tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10408026087650168882024-03-13T08:41:13.627-07:00Just One Big TripUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-86334109162569952112012-04-04T06:50:00.000-07:002012-04-04T06:50:59.950-07:00One last story...Before I bid farewell to my travel ramblings on this blog, here is the last story I wrote about our adventure from Chile into Bolivia.... :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2yhGymBkk8Elfq5TNUGg_fV2BTYqzo6pgNy5CKn3m0zakpf8_mcPgW-i8nNYWeo5tHhm8Nd9zJ7sK91Uv7b2fWohYJ26c8dyzhsD7XoymANTugafom-QCD9DD-T6_tbKKB2vydrKkjM/s1600/cass+bolivia.PDF-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2yhGymBkk8Elfq5TNUGg_fV2BTYqzo6pgNy5CKn3m0zakpf8_mcPgW-i8nNYWeo5tHhm8Nd9zJ7sK91Uv7b2fWohYJ26c8dyzhsD7XoymANTugafom-QCD9DD-T6_tbKKB2vydrKkjM/s320/cass+bolivia.PDF-page-001.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-12031328445383894472012-04-04T06:28:00.002-07:002012-04-04T06:28:46.843-07:00Sometimes things just don't go to plan.....Unfortunately our 6 month trip has had to come to an end half way through; who knew how expensive Argentina would be! Yes, you guessed it, we're broke and thus having to return home. BUT the adventures will continue again some day, somewhere :)<br />
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Thanks to everyone who followed our travels, stories and photos and for all the support.<br />
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Ciao for now!<br />
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xxxUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-80719111832910029562012-02-25T08:32:00.001-08:002012-02-25T13:08:49.391-08:00Latest Travel Article...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This article contains two travel stories from South America, however I can't get it to load up a decent size, Blogger always shrinks it to a default size. If you'd like to read it, maybe try saving it to your desk-top and open it as an image, that way you should be able to zoom in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTNuJQgHU_eeTohlJ2NMwONAKQRMvVDICh9-I2XUGnCHkPi5e1_05S5nBG9kUBff9azgkMsU2q0SfpNCPV66ollb_qWZxJcQK49wznj7Y3jfNUq_qEBTg-CTQ3R0GruSg7ofU38-wrAw/s1600/newapper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTNuJQgHU_eeTohlJ2NMwONAKQRMvVDICh9-I2XUGnCHkPi5e1_05S5nBG9kUBff9azgkMsU2q0SfpNCPV66ollb_qWZxJcQK49wznj7Y3jfNUq_qEBTg-CTQ3R0GruSg7ofU38-wrAw/s320/newapper.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-28686564426624133582012-02-25T07:13:00.001-08:002012-02-25T07:16:11.644-08:00Sucre dogs and some sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few photos from our time in Sucre, Bolivia. We are still here until early March, and I must note that since these photos were taken all it has done is rain. We don't really mind though, at least we got to see some incredible lightening during the storms!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuc5Etf0VX2nB85ofpLlrdfra1LPPn4yw3Gb3k2n1dBq-u87xpKSvXNSPKNL3-vKuVOk3qs5kmM1-mnQFFylfbHVzXnAZnO9GwOo39-inzzOXsQuG_1AJsZoiL8Fh8TapVLeH5krFe3c/s1600/SAM_4582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuc5Etf0VX2nB85ofpLlrdfra1LPPn4yw3Gb3k2n1dBq-u87xpKSvXNSPKNL3-vKuVOk3qs5kmM1-mnQFFylfbHVzXnAZnO9GwOo39-inzzOXsQuG_1AJsZoiL8Fh8TapVLeH5krFe3c/s320/SAM_4582.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sica, the Guesthouse pooch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG8uvwS7-fb61UK5Mmw_JktWE5T7LQX9nbXTdF0_epdrTwz5x409GjoaeFEDxlzpQf7UbTrDrDu4Rb1z2XrgSiau_YoYiRlQSQ5Yl8F9IWfS6_hmsL-LWmM7h3ImzgeuUEsRWkYYdHS0/s1600/SAM_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG8uvwS7-fb61UK5Mmw_JktWE5T7LQX9nbXTdF0_epdrTwz5x409GjoaeFEDxlzpQf7UbTrDrDu4Rb1z2XrgSiau_YoYiRlQSQ5Yl8F9IWfS6_hmsL-LWmM7h3ImzgeuUEsRWkYYdHS0/s320/SAM_4583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sica in her bed under the stairs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cEfhOia3iLOzVJQB-KLdZpJo8ECRKkDh4fZhTvTmUYSDZXCx1cqBGtcON4DvLLdOzR9xWoKg14uYyv1N9s0WEdFwIQQGr9HHZww-kumJYOaIUwRUwRexomPI3Bds7_9RUjgZNqmP0CA/s1600/SAM_4585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cEfhOia3iLOzVJQB-KLdZpJo8ECRKkDh4fZhTvTmUYSDZXCx1cqBGtcON4DvLLdOzR9xWoKg14uYyv1N9s0WEdFwIQQGr9HHZww-kumJYOaIUwRUwRexomPI3Bds7_9RUjgZNqmP0CA/s320/SAM_4585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A very hot day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEQy5cP8COYecEQDBBjzFxBwDeX4MF2d39YgtGuP_MmRQ4ptMaUYy2nr2R7kHbraHWos9hsVONEFc53mmU-NlaU9A08cGSHUzaDlJFfvKSpQJ-7Sje8z59HZ1ZwkiBgv0JGYf0ByCx3E/s1600/SAM_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEQy5cP8COYecEQDBBjzFxBwDeX4MF2d39YgtGuP_MmRQ4ptMaUYy2nr2R7kHbraHWos9hsVONEFc53mmU-NlaU9A08cGSHUzaDlJFfvKSpQJ-7Sje8z59HZ1ZwkiBgv0JGYf0ByCx3E/s320/SAM_4602.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A HUGE moth, took us a while to figure out it was real</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIkId9-TxyCQZZj7lYZO4yBzgHi8VFSt_KCOeN5uYbxy-0qLIdfI-XhjdC1Nbn9J3y-5b6wt5g-Sll43t5p6n7ZTdROu9vU4mUSgN9g4lq9ddoQBvSAItQd_tEbvZQVS0CueKmdVOvBM/s1600/SAM_4605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIkId9-TxyCQZZj7lYZO4yBzgHi8VFSt_KCOeN5uYbxy-0qLIdfI-XhjdC1Nbn9J3y-5b6wt5g-Sll43t5p6n7ZTdROu9vU4mUSgN9g4lq9ddoQBvSAItQd_tEbvZQVS0CueKmdVOvBM/s320/SAM_4605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZoxT1UaTMMBJBG9EBkuiws_JeXXJ4hSbKfzyPMp2oCa_H6mKWZSapLhJCIY0pNPD2zYQcjmzBYa7cbF9JbcaQACxrmuDNlQ8sh0NNlEDwM3ZC9zrTKQMQD6ovjvtAiPIdRYCQMGYDQM/s1600/SAM_4610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZoxT1UaTMMBJBG9EBkuiws_JeXXJ4hSbKfzyPMp2oCa_H6mKWZSapLhJCIY0pNPD2zYQcjmzBYa7cbF9JbcaQACxrmuDNlQ8sh0NNlEDwM3ZC9zrTKQMQD6ovjvtAiPIdRYCQMGYDQM/s320/SAM_4610.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A local pooch, we call him the 'Wise Dog', as he is always sat outside on his stoop watching the world go by</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfzC56m9nMxt2__0V-BIwGHBes6MlvqZGeilBq_HceX_S0Ifm8MJQaC5nEaD_VUoGZ2VtchQKSwZv13tXYZ78bD6UAh86VgHgoWVYCpQQwZ0G44N6BlTzrGH5tpyGQHhM9tD8nMf2Wek/s1600/SAM_4611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfzC56m9nMxt2__0V-BIwGHBes6MlvqZGeilBq_HceX_S0Ifm8MJQaC5nEaD_VUoGZ2VtchQKSwZv13tXYZ78bD6UAh86VgHgoWVYCpQQwZ0G44N6BlTzrGH5tpyGQHhM9tD8nMf2Wek/s320/SAM_4611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These lot look like they're having a Mothers Meeting</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGeCc-2W5uFOVqr50leSh-ivPmmbewDBMMOrWKY22QCgK8VckFmg0B_FvpVyAHTx_ZsNMgEd0O52oWDwTUjeNhG2tYTd6xdDIC0bqKPvmqdzNayO-W9eq2_wl2Jxk2tOJigOiJKoik8/s1600/SAM_4613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGGeCc-2W5uFOVqr50leSh-ivPmmbewDBMMOrWKY22QCgK8VckFmg0B_FvpVyAHTx_ZsNMgEd0O52oWDwTUjeNhG2tYTd6xdDIC0bqKPvmqdzNayO-W9eq2_wl2Jxk2tOJigOiJKoik8/s320/SAM_4613.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Angry Duo, they chase off every other neighbouring dog</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrthOmX-vJLW9hKO1Jk1_0Pp-tWh_fc4ZL6sLTOUV9zLvyh7UwakukUYRULNC9bN0dei76_LVg9V59VQSN0YG2qrDsFt6B1A94F1yN9FSZ2pa4Hn2tvALWQsESuzstv4aKcqUFdJNC48c/s1600/SAM_4615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrthOmX-vJLW9hKO1Jk1_0Pp-tWh_fc4ZL6sLTOUV9zLvyh7UwakukUYRULNC9bN0dei76_LVg9V59VQSN0YG2qrDsFt6B1A94F1yN9FSZ2pa4Hn2tvALWQsESuzstv4aKcqUFdJNC48c/s320/SAM_4615.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Wise Dog' </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yfIRUo2bV3codMkY_5E49RgLzcN_MZisADjMjDyqxUSi0GTWzVoLbxrRdcowa1nxfq9whR3I7hZORBTg8V7EzkS13yt-TaK1Ujmk0p1SsKnTSoF3faKHcJbQ9imIP8TxSBt46WOOPjs/s1600/SAM_4617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yfIRUo2bV3codMkY_5E49RgLzcN_MZisADjMjDyqxUSi0GTWzVoLbxrRdcowa1nxfq9whR3I7hZORBTg8V7EzkS13yt-TaK1Ujmk0p1SsKnTSoF3faKHcJbQ9imIP8TxSBt46WOOPjs/s320/SAM_4617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We call this sorry state 'Rat-Fink the 2nd'...as there was a previous sad pooch in Puerto Iguazu that looked just as unkempt :(</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYHZ9EjnJXfILxiGi2O9s-EHz48nKwb452txsiXyULoQB_gS-QcIEWjKVPToRIOGMZ-j3gJv7LKufJHdIA1yIx9sOQOllDSW09cBd8shqfrMiH-R4MzYP5zCb_Z9kVDISYznx8Ev4Ry4/s1600/SAM_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYHZ9EjnJXfILxiGi2O9s-EHz48nKwb452txsiXyULoQB_gS-QcIEWjKVPToRIOGMZ-j3gJv7LKufJHdIA1yIx9sOQOllDSW09cBd8shqfrMiH-R4MzYP5zCb_Z9kVDISYznx8Ev4Ry4/s320/SAM_4619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We think someone had rescued her as she was shaven and had a tea-towel to wear, we noticed her wearing different outfits on different days....one of which had buttons and a collar!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtChaSaoFVN9tdRKn-958BiXXAZ7y9I6LRg9ZeRPMJG6MLyHdoE4f81ikcmMlUz5zc10iYakGXBpOanwfz7PmPOq46FsjsUsmdTgKdd_NctTiBE1RUPdW4RD-eEMsnoLCty79ufJQOia4/s1600/SAM_4620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtChaSaoFVN9tdRKn-958BiXXAZ7y9I6LRg9ZeRPMJG6MLyHdoE4f81ikcmMlUz5zc10iYakGXBpOanwfz7PmPOq46FsjsUsmdTgKdd_NctTiBE1RUPdW4RD-eEMsnoLCty79ufJQOia4/s320/SAM_4620.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jack the cook :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCpdvm2MI7OxgNR0MLpsR4xNoZ-b0ZdHM2d8X1DFjV6rCrON4UJp7c_kHcXvXrr0QGziKlpp_qlM9tMH8S20p91jldQoJqDJZ8oyD_dueN61jE_T055t1_EhOXW5EuZV7CSgD-Yr69f0/s1600/SAM_4622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCpdvm2MI7OxgNR0MLpsR4xNoZ-b0ZdHM2d8X1DFjV6rCrON4UJp7c_kHcXvXrr0QGziKlpp_qlM9tMH8S20p91jldQoJqDJZ8oyD_dueN61jE_T055t1_EhOXW5EuZV7CSgD-Yr69f0/s320/SAM_4622.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">View from the kitchen balcony</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-0hMP3HT1w5Ovz1vlKZmzS_hJLoL6haRextLuQO0q1025yr2kWcAhConN7F2a164p9EH8NatpGlRdwyqt9SL1mCxY2sEkyRCH5J1hJVRyHZC0c31zkyHPgobwqvma-PYoB__Mpe4xU0/s1600/SAM_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-0hMP3HT1w5Ovz1vlKZmzS_hJLoL6haRextLuQO0q1025yr2kWcAhConN7F2a164p9EH8NatpGlRdwyqt9SL1mCxY2sEkyRCH5J1hJVRyHZC0c31zkyHPgobwqvma-PYoB__Mpe4xU0/s320/SAM_4624.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The balcony leading out from the kitchen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-24875684894760276582012-02-13T08:01:00.002-08:002012-02-25T13:28:26.171-08:00Volcanos, Lagoons, Flammingos, Llamas, Geysers and so on....<div style="text-align: center;">Ok so it's been a wee while since my last post, but we've been a bit all over the place! From the Chinchilla Reserve in Illapel we headed back to Santiago for a week. We took it easy, enjoyed going to the cinema everyday (we strongly suggest seeing 'The Help', an amazing film!), eating good food and slurping on tasty Raspberry smoothies on a daily basis :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We really enjoyed Santiago, although we're not usually fans of the city, but it was a stylish and relaxed place to be, with everything we could really wish for to veg out. Only downer being that it was a tad expensive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anywho, from Santiago we took a 24 hour sleeper bus up to San Pedro De Atacama, where we planned to sandboard, star-gaze and then take the famous 3 day trip over the salt-flats and into Bolivia, all via 4WD.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The weather to begin with was boiling! We stayed in a 5 bed dorm room in a really nice hostel. Though we don't particularly enjoy dorms, we had to deal with it in San Pedro as the prices there were mad! 9,000 Chilean Pesos each for a bed, which is around 11 or 12 quid! For a dorm that is expensive. Luckily the hostel was nice and quiet, something we always look out for when booking. We're more like an old couple when it comes to our surroundings, any sign of 'party-time' and we're outta there! ;) Peace and tranquility is where it's at.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uqHYDYvzZ_ZFUJOMV6zoflAKI2Vc574c05M5IHkZeosAHzVAHIiWb-IqgJq-zmIb7fRTt0Fh_RCwZcC3NxE2Vshk-kUh7X1K18XmCA9vB6pDJg_Z0pG4dHeob0iLpTea9butLl14VEk/s320/SAM_3586.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7BexjhycrPiCgKwi5fio6FbG-La_PXOTGGNP6OqbYNAOa_mofrPjYx1z8UDgm4xJB67jb_pHBkWALbjywait0SBw5aMnC4uwkgOBDrU1p1IonHrXi4v_83fEXTctCaWuxgHd-a-b1m8/s320/SAM_3585.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Typically, the weather took a turn for the worst after the first couple of days, leaving us sad and massively disappointed that we couldn't go sandboarding OR star-gazing! The only two things we wanted to do there. GREAT. The rain poured down and the temperature dropped rapidly. They say it only rains approximately 15 days per year there, how typical that it rained on our watch :(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BE3QXm5ntrKXgjwR03iKpSBL14ho17NrbWptHHsipDye5C_ayL3SSQdE1CgZGOpuftxqb75D4bGA_Eaczw5rC67m7-GZKJrGStwW2D6c68YaJSUZ0b75mJ1ehC7RYPjxqgv1bw64e0Y/s320/SAM_3592.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our first attempt of sandboarding failed miserably as the heavens opened just as we were about to begin. The wind whipped up and the sand blasted our bare skin, it was like being held against one of those sanding wheels you get in Tech class at school, ouch! Sand in our eyes, sand in our ears, sand in our mouths. We were wet, uncomfortable and miserable, so we abandoned ship and returned to the tour office disheartened and annoyed. Thankfully we managed to get booked on another sandboarding tour a few days later for no extra cost, phew. Thankfully the next attempt was wind and rain free, and we had a great time, ending the tour by watching the sun set over Moon Valley :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cGsLMXOq9ApJV0fdT1J0cqSz8FZKr-d42ws6yRUOl-JuaRsQJN5bCwAzQB-qAR1yAIVdM90cAafXdfhZ19dO4YnV5DQ6_kFX_GOv57WdFdojNtsQxkf03S6iM8JpfRtrdHUew0fXihA/s320/SAM_3665.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmVjtrFc5076bwKPyZMP10jJsePloll3IsuELdzK8C4KKROws8ps3uo8pP-By9uOjqoEYlPxkzMWbZzJrZL2mgZeqkp__nBOrk4e6ymnIHP6Z-Lx94-B2JkRLofaDek5Hl4-EdDf2inE/s320/SAM_3676.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir77hXmZfGryhHegMo-WW0oan6144Tb4FibnJgKPjLUAM5Qs0OKs0AgPTO_gIMXLDUQVu6AYvnHMvxk_H-L1VFwAnggu_omc5AP4mJAu6ZJUnXwxjTEYGc7KoRZEG9Axjj6Oy8ISu81Kc/s320/SAM_3683.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbMMIfTEmlkQUYJtGeRO0gKEQvK-je6MOHmm7ni71rH1QlhrvWVBTTrFpFfPqeeQ_Ybl2Hbbm2S6WDQ88tBOVWHqrzgxf_cnu5bn2FzG6ZVzVba-G5cgVCFnBdX-VSFeFJi49M3EVuZI/s320/SAM_3704.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG0id1jx4VaAnE1k2vZ8thBi_7cGMNE_ztw4yNplXW90v1cLR1GbFuW-_ksPBPrS2y7__YDy7jWyt_iS1RTg7hLeLC8ApMbxFW1vBT77tsLgwppaQmN1kv7157DJfiaUFDcVjS5_XBgI/s320/SAM_3785.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately the Star-gazing never happened, I honestly thought Jack was going to cry. It was something he'd talked about before we even left the UK. The rain subsided, but the clouds reamined overcast for the rest of our visit, of course making star-gazing impossible. We were both really gutted, but what can you do!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We continued with our plans and departed San Pedro De Atacama on a mini-bus full of tourists, many of whom were English :) The bus took us to the Bolivian border, where we showed our passports, aquired our stamps, and changed over into 4by4 vehicles.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next 3 days saw us bumbling along through Bolivia in our all-terrain tin can, passing by various beautiful lagoons, volcanos, mountains, crazy rock formations, Flammingos, Llamas, smoking geysers and salt-flats. We shared the experience with 3 other people, and the driver of course, and we all had an amazing time. Though Jack did say "If I ever see another lagoon....!" Haha. We did see a fair amount of lagoons, it has to be said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The only downer to the whole experience was the altitude sickness. I didn't for a second think it would affect me, I don't know why, just one of those naive assumptions I guess. But it was pretty ovbious once we arrived at the first hostel, in the middle of nowhere, and WAY above sea level, that we were not going to escape it. Many of us were hit with relentless thumping headaches that just wouldn't go away! I woke up various times in the night only to be reminded of the pounding in my head. There is just something about being so high up that makes you feel rather bizarre, kind of like you might 'pop!', an increase of pressure all throughout your body. Some people even had mini nose-bleeds, Jack and I included. Nice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a brilliant trip regardless and I would recommend it to anyone thinking about it. My only word of advice being to go with a reputable agency, as some of them are just no good (over cramming the vehicles, lack of safety etc). We went with Estrella Del Sur, and I highly recommend them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Upon arriving at the end of our trip in the somewhat unimpressive town of Uyuni, we headed to Sucre, further East in Bolivia. This is where we are now, spending time relaxing, sleeping and eating, all in preparation for our trip to the Animal Refuge in March, where home comforts will be non-existent!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-60745548699791477662012-01-21T14:35:00.000-08:002012-10-06T10:40:19.764-07:00Volunteering in Illapel - The Valley of the Cactus!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We have recently returned from our time working as volunteers at the 'Save The Wild Chinchillas' project in Illapel, 5 hours north of Santiago, in Chile.</div>
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We didn't spend as long as we had planned at the project, but we still feel we got quite a bit done in the time we were there. Before I begin, here is some info about 'Save The Wild Chinchillas':</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Save the Wild Chinchillas, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization formed to aid in conservation of wild chinchillas. Its goal is to ensure that these endangered animals do not become extinct. In order to meet this goal we have three objectives: educate people of all ages, collect funds to protect land and create sustainable preserves, promote awareness, and foster research.</i> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">About half of the wild population is located within a fenced reserve. About 5,000 individuals are located on private unprotected land.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Excessive hunting greatly reduced the number of wild chinchillas. Today hunting is forbidden and the animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Animals (CITES). Although these animals are protected, their habitat continues to be destroyed. Grazing animals, collection of wood and mining harm this endangered animals last known habitat.</span></i><br />
<i style="color: #38761d;"><i><i><i><i>Our nursery began growing native plants for restoration in the year 2000. We have created circular restoration plots in areas connecting existing chinchilla habitat or enhancing it. Our nursery, volunteer cabin, and restoration plots are located within the local communal landholding. Local landholders help us in collecting seeds and seedlings, growing them and planting them into restoration areas. We have planted more than 5000 seedlings so far, and with the help of local workers and international volunteers, we are continuing to stabilize this ecosystem.</i></i></i></i></i></div>
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<i><i><span style="color: #38761d;">By creating habitat for chinchillas, we aid in the preservation of at least 9 flora species and 17 faunal species of conservation concern. These include woody shrubs and trees as well as amphibians, birds and mammals such as the puma, another smaller cat species and two fox species. At an ecosystem scale, regeneration of local flora is expected to offset desertification and restore biodiversity.</span></i></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from the hill above the town, Illapel</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRfP0DAKL6ijV-4kjMYXFWAhn5usbP6jBRIHTgFtMjWKM0vcHdKpAdtohtHQxmXTm9C7u8ZZ57ykds3nnCc892u3cOL67RKFAcmBodEkbDCnY_FuxNVmhmXc-OF3QL3xbO3dx8vxbqzs/s1600/SAM_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRfP0DAKL6ijV-4kjMYXFWAhn5usbP6jBRIHTgFtMjWKM0vcHdKpAdtohtHQxmXTm9C7u8ZZ57ykds3nnCc892u3cOL67RKFAcmBodEkbDCnY_FuxNVmhmXc-OF3QL3xbO3dx8vxbqzs/s320/SAM_3243.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, when we arrived, any of our ideas about what to expect had come directly from the website of the project and correspondance with the lady who runs it, who now actually lives in California (I think?)</div>
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We also knew another volunteer, James, was already there. When we stepped off the 5 hour bus ride from Santiago we found ourselves in the small mining town of Illapel, the nearest town to where the project is based. James had given us the phone number of a friend of his to call on our arrival. After a short wait at the bus stop, he arrived and off we went in a taxi to the project.</div>
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Now, in the taxi we learnt that things were not all as we'd anticipated. </div>
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James had been there for 5 months, and in his first week up at the volunteer cabin he had found himself not only alone, but somewhat overwhelmed by how much re-organisation and re-establishment actually needed to take place.</div>
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No one had been working at the project since the last volunteers, in June 2011. The place had been left to it's own devices for a few months at least. The nursery beds had all dried up, the irrigation system was no longer in existence, the volunteer cabin itself was in disarray (James had been greeted by a dead rat on his arrival) along with filth, mouldy food, dirty blankets, a giant rubbish pile and just general disfunction! Rumour has it that some volunteers along the way had been somewhat problematic, unfortunately.</div>
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The lady who runs the project has all the best intentions for the project, but we both felt that her absence was clearly evident and no matter how many volunteers come and go, the project can only be fully successful if someone is there all year round. Any good work carried out by volunteers is quickly erased if much time passes by without someone there to keep up the work and maintain the nurseries, water system, cabin and so on. It seemed a bit hopeless to us (well, until her eventual return to sort it all out, which is meant to be soon).</div>
