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Published: August 15th 2006
Aaaah.... Salta
The local brew .... mmmmmmm!!Salta was our last stop in Argentina before heading into Bolivia and we finally hit some good weather. It felt like we were on holiday again , sipping cerveza in the sunshine. All that was lacking was a pool but we can´t afford such luxuries. We did have a ping pong table though!
Salta is home to Gauchos (Argentine cowboys) so we thought it only right to saddle up and get on that horse! The day before we were treated to a Gaucho parade in the main Plaza. It seems everywhere we go we arrive just in time to see a parade of some kind. Of course after seeing this parade
somebody wanted his own little poncho ..... I´ve got a great photo! I think he looks more like a wizard!!
In the morning we were picked up by a HUUUGE man in cowboy boots and his clapped out landrover that stalled at every junction. We didn´t think that we we would make the 20km to the ranch but eventually after numerous stops, including one to pick up his nephew, we did. It was soon apparant something was up. Where were all the horses!?! The gate had been left
open and they had all scarpered!! Naively I had thought that it was part of the "experience" and that we were off to play "lazoo the horse"!! How wrong was I was!! All but one of the horses, which was hiding around the corner, were out of sight. David the Gaucho used this horse to go in search of the rest and left us in the capable hands of his 12 yr old nephew, Danny. We didn´t mind too much as he was about to introduce us to the world of Sapo (or toad). Sapo is a game that Gauchos play to practice their lazooing action. Basically you just through coins at a wooden box with toads and holes. Each toad being worth 5,10,15 or 20 points etc. Turns out that this game can be quite competitive! I WON!!! ; P It was, quite literally, hours of fun which was a bit of luck as it was 3hrs before Big Dave came back .... empty handed!! All was not lost though as we still had another free morning in Salta. We agreed to come back if the horses were found, which they were. This time we actually broke down on
Drummer boy
In a restaurant one night Gray made his debut as a drummer for a local band. It actually didn´t sound too bad!! the way to the ranch and had to stop at the local garage .... we had to laugh! Finally, the riding was good fun although when Gray first got on his horse he couldn´t control himself .... giddy up, giddy up .... it dragged him straight through a bush ripping the sunglasses off his head!! hahaha After the hour or so trek through the ranch´s hills and forest we came to a flat road and were allowed to go fast. My horse was like a rocket!! That was my favourite bit.
It was then time for our last Argentine steak which was yummy of course. On the way back to our hostel we spotted a man with a telescope so we had a quick peek at jupiter and its moons. It has 5!! That was really cool.
Lynny x
Im not sure Lynny should be admitting to 'having a rocket between her legs´ being her favourite bit! ;-) haha
As you can gather .... I was a natural at this horse riding lark! I must take after my Auntie.
We will certainly miss Argentina!
Gray x
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Rob
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Pony!
Glad to see your getting to grips with Pony out there! You didnt even need to wait 7 hours for it either. Hope your plans stay the same and we get to meet up in NZ, it will be wicked to see you both again.