The Moped Diaries

We are now in Brazil (a coastal town called Parity) and are facing the last leg of our overland trip to Rio. Dulcie´s spanish is now coming automatically which is a shame because the language is now Portuguese.

Unfortunately I have to report that my thermarest mat has (literally) let me down! We accidentally pitched our tent on a thorny twig las week which managed to penetrate the ground sheet, the bottom of the tent and the mat. This meant that during the night I was gently lowered to the ground as the thing deflated and I awoke wondering why we were on such an uncomfortable camp site (and then leant on it puncturing the top side of the mat and my hand!). We´ve tried several repairs (on the mat – not my hand) but not even the mighty gaffer tape has managed to stem the escaping air and each night I feel let down!

We went sea kayaking today and within two minutes we´d tipped the boat over (all my fault of course – nothing to do with a wave). We then managed to get it stuck in a mangrove swamp. All in all a fun day!

When in Buenos Aires what else should you do but join in the national pass time and watch some “futbol”? So we got tickets to watch Boca Juniors (Maradona´s old team) play Atletico Argentinos. Fortunately I was wearing my red hat as we ended up in the Atlectico supporter´s end (all red) instead of the Boca end (all blue). Not only did this secure our safety but the old man next to me assumed I was a die hard supporter and talked to me in Spanish throuhout the game. I didn´t understand much of what he said as our guide explained to us after most of it was swear words. The “Hand of God” was not with Boca and “we” won 3-2 complete with over the top, South American celebrations (drum bands, giant flags, smoke bombs etc.).

We leave Buenos Aires tomorrow for 11 (!!!) night´s camping and then it´s Rio.

We have now passed the southern most point of our trip and are now heading north. To say it was a little nippy in southern Patagonia is putting it mildly. The other morning I woke up and turned ... [Continue reading this entry]

After a generous sample of the guide´s cognac, Robert effortlessly demonstrates the little known "head first" technique of snowshoeing... Dulcie, however, favoured the more traditional "upright" posture and was first back to the lodge to take first place ... [Continue reading this entry]

I´ve decided to forgive Argentina for all the footballing attrocities of the past because I have tasted my first Argentinian steak. I knew we were in for a treat when the cutlery in the restaurant resembled Rambo´s hunting knife ... [Continue reading this entry]

Our efforts to leave Chile and continue our journey have been thwarted by the bad weather in the mountains. We set off yesterday through the snow but a few miles after we had labouriously fitted the snow chains our ... [Continue reading this entry]

We are now in Chile and it´s quite a change from the pan-pipes and poverty of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Chile is a surprisingly affluent country complete with shopping malls, SUVs and obesity (and vineyards - excellent wine tasting ... [Continue reading this entry]

Our favourite pin-up tour guides, Miss June and Miss July, get dirty and grease their nipples...

One of the things I´ve got away with whilst on this trip (much to Dulcie´s distaste) is not shaving. Due to the occaisionally difficult living conditions I´ve sometimes gone longer without shaving than before puberty. I hoped this ... [Continue reading this entry]

Here´s a picture of the toilet facilities in our last camp in the middle of the Atacama desert. Primitive!