Snapshots of Uruguay

Recently I've been doing a lot of reminiscing about South America. Of the many places I'd love to revisit, I can't stop thinking about Uruguay. One of the most memorable places we visited on our trip was Colonia del Sacramento - a picture perfect Uruguayan town just across the river from Argentina.

We decided to take an impromptu day trip to Uruguay during one of our slower days in Buenos Aires, so we spontaneously hopped a ferry and traveled across the Río Plata to spend the day exploring picturesque Colonia. Everything about this well preserved colonial town emanates charm. The quaint cobblestone streets are scattered with candy colored houses, adorned with lush vines of ivy twisting up iron gates. The rustic paths are spotted with enamored tourists admiring vintage cars, colorful flowers and abandoned bicycles. An antiquated lighthouse keeps watch over the small town, brimming with history and charisma.

We wandered aimlessly through the town, indulged on savory ice cream, and followed our cameras through the labyrinth of colorful alleys. The atmosphere was relaxed and slow, an appreciated contrast from our fast-paced trek through Argentina and Peru. We leisurely soaked up the warm sun, strolled through the plazas, watched boats lazily pass by at the marina, and enjoyed every peaceful moment that Colonia offered us. 

Our relaxing day in Uruguay turned into a memorable highlight of our trip. While we didn't realize how badly we needed a day to slow down and simply wander, Colonia unexpectedly rejuvenated us. We left the town feeling reenergized and ready to return to the beautiful chaos of Buenos Aires.

Have you ever taken a day trip that completely surprised you?

Where is the most picturesque place you've visited?

Take Me Back To: Iguazú

Crickets peacefully harmonized with the melodious jungle birds, creating a quiet symphony celebrating the end of the forest's storm. Lush, emerald green trees and vines surrounded my cabin and the nearby lodge, and the scent of fresh rain and damp foliage wafted through the air. As I sat in my treehouse-like cabana at La Aldea de la Selva, my own jungle retreat in Iguazú, I couldn't help but fall in love with this paradise. As if being in Argentina wasn't magnificent enough, we were lucky enough to explore the wondrous jungle as well. Even on my walks to the pool I saw exotic creatures like agoutis and giant lizards the size of cats. The sun blazed brightly, emanating warm amber rays during the day - while the nights were filled with exhilarating thunder storms and torrential downpours that were sometimes more frightening than they were amusing. Yet once the storms calmed down, the sun regained its power and illuminated the beautiful town of Puerto Iguazú.

But we didn't just come here to lounge by the pool and soak up the South American sun; we came to see the famed Iguazú Falls. When we ventured to these marvelous waterfalls, their beauty left me speechless. We trekked through the forest by foot and by truck, exploring different views of the falls and admiring the many birds and butterflies adorning the jungle, from which we hopped a boat that took us along the Iguazú River and up close to the falls. Our boat provided us with the most incredible view of La Garganta del Diablo, or the Devil's Throat, the most impressive and massive part of the falls. We went underneath several of the falls, rendering us drenched and filled with adrenaline for the rest of our adventure.

After our boat ride we continued hiking and exploring the falls. The many falls were all beautiful, but once we were atop the Devil's Throat, Iguazú truly took my breath away. I have never seen anything so astounding. I stood in complete awe as these massive falls plunged to the ground, spraying mist and creating rainbows against the gleaming waters. I was floored by the beauty and inspiration found in these stunning waterfalls. 

Following our visit to Iguazú Falls, we enjoyed life in the jungle while laying out and sipping caipirinhas by the pool, leisurely reading our books, taking a long road trip to the San Ignacio Jesuit ruins, and eating lots of succulent Argentinian steak. I'm no ardent meat lover, but these steaks were incredible. And paired with a bottle of Santa Julia cabernet sauvignon, it was as near to perfection as gluten free gourmet can get. 

