http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Betty-H/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Betty H en-us Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:04:32 +0000 Sat, 05 Dec 2009 22:04:32 +0000 Can you believe this website doesn't list Halesowen as a West Midlands option Tis terribleWell yes anyway to those of you who are unaware i am back in blighty its as if i've never been away just been sleeping for 6 monthsThankyou to those who attended my welcome home bash and those who didn't where were you And yes i expect welcome drinks from everyone i have to carry on living to the http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/West-Midlands/blog-177171.html So our journey has come to an end after an action packed 6 months. Our last couple of days as worldwide travellers was of course spent sunbathing shopping and partying We spent one last day frying on Copacabana beach one last night spending at the night market and one last drink at the Lapa street party and this time we saw the famous Lapa steps and arches that featured in Snoop Dogs video http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/blog-176886.html So after our hectic week last week we started this week just chilling and taking it easy. The week started off rather miserably though whilst we were hoping for a day on the beach after last nights adventures we woke up to rain As if it rains in Rio we all cried So instead we went for a wonder up and down Copacabana beach. Went for a drink at a beachside cafe and were serenaded by a samba b http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Copacabana/blog-174298.html At the Copa Copacabana with music and laughter and love ever after at the CopacabanaYes weve hit Rio and weve hit it in style Guys we thought Florianopolis was hot well Rio just got a whole lot hotter Were staying in the legendary Copacabana which in itself is a nightmare as the song just plays in your head constantlyGetting here was pretty kool as we had to drive through all th http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Rio-de-Janeiro/Rio-de-Janeiro/Copacabana/blog-173011.html It seems that buses have now become the pain in our travelling experiences On checking out of the hostel in Puerto Iguazu we go into town to book our coach trip for that evening but are told we should just buy it at teh Brazilian bus station as there are more bus companies there So we do just that. Over the border once more passports stamped and to the bus station. Only when we get there ther http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Brazil/Santa-Catarina/Florian-polis/blog-172261.html So another country ticked off our list and were off to pastures new once more. This time though we know its for the last timeWere certainly going to miss the fine cuisine of Argentina it has actually turned me into a crazed blood thirsty steak eater sorry to all the veggies out there While we enjoyed this cheap country were certainly looking forward to reaching warmer climatesPoi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/blog-172265.html With our coach connection delayed because the bus had broken down we had a most fun time waiting in the bus station at 8 in the morning waiting for our replacement bus which took a further 3 hours making our 20 hour coach journey even longerWe finally arrive at our hostel in Puerto Iguazu and are delighted that its warm and to make matters even better we are greeted by a rather large rather http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Misiones/Puerto-Iguaz-/blog-167786.html A 4 hour bus journey from BA and we arrive in the little city of Rosario the place where Che Guevara was born We arrive in our little hostel with a reggae bar attached to it and head out to find somewhere to eat We find a nice little pizza place and end up making a sharp exit once weve paid the bill The thing is when we got a taxi back to our hostel in BA on our last night the driver cunning http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Santa-Fe/Rosario/blog-167783.html After an uneventful day the day before we prise ourselves out of bed and head to La Boca the home of tango it is where tango originated Hope theres no Borats thereWe get there and its a really beautiful place everything is really colourful. All the buildings are painted bright colours and its just a sea of colour with lots of little market stalls set up tango dancers everywhere and lots of http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/Buenos-Aires/blog-166805.html Wake up the next morning to find that our Canadian friend had managed to miss his flight he went to the wrong airport and by the time he got to the right one hed missed it So we took sympathy on him and took him out to lunch made him pay of course Then we took a stroll down the main street and had a nose round parliament square where yet more demonstrations were taking place luckily no s http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/Buenos-Aires/blog-166121.html Eventually we make it to good old BA and get settled into our lively hostel in the centre of town with warnings galore ringing in our ears Youll never guess who we bump into in our hostel none other than Mr Sickie Ozzie though apparently he doesnt recognise us must have been the drunken hazeWe venture outdoors in search of food and come face to face with a full on demo practically http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/Buenos-Aires/blog-165780.html Im afraid to say we nearly did start our adventures in Argentina cryingWe got to the airport in Santiago check in was fine. Suddenly we noticed a large number of Chilean men in suits looked like we were about to share our flight with the Chilean marines so Michelle started sussing out potential husbands for us We get breeze through immigration and arrive at our gate nice and early. It so http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/Buenos-Aires/blog-165754.html So another country has come and gone and we have to move on Though this time well be quite glad to leave the cold behind and head to warmer climates Though im not sure ill be glad to leave behind the 1 pound bottles of winePoints to NoteStatuesSantiago or rather Chila as a whole can be characterised by its many statues and museums To take a photo of every single statue would mean that http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/blog-164971.html After an eventful nights sleep one of the Ozzie lads came in drunk last night and puked over his bed then went on a walkabout round the room leaving us all in fear that he was going to use someone elses bed as a toilet but luckily his friend kicked him out before he had chance we are up bright and early on a mini bus on our lake district adventure. Start the day off with birthday celebratio http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/blog-164072.html Having been in Santiago over a week we decide to go off on a little adventure and get a rather nice 3 hour Tur bus to the coastal town of Valparaiso. We have a mini mission from the bus station and still cant find our hostel so where do we go for directions the local gun shop of course Eventually find our hostel up one of the many steep hill roads and are greeted by Tim a cool guy from A http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/Valparaiso-Region/Valparaiso/blog-164071.html So we have arrived in this our last continent on our world wind tour of the world and yes its freezing here i'm currently sat with 5 layers on and contemplating how i will make my 5 pairs of socks lastWe are not just world travellers anymore we are infact time travellers We got up this morning at 630am and Emily drove us to the airport. Got our flight to New Zealand at 11i proceeded to fall http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Chile/Santiago-Region/Providencia/blog-159825.html So our adventure down under has come to an end and it is with sadness and gladness that we say goodbye to our aussie counterparts.It will surprise you all that i am actually glad to bid farewell to the once beloved goon yes thats right the goon belly had begun to take over my entire person I shall always look back on it with fond memories howeverSad to leave behind all the new and old frien http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/blog-159257.html Greyhound ride over and we're back in Sydney city of everything or so it seems We get picked up by my lovely friend Emily and head back to her digs in Lane Cove over the Harbour Bridge with a view of the Opera House at night magical Anyway her digs have now become our home for the next week don't think she quite realised what she was letting herself in for What a host she was though for http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-159252.html Yet another overnight greyhound later and we're in Melbourne yes home to Neighbours but did you know that apparently over here Home and Away has the higher ratings despicableAnyways we arrive in Melbourne coach station only to find that there is no free pick up to our hostel we're just told to catch a number 96 tram to St Kilda and thats it how helpful is that So we manage to find the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/St--Kilda/blog-156927.html We bid farewell to Byron and another overnight coach later and we are in Sydney just a quick stopver here to break up the journey down to Melbourne.We get to our hostel and all we want is a proper bed however no one has checked out of our room yet muppets so we have to wait and wait and wait. Eventually 4 hours later we get back to the hostel after walking the streets of Sydney only to find http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/Darling-Harbour/blog-156926.html