Well in a word, my favourite part of Santiago was ´Italiano´, your average hotdog, only smothered in Guacamole. What more could you want from a measly 50p? The area where we stayed was a student vibe with a couple of Universities nearby. Although there´s not a huge amount to do in Santiago, we managed to amuse ourselves with rambling around the city and taking advantage of one of the clubs in town, aptly named ´Blondie´to our tastes- this place had ´specials´each night. The first night we went, much to my appreciation it was the ´afterparty´for a Kylie gig on that night in Santiago. So it was a Kylie special. Now I assumed this would mean a couple of Kylie hits during the night, but no, it exceeded all of my expectations, playing Kylie´s entire back-catalogue of hits, not only for our audio pleasure, but there were infact, DVDJS, who not only played the hits, but had the videos on big screen for our visual enjoyment. After a great night of camp dancing around to the greatest pop hits, we decided to venture to Blondie again, for a second indulgence. The next night, the special was britpop, focusing primarily on The Smiths and Blur. The entire career of The Smiths and Morrissey played over the screens, I couldn´t help but wish my Dad was there, he would have loved it.
Much of our time in Santiago was spent in our hostel of many amenities. However, we managed to make a trip to the zoo, nothing out of the ordinary but the aviary was something else. The prices weren´t too bad considering what we had been told about Chile. The weather was beautiful and we were glad to have gone, whilst at the same time, anticipating our next leg of the journey.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Mendoza and the Vineyards
Mendoza is one of the smaller cities we've visited, which was a nice change from the constant bustle of major cities. All the streets are tree lined and wide, terraced with mismatched somewhat doll-style houses. Water streams down the deep man made gutters either side of the road providing the drier areas with running water.
On our second day we went down to the vineyards by bus and rented bikes to cycle the 12km round trip in the intense heat. Luckily most of the mid day heat was blocked by the hundreds of trees shading the road. Either side of our path were miles and miles of vineyards, lines and lines of perfectly symmetrical trees in the foreground of landscape that was so vivid, it almost appeared as false as an oversized painting in front of us. The back drop was the enormous snow covered Andes, seemingly impossible with the 32 degree sun beating down.
We stopped off at the first winery, a young winery which has only been producing wine for the last 4 years. We got a brief tour of the place, how the wine is made, aged, bottled, labelled and in some cases, aged even further in the bottle. The tasting gave us a chance to sample their younger non aged wines, their semi-aged wines and their premium wines.
Having seen a sign for a vodka distillery, we agreed that it would be stupid not to investigate, even though it had not been on our marked out map. We took a side road, off the beaten track past some vicious dogs until we arrived at what we presumed must be the distillery. The image before us was that of something from a teen horror movie. A massive iron slide door loomed above us. The walls surrounding the distillery were topped with broken glass, presumably to stop intruders climbing them. We knocked on the massive door, letting out a massive metal echo. No reply. So we tried again. A man spoke from the other side of the divide. In Spanish he more or less told us to go away. In Spanish, again, we asked were they closed, the reply was affirmative and with that we switched to English. We told the man that we'd come all the way from England, this time, the reply in English, was much more welcoming; 'Oh, you speak English!' A small square window opened just large enough to see the man's face. He scoped us out for a second and closed the small window and slid back the enormous door. On the other side was a huge courtyard, a small table in the middle that a woman was sitting at with some water and vodka. To the right there was an iron cylinder, horizontally positioned with a fire burning in it, like a bbq set up.
The man, a short stocky bald figure, was Hungarian, from Budapest. He spoke perfect English and once we got chatting to him, he was more than happy to show us around. He took us into his distillery, a massive old warehouse-only encouraging my envisions of the torture movie which I couldn't push out of my mind. His vodka was made from Malbec wine, hence being among all the vineyards. He triple distilled the wine so as to still keep the scent and taste of the grape. We tasted the ice cold vodka, which can't be denied, did have a certain kick of wine to it, an unusual but interesting taste. A certain benefit to making his product unique on the market of average grain vodkas. Before leaving we bought a bottle, which has yet to be drunk but will have a good send off I'm sure.
We remounted our bikes and headed off to another winery. Having already seen how wine was made etc. we decided to sit back and enjoy the wine in local wineries, buying a bottle at each place we stopped. The region mainly produces Malbec, so it was all red wines and roses. Before long, the time came to return the bikes, just as well as by this stage the wine was taking it's toll.
