Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took 5 hours bus to Puerto Montt and then 2 hours flight to Punta Arenas. The scenary on the flight is excellent that I can see snowy mountains and glaciars!

In Punta Arenas, I joined boat trip to Isla Magdalena, Penguin Colonies. I was so happy and

crazy as the penguins are all around. They are so many! I took 170+ photos in one hour!

They are so cute!

And right now I still have 6 hours before mid night, so Happy New Year 2007!

Pucon

Pucon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Pucon is located in the lake distinct of Chile. I planned to go there because there is Villarrica Volcano. Tour can lead you up to the top of this active volcano and see the melting magma. I got up at 6:00am in the morning and the weather seem good. However, the guide told us that the weather is too hot that the snow turned into ice and it might be dangerous. It is only 50/50 chance that we can go to the top. Even though I can choose to go tomorrow, but who know weather of tomorrow. The guide told me that last time he reach the top with the group is 15 days before.

We trekked up the snowy path for two hours and then we stopped. It is very difficult to walk on the snow as it is very slippy even I have full set of equipment. But it is my first time and it is fun.

Mission failed! The guide asked us to return and no more melting magma.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It is a small seaside city two hours bus ride from Santiago. It has some interesting hillside elevators, called ascensores, which were built between 1883 and 1916.

I had excellent seafood soup for lunch and bought strawberry with red wine for my Christmas Eve.

Easter Island

Easter Island, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui called by local people, is one of the most isolated places on earth. It is 3700km from the nearest continental, South America. I took 5 hour flight from Santiago and all the way the flight map showing is only blue ocean. The island is not very big, much smaller than our Lantau Island.

The moai, enormous stone sculptures are made for honoring their ancestors. The big one can be 10M height. All the moai is made in same place, Rano Raraku volcano but they are all around the island, around one thousand in total. How can they move them to the coast during that time?

Santiago

Santiago, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Merry Christmas from Santiago, Chile. This is a big city that I missed for 2 months. I joined a wine tour, played street flighter, go to central market, make dinner for myself, do shopping before X'mas!

I changed my flight so I am heading to Easter Island tomorrow. So, wish you all have a good holiday in Hong Kong and cool X'mas!!

Calama

DSCN0438, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Calama is a town which I take my flight to Santiago. Bought cherry at the roadside stall at US$2 for half kilo.

Horse Riding

DSCN0430, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Today, I have nothing to do but to wait for another day for the flight from Calama to Santiago on 16 Dec 2006.

So, I went to try horse riding around the town. And it feel quite good!

And I took the sky observation tour at night for watching the star. The area has no cloud so it is one of the clearest sky on Earth.

San Pedro de Atacama

IMG_7162, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Chile is much more expensive than Bolivia. Everything cost twice here!

This city is a desert area so it is very dry and hot during the daytime and cool at night.

The dead valley has no any live due to little rainfall, no plant, no animal and even insect.

The moon vally is named due to its landscape like the surface of moon. See if you think so.

The tour guide said that the moon valley will change color during sunset. It sounds good, but I didn´t found any great color change during my visit. :(

Uyuni

IMG_7129, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is an amazing tour from Uyuni of Bolivia to Chile. I really need to say that my photos cannot capture the beauty of the scenary.

Salar de Uyuni, the world´s largest salt plain at 3653m above sea level covering 12,000 sq. km; lakes with different colors with hundreds of flamingos in it; Geyster basin with stream coming out from the earth; enjoying the hot spring at 4200m; colourful mountains in the derest which you hardly find any cloud in the sky.

Potosi

Mine, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Potosi is the highest city in the world, 4070m above sea level. And this height is same as the highest mountain of South East Asia, Mt. Kinabalu, in Sabah.

The town is famous for the silver mine in Cerro Rico hill found in 15 century.

I joined the Cooperative Mine Tour visiting the metal extraction factory, the miner street market to buy the Coca leaves adn alcohol (96%) for the miners. Then, we went into the mine. The mine inside has very little space, so we need to crawl sometime! The miners work there 6 day a week adn 8 hour a day. But, the environment is terrible!

