Some things are the same - lots are different

---

Some things are the same - loads of things are different!

We have just spent two and half fabulous days in Bariloche - in the lakes district of Argentina.

Bariloche is essentially a tourist town mainly supported by the winter skiing season (we are here at the end of summer). It is a nice - but very expensive - town with interesting people, buildings, sculptures, shops and traffic rules.

On our first full day we took a cruise on the lake with an unpronouncable name to a National Park with a walk to a waterfall and along the edge of the lake. As there were 50 million people on the cruise and we were basically spoilt for waterfalls we skipped this section and enjoyed a quiet walk through very different forest. The cruise there and back was just wonderfull with views of crystal clear water and mountains all around.

There is only us and another couple on the tour - 65ish retirees from New Mexico who are right into birds, nature and conservation. Fun people who we have lots in common.

Today we took a local bus to the start of a walk up one of the mountains we saw whilst on the cruise and this is where the same but different comes in. As walking trails go Argentinian National Parks people are as bad as Tassies in marking the trail so we felt right at home losing the track numerous times. Then there was the Fagus plant turning golden as summer leaves and winter approaches - just like at Cradle Mountain. BUT everything else is very different - crystal clear water, tall tall naturally bare mountain tops and birds and plants.

As highlights go there are many but one that stands out for us birders is seeing a pair of woodpeckers wood peckering. The male had a black back and a bright red head and the female had just a red face.

Off to the Chilean lakes district tomorrow - Puerto Varas

---

Comments

[Sarah]

from sis
hi guys - wow - travel and time to send update your entry! thanks though as its great to hear news along the way all good here - but like the view there much much better! can't wait to see more pics - love sis x

[Dad & Mum]

Things are never the same - fortunately!
Of course the female woodpecker had a red face, it was doing all the hard work. Still the views are great, love this blogging idea.