As far as Mendoza goes, there aren't many other activities to take advantage of. Unless we wanted to go trekking, which, from my entire Machu Picchu Inka trekking experience went, I can safely say the idea of trekking will always turn my stomach somewhat.
So we chilled in Mendoza for the next few days by the pool, occasionally walking around the city to sample some Argentine meat for the last time.
On our second day we went down to the vineyards by bus and rented bikes to cycle the 12km round trip in the intense heat. Luckily most of the mid day heat was blocked by the hundreds of trees shading the road. Either side of our path were miles and miles of vineyards, lines and lines of perfectly symmetrical trees in the foreground of landscape that was so vivid, it almost appeared as false as an oversized painting in front of us. The back drop was the enormous snow covered Andes, seemingly impossible with the 32 degree sun beating down.
We stopped off at the first winery, a young winery which has only been producing wine for the last 4 years. We got a brief tour of the place, how the wine is made, aged, bottled, labelled and in some cases, aged even further in the bottle. The tasting gave us a chance to sample their younger non aged wines, their semi-aged wines and their premium wines.
Having seen a sign for a vodka distillery, we agreed that it would be stupid not to investigate, even though it had not been on our marked out map. We took a side road, off the beaten track past some vicious dogs until we arrived at what we presumed must be the distillery. The image before us was that of something from a teen horror movie. A massive iron slide door loomed above us. The walls surrounding the distillery were topped with broken glass, presumably to stop intruders climbing them. We knocked on the massive door, letting out a massive metal echo. No reply. So we tried again. A man spoke from the other side of the divide. In Spanish he more or less told us to go away. In Spanish, again, we asked were they closed, the reply was affirmative and with that we switched to English. We told the man that we'd come all the way from England, this time, the reply in English, was much more welcoming; 'Oh, you speak English!' A small square window opened just large enough to see the man's face. He scoped us out for a second and closed the small window and slid back the enormous door. On the other side was a huge courtyard, a small table in the middle that a woman was sitting at with some water and vodka. To the right there was an iron cylinder, horizontally positioned with a fire burning in it, like a bbq set up.
The man, a short stocky bald figure, was Hungarian, from Budapest. He spoke perfect English and once we got chatting to him, he was more than happy to show us around. He took us into his distillery, a massive old warehouse-only encouraging my envisions of the torture movie which I couldn't push out of my mind. His vodka was made from Malbec wine, hence being among all the vineyards. He triple distilled the wine so as to still keep the scent and taste of the grape. We tasted the ice cold vodka, which can't be denied, did have a certain kick of wine to it, an unusual but interesting taste. A certain benefit to making his product unique on the market of average grain vodkas. Before leaving we bought a bottle, which has yet to be drunk but will have a good send off I'm sure.
We remounted our bikes and headed off to another winery. Having already seen how wine was made etc. we decided to sit back and enjoy the wine in local wineries, buying a bottle at each place we stopped. The region mainly produces Malbec, so it was all red wines and roses. Before long, the time came to return the bikes, just as well as by this stage the wine was taking it's toll.
As far as Mendoza goes, there aren't many other activities to take advantage of. Unless we wanted to go trekking, which, from my entire Machu Picchu Inka trekking experience went, I can safely say the idea of trekking will always turn my stomach somewhat.
So we chilled in Mendoza for the next few days by the pool, occasionally walking around the city to sample some Argentine meat for the last time.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Bueno Buenos Aires
So we pulled up to our hostel in Buenos Aires about 4 in the afternoon, only to see a massive queue for something next door. Everyone in the line was dolled up as if going out, it was bright, sunny and hot...where were they going? Apparently this is a 24 hour club which only opens at the weekends but stays open pretty much all the time. Bizzare, yes.
We wandered down to the Sunday Antique Market later that evening, hundereds of trinkets, retro phones, calculators, cameras, playing cards, books, shoes, vintage clothing, the list is endless, they had EVERYTHING. Really amazing stuff. Wandering through the marketm every 200 yards or so there would be a live jazz band at the side of the street and various people doing the tango in the middle of the street. We came across a restaurant that had actually been recommended to us, so we went in. Steaks the size of our heads arrived at the table, along with bread, fries, mash, red wine. It´s no lie when they say the best steaks in the world are Argentine.
