Had a long 17hr overnight bus journey to Puerto Madryn, but the buses in Argentina are no ordinary busses. We had a plasma screen tv, fully reclining leather seats, blankets, pillows, air-con, an even steak and mash for dinner.... oh and spanish bingo. It was amazing. (and i thought id be hitching rides on cattle trucks! - give it time)We arrived in Puerto Madryn at lunchtime, a nice small town by the beach. This town is the main base for visiting the Peninsula V...

Buenos Aires came as a bit of a shock to us. Having arived from the plaits, bowler hats and panpipes of Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, we were suddenly back in the throws of a huge cosmopolitan city. I could be in london or New york, that is until i fall down a hole in the pavement, then i remember im still in South America. It took a while to adjust. We´ve got used to weeing behind bushes (you cant do that here) and not showering and wearing the same clothes f...

OTAVALOThere is only one reason why people visit Otavalo, and thats for the incredible markets. It has the biggest and best craft market in South America, and it didnt disappoint. Hundred of stalls selling beautiful jewelry, local crafts, hammocks, throws, gorgeous weaving, bags and clothes. It could have been easily gone mad, but had to excercise some restraint with 9 months of travel still to go. I could only buy what i could afford to send home. Couldnt resist...

This is so amazing. Im finally in the Amazon rainforest! It looks just like u`d see on `planet earth.` Oversized trees and plants as far as the eye can see with heavy clouds and mist hanging randomly over the canopy and the constant buzz of insects. The only way to get to our lodge was by narrow longboat down the massive river Napo, a tributary to the Amazon itself. When we ariived at the lodge there were monkey hanging in the trees outside, and then the rain sta...

BAÑOSWe have now crossed the border into Ecuador and the difference was almost immediate. There is much more wealth here than Peru and Bolivia. The houses are much larger and really smart. The landscape is much lusher with lots of green plant and trees. We had a nightmare journey to Baños. Firstly we reached a river and the bridge hadnt been built yet. Then once back on track the police flagged us down to say there had be a landslide and the road wa...