Organ Meats in Mendoza

Our first experience of long bus rides between Chile and Argentina. The view leaving Chile was pretty amazing with giant cacti with red spikes. The trip was meant to take about 6 hours but took 8 due to the massive amount of trucks and the full bus search at the border crossing. The bus before us had two very suspicious looking packages removed which slowed everything up. The Andes are amazing!!!! We drove through a snow covered pass at about 3000 m above sea level so nealy as high as Mt Cook.


In Mendoza at the moment. The city is beautiful. It is clean, the people are friendly and the beer is even cheaper than Chile. It is called ´Andes´ and costs about 80 cents NZ for a litre. The wine is about $2 a bottle. We are fast learning to check the time differences between countries as today we missed out on our wine tour because we didnt realise we had to put our clocks ahead one hour from Chile! Had our first experience of a Parrillada (BBQ) last night. mmmmmm BBQ you say. Well not quite what I expected. Th first plate was organ meat. Brains, gizard, tripe, black pudding and mystery meat sausages. Julie nearly gagged. The second plate was much better. 3 cuts of steak and chicken.

Peace

Chilly in Chile

After a long and boring flight we arrived in Santiago quite tired but rearing to get out and have a look around.

Santiago has all the makings of a big city, lots of dodgy people sifting around wanting to steal your stuff, rubbish and lets not forget the smog. However, it does have a few nice things to look at and the beer is NZ$3 for a litre.

After spending a good few hours roaming the city, alongside packs of ferril looking german shepard type dogs, we decided to spend our 2nd day on the coast in a place which was considered to be similar to Wellington called Valparaiso. Mmmm well there were lots of houses on the hill and that was where the similarities ended.

It was an interesting place with interesting smells - most not that pleasant either. Had a good day though and it was good to see another city in Chile outside of Santiago and the sea. Have attached photos of the houses on the hills and also a market scene.

We are heading over the Andes tomorrow to Mendoza in Argentina. Our lasting memories from Chile will be,

• Roaming ferril dogs (nothing a couple of farmers with shotguns couldnt fix)


• Smog


• First experience of cheap beer


• Dirt soccer grounds EVERYWHERE


• Smog

Until next time...

Farewell New Zealand!

Well, the time has come to say goodbye to NZ and hello to South America! Thought it was fitting to post a photo of one of the most beautiful spots we have been to in NZ and use it to serve as a reminder that we are leaving a stunning country with a lot to offer, not only in scenery but our family, friends and fun loving times. However, there is a big exciting world out there and it would be rude not to get off our butts and have a gander at what's out there so off we go.

Hope you will enjoy reading this blog from time to time and checking in on our adventures. Thanks to all of you that have bid us farewell in various different ways (or just made sure that we are actually leaving...)

Big love to you all...Chris & Julie xo