Hi
If you're reading this can you please post a comment with your name so we know who's following our adventure.
Thanks
Miranda and James
-- Posted from Miranda's iPhone
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tucano house
Over the past two days James and I have been passing the time at Tucano House which is proving to be more like the Big Brother house than a hostel. They have their very own Hostel dog Duna who everyone loves. You can take her with you to the shops (without a lead), she'll cross roads and wait for you outside the supermarket until you're finished your shopping....genius!!
The whole place is centred around communal areas and very quickly everyone knows everyone.
Most people eat breakfast and dinner in the hostel together and inevitably spend the rest of the day with someone or other from the hostel.
There are a lot of interesting characters including an over index of people from London. Whether reading a book in one of the hammocks or lounging by the pool, there seems to be plenty to do to pass the hours.
I made the mistake of telling an English guy Farook that James worked in IT and could probably take a look at his laptop. Unfortunately I didn't realise this was going to occupy hours each day fixing this complex problem and James is less than happy. From now on we're going to say he's a bible bashing cult leader to anyone who asks!
Tomorrow we're hoping to hire a moped and explore the island as we're very aware we've barely scratched the surface...
Hoping to get some good pics for you all tomorrow.
Mx
The whole place is centred around communal areas and very quickly everyone knows everyone.
Most people eat breakfast and dinner in the hostel together and inevitably spend the rest of the day with someone or other from the hostel.
There are a lot of interesting characters including an over index of people from London. Whether reading a book in one of the hammocks or lounging by the pool, there seems to be plenty to do to pass the hours.
I made the mistake of telling an English guy Farook that James worked in IT and could probably take a look at his laptop. Unfortunately I didn't realise this was going to occupy hours each day fixing this complex problem and James is less than happy. From now on we're going to say he's a bible bashing cult leader to anyone who asks!
Tomorrow we're hoping to hire a moped and explore the island as we're very aware we've barely scratched the surface...
Hoping to get some good pics for you all tomorrow.
Mx
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Praia mole and Barry
Hello peeps
It's day 2 in Florip (yes that's what the cool kids call it!) and we went to one of their nice beaches 'praia mole'.
It wasn't too busy and beautiful brazilians peppered the view. It's a long narrow sandy beach with turquoise waves breaking right along the shore. Lots of surfers were out today, catching big waves and lapping up the sun.
There was one interesting spectacle on the beach; Brazil's answer to Barry Chuckle from Chucklevision! Barry was parading down the beach in his rather ill-fitting moss coloured lycra hotpants and very severe mohawk. To be honest even from the back he looked a bit of a prat. Then he turned around...we both gasped. Barry had the best example of a full on adolf style moustache attached to his face. Oh yes, the ensemble was complete!!
If anyone is inspired by today's blog- (Alasdair I'm thinking you'd pull this look off the best) then I'll be sure to try and get some photographic evidence tomorrow.
Mx
It's day 2 in Florip (yes that's what the cool kids call it!) and we went to one of their nice beaches 'praia mole'.
It wasn't too busy and beautiful brazilians peppered the view. It's a long narrow sandy beach with turquoise waves breaking right along the shore. Lots of surfers were out today, catching big waves and lapping up the sun.
There was one interesting spectacle on the beach; Brazil's answer to Barry Chuckle from Chucklevision! Barry was parading down the beach in his rather ill-fitting moss coloured lycra hotpants and very severe mohawk. To be honest even from the back he looked a bit of a prat. Then he turned around...we both gasped. Barry had the best example of a full on adolf style moustache attached to his face. Oh yes, the ensemble was complete!!
If anyone is inspired by today's blog- (Alasdair I'm thinking you'd pull this look off the best) then I'll be sure to try and get some photographic evidence tomorrow.
Mx
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Arrived at Florianopolis!
We set off (what seems like days ago) yesterday on yet another bus journey... We had better get used to them, no trains and another 16 hours to Rio!
We happened to be doing the same route as 4 Americans who we'd met earlier and seemed to get along well with (thankfully different from the Texans we met only days before).
Upon arriving at Foz du Iguaçu station we ate some dinner and loaded up with snacks for the journey. Unfortunately Brazilian bus travel isn't the 3 course meal, wine, champs and breakfast offered over the border in Argentina.
At 18:15 we boarded our bus and prepared for the 14 hour trip ahead. Ciao Iguaçu, next stop Florip'
Leas than an hour into our journey, the bus stopped in a service station (presumably to fill up), the locals were immediately hanging their heads out of the window, but soon they had their head firmly in their hands. As it turned out our fan belt had snapped, and the radiator was overheating... Perfect!
