Ah, South America. How you have a special place in my heart. The destination for my first experience engaging in long-term travel; the scene of so many life lessons along the way. 

This magical continent consists of 12 countries and is home to over 385 million people – as well as some of the most incredible natural landscapes to be found on Planet Earth. Rich in history, every country has a story to tell – whether it be the indigenous tribes that settled thousands of years ago to the modern-day ancestors of the 15th Century Spanish conquistadors.

There’s so much to admire and so much more to explore. I have a sense of unfinished business with this magnificent part of the world; my plans for six-months travelling through the continent were scuppered only six weeks in due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The four weeks in Colombia and two weeks in Ecuador were some of the best of my life; discovering the eclectic characters, diverse landscapes and wonderful varieties of food. From the hot, dry heat of Colombia’s Caribbean coast to the wet, lush rainforest of Mindo in Ecuador, there’s a whole host of environments and micro-climates to prepare for. That’s the beauty of South America; you can be in a completely different climate within just a day of travel.

I loved my South America trip and the exciting thing is – I didn’t even do the activities I wanted to do most. I still have to complete the Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador, visit Machu Pichu in Peru and explore Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. That’s just a handful of the amazing things to look forward to!