rodamons

Ultima i gran sorpresa!

2008-02-07T17:59:00.000Z

Time to get a job!

2008-02-07T17:44:00.000Z

Un somni fet realitat!

2008-02-05T13:01:00.000Z

Ei amics, aixo s'ha acabat, aquesta es la ultima entrada! Ho trobarem a faltar! La ultima parada abans de casa te les hores contades, d'aqui tres horetes agafarem l'ultim vol del viatge amb desti final a les terres Catalanes. Els dies per Cork, la nostra segona casa, han estat inolvidables, plegats d'emocions molt intenses i retrobaments plens d'alegria. Han estat dies de molta activitat i reunions casolanes de llargues xerrades, que ens han omplert d'energia i molt utils per comencar a palpar la realitat, el que ens espera.
El calor dels amics ens ha fet sentir molt afortunats. A part de multiples trobades, van organitzar una sortida de cap de setmana a la Peninsula Beara, on varem coincidir un bon grapat de gent. Tot i que, el temps no va acompanyar gens, el mes important va ser poder disfrutar tot junts. Que importa la pluja o el mal temps si un esta envoltat de bona companyia?
Ara si que sentim que el nostre gran viatge s'ha acabat, pero be, res de tristesa, tornem plens d'energia, nous coneixements i molta tranquilitat. Que vindra despres? Encara no ho hem decidit, pero s'intentara fer realitat algun nou projecte o somni, i es que, al cap i a la fi, d'aixo es tracta no? De materialitzar petits somnis o il.lusions que t'omplin i et donin sentit a la vida, amb l'objectiu final de la Felicitat!
Us volem agrair el vostre suport i seguiment durant el viatge. Ha estat un plaer poder-ho compartir amb tots vosaltres.
Ara si gent, ens veiem les cares ben aviat!
Gracies i molts petons.

A fulfilled dream!

2008-02-05T12:53:00.000Z

Hi lads! Our great year around the world is over, the final stop was Ireland, our second home, and from our dream started more than a year ago. Our week here has been absolutely fantastic, once again confirming that people makes the difference. No matter if the weather is miserable, rainy, windy, overcasted and bla,bla,bla... If you are around nice, friendly and welcoming people things can not go wrong! And this is what happened here the last days. They were very intense, with loads of emotions deeply felt and shared with our friends in Cork.
We have felt overwhelmed and extremely lucky to have this amazing bunch of people in Cork, it is like having a second family abroad! We had a pretty busy agenda, with loads of dinners and chats, and a super-getaway weekend to the Beara Peninsula. We failed in our attempt to climb Hungry Hill mountain, the weather put us off half way, with gale winds, fog and rain we had to turn back and seek some shelter near the fireplace at the top-notch hostel we were staying. But, hey, no worries, we were good stocked on food and beers and had a pub at stone's thrown distance. Pretty handy!
We did not even have many time to think about our trip, or to explore our feelings and thoughts. There will be time for that in the next days. But we feel so fulfilled, so happy and lucky for what we lived and learnt during the last year. The fact that we were absolutely free, with no responsibilities, no time-pressure, no obligations is priceless for us. And on top of that, we got to know and meet fantastic people with whom we shared many moments and experiences making our days around the world more special. Thank you all!
Now is time to move back home, meet the family and chill-out while thinking about the future, and where to settle down. But it feels great the fact that we can decide whatever we want, without any pressure and with total freedom. Just a hint, the travel bug is still very alive within us, so we are strongly considering or mentally designing another trip.
We wish to thank you for all the support you gave us, we always felt you behind!
Love!

Passejant per la verda i plujosa Irlanda.

2008-02-05T12:39:00.000Z

Back to Ireland!!

2008-02-05T12:26:00.000Z

Hungry Hill Hostel, Beara Peninsula, Ireland.

2008-02-05T12:04:00.000Z

Ultimes hores!!!

2008-01-25T18:23:00.000Z

Iep, s'ha acabat el pa torrat! Aqui estem, per Buenos Aires de nou, passant les ultimes hores del que ha estat un any de somni. I es que tot lo bo s'acaba, i es ben cert! Ara ens tocara afrontar una nova vida, amb molta menys llibertat, amb mes obligacions i segurament mes monotona, pero en fi, tambe tornarem a reviure coses que durant l'ultim any no hem sentit. Tindrem de nou el calor d'amics i familia, tindrem un espai propi (qui sap tal com estan les coses...), deixarem d'esser els extranys o desconeguts a diari, portarem roba neta i amb bona oloreta!, i ens cuinarem verduretes, peixets, i menjarem fuet i pernil salat! Nomes es tracta de mirar el costat positiu. I si, ens fa il.lusio tornar i començar una nova vida, amb nous objectius a l'horitzo que molt be podrien incloure un nou viatge. I es que ens falta molt mon per veure!
El que hem viscut aquest darrer any se'ns fa dificil de pair, de fet, encara estem assimilant moltes de les experiencies viscudes, i es que ha estat tan intens i emocionant que implica un treball posterior al viatge, i es que tal com molt be va dir el gran Paul Theroux "La part mes glamurosa de viatjar comença quan un torna a casa".
Quan mirem enrera son tants els records i moments innolvidables que necessitarem un bon temps per ordenar-ho tot.

Perque us feu una idea aproximada, aquest any de somni ha estat possible amb uns 10.000E per barba, excluint el bitllet (1.800E). On mes van patir les butxaques, i de llarg, va esser a Australia, i a on menys, a Xina, on vam sobreviure amb uns 30E diaris entre els dos. I on vam gaudir de l'apat mes barat del viatge, uns raviolis xinesos farcits de qui sap que, pero prou decents, per 0.30E. I tambe s'emporta el premi al pais que ens ha produit un xoc cultural mes fort.
Parlant de menjar, els paisos on ens hem llepat mes el dits son; Tailandia i Malasia. I on mes ens hem anyorat del menjar casola; Bali i Xile. Per acompanyar apats o festes, no hi ha res com la Beerlao, la millor cervesa del viatge, a Laos.
El que es diu casa, no n'hem tingut durant un any, pero si que n'hem vist de tots colors. Des de la mes barata a Andagua, Peru, on vam pagar 1E per llit fins a la mes cara del viatge a Auckland, NZ, on vam pagar uns 50E. Molts luxes en aquest sentit no ens hem donat, aixo si, ens hem ben acostumat a dormir a qualsevol lloc!
Se'ns fa impossible ressaltar un pais per sobre d'un altre, escollir-ne un i posar-l'hi la corona de favorit es massa dificil, no n'hi ha cap de perfecte, pero si que alguns ens han marcat mes i no ens importaria repetir. El que si esta clar, agradin o no, tots els paisos aporten vivencies diferents i nous coneixements.
Agrair-vos tot el suport que ens heu donat, mai ens hem sentit sols!
Encara ens queda temps per degustar un ultim bon tros de carn Argentina abans de volar cap a Irlanda el dia 27, i a on ens quedarem fins el 5 de Febrer i des d'on tancarem la paradeta i farem l'ultima entrada.
Ens veiem les cares ben aviat!

Deixant la magia de la Patagonia enrera. Tornarem!

