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Author Archives: noconbach
Costa Rica plants, animals, volcanoes and a quetzal
If Costa Rica doesn’t bring visions of lush forested jungle, it should. We visited Monte Verde Bosque Nuboso, not a rainforest, but a cloud forest. The distinction between rainforest and cloud forest wasn’t clear until we hiked to the viewpoint … Continue reading
A man a plan a canal Panama (and a hat)
Our location at a Hyatt Place in Panama was easy to find. All we had to do was tell the taxi driver “Iglesia del Carmen” and he (or she) would bring us to this beautiful gothic church around the corner … Continue reading
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Lima, the city not the bean
The Old Town of Lima, Peru is filled with buildings from its development as a colonial capital beginning in the 16th century after the Spanish explorer Pizarro overtook the region from the Incas. We watched the changing of the guard in … Continue reading
Santiago, a modern city with fascinating recent history
After visiting the old town of Buenos Aires, the wilderness of Patagonia, and the wineries of Mendoza, Santiago seemed different. It is a modern city, with highrises and chic neighborhoods. …and every U.S. chain imaginable. TGIFridays remains TGIFridays here, not TGIViernes! … Continue reading
Valparaiso = Colorful in Spanish (not really, but it could)
From the modern city of Santiago to the old cobblestoned streets of Valparaiso is only a couple hours by car, but the differences are huge. Google Maps led us up twisting, turning narrow streets that reminded us of the nearly impassable … Continue reading
The Chilean Connection: cows, wine, and Michigan Tech
We visited just one winery in Chile, Kingston Family Vineyards, and we think we picked the best one! Kingston was identified as one of the best Chilean wineries to visit and it was on our route between Santiago and Valparaiso. Surprisingly we found out we had … Continue reading
Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal
Tagged Casablanca, Chile, Kingston Family Vineyards, Michigan Tech, wine
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Crossing the Andes, then and now
The distance from Mendoza Argentina to Santiago Chile is only 111 miles “as the crow flies.” But not many crows could follow the flight path over the high Andes. For us, making this crossing by car was relatively easy, though … Continue reading
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Tagged Aconcagua, Andes, Argentina, glaciers, mountains, skiing
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Argentinean wildlife, mostly in Patagonia
Here in the austral region (southern, not just Australian), we came across birds that looked like the ones we saw last year in Australia. Where’s the beef? We had plenty of beef in restaurants, but as we drove around Argentina, … Continue reading
Wines of Mendoza, malbecs and more
It’s two weeks before harvest starts in Mendoza. Wine makers are a bit nervous about this year’s vintage because the area has had twice the normal amount of rain this season. Many of the vineyards have netting over the vines because … Continue reading
Posted in Smell the Roses, Travel Journal
Tagged Argentina, Catena Zapata, Dominio del Plata, food, Francis Mallmann, Maria Antonieta, Melipal, Mendoza, Salentein, wine, Zuccardi
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Our Argentinean Food Experience
Beef. It’s what’s for dinner in Argentina. Much more, of course. We went to a top-rated restaurant early in our stay in Buenos Aires. It’s called The Argentine Experience and sounds like a touristy activity, but it was actually very … Continue reading
Posted in Smell the Roses
Tagged al disco, alfajores, Argentina, beef, cappaccino, empanada, food, mate, wine
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Finger Lakes to Lavender Fields 