Saturday 29 December 2012

A bit more of Xmas

Having a bath on Boxing day! I'm not gonna lie though, water was pretty frisky...



Thursday 27 December 2012

Around Xmas...

22nd december 2012

We have arrived to a lovely camp site. More of someone’s back garden to be honest. It is right next to a little river that could have been used for a western movie. Showers aren’t exactly warm it is a nice spot with what looks like a big garage with a fire place in the corner and an out-of-this-world baby-foot. We had fire cooked lamb for dinner, beautiful!!
In the morning, we were on our way for a 5 hours walk through a canyon to Cueva de los manos holding 7000 year old hand paint on walls. I’m not gonna lie, my feet and legs could feel it the next day BUT I wasn’t the only one....












24th december 2012

After a fare amount of time in the truck, we stop in Esquel so Pete can get the last items for Xmas meals. As we have only 1 hour, I rushed to the first WIFI point available and thanks to Skype, I managed to speak to few people including my sister and her family and my dad’s family who were in Auxerre this year. Usually, Xmas is about gathering with all my dad’s family. We are talking about up to 20 of us for 3 to 4 days. It’s been going on since as long as i remember. This year is obviously special as I am in Argentina, my sister is in England as her third kid is due in a week and my mum who recently passed away. However, it was great to speak to them all. Then it was a short journey to the Los Alerces National Park for 3 days...





26 december 2012

we’ve been at Los Alerces national park since Xmas eve. Although the weather was average yesterday, spending Xmas camping was a real great experience. Thanks to Pete and Kyrsten experience of camp food, we had an outstanding Xmas day lunch.

Having a 2mx2m barbecue helps cooking for 25 people! we opened our secret Santa presents and I got a warm trapper style hat from my sister coming with a hand designed card. My hat made a few pax jealous.
Today is boxing day and trust me it is hard to process it. Weather is warm and sunny. T-shirts, shorts and flip-flop are out for most of us. It was about chilling, chatting, soaking the sun and doing a bit of washing up. I went for a 2 hours walk with Tony and Geoff following the road that goes around the lake we are camping next to. Heather, Tony (again) and I decided to brave the elements and go for a swim. The water is crystal clear but very chilly too! It was more of a flash swim, long enough to have our picture taken. It was followed by a relaxing session with book, music (Archive 3  albums) and a cold beer. Now people are gathering around the truck, enjoying the last rays of sunshine, waiting for the dinner to cook in a massive cast iron potjie. Apparently it is the calm before the storm as tomorrow we are heading to Bariloche which is meant to be packed with activities.












Saturday 8 December 2012

sea lions

sad times...

The next post should have been about El Calafate with its amazing landscapes and local amazing sights such as Perito Moreno glacier and more. I should also have done the W treck. unfortunatly life as decided otherwise. I am currently in France after my mum passed away few days ago. I will be there for 10 days and will be back to Argentina on the 18th, meeting up with the crew AND the truck down south in Ushuaia.
My duck is in good hands and you should see the pictures that Sue took in my absence.

Sunday 2 December 2012

Puerto Madryn y Peninsula Valdes

Although we were meant to leave Buenos Aires with the truck, we had to change plan since the truck wasn't even in Uruguay yet. Our backup mean of transport was a first class bus with 160 degrees inclination seats, food and drinks served on board! Made the 17 hours trip more than bearable!!

We are in Puerto Madryn until tomorrow and the last 2 days have been fantastic! Great wild life encounter with Magellan Pinguins, Right whales, dolphins, elephant seals, sea lions, guanacos, mara (cross between a rabbit and kangaroo). Today I've been diving around/in a wreck called Albatros 700m off the shore. It is a 37m vessel that got drowned in 1998. Although I haven't dived for 4 years, I got away with not doing the refreshing course which saved me about 80 quid and quite some time. Things went great, even got to dive in the vessel whoch was a bit scary as the entrance was pitch black. After the dive, we went to chill with the sea lions. A great experience having them swimming and playing around us. I got to try my new waterproof camera and I must say that I am hugely impressed with the result. Any picture shown on this blog, appart from hipstamatic pictures, are coming from it! I will try and show videos too but internet speed is a bit of a problem...

On the road...

Road in Peninsula Valdes

Nanard le Canard bonding with Magellan Pinguins

Magellan Pinguins


On the way to see Elephant Seals

Elephant Seals chilling in the sun

Nanard le Canard with a whale skeleton

Great view to bay

Nanard le Canard enjoying the Right whale show

Right whale striking a pose for me


Sea Lion (video to come)


along the way...

We have spent a week in Buenos Aires in the end as the truck was stuck in Uruguay. As we've stayed an extra night, I had to move to another hotel which was quite interesting since it was a gay hotel. Great look, swimming pool and loads of fresh fruits for breakfast!! Only the shower was surrounded by glass walls and a mirror even! Oh and a door sign saying "Do disturb". Here are few pictures taken along the way (hotel shower not included)
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Covered Market

The crew


Check me out!
Our meal and Tango night out

El Camenito



Metro A line

Buenos Aires cemetery


Nanard le Canard chilling by the pool of a very gay hotel