ZWT 7 Off The Beaten Path Adventure ~ Central/South America

[Linky]

Linky wrote:


We're going to Brasil aka Brazil!

By that luscious eye-candy of a guide are you referring to Leslie, our forum host? Or __________? The more travelers the merrier! Esp. in the wilds of Brazil!

Hmm, I may be doing this wrong - I thought I had signed up for Brazil a couple days ago. Later I saw Brazil was taken so I thought that was us (count drac & hot bites). then I didn't see our banner, so posted the quoted message. Now I notice that we are not the Brazil people.
So I think I need to pick another country - right? Or did my original post get lost/put in another thread?

I'm out of town today, but will check later this evening.

thanks

I just checked back and I told my group on the 26th, but not you guys!
So, I'll pick another place...

[Linky]

Linky wrote:

Linky wrote:


We're going to Brasil aka Brazil!

By that luscious eye-candy of a guide are you referring to Leslie, our forum host? Or __________? The more travelers the merrier! Esp. in the wilds of Brazil!

Hmm, I may be doing this wrong - I thought I had signed up for Brazil a couple days ago. Later I saw Brazil was taken so I thought that was us (count drac & hot bites). then I didn't see our banner, so posted the quoted message. Now I notice that we are not the Brazil people.
So I think I need to pick another country - right? Or did my original post get lost/put in another thread?

I'm out of town today, but will check later this evening.

thanks

I just checked back and I told my group on the 26th, but not you guys!
So, I'll pick another place...

OK, I'll do Panama!

[~Leslie~]

Linky wrote:


We're going to Brasil aka Brazil!

By that luscious eye-candy of a guide are you referring to Leslie, our forum host? Or __________? The more travelers the merrier! Esp. in the wilds of Brazil!

NO!! Not me, just your random made up luscious guy/gal

[~Leslie~]

magpie diner wrote:


Our team will be travelling thru Uruguay - we'll send a postcard or two....

Uruguay is yours!

[~Leslie~]

Linky wrote:

Linky wrote:

Linky wrote:


We're going to Brasil aka Brazil!

By that luscious eye-candy of a guide are you referring to Leslie, our forum host? Or __________? The more travelers the merrier! Esp. in the wilds of Brazil!

Hmm, I may be doing this wrong - I thought I had signed up for Brazil a couple days ago. Later I saw Brazil was taken so I thought that was us (count drac & hot bites). then I didn't see our banner, so posted the quoted message. Now I notice that we are not the Brazil people.
So I think I need to pick another country - right? Or did my original post get lost/put in another thread?

I'm out of town today, but will check later this evening.

thanks

I just checked back and I told my group on the 26th, but not you guys!
So, I'll pick another place...

OK, I'll do Panama!

Got you down for Panama!

[~Leslie~]

Rita~ wrote:

Rita, thanks for completing this challenge!

I loved your photos and it made me miss my beloved Costa Rica so much. I need to go back
Your family is gorgeous and your Team sure sounded like they had a ton of fun on their Off the Beaten Path Adeventure

[Zurie]

The Shady Ladies have voted: and decided on an easy trek close to the beaches of one island. As these islands are into winter, we were advised to stay in B & B's overnight and not try to tempt the weather gods ... ! The Falkland Islands weather is known to create four seasons in one day.

1.


2.


Just to give you an idea where we are! 1 shows the islands, and the wonderful rugged coasts, and 2 gives you an idea of where in the world the Falkland Islands lie.

Briefly -- this archipelago lies 300 miles off the coast of Argentina. Although its history goes back about 500 years active exploration and colonisation only started in the 18th century. The Falklands' land mass is roughly equivalent to that of Connecticut.

Most will recall the Falklands War of 1982, between Argentina and Britain (Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands and South Georgia). Britain retaliated swiftly, and the war which started on 2 April ended on 14 June.

The island group (known as Las Malvinas in Spanish) has been variously claimed by the French, Spain, Britain and Argentina. This is due to its strategic location near Cape Horn, which makes it ideal for a naval base.

Okayyy, so there we were, put down by helicopter at a point about 25 miles from the capital, Port Stanley, in a state of high excitement: Captain Lavender Lynn, cookbook expert Studentchef, Nasseh, Ellie Firebrand, Evelyn, BakinBaby, Chef PotPie, Queen Dana, Zurie, Chef1MOM and LoriInIndiana.

And what do we have here? Yesss!! Juan, the handsomest guide you've ever seen!



We were excited to come across this elephant seal, although our guide Juan said that we were bound to see lots of marine life still.



The weather was chilly, but the worst was the wind! It never really stopped blowing during our entire tour of 10 days.

The next "tour group" we came across were these stately little men on one of the lovely beaches:



The first night we stayed in a cosy B & B in this town. I think the guide locked his bedroom door ... against a possible ... hmmm ... night onslaught ...



The next morning we all enjoyed a hearty English breakfast, shouldered our backpacks, and set off. The first few miles were easy, but then our tour guide (who we'd have followed into Hades ...!) took us up a steep mountain. But we were rewarded with this beautiful scene.



