Around the World in 18 Days (or something like that...)

Yesterday I returned from my biggest adventure to date. 18 glorious days- 10 in Peru, followed by 18 in Brazil. My usual second-by-second descriptions aren't going to cut it for this, there is just too much to tell.

Instead, I'll give some highlights and upload a few pictures, and that will have to be sufficient!

1. Cusco. In our first Peruvian city, we manage to evade altitude sickness while getting prepared for our four day trek to Machu Picchu!

2. The Inca Trail! Four epic days of hiking to one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu! A challenging, but exhilarating experience, this was an absolute highlight of the trip.

3. Lake Titicaca, the highest altitude fresh-water lake in the world, showed a whole new side to Peru. We stood on the floating islands of Uros, played a game of jacks with the kids on Taquile, and stayed in a hostel that was more home than ho

tel.

4. Arequipa/Lima. These cities in Peru were beautiful, but only used for passing through- as we raced through the south of Peru to get back to Lima and fly out to Rio de Janeiro!

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen, filled with diverse people and landscape- the beach, the mountains, but most importantly, the ACAI BOWLS. yum.

6. Paraty was a quiet historical port, five hours

south of Rio. We stayed in a pirate-themed hostel staffed by a Captain Hook look-alike and took a boat tour of some beautiful waters & beaches.

7. Ilha Grande. And it was here that we fell in love with Brazil, in all of its tropical paradise glory. Two hours south of Rio by

bus, and one hour by ferry, this giant island had it all- white sand beaches, waterfalls, rainforest hikes & some peace and quiet :)