tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48181382344439664392024-03-05T21:47:32.845-08:00"I'm going on an Adventure.........." Australia to Ushuaia via Alaska In my V8 Toyota LandcruiserQldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-69152248030285283522015-07-08T14:15:00.000-07:002015-07-08T14:17:57.681-07:00New Blog AddressI have been having major computer problems for the past few weeks, and as a result I have just splashed out and bought a new computer. I went with an Apple Mac because I thought if I was going to learn 2 new systems in Windows 8 and then Windows 10 in a couple of months time, I might as well see how I got on learning a Mac !! Anyway, the result is that my Blog here is now presently unable to be worked on from my new computer (until I can find someone to help me) so I am starting a new blog called "And on to Europe....", and the address for it is <a href="https://explorineurope.blogspot.co.uk/">https://explorineurope.blogspot.co.uk</a><br />
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So if you want to bookmark that, that is where I will be posting from now on.<br />
However I will finish putting the Best of the Best into this current blog, so this is then a complete record of this recent trip to South America.<br />
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Thanks for your patience, and look forward to having you join me in Europe. Next week I am off to France, and then up to Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle for the summer ! <br />
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See you there,<br />
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GilesQldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-67127970482721682762015-06-10T13:18:00.000-07:002015-07-08T14:18:49.508-07:000260 On a Narrow Boat on the UK canals<strong>UPDATE 8th July 2015. I have reentered this post and photos into my new blog from Europe, so please look there for details of my adventures - </strong><a href="https://explorineurope.blogspot.co.uk/">https://explorineurope.blogspot.co.uk</a><br />
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The body of this blog will be written shortly, but I just wanted to get the photos up. <br />
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Photos are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0260NarrowBoatOnCanals?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXXloSBzt3KGQ">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0260NarrowBoatOnCanals?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXXloSBzt3KGQ</a>Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-2503892568541583602015-06-06T07:22:00.000-07:002015-07-06T09:19:57.868-07:000255 Best of the Best Part 3 - Cartagena to Santiago<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">South America - Cartagena to
Santiago.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October – 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> December 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>71 days, 5 countries, and 11,006 kilometres.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We flew to Cartagena Columbia on a Friday, the ship
carrying our car arrived that evening, and not only did the port not work at
weekends, but Monday was a National Day holiday, so it was Tuesday 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
before we could even start our paperwork trail to release our car. Due to
inefficiencies by our agent, idiocy in the port, and delays in customs, it was
3 frustrating days before we finally drove our cars out of the docks on the
evening of Thursday 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
even had a Spanish speaking Peruvian with us, so it was not a lack of Spanish
language that delayed us ! The up side was that Cartagena is a GREAT city, and
we thoroughly enjoyed our time there, in a great little hotel, good
restaurants, and so much history to explore – And Francis Drake the infamous
English pirate (?) plundered here too !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Afternoon rains mean the streets flood in Cartagena, but
we finally left town on the morning of the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and headed north up
the coast, past a mud “volcano” you can swim in (no thanks !), up to Tayrona
Nat Park near Santa Marta. Very hot and steamy and tropical, and then it was off
down Hwy 45 towards Bogota, passing cheap bootleg fuel stations in cardboard
shacks, and a LOT of trucks on the road, within a couple of kms of the
Venezuelan border, to a little town called Aguachica. Here we found a great
little hotel where they allowed us to sleep in their secure back yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next morning Janet found a humming bird lying
on the ground, knocked senseless when it flew into its reflection in a window,
and she picked it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly it
recovered, coming to life in her hands – What a magical moment – To hold a wild
hummingbird in your hands, and then watch it fly away !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next day it was up into the mountains over 3000 metres,
had lunch at a roadside Parilla (meat bbq), and then found the incredible
Chicamocha Nat Park and Gorge – Supposedly second largest gorge in the world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend afternoon there and then drop into San
Gil to camp beside a swimming pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next day was all mountains and peajes (tolls) –
Incredible drive down to Villa de Layva, where we found the most beautiful
little colonial town, with one of the largest central plazas anywhere in the
Americas,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where we stayed to explore for
a couple of days. Most enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
there it was rain all the way to a Nat Park near Zipaquira where we camped
beside a lake at 3000 metres, 5 deg C, and miles from anywhere – Gorgeous
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then into the incredible Salt
Cathedral in Zipaquira, a bus tour of the town, and a delicious take away bbq
for dinner ! Big traffic jams getting through Bogota, and then later on a big
accident blocked the road and we had to camp at a convenient gas station when
it got dark. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next day was rain all day, driving through incredible
mountain passes with trucks overtaking everywhere, and people jumping on the
trailers for a ride down the mountains !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually through extensive cane fields and into Popayan where we stayed
in a lovely hotel in the middle of town – But unfortunately Janet lost her
wallet and we had to cancel her credit cards etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there on through incredible mountain
passes to a small gas station at about 2200 metres, and afer a very pleasant
night there dropped down to the Ecuadorian border at Ipiales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there it was on through the mountains to
Ibarra and a lovely camp site beside a lake (and a race track !) where we
stayed for 3 days before heading on to Quito via Otovalo and Cayembe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have decided to go out to the Galapagos, so we make a
last minute booking at a good price with an agent, and spend a couple of days
exploring Quito (great city) and visiting the Equator monument, before heading
south to Guayaquil to catch a flight out to the islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a night in a hotel and leaving the car
in their secure car park, we flew out to Baltra, drove to Puerto Ayora,
eventually caught a small ferry for a VERY rough 2 hour ride to San Cristobal
where, after a night in a delightful local hotel we met up with our catamaran
SeaMan and start an amazing 5 day cruise round the Islands with all their
amazing wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snorkelling wth the
sea lions was probably the highlight of a fantastic 5 days, but everything else
was fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walks across islands
with birds, iguanas giant tortoises and sea lions everywhere, seeing albatross’
do their beak dancing, and of course the blue footed boobies – one of my
favourites !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 5 fascinating days, we got back on the road, and
went back past Zhud where we had first seen the barbecued pigs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bought some to munch on as we headed to
through Tambo and then up little country roads to Ingapirca, at over 3000
metres, and said to be one of the most important archaeological sites in
Ecuador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went on an interesting tour
of the ruins, and later Janet made friends with a chap from Cuenca who had a
sheep, and who invited us to visit him if we passed through there, and then, as
the tourists thinned out, we set up camp in the car park, and soon had the
place to ourselves for the night – Very special to camp up there in such a
historical location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Ingapirca it was off towards Cuenca – But Janet
realised she had lost her phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually I managed to find a photo of it at the bbq pig place, sitting
on the counter – She had left it there !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So back to Zhud where the ladies on the road side stand smiled when they
saw us, and passed us the phone !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
bought a bit more pig to eat during the day !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Coffee break and a ‘splore around Saraguro where it was market day, so lots
to look at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The men wear black hats,
black shirts, and black ¾ length trousers, and the women wear black pleated
skirts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and only here they wear white
broad brimmed hats, different to anywhere else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saraguro people are similar
to the Canares people from Ingapirca in that they go back for centuries, and
also had battles and eventual treaties with the Inca people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fascinating part of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By late afternoon we reached Loja, and Podocarpus NP
where we knew we could camp. We checked in at the gate house at the entrance,
once again getting in free as we were “oldies”, and then drove up this amazing
dirt track that was collapsing in places and right on the edge of massive drops
down the mountain, ending up at 2850 metres in a car park, where we were
welcomed by a ranger – Who showed us the facilities and then left us for the
night !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wet and cold night, but the
next morning it stopped raining enough for us to pack up dry, and head back
down the mountain and off to the Peruvian border at Macara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a nice little hotel for the night,
went out to a local restaurant for a chicken bbq dinner (interesting !), and
enjoyed the comfort of a proper bed and shower ! Next morning, after topping
off the fuel tanks with 20 cents a litre Ecuadorian fuel, we headed to the
border. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Had a hilarious time crossing the border (which cost us
nothing for the first time in a few months !), and headed of into Peru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very deserty and dry, and lots of rubbish
unfortunately, through the crazy traffic of Tambogrande to get some local
currency, then we headed off across the Atacama desert towards Chiclayo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed at an amazing hostel in Chiclayo
that was not only tucked away in the back of the village, but also free, and we
were allowed to shower in one of their rooms which made for a very pleasant
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next morning we headed south,
through the very dirty town of Chiclayo (garbage strike in progress ?) and
towards Trujillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seem to be no
road rules in N Peru, especially in towns, so driving was interesting to say
the least as we headed south, first through areas of intense irrigation and
cultivation, and then through increasingly desert conditions to a camp site in
a sports complex north of Chimbote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Did a shop in a big supermarket in Chimbote, ending up with
coffee, empanadas and churros to take with us for lunch on the road ! Today was
mostly desert again – Our 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> day in Peru and it had mostly been
desert all the way – which surprised us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A few detours down to little fishing villages along the coast, and then
some impressive pre- Inca ruins (Chimu people, about 1200 ?) right beside the
road at Paramonga, where the gate man Carlos told us lots of stories, and we
had some fun in his tuk tuk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of
sugar cane fields all around made possible by intense irrigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100 kms later we arrived at the Lomas de
Lachay NP and climbed up into the thick mist on the mountain that apparently is
an almost permanent feature of this park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the morning we came down out of a mist that we so
thick you could hardly see where you were going, and then it was on down
through the desert – Lots of long low sheds – Presumably chicken farms ? Then
it was increasing urbanization as we approached and then went right through the
middle of Lima – We had no plans to stop, and after a couple of hours of heavy
traffic, followed by a roadside hot dog, we headed on to Pachacamac and the
enormous Inca Temple of the Sun which must have been amazing in its heyday in
about 1400.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending some time
there, it was on south, where a little place called Chincha Alta had a big
traffic jam that delayed us for a couple of hours, and means we got through
Pisco and down to our planned camp site at Paracas Nat Park after dark, making
it hard to find our way around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
ended up sleeping on a deserted beach, that in the morning came alive with
fishermen ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On south through more
desert interspersed with irrigated vinyards, through Ica, a local wine centre,
and looking for Huacachina, that supposedly used to be a resort for people from
Lima.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few false turns which took
us out to remote villages in the desert that were definitely NOT resorts, we
eventually found the right road and there was Huacachina nestling around a
slightly green lagoon in the middle of this oasis of palm trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once obviously quite something, it has now
developed into more of a hippy area, with lots of backpackers taking rides on
beach buggies in the extensive sand dunes that surround the oasis, but we had a
very pleasant lunch in a little restaurant, and soaked up some of the
atmosphere, before heading on south, passing the hundreds of little one room
square “houses” made out of matting. Never quite figured them out ! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went through a sudden mountain pass around Pulpa and
Lipata, and shortly afterwards arrived at the tower lookout over the Nazca
Lines, set beside the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed
the tower to get a view of the amazing shapes and lines that have been drawn in
the desert, and they were fascinating – Just not fascinating enough to us to
make us want to spend money going up in a plane to see them, dramatic through
that might have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we then went on
into Nazca to a campsite where there were quite a lot of Aussie and tourists
camping – One of those cross country bus camping tours ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day we planned to stay in the camp ground
and do laundry, wifi, and generally have a day catching up on a few chores<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after found out there was an electricity
problem in town, and there would be no power all day, so we abandoned our
planned<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>day off and headed inland
towards the mountains, and eventually Cuzco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From almost sea level, we then climbed and climbed and
climbed, with the temperatures dropping – until we stopped for lunch over
looking a valley at about 4200 metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We saw our first vicuna, and lots of herds of alpaca, and crossed these
quite wild plains for several hours, all at about 4500 m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we realised we weren’t going to
make it to our planned destination, so we pulled over by this great lake in the
middle of nowhere – At 4500 m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freezing
night, and we got no sleep at all as we could hardly breathe ! We both felt
really rough the next morning, as did Troopie, who was blowing lots of white
smoke out as we drove off across the snow covered plains where it had snowed
overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we all started to
feel a lot better, especially when we dropped down to about 2000 m in Abancay
where we had fun trying to get through a town which didn’t boast one sign post
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually followed a bus which was
signed as heading for Cusco, but realised we still weren’t going to get o Cusco
tonight, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and ended up searching for a
camp site in Curahuasi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After maybe 2
hours we found it, and it turned out to be the home of a couple (she from
Belgium, he from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peru) who have an
amazing project where they run a school / play group for about 35 local kids,
providing care and nourishment and education for them, helped by young volunteers,
mostly from Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truly a great and
worthwhile project, and we loved seeing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And in such a stunning part of the world too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning it was off to Cuzco, working our way through
some major roadworks where the road is only open briefly once every 3 hours,
but with foreknowledge we go straight through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the roadworks at about 2000 m we suddenly climbed back up to 3750
metres, and then these flat plains, but all around 4000 m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived in the little puebla of Izcuchaca
where it was market day, and people dressed in the colourful local outfits were
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really getting a
true feel for the Peruvian Andes by now as we approached Cuzco, which is not
the easiest town to get into, especially with massive roadworks in the hillsides
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, after going up many
streets that were about 45 degrees and only 1-2 inches wider than Troopie, we
eventually found our campsite – A peaceful little haven up on the hills
overlooking Cuzco, where we found our French friends Greg & Estelle, a
German lady(Marion) who <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I last met in
2013 in a camp site in Sydney, and a number of others of various nationalities
who were all camped there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had 2
very enjoyable days chatting with everyone in the campsite in the evening, and
exploring the great little city that is Cuzco – and booking our trip to Machu
Picchu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning we left to drive to Olantaytambo, visiting
the salt pans at Maras on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had a 4 pm deadline for our train to Machu Picchu in Olantaytambo, but fter
getting lost leving Cusco, we were running a bit tight, especially when we then
couldn’t find our hotel where we were planning to leave the car !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily all sorted eventually, although we
had to buy some sandwiches on the station as we had missed lunch !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a lovely train ride up the Sacred Valley
to Aguas Claientes, and then had to walk to the top of the hill to our hotel –
Good job we were altitude acclimatised by now, and we are only at about 2800
metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delightful dinner in a little
restaurant halfway down the hill, and then to bed, ready for an early morning
start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We caught the 6.10 bus up the hill, and met our guide
Jonathon and other people on the tour for the day, and set off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you come out first to the well known scene
of Machu Picchu, it is a very special moment for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cloudy when we came out, but the sun
gradually cleared for us, bathing us in sunlight – It was as good as being
there at dawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ended up spending<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wonderful day exploring this very special
place before catching a bus back down the mountain as it started to rain, then
catching our train along the Sacred Valley beside the river Urubamba back to
Olantaytanbo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in our hotel, we set
up our campsite in their garden, went and had a great meal in a little
restaurant in town, and turned in at the end of an amazing day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to the slowly disintegrating suspension bushes on
Troopie, we decided to head back to Cuzco to try to get them fixed, instead of
going directly to Titicaca and Bolivia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the way we were able to find the incredible Incan agricultural
amphitheatres at Maray that we couldn’t find a couple of days ago, and from
there we went on to Chincheros where we knew they had local markets on today,
so we ended up exploring not only the great local markets, but also some more
local Inca ruins, on top of which the Spanish plonked their church ! There is
just so much to see and enjoy in all these little pueblas along the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was back to the camp site in Cuzco to
catch up with everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next day we were at the Toyota dealer early, and they
said they could fix my suspension problem and do a service, so Janet and I went
into Cuzco for the day, had a coffee, and then went on a walking tour around
the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was followed by a big
local lunch, and then a beer at the Irish pub, and then back to get Troopie who
was all fixed and clean and ready to keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Cuzco we headed towards Puno and Lake Titicaca,
travelling ll day at about 4000 m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great
drive all day, eventually ending up in an amazing canyon, Tinajani.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The local farmer greeted us (and got a few
soles !), and we had a cold night in this incredible canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minus 2 deg C when we woke up, but we were
snug in our down sleeping bags, and drove out through the sights of this canyon
back to the road to Puno, passing through yet another totally unsignposted town
– Juliaca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to Puno, we
checked out a campsite a bit out of town, but after booking a tour to Lake
Titicaca for the next morning, decided to splash out and stay in a delightful
little hotel right in the middle of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning it was off to Lake Titicaca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a pans pipes duet to entertain us on
the boat, and then it was out to the lake for a day on the reed islands to see
a lifestyle hat has existed for 100’s of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Had a really fascinating day out there, with Janet befriending many of
the local ladies as well as having a go at rowing the reed boat across the
waterway !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once back on shore, the taxi
back to our hotel was stopped due to lots of marching bands in the streets – It
was a big fiesta ! We opted to walk back to the hotel, but actually spent the
next 2 hours thoroughly enjoying a brilliant fiesta, with all the people happy
to share their day with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually
we managed to get back to the car and leave Puno, and headed to Arequipa and
Colca Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided not to go to
Bolivia because we were running out of time for our deadline in Santiago for
our flights back to Aus for Christmas, and were (and still are) quite happy
with that decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to Sillustani
Monumento – where locals had built massive stone tombs in pre-Inca times, some
even BC – ad after wandering around the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>delightful grounds for a few hours, we camped in the car park for free –
Once again all on our own !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very
special to be allowed to camp inside some of these historical areas, and wake
up right in the middle of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then headed towards Arequipa, and had the most scenic
drive all day surrounded by snowcapped mountains and volcanos, a herds of
vicuna on the road, and just stunning scenery all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So stunning in fact that we missed our
turning to Colca Canyon, and had to do a U turn and go back some 50 kms ! This
road was even more stunning, up at 4800 metres, and just unbelievable
scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally into the little town of
Chivay where we spent the night camped at their hot springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next morning, after exploring Chivay, we set
off to Colca Canyon, the dirt road winding up and down, through rough-hewn
tunnels, and past amazing terraced fields on all the hillsides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passing though little villages along the way,
we eventually arrived at the parking lot for the Mirador Cruz del Condor – And
once again we were the only ones there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
set up camp in the parking lot, wandered around, and just as we were settling
down, all these vehicles roar in – 3 of our German / Swiss friends from Cuzco
!! After a night’s sleep we were all up before dawn to see these Condors – Who
decided to take the day off !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we saw
a couple in the distance, is all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah
well…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Rest of the photos for this so far are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0256BestOfTheBest302?authkey=Gv1sRgCOrvvqey2bDZ7gE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0256BestOfTheBest302?authkey=Gv1sRgCOrvvqey2bDZ7gE</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there it was another stunning drive through the
mountains and altiplano down to Arequipa, where we found a great hotel which
had a camping area in the gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent the next day
exploring Arequipa – A delightful colonial town with great Catedral and
monastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was on down the road,
more desert, more mountain passes, a massive military base out in the desert, ad
eventually to Tacna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t find a
camp site there, but Janet guided us to an archaeological site about 20 kms out
of town, where once again we were greeted with open arms, and allowed to stay
in the car park of the facility over night, again all to ourselves !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the morning we explored the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>petroglifos or drawings on the surrounding
rocks – Apparently from about 500 AD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite amazing, just out in the desert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After our walk, it was off across the desert to the
Chilean border, where once again we had the easiest and most pleasant crossing,
with police officers leaving their desks to guide us to the next official.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t have been nicer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
there it was on down the coast to Arica, where we eventually found a great
camping spot down in the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went
up to a big monument on the top of a hill overlooking the town, and had a bit
of a shop, before heading to the beach and setting up camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then next day was Atacama desert all day to
Iquique, with the odd canyon and windy bit of road just to keep you on your
toes. Scenic drop down the sides of and dunes into Iquique, and a good camp
site, once again right on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incredible drive down the coast towards Antofogasta
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our left, all the way south, are
the high rock dunes that form the barrier between the ocean and the
Atacama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on the right is the beach –
But it is not just beach – It is a wild, unpopulated, sea bird ridden, pelican
covered, salt mine included, Guano covered 200 km stretch of ocean front that
if it were anywhere else in the world would have high rise hotels and tourists
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here in Chile, it is
still a wonderful, unspoilt stretch where camping is allowed just about
everywhere, and where friendly people in little wooden empanada and marisco
huts sell the most delicious food, and where the smell of sea bird poop and
rotting seaweed are more prevalent !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
found it delightful – And could happily come back and spend a week or so just
wandering aimlessly down the coast, camping where ever you felt like it, right
beside the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I found it
a little bit of heaven – While she thought it was pretty to see,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janet felt it was too remote, too wild, and
couldn’t imagine spending even one night here !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually we turned east, back though the Atacama to the
Chuquicamata copper mine – One of the largest open cut mining operations any
where in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we dropped down
to our destination for the night in Calama, a mining centre for the whole
region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next morning we did a big shop
before heading off towards San Pedro de Atacama – Unfortunately we got there on
the weekend of a local marathon run or something, and the little town was
packed, with blow up tents in the normally quiet main square, and load music
and crowds everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, had a
nice lunch, had a ‘splore, and then set up in a camp site down one of the side
streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we have driven on the moon, and got back in time
to have a delicious Chilean Carmenere red wine and a steak cooked to perfection
for supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen flamingos at
almost 5000 metres, and have seen so many yamas and vicunas that we don’t
really notice them any more. We have walked on salt flats that stretch to the
horizon, driven up and down gorges with more switch back roads than I ever knew
existed before, and have seen sights that I never realised could be so
spectacular, over the brow of every hill or mountain we held our breath knowing
we were going to see something spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have met lovely people, and the border crossing into Argentina was
probably the best yet, despite a few laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And at one point on the road, I was in tears because the whole thing was
just so overpowering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, today was a 6
WOW day – I think the first one for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at the end of it we dropped down an
amazing pass into the most delightful little rural village, Pumamarca, and
after asking around we found a great little campsite right in the middle of
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would take something very
special to top today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there it was on down to Salta, desperately trying to
find some Argentinian money !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were
to learn, there are only certain ways to get it !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Salta we entered<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a small pass and came out into the most
amazing gorge / valley you can imagine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
The Quebrada de Cafayete, a 45 km long valley<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>is a maze of stunning sandstone formations with names like “Garganta del
Diablo” (Devil’s throat), “El Sapo” (The Toad), and “Los Castillos”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(The Castles).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually arrived in the delightful
little town of Cafayate where we found an Aussie couple in the camp site
(Caitlin and Jamie) and Walter the American from Brazil – Had a very pleasant
evening with them all round the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next day we walked into town with Walter and had a great ‘splore, a
fascinating shop, and then a superb (and long) lunch in a little restaurant in
the main square, before retiring to the local coffee and ice cream shop for
desert !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great little town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Headed south past increasing numbers of wineries, we
seemed to have a few dirt road deviations through little villages, but very
pleasant driving, until at about 5.30, just as we felt like stopping, in
Salicas we saw a “camping” sign, and found an amazing little place on a local
property, where it was very rustic, but perfect for camping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day it was down Ruta 40 through Pituil
to Chilecito, where we found hot roasting chickens and a panaderia , and then
it was on through Nonogasta<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and almost
at our destination of Villa Union when the road was closed for roadworks !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard the roads west of Villa Union
were really good, so we went south to Patquia, then west and then finally north
through Talampaya NP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We camped there,
and enjoyed a beer in the adobe offices, and next morning headed north until we
finally reached Villa Union, and got back onto Ruta 40 on the other side of the
road block we had encountered yesterday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At Guandacol we turned south again, and then
climbed up through an amazingly narrow gorge – Too narrow for 2 cars to pass,
for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the open areas, the
winds were amazingly strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have our
lunch we had to find a sheltered spot well out of the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we were driving through this
amazing gorge near Calingasta, and I wanted to stop but not too close to the
river as it was looking like rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually we found a building beside the road which look to be closed,
but when we pulled in, there was a man there !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we asked if we could sleep there, and he said “Si” – So we pulled up
in the shelter of the building and it was great !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next morning the canyon continued for a while, then
we saw a sign to “El Alcazar Canyon”, so we turned up a very narrow dirt road
which then opened out into this mini Grand Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite spectacular – And unexpected !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then on, through Barreal, and then
across a long stretch of rough dirt road into Uspallarta – Which is where they
filmed part of the Brad Pitt film “7 years in Tibet” – So you can imagine the
scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up in a Parillada
restaurant (meat bbq) and had a good lunch plus they changed some $ into pesos
for us – Always a problem here in Argentina !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we went into Mendoza, passing through the
little town of Potrerillos , with a big lake, and supposedly a ski area in the
mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch by the lake, we
went on to Mendoza, with the 6570 m Mt Tupungato showing its peak briefly
through the clouds, and the outskirts of Mendoza is just mile after mile for
vineyards – 70% of Argentinian wine is apparently grown in the Mendoza
