Now the real fun begins

Hey guys!

Its been an amazing 3 weeks since my last post. Apologies for the delay. Internet here is extremely slow and hard to access (especially in hostels where facebook is on 24/7). In exchange, here´s some of the highlights of Machu Piccu, the Atacama desert in Chile, and Argentina. I´m in Brasil now, on an Island called Ilha Grande...and will post pics/stories soon. Enjoy!

5 day Salkantay trek to Machu Piccu



Our guide, Rolando. Mr Superman.


Salkantay (we learned later) is one of Nat Geo´s top 25 most beautiful hikes in the world. And wow, it was amazing.

Oh man. Soccer in Salkantay, after 3 days of 10hr hikes. No fear!

Machu Piccu in the morning. We woke up at 4am...and hiked vertically up to the ruins!

We made it! Do your best conquistador pose.

The flying Dutchman, Bram Boerman, at 2900 meters

Pfresh lives at 2900 meters

Rockin´out. Let´s go back to Cuzco for a nice massage

Puno and Lake Titicaca.

Bram and Haemi

Floating islands! Puno is so extremely FRIOOO

Arica and Chile´s beach

Freezing water...but a perfect post-Machu Piccu experience

Sandboarding in San Pedro de Atacama Desert, Chile

Bram flying down the Pan-American highway

I really enjoy freedom

2 bikes, 2 snowboards, 2 23-yr old cowboys

Horseriding in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Desert Star-gazing with a crazy Frenchman

Argentinian Buses oo-la-la. They serve wine!

Salta, Argentina....topped with steak.

Carlos and Melina from Mexico

Iguazu Falls, Argentina side

With the proud Montreal-ian, Marc

All 5 of us, waiting to get drenched!! We loved it!

Tres Fronteras of Iguazu. Guess which one I chose?

So guys, remember my itinerary on my first post? Scrap that. I met some great friends, and traveling together and LETTING GO of my plan was the best decision I ever made. Yes, the sites are beautiful, but they are so much more when they are experienced with fun friends. Especially with the sandboarding adventure (ask me to paint you a picture when I see you), I learned that to fully experience anything, just LET GO....of plans, expectations, doubts, cost, and fears. Let life carry you to paradise.

I only have 3 weeks left! So far, I´ve been traveling for almost 4 weeks with Bram, from Holland, who is a very fun and optimistic guy. We met Carlos and Melina, from Mexico, in the Chilean desert...and all of us have been traveling together up until Brasil. In Iguazu, we met Marc, from Canada. We are all planning to head to Rio de Janiero together, go to Copacabana and Ipanema, and of course see a Brasilian soccer game. Its been so incredible so far...and I feel so extremely lucky to have experienced so much beauty. The stories I want to tell are way too complex simply to write in this blog. Even though I am a little sad that my trip is almost over, I cannot wait to see all of you and hopefully give you my same experience through conversations. You think you know...but you have no idea!! Until next time, ciao!