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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Some of the “high plains” are a bit, well, plain!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Fortunately, slightly lower down, there is a prickly plant which makes an appearance

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Some Cactus are even bigger than me!

Travel

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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……….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Although sometimes the wheeled transport had seen better days!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Most of the time we travelled by coach, even on the mountain roads

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — A shed (with a mountain view!)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Despite the appearance given in this photo, the coaches were really rather nice

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

Walking/streets

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Once you got off the main roads the streets were dusty with no tarmac

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

Geology

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Some of the geology is weird (pers comm former geology student)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Weird but spectacular at the same time

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — But at least its not near settlements

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Oh yes it is (presumably this village is full of geologists?!)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Weird geology, with weird looking archaeologist? Leading onto…

Archaeology

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — A pre-Inca settlement (with requisite Cacti)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Nice rock art, but is that all the archaeology there is in South America?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — A Roman bridge?

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — With its own “walking trail”

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

The Welsh

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Here’s another one (street sign). Not sure I like what they have done to John………..

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

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

Wine

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Argentina is famous for its vineyards

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Vineyards = grapes

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Grapes = wine

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Wine = bodegas tours

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Bodegas tours = heaven

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Heaven = wine tasting/s

Town-life

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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!)

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

Water

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — The water was sometimes quite dirty!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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.

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

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

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Some say a photo speaks for a thousand words (this was actually taken on day one in Buenos Aires- things not looking good!!)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — 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.

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