After several days in the rainforest, we headed back to Buenos Aires. As much as I loved the bustling city life in Buenos Aires, I missed my jungle oasis and the enthralling waterfalls in Iguazú. I fell in love with the lush feats of nature around me, the combination of chaos and peace in the jungle, the character and comfort of my treehouse cabin, the strong drinks and even stronger sun at the pool, and falling asleep to the exotic symphony of the rainforest every night. Saying goodbye tugged on my heart, although I was filled with an incredible amount of joy for being able to see the marvelous wonders of Iguazú that I had always dreamed of.

Take Me Back To: Machu Picchu

I have the travel bug real bad. Planning my upcoming European adventures is making me rather nostalgic for my escapades in South America. Specifically, I've got Peru on my mind.

Peru altered my life in many ways. For one: I can officially die happy now. Why, you ask? After dreaming about it for over a decade, I finally visited Machu Picchu. It was more incredible than I had ever imagined. The first sight of it absolutely took my breath away. I was even more enthralled as we explored it further, venturing through the beautiful and complex architecture. We were lucky enough to have a private tour, and our marvelous guide José took us to all of the most magnificent spots as well as the lesser-known sites free of the many hordes of tourists. From the sun temple to the astrology tower, to the Incan university and to the famous viewpoint in front of Huayna Picchu, I was in complete awe the entire day.

In the midst of the stunning Andes Mountains and lush jungle foliage, Machu Picchu epitomizes grandiose, mysterious beauty. Its entirety is simply majestic. I am so profoundly amazed at how advanced the Incas were, and how their innovative technology preceded their time. In Machu Picchu, we were shown how they had an exact compass made of stone before modern compasses were even invented, and how they had precise ways of determining the solstices without a regimented calendar. Their architecture was advanced enough to remain stable through earthquakes and tremors, and they even developed different styles of architecture for different ranks of nobility. Their technique of perfectly shaping enormous boulders astounds me. Everything the Incas did was an impressive feat.

Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my entire life. My mind cannot even comprehend its divine exquisiteness and captivating history. Sometimes I feel like it was all a dream, because in those moments of soaking in its enchanting splendor, it all just seemed so surreal. The entire experience was eyeopening and spiritually invigorating. As much as I wish I could go back and experience it all again, I'm grateful enough to have experienced it once in my lifetime. I guess some dreams really do come true.

Take Me Back To: Cusco

This past fall when I traveled to South America, I became profoundly infatuated with the city of Cusco. It didn't take long after my flight from Lima to Cusco landed until I fell more and more in love with Peru. I've dreamed about coming here since I started taking Spanish classes in eight grade, and ten years later here I am, able to say that I lived out my dream.

Peru is nothing like I've ever experienced before. Despite a complex history and a bloody past involving the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire,  the culture of Peru embodies resilience. On our first day in Cusco, we toured the city and visited many sites of ancient Incan ruins including Saqsawaman, Quenko and Tambomachay. The fact that many of these ruins were preserved through the destruction of their culture by the Spanish conquistadors absolutely astounds me. Although in the 1500s the conquistadors dominated and destroyed the Inca people and their land, the native soul of Cusco remains intact. The people are incredibly generous and kind, and are unfailingly in touch with their roots. The contrast between Cusco and Lima is rather stark, for Lima is an urban metropolis while Cusco is quaint, rustic and cozy. Cusco is the beating heart of Peru.

They say the Incas chose Cusco as their capital because the high altitude brought them closer to the gods, and I personally don't doubt their decision at all. This charming town is surrounded by stunning mountains, colorful skies and sheer magic. Vast, ornate cathedrals lie atop historic Incan ruins, narrow cobblestone streets run through the city like a winding river - bustling with people and honking cars that can hardly fit. The scent of spices wafts through the air, and strangers engage in friendly conversations in the plazas and small antiquated shops.

When I wasn't sipping on hot cups of coca tea, I indulged on sweet glasses of peach juice or bubble gum-esque Inca Kolas. Peruvians make excellent use of one of my all-time favorite foods: quinoa. Quinoa soup with vegetables, quinoa salad, quinoa cakes for breakfast; you name it. Peru is quinoa heaven. Meats are tenderly cooked with savory spices and mashed potatoes, and locals celebrate with bold pisco sours. Peruvian food far exceeded my expectations, and needless to say, I am in love with the cuisine of Cusco.

