Having just come back from South America language is not that big of an issue really.
Sure as shit you will not understand what is being said but you will be surprised how easily work things out and how you get by.
You will quickly pick up 100 words plus a day but sentences are more of a stumbling block.
Anyways the good old sign language pointing and Uno tends to get through what you want.
As WLG said numbers are important to learn. It helps a hell of a lot knowing what 30 40 60 70 100 140 160 etc and not so much 1-9 Knowing your numbers means it is a lot easier to negotiate and not get ripped after you ask Cuánto cuesta??
You 100% locked into your plans???
Just wanted to point out to you the Copa America is on in Chile next off season June/July.
Get to see the likes of Messi Di Maria Neymar Rodriguez Falcao Vidal Sanchez Suarez Biting blokes etc. up close
Wouldn't be a bad thing to take in whilst there
So, I've virtually planned this brief South American taster.
Originally, was set to go to Hawaii for the fortnight, though something got mentioned about machu picchu and bam suddenly that was an options.
Essentially going to do the first bit by tour, to hopefully avoid any early hiccups.
Arrive on the Sunday and start tour that day hopefully. They say arrive anytime and time difference means we would arrive around 6pm. Day 1 is simply arrive.
Day 2, fly to the amazon as part of G adventures tour, formerly GAP.
Days 3 is amazon
Day 4 is flying to Cuzco and city tour
Day 5 is day trip to ruins around Cuzco
Day 6 is first day of inca trek,
Day 7 is day 2
Day 8 is day 3
Day 9 is macchi picchu and return to Cuzco
Day 10 is checkout and finish tour. Hoping to fly to iaguzo falls after a flight to Lima and then to iaguzu, apparently arriving around 6-7pm.
Day 11. Iaguzu falls with potential afternoon flight to rio.
Day 12 fly to rio or be in rio
Day 13 be in rio
Day 14 rio and an evening flight en route home.
Very busy jam packed 2 weeks.
How reliable is air transport timing wise? Do they cancel flights frequently? Or is it hit and miss.
And how much time to get over jet lag roughly?
I'm still a bit 50:50 on a relatively expensive jam packed adventure or a nice relaxing trip to Hawaii. My time in Hawaii would more than likely be spent at the beach or climbing their mountains/volcanoes.
Firstly Iguassu Falls yeah you could do it in a day but really should be done in 2 as you have both perspectives Argentina and Brazil
To me it almost seems you want to look at it take a few photos and go
I spent basically 6~7 hours st the Argy side not forgetting travel border crossing etc
Just in general if 2 weeks is all you have got and you are prepared to go back to Sit Ammerica you may want to cut a thing or two for se quality time.at the other choices
As for the airlines they dance to the beat of a different drum over there
Early morning flights have more reliability but this part of the planet punctuality isn't the fortehttp://www.newcastlefootball.net/forum/showthread.php?798-Newcastle-United-Jets-2013-2014-Squad-thread/page66
At this stage, I've got plenty of time to get back to South America.
I guess I'm taking it the way many do Europe (minus the hangovers) these days. A lot do Europe on contiki or top deck and just get a taster of everywhere in a semi/fully intoxicated state. Then return later on to do smaller trips.
The tour is pretty much locked in. Personally the amazon didn't really impress me and I'd be happy just doing the trek and the iaguassu falls and rio. But alas, travel compromises.
So it kind of is just to spend some time there since we are there.
Yet to look at any football draws, so that may change when I see who is playing where.
How locked in are you with things??
Brazilian side of Iguazu you could do in probably 2~3 hours Argy side much longer
The other thing is that despite them being so close they take over an hour to get from 1 to the other by road without taking into account border crossing issues
In Argentina you have trails to walk there The upper and lower as well as the one up to gargantua El diablo.
I personally enjoyed the Argentina side more as every different part of the trail gave you a different perespecrive
They also have smaller ones boat rides and other stuff
Having done it 8 weeks ago you need to up your 're on this to a day and a half at least.
The other thing is the time you are spending there is pointless if you ain't going to the Argy side
That is also compounded by if you do decide to go to Argy side you are up for the Recipricocity fee which considering you ain't going to anywhere else in Argentina at well over $100Aud. Is almost like setting fire to money
You only need a day and a half in iguassu to do it properly
We're looking at another trip down under, either early December for the wedding anniversary or right after new years. I'd say it's 50/50, could really do with the exchange rate picking up though.
I would highly, highly recommend you spend a night in Agua Calientes (sp), Macchu Picchu town, rather than go straight back to Cuzco that same day. Going back the same day would be exhausting as fxxx - you'll probs be sick from the tour, mentally and physically drained, and just desperate for a hotel room with a western toilet and a shower/bath. There's a few cool things in AC that are worth checking out - sulfur baths, the flowing river, little markets, etc.
OK
All the G Adventure tours return from Machu Picchu to Cuzco that day. So, if anything it'd be an extra day in Cuzco to recover.
Have asked for an extra few days of leave to ease the load a little, but unfortunately, I do not have the luxury of being able to take 6 weeks leave. The priority is the Inca Trek, the rest is kind of "i'm here, so i might as well see this".
Hoping to head to Peru around late July/early August. Thinking a 7 day trek to Machu Picchu from Cuzco.
Missus wants to relax on a beach someplace afterwards, so think we'll wind up at Puerto Rico for a few days before flying home.
Any tips would be appreciated. Already started learning Spanish via an iPhone app. Seems to be sticking in the noggin fairly well.
Do trek through Gap ....... I think they've changed their name though.
Avoid gecko. Unless you want to drink with bogan Aussies and talk nrl and Afl while ignoring the culture you're travelling to see.
Lol. Just saw you'd seen my post.
My up only tip wold to try and manage a few days at Cuzco before doing the trek to get acclimatised to the altitude.
Coca works to help, but keeps you awake! Sorochi pills from the pharmacy also helped.
Member went to Brazil, he might be bale to recommend a beach
Hawaii on the way home?
Beaches in Brazil Take your pick!!!
Just go Rio or north of there at the minimum.
Rio was 25-35C everyday in June
Ocean temp was sweet
Down south of Brazil which I got to was a bit cold at that time of year so wouldn't recommend that area for beach activity.
Didn't get that far north of Rio except inland but their is thousands of miles of coast up that way. take your pick
Salvador has a bit of Culture to go with the heat and is well received as a tourist place so would be my initial tip