Still in BA

I was warned but i didn´t believe people when they said this city sucks you in. You need at least twice as long here as you think you are going to.

Ive changed my plans again. I didn´t go back with Bronwyn and the girls to Chile. Instead I decided to stay on here. Im staying in the apartment of a cool Dutch girl I met in Uashuia. All her friends are Argentinian so it has been really good for my Spanish but really bad for my English. After a month of talking to foreigners in hostels I find myself speaking Pigeon English. Its quite a challenge to construct a proper sentence these days.

Somehow (she knows people) we got a free meal last night in this really fancy restaurant that turns into a club. Its just as well, cause the vodkas cost 6 euros which is a complete rip off for here. We didn´t get very drunk with prices like that. We met some pro American basketball team on tour called the Harlem Globetrotters and partied the night away with the tallest men Ive ever seen. You couldn´t be dealing with the accent though.

More BA

Went to a wicked club. Got home circa 6am which is early for here.

Dragged myself out of bed to see a Boca football game which was incredible. All flares, banners, flags, confetti, screaming, drums, trumpets, dancing and singing. I loved every minute of it. Boca beat Jujuy 3/1 and all the goals were in the second half at my end.

Stayed in last night. The hostel had a live band on.

Buenas Aires

Got my red hair redone. It was totally manky- horrible orange colour, but its back to normal now looking very funky. I can tell its going to be expensive to maintain longterm.

Sat around the hostel in Cordoba watching movies all day waiting to get our night bus. Alpha Dog with Justin is excellent. It must have been a copy cause I dont even think that is out yet.

Couldnt sleep on the bus. The condensation from the window was streaming onto me like a waterfall and it was freezing. Arrived in Buenas Aires in a daze but our room wasnt ready so headed out to see some sights. Saw the pink palace where Evita spoke to the hoi polloi. We went to a big military exhibition and then to the races. Much nicer than Lepordstown. We broke even which wasnt bad. Was too wrecked to party with the girls last night so went to bed early ie 1.30am here, and finished my book.

Today spent the day walking around by myself. Got completely lost. This city is huge. The only thing that upsets me more than being late is being lost. Everyone loves BA, but Im not feeling it. Despite the hot boys, Im getting sick of the food. The only things to eat here are ham and cheese sandwiches or meat and potatoes. The city is filthy and noisy as well. Were going out to a big club tonight called Opera Bay so maybe after ive had a good night out here, Ill like it a bit more.

Cordoba

Its amazing how Ive become slack on the postings since meeting the girls!!

We are in Cordoba now. Yesterday visited some Jesuit churchs (Totally breathtaking), then took a 1hr bus ride out of the city to see the Che Guevara museum only to find out that it was closed for refurbishment. Damm. Went for a gorgeous meal last night while all the povers in our hostel cooked in and then met them in the pub. They gave us such a hard time about wasting money that today we relented and cooked a risotto (Thank you Sinead for the cookbook at Christmas. It was the only recipe I could remember). We had champagne and peaches for desert for the laugh just to piss them off.

I went skydiving today. It cost about 100 euro so a lot of money for here but a fraction of at home. I surprised myself my staying calm throughout. Ive got photos and a video and any day now Im going to work out how to upload them!!

Mendoza

Took a 24hr bus ride to Mendoza and finally met the girls. They were supposed to be on a wine tour when I arrived but luckily for me they had been on the piss the night before so were still there when I arrived at lunchtime. We headed out by bike to see the bodegas/wineries ourselves. I still havent been converted to wine but at least I know a little more now. Great day followed by a great night. We headed to a club with the guys who work in our hostel and got up at 3pm today. The banter with the girls from home is great and for the first time I was envious about travelling in a group as opposed to going it alone.

Dolovan, Gaimen, Trelew

Had the strangest day yesterday. Still on my Welsh mission, I got the bus an hour to Trelew. There are no tourists and therefore no hostels, so I had to book into a cheap hotel. It was without a doubt the most disgusting place Ive ever stayed. The light in the bathroom didn´t work although it was probably just as well, as there were exposed wires everywhere. Worst of all, it was triple what Id been paying in my fancy hostels. On the plus side, it was nice to get off the backpacker route for the first time.