We´ve been in BA for a little over a week now, still wandering the wide Parisian-esque pavements and exploring the scores of vintage shops. BA is the kind of place I´d like to visit, buy a load of furniture and clothes and ship them all back home. There are some amazing finds out here. Altoghether, it´s quite European in comparison to all the other South American cities we´ve been to, quite stylish and everyone walking the streets is beautiful.
The one thing we didn´t find to our tastes was a festival we ventured to on Saturday. REM headlined which was definitely worth our time, especially seen as the tickets were only about 30 quid, Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs also played which isn´t really worth recounting but the headline act really made it a great gig. However, to our absolute discust and dismay, there was not a drop of alcohol to be found in the place. AT A FESTIVAL. WHY? I´m still absolutely dumbfounded by the whole thing, it makes absolutely no sense to me. Dan and I questioned this for a good three hours of the evening, at one stage even wanting to find some staff so we could have an explaination for this outrage. Unfortunately we didn´t, and a festival without people walking around with beers, making random mates, dancing to no music, running around with no clothes on and just being generally obnoxious is not really a festival now, is it?
We wandered down to the Sunday Antique Market later that evening, hundereds of trinkets, retro phones, calculators, cameras, playing cards, books, shoes, vintage clothing, the list is endless, they had EVERYTHING. Really amazing stuff. Wandering through the marketm every 200 yards or so there would be a live jazz band at the side of the street and various people doing the tango in the middle of the street. We came across a restaurant that had actually been recommended to us, so we went in. Steaks the size of our heads arrived at the table, along with bread, fries, mash, red wine. It´s no lie when they say the best steaks in the world are Argentine.
We´ve been in BA for a little over a week now, still wandering the wide Parisian-esque pavements and exploring the scores of vintage shops. BA is the kind of place I´d like to visit, buy a load of furniture and clothes and ship them all back home. There are some amazing finds out here. Altoghether, it´s quite European in comparison to all the other South American cities we´ve been to, quite stylish and everyone walking the streets is beautiful.
The one thing we didn´t find to our tastes was a festival we ventured to on Saturday. REM headlined which was definitely worth our time, especially seen as the tickets were only about 30 quid, Bloc Party and Kaiser Chiefs also played which isn´t really worth recounting but the headline act really made it a great gig. However, to our absolute discust and dismay, there was not a drop of alcohol to be found in the place. AT A FESTIVAL. WHY? I´m still absolutely dumbfounded by the whole thing, it makes absolutely no sense to me. Dan and I questioned this for a good three hours of the evening, at one stage even wanting to find some staff so we could have an explaination for this outrage. Unfortunately we didn´t, and a festival without people walking around with beers, making random mates, dancing to no music, running around with no clothes on and just being generally obnoxious is not really a festival now, is it?
Sao Paulo
After a few more days in Rio, we headed down to Sao Paulo to witness the 4th biggest city in the world. On entering Sao Paulo, from the suburbs to the actual centre of the city takes about 2 hours driving, constantly surrounded by skyscrapers. The enormity of the place is difficult to put into words because it´s just off the scale.
Our time in Sao Paulo, albeit shortlived, was excellent. Our quaint little hostel was the first place that we stayed with a bit of a family vibe. The whole place was run by a family and as it was quite small, we soon got to know everyone staying and working there and made friends very quickly.
Our first night out consisted of us going to a ´rock´club. Now, having been to many a ´rock/indie´clubs in London, we were all a bit miffed as to what the actual genre of the music was. On requesting songs, and literally, EVERY song we requested the dj laughed at us. We couldn´t even make out what it was he was playing, all we noticed that there was air guitar being played close by and none of us knew why. The place was interesting though, small enough, outdoor bar full of twenty something emos, alternatives, a few punks and some indies. A small bar outdoors at the back of the club reeked of weed and beer-a common stench in South America.
The next day we wandered the parts of the city we could reach by foot, wandered down the massive Av Paulista ambling into bookshops along the way. Being in a city that huge and it being 32 degrees eventually took it´s toll and we hopped in a cab back to the hostel for another night on the tiles.
This time, taken along to another Rock bar, this time there was a white supremacist screamo band playing upstairs, which although aroused the interest of some of us, I wasn´t hanging around for the encore. Downstairs was a much more disco based affair and we spent the night dancing away till the wee hours. There was even an 87 year old man giving it absolute socks on the dancefloor.
