWEET CREAM!!!!!!   What’s THAT you might ask???  It’s flipping CONDENSED MILK IS WHAT!!!  AND I COULD EAT IT OUT OF A BUCKET IF ONLY IT SPARED MY WAISTLINE!!!  O. M. G…they REALLY should not have reintroduced CONDENSED MILK to me…childhood favorite treat on white bread…eh Mom???  LOOOOOOVE.

Returned for breakfast, and then spent over three hours walking around Hanoi with Phong.  Super cool capital city, with tons of government buildings and history. We got a lesson on Vietnam history, and contemplated their communist government, which, seemed largely only so in title…the reality didn’t seem sooo red!  Asked about 6 guards for a photo before one said yes, however, as they are likely watched and may be reprimanded for not being adequately serious.  We saw the area where John McCain was shot down, as well as the remains of a B-52 bomber…and enjoyed a coffee at the B-52 Cafe (apparently, the BEST COFFEE YET according to G.).  Phong told me that they’re allowed FB and have their own version of Tinder, called Zalo.  When I queried whether Psychotherapy was a thing, he said most people just listen to radio psych talk shows or use the net to discover themselves or work out their problems.  Hmmmmm…seems I’d be outta business here!

We made our way through the city, around several lakes and over to our lunch spot…for Bu Cha!   A densely packed, 4-story resto with a gajillion people, bench seating, and serving only one dish!  Rice noodles with pork and broth…and if you’re lucky, some fried prawn spring rolls!  It was where all the locals eat Bu Cha, originally on the street…but now popularized by Obama’s visit six months prior!  With very low expectations, we were shocked to discover it was DELISH and we polished it off pretty dang fast!  . . . 

After lunch was a sobering visit to the Hanoi Hilton, the prison where many many soldiers were tortured, beheaded and kept during The American War (in Vietnam, they refer to it differently)!  Remarkable tour of an experience that wasn’t so long ago.  We were left somewhat depressed and somber, just as we had left the Khmer Rouge museum and prison.  Lots of recent history in SE Asia, and very intriguing for all of us. 

. . . continued our evening activities.  First stop…a BIG shopping expedition at a shop selling lacquered paintings.  G./M. and I bought several pieces and we . . . shipped the dang art!  Hope he likes ’em cuz his first question was “Are they TACKY?”!!!  IIIIIIII DON’T THINK SO, BUT…???!

We stopped at a railroad track that ran right through a small alleyway, with flats and shacks right ON TOP OF IT!  Soooo cool…but can you imagine the noise and jarring vibrations with every train?  Yikes!  Pretty cool to see people’s laundry hanging right off their shacks, likely skimming the passing train cars…AMAZING! 

We were then set up for a FANTABULOUS BICYCLE RICKSHAW RIDE through old town!  Ten chariots in a row took off for a 45-minute ride around The French Quarter and Old Town…soooooooo cool!!!!  Love seeing the sights this way!  We were dropped off at our hotel for a quick freshening up and made our way out for dinner.  Very nice resto recommended by Phong, followed by some more shopping at The North Face and Poster Shop!  Far too short was our stay in the lovely city of Hanoi…but we definitely made the BEST of it in this sensation-seeking, jam-packed, stimulating day!

DAY 11 – Halong Bay & Ho Chi Minh City 

After an early breakfast and checkout, we headed off to the port 4 hours away, for our houseboat adventure in HALONG BAY.  May I just say…

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!

O.  M.  G.  !!!!!!!!!! ???❤️?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW. WOW. WOW.  Halong Bay was my image of Vietnam when it became a bucket list venue…but it far exceeded expectations!  Absolutely spectacular vistas were EVERYWHERE!  Holy Moly Batman…I was sooooo excited I coulda jumped up and down ALL DAY LONG!  I think I might’ve done my HAPPY DANCE a weeeeeee too much for my kids’ liking!  It was soooo breathtaking!  We were all in awe!  We had few expectations (the PLUS SIDE OF NOT PRE-READING THE ITINERARY OR GOOGLING FOR PICS!  Ha!), and could not have been more blown away!  Our houseboat was far larger than the one we enjoyed in Kerala, and we each got a full room and bath. We were served fresh meals, embraced a kayaking or Sanpan excursion on the bay, swam off the dock, tried squid fishing off the boat, did tai chi at 6am, and had a super fun cooking lesson and competed for best spring rolls!  Our guide Sun was a hoot . . . ‘

[T]he next morning we visited the largest cave we’ve ever seen, via tender.  Back for brunch, a gajillion more photos and we had to say goodbye to Halong Bay…until next time my friend…❤️. . . . 

Arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and were floored by its Las Vegas or big city/big lights feel.  Ten million in this city…the largest in Vietnam, with a Starbucks and McDonalds right outside the airport!  Our hotel was situated just beside the largest market in town, hosting heaps of peeps.  We were met at the airport by our guide…you’ll never guess what his name is…CONG (after Vong, and Phong)! . . . 

We made our way out for dinner and sat beside a pimp, his madam, and two of his young ladies!  Yikes…and so very sad at the same time.  We ate very interesting food (I’m sure G’s meal had internals!), and were charged for the wet napkins we were delivered at the table when we sat down…definitely a first!  Strangest dinner venue yet…but cheap…our dinner for four was under $20!!!  We roamed the sidewalk markets on our walk back, and L. and I got thoroughly confused when contemplating the cost of a couple of scarves…just can’t wrap my head around the exchange when we’re dealing with hundreds of thousands of Dong!  “One dong at a time” has always been my motto…?.

DAY 12 – Ben Tre (Bike Tour, Canoeing the Mekong Delta, & Jeep Ride Through Jungle) & Saigon (Motorbike Food Tour)

On the agenda today is a 2-hour ride to Ben Tre, a small town in the countryside of HCM city.  We had little expectations for the day, perhaps because we had left utopia in Halong Bay and entered THE BIG CITY.  Thankfully, however, we were LEAVING LAS VEGAS and took off for a series of spectacular surprises, that turned into another favorite day of the trip!  We got on some pretty oooooooold and rusty bikes upon our arrival in Ben Tre, and rode through traffic to enter what seemed to be a rural bike path.  It turned out to be a winding narrow road through dense foliage, with shacks and a small canal on its neighboring sides.  We were literally riding in the jungle…super cool experience!  Shared the road with a few scooters and found ourselves at the home of an older man who literally HOARDED HUNDREDS OF ANTIQUES!  I was sooooooo hot and sweaty by the time we got to his house, that I barely listened to Cong’s translation of his story, and history.  IT WAS SOOOOO HOT…AND THIS WAS WINTER!!!  He was a wonderful man, and a lovely host.  He showed us how he scaled the coconut tree using some natural twine to grip the tree with his feet…you could see why at 64 he was in fabulous shape. C., K., M., K. and R. all followed suit, and gave the large, slippery tree a go at its coconuts!  Not easy to climb!  And just behind it was a very brown canal that they could easily have fallen into…God knows I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE…?!

We then sat down to some yummy sugared coconut and coconut water.  The host showed us the powder derived from some nut found in the forest, which he wrapped in a leaf and chewed, before spitting out the leaves and red fluid.  The effect was of a natural high…so D., C. and G. all gave it a try!  Interesting effects…red heated ears, shaky legs, and lightheadedness.  Apparently the older women of the community sit around enjoying these leaves quite frequently!  We took off on bikes again for another ride through the jungle, and found our beautiful, outdoor restaurant oasis along another trail!  We sat down to a full service meal of fresh Elephant Ear fish, that arrived ‘standing up’ on a platter, head and tail intact, and its unusual bony scales along its cooked body!  We were given rice paper, vegetables and sauces and expected to roll fish spring rolls with the cooked fish…delicious!  We also got some deep-fried banana fritters and jumbo prawns to enjoy, and fresh pineapple for dessert.  K. and I just looked at each other with that “Can you flipping believe we’re eating AGAIN?” look!