region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mendoza was flattened by a
massive earthquake in 1860 and was rebuilt with very wide treelined streets,
which are really attractive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
security here is ba, and we were warned a couple of times by people at traffic
lights to be careful – First time that had happened in the entire trip !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Found a nice camp site up on the hill, where
despite an really heavy storm overnight, we survived without getting wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day, since the drive back to Uspallarta was only
about 100 kms, we decided to try and find the ski area in Portrerillos – And
after a bit of searching we eventually found the road which, after abut 10 kms
of black top, became quite a rough dirt road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we followed this road up the mountain, the temps dropped to 4 deg C,
the mist came down, and we were passing ski lodges and other accommodation –
Currently empty in “summer”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
end it got so bad that we decided not to continue the last 10 kms or so to the
top – But it would be great to see this mountain on a sunny day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the town<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we followed the Rio Mendoza through its
stunning valley, with the abandoned railway line alongside, back into
Uspallarta again, where we camped in the same site as before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning we set off to Santiago, and this was the
first 7 wow day of the trip – The mountain pass across the Andes was just
spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started off pretty well,
with the old railway line still wandering through the valley beside us, and
after that it just got better. We passed through a big ski area with lots of
big hotels boarded up for the summer, and then we suddenly came out in a kind
of market place with stalls and horses standing around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Puente Del Inca – Bridge of the
Inca, and was once a British-developed hot sulphur springs resort with a
railway terminal on the line bringing tourists up from both Mendoza and
Santiago. After a big ice-dam flood in 1934 which damaged everything, a big
landslide in 1965 destroyed the hotel and church – And the Brits left nd
everything fell into ruin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what
remains is just spectacular, and we spent a while exploring before carrying on
up this mountain pass, seeing the 6960m Mt Aconcagua on our right – The highest
mountain outside of Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on up
and up, until finally we entered a 2 km tunnel through the top of the mountain
which enabled this road to now be open year round – The old road over the
summit had to be closed in winter. As we started to come down the other side,
we came to Chilean customs, and apart from a few bits of fruit, we got through
unscathed !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just down the road, I
finally found the lake I have been looking for – Lake of the Incas and the
nearby Hotel Portillo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ice blue
lake surrounded by incredible mountains, and with very few tourists around,
knocks Lake Louise into a cocked hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>THIS is an amazing lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
what I thought Lake Louise would look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And if you don’t believe me, go and check it out for yourselves !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the summit, it was down all the way, with a 28
corner switchback road first, and then a seemingly endless pass all the way
down into Santiago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plan was to camp
just outside the city,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then move
into an airport hotel for our last night before we flew back to Australia for
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This we did, and on the 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
December we left Troopie in the long term car park at Santiago airport, and
flew back to Perth to spend Christmas with our children and their
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> And the rest of the photos for this section are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0257BestOfTheBestPart4?authkey=Gv1sRgCL2Cor_yiJrpHA">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0257BestOfTheBestPart4?authkey=Gv1sRgCL2Cor_yiJrpHA</a></span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-57229782680103243952015-06-05T13:12:00.000-07:002015-06-18T04:00:18.382-07:000254 Best of the Best Part 2 - Mexico and Central America<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mexico and Central
America.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
July – 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> October 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>73
days, 6 countries, and 9,808 kilometres.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83JVE6QrT_4EkfNUTRa-xk6d-Rz8VdYOve90GLAOu8AZQffDb4kRZcOpjm8p8XqfIRNmSAhvK393B6R0mnr4cy-PdwTFHB2sHZ83BRUk23n00pGkX-E0zwFbiLlzT45Tq89ThxrwCOu4/s1600/P7290451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83JVE6QrT_4EkfNUTRa-xk6d-Rz8VdYOve90GLAOu8AZQffDb4kRZcOpjm8p8XqfIRNmSAhvK393B6R0mnr4cy-PdwTFHB2sHZ83BRUk23n00pGkX-E0zwFbiLlzT45Tq89ThxrwCOu4/s320/P7290451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After getting some pesos from a cambio man, a pleasant
early morning border crossing into Mexico at Mexicali saw me headed south on
the quiet Hwy 5 by noon, with the heat building steadily, and headed towards
Mike’s Sky Rancho up in the mountains that I had been told about by some
bikers. After experiencing my first Military checkpoint and inspection without
too much hassle, I headed into the mountains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A big stop for competitors in the Baja 1000, the
Rancho was now deserted, but cool, and a good place to let the ambience of
Mexico soak in for a couple of days. The 20 km dirt road in is best done on a
bike or a good 4WD, but only adds to the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a couple of days I headed across to
Ensenada for my first foreign shop for supplies, and then on down through Baja
to </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFVKXaB9s5gq7zOwwkhiY6a9dEW6fOU3SeRs54LnWERalX6zIZykNJWHl3elDufD_kwEZoCcUx11fdOe_5bi-IJ0sDUOZfZm8A8CIAPeV67hg1hE4ciJV1aXd1GypWPe683RAi-UtDO8/s1600/P8050926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFVKXaB9s5gq7zOwwkhiY6a9dEW6fOU3SeRs54LnWERalX6zIZykNJWHl3elDufD_kwEZoCcUx11fdOe_5bi-IJ0sDUOZfZm8A8CIAPeV67hg1hE4ciJV1aXd1GypWPe683RAi-UtDO8/s320/P8050926.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Colonet, and my first night on a deserted beach outside a hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day down to another beach at Santa
Rosalita, and then the little fishing town of Loreta, crisscrossing Baja as I
followed the road south through cactus fields and rocky stretches with lots of
donkeys beside the road, and into the town that got left behind in the 1970’s –
Todos Santos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Home of the original Hotel
California (from the Eagles’ song), a lot of elderly American hippies from that
era still live there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting little
spot to stop for a few days and catch my breath in some great little
restaurants and bars. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoCP6N30Y0t86I_PyYfJ7qUn40KTYmvb4pYtqf8JRJzR5MerGLpJL6ZHcdQAERdJrKk0bWXia0een9wLJQuxaOAY6_3NzJXSA4NeqYp7PQWcgUj5diNXEGafIDrl4fg7bWZkYpk6036s/s1600/P8060982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoCP6N30Y0t86I_PyYfJ7qUn40KTYmvb4pYtqf8JRJzR5MerGLpJL6ZHcdQAERdJrKk0bWXia0een9wLJQuxaOAY6_3NzJXSA4NeqYp7PQWcgUj5diNXEGafIDrl4fg7bWZkYpk6036s/s320/P8060982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there it was round the southern coast of Baja to the
glitzy and overpriced resort of Cabo San Lucas, and then across the Tropic of
Cancer and round to another little forgotten resort of Los Barriles for another
pleasant night by the sea before catching a ferry the next day across to
mainland Mexico at </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Topolobampo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By now,
Topes were starting to become a frequent and annoying part of my life on the
road that would continue unabated for the next 10 months ! On the ferry I met
up with Mark Thompson and girl friend Bri from Sydney who are on a surfing trip
through Mexico, and as we disembark in the dark at 10 pm, local truck driver
Juan befriends me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>insists I take his
Mexican hat, and wants to go to drink beer ! With great difficulty I manage to
escape, and Mark, Bri and I set off in the dark looking for a place to stop for
the night – And end up at a Pemex station about 30 kms up the road – Not the
nicest, but quite adequate and secure !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there it was down the coast through Culiacan,
Mazatlan, Tepic, and then into the coastal resort town of Puerto Vallarta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit of a big city with hotels and resorts
in the middle, the old town further round the coast is delightful, with
restaurants and bars and little narrow cobbled streets to explore – I have a
pleasant couple of days there before heading on round the twisty coast road to
San Juan de Alma and Playa Azul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
way I detour down to an </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Ecobeach” and find about 15 students from all over the
world camping in beach huts and working to collect turtle eggs on the each to
save them from birds and other local predators (including humans !). Great
bunch of young people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a lovely
night in a camp site by the beach that was officially closed in Zihuetenejo,
and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>finally Acapulco, where I stop for a
few days right beside the sea. In talking to the owner, we work out that this
is probably where Janet and I stayed when we were here in 1972 !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Acapulco I headed inland, first to a little town
called Atlacholoaya where I had<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>delightful camp site all to myself, then on to Tlaxcala, near Puebla,
where I stayed in an amazing resort surrounding a building that used to be a
Textile Mill until 1974. Fascinating place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next day it was off down to Veracruz on the Gulf Of Mexico, and then on
round the coast to Coatzacoalcos – Which really was a terrible place, and the
camp site there was probably one of the worst on the whole trip – Overgrown,
and nothing working and expensive !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day left as soon as I could and after
passing my old company’s office in Villahermosa and having some fun on detours
round road works<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ended up in Ciudad del
Carmen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road along from CD Carmen is
amazing – Alongside the ocean and for about 40 kms even the smallest waves
break over the road ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the end,
to the Isla Aguarda, and </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">found a delightful little campsite where a German
couple, Peter and Christa were set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a big storm I got set up and spent the next few days there
enjoying the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually , with my
28 day Mexican Insurance period nearing the end, I had to start heading to the
Guatemala border, and I headed off into the mountains to Tuxtla Gutierrez , and
getting into Tapachula town quite late after a brush with some local villagers
up in the mountains ! A night in the hotel grounds with a couple from BC,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marshall and Heather and then it was off
towards the Guatemalan border. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crossing the Guatemalan border was perhaps the least
enjoyable (but most memorable !) part of my entire trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got taken for a ride big time – It is all
detailed in my blog, but really did put a sour taste in my mouth for a long
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually got in, went to a hotel
in Caterina, and spent my first night in Guatemala upset that I had allowed
myself to get sucked in – Too tired, and just not properly prepared to cross a
border – It never happened again !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incredible first day’s driving in Guatemala – Windy
mountain road over 3500 metres, getting lost in San Marcos and eventually
having to get a taxi to show me the way out of town, learning that a town spelt
Quetzaltenango that you are asking for directions to is actually called “Xela”,
a dashboard emergency light comes on telling me to “Go immediately to my
nearest Toyota dealer” – And finally I arrive in the amazing Panajachel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>/ Lago Atitlan and the 3 surrounding
volcanos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spend a very peaceful and
enjoyable week in Pana – Really like this place and the people – And then I
head into Guatemala City, up the very steep hill out of Pana, through Solola
and Chimaltenango,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and on the highway
into the capital with lots of Chicken buses speeding past me, only to stop repeatedly
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and disgorge passengers along the way. Get into the Holiday Inn in Guatemala
City, go to the Hard Rock Café for a hamburger for supper, and then pick Janet
up at the airport the next evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t think she can quite believe where she is so we spend the next day
exploring safer parts of the city and enjoying German sausages and beer for
lunch, and a nice dinner in a restaurant just near the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day we head out of the City, buying
groceries on the way, and back towards Panajachel as I think it will be a good
place for Janet to settle in. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then spent the next 10 days in Pana, a week of which
was spent in a local Spanish language school, enjoying the town and local
sights, including a Guatemalan National Day Fiesta and Parade, which was great
fun. Met Willie in his Gruene Minna van, Jurik and Simone also from Germany in
their US bought camper,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and also French
couple Estelle and Gregoire who we were to see a lot more of as we journeyed
south, as well as several other travellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then headed off to Antigua – Where Willie and Greg & Estelle were
also, as well as Franco and Alejandra from Argentina in their brightly painted
VW Kombi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Police compound camp site was “interesting”, while
Antigua was gorgeous, with its old cobbled streets, ancient buildings,
earthquake destroyed churches and monasteries with hotels now built around them
– Just an amazing place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only
there a couple of nights, but thoroughly enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Antigua it was on to a resort called Los
Laureles near the Honduran border which French friends Greg & Estelle had
told us about as a great camping spot – and they were right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a lovely night there on the soccer pitch before
heading off to the Honduran border crossing near Copan Ruinas early the next
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually found the Mayan archaeological ruins and had a
fascinating afternoon with our local guide Jovani in what is one of the most
important and extensive Mayan ruins in Central America. The reintroduction of
the striking red macaws that now fly freely (and noisily) through the ruins
made it all very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jovani arranged
for us to camp right outside the gates of the ruins on a football itch behind a
very </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">local little restaurant !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even
gave us a whole room with a shower and toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We caught a tuk tuk into town for a beer and to spend the evening with
all the locals in the main square before a big storm saw us scurry home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent the next day at the indoor museum
of the Ruins, and then we went to an excellent bird park where they have
injured birds and animals for rehabilitation, as well as the Macaw breeding programme
for the region – Saw my first Toucans !!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Terrible roads as we headed NE the next day, eventually
turning S at San Pedro Sula towards Lago de Yohoa where Jovani, our guide at
the Copan Ruinas had told us there was a great place to visit and camp D&D
Brewery !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of fruit and fish for
sale beside the road, and we eventually found the little town of Pena Blanca,
and finally, after much trouble, D&D.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a find – Paradise in the middle of nowhere !! Catering </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">more to
tents and cabins than campers, they nevertheless found space for us, and we had
a great couple of nights there, enjoying company of fellow travellers,
(including one guy Chris who I had met on a business trip to the German Grand
Prix some years ago !)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bobby the new
American owner was doing major renovations to the entire property, while Osmond
his right hand man finally persuaded me to part with my bicycle on the basis
that he needed it more than I did !! After a couple of very pleasant and sociable
nights, and a visit to some local waterfalls, we then headed on through Honduras
to Danli, where we stayed in a little hotel just outside of town – Because
there was an overturned van and lots of police and traffic right outside the
hotel, so we stopped there ! Next day it was on through the not very nice
capital city of Tegucigalpa, and on to the Nicaraguan border at Los Manos – Yet
another pleasant border experience – Before continuing on to Esteli.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Esteli is the centre of a big tobacco growing and cigar
industry , mainly because the soil is so similar to that found in Cuba, which
means their product is of a similar quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Janet negotiated a Cigar Factory Tour at Tabacalera Santiago de
Nicaragua S.A. and we had a fascinating 3 hour guided tour, eventually meeting
the owner Don Francisco Santiago and his delightful wife and daughter, and
leaving with 2 boxes of cigars as gifts for friends back home ! That night we
spent camping on the lawns of the local Country Club, facilitated by the staff
at the Cigar factory !! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we got to a place called Sebaco without any
problems, but then encountered a massive traffic jam – eventually finding out
that local villagers had “captured” the only road bridge out of town<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as a form of protest, and were not allowing
any traffic to pass. I happened to meet an English speaking local called
Federico who said he knew of a short cut through the countryside, and would we
like to follow him ? The next 2 hours were spent on rough dirt roads out in the
countryside of Nicaragua, and were quite an adventure with more horses and
bicycles </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwzvm0ApT6GREBt0mh7lOBvzZ1NKA41j6olmGSU9oiEj4eOzsj84jgUoVTkv2iq_z67lITvkXgr75QLtIEgfcLJcoj5gK-T3JXAUW80jx5ozoAy30uVwFAzos31DtDG2do6Tb4IArpLU/s1600/P9260791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwzvm0ApT6GREBt0mh7lOBvzZ1NKA41j6olmGSU9oiEj4eOzsj84jgUoVTkv2iq_z67lITvkXgr75QLtIEgfcLJcoj5gK-T3JXAUW80jx5ozoAy30uVwFAzos31DtDG2do6Tb4IArpLU/s320/P9260791.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">than cars ! We finally got back on the main road, said goodbye to
Federico, and headed towards Granada, stopping by a lake for lunch where lots
of local girls stopped for a chat, and then on down the road with (live)
armadillos and parrots for sale along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually ended up at the gates of the
Masaya Volcan National Park, and camped in the car park so we could visit the
volcano in the morning, and spent the evening chatting with Leif from Israel,
who is travelling solo on a push bike through central America – Gutsy lady. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The volcano apparently erupted that evening, but by
morning we were allowed through the gate to drive up – This is the only active
volcano in the world where you can drive up and park right on the rim of the
crater !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after last night’s eruption
the guides suggested we park our car on the furthest side away from the rim
!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just an incredible sight, and we
spent a couple of hours up there before driving back down through the lava
fields and on </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZeqOgsNg48mEVBgcPM9KbZVYwZXal7JfWHpJXCDVX7JSL4Wzsv0mua9U3Q8Q5TWCxHi6sgoaPR45ig7HEyGjGm7JOoF4aXOaNKnfiGVYsmO83ijTwTrhSHr6c3tk7kaxtT_QtKJaEU/s1600/P9270981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZeqOgsNg48mEVBgcPM9KbZVYwZXal7JfWHpJXCDVX7JSL4Wzsv0mua9U3Q8Q5TWCxHi6sgoaPR45ig7HEyGjGm7JOoF4aXOaNKnfiGVYsmO83ijTwTrhSHr6c3tk7kaxtT_QtKJaEU/s320/P9270981.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">to the charming little city of Granada, on the shores of the
largest body of fresh water in Central America – Lake Nicaragua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed church towers and saw buildings
that had been sacked and looted and burned by pirates such as Henry Morgan and
Francis Drake, we visited an amazing hammock factory and café run by Tio
Antonio and employing only youngsters with severe sight, hearing, or speech
problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Delightful </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZAw44GlZh7LCSRq86S7NAF1AU9cQi309RllsDYg_NQmTxQD_cHzz8MYakk4n7_Y8vUipo4kYo1BPe5wpvuybk1hrmXlheT3nm9YSt8ABPQIZLrP1I4DBrrOdo2cA1uPhOZKzBGi1j8c/s1600/P9270999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZAw44GlZh7LCSRq86S7NAF1AU9cQi309RllsDYg_NQmTxQD_cHzz8MYakk4n7_Y8vUipo4kYo1BPe5wpvuybk1hrmXlheT3nm9YSt8ABPQIZLrP1I4DBrrOdo2cA1uPhOZKzBGi1j8c/s320/P9270999.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
little place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then went on a horse drawn carriage tour
before ending our visit at a little café in the main square where we had ice
cream and fried bananas before heading down to a camp site at a San Jorge hotel
– Where we decided to take an air conditioned room as it was so hot and sticky
! We spent a very pleasant evening driving on the big sandy beach of the Lake,
and having dinner in a restaurant on the beach looking out towards Omotepe
island and its two volcanos, and where we were befriended by some locals who
later brought us back local handiwork gifts – Such kind and welcoming people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From San Jorge it was off to the Costa Rica – A place
which is supposed to be very westernized, stable, and where many expats come to
enjoy a life in Central America, with visas easy to obtain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Sunday morning, and we were quickly stamped
out of Nicaragua, through passport control into Costa Rica, the car had its
compulsory chassis fumigation, and then we just needed car insurance to
continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, there were
delays in obtaining this, and it was sometime before we understood what was
going on. By this time, our friend Ravi on his motorcycle had passed through,
and Estelle and Greg had also passed through with no problem – But we were left
waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we were advised that
they could not give us insurance because our car was right hand drive and therefore
unsafe. And being Sunday, the senior officer who could give us approval would
not be at work until 6 am tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
told us to go to a hotel – But how to get to that hotel if we could not take
our car ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And where was the nearest
hotel ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They couldn’t tell us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were already legally out of Nicaragua and
in Costa Rica, so we were effectively stuck in No-Man’s Land between the two
countries and could not go forward or back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we parked in the dirt car park beside the border post, got the chairs
out, and sat and watched the world go by, making lunch, having a cup of tea,
and with a procession of people coming up to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was quite a bit of to and fro of officials during
the day – Suffice it to say that at about 7 pm, as it got dark, and just when we </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">had
our spaghetti supper boiling on the stove, the official came up and told us we
had to leave NOW, and that we had two days to complete our passage through and
out of Costa Rica and into Panama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
fact that it was now dark, and very unsafe to drive on their roads at night,
did not seem to be an issue !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
time the insurance paperwork was completed, we had 28 days coverage and were on
our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In hind sight we feel certain
that this was an attempt to extract a bribe from us, and it failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that they could do this, in
“civilized” Costa Rica, speaks volumes about how “civilized” it really is down
there. We drove for about one hour in the dark until we came to the little town
of La Cruz, where we parked up behind a gas station for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to Costa Rica.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We awoke to the delicious smell of coffee, to find a
little café right beside us open for business, and happy to fill our coffee
cups for a few quetzales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then headed
on through CR, through seemingly endless banana plantations beside the road, to
Liberia – Supposedly a “delightful colonial town”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NOT !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Horrible place – after a breakfast at a local hotel, we continued on
through CR, passing increasing numbers of coffee plantations. Just short of
capital San Jose we searched without success for a supposed camp site, so
continued on, through San Jose in rush hour, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and then an amazing </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc6zODLm9hyy89nB3iYPPioXt6CdvMONHKMjTkpjTyLBqBUOgGsg9s5h3wF1eP4Z66k2hj8vn94TchHH5VyEF70DkDB5Bt6-fkLal8aK8ImZFgvd9XvsjucCqb7T3LyA7mDwp0-BMKk0/s1600/P9301194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc6zODLm9hyy89nB3iYPPioXt6CdvMONHKMjTkpjTyLBqBUOgGsg9s5h3wF1eP4Z66k2hj8vn94TchHH5VyEF70DkDB5Bt6-fkLal8aK8ImZFgvd9XvsjucCqb7T3LyA7mDwp0-BMKk0/s320/P9301194.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">mountain road towards San
Cristobal, where we saw signs to “Mirador de Quetzals” cabins – sounded
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was – We found this
divine little place with cute cabins overlooking the valley, camping possible,
dinner available – Costa Rica was improving ! We ended up staying in a cabin,
had a delightful dinner and evening in the little restaurant, and by 6 am the
next morning were out in the jungle with Jason our guide looking for the
elusive quetzal bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had an enjoyable
and successful 2 hours before returning to a hot breakfast, half an hour
photographing humming birds on the balcony, and then we hit the road – A great
little place to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a crazy
drive down through the mountains to San Isidro, we met </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
up with Greg &
Estelle for lunch before heading down to the coast road to find some of the
fabled CR beaches and resorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did
we find ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing except beaches that
you had to pay to access, and touristy venues that were over-developed and
commercialised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we kept going – All
the way to the border with Panama to Paso Canoas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Costa Rica ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can have it – The first really disappointing country on the entire
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we met many other travellers
who felt the same……..<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Went through the Panamanian border in company with Greg
& Estelle who, with their superior Spanish helped us through – Not
difficult, just officious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once in
Panama it was late, dark, and we were on a big freeway, so we eventually
stopped for the night at a Caltex station by the road in Concepcion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6sPqoLuwHwKI8B6675vYUJtONbmLv6LrUjrS9znRE6JNcaXv6tzuKOpudjOWPSEdhayZZmzEDAK85RVQ-p5AuSDszaJzUmoHfYQBYBU8tXiRL-uow5kBWrFmEUaiyhjKSk4fuhRB9u4/s1600/PA021494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6sPqoLuwHwKI8B6675vYUJtONbmLv6LrUjrS9znRE6JNcaXv6tzuKOpudjOWPSEdhayZZmzEDAK85RVQ-p5AuSDszaJzUmoHfYQBYBU8tXiRL-uow5kBWrFmEUaiyhjKSk4fuhRB9u4/s320/PA021494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning we had coffee in David and then decided to
go up to the hills at Boquete at 1500 m, on the side of the 3450 m Volcan
Baru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing explore up in the
mountains with coffee plantations everywhere, and quite a lot of expat housing
estates / resorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually found a
delightful little camping place run by expat German Axel and his family and had
a very pleasant 3 nights here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next day
it was off towards Panama City – But a terrible road with so much roadworks
that seemed to go on for ever, and we ended up about 100 kms short of Panama in
a great American style RV park in Santa Clara, run by an American lady who was
trying to sell it, and which had noisy macaws and toucans in the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was on into Panama City where we
stayed in a hotel while we sorted out our paperwork for shipping the car to
Columbia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Several dramas with the export paperwork from the Police
due to an incorrect VIN number on my import documentation which required visits
to a hard-to-find customs office, but eventually get everything done, including
an oil change and unexpected water pump replacement on Troopie. We had dinner
with Greg & Estelle and Ravi in PC, and enjoy some incredible drumming
bands we found in the City before heading back to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we had Troopie back from her service the
next day, we explored some of the locks in the Panama Canal, and had a great
Panamanian meal at a restaurant in the Allbrook Mall, and then the next day set
off to Colon at the other end of the canal to sort out the shipping paperwork. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suffice it to say that the shipping and paperwork and
customs trail in Colon is typically chaotic, and we do not complete everything
in one day. Colon is not a nice or safe city, so we decide to splash out and
stay in the Sheraton, where we have a very pleasant evening pampering ourselves
with fluffy towels, hot showers, and good food ! The next day we finally get
all the paperwork completed, deliver Troopie to the docks, and catch a taxi who
gives us a tour for the day before dropping us at another hotel near Panama
Airport, ready for an early flight to Cartagena the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Central America ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much better than expected,
with the only disappointments being the Guatemalan border crossing and Costa
Rica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Panajachel, Granada, Honduras,
Nicaragua, and Panama – Busy, bustling, often crazy, but beautiful and
fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lovely people, and great
places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoroughly (and unexpectedly)
enjoyed it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let’s go to South
America !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Rest of the pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0255BestOfTheBest2?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzw_8ay-OeAxAE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0255BestOfTheBest2?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzw_8ay-OeAxAE</a></span></o:p></div>
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Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-66103215604590543582015-06-04T15:23:00.000-07:002015-06-30T07:25:56.356-07:000252 Best of the Best Part 1 - Alaska, Canada, and the Lower 48<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Best of the
Best Part 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaska, Canada, and the
Lower 48.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BEFORE I START :-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzjzWrxTwWY/VX5tlaEf1zI/AAAAAAABeA8/24oCctGPv_U/s1600/P6190153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzjzWrxTwWY/VX5tlaEf1zI/AAAAAAABeA8/24oCctGPv_U/s320/P6190153.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where do you begin when you’re trying to condense one of
the most incredible years of your life into a few short paragraphs, when you
try to condense some 5000 photos of that year <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into just 300 of the best ones<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>? – And those are the numbers just for part
one of this Best of the Best !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to
make it more difficult, virtually every single one of those 365 days contained
a highlight, and on every single one of those days you were actively doing
something amazing ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consequently, in a
summary like this, a lot has to get glossed over, or worse still, left out
completely – And that just detracts from the whole memory and experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this summary, and indeed this whole blog
over the past year, has not been intended solely for our family and friends,
enabling them to keep up with our travels, and to vicariously share and enjoy
them with us, but more importantly (and selfishly !) it has been for my own
benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I did not write down the many
adventures, and sort out the photos on a daily basis, then I would have quickly
forgotten the details due to my increasing senility. This blog, and this “Best
of the Best” summary, will also enable us to relive every moment of the journey
whenever we want, remembering the great times, the wonderful people we met
along the way, and that means that the journey need never end................ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ALASKA, CANADA and
the USA.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> May
2014 – 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> July 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>89
days, 3 (sic) countries, and 22,937 kilometres.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KWwRg8yXIEaG-5FZm2e3J9wwwFSIMKrk0P9PkxXkPVBVgpfLajW9UB9ULwc5J9_EkqoczEiuDg8e8GQthbpi2a5nIk9T7ncnocXJYIeWaP8Yvlw0_nrbMEcqUPPW0gPh6BBE0_5aDG8/s1600/P3130019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KWwRg8yXIEaG-5FZm2e3J9wwwFSIMKrk0P9PkxXkPVBVgpfLajW9UB9ULwc5J9_EkqoczEiuDg8e8GQthbpi2a5nIk9T7ncnocXJYIeWaP8Yvlw0_nrbMEcqUPPW0gPh6BBE0_5aDG8/s320/P3130019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Troopie was loaded out of Brisbane docks on the 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
March, and arrived in Seattle just 5 weeks later on board the Wilhelmsen
Titania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then spent the next 3 weeks
at my sister Janet’s and Ted’s house in Anacortes, preparing everything for the
trip, and meeting up with some old Lotus friends in Seattle from my 2012 trip.
Janet then arrived from Australia and after 3 or 4 days to get over her jet
lag, we rolled down the hill into the car park for the Washington State ferry
to Vancouver Island on the 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First tourist activity of the trip was to
visit the sensational Butchart Gardens in Victoria before heading to our first
campsite – Ironically the most expensive of the entire trip at $48 a night !
