In this 2009 film, 180° SOUTH, Jeff Johnson makes a road trip to Patagonian Chile. Johnson retraces the steps of Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins’ 1968 trip to Patagonia. But instead of taking the Pan American highway, Johnson hitches a ride in a sailing vessel from Ventura, California and heads  south.

“You learn that what’s important is how you got there, not what you’ve accomplished.“  - Yvon Chouinard.

Johnson’s real trip begins after they are shipwrecked off the coast of Easter Island. After the sailboat gets patched up, they continue on towards Patagonia. Jeff’s goal is to climb the peak Corcovado. In many trips that are worth remembering, things usually don’t go according to plan. But of course that is what makes it an adventure.

It’s a narrative film following Jeff and his crew. The soundtrack is a nice addition too. What I found funny is how Jeff mentioned growing up in Danville, California as being very far from the ocean. I drive pass Danville sometimes, it is one of the wealthiest suburbs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Danville is only 31 miles form San Francisco and there are great surf spots out in SF’s Ocean Beach. And he thinks that is far from the nearest ocean!

Anyway, the film does have beautiful scenes of the land, mountain, ocean, and some wildlife too. I especially enjoy seeing the dolphins swimming along the sailboat.

In this film, Jeff also has the chance to meet up with Chouinard and Tompkins. They have discussions on the the state of progress and it’s impact on the environment. At the moment, Chile continues to plan on building more hydro-electric dams (where much of the power is used for heavy industry and mining). Many environmental organizations oppose the dams.

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Earl Grey is a black tea blend flavored with bergamot oil from the bergamot orange. I was never really a fan of black tea, but I do like the smell of bergamot. The last good cup of Earl Gray I had was from Two Leaves and a Bud’s.

Recently I came upon another tea company that also makes organic Early Grey.  Heredia tea company is from Argentina. They use only tea filter paper without chlorine bleaches or synthetic materials. The teas are also made without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. So all that is a plus!

It’s very light and refreshing for black tea. I would say just as good as the cup from Two Leaves and a Bud. I found mine at TJ Maxx for $2.99 per box. You can also find them online for a better price too.

Photo of Heredia’s organic Earl Grey. Image source. Here is a good description of Heredia’s Earl Gray from La Tienda:

“Earl Grey tea is a popular tea with a fruity aromatic flavor that has been enjoyed for centuries. The tea gets its unusual flavor from oil of bergamot orange. The latest research indicates that the Bergamot orange is a cross between the sweet or pear lemon and the Seville or sour orange. The sour orange is native to southern Vietnam, hence the Chinese connection.”

Bergamot orange, the oils of this citrus fruit is used to flavor tea, added to soaps and lotions.  It’s a very refreshing citrus scent.  Photo by Klaus Reger, Wkipedia CC.

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I thought the Kapok tree was a pretty interesting flowering tree until I came across the Flamboyant tree.    Although there is no cotton to cultivate from the blooms (unlike the Kapok tree).  The dried seeds of the Flamboyant flowers are used to make a musical instrument called the maracas.

I love this photo from Brazil, taken by Flávio Cruvinel Brandão via Flickr.  The yellow variety is in the background and you can see more of the red Flamboyant tree’s flowering in front.

The tree is also called Peacock Flower, Flame of the Forest, and Royal Poinciana.  The color of the flowers range in vibrant yellow, orange to red.

The Flamboyant tree (scientific name - Delonix regia) is a threaten native tree from Madagascar.  Though vulnerable in the wild, the tree is successfully grown today in many tropical areas as ornamental trees.  They are also commonly found growing in the Caribbean, Argentina and Brazil.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina was this month’s travel highlight from the Smithsonian magazine.  I thought it would be neat to make a note of some positive changes coming from this country.  Especially with all the political and social unrest the country has seen in the past.

Buenos Aires translate to “fair winds” and has become a stylish and affordable place to live to for many foreigners from the U.S.

A nice day at the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos, Argentina.  Photo from National Geographics.

In 1853, Argentina opened it’s door to immigrants mainly from Spain and Italy.  Between 1869 and 1914, the population had grown from 1.8 million to 7.8 million. And by 1914, about 30% of Argentina’s population was foreign-born.

The current wave of foreigners moving in started in 2001 when the nation’s economy collapsed.  With a favorable exchange rate, many people who travel here have decided to stay.  Many young entrepreneurs have found success here as well.  Some have started restaurants serving foreign food as well as an organic food deli.  While others are artist and writers that found their calling in Argentina.

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