It seems like forever since
our trip to South America over the holidays, so I thought I'd better wrap up the mini-summary before we're all chomping off the ears of our Bunny Peeps.
Since I've been home, I have just not been doing much creating in the kitchen, so I've had no real recipes to post. However, I have been successfully experimenting with meal timing for about 5 months now (no
calorie counting either!) I've also begun a new-to-me workout that I'm loving so far (hint: it's one that
Janetha did with
wild amounts of success). I'll report back on some of these things in due time. Meanwhile if you actually want to keep tabs on me (ha!), you'll likely find me posting photos and comments regularly on
Instagram under the name @LASmoothiegirl (which can also be accessed
here on a laptop). Did I mention that Instagram is free for those with iphones and is
more fun than should be legal?
So, here is a final sampling of our photos of cute animals and pretty vistas. Easy on the eyes. Easy on the brain. I do realize that this has nothing to do with health and fitness. Except that animals and beautiful scenery feeds my soul. And for me, a healthy soul helps to make a body and mind healthy too.
Easter Island:
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| This was our guide/host Paul. He is a sweet man who was married to a Rapa Nui woman for 20 years. He knows more than Wikepedia ever could know about the culture, plus he knows the REAL stories as told by the Rapa Nui...apparently many books and sites have the wrong information. He took us all over the island and gave us more info than our little brains could ever hold. |
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| We stayed here at Paul's Guest house. He also has individual rooms for rent. |
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| I love the look of shock on Paul's face when he realized that I was taking our picture WITH MY PHONE!! |
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| The moai were erected to house a deceased person's 'mana' or life force. It took hundreds of people to achieve this feat and occurred between the years 1250 and 1500 |
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| There were nearly 900 moai erected in total, and they were all toppled in the 1700s due to conflicts among the islanders. Only ~50 have been re-erected. |
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| The moai are huge, ranging from 20-30 feet high. |
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| The moai were individually carved at the mountain sites and then laboriously rocked down to the place where most of them sit: by the ocean. This took years to accomplish. |
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| The whole island is an active archeological site. Work is ongoing. |
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| This place is like Hawaii was 100 years ago. Sleepy. We are lucky to have seen it before the rest of the world discovers its wonders. |
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| Here, the Rapa Nui people practice their native dances (tourists are welcome also) |
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| In front of Rano Kau volcano. Note how intently Derek is watching my flyaway hair. |
El Calafete, Patagonia:
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| Lake Argentina |
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Glacier "calving" in action (breaking off)
Incidentally, the word "calving" cracks me up when it pertains to a glacier and not livestock or manatees. |
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| This photo was taken at 9pm! We only saw one other couple. Apparently 9pm isn't a popular time to go glacier-viewing, whereas earlier in the day, there are hoards of tourists. |
Magellanic Cruise, Cape horn, Chile:
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| Chilean port town of Ushuaia |
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| We got on this ship and sailed around the cape Horn in search of glaciers, storms and penguins. We found it all. |
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| Storm brewing |
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| Rainstorm in the distance |
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| Monster! |
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| Rainstorm |
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| Rainbow |
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| Due to my mystery illness, I wasn't feeling 100%, but I made it out to the glacier nonetheless. |
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| Glacier so remote, it has no name! |
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| Clearing up |
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| I only felt well enough to work out once in the four day cruise. Apparently, ships gyms attract people who really know how to have a good time. |
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| Contrary to popular belief, I did not make this door-sign (I think it was my gym buddy) But I really, really wanted to take it with me as it's nothing short of awesome. |
Penguins!
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| This is a penguin preserve in Chile. Penguins are family-oriented and couples will stay together for most of their lives! |
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| A family sitting at the entrance to their subterranean home. |
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| A furry little chick! |
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| Bath time. |
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| These are bachelors (they have no mate)- and they are also thugs- they roam around causing trouble: TRUE! |
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| More thugs |
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| Thugs, thugs, everywhere! |
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| Here is a family. It's rare to see 3 babies! Usually there is 1 or 2. This was a treat! Our guide got really excited over this sight! |
Random cute animals:
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| Oh these faces! |
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| 1. Foal we encountered on a hike; 2. Another penguin family;3. Doggy who we saw in the middle of nowhere on our bike ride. I gave him my water and food only to discover 10 miles down the road that he had followed us the whole time, thus burning all of the precious calories I had provided for him; 4. The cutest puppy ever. |
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| The end |
This was one of our favorite trips to date. The challenge involved the need to pack everything from a bikini and flip flops to snow pants, gloves and boots (and everything in between). The benefit is pretty obvious: huge variety in location, weather and experiences. It'll be tough to top this trip, but I'm sure we'll give it a good try.
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Question: What was your favorite trip ever, and why?
