Journal of a South American Odyssey

A Backpacking Journey through South America in the 1970sImagine travelling through Bolivia and Peru with very little money no internet no mobile phone no tour guides and no reservations - just dusty roads handwritten postcards plenty of curiosity and an unshakeable spirit of adventure.That is what I set out to do in the mid-1970s and this book - based on the notes I kept during the journey - has become a portrait of a world that no longer exists.Here are some of the experiences you'll find inside:- Visiting Machu Picchu as the only person there. Exploring other peaceful and solitary ruins of ancient civilisations free from today's restrictions and mass tourism.- The thrill of hitching rides on trucks travelling through steep mountains along narrow unpaved roads without guardrails - trusting the drivers' skill and relying on luck.- Life inside a Bolivian silver mine - where harsh and unsafe conditions revealed the miners' tough reality.- The floating islands of Lake Titicaca - before they became a tourist attraction.- A quiet Bolivian town on the lake's shore with no cars where time seemed to stand still.This book is more than just a travel account - it is a mix of personal stories cultural encounters and reflections on a South America that has been transformed forever.If you have ever dreamt of travel history and authentic adventure this book will take you there.