Follow our 2007 Dream Trip Contest winner through South America and Antarctica. And don't forget to enter our 2008 Dream Trip Contest. The prize? A $25,000 trip (designed by Wendy) to the destination(s) of your dreams.

By Gene Pembroke

During the ride to the border town of Pacaraima, I reflect on my short stay in Brazil, and end up making the usual Vow of Return. I do this pretty much everywhere, and I've actually made good on it a few times. There is so much to see and do no matter where you are in the world, but I think an important thing to always keep in mind is to never try to do too much. My dream trip sort of ignores that suggestion, however, and to be honest I planned it this way to basically milk the prize for all that it was worth.

You know what I mean?

Anyway, the ride to Pacaraima is interrupted by the bus bumping into another vehicle. I stay in a hotel in the town of Mineiro and the bus company decides to buy me dinner for the inconvenience, but their agent points out several times in the dining room that the offer does not include any drink, not even one juice!

I pay for my own refreshment and find it so refreshing that I purchase more refreshing refreshments to go, and back in my room I enjoy several Nova Schin beers.