2008-01-19T15:38:00.000Z

Hola gent! No nomes anem de cul, si no que portem la flor al cul amb el temps! Varem deixar Argentina per entrar a Chile i visitar el Parc Nacional Torres del Paine, on normalment el temps es bastant miserable i es necessiten uns quants dies o força sort per disfrutar del parc. Nosaltres nomes teniem dos dies per explorar la zona i tot ens va anar de cara.
El Parc es un dels mes populars i famosos de Sud America, i amb justicia! Es gegant, multitud de llacs de colors idil.lics, caminets enmig de paratges de fantasia, i sobretot, el massis rocos del Paine amb les seves variades formacions fantastiques. Tot un paradis per campsites i excursionistes, i amants de la natura en general.
Disposant nomes de dos dies, varem haver d'escollir una zona, i ens varem decantar per la mes famosa i que ens permetes gaudir de vistes de les Torres i de tot el massis. El primer dia vam pujar fins als peus de les Torres on ens va rebre una llacuna de color verd increible. Pel cami la cosa no prometia massa, i es que ens plovia i estava ben enboirat, pero ta-xan! un cop a dalt i despres de 10 minuts, el vent va començar a bufar i va clarejar els cims rocosos de les torres, oferint-nos una bona vista, no complerta, pero suficient per calmar els nostres desitjos!
La nit la varem passar en un lloc mes idil.lic impossible, al fons d'una vall i amb vistes privilegiades a tot el massis muntanyos. Inmillorable! O potser si, perque el dia seguent es va aixecar sense ni un nuvol i sense vent, cosa molt dificil per alla. I de bon mati ja ens varem trobar amb una de les millors vistes possibles, les torres reflexades en un llac! Tan improbable com espectacular i magic! Animats pel dia vam seguir caminant passant per llacs i miradors d'una bellesa brutal, dificil de superar, i es que el dia acompanyava d'allo mes! Un dia amb sol marca diferencies. Un lloc et pot arribar mes endins o marcar-te en funcio del clima, sens dubte!
Ens va quedar temps per acostar-nos a les Banyes del Paine, una altre formacio rocosa igual d'increible que les famoses torres. Alla el temps va dir; nens, ja n'heu tingut prou, i es va aixecar un vent espantos, com mai haviem viscut! Pero no hi ha queixa! Vam disfrutar del parc com no ens pensavem!
Ha estat la ultima gran caminata per aquests indrets Patagonics que tan ens han meravellat i marcat. Hi tornarem!
De Chile vam fer cami enrera cap a la nostra estimada Argentina per retrobar-nos amb una gent amable i calida, amb un menjar bonissim i de qualitat, amb uns serveis coherents en relacio als preus i amb uns hostels nets i acollidors. Que diferent de Chile...
L'unica nota negativa es el fet que hem voltat per aquest pais en temporada alta i ens ha escurat les butxaques de valent, i aixo que ens hem cuinat i acampat. Pero les distancies son enormes, el busos cars i s'ha de pagar per qualsevol Parc Nacional a preu de turista, 300% mes car que els nacionals. Injust!
La seguent parada ha estat Trelew, una ciutat amb origens Gal.lesos, als quals no hem vist per enlloc i es que ens ha semblat la ciutat mes lletja per on hem passat. La rao de la parada era poder visitar la Reserva de Pinguins de Punta Tombo. Un lloc molt especial on teniem els pinguins a tocar. I no pas pocs, es calcula que n'hi ha uns 500,000. Son tan cucos i divertits com semblen, no decepcionen, tot i que de mes a prop son ben lletjos! I fan mes pudoreta que nosaltres...
I avui ens n'anem cap a Mar del Plata, uns 1,300Km cap al Nord. Desti turistic per excel.lencia dels Argentins, amb platges abarrotades i cues als restaurants. I us preguntareu perque hi anem. Doncs perque ens cuidin com reietons, i per descansar entre petits luxes despres d'un any passant per llocs de tots colors. Hem decidit utilitzar els punts del Sheraton per passar quatre dies "por todo lo alto" i gratis!
A veure si ens deixen entrar quan arribem amb les nostres robes rebentades i estripades...Les sabates de la foto son les de gala! Qui sap, igual ens deixen fer servir la cuina i aixi acabem amb l'oli d'oliva i les provisions que ens queden!
D'alla passarem els ultims tres dies per Buenos Aires i despres cap a Cork, on ens esperen uns dies mogudets!
Estigueu alerta que aqui no s'acaben les entrades!
Molts petons!

Farewell Patagonia!

2008-01-19T15:35:00.000Z

Hi lads! This is getting to the end and we have loads of mixed feelings.
After El Calafate we crossed over to Chile and to Puerto Natales, with the main and only target of spending a couple of days in the Torres del Paine National Park, arguably tagged as the most stunning National Park in South America.
We have to say that we really played it risky there, as normally the weather is pretty bad with loads of windy storms and blustery days, and we just had a couple of days to check it out when at least five days are recommended. But hey, the Mapuche gods where on our side, and we were spoiled with two amazing days, most part of them sunny and with little wind, and believe us, this is not normal down there!
Torres del Paine is a massive park, with loads of remote and peaceful areas, but we opted for the most popular ones hoping to get nice views of the whole massif, while doing daily walks. On the first day we hiked up to the base of the towers, where a blue lagoon welcomed us. On the way up it was raining and foggy, but after 10 minutes on the summit the wind started to blow and it cleared up the sky allowing us to get a bloody good view of the famous towers. Then we camped right at the bottom of a valley from where we had amazing views of the imposing mountain range.
On the 2nd day, we woke up, unzip the tent and WOW, another clear day with literally no wind! This, is even more difficult as the wind here barely ever stops blowing. We almost cried of joy when we got to see the towers mirrored in a lake, what an incredible and idyllic view! You can not beat that! Afterwards we headed off to a different area of the park to walk through beautiful green paths and lakes to end up in front of the massive Cuernos del Paine (Horns) with an emerald lake at their feet. Again, unforgettable moment!
We have to admit that at the beginning we thought that the Fitz Roy area in el Chalten was much more beautiful than Torres del Paine, but the longer we walked around and discovered the park the more we started to change our mind. Both of them, are absolutely spectacular, magic, but we can not put either of them on top of the other. Maybe, and just maybe the Torres del Paine is more impressing as a whole National Park, but the Fitz Roy peak by itself, is the most mind-blowing mountain we have ever seen.
We left Chile to enter again our beloved Argentina, and encounter again super-friendly people, top-quality food and good and spotless hostels. We just love this country and specially Patagonia. The only drawback are the prices we have had to face here, quite high for our budget, specially now that is peak season, and the two-tier pricing for foreigners who pay 300% more than the locals for National Park fees, airline tickets...
After another monstrous bus journey we got to Trelew, the most awful city we have seen in the country, but the handiest place from where to visit Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve. And, lads, we saw thousands of them! Everywhere! They are on the breeding season, so they build their nests some meters offshore and people can just walk next to them. It was a nice experience and our first contact with this funny and cute bird. (Well, Joan, not the first...)
Today we will take another bus to Mar del Plata where, a top-class room is awaiting us for the next four days. We deserved it! The relax of the warriors! We have some spare Sheraton points (thanks overtime!) that we will use to stay for free at the Sheraton over there. Will they let us in with our filthy ragged clothes and our backpacks? That remains to be seen...
Next stop will be Buenos Aires and then Ireland, and then as someone said "Tourists do not know where they have been, travellers do not know where they are going..."
This is not over yet, keep an eye for next updates!
Kisses & hugs!

"Armadillo". No hi ha bestiola mes lletja...

2008-01-19T15:33:00.000Z

Em mossegaras si et faig magarrufes???

2008-01-19T15:31:00.000Z

Punta Tombo Penguin Reserve.

2008-01-19T15:19:00.000Z

Iep Nano, com anem?

2008-01-19T15:01:00.000Z

Guanacos privilegiats.

2008-01-19T14:56:00.000Z

Cuernos del Paine. Tota una meravella!

2008-01-19T14:33:00.000Z

Despres de 15 paisos i qui sap quants Km. no se'ls pot demanar mes...

2008-01-19T14:16:00.000Z

Les espectaculars Torres del Paine.

2008-01-19T14:05:00.000Z

Patagonian sunset.

2008-01-19T13:56:00.000Z

La Patagonia ens ha robat el cor!

