Happy New Year - a Reflection on our Year - Wonderfully Wild Adventure

Well happy new year folks! What a year it’s been. It’s funny, at the beginning of each year you have an idea mapped out as to what that year is going to look like. What you’re going to to, where you’ll be but it rarely works out as planned. Man plans and God laughs and all that.

At the end of last year we weren’t sure where we were going to be but we without doubt believed we would have visited many countries in South America. But in one year we managed three, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile… and the Falkland Islands (Isla Malvinas) but I’m not sure what that counts as. Not only did we hugely underestimate the size but we took so much more joy in taking it slow. Exploring the depths of the three countries with all the time in the world. Discovering Patagonia, reaching the end of the world and driving through one of the most arid deserts in the world, The Atacama.

Making it to the end of the World – Ushuaia

Starting our Journey in Uruguay, a wonderful place for our first introduction to South America. Though it’s a small country it is packed with character. We beach hopped across the coast, made new friends and dived deep into the country side.

Criss-crossing over the Andes Mountains in and out of Argentina and Chile has allowed us to see the best of both worlds. South Argentina is a rugged desert landscape the polar opposite to Chiles lush green Carretera Austral. Similarly across the border of the Atacama Desert Argentinas Ju-Juy and Salta provinces offer rainbow mountains and a jungle with its own micro-climate. From vineyards to beaches, epic mountain passes and wild life spotting, we have been truly blessed with what South America has to offer.

When I first asked Will what his highlight of the year was his response was “spending it with you”… Puke I know ha! But on further reflection he said it was the people we have met along the way. The generosity and hospitality of the people here has blown him away. He then added… but really it’s doing it all with you. Shucks. But that’s kinda the point, I think, yes it can be tough living in a small tin box with zero privacy but even on the really bad days there is no where else we would rather be.

Salinas Grandes – the biggest Salt Flats in Argentina

But no matter where life takes you, through the ups and downs, there is always another chapter. This year really has been an adventure and we can’t wait for our next chapter.

See you next year!