Then it was off to Chermainus to meet some Lotus friends, before wandering up
through Vancouver </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1gNuRUIsFMNnsxJhwo-SRbzkcRsOFiEinywa-AScbS237y87SyO9JwpRlt8Jd7EKMU2GqIwfP1tbcd1ai14YMvYtg4bLgJO95C2cYmezAAh84c4P4D2Osjc-85INQQBSkPlfNCkiua8/s1600/P5070018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1gNuRUIsFMNnsxJhwo-SRbzkcRsOFiEinywa-AScbS237y87SyO9JwpRlt8Jd7EKMU2GqIwfP1tbcd1ai14YMvYtg4bLgJO95C2cYmezAAh84c4P4D2Osjc-85INQQBSkPlfNCkiua8/s320/P5070018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Island to Port Hardy where, on the 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May, we
caught an overnight BC Ferry up to Prince Rupert, via Bella Bella and
Klemtu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of nights in Prince
Rupert, and then another ferry (Alaska Marine Highways this time) up to
Alaska’s island capital, Juneau, visiting Ketchikan and Petersburg on the way
north through the incredible Inside Passage (not the one the bigger cruise
ships are forced to use).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juneau has
lots to offer, not least the Mendenhall Glacier where we camped in the National
Park and enjoyed beavers playing around at our feet for several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left the car in Juneau and went out to
Sitka, the old Russian capital, and enjoyed two days exploring out there. From
there it was back on the ferry to Haines, where we finally started driving
north on the 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEGhOgj7H7U2Z5SKwQLYuQh8PIPmzAW3pxY3vP9nOBfLvW2dbfFBknfWGlZYIalh-JXenLsv8S4PNm0IW2Deyg3N4xr0zmgR2r13bZdHvq-l5P_hAK7OtVztgzp7nz6lYxVkYeeyUZE8/s1600/P5230010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEGhOgj7H7U2Z5SKwQLYuQh8PIPmzAW3pxY3vP9nOBfLvW2dbfFBknfWGlZYIalh-JXenLsv8S4PNm0IW2Deyg3N4xr0zmgR2r13bZdHvq-l5P_hAK7OtVztgzp7nz6lYxVkYeeyUZE8/s320/P5230010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up over the stunning Haines Pass (with lots of Ptarmigan)
through to Haines Junction, and then up through Beaver Creek (where it snowed
when we camped) and on into Alaska to Tok, with the great snowcapped peaks of
the Wrangell St Elias NP on our left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since the weather was so good, we headed into Nabesna in the NP to camp
for the night, and then the following day went in to McCarthy. What an
incredible NP – 4 times bigger than Yellowstone and only two dirt access roads
! Saw some good wild life there too – Bears with cubs, and moose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there it was on to Valdez on one of the
many great driving roads in Alaska, crossing mountains and passing glaciers
beside the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Id_Qm1bA0fvnb7ep82TCnzEihflbVC-iE4b72wcOOlSxmybCJkz9H3iv5NQNoRFDXe_LALt6Xzor5Y-eFhywsZSkkGhF6NZjeqFNFf8pFRtK2yH9yQNrNfL-Vd5q54ORrqO2WioBsYg/s1600/P5260286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Id_Qm1bA0fvnb7ep82TCnzEihflbVC-iE4b72wcOOlSxmybCJkz9H3iv5NQNoRFDXe_LALt6Xzor5Y-eFhywsZSkkGhF6NZjeqFNFf8pFRtK2yH9yQNrNfL-Vd5q54ORrqO2WioBsYg/s320/P5260286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A couple of days later it was back on the ferry for the
journey to Whittier, during which we saw whales and also bumped into
motorcyclist Cynthia for the second (and not the last) time. After meeting up
with a young local lad who I had befriended in 2012, we drove through the
unique rail / road tunnel and up beside scenic Turnagain Arm into
Anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bB2EiQGa5OF9j3_OCrgbsgNh_KmNbzjNaePwVDHaAY3c01olOgNYHDCX42l10bzg8H5SDnVOIc5nVBo2-KEBdIt5QHfut4mzFkOShCSkvHUeKZ6ngk7bxFVzWrO50QzZN7LFZSR9C50/s1600/P5290524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bB2EiQGa5OF9j3_OCrgbsgNh_KmNbzjNaePwVDHaAY3c01olOgNYHDCX42l10bzg8H5SDnVOIc5nVBo2-KEBdIt5QHfut4mzFkOShCSkvHUeKZ6ngk7bxFVzWrO50QzZN7LFZSR9C50/s320/P5290524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to fires in the Kenai to the south, we decided to
head north despite heavy rain and low cloud. As we neared Denali NP we were
rewarded with blue skies, and ended up camping well up inside the NP at Savage
River. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally we visited my favourite
bar / restaurant in Denali village, the Salmon Bake, and spent time with our
trip buddies, Arie and Raya (who we had first met as we left Vancouver Island) before
setting off north to Fairbanks and then on up the Dalton Highway, alongside the
Alaska Pipeline to the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is an amazing road, and I had managed to get half
way up it in the Lotus 2 years ago, but this time the poor weather made sure it
was going to prove much more difficult despite having 4 WD and greatly
increased ground clearance ! (I have now learned a new respect for this road –
It has a mean reputation !) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
stopping for a very wet and cold night camp at the Arctic Circle, we got up to
Coldfoot OK the next </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqfrf16F_z7WnO5DIlVODdWn6jpjR38SGsD0zeurgfi5SwhBjy5TsslrQ89MSfH1YXldT8gvc90h6FgHExfZGDMc47ITRi1V59_Z7nj6vjdN855H2-pj72xkQTiST5Nhbi0k2EHlc9o/s1600/P6020688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqfrf16F_z7WnO5DIlVODdWn6jpjR38SGsD0zeurgfi5SwhBjy5TsslrQ89MSfH1YXldT8gvc90h6FgHExfZGDMc47ITRi1V59_Z7nj6vjdN855H2-pj72xkQTiST5Nhbi0k2EHlc9o/s320/P6020688.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">morning, and were refuelling there, when I saw a couple of
Haul Road trucks pull in, which made me wonder if it could possibly be my
buddies from 2 years ago, Shawn and Erin, who haul the chemicals for my
ex-employer ? Unbelievably it was – What are the odds of meeting the same two
people, north of the Arctic Circle, 2 years apart ! And Janet was happy as she
finally got to meet an Ice Road Trucker !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And seeing a south bound motorcycle and its rider totally covered in
thick mud except for where he had been sitting on the seat should have alerted
me to the conditions ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Dalton Highway north of Coldfoot was new for me, and
climbing up over the infamous Atigun Pass was for me a dream come true – The
fact that it was cold, foggy, and with lots of snow only made it better, and
going down the other side past avalanches that frequently flow across the road,
blocking it until it can be cleared, </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72tjBLgJ9DN-OjJA7L_WMAvUzck5TXSv-_woGtmIK6vvrq-RIkHAnAxFGelTUQwRy5zybYAzMjrf2BvrhS9RGYxAv6qVf21GU8CPQvIA6Nkc5u11RP1tHT5ucRmFHZR7C8r9Sp1s2M4U/s1600/P6020828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72tjBLgJ9DN-OjJA7L_WMAvUzck5TXSv-_woGtmIK6vvrq-RIkHAnAxFGelTUQwRy5zybYAzMjrf2BvrhS9RGYxAv6qVf21GU8CPQvIA6Nkc5u11RP1tHT5ucRmFHZR7C8r9Sp1s2M4U/s320/P6020828.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">only served to validate the reputation of
this road in winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the foot of the
pass the road suddenly turned to 6 inch deep slippery mud, churned up by all
the big trucks. From here on the road was a mess, and the car was soon so
covered in mud that I could not see out of any window except the front
windscreen, and we had to stop and try to wash off the windows with freezing
water from a roadside pond so I could just see what was coming up behind me. We
camped that night at the foot of a hill called The Ice Cut, and later that
night I heard Shawn give us a blast on his airhorns as he came back from
Prudhoe Bay – He had already been up and dropped his load of chemicals and was
heading back to Fairbanks for more ! That gives you an idea of how fast these
trucks are moving !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it was still cold (around freeing) and the roads
still muddy, we rolled into Prudhoe Bay at about lunch time, ready for our
guided tour out through the oilfield to the Arctic Ocean – No private vehicles
allowed !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Ocean was still solid ice
at this </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqmMMKRR-mjyxRoHslETiheJ0C-l9BbtjxkprexD0Qkxq7-NVASXws2io2YcRG7KN7XvSrnBUjf1Si7nrK6AZNNMH44Ir-mNJ180CiP7oImqAuI_U5EZA9Bei1bncVBxa6BXjigOoQw/s1600/P6030989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzqmMMKRR-mjyxRoHslETiheJ0C-l9BbtjxkprexD0Qkxq7-NVASXws2io2YcRG7KN7XvSrnBUjf1Si7nrK6AZNNMH44Ir-mNJ180CiP7oImqAuI_U5EZA9Bei1bncVBxa6BXjigOoQw/s320/P6030989.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">time of year, so instead of paddling, we walked out onto the ice for
our photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited the office of my
ex-employer, we had lunch and a shower for $15 in the Arctic Oilfield Hotel (a
bunch of portable huts all linked together), and after exploring the few roads
around town and visiting the General Store for souvenirs, we turned round and
headed back south across the treeless but stunning Arctic Tundra, with caribou
running across the road, and little ground squirrels sitting up on their hind
legs like meerkats to watch us as we drove by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We headed out of town at about 6 pm, and the road was
already drying out and becoming much more pleasant to travel on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was shining, and in the distance we
would see it lighting up the snow capped peaks of the Atigun Pass, and it was
so beautiful that we decided to keep going and try to get through the Pass in
the glow of the night time sunshine – And it was well worth it, with the pink
of the 10 pm sun lighting up the snow as we came through the pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a magical moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon after the pass we stopped in a big gravel turn out,
had some supper and turned in for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next morning, after stopping in the remote village
Wiseman for coffee and a look around, we finally pulled into the Coldfoot Camp
at about noon – Just in time for some lunch and a refuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no sooner had we sat down than Shawn and Erin
pulled </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">in with their trucks again, this time heading back north again with new
loads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They couldn’t believe it any more
than we could – 3 times in Coldfoot, and 3 times I meet the same guys !! We sat
around and enjoyed our lunch together !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From there it was back down past the Circle, visiting the Hot Spot for a
coffee and to read some of their amusing signs, and in Joy we stopped to see Joe
Carlson and his wife Nancy at the Wildwood General Store – And they remembered
me from 2 years ago !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passed a very
pleasant hour with this amazing couple before heading back into Fairbanks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we washed the car, then headed out to North
Pole to see Santa before heading south down the Alcan, past Rika’s Roadhouse
where we met cycling family Karl, Marie, and little 3 year old Kayla (of whom
more later)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the first time, and
shortly afterwards we turned west on the 130 mile dirt Denali Highway that I
had never previously driven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
stunning road wound through the Tundra, past a still </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">partially frozen Summit
Lake, and under a beautiful blue sky we found a great camp area at Tangle Lakes
where we stopped for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
next day, driving through permafrost country always with snow capped peaks
surrounding us, we climbed up to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>MacLaren Pass at 4086 ft, where we stopped for coffee and lunch at the Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then continued westward on this amazing
and infrequently travelled road that has to be one of the most picturesque in
all Alaska, eventually coming out onto the main road at Cantwell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After another quick overnight stop in
Denali, we headed south, stopping in Talkeetna to find my pilot friend from
2012, Trent Griffin, before heading on back to Anchorage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We camped at Eagle River State Park about 10
kms N of Anchorage – and arrived at 6 pm to find a black bear alert in force
not 30 minutes previously ! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a late start, and a Buffalo Burger at Wee Bee’s,
(soooo good), we headed south towards the Kenai Peninsula, stopping on the way
at the excellent Alaska Animal Conservation Centre, where Janet got chased by a
buffalo and we watched grizzlies </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">cooling off in a lake. That evening we arrived
in another of my favourite camping spots – Out at the very end of the Homer
Spit that juts out some 4 kms into Kachemak Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found Woody and Wendy’s camp site and
spent a while catching up with them – I had met them 2 years ago, and knew they
would be there this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I
couldn’t believe was that we were also recognised by two other couples who
recognised us from two years ago, Chuck and Jeff Cloutier and their wives Linda
and Karen, and we spent a wonderful evening catching up with them and their
amazing stories about Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really
is a small world sometimes ! A visit out to Halibut Cove on the Danny J, and a
superb Halibut supper rounded off yet another great stay in Homer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had also camped next door to Iditarod
finisher 130, Richard, and his wife Janet, and we had a great breakfast with
them at La Baleine Café before heading back up the Spit towards Anchorage
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in at the little
Russian influenced village of Ninilchik and its little Russian Orthodox
chapel,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and after a wet night at Portage
Valley we headed off in heavy rain the next morning to Whittier (again !) for a
Glacier Cruise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">26 Glaciers, sea otters, sea eagles, glaciers calving,
drinks made from ice bergs fresh from the glaciers, humpback whales “bubble
fishing” beside us,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seals and
kittywakes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Yes it was a fantastic day,
despite the fact that it hardly stopped raining !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick visit with my buddy Tiki at his mum’s
restaurant, and it was back through the tunnel to Anchorage to meet up with
Fred and Magda, The Two Dutchies, at a camp site, who also travel in a Troopie.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an oil change the next morning, and a final burger
at Wee Bee’s, we headed towards the Matanuska Glacier on the way to Tok,
stopping en route at a Musk Ox farm that was so interesting since these animals
are just incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After camping in a
deserted State Park, the next morning we found our way through the rough and
muddy roads to the Matanuska Glacier, and spent nearly 2 hours hiking over just
a small portion of this accessible 27 mile long and 4 mile wide sight which,
rare for a glacier in Alaska, doesn’t end in an ocean. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was back on the road east to Tok,
passing Dall sheep up in the mountains, and moose crossing the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Tok it was out of Alaska and into Canada’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yukon and onto the Top of the World Highway,
Chicken (oh dear !), and on into Dawson City – a Gold Rush capital round here
and one of our favourite towns, with old time music halls, dirt roads, wooden
sidewalks, shows at Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, and off course Captain
Dick’s world famous Sourtoe cocktail, which both Janet and I are now members of
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day, having visited<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert Service’s and Jack London’s cabins, we
headed off on our next adventure – 600 miles of dirt road to Inuvik up on the
Beaufort Sea, north of the Arctic Circle in the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Northwest Territories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The scenery along this road is unique as it is not
glaciated – The impact of the McKenzie River system means that no glaciers ever
existed here, so all the mountains are formed from erosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result is some of the most spectacular
scenery you can imagine – The whole drive is just stunning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is a dirt road, and as it was raining
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">as we headed north, pretty messy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
nearly crashed into a Claudia and John in their German Troopie, and had to make
emergency repairs to our pop top in Eagle Plains when a bolt sheared off due to
the vibrations on dirt roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just north
of Eagle Plains we crossed the Arctic Circle (again !) and then headed north
into the Northwest Territories, passing the weird ice bubbles of Arctic pingos
beside the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of Grizzly
cubs kept us entertained as they circled our car for a while before
disappearing nonchalantly up the road behind us, and then it was on up, over
the two (free) ferries across the Peel and Red rivers before we arrived in
Inuvik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last couple of hundred k’s
is perhaps the most boring because the trees along the McKenzie river delta
mean you can see little of the countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this is America’s 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> largest delta system after the
Mississippi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Inuvik itself is not a hive of activity – The biggest
reason to go there is to hitch a (plane) ride out into the wilderness to
hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The igloo shaped church is unique,
but unfortunately was closed the day we were there, so after a very cold night
in the camp site we visited to the local council offices and an excellent
coffee house, and then headed out of town past the brightly coloured local
houses, with all their water </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">and sewerage services above ground !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very hard to explain the scenery
because it is unlike anything else you will see, but it really is
breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, 3 days later,
we returned to the main road and spent one more night in nearby Dawson City
before heading south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>enjoyed a pleasant evening camping with
cyclists Karl, Marie and Kayla, and in the morning headed down the road towards
Whitehorse, following the Yukon River that formed the basis for travel in the
1898 Gold Rush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favourite statue is
there, with a plaque saying “This stature is dedicated to all those who follow
their dreams”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Whitehorse we then
detoured down to Skagway, because, having followed the trail of the Gold Rush
so far all over Alaska, Janet wanted to see the last link in the trail –
Skagway and up over the infamous Chilkoot Trail. Last time I had travelled this
road it had fittingly been in a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
blizzard, so to see the amazing and stark
scenery down across the pass, through Fraser and the rail terminus, and then on
down into Skagway was a real treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
enjoyed a couple of days in Skagway, including a magnificent dinner overlooking
the cruise ships down near the harbour, and an explore the area including the
start of the Chilkoot Trail, before heading off down the Alcan Highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of wildlife through here, and we met up
with Argentinian duo Jun Manuel and Santiago who had driven the whole way in a
little Fiat 600, finally arriving in Dawson Creek, the official start of the
Alcan Highway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there it was down into Jasper, and the stunning
drive from there down to Banff, past the magnificent Athabasca Falls, surely
has to be (another) one of the great drives of the world, through the Columbia
Icefields and the Sunwapta Pass ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
found a lovely camp site by a rushing river just outside Banff, where we met Ad
and Bernadette in their Dutch Troopie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Next morning it was in to Lake Louise for a walk round the lake and then
on down to Banff for a while before continuing on to Calgary where we
overnighted in an airport hotel so Janet could catch her flight back to Aus in
the morning,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>while I continued alone
across Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Calgary through to Edmonton was all freeway, but I found
out that my targeted destination of Churchill, over on Hudson Bay, was isolated
because there had been a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">major derailment on the single rail line from
Thompson. Still, there were flights, and I found accommodation, so decided to
travel across Canada on the most Northern roads<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>could find instead of across the somewhat boring prairies. This took me
through places like La Ronge (with the only remaining Trading Post with
bearskins in between the milk and the cheese in the supermarket !), Flin Flon
(a big mining town), and then on to Thompson, where I got the last seat on a
small plane for the next morning, and headed out to the Polar Bear and Beluga
whale capital, Churchill Manitoba !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLJ5G39WtPf1XySBn0Qr1WOC21plpDkqpbTQAVPJIPOzkl4FXJEtGEO6QJMzMXE9N8L75ZGin3Fv5Bs9LUQG7NpRmFpZGrvZYcSoZNZJXJNdyW1H9oA8Vwu11MFhPNXvn1iZWIk2Ecw4/s1600/P7040143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLJ5G39WtPf1XySBn0Qr1WOC21plpDkqpbTQAVPJIPOzkl4FXJEtGEO6QJMzMXE9N8L75ZGin3Fv5Bs9LUQG7NpRmFpZGrvZYcSoZNZJXJNdyW1H9oA8Vwu11MFhPNXvn1iZWIk2Ecw4/s320/P7040143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was out of season for Polar Bears, although we saw a
couple in the distance – And anyway the ever-present armed guards actually try
to scare them away as soon as they see them – Slightly different than in Alaska
! But it was Beluga Whale season, and the amazing sight of having hundreds
surrounding us in our little rubber boat was incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Massive horseflies (locally known as
Bulldogs) are a major problem here in the summer, but I survived them, and also
survived attacks by fiercely territorial Arctic Terns, and had a fascinating
few days in this remote township.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIlg5cIlszryrtRAteP5j1KsTTPgEpRdwSBJjQNWwzfoaRITPDJC_KN0Ui70O0s6Agbzq3Mocl6yMNIi7YKmNu9EGJvdFrPhLAfmdNK-OpBxUJXLBhZ4nV11SaahJPVVuXLiqiEszHGc/s1600/P7100111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIlg5cIlszryrtRAteP5j1KsTTPgEpRdwSBJjQNWwzfoaRITPDJC_KN0Ui70O0s6Agbzq3Mocl6yMNIi7YKmNu9EGJvdFrPhLAfmdNK-OpBxUJXLBhZ4nV11SaahJPVVuXLiqiEszHGc/s320/P7100111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZJviJ0aVJBT4FPjjUsRD2hLZwQMh59K5wwrInSNzrnbw7R_Pt5taJIZfdXGTuisNC-G0gyKbxri6jICChUoqjYNb0-slm0GItkWOPEGgxzGHTfBmUZ_eMVIMJ4bOtbhCWbNBtGC5OYg/s1600/P7120191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZJviJ0aVJBT4FPjjUsRD2hLZwQMh59K5wwrInSNzrnbw7R_Pt5taJIZfdXGTuisNC-G0gyKbxri6jICChUoqjYNb0-slm0GItkWOPEGgxzGHTfBmUZ_eMVIMJ4bOtbhCWbNBtGC5OYg/s320/P7120191.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From Thompson I decided to head straight down through the
centre of the US – Many people have told me there is nothing there, and I
decided to see if they are right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
driven East and West coasts – Something different his time ! And apart from a
brief detour out to Mt Rushmore (where I was a little underwhelmed), I just
drove right down through North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma,
and on into Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And people are right
– There really is very little out there in the middle !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of oil, lots of farming, lots of
cowboys, but not a lot to stop for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
it was getting hotter and hotter, so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just kept going into Texas and to my good friends Geary and Kathy Johnston’s
place for a rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New tyres for Troopie,
an oil change, a hair cut for me, some great Texas food and a few red
wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very pleasant, and caught up with
lots of old work mates at Debbie and Ron’s place, and also managed a night in
Houston at Aussie mate Neale Browne’s place, before heading north up to Dan
York’s place in Arkansas for a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
knew Dan really well in </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffUx-WpCG3PhufiETesQ9OM7arqySoJQFvDJWmItzFba7SdohmcugPVZondqEPzz8JZSR-QrX1ZoR66Lyv9Ph85kHVQcEJjDA4J02Ckn00qHIhQY4OU4V7g5RCb_lIKJ1_dE6bbbOhC4/s1600/P7210233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffUx-WpCG3PhufiETesQ9OM7arqySoJQFvDJWmItzFba7SdohmcugPVZondqEPzz8JZSR-QrX1ZoR66Lyv9Ph85kHVQcEJjDA4J02Ckn00qHIhQY4OU4V7g5RCb_lIKJ1_dE6bbbOhC4/s320/P7210233.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dubai in the mid 1970’s and haven’t seen him since, so
it was great to catch up with him on his Pecan Farm, and meet his sons Will and
Starnes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even went out in Dan’s tinny to
help him get some catfish on the Red River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a great 2 days in Arkansas it was off to Fort Worth to meet
another workmate from 40 years ago – We trained together back in 1974 !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really getting hot by now, so it was
nice to enjoy their airconditioning and great hospitality for </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8G8nGTXn1g-g1fgV1BJTHH8wvblZNo4D3ZRSPov7H5SwBvBrdhYEQ2w45S3DayLum_5IpNRSOH994kzLjEldjGG237n-79JUe2S2yAE1Tl6DT8OY_P5CX0dOf7GxAgIxsG1MKUBe1OE/s1600/P7280447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8G8nGTXn1g-g1fgV1BJTHH8wvblZNo4D3ZRSPov7H5SwBvBrdhYEQ2w45S3DayLum_5IpNRSOH994kzLjEldjGG237n-79JUe2S2yAE1Tl6DT8OY_P5CX0dOf7GxAgIxsG1MKUBe1OE/s320/P7280447.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
a couple of days
before heading off across New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns, and Arizona, to cross
into Mexico at Mexicali, chosen so I could drive down through Baja California,
a trek I have wanted to make for 40 years !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so hot – 117 deg C – I ended up in a cheap motel for my last
night in the US !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here I was on the Mexican border, 22,937 kms and 3
months after leaving Anacortes, and ready for Part 2 of my great adventure –
Central America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew nothing about
where I was going – All I knew was that I had to head south - But I couldn’t
wait to get started !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rest of the photos are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0254BestOfTheBest1?authkey=Gv1sRgCKC8lpLIkab-bw">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0254BestOfTheBest1?authkey=Gv1sRgCKC8lpLIkab-bw</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-90634628233028504662015-06-03T14:46:00.000-07:002015-06-16T14:47:02.905-07:000251 The end of this part of the adventureI will start a new blog for Europe. I will finalise it shortly and post the new address link.<br />
<br />
At the end of my 13 month Americas Adventure, I have tried to summarize my trip. I am longwinded, so it would take a very long time for anyone to try to read my whole original blog from start to finish. So, as I did with my Alaska 2012 blog, I have tried to summarize the trip into smaller, more easily digestible pieces, giving a rough outline of the trip, and trying to get just the best photos. Unfortunately it is still quite long - Well, it was a long trip, and to trim it down to just 2 pages of writing and 20 or 30 photos is absolutely impossible. Well, it is for me ! So I have done four last posts - A Best of the Best Parts 1-4. One for USA and Canada, one for Central America (Mexico to Panama), one for South America down to Santiago, and one for South America from Santiago to the end in Uruguay.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy it. I have certainly enjoyed doing it, despite daily wifi and computer battles ! I use the blog a lot to remind me of what we have done and seen - Without the blog and all the photos, much of the Adventure would be forgotten - Especially as my mind finds it harder and harder to remember everything ! And that would be a shame. <br />
<br />
We now look forward to the next Adventure - Europe 2015 !! I hope you can share it with us. Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-77426971705559448922015-06-02T01:16:00.000-07:002015-07-06T09:40:27.500-07:000250 Sea Voyage across the Atlantic<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2nd May - 2nd June 2015 Sea Voyage across the Atlantic<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S35.04.13.5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W55.04.58.21<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.30 pm<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off
Punta del Este, Uruguay<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSbEPQVDEjM/VXmypwwv5hI/AAAAAAABZQU/hUu_bF7uk8w/s1600/DSC04508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OSbEPQVDEjM/VXmypwwv5hI/AAAAAAABZQU/hUu_bF7uk8w/s320/DSC04508.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hardly any sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Breakfast of bread, cheese and coffee, then up on deck to watch for
departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Car loading ramp pulled up
slowly at about 9 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Depart Montevideo
at 10 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 tugs to pull us off the
jetty in high, cold winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chinese
fishing vessel unloading frozen tuna beside us straight into a refrigerated
40ft container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bulk tanker loading with
wheat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head out of harbour. Lunch at 11
am, then siesta in cabin as we sail up the coast, past the campsite of the past
3 weeks, and past the mountain we climbed outside Piriapolis 2 weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heading up the coast to Paranagua, south of
Sao Paulo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a lot of movement due
to high winds whipping seas up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
stabilisers on commercial vessels !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S30.53.38.00<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W 50.09.53.00<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noon – Off Porto Alegre, Brazil.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About ½ way to Paranagua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Slept a bit better last night but still a lot of rocking and
rolling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better by the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breakfast at 7.30, and then lunch at 11 m
makes it too much – Think just a cup of coffee for breakfast would be
sufficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit up on deck in the
sunshine – Very pleasant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S25.30.00.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W48.29.45.78<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Paranagua
Port, Brasil.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k76ATpJ-hBA/VXmyrePo41I/AAAAAAABZQU/TrDQbF3y6_U/s1600/DSC04513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k76ATpJ-hBA/VXmyrePo41I/AAAAAAABZQU/TrDQbF3y6_U/s320/DSC04513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warmer today as we head north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turned in toward Paranagua port mid morning,
picked up a Pilot, and docked at 11 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unloading cars, trucks, farming equipment,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and lots of containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intriguing to watch how manual many of the
processes are, despite state of the art cranes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The locking pins that hold containers in place are unlocked manually by
crew using a long pole with </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asK4Dgd6SnU/VXmyu8uCgwI/AAAAAAABZQU/GjLO0iGkisM/s1600/DSC04525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-asK4Dgd6SnU/VXmyu8uCgwI/AAAAAAABZQU/GjLO0iGkisM/s320/DSC04525.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">a hook on the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When they do not unlock properly, which seems to be a not uncommon
occurrence, the crew have to scrabble round on ladders, climbing across the containers
and then “fishing” down between the containers with these long poles until they
can unlock them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely there must
be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>better / safer way of doing this !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as for the bumping and banging of the containers when
the pins don’t unlock – well, I am glad that is not my Ferrari inside that container
!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6FTvbRAZYM/VXmyv06aXWI/AAAAAAABZQU/Qs9B7rIauqk/s1600/DSC04533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6FTvbRAZYM/VXmyv06aXWI/AAAAAAABZQU/Qs9B7rIauqk/s320/DSC04533.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Similarly with the cars – Lots of little VW Gol’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One crew of drivers unload them off the
ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then another crew of drivers come
along and drive them 500 metres or so to a car park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just not a very efficient way of doing things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9 pm at night now, and they are still loading containers,
so I guess we will leave some time during the night, and head for our next
port, Santos, about 200 kms up the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S23.55.27.85<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W46.20.31.18 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Santos
Port, Brasil. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOvbScTnquo/VXmy2noislI/AAAAAAABZQU/w2PvXy09Fhg/s1600/DSC04559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kOvbScTnquo/VXmy2noislI/AAAAAAABZQU/w2PvXy09Fhg/s320/DSC04559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we approach the city, trying to work out where the
port is !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we head into the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>natural harbour, a river opens up round the
east side of the city, and we then head up this river for several kilometres,
over an hour before we finally tie up. First we steam up beside the city, with
apartments and office buildings on our left, and car ferries crossing the river
round us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then gradually it becomes more
of a port and for the last half hour we are passing berth after berth – many
bulk grain ships loading (all the grain I have been seeing harvested out there
as I drove across the pampas !), car carriers disgorging cars, and massive
container cranes loading and unloading big container ships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Santos is a big port that stretches right round
the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having entered the harbour on
the south side, we eventually berth right round on the north side of the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOXr7zJEh5Q/VXmy8KQHIRI/AAAAAAABZQU/PyhW47ayim8/s1600/DSC04575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iOXr7zJEh5Q/VXmy8KQHIRI/AAAAAAABZQU/PyhW47ayim8/s320/DSC04575.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After running over a marker buoy and just about
destroying it, we finally lower our ramp at the rear and start unloading
hundreds of cars (Fiats this time), while simultaneously trucks carry 20 ft
containers aboard – It is a busy little ramp for several hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down at the front end of the ship, a big crane
is loading and unloading 40 ft containers and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>ISO tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New CAT bulldozers
trundle up the ramp into the ship, while a fuel tanker pulls alongside and
pumps fuel aboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We depart in the darkness and once more head NE towards
Rio de Janeiro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S22.52.39.57<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W43.12.25.7<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Rio de
Janeiro port, Brasil.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hh0SGZcTfg/VXm1GehcW3I/AAAAAAABZQU/3xDoi5xC09M/s1600/DSC04636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hh0SGZcTfg/VXm1GehcW3I/AAAAAAABZQU/3xDoi5xC09M/s320/DSC04636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoMuiGZS3KY/VXm11cEQWxI/AAAAAAABZQU/snsZthimVkk/s1600/DSC04647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoMuiGZS3KY/VXm11cEQWxI/AAAAAAABZQU/snsZthimVkk/s320/DSC04647.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I wake up at 5 am, my GPS show me we have just
passed Ubatuba on the coast where I recently spent a great 10 days with Mauro,
Giovanna, Leticia and Pedro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I try to
text them to ask if they can see me on the horizon but can’t get through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By lunch time we are approaching Rio, and
there is a lot of pollution haze – The coast line is unexpectedly mountainous
as we start to be able to pick landmarks, searching for the distinctive
Corcovado and Sugarloaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spot the
sands of Ipanema and then Copacabana beaches, and then swing north into the
harbour, with distinctive Sugar Loaf on our left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again we are trying to work out where
the port is, using the GPS on our tablets, while we pass between the old
defences of the Santa Barbara Fort guarding the narrow harbour entrance and
steam on past the new airport that juts out into the </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZogF21l_so4/VXm1eriMNiI/AAAAAAABZQU/8F-avxpFxK0/s1600/DSC04641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZogF21l_so4/VXm1eriMNiI/AAAAAAABZQU/8F-avxpFxK0/s320/DSC04641.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">harbour. The Corcovado
towers over the city on our left and is almost lost in the low cloud, as we
pass several islands – Ilha Fiscal with its distinctive green Castelo, Ilha das
Enxadas and the white buildings of the Naval Training Centre, and the Ilha de
Santa Barbara with the ruins of its old fort visible amongst the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiqZtv9eEbs/VXm13yXB4xI/AAAAAAABZQU/od57rEr41Ys/s1600/DSC04657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiqZtv9eEbs/VXm13yXB4xI/AAAAAAABZQU/od57rEr41Ys/s320/DSC04657.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally berth right up on the north side of the city,
right under the massive Ponte Presidente Costa e Silva bridge that crosses the
harbour, with the ever present flocks of Frigate birds wheeling overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t unload any cars here – Just more
containers being loaded by crane onto the forward deck, and loads of steel pipe
(oilfield casing ?) being driven into the vehicle decks and </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXdRPYh_1v4/VXm16VFWkvI/AAAAAAABZQU/8xDIFjEe-s4/s1600/DSC04674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXdRPYh_1v4/VXm16VFWkvI/AAAAAAABZQU/8xDIFjEe-s4/s320/DSC04674.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">unloaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 6 pm we are all finished, and in the
darkness of evening head back out of the harbour, while we have supper and then
continue our journey NE to our last port of call in South America,
Vitoria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we leave Rio it starts
raining heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been joined
today by a new passenger – Italian Gianluca who is headed home to Milan after 3
months travelling overland through Asia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S21.48.46<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W40.13.08.89<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heading towards Vitoria Port, Brasil<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zazmoNvt6B8/VXm2GygZQDI/AAAAAAABZQU/d9iqdRi4qv4/s1600/DSC04682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zazmoNvt6B8/VXm2GygZQDI/AAAAAAABZQU/d9iqdRi4qv4/s320/DSC04682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up to heavy rain !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No morning walk round the deck today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are well over half way to Vitoria, so should arrive some time this
afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our schedule says we spend
almost 2 days in Vitoria, so we are not sure what and how much cargo we load
here, but it must be a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t
a lot else to do on board, so long discussions and speculations about when we
might arrive, and what cargo we might load helps to pass the time of day !! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arrive off Vitoria at 6 pm in thick fog and heavy rain.