2008-01-13T22:48:00.000Z

Hola gent! Aixo se'ns acaba i anem amb el cuet al cul! Ens hem passat la ultima setmana pel Parc Nacional dels Glaciars, al Sud de la Patagonia Argentina, i hem al.lucinat de valent! Ha estat increible el que hem arribat a veure, ha estat un no parar de somiar desperts. El parc es divideix en dues areas, la Nord al costat del Chalten i mes propensa pel trekking independent i el Sud, a El Calafate, mes propera al turisme de grups i massificada. Les dues ofereixen meravelles naturals, pero a nosaltres se'ns han caigut les babetes amb el Chalten i el massis muntanyos del Fitz Roy.
De Bariloche vam arribar a El Chalten, va ser un viatge llarguissim i amb tres canvis de bus incluits. El Chalten es la porta d'entrada a la part Nord del parc, i des d'on es poden fer quantitat de caminades de varis dies. Aqui el temps es d'allo mes punyeter i capritxos, ja que normalment el vent esta molt present i riu-te'n de la Tramuntana, i a part les tempestes ferotges provenents del Pacific escombren la zona. Pero vam tenir la sort de cara i dels tres dies que hi varem passar, dos van ser assolellats i sense massa vent.
El primer dia vam fer una caminada fins al "Cerro y Laguna Torre". Aqui el temps no ens va acompanyar i no ens va deixar veure el cim, pero tot i aixi vam trobar-nos glaciars pel cami i una llacuna als peus mateix d'un d'ells. I aixo nomes va ser el principi! Pels seguents dos dies vam reduir maletes i ens varem endinsar pel parc amb tenda i queviures. I aixo si que va ser espectacular, el temps ens va regalar unes vistes impressionants del cim Fitz Roy i els seus veins. Es un pinacle de granit que s'aixeca uns 3,400m., rodejat de germanets petits i dues llacunes als seus peus, a part de glaciars. Es fa dificil descriure la bellesa del lloc, pero de debo que es una de les millores vistes que hem tingut mai (aixo ja us sonara eh...). A part, vam arribar fins als peus del glaciar Piedras Blancas, despres d'escalar unes roques gegants, vam quedar bocabadats als veure el glaciar i un petit llac al voltant amb icebergs flotant. Flipant!
La nit la varem passar en un campament amb vistes privilegiades de tot el massis, un indret idilic per plantar la tenda. Tot hauria anat rodo a no ser pel fred i la gelada que va caure. I es que els nostres sacs de dormir son d'allo mes lleugerets, pero gracies a tota la roba i al fet que erem tres en una tenda de dos ens va permetre no llevar-nos amb la baba gelada...Uns s'aixequen plens d'energia en un lloc tan magic i mes si el sol t'escalfa! Aixi que de bon mati varem pujar fins a la "Laguna de los Tres" just als peus del Fitz Roy i des d'on es pot gaudir de la prespectiva mes propera.
Realment la zona es dificil de superar, penseu en la combinacio de muntanyes de formes brutals, llacs, glaciars i rius transparents. Tranquilament ens hauriem quedat per alla una setmana o un mes, pero el temps se'ns tira a sobre i ens va tocar marxar.
El seguent desti era El Calafate, prop del Perito Moreno i del Llac Argenti. Es sens dubte un dels destins mes turistics d'Argentina, i aixo es nota amb els preus, l'ambient i el turisme de grups massiu. Alla vam passar-hi dos dies, un visitant el famos Perito, un glaciar perfecte, dinamic i molt atractiu que no ens va decepcionar. L'unic retret es que no te l'encant natural d'un lloc on s'hi arriba caminant per un mateix, si no que baixes del bus i el tens alla. Iep, tot i aixo, es famos amb justicia! S'ha de veure!
El segon dia ens vam regalar un creuer pel llac Argenti, un luxe per nosaltres i que ens va permetre veure mes glaciars i icebergs gegants flotant que ens varen captivar, i a qui no? Les fotos parlen per si soles....
A El Calafate ens varem despedir de la Pauline, la nostre amiga Irlandesa amb qui hem compartit unes 3 setmanes genials. La despedida es va celebrar en forma de gran apat, "tenedor libre" (buffet lliure) de carns Patagoniques. La gran estrella: el xai! Brutal!
Avui hem arribat a Puerto Natales, Chile, des d'on anirem dos dies al Parc Nacional Torres del Paine, el qual promet moltissim si el temps acompanya.
Ara si que veiem que se'ns acaba el viatge i la bona vida. Si no fos aixi, hauriem de renovar totalment la vestimenta perque anem com mig perdularis, foradats des de les sabates fins a la gorra passant per mitjons, pantalons, roba interior etc..Hi ha hagut llarga feina cosint! Per cert, al final no ens podrem trobar amb l'Igor i la Maria, i es que mes de 4,000Km ens separen i no sera possible. Una llastima!
Apa gent, fins a la proxima!

White days in South Patagonia.

2008-01-13T22:46:00.000Z

Hey lads! Today we changed countries and got to Chile after more than a week hanging around El Chalten and El Calafate in the Argentinian Glaciers National Park. And uff, again we were blown-away by all the natural marvels we saw. We have been rushing up a lot, with no relief, but it had to be done. We are feeling quite tired, loads of kilometres by bus, loads of hikes but it was extremely worth it, fascinating!
From Bariloche we went to El Chalten, a small village and gateway to the Northern sector of the Glaciers National Park. This area is more a trekking and climbing spot compared with the more fashionable and posh El Calafate, gateway to the world famous Perito Moreno. And definetely it will be one of the highlights of our trip.
The surroundings around El Chalten are absolutely breathtaking, spectacular! It boasts the Fitz Roy masif, indisputably on of the most impressive and majestic mountains we have ever seen. And on top of that, there are glaciers and lagoons around, and all is very accessible for trekking and camping. We dedicated three days to the area, but it could have been easily a week, but now that our trip is ending we are facing this type of short-time problem to dedicate to each place, when before if we liked a place we stayed until felt it was enough. Anyway, no complaints here eh! We were very lucky with the weather, considering that the area is constantly hit by strong westerlies and storms.
On the first day we did a hike to the Laguna Torre, just on the foothills of the majestic Mt. Torre, a granite pillar towering more than 3,000m. Here we had to cope with a blustery day and did not get a glimpse of the tower, but the lagoon and the glacier were more than enough to delight us!
The day after we left on a two days trekking throughout the park, with the main target of getting to Mt. Fitz Roy foothills and checking out some glaciers around. We left under the rain, but miraculously the weather changed and cleared up on the way offering the finest views of the whole masif. There was also time to reach the White Stones Glacier and its lagoon. Scrambling through massive rocks we got to the lagoon where loads of small icebergs where floating. Amazing guys!
In Patagonia it gets dark around 11PM, so we had plenty of time to walk around! We did pitch the tent in the foothills of Mt. Fitz Roy, in an unbeatable spot! The night was extremely cold, our sleeping bags are very light, so we had to put all our clothes on and survived! On the next day we woke up with the best views ever and walked up to a lagoon close to Mt. Fitz Roy to enjoy a really close-up of the peak. That is the closest than a normal hiker can get to the peak, the rest is left to the extraterrestrial climbers that dare to climb to the summit; beat that: around 36 hours of the hardest work walking on ice,snow and climbing vertical walls, unbelievable!
Regrettably we had to leave this paradise to move on to El Calafate, 220Km south and gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Another marvel of the world, and extremely active glacier. It did not disappoint us, with a lake in his feet and impressive ice formations it is truly spectacular, and its noise when the ice blocks break is almost mind-altering. There is something about glaciers, something captivating, their changing colours, their noise, their huge size...All combined can really amaze anyone.
The day after we went on a boat trip through the Argentinian Lake, and got a chance to see more glaciers, some bigger than Perito Moreno but not as nice and perfect. But the most shocking thing was seeing huge icebergs floating in the lake, some of them massive with cool shapes and colours.
The whole Patagonia is a world apart, we really fell in love with it, and feel like that we would need at least 2 months to get to know it better. Jagged mountains, crashing glaciers, turquoise rivers, majestic mountains, national parks...An incredible array of natural beauty that can not leave indifferent any human being!
In El Calafate we splitted our paths with Pauline, with whom we have enjoyed so much the last days and today got to Puerto Natales, in Chile. From here we will go to the Torres del Paine National Park, where we plan to camp and hike for a couple of days. Then, ay,ay,ay, we will have to start to work out our way up to Buenos Aires. This is getting to the end, and strong feelings and emotions are starting to arise.
Loads of kisses from one of the southernmost points of the world!

Creuer pels glaciars i icebergs del Llac Argenti. Inmillorable!!!

2008-01-13T22:34:00.000Z

Blocs de gel caiguent del Perito al Lago Argentino.

2008-01-13T22:08:00.001Z

Glaciar Perito Moreno. Impressionant! Wooowwwww!!!!

2008-01-13T22:08:00.000Z

De cami a la "Laguna de los tres" als peus del Mt.Fitz Roy.

2008-01-13T21:49:00.000Z

Laguna Sucia.

2008-01-13T21:37:00.000Z

The majestic Mt. Fitz Roy and neighbours.

2008-01-13T21:32:00.000Z

Early morning frost on Mt. Fitz Roy.

2008-01-13T21:22:00.000Z

Professional hikers.

