Bariloche

Photos...by popular demand

Check out the link at the bottom of the blog for our latest photos...

Iguazu...

Arriving in Iguazu on Friday we head over to the Hostel Inn, an ex casino turned hostel. A very cool place so we just sat and drank Quilmes (beer) and lounged by the pool...

Saturday we were up early to catch the Gran Adventura (thanks Marianne & David). The park was amazing with lots of rainforest and nature all around. With a friendly American in tow we went all around the park getting wet, exclaiming "ooooohhh ahhhh" and taking photos. Took a power dingy ride underneath the falls (very wet for Mikee) and then went for a "safari" tip around a jungle (seeing two butterflies and a bird, not the most comprehensive safari). Then up to the Devil´s Throat where the river drops into the falls. Impressive. A boat trip took us back to the entrance let us see some more wildlife (crazy massive wild guinea pigs!).

After waiting for our washing for a few hours we managed to head over to the Sheraton for our night of luxury (thanks Donna & Brian). Due to the late washing we were rewarded with an upgrade to a suite overlooking the falls and dropping the "just married" got a free bottle of champers! Bliss after economy travel.

Urag why?

Arrived at Uraguay (more like Eerieguay, a very spooky place).

Went back to Buenos Aries. Middle of winter, no-one around, no transport links. We wont be going back to Uraguay.

Red Meat, Zoo, Tango and Drum and Bass

Oh Buenos Aires, with your lovely food. A trip to the docks and we gorged ourselves at a wicked grill restaurant (thanks Daniel) which served the amazing meat that Argentina is famous for. Brilliant.


After checking out the Zoo with its funny monkeys and deranged elephants, we caught a death cab back to the Hostel - rang to book a Tango show and they were ready to go, so Lisa enjoyed a Tango Lesson, Meal and Show in her sexy Trackie B's, classy.The lesson was brilliant fun and the meal delicious (more massive steak) and we were astounded by the fancy footwork of the Tango (thanks Henri and Jamie). Thinking of changing our disco style to Tango upon return to England...







Talking of discos - back in the Hostel for drinks and then heading out to a rinsing drum and bass night until half six in the morning, nice to meet everyone on the way to work after 4 hours of sweaty dancing underground in BA.

Things to do in Buenos Aires in the middle of Winter

So in Buenos Aires we've already been to see Boca Juniors football club, got a single picture which I'll post later but the atmosphere was wicked, they sang constantly for the whole 90 mins. Would have been slghtly better if we had more layers as we were effectively stood outside for 4 hours. But still very cool.






We checked out some local crafts and churches etc... then we found city of the dead! A really surreal experience, a whole street of crypts. Freaking ourselves out by the smell of death and trying to find a glimpse of corpse, with coffins hanging out onto Plague Street, just around the corner from Black Death Road.

The beer is about 1 pound for a 1l bottle. Hostel bar stays open until 6am, so lots of late nights and hangovers already.

Buenos Aires we love you!

European city that it is Buenos Aires is really cool. The Hostel turns out to be quite a good place to stay and drink and chat to people. We start off feeling a bit old but probably due to the jet-lag and having little energy. After our first Mctrip into town we head out to try and get a better feel for Argentina and manage to nearly get robbed by some Argentinians using the Bird Poo technique. Actually just BBQ sauce, but one rub too many of Mikee's crotch changed their minds. A lesson learned though - don't walk around a new continent with backpacks and gormless expressions on your face carrying a copy of the lonely planet and expect not to be a target.

Although we have read in the news that the temperature in South America was low, and that the have had snow - it still was quite a surprise to arrive into winter. Yes it is winter, Yes it is cold. No we didn't bring lots of warm clothes, no the flip-flops are not very useful, but we have adjusted now and are making the most of every layer.

A near miss...

... "last call for Mr & Mrs Chatterton", we were so busy writing thank-you letters landside that we almost missed the flight over to Toronto. No speedy queue for those in a hurry, so we were the last ones on, but at least we made it - hooray! That could have been embarrassing.

Toronto. One night in the Hilton Airport "business 80s" Hotel & then a 90 min journey into town. 2 hour wait to go up the CNN tower - "mmm, no thanks", so we end up doing our own city tour on foot. End up in the "rough part of town", believe me a dodgy area here is like Hampstead. Nothing terribly exciting to report, they love a good grill restaurant and the beer is expensive - so roll on South America!

There and getting involved in the culture

Well, we have got to Buenos Aires and guess what, we are knee deep in Argentinian culture. Already we have had a Guiness in the Irish Bar and a Mc*******. Yes a bit aof a cop out, but after days on planes our ability to "get creative with the local culture is limited". Don't worry soon we shall be tasting the meaty steak of Argentina, just need to get some sleep first!

Sorry to all those we promised to ring and didn't get chance. Had a bit of a nightmare getting on the plane and have been in jetlag limbo since.

Photos of Toronto to come...

Christmas & New Years Eve

Ok, so this may be a little early to start planning NYE - but we are intending to be hanging out on the Bay Islands (NE Honduras) for Christmas and New Year. As you can see there is as much chance of a white Christmas as London, so if you fancy hooking up around Christmas and New Year then please let us know.

By the Way, this is the cheapest place to learn to dive in the Western Hemisphere so if you fancied getting that PADI - nows your chance. We will probably be in Honduras from around mid December until after new year.

plan-map

plan-map
Originally uploaded by the_chattertons

Getting ready...

Right,

well we've both got colds and are trying to get to grips with the fact that we have not done enough planning. I've got to get my passport updated as apparently most of central America need at least 6 months remaining etc..

So on the list of things left to do:

1. Get travel insurance
2. Book accomodation
3. Book internal flights
4. Book some activities
5. Apply for a Cuban Visa
6. Pack

Ok - and only 2 1/2 days left to do it all.

Better have a Lemsip.

And so it begins

So - here it is, the first post...