Zip-line Canopy Tour

Zip-line Canopy Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

As I cannot book the flight the day after my pampas tour, I need to stay for one more day in Rurrenabaque.

This half day program let you zip through the treetop. It is quite exciting, not bad.

Pampas Tour - Rurrenabaque

Pampas Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After the Jungle Tour, I joined another 3D2N Pampas Tour which go in the south instead of north. The pampas are swampy lowlands, with less dense vegetation. A boat trip along the river and there are many animals around.

The next day, we went to the swamp to find the anaconda, a big snake. The water is up to my waist and there are thousands of mosquitos around you all the time. But, no snake found. Sorry!

The last day, I swan with the pink river dolphins which are unique to the freshwater rivers of Amazon Basin.

Jungle Tour - Rurrenabaque

Jungle Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took 45 mins flight from La Paz to Rurrenabaque and from winter to summer. Also, I have a new hair cut for my 3D2N Jungle tour in Amazon rainforest.

I went by boat for 3 hour and reached the campsite. It has no electric and no water for shower. We walked in the jungle when it is raining and my camera get wet!

The guide show us many interesting things in the jungle,

- Garlic taste wood
- Milk tree
- Rubber tree
- Put color on face using fruit
- Eat ant
- Wood for curing Malaria
- Seed for Necklace

And, I like the insect inside the jungle!

La Paz

La Paz, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Highest capital of the world (3660M), it shapes like a bowl where the city centre is in the central lower part.

On the way to La Paz, I met a Korean girl. She is so young but have been so many places. I am really admired her.

There is a Witches Market in La Paz and they sell herbs and some dried animal body. Quite strange.

Copacabana

Copacabana, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Welcome to Bolivia! Copacabana is a little town beside the Lake Titicaca. My original plan is going to the Island of the Sun, but now I prefer to relax for a while.

In front of the Church, there is a very interesting event, blessing of automobiles. People will use flowers, banner and wine for the blessing.

And, walking on the lakeside is very nice!

Lake Titicaca

IMG_6497, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Lake Titicaca (3820M) is the highest navigable lake in the world, while it is also South America's biggest Lake and the largest lake in the world above 2000M.

Here, you feel the sky is so close and the lake is just like an Ocean.

I stayed overnight in Amantani Island with a local family. Their life is pretty basic, no TV and firing wood for cooking. During the night, I dressed in their traditional clothing and dance.

The next day, I visited Taquile Island which is famous for their tradition of weaving. After, 3 hours boat trip back to Puno, my stay besides the Lake Titicaca.

Floating Islands

DSCN0276, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

On the Lake Titicaca, there are floating islands made by many layers of reeds. The Uros people live there and use reeds to make their homes and boats.

The floating Island is soft when you stepped on it, just like carpet.

And they need to fasten the Island to avoid them floating away.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

You know, I am a student. So, my fried helped me to get my student card in Bangkok. Why Bangkok? It is cheaper adn no certificate is required.

The card have saved me money when entering museum, church, sometimes even bus ticket.

The ticket of Machu Picchu is 120 soles (HKD300) for adult and half price for student.

I have no problem to get the student ticket but I stopped at the entrance checkpoint. She examine my card very carefully adn she told me that my card is fake.

So, I paid the adult fare.

Machu Picchu is more beautiful than the photos and I think its uniqueness is the location. Right up on the hill top and the whole Inca city was built on the nature landscape. Awesome!

This also make me want to go to Beijing to see the Great Wall again. May be I will appreciate it more than before.

Cuy ?

Cuy - well done, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Tonight, I have ordered a typical Peruvian dish, baked Guinea Pig served with stuffed chili pepper. To be honest, I was a little bit scary when they served the dish like roasted piggy in HK restaurant.

When I cut it into four pieces and try to hld its leg to put it into my mouth. I still felt odd.

So, I just tried to finish it asap. It tasted like chicken.

And, I have also upload some city photos of Cuzco in my photos.

P.S. The spanish word "Cuy" means "Guinea Pig".

The Sacred Valley

Ollantaytambo, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It´s my first rainy day in South American and it is cold. Today is also the election day of Peru, every citizen must vote or 300 soles (USD 100) will be fined.

The Sacred Valley is a beautiful valley which hosts Inca ruins of Pisac and Ollanaytambo.

