6 Best South American Experiences in 6 months on a budget
Kristy ( a recent inhabitant of Marlborough ) and partner Jarryd chucked in their typical Western lifestyle for an adventure , opting to journey to exotic lands and lead a newly nomadic lifestyle , starting with a one-way ticket to Hawaii . Here are their top 6 experiences not to be missed .
1 . Sunrise Lava Boat Tour , Hawaii
One of the most spectacular sights we have ever seen is lava exploding underneath a full moon and flowing like a waterfall into the ocean . We got close enough to the lava flow from Kilauea Volcano to feel the heat on our faces and hear the sizzling and cracking , along with the occasional booming explosion . It was absolutely mesmerising .
2 . Machu Picchu , Peru
When you visit Peru ’ s most famous site , it is easy to see why this is one of the most popular destinations in the world .
This ancient city , built in the 15th century , is believed to have been a royal or religious site for the Inca leaders . Made up of houses , plazas , temples , tombs , stairways , canals and terraced fields , the complex not only makes clever use of the land , but everything is also masterfully connected to each other and to the natural environment . Excellent technical skill and architectural precision would have been required to build such a city . And it is absolutely breathtaking to see in person .
The famous path gets booked out more than six months in advance . However , there are alternative trails that will also take you to the famous Lost City of the Incas . We did the Salkantay Trek over five days , taking in spectacular snow-capped mountain vistas and lush green rainforest . We even got to stay in our own private glass igloo under the stars .
3 . Finca Bellavista , Costa Rica
Who wouldn ’ t want to stay in a treehouse six metres above the forest floor with no electricity , no neighbours and the lullaby of the jungle singing you to sleep ?
Finca Bellavista provides the perfect escape from ‘ real life ’; a way of disconnecting , getting back to nature and recharging your batteries . We only stayed for a couple of nights , but we felt more relaxed than we had in a long time .
In our little treehouse haven , we ate some of the best food we ’ ve ever tasted . Think fresh , organic fruit and vegetables plucked straight from the garden , which we cooked on a gas stove by torchlight . In addition , we hiked , saw colourful toucans , went ziplining and swam naked under a waterfall .
4 . Carnival , Colombia
Costumes . Colour . Music . Dancing . Culture . Carnival has got it all and more .
Next to Rio , Colombia has the second biggest Carnival in the world and more than a million locals and visitors take part annually . The massive four-day event is held in the city of Barranquilla from the Saturday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday ( usually in late February or early March ).
5 . The Amazon , Ecuador
Despite it being high on our bucket list , we never expected to be able to visit the Amazon rainforest because we ’ d always assumed it would be too expensive for our budget . So , when we were presented with the opportunity to spend time in the Amazon in Ecuador by volunteering at a local eco lodge , we jumped at the chance .
We spent two weeks at Gaia Amazon Lodge & Spanish School , where we helped the owner with website editing , ad design , social media and kitchen duties . In exchange , we received accommodation in a private cabin , plus daily tours and activities . We ended up visiting a local Kichwa family , exploring the jungle by day and night , making chocolate from scratch , swimming at a beautiful waterfall and going tubing on the river .
6 . Releasing Baby Sea Turtles , Costa Rica
Q . What do you do when the local police ask you to help them release baby sea turtles ?
A . You do it , of course !
And so , this is how we unexpectedly found ourselves crouched on the sand of Jaco Beach , on Costa Rica ’ s Pacific coast , cradling tiny turtles no bigger than the size of an egg . In the early light of sunrise , we gently placed the fragile creatures on the shoreline . It was such a magical experience and we couldn ’ t believe how lucky we were to be there .
Thousands of hatchlings have been saved from threats like fishing line entanglement , poaching and ocean pollution . Local police relocate eggs laid on the beach to the hatchery outside the police station . ( Hence why police asked us to help move the turtles .) This experience was so special for us because it was not something we planned or set out to do – it was more being in the right place at the right time .
Whatever is on your bucket list , don ’ t let anything hold you back from ticking them off ! Go out and see the incredible world we live in !
To check out more of Kristy and Jarryd ’ s adventures , visit everywhereplease . com
You ’ re invited on a trip of a lifetime
Friendship Force Marlborough along with Friendship Force Kapiti invite you to discover Asia
Stay with locals and experience the culture of Hsinchu , Taiwan and Fukuchiyama , Japan
• Departing 10 – 28 April 2019
• 2 nights in Taipei , Taiwan
• 6 nights home hosting in Hsinchu
• 3 nights in Kyoto including tour
Cost $ 5,500 approx - economy flights , hotels , transfers and train included
• 6 nights in Fukuchiyama , Japan
• Bullet train from Fukuchiyama to Tokyo for one night before parting to complete your own itinerary back home or to further places
Interested in learning about different cultures ? Then this may be for you , phone Gill Cooper on 021 352 900