Buenos Aires at last!!

hello everyone at home (and around the world!!)
Jen here,

Finally arrived in Buenos Aires afer a mammoth journey of 30 hours and 3 different planes!! And surprisingly all our stuff arrives with us (though one of the panniers had been thoroughly investigated an then roughly taped back together by american customs). Ian is just putting the bikes back together now and there dont seem to be any major problems.....que bent cranks kicking in after 50 miles or so!!!

The journey started with a few hours in the manchester rush hour, then amazingly arriving on time had a bit of hassle with the flight check in. Expecting to be charged $95 per bike for extra luggage we were then informed that the bikes not only counted as oversize luggage but also an extra piece...and the charge was now $450!!! well, we got away with it in the end after some negociation and were just chrged the $95. Damn flying with bikes would just not be worth it if it wasnt for 3 months.

The rest of the flight went surprisingly smoothly except for a mad dash around Newark airport. The passport control takes so long theres not much left to collect luggage and transfer it and get through security again. The guy at passport control interrogated us a bit about where we were going and what jobs we did. he looked a biyt surprised when i said i was a dentist and commented how generous they were letting me have 3 m off....

the 10 hour flight from houston (wierd new amusment park type airport) to BA was overnight and managed a few fractured sleeps, so were really tired by time got to BA. Minor trouble there tryin to get a taxi big enough for the bikes but everyone there was really helpful and we got hold of a van in the end and experienced the legendary south american driving skills!! Apparently people dont move out of the way for amulance with sirens going!! And its perfectly acceptable to drive on the pavement to nip in front of someone in a queue!

arrived at the very nice (should be for the price) hotel and spent yesterday in a bit of a daze. Today filled up on the buffet breakfast and burnt it all off on huge walk around town. Central area is v busy and a bit tacky, but some of surroundin areas are really nice in a french city style. Saw tower that british residents gave as gift to the city 200 years ago, dock areas that is newest part of the city and very clean and modern, walked round Japanese gardens, and walked past various museums!! (they were all shut for renovations or on strike!!)

Bit tired and hungry now...goin in search or a steak.....pictures to follow xxx

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