Heat, thirst and landscapes like I have seen nowhere else: this is how the first trail in the red Australian desert started. The goal of the day was to bathe in the river in Kings Canyon and see the lost city from above.
This picture was taken to celebrate the end of CMC’s course, which happened in Serra Geral National Park and Aparados da Serra National Park. It was unforgettable because the fog only took 20 minutes, started around 6 AM in Canyon Malacara and then the weather got cloudy the rest of the day.
A journey through Central Australia means exploring natural and unique attractions and knowing the routes of aborigine culture; understanding its tales and paintings, or at least what we are allowed to know. They let you see and feel their land, but little can be documented or explained. The oldest people on Earth does not have the written word, and passes on their knowledge for those with enough responsibility.
Torres del Paine National Park, in the province of Ultima Esperanza, is one of the most beautiful places in South America. And unanimity among travelers as one of the most beautiful in the world; 245 thousand declared World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1978, the year I was born. Maybe that is why I am so fascinated about this place. The paradise for walkers has 200 km of trails, mountains impressively sculpted in the glacial period, 8 lakes with different shades of blue and green that look like paintings and a typical fauna. A place where everyone helps preserving, there is no litter and the only human traces are the footprints.
One of the most inhospitable places I have ever been to, Cabo Polonio sits on the tip of a moon-sliver shaped peninsula that extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The only access is by walking through the dunes or 4×4 vehicles. There is an important light house and a natural reserve of sea lions, the biggest in the world.
The history of the park with the world biggest concentration of geysers (those hot water flooding from the earth) began more than 11 thousand years ago. From that time to the very recent past, the Park was used by Native Americans for living, hunting and as route for transportation.
Chapada dos Veadeiros hides mysteries and surprises. It was evening when our guide show us a place where toucans come together for sleep. Until this day I had only seen them inside jails. It was amazing watch dozen of them free flying at Alto Paraíso de Goiás.
The Poço Azul (Blue Well) at Chapada Diamantina is one of those places that appear to be from another planet. The water is so transparent that people seem to float. I had lucky to get there exactly in the moment which a beam of the sunlight illuminated the well, leaving him even bluer.
I was already expecting paradise like beaches in Ilha Grande, and it all came true when I saw that emerald green sea, exquisite vegetation and pleasant temperature. The best is to go trekking heading for fantastic hidden beaches, or full of tourists who came by boat. This is not a big problem, for whoever comes by boat does not stay long and it will be a desert beach again.
Tierra Del Fuego is an archipelago in the southernmost tip of South America, formed by the main island an several small islands. It is separated from the continent by the Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn at the end. That is also the name of the park, because when the ships sailed they saw spots of light from the fire made by the Yámanas, the local residents in the 19thcentury.