Thursday 24th July and we had landed in Buenos Aires. For all the stories and good things we had heard we couldn't wait to see what it was packing. We jumped into our taxi and headed off to hostel Sudamerika. We had our own private room and whilst it was more than basic we at least had a TV. It had been a while. We dumped our gear, showered up and headed off for what we usually go out for. A steak. It makes sense. Recharged we headed into the town centre (or as we called it) to have a look around. Buenos Aires has to be the most spread out city we have ever been to. Nothing is all in one place which means either walking (apparently at one time on this vacation we did such an activity) or taxi rides. However after kind of getting some sort of idea when things were we headed back to the hostel to chill and get ready for the evenings games. It was a Thursday night and a lot of people had told us about club 69. World famous apparently and a must do. You can only go there on a Thursday to boot. Going with the flow we got ourselves some tickets, and after a couple of crafty ones in the room we headed out. It was a monster taxi journey there but the place and the bars around it looked busy. We grabbed a quick bite to eat, had a few drinks and then got ourselves in the club as the que looked to be building. Not for our first time in Argentina we had stumbled into a club which was not our scene. We will be punching the lights out of every person who recommended this place if we run into them again. For them to think an electro dance, illuminous sporting, glowstick waving transvestite club is our cup of tea can be nothing more than a piss take. It was like another world that we certainly don't want to be part of. After one drink (we wanted to make sure we weren't seeing things) we made an exit. A little annoyed we had heard of another place. Got a taxi across town and pulled up to a massive que. Lady luck was upon us, and having managed to secure some tickets we walked straight past the que and in. Easy! Once inside we finally found what we had been looking for. Quality music, quality DJ's and a packed dancefloor. Jackpot. From there we were set until around 7 in the morning when we finally stumbled in after a great night. It seems the stories weren't lies!

The next morning and a little hungover Luke and Chris decided to head off for a BK. James was done with such establishments so only 2 combo kings were sunk. Afterwards James had an address for a subway so we marched off in search. Whilst on our way we nearly all died trying to cross an 8 lane road. A little confused as to when the green man was flashing the lads started off across the widest road they had ever scene only to get nearly half way, look to the yonder and see cars speeding at about 80 towards them. With only time to drop a small brown deposit into their pants it was decision time. Linford Christie straight across or abort. James and Luke were slightly quicker to abort than Chris who swears he could have made it. After we had all made the decision to turn only God himself knows why we proceeded to run like we were treading on hot coals. At no time is it cool to run with your knees taking it turns to come well above your waist Laurel and Hardy style. However with such a load having just exited the backdoor perhaps that's how we all do it. Despite having nearly just died you couldn't stop the tears rolling down our face at just how stupid we had just looked. We may have had more dignity being peeled of the tarmac. Finally having made two successful crossings we came to the conclusion no subway was to be found today. So after mugging off the King, Ronald himself came to the rescue and alowed us all to reflect on our stop, look, listen skills that we had obviously mis-placed. Friday evening and after some chill time and erm maybe a steak, Luke and Chris went for another night spinning on their heads. The music wasn't as good but another successful one. Thouroughly entertaining even with the ride home. At around 6 in the morning Luke and Chris could have sworn they jumped into the taxi of former land speed record holder Richard Noble. Noble insisted on showing us it is in fact possible to hit nearly 200kph in the heart of a city centre. Try doing that in London. Whilst giggling like girls at the time, looking back we were glad of just how wide the roads were in Buenos Aires. It was hairy.

On the Saturday and after two big nights out the decision was made to take it easy. Danielle was to arrive on the Sunday and we all wanted to be fresh. Chris opted for a little bit of downtime in the sack (slander of 16 hours but don't believe all you read), whilst Luke and James did make it out for a spot of lunch and shopping. Activities were being saved for Miss Parker. After a somewhat un-eventful day we did manage to get ourselves out for another nice dinner. James had some flank which we still aren't too sure about however it was another top steak all round. When we get home certain Morrisons shopping bills may be going up a little to accommadate such new requirements concerning dinner based banter. After that we headed back for an early night. We had a taxi for the morning and 3 three amigos were about to become 4!

Sunday 27th July and we headed off to the airport to pick up one Miss Danielle Marie Parker. The lads had a final half hour to tone the language down a notch or two and start doing the old think before you act stuff again! It should make a refreshing change! We arrived at the airport a little early and had time for some salame, ham, cheese configuration for breakfast (at no point have we found one decent breakfast on this continent). Sufficiently full we were ready. James headed on down to the arrivals gate whilst Luke and Chris held back with spare kleenex. After a little wait there she was sports fans. Safe and sound in Argentina and about to embark on 3 weeks of unknown with us boys. That's trust. All said our greetings and we headed off to the car. Luke was a gentleman and carried Danielle's bag. We'll all be having a good laugh when the bill for the chiropracter pops through the door! It was straight back to the luxury of our hostel and to show Danielle what the bunk bed life is all about. Jame's the dark horse had upgraded them to a hotel for the night however so at least she would have one night of luxury. After a quick pit stop we headed off to show Danielle a little bit of BA and have a bite to eat. After an all night flight we didn't want to kill her so we all headed back to our boudoirs for some chill time. That evening and on recommendation from Mrs Saunders (and the Lonely P if the boys read a little) we headed out for the place that was home of the steak apparently. With a que outside and free champagne to keep you interested we knew this was the right place. It was a first to have to wait but my God it was worth it. The lads had 2 steaks between them which could have sank a battle ship. The food was glorious, the wine was ace thanks to our trusty waiters choice, and the desert - well it wasn't really needed. Awesome eat. Having seriously expanded the waist lines for the millionth time (we're guessing it sounds like we eat out a lot which we are no less than guilty of) we headed home. Zonked.