There is a Sunday Market in Pisac (market again! ) and an Inca religious place, Intihuatana. The tour guide said that it is easy to distinguish whether the place is for living or religious purpose in Inca times. Only the religious place will use the polished stone which is perfectly fit with each other. For living houses or other purposes, you will observe that the stone is not polished.

Ollantaytambo have an Inca fortress which on the hill of the other side, you can find a face. Check them out!

Cuzco

Sacsayhuaman, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is another 10 hour night bus to Cuzco from Arequipa.

Cuzco (3326M), is the gateway to Machu Picchu. So, lots of tourists, shops, hostels and restaurants.

I visited four Inca ruins during the day with a guy from Ecuador. At first, we tried to walk but we cannot catch our breath due to the attitude. So, after Sacsayhuaman, we took taxi and mini-bus instead.

Sacsayhuaman, sound like "Sexy Woman". It was built by huge stone which one of them weighs over 300 tons. It is zigzag shape and the stone fits each other perfectly.

Tambo Machay, a small ruin channeling water from hills.

Puca Pucara, a small fort.

Qenko, has zigzagging channels which may have been used for the sacrifice of blood.

I´m so tired! Better go to bed now!

Colca Canyon

Wild Andrean Condor, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The local tour started from Arequipa (2300M height), the van climbed up to 3900M and we saw animals that are unique in South America. Their hair are used to make cloths like wool.

Vicuna, protected wild animals in National Reserve. Best quality hair
Alpaca, second best hair quality and their meat is also served for meals. (My lunch!)
Llama, with longer neck. Their hair is not very good fibre.

(see what they look like in my photos)

Before lunch, we reach viewpoint at 4910M. The highest point that I reached, but by van, not by foot. The view is nothing special.

Tour guide said that taking CoCa leaves will help to ease the attitude reaction. So, take a cup!

Chivay (3681M) is a little town which we stayed overnight. I also enjoy hot springs there. Cool!

Early morning, we went to see that Wild Andrean Condor which is the largest flying bird. Actually, they don´t fly but just slide with the wind.

The Condor is found in the Colca Canyon, which is one of the world´s deepest canyons (3191M). But the view is so-so.

Arequipa

Monasterio de Santa Cataline, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Another 9 hour overnight bus, I relaxed in the hostel this morning, enjoy the sunshine in Arequipa where is approx. 2,400 meter above sea level.

Monasterio de Santa Cataline is the place I visited after my 3 soles (HK$7.5) set lunch. The church is surrounded by high wall adn inside have lived nuns who never go outside of the church. You will find kitchen, laundry place, medical room, and lots of different bedrooms, just like a little city.

The Cathedral besides Plaza de Armas, which every city has these combo, looks pretty nice. May be the sky is blue! Not like Lima, always cloudy. The Cathedral is built using light colored volcanic rock called sillar which is unique in Arequipa. May be this is another reason.

Nazca Lines

Astronaut, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took the plane to see the Nazca Lines. Each plane takes 5 passengers and the small aircraft bank left and right for each one have views. The whole flight took 30 mins and I saw more than 10 figures.

Check my photos and you may click "All sizes" to view the original pics as some figures are hard to see. Sorry, no photoshop available here!

My Bus ride

Luxury Bus, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Cruz Del Sur is the company which I used in Peru. The bus you see is the luxury class which has air condition, bus attendant to serve meals, foot rest and rclinable seat.

They have check-in counter for your luggage and passport checking before boarding. And they take video for each passenger before departure just like China for security reason.

Lima

Museo de la Nacion, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Lima is the capital of Peru and usually big city is not very interesting.

I got here by 10 hour overnight bus from Trujillo and I went directly to sightseeing after dropping my backpack.

The first museum is Museo de la Nacion, which is about Peru´s pre-historic civilization, i.e. before the Spanish came here. This is the only museum where photo is allowed. So, all you can see in my photos is from here and up to this point.

The second one is Gold Museum which is very expensive for the ticket. But, I don´t really feel anything after seeing the gold pieces of Inca.

