Punta Arenas

We have arrived in Punta Arenas on our last step before arriving in the most southerly town on our SA trip Ushuaia which we reach tomorrow night. Enjoyed some fantastic walking in during the last few days and the weather has been very kind - temperatures really quite warm though some very strong winds. Camera has been very busy and hope to upload some pics soon. Minor injuries include a few bruises and suspected broken rib when Chris took an unscheduled trip and a cut leg whilst I alighted from the bus in my excitement. (Nothing serious!!).
We will be returning to Buenos Aires on Thursday.

Patagonia - Fitzroy

We have enjoyed three fine days of excellent trekking and glacier exploration here in Patagonia. Scenery is quite breath taking, walked up to the base of Mt Fitzroy and seen bright blue glacial lakes. Weather has been kind though very windy at times. We are just about to leave on the bus south to a place called El Calafete where tomorrow we explore another big glacier - The Moreno then further down to Torres del Paine. Seen condors, Megellanic woodpeckers, guancocs and no major injuries.

buenos aires

Buenos aires,
arrived safely in the capital of Argentina yesterday.
huge, impressive, sunny and very warm! Enjoyed a guided exploration this morning and a leisurely stroll in about 90F this afternoon. (we thought about everyone back at home all the time honest!) Fantastic mix of culture and architecture. Just enjoyed the best steak of all time! a.m. tomorrow we depart to patagonia for the beginning of the trekking.
not sure when the next internet cafe will turn up but will keep you posted when it does!
seems that this computer keyboard goes mad as soon as I use capital letters! I knew I should have gone to spanish classes.

Our Outline Itinerary

- Big Trip Outline Itinerary
01/01 Depart from Heathrow 21.10
02/01 Arrive Buenos Aires 10.30
03/01 Buenos Aires am city tour / free in pm / eve tango show?
04/01 Depart from Buenos Aires 10.25
Arrive Calafate 12.38 pm road trip to El Chalten (Fitz Roy)
05/01 trekking - Cerro Fitz Roy /
06/01 trekking - Mount Pligue Tumbado
07/01 trekking – Cerro Torre Base Camp – bus back to El Calafate
08/01 Moreno Glacier
09/01 am drive Torres del Paine
10/01 trekking - Torres del Paine
11/01 trekking Torres del Paine – Salto Grande Waterfall / Grey Lake
12/01 am drive to Punta Arenas pm explore around town
13/01 drive to Ushuaia / Straits of Magellan / Tierra del Fuego
14/01 Tierra del Fuego National Park explore Land Rover
15/01 Return flight depart Ushuaia 08.40
Arrive Buenos Aires 14.20
16/01 Depart Buenos Aires 13.00
Arrive Iguazu 15.14
17/01 Iguassi Falls - explore Argentine side
18/01 Iguassi Falls - explore Brazilian side
19/01 Depart Iguazu 10.50
Arrive Buenos Aires 12.40
20/01 Birthday in Buenos Aires!
21/01 Depart Buenos Aires 14.05
22/01 Arrive Sydney 17.45
Depart Sydney 18.50
Arrive Auckland 23.55
23/01 am Pick up Motorvan
24/01 explore Auckland
25/01- 05/02 Whangerei / Bay of Islands / Rotorua volcanic zone
Lake Taupo Tauranga / Whakatane / boat trip to White Island
Tongariro Crossing walk/ Napier/ Wellington
06/02 Ferry Crossing to South Island Depart 08.25 / Arrive Picton 11.25
07/02-24/02 Blenheim/ Kaikoura/ Wiaipara / Oxford/ Arthur’s Pass
Franz Josef Glacier/ Fox Glacier/ Wanaka/ Queenstown
Milford Sound/ Manapuori/ Gore / Alexandra / Omerama /
Mt Cook
25/02 Christchurch
26/02 am return motorvan Depart Christchurch 15.35 Arrive Sydney 16.50
27/02 Explore Sydney
28/02 Depart Sydney 11.55
Arrive Hong Kong 17.45
01/03-02/3 Explore Hong Kong
03/03 Depart Hong Kong 23.25
04/03 Arrive Heathrow 04.50!

Departure for Chile

Chris retired on Friday and was given a "Big" send off. We are preparing for our departure to Chile on the 1st of Jan. Fly out of Heathrow 21.10 and arrive Buenos Aires 10.30 Argentine time. We are spending the following day exploring the city before we fly out down to Patagonia on the 4th. Will update before we depart from Buenos Aires.