2008-01-13T21:17:00.000Z

Glaciar Piedras Blancas.

2008-01-13T21:07:00.000Z

El Chalten.

2008-01-13T20:57:00.000Z

De cami cap al "Cerro Torre".

2008-01-13T20:34:00.000Z

Disfrutant de la Patagonia.

2008-01-05T15:53:00.000Z

Hola gent! Acabem de tornar a la civilitzacio despres d'uns dies de muntanya, camping i molt caminar. Varem deixar Villa Gessel per anar cap a San Martin de los Andes, un poblet al districte dels llacs, ja a la Patagonia. Alla varem passar-hi tres dies caminant i visitant el Parc Nacional Lanin. El temps no ens va acompanyar massa, pero tot i aixi ho varem ben disfrutar. Va esser el primer contacte amb la Patagonia, i amb un poblet idil.lic, una barreja d'estil autocton amb estil alpi i rodejat de muntanyes i llacs. Ens vam llogar un cotxe i visitar el Parc Nacional, on nens, vam acabar xops com anecs!
El dia 31 vam fer cami cap a Bariloche a traves de la famosa "ruta de los 7 lagos", un paissatge brutal, plegat de llacs i muntanyes verdissimes.
El nostre fi d'any va ser ben diferent, sopar al Hostel amb tota la gent i on tothom havia de contribuir amb un plat. Nosaltres com a bons Catalans vam aportar truita de patates i pa amb tomaquet, ben bo i economic! Sens dubte va estar el fi d'any mes barat de la nostre vida!
Bariloche es la ciutat mes gran del districte dels llacs, un centre molt turistic, estil Andorra, on hi estiueja lo milloret del pais, o sigui, pela llarga! Pero aixo no treu que el lloc sigui increible, xulissim! I es que la ciutat esta al costat d'un llac i amb muntanyes miris on miris.
El nostre objectiu pero, era el Parc Nacional Nahuel Haupi. Es gegant i ofereix llacs, muntanyes, boscos, rius, vaja tot un espectacle! Li varem dedicar tres dies, pero de llarg, ens hi podiem haver quedat una setmana.
La primera excursio va ser al "Cerro Lopez", un cim rocos de 2,000m i amb força neu. La pujada va ser dura, sobretot el tram final on mes que caminar es tractava d'escalar, pero les vistes des del cim eren per posar-se a plorar o riure, pero sens dubte no deixarien indiferent a ningu.
El seguents dos dies els vam passar de camping i estrenant la tenda! Vam anar a "Pampa Linda", un altre punt del parc, i camp base per multitud de caminates. Aqui, vam pujar a la base del "Monte Tronador", de 3,554. Iep, i aixo si que va ser impressionant, al.lucinant. Un volca extingit i rodejat de glaciars. El nom li ve del soroll que fan els blocs de gel dels glaciars quan cauen muntanya avall. Es xocant, fins i tot inquietant quan aquest fenomen es produeix. Aquesta caminadeta va ser llarga i dura, sobretot perque un bon tros era sobre neu, i el nostre equip de muntanya esta foradat per tots costats! I es que les sabates de trekking ja porten uns quants quilometres! Al final uns 25Km de pujada i baixada, pero de lo mes recompensant que hem fet! Sens dubte ocupara el podi entre les millors excursions de l'any!
De tornada al camp base, ens vam regalar un gran sopar al voltant del foc, un dia per no oblidar! I es que no hi ha res com dormir de camping al mig de la natura i a sobre poder fer el teu foc!
Avui deixarem Bariloche, ens tocara una maratoniana jornada de bus fins al Chalten, al Parc Nacional dels Glaciars. De 35 a 40 hores de bus...Uff, ens fa mal nomes d'escriure-ho!
Apa molts petons i feliç 2008!

First contact with Patagonia. And loving it!

2008-01-05T15:47:00.000Z

Hey lads! We do not even know how to start explaining you the last few days. They have been absolutely amazing, magic! We have been blown away with the beauty of the Lake District and Bariloche's surroundings. From Villa Gessell the two of us and Pauline, took a long bus journey to San Martin de los Andes, a charming mountain village and door enrty to the Lanin National Park. There, we spent 2 great days, even though the weather was quite bad, with rain and strong winds. One of the days we rented a car and drove to the National Park where we were received by an incredible storm with rain, wind and mist. Basically we did not get a glimpse of the Lanin Volcano, the park's big star. But bravely we walked and had lunch under the shelter of a tree. Cool day! On New Years Eve we got to Bariloche, the biggest city of the district. Located right by a lake, it is beautiful, although too posh and turisty. The big attraction for us was the Nahuel Haupi National Park, an incredible and unforgettable place where we hiked for three days and loved it! We expended New Years Eve' at the Hostel where they organized a massive dinner and every one had to contribute with a dish. Ours, obviously was an Ommelette and "pa amb to tomaquet"!. The cheapest New Years dinner and night, ever! Afterwards we hanged around the Hostel and did not go out, just got a little bit pissed and off to bed! Then we left the civilitzation behind and went off to the National Park.
The Nahuel Haupi National Park comprises a massive extension of land, boasting lakes, rocky peaks and forests. It is a place where we could have easily stayed a week!
The first day we went on a hike up to Cerro Lopez, a 2,000m. rocky peak. The climb was pretty tough at the end, where we had to almost hold ourselves with the nails! It was half covered by snow, so we had good fun sliding our way down! The views from the top where something to die for! Well, just judge yourselves with the pictures.
The next two days we went camping to "Pampa Linda" an even more incredible spot, an idyllic place to pitch our brand new tent and start up a fire at night!
From there we did one of the most rewarding hikes ever! We climbed half way to "Mt. Tronador" ( Thunder Mt.). An extint volcano towereing 3554mt. and surrounded by glaciers! A truly amazing spectacle for our eyes. The name of the mountain it comes from the noise made by the glaciers and its icy blocks when they break. You can hear it from miles away, scary lads! The climb was pretty hard and long, around 25Km all the way up, but hey, on the way down we went pretty fast thanks to the snow. From the top of our hike the views were infinite, something unforgettable! Back to the base camp we had the perfect ending for a day like that, good fun and better fire!
Now we are back to Bariloche and in 2 hours we will be in the longest bus journey of our trip, around 35-40 hours to El Chalten, a town based at the Glaciers National Park. And then, wow! Let's go camping and hiking again! Cross your fingers and wish us good weather!
Kisses!

Pampa Linda. Camp base.

2008-01-05T15:40:00.000Z

It could not be nicer up here! Absolutly mind-blowing!

2008-01-05T15:18:00.000Z

De cami cap al "Mt. Tronador".

2008-01-05T14:59:00.000Z

Estrenant la tenta! Going wild!

2008-01-05T14:54:00.000Z

Hem fet el cim!

2008-01-05T14:44:00.000Z

Flipant mandonguilles!

2008-01-05T14:38:00.000Z

Escalada a "Cerro Lopez".

2008-01-05T14:32:00.000Z

Cerro Lopez i vistes increibles.

2008-01-05T14:30:00.000Z

Bariloche.

2008-01-05T14:23:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

2008-01-05T14:15:00.000Z

Lanin National Park.

2008-01-05T14:13:00.000Z

San Martin de los Andes.

2008-01-05T14:11:00.000Z

Un Nadal diferent!