Due to bus times to Argentina we had to leave earlier than we would have liked, also due to the fact that Sao Paulo is quite expensive we decided to move on. We left Sao Paulo about 10.30pm on the friday night and didn´t arrive in Buenos Aires until 4pm on Sunday. This bus journey was, as you can imagine, hellish. I won´t go into details but take my word for it that it was rubbish.
Our time in Sao Paulo, albeit shortlived, was excellent. Our quaint little hostel was the first place that we stayed with a bit of a family vibe. The whole place was run by a family and as it was quite small, we soon got to know everyone staying and working there and made friends very quickly.
Our first night out consisted of us going to a ´rock´club. Now, having been to many a ´rock/indie´clubs in London, we were all a bit miffed as to what the actual genre of the music was. On requesting songs, and literally, EVERY song we requested the dj laughed at us. We couldn´t even make out what it was he was playing, all we noticed that there was air guitar being played close by and none of us knew why. The place was interesting though, small enough, outdoor bar full of twenty something emos, alternatives, a few punks and some indies. A small bar outdoors at the back of the club reeked of weed and beer-a common stench in South America.
The next day we wandered the parts of the city we could reach by foot, wandered down the massive Av Paulista ambling into bookshops along the way. Being in a city that huge and it being 32 degrees eventually took it´s toll and we hopped in a cab back to the hostel for another night on the tiles.
This time, taken along to another Rock bar, this time there was a white supremacist screamo band playing upstairs, which although aroused the interest of some of us, I wasn´t hanging around for the encore. Downstairs was a much more disco based affair and we spent the night dancing away till the wee hours. There was even an 87 year old man giving it absolute socks on the dancefloor.
Due to bus times to Argentina we had to leave earlier than we would have liked, also due to the fact that Sao Paulo is quite expensive we decided to move on. We left Sao Paulo about 10.30pm on the friday night and didn´t arrive in Buenos Aires until 4pm on Sunday. This bus journey was, as you can imagine, hellish. I won´t go into details but take my word for it that it was rubbish.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Her Name Is Rio And She Dances On The Sand...
So we arrived in Rio on Thursday to a packed Copacobana beach and an atmosphere that only a big city can bring and had been sorely missed up until this point. Itching to sample some decent night life, we headed off to a club which was formerly a house transformed into a two floor house party type shindig. Much to our delight it was bright on leaving the club in the small hours, which was our main priority.
Sore heads all round the next morning, which was no nice experience seen as we had to check out at 12 and change hostels. Somehow, we managed to drag ourselves out and into a taxi to the next hostel. That night we sampled a Rio street party, which is pretty much self explanitory-hundreds of people crammed onto the streets with music blaring from various places and makeshift bars set up on the side of the streets. The best thing about Rio is that there is so much more to offer in regard to nightlife, unlike the generic clubs that many other cities only offer. So tonight we´re off to a favela party, right in the slums of Rio, apparently one of the best options here...so until the next time...
Sore heads all round the next morning, which was no nice experience seen as we had to check out at 12 and change hostels. Somehow, we managed to drag ourselves out and into a taxi to the next hostel. That night we sampled a Rio street party, which is pretty much self explanitory-hundreds of people crammed onto the streets with music blaring from various places and makeshift bars set up on the side of the streets. The best thing about Rio is that there is so much more to offer in regard to nightlife, unlike the generic clubs that many other cities only offer. So tonight we´re off to a favela party, right in the slums of Rio, apparently one of the best options here...so until the next time...
Into Brazil and the Pantanal
On arrival to Brazil we headed straight for the Pantanal, the biggest wetland area of Brazil. We stayed for three days and during our time there we fished for pirhanas, searched for anacondas-although we didn´t succeed, rode horses throught the jungle, sat around bonfires drinking cachaça and slept off our fatigue in hammocks. The weather was beautiful and the experience incredible. The whole place is a hub for wildlife and caiman, parrots, monkies and eagles were spotted along the way. After three days in the wilderness, we were more than ready to move on to our next stop on the map.
We left for Paraty and arrived later that day. Paraty is a town in between Sao Paulo and Rio and consists mainly of quaint cobbled roads, a beautiful harbour, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Our accomodation can only be described as the epitomy of beach chillout. On our second day in Paraty we took a boat trip out to the surrounding islands, many of which are privately owned by celebrities. The temperature soared to about 31 degrees and luckily for us the boat´s top deck was completely bathing in the sun, as were we-sipping on cocktails of course. We stopped off at two remote beaches where we could jump off the top deck into the ocean. This of course took me about half an hour to be able to do.