Up at a reasonable time on the Monday and it was time for some activities. First stop was BA zoo. A short ride across town and with 2 pounds to get in we were excited! BA zoo is massive. It's right in the city and it's proper old school when it comes to the enclosures. Whilst it's prob not best for the animals we did see a range of species that you do not see in other zoo's let alone every day! It was quite a an experience. We mingled around the zoo for hours and once we found out you could feed the goats and the deer we were sold. For a mear 1 pound 80 you could have a bucket of feed that would keep bambee and us entertained for hours. And that's exactly what we did. It was a good little experience and different to any zoo us experts have been to before. Not all good different though. After our animal encounters we set off for a Japanese Garden. We're not too sure how up to date the map was but it turned out to be more of a leisurely walk through the park. Still nice though. After that we decided on one last stop for the day. The biggest shopping mall in South America. Now the lads are taking the stance that Danielle forced us to go there and we had nothing to do with it. Different versions of this event may creep out the woodwork however. After that we had a quick revamp at the hostel we went out for another very nice meal to top the day off!

On the Tuesday we showed Danielle how we're always up before 09:00am with a quick 6 mile jog before activities. Not quite believing us we headed out to the Boca Juniors stadium. Sports fan or not this place is a must see. It's absolutely mental and at no point would any of the gamesmanship that they employ be allowed within a 1000 miles of the UK. It was fascinating. We won't go into detail but to give an idea, they allow their hooligans (who they don't ban) have their own specific section right above where the away team comes out onto the pitch in order to allow them to throw stuff at them. It's crazy. The hooligans section is also directly above the away teams changing room, with the stand specially designed to shake when the supporters jump so that no team talk can be heard. And that is just the beggining. It's absurd but bloody funny. The list is endless! It's hard though to imagine more passionate supporters than these guys. They almost take support to another level. No wonder we kept it on the d low that Maradona is somewhat of a cheating skamp. The place is a bit of a shrine to him and if he wasn't so good at football, we may have written our names on his statue. And not with a pen! After a great tour of the ground we popped it into the museum. Also a good look even if most of it was in Spanish. After that we hit the gift shop and we were done. A highly enjoyable experience! Once done we headed back into town for a bite to eat at an Irish establishment. Just around the corner was a very famous cemetary where people of importance are burried. It's one of the most surreal places we've been. It's like a town with little streets and massive marble tombs where whole familes are burried together. Not too clued up on the residents we headed for the one we did know. Eva Peron. With a que down to it and flowers built up all around it, it pretty much speaks for itself. That lady has certainly not been forgotten. After a bit of a walk around such a strange place we headed out. For one reason or another you just won't forget that place. It's hard to explain. That evening we decided to go out for a couple. A taxi driver dropped us off down by the river where we may have had some all you can eat BBQ number although we'll have to confirm. It looked a really nice place for day based sight seeing however we'd have to save it for a future date. Later that night and after a bit of a search we did manage to find a club. Luke and Chris had a look in and with hard house on the menu and a lot of people dancing like t*** we decided it probably wasn't our thing. These cheeky pill heads turn up everywhere. After that we decided to retire. No point forcing one!

On the Wednesday we had a big day of sorting stuff out. We had decided to go to Urugauy for a jaunt and we knew when we wanted to hit Iguazu so a boat and bus needed to be sorted. Danielle and James where on boat duty whilst Luke and Chris headed off to sort out some super class bus antics for our journey to the falls. It was painful the amount of time it took but by the end of the day we were sorted. Boat was booked for the following day and the bus for the Sunday when we got back. Organised. From there we sorted out a few last minute bits and pieces and headed back. We wanted to catch a tango show. Quick change and we went round the corner for a 'smaller' show. There we were greeted with a massive que and no real hope of getting in. We needed a plan B. The cinema. We cruised off to the only one we knew (we're pretty sure it's the biggest) and arrived to find a massive que with only one filsm on. Disaster. All dressed up with nowhere to go was how we all felt and with 3 (that's right 3) Golden Arches in the same food court directly behind us winking, we tripped and fell and ate gourmet food for the evening. Don't let anyone say that two prime bits of beef in a bun is not plush, even if it is called a Big Mac. After feeling somewhat stupid we headed home. Our boat was early the next day and we had packing to do. It was time for a short 'holiday' in Montevideo