2007-12-27T16:50:00.000Z

Hola familia! Ja queda enrera el Nadal i les seves obligades fartaneres. Aquesta vegada ha estat totalment diferent per nosaltres, en un ambient i clima oposats als vostres, pero han estat uns dies molt especials dels quals n'hem disfrutat moltissim. El lloc escollit per passar les festes va ser Villa Gessell, un poble de platja a uns 350Km al sud de Buenos Aires. Ha resultat una bona eleccio, el temps ens ha acompanyat, hem pogut gaudir de la platja i la companyia ha estat excel.lent!
Ens hem reunit amb el Conor i la Liz (amics fets a Xile i amb qui vam compartir dies per La Paz tambe), la Pauline (companya dels dies de pintura de Sucre), i l'Ana i l'Alejandro amics de Sucre i els quals ens vam trobar per casualitat pel carrer el dia 24. Tots plegats ens hem muntat uns apats impressionants, res de canelons o caldo de galets, pero si molta carn i parrillades, canapes i un "pavo" farcit i gegant al forn pel dia de Nadal, aquest ultim merit dels companys Irlandesos. Amb aixo hem estat mes a prop de vosaltres, tots hem acabat ben farts i tips aquests dies, nomes que per cremar un xic vosaltres us heu hagut de posar els abrics i sortir a passejar i nosaltres els banyadors i anar a nadar. Si gent, es ben extrany passar el Nadal a l'estiu i a la platja, pero no esta gens malament,eh!
Amb el tema allotjament vam tenir molta sort; vam trobar un lloc ideal, paradisiac. Un hostel amb totes les facilitats per cuinar i fer "asados", amb grans jardins i zones verdes i plegat d'animalons voltant, era com un zoo; flamencs, lloros, tucan, tortugues, conill, gossos i un mini-poni. Impressionant!
Ara toca fer cami cap a San Martin de los Andes, al districte dels llacs, cami de la Patagonia, on esperem estrenar la tenda de campanya i fer unes bones caminades per cremar els excessos d'aquests dies! El fi d'any el passarem a Bariloche en companyia de la Pauline i nous viatgers que se'ns creueran.
Ah, per cert, el tio ens ha fet un altre regal, i aquest el millor de tots! Ha arribat en forma de noticia; i es que ens trobarem l'Igor i la Maria (amics bascos de Cork) els propers dies al Sud de Xile i acabarem el nostre any disfrutant de la seva companyia. Aixo no podria acabar millor!!!
Molts petons i que estreneu d'allo mes be el 2008!!!

A different Xmas!

2007-12-27T16:48:00.000Z

Hey lads! Time to move on after our Xmas break by the beach. We chosed Villa Gessell as the meeting point with old friends to expend Xmas, and the decision turned up to be pretty good. It is a beach town 350Km south of Buenos Aires, not very crowded and with decent beaches, do not get us wrong, nothing to compare with the Caribbean or even the Mediterranean but hey, cool enough to go swimming on Xmas day!
We met up with Conor and Liz (first time we met them was in Chile and we shared some days in La Paz with them too), Pauline (we shared many days & paintings with her in Sucre), and randomly we met here Ana & Alejandro (old friends from Sucre's days too). All together organised copious meals, huge asados (barbacues) where we devoured all type of Argentinian meat, a typical stuffed Irish turkey for Xmas dinner-lunch at 10Pm!, yeah Nuria froze the turkey again by mistake...Here the lads from Tipp' and Carlow proved some incredible cooking skills! And we tasted and drunk countless Argentinian wines and beers. We could not have had a better Xmas away from home. A perfect company, every day going to the beach and heavenly meals.
A mention a part should go for the Hostel we found, an absolute paradise. A place with all the kitchen facilities that we needed, with plenty green areas, with a super-friendly staff and with loads of animals hanging around: Parrots, toucan, flamingos, tortoises, dogs, rabbit and a weird dwarf pony!
Today we will take a bus to San Martin de los Andes in the Lake District and close to the Patagonia. There we plan to burn some of the calories gained during the last days and go trekking and camping. Pauline will join us for the next days.
Oh, and we got another fantastic Xmas present, this one over the phone, in the next days we will meet Maria & Igor (friends from Cork with whom we already shared part of this trip in Thailand) in the South of Chile, so we will end up our round the world trip with them. Amazing!
That is all guys! Next days will be green and blue! Lakes and mountains are waiting for us!
All the best! Love.

Els preparatius.

2007-12-27T16:41:00.000Z

Un dia de Nadal ben estiuenc!

2007-12-27T16:37:00.000Z

Xmas hostel, like wonderland!

2007-12-27T16:30:00.000Z

Per Nadal cada ovella al seu corral??? Sera que no...

2007-12-22T19:34:00.000Z

Hola gent! Aqui va una entrada curteta per posar-vos al dia. Hem passat dos dies ben intensos per Buenos Aires, una ciutat que de moment ens ha encantat i fascinat. I aixo que tampoc l'hem descobert tota i es que amb uns 13m. d'habitants te molts racons i barris a oferir. Ens hem centrat en el micro-centre i carrers mes historics com la famosa Avinguda "9 de Julio" (la mes ample del mon), la Avinguda "de Mayo" i la seva plaça amb la pintoresca "Casa Rosada" o el barri de La Boca. D'aquest ultim ens n'hem ben enamorat, i es que esta plegat de cases de tots colors, artistes, pintures, o ballarins de tango. Te una vida electritzant.
Buenos Aires te un clar aire Europeu, i es que les influencies arquitectoniques del vell continent estan presents en qualsevol barri. Un no te la sensacio d'estar a Sud-America mentre passeja pels seus carrers, nomes petits detalls esporadics et fan donar compte que no es aixi. Ja sigui un cotxe que no passaria la ITV ni amb un mega soborn, o algu que intenta guanyar-se la vida pels carrers com pot com ara recollint cartrons, o venguent coses gairebe inutils.
L'hem disfrutat en tots els sentits, i es que te un caracter i personalitat molt forts, la seva gent es d'allo mes amable i divertida, plena de vida, i del menjar no en tenim cap queixa, mes aviat tot el contrari. Qualsevol eleccio de restaurant o pastisseria es un encert! I que dir dels gelats artesanals? Ja us podeu quedar els torrons per Nadal que ja els hi hem trobat substitut!
Dema marxem cap a Villa Gessell, un poble de platja on passarem les festes en companyia d'amics. Dir-vos que no tenim massa sensacio d'estar a tocar del Nadal, tot i aixo, el tio s'ha portat d'allo mes be i ens ha cagat una tenda de campanya a prova de bomba per resistir els vents i pluges de la Patagonia, ultim gran desti que ens espera!
Apa amics, a passar unes bones festes i a disfrutar d'aquests dies! Us trobarem a faltar! Si algu ha estat l'afortunat d'esgarrapar algun pessic de la Loteria; sapigueu que estariem encantats que ens financies un altre anyet com el que hem viscut!
Molts petons!

Enjoying Buenos Aires.

2007-12-22T19:33:00.000Z

Hey lads! A short update to let you know that we have been enjoying two days of Buenos Aires and its many charms. It is a huge city with a population of 13 million. It is dazzling in many ways, with loads of things to offer; from amazing neighbourhoods with a touch of french architecture and old-time style to bustling new areas full of trendy shops, cafes and restaurants. It has a suitable place for everyone. Doubtless it has more in common with the European cities than with the South-American ones. Its coffee and food culture it is so wide and tempting. From fresh croissants, cake shops and tasting coffees for breakfast to delicious fresh pasta or giant stakes for lunch or dinner, we will definitely put up some weight before flying back home. Ohhhh and a mention a part should go for the Argentinian ice-creams, uff the best ones we have ever tried! So creamy and tasty.
Today we went for a stroll to La Boca, and old fishermen and warehouse workers neighbourhood that was transformed in a cultural and artistic area during the 50´s. Its colourful houses and lively streets are unique, really authentic.
We barely have any Xmas feelings around here lads! Might be because of the weather, so hot, or because we are far away from home or because here we do not come across many Xmas references, but anyway, Santa has been pretty generous with us! We got a brand new tent that will come quite handy in Patagonia and its National Parks.
Tomorrow we will head south to Villa Gessell, a town by the beach were we will meet up some old friends and share a few days and meals with them. They will be our family for Xmas!
Enjoy the next days! Happy Xmas and the best wishes for 2008! Loads of kisses!

Barri de La Boca. Buenos Aires.

2007-12-22T19:06:00.000Z

Cafe Tortoni. The oldest traditional cafe in Buenos Aires.

2007-12-22T19:00:00.000Z

Buenos Aires.

2007-12-22T18:52:00.000Z

Dies de platja per Uruguay.