Big bridge across harbor entrance only<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>just visible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait outside port
till the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S20.19.30.46<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W40.20.20.14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Vitoria Port, Brasil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U5_lIfd22Y/VXm2MZ_ma6I/AAAAAAABZQU/P7fBEyHiQwI/s1600/DSC04684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U5_lIfd22Y/VXm2MZ_ma6I/AAAAAAABZQU/P7fBEyHiQwI/s320/DSC04684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Enter the port in clear sunshine at 7 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very narrow river with city on right and
docks on the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dock with starboard
side to wharf, so unable to open car ramp or use ships cranes to load 60
containers (Wharf cranes on this jetty suitable for bulk powder only)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unable to turn around until high tide at 6
pm, so just sit alongside wharf all day, doing nothing !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately workers onshore were cutting and
removing a solid rock hill beside the boat which gave us something interesting
to look at !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How the workers did not
kill themselves is a miracle in itself – Their operations were one unsafe act
after another !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BL-g2xteBb0/VXm22bMv_2I/AAAAAAABZQU/8nM13vm-Bgs/s1600/DSC04709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BL-g2xteBb0/VXm22bMv_2I/AAAAAAABZQU/8nM13vm-Bgs/s320/DSC04709.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the north side of the river are some impressive old
colonial buildings, unfortunately almost completely swallowed up by modern high
rises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly the Palacio Ancheta
and even more so the Catedral de Vitoria which is almost totally hidden from
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have been nice if some of
these had remained more prominent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 6 pm finally turn around and tie up again so we could
unload 60 cars (Honda’s this time !) and load about 60 containers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently they have to complete loading
before 6 am tomorrow so we can leave on the high tide – Or else we have to stay
till 8 pm !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Half an hour’s walk on decks, and some time on bicycle in
gym.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Remainder of the pics up as far as Vitoria are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0251MontevideoToVitoria?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWp55mh3dPeoQE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0251MontevideoToVitoria?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWp55mh3dPeoQE</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S20.16.41.83<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W39.52.28.06<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
H<span style="font-family: Calibri;">eading across the Atlantic Ocean !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_xHqczu9LHCJkGCG-kcztdoTGOz8CQ2XdOR9EoGiYmVIOrtenRbPz9gqSEy9mVvnJAqK1BrfKR05eyEMp1Q1QRy6UAF3174-gzEzWVbCb7SMacD3xdxLfcA4cDskYpsdwtlRmoKQP98/s1600/DSC04731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_xHqczu9LHCJkGCG-kcztdoTGOz8CQ2XdOR9EoGiYmVIOrtenRbPz9gqSEy9mVvnJAqK1BrfKR05eyEMp1Q1QRy6UAF3174-gzEzWVbCb7SMacD3xdxLfcA4cDskYpsdwtlRmoKQP98/s320/DSC04731.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Complete loading OK and leave Vitoria port at 6.30 am,
headed for Dakar, Senegal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woke up at 5
am and was up on deck for final departure from South America. Vitoria is a
narrow little river port with steep rocks on one side and the city on the
other, and we sail out to sea, passing under the big Terceira Ponte that takes
the traffic from the north side of town to the south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way out, the old jail (penitenciaria)
is very visible on the south, and then the Army’s 380 </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Infantry Battalion
headquarters, while to the south the colourful buildings of the old city and
now suburb of Jesus de Nazareth, with little fishing boats tied up in front,
reminds one of what Vitoria perhaps once looked like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The two tugs escorting us out of the river turned back as
we passed under the Ponte, and then the pilot left us shortly after, and we
headed out into the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Dakar, Senegal, about 10 days
sailing away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pass a couple of
offshore oil rigs not far out to sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had arrived in South America on 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October, and left on the 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May – Almost exactly 7 months
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great adventure it has
been, what amazing sights we have seen and wonderful people we have met since
we landed in Cartagena all that time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Goodbye South America……….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>13.06.01.82 W34.09.31.86<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Off Salvador Bahia at 5 pm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S06.40.50.37<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W30.15.42.14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Off Natal at 8 pm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.5.15
N00.00.02.47<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W26.15.04.41<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cross Equator at 12.32 am<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JldPCe6RRDI/VXvnmphZU1I/AAAAAAABZdw/XBUk2xbD7zE/s1600/P5141568%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JldPCe6RRDI/VXvnmphZU1I/AAAAAAABZdw/XBUk2xbD7zE/s320/P5141568%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Neptune ceremony in morning for 2 Equatorial virgins ! Poor Gianluca - He took it all very well !!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N02.38.35.6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W24.40.30.99<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzBIH_s1888/VXvnwE1O8MI/AAAAAAABZdw/MGG2ZTj_bCs/s1600/P5161594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzBIH_s1888/VXvnwE1O8MI/AAAAAAABZdw/MGG2ZTj_bCs/s320/P5161594.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the middle of the Atlantic !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">15.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N08.24.24.79<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W21.12.01.79<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
Still at sea !<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WyAWAqO7qM/VXvnxgv7P-I/AAAAAAABZdw/Ly23iU_yxVc/s1600/P5161599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7WyAWAqO7qM/VXvnxgv7P-I/AAAAAAABZdw/Ly23iU_yxVc/s320/P5161599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N14.40.30.78<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W17.25.46.98<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In port in Dakar, Senegal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ-AFwAthyI/VXvn2sdPYJI/AAAAAAABZdw/pJgajBXeRlo/s1600/P5161623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ-AFwAthyI/VXvn2sdPYJI/AAAAAAABZdw/pJgajBXeRlo/s320/P5161623.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cannot get off ship due to Safety concerns and also
possible problems returning to ship through port area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Senegal typical W Africa !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grimaldi sister ship Grande Nigeria came into
port, headed south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some more pics of this section of the trip are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0252VitoriaBrasilToDakarSenegal?authkey=Gv1sRgCK3KoeGvz_T76QE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0252VitoriaBrasilToDakarSenegal?authkey=Gv1sRgCK3KoeGvz_T76QE</a></span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">17.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N15.18.44.97<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W17.37.54.87 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">200 kms north of Dakar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Walk and cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N22.12.37.61<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W17.29.43.14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">100 kms off the coast of Mauritania</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kglKsi77Dsk/VXvpBlsV6hI/AAAAAAABZpM/oTxrfTYxmxc/s1600/P5191664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kglKsi77Dsk/VXvpBlsV6hI/AAAAAAABZpM/oTxrfTYxmxc/s320/P5191664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cold on ship today, and windy and cold outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">19.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N28.18.51.75<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W13.43.29.9<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Travelling E of Canary Islands<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As soon as we passed the Canaries, the wind and the seas
picked up dramatically. Long swells, ship rolling and pitching, cupboard doors
in cabin swinging around unless secured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Speed dropped to 20 kmh<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(11 knots
for you nautical types !).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really
rough – Just a bit more interesting !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20.5.15
N33.24.58.81<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W12.11.53.13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">300 Kms west of Casablanca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Still rough and windy like yesterday, and still only
managing 20 kmh <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N38.40.03.08<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W10.49.52.29<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">150 kms west of Lisbon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clear skies, but still wind and long swells. Warm if you
could get out of the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Able to walk
on deck, albeit carefully to make sure not blown overboard !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>N44.38.43.85<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>W08.44.06.8<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">150 kms north of Coruna, In Bay of Biscay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10067 kms from Montevideo, and 1016 kms from
Tilbury!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much calmer and less windy today, and back up to 30 kmh
(16 knots).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No white tops. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ready to get off ship now, although 4 more days to
Hamburg, and 6 or so to Tilbury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very
tempted to get off in Emden or Hamburg and catch ferry to UK, but will exercise
patience and save the money! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>23.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> At sea !</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv6nraDzzmc/VXvpTUQwfzI/AAAAAAABZpM/rryAJEK0TZg/s1600/P5231673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv6nraDzzmc/VXvpTUQwfzI/AAAAAAABZpM/rryAJEK0TZg/s320/P5231673.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming past Brest and into the English Channel – Thick early
morning fog, which clears later into clear blue skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Franz threatens to jump overboard !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pigeons land on the ship for a rest – We must
be getting close to land !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>25.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally we
reach Emden !<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emden is an amazing port – Basically it is a VW car
factory surrounded by an enormous parking ot filled with cars, and surrounded
by wind turbines to provide the power !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One starts to realise a) Just how many cars there are, and b) what a
massive business it is moving all these cars around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We unload VW Amaroks that are all made in S America,
and load other VW’s for on-shipment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>26.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on to
Hamburg</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sailed overnight to Hamburg, arriving early in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Emden port is in the
middle of nowhere an just an enormous parking lot, the Port of Hamburg is right
in the middle of the city, and you sail right past offices and streets t reach
the port – What a contrast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time
we had breakfasted, they had lowered the ramp and unloaded some big front end
loaders brought from S America, and it was time to get Franz & Ingrid, and
Unimog 22 off the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we helped
them cary their luggage down, the crew untied all the cars for us, and then we
had to wait while they moved a Swiss and Rover that wouldn’t start !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to move Troopie to a different deck,
and then Unimog 22 disappeared off down the ramp onto the wharf – Home in
Germany after 2 years on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jV1UQVnXKe8/VXvpUzZWRWI/AAAAAAABZpM/hmw6pJ3WPZ0/s1600/P5261703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jV1UQVnXKe8/VXvpUzZWRWI/AAAAAAABZpM/hmw6pJ3WPZ0/s320/P5261703.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Down on the wharf, I watched from the ship as German
Customs (Zoll) went through Unimog 22 with a fine tooth comb !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sniffer dogs were underneath, in the spare
wheels, everywhere – Obviously Franz and Ingrid looked like highly suspicious
characters Ha ha !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally the got to
drive away, and disappeared down the wharf, and off home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meanwhile they were loading cars non-stop onto the Grande
Amburgo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not new cars – Old clunkers
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of them weren’t even running and
had to be pushed on board using<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>special 4
WD’s with a big steel plate on the front with some rubber tyres tied on –
Pretty primitive. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On tooking to the
captain later he said he hated carrying these because many were leaking oil and
his crew always had a big clean up after they were unloaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are old European cars being taken (or
should I say dumped ??) down in West Africa !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apart from cars, there were trucks with other trucks on their trays,
with any spare space filled with old doors and wheels etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were old trucks with cars strapped on
the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they were loaded in their
hundreds for the entire day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally sailed out of Hamburg in darkness in the evening,
with all the town lit up as we passed through it, and back out into the North
Sea for the journey to Antwerp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>28.5.15<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An so to
Antwerp.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IGUL6xa1mc/VXvpdsS-2KI/AAAAAAABZpM/V8mMofVNjJ0/s1600/P5271726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IGUL6xa1mc/VXvpdsS-2KI/AAAAAAABZpM/V8mMofVNjJ0/s320/P5271726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We sailed all day the 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, heading back down
the channel to Antwerp, and during the day saw smoke in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to be a ship on fire, and when
we passed through the smoke plume, it had a very odd smell – Plastic ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t even slow down, and I couldn’t see
any one stopping to help them, although when I asked the crew at lunch time
they said some fire ship was on its way to help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out from Janet later that there was
another accident today in the channel with one ship sinking of the coast of the
UK, and the other limping to Antwerp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Busy day on the high seas !</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RAurBNvlJ4/VXvphu0OVOI/AAAAAAABZpM/0sWZbJJFBI8/s1600/P5281738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5RAurBNvlJ4/VXvphu0OVOI/AAAAAAABZpM/0sWZbJJFBI8/s320/P5281738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally arrive in Antwerp <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>early in the morning of the 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and for an hour steamed up through all the
dock area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a massive port.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed another Grimaldi ship, the Grande
Gabon, heading out, and then had to go through a narrow lock system into an
inner harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought the lock was
pretty tight for us, but once we were in, they then squeezed two narrow fuel
barges down beside us, and then another two behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the hydraulic gates were closed behind
us, and the road bridge lowered, and then they opened the lock and road bridge in
front of us and we sailed out into an inner harbour, which was almost as big as
the outer one we had already passed though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You only get to appreciate the size of some of these big ports when you
sail into them on a ship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3b0r5pvumvs/VXvpsTrDc4I/AAAAAAABZpM/6TaydMhr6rI/s1600/P5281764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3b0r5pvumvs/VXvpsTrDc4I/AAAAAAABZpM/6TaydMhr6rI/s320/P5281764.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Antwerp is the “operations <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>base” for Grimaldi, and they have their own
wharf there, and when we arrived there were 4 other Grimaldi vessels already
tied up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, massive flat
areas just filled with cars, and apart from Grimaldi ships, there were other
car carrying ships all around us, busy unloading and loading their own cargoes
of hundreds of cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are even car
carrying barges moving around, carrying cars from one wharf to another – Just a
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynpxZjqL4wQ/VXvpudLJRlI/AAAAAAABZpM/aiu5dTZRsvY/s1600/P6011770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynpxZjqL4wQ/VXvpudLJRlI/AAAAAAABZpM/aiu5dTZRsvY/s320/P6011770.JPG" width="298" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">jaw-droppingly massive operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then
spent 2 ½ frustrating <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>days in Antwerp
port, only 100 kms or so from my destination in Tilbury ! So near but so far.
Once again, they loaded hundreds of old cars, many of which again had to be
pushed on board by other vehicles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
even noticed in the back of one of the old trucks they loaded, it was filled
with old fridges !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the number
plates on many of the vehicles were from Poland and similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> June 2015 – Tilbury at last !<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82VkbeI6Ais/VXvpuMlqwhI/AAAAAAABZpM/KgdVhetvFuU/s1600/P5311769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82VkbeI6Ais/VXvpuMlqwhI/AAAAAAABZpM/KgdVhetvFuU/s320/P5311769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally sailed out of Antwerp on the night of the
night of the 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May, and I thought we might get to Tilbury today……….But
no – we sailed NORTH up the coast of England, past a whole lot of wind turbines
in the middle of the ocean, and then anchored off Felixstowe !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congestion in Tilbury Port !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aaaaaaggggghhhhh – I’m never going to get
there !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then late that night we finally weighed anchor and sail
back down the coast and in to Tilbury – Unfortunately it really was the middle
of the night as I would really like to have seen the journey up the Thames
Estuary. I didn’t sleep a lot – I didn’t want to miss my stop and end up in
West Africa !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAuPqBilqeA/VXvpvIQMKpI/AAAAAAABZpM/43wd0hnQJnI/s1600/P6011773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAuPqBilqeA/VXvpvIQMKpI/AAAAAAABZpM/43wd0hnQJnI/s320/P6011773.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Had my breakfast and then met the Grimaldi ships agent
who took my passport off to immigration, and then I sat around and waited
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my surprise I saw the American camper
van of Justin and Melanie that we had been with in the camp site in Montevideo,
and which we thought had missed the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>boat
from Montevideo – But it had evidently just been parked on a different deck
from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally the ships agent came
back and we went off to the Grimaldi office on the wharf (terra firma at last –
exactly 31 days after boarding !) where I filled out a Temporary Vehicle Import
form on line, then I went off to get Troopie off the Grande Amburgo.
Unfortunately the excitement of arriving in the UK was just too much for her,
and despite the fact that she had started when I had to move her in Hamburg,
she finally spat the dummy and refused to start ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we had to call the battery man over for
some extra boost (not a rare occurrence on these car ferries, so they have all
the gear ready), and after a quick jump start, we were off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a good chat with a guy working on the
wharf about my trip, Sean I think his name was, and then it was back over to
the Grimaldi office, waiting on Customs to inspect me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>20 minutes later, I was told I could leave,
and after getting my gate pass, I drove out of the Tilbury Docks, and out onto
the LH side (!!) of the English roads, and headed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never even saw a Customs man !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So a very easy entry into the UK !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtfGMQ2JazE/VXvpw2xuYzI/AAAAAAABZpM/5TtFJFcRYns/s1600/P6011777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtfGMQ2JazE/VXvpw2xuYzI/AAAAAAABZpM/5TtFJFcRYns/s320/P6011777.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So concludes the South American portion of my trip – And what
an Adventure it has been !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, really enjoyed the experience on the ship,
mainly because of memories of my Mum telling me stories about how she used to
travel out to Jamaica in the 1930’s and 1940’s on board freight ships - “Banana
boats”, as she called them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
perhaps easier on a shorter voyage – a week or 10days would be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly 30 days is starting to get a bit
wearing, although it is actually quite an economical way to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the passenger cost is roughly
equivalent to an air ticket, one has to consider that for 30 days I am not
spending any money on food or accommodation, so overall is cost effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, doing it on your own sucks……….!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rest of the pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0253DakarSenegalToTilburyUK?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDvlvTgks-LogE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0253DakarSenegalToTilburyUK?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDvlvTgks-LogE</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-87769990919660814732015-05-02T22:54:00.000-07:002015-06-13T01:57:32.153-07:000249 Paraiso Suizo to Grande Amburgo, Montevideo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> May Paraiso Suizo to Grande Amburgo,
Montevideo</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally depart Uruguay and get on board our ship to
Europe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQpXuAOrrA/VXk8ZI8mxtI/AAAAAAABYz8/eg0rCp1Kqkk/s1600/DSC04437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQpXuAOrrA/VXk8ZI8mxtI/AAAAAAABYz8/eg0rCp1Kqkk/s320/DSC04437.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank goodness I had packed up my rear awning and tent in
the sunshine yesterday, because tonight it rained and everything<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would have got wet just before I had to leave
it packed up on the ship for 4 weeks !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we didn’t have to be at the port till 2.30 pm, we had a leisurely
pack up, and after saying goodbye to everyone who was on a different ship over
the next few days, Franz & Ingrid in the Unimog, and I eventually set off
at about noon, with a plan to stop at the supermercado in Aventida en route to
buy some wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had heard a rumour
that there was limited or no alcohol available on the ship, so we decided to
stock up a little in case, and if the rumour turned out to be false, we could
always take it with us into Europe and drink in later !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got to the supermarket it was PACKED – I guess
because everything has been closed for May Day yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we got our wine, loaded it into our
vehicles, and set off into Montevideo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZvwTAeIRs/VXk8YxXjxAI/AAAAAAABYz8/lOsKTtTFKsE/s1600/DSC04441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1ZvwTAeIRs/VXk8YxXjxAI/AAAAAAABYz8/lOsKTtTFKsE/s320/DSC04441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the way, the sky got blacker and blacker until it was
soon raining as heavily as any rain I have seen on the whole trip<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horrible conditions, but thank goodness it
was Sunday as we had to drive right through the city, and traffic was
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The drive along coastal rambla (corniche) past town was no fun, hardly
able to see a thing in the heavy rain, but glimpsing </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GLaBWdM-Gg/VXk8ZovfmYI/AAAAAAABYz8/3QOkFSTz4Ow/s1600/DSC04445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GLaBWdM-Gg/VXk8ZovfmYI/AAAAAAABYz8/3QOkFSTz4Ow/s320/DSC04445.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">beaches on our left that
would probably be quite nice in the sun ! But there was a lot of deep standing
water so had to be very careful, not wanting anything untoward to happen during
the last few kilometres !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my lovely
clean car was now filthy again !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived
at the port on time at 2.30 pm, found Fabrizio from the shipping agent, and got
the vehicles electronically scanned for size, and export paperwork done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNUZxliOv6E/VXk8eVTDisI/AAAAAAABYz8/oL1q-u_lmaA/s1600/DSC04457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNUZxliOv6E/VXk8eVTDisI/AAAAAAABYz8/oL1q-u_lmaA/s320/DSC04457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While our export docs were being processed, we were stopped by a kind
of outdoor marine museum, which not only had an old steam crane from London,
but also the Range Finder (now known as radar) from the German Battleship
Admiral Graf Spee which of course was scuttled in 1939 just 6 miles outside
Montevideo Harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only
recovered in 2004 – All very interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later, driving around the docks there </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLRv5eb5Ry8/VXk8g-yX3UI/AAAAAAABYz8/A2M6CkiNQHc/s1600/DSC04464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fLRv5eb5Ry8/VXk8g-yX3UI/AAAAAAABYz8/A2M6CkiNQHc/s320/DSC04464.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">were hundreds of containers as
well as carefully packaged (and very large) wind farm turbine blades and their
towers – Wonder where they were off to ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We then sat beside vessel Grande Amburgo watching them unload Peugeots,
BMW’s, and some heavy equipment<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>until 6
pm, as the rain slowly cleared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally
we were loaded onto the ship just before <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 pm, and the vehicles tied down by the crew
on 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> level, before we moved our stuff into our cabins on 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-SF9uoCejU/VXk8pBj0l5I/AAAAAAABYz8/6bOJN-BCJLo/s1600/DSC04484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R-SF9uoCejU/VXk8pBj0l5I/AAAAAAABYz8/6bOJN-BCJLo/s320/DSC04484.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
nice twin bunk cabin with
porthole on the port side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost
straight away we had a quick dinner of spaghetti and pizza, met a few of the
crew but can’t remember all the names yet – Filipino steward is Randy, and
Rafael the chef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick explore around
the decks watching containers being loaded onto the front section of the ship,
and then to bed………<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0250ParaisoSuizoToGrandeAmburgo?authkey=Gv1sRgCL7E86KXovfLlwE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0250ParaisoSuizoToGrandeAmburgo?authkey=Gv1sRgCL7E86KXovfLlwE</a></span></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-48945614106308279212015-05-01T09:20:00.000-07:002015-06-12T09:38:55.752-07:000248 Waiting, waiting, waiting.....<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> 17th April - 1st May </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ke6_Yt_eADU/VXkzlkzF1HI/AAAAAAABYhs/GXGQXMLMLyg/s1600/DSC04342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ke6_Yt_eADU/VXkzlkzF1HI/AAAAAAABYhs/GXGQXMLMLyg/s320/DSC04342.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is now beginning to be a bit frustrating, waiting on
the Grande Amburgo to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car
has been cleaned, and trying to make the food last until the ship comes is
proving a little tiresome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back
into Piriapolis on the 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> April for hopefully one last shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to just get out of the camp site
for a while, and I went into town past the old church I had photographed
previously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I had mentioned this
church to Heinz (the camp site owner) previously, he had explained to me that
it is actually “being built”, not an old ruin !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But when I say “being built”, it is actually not being currently worked
on – An interesting tale…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I understand that threesome years ago there was a Senor
Piria (maybe he still “is” ?), who was the original founder of Piriapolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His daughter was to get married, and there
was no local church suitable for such an important occasion – So he decided he
would build one !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just for his
daughter’s wedding !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trouble is, it never
got finished – and whether his daughter ever got married in the shell, I do not
know – And today it remains a half finished church with an unknown future
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlHsMgbab1Y/VXkzlRJ74zI/AAAAAAABYhs/tPENlRPZkFg/s1600/DSC04343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlHsMgbab1Y/VXkzlRJ74zI/AAAAAAABYhs/tPENlRPZkFg/s320/DSC04343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After doing my shop in town, I decided to go back to the
Zoo at the foot of Cerro Pan de Azucar that we had climbed last week, have my
lunch in the nice park there, and then wander round the zoo and see some of the
enclosures that I had missed last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A broad-snouted caiman was lying right beside the fence sunbathing, and
one of the lovely horned owls that I had seen last time was all excited about
something and had his </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiVKmvruvWI/VXkzpGzuxXI/AAAAAAABYhs/EWxT0cqrVn4/s1600/DSC04361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiVKmvruvWI/VXkzpGzuxXI/AAAAAAABYhs/EWxT0cqrVn4/s320/DSC04361.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">feathers fluffed up so he looked twice his normal
size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found some Mountain Cats this
time, and while the one that looked like a mini Jaguar was dozing quietly in
his cage (Geoffroy’s Cat ?) , a jet black one that looked remarkably like a
house cat was spitting and hissing at me constantly – Certainly wouldn’t have
wanted him out of his cage because if there hadn’t been a fence, he would have
attacked me !! Much fiercer than the big Jaguars !!<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHdB-vIG-EQ/VXkzqX4dBvI/AAAAAAABYhs/p-Howx3g_y0/s1600/DSC04366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHdB-vIG-EQ/VXkzqX4dBvI/AAAAAAABYhs/p-Howx3g_y0/s320/DSC04366.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then there was a nice sleepy ring tailed possum, but a
HORRIBLE white eared possum that was more like Taz the Tassie Devil – Hissing
and screeching at me if I got too close – Totally different tyrpes of possums
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After them were a number of birds,
including flamingos and a very distinctive Urraca, or Plush crested Jay, with
brilliant blue eyebrows and a white tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After passing the Nandu deer and rhea, I spied the reptile building
which I had missed last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big
tarantulas, a few sleepy snakes, and a crazy little<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grison or weasel type animal that ran around
so quickly he was almost impossible to photograph !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After driving back to the camp site I found new </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PsXyPkVE93s/VXkz6IMV-9I/AAAAAAABYhs/q7USOYStXZg/s1600/DSC04429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PsXyPkVE93s/VXkz6IMV-9I/AAAAAAABYhs/q7USOYStXZg/s320/DSC04429.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">French
arrivals Patrice and his wife in their very large and new MAN truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a monster, but it contains everything
including washing machine and everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very nice but a bit too big for me !<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the next few days we did a lot of socialising, and
became quite a close “group” – For many of us it was the first time we had
stopped for so long in once place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
or the other of us would light the bbq to cook meat or sausages, and we ended
up having small dinners together, often in the shelter near the bbq as the
