Kozhin & Amy South America Trip

Our adventure began with an exciting flight from London to Rio de Janeiro, ready to dive into the rhythm of Brazil. The moment we landed, we were greeted by a city unlike any other—where mountains meet the ocean, and the energy of samba fills the air. We spent our time soaking up Rio's iconic sights. Sugarloaf Mountain offered breathtaking views, while Christ the Redeemer stood tall above the city, an unforgettable sight. Of course, no visit to Rio would be complete without a stroll along Copacabana and Ipanema Beach, where we enjoyed fresh coconut water and watched the locals play football on the sand. One of the highlights was wandering through Santa Teresa, a bohemian neighbourhood filled with colourful street art and quirky cafés. We also quickly learned that Brazil does caipirinhas exceptionally well—each bar claiming to have the best mix of lime, sugar, and cachaça! Leaving Rio, we flew to Foz do Iguaçu, the gateway to one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world—Iguazú Falls. We headed to the Brazilian side of the falls, which offers the best panoramic views. Walking along the boardwalk, we got absolutely drenched as the mist from the falls surrounded us—it was exhilarating! We then crossed into Argentina to explore the falls from their most dramatic angle. Thanks to recent heavy rains, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) was even more powerful than usual. The sheer force of the water was breathtaking, and we felt tiny standing in front of it. That evening, we explored the lively town of Foz do Iguaçu and enjoyed dinner at a fantastic restaurant recommended by Maya and Patrick. It was the perfect way to end our time in Brazil before our early morning flight to Buenos Aires.

Arriving in Santiago for a long layover, we stored our bags and headed to the Central Market, where we were immediately warned about pickpockets—a reassuring start! The market was chaotic, with restaurant owners aggressively trying to pull us in. After an overheated meal, we sought refuge in a British pub to escape the extreme UV (turns out we were directly under the Tropic of Capricorn). Later, we struggled to withdraw cash and stumbled into a "Hooters-style" café with oddly dressed waitresses. Finally, after a mix of failed attempts and mishaps, we retrieved our money—only to find the cable car park had closed due to a fire. Exhausted, we retreated to the airport for a short, uncomfortable sleep before our 4 AM flight to the Atacama Desert. In San Pedro de Atacama, a small but stunning desert town, we stayed in a lovely outdoor-style hostel. The town came alive at night, and we enjoyed a dinner at a restaurant called Meraki—which excited Kozhin more than it should, as it shared a name with one of his work projects. This continued the next evening when we had dinner at a restaurant called Adobe. We joined a Red Rocks tour, witnessing flamingos, surreal landscapes, and ancient Inca sites. Our guide's explanation for a terrible sulphur smell? "Trump visited, and the smell never left." Classic. Christmas Eve was spent cycling to ruins, where we were handed keys to explore a site by ourselves—surreal but fun! Christmas dinner was a BBQ at our hostel, where Kozhin's rice dish was a hit despite questionable cooking conditions. Christmas Day felt strange in the heat, but we celebrated with calls home, a Christmas movie, and a meal that vaguely resembled a roast.

After a nine-hour bus ride from Puno to Cusco (with a reckless driver overtaking on cliff edges), we arrived in the historic city. Cusco's charming streets and plazas were filled with history, but our first morning quickly turned into watching Chelsea play in an Irish pub! Later, we joined a walking tour, where we met Holly, who would be trekking to Machu Picchu with us. After a quick dinner, we had our briefing for the trek and went to bed early, ready for the 4:30 AM start. The four-day trek began with a tough hike to Humantay Lake (4,500m altitude). The climb was brutal, especially without hiking poles, but the views were incredible. That night, we stayed in glass domes, sleeping under the stars. The next morning, struggling with altitude sickness, we started the hardest section—climbing to Salkantay Pass (4,700m). Every step was exhausting, but reaching the top was unforgettable. The descent was easier, though narrow, rainy paths made it tricky. That night, we took the scariest car ride ever, balancing on a cliff edge with the wheels dangerously close to falling over! On the final trekking day, we walked 22km, getting our first glimpse of Machu Picchu before reaching our hotel. A random traveller insisted on running up the final hill, forcing us to follow despite being exhausted! The next day at 6 AM, we visited Machu Picchu, exploring its ancient ruins with an excellent guide. After a final train ride back to Cusco, we celebrated with a well-earned burger and rest, wrapping up an incredible Peruvian adventure.

After a late night out, we had a well-needed lie-in, though Kozhin still had a work meeting at 10:30. Once he wrapped up, we went for a delicious brunch—I had an açaí bowl, and Kozhin had a chicken sandwich, which he declared the best he'd had in South America. Next, we stopped at a bookstore—I picked up Throne of Glass, while Kozhin got Optimal. Then we took a taxi to Comuna 13 for a coffee experience. I found the coffee average (though, to be fair, I prefer mine with milk and sugar), while Kozhin discovered he prefers 'honey' beans, peeled earlier in the process. In a classic Kozhin moment, he managed to get locked in a toilet at a restaurant we hadn't even bought anything from, forcing a quick exit. After a haircut, we started our walking tour of Comuna 13, learning about its transformation from one of the most dangerous places in the world in the '90s to a vibrant, tourist-friendly neighborhood. Afterwards, we took a taxi back and headed out for Mexican food, where we had the most delicious tacos! The next day, we began our journey to the Caribbean coast. We took a long bus ride to Necoclí, then hopped on a boat to Sapzurro, where we met the rest of our group for the San Blas island-hopping tour. The change in scenery was instant—Medellín's urban energy was replaced by tropical beaches, turquoise waters, and a laid-back coastal vibe. With a few days of island life ahead, we couldn't wait to relax and explore!