Took another bus to Dolovan, a supposed Welsh settlement. There was nothing there and nobody speaking Welsh. I organised a taxi to take me in search of anything Welsh. It turns out there are a multitude of Welsh chapels around the countryside surrounding the town so off we went. The house nearest each chapel keeps the key and if you pay them some pesos, the owner will let you go in and take photos. Having seen three, and with the ´donations´and the taxi metre running I decided to call it a day in Dolovan.

I took a bus to Gaimen where I found the first house of the Welsh settlers, the Welsh museum, and another chapel. I then had afternoon tea in a Welsh tea house. Finally I felt like I was getting somewhere. Ten minutes before I was supposed to get the bus, I hit the jackpot. I foound the local musical school, where the director was Welsh and she was married to a Portugese man who is in charge of tourism and the local Welsh festival every year. I got their email for Ogmore. Took a bus back to Trelew and just made a quick stop at another Welsh museum and the local Welsh interpretation centre. Mission accomplished.

Not wanting to spend even a minute in my hotel room, I knocked on the door of an English guy staying in the hotel. Im such a stalker. I saw his details in the hotel register. Anyway, I think he was glad of the company so we went out for a drink.

Puerto Valdes

Today went on a tour to Puerto Valdes which is a Unesco site for wildlife. Unfortunately, the penguins, the orcas, the whales, the elephant seals and dolphins have migrated. However we did see seals and sealions. Unfortunately there is no discount in the off season despite the lackage of animals. It wasn´t really worth the money but howandever.

After the tour, hitched a ride (I wasn´t doing that walk again) to the Welsh museum. It was very interesting and a little embarrasing when they actually tried to speak to me in Welsh. Ive left a note for Ogmore in the visitor book which hopefully he´ll get to read himself one day when he tours here with the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir.

Just got an email from Brownyn who is already in Mendoza so I have had to change all my plans. Was supposed to be going to Bariloche tomorrow night but unfortunately am now going to have to skip it and haul my ass north in order to see Browyn.

1st day Puerto Madryn

I hope you are keeping up with me on the map. Im on the east coast of Argentina now at Puerto Madryn on a fact finding mission for Ogmore.

Over 100 years ago some Welsh farmers settled here and Im here to find out more.... I walked 4km to the Welsh museum today only to find out that it is closed on Tuesdays. Damm Lonely Planet didn´t mention that. I hitched a ride back with a local and went to the Mari-time Museum. Originally owned by a wealthy businessman, the house where the museum is housed was donated to the government, by the man´s WELSH wife after his death. OK, so the link is a little tenious, but none the less!!

Its low season here so no-one interesting staying at the hostel. A middle aged English man on a career break from teaching and a middle aged Spanish guy who´s a bit mad, neither of which I have any interest in talking to, but who persist in talking to me. I cant even get away to my dorm cause we are all staying in the same room. There´s also a group of English public school girls so I better go and make the effort with them now.

Ive booked a tour tomorrow of Peninsula Valdes tomorrow to see the wildlife and then I will recommence my Welsh quest.

Horse Riding in Patagonia

Didn't do too much today, which was really nice and definitely the right decision for me, but started a scrapbook and a notebook of new Spanish words I have learnt thus far. My intentions are good. Whether I'll keep up either remains to be seen.

I went horse riding this evening. It was a little shit because there were 6 of us and we had to stay in a line the whole time just walking and trotting, no cantering, which became a little boring after a while. Having said that it was still really cool because of the view. We had the stunning Andes and the Argentinian lake on one side and barren landscape as far as the eye could see on the other. The horses didn't have proper sadals, just blankets. Afterwards we drank traditional mate tea (to me it was like drinking an ashtray-no thanks) so all in all it felt very Patagonian. Unfortunately my ass is a bit sore and I have to go on a 24 hour bus journey tomorrow. At least it is leaving at a decent time (12pm) and not the usual 5am.

The importance of Bermuda

Im drunk. Its two thirty in the morning and I have decided not to go to the famous Fitz Roy mountain tomorrow. I have met some Burmudan girls who are going to do nothing tomorrow, which sounds good to me, as unclultured as that may be. Bermuda. Does anyone know anything about Bermuda? I dont, but after tomorrow I will. I figure thats more important than a spectacular mountain, right?!