To be quite honest, I love everything about Peru - not just the delicious food or magnificent sights. This may have been my first and only time to Peru, and by no means do I see myself living there, but I love it dearly. Peru is a country with real soul. A blend of ancient and modern, a juxtaposition between a difficult history and a bright future, Peru - and Cusco especially - will always have a piece of my heart. The culture is incomparable to anywhere else I've traveled to, and I was moved by every moment I spent here.

Take Me Back To: Buenos Aires

This past October when I traveled through South America, I fell madly in love with Buenos Aires. They say that Buenos Aires is the "Paris of South America", so you can just imagine how head over heels I am for the Latin version of my favorite city in the world. The people are beautiful and the city is just as stunning. The architecture is a unique mix of Parisian, eclectic, classic and colonial. It's half Paris, half Barcelona, and all in all purely awe-inspiring. The city is filled with many different neighborhoods with their own remarkable flavor, each contributing to the city's eccentric charm. There's the vibrant La Boca neighborhood with brightly colored buildings, mesmerizing art walks and tango dancing in the streets, along with the quaint, vintage-inspired barrio of San Telmo. On the opposite side of town lies the gorgeous and upscale neighborhoods of Recoleta and Palermo, filled with sophisticated museums and trendy shopping areas. The city is so vast and intriguing, at times it's hard not to experience sensory overload.

We spent our first day in Buenos Aires driving around the city and venturing through all of the diverse neighborhoods. We stopped at the Recoleta cemetery, where we admired all of the breathtaking mausoleums and visited Eva Perón's grave. After an extensive day of exploring, we indulged on a grand feast at Estilo Campo in Puerto Madero - where I had my first ever Argentinian steak. I have no words. Perhaps it was how perfectly our bife de chorizo was paired with our savory Malbec or the delicious, complimentary champagne at the end of our meal - but I was in culinary heaven the entire night.

We spent our next afternoon in Buenos Aires exploring the chic Palermo SOHO neighborhood, where we stopped for a decadent tortilla española at La Cabrera and shopped at the many trendy boutiques. Between the adorable shops, the too-handsome-for-words Argentine men and the elaborately designed buildings, my eyes struggled to take it all in.

 

The next morning was spent wandering around Palermo Chico, Buenos Aires' most exclusive and glamorous neighborhood. Large, ivy covered houses comprised of stunning French-inspired architecture line the streets, and the sweet aroma of jasmine and fresh flowers drifts through the breeze. Many of these upscale homes were converted into embassy houses when the economy crashed in the 1930s, but the neighborhood still exudes its chic and elite charm.

After getting a taste of Palermo Chico, we ventured to the MALBA, which was filled with a wonderful collection of modern art. Sometimes I forget how much I adore discovering new art until I go to a museum and am reminded of how much I truly thrive off it. I always leave museums refreshed and inspired, and our trip to the MALBA was no exception. Unfortunately, my "art high" didn't last long since we were soon ripped off by a cab driver and subsequently got lost in a rather sketchy part of town. After diverting a what-could-be-crisis and getting over the fact that we were given fake money by our taxi driver, we went back to the safe and elegant Palermo SOHO where we comforted ourselves with a savory lunch at Cluny and generous portions of wine.

Refueled and recharged, we explored bits of the Recoleta area - including the botanical gardens (which really just consisted of a deserted park with a plethora of cats) and a delicious ice cream shop that is known for its artisan Patagonian flavors. One of the many profound, self-actualizing moments I experienced in Argentina is that I love anything dulce de leche flavored. I mean, way more than chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or even mint chocolate chip. If I were an ice cream, I would undoubtedly be a scoop of dulce de leche. It's a good thing that dulce de leche is one of Buenos Aires' most famed flavors in a city that is well known for incredible helado, because I fit right in.

Although I could never envision myself living in Buenos Aires, I adored the city immensely. Many familiar aspects were reminiscent of Spain and Paris, yet the unique flavor and culture made the city unlike anything I've ever experienced.