temperatures started to drop in the evening, making sitting outside too
uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y0W8i6ReiY/VXkz6ykDAMI/AAAAAAABYhs/lZIuJEwrI-A/s1600/DSC04432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--y0W8i6ReiY/VXkz6ykDAMI/AAAAAAABYhs/lZIuJEwrI-A/s320/DSC04432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally we heard that the Grand Amburgo was getting
close, and we were given a final embarkation date of 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> May – As
against the original 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then my computer broke down !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I just couldn’t envisage having to spend 4 weeks on the ship with no
computer to occupy me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the camp
site was having some problems with their wifi and had some computer people
over, and they took my computer with them to see if they could fix it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They brought it back just the da before we
were due to leave, and they had got it charging again, so big relief !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not cheap though – Uruguay is not a cheap
country compared to most other S American countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc_mSo1mwX0/VXkz7DkDzzI/AAAAAAABYhs/pb8oLrnYJU8/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc_mSo1mwX0/VXkz7DkDzzI/AAAAAAABYhs/pb8oLrnYJU8/s320/DSC04433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then had to run into Piriapolis to get some money to
pay the camp site since the computer people had eatenn into my planned
reserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was May 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> and
everything was closed – Even the Peaje toll station on the highway, which was
nice ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However I then had to negotiate
quite a nasty rear-end accident on the way in to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
got there, luckily the two ATMs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were
operating, although one of them went through the whole withdrawal process but
then didn’t give me any money, so I will need to keep my eye on the bank
statement back home to make sure they don’t charge me !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our last night in the camp site, we
planned a putt putt golf tournament on the little course, and then we had
booked in for a dinner in Heinz & Sylvia’s little restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After an hour or so of “golf”, we sat down to
a delicious bbq done by Heinz, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including
a little grappa later (supplied by Michael and Simone !).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An excellent last night in Uruguay, in the
camp site, and indeed in S America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0248AroundTheCampSite?authkey=Gv1sRgCM_tsaGivaPdlQE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0248AroundTheCampSite?authkey=Gv1sRgCM_tsaGivaPdlQE</a></span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-72483173046036920832015-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:002015-04-18T13:38:37.659-07:000247 Around Paraiso Suizo<span style="font-family: Calibri;">16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I climb a mountain and find a Jaguar "at it" !<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While it is peaceful sitting around the campsite,
chatting to like-minded people, and generally relaxing, there comes a time when
something needs to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of
all, one needs to go to a supermarket to buy some more beer and wine to enable
one to keep on relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And also some
more food supplies, of course).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Additionally, one feels a need for some exercise for other parts of your
body than your drinking arm !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With this
in mind, Swiss friends Simone and Michael and myself agreed to combine a trip
to the shops in Piriapolis (about 15 kms down the road) with a climb of Cerro
Pan de Azucar, Uruguay’s third highest mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I dusted off my crampons and oxygen tanks,
and we set off for an adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjKniUrgX90/VTFV-YfM1GI/AAAAAAABXPs/26vX3k-55vo/s1600/DSC04274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjKniUrgX90/VTFV-YfM1GI/AAAAAAABXPs/26vX3k-55vo/s1600/DSC04274.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to say that Uruguay has some of the highest mountain
peaks in S America, and so give the impression that we were embarking on a
treacherous expedition, but alas, it is
not true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two mountains in Uruguay that just reach
500 metres, and Cerro Pan de Azucar, the next highest, is in fact only 390 metres high, although
I should point out that if one also climbs to the top of a 30 metre high cross found at the summit, you can
reach the dizzy height of 420 metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you care to translate its name, it is
Sugar Loaf Hill, which in itself does not conjure pictures of icy crags
reaching into the clouds…………………<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDe1ZO9fZNk/VTFV8ymqgVI/AAAAAAABXPc/t4qxs1Zq8Fk/s1600/DSC04270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JDe1ZO9fZNk/VTFV8ymqgVI/AAAAAAABXPc/t4qxs1Zq8Fk/s1600/DSC04270.JPG" height="255" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we arrived at the entrance, we parked the cars and
set off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sign at the start of the
trail does warn of poisonous vipers – so it is not fair to say the climb was
totally without life-threatening danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nevertheless, being seasoned explorers, we chose to continue with the
ascent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An easy gravel path went on
for maybe 200 metres, and we passed some animal enclosures where local Nandu
(small deer) and capybaras relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, once we turned a corner and were out of sight of the car park,
the path stopped abruptly and we were left with 3 options of paths to
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After two dead ends were found,
we set off up the third, and soon found the trail marked by crudely painted
yellow arrows on the rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Where the path "didn't go", they painted a large red "NO" to advise you to go look for a yellow arrow elsewhere. </span>Other than
that, it was a case of scramble up as best you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was steep, and rocky, and far from easy,
although it was looking unlikely that I would need my crampons or oxygen bottle
at this stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1gplWI_iO0/VTFWAnS-JhI/AAAAAAABXQY/Mp17dXPsT0A/s1600/DSC04280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O1gplWI_iO0/VTFWAnS-JhI/AAAAAAABXQY/Mp17dXPsT0A/s1600/DSC04280.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After about an hour of scrabbling up the steep trail, Simone
decided her knees had had enough, and decided to sit at a vantage point
overlooking the valley, and wait while Michael and I continued our ascent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This we did, and maybe half an hour later we
summited – With a VERY strong wind blowing that made it difficult to
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the 360 degree view was superb,
and we could see the seaside town of Piriapolis below us, and further </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqmK97P47Lo/VTFWFuars7I/AAAAAAABXQ4/cPZPRJso_2Q/s1600/DSC04284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cqmK97P47Lo/VTFWFuars7I/AAAAAAABXQ4/cPZPRJso_2Q/s1600/DSC04284.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">away to
the north even Punta del Este was visible in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concrete cross at the summit was showing distinct
signs of weathering, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but Michael and I
made it to the top, so can say we did the full 420 metre climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arms of the cross are actually seating
areas, although I didn’t feel particularly safe whilst doing so, and we soon
made our way back down the spiral staircase to the comparative safety of the
windblown rocks at the top of the Cerro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we made our descent, we came across a somewhat distressed
Simone, no longer sitting quietly on the rock where we had left her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out that the poisonous vipers we
had been warned about when we started our climb did in fact exist, and one had
crept up behind her, and it was only when another hiker who happened to be
passing at that moment told her “Not to move !!” that she leapt up and saw said
serpent coiled and ready to spring at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fortunately, once disturbed, the snake slithered away into the bushes,
and we scrambled back down to the base of the hill without any further encounters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHC-QVpt35Y/VTFWQfOYDpI/AAAAAAABXSM/Gbay79gwW8o/s1600/DSC04305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHC-QVpt35Y/VTFWQfOYDpI/AAAAAAABXSM/Gbay79gwW8o/s1600/DSC04305.JPG" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once there, we wandered through the quite expansive zoo,
or Reserva de Fauna, even catching a couple of Jaguars “at it”, as one might
say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is certainly all action here in
Uruguay !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The zoo was a little sad, but
the Jaguars (once they were not otherwise occupied) were fine beasties – Although
the male went to sleep quite quickly while we watched – Must have been the warm sunlight ! <span style="color: red; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><strong>J</strong></span></span> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS-3a8ClrCbjzJX57l0F3wyAo9ZnG0asB46PVKRYvjPb-my0nkffxITqmybz6M-rjevG7_UAY5nB5nmSvLXsYWbsN2O7-MT1FFnZGivQqzRVUvODu3vp-BH313RSmJBUBlggCkgSXPU4/s1600/DSC04334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXS-3a8ClrCbjzJX57l0F3wyAo9ZnG0asB46PVKRYvjPb-my0nkffxITqmybz6M-rjevG7_UAY5nB5nmSvLXsYWbsN2O7-MT1FFnZGivQqzRVUvODu3vp-BH313RSmJBUBlggCkgSXPU4/s1600/DSC04334.JPG" height="320" width="263" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some zorros (foxes) were lazing under a tree, a
wild pig trotted across the path and went into the vulture compound to stir
them up a bit, and I found out that the big and noisy ducks / geese that I had
seen in the wetlands beside the road when driving south a few days ago were in
fact called Chaja.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another section
there were a couple of fine horned owls that were enormous – about 3 feet tall –
And fine looking birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the way
owls can blink one eye at a time, as if they are winking at you !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By now it was lunch time, so it was agreed that we would
drive into Piriapolis and try to find a restaurant before we went to the
supermarket </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u0PFoEY3_s/VTFWm99biII/AAAAAAABXUE/uilubXpmeSA/s1600/DSC04336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--u0PFoEY3_s/VTFWm99biII/AAAAAAABXUE/uilubXpmeSA/s1600/DSC04336.JPG" height="170" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">for supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I followed
Simone and Michael in their Land Rover (we had to take two cars because both of
us only have two seats in our cars) into the sleepy town, and along their Corniche
– A very impressive one with the enormous Argentine Hotel and Casno being the
centre point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as with many places
after Easter, it is mainly shut down, and we drove along mostly quiet and deserted
streets searching for a </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpuD5dOZoTE/VTFWpWq3lmI/AAAAAAABXUk/OdsmCI0_U_8/s1600/DSC04340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpuD5dOZoTE/VTFWpWq3lmI/AAAAAAABXUk/OdsmCI0_U_8/s1600/DSC04340.JPG" height="205" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
restaurant that was open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally found one at the end of the town,
and enjoyed a fine meal before heading off to the supermarket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After finding most of what we wanted in this
excellent supermarket (considering the small size of the town), we then headed
back to the camp site at Paraiso Suizo, and set up our vehicles again for
camping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An excellent day – Mountain climbed,
supplies obtained (including previously mentioned beer and wine), and we were
ready for a few more days of relaxing.<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trouble was, that night, it started raining and getting
very windy, and the next 24 hours were quite horrible, weather wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that is a story for another day – Today we
achieved our goal and had a great day………despite Simone’s encounter with the
viper !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, for anyone interested, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the details of my ship to Europe are as
follows :-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UESv_OWNWXc/VTJ74HN_qII/AAAAAAABXVA/eM8O0zoNsOs/s1600/GRANDE_AMBURGO%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UESv_OWNWXc/VTJ74HN_qII/AAAAAAABXVA/eM8O0zoNsOs/s1600/GRANDE_AMBURGO%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grande Amburgo – Ship specs and a photo of this beautiful
cruise ship can be found here :-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:275743/mmsi:247098900/imo:9246607/vessel:GRANDE_AMBURGO"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:275743/mmsi:247098900/imo:9246607/vessel:GRANDE_AMBURGO</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As far as I can determine, my route to Tilbury will be as
follows :-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Board in Montevideo on 29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
P<span style="font-family: Calibri;">aranagua (Don’t ask me, look it up for yourself)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> May<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Santos<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
May<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rio de Janeiro 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vitoria 8 May<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dakar<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
May<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hamburg<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
June<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tilbury<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
June<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not sure what tours are included in the port calls, but I
doubt<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if there will be <s>many</s> any !</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Photos are here :- Later !!! For some reason Picasa will not let me into my albums to "flip the switch" that will make them visible to all. I will keep trying.</span></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-21367036020376191412015-04-15T14:07:00.003-07:002015-04-15T14:07:50.825-07:000246 Punta del Diablo to Jaureguiberry
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">10th April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Almost the end of an amazing journey……..<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtDic_R_G4U/VSvkjrG5_zI/AAAAAAABXNE/SZNfZ6Qs49Y/s1600/DSC04232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EtDic_R_G4U/VSvkjrG5_zI/AAAAAAABXNE/SZNfZ6Qs49Y/s1600/DSC04232.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well the morning certainly didn’t go as expected !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Army soldier from last night didn’t come
back before I was ready to leave with any stickers or patches as he had
promised, and then when I set off out of the park I went out on a totally
different road from that on which I had entered last night, and not only found
a very impressive fort, but shortly afterwards got pulled up by soldier at a
guard house who requested paperwork I didn’t have before he would let me out of
the park !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This looked like being an
interesting day !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eXw9ec1wko/VSvkjdXd3dI/AAAAAAABXNE/OvRZ1erxYmc/s1600/DSC04233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eXw9ec1wko/VSvkjdXd3dI/AAAAAAABXNE/OvRZ1erxYmc/s1600/DSC04233.JPG" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I knew I would never remember all the twists and turns I
had taken when following the army jeep in to the camp site last night, so I was
relieved to see that there was a sign to “Ruta 9”, the main road I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following these signs, it was only a few
hundred yards before I came over the brow of a hill to find a big statue of a
man on a horse, situated beside an enormous old fort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(At least I now know what Fortaleza means – I
add another word to my Spanish vocabulary !)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The chap on the horse was Coronel Leonardo Olivera, who lived
from 1793 – 1863, and apparently went to India as well as later seeing action
here in Santa Teresa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fort itself is
very impressive, and was seemingly built in 1762 by the Portuguese, although it
seems that there was quite a lot of conflict in this area with the
Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t go into detail about
the fort – You can read more about it here if you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortaleza_de_Santa_Teresa"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortaleza_de_Santa_Teresa</span></a><span><u><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I was impressed that apparently all the granite
blocks in the walls are the same dimensions, which seems kind of amazing when
you are rapidly trying to build a fort to aid in your colonization efforts in a
foreign country !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWFYsNndt2U/VSvkjq1hRYI/AAAAAAABXNE/3aCLYLYohDo/s1600/DSC04235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWFYsNndt2U/VSvkjq1hRYI/AAAAAAABXNE/3aCLYLYohDo/s1600/DSC04235.JPG" height="205" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From the fort I went on down towards the main road, and
suddenly found a little guard post with a chain across the road and a soldier
sitting there drinking his maté.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I
got there he asked for some kind of paperwork – Which I didn’t have – And it
then seemed that he couldn’t work out how on earth I had got into the park
without this paperwork !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All my efforts
to explain that I had been led into the park by a soldier in a jeep, and had
never been given any paperwork, fell on deaf ears, and after much toing and
froing I was told to wait while he got on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then waited another 15 minutes or so until
another soldier came rushing down the road on a motorbike and stopped at the
guard house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he had removed his
helmet and had a sip of his mates maté, he seemed to understand my Spanglish
much better, and he soon was writing out the piece of paper I was supposed to
have received on entering the park last night – Presumably so I could then hand
it in to the other soldier whose job it was to collect them !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to think that maybe there was a
chance that I wouldn’t be thrown into the Fort’s dungeons today – Until I saw
him write that the camping fee was 300 Pesos – About $12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small problem – After last night’s ATM fiasco
in Chuy, I still had no pesos !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
then took another 15 minutes to resolve – With the soldier agreeing that they
would accept 38 Brazilian Reals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
handed him 40 Reals – And he didn’t have any change, and I must have got the
most honest soldier in Uruguay because it was another 10 minutes before I could
persuade him to keep the 2 Reals change !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually it was all sorted, and the chain was lifted, and I drove
away, relieved to have avoided the dungeons !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After last night’s ATM issues, I decided to go back to 30
kms back to Chuy to try again to get some Uruguayan money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In town again, I first went to the bank I had
been to before, and queued up for the teller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allthough I was second in line, it was some 20 minutes before I got served
because old people kept pushing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
finally worked out a sign to mean “Old people over 65 get priority service” –
But to get that priority service you have to stand in a special lane drawn o
the floor in the bank – I was in the “normal” lane !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess old people get the priority because
the bank doesn’t want them karking it while standing in line in their bank !!
Anyway, eventually get to the teller, and he tells me the bank doesn’t change
money !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So where can I change money ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He points vaguely to the right and mumbles
something, then says “Proximo” to get his next unsuspecting victim !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, I am asking everyone where I can
change money – And eventually an armed security guard, obviously keen to get
this crazy gringo out of the bank, tells me to go 4 streets up, turn left, and
there I will find the cambio man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So off
I go, and sure enough, 5 minutes later, I have swapped most of my Reals for
Pesos, and am off back to the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once there, I find the car surrounded by a whole lot of
locals who seem to be working on selling watermelons off the back of a truck,
but have become interested in my car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They want to know where I am from and all about my trip !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I chat to them for a while, and during
that conversation I work out that the town of Chuy seems to be divided by the
Brazil / Uruguay border – And buildings on the north side of the road are
Brazil, and on the south side are Uruguay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had simply gone to a bank on the “wrong” (ie Brazilian) side of the
road last night<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and there got Reals out
of the ATM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I had gone to a cambio
man on the south side of the street, and had no problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I tell you, you learn things down here by making the
mistake the first time, but because you are travelling into different countries
all the time, you rarely get a second chance to do it right !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it would be a good idea to do the
trip all over again – And I would have no problems at all second time around !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pesos in my pocket, I finally headed on south down the
coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the first things I noticed
was how many horse carts there are around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had seen several sitting around in Chuy waiting for work, and then I
saw a number on the road, trotting along with all the traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe road tax on vehicles is too expensive
in Uruguay ?!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not far down the road I
turned off down to the beach at Agua Dulce just to see what it was like, and
once again it was a place where the road ended up on the beach in the middle of
the little town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Agua Dulce wasn’t
as interesting as some of the other places I had seen recently, so after a
brief wander around the village, I made my way back to the main road and
continued on south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHM3eecmZkM/VSvklG35vaI/AAAAAAABXNE/RaDtBwIlLrE/s1600/DSC04238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHM3eecmZkM/VSvklG35vaI/AAAAAAABXNE/RaDtBwIlLrE/s1600/DSC04238.JPG" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the next 200 kms, there was nothing too startling –
Flat fields, and quite a lot of waterways to cross, and then it slowly got more
wooded and hilly as I got down towards my destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was a camp site near a little
coastal town called Jaureguiberry, just about 70 kms east of Montevideo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is a camp site well placed to cater to
the many people who ship their cars from Europe to Montevideo and start their
Transamerican adventures here, and also for the many like myself who are ending
their adventures here, and about to get on a ship to Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Heinz and Sylvia who own the park cater
to that need very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uruguay
automatically gives you a 12 </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nGBgjFz0ro/VSvknOLANSI/AAAAAAABXNE/meYmPVQaKJc/s1600/DSC04243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7nGBgjFz0ro/VSvknOLANSI/AAAAAAABXNE/meYmPVQaKJc/s1600/DSC04243.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">month entry visa for both yourself and the car, so
many people park their cars in Uruguay for the S American winter and fly home
to Europe for the summer, to return the following spring to continue their
travels in S America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the camp site
has an area where you can securely leave your car while you go back to Europe,
as well as providing all the cleaning and washing facilities one needs in order
to prepare vehicles for <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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shipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it
is also a great meeting place where stories of trips and adventures are swapped
over a beer, and new arrivals can pick up a few hints before they head
north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that Sylvia also bakes
bread each morning that is available is another benefit !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On entering the camp site, I found German motorcyclists Helmut
and Bea who I had met a while back were getting </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqjWChUafA/VSvkw4TLs0I/AAAAAAABXNE/dt9Li3V6kEo/s1600/DSC04267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vYqjWChUafA/VSvkw4TLs0I/AAAAAAABXNE/dt9Li3V6kEo/s1600/DSC04267.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ready to fly back to Germany
for a few weeks for his sister’s wedding, while there was another German
Troopie of Bernd and Viola (and little Jack their dog !).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we were all chatting, and met another
couple Walter and Margit from Switzerland who were parking their van for the
winter and about to fly home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
great little camp site and Heinz and Sylvia couldn’t be more helpful - They
know all the shipping agents and <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvMtVejf5T4/VSvkse1z8bI/AAAAAAABXNE/V6ERvsA1TUI/s1600/DSC04256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvMtVejf5T4/VSvkse1z8bI/AAAAAAABXNE/V6ERvsA1TUI/s1600/DSC04256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
make phone calls for us to help finalize
paperwork and other details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A perfect
place to end the trip and attend to all the chores like cleaning 6 months of
dust off and out of the car prior to shipping, getting everything packed and
sorted for the boat, doing laundry, and, for me, trying to sort out insurance
for my car in Europe which is turning out to be a nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that it is almost impossible to get
insurance for a foreign registered car in Europe unless you are actually a
resident and can prove it, and even then it is only on a temporary basis until
you get your vehicle registered in your “home” country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have solved it now, but it is not
cheap !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing what unexpected issues
crop up when you are only trying to drive around the world !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My vessel leaves Montevideo on the 29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April,
and apparently I can just roll up on the docks on the appointed day, drive on
the boat, and walk up to my cabin !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
so, easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a few more things to
do to the car and on the internet, but I will probably go into Montevideo next
week for a look around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime
I am almost finished here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
shortly be doing a final post of the highlights of the trip as well as a few of
the best photos, as a kind of summary, but apart from that I guess this trip is
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t have wifi on the boat, so
I guess I will be starting again once I get to Europe !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This last 12 months has been the most incredible
Adventure – So much better than I ever imagined it was going to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have met some of the most amazing people,
seen some incredible sights, and driven over 60,000 kms doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had a ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfoF3ywFxvw/VSvkuUn1GlI/AAAAAAABXNE/7ul8rUSirxA/s1600/DSC04259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XfoF3ywFxvw/VSvkuUn1GlI/AAAAAAABXNE/7ul8rUSirxA/s1600/DSC04259.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t wait to get over there and explore some new
places in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Till then, thanks you
to everyone for journeying with me and sharing my adventures, and especially
for sending me messages and emails along the way – Until you do a journey like
this, you will never know how important your messages and love and support
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hmm, now I wonder what I can call the European leg of
this Adventure.........................<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0246PunteDelDiabloToPariasoSuizaNearMontevideo?authkey=Gv1sRgCI7XuO2E7vLVvAE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0246PunteDelDiabloToPariasoSuizaNearMontevideo?authkey=Gv1sRgCI7XuO2E7vLVvAE</a>#</span></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-22466531511706990572015-04-10T15:51:00.001-07:002015-04-10T17:06:08.875-07:000245 Rio Grande Brazil ro Punta del Diablo, Uruguay<span style="font-family: Calibri;">9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">TH</span></sup> April 2015 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Into Uruguay for another day full of surprises.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I crossed in to my sixteenth different country
since I started this adventure almost exactly a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was actually my 32<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> border
crossing – Not counting going back to Australia at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be my last border crossing – Until I
get to Europe, anyway ! .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I have
to say it was one of the easiest and most pleasant, although maybe not the
quickest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lovely camp site “Do Senades”, in between Rio Grande and
Cassino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of a family’s
property – They have a house and live on one section, while the camp site
itself is operated by the son Gabriel when he is not at the local University or
working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are trying very hard, and
asked me how they could improve it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
are already in iOverlander web site which many of us use to find camp sites, so
not much more they can do, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do
recommend it if anyone is passing this area – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">S 32.08.721. W 052.11.869 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Y8Lb09nAg/VShaOLSskRI/AAAAAAABW8k/gOJyv91tXd8/s1600/DSC04152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U-Y8Lb09nAg/VShaOLSskRI/AAAAAAABW8k/gOJyv91tXd8/s1600/DSC04152.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I left the camp site I had to go and see what was in
Cassino at the end of the road – Gabriel told me it is the longest continuous
beach in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure about that,
but I have to agree that it is a long one ! I drove through the sleepy little
town of Cassino, and kept going till I hit the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I quite literally hit the beach !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road through town actually keeps going
onto the beach itself, and you can then turn left / north for a short </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf7rX5Bao_izOYhioF-dJeasiurny9qLLd4kKcj1Uu9lZFJDmdR67cRvB0O-qKrjnvCCBqdTsBialh-6DStV74lX1L4qHiCjL7d9ThzXQP5uYvIZAgyZ-eq8c5tmAuGflpa4TFK5voik/s1600/DSC04155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf7rX5Bao_izOYhioF-dJeasiurny9qLLd4kKcj1Uu9lZFJDmdR67cRvB0O-qKrjnvCCBqdTsBialh-6DStV74lX1L4qHiCjL7d9ThzXQP5uYvIZAgyZ-eq8c5tmAuGflpa4TFK5voik/s1600/DSC04155.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">distance,
or turn right / south for a long distance !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I drove maybe 10 kms south along the beach and apart from a few fishermen, or
locals relaxing under umbrellas, it was totally deserted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be gorgeous to just pack up a picnic
and head south until there was no one, and then just stop and enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very nice beach – With more birds on it
trying to catch fish in the shallows than people !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then went back through Cassino, picked up some bread
rolls from the Panaderia, and headed out on to the main road that would take me
south to the Uruguay border at Chui – Some 200 kms away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To start with it was the same flat straight
road as yesterday, with lots of grain farming evident, with big silos and grain
trucks, and combine harvesters etc everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They even give them their own dirt road beside the highway so the big
farming equipment can move around without having to come on to the main highway
– Very clever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uR8Z8iinw0/VShaTgsBrmI/AAAAAAABW8k/QPFjJ0DXIHo/s1600/DSC04162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6uR8Z8iinw0/VShaTgsBrmI/AAAAAAABW8k/QPFjJ0DXIHo/s1600/DSC04162.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, after only an hour or so, I saw a “Look out for
animals on the road” sign, with what looked like a capybara on the sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there was a kind of wetlands area on
both sides of the road, and suddenly I looked down and notice all these lumps –
There were hundreds (literally) of capybaras everywhere, lying in the mud ,
swimming around in the water with just their heads showing, or eating the kind