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So, James didn't stay there much longer than a week. Instead he found himself living with some friends of the project owner, a Chilean family who live nearer to Illapel, and trying to grow seedlings on their land in the hope of transferring them to the project nurseries at a later date (once it was functioning again!)</div>
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Our first couple of nights were actually spent with James at the families home, where we gathered supplies such as food, water and tools to take to the project area, which is a good half hour drive into the desert and can only be reached by vehicle. In our case, taxis or hitch-hiking!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The house we stayed at for the first two nights</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I must also mention that upon our arrival James warned us that there were two types of native spiders that were poisionous and if we were to ever come across any, we were to squish them! He informed us that a bite from one of them would give a person about 7 hours to live, time to get to the hospital where they have the anti-venom. A bite from the other, smaller spider would kill a person within 20 minutes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think all the colour must have drained from my face with this new information. He'd seen a few of them in his time there apprently. I had no idea such deadly things would be around us. He also managed to freak me even more by telling us a small child had been bitten and killed at Christmas time, but that it was so rare it had made the headlines. All of this was enough to make me seriously reconsider running back to the bus! I was genuinely terrified by the mere idea!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I finally resigned myself to stay as he reassured me the child hadn't died locally, but somewhere else in Chile. I can't say I slept easy that first night, that's for sure!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The family had LOTS of kittens, though slightly feral and thus flea-ridden :( </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Domino, the family dog, he followed us everywhere</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teeny little kitkat!<br />
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There were so many cats and kittens at the house. They weren't pets as such, but the family did give them left-overs if they could. I found it heartbreaking to see some of the little kittens in ill health though. The smaller ones especially. There was one that was particularly poorly and it looked like it was on it's way out. Jack and I just wanted to scoop them all up and nurse them back to health, give them fat little bellies full of milk and help them live long and healthy lives! We didn't have the option though of course, which I found extremely painful to deal with. It's just not how things are over here in some places, animals have to fend for themselves and the weakest ones get filtered out. <br />
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Made us so, so sad.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQIJryLn74RU2O_Hw25ZJADO4QXUa71pFmhTMmvZd_HzHZz3VSTe71C7oQKqIcVc5-GrU2jMcOVgi4nqBsqAXKZpAQgjet-wNsk7NERI7T5Y_dI9DqIQN6OVXqcrwQrngqyWEGhxWSQk/s1600/SAM_3283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQIJryLn74RU2O_Hw25ZJADO4QXUa71pFmhTMmvZd_HzHZz3VSTe71C7oQKqIcVc5-GrU2jMcOVgi4nqBsqAXKZpAQgjet-wNsk7NERI7T5Y_dI9DqIQN6OVXqcrwQrngqyWEGhxWSQk/s320/SAM_3283.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pet Chinchillas (the only Chinchillas we actually saw)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJABKiM0HrAUa6zlhu-8emO3kjzod53yuE3xNLq7ncbpF9EalVPlYf_TOtC6a4z6IOGwuyo1A32o5AIeMZsd5u69zJYuYVe-cUzLwvIXCSpJhRhqqhHK9UROsI7PZNxWLgcT1bo0Remu0/s1600/SAM_3286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJABKiM0HrAUa6zlhu-8emO3kjzod53yuE3xNLq7ncbpF9EalVPlYf_TOtC6a4z6IOGwuyo1A32o5AIeMZsd5u69zJYuYVe-cUzLwvIXCSpJhRhqqhHK9UROsI7PZNxWLgcT1bo0Remu0/s320/SAM_3286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Winking Chinchilla</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">TO THE VOLUNTEER CABIN!</span></b></u></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_lxeZ61TZz4sHMA5PdJpozMjn0g7lKrSpBbZLZVltKUaqwNmByhfmK4O3FyGkugtbnFDDherV4mpo6GW2PI2Xwyh_ZA9vz_rEUWp3gb2MKMA5tOBQZ6eLjhn_bneY8Y19nFQ1P3z_oI/s1600/SAM_3396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_lxeZ61TZz4sHMA5PdJpozMjn0g7lKrSpBbZLZVltKUaqwNmByhfmK4O3FyGkugtbnFDDherV4mpo6GW2PI2Xwyh_ZA9vz_rEUWp3gb2MKMA5tOBQZ6eLjhn_bneY8Y19nFQ1P3z_oI/s320/SAM_3396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Volunteer Cabin. Isolated hey!</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The location of the cabin was pretty cool! Literally in the middle of nowhere, which was something we had been looking forward to! However, the fact that the connected water was totally out of order made life there quite a bit more difficult. Without water there is of course no life, no way to water any plants, never mind wash our dishes or ourselves. We had taken plenty of drinking water, an essential in the desert obviously, but there was little we could do in regards to actual 'conservation' work without any water! It was frustrating to say the least.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Also, we found that there was little information left available to volunteers who don't know what needed to be done, or how to do it. We kind of expected a set of instructions to inform us of what seeds to collect, how to plant them, when and where to transfer them to etc, but we didn't find anything like that unfortunately. It all soon became irrelevant once we learned there was no water anyway! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8utC0wCjFLk6AHfX0-5KuCHzbC-hXRhbqv_11dVTI5wIbQYhu_C9ohd5T-u7rAZW7rauTV0oDG-zMs03ca0MNSGraoNaTW-p-YiSebvIPGcwg7wpokCx1HLbk2ipXJ9aCyEITci09mc/s1600/SAM_3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8utC0wCjFLk6AHfX0-5KuCHzbC-hXRhbqv_11dVTI5wIbQYhu_C9ohd5T-u7rAZW7rauTV0oDG-zMs03ca0MNSGraoNaTW-p-YiSebvIPGcwg7wpokCx1HLbk2ipXJ9aCyEITci09mc/s320/SAM_3309.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The dried up nurseries</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2iuw7VGeZp364rGMQOlf2BV1dI080TlB98zyGbV1hsX8hWsBiLhj6MQUOAl8aJFk0BQB7PSALjKHQV8gvSEp6Hn-n3PMwaCKSvd9jKIxOCjZ4pDmIz_qR68yf5GrX0sTnybJOeTCjL4/s1600/SAM_3310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2iuw7VGeZp364rGMQOlf2BV1dI080TlB98zyGbV1hsX8hWsBiLhj6MQUOAl8aJFk0BQB7PSALjKHQV8gvSEp6Hn-n3PMwaCKSvd9jKIxOCjZ4pDmIz_qR68yf5GrX0sTnybJOeTCjL4/s320/SAM_3310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All dried up<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rhtdrmYXBmmUZc1DRc6zxPD_Gc3zmumruTlt0j2Nqq9lZe5P4SKR91IjTwp3qk54LMPYH0oUX8YPxqhBxK_aX43AIDrHNS96Qz6VCDUVR4eyildEaoGMiONYxhvJC-91AiiR4TJBkKw/s1600/SAM_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rhtdrmYXBmmUZc1DRc6zxPD_Gc3zmumruTlt0j2Nqq9lZe5P4SKR91IjTwp3qk54LMPYH0oUX8YPxqhBxK_aX43AIDrHNS96Qz6VCDUVR4eyildEaoGMiONYxhvJC-91AiiR4TJBkKw/s320/SAM_3307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The nasty pile of old rubbish</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
When we first arrived at the cabin we tried our best to blizt it. We took everything out of it, cleaned it (finding a dead bird under the bed in the process!) scrubbed it, swept it, disinfected it, you name it. We slung out all the rat-pee ridden bed sheets to be washed and tried to inject some organisation back into the cabin, which was difficult as it was just full of 'stuff'!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2osoaY3I1v07x5R5k31EW7MaZm_yaOKhfTfzZ1gNZ572LtI1JZ4DVVvd5jLJvZhayvQGIahkg0ufUW_B-GcETEe8li8QOCNFVb_JtGuKSAh4siTktizSm6df7ttqyv6DKnaTkpzzjO8/s1600/SAM_3287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2osoaY3I1v07x5R5k31EW7MaZm_yaOKhfTfzZ1gNZ572LtI1JZ4DVVvd5jLJvZhayvQGIahkg0ufUW_B-GcETEe8li8QOCNFVb_JtGuKSAh4siTktizSm6df7ttqyv6DKnaTkpzzjO8/s320/SAM_3287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack and James and myself heading off to fill up bottles of water<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
James had spent some time there prior to our arrival and had a good idea about where the problem lay, something to do with re-connecting the pipes that ran to the nurseries from the source, which could be found about half a mile away tucked away in the nooks and crannys of the valley.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTayJnPVEXVEkKFpWgz3prCF4v_L8t8IC10wwEb-T_DzK1WPCF0mnIpAS_67gagcjQm2SJyXdSynG6Bbev1o-yGIDwwPFWDGH9iZveZeQG6ntXzhCFPLODoprGNVc3XtlmtXzxVAybSJc/s1600/SAM_3290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTayJnPVEXVEkKFpWgz3prCF4v_L8t8IC10wwEb-T_DzK1WPCF0mnIpAS_67gagcjQm2SJyXdSynG6Bbev1o-yGIDwwPFWDGH9iZveZeQG6ntXzhCFPLODoprGNVc3XtlmtXzxVAybSJc/s320/SAM_3290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boys trying to fix the water problem (I had no idea)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQLuZV3ZOZiKutLeIZcOu9outMYvQn_R51D2_5oLV-ah5pEUTuWmaV9RM_Lh78XE-kzsNFUDqNk2lsR1iyzK2gBa6dXkqA5kLJYPi6NZHG8hkPwE9Bew8wFwq7Hx-Hy3Ci5eIs6xaa-w/s1600/SAM_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQLuZV3ZOZiKutLeIZcOu9outMYvQn_R51D2_5oLV-ah5pEUTuWmaV9RM_Lh78XE-kzsNFUDqNk2lsR1iyzK2gBa6dXkqA5kLJYPi6NZHG8hkPwE9Bew8wFwq7Hx-Hy3Ci5eIs6xaa-w/s320/SAM_3292.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the cabin<br />
<br />
On the first afternoon at the cabin we all sat down to have a cup of tea, when a thunderous lorry or truck passed by causing the cabin to shake, but then hang on a minute, no lorries or trucks or anyone for that matter ever passes by the cabin (execpt the farmer on horseback)! I turned to James wide eyed, as he calmly said, "Earthquake"<br />
<br />
Both Jack and I were like, "NO WAY!"<br />
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We stepped outside as I was freaked it was going to get worse, but it quickly stopped. James told us they feel them all the time in the area and call them only 'tremors', though that particular one felt a little stronger than usual. After that it became the norm, we often awoke bleary eyed in the night to the tremors, which felt like a strong vibration, and the books on the shelves would shake a little, very bizarre feeling! Only seconds would pass before I'd fall straight back to sleep again.<br />
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It turns out that to the <a href="http://www.presstv.ir/detail/221680.html">West of Illapel, near the coast, a 6.1 earthquake had taken place</a>, which must've been what we'd felt a touch of.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjazn_R_25mug3xJy_DwBWma83u7NiXWywjCoacGRpswb7Eytl49fAQnMlqdPFow_SyQCNxm0ApwPw52_mgkDyGGwEwaNhrLbmHn2NjQ5xmRVVOzhKnlNRXnFw-XrIHvHc8LEffvYm_Y/s1600/SAM_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjazn_R_25mug3xJy_DwBWma83u7NiXWywjCoacGRpswb7Eytl49fAQnMlqdPFow_SyQCNxm0ApwPw52_mgkDyGGwEwaNhrLbmHn2NjQ5xmRVVOzhKnlNRXnFw-XrIHvHc8LEffvYm_Y/s320/SAM_3296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just washed, lots!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EBDo2StjQRuCa2kgxzZEQeB53f36FgLJSeJf7sYFSzxT5ztxkR4u1h8FeWvNMfktqEU2EgjEyLucBpGIoIeMxQ7T6KrzNXuGWKTMUOWWdrJsm0vfnrQ8_r0zFD0XlNbrAxsLlST4q1Y/s1600/SAM_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EBDo2StjQRuCa2kgxzZEQeB53f36FgLJSeJf7sYFSzxT5ztxkR4u1h8FeWvNMfktqEU2EgjEyLucBpGIoIeMxQ7T6KrzNXuGWKTMUOWWdrJsm0vfnrQ8_r0zFD0XlNbrAxsLlST4q1Y/s320/SAM_3302.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The toilet! Where a little lizard had taken residency, freaking Jack out when he went to use the 'ammenities'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack chopping off dead branches</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yanking down a big dead branch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLja3Hekz15Dx7jaX86ciFUtsbf4Bx_1c___CONojtHoNIAmo16tRPEStPlv02Tz3s9rBDTZYJrkdzcL13KU0k79mTNT9meJDTwg3EUyGkLxzuXGluhRB8QmmyVQFqxqAZ9HplOU46YE/s1600/SAM_3323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLja3Hekz15Dx7jaX86ciFUtsbf4Bx_1c___CONojtHoNIAmo16tRPEStPlv02Tz3s9rBDTZYJrkdzcL13KU0k79mTNT9meJDTwg3EUyGkLxzuXGluhRB8QmmyVQFqxqAZ9HplOU46YE/s320/SAM_3323.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More chopping of dead (and dangerous) branches</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkySLasRMLKRJZ2iAGPvwqyM705QEu-FDhzdax-b0uVehMjUnhKTvNdwJzemI_IFvmn43lnBYFwM1_bPdOzf2d5NHDGJy_vFeW1yf4Y84SP7vdqI8gVrbV4csdI1cL-tlwZh27PGFtf6s/s1600/SAM_3330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkySLasRMLKRJZ2iAGPvwqyM705QEu-FDhzdax-b0uVehMjUnhKTvNdwJzemI_IFvmn43lnBYFwM1_bPdOzf2d5NHDGJy_vFeW1yf4Y84SP7vdqI8gVrbV4csdI1cL-tlwZh27PGFtf6s/s320/SAM_3330.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Burning of branches</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdS0zeYO_aFHZEZGPIJqeHN4WkdzDJtkXuqjaSQbQb0fMIACVF7A1ah6ibXjGRV9sVGO1cG2WICOyuYtrgy0APld9UbhRuee3lFbLOlECMx0jHgAftaSXzr6UD4zpBnLXy6RPFSVulBo/s1600/SAM_3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdS0zeYO_aFHZEZGPIJqeHN4WkdzDJtkXuqjaSQbQb0fMIACVF7A1ah6ibXjGRV9sVGO1cG2WICOyuYtrgy0APld9UbhRuee3lFbLOlECMx0jHgAftaSXzr6UD4zpBnLXy6RPFSVulBo/s320/SAM_3331.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">James and Jack working </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjuUOsYq6ILnReJUgoOI_XwALcLbcny7bko2Eza3iZMZfHDtE_ZaMzSeqsGT5LmD_E9aPI5teccFLuzdmBcCKpRj5c7WLqhBVl0XnB6PzFA2hEtGru_3-0N98tuWqj9NdPNhcJ0f1wxs/s1600/SAM_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjuUOsYq6ILnReJUgoOI_XwALcLbcny7bko2Eza3iZMZfHDtE_ZaMzSeqsGT5LmD_E9aPI5teccFLuzdmBcCKpRj5c7WLqhBVl0XnB6PzFA2hEtGru_3-0N98tuWqj9NdPNhcJ0f1wxs/s320/SAM_3333.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack doing a dance :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvW1lNO74QNhYz_Au5ZSXQVld_JbLvRRr0jMAnTsPBYvcVluC58iona_xJht4JPi0-of8W7DcEaZkC1Q7mxYmxtpCl15yOKk51GoPbXEEjrnp9x1e9Ox-V0oqPsDRk3AY3tBhGRCalXw/s1600/SAM_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvW1lNO74QNhYz_Au5ZSXQVld_JbLvRRr0jMAnTsPBYvcVluC58iona_xJht4JPi0-of8W7DcEaZkC1Q7mxYmxtpCl15yOKk51GoPbXEEjrnp9x1e9Ox-V0oqPsDRk3AY3tBhGRCalXw/s320/SAM_3335.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tribal Jack</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXm6TiY5d75Z1G68ENGzVH2IwP2VODXrY534ztzrX6MPgAE3kq9VfwXmRBwMDgjnm58krcYiZApYyeTXmX9y_gJhAuGnqZDCr_wSb7WoEiuP_RXViRB8QuPLwsfCP3ouxaf-BiWjUUdQ/s1600/SAM_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXm6TiY5d75Z1G68ENGzVH2IwP2VODXrY534ztzrX6MPgAE3kq9VfwXmRBwMDgjnm58krcYiZApYyeTXmX9y_gJhAuGnqZDCr_wSb7WoEiuP_RXViRB8QuPLwsfCP3ouxaf-BiWjUUdQ/s320/SAM_3346.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The boys organising the tools</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZeLDzx1uiM_YVkZdfEcrLKdVACJYDT1wYgC7yShymlOUWjaidm1IGYWdGzKIJbStUg7q2nkRvOa-n8NQoX8J5Y3-_8w1B2P-jEXRr6Ycv9stj0-vH0G2YVBi6S91nmi6AUVWpiJ3ZdU/s1600/SAM_3355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZeLDzx1uiM_YVkZdfEcrLKdVACJYDT1wYgC7yShymlOUWjaidm1IGYWdGzKIJbStUg7q2nkRvOa-n8NQoX8J5Y3-_8w1B2P-jEXRr6Ycv9stj0-vH0G2YVBi6S91nmi6AUVWpiJ3ZdU/s320/SAM_3355.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every tool has a home now</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17OI9I_8e7LfufBP_9niLjn6U6TP99OAAq3KJwdB0FzWSAX3AiK3E35Uf8mhiZL3aW-uwXMtLn35qIvC3d8zfwa1sJloymaypbG3kxyA5YzNMtJJR12FbA4XKUuXkBpYWQT3OqGA6aIE/s1600/SAM_3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17OI9I_8e7LfufBP_9niLjn6U6TP99OAAq3KJwdB0FzWSAX3AiK3E35Uf8mhiZL3aW-uwXMtLn35qIvC3d8zfwa1sJloymaypbG3kxyA5YzNMtJJR12FbA4XKUuXkBpYWQT3OqGA6aIE/s320/SAM_3351.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me washing all the stinky bed sheets<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L6vpBFihyELzud59eqZjYZvrhJ6A9b78M1LlcqlcMd8DcbkRVAs8TctOussEP-whSPCVeMgUdOyhTtvu2EOYTXpW8PnOJJjo7x980K0OkE5Mad8XELlox12fP2jcFPvQevJ9f-qv_C0/s1600/SAM_3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L6vpBFihyELzud59eqZjYZvrhJ6A9b78M1LlcqlcMd8DcbkRVAs8TctOussEP-whSPCVeMgUdOyhTtvu2EOYTXpW8PnOJJjo7x980K0OkE5Mad8XELlox12fP2jcFPvQevJ9f-qv_C0/s320/SAM_3360.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlODwz0kaP2cdkHZvLqRwTc2SFfxFEnWHwDABJGWrxgi1JtHSNfvQlVq1-F0I_pguyI186u1njuqiHO_feXTzYT57K6hTGXzmgyH8ExN-t-JjVniqBLhhtQqlqqJJ2LHSVcFfAVBzD-BQ/s1600/SAM_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlODwz0kaP2cdkHZvLqRwTc2SFfxFEnWHwDABJGWrxgi1JtHSNfvQlVq1-F0I_pguyI186u1njuqiHO_feXTzYT57K6hTGXzmgyH8ExN-t-JjVniqBLhhtQqlqqJJ2LHSVcFfAVBzD-BQ/s320/SAM_3374.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack batting the horrible horse flies away, they just dive bomb for you!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU9NAjGlPRtmXRXQ7SAIhbzS7HyRFHyW9jqAqx4Jrvr618Qqpt5KEU_NQwfBAHDzrskN6Svlz8-W8GGfteptDGf6u1cIqyyqep5a3O-SGeRx4WHCSqR3bhCuHnk00V5sKKvMlQYlMkwM/s1600/SAM_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU9NAjGlPRtmXRXQ7SAIhbzS7HyRFHyW9jqAqx4Jrvr618Qqpt5KEU_NQwfBAHDzrskN6Svlz8-W8GGfteptDGf6u1cIqyyqep5a3O-SGeRx4WHCSqR3bhCuHnk00V5sKKvMlQYlMkwM/s320/SAM_3364.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where we slept<br />
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The first night was not a great nights sleep. Jack and I shared a single-ish sized bed, but we had our own sleeping bags which made it a little easier. I found it difficult to doze off as every little creak or scuttle made me feel uneasy and I had the worst fear that a rat would crawl over me in the night, or a bug (god forbid a spider) would find its way over to me. Thankfully it was fine and the rest of the time I slept pretty well! Though I did decide to use ear-plugs and hide inside my sleeping bag liner :)<br />
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The water situation seemed really tricky, James seemed to have a really good idea about how to solve it, it was just actually solving it that was the problem. I also had no idea about plumbing or anything of the kind, and neither did Jack really. Thankfully James had learnt a lot of Spanish in his five months of being there, and he was able to talk to the local farmer, who so very kindly hooked it up for us! We just had to finish off the piping, which wasn't too difficult. The boys did most of the work anyway, like I said, what do I know about pipes!?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP64txqed-e7HEcASJBnViPtdcEmv8epcgtzUJmlXSL7qFPZVvLH2LIESujKXYvayyT5yjwFnm4ikSs8VNQsZGYC3MRlasOB-us2FAZtf7a5Fpaj5mcfw-LxCPmePvNeHgYw-uvLQyF24/s1600/SAM_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP64txqed-e7HEcASJBnViPtdcEmv8epcgtzUJmlXSL7qFPZVvLH2LIESujKXYvayyT5yjwFnm4ikSs8VNQsZGYC3MRlasOB-us2FAZtf7a5Fpaj5mcfw-LxCPmePvNeHgYw-uvLQyF24/s320/SAM_3367.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The boys have water!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmOGp4Ubn8BIxtyttyt-HSVu6DrJkF7o6WW93gQAeFzPObzkLpt4cGsOT-qty9Ek6iN93ymDpTMgNU8aYee_nwsJR0tMA0EoqaWObWoVrMYV3YhYkLM6aYT_oBpuVuaoPkigFUosVk3s/s1600/SAM_3394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmOGp4Ubn8BIxtyttyt-HSVu6DrJkF7o6WW93gQAeFzPObzkLpt4cGsOT-qty9Ek6iN93ymDpTMgNU8aYee_nwsJR0tMA0EoqaWObWoVrMYV3YhYkLM6aYT_oBpuVuaoPkigFUosVk3s/s320/SAM_3394.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dragging lots of hose back towards the cabin<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCjzoouEEeCHE6HNmJojb1PzFAM08sgUtAlzymFhm7ZOsU-_FWQpL-CFg8dD5Pg9hP9xRmEP37PdIjEuKR6OuBLgXPOCfYV2fXLh03diu0mTW3sRu872xMOV76UrVbPLWbCZgh0537tQ/s1600/SAM_3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCjzoouEEeCHE6HNmJojb1PzFAM08sgUtAlzymFhm7ZOsU-_FWQpL-CFg8dD5Pg9hP9xRmEP37PdIjEuKR6OuBLgXPOCfYV2fXLh03diu0mTW3sRu872xMOV76UrVbPLWbCZgh0537tQ/s320/SAM_3409.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The shower the boys constructed! Very impressed! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cactus plants as far as the eye can see</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLUdfJiiBQ0ZGi9W-aP28h8mLvlMilub4lFxixG2M46-ugwGlc-eOhwRxe2UvpV8V-4vQGInDbAR7Iw9kHrpPGcse-QTr5-exKSMz56sS2Mju2Wu2FAxbZM27cqyJy4KkaHoQ9plxfOY/s1600/SAM_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLUdfJiiBQ0ZGi9W-aP28h8mLvlMilub4lFxixG2M46-ugwGlc-eOhwRxe2UvpV8V-4vQGInDbAR7Iw9kHrpPGcse-QTr5-exKSMz56sS2Mju2Wu2FAxbZM27cqyJy4KkaHoQ9plxfOY/s320/SAM_3406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">James making another fire for the rubbish etc</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXJJ_XSlPpzJKEU3dPIFgUTmqtSTdLH8Hu7estVBo8hu40dwcualJIdzKU89K_DIzx7a5lbkNO-A4PUTyMK6kzgcaHC3R4cA1dmiugCExsPzEYK4oQXseWSS7aPT-3-NGhzXePVjVN2c/s1600/SAM_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXJJ_XSlPpzJKEU3dPIFgUTmqtSTdLH8Hu7estVBo8hu40dwcualJIdzKU89K_DIzx7a5lbkNO-A4PUTyMK6kzgcaHC3R4cA1dmiugCExsPzEYK4oQXseWSS7aPT-3-NGhzXePVjVN2c/s320/SAM_3407.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sun set</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5E6_AzTDLqvRoTYr7dsalTTL9G-xPgMb1xUXiOWMJ8LhQhJeG3d-4g8MSDArU_oFe_KfLjfi0hrStnM20CC544Tp8_f3Yutz1LD6rptxqZyYcGFSjJUii7w2G_i9Whr-KgcbvrZsAVg/s1600/SAM_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5E6_AzTDLqvRoTYr7dsalTTL9G-xPgMb1xUXiOWMJ8LhQhJeG3d-4g8MSDArU_oFe_KfLjfi0hrStnM20CC544Tp8_f3Yutz1LD6rptxqZyYcGFSjJUii7w2G_i9Whr-KgcbvrZsAVg/s320/SAM_3413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack being prehistoric</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlQoHh0wT-lbntKMeXdvhHqqEiGTsu9kw83SqHWgEpbNg0SJP_c04O6uQlLVdV9sRA-2sq_DTxHaVL-elyHVusuWpKVzHoWSrPXbGPJtERxLEKX_-hFW2CSc4qkTbty0dnq3GQBWqWjI/s1600/SAM_3417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlQoHh0wT-lbntKMeXdvhHqqEiGTsu9kw83SqHWgEpbNg0SJP_c04O6uQlLVdV9sRA-2sq_DTxHaVL-elyHVusuWpKVzHoWSrPXbGPJtERxLEKX_-hFW2CSc4qkTbty0dnq3GQBWqWjI/s320/SAM_3417.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy all the rubbish has been burnt!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprO0XIlfvBEo_EQDJXa7345J4P9LQAthtN4pNIHbQc9GZBxmWgryNiQHIs4MyZGSucI1XfgogiIXEWQ7w0Z9410yQL7nHNAQkVWda8518k6avihJEJR0wM3o0SAlKQc75XQwKzWxuYyE/s1600/SAM_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprO0XIlfvBEo_EQDJXa7345J4P9LQAthtN4pNIHbQc9GZBxmWgryNiQHIs4MyZGSucI1XfgogiIXEWQ7w0Z9410yQL7nHNAQkVWda8518k6avihJEJR0wM3o0SAlKQc75XQwKzWxuYyE/s320/SAM_3424.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gathering some seeds for others to use in the future</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TNRlIfRJYBV6KRHMSJsnFKQiWcK7zyYWgOtmrcqp3S3m_pOcRcIQhlK2a6GC3JjLu7tpgCrEyTjZt0-V8EyyIpRUBk1Onl7uvV_Lj4q4V9SzylrrYiHR2BGodbQ27JBN-aQ-P9HwG8I/s1600/SAM_3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TNRlIfRJYBV6KRHMSJsnFKQiWcK7zyYWgOtmrcqp3S3m_pOcRcIQhlK2a6GC3JjLu7tpgCrEyTjZt0-V8EyyIpRUBk1Onl7uvV_Lj4q4V9SzylrrYiHR2BGodbQ27JBN-aQ-P9HwG8I/s320/SAM_3426.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The last supper (bread and avacado and tomatos)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfUCSgGnabLK8mXT0Y79pgFw-A_kHFqjndCOwgA1EkXp_uzgHbhBnmgjkAnPrWFK_ZK7z2nWOB0NQ6wnlft5mxPQbd5PgCfONRN8XVMxtB57g89h3sTSbuab_j8jtUHTcvNp7ILwUeD4/s1600/SAM_3437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfUCSgGnabLK8mXT0Y79pgFw-A_kHFqjndCOwgA1EkXp_uzgHbhBnmgjkAnPrWFK_ZK7z2nWOB0NQ6wnlft5mxPQbd5PgCfONRN8XVMxtB57g89h3sTSbuab_j8jtUHTcvNp7ILwUeD4/s320/SAM_3437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The morning mist</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AiWJ68Fb-FN0vJAiWmccLV4ky9aDvosFyonH0Jlmh37gYzudEcC8-2jTFfaKZ27FvB_5HAyVR_0DxeDBJpIpil90rinn7PAbyoO4rUbp6wTNKcCCb_ZUaXBhQM_0t2rfy40LBvkLsxU/s1600/SAM_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AiWJ68Fb-FN0vJAiWmccLV4ky9aDvosFyonH0Jlmh37gYzudEcC8-2jTFfaKZ27FvB_5HAyVR_0DxeDBJpIpil90rinn7PAbyoO4rUbp6wTNKcCCb_ZUaXBhQM_0t2rfy40LBvkLsxU/s320/SAM_3439.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A fence of Cactus plants that surround the farmers land</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
