Argentina (2015)

Durante sus vacaciones Neil y Digger estaban felices de solicitar la nacionalidad argentina (clarkson gracias por revolviendo para arriba! Tosser)
Durante sus vacaciones Neil y Digger estaban felices de solicitar la nacionalidad argentina (clarkson gracias por revolviendo para arriba! Idioto)

 

 Scenery

Argentina is a big country with some big hills

 

This one (Anconcagua) is considered by most people (in S America) to be the second highest in the world
This one (Anconcagua) is considered by most people (in S America) to be the second highest in the world

 

Its so big that they named a National Park after it
Its so big that they named a national park after it

 

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Some of the “high plains” are a bit, well, plain!

 

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Fortunately, slightly lower down, there is a prickly plant which makes an appearance

 

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Some Cactus are even bigger than me!

 

Travel

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Contrary to what many people think Neil doesn’t travel the cheapest way (all the time). We moved around not by animal but by wheeled transport……….

 

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Although sometimes the wheeled transport had seen better days!

 

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Most of the time we travelled by coach, even on the mountain roads

 

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Even in such a big country there were traffic jams, but what was this once caused by…………

 

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A shed (with a mountain view!)

 

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Despite the appearance given in this photo, the coaches were really rather nice

 

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On some, you got your own seat/bed, a red blanket, headphones and even a glass of champagne………

 

Walking/streets

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Once you got off the main roads the streets were dusty with no tarmac

 

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Note the WWFC hat in this photo. It went missing. See bottom of this page for details of reward if found and returned

 

Geology

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Some of the geology is weird (pers comm former geology student)

 

 

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Weird but spectacular at the same time

 

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But at least its not near settlements

 

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Oh yes it is (presumably this village is full of geologists?!)

 

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Weird geology, with weird looking archaeologist? Leading onto…

 

Archaeology

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A pre-Inca settlement (with requisite Cacti)

 

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Nice rock art, but is that all the archaeology there is in South America?

 

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A Roman bridge?

 

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With its own “walking trail”

 

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Now. Not wishing to cast doubt on the authenticity of this bridge but just how big was the Roman empire?!!

 

The Welsh

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Patagonia is “famous” for its Welsh heritage. You can even buy Welsh baseball hats (in UK) and wear them next to Welsh sounding street names
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Here’s another one (street sign). Not sure I like what they have done to John………..

 

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Its not just street names giving the “Welsh connection” away. See this Welsh school/cultural centre (not open)

 

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But the real “giveaway” is what the Welsh are most famous for? No, not rugby, coal mines or choirs, but afternoon tea……

 

Wine

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Argentina is famous for its vineyards

 

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Vineyards = grapes

 

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Grapes = wine

 

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Wine = bodegas tours

 

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Bodegas tours = heaven

 

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Heaven = wine tasting/s

 

 

Town-life

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Despite having an incredible promotion on (large beer and pizza for £3) Digger and Neil found that they were often eating alone in Las Tres Marias (Restaurant and Heladeria). Heaven.

 

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We never quite found the time to visit the Polo Club of the Royal County of Berkshire (but as one of the few hints of the existence of a country called England its existence was quite reassuring!)

 

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As was the Manchester Pub (which we obviously would have visited- if it had had a happy hour!)

 

Water

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Contrary to what many (British) people think, the Lake District is in Argentina (and Chile)

 

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It means that its a wild swimmer paradise (see New Swims page), although………..

 

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The water was sometimes quite dirty!

 

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Sometimes it was dirty and fast flowing (Neil had told me it was the “rainy” season and I hadn’t believed him till this day!)

 

People

Despite our poor Spanish language skills we met along of “people”. None of whom said much or objected to having their photos taken.

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Animals

We also met a lot of animals. They also didn’t say much (and generally speaking) didn’t mind having photos taken of them

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Some people have asked if  Neil and I were still friends at the end of the trip?

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Some say a photo speaks for a thousand words (this was actually taken on day one in Buenos Aires- things not looking good!!)
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Perhaps this is a better photo to use (respect and thanks to Neil for taking me on another “once in a lifetime” adventure)

 

Missing!! Reward!!

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Regretfully I have to announce that one WWFC had went missing somewhere near San Martin de los Andes. If you should find this hat please let me know as a substantial reward is available.

 

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But all is not lost (well technically it is) as I already have a replacement!!!