South and Central America, and Hawaii, in Review

I'm home---done with my first 6 months trip Around-the-World which included Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, selected cities in Canada/USA, South/Central America, and Hawaii. Its time to review the highlights of South America, Mexico, Guatemala, and Hawaii (in no particular order):

1. Argentina: Parrilla Tenedor Libre -- the most succulent, cheap, and highest quality meats, BBQ Buffet style, most notably in Mendosa for the cheapest prices and Buenos Aires for variety.

2. Bolivia: Salar Uyuni (salt lakes with no end), pink, bourgandy and turquoise lakes with flamingos, and thermal areas of bubbling mud pools and geysers

3. Peru: The three day trek along the original Inca Trail to eventually arrive on Day 4 at 6am high above the majestic Machu Picchu.

4. Argentina: Reaching the charming town of Ushuaia, the most southern town in the world and gateway to Antarctica (I could not get on the Antarctica boat as I was 2 months too early!)

5. Argentina: Upsala and Perito Moreno Glaciers near El Calafate -- the world largest glaciers surrounded by snow capped mountains, blue lakes and magnificent floating icebergs

6. Uruguay: Turning back time to the 1960's and 70's where horse carts, Morris and Studabakers are roaming the streets.

7. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, probably the most beautiful natural setting to build a city with beautiful people

8. Argentina and Brazil: The thunder of billions of liters of water plunging down to the Iguaçu River surrounded by mist enshrouded tropical rain forests

9. Chile: The second best wine in the world (after South Africa) -- and so affordable its a give-away

10. Argentina: Mating whales, Elephant Seals fighting for dominance, and Sea Lions and Penguins basking in the sun -- this was a single day experience at Peninsula Valdez

11. Mexico and Guatemala: Ancient ruins of the Aztec and Mayans surrounded by tropical rain forests inhabited with Spider Monkeys, Howler Monkeys and Toucans.

12. Hawaii...splendid to say the least. Helicopter flight over the high volcanic mountains and Na Pali coastline of Kauai Island, helicopter trip over Kilauea, the active volcano on the Big Island, and, doing the 7 hour hiking trip over recent lava flows to eventually reaching the fresh red-hot flowing lava. At 1000 celsius, you may touch it and never forget that experience! Oh...and watching the surfers riding the huge waves (Banzai Pipeline) on Oahu's north shore.