Trip Highlights
Fresco-Seccoes as a Storytelling Tool in the Baroque Circuit
Fresco, commonly known in Italian Renaissance painting, is the technique of painting murals directly on freshly laid lime plaster while the plaster is still wet. The drying time of lime plaster gives an artist seven to nine hours to work, and the process of carbonatation of the lime allows the pigments to adhere to the… Read Full Post
2019 Vaya Photo Contest Winners!
Throughout 2019 we were delighted to receive photos taken by our travelers. To everyone who sent us photos, thank you! We look at every one of them, and we appreciate the chance to experience our destinations through your eyes. Whether they’re showcasing outstanding natural beauty, untamed wildlife, or vibrant culture, your photos allow us to… Read Full Post
A Traditional Chilean Culinary Class
A reporter once asked famed chef Anthony Bourdain what his least favorite cuisine was. He replied that he didn’t have a least favorite cuisine, but when pressed, he said he found Chilean cuisine “boring.” I’ve lived in Chile for four years at the time of writing this post. While it is true that the capital,… Read Full Post
SCUBA Diving in the Galapagos Islands
At 7:20 a.m. we headed down the Tiburon Martillo Dock to board the Wreck Bay diving boat for our full day SCUBA excursion in the Galapagos Islands. The day before, a representative of the dive shop had met us at our hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to fit us with our wetsuits, BCDs, and fins,… Read Full Post
The Frigate Bird: Pirate Bird of the Galapagos
A group of six bachelors are spotted sitting together. They seem like friends hanging out socially, but really they’re all trying to pick up a lady, and competition is fierce. Through the posing and showing off, occasionally the bravado takes over and the men resort to spats of violence. Most striking on these gentlemen, the… Read Full Post
The Mangrove Labyrinth
It was a hot, sunny morning when we pulled up to La Boquilla, a small fishing village on the outskirts of Cartagena, Colombia. The white sand beach was wide and flat and the ocean calm and inviting, but we were headed away from the coast and into the mangrove swamp in a dugout canoe. The… Read Full Post
Delfin Amazon Cruises becomes a Relais & Châteaux member
Delfin’s Amazon Cruises have long been one of Peru’s top offerings for exploring the Amazon rain forest. Their vessels allow you to immerse yourself in the jungle while still enjoying all that an upscale cruise can offer. Now, new for 2018, the Delfin Amazon Cruises have been listed as Relais & Châteaux members. What does… Read Full Post
The Three Houses of Pablo Neruda
He who does not travel, who does not read, who does not listen to music, who does not find grace in himself, she who does not find grace in herself, dies slowly. “Die Slowly” by Pablo Neruda In Chile, Pablo Neruda (July 12, 1904-September 23, 1973) is a beloved poet, politician, and personality. He started… Read Full Post
A tale of two hikes – Argentine Patagonia (El Chaltén)
Tale 1 – Hiking to Laguna de Los Tres Waking up to the patter of rain, one might be tempted to stay in bed. When in El Chaltén, however, light rain is not a deterrent for the trekking enthusiasts. On a recent trip there, my wife and I found ourselves waking up to this very… Read Full Post
Exploration of the Amazon River
The sun rose cotton candy pink as we cruised over the placid water of the Amazon. Even now I can imagine the scent of the river first thing in the morning, woody, earthy, damp. We were bird spotting, and we did catch sight of a few toucans, macaws, and herons. Even more exciting, though, was… Read Full Post