We did have fun at the project, and we wouldn't change our experience! It was great to meet James and to make some kind of beneficial difference to the situation there, even though it wasn't directly related to conservation as such. Some more volunteers are due in a week or so, and we hope our efforts will help them to actually get started on growing some plants and get the project functional once again!</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-18768190689039605242012-01-12T08:14:00.000-08:002012-01-12T08:15:56.910-08:00Writings while on the road :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first, of hopefully a handful, of travel stories I wrote for the newspaper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUEi_ElvQ1sAUt9-YgfV6R0-QoRjFEeGUgIool4T9iRP91E6CCVyTg4Er2GuwW8b-2pOZgwyd058HY0MFiOYcNE258hML_-CCPhG42wf-u0GpCQ2D_eevFhxQiPniBThMBH4V8HeBWnU/s1600/cassie+page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUEi_ElvQ1sAUt9-YgfV6R0-QoRjFEeGUgIool4T9iRP91E6CCVyTg4Er2GuwW8b-2pOZgwyd058HY0MFiOYcNE258hML_-CCPhG42wf-u0GpCQ2D_eevFhxQiPniBThMBH4V8HeBWnU/s320/cassie+page.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-61549394444924842942012-01-11T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:36:30.943-08:00Volcano Villarrica!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Finally the rain subsided today and we were able to head on up to the volcano early this morning. Volcano Villarrica </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">is one of only five volcanoes worldwide known to have an active </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_lake" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Lava lake"><span style="color: black;">lava lake</span></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">within its </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_crater" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" title="Volcanic crater"><span style="color: black;">crater</span></a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">...Ooooooohh. However, we heard that you can't actually see the lava, only the smoke coming out of it. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Unfortunately we didn't even get to see this, as when we got half way up the volcano the weather took an unexpected turn for the worst and we had to turn back, not that we didn't push it though, that's for sure!</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAVYmea79rZdwkYNNHRi6PQ-gkdSifL8HYRcKfpY4OCbgFEa0vFdhCuTrGtgpBQYQPAGv3A47ZLBZP38Pcws5LCqdQQF1JjuMNK5po0zOvBZ06MaMKZ9kKU_P2SkDVERC7m_ajkvxmrs/s1600/SAM_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAVYmea79rZdwkYNNHRi6PQ-gkdSifL8HYRcKfpY4OCbgFEa0vFdhCuTrGtgpBQYQPAGv3A47ZLBZP38Pcws5LCqdQQF1JjuMNK5po0zOvBZ06MaMKZ9kKU_P2SkDVERC7m_ajkvxmrs/s320/SAM_3128.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View of Volcano Villarrica from outside our hostel</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06cjQwcBSIaiicCvDJAmLGOt3KOeyDkSVjghoKaOGwb-qOoCsb6rPz1WKPUYHHtS4IRAlzbzEXaxUxBVKYUyqRCTjd6si2D9DEHP9iaKuhdiLWIJop8JrPqkvAaMNJodH_ci9TG14-Bs/s1600/SAM_3129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06cjQwcBSIaiicCvDJAmLGOt3KOeyDkSVjghoKaOGwb-qOoCsb6rPz1WKPUYHHtS4IRAlzbzEXaxUxBVKYUyqRCTjd6si2D9DEHP9iaKuhdiLWIJop8JrPqkvAaMNJodH_ci9TG14-Bs/s320/SAM_3129.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">View of the volcano from town</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5xZPNcnvd8Ra43_u6sQH47IPLxzcEzJIp3rchnkRYoSZuisqF1wgYHRKmm-4QNF39eBAV4GOCArJPpaiUcQah3dPZvWiW6kGx1QFcJJrZgRo_5aH7Tfy_RhduJUDRqlBwX26s4hOVI/s1600/SAM_3004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O5xZPNcnvd8Ra43_u6sQH47IPLxzcEzJIp3rchnkRYoSZuisqF1wgYHRKmm-4QNF39eBAV4GOCArJPpaiUcQah3dPZvWiW6kGx1QFcJJrZgRo_5aH7Tfy_RhduJUDRqlBwX26s4hOVI/s320/SAM_3004.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Early morning clouds</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1k3gqFMXh5adcfeGtLNGLkGK2jmvnply-UdoHCF879PEAw2B9SDoWPs86QXNPYulkkdlFyCbPc9dGAja_pd2yL3gd82KMcsEJxPEsm1dT8j0GMmPPIyePuiTlEdV1zNVwhyphenhyphenpufnAOeg/s1600/SAM_3018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1k3gqFMXh5adcfeGtLNGLkGK2jmvnply-UdoHCF879PEAw2B9SDoWPs86QXNPYulkkdlFyCbPc9dGAja_pd2yL3gd82KMcsEJxPEsm1dT8j0GMmPPIyePuiTlEdV1zNVwhyphenhyphenpufnAOeg/s320/SAM_3018.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMsoHsCBT2Fah214JUUWBAvg3-3174HIxnVgTU4PIBz-R944gPXA6FKqcXpW6GYZHj8wRApJQ6gPJauijZH-W7TOkKulNessDoDLCEwjKUL7ja1heDY69RGzWkx7L1VZdbdey_8-bF2o/s1600/SAM_3022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMsoHsCBT2Fah214JUUWBAvg3-3174HIxnVgTU4PIBz-R944gPXA6FKqcXpW6GYZHj8wRApJQ6gPJauijZH-W7TOkKulNessDoDLCEwjKUL7ja1heDY69RGzWkx7L1VZdbdey_8-bF2o/s320/SAM_3022.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">At the base of the volcano</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Waiting for the ski lift, which took us up about a 5th of the way</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPaDTxamfpCqTuSAcV-orHBySS7__IBlKe7ERTk4GOtFXKqicaZ1pKFm_XPk_0ifvk7Szxh3L3SyqzPPQWG8397NeoQIKjcYmT91yB0XNLdn1xlpJ4FAcb2VLCh6BrRXJ70SoTPxhJRU/s1600/SAM_3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPaDTxamfpCqTuSAcV-orHBySS7__IBlKe7ERTk4GOtFXKqicaZ1pKFm_XPk_0ifvk7Szxh3L3SyqzPPQWG8397NeoQIKjcYmT91yB0XNLdn1xlpJ4FAcb2VLCh6BrRXJ70SoTPxhJRU/s320/SAM_3026.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6hOusOabWKT1Re5V7VLcPJmDGAwRUTIJQ-4sSpCodKwrdIxmr2tPEkk-2ZrzWL90jRBC97X0Psww733xF8klx4qkSbtngGE2p9vU6ZOcTSRrZVuUtpx0CRVj9ITm3X7Bgj1SlCcaoeI/s1600/SAM_3027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6hOusOabWKT1Re5V7VLcPJmDGAwRUTIJQ-4sSpCodKwrdIxmr2tPEkk-2ZrzWL90jRBC97X0Psww733xF8klx4qkSbtngGE2p9vU6ZOcTSRrZVuUtpx0CRVj9ITm3X7Bgj1SlCcaoeI/s320/SAM_3027.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On our way up!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxmu_Ut4XWyfQfI_gBHK9YlG6qVkxqF8IaUrU5iS_ihUpMmLa_9dIskucC3iOFyuEQZRrr3qW1oyHpxYjuQF-0RAn0BKSet4-gtgtH8_P0gKTr2phdsmy9gUN43NIcFLv06kGzB5mq8w/s1600/SAM_3033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxmu_Ut4XWyfQfI_gBHK9YlG6qVkxqF8IaUrU5iS_ihUpMmLa_9dIskucC3iOFyuEQZRrr3qW1oyHpxYjuQF-0RAn0BKSet4-gtgtH8_P0gKTr2phdsmy9gUN43NIcFLv06kGzB5mq8w/s320/SAM_3033.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP2POqKPm9XytE_srlkQa-QFOzvx00KzpskPxkSbpwarf85A8cs_hrzxAoaAd_GbU1FRH_zHIflKGbYv3XbFaZ27MI67g_dAx9vHhTNkGyHZA61jpLxey30NyPhr9Ou1jCDXOihKe_GU/s1600/SAM_3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP2POqKPm9XytE_srlkQa-QFOzvx00KzpskPxkSbpwarf85A8cs_hrzxAoaAd_GbU1FRH_zHIflKGbYv3XbFaZ27MI67g_dAx9vHhTNkGyHZA61jpLxey30NyPhr9Ou1jCDXOihKe_GU/s320/SAM_3034.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFPE7cxUmN0-ekd76WXl27Wkf7gD4OICL3EKnt0BII0MAKy5ne6sanFjeD1hbmQEqDfZGbfv9kFLW-vV91LErgEsyDY6PcxxdtAZaNPwJQKgcNm9jVIywSyvxQSmCCezCrgmuoYUtIfs/s1600/SAM_3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFPE7cxUmN0-ekd76WXl27Wkf7gD4OICL3EKnt0BII0MAKy5ne6sanFjeD1hbmQEqDfZGbfv9kFLW-vV91LErgEsyDY6PcxxdtAZaNPwJQKgcNm9jVIywSyvxQSmCCezCrgmuoYUtIfs/s320/SAM_3036.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jack waiting to get help with his cramp-ons</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx3TPWEiKHBBkNQhtwBwRHdrvrI1VNmvJek-a2TwN9Tni6nA_y6U8NgMEVxogdshl2B980obhXq79c1gG2zY6ppKtC1CsIQa6o7mDsj7Eshk0hiRv3Gzx_NGfZLWBD3LcHa1DtOsw0zc/s1600/SAM_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtx3TPWEiKHBBkNQhtwBwRHdrvrI1VNmvJek-a2TwN9Tni6nA_y6U8NgMEVxogdshl2B980obhXq79c1gG2zY6ppKtC1CsIQa6o7mDsj7Eshk0hiRv3Gzx_NGfZLWBD3LcHa1DtOsw0zc/s320/SAM_3047.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Check these spiky beasts out!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nQk5aCPoz2A6Tc8wecQfXrB_R9udPu0NDeId7xDInf0xB5gvYftlSvhNog3N7ctVV4TK4ZOslTMUZIEkqUYsxBhDeMbGWsJNNSJf7Mz1axMMBZj_snzJJJbc-uYPGQDODe3WhzyyQ94/s1600/SAM_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nQk5aCPoz2A6Tc8wecQfXrB_R9udPu0NDeId7xDInf0xB5gvYftlSvhNog3N7ctVV4TK4ZOslTMUZIEkqUYsxBhDeMbGWsJNNSJf7Mz1axMMBZj_snzJJJbc-uYPGQDODe3WhzyyQ94/s320/SAM_3049.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Time to cover up! Bloody freezing!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCtZX4CMAjQu0ub-8TfVooGOJy8p_ySGfvhiFGVj2KugWnrIQh5GT_RvnA4-O57o0JD6KcCgV6lJIC0Zr5JxzMEj8Oj6nj8Yr78jg1oojSMWt_Jl-W3a5DbMxGettJLFb08usnq-pJ6U/s1600/SAM_3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCtZX4CMAjQu0ub-8TfVooGOJy8p_ySGfvhiFGVj2KugWnrIQh5GT_RvnA4-O57o0JD6KcCgV6lJIC0Zr5JxzMEj8Oj6nj8Yr78jg1oojSMWt_Jl-W3a5DbMxGettJLFb08usnq-pJ6U/s320/SAM_3050.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirplbvjWQjbsuMXEK-uDrek3Up6a6sGFgTh-HFaXFIWA1lX0LcDFHmVAcppQyUGrL6eK6xQF_JtfKnn834vgalsbqYc6nqn91HOVEXvxRtvkRz4NEC1-a5lFiu_rPS7YawoxskEZogcHY/s1600/SAM_3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirplbvjWQjbsuMXEK-uDrek3Up6a6sGFgTh-HFaXFIWA1lX0LcDFHmVAcppQyUGrL6eK6xQF_JtfKnn834vgalsbqYc6nqn91HOVEXvxRtvkRz4NEC1-a5lFiu_rPS7YawoxskEZogcHY/s320/SAM_3051.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24kalBDdSIYHAuXrZaaZdUDLO5TKwTnLyvd1chJKPFZg_fXRqCraDQ1yVPF4-6kp5gN-3ln6s12w7CVwQ2gzvx50CVtdJbWaC1Ov12eLKqvLFxgVIuUDP9qeneMKiN8BV_aCOYyV1d_w/s1600/SAM_3054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24kalBDdSIYHAuXrZaaZdUDLO5TKwTnLyvd1chJKPFZg_fXRqCraDQ1yVPF4-6kp5gN-3ln6s12w7CVwQ2gzvx50CVtdJbWaC1Ov12eLKqvLFxgVIuUDP9qeneMKiN8BV_aCOYyV1d_w/s320/SAM_3054.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlrGbj1S3OnDgeOVDYvZeF61I-mBgdhdj-P_kLzsmo07hOMYxIzGQKVnzx-adK2QGx0OzaaGK6ga68NNhG3hvIUmXHEYUm8mpLIebGaV6pAtOBRVXFsQR8xtGCb9y1fSFOhLPIG-R_j8/s1600/SAM_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlrGbj1S3OnDgeOVDYvZeF61I-mBgdhdj-P_kLzsmo07hOMYxIzGQKVnzx-adK2QGx0OzaaGK6ga68NNhG3hvIUmXHEYUm8mpLIebGaV6pAtOBRVXFsQR8xtGCb9y1fSFOhLPIG-R_j8/s320/SAM_3058.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me </span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ZXRYjwz50g-oB_FOdI_0qk-nuABhobpdCc_WYukeuJA1HtqUb_qDXaLZd-dPT8SUnQ-3o6RF6xD71KCqnyPljWQfNasfqTuXuy3UTgTwVBLFWO_h2pTBFArYLUVIDeTSBgnLT6S2wU/s1600/SAM_3060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0ZXRYjwz50g-oB_FOdI_0qk-nuABhobpdCc_WYukeuJA1HtqUb_qDXaLZd-dPT8SUnQ-3o6RF6xD71KCqnyPljWQfNasfqTuXuy3UTgTwVBLFWO_h2pTBFArYLUVIDeTSBgnLT6S2wU/s320/SAM_3060.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's about a 5 hour hike up the side of volcano and we were about 2 hours from the top, but all of the groups ascending the steep slopes decided to turn back. In our group of around 30 people we were two of the five people who decided to keep powering on (me being the only girl!), in the hope of making it to the top. Within 20 minutes though, we had no choice. The winds were howling and had already knocked a few people off their feet, sending them sliding at speed down the icy slopes, which from our perspective seemed almost vertical! We had ice-picks to help us keep our grip and spiked cramp-ons on our feet to keep us from slipping, but even those couldn't help us 100% when the wind decided to blast us!</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2m23Gh7_aLPMCA_6YFNFRf-D30CNEMsMjLE5WunjuvNI91XkL4enL1NbbxezzUNen15ijeYqrt3GzhQLWsfcRmCHEAj6lDcHsrg-dZ0inmrhfVlt718pCtQrZ_159pbTdjDvKsoDPEI/s1600/SAM_3061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2m23Gh7_aLPMCA_6YFNFRf-D30CNEMsMjLE5WunjuvNI91XkL4enL1NbbxezzUNen15ijeYqrt3GzhQLWsfcRmCHEAj6lDcHsrg-dZ0inmrhfVlt718pCtQrZ_159pbTdjDvKsoDPEI/s320/SAM_3061.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whipped clouds</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnXIDoZAsezFi8C80vaT_IIh21v87OkNfLfWJDA3GRwxv6XSAAKEq21Tf4HZSGolFoMJ8AsFCRKdEZVthVFqrv0z69CN31oLbLmzrS_OoPcFA2vZX2EtMmUesj9tK73iNiWUzgRdTpEI/s1600/SAM_3068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnXIDoZAsezFi8C80vaT_IIh21v87OkNfLfWJDA3GRwxv6XSAAKEq21Tf4HZSGolFoMJ8AsFCRKdEZVthVFqrv0z69CN31oLbLmzrS_OoPcFA2vZX2EtMmUesj9tK73iNiWUzgRdTpEI/s320/SAM_3068.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6Yd0JAgL1pqXFuV1aLtWanyaAULUH1UynSZMSwrsrTj6yBXXRNaCqJLi2iq6dxt7ZHubq5gA2z4PXqEJQ5o8ffKSu0EaUV65Q2-RCwTvieX8erKZIeVZUc__TWmRrNJD69uvaW26hW0/s1600/SAM_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6Yd0JAgL1pqXFuV1aLtWanyaAULUH1UynSZMSwrsrTj6yBXXRNaCqJLi2iq6dxt7ZHubq5gA2z4PXqEJQ5o8ffKSu0EaUV65Q2-RCwTvieX8erKZIeVZUc__TWmRrNJD69uvaW26hW0/s320/SAM_3074.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thats me, the big blue lump on the right</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">The pace became slower and more cautious as we got higher up, as the wind got stronger and harsher. We had to pause every few minutes, turn away from the wind and brace ourselves as it literally battered us, sending hundreds of little ice particles towards our faces, which we had thankfully completely covered up!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VzzsNQh_T1GZfHQU3PT6t94h73_2iHJyn3hao1BeCeEjSSTwITIZx9frh3Vg6ARtiE0jV-DkJySvniAXTrV26Z-A8YBLzwGRTScXG4uD_PTkdHc7yxH-_kIIAEAIdh6PD1g8FarhIqc/s1600/SAM_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VzzsNQh_T1GZfHQU3PT6t94h73_2iHJyn3hao1BeCeEjSSTwITIZx9frh3Vg6ARtiE0jV-DkJySvniAXTrV26Z-A8YBLzwGRTScXG4uD_PTkdHc7yxH-_kIIAEAIdh6PD1g8FarhIqc/s320/SAM_3083.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jack looking over the clouds</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBZNPKIWUagPVbRDjYqyPviLmtTLf_Ky35sQm0LSyX5GTgHXAOPgEU9gF2VGnHH13knkTOQknZ0jR9DbuCV9FGfKWHOHbKF6kwePypdiYR0cZ4AnENijK4PeYqQh5bE4sFlyctwXpgRQ/s1600/SAM_3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBZNPKIWUagPVbRDjYqyPviLmtTLf_Ky35sQm0LSyX5GTgHXAOPgEU9gF2VGnHH13knkTOQknZ0jR9DbuCV9FGfKWHOHbKF6kwePypdiYR0cZ4AnENijK4PeYqQh5bE4sFlyctwXpgRQ/s320/SAM_3084.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fAp2G7sAtu1sK3SjrtwQzoVpUg4VTlI4SKHd2FqUQd6HLH4YTF13I9MWqXCVsARgWTebNOGjOGvGxTMarfm1z_rFC22c2fEry0_62GtiHgq7MLhZSwR7K197Mc5M-smdEti7Qi_5sJk/s1600/SAM_3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fAp2G7sAtu1sK3SjrtwQzoVpUg4VTlI4SKHd2FqUQd6HLH4YTF13I9MWqXCVsARgWTebNOGjOGvGxTMarfm1z_rFC22c2fEry0_62GtiHgq7MLhZSwR7K197Mc5M-smdEti7Qi_5sJk/s320/SAM_3086.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another volcano in the distance</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznfkd3ChjDefGMpYjwDfReENIBUtB4-I9pvjoK3e7FDWSOFZLkZu2SCjCRPlYAxra-VlMpIevj1HDS7wEHWQx5K5UTBCEZAdTRnI7byM5WXPoL6e_SsZzL6URqPzRpAL7ucV6pT1TqMc/s1600/SAM_3093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznfkd3ChjDefGMpYjwDfReENIBUtB4-I9pvjoK3e7FDWSOFZLkZu2SCjCRPlYAxra-VlMpIevj1HDS7wEHWQx5K5UTBCEZAdTRnI7byM5WXPoL6e_SsZzL6URqPzRpAL7ucV6pT1TqMc/s320/SAM_3093.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I nearly got blown off for this photo</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q2obzJ-b2j2vuYLKFrtYfWQwl8wOO7Os-ZuXEFRbBNssOeHj9JQaGUhvZaG5dkPBfLzHcSG8lYRYkCvDQ4xQU1SGm2a-ECn2RY7vH8k6FxxUzDdO6TiQAw9LrJOwz3iPjHAuiySIyxU/s1600/SAM_3100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q2obzJ-b2j2vuYLKFrtYfWQwl8wOO7Os-ZuXEFRbBNssOeHj9JQaGUhvZaG5dkPBfLzHcSG8lYRYkCvDQ4xQU1SGm2a-ECn2RY7vH8k6FxxUzDdO6TiQAw9LrJOwz3iPjHAuiySIyxU/s320/SAM_3100.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was hard work without a doubt, and even though we didn't make it to the top we are still really glad we did it. We've heard that on a calm day it's not a fraction as difficult, but you can't tamper with nature and we definitely weren't going to risk our safety (or ours lives!) just to get to the top, so we're pretty happy with the distance we did manage to reach :)</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjlQlYi1F1qP_3jsu5iwFtnkjIwKq3IkfRtMivLzi7CON9HDr_Z4-i8Dt6DQHDUtFRGeMMTgZZQcfkA-YRetTmHMcS-NhTBRykTIBdnHHkTU9pPN2Cb2hIw6gfEEu1eeZKgyz-Hrfvcg/s1600/SAM_3104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjlQlYi1F1qP_3jsu5iwFtnkjIwKq3IkfRtMivLzi7CON9HDr_Z4-i8Dt6DQHDUtFRGeMMTgZZQcfkA-YRetTmHMcS-NhTBRykTIBdnHHkTU9pPN2Cb2hIw6gfEEu1eeZKgyz-Hrfvcg/s320/SAM_3104.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pucon was happy to hitch a ride!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way down the slopes we all slid half way down it on our backsides, which was really fun. In our backpacks we had all sorts of gear provided by the trekking company and one of the items was a hard-wearing, padded 'ass-protector'! (as the guides called it) Below you can see the image of me wearing what essentially looks like an open fronted nappy! ;)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TDtqWi-LRnwC9rtbT-DKZPnrGR8oCJ45bVCWVxUlTvjXRPQMibiH1nJcp_SAt4D4WGlmfxoSQ4aYxKYdW9NfcutVbBPnGiRnKQfZRv63lTfCnrM2XrHxq93wBQeBwRrLQh7Igz4nMak/s1600/SAM_3127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TDtqWi-LRnwC9rtbT-DKZPnrGR8oCJ45bVCWVxUlTvjXRPQMibiH1nJcp_SAt4D4WGlmfxoSQ4aYxKYdW9NfcutVbBPnGiRnKQfZRv63lTfCnrM2XrHxq93wBQeBwRrLQh7Igz4nMak/s320/SAM_3127.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Me wearing the 'Ass Protector'</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTWjnL6YORInFGNKXAV-RlrXGzvJRuSxplAOjK8nx8y26azCeWMDOlcoDeoOXC5vVF7h0QRmnbYnSZt_aW-OeYrRXaf-JA61jXsF1jGPqW-logogs3oUlr_7x01K0vzuUA0YNIAwEmzU/s1600/SAM_3108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTWjnL6YORInFGNKXAV-RlrXGzvJRuSxplAOjK8nx8y26azCeWMDOlcoDeoOXC5vVF7h0QRmnbYnSZt_aW-OeYrRXaf-JA61jXsF1jGPqW-logogs3oUlr_7x01K0vzuUA0YNIAwEmzU/s320/SAM_3108.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we got close to the bottom of the volcano the clouds had appeared and we found ourselves 'inside' a cloud...all murky and mysterious...Oooooooh......</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Ta7Xdax2_WyY8Yhl7YLRO1cWrWI8wy9zZyd_SYmkUm9ympJUvYvy6mgwJ6lfVP_OBYwvJBbPxO0cMNxJHNLLN6UEuV3eEEbMsfNKL5QGjk7ifdPz6_kbgWPe0AZoTWEA9BONoodCco/s1600/SAM_3109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_Ta7Xdax2_WyY8Yhl7YLRO1cWrWI8wy9zZyd_SYmkUm9ympJUvYvy6mgwJ6lfVP_OBYwvJBbPxO0cMNxJHNLLN6UEuV3eEEbMsfNKL5QGjk7ifdPz6_kbgWPe0AZoTWEA9BONoodCco/s320/SAM_3109.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3EBZxjd9rEjRHx7JTgih9ywErK_bT3B7kRnwUUxeFR_EU0kJd36-b0dkT4qRYWtw7J5EgIwWAoFId75XceypoDJWF-wm3QmmiFGehSLz8O2N5mCXFgInvJKplSjQINtfVmxhHdeSw_I/s1600/SAM_3126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3EBZxjd9rEjRHx7JTgih9ywErK_bT3B7kRnwUUxeFR_EU0kJd36-b0dkT4qRYWtw7J5EgIwWAoFId75XceypoDJWF-wm3QmmiFGehSLz8O2N5mCXFgInvJKplSjQINtfVmxhHdeSw_I/s320/SAM_3126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Into the Infinite Abyss</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZcSvjnt9MGHWCTM9Y3uKFEdmqD2jremiora46HyREx19qUVbqWsotYt1RFt4YGhU7fcpdeOQdgWvS_4Pr-XxyV5eAV8Gpl8PHC4w_69JjaqrMIOjv3e-m07lCl-dLioB1xPJYNYr-jA/s1600/SAM_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZcSvjnt9MGHWCTM9Y3uKFEdmqD2jremiora46HyREx19qUVbqWsotYt1RFt4YGhU7fcpdeOQdgWvS_4Pr-XxyV5eAV8Gpl8PHC4w_69JjaqrMIOjv3e-m07lCl-dLioB1xPJYNYr-jA/s320/SAM_3111.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC5v0Y1mYlCWclOPyd8Vo0rzVtmDSemL8BcYbqi4vBBsD7O4H7XDOFLY7asCXRxbqaf0ryT_IzehLeIv8IFbefEj1RXnhR425MtM6xslyHVe2JD5bZlEVlE2NoFkz-9rnc0oDNzWd0-g/s1600/SAM_3117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC5v0Y1mYlCWclOPyd8Vo0rzVtmDSemL8BcYbqi4vBBsD7O4H7XDOFLY7asCXRxbqaf0ryT_IzehLeIv8IFbefEj1RXnhR425MtM6xslyHVe2JD5bZlEVlE2NoFkz-9rnc0oDNzWd0-g/s320/SAM_3117.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh and this is when I ran too fast into Jack as the slopes were so steep, and winded myself, ouch!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all it was a really fun morning and afternoon, even though we missed the top and came away with blisters (well, Jack did....huge one on the back of his ankle, to add to the collection) Here is a <a href="http://www.oasisoverland.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Villarrica-Volcano-Chile.jpg">Google image</a> of what the top of the volcano would have looked like had we made it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We leave Pucon tomorrow (Thursday 12th) and head up towards the volunteering project ´<a href="http://www.wildchinchillas.org/">Save the Wild Chinchillas</a>', with a quick stop in Santiago so that Jack can buy some new books! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-14847146816165416822012-01-09T12:31:00.000-08:002012-01-09T12:33:20.958-08:00Hats Galore in Pucon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We've been sitting out the bad weather here in Pucon not only by hiding away in internet cafes (obviously!) but we went for a wander yesterday and bought ourselves some new hats....you can never have enough hats! There's a really amazing inside market here full of knitted goods and all sorts of carved wooden gifts. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaspE6mXYj00o2c-s6U4cMA11MRdOh5RxAGiTqRcG5eoSbVz2Vv6YaIlB5JHFfb-qG5hbcQNHdWVjyhXddEJTRc8CHGicGoKDnl72jnGm3oe99phye5QNbkDf-YAFeS1ZlyxkhzstiYOo/s1600/SAM_2957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaspE6mXYj00o2c-s6U4cMA11MRdOh5RxAGiTqRcG5eoSbVz2Vv6YaIlB5JHFfb-qG5hbcQNHdWVjyhXddEJTRc8CHGicGoKDnl72jnGm3oe99phye5QNbkDf-YAFeS1ZlyxkhzstiYOo/s320/SAM_2957.