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Christy and Rosemary White are from Castleconnell, Co Limerick. In their mid-60s, they were satisfying their wanderlust in South America. They e-mailed from St Martin de los Andes, in Patagonia.
"AFTER A WEEK in Buenos Aires, we stayed in an estancia (ranch) about 130km away. The hospitality was great, as was the food that was washed down with copious drafts of vino tinto (red wine). The estancia was semi-working, with polo ponies, soya, maize and sunflowers.
"After the estancia in Chacamous we took the overnight bus to Salta, in the northwest. It was exceptionally friendly and hospitable. Salta itself is very historic, with a lot of pre-Columbian archeology, a magnificent cathedral and Franciscan Church. The population is mostly native Argentinian and very religious.
"After Cafeyete we went through the magnificent Cactus National Park, over a few mountains on unpaved roads to Cacchi. The drive was thrilling, to put it mildly, but worth it. Next stop Buenos Aires."
Maeve Mac Namara, from Blessington, Co Wicklow, is on a gap year, having finished college in 2006. She headed straight to South America on January 31st this year. First stop: Brazil.
"RIGHT NOW THE sun is shining and I'm sipping some coconut milk amid palm trees and white sandy beaches on Morro de São Paulo Island, just off the coast of Salvador.
"As a Samba drum beats softly in the background, tiny Speedos and bikinis bounce around.
"Brazilians are the friendliest people I have ever met. In the major cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro the cultural vibes are as hot as the sun that shines down. Outside of the cities lie untouched beaches, national parks and odd little towns where I've been told to just relax and enjoy Brazil.
"But expect to witness the massive socio-economic gap in the cities; expect to be pickpocketed during carnival; expect to be stared at, to be called a gringo . . . and to have the time of your life."