El Califate

OK, I survived the long bus ride by talking the whole way to a Swiss guy. I couldn't sleep- Im defo lacking in REM, or watch the movies cause I left it till the day before leaving for South America to get the glasses that I need for tv. Aparantly, you cant get glasses in 1 day. Who knew? All the spectacle wearers I suppose. Anyway I picked out two designer pairs that despite the bump in my nose dont look too bad and Paulie is going to get them to me via Johnners cousin, so that the many bus journeys ahead can become a bit more bearable.

Until then I could always fly, although I'll probably be home in 4 months if I do that cause my money will run out. Budgeting has been non-existent since I got here but starting next week, Im going to take more care. I have the impression that I am slightly off track when I see the other backpackers going to the supermarket to buy food while Im dining out for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Today went to the Perito Moreno Glacier, which was amazing. We actually went on a boat right up close and saw large chunks of ice falling off which was spectacular. My current dilema is whether to go to the Fitz Roy Mountain tomorrow. If you do it in one day, it takes 4 hours each way on the bus and you have about 5 hours to hike around and take photos, provided the weather is clear and you can actually see anything. The problem is, Im kind of sick of hiking and scenery already and I feel just like relaxing tomorrow but everyone is horrified that Im considering not going to this famous montain cause it so beautiful, blah blah. It reminds me a bit of the cruise ships when I was so tired, I had to choose between seeing a city Id never been to before and getting a few hours kip. Its tough for me, I know!

3rd night Uashuia

So...I missed my bus and stayed an extra day. Had to pay for another bus ticket but was happy to :)

2nd Uashia

Went on a cool boat trip today-saw a lighthouse and a sealion colony, some birds and rare plants. Sounds boring on paper but wwass relly amazing. Best bit-maade frieends with the ddeckhands who are so ccute and I am meeting tonight. I catch a bus at 5am for 20 hours tomorrow. Maybe I´ll stay up all night

Ushuaia-The End of the World

Left Puenta Arenas as there was nothing to do there. Took the 12 hour bus ride to Argentinas southernmost city Ushuaia which literally is at the end of the world. Im now hanging out with 5 other lone girl traavellers. I climbed a mountain in the Tierra del Fuego National Park today. My scouts would be proud. Loving this city but must press on soon if I am ever to meet Brownyn.

Last day in Santiago & Puenta Arenas

Got completed hammered on pisco sour 2 nights ago, a local drink that gets you wankered. Very pleased with myself though as I managed to get up and go to the pre-colmbian artefcats museum, then on to mercado central for some amazing fish. Unfortunately the Irish guy I met on the plane tried to score me, which was a little akward as I wasn´t interested.

Sleeping in dorms is quite difficult. People coming and going all night equals no sleep.

I flew south to Puenta Arenas specifically to see the penguin colonies only to be told that they are all closed due to bad weather. Despite 13000 people living in this town, the streets are deserted and there is nothing to do here. The hostel is empty so am going to go out and befriend some locals tonight instead. I leave 9am tomorrow to head further south on what will be my first of many long bus trips-this one is approx 12 hours!!

First 2 Days in Santiago

Met an Irish guy from Cork on the plane who kept me amused on the long haul flight. Before you ask girls, he wasn't good looking. I cant remember the last time I didn't fly Ryanair so was quite shocked when they didn't charge me for the glass of water. Couldn't sleep on the plane so should be delirious at this stage but amazingly am still functioning. Got a little overwhelmed at the airport when 100 Chilian men were all trying to get me in their taxi but found a nice one who delivered me safely and didn't overcharge, alhtough I overtipped. I cant get to grips with the currency. It's like the old Lira, ridiculously big denominations. Hostel is wicked. Lots of backpackers. Ive befriended two Irish guys from Rathfarnham who have run out of money but play on-line poker all day to make some for the next stage of their trip. I spent the whole day today with a guy from Manchester. Before you ask girls, he's gorgreous, like Mathew McConaghey. We walked around town and went to an art gallery. Amn't I cultural. Then went to see Spiderman 3- it was totally rubbish. Knew it would be but he suggested it so ......

Just finished packing

Im at home getting ready to leave. Just finished packing all my boxes with an hour to spare before Jenny takes me to the airport. Martin, you are my saviour for taking them all. Lets hope they dont get mildewy under your house. Starting to get excited now. The enormity is just dawning on me. Ive been so busy geting ready to go that I dont think it had sunk in until now.
Ive no idea how to upload photos yet but hopefully I'll find some kind traveller in Chile that can sort me out.