The moment you arrive in South America, there is a sense of no frills, no fuss. The South American people are very easy going where time does not influence a great deal of how everyone goes about their day.  Lifestyle is a very important factor to daily life. Santiago is a modern city, encompassing the past with its amazing Spanish architecture, evidence of volatile times and many prominent Cathedrals which house priceless works of art and this was to dominate the landscape for much of the journey. Markets are set up in many locations where people and families from all over come together to buy and sell or simply hang out to absorb the thriving atmosphere and enjoy the many eateries and fine local wines, listening to buskers and bands play authentic tunes. You are soon thrust into the groove of the South American happy go lucky way of life. Bring it on.

Lima, Peru is perched standing firm overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and is also a thriving metropolis and modern city and the task at hand was to get my Spanish in order. Most Peruvians speak a little English, however they enjoy your company more when you make the assertive  attempt to speak a little of their lingo. Restaurants & bars litter the cliff tops and the Lima locals gather to enjoy the stunning sunsets. Peruvians can find any reason to celebrate, where laughing is essential.  A lovely lady I met was selling crucifixes and holy items at the Lima Cathedral which stands as a testament of Spanish colonialism and the Catholic Church. She was warm and exchanged a welcoming and a goodbye so genuine. You smile, others smile too.

Located 11,444 ft above sea level in the Andes Mountains is the beautiful ancient City of the Incas, Cusco with a population of 300,000. As you arrive your blood begins to tingle adjusting to the altitude which may take a couple of days to acclimatise. Cusco is one of the undisputed highlights of South America. Cusco’s beautiful natural setting, colourful festivals, sheer number of sights – unparalleled in Peru – Cusco is a historical city with a thriving local community, cafes, bars, restaurants and many churches, namely the Cusco Cathedral a Baroque-style cathedral built on the foundations of the Palace of the Inca Wirachocha, which looks over the stunning Plaza de Armas. There are also other significant sites containing priceless works of art, remnants of a bygone era and the amazing architecture of the Incas. Ancient narrow cobble stone lane ways weave in and out, blocks of perfectly laid stone established long ago. It’s very clear the Inca people excelled in their ability to create perfection. Visiting the Quechua Indian markets where the local school kids were performing a play and a colourful crowd, applauding, laughing and water bombing each other was a highlight. Being among the locals is what travelling is all about.  Passing through the Sacred Valley of the Incas you are stunned by the remarkable Inca architectural masterpieces which date some five hundred years. Cusco is one of the most exciting places in South America and is the gateway to the imperial city of Machu Picchu.

You are in awe, the magnitude of standing absorbing the ancient Inca City & fortress of Machu Picchu as mist cloud hover pierced by rays of light, the jungle below steaming cracking with bird song. Stunning comes to mind the efforts made to build such a master piece. It’s a place you to must see and experience for yourself. It began raining heavily, soon stone stair wells became cascading gushing rivers, as they were designed. Machu Picchu was constructed as a safe haven high on the mountain top in defence of any Inca enemy which certainly would have challenged any potential foe.

Click here to view John’s South American Adventure photo Gallery.

Mother Earth is the only planet in the Universe we know that can sustain life. It is therefore our duty and responsibility to Act Now to slow the process of global warming by chipping in, consciously doing simple actions daily will impact greatly in the most positive way to allow future generations the world over to enjoy our only home too.

Respect each other, Respect all life. Yes We Can.

Victorian families have experienced hell on earth and have been decimated by the worst bush fires in recorded history. You can donate money now by visiting the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund or any National Australia Bank branch or via  internet banking - details at this link. You may also donate money to the Red Cross by visiting www.redcross.org.au/vic/ or call 1800 811 770.  Australians who can donate blood please contact the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 131495 to make arrangements. Thank you.

“Our Only Home Is Counting On Us All”

Arriving in the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu was simply amazing with its ember of incense and potent smells oozing your every sense. The music in the streets and Temples take you to a different level - a state of harmony and peace. It was like you were suddenly transported to another world totally detached from your own reality, a world of stark difference and totally opposite to the comforts we enjoy as the norm. Yes poverty is a way of life for the 5 million residents, however their resilience and calming happy nature dissolve any thoughts that perhaps our world is worse off. Friendly people everywhere going about their lives, selling their variety of goods, living for the now in good faith and striving for their families. Temples are a special part of everyday life for the people of Kathmandu, the spinning prayer wheels turning constantly as the colour and smells mesmerise you.

Soon we were off and flying in a twin engine 12 seater on our way through the hair raising Himalayan mountains, that simply dwarf our aircraft as if it were spec in the sky and our eventual landing was straight out of a James Bond stunt as we weaved our way between peaks to touch down on the most hair raising of air strips. Here to commence our trek through the giants leading to the highest peak on the planet. However I soon realised that the giants of this great land of Nepal were not the size of the mountain peaks that belittled our very existence but the giants were the people themselves. The nature of the Nepalese is astounding, there shear strength of character to be admired, always giving a smile while their backs carry a load beyond human endurance, no complaints, no ill feelings, a very proud and humble people.

The trek is challenging and arduous as we make our way through terrain that boggles the mind, across hung wire bridges 500 feet in the air, acclimatising to an environment where nature is unforgiving. Making our way from village to village and at times imposing on the private domain of the local people who accept that we are in awe of what we see. Many offerings to the Gods scatter our path and temples which honour the enormity and power of these massive shadows which cast over our tiny foot prints.

Silence becomes your state of mind as your eyes absorb what they see, words do not count because you realise you’re  walking in a very special place, surrounded by gigantic monoliths of rock, your perception distorted by their sheer size, you are but a grain of sand as you bow in respect to natures might. Happy flags flutter the trek in honour of the gods for a safe journey, again the locals going about their day with resolve. There are a few night stops along the way as you acclimatize to the ever increasing gradual altitude, making steady progress to the goal. As you approach the disintegrating glacier its only so close that you are now at the girth of the largest mountains on earth, towering skyward and there solid unmoving, frozen, windswept before me was Everest itself. With snowflakes flying in the wind and the thin air exerting your lungs it was a moment to saviour: a memory forever etched in my mind that they can come true.

View John’s Everest Photo Gallery - Click here.