My passion for Latin America first came from my degree in Modern European Languages where I studied Spanish colonialism and the history of the Incan Empire. Despite this, my desire was to begin learning a completely new language — Japanese — so the next few years took me east rather than west.
It would be a few years later when I rediscovered my love for Spanish so I made it my aim to pursue a career where I could wax lyrical about Latin America and try out my Spanish (with middling success).
Working at Audley now for over 14 years, I get to live out my passion in travel and share my knowledge and experience with my clients with a focus principally on Peru and Ecuador. There's much more to see than Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. Whether it’s vicuña (cute wild llama) or volcanoes, penguins or Pisco sours, alpaca, or Amazon, you’re simply spoiled for choice in these two fantastic countries.
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Q&A with Jake
What’s your most vivid travel moment?
I profess to not having been an avid animal lover, safari enthusiast or wildlife documentary aficionado. That was until I first visited the Galapagos Islands which completely blew me away. The opportunity to be so close to such a wide variety of animals that all seem quite content living next to each other is both awe-inspiring and humbling too. The fact that fate brought about their existence on a tiny set of islands in the middle of the Atlantic which we’re now journeying around is such a powerful experience.
Where would you love to travel next?
Argentina having only visited Buenos Aires for a short time. Iguazú Falls and Patagonia are on my wish list — even Antarctica while I’m there. I’m also quite partial to a bit of tango, a good steak and Malbec so Argentina it is.
Your best piece of travel advice?
Learn some of the language. A little always goes a long way. You might not always understand the reply but that’s part of the fun. It’s also a good icebreaker even if you mess up the pronunciation. The Latin Americans are always encouraging and appreciate a trier. Peruvian and Ecuadorian Spanish tends to be a little slower too so easier to tune your ear to. Who knows, you might even take it up further after your trip.