2007-12-19T21:34:00.000Z

Hola gent! Seguim per terres Uruguayes, on tot s'ha de dir, se'ns ha tractat de meravella i les coses ens han anat d'allo mes be! Tot va començar rodat quan varem visitar els nostres amics de Dolores; Arturo, Estela, Eduardo i Beatriz, els quals varem coneixer durant el cami Inca, i tot xerrant va sorgir la possibilitat de visitar-los en cas de que ens decidissim per entrar a Uruguay. La seva oferta era gairebe irresistible: Un tipic asado Uruguayà! Ens van acollir d'allo mes be i ens van passejar pels voltants del seu poble per acabar la festa amb un impressionant asado; el que per nosaltres seria una costellada, pero amb vedella, i nens, quina vedella! Es al.lucinant com ho preparen, hi posen els cinc sentits, es com un ritual!
De Dolores vam fer cami cap a la platja. El lloc escollit era Punta del Diablo; un poblet de pescadors; on el turisme ha fet el seu impacte pero de forma molt sostinguda. No hi ha ni un sol edifici de dos pisos, tot son cabanyes i la vida transcorre a un ritme molt lent. A part, la temporada de vacances d'estiu encara no ha començat i practicament teniem el poble per nosaltres! Aixi com l'alberg, tota una troballa que vam poder disfrutar solets, amb la gran companyia del seu amo, l'Alex, una d'aquelles persones entranyables que ha fet mes especials els 9 dies que ens hem passat per alla.
Els dies han passat molt tranquilament, llargues dormides, moltes hores de platja, passejades, apats casolans, batalles de parxis, molta lectura, posant al dia els diaris i llargues xerrades amb l'Alex. Perfecte vaja, just el que buscavem i necessitavem: uns dies de relax despres de 4 mesos voltant amunt i avall per Sud America i uns ultims dies que havien comportat llargs viatges de bus. Hem ben carregat les piles per afrontar l'ultim mes de viatge cap a la Patagonia. Ai,ai,ai que aixo se'ns acaba!
El temps ens ha acompanyat prou, dies molt assolellats pero amb vent i unes nits ben fresquetes, fins al punt de sopar davant la llar de foc algun vespre, tot un luxe!
Avui hem arribat a Montevideo, la capital i on hi passarem unes 24 hores descobrint-la abans de creuar cap a Buenos Aires. Ens emportarem un gran record d'Uruguay, un pais del que no en sabiem massa res i que ens ha sorpres molt positivament, igual que la seva gent i els noms tan extranys d'alguns dels seus pobles: Canelones, Carmelo, Treinta y Tres, Dolores, Pan de Azucar i un llarg etc...
Iep gent, quasi que ja us podem desitjar Bon Nadal i Bones Festes eh! Guardeu uns quants torrons i cava per quan tornem! Per aqui el Nadal es presenta prou caluros, el passarem per les platges Argentines en companyia d'altres viatgers allunyats de les seves terres.
Petons i abraçades a repartir!

Relaxing days in Uruguay.

2007-12-19T21:30:00.000Z

Hey lads! We are still in Uruguay with a nice tan and full of energy after 9 days hanging around Punta del Diablo, a small fishing village with decent beaches and not really crowded with hordes of tourists. We were desperate to get to the beach and relax, and charge the batteries on before facing the last month of our trip down in Patagonia.
Our days in Uruguay could not start better as we paid a visit to Arturo, Estela, Eduardo and Beatriz. We met them in the Inca trail in Peru and went to their home town; Dolores. It is a no-no touristy place, inland Uruguay and shared a Sunday with them that ended up with a massive Uruguayan asado, like a barbecue. Ufff, we can not remember eating so much meat during a single meal! And the quality of it was superb! Cooking the meat it is like a ritual for them, the target: reach the perfection! Amazing!
From Dolores we moved on to Montevideo, the country capital which we skipped to keep busing north up to the beach.
We got to Punta del Diablo, a small village with less than 1000 inhabitants and not really packed as the high season kicks off in two weeks time. Luckily we found a super-cool hostel with an owner that lives up to it, Alex! And we had it all for the two of us! So lads, we had all what we were looking for, a nice place with kitchen facilities, beaches around and a quiet atmosphere with the extra perk of Alex, with whom we had loads of conversations. The days went by so easily, sleeping 10 hours a day, lying by the beach, relaxing at the hostel's garden, playing with Maru; the house doggy, playing table games, reading, updating the journals, enjoying homemade meals and drinking Uruguayan beer! Voila, a perfect life! The weather was not roasting, pretty windy and with chilly nights, but warm enough to push ourselves to swim in the cold Atlantic waters.
We got to Montevideo today and will stay around until tomorrow doing some sightseeing. Then, will cross back to Buenos Aires for two days before heading down south to meet up Conor, Liz and Pauline, with whom we will share Xmas somewhere by the beach. Yes people, our Xmas will be hot, in shorts and bikinis! Wicked!
All the best! Loads of sunny kisses!

Descobrint platges, Punta del Diablo.

2007-12-19T21:24:00.000Z

Hostel's life.

2007-12-19T21:07:00.001Z

Punta del Diablo.

2007-12-19T20:38:00.000Z

Asado Uruguayo, per llepar-se els dits!

2007-12-19T20:33:00.000Z

Visiting our Uruguayan friends!

2007-12-19T20:28:00.001Z

Posta de sol sobre el riu Uruguay.

2007-12-19T20:20:00.000Z

Ja estem per Uruguay amb el cul cuadrat...

2007-12-10T20:26:00.000Z

Hola amics!!! L'ultima setmana ens l'hem passat volant! Hem fet una pila de quilometres i ens hem fet tot el Nord d'Argentina!!! Ara estem rebentats! Pero ha valgut la pena.
De Salta vam fer cami cap a les Cascades de Iguazu. Pel cami vam fer parada a San Ignacio de Mimi, on vam visitar unes ruines Jesuites del segle XVIII, una de les mes impressionants de tot Sud-America d'aquest ordre religios.
I un cop al Puerto de Iguazu, vam visitar les famoses Cascades de Iguazu. I nens, no decepcionen en absolut!! Aigua per tots costats, rodejats de salts verticals de millons de litres caient continuament i amb un soroll ensordidor, tot un espectacle natural! La dimencio de tot el conjunt de les cascades es impressionant! Ens vam passar un dia visitant el costat Argenti i l'endema els hi vam donar un segon cop d'ull des del costat Brasileny. Des d'Argentina un es pot apropar mes als salts d'aigua i el circuit es mes complert i espectacular, mentre que des de Brazil se'n obte una prespectiva mes general.
De Iguazu vam fer marato de busos i vaixell per plantar-nos a Colonia, Uruguay en 24 horetes! Aixo si nens, els busos Argentins son de primera! Pel.licules, apats i seients que semblen sofans!

Cascades de Iguazu des de Brazil.

2007-12-10T20:22:00.000Z

From the Iguazu falls to Uruguay.

2007-12-09T15:14:00.000Z

Hey lads! During the last week we have been rushing up throughout North Argentina and yesterday we got to Uruguay after crossing by boat from Buenos Aires. Why? Because we were dying to get to the beach and lay down under the sun while doing nothing! Yeah, we really feel like that before heading down to Patagonia.
From Salta we went to Iguazu National Park, and Wow! It did not disappoint us at all! The first shock were the temperatures, it was like being in an oven with almost 40º and very humid. The waterfalls are truly impressive, spectacular. Their power and sheer noise are incredible, almost scary! It is not just one waterfall but loads of them scattered around, the immensity of the whole place is what makes it an unforgettable experience. We visited both sides, the Argentinian and the Brazilian (yeah, at the end we went to Brazil...). After this we can say that the Argentinian side is more shocking and it offers more view points including the Devil's Throat, a mighty fall plunging thousands of liters down with a deafening noise. From the Brazilian side we could get a general perspective of all the falls. While walking around we were more than grateful every time that we got wet!
On the way up to Iguazu we stopped one day at San Ignacio de Mimi, a small village in the Misiones province that boasts the most impressive ruins of the Jesuit Missions. A place worth to check out!
Afterwards, bus time! We have to tell you that the Argentinian buses are something amazing lads! Among the best in the world they are super comfortable, fast and secure. Some companies even have their own service areas where they stop, drop you and feed you! And if you pay some extra cash they even have an stewardess and you can play bingo while travelling! We have not been in that situation so far! The only negative points is that, so far, we have already watched 3 or 4 Steven Seagal films...
From Iguazu to Buenos Aires it took us almost 20 hours and then we jumped into a ferry to cross the "Rio de La Plata" to Colonia, Uruguay. Today we will visit some friends that we met in the Inca Trail and then, off to the beach, finally!
Loads of hugs and kisses!

Iguazu falls.