Our stay in Paraty was relaxing yet short lived, soon enough we were on the road again to Rio.
We left for Paraty and arrived later that day. Paraty is a town in between Sao Paulo and Rio and consists mainly of quaint cobbled roads, a beautiful harbour, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Our accomodation can only be described as the epitomy of beach chillout. On our second day in Paraty we took a boat trip out to the surrounding islands, many of which are privately owned by celebrities. The temperature soared to about 31 degrees and luckily for us the boat´s top deck was completely bathing in the sun, as were we-sipping on cocktails of course. We stopped off at two remote beaches where we could jump off the top deck into the ocean. This of course took me about half an hour to be able to do.
Our stay in Paraty was relaxing yet short lived, soon enough we were on the road again to Rio.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
We got to Argentina the other day into the city of Salta. Our campsite boasted the biggest swimming pool in the southern hemisphere, which I believe. Unfortunately for us, the pool was empty. On our first morning waking up in Salta we headed off for a day long excursion white water rafting and zip lining. The rafting was amazing, hairy at moments but that was the fun of it. Thank god the boat didn't flip over, which was my main concern throughout, especially seen as we had to sign a form beforehand leaving no responsability if our death occurred.
After the rafting we had a massive BBQ and vegitated in the heat for a while. Handily enough, there was a guy who took photos of the rafting the whole way through, we bought all of the photos so you can see the hilarious looks on my face throughout soon enough.
After lunch we headed up what can only be described as a mountain for the zip lining. Now when I heard zip lining I thought, oh yes we'll merely swing from one tree to another on a zip line. Oh how wrong I was. Upon reaching the top of this mountain which was 160 metres high and overlooked a valley and the river we had just rafted down, I looked across to what we would be zip lining to.....the other mountain, ie. OVER the river 160metres in the air. I had a panic attack decided there was no way i was doing this. Not only did we have to get to the other side but we then had to go down 3 more zip lines to reach the bottom. I don't know how I did it but for some reason i just put on the harness and before I knew it, the instructor had pushed me so there was no going back. The first line seemed to last a decade and for the moments that I did open my eyes I honestly thought I was going to die. Luckily, I didn't die and made it to the bottom without crying or throwing a wobbly.
That night we threw a party for Mike and Rachel's birthdays with a massive cooler filled with 20 litres of Rum punch. We had the music blasting off the outside speakers of the truck and played drinking games until all the punch was gone. We headed out to Salta's nightlife. 'Inside Club' which did not open until 2am and was full of underagers provided us with adequate entertainment until around 6am.
We are still in Argentina now, in a place called Puerta Iguazu, home of the Iguazu falls which we visited yesterday and are by far the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen in my life. They boarder Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil and are one of the biggest falls in the world. Unfortunately I didn't take my camera for for fear of the spray, but as far as I know other people got loads of photos.
Now I'm off to Brazil.....
After the rafting we had a massive BBQ and vegitated in the heat for a while. Handily enough, there was a guy who took photos of the rafting the whole way through, we bought all of the photos so you can see the hilarious looks on my face throughout soon enough.
After lunch we headed up what can only be described as a mountain for the zip lining. Now when I heard zip lining I thought, oh yes we'll merely swing from one tree to another on a zip line. Oh how wrong I was. Upon reaching the top of this mountain which was 160 metres high and overlooked a valley and the river we had just rafted down, I looked across to what we would be zip lining to.....the other mountain, ie. OVER the river 160metres in the air. I had a panic attack decided there was no way i was doing this. Not only did we have to get to the other side but we then had to go down 3 more zip lines to reach the bottom. I don't know how I did it but for some reason i just put on the harness and before I knew it, the instructor had pushed me so there was no going back. The first line seemed to last a decade and for the moments that I did open my eyes I honestly thought I was going to die. Luckily, I didn't die and made it to the bottom without crying or throwing a wobbly.
That night we threw a party for Mike and Rachel's birthdays with a massive cooler filled with 20 litres of Rum punch. We had the music blasting off the outside speakers of the truck and played drinking games until all the punch was gone. We headed out to Salta's nightlife. 'Inside Club' which did not open until 2am and was full of underagers provided us with adequate entertainment until around 6am.