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I saw gifts for everyone back home! But had to resist as we just can't carry them around for another 5 months. Presents will be bought when we get nearer to the end of our travels in Peru and Ecuador. My mum, the knitting enthusiast (Hi Mum!), would be overwhelmed by all the wool they had in the market, huge candyfloss shaded </span><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">balls of it, three times the size of footballs and with yarn inches thick. </span> </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1lJ6AQLkR3kEH_PvWzYh-VuDqFf7RIJrUJLlIJPCZcncGtnkisDWVjfe4Um10kVPpVT8yjOud_Fbj0C2aYKIC4anerZ3UbTkBkSTRcdvzbgQkvBjScWnmWVCIMbfLina7ofUp26PcTQ/s1600/SAM_2959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1lJ6AQLkR3kEH_PvWzYh-VuDqFf7RIJrUJLlIJPCZcncGtnkisDWVjfe4Um10kVPpVT8yjOud_Fbj0C2aYKIC4anerZ3UbTkBkSTRcdvzbgQkvBjScWnmWVCIMbfLina7ofUp26PcTQ/s320/SAM_2959.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Huge chunks of wool in every colour</span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted to take photos of all of it but felt really cheeky doing so, so I snapped the general aisle that the little shops sat along. The photos don't give the best image of the place as I really wanted to get closer to all the merchandise, but I just felt it wouldn't be appreciated, so I let that one go. </span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4GOFvURAhewFtzTKQTRfrTo_UK4mkv7zC4wh619Z4cC9-Equ6SRilUOR2q1uooRwTCyUd3StJKl_26yOryGWHW-lnRnCSMIQVp9r5YNsukpyHyFI9pU9On8VY4bc_W9kV8eulPzxq_0/s1600/SAM_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4GOFvURAhewFtzTKQTRfrTo_UK4mkv7zC4wh619Z4cC9-Equ6SRilUOR2q1uooRwTCyUd3StJKl_26yOryGWHW-lnRnCSMIQVp9r5YNsukpyHyFI9pU9On8VY4bc_W9kV8eulPzxq_0/s320/SAM_2960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were so many bobble hats to choose from! I got myself one from a little old Chilean lady who was very sweet, she barely spoke English but after a bit of gesturing and various noises she managed to find the words, "......come on in!" There was also a cool little fat faced troll figure with crazy white hair that I pointed out to Jack (he loves trolls and knomes), the little old lady managed to translate what it said on the front...."It says....errr.....ummm......hmmm...........I LOVE YOU!" I really wanted to buy it but we have to be really strict with oursleves as we just can't be buying many things at this point. Shame though.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlur9dlEYqinzn4HOMTiw05EuE_11msqkaPs8Dkgg_-tYFcKMu6BgiXDjljBnyb9xd7tbf6xGfByYhZn04J0f3OBJ3NIVaxQi-fO652sED6YTCWa_29YY1Blks82uZnVeVkO33TfHb-HI/s1600/SAM_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlur9dlEYqinzn4HOMTiw05EuE_11msqkaPs8Dkgg_-tYFcKMu6BgiXDjljBnyb9xd7tbf6xGfByYhZn04J0f3OBJ3NIVaxQi-fO652sED6YTCWa_29YY1Blks82uZnVeVkO33TfHb-HI/s1600/SAM_2986.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My new hat </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_F80M0K-wab0jor-PYJZFnO1pgObnYycwkd3vUGsQ5n1Mg0IE_eSHl2RmfdVezfEcEvbfzS2OvFxL-cKIC5cY07VejwOOh3xRB9AUxKl4UwaawJttjpQm6-QWAqt2XxTrBeBXH93LdI/s1600/SAM_2992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_F80M0K-wab0jor-PYJZFnO1pgObnYycwkd3vUGsQ5n1Mg0IE_eSHl2RmfdVezfEcEvbfzS2OvFxL-cKIC5cY07VejwOOh3xRB9AUxKl4UwaawJttjpQm6-QWAqt2XxTrBeBXH93LdI/s320/SAM_2992.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jacks new hat!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MXjQslP88kWNsQkqna19EhkuBYL-XYj6wgW-aSzgRXovgFrf66jp-dw9gjEhnnNXs_RS-1EpTRoieaaQqTn9hi_W50c8WL1HrZ6NkZfZdrLAU6UVlhAO8IoZF1TsK5BGHeii6etqwk8/s1600/SAM_2966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MXjQslP88kWNsQkqna19EhkuBYL-XYj6wgW-aSzgRXovgFrf66jp-dw9gjEhnnNXs_RS-1EpTRoieaaQqTn9hi_W50c8WL1HrZ6NkZfZdrLAU6UVlhAO8IoZF1TsK5BGHeii6etqwk8/s320/SAM_2966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A really pretty flower stall</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdIQYxj8LEmUAwLApJ9KFkIOdoY_RYAe9_fJVA6_5JZIju7dfDaiKbrehANBwG1moA9il0En9Q8znWNKPL-yuX4VVH8_c_Zf2qDyfrkUQP9Ud_4J0Q_OjLQnlE7ySv_zR4K2Hatrd2i8/s1600/SAM_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdIQYxj8LEmUAwLApJ9KFkIOdoY_RYAe9_fJVA6_5JZIju7dfDaiKbrehANBwG1moA9il0En9Q8znWNKPL-yuX4VVH8_c_Zf2qDyfrkUQP9Ud_4J0Q_OjLQnlE7ySv_zR4K2Hatrd2i8/s320/SAM_2967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just some new building I liked the look of</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu0BzCP3G-LQQ17W5PoVtZgjqcnzjSXwGxYt74fS6padqrNO71vSLVvvBliaY5-Pprs5xiyp3fhYztCg1NVh7AqB5wP7Xx2KUJd4v7k5HZMuhBSKHzLmxAtDCYt2AigSyO59Yrtmtj_E/s1600/SAM_2971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu0BzCP3G-LQQ17W5PoVtZgjqcnzjSXwGxYt74fS6padqrNO71vSLVvvBliaY5-Pprs5xiyp3fhYztCg1NVh7AqB5wP7Xx2KUJd4v7k5HZMuhBSKHzLmxAtDCYt2AigSyO59Yrtmtj_E/s320/SAM_2971.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXh4s0EQcsohMiEJGbjpKkBwP4Vx_ms8aC75RCRvTwHwT0nWOGyxPKxpiKQX8bzUUDtY5vsrGDZNetDu_r-EPX5KKs4KNPP8RNfDrBJqPX75MYgWGl3FLbJ7e0NyDsxUEaxqHAkBRbx8/s1600/SAM_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXh4s0EQcsohMiEJGbjpKkBwP4Vx_ms8aC75RCRvTwHwT0nWOGyxPKxpiKQX8bzUUDtY5vsrGDZNetDu_r-EPX5KKs4KNPP8RNfDrBJqPX75MYgWGl3FLbJ7e0NyDsxUEaxqHAkBRbx8/s320/SAM_2979.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The little harbour</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-3430084900969622342012-01-09T08:28:00.000-08:002012-01-09T08:28:18.063-08:00Pooches & Pusscats in South America<div style="text-align: center;">Here in South America there are many many pooches. Some of which are owned, and many of which are not. It seems to be the way over here though, they prance around the streets alongside us humans and just blend in. They all seem pretty well fed though (execept one very sad case in Iguazu that was in a very bad way, we didn't take a photo but we did name him Rat-Fink and fed him bacon flavoured crisp snacks, he was so poorly he wasn't very interested though)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thankfully all the other dogs we've seen have been in ok shape, very friendly and very happy to meet humans! Pusscats are less common it seems, but we've come across a few. They're a bit more wary but still very cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the ones we've had the pleasure to meet......</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw7u6ZZqS-_8HqDfZJtZl8wFlpZQIpHhZurlPFA61Uz_jCwVch4pa5fKuWnCOmTSWDY5pCTy5mxsyR7FtM7VBFymasn7h0sdeiNQW37q2_XyQcN7RhaLk7YpfSIUBDWxGH1Qto0Z2uuM/s1600/SAM_2132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw7u6ZZqS-_8HqDfZJtZl8wFlpZQIpHhZurlPFA61Uz_jCwVch4pa5fKuWnCOmTSWDY5pCTy5mxsyR7FtM7VBFymasn7h0sdeiNQW37q2_XyQcN7RhaLk7YpfSIUBDWxGH1Qto0Z2uuM/s320/SAM_2132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cream is the fashionable shade in El Chalten</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTj8w01EoqX53EZsMbOmZl02Odj2lu3Vyc5vT2xNJyjwrWvIZj0npdhG7RNIYgsgvFCDdtZYdR_HCdbtHKM6VU_K872AcYO_vCkcECwAgMVrM30wUH_Pycip8iZ4tyIrb3PCmIwla2cE/s1600/SAM_2240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTj8w01EoqX53EZsMbOmZl02Odj2lu3Vyc5vT2xNJyjwrWvIZj0npdhG7RNIYgsgvFCDdtZYdR_HCdbtHKM6VU_K872AcYO_vCkcECwAgMVrM30wUH_Pycip8iZ4tyIrb3PCmIwla2cE/s320/SAM_2240.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Pooch in El Calafate</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttp5wt2LcrpQxaoshxq-vcaAoZPmt8bc1qI52cGh26KBqCO0FDnMNQis6QdsEF9dUagM4fy_gSmXz4W68JMe77th5IMatqaMW2l5nb-nEbeeVYx_ixfrCS_0qkVcVqR-hU7XLwVsB6qc/s1600/SAM_2242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttp5wt2LcrpQxaoshxq-vcaAoZPmt8bc1qI52cGh26KBqCO0FDnMNQis6QdsEF9dUagM4fy_gSmXz4W68JMe77th5IMatqaMW2l5nb-nEbeeVYx_ixfrCS_0qkVcVqR-hU7XLwVsB6qc/s320/SAM_2242.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He followed us, just as they all do! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEdfp-tvkPEpZq9HHwKHKWe_OtR5WqhbQeD9f2CIOHD5M4eYmrpuBZ0pJMeAZqbOLMAKLoX2pQyikO2Z6tkjY6t21QJMtHDjZY7jfL_ywf2_-qUlaYlgBmUtsj6XR8_mQo_i9R5rJ_I/s1600/SAM_2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbEdfp-tvkPEpZq9HHwKHKWe_OtR5WqhbQeD9f2CIOHD5M4eYmrpuBZ0pJMeAZqbOLMAKLoX2pQyikO2Z6tkjY6t21QJMtHDjZY7jfL_ywf2_-qUlaYlgBmUtsj6XR8_mQo_i9R5rJ_I/s320/SAM_2721.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soft pooch in Peurto Natales</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jv7PTPwWbX2WYIm3wm0XHCAGfDQYdLwpGZ6S9Qf0ga2n6zhdL6yU_1UmxzvebYicfzcTom9gOg1maYIkkXA7DFz1DIJsaAtQLBou-5eOqUuZ91pf5Z6GCMBcuTpcZXSyd9pejVWQYvw/s1600/SAM_2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Jv7PTPwWbX2WYIm3wm0XHCAGfDQYdLwpGZ6S9Qf0ga2n6zhdL6yU_1UmxzvebYicfzcTom9gOg1maYIkkXA7DFz1DIJsaAtQLBou-5eOqUuZ91pf5Z6GCMBcuTpcZXSyd9pejVWQYvw/s320/SAM_2724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bin Bandit in Puerto Natales! Food all down it's front and peering longingly through a gate that led to another bin!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJphzHu_sybvEmlXy-rE6GiYuqMblzOdSSLVtAs-uihLw-x73nhzqgjbUKUiX0qrezC_BQBo-u6BsayCdYb2WzLoACeukCkE5Q6k-71OTO-Tc7ca4mVShvCd8V4Ej4ScCXO8Z-ijjJwzM/s1600/SAM_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJphzHu_sybvEmlXy-rE6GiYuqMblzOdSSLVtAs-uihLw-x73nhzqgjbUKUiX0qrezC_BQBo-u6BsayCdYb2WzLoACeukCkE5Q6k-71OTO-Tc7ca4mVShvCd8V4Ej4ScCXO8Z-ijjJwzM/s320/SAM_2725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The old dudes having a siesta</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNK22eRAJYjNnttXBahFzv6zYxfw23HyDdkoJHIYccAS4zpHhh_IXN0-ixehcRMU4T-EUrVlA46l4pd4nV5-feXJsQBglgCDeRUEoDHgr_yvvs0uTfR-rd2xiwCKaNwAWa3WVGX-cfm8/s1600/SAM_2726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNK22eRAJYjNnttXBahFzv6zYxfw23HyDdkoJHIYccAS4zpHhh_IXN0-ixehcRMU4T-EUrVlA46l4pd4nV5-feXJsQBglgCDeRUEoDHgr_yvvs0uTfR-rd2xiwCKaNwAWa3WVGX-cfm8/s320/SAM_2726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Strettttcccchhhhhhhhhh</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVxmuaVrkKe61Q7etazwUcs2AiDIhA3dXVoP7YLe01Rrjjicmpx7yHavbcfVh9gtRC8wtIZmX83yxEZdZ7svc79bIMO1xnGUSIBlSUCfRldpa2jtI903F519FQOND1zbFjdPmkEmjznw/s1600/SAM_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVxmuaVrkKe61Q7etazwUcs2AiDIhA3dXVoP7YLe01Rrjjicmpx7yHavbcfVh9gtRC8wtIZmX83yxEZdZ7svc79bIMO1xnGUSIBlSUCfRldpa2jtI903F519FQOND1zbFjdPmkEmjznw/s320/SAM_2727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reminds me of a larger Shula? (family will know who I mean)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i7M2vbXDV4T-GFOuBUulAbzGnqEBNheZPit45jOVoE__7FuCqsj96loMwBRp-ePmkMXGGekTQ6K2w8s6DsDF_aku5ZT2wn1_-Qd1_DZKu2aLDppu1KoqQotlq83en4tBGnaKbA-HZE4/s1600/SAM_2730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i7M2vbXDV4T-GFOuBUulAbzGnqEBNheZPit45jOVoE__7FuCqsj96loMwBRp-ePmkMXGGekTQ6K2w8s6DsDF_aku5ZT2wn1_-Qd1_DZKu2aLDppu1KoqQotlq83en4tBGnaKbA-HZE4/s320/SAM_2730.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This cat was skitz! Leaping all over the place at thin air</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeoNafGWefetiNSU8ee9UoCGAe5EOUQRJsN5X9pOpTN40jP0lcaWh5USlHMmUJp_nnlly2Hc6Lsoer-lgcZBUmTkfcupXbJnc4qewOEi9f245vIhgAN4ZRgLvz_0573ISqyRozHB2q8k/s1600/SAM_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeoNafGWefetiNSU8ee9UoCGAe5EOUQRJsN5X9pOpTN40jP0lcaWh5USlHMmUJp_nnlly2Hc6Lsoer-lgcZBUmTkfcupXbJnc4qewOEi9f245vIhgAN4ZRgLvz_0573ISqyRozHB2q8k/s320/SAM_2732.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mini legs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI8J6Mv8jJV8ATbTC2FYFPWPcdLP_I6kHnmntS_z8ZOggiu_MhC4xcuG6UZDRWVxsaJcUvGcZ5TiXQ4pMZKrDTRko1vkKWt-XWL_7Ph3aD-jMHUJxf_iuqvZF1_Vs8v5EkN-jIj4tlbM/s1600/SAM_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiI8J6Mv8jJV8ATbTC2FYFPWPcdLP_I6kHnmntS_z8ZOggiu_MhC4xcuG6UZDRWVxsaJcUvGcZ5TiXQ4pMZKrDTRko1vkKWt-XWL_7Ph3aD-jMHUJxf_iuqvZF1_Vs8v5EkN-jIj4tlbM/s320/SAM_2733.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fox like pooch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv2nc5i9RwjZHODTkfhy_moa5DdfXgpKZSAjjxMa0V145W2Lf2QRePA70jQU0wblzw5C_JvGPnIQCriHPpuM5sqZNgdBb31w42vENRhinAkj21Um7Bog_qZbKClpz6-erB4VkG-YcBPY/s1600/SAM_2930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNv2nc5i9RwjZHODTkfhy_moa5DdfXgpKZSAjjxMa0V145W2Lf2QRePA70jQU0wblzw5C_JvGPnIQCriHPpuM5sqZNgdBb31w42vENRhinAkj21Um7Bog_qZbKClpz6-erB4VkG-YcBPY/s320/SAM_2930.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Icca bicca little doggy sleeping in the bus station</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjYLIkkK1jcEllpXkc6GfHNuBafgPg2Y13qD5ysloQlizHht7qMMqP39e45GT-D7269Hp95pSxoZwEx6kDjsR0tESOG5uAvGs8nTrz2OfH5O4fI5PnV-iQogGUHtk36dHQ596uEpBvDA/s1600/SAM_2931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjYLIkkK1jcEllpXkc6GfHNuBafgPg2Y13qD5ysloQlizHht7qMMqP39e45GT-D7269Hp95pSxoZwEx6kDjsR0tESOG5uAvGs8nTrz2OfH5O4fI5PnV-iQogGUHtk36dHQ596uEpBvDA/s320/SAM_2931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soooooooooo cute</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHpt6JJruc8CqwufaeW-eFMg7jqHOPBdbSAm1H9t4bpBVXjFDeSzts1kSfZxK0pUNDqGA4tRRs0IkZdCB2z7slxY7ppBlIvW7-KnS9LimJ-YDz_srhvysxd7uBGrfOJ6E3BEDd6U3frg/s1600/SAM_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHpt6JJruc8CqwufaeW-eFMg7jqHOPBdbSAm1H9t4bpBVXjFDeSzts1kSfZxK0pUNDqGA4tRRs0IkZdCB2z7slxY7ppBlIvW7-KnS9LimJ-YDz_srhvysxd7uBGrfOJ6E3BEDd6U3frg/s320/SAM_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This pooch was sleeping in the bushes, it came out and scared the hell out of me, madly barking at some guys walking it's way. They turned around in the end! It didn't seem to mind Jack and I though and even joined in for the posing photo! (see left)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27iYpmlG5RyNe12yWwL5ijU-zG4pZjylvoYr5PGJ1-6S28LUO6jZMPqGYbY1u_tyDF9DFE2CSpT15biSr7NvxsURGC8hB43JPV30QaoVuz4rqoQm3hCoGnmwVqw70sLP_3PTReAwp6p0/s1600/SAM_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27iYpmlG5RyNe12yWwL5ijU-zG4pZjylvoYr5PGJ1-6S28LUO6jZMPqGYbY1u_tyDF9DFE2CSpT15biSr7NvxsURGC8hB43JPV30QaoVuz4rqoQm3hCoGnmwVqw70sLP_3PTReAwp6p0/s320/SAM_2978.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Pucon Protector</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsT4wwYKnuUqubBPyOiH06LaWNWnba4Hh0wNGB4tfal-k6k3beWP77AUzY2CFFLxTrK8uYPPaI4GwqNtfpPKj-0X66vQFcYitGW5J9plhl2r5RmrmPUPVxwvyLKuwFDRWWKe4kg3SPgQ/s1600/SAM_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsT4wwYKnuUqubBPyOiH06LaWNWnba4Hh0wNGB4tfal-k6k3beWP77AUzY2CFFLxTrK8uYPPaI4GwqNtfpPKj-0X66vQFcYitGW5J9plhl2r5RmrmPUPVxwvyLKuwFDRWWKe4kg3SPgQ/s320/SAM_2994.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Big fatty in Pucon! :) Very excited</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh3OXjueNUY2H4ak_3MGsjesdXdWgrTT-I-Zgq6MZt8XnazPI5NwnktcnElW7BiVBoJLW3VLnLDuUMOY8WT2tFyQpdIf1XipdRn-_lrJonIkMQiZa9T_P4ATkN3mP8fovQ3jmpG_xg0w/s1600/SAM_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh3OXjueNUY2H4ak_3MGsjesdXdWgrTT-I-Zgq6MZt8XnazPI5NwnktcnElW7BiVBoJLW3VLnLDuUMOY8WT2tFyQpdIf1XipdRn-_lrJonIkMQiZa9T_P4ATkN3mP8fovQ3jmpG_xg0w/s320/SAM_2995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEVOx4pFDRcS30f-wT3LQVzDx73Y1p_LWjzM5LQ92f2UAdUHKplNlh4COblINPVD98o05MuwZ3TmH0uhbLk3b1r3oYFv7mywHgJ04t5MuNTfEIrkR_vMRPXD5qdR58vW303Mxk-JfCCA/s1600/SAM_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEVOx4pFDRcS30f-wT3LQVzDx73Y1p_LWjzM5LQ92f2UAdUHKplNlh4COblINPVD98o05MuwZ3TmH0uhbLk3b1r3oYFv7mywHgJ04t5MuNTfEIrkR_vMRPXD5qdR58vW303Mxk-JfCCA/s320/SAM_2996.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Where are you going?" :(</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8RuFgaEWr-5NXQMU8flC03E1IebjWCEr3ejOLI-c4pkBgErS_DK9-aX0m8UbShd-ZjG5COBVKKnEZxuPLJmpF8KjFJqT-6FHWNnBZ-Pw-OcpGYzHwkEiWD1LR-6BxIWpzPCK-t1XqrE/s1600/SAM_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8RuFgaEWr-5NXQMU8flC03E1IebjWCEr3ejOLI-c4pkBgErS_DK9-aX0m8UbShd-ZjG5COBVKKnEZxuPLJmpF8KjFJqT-6FHWNnBZ-Pw-OcpGYzHwkEiWD1LR-6BxIWpzPCK-t1XqrE/s320/SAM_2997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doggie snogs through the gate</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMRQ9PxnSwlxs9CdUiDxGh22w1oRh45mkfeVZzPPU4xM9RIqJbaKETnRXkWJUxoVDT9b4Tt4ayNjhkSfkydYJlXmSN2qLHkQACimG7LUiKq6bJXHlz4MLvXsToQxuTOnk1H2nqVKC-Es/s1600/SAM_2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMRQ9PxnSwlxs9CdUiDxGh22w1oRh45mkfeVZzPPU4xM9RIqJbaKETnRXkWJUxoVDT9b4Tt4ayNjhkSfkydYJlXmSN2qLHkQACimG7LUiKq6bJXHlz4MLvXsToQxuTOnk1H2nqVKC-Es/s320/SAM_2998.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Who ARE yoooou?!"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-34766857434797022322012-01-07T14:56:00.000-08:002012-01-08T07:50:43.840-08:00Navimag Ferry: Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">Having set sail North from Puerto Natales on January 2nd, we have now made it safely to Pucon, the Lake District of Chile. The sun is shining here, although rain is predicted for most of our stay, at least it will still be warm. Pucon is most famous for the active volcano Villarricca, which we plan (and hope!) to conquer! If the rain comes and goes that is.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Navimag Ferry was the vessle that carried us on our merry way; a converted cargo ship that is now famous for transporting passengers up and down the coast of Chile. Now, we didn't expect luxury, to be honest we didn't expect all that much considering it's certainly no cruise liner, but still we found ourselves sad because of various upsetting elements of the trip :(</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sTGKljJB9wnuwdseCmZzGx3uXF3Z5CqMP7egls0iW6ZEM3e7k1ELaKKfr-YqR3bAdOgGAccK46ThTq2ydSONccI24tRAOmpfnYUoacw07ApzCVvtbIeaFrsAxWTiyeMQcOSfXdFrylw/s1600/SAM_2748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9sTGKljJB9wnuwdseCmZzGx3uXF3Z5CqMP7egls0iW6ZEM3e7k1ELaKKfr-YqR3bAdOgGAccK46ThTq2ydSONccI24tRAOmpfnYUoacw07ApzCVvtbIeaFrsAxWTiyeMQcOSfXdFrylw/s320/SAM_2748.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Puerto Natales - World capital of 'Tin Houses'</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ey_UnZvUf0TRwjHUeh4zg81OhOQ7ruiMKCdMvln7AWWipLtVAEsWOtx9BQitez80KyVH6bE6t74Zg3TklwvZOAkdez6dWhvlq0PxzinDjHdu9tWqJXsM17b8R5Y8O14wl_BAPdQ7cWc/s320/SAM_2749.JPG" width="320" /></span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxaVHxVftTIIdf545t8BMeGY6EnDRYwRqXciR3A8-6gJIP0AYIIh8_4RrAJNAW-mnx7vZDN9KK-mBui6tYlr0onhNjNNLpvovLvpyENnobzfyAYUtMqk29iqMewyTc8dgZF-1XxRFL_A/s1600/SAM_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxaVHxVftTIIdf545t8BMeGY6EnDRYwRqXciR3A8-6gJIP0AYIIh8_4RrAJNAW-mnx7vZDN9KK-mBui6tYlr0onhNjNNLpvovLvpyENnobzfyAYUtMqk29iqMewyTc8dgZF-1XxRFL_A/s320/SAM_2816.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWr8UehPRP7hZoExxaOaupIw8JT4NFcN3-dlQCtY8CKSIja0kM9NotOLIIOo2I21_hHDW4WfLlA8EF0Bwi8GHGcmAKApaTpKWCys-jK15eKsY2u7fmVOskDzPq1WrgoxGgcD4DnxpTmw/s1600/SAM_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWr8UehPRP7hZoExxaOaupIw8JT4NFcN3-dlQCtY8CKSIja0kM9NotOLIIOo2I21_hHDW4WfLlA8EF0Bwi8GHGcmAKApaTpKWCys-jK15eKsY2u7fmVOskDzPq1WrgoxGgcD4DnxpTmw/s320/SAM_2752.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei4nI-HyJ1N4-Ig-Qy-CbwFZ8NHQFay5N8xqnHWxJt8pHn76tLFneb3trnDz5psgMZepGdVCCfn00IeP6JyvwgpTDd1i1ofPlCnqNEhGBRW0FyLg2vHcwX6gO8k4eGY7yOsm_4bQqaqo/s1600/SAM_2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei4nI-HyJ1N4-Ig-Qy-CbwFZ8NHQFay5N8xqnHWxJt8pHn76tLFneb3trnDz5psgMZepGdVCCfn00IeP6JyvwgpTDd1i1ofPlCnqNEhGBRW0FyLg2vHcwX6gO8k4eGY7yOsm_4bQqaqo/s320/SAM_2793.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Misty mountains, oooooohhhhhh</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAIE7L_IR9hr6WR38UyQ6tmgklUhmlPeRMYvCjXu6iWc13AK7oYUGpf50YKxyHCSvYCYMxIpyM25ncuJYFB08g6krR7SkxcQiamp7SzGK-kRXn4dwO1gxTat_D86q8xpToJolRnBNwjI/s1600/SAM_2792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAIE7L_IR9hr6WR38UyQ6tmgklUhmlPeRMYvCjXu6iWc13AK7oYUGpf50YKxyHCSvYCYMxIpyM25ncuJYFB08g6krR7SkxcQiamp7SzGK-kRXn4dwO1gxTat_D86q8xpToJolRnBNwjI/s320/SAM_2792.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shipwrecked rusty old boat now home to hundreds of Seagulls</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HpcgHOmXkVoPuWeUz7Zz-tFO1S7F-SAIBf9txvUS91ITRP4h3WlmsLltdAtB5_wT0CDShEQizmC8v7eJfsCEn7SrfEd4HaVssIrAXz8bXfpA42ydJMmyje9lx7HCmTgMtaUS52J6eSQ/s1600/SAM_2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HpcgHOmXkVoPuWeUz7Zz-tFO1S7F-SAIBf9txvUS91ITRP4h3WlmsLltdAtB5_wT0CDShEQizmC8v7eJfsCEn7SrfEd4HaVssIrAXz8bXfpA42ydJMmyje9lx7HCmTgMtaUS52J6eSQ/s320/SAM_2777.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More misty mountains....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdhmWNgUng4WaSolhFS-Fj7j2TLXN80lJJ5v65rpr7DonDllYhv5HaG5hstBzn4myEn_PsZf-ZDqNo8E1t1Hdp1MEdOws7e_4GwJ0RO7GcQcq8V3kV0ptK-wXbyKkWv2a62hBa5OEWlU/s1600/SAM_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdhmWNgUng4WaSolhFS-Fj7j2TLXN80lJJ5v65rpr7DonDllYhv5HaG5hstBzn4myEn_PsZf-ZDqNo8E1t1Hdp1MEdOws7e_4GwJ0RO7GcQcq8V3kV0ptK-wXbyKkWv2a62hBa5OEWlU/s320/SAM_2764.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Leaking mountains</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppBfQtgYVe11sHJFs6o9BKaSAA3QDJwXE8oI38TLUwKPq_bCKlKDJ1s9V5-5mlbUP6il10m9AUeSKaT35Ous1gbTh2LmMUAI5-zyusR2lKed7x_5iMubx5_RG00P7_1WSVpf3GQ-6mZk/s1600/SAM_2801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppBfQtgYVe11sHJFs6o9BKaSAA3QDJwXE8oI38TLUwKPq_bCKlKDJ1s9V5-5mlbUP6il10m9AUeSKaT35Ous1gbTh2LmMUAI5-zyusR2lKed7x_5iMubx5_RG00P7_1WSVpf3GQ-6mZk/s320/SAM_2801.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hole in the sky</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> We were sleeping in the cheapest beds available, which are bunk beds that are set into the walls of the corridors, and they have little curtains and lockers and things, so they were fine. Now the problem was that our cabin just so happened to be at the back of the boat.....and what do they keep at the back of cargo boats? Cargo! ...and this particular cargo consisted not only of horses and cows, but giant metal containers full of what can only be described as STINKY fishing nets! The smell of rotten fish combined with cow poop wafted through our cabin day and night, with occasional moments of relief when the wind changed or someone across the hall had a shower, which sent a lovely waft of shampoo our way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh3vp3hIc9rXt_w28ywrG2csvVStKugeMtLIAMUnmLQR7JuSP5P6GIMMI0XvgvcsWo8SA9yMhPIgLDRMdI37R7XqdgPX_4uRnzBkWQT8Z1AZlaAcGH9haQm2uWY7h5EFVp4ljytuR6xU/s1600/SAM_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh3vp3hIc9rXt_w28ywrG2csvVStKugeMtLIAMUnmLQR7JuSP5P6GIMMI0XvgvcsWo8SA9yMhPIgLDRMdI37R7XqdgPX_4uRnzBkWQT8Z1AZlaAcGH9haQm2uWY7h5EFVp4ljytuR6xU/s320/SAM_2837.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The corridor coffins</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanW6QlcP-0evqLGXFvUAMGQxIudsIyAJAzZCKHbflLNTiOhVGTgZnjU3TE1QJQTiB7W8Ux36lbh68Pt6O7eOXvP0vF1a0JhQk80TgDKz5tB6f4CCg_8Ga73yC86epURqIKoFgqI2kGqY/s1600/SAM_2829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanW6QlcP-0evqLGXFvUAMGQxIudsIyAJAzZCKHbflLNTiOhVGTgZnjU3TE1QJQTiB7W8Ux36lbh68Pt6O7eOXvP0vF1a0JhQk80TgDKz5tB6f4CCg_8Ga73yC86epURqIKoFgqI2kGqY/s320/SAM_2829.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shielding my nose from the stink</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So there was that. Then there was the food, which was just sooooooooo bad! We met a few people who seemed to think it was quite alright, but we're no gourmet diners and even we thought it was shocking. We understand there'll have been a budget where the food would need to be processed quickly and en masse....but still, what's wrong with a bit of cheap pizza or even a big vat of baked beans, maybe even some cheapie hot-dogs! But nope, we had all manner of bad dishes, from fish that was chewy around the edges and full of bones, to veal in watery gravy that looked like an old shoe sole. We didn't eat either. We lived off fruit and yogurts, even finding ourselves stealing tea-spoons from the dining-hall so that we could eat them at lunch too, because god forbid they give out tea-spoons at lunch-time. Bizarre. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15RnDE1nCVACwufFqK2060wRpaKtZnu28RvbbRsTxeB1Rs4K2v4Hp2BzXyCfaYfWF5GowZx-QwpQBYzn0kRMVWZuoMA9Hnxkk6J-JQ3AOQDfhDj0RHDzDmoKwXYjowjZnX5vGgfXD8I/s1600/SAM_2906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX15RnDE1nCVACwufFqK2060wRpaKtZnu28RvbbRsTxeB1Rs4K2v4Hp2BzXyCfaYfWF5GowZx-QwpQBYzn0kRMVWZuoMA9Hnxkk6J-JQ3AOQDfhDj0RHDzDmoKwXYjowjZnX5vGgfXD8I/s320/SAM_2906.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Food?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxb82BeK-OAR1ATsruDnhGuXAvB0_ar1DpfFovrcnxTGmX8Xsb0RWkmqGiTm3baA-8DDw9IEM7LW_TIy1ou6lCCXyuss44LXd6bVVNt99L_3cxz26d2Xqej_G4h1DsiqK_FLN4j9_yiI/s1600/SAM_2908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxb82BeK-OAR1ATsruDnhGuXAvB0_ar1DpfFovrcnxTGmX8Xsb0RWkmqGiTm3baA-8DDw9IEM7LW_TIy1ou6lCCXyuss44LXd6bVVNt99L_3cxz26d2Xqej_G4h1DsiqK_FLN4j9_yiI/s320/SAM_2908.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A delicious salad....mmmm!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Also there was just nothing to do around the place, which again we understand is a given, but they played one film per day and it was always the WORST film, why they couldn't have just played decent films on loop I do not know, stick a cable into a laptop with a playlist, voila! They just felt it appropriate to offer the one bad option instead though, leaving us deliriously bored (one can only read so much).</span><br />