2007-12-09T15:01:00.000Z

Las Missiones. San Ignacio de Mimi.

2007-12-09T15:00:00.000Z

Exploring the Jesuit Missions.

2007-12-09T14:47:00.000Z

Km i mes Km fins posar peus a Salta, Argentina.

2007-12-03T15:25:00.000Z

Hola amics! Ja hem deixat enrera Peru, Bolivia, l'altipla i les cultures indigenes per posar peus a l'Argentina. Teniem ganes de canvi, de desfer-nos del fred i les alçades i nens, aixo es un forn, quin canvi! A part, per aqui un es sent quasi be com a casa. Hi ha moltes similituds, tot es un xic mes facil, i el menjar es la bomba! La gent es molt a l'estil europeu i sofisticada, almenys aixo ens sembla vinguent de Peru i Bolivia, es realment un canvi brutal per nosaltres.
Vam passar dos dies per La Paz fent compres i despedint-nos d'aquesta ciutat amb tanta personalitat i caracter. Com anecdota, dir-vos que ens van intentar robar, be a la Nuria. Tot passejant per el mercat negre, aprofitant que els carrers son estrets i plegats de gent un grup de manguis organitzats van intentar pescar! La tecnica era bona; un escup al cap, l'altre empenta i el tercer obre les butxaques a veure que troba. Tot super rapid, en cosa de dos segons. Una dona d'una parada ens va senyalar un dels paios que fugia i el Jordi pensant que l'havien robat a ell, el va empaitar, pero de seguida es va adonar que ho tenia tot a lloc. La Nuria no portava res a les butxaques, tot per dins nens! No se'ls pot posar les coses facils als xoriços!
Avui ens n'anem cap a Posadas, al Nord-Est d'Argentina, ja prop d'Iguazu, i proxima parada a uns 1,600Km de Salta, "suma y sigue"! Maximes a uns 37º, uhh!!!
Petons i abraçades a repartir!

Wow, Argentina is big lads!

2007-12-03T15:05:00.000Z

Hey friends! We are in Salta, NW Argentina, after a long and exhausting trip from La Paz. It took us 36 hours to get here combining trains and buses. European distances will be nothing for us after this trip! We hanged around La Paz for 2 days, doing a bit of shopping and enjoying again one of our favourite cities.
While walking through the black market and taking advantage of a crowded narrow corner, a group of thieves tried to rob Nuria. The technique was quite good; one spat on her hair, another pushed her, and the third snicked his hands into her pockets. Everything happened within 2 seconds. They got nothing! With the confusion a woman pointed one of the thieves and Jordi ran after him without knowing if he had been robbed. On the race he checked on his pockets and bag, and realized all was there, so, no problems!
Oh well, Argentina looks cool lads! So far, we have enjoyed 2 days in Salta, a nice city, quite European and with an amazing food! Looks like we will put on some weight before flying back home! We left the cold weather and the high altitudes behind to start dealing with the hot weather and the sweating involved!
Today we will take a bus to Posadas, NE Argentina, on the way to the Iguazu falls, yeah, around 1,600Km more...and keep going!
All the best!

Frontera Bolivia-Argentina. Kms. a fer els proxims dies!!!!

2007-12-03T15:02:00.000Z

Road blockade upon arrival at La Paz. Bolvia.

2007-12-03T14:59:00.000Z

L'hostal perfecte! Volca Misti al fons. Arequipa.

2007-12-03T14:57:00.000Z

Ceviche. Typical Peruvian marinated fish. Yummy!!!!

2007-12-03T14:55:00.000Z

Convent-Monestir de Santa Catalina, Arequipa. Peru.

2007-12-03T14:50:00.000Z

En ruta!

2007-11-28T23:12:00.000Z

Hola gent! Ja estem per La Paz, la nostra tercera casa despres del Ripolles i de Cork! Es la quarta vegada que hi posem peus i tan feliços! Aquesta vegada estem de ruta cap Argentina, pero hem decidit passar un parell de dies per aqui, en plan de despedida i tambe per comprar algunes artesanies.
Els ultims dies per Arequipa van estar ben animats, bons apats i millors festes. I es que ens ho merexiem despres de passar tant temps per les muntanyes!
Che, la idea es plantar-nos a Argentina el dissabte despres de 24 hores de tren si tot va be, perque sembla que les aigues estan mogudes per Bolivia. Moltes manifestacions i bloquejos de carretera.
Apa, fins a la proxima!

Cinc dies d'esforç i emocions pel Canyo del Colca i la Vall dels Volcans.

2007-11-22T19:57:00.000Z

Hola gent! Estem de retorn de les muntanyes, un cop superada la caminata mes dura del viatge! A Arequipa varem trobar-nos amb en Dan, Jamie i la Grace, tots amics de Sucre, per organitzar un trekking pel Canyo del Colca, el segon mes fons del mon, amb parets verticals de caiguda fins a 3,000m.
Aquesta vegada pero, vam decidir passar d'agencies i muntar-ho pel nostre compte, i nens, ha estat d'allo mes recompençant! Si be que va costar un xic tenir-ho tot a punt, el premi final es mes gratificant. Vam fer-nos amb la tenda, el fogonet i equip de camping a Arequipa, a part de passar-nos un dia fent les compres de queviures. El trekking era dur, i al principi teniem els nostres dubtes si arribariem a bon port! Han estat uns 60Km en 5 dies, amb moltes pujades i baixades, des d'uns 1,800m al fons del canyo, vam haver de pujar fins a 5,100 per despres tornar a baixar.
La cosa no va començar massa be quan el Jordi es va posar malalt just un dia abans de començar, amb febre i enginyes, pero les ganes i l'antibiotic van fer possible una rapida recuperacio! No sense despres patir una reaccio als medicaments en forma d'inflamacio de mans i peus, a l'estil hobbit!
Vam optar per un trekking alternatiu, allunyant-nos de la zona mes turistica del Canyo del Colca per endinsar-nos en una zona força remota i aillada amb un paissatge brutal, pero alhora de dificil acces i que requeria molt d'esforç fisic, per aixo vam fer-nos amb dues mules i un burro per ajudar amb els 50Kg de carrega. Amb el paquet venia inclos el seu amo, el Beto, que ens certs moments ens va servir de guia per no perdre'ns!
Vam sortir de Cabanaconde, un poblet just a sobre del Canyo del Colca i des d'on vam baixar fins al fons d'aquest per despres tornar a pujar per l'altre costat. Iep, aquest Canyo es tot un espectacle, es brutal, penseu que en alguns punts, te una caiguda de 3,000m fins al fons. Es clar, que no es tan agradable quan s'ha de pujar i baixar! El dia es va fer llarg i dur, vam fer uns 20Km per arribar fins a Choco, un poblet on varem fer nit i vam entretenir als locals mentre muntavem el campament i feiem el sopar!
El segon dia vam fer cami cap a Miña, un poblet encara mes remot i aillat de tot, a 2 dies de caminata de qualsevol altre poble, i sense carreteres. Imagineu-vos el xoc cultural! Descobrir indrets aixi dona mes sentit al viatjar. Aqui vam acampar a la plaça del poble, tot un show! La canalla corrent pel voltant, ajudant a muntar la tenda, en fi, que els vam tenir de companyia tota la tarda i a les sis del mati ja els tornavem a tenir rondant!
El tercer dia vam deixar enrera els pobles per pujar muntanyes amunt, fins a 4,600m on ens va tocar aguantar una tempesta d'aigua neu. Per sort vam trobar una cabanya on ens vam refugiar i d'on ja no ens varem moure. Un cop passada la tempesta, va tocar anar a buscar llenya per escalfar la nit! Va estar genial, tots cuinant sobre el foc ben calentets!
El quart dia la Nuria va patir del mal d'altura, i es que portavem mes de 24 hores per sobre dels 4,000m. Li va agafar un bon "telele", amb mal d'estomac, mareig i mal de cap! Per sort les burres anaven mes lleugeretes i pujada al cim d'una va fer cami fins al pas de muntanya als 5,100m. El Jordi no el va patir, segurament gracies a la quantitat de fulles de coca que va mastegar. Aixo si, pujar fins a 5,100m. es va fer dur i llarg, i es que cada passa costa un mon! Ara, l'espectacle des del cim era impressionant!
L'unica solucio per superar el mal d'alçada es baixar metres. Per aixo, un cop fet el cim varem decidir premer fort i baixar ben avall, fins a Chachas, on varem fer nit. Va ser un dia llarg com pocs, i on els genolls i els turmells van patir de valent. El poblet de Chachas es la porta d'entrada al "Valle de los Volcanes", on el paissatge va canviar radicalment amb el que haviem vist fins ara. Aqui ens vam despedir de les mules i el seu "jefe" per encarar l'ultim dia fins a Andagua en solitari.
Aquest ultim dia va transcorrer pel mig de la vall, plegada de formacions de lava i amb mini-volcans, estil cigronets arreu. Es va fer llarg, i dur, potser per l'esforç acumulat o perque portavem les maletes, pero el arribar a Andagua despres de 5 dies i mes de 60Km va ser tot un premi! Aixo si nens, estavem rebentats, peus encetats, panses als llavis, bruts i empolsegats, robes estripades i sabates a punt de morir! Tot i aixo, ha estat una experiencia brutal, el que hem vist i sentit en 5 dies no es pot explicar ni en paraules ni en fotos, pero sempre ho recordarem!
Despres d'aixo i un retorn en bus infernal de 11 hores amb conductor suicida, ens regalarem uns dies de relax per Arequipa on de bon segur cauran algunes pizzes i cervesetes!
Apa amics, fins a la proxima! Abraçades a repartir!

