Known as ‘Rapa Nui’ by the indigenous community and otherwise known as ‘Easter Island’, is situated some 3,700km west of the mainland of South America in the Pacific Ocean. This isolated position makes it quite a trek for most visitors. Those that do make the effort to visit the 117sq km island, are greeted with a host of wonders making it an exceptional travel destination.
Easter Island was first discovered by Europeans back in 1722 on Easter Sunday, hence the name of the island. However, inhabitants date back to an estimated 300 CE. This is when it was thought the large statues known as “moai”, were carved and erected by the Polynesian community. Scattered around Rano Raraku, a volcanic crater, are 397 moai in various stages of completion. The Rapa Nui National Park gained inscription as a World Heritage site with UNESCO during 1995.
Lonely Planet Travel Guide – Chile & Easter Island
Los Llanos, meaning ‘flat plains’ describes the flat, savannah plains of central and south-western Venezuela of the Orinoco Delta. It is a haven for bird and wildlife. There is really only two distinct seasons in this region being the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ seasons.
The dry season provides excellent bird-watching opportunities. Other wildlife you can expect to see amongst the various ecosystems include the anaconda (the largest snake in the world), crocodiles, capybaras, giant ant-eaters, piranhas and the pink river dolphin.
Explore Los Llanos and Venezuela with a ‘Lonely Planet’ Travel Guide
Located between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world. It is situated at a very high altitude (some 3800 meters above sea level) in the Andes Mountains making it one of the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest (by volume) in South America. The lake is largely fed by rainfall and melting snow from both the glaciers and mountains.
The Floating Islands
Copacabana is the main Bolivian town and travel destination on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Copacana is the most important religious sanctuary of Bolivia and attracts numerous pilgrims throughout the year. Its dominated by the impressive moorish style cathedral dating back to 1605. From here you can catch a boat tour to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) which is the birthplace of the sun in Inca mythology.
A cluster of smaller islands known as the ‘Floating Islands’ can be visited from Peru’s Puno. These islands are made from layers of the buoyant ‘totora reeds’. Today several hundred people still populate the islands.
One great reason to visit Lake Titicaca is for the abundance of cultural experiences between both Bolivia and Peru. It offers spectacular lake scenery flanked by the Andes Mountains.
Rio de Janeiro or better known as simply Rio, can be found on the east coast of the largest country of South America, Brazil. Its setting would have to be one of the most spectacular in the world and the locals refer to it as ‘cidade maravilhosa’ (marvellous city). The city is home to beautiful white beaches, the most well known being Ipanema beach, rainforests and towering mountains making it a most luring travel destination.
One of the most recognisable features of Rio is the image of the towering statue of ‘Christ the Redeemer’ sitting some 710 metres high upon the Corcovado peak and offering fabulous views over the city and surrounds.
Rio is also the home of one of largest and most colourful festivals, the Carnaval. The festivities span five days with it culminating in a parade of floats, dancers, drummers and generally, a huge crowd that adds to the party atmosphere.
This handy paperback book of Rio de Janeiro (City Guide) has been suggested by a reader that it works well in conjunction with the local taxi’s to get around rather than the bus network.
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