Also I got major sea-sick on the second day when we hit open waters and I spent the whole afternoon and evening running for the toilets..... Jack found it all very amusing, as always.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Anyway! Moan over and onto the good stuff!</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The third and final day was good! The sun came out, which meant we could finally go out on deck without getting blasted by rain and wind. As we were further north it was much warmer and we laid out on the deck to watch the penguins, dolphins, whales and seals that kept making appearances, albeit brief, but still great to see! The penguins seemed to be hunting and kept popping their heads up above the water before plopping back down to the depths.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxzlfHJdMLl-rQyM7WMIlZ_NoYdPAMZga32f31213kvk6QgXQzollizJ_6s9JXL469siRdyxBGHJzYk270guGUodTZGz__Ry0SftUK6DQjX0GSCsJDwi6XrX2W0vZqRo8MPcvqgwj3KQ/s1600/SAM_2865.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxzlfHJdMLl-rQyM7WMIlZ_NoYdPAMZga32f31213kvk6QgXQzollizJ_6s9JXL469siRdyxBGHJzYk270guGUodTZGz__Ry0SftUK6DQjX0GSCsJDwi6XrX2W0vZqRo8MPcvqgwj3KQ/s320/SAM_2865.JPG" width="240" /></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAQx2O7x6AQFK2xLiY3OAT3nWKjqVkvcM-c6kIRNOzcywqcS5758Q-BsP0XZG53Ac6FCvjUIq-P-3y3iztN2qKNQt3MzOXu1P787AG9q9HNkf8GUolM1w0PI56LtnfrOYXv_lagQA1ns/s1600/SAM_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEAQx2O7x6AQFK2xLiY3OAT3nWKjqVkvcM-c6kIRNOzcywqcS5758Q-BsP0XZG53Ac6FCvjUIq-P-3y3iztN2qKNQt3MzOXu1P787AG9q9HNkf8GUolM1w0PI56LtnfrOYXv_lagQA1ns/s320/SAM_2870.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKHHreMYUY_g5EacTFpEUndpUFsx4ndIUOxjoIMafoBkh5vOyNOikYeGw7fCXT0Rh3_KrD2dm_3PgAhu-A9ampvhwQzbbZYhV5q_tHX9Y8SnAdE1W2xQnLdtffKSJNU1215ILsr10Nzo/s1600/SAM_2876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKHHreMYUY_g5EacTFpEUndpUFsx4ndIUOxjoIMafoBkh5vOyNOikYeGw7fCXT0Rh3_KrD2dm_3PgAhu-A9ampvhwQzbbZYhV5q_tHX9Y8SnAdE1W2xQnLdtffKSJNU1215ILsr10Nzo/s320/SAM_2876.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKFGWGTVcgAkZsnZaVkShny3G9TX5E40NDqT8t8-sCZ_ktYa9vpDBuGRkmz4DoF2Xx16BVrQATfIVKsShiolz-Zvr99MAJuHD8WRC3azi_H1RWIxAAuHHMqyKt_DrhuZjRALN7G8kRCY/s1600/SAM_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKFGWGTVcgAkZsnZaVkShny3G9TX5E40NDqT8t8-sCZ_ktYa9vpDBuGRkmz4DoF2Xx16BVrQATfIVKsShiolz-Zvr99MAJuHD8WRC3azi_H1RWIxAAuHHMqyKt_DrhuZjRALN7G8kRCY/s320/SAM_2877.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uoe233UtC7vmgRyrmSi8n6mKz6BKaIgi_JMlQOXV3PRQWhCdF8goPqIH1y10BZGly9NTpyJhf8_UdlSRrwnRn9Fqtxid94Vk4ydWXBqZmC3JFc_4VRQbhGL8khflGzV1WYHdhSiuOtI/s1600/SAM_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uoe233UtC7vmgRyrmSi8n6mKz6BKaIgi_JMlQOXV3PRQWhCdF8goPqIH1y10BZGly9NTpyJhf8_UdlSRrwnRn9Fqtxid94Vk4ydWXBqZmC3JFc_4VRQbhGL8khflGzV1WYHdhSiuOtI/s1600/SAM_2885.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dolphins playing!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL4kxmU79jEYZBfq1Gfy_Bxf3JtZinxweCFDARa1kSOo8TRG1gV5_BxR41a_Y0tqz_MhDK_cZaATJEegjdqyHQzLjFADOwaiSvIT8CaQnvOYPAo2dVIDMMCoLXrSNWC5tOdx4tUzKrx8/s1600/SAM_2893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL4kxmU79jEYZBfq1Gfy_Bxf3JtZinxweCFDARa1kSOo8TRG1gV5_BxR41a_Y0tqz_MhDK_cZaATJEegjdqyHQzLjFADOwaiSvIT8CaQnvOYPAo2dVIDMMCoLXrSNWC5tOdx4tUzKrx8/s320/SAM_2893.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What? ...I'm what? ....Burning you say?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJULY8Y8TsdykQZ_5OCVY67OrgT8rwdCvrFXr0DqXHES3cHnL9N3byzLMyZWSEJB_wn4jyFHbdk5fvc4jR93kENEVXKEhotbcceRfA8of5iPU5QnQu4nGC7jARJsUZ7WsPg2rA-1y-BQ/s1600/SAM_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJULY8Y8TsdykQZ_5OCVY67OrgT8rwdCvrFXr0DqXHES3cHnL9N3byzLMyZWSEJB_wn4jyFHbdk5fvc4jR93kENEVXKEhotbcceRfA8of5iPU5QnQu4nGC7jARJsUZ7WsPg2rA-1y-BQ/s320/SAM_2891.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">'Burnin' Burnin' Burnin'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEsDG6hCSgUadCLa7_fdc1qTNZsu2SWa-CRJ4QUGRn7frfgE4xoMveq24WoNYIP8_l_KKd7sCuWQJjy4GSg7oAOl8LA3vRlvpHJEM6xWGku8uYhWWQtvZuMPQHo8kzvejHmRAhga1VIM/s1600/SAM_2911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEsDG6hCSgUadCLa7_fdc1qTNZsu2SWa-CRJ4QUGRn7frfgE4xoMveq24WoNYIP8_l_KKd7sCuWQJjy4GSg7oAOl8LA3vRlvpHJEM6xWGku8uYhWWQtvZuMPQHo8kzvejHmRAhga1VIM/s320/SAM_2911.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A volcano. Shame about the smudges on the lens :(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIAAWrZZI6oZsbuDcwYnTrnq3FfpZbm5_r33QZF_w54ng-jLw8CoMtp_2YQ_FGi_c1mooQPIziZyq4U6Qlxbamah5RWG6Bi6ty28jaOAHxS2yOADwZlhh4oIjJWgRgYD963JEZXBMufM/s1600/SAM_2901.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIAAWrZZI6oZsbuDcwYnTrnq3FfpZbm5_r33QZF_w54ng-jLw8CoMtp_2YQ_FGi_c1mooQPIziZyq4U6Qlxbamah5RWG6Bi6ty28jaOAHxS2yOADwZlhh4oIjJWgRgYD963JEZXBMufM/s320/SAM_2901.JPG" width="320" /></a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qjMhN4EceIM-UVBYjJmFxtDwf2p2paSNetnf0UEUacSNvI3yb-SoZuusM5PQolFfNUavxSxELeBnct3ASoU0kRp9Z-tGO0Lbn6eyw9ni_VP0HrLrMQKPqgbSnqTW4MFCR__GgTmGiyw/s320/SAM_2904.JPG" width="320" /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This leads me onto introducing our new friend, Pucon the Penguin. Jack bought him in Peurto Natales out of boredom I believe, and he will now be travelling with us on our journey. We named him Pucon because it seemed to have a good ring to it, plus Pucon was next on our itinerary. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXbXk2kvRM_rqv2OU1dGeJrKzpF5HB6elPgDOKkJT0li0TO7bqgw3HQyeBbEIBAO3T9RAqx5E1j9Jv-MNne4l-j7CJsyRV1k89Sfh80lhFJsN7evcvoa9Pt_tWsBMng00iKVRaBWGEFQ/s1600/SAM_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXbXk2kvRM_rqv2OU1dGeJrKzpF5HB6elPgDOKkJT0li0TO7bqgw3HQyeBbEIBAO3T9RAqx5E1j9Jv-MNne4l-j7CJsyRV1k89Sfh80lhFJsN7evcvoa9Pt_tWsBMng00iKVRaBWGEFQ/s320/SAM_2844.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pucon surverying his waters</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbItdy5Qj-rMthp4XDSIlTRPHeObUYRfaJcC7UUlTSZ2o71p10TBPddn6_y5wznErbz63U8pAcF-Zjapkn0QOG2W2D4ZADZsHZGXG96aH9sQT_0RzcGQKa7ONEVm769f0ASLtdTEonI54/s1600/SAM_2858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbItdy5Qj-rMthp4XDSIlTRPHeObUYRfaJcC7UUlTSZ2o71p10TBPddn6_y5wznErbz63U8pAcF-Zjapkn0QOG2W2D4ZADZsHZGXG96aH9sQT_0RzcGQKa7ONEVm769f0ASLtdTEonI54/s320/SAM_2858.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3Oooyso-neRZdw2hoQfmyGLA0PBipjc9noYac_Gt5CUSYx9PFL9pE6ygJ5JNgr-ZZT1tnwyFpqlAv3fgzCqKt-J8Oa9imRAhMc3dSjewTXHueKNrn4l1bV6xZpWVJuLOrm9xiJZbDk/s1600/SAM_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHG3Oooyso-neRZdw2hoQfmyGLA0PBipjc9noYac_Gt5CUSYx9PFL9pE6ygJ5JNgr-ZZT1tnwyFpqlAv3fgzCqKt-J8Oa9imRAhMc3dSjewTXHueKNrn4l1bV6xZpWVJuLOrm9xiJZbDk/s320/SAM_2848.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pucon happy that the sunshine is out at last!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Sitting out on deck for the afternoon has it's drawbacks of course. When the wind is blowing it's all too easy to forget how strong that sun is, and here are the results..........</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxipjVAcjJu4U_GQOyqJo_KaZoDy1IKMu3Xk4l6wyXdpDZ1i0BvVjUUoC3OwcKZIyEPjYQYVFz1x0TRZoSwSy2tYXRDjMF7A7aT2JgD0XsGK8p889Umslu4LEzLLZABKJP3m6KTyR4UPE/s1600/SAM_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxipjVAcjJu4U_GQOyqJo_KaZoDy1IKMu3Xk4l6wyXdpDZ1i0BvVjUUoC3OwcKZIyEPjYQYVFz1x0TRZoSwSy2tYXRDjMF7A7aT2JgD0XsGK8p889Umslu4LEzLLZABKJP3m6KTyR4UPE/s320/SAM_2918.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDjsXvcaNkjxUNU6uLPWTuzaBENqsdxbbVCEQDD_VfMhIciTjCYzddw7GT0x87C14cioqF8gIhRBOWlzz-NQwZq3PwJB6gY7f2UeKg6Eac3h8lttP8oSS4RD0LOIuWmLB3PYVluFZ12g/s1600/SAM_2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDjsXvcaNkjxUNU6uLPWTuzaBENqsdxbbVCEQDD_VfMhIciTjCYzddw7GT0x87C14cioqF8gIhRBOWlzz-NQwZq3PwJB6gY7f2UeKg6Eac3h8lttP8oSS4RD0LOIuWmLB3PYVluFZ12g/s320/SAM_2941.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">OUCHIEEEEEEEEE!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> To end a rather sizzled but ultimately decent day on the boat we got to watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean :) Definitely no complaints there that's for sure.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAIEvNyjKU3l_WXFk5OR0OX-7uxW3aGj3c65j6q8XiGGlxajYo_NXiMnKk06pm3JnOkdGxtVE67IcmN9DPFhJtH5fzLCImZEMlhBnZTacDvTu8G4y4x9DGd8Vfa93zqb_-uhIVtxE8nc/s1600/SAM_2927.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAIEvNyjKU3l_WXFk5OR0OX-7uxW3aGj3c65j6q8XiGGlxajYo_NXiMnKk06pm3JnOkdGxtVE67IcmN9DPFhJtH5fzLCImZEMlhBnZTacDvTu8G4y4x9DGd8Vfa93zqb_-uhIVtxE8nc/s320/SAM_2927.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qjMhN4EceIM-UVBYjJmFxtDwf2p2paSNetnf0UEUacSNvI3yb-SoZuusM5PQolFfNUavxSxELeBnct3ASoU0kRp9Z-tGO0Lbn6eyw9ni_VP0HrLrMQKPqgbSnqTW4MFCR__GgTmGiyw/s1600/SAM_2904.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-46279309838710030342011-12-31T12:16:00.000-08:002011-12-31T12:16:19.022-08:00Torres Del Paine in Flames!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The damage that one persons irresponsible and downright stupid actions can cause!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jKyWw9vbSg/Tv9sl1ADk2I/AAAAAAAABJk/dL97aVuNQjY/s1600/INFOGR%257E1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1jKyWw9vbSg/Tv9sl1ADk2I/AAAAAAAABJk/dL97aVuNQjY/s320/INFOGR%257E1.JPG" width="309" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ8zGjJ8vNQ/Tv9skpeuAQI/AAAAAAAABJc/xkTuWARGjik/s1600/Incendio-Torres-del-Paine-NASA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZ8zGjJ8vNQ/Tv9skpeuAQI/AAAAAAAABJc/xkTuWARGjik/s320/Incendio-Torres-del-Paine-NASA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UYbVXzdGF0/Tv9soCEym0I/AAAAAAAABJs/h_4ihk63bwI/s1600/animalespaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_UYbVXzdGF0/Tv9soCEym0I/AAAAAAAABJs/h_4ihk63bwI/s320/animalespaine.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Poor Llamas, run!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jJ7NXZE-q8/Tv9s2WWwaII/AAAAAAAABJ4/czcrkmZc59E/s1600/Incendio_Patagonia_Chilena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jJ7NXZE-q8/Tv9s2WWwaII/AAAAAAAABJ4/czcrkmZc59E/s320/Incendio_Patagonia_Chilena.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-46410750397779423052011-12-31T07:24:00.000-08:002011-12-31T16:21:07.809-08:00Torres Del Paine - 'Towers of Pain'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So we've been back from Torres Del Pain for a few days now, having returned early due to the whole place going up in flames because of 'human negligence', which essentially means someone probably used their gas-fire for cooking on the trail paths, which you're not supposed to do, for the most obvious reasons! (through the grapevine we heard that this was indeed the cause)<br />
<br />
Our time in Torres Del Paine was testing, beautiful yes, but really very testing. We were pefectly fit and able however, powering through along the mountain sides at a speedy pace, even over-taking most other trekkers (to our suprise!). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XUsgyPkyc4/Tv8ZMm1yC4I/AAAAAAAABDU/MHkblb6Oh8s/s1600/SAM_2547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XUsgyPkyc4/Tv8ZMm1yC4I/AAAAAAAABDU/MHkblb6Oh8s/s320/SAM_2547.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and off she goes!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2K4mSs_aR4/Tv8ZS0Jo2ZI/AAAAAAAABDc/R5fHJM5gBgk/s1600/SAM_2558.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2K4mSs_aR4/Tv8ZS0Jo2ZI/AAAAAAAABDc/R5fHJM5gBgk/s320/SAM_2558.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pretty Rainbow</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AjiAVFuD6U/Tv8ZZJYXlFI/AAAAAAAABDk/-s0Y3AkjNBA/s1600/SAM_2572.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AjiAVFuD6U/Tv8ZZJYXlFI/AAAAAAAABDk/-s0Y3AkjNBA/s320/SAM_2572.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7X8OZM6bFPs/Tv8Ze3OuQeI/AAAAAAAABDs/PhwGWI-ApPk/s1600/SAM_2575.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7X8OZM6bFPs/Tv8Ze3OuQeI/AAAAAAAABDs/PhwGWI-ApPk/s320/SAM_2575.JPG" /> </a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXsKilWww5Y/Tv8ZmH9nZuI/AAAAAAAABD0/ddERelUmjbE/s1600/SAM_2578.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yXsKilWww5Y/Tv8ZmH9nZuI/AAAAAAAABD0/ddERelUmjbE/s320/SAM_2578.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This sign wasn't exactly reassuring</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BncJiHJ05bg/Tv8ZrlUWmoI/AAAAAAAABD8/YrUS0o9R_8I/s1600/SAM_2579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BncJiHJ05bg/Tv8ZrlUWmoI/AAAAAAAABD8/YrUS0o9R_8I/s320/SAM_2579.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bouncy bouncy bridge!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vhanl6RI7c/Tv8ZxomB9eI/AAAAAAAABEE/q4AODEY6KFs/s1600/SAM_2580.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2vhanl6RI7c/Tv8ZxomB9eI/AAAAAAAABEE/q4AODEY6KFs/s320/SAM_2580.JPG" /> </a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ey5dCVcBNk0/Tv8Z4Ksrz9I/AAAAAAAABEM/rGYMgdWTZCo/s1600/SAM_2583.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ey5dCVcBNk0/Tv8Z4Ksrz9I/AAAAAAAABEM/rGYMgdWTZCo/s320/SAM_2583.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not happy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMX6ENDoE6M/Tv8Z9vIuTVI/AAAAAAAABEU/2QVyM93b_Ro/s1600/SAM_2594.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMX6ENDoE6M/Tv8Z9vIuTVI/AAAAAAAABEU/2QVyM93b_Ro/s320/SAM_2594.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the worst nights sleep ever</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We didn't even wash for the whole three days we were there, we didn't see the point considering each day of trekking made us filthy anyway. Even more so when I went tumbling to the ground when my boot hooks got caught on one another, sending me flying flat on my face on the dusty pathway. Jack missed it, but he heard a squawk and a 'Thud'!</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOP0US7Mnfk/Tv8aCpVU8XI/AAAAAAAABEc/zjAw0s2xZ8A/s1600/SAM_2596.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qOP0US7Mnfk/Tv8aCpVU8XI/AAAAAAAABEc/zjAw0s2xZ8A/s320/SAM_2596.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Squeeeeeezing out a smile</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E33_sETK6TM/Tv8aIkVZDxI/AAAAAAAABEk/aDjBucj2hVU/s1600/SAM_2599.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E33_sETK6TM/Tv8aIkVZDxI/AAAAAAAABEk/aDjBucj2hVU/s320/SAM_2599.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our very camouflaged tent!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It wasn't so much the trekking that we found hard to swallow, it was the carrying of heavy bags, camping at the end of the day and having to set everything up while batting midgies away who were trying to eat our foreheads. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The 'going to the toilet' in the wild and having to keep all 'used' tissues with us as obviously there's a 'leave no trace' policy, which is of course how it should be, but it's still not pleasant. Then retiring for the evening and having to lie on nothing but the ground-sheet, with twigs and roots digging into our backs, then to top it off waking up in the night shivering due to the immense cold. Ok so we probably should have taken our camping mats, but they were so thin and flimsy anyway I doubt they'd have made that much difference!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drmMTE2Objg/Tv8aPZQ9TNI/AAAAAAAABEs/OzahYBt2pp0/s1600/SAM_2601.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drmMTE2Objg/Tv8aPZQ9TNI/AAAAAAAABEs/OzahYBt2pp0/s320/SAM_2601.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me rinsing our dishes in the morning</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovr12tXalyw/Tv8aWaPgfjI/AAAAAAAABE0/rnSc_WzlQU0/s1600/SAM_2609.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovr12tXalyw/Tv8aWaPgfjI/AAAAAAAABE0/rnSc_WzlQU0/s320/SAM_2609.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJSKtYtoKMY/Tv8ab15wzNI/AAAAAAAABE8/-iHD8PV3xO8/s1600/SAM_2611.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJSKtYtoKMY/Tv8ab15wzNI/AAAAAAAABE8/-iHD8PV3xO8/s320/SAM_2611.JPG" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
The days were sunny, though when trekking this is not actually what you want. Every time we came across water we'd pour bottle loads of it over ourselves just to cool down. The views were really nice, but when you're so fed up of everything else it makes it much more difficult to appreciate it. Not that we're regretful in any way, we just wish we'd had the money to be able to stay in the refugios along the way, it would have made it all soooooooooo much more comfortable.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuxD1p5_ziU/Tv8ahafVOiI/AAAAAAAABFE/YRTX65di9Lk/s1600/SAM_2613.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuxD1p5_ziU/Tv8ahafVOiI/AAAAAAAABFE/YRTX65di9Lk/s320/SAM_2613.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3zF7VWHCrg/Tv8anvkGvwI/AAAAAAAABFM/F11T4ZsikKI/s1600/SAM_2618.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A3zF7VWHCrg/Tv8anvkGvwI/AAAAAAAABFM/F11T4ZsikKI/s320/SAM_2618.JPG" /> </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRnnMyEtSio/Tv8aup5GRzI/AAAAAAAABFU/2xBB9eePxPw/s1600/SAM_2621.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRnnMyEtSio/Tv8aup5GRzI/AAAAAAAABFU/2xBB9eePxPw/s320/SAM_2621.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack and his Weirwood Tree! (Game of Thrones obsessive)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WAO-yeBFzs/Tv8a1L_QTmI/AAAAAAAABFc/_8Xwhrjg8E8/s1600/SAM_2622.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WAO-yeBFzs/Tv8a1L_QTmI/AAAAAAAABFc/_8Xwhrjg8E8/s320/SAM_2622.JPG" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgfSxFtnGLU/Tv8kdCRvTJI/AAAAAAAABIA/z-Z_1gE9f9E/s1600/SAM_2624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgfSxFtnGLU/Tv8kdCRvTJI/AAAAAAAABIA/z-Z_1gE9f9E/s320/SAM_2624.JPG" width="320" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUilIKvctGs/Tv8bCQqnPkI/AAAAAAAABFs/s-IL5XfF9Ig/s1600/SAM_2625.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUilIKvctGs/Tv8bCQqnPkI/AAAAAAAABFs/s-IL5XfF9Ig/s320/SAM_2625.JPG" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Klu6HslEgrA/Tv8kvVimVfI/AAAAAAAABIM/7Q7wsd_O-DI/s1600/SAM_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Klu6HslEgrA/Tv8kvVimVfI/AAAAAAAABIM/7Q7wsd_O-DI/s320/SAM_2645.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKhIiEYsaNY/Tv8k2zbD4jI/AAAAAAAABIU/UbrSfgpgRjM/s1600/SAM_2638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AKhIiEYsaNY/Tv8k2zbD4jI/AAAAAAAABIU/UbrSfgpgRjM/s320/SAM_2638.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sweaty</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvrltQBgcjY/Tv8bJEbO3BI/AAAAAAAABF0/PIH68y5jx4M/s1600/SAM_2629.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvrltQBgcjY/Tv8bJEbO3BI/AAAAAAAABF0/PIH68y5jx4M/s320/SAM_2629.JPG" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fJMxwqNJhAI/Tv8bVCZf2xI/AAAAAAAABGE/A3oWWQCJDJs/s1600/SAM_2645.JPG"><br />
