So, Richy and Blacky are safely back in Oz and I am waiting to board my flight in BA. What an awesome trip, words can’t explain. We were lucky to meet the best people in BA and it made our trip so much more fun. Thanks to all of you, you know who you are. I don’t want to offend anyone by leaving them off the long list. Thought it would be over when the boys flew out to Oz, but there was more in store with a freaking cracking night last night! To be honest, I’m very sad to leave. So, until next time…….

Adios Amigos!

Not such a big one last night, as we are getting ready for Creamfields tonite. A few drinks with Jessi & Filepe, our star bar tenders and now friends from Art Factory. They had the night off as the power company has been randomly cutting power through BA after protests against the government.

So, today a bit of shopping, then the festival. 5PM till 7AM, 7 stages, too many DJs to mention! 60,000 tickets sold, so fair to say it should be a solid turnout.

Not sure there’ll be another post before Ricardo & Blacky leave. Will finish the festival at 7AM, head back to the room for sleep, then the boys leave early Monday morning.
A few more random shots of BA yesterday….

Always time for one more Parilla

So, arrived off the ferry and booked Cabana Los Lilas, the most incredible meat I have tasted. Ever. Period.

Then headed to the accommodation for a few beers to unwind, dropped past the Art Factory to catch up with the mad crew.

Then to dinner…..

A nasty altercation when I tried to save a falling napkin and smashed my wine glass with wine all over myself
Point to note: I was not drunk. It was windy. Really windy.

Our personal cab driver Ramon. He has become a mate and it was his birthday also.

After dinner, drinks back at Art Factory, then it was time to head out at 5am.

Up in the morning for the beautiful drive from Punta back to Montevideo. Arrived back, dropped off the car, checked into the hotel then went to the main city beach. Water temp was perfect. Nice sun, sand and water before heading back to BA tomoz.
Also, it hit 38 degrees C today, so perfect day for the beach!

Then found a great bar on the beach and had a fantastic afternoon ramping up for Blackys 40th tomorrow.

So, showered up now and ready to hit the Capital tonight to see what trouble we can find…..wish us luck…..

Had to include this shot. A random bloke walking from pub to pub taking people’s blood pressure. Blacky saw the same guy doing the same thing 2 years ago. He said my blood pressure was perfect. Blacky said that means I should definitely have it checked. All the tests he did last time were ass about….

A quick walk around Montevideo Centro before heading to pick up the rentacar. Picked up a ‘Chorizo Al Pan Completo’ from a street vendor… They tasted incredible….

Then it was time to hit the highway north east
L-R: Ballsy, Captain Beef heart (Beefy) & Dee Dee 2 hunge.

The St Tropez or Costa Del Sol of South America pretty well sums this place up. The days consist of soaking up the sun and surf, while the nights are for fine food, drink and good times. A little too Gold Coast, Australia for me, but it’s making for a relaxing change of pace compared to Buenos Aires.
Time for beer and a snack on arrival…

A great sunset last night, really feels like a relaxing holiday now…..

And a few shots of Punta today, including another sunset…

Off to shower up and hit the town!!

Eay start for the ferry yesterday out of BA. Left the hotel at 6am for an 8am departure on the ferry.

Took us 3 hours on the ferry, so really only two things to do. The 3 of us split the options.

Arrived, then walked to our hotel, stopping for a beautiful lunch on the way. Unfortunately, everything comes to a stop on Sunday in Uruguay, so the town was pretty dead…..

A cool old truck on the walk….

So, off to get the rental car now then heading north to Punta Del Este.

We are currently experiencing higher than normal party periods.
Readers can expect the situation to return to normal on departure from Buenos Aires. Tomorrow. Maybe.

Well, an hour or so until the boyz arrive.
Thought I’d throw in a few photos of Boriloche township. Wandered around for a few hours before my flight, bought some incredible chocolate (thanks to the Swiss coming here in the 20’s)……

The chocolate shop…..

Oh, and it can’t be Swiss with fondue….

Then, departure from the airport, looking in the gift shops….. Reminded me…. Man, Maradona got fat!!!

A bit late on the post, as there was no Internet at last night’s stay, which was the perfect place for an electronic detox! The most amazing energy at Villa Traful, right on the lake front, paradise!
The weather was perfect for the journey. In a place known for its high wind speed, the 2 days of the trip was perfect!
Before departing Boriliche:

So, for the journey, my travel buddies were Ben & Tanya. Talk about the Brady Bunch. We have Ben, the Germany train engineer, not the kind with the funny hat that blows the whistle and tops up the coal, but the one who does track and electrical signal testing and certification.
Then we have Tanya, the Russian financial specialist living in London, who sold Top Gear to the BBC. She was with us until San Martin de los Andes, then bailed for a 22 hour bus trip to BA!
So the lakes as we passed them:
Lago Nahuel Huapi (Boriloche on this)

Because the first lake is so huge, we decided to stop at Villa la Angostra for coffee…..

Checking what Santa had in his sack…..

A great set of falls along the Route. I have now cancelled my trip to Iguazu, as I just can’t see the point:

Lago Correntoso:

Lago Espejo:

Lago Villarino:

Lago Hermoso:

Lago Machonio:

Lago Lacar (San Martin de los Andes rests on the edge of this lake) :

Was exceptionally funny to see 6 members of the Argentina Navy in full uniform by the Lake. I’m not sure of the threat of invasion via the lake but clearly it is clear and present.

San Martin (lunch stop):

Then, after dropping Tanya, it was time to back track half way to Villa Traful, on the edge of Lake Traful, where we spent the night.

So, departed this morning for Boriloche again, ready for my flight to BA to catch Blacky & Ricardo tonight.
Most amazing view of the Lake on driving East:

So, another great adventure that I rate as a ‘must see’ if in this part of the world.
McKenna, out.

Into the mountains today. Changed the plans early after to chatting to Kiki in the hostel. She put up a convincing argument. Picked up the rental car, then Ben, Elle, Megan & I started the drive to the base station.

Crossed some crazy procession enroute, so we got diverted by the Policia. Didn’t start walking till midday and it was 4 hours to the summit. Amazing wilderness, so glad I changed my plans to do it, Kiki was right!
Had an in depth discussion on the walk about how much of a wank ‘trekking’ is. What happened to the good old fashioned ‘hiking’?? What defines a Trek anyway??

After a summit beer we carried with us, Ben and I headed back down, while the girls set up camp for a night in the mountains. Nothing for a couple of good old Colorado mountain guides, hope it wasn’t too cold guys and the spooning worked well…..;-)

Caught some cool log cabins on the way out at the base of the ski lift stations. Must be so cool in winter!!

The drive back into Boriloche….



Then back into town for a well earned steak and Malbec red wine. Awesome!

So, early start tomorrow to do the 7 lake route drive. Ben is along again and Tanya from Russia. Should be an interesting day…….
Adios Amigos!