The story of a hard-core trekking!

2007-11-22T19:55:00.000Z

Hey lads! We are back after the longest and hardest trekking we have ever done! We have been five days walking through the Colca Canyon and a Volcanoes Valley. This time we decided to organise it ourselves with the company of Dan, Grace and Jamie, all old friends from Sucre. It required a lot of thinking and preparations. We had to buy all the equipment; tent, mats, stove and the most important, the food.
The Colca Canyon is the second deepest in the world, with its almost vertical walls plunging down to 3,000m. It is a very touristy spot around Arequipa, but this time we decided to go off the beaten track and went on a alternative trekking through remote landscape and villages that rarely see many tourists. It has been tough and we had to deal with many setbacks as Jordi being ill with fever just one day before leaving, a skin reaction to the antibiotics that provoked some feet and hands inflammation and Nuria suffering altitude sickness on the third day at 5,000m, just to mention some...
At Cabanaconde, the starting point, we had to rest for two days to get rid of the damn sore throat and fever while arranging the mules. We got two brave mules and a donkey to do the job and carry more than 50Kg of stuff. They came together with his owner, Beto, a local guy who doubled himself as a guide sometimes.
The whole trekking was around 60Km long, passing through a varied landscape full of contrasts; from the bottom of the canyon at 1,800m we had to climb all the way up to a 5,100m. mountain pass, and then descend down to the Volcanoes Valley, a bizarre spectacle, a field carpeted of lava flows with small volcanoes scattered around. Obviously this involved different weather patterns, from extreme heat we went to freezing conditions with snow and wind. But guys, it has been the most fulfilling trekking we have ever done, and the one that required more effort, mentally and physically. An incredible experience!
The first started at 3,200m, at Cabanaconde and we descended all the way down to the bottom of the canyon to then walk it up to the other side to end up in Choco, a small village where we camped and were the attraction of the afternoon. Uff, this canyon is mind-blowing, impressive with its towering walls and the river right at the bottom. Just think that its depth is double than the famous Colorado one!
The second day was the easiest, we just walked 1,200 uphill to another village, Miña, really isolated and two days walking away from any other form of civilisation. Here, lads, we put the tent on the dusty town square, and cooked with all the kids playing around and inspecting our tent.
On the third day we kept gaining altitude while walking up a steep path to the first mountain pass at 4,600m. On the way we spotted many Condors, Wow! What an amazing bird, majestic! On top, the weather totally changed, it turned cold, windy and hail started to fall. Luckily a hut was nearby, so we squashed all of us in there, and when the weather cleared up we went on wood search to heat up the evening. That was may be the nicest night we had, while cooking outdoors around the fire.
The fourth day was the most difficult and hardest one. From 4,200m we had to climb up to the mountain pass at 5,1000m, and believe us, walking at this altitude is a different story, every step is a struggle and the lack of air is really evident. Here Nuria suffered of altitude sickness and could not make it by herself, stomach ache, dizziness, headache all combined made it impossible. But, here is when the mules came handy guys! She had to ride the mule all the way to the pass. Jordi was doing well and not suffering of the altitude, maybe the amount of coca leaves that he chewed helped! From top we decided to go as downhill as possible, as this was the best cure for Nuria, so we made it to Chachas, a village at the bottom of the Volcanoes valley. That was an extremely long day and ankle and knees killing. Here we bid farewell to the mules and his owner as we decided to do the last day to Andagua on our own.
On the last day we had to carry our bags and walk for a never-ending 20Km to Andagua, but the landscape was truly shocking, just lava fields everywhere and small volcanoes popping up here and there. Although the strength was running down and was hard to get to the final destination. But, hey, we made it! We felt so proud and happy upon arrival! Andagua is non-touristy village where we could not treat ourselves after the hard-core trekking. But at least we got a bed to sleep and some food.
The meals during the trekking where simple but quite tasty; pasta, rice, beans and lentils in tins, bread, tuna... heaps of boiled and treated river water and even more coca chewed!
And that is it lads, now we are back to Arequipa after 11 hours bus ride through bumpy roads and a mad driver who made us suffer more than the steep slopes of the Colca Canyon! Time to celebrate the succes with some pizzas and beers!
All the best!

The team is getting ready!

2007-11-22T19:52:00.000Z

Canyo del Colca, avall i amunt.

2007-11-22T19:41:00.000Z

Apretant el burro poruc!

2007-11-22T19:39:00.000Z

Primera nit a Choco.

2007-11-22T19:32:00.000Z

Segon dia, caminant de Choco a Miña.

2007-11-22T19:23:00.000Z

Second night in Miña, entertaining the locals while camping in the town square.

2007-11-22T18:58:00.000Z

Tercer dia, muntanya amunt i flipant amb les vistes!

2007-11-22T18:46:00.000Z

On the top of the world!!

2007-11-22T18:39:00.000Z

Escalfant la tercera nit al voltant del foc.

2007-11-22T18:34:00.000Z

Bocabadats amb els condors!

2007-11-22T18:27:00.000Z

Spectacular view from 5100m.!!

2007-11-22T18:20:00.000Z

La Nuria a punt de fer el cim i el condor rondant la presa.

2007-11-22T18:12:00.000Z

The mighty coca made the job on the way up!

2007-11-22T18:08:00.000Z

La nevada que ens va caure just a 5100m!!!

2007-11-22T18:06:00.000Z

Chachas. Porta d'entrada a La Vall dels Volcans.

2007-11-22T17:55:00.000Z

La Vall dels Volcans i camp de lava.

2007-11-22T17:51:00.000Z

Last rest before Andagua, the final destination.

2007-11-22T17:45:00.000Z

El descans com a recompensa final. Andagua.

2007-11-22T17:43:00.000Z

The Kids playing around. Andagua.

2007-11-22T17:36:00.000Z

Dies de relax per Cusco i voltants.

2007-11-12T21:00:00.000Z

Hola amics! Ens hem tirat una setmaneta per Cusco i els seus voltants. Molt tranquilament hi ha hagut temps per tot; bons apats, alguna festa, visites a museus i 3 dies d'escapada al "Valle Sagrado", a prop de Cusco. Ens varem moure de poble a poble visitant ruines Inques i disfrutant d'unes vistes espectaculars.
Al final hem canviat un xic els plans i no farem la caminata a les ruines de Choquekirau, pero a canvi ens hem trobat amb tres amics a Arequipa des d'on marxarem cap al Canyo del Colca a fer un trekking de 6 dies pel nostre compte. Estem en fase de preparatius, fent les compres: que si fogonets, olles, mantes, tenda i fent la llista del menjar! Es un trekking força dur, uns 60Km pujant fins a uns 5,500m i baixant fins al fons del canyo. Pero cap problema, si una cosa tenim es temps! i si ens porta mes dies no passa res! Ens hem d'emportar un parell de bones mules de carrega i qui sap si ens acabarem barallant per muntar-les nosaltres!
Apa, fins la proxima! Petonets!