El Bolson - Patagonia

We are now in El Bolson (2 hours from Bariloche) for a couple of nights. Better weather today allowed us to go on a 20km walk which was really good - the Mirador to the Indian Head, and then onto the Waterfall, and back into town, along dirt and paved roads. There are lots of other treking, skiing, and a lake to cruise on. We had a fabulous meal sampling all the local organic produce, i.e.wine, beer, vegetables. We slept so well after our huge walk, and my whole body is sore, that we missed our bus the following morning. This did however allow us to check out the local market that is on every few days. A nice little town with snow capped mountains as the views.

Bariloche - Patagonia in Argentina

Bariloche is great. We really enjoyed our hostel and got back into cooking. It pissed down the whole time for us, but there is heaps to do, and unfortunately we hung around for 8 nights and only managed to do one thing, which was the chair lift up Cerro Campanario. There was some great views, although somewhat windy, and we walked back down. It was really steep, but only took 20 minuntes. And now my legs are killing! Sampling the many chocolates is a must. And we managed to catch up with Rebecca again which was great. One big night ending up at a club, and another ten pin bowling. But the things we would have like to do was the following: 1. Take a cruise on the lakes to Punte Blest. It has to be good weather or you can´t see the views and apparently you feel like you are just herded around. 2. Take the tourist Saturday train. A bus takes you to El Bolson and then you get on the train. Few stop offs on the way, but full day activity. 3. Go up the cable car of Cerro Otto. 4. You could hire a bike for a 60km circuit. There is a paper called The Travellers Guru - it suggests heaps of stops to make on the way. 5. There is also a five and a half hour walk - Cerro Lopez - just after the little town of Colonia Suiz, up to a Refugio and back. Apparently takes you to the snow line.

Puerto Madryn - Argentina

This is the place to see the Whales, Elephant Seals and Penguins in the National Park, on the pensinsula. We were very pleased to have managed getting the season right and going on a cruise in search of Right Whales. Waiting in anticipating we did see about six, with two of them being constantly around and very close to our boat. What would have been amazing was to see one jump or a huge tail come out of the water. But not this day. Everytime you thought the tail was going to come out of the water, it wasn´t much to even break the water surface, let alone give you enough time to be able to take a photo, from my 35m point and shot camera. They look quite bizarre, with a small section of there head out of the water, and makes it difficult to get an idea of how big they are, or even there shape. The water though had great visability, so the couple of times they came right up next to the boat, you got a better idea of how huge they were! It was not the season for Orcas (Killer Whales), but I found it quite amazing that they actually ride the waves right onto the beach to feed on seals. Now that would have been a sight to see.

Some whale action. Look abit bizarre do they not! 

It is hard to picture what the whales actually look like from above the water. 

Ian and an armadillo 

Uruguay

A land of gentle rolling grasslands of wild Atlantic coastline, Uruguay is Sth Americas second smallest country. Visitors are drawn to the old smuggling down of Colonia, the capital Montevideo and Atlantic beach resorts. This is how the Lonely Planet described it, so that is exactly what we did. We had heard differing opinions on the country. But we enjoyed it! Colonia Del Sacramento: Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, the old town of cobblestone streets is on an interesting small peninsula. We also took some bikes along the coast road to the north which was pleasant. A couple of people have raved about the chill out potential of this town. Our pace is always pretty chilled, so we did not feel it, and felt our 2 nights was enough. Montevideo: One person told us to have a look around, but not bother staying. We happened to land on our feet with a hotel that was near Plaza Independencia and loads of pedestrian steets, including nice restaurants. So we enjoyed our time walking around and exploring. We had found out that Australia was playing Uruguay in the World Cup Soccer play offs, so we changed our plans to see the coast and come back after managing to obtain tickets off a tout. Paid three and a half times more for the tickets, but it only cost GBP6. Bargain! We got good standing viewpoints to watch the match. Its really interesting to stand in the crowd with such passionate and excited people who chant and jump up and down a lot. Would not have partically liked to be there if Australia had won though! There was a girl next to me that found it amusing that we would clap for our opposition. There was a small section of yellow tops who were surrounded by police. Although some numb nuts of Aussies did run the flag up and down one side of the ground at half time, which I thought was very brave, potentially stupid, and frankly was surprised they were allowed. Last time Oz played Uruguay the team was harrased and spat on at the airport, their hotel and at the ground. Also because of the controversary around the changing of the starting time for today, we thought it best to have a low profile. There was even water canon trucks outside the stadium in case of any trouble. I did wear my Oz stick on tattoo, but under my t-shirt sleeve, and my kangeroo pin, but its tiny and was disguised on my t-shirt logo. Good to have been there. Australia lost 1-0, but then won the next game in Australia 4-2 on penalty shoot outs. So they qualified!! Punto Del Diablo: There are numerous coastal towns/cities from Montevideo to the east. Due to trying to quicken our sometimes too relaxed pace, we decided to take a 5 hour bus ride to this small, sleepy, fishing village. We stayed in a quite rustic A framed cabana with a kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms upstairs and downstairs for just under GBP7 a night. In the high season prices double. Due to it being the low season and mid week no restuarants were open for one of the nights, which was fine, as we enjoyed cooking up for ourselves. It was great being near to the beach and sea. Unfortunately Ian smashed his camera screen, so we do not have photos of Uruguay.

Ian was not a happy camper when he broke the screen on his camera. Therefore no photos of Uruguay.