To make up for the climb up -- and even worse, the climb down -- Juan took us to a little seafood shack where we could choose from seafood riches for lunch.



But we were not to think that Juan would life too easy for us! Studentchef was chosen as his sous chef. Juan insisted on grilling beautiful beef for us all (there are great food markets in the towns). He also put fresh scallops on skewers, and proceeded to make an expert fire with driftwood. Studentchef prepared Churrasco (Argentine Grilled Meat Marinade ) in the ever-blowing wind ... Good thing Juan made his fire under a rock overhang out of the wind. We were on a lovely beach; so many beaches here are so pristine and beautiful. Because we also felt like a few extra vitamins, Zurie made Chilean Tossed Green Beans and Tomatoes.





Oh, we had a feast! Some of us lamented the fact that we had no wine. But Juan's meat with that marinade was wonderful, and we had renewed energy for our long walk.

Chef PotPie, the silly girl, wore brand new walking boots, and of course they started chafing and hurting. She moaned about her blisters, and in the end we decided to book into the nearest guest lodge for the night. Out came the first aid kit for PotPie's poor feet. (I think she'd hoped that Juan would do the nursing, but he left it to us ... poor PotPie!)

This is where we stayed, and it's rather remote! That night the wind howled and the vast old house creaked and sighed, but we had warm, hospitable hosts and great food. Some of us confessed next morning that we'd had the peculiar impression that there were ghosts in that lodge ... "Ghosts of ancient sailors!" Ellie Firebrand said with big eyes. Most of us tended to agree. We left after a huge breakfast.



And so we trudged along, admiring the scenery (and our guide, ahhh, the beautiful Juan!). It was very much a question of walking along empty beaches and clambering over rocky headlands.

We got fitter by the day, and really enjoyed seeing the myriad marine birds. We saw schools of dolphins, orcas and a few times, whales breached and slapped back into the ocean.

And then we came to where the helicopter was waiting to pick us up, to take us back to Port Stanley. From there it was a hop to Rio de Janeiro, and from there we flew home. A great adventure! And when we said goodbye to Juan in Port Stanley, we made sure we each got in a hug and a kiss! Yummy!

[Linky]

In Search of Vampires. Panamanian Style

Our cast of travelers has an eerie fondness for everything vampire. What better adventure than to set out for the highlands of Panama and explore some legendary vampire territory, sample some of the world's best coffee, view some extraordinary wildlife and score some delicious comestibles on the way!



Since we were arriving from so many different places, we decided to meet at the Lodge Volcane in the jungle just outside of Boquete. After Mia whipped up a quick snack of Spiced Coconut Coffee # 456064 and Recipe # 456867 Mango Bread the Panama Way, we set off on a horse riding tour through the jungle

with our guides, the 3 H’s.
(We actually had three guides, Hector, Hernan and Hugo. We called them “the 3H’s”.)
We were lucky enough to see the resplendent Quetzel and many other colorful birds.




After our strenuous horseback ride we returned to the lodge where a welcome dip in the relaxing hot springs eased our aching bones and bottoms!

The 3H's prepared a delicious meal on the BBQ at the lodge. They got some assistance from Sous Chef Linky. (Yeah, tough job, boo hoo.)

On the grill BBQ Chili Drumsticks With Avocado & Tomato Salsa Recipe # 357265


From the cooler (with a shot of vodka, tequila, or rum????) Pineapple-Orange Drink - Brazilian Recipe # 456874 (Brazil/Panama hmm?)


Boomette assigned us to our cabins. Dreamgoddess, Kim127, Ck2Plz, and Coasty were together. Gailanng, Linky, Mia in Panama - previously Germany, and Scarlett516 had the cabin closest to the jungle. Boomette and Susie D shared - they had so much 'zaar business to discuss. And our namesake - Count Dracula, rather Mikekey, was all alone...



Before splitting up for the night, we were regaled with some scary local legends. Like La Silampa:
At night, the cold fog comes from the mountains and the Silampa appears. It’s like a white sheet that flies over the field; it could be confused with fog. It catches any incautious person who walks late in the night. She wraps it up and sucks him/her and leaves just the bones.



(Glad we already ate!)

Late that night, we all heard an eerie, ear-splitting howling. Oh no, La Silampa was stalking the jungle! Or maybe it was a screaming victim of a vampire - our ultimate goal, after all...

Turned out to be a howler monkey.

And the only vampires we were likely to encounter were the actual bats. Darn! But at least we saw a few sleeping in the trees on an early morning hike that last morning. Glad we saw them in the daytime!


And of course, we couldn't leave Panama without visiting the Panama Canal before heading our separate ways. What a trip!

Adios!