As we had no idea how long we'd be waiting for a replacement, we headed into the services for a beer with the rest of the folk on the bus.
Thankfully and right on cue (an hour later) another bus arrived. So back on the bus and away we go... but not before the Americans had to empty their bags for the Police. We were asked, but after explaining we were English were not required to empty them, result.
Several hours later, we (and a coach in front) were forced to stop for a spot check by the Rosavario Federal. Not sure if it the bus in front was someway involved or if it was purely coincidental, but this 206 was also right next to the bus?
Another hour later, after they'd checked a handful of bags we were sent on our way.
We went to sleep (in an 'eyes-closed-but-can-hear-everything' kinda way) pretty quickly afterwards. This morning we woke to yet another sunny 30+ scorcher, and some hours later rocked up at Florip' bus station.
The next apparent hurdle was the bus drivers here being on strike, at this point we had no way of getting to our hostel. Me, Miranda, an Argentinian girl (from our bu)s, and a random managed to grab a lift with some guy in a Corsa (5 adults, 3 big bags... the chassis was bowing).
So finally 16 hours later arrived at our hostel, Tucano House. We'd managed to book it online yesterday where it had received some acclaim as being 2nd best hostel in South America... Seems like a nice social place complete with (bath sized) swimming pool, pool table, internet, tv etc, we booked in for 5 nights (we get a 6th free) as we figured we deserved a break!
Now, for sleep! Tomorrow, the beach!
Ciao ciao!
-- Posted from my iPhone
We happened to be doing the same route as 4 Americans who we'd met earlier and seemed to get along well with (thankfully different from the Texans we met only days before).
Upon arriving at Foz du Iguaçu station we ate some dinner and loaded up with snacks for the journey. Unfortunately Brazilian bus travel isn't the 3 course meal, wine, champs and breakfast offered over the border in Argentina.
At 18:15 we boarded our bus and prepared for the 14 hour trip ahead. Ciao Iguaçu, next stop Florip'
Leas than an hour into our journey, the bus stopped in a service station (presumably to fill up), the locals were immediately hanging their heads out of the window, but soon they had their head firmly in their hands. As it turned out our fan belt had snapped, and the radiator was overheating... Perfect!
As we had no idea how long we'd be waiting for a replacement, we headed into the services for a beer with the rest of the folk on the bus.
Thankfully and right on cue (an hour later) another bus arrived. So back on the bus and away we go... but not before the Americans had to empty their bags for the Police. We were asked, but after explaining we were English were not required to empty them, result.
Several hours later, we (and a coach in front) were forced to stop for a spot check by the Rosavario Federal. Not sure if it the bus in front was someway involved or if it was purely coincidental, but this 206 was also right next to the bus?
Another hour later, after they'd checked a handful of bags we were sent on our way.
We went to sleep (in an 'eyes-closed-but-can-hear-everything' kinda way) pretty quickly afterwards. This morning we woke to yet another sunny 30+ scorcher, and some hours later rocked up at Florip' bus station.
The next apparent hurdle was the bus drivers here being on strike, at this point we had no way of getting to our hostel. Me, Miranda, an Argentinian girl (from our bu)s, and a random managed to grab a lift with some guy in a Corsa (5 adults, 3 big bags... the chassis was bowing).
So finally 16 hours later arrived at our hostel, Tucano House. We'd managed to book it online yesterday where it had received some acclaim as being 2nd best hostel in South America... Seems like a nice social place complete with (bath sized) swimming pool, pool table, internet, tv etc, we booked in for 5 nights (we get a 6th free) as we figured we deserved a break!
Now, for sleep! Tomorrow, the beach!
Ciao ciao!
-- Posted from my iPhone
Monday, November 2, 2009
High res shots uploaded
The complete low res archive is on the Picasa link (see below), however I've also added the high res originals to our new Flickr account (see right) - basically you can view them in full size/quality if you choose to (Click ''All Sizes'). There's a few photo's that didn't upload, but I'll add those when I get the chance... Picasa one is complete.
Anyway, gotta dash... see you at the other side :o)
Anyway, gotta dash... see you at the other side :o)
Todays trip to Iguazu & Photo upload (finally)!
So as Miranda has already covered, we went to Iguazu Falls within Argentina today. Wow... very very impressive, the sight, sound and sheer power of what you're witnessing takes a couple of minutes to absorb. For anybody planning to visit, if time/money are of concern, just visit the Argentinian side. Whilst the Brazilian side offers a better panoramic view, it's completely overshadowed when you see El Diablo Garganta.