</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCuMLvK3qq8/Tv8baWEFRPI/AAAAAAAABGM/jNawcTSNYRQ/s1600/SAM_2649.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MCuMLvK3qq8/Tv8baWEFRPI/AAAAAAAABGM/jNawcTSNYRQ/s320/SAM_2649.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy resting and relaxing! (for 10 minutes)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xAci3eWOIbs/Tv8bs__VFKI/AAAAAAAABGk/TXXj_vlZVaI/s1600/SAM_2667.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xAci3eWOIbs/Tv8bs__VFKI/AAAAAAAABGk/TXXj_vlZVaI/s320/SAM_2667.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello Mr Caterpilla</span><span style="font-size: small;">r</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhGeaTv31lY/Tv8lRVz3NMI/AAAAAAAABIg/AvIXVKRMo0I/s1600/SAM_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhGeaTv31lY/Tv8lRVz3NMI/AAAAAAAABIg/AvIXVKRMo0I/s320/SAM_2671.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spot the tent</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJL5_CvUvVc/Tv8bg27mwlI/AAAAAAAABGU/U4dQIGT5cCg/s1600/SAM_2654.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BJL5_CvUvVc/Tv8bg27mwlI/AAAAAAAABGU/U4dQIGT5cCg/s320/SAM_2654.JPG" /> </a></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjTPJ_-E6E0/Tv8ls2vJIkI/AAAAAAAABIs/9bi-JczdfEw/s1600/SAM_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PjTPJ_-E6E0/Tv8ls2vJIkI/AAAAAAAABIs/9bi-JczdfEw/s320/SAM_2688.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ2RuJmlStw/Tv8l0NzAF3I/AAAAAAAABI0/xmiyPbUdCuE/s1600/SAM_2658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ2RuJmlStw/Tv8l0NzAF3I/AAAAAAAABI0/xmiyPbUdCuE/s320/SAM_2658.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dU-Y0gkZtCs/Tv8l7p7HtDI/AAAAAAAABI8/_zoENLWGB_I/s1600/SAM_2682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dU-Y0gkZtCs/Tv8l7p7HtDI/AAAAAAAABI8/_zoENLWGB_I/s320/SAM_2682.JPG" width="320" /> </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWful0uu_pI/Tv8b3_2v1SI/AAAAAAAABG0/TQqnosAyReg/s1600/SAM_2676.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sWful0uu_pI/Tv8b3_2v1SI/AAAAAAAABG0/TQqnosAyReg/s320/SAM_2676.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smoky and hazy morning because of the fire </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2AeWNVY6oc/Tv8b9vxJx9I/AAAAAAAABG8/LBuQjqzsKGM/s1600/SAM_2679.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2AeWNVY6oc/Tv8b9vxJx9I/AAAAAAAABG8/LBuQjqzsKGM/s320/SAM_2679.JPG" /> </a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the third day we were headed to our final destination, the Torres Towers, located at the end of our route and also a 6 hour trek in one whole gulp. We'd been told during the talk we went to before we set off that if we camped at the nearest campsite to the towers and got up there for sunrise, that the view would be spectacular. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We never made it that far though, and not just because of our waning enthusiasm, but because that was when we found out a fire had been behind us the whole way and the park guard said we could still head West to the towers, but advised we leave the park as it was still spreading. This pretty much made our minds up and we headed down down down the mountain feeling relieved to not be camping that night, but also feeling overwhelmingly dirty and exhausted. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGn9dUjxRKs/Tv3POJh_zDI/AAAAAAAABDA/_YoWjcEoImU/s320/incendio-torres-paine_133637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image from Google of the fire</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGn9dUjxRKs/Tv3POJh_zDI/AAAAAAAABDA/_YoWjcEoImU/s1600/incendio-torres-paine_133637.jpg"> </a></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMBxY4xy12Y/Tv8ZGSGGI3I/AAAAAAAABDM/QhqFpx7O8yw/s1600/SAM_2713.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NMBxY4xy12Y/Tv8ZGSGGI3I/AAAAAAAABDM/QhqFpx7O8yw/s320/SAM_2713.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack and his South American friend, uncanny</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEN7InJsWJc/Tv8cqeepfzI/AAAAAAAABH0/6lmsp5hOQ_s/s1600/SAM_2709.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEN7InJsWJc/Tv8cqeepfzI/AAAAAAAABH0/6lmsp5hOQ_s/s320/SAM_2709.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A really weird fat rainbow back in Peurto Natales</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-77077547820751664192011-12-25T18:59:00.000-08:002011-12-25T18:59:07.999-08:00Perito Moreno Glacier on Christmas Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today was of course Christmas Day, and we had an incredible day trekking the Glacier. One of the most jaw-dropping sights I think we'll ever see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We began the morning early and exchanged a couple of little presents, even though we said we wouldn't as the Glacier trek was a big enough present as it is, but it's always nice to have just a little something on Christmas morning :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jack got me a ring, which I had chosen last week in Bariloche (NOT an engagement ring, before some of you ask!) and I got Jack a hat, which he really ended up needing for the day ahead of icy winds!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's pretty late here and I'm so so tired, so this post will be short and mainly image based, but the photos say it all anyway!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All I will add is that the tour company we booked with were fantastic, really helpful and fun team of guides. If anyone is ever thinking of going to Patagonia and trekking the Glacier, go with <a href="http://www.hieloyaventura.com/2010/eng_index.htm"><b>Hielo y Adventura</b></a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6up2FRo8vg/TvfdGkYrD2I/AAAAAAAABAE/coN6MgERW7c/s1600/SAM_2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H6up2FRo8vg/TvfdGkYrD2I/AAAAAAAABAE/coN6MgERW7c/s320/SAM_2298.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2I64zubumpw/TvfdCKDpeqI/AAAAAAAAA_8/uPFskrW7vok/s1600/SAM_2292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2I64zubumpw/TvfdCKDpeqI/AAAAAAAAA_8/uPFskrW7vok/s320/SAM_2292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCUWHGeuF7g/TvfdKU1kphI/AAAAAAAABAM/Ok0YStPsysw/s1600/SAM_2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCUWHGeuF7g/TvfdKU1kphI/AAAAAAAABAM/Ok0YStPsysw/s320/SAM_2304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ntwlRLmYTI/TvfdN__TqMI/AAAAAAAABAU/hHwoUf-dz0U/s1600/SAM_2311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ntwlRLmYTI/TvfdN__TqMI/AAAAAAAABAU/hHwoUf-dz0U/s320/SAM_2311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big chunk had just fallen off, you can see the ripples coming away from the Glacier. I got it on film:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Al-bhXrn42I/TvfdRlnkyeI/AAAAAAAABAc/Ftxc6l815Vs/s1600/SAM_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Al-bhXrn42I/TvfdRlnkyeI/AAAAAAAABAc/Ftxc6l815Vs/s320/SAM_2335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8y5rVr6S7A/TvfdVnKm6qI/AAAAAAAABAk/Nj-fk9y1apQ/s1600/SAM_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X8y5rVr6S7A/TvfdVnKm6qI/AAAAAAAABAk/Nj-fk9y1apQ/s320/SAM_2361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the boat taking us to the Glacier for the trek</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8REIPDEBf84/TvfdZyPia-I/AAAAAAAABAs/7hZKDfntCKg/s1600/SAM_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8REIPDEBf84/TvfdZyPia-I/AAAAAAAABAs/7hZKDfntCKg/s320/SAM_2384.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b_ARaVfZLZE/TvfddxCqjRI/AAAAAAAABA0/r2eW3r2wAOQ/s1600/SAM_2406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b_ARaVfZLZE/TvfddxCqjRI/AAAAAAAABA0/r2eW3r2wAOQ/s320/SAM_2406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP7KuSFGAwE/Tvfdobz2YUI/AAAAAAAABBA/QA28PtMxRDY/s1600/SAM_2416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP7KuSFGAwE/Tvfdobz2YUI/AAAAAAAABBA/QA28PtMxRDY/s320/SAM_2416.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cramp-Ons</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--M4sPOEUYNQ/Tvfdry7Nt3I/AAAAAAAABBI/e9oMU9p5csk/s1600/SAM_2417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--M4sPOEUYNQ/Tvfdry7Nt3I/AAAAAAAABBI/e9oMU9p5csk/s320/SAM_2417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KFWfOU_FLc/TvfdwXMELHI/AAAAAAAABBQ/JejlgYe2Da8/s1600/SAM_2418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KFWfOU_FLc/TvfdwXMELHI/AAAAAAAABBQ/JejlgYe2Da8/s320/SAM_2418.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4aJBwUI57g/Tvfd0Hc0AmI/AAAAAAAABBY/8l0jwg4UTqg/s1600/SAM_2442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4aJBwUI57g/Tvfd0Hc0AmI/AAAAAAAABBY/8l0jwg4UTqg/s320/SAM_2442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iafjo4xMtPw/Tvfd3UHT5II/AAAAAAAABBg/e-J66zJ4x50/s1600/SAM_2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iafjo4xMtPw/Tvfd3UHT5II/AAAAAAAABBg/e-J66zJ4x50/s320/SAM_2463.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lMtoe5FwDY/Tvfd7ah5VUI/AAAAAAAABBo/BVwSc0VJk4w/s1600/SAM_2473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5lMtoe5FwDY/Tvfd7ah5VUI/AAAAAAAABBo/BVwSc0VJk4w/s320/SAM_2473.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_ke-W6FMHg/Tvfd_oDsLRI/AAAAAAAABBw/RvnQcxkvYrQ/s1600/SAM_2479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_ke-W6FMHg/Tvfd_oDsLRI/AAAAAAAABBw/RvnQcxkvYrQ/s320/SAM_2479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLKqjBIXz40/TvfefV8GGXI/AAAAAAAABB8/0IOwYUwsh68/s1600/SAM_2443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLKqjBIXz40/TvfefV8GGXI/AAAAAAAABB8/0IOwYUwsh68/s320/SAM_2443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBka9Q8nQPs/TvfejHyY0fI/AAAAAAAABCE/979lvxL6FDQ/s1600/SAM_2451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBka9Q8nQPs/TvfejHyY0fI/AAAAAAAABCE/979lvxL6FDQ/s320/SAM_2451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glacier water is pure as pure can be</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFuDkCr1J7Q/TvfemmBAQ6I/AAAAAAAABCM/1feD8irzsEw/s1600/SAM_2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zFuDkCr1J7Q/TvfemmBAQ6I/AAAAAAAABCM/1feD8irzsEw/s320/SAM_2453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pxILopaa3cI/TvfeqUibXsI/AAAAAAAABCU/5P3PPIpfwRQ/s1600/SAM_2466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pxILopaa3cI/TvfeqUibXsI/AAAAAAAABCU/5P3PPIpfwRQ/s320/SAM_2466.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-relvX5TjoH8/TvfevOEoqHI/AAAAAAAABCc/JN5vhLXsuFg/s1600/SAM_2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-relvX5TjoH8/TvfevOEoqHI/AAAAAAAABCc/JN5vhLXsuFg/s320/SAM_2497.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tour even gave us free Whiskey, Jack very happy!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmhx8fKyWGQ/TvfezHbzyaI/AAAAAAAABCk/H-xu1uTrI_w/s1600/SAM_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dmhx8fKyWGQ/TvfezHbzyaI/AAAAAAAABCk/H-xu1uTrI_w/s320/SAM_2502.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEkAahjUtS4/Tvfe3-cCukI/AAAAAAAABCs/K1RFq-w5bEA/s1600/SAM_2505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aEkAahjUtS4/Tvfe3-cCukI/AAAAAAAABCs/K1RFq-w5bEA/s320/SAM_2505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Km_fKYTxY/Tvfe6GdZsjI/AAAAAAAABC0/ZcFXVh9r43A/s1600/SAM_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Km_fKYTxY/Tvfe6GdZsjI/AAAAAAAABC0/ZcFXVh9r43A/s320/SAM_2536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-85354903399817743052011-12-24T12:37:00.000-08:002011-12-24T12:48:05.298-08:00'Route 40'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leaving our beloved Bariloche behind we headed down the famous Route 40 towards El Calafate. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The airport in Bariloche was closed indefinitely, and we didn't really want to be spending on flying anyway, plus it's REALLY bad for the planet. So the only other way to get down there was by a bus that takes 3 days, with two nights stop over at hostels.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfLNncF8YXw/TvYz3KWk8tI/AAAAAAAAA_A/DHC_19Rfr8c/s1600/SAM_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfLNncF8YXw/TvYz3KWk8tI/AAAAAAAAA_A/DHC_19Rfr8c/s320/SAM_2083.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The famous 'Route 40'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkyCDrU19Yc/TvYzRNplp9I/AAAAAAAAA-o/AD63D9FWKVY/s1600/SAM_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vkyCDrU19Yc/TvYzRNplp9I/AAAAAAAAA-o/AD63D9FWKVY/s320/SAM_2069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Views on the way out of Bariloche at 6.30am<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It wasn't so bad really, except there was a guy on the bus who just wouldn't stop whistling! I'm sure I developed a twitch by the end of the journey. It was one of those whistles that isn't too loud, but just loud enough to cement itself in the back of your mind, sending you slowly loopy. If he wasn't doing that he was eagerly tapping away on his knees with his hands to his music, or miming the words with FAR too much enthusiasm. He seemed a nice guy though, despite the constant annoyances.</span><br />
</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVp9d5ZzwF4/TvYzqOdveOI/AAAAAAAAA-4/tAN8HeWVi2A/s1600/SAM_2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVp9d5ZzwF4/TvYzqOdveOI/AAAAAAAAA-4/tAN8HeWVi2A/s320/SAM_2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just dirt road ahead!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGBnDqhS06Y/TvY0G6bM28I/AAAAAAAAA_I/3GDGQVdTnEs/s1600/SAM_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iGBnDqhS06Y/TvY0G6bM28I/AAAAAAAAA_I/3GDGQVdTnEs/s320/SAM_2085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9IhcWhHOloE/TvYwBLiRVFI/AAAAAAAAA9U/eRYWOZVnkRg/s1600/SAM_2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9IhcWhHOloE/TvYwBLiRVFI/AAAAAAAAA9U/eRYWOZVnkRg/s320/SAM_2086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6A5qfjsWJs/TvYwPGxP9_I/AAAAAAAAA9c/ewbStBdOO3U/s1600/SAM_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6A5qfjsWJs/TvYwPGxP9_I/AAAAAAAAA9c/ewbStBdOO3U/s320/SAM_2089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The journey gave us leg ache and we can no longer eat Croissants, as that's pretty much all we ate for three days, Croissants and biscuits and chocolate milk for me, Fanta for Jack. There was really NOTHING on the route, we stopped every few hours for toilet stops, but only the guys would tinker off behind a small mound of dirt to do the business (actually the less modest guys just did it right there for the whole bus to witness) It was us poor girls who had to wait for some kind of hostel or cafe, of which there were very few and far between. Even then just queing for the loo would take up the whole journey break anyway. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpr7b2XmNfQ/TvY0S06QJ3I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/40KlY6PGKAY/s1600/SAM_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpr7b2XmNfQ/TvY0S06QJ3I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/40KlY6PGKAY/s320/SAM_2090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We photographed these for Jacks Mum, who's called Dale! Jack said they're ironic as Dale hates Bananas ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All in all it wasn't bad. The views on the first day were beyond monotonous, just dead, dry land as far as the eye could see. On the second leg of the journey the views got pretty interesting as we neared our night-time stop-off point of Chalten, a trekkers paradise. Mountains appeared along with lakes and trees! A wonderful sight after 24 hours of dust. I think the stop-offs were definitely needed too as the dirt-track made us feel like we were in a tumble drier, just jiggling alllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the way, even talking made our voices shake. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn972EvKu3o/TvYzcDW20bI/AAAAAAAAA-w/C_y6cFJ8Qm4/s1600/SAM_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xn972EvKu3o/TvYzcDW20bI/AAAAAAAAA-w/C_y6cFJ8Qm4/s320/SAM_2077.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeYmCWeP-gE/TvYwf5U8a8I/AAAAAAAAA9k/XSGfpGJn9rU/s1600/SAM_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeYmCWeP-gE/TvYwf5U8a8I/AAAAAAAAA9k/XSGfpGJn9rU/s320/SAM_2095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXd2TuaAsJI/TvYwwtVJesI/AAAAAAAAA9s/OdWDN8vTxfM/s1600/SAM_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXd2TuaAsJI/TvYwwtVJesI/AAAAAAAAA9s/OdWDN8vTxfM/s320/SAM_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIOyIUZfVAQ/TvYw-LTuCFI/AAAAAAAAA90/RaRAHtPqjSo/s1600/SAM_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rIOyIUZfVAQ/TvYw-LTuCFI/AAAAAAAAA90/RaRAHtPqjSo/s320/SAM_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jack took this, I was very impressed :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-is1kgYXVZxs/TvYxK9MJpKI/AAAAAAAAA98/vHxLDro-up4/s1600/SAM_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-is1kgYXVZxs/TvYxK9MJpKI/AAAAAAAAA98/vHxLDro-up4/s320/SAM_2119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--y3RsvNxvq0/TvYxmUo26HI/AAAAAAAAA-c/xm9c_c88ECI/s1600/SAM_2174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--y3RsvNxvq0/TvYxmUo26HI/AAAAAAAAA-c/xm9c_c88ECI/s320/SAM_2174.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYaeuPax64Y/TvYxWeW2gGI/AAAAAAAAA-E/LxkgdNiZCAM/s1600/SAM_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qYaeuPax64Y/TvYxWeW2gGI/AAAAAAAAA-E/LxkgdNiZCAM/s320/SAM_2152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Milky aqua blue glacier water, looks good enough to drink :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qTcwLP7eto/TvYxhPg5LzI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Krc14FvzNiU/s1600/SAM_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0qTcwLP7eto/TvYxhPg5LzI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Krc14FvzNiU/s320/SAM_2156.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttp6zATVbQY/TvYxkOo6ECI/AAAAAAAAA-U/AM4n8piWGyg/s1600/SAM_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttp6zATVbQY/TvYxkOo6ECI/AAAAAAAAA-U/AM4n8piWGyg/s320/SAM_2164.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Signs at one of the random stops along the way</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GM8s1nVLJFA/TvY411TYDrI/AAAAAAAAA_c/NMCzxCckWao/s320/SAM_2139.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chalten</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XeaVhnA3xwc/TvY5EnjcWeI/AAAAAAAAA_k/JPYxVTarsN4/s320/SAM_2141.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chalten</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gjCpltGbQd8/TvY5RoWANWI/AAAAAAAAA_s/Uy5po3TDUy8/s320/SAM_2143.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is for my Dad who loves 2CV's. We've seen a few in fact!<br />
<br />
The 3rd day was only 4 hours on the bus and it didn't jiggle, so we were fine, and very happy to touch down at our Christmas destination of El Calafate :) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-35872716260003038272011-12-24T11:59:00.000-08:002011-12-24T12:00:45.070-08:00Last days in Bariloche take two...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">During our last few days in Bariloche we also went to the Ski-Resort of Cerro Catedral. In the winter it is teeming with eager skiers and boarders, but in the summer it was like a ghost town, really weird! The mountains were covered with flowers though so it looked beautiful. </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSXF4heujnE/TvYruS3048I/AAAAAAAAA78/sxI6tMfr284/s1600/SAM_1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GSXF4heujnE/TvYruS3048I/AAAAAAAAA78/sxI6tMfr284/s320/SAM_1946.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Static Ski-Lift, eerie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXIwMLiIYUU/TvYr53ZX-ZI/AAAAAAAAA8E/0p9SY_Jiuzo/s1600/SAM_1951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXIwMLiIYUU/TvYr53ZX-ZI/AAAAAAAAA8E/0p9SY_Jiuzo/s320/SAM_1951.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We did ourselves proud (kind of) with our first mini-trek around one of the mountains, effectively just following a ski route and passing views of the lake in the distance. There was a blustery wind down at ground level and we were wrapped up against the chill, but not far up the mountain the clothes simply had to come off! It was baking.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ivy41cxNQ/TvYsH9hpkvI/AAAAAAAAA8M/US8yt4UYubA/s1600/SAM_1957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1ivy41cxNQ/TvYsH9hpkvI/AAAAAAAAA8M/US8yt4UYubA/s320/SAM_1957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> We also got mobbed by flies all the way, again :( </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Jack spent most of his time flailing his arms around, yelling and swearing with each success of swatting action. I just squealed and threw my arms around. They followed us all the way up the mountain! Buzz buzz buzz buzz! Huge flies they were too. Horrible things. Nipping and pestering.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite the bugs, it was a lovely walk.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qveX8Y2m9W8/TvYsS0XlEGI/AAAAAAAAA8U/y9GUdhUgMCA/s1600/SAM_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qveX8Y2m9W8/TvYsS0XlEGI/AAAAAAAAA8U/y9GUdhUgMCA/s320/SAM_1961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwBQoAz_V4c/TvYsdcLHiBI/AAAAAAAAA8c/UQeuYlP5wn4/s1600/SAM_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwBQoAz_V4c/TvYsdcLHiBI/AAAAAAAAA8c/UQeuYlP5wn4/s320/SAM_1964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4_X4Pc6kZ4/TvYsqbL_LGI/AAAAAAAAA8k/_X2xjT6fne4/s1600/SAM_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4_X4Pc6kZ4/TvYsqbL_LGI/AAAAAAAAA8k/_X2xjT6fne4/s320/SAM_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: -webkit-auto;">We stopped at the top of the ski-route and sat ourslelves on one of the chairs for a wee while, taking in the views and hiding from the flies. They only seem to harrass us when we're moving, it must be the sweat, niiiiice!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxB7MiTcDTU/TvYuGqdJNSI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-sVSTSojLiA/s1600/SAM_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxB7MiTcDTU/TvYuGqdJNSI/AAAAAAAAA9I/-sVSTSojLiA/s320/SAM_1973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSaXv0A9kCA/TvYs2wb8gSI/AAAAAAAAA8s/-hzhXXZTDuI/s1600/SAM_1985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XSaXv0A9kCA/TvYs2wb8gSI/AAAAAAAAA8s/-hzhXXZTDuI/s320/SAM_1985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaBFSkfrYiE/TvYtCJO60kI/AAAAAAAAA80/MOaUVoOPBZY/s1600/SAM_1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaBFSkfrYiE/TvYtCJO60kI/AAAAAAAAA80/MOaUVoOPBZY/s320/SAM_1991.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuIRUx7VbvM/TvYtPRtdHHI/AAAAAAAAA88/u1W52iqVl0I/s1600/SAM_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuIRUx7VbvM/TvYtPRtdHHI/AAAAAAAAA88/u1W52iqVl0I/s320/SAM_1993.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heading back down to the Ski Village</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-57024937317877264842011-12-24T11:39:00.000-08:002011-12-24T11:40:18.223-08:00Last days in Bariloche<div style="text-align: center;">So I'm kind of behind regarding the blogging situation as I can't always get that long on a computer. Even here in the hotel in El Calafate where it's free, people linger outside the door obviously waiting to get on them. So I type fast! It's the photos that take ages to upload, yawn.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, before we left Bariloche we made sure we checked out a really amazing vista point we'd read about called Cerro Campanario. The views looked pretty incredible, so off we went. On the map it was marked very clearly and all we had to do was hop on a bus along one main road and hop off again about 20 minutes later. But this is us, and of course we got lost.<br />
