Beautiful Bariloche

Thursday 31st January

Hola chicos y chicas... thought I'd better write a quick update whilst I wait for my (very dusty and dirty) clothes to soak, how glamorous.

Am in Bariloche now, got here Tuesday and its GREAT. I love it. Haven't stopped since I got here and have the blisters, cuts and aches to prove it. Have done a couple of treks and went white water rafting today. Climbed Cerro Lopez (2076m) yesterday which was really steep and therefore very very very HOT. But 2 hours of steep uphill and 2 hours of rock climbing/scrambling we made it to the top and the view was absolutely fantastic... could see the snowy volcanoes of Chile and all the Lakes (this region is called the Lake District) which are a lovely turquoisey blue colour. A condor swooped over us as we sat on the top, I think he was after a bit of my nectarine which I'd cooled in the snow. SNOW! Yey. So am loving it. I'll try and uplod a photo soon so you can see but cant upload photos here.

Rafting today was good fun. Nowhere near as hard as I'd thought it might be but saying that there were one or two scary moments. I was lucky (???) enough to sit at the front so got the waves full in the face most of the time. Refreshing! At one point ws hanging onto the rope by my seat with 2 fingers and standing on the other side of the raft... okay okay so I'm showing off but it was cool.

Tomorrow I'm taking it easy with a boat trip... let the muscles recover before I unleash them on the treks and glaciers of El Chalten further South.

Now I think I have fixed it so that anyone should be able to make comments without having to log in so feel free!

Sealions in the desert

Saturday 26th January

Am in Puerto Madryn now (East coast, about half way down Argentina). Got here Thursday.

Yesterday I hired a bike with an English couple, Lisa and Trevor, and we cycled to Punta Loma to see some sealions. It is only 17km away so not so arduous... or so we thought. To get to the sealions at the right time we had to leave around midday so it was HOT. We then had 17km of sand and gravel track to navigate with a headwind. It would have tested even Taylor´s bike skills... what with all the cross cambers and sand pits but I totally G-ed out on the downhills! Hee hee.

Anyway, we survived. Hurray. But possible only thanks to me having such a magnificent sunhat (thanks Dad!). Sealions were... well big and seal like yet also lion like.

Today went to Peninsula Valdes and saw lots of animal... sealions, elephant seals, magellans penguins, armadillos and more.

Have also met an English girl, Jo, who is taking a similar route through Patagonia - so we´re planning to meet up for some trekking and camping in a week or so. So thats all good... or I should say todas buenos.

Sorry that some of you are having trouble writing comments or posts on this site... if anyone in the know can put up a post explaining how to do it that´d be great (and much appreciated).

Hasta luego Buenos Aires

Wednesday 23rd January

Today I leave to head south to Puerto Madryn. Bus leaves at 6.30pm and I've got myself a front row top deck seat so that I can sit back and enjoy the view... for 19 hours!

Took another wander around Buenos Aires today... checked out some drum kit shops!!! However, I do not have enough room in my backpack to buy 'owt! Spent an hour or so last night paradiddling on the table of an Irish bar with a spanish guy who plays the drums... much fun. Hadnt exactly intended to end up in an Irish bar... in fact we were supposed to go to check out some tango but well that didnt happen so I'll have to do that when I come back to Buenos Aires at the end of the trip.

Didnt have the best nights sleep as unfortunately I was sharing my dorm with a mosquito and the worlds LOUDEST snorer. You expect snoring in hostels but this was unbelievable... I could hear it from the ground floor (dorm is on the second floor). It was actually shaking the bunk it was so loud. Very funny (luckily I can sleep through most things).

Had a spot of lunch with Juan in Plaza del Mayo today... he opted for a jamon y queso empanada. Mmmmm...

A couple of photos for you...

Tuesday 22nd January

Just been to Recolta cemetary... really beautiful but strange place. Peaceful place to wander round for hours taking photos and getting fried by the sun!

And heres a couple of other snaps from Buenos Aires... I´m making the most of good internet access while I can (James, the "arty" one is for you... do let me know what you think of my composition!).

Day 3

Monday 21st January
Loving Buenos Aires, would be easy to spend a long time here...

Have packed in alot already, watched tango in La Boca, tried on old theatre costumes in San Telmo market, steak and beer (yum), Plaza de Mayo, to name but a few. Been travelling alot by bus which is always fun (and SO cheap), although it will be more of a challenge when my spanish companions head off tomorrow and leave me to my own devices!

Hmm, yes... the spanish is already better but its not hard to improve on awful! Have booked a bus to Puerto Madryn on Wednesday - cant wait to get to Patagonia.

Well must go and eat more steak... missing everyone, wish you were all here!!!

Arrived

Saturday 19th January
I´ve arrived! Lovely and sunny... off to explore a bit.
Happy birthday Mum!

Bye bye

8.20am Friday 18th January

Well today is finally here and just wanted to say bye bye and thanks for all the cards, messages, pressies (many of which you'll spot in the photo). And an especially big thanks to Bert.

Right, I should probably go and start my packing now... (oops).

Hasta luego!

T