Comments from the road

Antarctica

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:48:01 -0300

The trip was booked at the last minute - about 5pm on Sunday for departure the following day.

The first two days were spent crossing the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica - the roughest sea in the world with constant gale-force winds and huge swells. Meal times were not popular, with most people suffering from sea sickness. Luckily I didn’t get affected too much.

We arrived on the third day to calmer waters and snow and ice covered islands, where we were to drop off a scientist and pick another up at an American research station. Due to rough seas we couldn’t do the transfer, so we continued on to our first destination at Brown Bluff, on the Antarctic mainland.

We had two stops a day for the next 4 days, on both islands and the mainland. It all finished with a swim in the nearly freezing water at Deception Island.

See this link for more details on the itinerary.

Click here for photos...

Ushuaia - Fin del Mundo

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:23:35 -0300

I arrived late on 17 November, flying in past snow-covered mountains and rugged, barren terrain.

Ushuaia looks and feels like a frontier town. Most streets outside of the centre aren’t paved, the houses are brand new and some seem to be pre-fab. The whole town is blasted constantly by the wind, which is cold, and the weather changes hourly from sunshine to rain to snow and back again.

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Superclàsico! - Boca Juniors v River Plate

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:32:30 -0300

A huge game! Unbelievable noise and carnage - flares, smoke, explosions, screaming, singing and a bit of football.

The game was at the River stadium (Estadio Monumental). Boca fans were in the level directly above me and to the right. River fans below tied blow-up dolls in Boca colours to helium balloons and floated them in front of the Boca fans above, who started popping the balloons to send the dolls crashing down again. One of the doll’s string was cut and the doll floated off and up into the night :)

River scored the only goal, which Boca didn’t seem to like, for some reason! They started throwing flares down into the River fans below, and some onto the pitch. One of the electronic advertising signs was set on fire. They started tearing the seats up and throwing them down into the crowd as well - heavy plastic; has to have hurt a few people. Some of the metal seat frames got ripped up, too, and sent down!

View videos (warning: some are large files)...

Buenos Aires - San Telmo, Caminito

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 11:17:03 -0300

Sunday is a busy day in San Telmo, with a massive street market and fair, tango dancing and people dressed up in costumes. At the end of the day, Caminito had tango by the water at Vuelta de Rocha. Fantastic busy streets, music everywhere, smells of food and the sound of people.

A great day out!

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And videos...

Buenos Aires - Puerto Madero, San Telmo

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:58:06 -0300

Started at the back of the Casa Rosada then headed down to Puerto Madero. Some great apartments, bars and restaurants by the docks. Then moved up into San Telmo - the character changes completely; this is the old town with cobbled streets, beautiful buildings and the market. Had lunch at La Rosalia - a parrilla.

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Buenos Aires - Downtown, Obelisk, Retiro

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:48:51 -0300

Took my first Subte ride to Catedral and walked to the Catedral Metropolitana and Pirámide de Mayo. Then moved up Diagonal Nortè to the Obelisk and Avenida 9 Julio - the widest avenue in the world - then down to Retiro.

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Buenos Aires - Palermo, Gardens & Basilica

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:30:28 -0300

Starting in the area around the hotel - Palermo - I walked to the Jardín Botánico, Jardín Japonés and then back to Palermo past Basílica del Espíritu Santo.

A long walk, but some interesting sights.

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Dean's place and the beach

Sat, 6 Nov 2010 10:12:56 -0300

I arrived in Durban on 6 November and stayed with Dean and Karen until the 10th. We spent a lot of time braaiing and playing with Cameron, including a visit to the beach.

Karen is expecting twins, so there will be a lot more playing to come!

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Dinner with Steve, Mel and baby Emily

Wed, 3 Nov 2010 09:53:30 -0300

Emily has become HUGE in the 10 months since I last saw her (when she was 1 week old) but still cried when I tried to hold her. Had a fantastic lasagne with Steve and Mel, was great to catch up again.

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Aston Martin in the driveway

Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:05:03 -0300

Karl and I went for a little drive, and then took a few pictures in the drive. What a fantastic car! I have to get one...

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