I flew from San Diego to Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday 8 November and joined an Intrepid group (initially it was just me but then a few other folks have joined) on 12 November for overland through Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina ending in Buenos Aires on 29 November....then I will explore Argentina on my own, returning to San Diego on 14 December.
30 November 2011 Wednesday (Buenos Aires Argentina)
A cooler and cloudy and windy day today....nice break from the heat!
29 November 2011 Tuesday (Buenos Aires Argentina)
Walked to the bus station to book tickets to Cordoba....then more walking around the city!
28 November 2011 Monday (Buenos Aires Argentina)
End of our tour with breakfast with the group....our leader Alberto starts with another group today going back to Rio!
27 November 2011 Sunday (Colonia Uruguay to Buenos Aires Argentina)
Short ferry across the river to Buenos Aires and then tour of part of the city and visit to Sunday San Telmo market which is HUGE.
26 November 2011 Saturday (Montevideo to Colonia Uruguay)
Two hour bus ride to Colonia....beautiful old city on Rio Plata.
25 November 2011 Friday (the Ranch to Montevideo Uruguay)
7:30 am bus from Tacuarembo to the capital city of Montevideo (one hour from the ranch then three hours on the bus). A very busy city.....afternoon walk around old town and visited several museums. Evening meal to watch folks who are learning to tango.
22-24 November 2011 (Panagea estancia Uruguay)
Three nights on estancia near Tacuarambo Uruguay....no electricity and no internet....horseback riding like gauchos to herd the sheep and cattle!
22 November 2011 Tuesday (Uruguay)
Spent morning at Termes Dayman near Salto for a swim then Juan (who owns the ranch) fetched us for three hour drive to his ranch (Panagea) for three days.
19-21 November 2011 (Foz Iguazu Brazil)
Saturday exploring the Brazil side of the Falls then Sunday on the Argentina side...great weather until Monday when it just poured all day. I joined a few folks from a Gap group to visit Paraguay side of the bridge for shopping....looks like Bangkok! Overnight bus on Monday to travel from Puerto Iguazu through Argentina to Salto Uruguay.
18 November 2011 Friday (Parati to Iguazu Brazil)
We will take a six hour bus to Sao Paolo then fly (2 hours) to Iguazu....normally we would take the 16 hour bus ride to Iguazu but our leader found some good prices on flights and this will give us more time at the falls where we stay three nights.
We will take a six hour bus to Sao Paolo then fly (2 hours) to Iguazu....normally we would take the 16 hour bus ride to Iguazu but our leader found some good prices on flights and this will give us more time at the falls where we stay three nights.
17 November 2011 Thursday (Parati Brazil)
Wonderful historic town with cobblestone streets so walked the old city and up the hill to the fort.... there was sun this morning but afternoon clouds and mist. The five others in our group went for a boat ride with about fifty other tourists to an island (I gave that a miss) and the leader and I took the local bus about 10 km out of town to some beautiful rain forest where there is a very large rock with flowing water and watched the folks slide down from the top.....also visited a cachaca distillery (local liquor from sugar cane) and learned how it is made then snack and coffee at local cafe.
Wonderful historic town with cobblestone streets so walked the old city and up the hill to the fort.... there was sun this morning but afternoon clouds and mist. The five others in our group went for a boat ride with about fifty other tourists to an island (I gave that a miss) and the leader and I took the local bus about 10 km out of town to some beautiful rain forest where there is a very large rock with flowing water and watched the folks slide down from the top.....also visited a cachaca distillery (local liquor from sugar cane) and learned how it is made then snack and coffee at local cafe.
16 November 2011 Wednesday (Ilha Grande to Parati Brazil)
Morning ferry (1 1/2 hour) to Angra then bus (2 hour) to Parati ... unfortunately there have been roadworks that delayed the bus arrival in Angra so we stood in pouring down rain for almost two hours waiting. Delicious fresh fish for dinner.
Morning ferry (1 1/2 hour) to Angra then bus (2 hour) to Parati ... unfortunately there have been roadworks that delayed the bus arrival in Angra so we stood in pouring down rain for almost two hours waiting. Delicious fresh fish for dinner.
14-16 November 2011 Monday-Wednesday (Ilha Grande)
Not the best weather to be on an island with beautiful beaches! It poured down rain the entire stay.
Not the best weather to be on an island with beautiful beaches! It poured down rain the entire stay.
13 November 2011 Sunday (Rio to Ilha Grande)
Explored the morning Sunday market then we go by van and ferry to spend a few days on Ilha Grande island where internet is limited so no news for a bit....we had hoped to do some hiking but the forecast is for rain!
12 November 2011 Saturday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
My tour starts today with a meeting at 1pm (actually occurred at 6pm instead) so went walking around Copacabana and Ipanema with Fliss....then on Sunday we travel to Ilha Grande. We are seven folks: Harriett from England and Samantha from Australia (they have been working on a zipline on Vancouver Island), Julia and Marc from Auckland New Zealand, my roomie Felicity (Fliss) from England and our guide Alberto from Argentina...unfortunately, my roomie is late to bed and late to rise, quite the opposite of me so I may not be sleeping much for the next two weeks! We had buffet Brazilian dinner at local cafe called Monchique for rodizio barbq where the waiters come around with a piece of meat and slice it onto your plate (similar to Carnivores in Africa but no wild animals such as zebra, just beef and chicken and pork and lamb).
11-11-11 Friday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
People watching on the Copacabana beach while working on my tan....another gorgeous day! There are heaps of juice stands everywhere so had acai (local berry) and it was delicious.
10 November 2011 Thursday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
City tour with ´Be a Local´tour company in a van with our local leader and a woman from Bellingham WA and her niece from Alexandria VA and two guys from Toronto Canada and a couple from New Zealand. Great afternoon visits to Christ Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain via two cable cars and the Cathedral and a walk around Santa Teresa artist community and up the Lapa steps, continuously being built by man from Chile with tiles from around the world....found several from Alaska.
9 November 2011 Wednesday (in Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
Long flight but now enjoying sunshine of Copacabana Beach....my tour with Intrepid starts Saturday so a few days to explore or just lie on the beach!
8 November 2011 Tuesday (San Diego CA to Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America)
Not sure where I will find internet so there may be limited postings......
7 November 2011 Monday (San Diego CA)
Putting my van in storage for the next five weeks....will miss my home!
6 November 2011 Sunday (San Diego CA)
Susan G. Komen race in Balboa Park today.....where there were heaps of booths giving away free tshirts and food and drinks and bags....and other stuff! And the weather stayed dry for the race but overcast with prediction for more rain today.....which it did on me during my walk to downtown San Diego......it just poured again but this time I remembered my raincoat (but not my umbrella). I had taken Amtrak from Seattle to SD on 2006 on my way to Baja Mexico so visited the train station again today and walked along the waterfront sussing out the bus to the airport. I am staying about 3.4 miles to the airport so considered walking or at least walking to the 992 bus (cost $1.25) rather than pay $20 to a taxi.....I guess that it depends on the weather!
5 November 2011 Saturday (San Diego CA)
The sun has returned! Wandered the Hillcrest neighborhood where I am staying very near to Balboa Park....walked to Trader Joes and Whole Foods and the post office and the bank....great to not have to drive in the city!
4 November 2011 Friday (Chula Vista to San Diego CA)
Early morning drive to confirm my booking for storing my van while I am in South America. Then visit to Ham Radio place because I need an antenna and not many shops are in the CB radio business anymore....this place was recommended by West Marine and they had exactly what I needed.
I am spending the weekend at a friend's place in downtown San Diego (she is off travelling) so may finally get a chance to see some of the city sights (although I have been here several times before).....and then, I may spend more time futzing getting ready....already found that American Airlines messed up my seat assignments when they changed my itinerary so now I am "in the middle" out of San Diego to Dallas.....still window seats though from Dallas to Rio and on the return flights in December.....so so frustrating!
And what a change in the weather.....it just POURED all day!
3 November 2011 Thursday (Chula Vista/San Diego CA)
The fog is back and predictions for cooler weather and rain tomorrow.....but it finally cleared today for some pool time in the sun!
2 November 2011 Wednesday (Chula Vista/San Diego CA)
from the news...tried to cut and paste photo but did not work!
Explored the morning Sunday market then we go by van and ferry to spend a few days on Ilha Grande island where internet is limited so no news for a bit....we had hoped to do some hiking but the forecast is for rain!
12 November 2011 Saturday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
My tour starts today with a meeting at 1pm (actually occurred at 6pm instead) so went walking around Copacabana and Ipanema with Fliss....then on Sunday we travel to Ilha Grande. We are seven folks: Harriett from England and Samantha from Australia (they have been working on a zipline on Vancouver Island), Julia and Marc from Auckland New Zealand, my roomie Felicity (Fliss) from England and our guide Alberto from Argentina...unfortunately, my roomie is late to bed and late to rise, quite the opposite of me so I may not be sleeping much for the next two weeks! We had buffet Brazilian dinner at local cafe called Monchique for rodizio barbq where the waiters come around with a piece of meat and slice it onto your plate (similar to Carnivores in Africa but no wild animals such as zebra, just beef and chicken and pork and lamb).