The Monasterio de San Francisco is really wonderful. It has old library since 17 century. Again, no photo but please go to Google images and search for "San Francisco library Lima". I guess you may saw it in some scenes in the Hollywood movie.

The underground of the church is catacomb, which has contain thousands of skills and bones, serving as a burial-place until 1808. And, try to do the images search with "San Francisco catacomb".

Huanchaco

Huanchaco, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The fishing village which is famous for the cigar-shaped reed boats. Fishermen paddle out and surf back to the beach with their catch.

Chan Chan

Chan Chan, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The largest mud-brick city in the world which was built around AD 1300. This is the reason why I come to Trujillo. The city of Chan Chan is quite impressive, but most of it have been rebuilt recently to restore the original look. So, just don´t feel that real. You know!?

Huaca de la Luna

Huaca de la Luna, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The Moche Pyramids of the Moon, 1500 years old temple. The new temple was built on the top of the old ones, likes forming a new layer on the old temple. They now found out that these are 7 layers in moon temple. The archaelogists are peeling away the layers to see the inner structure.

All the building material is mud, and how can they lasted for that long!?

And, I saw Perurian hairless dog and they are very friendly.

Trujillo

Trujillo, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After 18 hours bus ride, I came to Trujillo of Peru finally at 5:00 in the morning. I waited in the bus station for 1.5 hour and then search for my hotel. Here you see the photo above. Quite Cool!

I will stay here for two day and catch another night bus to Lima, 10 hour! The bus ride is not bad, they got toilet inside the bus adn even have meals in the bus served by bus attendent, as in the plane.

This is Galapagos!

IMG_5899, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Perhaps, this is the only place that you can be so close to the wildlife. I swan with the sea lions, walking on the lava, taking lots of pics of tortoise, iguanas, blue foot boobies.

I went to different islands in eight days. Even though the engine of the ship broken down and we wasted one day, there are still lots to see.

Check the pics adn you will see how wonderful Galapagos is!

Arrival at Galapagos Island

DSCN0107, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

In Puerto Ayora, I met a Isral guy, Matan. He helped me out to find a hostel and I´m sharing the room with him for a cheaper rate.

My plan is to find a last minutes offer for a 8 days boat trip. So, I go to every travel agent to look for the best deal. But, it is Sunday and some of the travel agents has closed.

And the offers I heard is out of my expectation and budget. So, I decided to wait for one more day. Although, Matan has signed in one but for US$750.

The next day, I stepped in the travel agent which is recommended by the guidebook. She is very nice and helped me out for the last minutes deal. She made a lot of phone calls and find that all the boat is full for this week. And the latest offer is 10 days later.

Wait! I don´t expect waiting for so long. I am very nervous and don´t know what to do. If I stay here for 10 more days, my travel plan will have to change which I don´t want. But, I cannot go without this boat trip. It is definitely one of the place where I dreamed of.

I cannot make the decision and I just went to othe travel agent to see if there is any luck.

A guy from the other travel agent called me and said there is a place left! Finally, I make the deal with the same boat as Matan and paying US$20 more.

So, the total cost for Galapagos Island is:

USD320 Air Ticket
USD100 National Park Fee
USD770 8 day Boat Trip

USD1,190 in total

I will be on boat from 31 Oct to 7 Nov. So, share pics with you when I´m back!

Galapagos Island

IMG_5689, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is the place where wildlife do not fear human...

And, Charles Darwin came here in 1853 to study wildlife and his observation lead him to his theory evolution.

This is a magic place indeed. Check out the photos, all of them are taken in the city park or just the beach nearby.

BBQ night

DSCN0103, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After returning from Latacunga, I have nothing to do in the afternoon and the weather is no good. So, I go to have Sauna! Cool!

We had BBQ dinner in the hostel. But, what do you expect for BBQ night? Sorry! Burger only!

Laguna Quilotoa

Me + Laguna Quilotoa, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It takes two hour drive to the Laguna Quilotoa. On the way, there are several volcano visible including one coming out smoke!

Laguna Quilotoa is a lake formed in the crater of a volcano at 4000m height. I walked down to the water level and go up by taking donkey. This is my first time riding a donkey and the experience is not bad!