[Linky]

I know this is backwards, (since I already posted our trip) but we're grilling:
BBQ Chili Drumsticks With Avocado & Tomato Salsa Recipe # 357265 by ~Leslie~ Chef # 149363

[~Leslie~]

Linky! What a well written and entertaining story! Thanks so much for your submission and for the interesting facts on Panama

Please be sure to post reviews for your recipes

[Linky]

Linky wrote:


I know this is backwards, (since I already posted our trip) but we're grilling:
BBQ Chili Drumsticks With Avocado & Tomato Salsa Recipe # 357265 by ~Leslie~ Chef # 149363

Here's the photo (same as in story) and a paraphrase of the review:


They were wonderful! I substituted breasts for drumsticks because that's what I had! But I did cut each breast lengthwise so that the rub had more surface area to penetrate. I also subbed a roma tomato for the cherry tomatoes in the salsa. The chicken and salsa were perfect together!

[~Leslie~]

PanNan wrote:

Nan, excellent job! I loved reading about the wool, so interesting
GREAT choice for your grill too.
hanks for your submission!

[Studentchef]

I have made and reviewed Churrasco (Argentine Grilled Meat Marinade ) as a sous chef for Zurie!

[magpie diner]

PaulaG
Dreamer in Ontario
Chef Jean
HokiesLady
Lainey6605
Michelle Berteig
Sara 76 N2
Shawna Landers
smellyvegetarian aka "SV"
magpie diner

The Violets visit Uruguay!

Coming from far flung corners of the world, we rendezvoused in Miami to start our trip. Knowing we were heading off the beaten trail, we decided to enjoy one last night of luxury, so we checked into a 5-star spa hotel in Miami before jetting off to Montevideo the next day.

The next day, with freshly pedicured toes, we donned our hiking boots, swapped our satchels for backpacks and left our technology behind.

Our first stop was Montevideo, Uruguay's capital city. It's a hustle bustle type of place, a sophisticated city not disimilar to what we had just left behind in Miami. It's situated on what's known as the Uruguayan Riviera with miles of beaches on three sides. We enjoyed a few hours on the beach relaxing and sipping "clerico" (a mixture of white wine and fruit juice), while we waited for our guide Paulo to arrive. Here's our first glimpse of the mysterious Paulo.



Our home for the week was El Ceibo Estancia, a working ranch near the town of Florida about an hour outside of Montevideo.





Upon arrival we enjoyed a refreshing cup of traditional Yerba Mate (tea) and then it was straight to work setting up camp. Now don't worry too much, our digs weren't quite what you're thinking.



It was more "glamping" than camping. Lainey was definitely the neatest in the group, here's a photo of her tent....



We spent a wonderfully rewarding week on the ranch, glamping, eating, working as ranch hands and riding the gaucho trails. We sheared sheep, saddled horses, drove tractors and traveled through the countryside and low lying mountains on horseback.

They say we made great ranch hands, best group they ever had! Paula caught on to ranch life in no time. She was always the first one up, and the best at driving the tractor.



Shawna & SV were our best riders. Here's a shot of them blazing a dusty trail.



One day I was in charge of milking. Here's a shot of me trying to do that, needless to say milk was in short supply that day.


One skill we were taught was how to handle a lasso. Michelle took to this like a pro.


Those lasso skills came in handy, especially the time that SV & Sara had an out of control donkey on their hands, which nearly landed them in the river.

One afternoon we went river rafting nearby. Good thing Jean was such an experienced paddler, she managed to steer us away from danger more than a few times, (yes pregnant and all!)


Each day we had to lead the cattle from one field to another. This was Dreamer's favourite part. Although she told us not to put her in charge of directions, it was her turn on the 3rd day. We circled a small hillside a few times before getting on the right trail that day.

It wasn't all work. We ate and drank to our hearts' content.

Breakfasts were served campside.


Lunches were simple, peaceful picnics


Asados were our evening meal, essentially the Uruguayan version of a barbeque.

While meat is the main staple in Uruguay, there were always lots of other options available.

Wine & beer were never in short supply. What better to wash a meal down but a few bottles of this lovely local beer..


The days were warm, but the nights were cool so we enjoyed many a glass of grappamiel. Similar to grappa, it is also made from fermented fruit with the addition of honey.


Our bartender of the team was Sara, she created some fabulous new cocktails using the grappamiel.

Hokies loved the outdoor camp kitchen, she jumped in and helped out on most nights. The head rancher was so impressed that he put her in charge of our farewell asado. She had Chef Jean help out as Sous Chef. In those tight quarters, Jean's plump prego belly kept knocking into Hokie's shade hat while cooking but they prevailed and cooked up a storm. Hokie just had to stop Jean from adding pickles to everything to calm her cravings.

We ate many amazing things on our trip, but one of my favourites was incredibly simple - called potato frittata, it's the Uruguayan version of the french fry. Thin layers are browned in a large skillet and topped with onions.


As second sous chef to Hokies I will be making Argentine Red Sauce and Marinade #304838. Although it has Argentina in the title, it is very much the same marinade made in neighbouring Uruguay.

[~Leslie~]

Zurie wrote:

Terrific submission Zurie!

I didn't realize the Falklands were that far South until now.

I really think Juan made the right decision in locking his door at night too!

Thanks for teaching us a little about The Falkland Islands.