Two Backpackers

Photo of the Day: Medellin Metrocable

| by Jason on May 3rd, 2024 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

The Metro de Medellín is an urban train that crosses the Metropolitan Area of Medellín from North to South and from Centre to West. As one of the first experiences of modern mass transportation in Colombia, the Metro of Medellín is a product of the urban planning of the Antioquia. The city of Medellín and its urban complex (ten cities in the Aburrá Valley), is a city with relatively recent industrial development that started in the 1930’s. The streetcar (tranvía) at the beginning of the 20th Century can be considered as predecessor of the 21st century Metro of Medellín. The company known in Spanish as Empresa de Transporte Masivo del Valle de Aburrá – Metro de Medellín Ltda was created on May 31, 1979. – Wikipedia

The Metro includes several connections with Metrocable, a cable car network that enables residents to climb the valley walls outside of the city center. It’s also a fun ride for tourists, providing panoramic views of the Medellin.

Medellin Metrocable

Photo of the Day: Guatin Canyon in San Pedro de Atacama

| by Jason on May 2nd, 2024 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Guatin Canyon, located in the desert of San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, is the home to a variety of birds, ducks, and vicuñas all surrounded by snow capped mountains. Tourists typically drive through Guatin on their way to the Cactus Forest or hot springs at Baños de Puritima. Our tourist shuttle bus pulled over at this watering hole which was a popular stopover for all the tour agencies.

San Pedro de Atacama may be overridden with tour companies, but its easy to realize why when you get out and see the stunning desert landscapes.

Guatin San Pedro de Atacama

Photo of the Day: Magellanic Penguins On Peninsula Valdez, Argentina

| by Jason on May 1st, 2024 | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

Magellanic penguins dot the Argentina Patagonia landscape along the coast. Peninsula Valdez offers a myriad of sea life viewing opportunities including sea lions, elephant seals, penguins and if you are lucky, killer whales (orcas). As we drove our rented vehicle down the east coast of the peninsula from Punta Norte, we pulled off the side of the road at a penguin mirador (lookout). Signs detailed the penguins migrating and eating behaviors and also explained why they were currently shedding their fur.

Magellanic Penguins On Peninsula Valdez in Argentina

Photo of the Day: The Mule is Mans Best Friend in Colca Canyon

| by Aracely on April 27th, 2024 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Colca Canyon is a canyon of the Colca River in southern Peru.  It is located about 100 miles northwest of Arequipa.  The canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States at 4,160 m.  However, the canyons walls are not as vertical as those of the Grand Canyon.  When we finished our 2-day trek in the canyon we were sitting on the side of a gravel road waiting to catch a bus back to Arequipa.  Many local farmers and herders traveled this road which connected them to the local villages.  It’s often surprising for us to see such elderly workers in South America.  It’s the traditional lifestyle of working your farm until you die.   This old man was guiding his packed mule up a long road.  It would be interesting to know how long his travels were.   I have no doubt that it could have been an all day trip.

Elderly Man Pulling His Mule After A Hard Day Of Working In The Colca Canyon

Photo of the Day: Children Of The Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador

| by Aracely on April 26th, 2024 | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

While hiking the Quilotoa Loop high in the Andes mountains of central Ecuador we came across Miguel’s Carpentry Shop. Here, Miguel shared a little bit of Andes culture by carving images into wood. His larger projects included hand carved head boards for your bed. Many tourists stop by, especially those touring with an agency and have their purchases shipped back to their countries of residence. As independent hikers we were fortunate to discover this shop when no other tourists were there. Miguel also seemed to be babysitting his nephew and niece as he worked on his projects. Miguel gave us a personal tour of his one room shop and demonstrated his work as the children curiously watched. They were more interested in the gringo backpackers than their Uncles work at that moment. Through the boys eyes you could see his determination to be a wood carver, yet at this moment he had the responsibility of caring for his baby sister.

Children Of The Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador

Photo of the Day: Cartagena Skyline

| by Aracely on April 25th, 2024 | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

We sailed from Panama to Cartagena Colombia in a 32ft sailboat. After 4 days of sailing; 2 days of island hoping in San Blas and 2 days of open sea, the city skyline began to appear across the horizon. At first glance it resembled Miami, but behind the high rise buildings is a enchanting colonial city full of history and gorgeous plazas. Click the photo below for more pictures of Cartagena, Colombia.

View of Cartagena Skyline From Our Sailboat

Photo of the Day: Sun Setting On Patagonia Landscape

| by Aracely on April 24th, 2024 | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

This photo was taken on top of a large rock hill next to Los Perros Camp Site will trekking the Full Circuit in Torres del Paine National Park in the Patagonia region of Chile. It was cold and windy up there but the views were worth every minute of it.

Sun Setting On Patagonia Landscape in Torres Del Paine National Park