Strange Fruit found in the Latacunga market

Strange Fruit found in the Latacunga market, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Finally, I have chance to eat the fruit that I saw in the market. It looks like passion fruit and its taste not bad.

By the way, I have amend the "comment¨" function and now you can see your comment right after you publish them.

Don´t know how to make yr comment? Just click on the "Comment" below the article will do.

If you click on the title of individual article, all the comment will be displayed.

And you can forward the article to others by clicking the envelope icon.

Cotopaxi

IMG_5502, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

5897m height, the highest active volcano in the earth. And it also has a beautiful cone shape!

Right after visiting the market, the jeep drop us at 4,000m height and start walking. Which is also the highest point I have ever been.

It should be a easy walk for 2-3 hrs and going uphill for total another 300m.

As usual, the cloud always block our view. But the scenary along the path is still very nice.

And, I am the slowest member in the tour group.

Saguisili

IMG_5519, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is a Thursday market which for the indigenous villagers. I found it may be similiar to our Yuen Long in the old days.

Different areas are divided fro pigs, sheep, cows, chicken and... pls check out my pics and see what else they sold.

For the villagers, their hats are quite interesting.

Latacunga

DSCN0069, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

There are a lot of bad stories about the situation of the terminal in Quito for bus heading to Latacunga. But, I feel safe in the bus now and waiting for its departure.

On the way, the bus pass through the Volcano Cotopaxi, 5897m, great bus ride with good views. It takes 1.5 hours.

Latacunga is a little town with an interesting market. I found white corn, and some other fruit which I have never seen before, check my pics.

Doesn´t speak Spanish is a big headache for me. But you know, body talks. So, things still get smooth at the end.

By the way, when you see my pics through the map. You may need to click on the "+" button so that the places would not grouped together.

My Start

My parents at the airport, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is my day 1 and it is a long day.

My parents took me to the airport and it is the first time of my life! So sweet!

It took 12 hours to cross the Pacific Ocean to LA. Due to the time diff., 15 hrs, I arrived on the same day, i.e. still 22 Oct 2006.

Then, another 5 hours flight to Miami with 3 hours time diff. I arrived at 7:30 early morning of 23 Oct 2006and have 8 hours to kill before my next flight.

For another 4 hours, I finally reach my starting point, Quito of Ecuador, after 31 hours.

Some background, Quito is located 2850m above sea level as said in the guide book. I spend one day in the old town and it feel like a big Macau!

Have a look on my pics.

寫在出發之前

Life is.., originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

小時候，我第一本親自購買的書，封面是 一隻綠色的樹蛙，色彩鮮艷。驚嘆著世界上竟然有著這樣的生物，陌生而好奇。曾幻想在亞馬遜森林中如蛇一般的河流，還會遇上甚麼？樹，可以有多高？在一 望無際的沙漠中，又會是甚麼樣的感受呢？冰天雪地裡，作為鳥類的企鵝，羽毛觸摸時又會有甚麼感覺呢？

成長，容易使人忘記。

還記得小學的社會教科書中，父親工作回家，母親拿出剛弄好的晚餐，兒子在飯桌等待吃飯。有時，深深相信，自己理想的生命，也非得這樣如此不可。

人生，究竟會走上甚麼的路，年少時總會過份自信。日子過去，遇過不同的人，了解身邊不同的事，漸漸明白昔日自以為是，蠻幼稚的。

或者，人生就如河流中的漂浮的枯葉，由河水帶著漂流，究竟是卡在石隙中，抑或是直流到汪洋大河，除了葉子本身丁點兒的浮力以外，還主要看老天爺怎麼對待你。當然，一帆風順的葉子，也不一定是幸福的。

不知為甚麼，自己總是走著跟別人不一樣的路。年少時心高氣傲，老是以為自己與眾不同，倒還情有可原。現在，上天又再次給我機會，讓我不得不暫時離開固有的生活，去踏足一下世界上那些陌生的土地。

僅希望在這個Blog中，可以讓家人以及關心我的朋友，了解我旅行的近況。在旅途中，希望有機會的時候，可以把相片與故事跟大家分享，但我恐怕我以後不得不用英文。

Sorry that this article is in Chinese, the upcoming blogs will be in English.