We took a walk down the path and climbed onto, what seemed like WARTIME canoes (turned out they were only FOUR YEARS OLD!), for a guided ride down The Mekong Delta!  It felt a lot like the canoe ride we had done off the houseboat in Kerala, and somewhat like a smaller Amazonian canal…SUUUUUUPER COOL EXPERIENCE!  There were water coconuts that lined the canal and fisherman using nets to capture their evening meal.  Surreal.  Small, rundown old shacks equally lined the canal.  Hard to imagine actually living here! 

Upon leaving the canoes, we hopped on two motorbike-driven pickup trucks for a WILD, SPEEDY, WICKEDLY FUN RIDE THROUGH MORE OF THE JUNGLE!  O. M. G. It was a hooooot!  We were dodging low-laying branches and giggling at speedy near-misses as we head off oncoming traffic on this narrow road!  Too. Much. Fun.  And soooooo unexpected!  We stopped at a carpet-weaving family and marveled as this 150-year-old woman squatting so flexibly for 12 hours a day to weave a straw carpet…WE HAD TO BUY SOMETHING!  I wanted to give her my firstborn she was so dang adorable!!!  Then we longboated up the canal to a coconut candy-making shop, where we bought more souvenirs, were served coconut tea and many fresh fruits, and were serenaded by two musicians and three lady singers.  I gotta say…Vietnamese tunes ARE AN ACQUIRED TASTE!!!!!  ?  I think they may just beat Indian singing in agonizing pitch!  We got back on the longboat for a ride back to the bus, and our 2-hour drive back to Saigon.  Oh my…what an amazing day…sooo full of surprises!  And our motorbike food tour is yet to come! 

O.

M.

G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow!  What a huuuuuuuge surprise this evening turned out to be!  Again, not having really investigated our itinerary too KEENLY, none of us had any real awareness that we were EACH getting our own motorbike for a food tour of Saigon!  It was PHENOMENAL!!!  Eleven young university students met us at our hotel, kindly introduced themselves, and took us out on the back of their motorbikes for a fantastic ride around this incredible city. We stopped at 4 different restaurants to sample local fare, and rode through 4 city districts, including the “locals” district we would never have seen on our own.  We had BBQ and beer at one venue, sitting outdoors on little stools, whilst our hosts barbecued various meats (including goat udders!), seafood and vegetables on tiny little tabletop grills!  We had fabulous chats with these awesome young peeps during our buzz about town.  They were such a lovely group of young people…they truly MADE THE EXPERIENCE DELICIOUS!!!  My driver, Michelle (the tour leader), talked to me about life in Vietnam, being a bit rebellious and desiring to go abroad, and what living with a communist government was really like…fascinating!  IT WAS SOOOOOO DANG AWESOME TO RIDE A BIKE AND SEE THE CITY THIS WAY!  TRULY EXHILARATING!  None of us will ever forget tonight…a TRIP HIGHLIGHT, amongst so many!  Dan and AWR…YA DONE GOOD!!!

DAY 13 – Cu Chi Tunnels

Up early for our last day with The B’s…?….will miss them a ton!  Headed out to see The Cu Chi Tunnels, about two hours outside of Saigon.  Fascinating experience to walk through the “jungle”, and learn of the Viet Cong’s presence, tactics and life over the course of the Vietnam war.  It was very different to hear the perspective from Vietnam, rather than the usual U.S. point of view we are always privy to.  We imagined the lives of the soldiers as they lived within the 250km tunnel system, and squeezed through a length of the tunnel ourselves.  A highlight for the guys was an opportunity to target shoot with an authentic rifle!  Continuing the tour after that was far less evocative for the four young men…we should have saved the REALTIME CALL OF DUTY GIG for the last hoorah! . . . After the Cu Chi experience, we went out for our last lunch together in a beautiful pagoda on the side of the canal.  As per our experience here, everyone got their meals at different times…but very yummy, fresh fare…so all good! . . . 

[If the Vietnam portion of this trip appeals to you, we invite you to explore our 9-Day South Vietnam trip and our Vietnam tours page.  To read more about Tina C.’s group trip, follow the links below:

Save

Posted in Family Travel, Southeast Asia, Trip Journals, Vietnam | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment