Hello all
Once again time for another blog, this one at superspeed, as we have now crossed the divide between cheap continents and expensive ones! Doing the conversion from pounds to aussie dollars brings tears to the eyes!
Well the last time we had left the blog had carrie and i preparing for our ferry journey around the bottom of Chile.... for someone with a susceptible tummy and a poor track on high oceans i was a little scepticle about the 4 day 'jaunt' in close proximity to the dreaded horn, so stocked up well with dramamine, and nearly enough booze to sink a ship carrie and i were off, with rachel our newly adopted mate in tow and clambered on board.
Its fair to say that the 280 berth converted cargo vessel felt a little empty with only 26 of us passengers onboard. And we have now discovered the easiest job in the world. Being a bartender on a ship that allows you to bring your own grog. The barman dutifully manned the bar from 10am until 12 midnight each day to sit back and watch all passengers get slaughtered on their own stocks. At final count we tallied that he had sold 5 beers for the trip, not bad for 4 days work. 
The boat trip takes through the many 'squiggly' bits on the map down in southern chile, past some spectacular glacier country, and many more snow capped mountains. The journey is spectacular, and the weather we had was great too, so for four lazy days we sat back, sipped, quaffed and oggled at the beautiful mountains and just generally relaxed. Pleasing to say there was only one vomit on the trip, and im not even sure that it could be attributed to the rocky seas....
With massive hangovers and jelly-sea dog-legs we departed the boat at Puerto Montt, a small port village in Chile and headed straight back over the border back into Argentina to the ski town resort of Bariloche. Bariloche originally founded by a settlement of swiss migrants is now full of holiday makers, but the swiss were good enough to leave behind their chocolate shops and ski lifts. Carrie and i had not had the chance to do any skiing over here and jumped at the chance to get out on the second to last day of the season, it wasnt until we arrived at the slopes, skis at hand, did we realise that most stuff had been closed down. After a few runs down the begginer slopes we thought it was high time to get out onto the green runs (good for rookies on their first day of skiing) but were told that all of the green runs were closed and only blue and black were functioning, having not used any of our travel insurance up to date, we thought it was high time to risk the blues, thinking they wouldnt be too difficult .... well carrie swooshed off down the hill with no problems.... I made it down, eventually but long after they had closed the top ski lifts, so it was an angry man that followed me down enquiring in curt spanish if this was my first day, yep i replied, well maybe try your runs a bit earleir in the day was his retort, it didnt improve my mood much as i toboggoned down the hill on my arse, but anyways it was still a fun day in a beautiful setting, but i think earlier in the season might have been a better bet in the future for first time skiers...
From Bariloche we travelled to the wine town of Mendoza in Argentina where hiring a bike and riding to the various vineyards was definitely a great way to kill a day or two... Mendoza was also the scene of the only problems we have come close too in regards to personal security on our travels thus far... I had earlier been lamenting the fact that we hadnt had an authentic South American experience as no-one had kidnapped us, robbed us at gunpoint or even had the decency to give us a good pickpocketing. But whilst strolling through the markets in Mendoza and waiting for the lights to change i felt a slight tug on my bag, and noticed a shifty looking Argentine woman then walk past me, after a quick inspection of my bag found that it was half undone, and after finding no things missing i followed the woman down the street, and found her pulling off her best Maxwell Smart face pretending not to notice me while doing some window shopping, i noticed that she was both female and smaller than me, so my courage was high, and proceeded to give her a verbal barrage that crossed all language barriers, she fled the scene none the worse, and we both left the street with another story to tell.
From the crime ladden streets of Mendoza, our time in Argentina was up, and we travelled west back into Chile. The road across the Andes was spectacular, and dsespite the hours wasted at the border corssing it was an amzing journey. One part of the road cuts across a mountain so steep they decided the only way to get up was to add a number of switchbacks.... all up 23, a spectacular sight seeing trucks winding up this hill at around 10km/h past all of the hairpin bends.
From Bariloche we travelled to the wine town of Mendoza in Argentina where hiring a bike and riding to the various vineyards was definitely a great way to kill a day or two... Mendoza was also the scene of the only problems we have come close too in regards to personal security on our travels thus far... I had earlier been lamenting the fact that we hadnt had an authentic South American experience as no-one had kidnapped us, robbed us at gunpoint or even had the decency to give us a good pickpocketing. But whilst strolling through the markets in Mendoza and waiting for the lights to change i felt a slight tug on my bag, and noticed a shifty looking Argentine woman then walk past me, after a quick inspection of my bag found that it was half undone, and after finding no things missing i followed the woman down the street, and found her pulling off her best Maxwell Smart face pretending not to notice me while doing some window shopping, i noticed that she was both female and smaller than me, so my courage was high, and proceeded to give her a verbal barrage that crossed all language barriers, she fled the scene none the worse, and we both left the street with another story to tell.
From the crime ladden streets of Mendoza, our time in Argentina was up, and we travelled west back into Chile. The road across the Andes was spectacular, and dsespite the hours wasted at the border corssing it was an amzing journey. One part of the road cuts across a mountain so steep they decided the only way to get up was to add a number of switchbacks.... all up 23, a spectacular sight seeing trucks winding up this hill at around 10km/h past all of the hairpin bends.
Slightly dizzy, it was straight to Val Paraiso, yet another city i had dreamed of visiting since i was young. A world heritage listed city, built on steep hills around a busy beautiful harbour. To combat the steep hills at the turn of the century to the city built ascensors (cable cars on tracks) to lift you up the hill. The result is a stunning city, that is great to get around, filled with artists and some of the best street murals (graffitti) i have ever seen, and a new city to add to the list of (always growing) favourites.
From Val Paraiso it was off to Santiago for our final night in South America. Walking around the massive hostel we saw that behind the empty swimming pool there was a large cricket net, after a few questions to the staff we were provided with full equipment and carrie and i headed into the net to get my preseason training underway for season 2007/08. Carrie provided little competition with the bat as i ripped a few fast deliveries past her nose and then with memories of batting against dad in the back yard when i was a young tacker i belted carries bowling all around the nets and retired to the chairs to drink a well earned beer or three.
A little later in the night i noticed some activity in the nets and wandered over to have a look, and was informed that it was the official training session if the ICC (international cricket committee) Chilean Cricket Team. I asked to have a bowl and was soon steaming in to bowl at the leading lights of Chile cricket, ie expat Aussies who have lived the mandotary time in Chile to represent at international level. After a few overs (wearing jeans and dress shoes) i was asked to play on the upcoming Sunday in a local match, and that if i had a spare couple of years would i mind living in Chile so i could qualify for future tournaments. It was a tempting offer, i have always dreamed of representing a country in some sort of sporting event so it was with a bit of reluctance (but much patriotism) that i declined their offer. Playing for Chile just wouldn't be right, I am an Australian. And while my international cricket career for Australia is looking less and less likely i dont feel it is right to turn my back on it just yet. But it s good to know that should all else fail, the life of an international sporting superstar could still be on the cards.
Well from Chile it was off to London, for a catchup with friends and family, via a small detour in Barcelona for some Gaudi filled days of architecture, great food and wine. Barcelona is yet another great city, where Gaudi, an unconvential architect is held up as a national hero (as they all should be). First stop on the tourist circuit is his Casa Bastillo, a refurbishment of a traditional appartment building. I will stop boring the non archies out there and cut the blog short by saying that it was pretty speccy and will let the photos do the talking. Also visited were the church of Segrada Familia, still under construction after 130 years, reminds me of a few builders at home eh Paul?(again just check the photos), Richard Meir's Museum of Contemporary Art, The Barcelona Pavillion by Mies Van Der Rohe, Park Guiell and the 1992 Olympic Stadium. And despite a few unpleasant attempted 'massaging' incidents with Carrie and our Indian housekeepers (that we hope is not a sign of things to come in India) Barcelona was a great city and a great place to spend a couple of days!
Well the time has come, we have had enough of good food, sun and beautiful wine, that sort of lifestyle gets a bit tiresome, so we have headed here to London for grey murky drizzle, stodgy food, and warm foamy pints of brown ale. But already it has been great to catch up with Scotty and Lorraine who met us at the airport and have put us up in some cracking accomodation in a great area right on the river thames..... literally. So once again the susceptible seasickness will be tested again as we live on a converted boat floating on the thames, so far so good! 
Well cheerio to all, good luck to the wineflies, my preseason has never looked better, ready to go early next year!
Take care all, drop us an email when you get the chance,
Brett and Carrie
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