South America is a land of contrasts from the high Andes that stretch from one end of the continent to the other, the longest mountain chain in the world, to the Amazon, the greatest of rivers. Within are peoples from many ancient civilisations, to some of the largest cities in the Southern Hemisphere. My travels commenced in the 1970s, to progressively visit every country and, as far as possible, every part of this fascinating land, right up until 2017. Initially by bus and the amazing mountain railways that sadly are no more, they include a river journey the length of the Amazon and more detailed travel to remoter parts. Mostly for my own interest, some of the visits were in my medical speciality, taking me to places not easy to get to. It is a wonderful part of the world to explore.