Chile.....the second leg

ALEX: So the Bolivia trip ended with us crossing back into Chile to a great border town called San Pedro de Atacama, next to the Atacama desert (fact of the day - the driest desert in the world) which is way up north.

We spent a few days relaxing in San Pedro and even managed to get some sandboarding in. It was nowhere near as balletic as it might look - we spent most of the time on our backsides!

Yet more stunning scenery and incredibly blue skies.

And of course more fun (for fun, read booze) with our friends Truke and Lars.....

GEORGE: Two catalogue models I passed on a photo shoot......

Our final days were spent relaxing in the Elqui Valley - yet more gorgeous scenery and restaurants...

before heading back to Santiago for the final time to catch our flight outta there and onto our next big adventure.

CRIKEY....we only have about 7 weeks left now!

Bolivia - great driver, but my he needed a shower!

GEORGE: Where the hell are we?

We thought we were in a place called The Arse-End-Of-Nowhere. But later found out we were infact in a place called Uyuni......in Bolivia.....with strange, scruffy little children!

















Why? Because this is the hot spot where everybody starts to go on a trek to the salt flats!!!! YEAHY!!! Bring it on!

So the next day, off we went in our 4x4. Now, this question has been raised by a number of you, so for those of you with little or no experience, we will explain why you need to travel in a 4x4 on salt FLATS.....

















There is little if no purchase on table salt!


ALEX: Forget 'seen one, seen a million' provincial cities, this is where the real man stuff begins - big, battered 4x4s, 12,000m sq of salt (clearly we didn't drive all the way across but it helps with the impact), luggage lashed on the roof with rope, a (stinking - but great) driver who could probably drive for a year non-stop if you fed him enough cocoa leaves, and frozen radiators de-frosted by the driver holding a naked flame (I know; it's stupid) next to them for 20 minutes - GGGGRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Yet another highlight (top 3, no question) and thoroughly worth it.


GEORGE: And yet another location for a student photography project! We did have quite a giggle doing this...it's too tempting.

ALEX: Now that we are engaged I took the opportunity to explain to George how the balance of power works in a relationship...."

GEORGE: The salt flats were incredible. And I'm sure all of you are bored reading what I'm about to say next....again, but......this was such a highlight of our trip! They are a good enough reason to pack up your job and go exploring.....a must see......a sea of salt innit! (I'm actually pretty over tired now. Trying to upload 3 countries in one go onto the blog takes its toll!)

We had a fab nutty Dutch couple to explore with. They kept us amused and enjoyed the odd tipple too.

ALEX: Ya for shure! (You know I'm only messing guys!)

GEORGE: Boys, you can skip this bit if you want to...... but this was a little friend I made. She was SOOOOOOOO CUUUUTE!!!!!!!! OHHHHHH MYYYY GOD! And she kept making these cute little squeeking noises. Don't ask me what she is, I can't remember, but her wool is more expensive than a lama's - this is the other reason I wanted to bring her home with me. Alas she wouldn't follow!

And we saw amazing lagoons with flamingos....

ALEX: Weird aliens with very oversized legs........

GEORGE: Geysers.....

Hot Springs..... (just deleted the picture here by mistake, so you'll have to use your imagination!)

Picture: hot springs!

BBC Planet Earth! Has everyone seen that? Need I say more?

And just when we thought we were going to have to stay in Bolivia forever.....Alex managed to make radio contact and get us the hell out of there! Onwards to the boarder of Chile......

ALEX: "10-4. Out"

Argentina...

GEORGE: Having crossed the boarder south in Patagonia, we missioned it across the country, and headed straight to Buenos Aries. This is a wicked city. I could definitley live here for a while. We loved spending a week chilling and visiting all the different areas, and eating STEAK! Gorgeous.....yet so cheap!

ALEX: Let's talk about the bus journey to Buenos Aires. 19 hours - "painful!" I hear you say? No way Jose! for 40 quid we travelled in what can only be described as first class luxury, with the biggest seats you have ever seen that reclined to create a completely flat bed. On top of that, this rather charming fello kept bringing us food, whiskey and champagne which we consumed while watching Hollywood's finest movies - who said this travelling lark was hard work?!

Buenos Aires is a fantastic city - very cosmopolitan feel to it, dirt cheap, and loads to see.

Oh yes and of course, amazing steak and fine wine - need I say more?

GEORGE: The Pink Palace from where Madge.....I mean Evita, used to stand at the balcony and speak to the people!

There's a street in an area called Bocca which is painted like toy town. Every photography students dream! Half an hour is sufficient before you start feeling a bit sick!

We went to watch the Bocca Juniors play. As you can see from our photography, it was touch and go as to whether we were actually going to literally see them play. I'm pleased to say the fog cleared and we got to see the whole game and feel the stands sway from all the Bocca fans jumping.

Due to ticket availability, we were in the Columbian pit....who lost.....hence lack enthusiam in this picture.

ALEX: Ah, the footy! Classic Latin American passion with managers running on the pitch in the middle of the game to go crazy at the ref (and then receiving a red card), flares being thrown on the pitch, and more theatricals than you can shake a stick at.

GEORGE: The Iguazu Falls followed. At the northern tip between Brazil and Argentina. (Hands up who's been to Brazil for the day?) The falls were spectacular. I'm not sure if ours will, but I'll try and let the pictures speak for themselves.....





I have never seen so many rainbows, they were beautiful. Whole rainbows!!!! And I thought you never saw the end of one. Well, there ain't no pot of gold, but I did try and 'taste the rainbow' as advised in the skittles ad!





You had to be prepared to get wet! Some did more than others! I got soaked!

Oh, and as you may have heard. Alex popped the question, and I said yes!

ALEX: Quite possibly the most amazing natural wonder I have ever seen - absolutely mindblowing - despite these photos being quite good (apart from the random Japanese arse shot of course), they really don't do the falls enough justice.

Clearly the trip was made a million times better for George.........

GEORGE: Onwards and upwards still....

YES....we've become hardened travellers. Who ever said travelling was easy, obvioulsy hasn't really travelled....like us!

We found ourselves West of the country in Mendoza (and a 4* hotel), the wine region.

ALEX: Picture the scene, I've just pulled out the hero card and asked George the question she's been desperate for me to ask for almost the last 4 years and the next evening we arrive at Mendoza airport after a terrible (incredible turbulance) flight, tired and with nowhere to stay - THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK SIMPSON! - "By the way precious, as a little celebratory pressie, I've booked us into a swanky hotel for 5 nights" WHAM - my work here is done!

GEORGE: Despite all the drinking, we did manage to take one photo!

ALEX: I am pleased to say that following a very tough and palate challenging wine tasting course, George and I now hold certificates in er, wine tasting. We had a great time touring the vineyards and also drank plenty of wine - which is so incredibly cheap it would be rude not to!

GEORGE: Then North to Salta.

We did a lovely day trip out to see some countryside....very nice! But I must say, by this point we'd had enough of cities and towns and were ready for another trek of some sort!

Bring on Bolivia!