Llama for Lunch

by Lydia Laube

Featuring appalling rock overhangs, horrifying chasms, and waterfalls flanked by near-vertical precipices, this tale of travel through the wildest regions of the Andes is no Caribbean cruise story. The Panama Canal and the coasts of Columbia, Peru, and Bolivia are all described in a fast, furious fashion by a seasoned travel writer who survives a car ride along a mountain pass that claims an average of one vehicle a week. Also included are adventures to the last hideaway of the Incas, Machu Picchu, and a sail down the Amazon to the center of Brazil.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Lydia Laube never says no to adventure, whether that means galloping a horse across the Mongolian plains or hopping on a cargo ship to Madagascar. Born into the farming community of Caltowie in the mid-north of South Australia, Lydia trained as a nurse in Adelaide, then set off to see the world. Her debut book, 'Behind the Veil: An Australian nurse in Saudi Arabia', was an instant bestseller, and she has become one of Australia's favourite travel writers. 'From Burma to Myanmar' is Lydia's ninth travel yarn.

Between winter escapes to the sun, Lydia Laube shares a small house in Adelaide with a large cat with attitude.

Reviews

[Ava · Rating 1 out of 5]

Travel literature is one of my favourite genres and I've always wanted to explore South America. Sadly this book was as disappointing as I imagine having llama for lunch would be.

Although the author is described as a seasoned travel writer, I felt as though I was reading the diary of a backpacker heading overseas for the first time. The author seems surprised that people in a Spanish-speaking area don't speak English. She dislikes shelling out money on accommodation yet expresses dismay when the places she stays at don't meet her standards. There is little to no mention of the local people except as bus drivers or staff.

It was a tedious read and I regret pushing myself to finish it. This is only my second one-star review on Goodreads and I sincerely hope it's the last.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

She tries to be funny often, but is often not. At times just rude and unnecessary- descriptions of people she comes across as ‘fat’, ‘ugly’ or ‘two gorgeous Brazilian men’ and hotels that are ‘dumps’. Too many anecdotes about toilets and how much you have to pay to use them. I’m not really sure what the point of it all was. Avoid!

[Bertie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish. Absolutely boring. I picked this book up in a charity store and bought it straight away considering it was all about South America. What I didn't consider is that Laube is a middle-aged woman who drags a suitcase from one hotel to the other, and has the capability of making one of the most exciting continents on earth seem dull. I rushed to the end, don't even know why I bothered reading the whole thing.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like her as a writer, but deducted a star for her rather odd impressions of a first visit to America, which came off as either naive or "cute" - your call. I wouldn't read this one of hers first.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

no thinking required for this book. Light hearted approach to travel, as with her other travel books. Sometimes reading her adventures I think she must be quite mad, but it makes for a good story.

[Prathibha Hampapur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this travelogue.. Loved the humor !!