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Melinda

Being bitten by the travel bug is common for Australians, but for me, what started as a traditional gap year exploration turned into a 25-year life changing journey. The South American continent has been capturing my heart both professionally and personally for years; finding love, learning a language and developing long lasting friendships has helped me become a specialist in this area.

Life before Swoop Why I love Patagonia Day to day at Swoop

At Cotapaxi in Ecuador

At a waterfall in Ecuador

Hiking in Ecuador

Hiking in Switzerland

Life before Swoop

After years of independently travelling the world, I came to realise my born skill of talking, organising and leading people had a job title - Tour Leader.

I spent years in SE Asia and Africa leading groups of 20+ people in adventure tourism, including camping, cooking and exploring multi-country tours.

When I discovered the South American continent more than 15 years ago, I knew I had found my second home; the culture, the language and the welcoming open hearts of its people made me feel like I was already part of the family.

The last seven years (pre-pandemic) I was honing my skills specifically in the Patagonian region.

I have hiked and biked, sailed and railed my way from Aconcagua, the continent's highest peak, to the end of the Pan-American highway in Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world. And I've driven almost everywhere in between.

Mel with a hummingbird

Why I love Patagonia

Patagonia truly does have something for everyone. It covers such a massive section of the southern part of the continent, with varied environments from lakes and lush forests to the coloured rocks and dry plains of the steppe. With coastal fjords and gigantic glaciers that will make your jaw drop open in awe to the warmth of the culture you will feel as you share a mate or smell the mouth-watering allure of an asado (BBQ).

Patagonia is a place you can come back to multiple times and still feel like there is something new to discover. Much like a jigsaw puzzle, you need time to find the right pieces and when you do put them together you will be amazed at what you see.

The more you travel, the more you appreciate both the differences this wonderful world offers, but also recognise the appeal of creature comforts from the country you call home. Travel gives you the chance to experience hospitality in its rawest form, when countries and cultures from around the world open their homes, their huts, their hammocks and their hearts to you.

Finishing the Las Torres hike

Day to day at Swoop

Swoop truly is a global company and I am lucky to work remotely from my property in Ecuador. I love to start each day by joining my husband and four dogs for a walk in the cloud forest that I call my neighbourhood.

I can hardly believe that my job consists of talking to people about Patagonia - an area that truly I can talk passionately about.

Near home in Ecuador

The next adventure

While I pine for Patagonia I can enjoy the plethora of mountains, volcanos, crater lakes and forests that fill mainland Ecuador.

As an avid bird-nerd I enjoy the chance to tick off birds from my life list - with a third of the world's birds living in Ecuador alone, I think it might keep me busy for a while.