of water plants that were everywhere – They look just like </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiXErFrtAAY/VShaWYclwII/AAAAAAABW8k/QoDN7cOOnNc/s1600/DSC04169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiXErFrtAAY/VShaWYclwII/AAAAAAABW8k/QoDN7cOOnNc/s1600/DSC04169.JPG" height="244" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">hippopotami in the
Zambezi !! And some of them are big !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mixed in with them were all sorts of wild fowl – Some really big, and
also very noisy ! I stopped several times on the side of the road to look at
them all more closely through the binoculars, and take some photos.<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, with so many animals in the area, and
wetlands on both sides of the road, there were a number of “dead ‘uns” that
unfortunately hadn’t made it </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0MV1XoxfO0/VShacdI1VyI/AAAAAAABW8k/7eFjnSeQfns/s1600/DSC04186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0MV1XoxfO0/VShacdI1VyI/AAAAAAABW8k/7eFjnSeQfns/s1600/DSC04186.JPG" height="227" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">across the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oddly, they all had one bright blue foot – I can only assume that the
local rangers for this wetlands mark the fresh road kill each day, but leave it
there so the vultures and other carrion feeders can also exist in this
environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was funny to see
them all with their blue nail varnish on one foot !<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This section of wetlands probably extended for about an
hour, and it went back off the road for as far as you could see, so it is a
very extensive area, and made for a really different and interesting drive for
an hour or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iePJAjYh2ro/VShafK9A-JI/AAAAAAABW8k/ZddHn7hVWvA/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iePJAjYh2ro/VShafK9A-JI/AAAAAAABW8k/ZddHn7hVWvA/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we neared the Uruguay border it was back to lots of
grain silos and trucks, and just before the border there was a big windfarm –
First one I had seen in Brazil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
was into the Brazilian customs area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had been concerned that when I entered Brazil in Iguazu they hadn’t given me
any paperwork to show I had imported a vehicle – Unlike every other country on
the entire trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they had done was
stamp my passport, so officially I had no car in Brazil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was a little concerned that, due to the
many Argentinian day trippers at Iguazu who are allowed to enter for the day
with no paperwork, they had possibly thought I was just going for the day too,
even though I had tried to draw their attention to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, today was similar – They couldn’t
care whether I had a car or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Drat,
I should have gone faster through all those many annoying speed cameras – As
far as they were concerned, I didn’t exist in Brazil !!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, through Brazil formalities easily,
and off down the no man’s land to the Uruguay border post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went in there and the lady police officer
handling my passport noticed I was a Leo and made a joke to her fellow officers
about it – Obviously she was a Leo too and was rubbing the other officer’s
noses in it. Despite my limited Spanish, I picked up on it and made a comment,
and everyone absolutely cracked up – And after that it was just as if we were
all friends from way back !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whisked though customs (At least they gave me a piece of
paper for my car this time !), and then I suddenly realised I had no Uruguay
money and there hadn’t been a cambio man at the border, so I asked my buddies
(!) in customs and they said I had to go back into the little town of Chui to
get money as there were no banks on the road ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having already been stamped into Uruguay
didn’t seem to be a problem, so off I went back into town to get money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 minutes later, money in pocket, I came
back to the border post where there were now about 20 cars queued up waiting to
clear customs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The customs guy saw me
coming, moved cones out of the way, and waved my straight through, past all the
other people, who must have wondered how come Australian vehicles didn’t have
to stop and be inspected before entering Uruguay !! What a hoot !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The down side to all this is that when I got the money
out of the ATM in Chui, it never registered at the time that Chui is officially
in Brazil, and it wasn’t until I was counting the money again tonight that I
have just realised that I got more Brazilian Reals out !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I still don’t have any Uruguayan money,
and will need to find a bank tomorrow to change it all again !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grrrrrr<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D78pNDoOf68/VShakMZsgeI/AAAAAAABW8k/FhK_mK4zQ58/s1600/DSC04210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D78pNDoOf68/VShakMZsgeI/AAAAAAABW8k/FhK_mK4zQ58/s1600/DSC04210.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The camp site I was aiming for was only 20 kms past the
border, and I turned down towards Punta del Diablo not knowing what to
expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the camp site which as
usual at this time of year (summer just finishing) was empty, but didn’t stop
and decided to go into town and see what was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this AMAZING little town on the
beach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that I just can’t explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sand roads, with 100’s </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SF62Rj6t_P0/VShamulDqSI/AAAAAAABW8k/OHRDZppgpnU/s1600/DSC04215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SF62Rj6t_P0/VShamulDqSI/AAAAAAABW8k/OHRDZppgpnU/s1600/DSC04215.JPG" height="208" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">of ramshackle bars and
restaurants along the beach – It looked a bit like a West Indian seaside resort
from the 70’s !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots and lots of
apartments for rent, in everything from a lean to hut to some really snazzy
places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was even a thatched cottage
!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the beach are all these little
fishing boats – Most of them obviously still in use – Just not this <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ5dMq-HUqY/VShanvKdVwI/AAAAAAABW8k/7XtOMtXtZgw/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ5dMq-HUqY/VShanvKdVwI/AAAAAAABW8k/7XtOMtXtZgw/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
afternoon
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t believe it – What a great
little holiday town – I can just imagine it last week over Easter – It would
have been packed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, back to the
camp site – And it was all locked up !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found a guy and he suggested I go 5 kms down the road to another place
– So I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out it is a National
Park, and in Uruguay all National Parks are operated by the Army, the Ejercito
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am trying to ask this female army
officer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiJ1DOinFaY/VShaocOu6bI/AAAAAAABW8k/TAdfsGug9jo/s1600/DSC04220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiJ1DOinFaY/VShaocOu6bI/AAAAAAABW8k/TAdfsGug9jo/s1600/DSC04220.JPG" height="185" width="320" /></a></div>
on the gate if I can camp there, and she is rattling on in Spanish
without taking a breath until my eyes glazed over – At which point she asked me
if I spoke Spanish !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that point two
male officers rolled up in an old 4 WD that looked like it was ex Russian
military – And the engine sounded (and blew black smoke) like it too !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, he too tried to tell me something in
Spanish, but eventually he just said “Follow me”, and off we went through the
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is enormous !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left, right, down dirt tracks, back on the
road again, and eventually, after about 10 minutes, he stops and points to an
area where there are a few tents and vans and says “You can camp here”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he points to all my stickers on the car
and asks me for some of mine – Which I do not have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But luckily I had some spares and gave him an
Aussie flag and a couple of spare Canadian Mountie stickers, which he loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then promised to come back in the morning
with a Uruguay Army sticker for me, and then drove off in a cloud of black
smoke, waving goodbye and tooting his horn at me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the other people camped there looked in
amazement as this weird Aussie car got a personal escort from the army to his
camp site, and the officers waving goodbye to me as they drove away !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQSkrPeg4CQ/VShap6RTilI/AAAAAAABW8k/Xfvg96eEjjg/s1600/DSC04223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQSkrPeg4CQ/VShap6RTilI/AAAAAAABW8k/Xfvg96eEjjg/s1600/DSC04223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then went for a wander down to the beach and found
another delightful little resort, this time with lots of holiday Cabanas that
you can rent out if you are not the camping type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all pretty much deserted again at the
moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, yet again, was an example to me of the real
advantages of being in your own car on a trip like this, and also not being
tied tightly to a schedule where </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irxrdQl3NvU/VShaq4G6JVI/AAAAAAABW8k/m-HVmAgLFzs/s1600/DSC04227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irxrdQl3NvU/VShaq4G6JVI/AAAAAAABW8k/m-HVmAgLFzs/s1600/DSC04227.JPG" height="204" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">you know pretty much what you will be doing
and seeing everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything today
has been a total surprise to me – The great camp site last night, the
unexpected wetlands and animals beside the road, the fun at the border
crossing, the amazing little town of Punta del Diablo, and then the incredible
Army escort to my camp site !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the
surprises like this almost every day that really make a trip like this a real
adventure, rather than a tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What a day<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><strong> </strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><strong> <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What am I going to do and where am I going tomorrow
?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not have a clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not even know (or want to know) what is
around the next corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is
just my point, what makes life so much fun, and why I so enjoy adventures like
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I quoted Forrest Gump yesterday
– Life really is like a box of chocolates………<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All I do know<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is that
tomorrow I have to find a bank somewhere <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to try
and change all my Brazilian Reals into Uruguay Pesos !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ROFL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics here : - <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0245RioGrandeToPunteDelDiablo?authkey=Gv1sRgCPbXnuqg0eyT3wE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0245RioGrandeToPunteDelDiablo?authkey=Gv1sRgCPbXnuqg0eyT3wE</a>#</span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-26401979791545134702015-04-09T15:51:00.000-07:002015-04-10T17:06:38.294-07:000244 Gramado to Rio Grande<span style="font-family: Calibri;">8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">TH</span></sup> April 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>From the mountains to the sea<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WP2B0ky7Ok/VShUUd_mOVI/AAAAAAABWxE/Lsbk6KOi3SU/s1600/DSC04119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WP2B0ky7Ok/VShUUd_mOVI/AAAAAAABWxE/Lsbk6KOi3SU/s1600/DSC04119.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After breakfast and packing up, and a quick visit into
the rabbit infested hotel lobby to get my blog up to date and do the banking
from home (yes, some things never change !), I hit the road out of
Gramado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first couple of hours down
towards Porto Alegre were winding and slow, through little country villages –
Many of which were seemingly of German origin, as well as a number of German
style breweries advertising their brews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnjbiN92PWo/VShUZ6LWRgI/AAAAAAABWxE/Cb_YdjgnTqY/s1600/DSC04128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnjbiN92PWo/VShUZ6LWRgI/AAAAAAABWxE/Cb_YdjgnTqY/s1600/DSC04128.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we were past Puerto Alegre we were out of the hills,
and were able to pick up a bit of speed – Which was fortunate because otherwise
I wasn’t going to make the 450 kms to Rio Grande and the next camp site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The speed cameras and pedagio (toll booths in
Portuguese) did their best to keep my average speeds down low, but at least in
between these things we were making some progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXSk3IQ_T8o/VShUaKl6r1I/AAAAAAABWxE/RPu1RNA4YAw/s1600/DSC04132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXSk3IQ_T8o/VShUaKl6r1I/AAAAAAABWxE/RPu1RNA4YAw/s1600/DSC04132.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We crossed a number of sizable waterways, and then, as we
neared Pelotas, we started to get road works where they held us up for up to 10
or 15 minutes at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone was
determined to make sure I would be driving in the dark tonight – Something I
seriously try to avoid over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Driving south, there were now increasing numbers of grain silos by the
road – This was obviously getting into a major crop growing area on the flat
plains surrounding the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXZdMUhV_wg/VShUfy2BK2I/AAAAAAABWxE/EY9yNNDhIys/s1600/DSC04144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXZdMUhV_wg/VShUfy2BK2I/AAAAAAABWxE/EY9yNNDhIys/s1600/DSC04144.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As the sun was setting, I still had some 25 kms to go to
the targeted campsite, and I was getting pretty weary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then suddenly, I saw a camping sign pointing
left, and a big motorhome parked in an area by the road !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still some way short of my targeted
camp site but quickly decided this was perfect – Someone was obviously looking
out for me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I dove into the camp
site, once again the only one in there (the big motorhome is a local one that
is kept parked there because the owners don’t have storage space at their
house), and after a quick meal I was heading for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even had a weak wifi in the camp site which
enabled me to get a couple of emails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was back down near the sea, was back into shorts again, and relieved to have
found a place to stop before it got totally dark. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pics here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0244GramadoToRioGrande?authkey=Gv1sRgCNau2pPSyvLZwgE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0244GramadoToRioGrande?authkey=Gv1sRgCNau2pPSyvLZwgE</a>#<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-51330516332061375742015-04-08T06:07:00.002-07:002015-04-08T06:07:11.723-07:000243 Canela and Gramado
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">7th April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A crazy day in Toy Town<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After getting myself sorted at the camp site, I headed in
to town to find out what all the Easter Bunnies and Chocolate are about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And having spent most of the day in there, I
have to admit that “I don’t know” !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrc0dRMEbME/VSUi_IcdSfI/AAAAAAABWsU/hj6HhcJmD4M/s1600/DSC04098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrc0dRMEbME/VSUi_IcdSfI/AAAAAAABWsU/hj6HhcJmD4M/s1600/DSC04098.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday I was coming towards Canela and saw a big sign
out in the country advertising<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dreamland, and I wondered what could be going on up here in the
mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well today I found out – This
town is based upon multiple mini theme parks – Often set up just in a small
building. Mini World, Auto Museum, Medieval Museum, Chocolate Castle, Garden
Park, Harley Motor Show (!), Gaucho Country Park, Brazilian Animal Zoo, Crystal
museums, Enchanted World, Naval Museum, Dream Cars, Perfume Museum,…..and of
course Dreamland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are in fact a
number more, but I can’t translate them out of Portuguese !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AFWyD-Es68/VSUi8RycW6I/AAAAAAABWsU/WJRd7rgaThA/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3AFWyD-Es68/VSUi8RycW6I/AAAAAAABWsU/WJRd7rgaThA/s1600/DSC04089.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as for shops with rabbits, toy soldiers, snowmen, rabbits
towing Santa’s sleigh, and any number of other weird characters, they were
legion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact the whole town is based
on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then there are the buildings, which look something like
Swiss or Austrian buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All very
odd !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noRLROtWwAs/VSUi_aygyvI/AAAAAAABWsU/4xcAgRqaAIQ/s1600/DSC04099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noRLROtWwAs/VSUi_aygyvI/AAAAAAABWsU/4xcAgRqaAIQ/s1600/DSC04099.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can perhaps only define it by saying that at one stage
I was looking for a supermarket and a Panaderia, and I couldn’t find either in
Canela or adjoining Gramado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drove
round everywhere, but no supermarket – In fact very few food shops at all. I
did find a fruit shop, but that was all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hundreds of restaurants and churrascarias, but no </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGpRJsLaU6Y/VSUi8K13FdI/AAAAAAABWsU/MJ8_1Ckdjhk/s1600/DSC04085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGpRJsLaU6Y/VSUi8K13FdI/AAAAAAABWsU/MJ8_1Ckdjhk/s1600/DSC04085.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">shops selling
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I eventually came back to the camp
site and asked there, and they said that there are only 2 supermarkets, and
they are hidden away on side streets because they do not fit in with the theme
that the town council wants for its buildings and shops !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did eventually find both supermarkets, and
managed to buy some supplies, but they certainly weren’t anything to write home
about !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_SbmdcxNcc/VSUi_0z2I9I/AAAAAAABWtc/f4Qiq6bbKm4/s1600/DSC04101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k_SbmdcxNcc/VSUi_0z2I9I/AAAAAAABWtc/f4Qiq6bbKm4/s1600/DSC04101.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also spent some time at an Information centre, and
asked about the chocolate – Is it grown round here ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, far too cold – It comes from up north, in
Bahia, where it is hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they import
the raw material here just to make the chocolate ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, they always celebrate
Easter here and have all the Easter bunnies every year, so someone decided they
should also make Easter eggs here as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>O.K.A.Y.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still not sure I
understand, but Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here I am at the end of the day wondering about this
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not into rabbits or
chocolate, then I guess it is not the place for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you are not into parting with your
money to buy either rabbits or chocolate, or to visit theme parks based on
rabbits pulling Santa’s sleigh or similar, then I guess it’s not for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But apparently lots of people do come here !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ur-3CbQ41A/VSUi90KUNkI/AAAAAAABWsU/Ngqo0AEX1rw/s1600/DSC04095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ur-3CbQ41A/VSUi90KUNkI/AAAAAAABWsU/Ngqo0AEX1rw/s1600/DSC04095.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Me, I enjoyed it, mainly because most of the oversize
rabbits that I saw looked exactly like the Were Rabbit in that Wallace and
Grommit movie of the same name – A movie which I loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was one in the middle of a roundabout
that I swear was taken directly from the movie set !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood and looked at that one for a while,
not believing what I was seeing !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reminded me a bit of Chicken, in Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a theme there too – but when
EVERYTHING in town follows the same theme, it all becomes a little bit too
much……………………………For me, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
Pics (of more rabbits) are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0243AroundGramado?authkey=Gv1sRgCLq97ducjP6fbQ">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0243AroundGramado?authkey=Gv1sRgCLq97ducjP6fbQ</a>#</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-65859829989441719642015-04-07T06:58:00.001-07:002015-04-07T06:58:23.992-07:000242 Florianopolis to Canela<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup>April</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>From the tropical coast to the freezing mountains<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edH-mKNyRSc/VSL0orAYIiI/AAAAAAABV-M/uyBKMi57r34/s1600/P4041540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edH-mKNyRSc/VSL0orAYIiI/AAAAAAABV-M/uyBKMi57r34/s1600/P4041540.JPG" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I ended up spending Saturday and Sunday on
Florianopolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday I just lazed
around and read my Kindle and walked on the beach, and then on Sunday I went to
explore the northern part of the island, and alternative possible camp
sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I woke up it was trying to
rain, and by the time I got going, it was raining quite hard, so it was just as
good to be driving around in it as sitting in a camp site !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was Easter Day, so predictably quiet, but I guess the
rain had sent many of the weekend tourists home early because I really didn’t
see any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bit of a shame for the locals
who I know depend on these holiday weekends for income, but I guess it can’t be
helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went right up to the northern
tip of the island, and it was a lot more built up than I had expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This really is quite a big island with
industry as well as resorts </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxu5H3Dx7p0/VSPaWBemWRI/AAAAAAABWhI/d3plvZ6V-r0/s1600/A4051542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sxu5H3Dx7p0/VSPaWBemWRI/AAAAAAABWhI/d3plvZ6V-r0/s1600/A4051542.JPG" height="217" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">all over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
I</span> managed to find a supermercado that was open so I could buy some
supplies, although I didn’t trust the meats which looked as though they had
been sitting around since the week before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Sunday is the one day round here where they do rotisserie chickens
(I haven’t worked out yet why it is only on Sundays! ) and I found one of
those, which will last me a few days until I find a better supermarket. I also
found the two other camp sites that were marked on my maps, but they were both
horrible, and as it was still raining I decided to go back to my Scout camp
site and continue reading my Kindle !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And eat some chicken for supper !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overnight we had quite a lot of thunder and rain, but by
morning the wind had dried out my awning etc so I could pack up dry and hot the
road back to the mainland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Target today
was the little town of Gramado, up in the hills above Porto Alegre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew nothing about it but people had told
me it was worth a visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as I have
nothing else to do until my ship leaves, why not ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwciNRwN39s/VSPaX4lT4iI/AAAAAAABWhI/2R4GCfZ5_uc/s1600/A4061554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YwciNRwN39s/VSPaX4lT4iI/AAAAAAABWhI/2R4GCfZ5_uc/s1600/A4061554.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Driving off the island of Florianopolis it was very
evident that everyone had left the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The little two lane road round the kite surfing inlet which had been a
massive traffic jam when I arrived on Friday afternoon was totally deserted,
with just 2 or 3 cars and a few morning walkers out. So I was soon through
Florianopolis city with its Corniche, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>off the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I was back
on the </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSw3-q3m3GU/VSPaZynUhsI/AAAAAAABWhI/qOVnuMbqGpQ/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSw3-q3m3GU/VSPaZynUhsI/AAAAAAABWhI/qOVnuMbqGpQ/s1600/DSC04033.JPG" height="267" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">main road, the scenery was pretty similar with jungle never far from the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a couple of hours as we
approached Tubarao I caught glimpses through the trees of what looked like a
fancy suspension bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The approach
roads were all new, and I had my camera out to take photos as I crossed the
bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, to my disappointment,
we were shuffled off down a deviation and crossed the Lagoa de Imarui on a
grotty old bridge !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new one wasn’t
finished yet !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never mind, I got a
better view of it this way !!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owQ3gb2VfH4/VSPacmYNF3I/AAAAAAABWhI/ux1QULmBKMw/s1600/DSC04046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owQ3gb2VfH4/VSPacmYNF3I/AAAAAAABWhI/ux1QULmBKMw/s1600/DSC04046.JPG" height="184" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon after this, the scenery started to change and before
long there was no more jungle forest around me, but<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>much more open fields and countryside – A
pleasant change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was raining off and
on all day, sometimes very heavily, which is always fun over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people slam on their brakes when they
can’t see, or put on their 4 way emergency flashers (which they use ALL the
time, even when stopping for a pee !), while others don’t slow down at all (or
put their lights on), and it becomes a question of trying to spot the other car
before it hits you !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All good fun that
helps to pass the time of day on the freeway !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipF1HpBzwEk/VSPaeMDWDeI/AAAAAAABWhI/gtFCv-tY-Aw/s1600/DSC04053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ipF1HpBzwEk/VSPaeMDWDeI/AAAAAAABWhI/gtFCv-tY-Aw/s1600/DSC04053.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At Terra de Areia I turned away from the coast, and
started west up into the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
bit more jungle as we climbed, and then we got a section of good twisty “Lotus”
road, along with a couple of tunnels. It was quite steep in places, and when we
eventually came out at the top, we were over 900 metres and the temperature had
drop from 30 to 15 deg C !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point
there was a concrete viaduct we had to cross that hung out off the hillside,
and when I look at the photos I now notice it seems to be all twisted and
sagging in the middle !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2KffLyDVWA/VSPafrCQgeI/AAAAAAABWhI/bWG23iWcqWs/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2KffLyDVWA/VSPafrCQgeI/AAAAAAABWhI/bWG23iWcqWs/s1600/DSC04060.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the scenery on the top was totally different again –
More reminiscent of Scotland with its colouring and pine forests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a lot of timber business and saw mills –
obviously their main source of revenue up here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After twisting around through several small villages, we eventually
arrived in Canela, just 5 kms short of my target of Gramado. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving into Canela was I was surprised to see
Easter eggs and Easter Bunnies </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCxtY_jgOHA/VSPakRYgEmI/AAAAAAABWhI/FicyA71pymQ/s1600/DSC04080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCxtY_jgOHA/VSPakRYgEmI/AAAAAAABWhI/FicyA71pymQ/s1600/DSC04080.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">EVERYWHERE – In roundabouts, on lamp poles – It
was Bunny City !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camp site that my
guide (Mr Garmin !) was taking me to turned out to be a hotel on the outskirts
of Canela, and when there was no “Camping” sign, I went in to this very nice
hotel with a roaring fire in the lobby, and asked if they had camping
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Si, si, they said, and took me out
behind the hotel where there were big grounds under pine trees, totally empty
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On asking, they told me it had been
full at the weekend, but everyone had no left, so I could park anywhere I
wanted !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they have wifi !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfecto.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First thing I did was change out of my shorts and T shirt
and put some long trousers and long sleeved top on – I was freezing !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I went and sat in the hotel lobby by the
roaring fire and relaxed and did my blog !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The manager told me that Canela is famous for its Easter Bunny
decorations and people come from miles around to see them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also told me it is a place where they have
winter all year round – Always cold here !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he mentioned that Gramado is famous for its chocolate !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great – I can hardly wait to explore the area
a bit more tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd-YLyf0hO8/VSPalan0IAI/AAAAAAABWhI/XeJpfK5Wcmg/s1600/DSC04082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sd-YLyf0hO8/VSPalan0IAI/AAAAAAABWhI/XeJpfK5Wcmg/s1600/DSC04082.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I went back out to cook my supper, I found 2 Llama
and 2 Ostriches running around the camp site !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hmmmm – Like Forrest Gump said, Life really is like a Box of Chocolates
– You never know what you are going to get each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I started on a sub tropical hot and
humid beach, and by the end of the day I had gone up mountain passes and
through tunnels, and was sitting in front of a roaring fire trying to keep warm
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nice being back in the mountains !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 16pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
Pics here :- <br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0242FlorianopolisToCanela?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbJqL_jmaPRRQ">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0242FlorianopolisToCanela?authkey=Gv1sRgCKbJqL_jmaPRRQ</a>#</div>
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</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-78883291729635117812015-04-06T15:39:00.004-07:002015-04-06T18:31:51.004-07:000241 Registro to Florianopolis<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup>
April 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Mountains, jungles, and beachside resorts !<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last night had to be one of the noisiest nights ever in a
roadside gas station !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a couple of
hours sleep to start with but was woken up around midnight, and when I pulled
back the curtains I looked out at about 100 big tourist coaches all parked up
nearby, and disgorging 1000’s of tourists !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They must have all been heading somewhere for the Easter weekend, and
have stopped for a midnight break, because by 2 am they were all gone again and
it was back to peace and quiet ! But I haven’t seen so many big coaches all in
one place ever before, I don’t think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
got back to sleep again once they were all gone, and woke up later to have my
breakfast, and a great shower in the services centre, before hitting the
road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these freeway fuel stops
in Brasil are superb, with shops, restaurants, wifi, and really great and clean
shoers and facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some other
countries could take lessons from these.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To start with it was just the same rolling hills I was
driving through, but quite suddenly we started climbing – The freeway
fortunately went to 3 lanes because there were a LOT of trucks on the road, and
we climbed up through jungle and extensive banana plantations to over 700
metres before 9 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was really
very good, and there were quite a lot of groups of big bikes who were out for
rides and enjoying the road – Unfortunately many of them are absolute nutters,
and they were weaving between cars and trucks at high speed, passing between
cars in the fast lane and the guard rail close to the car’s LH side, and
generally asking to be knocked off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
it was a lovely day for a bike ride through some incredible mountains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every so often, when there was a sharpish corner, they
have 60 kmh speed cameras which everyone slows down for – Trouble is that some
people slow down to about 40 kmh, which causes all sorts of excitement and tyre
smoke from the many trucks who are trying to keep their speed up for the hills.
