Mitch, Lara and Tim at Puerto Madiera
Tim and Tamsin´s Travels in South America
An account of our travels in South America (October 2004 - May 2005). Click on the photos to ENLARGE.
Buenos Aires
In Buenos Aires we had 36 hours each of intensive Spanish lessons every weekday morning for 2 weeks. We both feel we have improved judging by a reduction in puzzled faces when we speak. At the Spanish school we met many people from all over the place and went out lots.
We had many lunches, dinners and drinks. We visited a couple of art galleries one of which, the 'Malba', was really amazing, modern art in a space-age greenhouse thingy. We went to a tango show called 'Tanguera' and visited the Rio Plata river delta at Tigre amongst other things.
Merlo
We spent three wonderful days in Merlo. In the garden of the place where we stayed were fruit trees frequented by butterflys and humming birds.
We visited the wildlife reserve, where we were guided up a river valley in which we had to leap from rock to rock to reach a waterfall.
We visited the wildlife reserve, where we were guided up a river valley in which we had to leap from rock to rock to reach a waterfall.
Mendoza and San Rafael
The best thing about Mendoza is the Parque San Martin. It's over 100 years old, beautiful and massive. It's like being in a set for "Wind in the Willows". We explored it walking, running and cycling but we still didn't see it all.
In the Canyon Atuel, near Mendoza we went horseriding, (Mule-riding in Tim's case) we expected to go up and down the valley, but ended up climbing the valley sides. Coming down was terrifying. During our ride we saw a thunder storm on the other side of the lake which added to the atmosphere.
In the Canyon Atuel, near Mendoza we went horseriding, (Mule-riding in Tim's case) we expected to go up and down the valley, but ended up climbing the valley sides. Coming down was terrifying. During our ride we saw a thunder storm on the other side of the lake which added to the atmosphere.
Puente del Inca
On the Argentinian side of the Andes is Puente del Inca. It is a natural bridge formed by salt depostis from the river Mendoza. It's a beautiful place with thermal baths under and around the bridge. We spent the afternoon of New Year's day here then took the bus to Mendoza.
New Year's Eve - Valparaiso
On New Year's Eve they have South America's biggest fireworks display. We spent the evening with two very nice couples from where we were staying and we drank plenty of champagne before we sang 'Auld Lang Syne' in three different languages at the same time. Very cosmoplolitan.
The firework display was awesome; 30 minutes of beautiful, huge fireworks. Afterwards we went to a rooftop house party.
The firework display was awesome; 30 minutes of beautiful, huge fireworks. Afterwards we went to a rooftop house party.
Valparaiso
Between Christmas and New Year´s Eve we stayed on the coast at Valparaiso. It has a long history as a port and many stories of raids by the likes of Sir Francis Drake and some famous pirates.
Tim went sailing in the bay. There were sea lions sun bathing on a bouy just off the peir. He was able to sail within a couple of metres of them. They were huge and kept pushing each other out of the way to get the best spot.
Tim went sailing in the bay. There were sea lions sun bathing on a bouy just off the peir. He was able to sail within a couple of metres of them. They were huge and kept pushing each other out of the way to get the best spot.
Santiago at Christmas
We arrived in Santiago a few days before Christmas. In the early evenings the parks are the place to be, everyone congregates there; couples and groups from teenagers to pensioners and they are all snogging!
On Christmas Eve, we met up with our friends from the salt flat trip in Bolivia, Geoff and Leanne. We went for a long walk in the morning and couldn't resist the peddal boats on the lake.
On Christmas Day we all climbed the only hill in the centre of Santiago to see the view, then sat outside and had salads at a restaurant near the cathedral square - it was over 30 degrees. In the afternoon we had a few drinks and chilled out in our hotel room with our make-shift crackers and mini Christmas tree. It wasn't easy to find a good restaurant for Christmas dinner - so we had pizza!
On Christmas Eve, we met up with our friends from the salt flat trip in Bolivia, Geoff and Leanne. We went for a long walk in the morning and couldn't resist the peddal boats on the lake.
On Christmas Day we all climbed the only hill in the centre of Santiago to see the view, then sat outside and had salads at a restaurant near the cathedral square - it was over 30 degrees. In the afternoon we had a few drinks and chilled out in our hotel room with our make-shift crackers and mini Christmas tree. It wasn't easy to find a good restaurant for Christmas dinner - so we had pizza!