The Argentinean side is a lot larger, and whilst we got most of what we set out to accomplish done, there were a few stones left unturned (Marcocu trail), for now. We thought it would e awfully rude not to jump in a speedboat and get absolutely drenched under the waterfalls, so that's exactly what we did... even from the safe distance we got to, the power of the water hitting your skin, well it was like large hail stones!
During the trip, we managed to happen upon several million Butterflies, many Lizards, some Coati thingies, a troop of Monkey's and 3 Mosquito's which took a piece of me... the barstewards!
Met some people at the Hostel today from Chile who confirmed that despite living there for 20 years, that they couldn't fully understand the Spanish spoken in Equador and parts of Bolivia - doesn't bode well for us then... Puedo hablar mas despacio por favor?! We can only try :o)
So tomorrow, we're heading to Florianopolis for some Sun, Sea and Relaxtion, sadly it's another 14 hour bus journey on the cards, but I'm sure we'll be well drilled in no time at all. So that's it for Argentina for now; back around December to Mendoza/Patagonia which should be interesting.
On the subject of photo's I've uploaded everything to my Picasa account (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jamesdosborne) for now, which you should hopefully be able to see and access on the right hand side. Apologies for the somewhat amateur photography, we haven't had the time or desire to sit and process them anymore than uploading them!
The Argentinean side is a lot larger, and whilst we got most of what we set out to accomplish done, there were a few stones left unturned (Marcocu trail), for now. We thought it would e awfully rude not to jump in a speedboat and get absolutely drenched under the waterfalls, so that's exactly what we did... even from the safe distance we got to, the power of the water hitting your skin, well it was like large hail stones!
During the trip, we managed to happen upon several million Butterflies, many Lizards, some Coati thingies, a troop of Monkey's and 3 Mosquito's which took a piece of me... the barstewards!
Met some people at the Hostel today from Chile who confirmed that despite living there for 20 years, that they couldn't fully understand the Spanish spoken in Equador and parts of Bolivia - doesn't bode well for us then... Puedo hablar mas despacio por favor?! We can only try :o)
So tomorrow, we're heading to Florianopolis for some Sun, Sea and Relaxtion, sadly it's another 14 hour bus journey on the cards, but I'm sure we'll be well drilled in no time at all. So that's it for Argentina for now; back around December to Mendoza/Patagonia which should be interesting.
On the subject of photo's I've uploaded everything to my Picasa account (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/jamesdosborne) for now, which you should hopefully be able to see and access on the right hand side. Apologies for the somewhat amateur photography, we haven't had the time or desire to sit and process them anymore than uploading them!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Cataratas Iguazu
James and I have now seen Iguazu falls from both Brazil and Argentina and we can unanimously say that the Argentinian side is phenominal!!!
Pics to follow later...
On another note, a cultural observation is that whilst Argentinian people queue, James and I must have 'gringo' written all over us as they all like to (try and) push infront of us.
Today we were waiting in line to get on the speed boat that takes you under Iguazu (amazing by the way) and a guy behind us had the look of a queue jumper in his eyes. For the purpose of this, we'll call him 'Juan'. Juan did not look relaxed at all, was shifting from foot to foot, trying to find a gap between myself and James. We're now a little less wet behind the ears so deliberately blocked his path. There were a couple of very old people in front of us and the staff were saying to us to come ahead of them. In a moment of lapsed concentration I saw Juan out of the corner of my eye taking his chance whilst I was distracted.
The next few seconds are a bit of a blur but I managed to dive infront of Juan, block his path and gave him the best angry stare of my life-yes 1-0 to the Gringos!!!
Pics to follow later...
On another note, a cultural observation is that whilst Argentinian people queue, James and I must have 'gringo' written all over us as they all like to (try and) push infront of us.
Today we were waiting in line to get on the speed boat that takes you under Iguazu (amazing by the way) and a guy behind us had the look of a queue jumper in his eyes. For the purpose of this, we'll call him 'Juan'. Juan did not look relaxed at all, was shifting from foot to foot, trying to find a gap between myself and James. We're now a little less wet behind the ears so deliberately blocked his path. There were a couple of very old people in front of us and the staff were saying to us to come ahead of them. In a moment of lapsed concentration I saw Juan out of the corner of my eye taking his chance whilst I was distracted.
The next few seconds are a bit of a blur but I managed to dive infront of Juan, block his path and gave him the best angry stare of my life-yes 1-0 to the Gringos!!!
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