After 5 days in B.A. we were looking forward to somewhere a little more laid back so we headed to Rosario. The bus journey was about as exciting as the toilet was clean (similar to the Dixon Street toilets at 3am Saturday). We arrived in the evening and the first challenge was to find something to eat other than cheese pizza or toasted sandwiches. When we finally found somewhere the city was descended upon by the most extreme swarm of these big flying insects that looked like a cross between beetles and cockroaches. They were very attracted to the white florescent lights and every 5 minutes or so someone from the shop had to sweep them out the door. Hamsah was not a happy camper.

We were later told that the 'old people' say that a swarm of these beetles/cockroach insects is a sign that it's going to rain. The young people should listen because we woke up the next morning to a thunderstorm.

There is not a lot to do in Rosario but the banks of the Parana river were pleasant enough. According to Jorge (who managed our hostel) the Parana river is the 3rd most important river in the world after the Amazon and the Nile. Fact. We couldn't miss the opportunity to to see this very important river from a great height so we took the lift to the top of the National Flag Memorial. If you're reading this at work then you can thank your baby lord jesus that your job doesn't involve sitting in a sweltering mosquito infested lift pressing either the up or down button. While the Parana river was no Manawatu, it was pleasant enough.

After a romantic day on the peddle boats in Rosario's man made lake , we were treated to an amazing Asado (BBQ) of Argentinian steak from Jorge and his lover Rudi. Rudi didn't speak any English at all but that didn't stop him from indulging us with his love of philosophy. After dinner, we headed out to SA's biggest casino with over 2000 pokie machines and a lot of other stuff. Taking Hamsah there was like taking a fat diabetic kid to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Needless to say, we're not writing this from our private jet.

We were sad to smooch Jorge and Rudi goodbye since they'd been the most amazing hosts but we were excited to be heading to Cordoba for new years.....