And although the camera locations are well signed, they sometimes hide the
signs and cameras just around a corner, so everyone comes round the corner and
has to slam their brakes on !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 10 am, in the cool of the mountains (21 deg C compared
to the 30+ of the past few days at sea level)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stopped for some elevenses (Hey, it had been an early start today !),
and I parked near a bike who was also having a sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got chatting, and Pedro was from Sao Paulo
and headed to Curitiba for the weekend to stay with some friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As so often happens, a couple of trucks also
pulled up to see who we were, and we ended up all chatting in various languages
about our travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great break for
half an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was on through the mountains, where in places we
went over 1000 metres – It all seems to be part of the Serra du Mar range that
runs down the coast here with peaks of up to 1500 metres in places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went inland around the busy city of
Curitiba, and then back to the coast where I had found several camp sites
marked that I was going to investigate,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>looking for somewhere peaceful where I could spend a couple of days and
keep away from the Easter crowds </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FahmR6p2pEw/VSL0hl1qf9I/AAAAAAABV-M/wrJHkZSHxaw/s1600/P4031511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FahmR6p2pEw/VSL0hl1qf9I/AAAAAAABV-M/wrJHkZSHxaw/s1600/P4031511.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
– It is a big holiday over here with people
heading mostly to the beaches, it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just south of Joinville I went off on some minor roads onto the Ilha do
Sao Francisco, towards some known camping spots, and apart from some traffic
jams of other people also getting off the main road, it looked promising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with so many other parts of SE Brasil
that I have seen, it is so similar to parts of Queensland in many ways – This
was a bit like parts of the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane, with water ways
and lots of small accommodation facilities beside the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the two possible camping places but
they really weren’t very nice so since it was only about 2 pm, I decided to
keep going down the coast to explore some other options.<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">O</span>nly trouble was that the road suddenly changed to a
fairly bad dirt road with lots of dust and corrugations !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grrrrr.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hd to put up with this for about an hour or so before I could get out
and back to the main road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there
on it was much more metropolitan with almost continuous housing, industry, and
shopping malls that seemed to increase in size rapidly as we continued
south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even saw the Statue of Liberty
outside one shopping Mall !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But luckily
the roads weren’t too busy as everywhere was closed for the Easter
holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 3 pm I was passing through
the massive high rise resort areas of Biguagu and Barreiras, which looked just
like the Gold Coast, but quite a lot bigger !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the high rises are all a bit “bleak” looking, and none seem to have
balconies – Just sheer sides with windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And they all looked very similar and a bit boring architecturally ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then I turned east to go out onto the Ilha de Santa
Catarina – a big island just off the coast which has a large bridge connecting
it to the mainland, and on which the city of Florianopolis is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past 12 months we have met several
people on the road with Florianopolis number plates, so it will be good to see
where they all come from !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big bridge
out to the island, and great <br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_IhPjW9Cu8/VSL0lHCe2BI/AAAAAAABV-M/OhwcXp46Zl8/s1600/P4031526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_IhPjW9Cu8/VSL0lHCe2BI/AAAAAAABV-M/OhwcXp46Zl8/s1600/P4031526.JPG" height="265" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
views over the beaches and water as we wind across
the island to get to the east side where the camp sites are located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving through Florianapolis itself is just
like driving along Copacabana or Ipanema<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>in Rio, or <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Corniche in Nice –
Beaches on one side, lots of poseurs walking along the paths with their dogs,
sun tans and muscles, and non stop high rise accommodation on the other side of
the road !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even passed an Aussie pub –
“Didge Steakhouse Pub” !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we were
back to Grand Prix style traffic lights just to add to the entertainment !!</span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After that, the road narrowed to two lane and the next
half hour was spent crawling along a narrow road that was seething with holiday
makers !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a good sea breeze here
and there were lots of wind surfers and kite surfers in the water right beside
the road – Which made it interesting when some of the </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">kites dipped low and
almost landed on top of people and cars on the road !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once through this section I was on the east
coast of the island, and found several camping areas – The one I picked was called
“Campo Escoteiro” – And when I pulled in the sign looked familiar, and there
were lots of kids with neck scarves playing soccer – Yes, it was a Scout
camping area !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Escoteiro !!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway there were very few people here and
they welcomed me in, so I am parked in a lovely quite area, under pine trees,
and intend to stay here for a couple of days until all the crowds go home on
Monday !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot worse places
to be !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
Pics here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0241RegistroToFlorianopolis?authkey=Gv1sRgCPnAnY6amaWclgE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0241RegistroToFlorianopolis?authkey=Gv1sRgCPnAnY6amaWclgE</a>#<br />
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Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-83348874025818929862015-04-06T15:37:00.000-07:002015-04-06T18:23:51.804-07:000240 Ubatuba to Registro<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Miles of gorgeous coastline in Brazil<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got up slightly earlier than usual and went with
Giovanna in the car when she took Pedro to school. After dropping him off, we
made a quick stop at the local panaderia for bread, some for breakfast and some
for me to take with me, and then headed back to the house. After the usual
filling breakfast and great coffee that Giovanna makes each morning,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said my goodbyes and set off down the road
at about 9 am. I had enjoyed 8 wonderful days with Mauro, Giovanna, Leticia and
Pedro – They could not have made me more welcome in their home. And it has
enabled me to get a real feel for southern Brazil – a place not unlike
Queensland in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was
time to start heading back to Montevideo to catch my ship to Europe, and while
I have plenty of time to get there, I want to leave some spare time up my
sleeve in case I find somewhere nice to stop for a few days – Or even in case
something untoward delays me !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I passed the big Fisherman statue in the roundabout as I
headed out of Ubatuba, and from then on, for the next 3 or more hours, it was
slow slow driving down a twisty coast road with beaches on the left, and hotels
and resorts and accommodation on the right,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This whole region between Rio and Sao Paulo is primarily beach resorts,
with a lot of world class surf beaches, as well as many quieter family
beaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sign as I left Ubatuba
Province says it all – designed to look like surf and sun it just says “Thank
You Ubatuba” !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the next province,
Caraguatatuba offers similar – Beach resorts, parks, photogenic views, and hang
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">gliding !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with all the crowds and
traffic building quickly for the Easter weekend holiday, it was slow going, not
helped by the HUNDREDS of Policia Muerte (Dead, or silent, policemen) speed
bumps – I think this part of Brazil rivals Mexico and some of the Central
American countries for the sheer number of speed bumps everywhere – Even at
times on duel carriageways !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they
want you to slow down, they put in a <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYhilqFPNW4/VSLz39bqX7I/AAAAAAABV3o/KhBrRchYrR0/s1600/P4021459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oYhilqFPNW4/VSLz39bqX7I/AAAAAAABV3o/KhBrRchYrR0/s1600/P4021459.JPG" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
speed bump – Anyplace, anytime !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or else they put in Toll Booths and charge
you for using the road !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fairly frequent
toll booths are keeping me fit – Leaning across to the LH side to wind down the
window, pay the toll, and then wind it up again, are always an effort, and it
was fortunate that the tolls down here are not high – Usually 2 Reals, which is
only about $0.80 cents.<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So it was some 4 hours before I got to the highly
industrial area south of Sao Paulo – Around Cubatao and Santos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily there was a reasonably ring road
around it all, but this is a very busy part of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once past Cubatao it was on towards Peruibe
which Mauro had suggested would be a good overnight stopping place, however
when I got there at about 3 pm it didn’t ring my chimes, and after looking at
the beach I decided to head a bit further down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By about 5.30 pm, I found a superb Petrobras
Fuel stop which had excellent facilities and wifi, as well as a good parking
area away from the truck area, and I set up camp in a corner there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, I big truck motorhome with maps of the
world on its sides pulled in, and when I checked the </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6A1-VG894k/VSLz3zJoFmI/AAAAAAABV3o/ymg4qg0bB2o/s1600/P4021460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R6A1-VG894k/VSLz3zJoFmI/AAAAAAABV3o/ymg4qg0bB2o/s1600/P4021460.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">registration to see where
it was from, it was from Paraguay !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
found the owners later, and they are a Brazilian couple from Rio and they have
just bought this brand new camper today from a dealer and are driving it
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lovely couple, Tulio and Eloise (I
am not sure of the spelling !) and we had a chat abut life on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has just retired and their plans are to go
north eventually all the way to the US and Canada, although they intend to do a
few local trips first to get used to their new toy !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure they will have a great time. They
are heading south at the moment, down to a place called Gramado, and since I
also intend to go there because Mauro suggested it was worth a visit I may bump
into them again there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I settled in early as I was pretty weary after a fairly
long first day back on the road for a while !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0240UbatubaToRegistro?authkey=Gv1sRgCJD2r8DNpL2gaQ">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0240UbatubaToRegistro?authkey=Gv1sRgCJD2r8DNpL2gaQ</a>#</span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-62176169994945614852015-04-01T13:48:00.000-07:002015-04-06T18:30:06.473-07:000239 In the jungles of Ubatuba<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> AprIl 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Into the Brazilian jungle with The Medicine Man !<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some days ago Mauro had said we should go for a walk up a
local mountain – but he had not told me what was involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then yesterday, while we were shopping in
Ubatuba, we had met Washington, a friend of Mauro’s, in a shop, and we arranged
to go up and see him the next morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I presumed this was instead of the mountain walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after our usual hearty breakfast, Mauro
and I head off in his 4x4 – But at the bottom of his lane we do a V turn, and
head up a dirt track right behind Mauro’s house !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 2 minutes the dirt track had
deteriorated and Mauro was in low ratio 4 WD as we chugged up steep muddy
inclines, through fords, and with the jungle encroaching all around us more and
more as we headed up the hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where on
earth were we going ???<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suddenly, after maybe 15 minutes, the track opened out
into a (very wet) grassy clearing – There had been quite a lot of rain over the
past few days, and up here in the “jungle”, they had had more than their fair
share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was Washington from the
day before – But in a completely different environment !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lives up here and is totally involved in
the jungle and its preservation in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And what a place !! Chickens in their </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Fwb4toqaQ/VSLzEdkW02I/AAAAAAABV0M/IKHk5409E8U/s1600/P4011369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0Fwb4toqaQ/VSLzEdkW02I/AAAAAAABV0M/IKHk5409E8U/s1600/P4011369.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">coops, lots of native plants and
bromeliads growing in shaded areas, ad a big tray of something out drying in
the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bark….and a powder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turns out that it is cinnamon that Washington
collects from the trees in the jungle and then grinds into a powder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moving in to his little house a big table is covered in
all sorts of native seeds and </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIUmX9w2-TU/VSLzOfWd9-I/AAAAAAABV0M/XUyK2iqn0To/s1600/P4011403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIUmX9w2-TU/VSLzOfWd9-I/AAAAAAABV0M/XUyK2iqn0To/s1600/P4011403.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">fruit, only a couple of which I have heard of
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington collects them in the
jungle and uses them either as medicine or food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washington himself is an interesting enough
character, with his long hair pulled back in a small bun, and his dark glasses
shielding his eyes, but together with all his jungle fruits and medicines,
I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>am intrigued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we prepare to go up the mountain (yes,
this is indeed the mountain walk Mauro had </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vL7FBnt1s/VSLzUp2MpyI/AAAAAAABV0M/jSuuA8edcXs/s1600/P4011428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F5vL7FBnt1s/VSLzUp2MpyI/AAAAAAABV0M/jSuuA8edcXs/s1600/P4011428.JPG" height="193" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
been referring to previously !),
bright red birds perch in the trees overhead, and humming birds dart through
the outside room where we are standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While Washington puts on an all-encompassing (and very “used”) hat and
gloves, and straps a machete to his belt, Mauro and I apply insect repellent –
We are already being eaten alive my mosquitoes !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel as though I am a million miles from
civilization, out on the middle of the Amazon Jungle somewhere – I cannot
believe I am just a stone’s throw from Mauro’s house !<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We set off up the trail, passing a pond where reasonably
large fish are very evident, almost creating a ripple effect on the surface
there are so many of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then past
some palm trees that Washington proudly tells me he has imported the seeds from
Australia, and he uses parts of them in his research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, the trail starts to deteriorate –
All the recent rain means Washington hasn’t been up here for a few days, and
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6pDDh2KgdQ/VSLzHfzDEaI/AAAAAAABV0M/5zW-l4zB18E/s1600/P4011378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6pDDh2KgdQ/VSLzHfzDEaI/AAAAAAABV0M/5zW-l4zB18E/s1600/P4011378.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">because everything grows so fast in the jungle, parts of the trail are already
over grown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we make slow progress up
the hill, with Washington continually slashing at the undergrowth with his
machete, clearing a path for us as we go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He doesn’t speak a lot of English, so I am dependent upon Mauro for much
of the information, but I am told to be on the lookout for snakes, bears, puma,
and a number of other animals that he assures us are regularly seen in this
area !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started walking a lot closer
behind Mauro, and understand now why Washington gave me a big stout stave to
carry – It wasn’t to help me walk – It was to fend off any attacking wildlife
in the jungle !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nW-kqbohaww/VSLzQ00UpwI/AAAAAAABV0M/zJu-FHGSqkE/s1600/P4011413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nW-kqbohaww/VSLzQ00UpwI/AAAAAAABV0M/zJu-FHGSqkE/s1600/P4011413.JPG" height="250" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We pass all sorts of flowers and butterflies, as well as
a number of fallen trees that need to be hacked in order to enable us to pass,
and always there are the long tendrils of vines and creepers of various
thicknesses hanging down and frequently making me jump as I feel something on
my shoulder !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, after about an
hour, we hear the sound of water, and eventually come into this magical little
clearing where water cascades down over the moss covered </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi6BJDYaJhk/VSLzMPIMV7I/AAAAAAABV0M/Ku4n7iuoIMA/s1600/P4011393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi6BJDYaJhk/VSLzMPIMV7I/AAAAAAABV0M/Ku4n7iuoIMA/s1600/P4011393.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all around us are bromeliads in the forks
of trees, and exquisite waxy looking little flowers – This truly is the jungle,
and despite its proximity to civilization, is no tourist frequented eco-park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jungle is ever present down the coast of
Brazil, and we are only just inside the Tropics, so as one heads north in the
country, towards the equator, one understands more about the Amazonian
situation, with civilisation encroaching more and more into the native
jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen it elsewhere as I
travelled up to Iguazu, and then across central Brazil, but today really brings
it home to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irnZCAI1yWU/VSLzRlvEERI/AAAAAAABV0M/a5PAh84ARo0/s1600/P4011416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-irnZCAI1yWU/VSLzRlvEERI/AAAAAAABV0M/a5PAh84ARo0/s1600/P4011416.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a little while at the falls, we head back down the
trail to Washington’s home, he continuing to slash his way along, all the time
talking to Mauro and explaining so much about the jungle and his life up
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we get back, and he
brews us some coffee made from the beans he has gathered in the forest, and
then ground – And I have to say it was superb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very strong, but so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
sitting around talking about his </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ3-myyYNUhktzQClSMwAt2NCr9XVpFtXuPJyaK9_-SlHJAhQhTrvNPTdQw3s82VpD0mBbfvt6hIL_CAszHxUOMKyWPW-q2RhGUsP_iomoqTGhl0mGitfEp0xF6yZ86ggnS8Ci1Lxjv8/s1600/P4011405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ3-myyYNUhktzQClSMwAt2NCr9XVpFtXuPJyaK9_-SlHJAhQhTrvNPTdQw3s82VpD0mBbfvt6hIL_CAszHxUOMKyWPW-q2RhGUsP_iomoqTGhl0mGitfEp0xF6yZ86ggnS8Ci1Lxjv8/s1600/P4011405.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">environment was just so fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A girl who helps Washington, and is learning
from him about everything, Talia, joins us, and she explains more to me in
English – She had worked in Australia for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally it was time to go, and after filling
in a rough visitor’s book he keeps, I told him I would give Mauro a little
kangaroo pin to pass on to him, and he was delighted, and then we headed back
down the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had 9 children in the
hope that one of them would take an interest in his work and continue it, but
unfortunately none are interested, and even his wife lives down in the town and
he rarely sees her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was a great movie a few years ago called “The
Medicine Man”, starring Sean Connery, who plays a scientist who goes and lives
in the Amazon Jungle and collects bromeliads that he finds have life-saving
medicinal properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movie called
be based on Washington Mourao in Ubatuba, for he truly is “The Medicine Man” in
real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An amazing morning spent
with an incredible man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wished I
spoke some Portuguese so I could have understood more of what he was telling
us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back at the house, we had some lunch, and then Mauro went
surfing with Leticia and Pedro while Giovanna worked at their shop, and I
stayed home and sorted out my stiff and started to prepare to head south
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Truly a fascinating day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Pics here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0239UpIntoTheJungle?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuci4uMw9SewwE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0239UpIntoTheJungle?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuci4uMw9SewwE</a>#Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-44776672354310605002015-03-30T18:06:00.000-07:002015-04-06T18:30:24.151-07:000238 Ubatuba<span style="font-family: Calibri;">28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> – 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> March<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Presents, surfing, and birthday lunches<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After breakfast, Leticia gave<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me a present – A lovely little plate with “Ubatuba”
written on it, and a picture of two<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>little fishes making eyes at each other – And signed by Leticia !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It my take me a while to get it home, but I know I will find a great
place to display it when I get there ! Thank you, Leticia !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon afterwards we set off up the road, back to
Itamambuca Beach for another </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5kQ_t6fZ1HE/VSLxjYRV3jI/AAAAAAABVtY/RRnf136mwYY/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5kQ_t6fZ1HE/VSLxjYRV3jI/AAAAAAABVtY/RRnf136mwYY/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">surf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time Giovanna came with us as well – Not because she wanted to go surfing, but
because she wanted to just sit on the beach !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She settled down with a fresh coconut drink while Mauro and Leticia went
surfing !<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was lovely to see Mauro and Leticia going into the
surf together, and even catching a first way in together – And I was lucky to
get a photo of it !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After they had had their fill, we went back to Ubatuba
and went down to Giovanna’s sisters restaurant for lunch, where I met their Mum
and Dad as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way home after
lunch, Giovanna bought me a corn (as in “on-the-cob”) ice cream – I wasn’t too
sure about it initially but it was actually quite good !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And even had enough bits of corn in there that
some got stuck between my teeth, just like real corn !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later on Mauro took me down to the Tropic of Capricorn
monument in town – It passes right through the middle of Ubatuba, making it on
the same latitude as Rockhampton in Queensland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the monument it implies that because of
its </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fCsU3OXNH4k/VSLxrdPMpjI/AAAAAAABVtY/R062QGZ1eas/s1600/P3281342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fCsU3OXNH4k/VSLxrdPMpjI/AAAAAAABVtY/R062QGZ1eas/s1600/P3281342.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">position Ubatuba is the first city in the southern hemisphere to celebrate
a new day (or summer time), and this is just wrong – NZ has that distinction.
Still, nice to see the monument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
means that on this trip I have now seen monuments for the Arctic Circle (Alaska
and Canada), Tropic of Cancer (Baja Mexico), the Equator (Quito, Ecuador), and
now the Tropic of Capricorn in Ubatuba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I must have passed through Capricorn </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmz9SQSgWAO32Ki6PyPtuuOflCKB2ym-PMheAxzGvbH-Z8tn0H5Y7kpYEkmRpspRuYJJPuOQp4PcsOBw70KGr3cDdYacTomiMQJYG2IZOEhEOCFS2kYgFJRVjmg35fWNKPtXVdVuBAnc/s1600/P3281352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmz9SQSgWAO32Ki6PyPtuuOflCKB2ym-PMheAxzGvbH-Z8tn0H5Y7kpYEkmRpspRuYJJPuOQp4PcsOBw70KGr3cDdYacTomiMQJYG2IZOEhEOCFS2kYgFJRVjmg35fWNKPtXVdVuBAnc/s1600/P3281352.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
somewhere in Peru, but I never saw
the sign !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the only “line” I have
missed out on on this trip is the Antarctic Circle, so I will just have to come
back and do that one another time……!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Sunday morning Mauro and I both cleaned the cars a
little –And then it started raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
it poured and poured – All day ! So for much of the day we stayed inside and
watched it rain !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later on we went down
to the shop where there was nothing happening as no one was out in the rain, so
we helped Leticia pack up and then we went down and had coffee and some cakes
down at Tachao, before heading off to their local church in town. This was very
informal, and as it was under a kind of permanent marquee, it was lucky it
stopped raining just about the time it started !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe it or not there was a surfer there
from NZ who had just arrived for 6 months surfing !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I wasn’t the only person there not
speaking Portuguese !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday was Giovanna’s birthday, and we went down to a
restaurant where we met her parents and had a very pleasant lunch, followed by
yet another visit to Tachao afterwards for coffee !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the afternoon Pedro, Leticia and Mauro
went surfing down on Ubatuba Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Tuesday I went down into town with Mauro and he took
me to the ATM to get some money, and to the supermarket to get some supplies
for the road. Sounds simple, but Mauro knows so many </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0DsbKQC5oc/VSLxy1EZFmI/AAAAAAABVtY/Q7s6SubOjUc/s1600/P3311362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0DsbKQC5oc/VSLxy1EZFmI/AAAAAAABVtY/Q7s6SubOjUc/s1600/P3311362.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">people in town that evert
two minutes we were stopping to chat to people, or going into shops for Mauro
to have a chat with the owners !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
someone who has never really spent long enough in any one town in the world to
know people that well, so it was an interesting experience for me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch and a rest, all the rest of the
family went off to their weekly English lessons, and once they got back we went
downtown for a pizza – Which is what Giovanna REALLY wanted for her birthday
the day before !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that it was
home to bed, ready for our “mountain walk” the next day !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0238MoreUbatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCN6l6faUnpu78wE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0238MoreUbatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCN6l6faUnpu78wE</a>#</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-48172711777864045672015-03-28T14:48:00.003-07:002015-04-06T18:16:40.936-07:000237 Off to the beach in Brasil<span style="font-family: Calibri;">27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>We go surfing at<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Itamambuca Beach</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1fKza-VSbo/VRcmoR_tUXI/AAAAAAABVnw/E_3y5iQOVMg/s1600/P3271290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1fKza-VSbo/VRcmoR_tUXI/AAAAAAABVnw/E_3y5iQOVMg/s1600/P3271290.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mauro and Leticia were going surfing this morning, so I
went with them to see how it is done in Brasil !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to Itamambuca beach about 15 minutes north
out of Ubatuba, and this is a private beach which is part of a gated housing
community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wasn’t in the mood to hit the surf myself (I hadn't brought my special </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4kZfk-x9Vo/VRcmu1UO92I/AAAAAAABVnw/wOyNAEGRQBk/s1600/P3271302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H4kZfk-x9Vo/VRcmu1UO92I/AAAAAAABVnw/wOyNAEGRQBk/s1600/P3271302.JPG" height="215" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">board wax), but it was a
lovely beach, and I spent most of the first hour splashing around at the
water’s edge, trying to get photos of Mauro ad Letitia surfing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that with my (increasingly
poor) eyesight, bright sunshine, and not exactly the most ideal camera, it was
hard to see who I was taking photos of !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I got a few really good ones (not all of Mauro and Letitia, as you
can see from the pics !) before my camera battery went flat………<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then went and sat up under a shady tree and read my
book – Or more correctly my Kindle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just do not know how I would survive without my Kindle, especially when I am
travelling, and every time I use it I thank my lucky stars that I have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the way back into Ubatuba, we picked up one of Mauro’s
friends who was waiting at a bus stop, and dropped him off in town before going
to a little food hall which is owned by Letitia’s aunt (Giovanna’s sister ????)
and picked up some hot food to take home for lunch. I am getting to eat more
local food here with the family than I think I have eaten anywhere else on the
whole trip, and it is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for
one dish today that I think was tripe !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Didn’t touch that one !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the afternoon we went up to a neighbour’s house to use
their wifi as I have some stuff I needed to do on the computer, but it was a
bit slow, so only got a little bit done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The neighbour, Tadeu Pereira, is an ex pro surfer who has surfed in
Australia, and in fact knows some people we know in Queensland who are involved
in Surf – Small world !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ubatuba, (and
Trindade and Paraty where we went yesterday), are a major surfing centre in
Brasil, and many Australian and American surfers also come here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So despite the fact that Ubatuba may not be a
name many people recognise, in the surfing world it is very well known !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a couple of hours paying bills and sorting out a
vehicle insurance extension for me for the next month, we went back to the
house, and everyone else went surfing again, while I sat in the peace and quiet
and kept reading my Kindle !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A quiet and relaxing day, but I do need to get some good
wifi in order to be able to complete my banking and also get my blog up to date
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all written – I just need to
upload it !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pics here <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0237Ubatuba2?authkey=Gv1sRgCNTZ67-Kg8O_rQE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0237Ubatuba2?authkey=Gv1sRgCNTZ67-Kg8O_rQE</a>#<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-39811971253117315692015-03-28T14:44:00.003-07:002015-04-06T18:14:11.103-07:000236 A trip to Paraty and Trindade<span style="font-family: Calibri;">26<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Snakes in the jungle, and a hippy surfing haven.</strong> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR7pIB1flcE/VRclMoV-1yI/AAAAAAABVjY/RAq7quNUXok/s1600/P3261198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR7pIB1flcE/VRclMoV-1yI/AAAAAAABVjY/RAq7quNUXok/s1600/P3261198.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After Pedro had gone off to school, Mauro and I set off
in my car to go and explore the amazing coastline around Ubatuba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to drive north to Paraty, about
60 kms up the road in Rio de Janeiro state – As against Sao Paulo state in
which Ubatuba is located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coast line
here is quite amazing – a kind of cross between parts of Vietnam, that place in
China with all those islands, and Coffs Harbour ! The mountains to the west are
thick jungle, and then you get glimpses of the sea and islands through the
trees to the east, as the road winds though the foothills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">J</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1xOhgXm_xA/VRclMvTfotI/AAAAAAABVjY/lEDidNptOuk/s1600/P3261197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1xOhgXm_xA/VRclMvTfotI/AAAAAAABVjY/lEDidNptOuk/s1600/P3261197.JPG" height="192" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ust down the road from Ubatuba, we went through one of
the quite frequent Police Checkpoints where, using witch’s hats, they put quite
a tight one lane chicane in the road in front of their office windows so
everyone has to slow down as they pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have not yet seen a policeman outside on the road at one of these
checkpoints, but there are ALWAYS lots of cars and motorbikes in a fenced-off
lot beside the checkpoint which I am told have been confiscated from people who
did not have the correct paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since I have no paperwork on my car at all, apart from its Australian
registration form, I wonder what would happen to me if I was pulled over at one
of these !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, passed this one
without drama, and continued on up the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9B1rktti6lE/VRclVYA2nZI/AAAAAAABVjY/UoH08EV3JEA/s1600/P3261205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9B1rktti6lE/VRclVYA2nZI/AAAAAAABVjY/UoH08EV3JEA/s1600/P3261205.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">20 minutes later Mauro suddenly said “Turn left” – Which
I did, up a very narrow and bumpy dirt track through the jungle, which rapidly
became even narrower and bumpier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For 10
minutes we went deeper and deeper into this Amazonian-type rain forest jungle
with creepers hanging down from the trees and brushing over the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not many wheel tracks up here either – Where
were we going ??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly we came round
a corner and there was an area </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-e8hGftdeQ/VRclaqovAqI/AAAAAAABVjY/SsJINUo5-dA/s1600/P3261214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-e8hGftdeQ/VRclaqovAqI/AAAAAAABVjY/SsJINUo5-dA/s1600/P3261214.JPG" height="201" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">with a tile roof, but no walls – and inside was
an enormous wooden water wheel !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
was this ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that it is an
old water wheel that was set up by a local indigenous tribe back in 1985
(doesn’t seem THAT long ago !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or am I
getting old ?!) to crush sugar cane and to mill manioc that grows in the
surrounding jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The steel parts
required were imported from England and adapted for use in this
application.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the man who originally
put the whole thing together was still there – Albeit a lot older and slower
than in 1985 !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just really weird to find
this all hiding deep in the jungle, and now being maintained for limited
tourism purposes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smKjPoDcaEE/VRclewF2HcI/AAAAAAABVjY/gxBabsRvERw/s1600/P3261215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smKjPoDcaEE/VRclewF2HcI/AAAAAAABVjY/gxBabsRvERw/s1600/P3261215.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we headed back down the rough trail, a big yellow and
black snake was sitting beside the road watching me – Mauro assured me it
wasn’t poisonous – But I wasn’t going to get out to check – I did my
photography safely from the driver’s seat !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He eventually slithered off into the jungle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA88Rt1NSU67X-WNvcetHkVXIiqRe9pg5I2BKyRBy5CG9kQxHIEfu-_XDxmnQ5iiR1-g4ehbiL6ziqldn_oyKTlqFhJ_Ehy70R5XyzqQWzimxNgwC_JUVD6z4M36PbMPsCmSPglSYet6s/s1600/P3261223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA88Rt1NSU67X-WNvcetHkVXIiqRe9pg5I2BKyRBy5CG9kQxHIEfu-_XDxmnQ5iiR1-g4ehbiL6ziqldn_oyKTlqFhJ_Ehy70R5XyzqQWzimxNgwC_JUVD6z4M36PbMPsCmSPglSYet6s/s1600/P3261223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10 minutes further down the road I was told to pull over
again – And this time we walked up a trail through the trees and found a
waterfall cascading down over some rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We wandered up over the rocks and Mauro had a splash and tried to wet me
in the process, and we sat around for a while and just enjoyed the moment,
surrounded by trees covered in tropical bromiliads – Bit like that Sean Connery
Movie “Medicine Man”, set in </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iolBgrJso/VRcl_bxlULI/AAAAAAABVjY/94LZ_zXvBiE/s1600/P3261259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8iolBgrJso/VRcl_bxlULI/AAAAAAABVjY/94LZ_zXvBiE/s1600/P3261259.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">the Amazon Jungle !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Little did I know that 3 days later I was going to meet a real life "Medicine Man" !!) </span>Then it was on up the road towards Paraty,
crossing officially out of the Province of Sao Paulo into the Province of Rio
de Janeiro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So although I am not going
to drive the 200 kms north into the busy City of Rio de Janeiro, I have
officially reached my goal set some 2 years ago (as per the signs on the side
on my car), and reached “Rio de Janeiro”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now only Montevideo to go………<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">15 minutes later we dropped into Paraty – And that really
is so like Coffs Harbour as you come in, with the yachts out in the blue blue
sea, that I couldn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
whole place is so like FNQ that if you brought me here blindfolded and then
asked me where I was, there is no doubt I would say I was somewhere in
FNQ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q1u3vnuiJfVm1gN_cawvbE7KtAfci6qp1iboXgAb9aXzvm0uKusXYhIbF6qFGhyphenhyphenhosiYl2p71Oe6pkTe_cMiZP6mJxpm4kSsgDlKd5ZtnnAzvY8nguNzAD4P_6U8s-5q-qrfqHXXAh4/s1600/P3261235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q1u3vnuiJfVm1gN_cawvbE7KtAfci6qp1iboXgAb9aXzvm0uKusXYhIbF6qFGhyphenhyphenhosiYl2p71Oe6pkTe_cMiZP6mJxpm4kSsgDlKd5ZtnnAzvY8nguNzAD4P_6U8s-5q-qrfqHXXAh4/s1600/P3261235.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9BqJWICp8/VRcl0k0IAXI/AAAAAAABVjY/erAw2TFzf10/s1600/P3261242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wG9BqJWICp8/VRcl0k0IAXI/AAAAAAABVjY/erAw2TFzf10/s1600/P3261242.JPG" height="249" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Driving into Paraty itself, with its rough and narrow
cobbled streets, historic buildings and touristy shops and restaurants, it is a
cross between Bali, San Pedro de Atacama, and Antigua in Guatemala, and all
mixed together !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We parked and went into
a little local coffee shop and had a coffee and a cochina (Not as good as
yesterday’s) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>before wandering into the
old historic part of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
lovely, and very touristy, area, and very different from laid back Ubatuba just
down the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In amongst everything I
even found a gold VW beetle – Those of you who knew me back in my college days
will remember that I used to have an identical one – Gigi II !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brought back a few memories !! Anyway, with
its old historical buildings and waterways, this one quite little fishing
village is now a very upmarket tourist destination, especially from November to
February, when apparently you can hardly move here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, in the quiet of late March, it was very
pleasant indeed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IHROZs4mnE/VRcl3QkqVPI/AAAAAAABVjY/ttMEnwi_2S0/s1600/P3261244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IHROZs4mnE/VRcl3QkqVPI/AAAAAAABVjY/ttMEnwi_2S0/s1600/P3261244.JPG" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9O-C4k3J4Oo/VRcl3wN-3mI/AAAAAAABVjY/yQC3M-zTpE0/s1600/P3261246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9O-C4k3J4Oo/VRcl3wN-3mI/AAAAAAABVjY/yQC3M-zTpE0/s1600/P3261246.JPG" height="186" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We decided to head back south towards Ubatuba for lunch,
heading to a place called Trindade. Some 14 kms south of Paraty we turned east
towards the beach, and went 8 kms along a very windy and steep road through the
hills – Apparently known as “Save me, God” road because it is quite hazardous
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually the road finished on a
beach – with a river flowing across a big rock which covered the road, and an
even bigger rock on the beach that looks like a giant shark !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to hippy town Trindade !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side of the river-covered
