Blogs from South America - page 5373

Well gradually we got bored of the frequent downpours in Cuenca, and had to decide what to do next. It was pretty much a choice of going to mountains/hot springs or the coast, and in the end we decided to go to the beach, thinking there are going to be plenty of mountains to come. We therefore got a bus back to Guayaquil, and then on to a place called Montanita on the coast, arriving there in the early evening. The place was really busy, especially as it was only a few days until new years, and full of many tourists, gringos as well as locals or other South Americans. Lots of the hotels were full, but eventually we found a room, though it was pretty rundown, only had a bunk bed, and the mosquito nets ... read more

D Gränze zwüsche Argeninie und Chile verlauft uf dr ganze Linie entlang vo de högschte Andekämm und de Wasserscheide zwüschem Atlantik und em Pazifik. Grundsätzlig darf me die Gränze nur an ganz bestimmte Gränzübergäng überquere. An däne hets an beide Site Zollstatione wo die ganze Zollformalitäte abwickle (Usreiseformular entgegenäh, Usreisestämpe in Pass mache, Ireiseformular usfülle, Iresiesstämpel in Pass und unter Umstände au Gepäckkontrolle, dass me keini Unerlaubte Ware mitnimmt (Frücht & Fleisch, oder sunschtigi Früschprodukt). Die meischte Gränzübergäng sind als Passstroosse oder Fähriverbindige für dr öffentligi und privati Verkehr usgleggt. Es git aber au Gränzübergäng (also mindeschtens eine) wo nur z Fuess oder per Caballo (Ross) überquert wärde könne. Eine drfoh (also dä einti) isch nördlich vo El Chaltén und füehrt über 22km über e kleine Pass nach Villa O Higgins. Do dä Ü... read more

La Boca Nicole and I decided that we should check out the neighborhood of La Boca, which is also home of one of the best soccer teams in Argentina, especially because the most famous player in the country, Diego Maradona, played for that team. La Boca is a waterfront neighborhood and its character derives from families who could not afford paint for their homes, instead they used leftover paint from boats which resulted in a prism of corrugated metal, cobblestone streets, and expressive people. It’s a poor neighborhood and many of the well off people would wrinkle their nose at the mention of La Boca and tell us it's not safe to go because it's full of thieves and robbers . . . a funny thing is it’s on the list of the Top Ten ... read more

After a luxurious overnight coach trip (full reclining seats, food, wine, films, not what buses are like back home) we arrived in Puerto Madryn (about half way down Argentina on the atlantic coast) which is rather like a windier version of Skegness. After a night we jumped ship to Peurto Piramides, a village surrounded by sand dunes on the peninsula its self and much more pleasant. Managed to convince Em to go snorkelling (before she found out that there was a sea lion colony just around the corner and the area is known for Killer Whales) and have also been deep sea fishing with some friends from home (Ben and Subhani, who were going to be travelling with for the next month or so). Angus is still miffed he caught absolutely no fish and is reminiscing ... read more

So we made it to our second stop, Ilha grande after a bus and ferry ride. Found our little pousada and dropped our backpacks and had much needed cigarettes and alcohol! Those backpacks are seriously heavy! Due to Jem´s disability we decided to just spend a few days soaking up the sun on a few of the island gorgeous wee beaches. However this proved more difficult as it was a mission to get to any beaches - climbing over rocks etc so Jems feet really didn´t get the rest they needed. However the beaches, when we finally got there were really nice and never too busy. Our second night we decided we needed to let our hair down and so went to a little bar at the port - note to travellers the drinks are pretty ... read more