Buenos Aires

For the first time since i left the UK I can brush my teeth under a running tap! Bloody Luxury
and eat salads (not that I have done) Bloody Luxury!

I am staying at a very good hotel I probably should have gone cheaper but i sat on the bed and felt the comfortable mattress, and it had a bath ! (bloody Luxury)
and boy, have they looked after me.
So i stayed for a week.

I felt at home here, (lots of shops, and poncy wine bars )
up until now the wine has been awful, so i´ve not drank much, but now i´m making up for it,
(don´t worry if I partake I am always in the hotel or very near, and only a couple of glasses with my meal)

On the first day I wandered down the main shopping street and saw a crowd watching a couple dance the Tango, what a passionate dance and a bit risky too.

I have been on a city tour that took is to Boca´s Bombonera Football Stadium (knowing nothing about football this went a bit over my head)
the to Evita's grave, the obelisk,
Squares, Markets, a good overview of the city, very interesting

But the Tango Show was more up my street,
you were picked up at the hotel,taken to the venue,
immediately given a glass of Champagne,(a Kate Jay must)
then given a three course meal ( very good steak ) wine included ,
watched a great show (Not as passionate as the street Tango but still very good)
great live band,
Then taken back to my hotel.
That's how it should be !
Made some great fr¡ends, an American couple and a girl from Mexico who was also by herself so we had a giggle together (she spoke very good English)

Feria De Mataderos
Today i took a taxi out of town to the western Suburb of Mataderos to a market, that my guide said was no to be missed. (and it was quite right )
The craft markets were a joy (for me ) jewelery, leather goods, sliver wear, soft knitted shawls, I was in my element.
After i had worn my self out not buying anything (apart something for mum )
I took a seat at a small cafe that lined the square, and while I sat I listened to the musicians play Argentine folk music while the locals danced a folk dance (Chacarera),
I ate some of the traditional food,a stew called Locro with a cold beer, Lovely!

As I was making my way back to the Taxi I saw the Gauchos in all their regalia
this was the most exciting!
Horseman ride full speed down the street, standing up in their stirrups and attempted to spear a tiny ring about (2ins wide ) dangling from a ribbon.
it looked impossible and not all of them were successful, but some did, I was amazed !

In the evening had dinner on the waterfront with Leanne, had a catch up on all we had done since we last were together in the Galapagos, she had just got back from a couple of tours, the Amazon and tour in Ecuador, had lot to tell me,
(she got lost on a mountain while going for a pee, was one thing)
she is going back home to Oz in a couple of days, so it was great to see her.

Next the Iguazzu Falls
Love,
Kate

The Galapagos, 7th October

The Galapagos Islands
This has been one of the most magical places I have ever been !

Quito
Checked into my Hostel in the centre of town where I met the group I would be cruising with, they were of all ages, and seemed like a great fun.
I met my room mate Carol from USA and we got on famously, we went out for dinner with another couple Pete & Zoe (from Oz ) and talked about the upcoming trip

Next morning we were up at 6am to catch the plane to Santa Cruse the main Island in the Galapagos then caught the bus to Puerto Ayora where our boat , (aptly named The Darwin) was moored, nice little town, we had a look around the shops before we, transferred to the boat to drop off our luggage.

We were taken to the Darwin Research Centre where we saw the Giant Tortoises and lots of baby Giant Tortoise, all the different ones, long necks, short necks, wide flat shells, and tall shells etc.....
the guide told us they were here for a breading program to reintroduce them back into some of the the island the (giant tortoise has to be 25 years old before they can breed)


Then back to the boat for dinner (great food) then to bed, the cabins were very small with bunk beds, (I got there last so I had the top bunk! I had to practice a couple of times before I could get into it but by the end of the tour I was a dab hand) but there was a loo and shower, and that's all you need.

Next day we went snorkeling, and I swam with Sea Lions! it was magical, I still can´t believe it.

We were amongst the rocks, looking at all the colourful Angel & Parrot fish,
and there they were ! five sea lions, playing together amongst the rocks, about 3 feet away from us, Chris (one of the better divers) did a somersault and they joined in, turning an twisting under him, they wanted to play some more but soon realised that we were limited/boring & they went off to play somewhere else, but they stayed with us for about half an hour, blowing bubbles at each other, it was the most amazing thing, they were not afraid of us at all.
(that's the thing about the Galapagos none of the animals are afraid)

Next day, we climbed to the top of Bartolome (a hill / crater) to see a great view of the nearby islands.
Back to the boat for lunch, and a siesta,
next we had a walk on the beach where lots of sea lions were sun bathing, they didn´t move as we walked by, even the pups ( they were so cute), they may have lifted a head to see what was going on ,

back into the sea again, this time we swam with sharks !! (only baby sharks, 2 ft long)
we watched for 10 min's while 2 young sea lions played with it, catching the shark by its tail then letting it swim off, only to catch it again, pulling it back and so on

Then, we saw a Sea Turtle, about 5 ft wide, so we swam along with it for a while, watching as it slowly dived down, then up for air.
Lots & lots of life amongst the rocks, sponges, great big star fish, saw a couple of penguins from a distance.
Back to the boat for dinner, everybody so excited to tell each other about what we have seen.

The next morning (the last in the Galapagos) we went to North Seymour have a look at a bird colony, saw many frigatebirds and the famous Blue Footed Boobies with their chicks, they were not bothered at all as we walked passed.
Again saw plenty of sea lions,
a creche of 6 baby pups, that were left on the rocks while there mums were fishing ( one was about 2 weeks old he was so sweet ) we all took plenty of pictures
had lunch, then caught the bus to the airport for our flight back to Quito
I was so sad to leave

Next Buenos Aires !

Machu Picchu - 24th Sept

Up at 5.30 to meet my personal guide for the day, and to catch the train to Aguas Caliente the nearest town to Machu Picchu

The train ride takes a slow 4 hours (due to old tracks) down the mountains from Cusco

Aguas Caliente is the most unusual place I have seen yet, the main street has many hostels and restaurants and is also the train station, so, you can sit eating your lunch and watch the locals unloading the train of all the goods they need, and on the other side of the street is a great river.

I check into my hostel and we have some lunch before the coach trip to the Ruins

Well, we finally get there ... and it was worth it

What a place to live, perched on the top of a mountain surrounded by 4 mountains,
the view was spectacular !

my guide (can´t remember his name) showed me around and told me all about the history then left to get the train back to Cuzco.
I stayed for a bit to let the experience sink in, and 2 lamas, a mum and baby, came right up to me to graze (i was sitting near a green patch) it was quite special
then I went back to my hostel, in Augas Caliente, had a shower then went out for dinner.

I found a restaurant overlooking the river, had spaghetti and and couple of glasses of very good wine,
got chatting to a fella on the next table, he was just finishing an 8 month trip around the world, and his last stop would be Cuba, I gave him some tips on what to do in Cuba, and he told me about his trip and gave me some good advice on where he had been,
it was a great day.

The next day I had a look around the markets bought a Pachu mama necklace, bag and pretty earrings,
then had some lunch before I caught the train back to Cusco
A great trip

Love to all
Kate