I've been in Mendoza for a little while and life is pretty tough. My hostel is less than $10 p/night with pool and bar etc, and I'm in the wine producing capital of Argentina. The bus trip was a bit of a struggle though as I managed to do a bit of a blonde thing. The trip was 20 hours so at about 11pm I still wasn't asleep and thought I'd pop a sleeping pill to help me out. After another few hours I was still struggling and getting a little frustrated. I eve...

After 4 or 5 days in Baraloche I gave up waiting for the rain to stop. It was really disappointing because the lakes district north of Patagonia looked amazing. It aint no fun camping and hiking in constant rain though. I did manage to spend my time wisely though, enjoying Baraloche's famous chocolate and icecream washed down with coffee and a few good books. I've also been able to read an english newspaper while in Argentina which is great (until now I'd bee...

I got the bus north (6hrs) from El Calafate to El Chalten which is tiny town at the base of the Fitz Roy range of mountains. The town is set right below the mountains and generates its own power and relies on satellite links for telephone and internet (making it very expensive and inconsistent depending on weather conditions). Again I was glad of all the cash I'd spent on warm and waterproof gear before I came with the weather conistently cold, extremely windy ...

Hola. El Chalten is a small town which is often the first stop when you head accross the border from Chile into Argentina. It was great to get into Argentina to enjoy some of the pleasures of home. Argentina has a strong European influence which means that coffee, chocolate, good food and wine (and of course the steaks) are abundent. El Chalten is also the gateway to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciers and particularly the Moreno Glacier. The Moreno glacier is ...

Hola. Firstly, congratulations to the Ironman NZ finishers with Wal (10:03, 66th overall), Gedi (11:51, 429th overall & 51st female overall!), & Ritchie (10:30, 133rd overall). It's great to hear I've already got 2 Amigo's to join me for Oz in 2005 too (no backing out now fellas). Congratulations also (a little belated I know) to Ritchie and Naisy with young 'Keith' (for now) on the way. I've just finished a five day hike around the Torres Del Paine...