Carolyn McCarthy : Coordinating Author, Northern Patagonia, Southern Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego. For Carolyn, a trip to Patagonia is always a reminder of what's good in the world. For this trip she boarded eight ferries, explored Punta Arenas with snow flurries, punctured a tire and broke down on the Carretera Austral, crowdsourced car repairs, met hitchhikers and backpacked through Reserva Nacional Jeinimeni and Parque Nacional Patagonia.
Her writing specializes in Latin America and the US West. She has contributed to over 30 titles for Lonely Planet, including Panama, Trekking in the Patagonian Andes, Argentina, Peru, Colorado, Southwest USA and national parks guides. She has also written for Outside, BBC Magazine. National Geographic and other publications. Carolyn also wrote the Plan Your Trip, Understand Chile and Survival Guide sections.
Greg Benchwick : Santiago, Middle Chile. Greg first came to Chile in 2000 on a diesel-charged holiday from his job as a reporter at The Bolivian Times. Since that first trip. Greg has returned to Chile on a regular basis. For this edition, he finally got a chance to head south of Santiago and explore the vineyards, surf breaks and Andean hikes of Middle Chile. Greg has written speeches for the United Nations, interviewed Grammy Award winners and created dozens of videos and web features for lonelyplanet.com.
He is an expert on sustainable travel, international development, food, wine and having a good time. Jean-Bernard Carillet : Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Journalist and photographer Jean-Bernard is a fan of Polynesian history and culture. He's made many trips to the Polynesian Triangle, including five to Easter Island. On this gig, he searched for the best-value accommodations and restaurants, and the most spectacular hike, and spent time on the field with local archaeologists.
His favorite experiences included walking around Peninsula Poike and descending into the dead volcano Rono Kau with a local expert. Jean-Bernard has contributed to many Lonely Planet titles and writes for travel magazines.