We are still in Argentina now, in a place called Puerta Iguazu, home of the Iguazu falls which we visited yesterday and are by far the most breathtaking thing I have ever seen in my life. They boarder Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil and are one of the biggest falls in the world. Unfortunately I didn't take my camera for for fear of the spray, but as far as I know other people got loads of photos.
Now I'm off to Brazil.....
Boarder Crossings To Bolivia
Before leaving Peru we went to Lake Titikaka, the highest navigatable lake in the world-it is HUGE. Here we hopped on a boat out to the reed islands. These are islands made from reeds that float around the place and people live on them and everything they live in and use is made from reeds. I know it sounds insane, infact when I was on the island i was thinking, if I told anyone about this they wouldnt believe me. I will put photos up just so people can get a better idea of what I mean.
Shortly after our Peruvian adventures we finally reached our first boarder crossing into Bolivia. This all went without a hitch minus some hungover heads from the night before-myself included. After hours of awful Bolivian roads we reached La Paz-the highest capital city in the world. This was clearly evident on arrival, I noticed it was a hell of alot more difficult to breathe along with the narrow uphill roads of La Paz this made everything an effort.
It is a bustling city where people mainly trade on the street. The woman were dressed much like that of Peruvian women but all notably wear bowler hats propped on their heads. Much of the city is a black market where stuff is sold at the side of the road, everything from clothes to playstations to fresh fruit juice. There was also a witches market where you could by llama foeteses-apparently they are used as house warming gifts, very strange.
After a few days in La Paz we ventured on to Potosi, the highest city in the world. Small and unusual, the place was somewhat stuck in the past as nothing opened on a sunday. We arrived on a sunday and found it very difficult to find somewhere to eat. As it was so high up though, the sunsets were amazing. After one night here we went on to Uyuni on the most trecherous road of all time. 8 hours of a dirt road through the Bolivian desert is nay a fun day.
We arrived in Uyuni, a ghost town which is mainly used for tourists to the salt flats and as a military base. Obviously our reason for staying was the former. The next morning we got up and got into a 4x4 to go out to the salt flats. Google them they are incredible. We got out there and had lunch, visited the salt Hotel, a hotel literally made out of salt. Took some perspective photos and just took it all in really. This would be our last taste of Bolivia as we were out to Argentina in the following days.
Shortly after our Peruvian adventures we finally reached our first boarder crossing into Bolivia. This all went without a hitch minus some hungover heads from the night before-myself included. After hours of awful Bolivian roads we reached La Paz-the highest capital city in the world. This was clearly evident on arrival, I noticed it was a hell of alot more difficult to breathe along with the narrow uphill roads of La Paz this made everything an effort.
It is a bustling city where people mainly trade on the street. The woman were dressed much like that of Peruvian women but all notably wear bowler hats propped on their heads. Much of the city is a black market where stuff is sold at the side of the road, everything from clothes to playstations to fresh fruit juice. There was also a witches market where you could by llama foeteses-apparently they are used as house warming gifts, very strange.
After a few days in La Paz we ventured on to Potosi, the highest city in the world. Small and unusual, the place was somewhat stuck in the past as nothing opened on a sunday. We arrived on a sunday and found it very difficult to find somewhere to eat. As it was so high up though, the sunsets were amazing. After one night here we went on to Uyuni on the most trecherous road of all time. 8 hours of a dirt road through the Bolivian desert is nay a fun day.
We arrived in Uyuni, a ghost town which is mainly used for tourists to the salt flats and as a military base. Obviously our reason for staying was the former. The next morning we got up and got into a 4x4 to go out to the salt flats. Google them they are incredible. We got out there and had lunch, visited the salt Hotel, a hotel literally made out of salt. Took some perspective photos and just took it all in really. This would be our last taste of Bolivia as we were out to Argentina in the following days.
A Wonder Of The World
First of all, sorry for not posting in so long. I shall pick up from where I left off. We started a trek through the Peruvian Jungle/rainforest on our quest to reach Machu Pichu. Four long haul days insued with tiring uphill walks, mountain biking and the odd stop off to bathe in some more hot springs. This was induring for everyone but especially me, and i realised that infact, I was not made for hiking purposes. However, on the fourth day, we rose at an ungodly hour (around 4am) to reach Machu Pichu for sunrise. Let me tell you, this was worth it. The first thing I noticed is the size of the place. It is absolutely enormous compared to what one is led to believe. The ruins are all in as perfect a condition that could be expected after 500 years and are obviously well cared for. Some took the option to climb the overlooking mountain, but after my four day trek and one mountain climb that we literally had to climb up ladders to reach the top of (seriously it was at a 90 degree angle) I decided against this option. I have hundreds of photos which have just been resized and I will put up as soon as I reach Brazil.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Peruvians do not wear spectacles
The last couple of days were intense. After a 7 hour long journey to our next destination, Araquipa, we arrived at our quaint hotel with our patch of grass for our tents. Our first night here was quiet, dinner and rest, after which we had the obligitary early start, this time later than normal at 8am.
