As we land in Africa today, leaving South America behind, we thought we’d look back at some of the best and worst of our time there. Our initials follow our choices to indicate which of us thought what. If we left anything out and you’re just dying of curiosity to know what we thought, leave your question in the comments and we’ll answer as soon as we can.
Friendliest People: Nicaragua (T); Quilotoa, Ecuador (J)
Best Natural Scenery: Torres del Paine (T&J)
Best Wildlife: Galapagos (T&J)
Best Historic Site: Jesuit Quarter, Cordoba (T); San Francisco Convent, Lima (J)
Best Ruins: Machu Picchu (T&J)
Most Interesting Museum Exhibit: Frozen Mummy Girl in Salta, Argentina (T&J)
Strangest Museum: Church Museum, Banos, Ecuador (T); Museum of Legends & Myths, Leon, Nicaragua (J)
Best Market: Saquisili, Ecuador (T&J)
Best Meal: Steak Dinner at Viejo Jack’s in Salta (T&J)
Best Produce: Chile (T); Peru (J)
Best Fruit Juice: Sole’s House, Ecuador (T&J)
Best Local Beer: Calafate Ale & Quilmes Stout (J)
Best Local Wine: Torrentes Late Harvest, Echard Winery, Cafayate, Argentina (J); Concha & Torro Sunset Syrah (T)
Best Ice Cream: Chocolate Amargo, Multiple Locations, Argentina (T); Coco con Dulce De Leche at Volta, Buenos Aires (J)
Best Grocery Store: Wong, Lima, Peru (T&J)
Worst Bus Ride: Esteli to Leon, Nicaragua (T&J)
Hostel/Hotel We Wished We Could Have Stayed At Longer: Los Troncos, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina (T&J)
Worst Place We Stayed: HI Cordoba Hostel, Cordoba, Argentina (T&J)
Best City Scene: Buenos Aires (T); Santiago (J)
Best Adventure Sport Activity: Canyoning, Puerto Varas, Chile (T&J)
Most Overrated Place: Ushuaia, Argentina (T); Chiloe, Chile (J)
Place We Most Wish to Return to for Further Exploration: Lake District in Chile/Argentina (T&J)
Even with all these “bests,” so many amazing places, good meals, great places to stay, and incredible experiences don’t show up in the list. And the “worsts” hardly cast a shadow on even an hour of our trip. South (and Central) America have been amazing, exceeding whatever expectations we had. Fingers crossed Africa is the same!
Theresa, best local beer? Huh, I think you forget about that one. I’ll vouch for Machu Picchu and Wong. Though, it’s really just a Meijer Plus or such.
Great list. I envy your visit to Machu Picchu. When will you be in Asia, and where?
Jeff, is the picture of your “best meal” just a plate of meat? Haha classic. Also I’m 95% sure that I will be in Kampala from May 17th until August 5th. Don’t know where I’ll be staying yet but hopefully somewhere near Makerere University.
This is an amazingly helpful post! I can’t wait to read about your African adventures.
Theresa and Jeff apologize for the technical difficulties and the lack of posting. Africa isn’t quite as wired as South America. They are currently in Kruger National Park and will post as soon as they can, so please keep checking back.
Thanks Mart we were worried
I meant Mary
have a great time in africa!
Too much fun! Safe travels in Africa.