I Need Your Advice and Feedback! - The Nomad Chronicles

November 15, 2004

I Need Your Advice and Feedback!

I'm starting to think I should cut something out of my itinerary for the rest of South America--I just think I'm too tight on time, and don't want to try to do too much. I've been really excited about getting all the way to Tierra del Fuego, and to the Argentine town of Ushuaia, which is called the southernmost city in the world (even though there are a few Chilean towns south of there!). It seems a shame to get this close and not get to go there. BUT, it's a 12-14 hour bus and ferry ride from Punta Arenas, my next closest destination. I can fly back to Buenos Aires from either Ushuaia or Punta Arenas, and the prices probably are about the same, but I need to decide pretty soon before everything's booked up!

I've also been thinking I could squeeze in a trip to Iguazu Falls, on the border with Brazil (as far north as you can go in Argentina, I think!). BUT, it's a 17-hour bus ride one way from Buenos Aires, and I think a round-trip flight would cost at least $250.

I've met people who've been to Iguazu, or to Ushuaia, and both get good reports. But maybe it's too much to try to do both, especially when they're so far from each other. I'm also still trying to spend at least a week in Buenos Aires, but should I cut into that a little bit more so I can go to these other places? I do hope to come back to South America--but would I be more likely to go to Iguazu or Ushuaia on a return trip?

What do you think? What would you do?

Also, Bootsnall.com, the great website that hosts this blog, is putting together a calendar for next year and looking for photo submissions for the calendar. I've gotten lots of great feedback on my pictures, but don't really have time to go through them all and figure out what I might submit. Which pictures or destinations most strike you? Any you think are worth submitting?

Please respond by leaving comments on this entry. Thanks!

Posted by Amy on November 15, 2004 07:27 AM
Category: Miscellaneous

Comments

I'd go to Ushuaia. I think if you are tight on time, the 17 hr bus ride(an added 3 hrs each way over Ushuaia) would drive you nuts. Also, it seems that getting to the falls on a return trip is more likely...while remote, it may fit better into another itinerary. Tough call for someone who has not been to either. Hope this helps!

I'll try to review pix in the next few days...any deadline there?

Posted by: Dad on November 15, 2004 08:53 AM

I agree about going to Ushuaia - it would be a shame to miss it, plus it seems like it's more of an unknown compared to Iguazu Falls and maybe a bit more "off the beaten path", and so more of an adventure (not that a 17-hour bus ride wouldn't be an adventure!). Hope you're able to fit the puzzle together, with enough time in BA to get your fill.

I'll let you know about the photos as well. There's a lot of good ones to choose from!

Posted by: Mitch on November 15, 2004 12:22 PM

Thanks for the advice! I don't know yet what the deadline is for photo submission, but I guess I should do it within the next week. Looks like the competition will be stiff!

Posted by: Amy on November 15, 2004 12:59 PM

I 3rd Ushuaia! It seems like it would be less touristy than Iguazu falls, and less of a challenge to get to should your future travels ever take you back to S.A.

Posted by: missmobtown on November 15, 2004 03:30 PM

I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Hey, if you were in NZ I'd say cut out Auckland because it's boring as hell here and I can't wait to get to Sydney.

Posted by: This Charming Man on November 15, 2004 03:37 PM

i loved your photos from Bolivia. The colors are amazing and your compositions, as always are fabulous. The shots that I can't get out of my head are the ones of Laguna Verde. It looks unreal, like a painting, and so the shot of you in front of Laguna Verde provides a good reference point and helps the viewer realize that this is in fact something real, and not just a lovely mural or product of someone's artistic creativity. sorry i can't help with the other decision that you make, but no doubt, you'll be happy with the results either way.

Posted by: rebecca on November 16, 2004 08:24 AM

i'd go to Ushuaia. sounds like that would be very interesting....

Posted by: vlad on November 16, 2004 09:14 AM

Thanks for weighing in, peeps! I'm 99% decided on Ushuaia, and the one percent missing is just cuz I'm afraid to make a commitment--I don't feel 100% sure about anything right now!

Posted by: amy on November 16, 2004 12:11 PM

I had a quick look to pick some favourites: 1078, 1088, 1116, 1275, 1192, 1244, 1275 and funky green plant (1st one) and at the train cemetery.
Good luck!

Posted by: Emily on November 18, 2004 09:08 AM

Amy,

Not sure if this is too late, I would certainly visit Iguazu falls. IMHO Ushuaia is very over rated, if it was not sold has southern tip of south america it would be no diffrent than any of places you have visited so far in Chile. Nice snow covered mountains, sea but I imagine you have seen plenty of that so far. Go to Iguazu.

In patagonia are you going to visit Calafate to see the Moreno glacier? It is certainly worth it.

Posted by: Subodh Nijsure on November 20, 2004 03:02 PM

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