Off we set to the Colca Canyon and the surrounding volcanoes high up in the Andes. On edge about the impending altitude (of which we rose almost 5000 metres above sea level) we took to the heights laden with anxiety. Thankfully for most of us, all remained well. We were shown to our hotel, yes a HOTEL, with beds! After which we did an hour long trek up a nearby mountain to explore some more mountain side tombs, bones and everything. The tiny dirt roads leading up to the mountain were dotted with Peruvian women and children in full Alpaco wooled clothing and leashing llamas and alpacos selling trinkets and looking for money to have photos taken.
Our next excursion of the day was up to the hot mineral springs of the volcano. Like an outdoor swimming pool at about 40 degrees and steaming. This was incredible yet unbearable after 30 minutes. We left and ate in a local restaurant where the locals danced for us in their Peruvian get up and their bizarre demeanour.
This morning we rose bright and early at 6am and headed up to the canyon to watch the condours circle the thermals. With their wing span almost 2 metres thier presence put everyone in awe. These birds are birds of prey but do not hunt live animals, they only feast on the dead.
My biggest notification thus far is that Peruvian people do not wear spectacles.
Ive taken near 500 photos since arrival and will get them up asap....
Off we set to the Colca Canyon and the surrounding volcanoes high up in the Andes. On edge about the impending altitude (of which we rose almost 5000 metres above sea level) we took to the heights laden with anxiety. Thankfully for most of us, all remained well. We were shown to our hotel, yes a HOTEL, with beds! After which we did an hour long trek up a nearby mountain to explore some more mountain side tombs, bones and everything. The tiny dirt roads leading up to the mountain were dotted with Peruvian women and children in full Alpaco wooled clothing and leashing llamas and alpacos selling trinkets and looking for money to have photos taken.
Our next excursion of the day was up to the hot mineral springs of the volcano. Like an outdoor swimming pool at about 40 degrees and steaming. This was incredible yet unbearable after 30 minutes. We left and ate in a local restaurant where the locals danced for us in their Peruvian get up and their bizarre demeanour.
This morning we rose bright and early at 6am and headed up to the canyon to watch the condours circle the thermals. With their wing span almost 2 metres thier presence put everyone in awe. These birds are birds of prey but do not hunt live animals, they only feast on the dead.
My biggest notification thus far is that Peruvian people do not wear spectacles.
Ive taken near 500 photos since arrival and will get them up asap....
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
In the desert....
I really don´t have much time to write this...
Juaquachino (if spelt correctly) was amazing. Upon arrival we were taken up mountanous sand dunes in beach buggies, which by the way are deathcabs. When I say they drive down 90 degree angles i kid you not. After being almost shaken to near death we did some sandboarding, like skateboarding but down these massive dunes. Needless to say it was terrifyingly amazing.
After all of that insanity we kicked back on a high dune and watched the sunset over the desert. Then we drove down to a space where we had a bbq, drank pisco and slept under the stars in the middle of the desert. Needless to say it was unforgettable, apparently there are many more adventures to come.
Juaquachino (if spelt correctly) was amazing. Upon arrival we were taken up mountanous sand dunes in beach buggies, which by the way are deathcabs. When I say they drive down 90 degree angles i kid you not. After being almost shaken to near death we did some sandboarding, like skateboarding but down these massive dunes. Needless to say it was terrifyingly amazing.
After all of that insanity we kicked back on a high dune and watched the sunset over the desert. Then we drove down to a space where we had a bbq, drank pisco and slept under the stars in the middle of the desert. Needless to say it was unforgettable, apparently there are many more adventures to come.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Lima Lima Lima
So after an eventful 48 hours of traveling, being put on a plane, being taken off a plane, then told that yes infact they were cancelling our flight from Madrid to Lima and putting us up in a four star hotel, well how could we complain? We didn´t, instead we just raided the minibar in our room and took advantage of being able to be horizontal for two hours.