rock, the road actually turned up into the little town which is full of camping
sites, open fronted restaurants, T shirt shops, and Pousada’s, or cheap
accommodation. The road is so narrow that there is no parking anywhere !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this place is an absolute double for the
Kuta area of Bali !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just could not
be more different than upmarket Paraty only 14 kms away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mM0kSecyFnc/VRcl9bjhIFI/AAAAAAABVjY/EtRmbg2ZvDM/s1600/P3261256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mM0kSecyFnc/VRcl9bjhIFI/AAAAAAABVjY/EtRmbg2ZvDM/s1600/P3261256.JPG" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually we had to park at a camping site owned by a
friend of Mauro’s, and then wandered into town looking for a fish restaurant
for lunch, which we soon found and enjoyed a delightful meal. Then another
wander through town to help all the food settle down, before checking out their
beach, and then heading out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
took a few photos at the ford down at the beach, then it was back over the
twisty mountain road to the main road, and back into Ubatuba.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A great day, and since Mauro has limited English and I have
(severely) limited Portuguese, one which was full of laughs and some
interesting hand gestures as we tried to get our points across !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile I am really getting a good feel for
this part of Brazil,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>even though I did
not originally plan to spend any time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am finding out that this coast line from Sa Paulo north to Rio is
famous worldwide for its excellent surf beaches, and attracts a lot of overseas
surfers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they get here, they can
choose between the upmarket (and very pleasant) Paraty, the hippyish (but also
very pleasant) area of Trindade with lots of cheap accommodation, restaurants,
and campsites, or the more laid back and relaxed local family atmosphere of
Ubatuba,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coastline itself is
absolutely stunning all the way along, so you can decide where you want to stay
depending on your personality and social requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All are good, all are very different !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics here <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0236ParatyAndTrindade?authkey=Gv1sRgCOzmrLHU5J-f6QE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0236ParatyAndTrindade?authkey=Gv1sRgCOzmrLHU5J-f6QE</a>#</span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-6151167068531978072015-03-28T14:42:00.005-07:002015-03-28T15:00:50.878-07:000235 Ubatuba Brasil<span style="font-family: Calibri;">25 March 2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Giles gets a Brazilian, and other fun things !<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first morning in Ubatuba was spent getting a few of my chores
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A haircut first, with Nil the
barber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being able to communicate
with him other than by sign language meant I wasn’t sure what I was going to
get style-wise (my first Brazilian Ha ha !), but it all went well (the bits I
can see from the front, anyway !), and should see me through until I get to
Europe !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was off to the computer shop because my plug for
charging my lap top doesn’t seem to work anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, meaningful communication was
almost impossible, but within 5 minutes they had found a plug which worked,
despite it being TOTALLY different than the one I had before – I wasn’t about
to question how this could be the case – it works, which is all I need !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While Giovanna went shopping, Mauro, Leticia and I went
for a walk around the town, and ended up at a little coffee house type place
called Tachao, and which only exists in Ubatuba. It serves lots of titbits and
jams and other tropical delights, but we specifically went there to have a
Cochina – A kind of Brazilian empanada which has a potato base, and which,
knowing of my love for empenadas, Mauro and Leticia were sure I would
enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I did – It was delicious –
And great to be out and finding some of the unique differences between Brazil
and the rest of South America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then went down to Mauro’s ice cream shop on the beach
front, which is closed today, but we tried some secret Brazilian flavour called
Acai, which I have never heard of before, and is apparently unique to Northern
Brazil and the Amazon area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interesting
…….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we got home, they have a little feeding table out in
the courtyard and these tiny little sparrow sized birds come in at sunset and
feed on fruit that the family put out for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are almost humming bird size, and dart here and there, and are
called Saira 7 Cores – Which apparently means bird of 7 colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly a delight to see them flying around
in the garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today is Leticia’s 19th birthday, and after a relaxing
siesta kind of afternoon, in the evening we had a barbecue and a couple of
other families came round to celebrate the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mauru cooked steak and sausages and chicken parts (hearts, I think ?) on
his big bbq, and then we all sat around the table and had a very sociable
evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to admit my (very)
limited Portuguese meant that I very rarely knew what was being said, but
enough was translated for me to be able to enjoy the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, a big birthday cake that was brought
over by one of the other families was devoured, mostly by all the kids !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually got off to bed sometime around
11 pm !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pics here <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0235Ubatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCKLrqO_E27zhkwE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0235Ubatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCKLrqO_E27zhkwE</a>#<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-85701730024930072652015-03-28T14:39:00.001-07:002015-03-28T14:39:42.696-07:000234 Iguazu Argentina to Ubatuba Brasil
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">22/23/24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Don’t cry for me, Argentina…………..<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After 50 nights in Argentina overall, (in and out of
Chile repeatedly since 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> December when we crossed from San Pedro
de Atacama in Chile to Purmamarca in Argentina) today was time to leave it for
the last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past 12 months, this
is the longest time in a single country apart from Alaska / USA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What comes to mind when I think of Argentina
?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing scenery. Problems getting money. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maté. Wind. Barbecues. Never ending (and
somewhat boring) pampas. Maté (yes I wrote it twice on purpose !) Penguins and
Orcas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Argentina is enormous, and therefore extremely
diverse. I preferred the western and southern parts, with the mountains of Patagonia
and Tierra del Fuego, but the eastern coastline certainly had some amazing
places and wildlife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I have enjoyed
Argentina, but it is time to move on……….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And Iguazu Falls are certainly a high point on which to
leave Argentina. They rate up there with Alaska, Galapagos, Machu Picchu, and
the Andes as one of the most amazing parts of this adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the time I woke up in Iguazu, everyone else in the
camp site had gone, so I didn’t get to say farewell to any of my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, for once I overslept !!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So a quick breakfast, a farewell to Ramon
(the owner) and his wife, and I headed out of town, via the supermercado for
some supplies for the next couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then it was all of two kilometres to the bridge over the river into
Brasil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have got so used to crossing
between Chile and Argentina (8 or 9 times ?!) that I wasn’t sure what to expect
for Brasil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I neared the border, a
long queue of cars didn’t bode well – Many Argentinians cross everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the line moved quickly, and within 10
minutes, I was at the head of the queue – Hey, for the first time on the trip
since a US / Canada border, I didn’t have to get out of the car – You just
drive up to a booth and hand your documents out of the window !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How good is this ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within 30 seconds he had stamped my passport
out of Argentina, taken my car’s Argentinian temporary import permit, and waved
me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on through 5 kms or so
of no man’s land, across a big river, to the Brazilian border – where they just
waved me through……….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t be right
!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about my passport stamp ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about a temporary car import ? etc
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I park and walk over to the
policeman who had waved me through and he directed me to a passport office –
Where I filled out a simple form, handed it in (no queue !), and after 10
seconds my passport was stamped into Brasil and handed back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What about my car ?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No”, the lady replied, and waved me through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked with the policeman outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Completo ?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Si.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Voy a Sao Paulo?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Si”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair enough !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems a little odd, but I will accept it
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man came up and asked if I needed
cambio (change), and I decided to change $100 just so I had some Reals in my
pocket while I looked for an ATM, and once I had done that, I headed out of the
customs area, pleasantly surprised by the ease of the whole process, but at the
same time worried that I needed some kind of documents for the car !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided the best bet to find an ATM that accepted
overseas cards was at the airport, so I drove out there, found an ATM, and got
some more cash – And was ready to hit the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>SO nice to be able to get money from an ATM rather than having to find people
on the street to change money in Argentina – That really is one of the biggest
hassles in Argentina, due to the varying exchange rates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this border crossing has to be the
easiest one so far in the whole trip – Easier even than US/ Canadian borders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then drove almost solidly from noon to 7 pm across
Brazil – Not the most exciting drive, but quite interesting because it was so
very different from everywhere else so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite sub-tropical and green, crops of corn (maize) and sugar cane for
as far as you can see in any direction, and an amazing number of “Love” motels
– Renting rooms by the hour !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
surprised by these as I thought this was a central American “thing” – But in
Brazil they seem even more common !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Certainly very obvious both in their colours and their names too !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By 7 pm I was pooped and found a perfect gas
station with an enormous parking lot out the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tucked myself out of the way in a corner
(in case it filled with trucks during the evening), cooked my supper and went
to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the photos it looks a bit
sad, with the collapsed roof, but in fact it was just perfect !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slept like a log and not disturbed by any
trucks at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leisurely get up and breakfast in the morning, and by 8
am I was on the road before the sun got too hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The traffic lights in this part of Brazil
explain why there are so many Ayerton Senna’s and other Brazilians floating
around in motor racing -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They use the
same lights system for traffic lights as they use to start a Formula 1 Grand
Prix, or start a drag race !! There are two columns of lights, one of red, on
the left, and one of green, on the right. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the light first turns red, the top and
the bottom lights (of 6) are illuminated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Slowly, the lights scroll down like those at a drag strip, (although
more slowly) and once the bottom red one is the only one alight, it goes to 2
green ones on the right hand side, and the race is on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same system then happens with the green
lights, so you know when you are going to have to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And NO ONE runs a red light because they know
the people going the other way have their clutches slipping and are ready to go
when all their red lights go out !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
couldn’t believe the system, and was so busy checking it out I was a bit slow
off the grid a couple of times, and lost a couple of positions !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was much like yesterday – Rolling hills, lots of
maize and sugar cane (for all their ethanol, I guess), and also an increasing
amount of coffee – At last after the almost total lack of coffee in Chile and
Argentina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One town I passed through had
a factory roasting the coffee, and the smell was just great – I opened all the
windows and sniffed deeply !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day was
boring, but not uninteresting, if you can understand that – I am only going to
pass this way once in my life, so it is always interesting to see it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from the extensive agriculture, there
were increasing numbers of BIG factories – Cars (VW, Toyota, John Deere, and
Chery were the ones I remember), and lots of Industrial names I recognised –
Johnson & Johnson, Copersucar, and tyre manufacturing plants, as well as
many others I didn’t recognise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
impressions of Brazil so far are the extensive agriculture, and massive
industrialization – The latter maybe more obvious because due to the flat
countryside, you can see it from the road – It is not hidden away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And LOTS of trucks on the road, moving goods
from one place to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it really
wasn’t a very exciting day - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
kilometres (1200 from Iguazu to Ubatuba) to be covered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 6 pm I was (again !) pooped, having been driving since
8 am, and started looking for a campsite on the Garmin ……Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just no camp sites out here in the middle of
Brazil. So it was then a case of looking for another suitable gas station – I
actually needed to do a U turn and go back about 20 kms because I was getting
closer to the urbanization of Sao Paulo, and so the gas stations were not the
big spacious ones you get out in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the first one I came to, a big petrobras one, was perfect, and once
again I tucked myself away in a corner so I was out of the way of any big
trucks that might stop later, cooked some spaghetti for supper, and hit the
hay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why Ubatuba ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well
in Panama, when we were trying to ship the car to Columbia, we had linked up
with a great Brazilian family who had been up to Alaska and were on their way
home – Mauro, Giovanna, and their children Leticia and Pedro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent quite a lot of time with them in
Cartagena as we waited for our cars, and they had invited us to Ubatuba once we
got to Brazil,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking to people on the
road, everyone said Ubatuba was gorgeous, so since I have 4 weeks up my sleeve
before I have to be in Montevideo, I decided to go and investigate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ubatuba is just north of Sao Paulo, and about
200 kms south of Rio de Janeiro, and is right on the coast. And it would be
great to catch up with them all again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next morning I found very few trucks around me, so
had a quick breakfast and headed out by 8.30 am or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the somewhat tedious drive east across
southern Brazil, the increasing traffic as I neared Sao Paulo, especially since
I hadn’t really been in a sizeable city since Santiago back in January – So all
a bit frenetic trying to get used to it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much harder on your own too, trying to co-ordinate maps, maps.me on the
tablet, and the Garmin, all of which seem to say slightly different things !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept just north of Sao Paulo, and the only
real traffic I hit was in Campinas where I thought I was being clever by
getting there after 9 am, only to find out that their rush hour seems to start
at 9 and go till about 11 am – They seem to start work later over here !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, made it through, despite an
increasing number of people waving at me and taking photos of my car as they
overtook me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably more than at any
other stage of the trip – And can be quite disconcerting because they suddenly
brake after they pass you, and wait for you to pass them again, or change lanes
suddenly, in order to take a photo !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
nice that they are so friendly and aware, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And the toll roads !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Peajes, or Pedagios at they are called here in Portuguese-speaking
Brazil, are the worst I have seen since Columbia, and maybe even more
expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only did about 1200 kms in
Brazil so far, and it has cost me 200 Reals, or about $75 US !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at least the people in the booths are
friendly – Every single one of them smiled at my RHD car and made a friendly
comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at one booth, a guy who was
outside the booth came over to take my money and help me reach across to the
booth (remember the booth is on the left), and when, for a joke, I put my hand
out of the right hand window for my change, he laughed and ran all the way
round my car to give it to me !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all
had a good laugh about that one !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 250 kms short of Rio, in a town called Taubate, I
turned off the main highway and headed east down to Ubatuba, on the coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been up in hills (Sierra da
Mantequiera ?) for a while, at about 800 metres, and as I turned to Ubatuba, we
climbed higher, up to about 900 metres, and then the road not only got really
twisty, but we were in thick cloud for a while !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was already far more interesting than
the last 3 days across the endless countryside across Brazil !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazing yellow and purple flowering trees for
a while, and then the road started dropping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Steeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the next 50
minutes or so I was in 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> gear much of the time, trying to save my
brakes which were getting increasingly spongy and smelly with the repeated
steep downhill hairpin bends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I
arrived in Ubatuba, and what a great little seaside town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a few good surf beaches nearby, I
understand too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having only a phone
number for Mauro, I decided to drive to the beach and call him from there,
figuring he would be able to find me more easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up parking just in front of a VW
kombi with a young couple selling T shirts and beads to passers-by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mauro does not (yet) speak good English, so I
was having trouble explaining where I was in Ubatuba so he could come and find
me, so I went over to the couple in the kombi and asked if they spoke English,
and if they could explain to my friend on the phone where I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they started talking, it turned out they
knew Mauro and I had to stop them chatting on my expensive Australian phone
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems Mauro knows most people in
Ubatuba after 27 years here, including the people selling trinkets on the beach
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 15 minutes Mauro arrived
together with daughter Leticia, and we all had a good laugh together before
setting off back to Mauro’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once there we had a fun evening communicating in our
mixed English / Spanish / Portuguese – They are all taking English lessons at
the moment so their English is getting a lot better than my Spanish (and
certainly better than my Portuguese which is almost zero !), especially Mauro
whose English is improving quickly !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mauro and Giovanna have moved out of their bedroom for me, which is vert
kind of them, but most embarrassing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a list of things to do in the few days I am here – Haircut, try to find
some of my prescription pills (I am running out because I thought I would be
back in Australia about now), and a couple of problems with my computer I need
to fix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we will tackle them
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the mean time it was off to
bed – for me so very nice to have a meal cooked by someone else<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for a change, and to sleep somewhere else than
in the back of my car !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And lovely to
just be somewhere where I can flop for a few days before getting back on the
road again !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0234IguazuToUbatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCLO0yKavgKPB1AE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0234IguazuToUbatuba?authkey=Gv1sRgCLO0yKavgKPB1AE</a>#</span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-91243080994701502042015-03-21T18:07:00.002-07:002015-04-06T18:31:16.367-07:000233 QuiraOga Rescued Animal Refuge<span style="font-family: Calibri;">21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> March</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Lots of amazing animals being saved.<o:p></o:p></strong></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrtOyoKPAUA/VQ27D4rj35I/AAAAAAABU1s/QunL28E2rGc/s1600/P3210929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrtOyoKPAUA/VQ27D4rj35I/AAAAAAABU1s/QunL28E2rGc/s1600/P3210929.JPG" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Like many other countries, Argentina has a problem with
animals injured not only by vehicles on the increasingly busy roads, but also
from predators (some human) who kill their parents, and other unfortunate
situations. And the problems are increasing due to loss of habitat for the
animals as us humans take over their land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But occasionally we are fortunate enough to find wonderful places like
QuiraOga here in Iguazu – A </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IEPQzlxxd90/VQ27MDBItrI/AAAAAAABU1s/1K65VDmb8Y0/s1600/P3210949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IEPQzlxxd90/VQ27MDBItrI/AAAAAAABU1s/1K65VDmb8Y0/s1600/P3210949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">private business that is focussed on rescuing
injured animals, helping them recover, and then (hopefully) returning them to
the wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had found an amazing
sanctuary in Honduras that was very similar, and was also extremely active in
breeding and then setting free native macaws, so they could fly amongst the Inca
ruins just as they did hundreds of years ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the macaws are not so lucky – Destruction
of their native habitat means that the ones here can never be returned to the
wild in Argentina – There are no trees suitable for them remaining in the wild
!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for other injured animals, the
outlook is more rosy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DttVmyqXuPg/VQ27GsjebHI/AAAAAAABU1s/sf-aEgsmkzQ/s1600/P3210934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DttVmyqXuPg/VQ27GsjebHI/AAAAAAABU1s/sf-aEgsmkzQ/s1600/P3210934.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">QuiraOga is just outside Iguazu, and when Ash and I set
off there at 9 am this morning we thought we were just going to a wildlife
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when we got there and started
talking to people at the gate, we realised that is was so much more than that –
A private concern, totally dependent upon entrance fees, gift shop sales, and
donations for their survival, and working closely with police and other road
authorities to try to receive early reports of injured animals so that they had
a reasonable chance of survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the
whole Refuge is much more focussed on eventual rehabilitation of the animals to
the wild than a regular animal park would be, and interaction with humans is
limited, for obvious reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffVy9iZiEqk/VQ27B0IiuKI/AAAAAAABU1s/Mh-KFFgB3TY/s1600/P3210925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffVy9iZiEqk/VQ27B0IiuKI/AAAAAAABU1s/Mh-KFFgB3TY/s1600/P3210925.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have to go with a guide, so Ash and I waited for half
an hour and I had the first decent coffee I have tasted since Columbia ! Then
we climb into the back of a fairly rudimentary trailer, towed by a tractor, and
head 15 minutes into the jungle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
very informative video in the visitor’s centre, we set off on a 1 hour walk
around the enclosures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a side, there
are many wonderful animal paintings around the park, and they are done by a
well known local wildlife artist and I thought they were excellent. He donates
them to the Refuge and their sales form a large part of their income.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glVf3vqE8Xw/VQ27Iwr8NJI/AAAAAAABU1s/6horViDOQEk/s1600/P3210939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glVf3vqE8Xw/VQ27Iwr8NJI/AAAAAAABU1s/6horViDOQEk/s1600/P3210939.JPG" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Walking through the rainforest one of the first things we
see are enormous spiders, with their webs strung above our heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide tells us that the webs are so
strong that the thread is actually harvested and used in the hospital area for
internal sutures on some of the animals !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then the first enclosure is for one of my favourite birds – Toucans !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they have so many different varieties in
there – Regular orange billed ones, small green ones, white billed ones, black
billed ones, and even a zebra striped billed one !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all of them have one thing in common –
the most magnificent, brightly coloured plumage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I so enjoy toucans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3YbqBcRytc/VQ27m5q369I/AAAAAAABU1s/pBQn3FWpcrw/s1600/P3211018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m3YbqBcRytc/VQ27m5q369I/AAAAAAABU1s/pBQn3FWpcrw/s1600/P3211018.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We saw ugly vultures, and red throated yacutingas; cappucine
and howler monkeys; wild Argentinian cats and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a jaguar cub; Armadillos and caimans; and a black and white anteater
that looked like he had a short sleeved sweater on, and had an injured foot so
needed to be given medicine daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have some hawks / falcons there, some of which are trained in falconry in order
to keep their hunting skills at a peak, and there are owls and wild pigs and
capybaras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">All too soon our walk came to an end, and we boarded our
tractor trailer for the ride back to the entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our guide was excellent, and we left their
feeling that at least the animals in this region have a fighting chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether awareness of all the problems has
come too late for some (like the macaws) is yet to be decided, but at least
awareness is growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very impressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1bSCkwQlZI/VQ27xOQsPhI/AAAAAAABU1s/Jix4eenTXto/s1600/P3211052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1bSCkwQlZI/VQ27xOQsPhI/AAAAAAABU1s/Jix4eenTXto/s1600/P3211052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we drove back into town, I took Ash with me to visit
the corner of town where 3 countries meet – Argentina, Paraguay, and
Brasil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Iguazu and Parana rivers
actually separate the 3, but there is a column in each country, painted in that
countries colours, with all three being visible from any one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>InterestIng, and like a similar situation in
Switzerland (Basle ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Berne ? I can’t remember)
where 3 countries meet in town, must be one of very few places in the world
where this occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmjW9x75Knc/VQ270S--j-I/AAAAAAABU1s/39SdT_9BgwI/s1600/P3211059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmjW9x75Knc/VQ270S--j-I/AAAAAAABU1s/39SdT_9BgwI/s1600/P3211059.JPG" height="190" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That done, a quick trip to the panaderia for some bread
rolls for lunch, and it was back to the camp site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And only just in time – Big black clouds
rolled across the river from Paraguay towards our camp site, and we had a short
blast of heavy wind and rain !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It then
rained off and on all afternoon, while I slowly sorted out a few things before
I set off tomorrow morning to Brasil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will cross just up the road at the other end of Iguasu town, and will then try
to find a place where I can use my visa card to obtain some Brasilian
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can’t, then I have a problem
– But I will deal with that tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I then have a 1200 km drive across Brasil to the coast,
half way between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, to stay with some friends from
our journey in Ubatuba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is on the
coast and I am looking forward to it as everyone says it is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it will be great to see Mauro, Giovanna,
and Pedro and Leticia again – We last saw them up near Cartagena in Columbia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But first I need to try and find someone who will give me
some money !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A manyana !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0233GuiraOgaAnimalRefuge?authkey=Gv1sRgCNbwmM6WlsbmBQ">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0233GuiraOgaAnimalRefuge?authkey=Gv1sRgCNbwmM6WlsbmBQ</a>#</span></o:p></div>
</div>
Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818138234443966439.post-50721494965986374692015-03-20T16:15:00.000-07:002015-04-06T18:31:00.849-07:000232 Iguazu Falls<span style="font-family: Calibri;">0232 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Iguazu<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>F</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>L</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> L<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">S !!!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow, Wow. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7V7JxVkC0M/VQywkGpEfFI/AAAAAAABUjY/4WAAZYWMAyk/s1600/P3200793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7V7JxVkC0M/VQywkGpEfFI/AAAAAAABUjY/4WAAZYWMAyk/s1600/P3200793.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Definitely a 5 Wow day today !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only were the Falls themselves just
amazing, but the whole thing was laid out really well, all the basic things you
needed to see were free, and they had lots of restaurants with all sorts of
different empanadas – Yup, I did Iguazu Falls powered by empanadas !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was GREAT !!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jq-hgNuYUo/VQywEMbVRMI/AAAAAAABUjY/isKUd1vfQEM/s1600/P3200756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Jq-hgNuYUo/VQywEMbVRMI/AAAAAAABUjY/isKUd1vfQEM/s1600/P3200756.JPG" height="312" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arriving at the camp site last night I had met young
Australian couple Ash and Steph who had also just arrived in Iguazu, so I took
them to the Falls with me in Troopie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was about 10 am by the time we got there and was pretty much a clear blue sky,
so we were expecting a really hot day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After stocking up on water at the entrance, we paid our 260 pesos
entrance fee (about $25, which I thought was very reasonable, but you can get
two days entrance for that if you want), and we headed into the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After walking through to the Cataract Railway
Station, Ash and Steph headed off to do the Upper and Lower walks around the
more easterly falls, while I decided to catch the little train for a 10 minute
ride round to th walkway out to the Garganta del Diablo Falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this stage we didn’t really know what was
what, so we just headed off to see as much as we could, with a plan to meet up
later for a bite to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yx9oSF0-1Y/VQywHxOGYQI/AAAAAAABUjY/JCqPp1QajWo/s1600/P3200763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0yx9oSF0-1Y/VQywHxOGYQI/AAAAAAABUjY/JCqPp1QajWo/s1600/P3200763.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the train station, the little coatis come up and
wander through the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seem
very friendly and tame, but of course they are wild animals and if they get
upset they have sharp claws and teeth, and, as evidenced by frequent graphic
posters, can inflicts some nasty wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But they are cute though – Except to some American guys who wandered
past muttering “Who would want to take a photo of a goddammed raccoon ?” !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah well – Maybe everyone else doesn’t have
raccoons at home, Sir !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes
later the little train came in to the station, and we all piled on board for
the 10 minute ride around the rim of the falls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we arrived, we kind of followed the herd, and ended
up on a metal walkway out over the water, not really knowing where we were
going – Presumably to see some of the falls ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this stage we haven’t seen a waterfall, and don’t really know what to
expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at least a 10-15 minute
walk out into the middle of the Rio Iguazu, and after about 5 minutes we
realise the people passing us on their way back are not only grinning like
cheshire cats, but most of them are also soaking wet from head to toe !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we get closer, we start to see clouds of
spray floating up into the air, and then we start to hear this thunderous roar
that gets louder and louder as we walk on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I even saw our Argentinian friends from the campsite, Javier and Romina,
and the boys Thiago and Joaquin, walking back – Wet, and with big grins on
their faces !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suddenly our first real view of any waterfall is this
amazing sight of the enormous Rio Iguazu seeming to just disappear into an
enormous hole in the ground !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Garganta
del Diablo is aptly named, because this just looks like everything is just
being sucked right on down to hell !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Staggering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another couple of minutes walk and we </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">are suddenly faced
with our first sight of the Falls – And what a sight it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the walkway, you are right out
in the middle of an enormous circle of the most massive falls you can imagine,
with water pouring into a massive void tha is totally hidden in the massive
spray that blows up on a self induced wind caused by the water movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only part of the circle that has no
waterfall is straight ahead of you, where the river </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
flows on, but there is so
much spray that you cannot see ahead – So you just appear to be totally
surrounded by the most massive waterfalls you can imagine – They even flow
UNDER you, under the walkway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How they
built the walkway I do not know, and I don’t really care – I just stood there
mesmerized for probably an hour, although it seemed much longer !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just look at the pics and you will understand
a little of what I mean – words are totally inadequate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually, soaked to the skin like everyone else, and
now wearing that same big grin that I had seen on everyone else’s face
previously, I tore myself away, and headed slowly back along the walkway,
stopping to watch butterflies as they landed everywhere on people and railings,
and watching enormous catfish (well, they had whiskers !) – 3-4 feet long – as
they swam idly below they catwalk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
a place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I got back to dry land, I celebrated with a couple
of very nice empanadas, watch hoards of butterflies soaking up the moisture
need a water tap, and after being chased by coatis who wanted my empanadas, I
rode the little train back to the main station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the nice thing was that so far it hadn’t been too hot – A lot of the
places are shaded by trees, so it was turning out to be quite bearable
weatherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just as I was about to go and explore the other two main
walks, I hear my name called, and it is Ash and Steph, who have just finished
the walks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we sit and rest awhile in
the shade, and I tell them they HAVE to go and do the Garganta walk, and they
tell me I HAVE to go and do the other two walks, especially the lower one !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we split up again, and go off in different
directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did the upper walk first,
and that too is amazing in its own way as it stretches all along </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">the top of the
more easterly falls. (The Garganta del Diablo falls are the bigger main one,
but to the east are 7 other major falls, plus numerous other smaller
ones).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as you walk along the walkways,
you are often looking at vast bodies of water just disappearing into space –
Quite an earie feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point
you can look down and way below see the people on the lower walk, and they
appear to be almost under the falls ! You can also see come of the boats with
big powerful outboard motors that take people willing to get REALLY wet almost
up under the falls themselves ! I guess that walk took me about 45 minutes, and
was most enjoyable and give one a much better idea of just how extensive these
falls really are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then it was off to the lower walkways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a third and totally different way of
experiencing this amazing Wonder of the World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This walk takes you down to river level, so you are looking up at the
falls from below – And it is just so different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And very wet !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you also get
to see the boats trying to get under the falls – But they never can – Even with
their big engines running flat out, the sheer volume of water coming off the
falls quickly stops their forward motion and they get pushed back out down the
river, only for them to try a second time – I think just to make sure all the
passengers get properly soaked !!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And at the end of the walkway, you are almost right under
the Salto Bossetti, and it is just amazing – And very wet !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all the time, even in the spray, the
butterflies are flitting around and landing everywhere, including on you !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the lower walk, I slowly made my way back towards
the entrance where I had agreed to meet Ash and Steph later, but I had only
been there for about 10 minutes when they arrived too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like me, they were exhausted from all the
walking, and after 1 pm the heat really had started to build up, so we were all
pretty well “done” and in need of a dip in the swimming pool at the camp
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we left and made our way back
into town, stopping at the supermarket for some supplies and a big piece of
streak for bbqing, although we weren’t sure how it would work out !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a lovely cool swim in the pool and a couple of cold
beers, we bbq’d the meat – And it was delicious !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First big piece of meat I have had since
Christmas in Australia !!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it was
off to bed with the plan being to go to an Animal Refuge Park in the
morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">WHAT AN AMAZING DAY !! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
More pics are here :- <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0232IguazuFalls?authkey=Gv1sRgCOafptTFsK2KwwE">https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0232IguazuFalls?authkey=Gv1sRgCOafptTFsK2KwwE</a>#Qldelsiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09164691210431705113noreply@blogger.com2