11-11-11 Friday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
People watching on the Copacabana beach while working on my tan....another gorgeous day! There are heaps of juice stands everywhere so had acai (local berry) and it was delicious.
10 November 2011 Thursday (Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
City tour with ´Be a Local´tour company in a van with our local leader and a woman from Bellingham WA and her niece from Alexandria VA and two guys from Toronto Canada and a couple from New Zealand. Great afternoon visits to Christ Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain via two cable cars and the Cathedral and a walk around Santa Teresa artist community and up the Lapa steps, continuously being built by man from Chile with tiles from around the world....found several from Alaska.
9 November 2011 Wednesday (in Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
Long flight but now enjoying sunshine of Copacabana Beach....my tour with Intrepid starts Saturday so a few days to explore or just lie on the beach!
8 November 2011 Tuesday (San Diego CA to Rio de Janeiro Brazil South America)
Not sure where I will find internet so there may be limited postings......
7 November 2011 Monday (San Diego CA)
Putting my van in storage for the next five weeks....will miss my home!
6 November 2011 Sunday (San Diego CA)
Susan G. Komen race in Balboa Park today.....where there were heaps of booths giving away free tshirts and food and drinks and bags....and other stuff! And the weather stayed dry for the race but overcast with prediction for more rain today.....which it did on me during my walk to downtown San Diego......it just poured again but this time I remembered my raincoat (but not my umbrella). I had taken Amtrak from Seattle to SD on 2006 on my way to Baja Mexico so visited the train station again today and walked along the waterfront sussing out the bus to the airport. I am staying about 3.4 miles to the airport so considered walking or at least walking to the 992 bus (cost $1.25) rather than pay $20 to a taxi.....I guess that it depends on the weather!
5 November 2011 Saturday (San Diego CA)
The sun has returned! Wandered the Hillcrest neighborhood where I am staying very near to Balboa Park....walked to Trader Joes and Whole Foods and the post office and the bank....great to not have to drive in the city!
4 November 2011 Friday (Chula Vista to San Diego CA)
Early morning drive to confirm my booking for storing my van while I am in South America. Then visit to Ham Radio place because I need an antenna and not many shops are in the CB radio business anymore....this place was recommended by West Marine and they had exactly what I needed.
I am spending the weekend at a friend's place in downtown San Diego (she is off travelling) so may finally get a chance to see some of the city sights (although I have been here several times before).....and then, I may spend more time futzing getting ready....already found that American Airlines messed up my seat assignments when they changed my itinerary so now I am "in the middle" out of San Diego to Dallas.....still window seats though from Dallas to Rio and on the return flights in December.....so so frustrating!
And what a change in the weather.....it just POURED all day!
3 November 2011 Thursday (Chula Vista/San Diego CA)
The fog is back and predictions for cooler weather and rain tomorrow.....but it finally cleared today for some pool time in the sun!
2 November 2011 Wednesday (Chula Vista/San Diego CA)
from the news...tried to cut and paste photo but did not work!
EAST COUNTY — A tall, brown column of smoke from a fire southeast of Tecate, Mexico, was visible from East County and dropped ash over Chula Vista and National City Wednesday, a Cal Fire official said.
1 November 2011 Tuesday (ChulaVista/San Diego CA)
Another gorgeous day in southern California! A bit cooler with fog so not much of a sunset this eve...decided to return to Chula Vista RV Resort because I had another three for two coupon and it is nice being on the water.....and time to start packing (and unpacking) for my journey to South America, instead of driving around sussing out RV parks!
The blaze about two miles south of the border appears to be at least several hundred acres in size and moving west between Tecate and Otay Mesa, Cal Fire Capt. Mike Mohler said.
Mohler said Cal Fire has staged five engines and one bulldozer at the Otay Mesa port of entry in case Mexican firefighters ask for assistance on the blaze.
The smoke was visible by late morning from Lemon Grove and Rancho San Diego. Mohler said some people have thought erroneously that the fire was on the south slope of San Miguel mountain, southeast of Spring Valley.
Gusty Santa Ana breezes were sending the smoke over National City, Chula Vista and Tijuana.
Another gorgeous day in southern California! A bit cooler with fog so not much of a sunset this eve...decided to return to Chula Vista RV Resort because I had another three for two coupon and it is nice being on the water.....and time to start packing (and unpacking) for my journey to South America, instead of driving around sussing out RV parks!
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