Finally, many moons later we boarded our plane and got to Lima, a dusty, eerie and very much insane type of place. Never in my life have I come across so many VW vans customised individually and guising as public transport, sans bus stops and crammed full of noisy Peruvians hanging out the windows as they drive. The taxi service is equally obnoxious. I mean they really give Italians a run for their money. Blowing the klaxon for them is like taking a right turn or putting your seatbelt on-it´s inevitable.
The place we´re staying is the generic backpacker hostel, avec bar which is nice. Playing all indie hits circa 2005. Since we got here I have of course fallen ill, I blame the travel. I woke up with a horrible cold and headed to local pharma factory where the pharmacist had excellent english, which is odd seen as no-one speaks english here and our Spanish is faring well with our phrasebook-anyway she gave me a cough bottle and some tablets which I´m certain intoxicated me somewhat. However, the cold has subsided so fear not.
My love of pisco sours has evolved, who would have thought a cocktail with egg white in it could be so lush. Everthing is priced niftily here we´ve been having three course meals for 3pounds and 40 minute taxi journies for 3 pounds, it´s ace!
I must be off to socialise now,
adios!
Finally, many moons later we boarded our plane and got to Lima, a dusty, eerie and very much insane type of place. Never in my life have I come across so many VW vans customised individually and guising as public transport, sans bus stops and crammed full of noisy Peruvians hanging out the windows as they drive. The taxi service is equally obnoxious. I mean they really give Italians a run for their money. Blowing the klaxon for them is like taking a right turn or putting your seatbelt on-it´s inevitable.
The place we´re staying is the generic backpacker hostel, avec bar which is nice. Playing all indie hits circa 2005. Since we got here I have of course fallen ill, I blame the travel. I woke up with a horrible cold and headed to local pharma factory where the pharmacist had excellent english, which is odd seen as no-one speaks english here and our Spanish is faring well with our phrasebook-anyway she gave me a cough bottle and some tablets which I´m certain intoxicated me somewhat. However, the cold has subsided so fear not.
My love of pisco sours has evolved, who would have thought a cocktail with egg white in it could be so lush. Everthing is priced niftily here we´ve been having three course meals for 3pounds and 40 minute taxi journies for 3 pounds, it´s ace!
I must be off to socialise now,
adios!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Leaving the banal behind.
Last day at work/ last day being bored/ last day feeling sorry for people who have to stay on in these jobs/ last day wasting time/ last day wishing I was elsewhere/ last day looking out at the rain/ last day watching the clock/ last day pretending this is interesting.
God I have waited for this day for so long. I'm happy in the thought that Perez Hilton shall no longer be my fill of excitement for the day.
Enough of becoming irate at English grammar and off to a place where bad English grammar will be laughable, sigh.
God I have waited for this day for so long. I'm happy in the thought that Perez Hilton shall no longer be my fill of excitement for the day.
Enough of becoming irate at English grammar and off to a place where bad English grammar will be laughable, sigh.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Motel Me Immediately
As my adventure is looming I can't help but get over excited at the prospect of traveling across the states. I just bought this book to help me on my way:
I want to get as many motel photo opportunities as possible, I've been getting inspiration from one of my favourite photographers Alec Soth. Here are a few of my faves:
I dunno why but desolated middle America has always been my biggest obsession...
Route 66 here I come!
I want to get as many motel photo opportunities as possible, I've been getting inspiration from one of my favourite photographers Alec Soth. Here are a few of my faves:
I dunno why but desolated middle America has always been my biggest obsession...
Route 66 here I come!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Fed Up Of Solitaire
Well here it is. After weeks of procrastination and endless failed attempts at finishing a game of solitaire my blog is up and running. It'll take me a while to get the hang of making it aesthetic and different I'm sure.
Someone else has STOLEN my name for their blog (supposedly her name is also Lucy Bloom but whatever) This really upset me as her blog is far too twee for my liking and I hope no-one finds it on Google and thinks it's me.
To sign off my first entry I'd just like to point out that this lovely new Luella design that Jade won't shut up about, is, in fact, red.
Someone else has STOLEN my name for their blog (supposedly her name is also Lucy Bloom but whatever) This really upset me as her blog is far too twee for my liking and I hope no-one finds it on Google and thinks it's me.
To sign off my first entry I'd just like to point out that this lovely new Luella design that Jade won't shut up about, is, in fact, red.
à plus tard!
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