If I had a bucket list, one of the top few items would have been ticked once I saw Machu Picchu with my own eyes. This place is a true wonder and we spent the full day exploring every corner of the site. It must also have been a special day for two new brides-to-be who suddenly saw their boyfriends on one knee! However, there are many other lesser known and unique treasures throughout this area, aptly called the Sacred Valley. Continue reading
As we approached the World Heritage Bolivian city of Potosí, all we saw was a dominating and unnaturally stark mountain with a city at its feet. In the cold thin air of the inhospitable Andes ranges, it is an unlikely location for what was once the largest and wealthiest city of the Americas.
When the Spanish first arrived in the 1540’s they saw the same mountain, but in their eyes it was a mountain of money. Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain), also known as the “mountain that eats men alive”, contained an inconceivable amount of silver thus setting Potosí’s great rise and fall. I had to go inside for a look. Continue reading
Dear Brazil
We wanted to write and say thank you for having us. We came to you with a little apprehension: you are so big and we knew nothing about your language but this feeling evaporated as we got to know you better. Continue reading
There’s much more to do in the Amazon than see the jungle. So we left our motorcycles on the coast and flew inland to Manaus for a look. Continue reading
After riding the Ruta 3, it was now time for a holiday from a holiday. What better place to do it than the magnificent city of Buenos Aires? Even better – we enjoyed the company of Matt’s parents who had travelled from Sydney to see us. Continue reading
After Torres del Paine, we bid farewell to Chile and crossed back into Argentina. The Ruta 40 led us into the heart of the Patagonian plains. We thought there would be little to look at, but we were mesmerised by the vastness of the land and sky. Continue reading
We decided to take the ferry south from Puerto Montt to save some wear and tear on ourselves and our bikes. We had conservative expectations about the four day journey because it is so dependent on the weather. We were also advised to stock up on wine to help us forget how bad the food was. Continue reading
From Argentina we crossed back into Chile and headed further south to spend time exploring the island of Chiloé. Chiloé was recommended to us by many local Chileans and foreigners as a great riding destination. Continue reading
Our Odyssey Overland truly commenced on 27th January 2013 when we rode out of Valparaiso. We headed south through Chilean wine and fruit growing country and east into the lakes district where the scenery has been spectacular: volcanoes, waterfalls, mountains and lakes (sometimes all at once). Continue reading
Mañana finally came. Today was the day we went to the port depot to pick up our bikes. It has been more than three months since we farewelled them in Sydney and we were very excited and relieved to see them. Continue reading
Our Odyssey Overland 