South America suggestions?

Paschale · July 31, 2007, 03:18:35 AM

So on my trip to California, I volunteered to be bumped due to an overbooking. I got a $400 travel voucher, plus an upgrade to first class, along with a free stay at a hotel. 8) Anyway, it got me thinking about a week that I have free in the middle of February, which is when I really go nutso with Michigan weather. I started thinking of some warm places to go, but I didn't want to just go to Florida, since I've been there tons of times. I want to go to another country.

Any suggestions of great places to visit? I've been thinking about Buenos Aires, maybe Macchu Piccu in Peru. Chile's always fascinated me, and I have friend who lives in Brazil. Of course we have a few FFers in Costa Rica too.

Any suggestions?

Fla._Deadheader · July 31, 2007, 08:27:02 AM

How's yer Spanish ??

asy · July 31, 2007, 08:33:27 AM

Come visit me, Puh!

February is nice and warm, we'll chuck ya in da lagoon and you'll forget there's even snow IN the world! Promise.

Also I'll cook forya. Promise.

asy :D

Raider Bill · July 31, 2007, 11:11:49 AM

Costa Rica is my favorite!

Paschale · July 31, 2007, 11:26:47 AM

Quote from: Fla._Deadheader on July 31, 2007, 08:27:02 AM

How's yer Spanish ??

I want to start learning..I plan to get some CD's to play in the car from some sort of language learning series, since I'm in the car several hours a week. And then I'll practice at all of the Mexican markets and restaurants near me, and have some great tacos at the same time. ;)

crtreedude · July 31, 2007, 11:38:37 AM

Yeah, Paschale - we aren't South America - we have better weather. Besides, Harold is a handful and I need all the help I can get keeping him on the straight and narrow... ;)

Fla._Deadheader · July 31, 2007, 02:28:24 PM

If possible, look for LATINA Spanish. Mexican is just different enough, that it works better in Mexico than CR or further south, so I'm told. :

:

I used a Latin American-English Dictionary, and it worked pretty well.

Now, it's more fun to keep them all guessing 8) :D :D :D

crtreedude · July 31, 2007, 02:42:30 PM

Harold is right, you want Latin American Spanish - not like they speak in Spain.

Raider Bill · July 31, 2007, 02:49:53 PM

I go to CR and or Honduras once a year. Can't speak lick of any type of Spanish but never have a problem getting understood. Makes for a good time actually discribing what I'm looking for or want.
If you like white water rafting consider CR. Great friendly people, decent food, prices are right, country is beautiful. 8)

crtreedude · July 31, 2007, 03:04:20 PM

Wait one dang minute - you are visiting CR and not visiting us? Now, I can understand perhaps with Harold, but me? It isn't something Jeff said after he visited was it? Honest, we didn't take a kidney... :D

Raider Bill · July 31, 2007, 03:22:02 PM

Had I known........................
I generally spend a week rafting then a week recovering and hunting Ticas. ;D ;D ;D

Jeff · August 01, 2007, 01:17:48 PM

Paschale if you go to Costa Rica and spend anytime at all, you wont want to leave, and since your a single man your going to have some of the most beautiful women as a group I think I have ever saw to make you want to stay even longer. Fred picked a great place to migrate to.

crtreedude · August 01, 2007, 03:12:03 PM

Yes - I would say pretty much everything is easy on the eyes down here, except perhaps Harold and me... :

crtreedude · August 01, 2007, 03:21:28 PM

Just remember Jeff - you can run Forestry Forum from anywhere... :D

Raider Bill · August 01, 2007, 03:23:57 PM

Having traveled all around central America Costa Rica is by far my favorite. Between the rafting, beaches, people and the Tica's it can't be beat.
Our money is good there, language has never been a problem, transportation is cheap and easy. The beef leaves something to be desired but there's plenty of other good eats.
Put Tamarindo on your list.

Paschale · August 02, 2007, 02:06:47 AM

Quote from: Jeff B on August 01, 2007, 01:17:48 PM
Paschale if you go to Costa Rica and spend anytime at all, you wont want to leave, and since your a single man your going to have some of the most beautiful women as a group I think I have ever saw to make you want to stay even longer. Fred picked a great place to migrate to.

Costa Rica just skyrocketed to the top of the list! 8)

I'm thinking about Peru too, since I've always wanted to see Macchu Piccu, or however you spell that.

Raider Bill: is Tamarindo a city there?

crtreedude · August 02, 2007, 07:44:01 AM

Tamarindo is a beach town - pretty good size now I think. There was an old movie called Endless Summer about some surfers tasting the surfing all over the world - Tamarindo I think was one of the first if not first places on the list.

Raider Bill · August 02, 2007, 10:39:13 AM

Roger that! Playa Tamarindo is exactly that. Very laid back surf town. If you go I suggest Captian {Suesieos} SP resort Hotel. Not sure how to spell it. They have bungalows pretty much right on the beach. Very nice and relaxing after a week rafting in the mountains.

Fla._Deadheader · August 02, 2007, 01:40:46 PM

I have a Gringo friends, that have a rustic motel on the beach, in Playa Samara. That's where we spent our honeymoon.

There daughter is nice, and single. Has a couple kids, though :

;D ;D

Raider Bill · August 02, 2007, 05:10:53 PM

Everytime I go there I'm envious of the beauty.
I've given up trying to see the Volcano.[arenal} I've been close enough to feel the mountain vibrate under my feet but never saw the top due to clouds.

This year I think it's going to be Honduras as friends of friends have built a Dive resort on a island they own. All I have to do is get there.
I've been to Honduras twice before and even though it's right next to Costa Rica it's not even close in comparison.
You sure are living in paradise.
And the coffee! oh my.....................

Fla._Deadheader · August 02, 2007, 08:24:20 PM

Raider Bill, just for you. Our house is on the right side of the photo 8) ;D

Raider Bill · August 02, 2007, 09:19:39 PM

Beautiful! didn't think it was ever clear there.

jim king · August 03, 2007, 04:40:21 PM

Try this web page, it is our local expat newspaper. http://www.iquitostimes.com/

Rum $3 a bottle and $1 a liter for ice cold beer and all the wood and jungle you will ever need.

Ironwood · October 30, 2007, 07:33:05 PM

All I can say is WOW Machu Pichu (sic) is INCREDIBLE. Take the "locals" train from Cuzco, it is a trip you will not forget (ever). Stay over night on the mountain or in Aguas Calientas (sic) at the base, get up there before, or as close to sunrise sunset as possible. Also climb Wachu Pichu, the mountain just adjact (in the back round of most Machu Pichu pictures. Becareful at night in Cuzco, stick close to downtown with your hotel or only travel during the daylight hours if your hotel is out of hte immeadiate downtown area.

These ppics are HIGH in the Andes, we were playing soccer at our base camp @ 15,000' with our local friends when the ball blew, we were devestated (no me I was sucking wind, altitude sick to boot but could pass up the competeitve spirit of the moment, I am on the left.), then these pics of the Lama pens and the skulls on the fence were of local folks ancestors. They were living at 15,000' + as there ancient ancestors did, note the euthenised skull on the stone fence.

Ironwood

Ironwood

Steven A. · November 04, 2007, 06:15:17 AM

Two years ago I spent time at Machu Picchu and then went on to Boliva. Other than the abduction and robbery in Lima I had a great time.

Visited several mines and spent 2 days in the remote mining town of Potosi, Bolivia. Hired a local guide who took me into the silver mine where men work with picks and shovels for $2.00 a day.