<br />
We ended up walking around for a good 2 hours trying to find the place. We'd spotted a mountain with what looked like a building on top, but we couldn't see any ski-lift cables that take you up there. It took another hour of trundling around until they became visible behind the trees. In our defence when we finally found it the signs were hidden behind overgrown bushes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was nearing the end of the day (due to the getting lost) and we only had about half an hour up at the view-point, so we hurredly jumped onto one of the ski-lift chairs and ascended up the mountain. It was only at that point that I remembered how scared of heights I am!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhwHQTIcTo8/TvYn6RdbVII/AAAAAAAAA6w/2AVoNCi9SDo/s1600/SAM_2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RhwHQTIcTo8/TvYn6RdbVII/AAAAAAAAA6w/2AVoNCi9SDo/s320/SAM_2008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me NOT happy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I whimpered all the way, clinging to Jack and the railing like a Limpet. Jack found my panic very amusing and thought it would be a good idea to make it bounce a little, in which I responded with, "JACK if you even MOVE, I WILL break up with you!!!!!"</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUC6lLQ3Orw/TvYoHJeSnxI/AAAAAAAAA64/BpKnM4YvFAw/s1600/SAM_2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUC6lLQ3Orw/TvYoHJeSnxI/AAAAAAAAA64/BpKnM4YvFAw/s320/SAM_2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A fake smile can go a long way (was still scared!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSaCTP3XzrE/TvYoUBvvWzI/AAAAAAAAA7A/P46dPCEZIDw/s1600/SAM_2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSaCTP3XzrE/TvYoUBvvWzI/AAAAAAAAA7A/P46dPCEZIDw/s320/SAM_2019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully we made it, and despite it being a very windy and cloudy day, the views were AMAZING!!! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNBIeoJrwOk/TvYo6SSAZYI/AAAAAAAAA7M/9lifL9ggPCI/s1600/SAM_2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MNBIeoJrwOk/TvYo6SSAZYI/AAAAAAAAA7M/9lifL9ggPCI/s320/SAM_2022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kg2LJy0q9g/TvYpH1r0JKI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Rlw8Xv23eOg/s1600/SAM_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kg2LJy0q9g/TvYpH1r0JKI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Rlw8Xv23eOg/s320/SAM_2023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwhw25s0KFU/TvYpUfqMkqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/skMKessLPak/s1600/SAM_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwhw25s0KFU/TvYpUfqMkqI/AAAAAAAAA7g/skMKessLPak/s320/SAM_2024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOS_vqCMRew/TvYpf-Wmk3I/AAAAAAAAA7o/H0bRvhiIoe4/s1600/SAM_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kOS_vqCMRew/TvYpf-Wmk3I/AAAAAAAAA7o/H0bRvhiIoe4/s320/SAM_2029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAlvelz6hcY/TvYpriIUR0I/AAAAAAAAA7w/X-LigDrOqjU/s1600/SAM_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAlvelz6hcY/TvYpriIUR0I/AAAAAAAAA7w/X-LigDrOqjU/s320/SAM_2035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happier going back down towards ground level. Phew.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-88847222373766540712011-12-20T12:04:00.000-08:002011-12-20T12:24:23.254-08:00Sponsor an animal this Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Jac</span>k and I will be volunteering at this animal rescue project in Feb/March 2012 time, here's what they have to say.....<br />
<br />
<b>"It’s that time of year again! If you are at a loss this Christmas, unsure of what to buy your friends or relatives, why not sponsor on their behalf a favourite CIWY animal? </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Click on the animals name to see their story. </b><br />
<b>There are many more animals here at CIWY that need your help.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><img src="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/img/Simba_thumbnail.jpg" /> </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/articles/volunteer_animal_refuge/simba.html">Simba </a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Monkeys, birds, cats, baby animals, or those who (lets be honest) sometimes get forgotten. If you can’t choose, it doesn’t matter – sponsor them all! You get a great gift for someone you love, with a certificate to present on Christmas day, whilst also doing something amazing for these animals that really need our help.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>YOU CAN CHOOSE TO:</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Sponsor the BIRDS of Inti Wara Yassi (£10)</b><br />
<b>Sponsor the MONKEYS of Inti Wara Yassi (£15)</b><br />
<b>Sponsor US because we are usually forgotten (£15)</b><br />
<b>Sponsor the CATS of Inti Wara Yassi (£20)</b><br />
<b>Sponsor the Inti Wara Yassi BABIES (£20)</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Visit <a href="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/christmas.html">http://www.intiwarayassi.org/christmas.html</a> and send some love to Bolivia this Christmas."</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><img src="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/img/Balu.jpg" /> </b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/articles/volunteer_animal_refuge/balu">Balu</a> </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><img src="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/img/Iya.jpg" /> </b><br />
<a href="http://www.intiwarayassi.org/articles/volunteer_animal_refuge/iya"><b>Iya</b></a></div><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"></span></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> </tbody></table><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b></b> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-12157520066414590892011-12-20T11:49:00.000-08:002011-12-24T10:29:07.786-08:00Jack Gets NEW Trainers, Finally!<div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's the end of an era for Jack and his weathered friends!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For those of you who know Jack you'll know that he rarely buys new clothes or footwear, or anything for that matter. However, push came to shove today as his toes pushed out through the sides of his trainers and the soles of his feet brushed the concrete pavement for the last time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> He finally went and bought himself a shiny new pair of trainers (I say trainers, more like slip on pump things).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Only problem is that he can't bear to part with them and wants to keep them! I'm sure they'll make his backpack smell lovely :s</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOuodNYa5Rnu24OqTbEuBgyE-eRd2bY4-WTBjDY4173dnjZIxtx-r0gh3exP4a9MlWNC1ugtbBwgmxK4EJPD4tsVeWwfn6xeRiKExts9zVuIWFWzYjAQahyphenhyphenOpScpvIy4QlbeI6fAKusI/s1600/SAM_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOuodNYa5Rnu24OqTbEuBgyE-eRd2bY4-WTBjDY4173dnjZIxtx-r0gh3exP4a9MlWNC1ugtbBwgmxK4EJPD4tsVeWwfn6xeRiKExts9zVuIWFWzYjAQahyphenhyphenOpScpvIy4QlbeI6fAKusI/s320/SAM_2055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwDqJXci7rQorn1bu_n9cWHuUnbbCpBX6TPeZlcvjG4julqerYcBw0e7FcO51DHl7jFzVuxEScvilHlEGWiOv2e1JTZQS8z_5Qljs9BqqTK_NB_W5jjUdt7EBRAzSu9YgZjZeZ_8D09M/s1600/SAM_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwDqJXci7rQorn1bu_n9cWHuUnbbCpBX6TPeZlcvjG4julqerYcBw0e7FcO51DHl7jFzVuxEScvilHlEGWiOv2e1JTZQS8z_5Qljs9BqqTK_NB_W5jjUdt7EBRAzSu9YgZjZeZ_8D09M/s320/SAM_2056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAC2vCzpxeKpvULv7KhZnnq66AC4IhqGoCpN69jt0t5NyORVijiWMwtA_-3M4Qbb79DCpm9pNA9lHiI6wKR0aDBiwdHHDcgMetUT8RbGsImX7xdYUsx5oBABoEEGZaK09s2ltnp25JFs/s1600/SAM_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAC2vCzpxeKpvULv7KhZnnq66AC4IhqGoCpN69jt0t5NyORVijiWMwtA_-3M4Qbb79DCpm9pNA9lHiI6wKR0aDBiwdHHDcgMetUT8RbGsImX7xdYUsx5oBABoEEGZaK09s2ltnp25JFs/s320/SAM_2057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi5DutFfKvs55zjhFTM4mycGbEkHmrgLCCy-ujVPg8cYptPgimmQ9cqGhbEmPrFcU7OOrmZy0ucfwinXBTmgaGJxR26liNpuXBsWhLQXsDzb3Edt90yt_dsvx5xeX8N_3rE17WDwGebk/s1600/SAM_2059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi5DutFfKvs55zjhFTM4mycGbEkHmrgLCCy-ujVPg8cYptPgimmQ9cqGhbEmPrFcU7OOrmZy0ucfwinXBTmgaGJxR26liNpuXBsWhLQXsDzb3Edt90yt_dsvx5xeX8N_3rE17WDwGebk/s320/SAM_2059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNmL1_2MLadQaxAEJBN5gwkVJGz7we7RHWSyINs4VwfuwSDeGMuVKfWd0fldeGy1y8i5A4f8DkhtKmJZMHpUWJLutYpV5pgki7UY5MS1xoD6Az8r0kGRzPWJeMmn7DNt-soxuQCDtTGs/s1600/SAM_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNmL1_2MLadQaxAEJBN5gwkVJGz7we7RHWSyINs4VwfuwSDeGMuVKfWd0fldeGy1y8i5A4f8DkhtKmJZMHpUWJLutYpV5pgki7UY5MS1xoD6Az8r0kGRzPWJeMmn7DNt-soxuQCDtTGs/s320/SAM_2060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcWlNyPKRBI/TvYVMseNVdI/AAAAAAAAA6k/6tUtA7lqtqM/s1600/SAM_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lcWlNyPKRBI/TvYVMseNVdI/AAAAAAAAA6k/6tUtA7lqtqM/s320/SAM_2124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new additions. Not quite what he wants but they'll do!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Oh and the trashed Converse DID go in the bin, though whenever Jack catches a glimpse of them on the blog he whimpers :(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-20732023943811882932011-12-20T09:01:00.000-08:002011-12-20T15:42:40.313-08:00Message to 'Anonymous'Just a quick update for the person who sent me a message claiming this trip wasn't 'Eco' as we've used planes and buses to get around and slept in hotels. I think he/she has misunderstood the aim of this trip and focused too hard on the newspaper article <b>title</b> and not the <b>content</b>.<br />
<br />
Apologies if it came across that this was specifically an 'Eco' trip, but this is not the case.<br />
<br />
It was <i>never</i> planned to be an 'Eco' trip in the sense that everything we do will be on an 'Eco' level and it was never mentioned in the newspaper article that everything we would be doing would be 'Eco' at all. We wouldn't even be here if we hadn't got on a plane so that's obviously unavoidable.<br />
<br />
We are <b>volunteering</b> in four of the countries we're visiting, and we're backpacking our way around inbetween projects. It's about <b>volunteering while <i>also</i> travelling</b>, <b>learning</b> a few things and <b>helping at the projects</b>, whilst having a fun adventure at the same time.<br />
<br />
We went to visit an 'Eco-Park' and planned to volunteer there for two weeks to learn about how they lived in an environmentally friendly manner, but the website was a lie and the place was horrific, and it certainly wasn't planet friendly! So unfortunately that didn't work out as planned. We were pretty angry about how misleading the website was.<br />
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The only way to get around here is by public transport as the continent is so huge. Using public transport is better than flying to each idividual country, which a lot of travellers do, and we are not.<br />
<br />
The newspaper headline included the term 'Eco-theme' as the Eco-Park was our first port of call. It's just unfortunate that turned out the way it did, we couldn't have predicted that. The headline probably should have read, "<b>Couples Adventure with a Volunteer Theme</b>". I didn't get to choose the title, but I imagine as the Eco-Park was still on the cards at that time it seemed relevant to include it in the title.<br />
<br />
The whole thought process behind this trip was <i>never</i> intended to be 'Eco' in everything we do at all, but to offer our time <b>volunteering while we travel</b> and to learn about certain issues (such as animal trafficking), and that was made clear in the article, and that is what this trip is about.<br />
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Of course we're going to have fun along the way, we've worked hard to save the money for this adventure, and also we've only been here for two weeks! We've barely even begun. It takes time to get to these places where we plan to volunteer, and in the meantime we're enjoying ourselves, as any traveller would.<br />
<br />
We plan to get involved in projects such as animal rescue, of which we have a few lined up. The one in Ecuador, <a href="http://www.ecuadorecovolunteer.org/"><b>Ecudaor Eco Volunteer</b></a> is an eco-tourism project that not only rescues abused animals but also creates jobs for those in the local community as guides and so forth, so we will see!<br />
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Our way of promoting the idea of '<i>eco-tourism</i>' is by going to these places that say they are 'eco-tourism' projects, getting involved, and reporting back via the blog for others to see.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>If we find some of the projects are doing really good things (which I'm sure we will) then we will be sure to let people know about them and to encourage anyone planning to travel to also consider volunteering along the way.</b><br />
<br />
The next volunteering project on our itinerary is in Chile, where we'll be helping to preserve the natural habitat of the wild Chinchilla. We will hopefully be there late January 2012.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-25549776193263156752011-12-19T15:50:00.000-08:002011-12-20T05:11:33.719-08:00Bikes and Bugs!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ahhhhhh, what a lovely week we've had here in Bariloche, and now we are nearing the end of our time here *Sob Sob!*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We've loved this little hotel we've been staying at, Hosteria Selva Negra, we've pretty much had it all to ourselves :) Vegging out to films in bed after dinner and enjoying the living room area when blogging, it's so homey :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS4xUovKoQ3457Bv9PoxEeSm5zNSzP4XRzmYUtYvHtrb_JTPX8KwU0-JPTHBneSaD7TVhDmRnMwayUzaTg0i0HrXvPmw_Xnjvi9o3dCDCfLn74e2usFKliQkCBYTZXdNeTz5WtSQIPEo/s1600/SAM_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS4xUovKoQ3457Bv9PoxEeSm5zNSzP4XRzmYUtYvHtrb_JTPX8KwU0-JPTHBneSaD7TVhDmRnMwayUzaTg0i0HrXvPmw_Xnjvi9o3dCDCfLn74e2usFKliQkCBYTZXdNeTz5WtSQIPEo/s320/SAM_1875.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack full after dinner</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPYuSlsAsLsRqrDs0aSvnJgyhNUrATX2I21_eqrgYCB9fCwv2hyldUIhcwY1ddfjE35V26elsqz1GA0GgleiP6nm3b08eIjqb03lDBcz7ybxMCs1wgRvTPyPi-2J4DNLI7rht6JYsZcg/s1600/SAM_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPYuSlsAsLsRqrDs0aSvnJgyhNUrATX2I21_eqrgYCB9fCwv2hyldUIhcwY1ddfjE35V26elsqz1GA0GgleiP6nm3b08eIjqb03lDBcz7ybxMCs1wgRvTPyPi-2J4DNLI7rht6JYsZcg/s320/SAM_1877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely little lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">These last few days we've been bike riding, trekking, visited a Hippie town called El Bolson, taken a ski lift up to an incredible vista point called Cerro Campanario and frequented various yummy restaurants :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVgKR3uinjfx89nLpWySXoFGaviO2ZTOE4coSj8zUsv4IAkLuIZ0Kiuo9ZrKDdI0DQLEGCf2fP_WxHzNk7kpIPeS8AdreFW9nln7xJMSDoYUrzP5TcJ6i8EDtNJdt5QPetCncsrULC8M/s1600/SAM_1821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVgKR3uinjfx89nLpWySXoFGaviO2ZTOE4coSj8zUsv4IAkLuIZ0Kiuo9ZrKDdI0DQLEGCf2fP_WxHzNk7kpIPeS8AdreFW9nln7xJMSDoYUrzP5TcJ6i8EDtNJdt5QPetCncsrULC8M/s320/SAM_1821.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The day of the bike ride was really fun, but within mere moments I was screeching for Jack to come and help me as I didn't understand the gear system (I've never known a bike to have gears on BOTH sides!) Oh and then my chain fell off. Jack spent most of the time laughing at me and looking over his shoulder to make sure I hadn't been squished by a passing truck. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAudhq9v8z3ZfBbMU1utIO-i6eRJQ12JO6toUgfBW81MqRwDnnckCmhZTeJGBRrLm8000LR4Y__6qyvgxSJpPoMMtGY28ydKUvsLNy_BKpLl9JyHJ-fOoUFToNqFclVNZoU5KbiL5V1Lk/s1600/SAM_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAudhq9v8z3ZfBbMU1utIO-i6eRJQ12JO6toUgfBW81MqRwDnnckCmhZTeJGBRrLm8000LR4Y__6qyvgxSJpPoMMtGY28ydKUvsLNy_BKpLl9JyHJ-fOoUFToNqFclVNZoU5KbiL5V1Lk/s320/SAM_1828.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4OXVepPWqimwZ2aaqZGHoQIC4a-7vCWC4BKT62msUR71N_fuLorLv-nE1vm2KZjtzPT5fGeQec0LRgUwST68vSMK2RWJ-sbqjxNxvEwv27IPsINYERNief5Yh3AzF3I1TYxjef3EmpE/s1600/SAM_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4OXVepPWqimwZ2aaqZGHoQIC4a-7vCWC4BKT62msUR71N_fuLorLv-nE1vm2KZjtzPT5fGeQec0LRgUwST68vSMK2RWJ-sbqjxNxvEwv27IPsINYERNief5Yh3AzF3I1TYxjef3EmpE/s320/SAM_1854.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was the one laughing later on that day however as Jack tried a 'cool-man' move and almost catapulted himself over the front of the handlebars! I was not the only witness either. Classic! He managed to fall off the bike without actually falling on the ground himself, but the bike went flying. I just stood there saying "What ARE you doing!?!" </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He claimed the brake was on the wrong side to what he was used to and that he'd managed to lock the front wheel. I'm somewhat skeptical about that story I must admit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had been shown various cycle routes that we could take around the mountains and lakes, and one led to a little waterfall (nothing will ever compare to Iguazu Falls now though of course). We cycled along the main road for a while and then headed over dirt tracks until we came to a forest. It looked enchanting, light filtering in through the branches of the trees casting sun spots upon the forest floor. Just beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqPhhPjDBS0pmOkvkzeV-JC4aEGd6Y-qhQRVbnhv0dIaPNKyApgvB7V3Nhn2eXhwgRmoTn-KBipQwua3P75OYzUbKUiDZMBCJY1NslAFFTFH8eFnsCbZDE18vULrz-183GpLIIa7K7pY/s1600/SAM_1863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixqPhhPjDBS0pmOkvkzeV-JC4aEGd6Y-qhQRVbnhv0dIaPNKyApgvB7V3Nhn2eXhwgRmoTn-KBipQwua3P75OYzUbKUiDZMBCJY1NslAFFTFH8eFnsCbZDE18vULrz-183GpLIIa7K7pY/s320/SAM_1863.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC4wnORKfAhuWcOaDmzhHUCkUwPICUZbZxwsO7XyyAGEsBdSN-zIqqi2HpFLZU0psCZnjVdomRBEwm8fPM-2lG9htSzovdjweMgc9h6U2KwNthBmbIRvrJ4Jq_Q8ijufpGPj-cpybRKQ/s1600/SAM_1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC4wnORKfAhuWcOaDmzhHUCkUwPICUZbZxwsO7XyyAGEsBdSN-zIqqi2HpFLZU0psCZnjVdomRBEwm8fPM-2lG9htSzovdjweMgc9h6U2KwNthBmbIRvrJ4Jq_Q8ijufpGPj-cpybRKQ/s320/SAM_1862.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until that is, we cycled a little further in. BUGS!! Jack hates bugs as it is and I can't say I'm their biggest fan. We got chased all the way by big ass flies! Big buzzers, some of which I swear nipped me! They wouldn't leave us alone, I think they liked our sweat, nice. We squawked and squeaked all the way to the waterfall, with Jack getting steadily angrier. We had to navigate over huge knobbly tree roots on a narrow sandy path, while trying to escape the wrath of the bugs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally reaching the waterfall, which failed to impress due it's little trickle compared to Iguazu, and due to our irritance, I snapped a photo as quickly as I could, screamed (again!) and then we jumped back on our bikes and flew outta there! It seemed the water made the bug situation SO much worse. Jack almost encountered a swarm I'm sure! He swore at them at kept yelling at them to F*** off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rPyzes5zTbaCMheu_Y2jBJBIwAnfiv7_nK-8jDOtv4XBlDnekn7v01HLbLbQdJMkMSbA6EPYxbU-1z-JUoZer0NmIlUKKO67jTmCBhXpjaMpxrkIK8G1_lR7bblt-YVxGErFz6FN79g/s1600/SAM_1865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rPyzes5zTbaCMheu_Y2jBJBIwAnfiv7_nK-8jDOtv4XBlDnekn7v01HLbLbQdJMkMSbA6EPYxbU-1z-JUoZer0NmIlUKKO67jTmCBhXpjaMpxrkIK8G1_lR7bblt-YVxGErFz6FN79g/s320/SAM_1865.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All in all a fun day and some nicely tanned shoulders. Even if it did increase our fear and intolerance of flies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIHmydDgEmWEjCHhYNm2UN-oCiVGHgBFNCc-wyW6fIrSEZbQ5I3XcD_fp_NjpniHGCB0kQUfqRn914dWzEn472AGIzfm3-DTzUzscEgu0YyeQmUD4NhpIaNa_r04C09TTYstiRs6MJFU/s1600/SAM_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIHmydDgEmWEjCHhYNm2UN-oCiVGHgBFNCc-wyW6fIrSEZbQ5I3XcD_fp_NjpniHGCB0kQUfqRn914dWzEn472AGIzfm3-DTzUzscEgu0YyeQmUD4NhpIaNa_r04C09TTYstiRs6MJFU/s320/SAM_1855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK0qsV1GDJ-CpilDWAKr3LLA-ONyk15g4zDXWs-ApPXF-vlpgXmdlkSqThyphenhyphenQPGgPAz7VFInpnNXBYCFo-rI_xMGycKlO8R1EWaC3eicllaKIw-as5Tuspvxjqdcy6F_Vp9iqPKXTDROw/s1600/SAM_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcK0qsV1GDJ-CpilDWAKr3LLA-ONyk15g4zDXWs-ApPXF-vlpgXmdlkSqThyphenhyphenQPGgPAz7VFInpnNXBYCFo-rI_xMGycKlO8R1EWaC3eicllaKIw-as5Tuspvxjqdcy6F_Vp9iqPKXTDROw/s320/SAM_1870.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the lake we cycled around</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-28468724648598190432011-12-14T11:38:00.000-08:002011-12-14T12:09:37.537-08:00Happy and Relaxed in Bariloche!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the unnerving and disheartening disaster of the 'Eco-Park' we fled back to Buenos Aires (ugh) to book a</div></div><div style="text-align: center;">21 hour bus ride to Bariloche.<br />
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Now, this place was not on our itinerary but it looked so amazing that once we realised the 'Eco-Park' was a total no no, we found ourselves with some extra time on our hands :)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nG0z7beYXX_f5sQie05hFAI3tEJAKVJaF9r6z4xElADrH_cKIFPJ-f7Cj9WKLixuPUuK5zCbrdy3QrS49NU7AAGjq3okXza2leMOunZyH-iJQ2Z1ZAm5iErXKaxSL1Mn98sJXZ80808/s1600/SAM_1760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nG0z7beYXX_f5sQie05hFAI3tEJAKVJaF9r6z4xElADrH_cKIFPJ-f7Cj9WKLixuPUuK5zCbrdy3QrS49NU7AAGjq3okXza2leMOunZyH-iJQ2Z1ZAm5iErXKaxSL1Mn98sJXZ80808/s320/SAM_1760.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On the way to Bariloche, nature made us smile again :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The city of San Carlos de <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bariloche">Bariloche</a></b> is situated in the Nahuel Huapi National Park on one of the banks of the lake Nahuel Huapi. In the winter it is a ski resort popular with Europeans and Canadians I believe. In the summer, which is now, it is great for hiking and camping. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacqdQnJ7-_LqF-yOI3UqrdxBzg_CE6cDjx3i9vzwATIEhw5LF0uUcidzN8uu52NOHgIxz_0IU5ei6B5dGlubZqnnz2vEpP0Cd7m68kqEyg5NBYQz7rUIqN_2hjty20PG56tCfZIjLRe0/s1600/SAM_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacqdQnJ7-_LqF-yOI3UqrdxBzg_CE6cDjx3i9vzwATIEhw5LF0uUcidzN8uu52NOHgIxz_0IU5ei6B5dGlubZqnnz2vEpP0Cd7m68kqEyg5NBYQz7rUIqN_2hjty20PG56tCfZIjLRe0/s320/SAM_1801.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Town Centre</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We found ourselves deposited near here, stepping off the long-haul bus tired, worn out, down-spirited (even considering jacking it all in!) The bus took 21 hours from Buenos Aires and munched into our budget by about 100 (unanticipated). But all we wanted to do was find peace, relaxation and cleanliness! Everything so far had been so scuzzy :(</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We wandered around in the afternoon sun, totally clueless as to where to go. We found a taxi, and then found a Tourist Info centre, finally some help! We found maps and leaflets and all manner of information, it was like Christmas had come early! The lady, who spoke some English (amazing!) pointed out the hostels and we trucked off to find a bed to rest our weary heads and bodies. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HxnUvXRX4TMsVqJFBdYK9XrkCKK_eLFI8UhIoSDzYhB9r_rtgN6lHv2fye6d6z9_KeyDUM-wuzQJakBS225SPxq3XeuYhp22J6tJFicV1nwVMJ1LbMJlvWOjgjCLTgJbd3d1DlnvJzM/s1600/SAM_1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HxnUvXRX4TMsVqJFBdYK9XrkCKK_eLFI8UhIoSDzYhB9r_rtgN6lHv2fye6d6z9_KeyDUM-wuzQJakBS225SPxq3XeuYhp22J6tJFicV1nwVMJ1LbMJlvWOjgjCLTgJbd3d1DlnvJzM/s320/SAM_1768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Andes in the background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We actually ended up finding ourselves a double room in a hotel for 11.50 squid each, not bad! It's so quiet, so clean and just perfect for us right now. We spent forever showering, washing away all the previous few days filth and disappointments. We were so happy to be clean! To not be afraid to use the toilet! To be able to lie down on a clean, comfortable bed and relax, finally!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkwr_JzKPhdBNdZoU7yS5G18KQP18Nsh_kvJUD2QrAuKGPJQJOkurtnfpL4vPM4oRjUlAsa3YnO_plsL4F05PbIxERYP9ouvEixJwAojEgcr4l49JxzdRBnoq3ibYsXaJn0HPOT8Xc90/s1600/SAM_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkwr_JzKPhdBNdZoU7yS5G18KQP18Nsh_kvJUD2QrAuKGPJQJOkurtnfpL4vPM4oRjUlAsa3YnO_plsL4F05PbIxERYP9ouvEixJwAojEgcr4l49JxzdRBnoq3ibYsXaJn0HPOT8Xc90/s320/SAM_1773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy!</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xnid3koNQwQHUJoPUfMybUBIVZVrUVZqLB5uTeU2ROOn39yuYwos0fWftqbs5Je9GS1ApIZtgNjwuaHCoPgu4Uvo29PmIXm5wlyIjI-lMoPpQz7KgkQBV71MupWheARpWsYGATKJgCo/s1600/SAM_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xnid3koNQwQHUJoPUfMybUBIVZVrUVZqLB5uTeU2ROOn39yuYwos0fWftqbs5Je9GS1ApIZtgNjwuaHCoPgu4Uvo29PmIXm5wlyIjI-lMoPpQz7KgkQBV71MupWheARpWsYGATKJgCo/s320/SAM_1776.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Peace</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeuIwWgtfIOjFKe-YLBhpyUL6ukbO0q_ZBK4vman_3wLKLZsXBCT8bclnacCbtteeaiudsNKSjNUi1FVpL4wET32GKgPz0UsafeAVTcbcsM8H2hexB9EZCzKh_D_FNb5UexYtB96NVM4/s1600/SAM_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeuIwWgtfIOjFKe-YLBhpyUL6ukbO0q_ZBK4vman_3wLKLZsXBCT8bclnacCbtteeaiudsNKSjNUi1FVpL4wET32GKgPz0UsafeAVTcbcsM8H2hexB9EZCzKh_D_FNb5UexYtB96NVM4/s320/SAM_1788.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">I've actually spent the afternoon in the lounge area catching up on all this online stuff, which previously had been a killer pain in the arse, tallying up fees in internet cafes with computers as slow as slugs! I've had this computer all to myself and for free in the comfort of a cosy living room with a Christmas tree, I can't describe how luxurious it feels, even thought it's just nice and simple.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">So today we got some errands done (and met a dog), laundry is next on the list! We wandered around the area and enjoyed our time here in South America for the first time since Iguazu Falls (which up until now was the only day we have enjoyed!).<br />
<br />
To be fair though we've been adjusting, planning, changing ideas, learning, pulling ourselves out of bad situations and also we've travelled on buses ALOT! We're a lot more savvy to things now, we have the rest of the month planned and nearly booked, so it's all good. Ok so we've gone over-budget because of the (neccessary!) change of plans, but the rest of the countries we'll be visiting are smaller and much cheaper so we should be ok. Also this hotel we're in is the same price as the Eco-Park would have been! So we're not massively over-spending by skipping out on that diastrous cess-pit of a place.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDn28a3jj8nV_i1j_JNWH3CIpQOHKQzEkSX2NHHHY5SCf6isizgA2uuH_dIAgdEuEpot8RxPF2dyw0iIp_HYzfbspt61EufzHO4-Hna6aBoqCbYA32LAXvWRcyNI-yxtwqzUDE8MokXw/s1600/SAM_1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDn28a3jj8nV_i1j_JNWH3CIpQOHKQzEkSX2NHHHY5SCf6isizgA2uuH_dIAgdEuEpot8RxPF2dyw0iIp_HYzfbspt61EufzHO4-Hna6aBoqCbYA32LAXvWRcyNI-yxtwqzUDE8MokXw/s320/SAM_1799.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Pleased to meet you Human, my name is 'The Protector'."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6ec9paH_IRSIW4F8Foh-e2DYdDVE3NxzeZpQV7-Tsqx-gLFJS4KuSPVWppsA5FX2zC3MFPQaaEnEBgJLpik1Jj5kKE0O7_Ec5t7webf69Sd6TYavTsk3kYCN4JZ4-UZP-ULe1NIDQWQ/s1600/SAM_1797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6ec9paH_IRSIW4F8Foh-e2DYdDVE3NxzeZpQV7-Tsqx-gLFJS4KuSPVWppsA5FX2zC3MFPQaaEnEBgJLpik1Jj5kKE0O7_Ec5t7webf69Sd6TYavTsk3kYCN4JZ4-UZP-ULe1NIDQWQ/s320/SAM_1797.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A man and his dog :)</span><br />
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This dog came trotting down to us on the pebble beach and took an instant likening to Jack. He sat, then shook his paw and then lay down with us. Only problem was that he then followed us everywhere! Chasing and barking at any passing car, nearly getting himself run over! Jack named him 'The Protector' as we think he was trying to protect us. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We didn't want to get him into any mishap though so we had to keep running away from him in the town, but he kept finding us! Barking at us from acorss the street and swiftly galloping over to trot alongside us. We eventually managed to lose him by running down a street and hiding around a corner. <br />
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Good dog though.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We think we'll stay another day or two here and go on one of the excusrions on offer, rafting or kayaking perhaps, and then we're going to go camping in the mountains for a few days :) Another way to save the pennies. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A brief trip to the Hippie town of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Bols%C3%B3n,_R%C3%ADo_Negro">El Bolson</a></b> and then it's onto El Calafate where we have our hotel and Glacier Trek booked for Christmas! We're booking the 3 day bus trip tomorrow, it will stop off at hostels and takes the famous <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Route_40_(Argentina)">Route 40</a></b>! The longest route in Argentina and one of the largest in the world! No toilet stops pour moi, eeeeeek! If we've hacked 21 hours on a bus (with a rancid toilet might I add) I'm sure we can hack this.....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Route 40</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-2197675640594383252011-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:002011-12-14T12:29:07.814-08:00Eco-Park My Arse!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ok so already we hit a bump in the road and in our first week too! Booooo. When people say 'Your plans will always change once you get out there!' They're telling no lies. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We hated being in Buenos Aires (reasons why stated in previous post) and desperately wanted to find some peace, so we headed to the 'Eco-Park' a day or so early, thinking we'd stay there for up to two weeks, allowing us to spend little money and relax. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">SOOOOOOO not the case! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">On their website (which by the way I went over with a fine tooth comb in the months leading up to our departure) they state they are a 'Retreat' and the photos looked so great on their shite, sorry I mean site. Take this description for example...</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Organic vegetarian/veg restaurant (excellent food),Breakfast included (see full board option),Common room,Internet access free of charge in the common room,Library (english and spanish),Cinema with big screen, digital sound,DVD’s,Daily Hatha Yoga and Meditation class taught in the ¨Truli¨ dome, an impressive architectural design and acoustics,Vegetarian cooking workshop,Lectures and art room with wood stove,Parking,Wheelchair Accessible ,24 Hour Reception ,Currency Exchange,Towels,Laundry,Airport Transfer,Bus stop transfer,Luggage"</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uTeOJrrtd-Tygm9vGGmJlrpHb2bPuJedkJYrCGsnp0dsUb8_q0M-ypdyJIICNWO819_VUSq_70Yg8RLLm16lf1zkLJAjt1RriVapJQ_RwnkVnpb4x35LbvPXlDhG39kIioQklEzU01Q/s1600/SAM_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uTeOJrrtd-Tygm9vGGmJlrpHb2bPuJedkJYrCGsnp0dsUb8_q0M-ypdyJIICNWO819_VUSq_70Yg8RLLm16lf1zkLJAjt1RriVapJQ_RwnkVnpb4x35LbvPXlDhG39kIioQklEzU01Q/s320/SAM_1723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The entrance....if only we knew what lay ahead!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The REALITY of the situation was NOT an 'Eco-Park' but a small community of Hare Krishnas living in what Jack and I could only describe as squalid conditions :s</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now on the website it says nothing (unless I missed it) about it being in any way religious, I thought it was going to be more about detoxing and relaxing, learning about growing your own food and living in an environmentally friendly manner. I honestly thought it was the kind of place people would go for a genuinely Eco but truly desirable retreat. Cleanliness and relaxation being of the upmost importance when you conjure the word 'retreat'.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, we were aware that yes there may be some kind of religious under-tone, but that we would just choose to remain distanced from it and just enjoy the parks 'relaxing' facilities and dig up a few vegetables, perhaps even learn to cook a few new 'organic' dishes. Which if we'd stayed longer than one night may have been the case. BUT it was pretty unbearable, and it wasn't even bloody Eco!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvJPG04XyqBYQGscc7QxafLuSi4sbNNOrxICcgLSNh-yOJ86l5G7bfwit8l2GQIC50qm_LEXQ6W4DbC4-aQJ8-mQGAbbpbP58amgukqFpMIa4SLU_kit_lhLO9OydJjVNnhIW5vZ09dk/s1600/SAM_1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvJPG04XyqBYQGscc7QxafLuSi4sbNNOrxICcgLSNh-yOJ86l5G7bfwit8l2GQIC50qm_LEXQ6W4DbC4-aQJ8-mQGAbbpbP58amgukqFpMIa4SLU_kit_lhLO9OydJjVNnhIW5vZ09dk/s320/SAM_1727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The education centre, the only OK building that didn't smell!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">We had little problem with the Hare Krishna side of things, each to their own of course! They didn't push anything on us or assume we were into it, so that's the only credit that can be given. It was the rancid conditions that were the problem and the fact that the website is one big lie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The only thing 'Eco' about the place was that they grew their own vegetables and fruit. But did they have composting toilets? Nope! Did they use candle light or use wind turbines? Nope! Did they live in a rubbish free, 'at one with the earth manner'? Nope!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimA7OWDUabdqfZPsk3JmpipjBrrWq08i2CK1LIcoA7M2jayF4YUhBHcDmxrk0lC7rodHrNZ7sE6lBQDzIjJoyQJJa4i81X6AN6ly2jqsAnn9qR8rMJHWAL0CUVoae-fOZE-6y_vDnFmB8/s1600/SAM_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimA7OWDUabdqfZPsk3JmpipjBrrWq08i2CK1LIcoA7M2jayF4YUhBHcDmxrk0lC7rodHrNZ7sE6lBQDzIjJoyQJJa4i81X6AN6ly2jqsAnn9qR8rMJHWAL0CUVoae-fOZE-6y_vDnFmB8/s320/SAM_1742.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The only good thing about this place: The Vegetable Patches</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The 'restaurant' was just a kitchen, which from a glance didn't even seem very clean! There were always flies everywhere! The common room was a shack and I didn't see any computer there for communal use, only the on-site people who seemed to live there sat around on chairs with their own mini-laptops. The Library was literally a shelf! I didn't even SEE this 'Cinema with Big-Screen' that they talk of, though I did hear a TV somewhere behind one of the cabins, not that anyone bothered to show us it however. Hot showers were none existent and buzzing with flies and the smell was enough to make you ill on the spot.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jack and I were so grossed out we refused to wash with anything but babywipes. The toilets were normal flushing toilets, BUT you couldn't put anything down them so next to the loo sat a plastic basket full of dirty arse-wipe toilet paper. Jacks first visit to the toilet greeted him with a giant turd that had sat there for god knows how long unflushed. Now how's about that for a photo! (If only we'd thought to take pics of all this stuff, but it really doesn't occur at the time to photograph the awful stuff).</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">They mention they have towels!? What a joke! Laundry?! Well if they had a washing machine then that sure ain't Eco! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Certain areas of the 'park' really stank of sewage, so we rekon their bad toilet system, which again I must note was NOT 'Eco', mustn't have been taking the waste very far away at all. There was also a cluster of trees in the middle of the 'park' which seemed to hide an array of junk and rubbish.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We made our excuses as to why we had to leave so suddenly, and the guy seemed a bit peeved as we'd said we'd volunteer for the week, however the place was a complete joke so we didn't give two hoots!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Problem was that it had been a long holiday weekend and apparently in Argentina the banks can literally run out of money! We arrived on a Sunday and there was no way we would be able to get hold of any money until noon on the Monday! Literally TRAPPED! Arrrgggghhhhh!! We had tried to get money before we arrived there but even in Buenos Aires the cash machines were empty :(</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We had no choice but to stay the night, which then meant we'd have to pay for it, so we couldn't even make a quick exit first thing in the morning. We had to trek into the local town walking 1km down a dirt track and then taking the most local of local buses into a hot, humid, busy, scummy town. We had to que for an HOUR in the street with the locals to finally get some cash.<br />
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Jack named the whole experience the 'Escape from Eco-Traz'</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">We spent our time at the 'Eco-Park-My-Arse' hiding away from people, complaining, skipping any social aspect such as dinner and sneaking out of the premises for cigarettes! Yes that right, this first week has been so stressful we've both taken up smoking! To top it off we talked with a girl from Australia called Emily who told us lots of people were leaving due to bed-bugs! That suddenly explained why we'd seen people pouring boiling water all over their backpacks and belongings.<br />
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That was the cherry on the cake!<br />
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She assured us that the cabin we were staying in was the same one she was in too and that it didn't have bed-bugs, she said that's why we were moved, as initially we were in a prison cell of a room which also had water pouring in from the ceiling whenever someone turned the tap on.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TotPAhdTMrbtf3luROlD1hJTd3ZCdNZbH0p0HNn-OzZKc9wTyn_JyAhCmJmtgD4bS-R-eGyXsGA43SogJDwWVNqxdKMnwM-hfL5vCFNAmkVdj1Zv1RPirj90IYg6Uyo-89LU33VlQgA/s1600/SAM_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TotPAhdTMrbtf3luROlD1hJTd3ZCdNZbH0p0HNn-OzZKc9wTyn_JyAhCmJmtgD4bS-R-eGyXsGA43SogJDwWVNqxdKMnwM-hfL5vCFNAmkVdj1Zv1RPirj90IYg6Uyo-89LU33VlQgA/s320/SAM_1745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jack hiding from the tons of Mosquitos and possibly even Bed-Bugs!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">The main owner of the place had clearly taken a disliking to us when we said we had to leave and didn't inform us of the bedbugs or offer for us to move rooms. Thankfully another guy who tended to look after us moved us regardless.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I WISH I'd taken photos of all this stuff, but at the time I just tried to focus on the positive aspects, such as the vegetable patch! So my photos don't illustrate the true horror of the place!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">If ever any reader of this blog was considering going there, I strongly suggest you DON'T! Unless you like poo stenched, bed-bug ridden and ultimately BORING surroundings!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD10qz_AdWax3o30UwRkZovfqhmq9W0hrVgnsJvCxzDRMX8uQpW5yXi42d1cdXfZJ9FvY8_K6ZqSK_-pkLASdS-Wzdun5KdVhX675cexQq2Rfowdg3kUGqyfjj4Ep4ktFgJ6qObHRMcuE/s1600/SAM_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD10qz_AdWax3o30UwRkZovfqhmq9W0hrVgnsJvCxzDRMX8uQpW5yXi42d1cdXfZJ9FvY8_K6ZqSK_-pkLASdS-Wzdun5KdVhX675cexQq2Rfowdg3kUGqyfjj4Ep4ktFgJ6qObHRMcuE/s320/SAM_1764.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The state of us (well, me) after being too afraid to wash there!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-88390731291968450362011-12-10T08:47:00.000-08:002011-12-20T15:51:04.726-08:00Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sooo, we're here in South America!...and have been for 5 days now, even though it honestly feels like weeks, even months! We haven't stopped! Starting off in Buenos Aires, we quickly made the decision to spend only one night there (cities just don't do it for us). As bustling and vibrant as the city is, we're not into the party scene, neither are we here to shop, so a quick get-away was definitely the better option. We'd planned to stay 3 days in Buenos Aires, but the heat, noise and crowds (not shown here in the more picturesque photos) were just not what we'd call fun. Not to mention the constant guarding of belongings in busy places (we'd heard various stories about dodgy goings on regarding backpackers and theft attempts). It all seemed so much more like hard work than fun. So to Iguazu we fled!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><u>Buenos Aires</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><u>Iguazu Falls</u></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The heat is immense in Iguazu, and yes we were slightly burnt from a day of trekking around the waterfalls, but it was SO much fun. We were exhausted by the end of the day. Worth it though!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ereQeWKx0rgOoTrfoHkFCwDOL9IY_QZOql4H5b5VlLDTY-bAZ3PgxXACpGH0cjUUietlHAupd0_OYiRcCsf50OD7NI4P8uW-Y5UU23njhW_zmN__WIvE5tdVvqHgIcZ4So5fSieUXUU/s1600/SAM_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ereQeWKx0rgOoTrfoHkFCwDOL9IY_QZOql4H5b5VlLDTY-bAZ3PgxXACpGH0cjUUietlHAupd0_OYiRcCsf50OD7NI4P8uW-Y5UU23njhW_zmN__WIvE5tdVvqHgIcZ4So5fSieUXUU/s320/SAM_1628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also in the Iguazu National Park there are lots of different trails you can experience that take you along a guided path through the jungle (quite a tame part of jungle mind you), but nethertheless we saw giant ants, lizards, monkeys, butterfly swarms and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati">Coati</a> (also known as the Brazilian Aardvark).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1040802608765016888.post-53553550486173519602011-12-02T03:38:00.000-08:002011-12-20T14:20:57.819-08:00So, It's Official....<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMrh37oW92vtu85JqNCP0leXDQzdfsB28Ix6hArF76W5kSraiFJ-VSwl4-gqOYfdaqODg8UXUsCzeoywZ_MfRs5hh8dYcK0Wlfo30RsUw8Cz4J2qvky_oEqYlGDzcSGDmHPBPhTHtr40/s1600/jackcass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMrh37oW92vtu85JqNCP0leXDQzdfsB28Ix6hArF76W5kSraiFJ-VSwl4-gqOYfdaqODg8UXUsCzeoywZ_MfRs5hh8dYcK0Wlfo30RsUw8Cz4J2qvky_oEqYlGDzcSGDmHPBPhTHtr40/s320/jackcass.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK OR SAVE TO ENLARGE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was SO windy while trying to get this photo taken, I think we must have had about 15 different attempts to get a photo where I didn't have hair in my mouth! Jack looks the part :) (though we have recently decided that the silver roll-mats will NOT being going with us) Just tooooo much of a faff.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Also please note the title is a little mis-leading as it makes it sound like we're embarking upon a trip that is entirely 'Eco' in every way, which is <u>NOT</u> what this trip is about at all.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> I didn't get to choose the title, but I imagine as the Eco-Park was still on the cards at that time it seemed relevant to include it in the title. </span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">In hindsight it might have suited, "Couple's adventure with a Volunteer theme." a little better.</span></b></i></span><br />
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</span></b></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2