Bottom of the World and Back Up Again

Well I almost made it to Antarctica but paying 6000USD and waiting till summer to see a glorified giant ice cube just didn't seem worth it, so I chilled in Ushuaia instead, the worlds most Southern City, and by chilled I mean almost sconed myself on the trees that littered the ski field (fresh powder each of the four days I went by the way), slipped on ice (often followed by the laughter of many a local due to my loud girlish shriek which would accompany such slips), was almost eaten by a ravenous deranged beaver, tangoed in a bar with a large Irishmen and sported one hell of a hangover. The place was absolutely beautiful and myself and my new Irish compatriots (Aido and Sunshine) first began our adventures by exploring the grand National Park adjoining the town. It was a grand place with spectacular views and a fun extra of thick sheet ice covering every path which made walking a grand experience which was often summed up in the lovely words of Sunshine with such comment as, "I hate you two" (often preceded by a quick trip of Sunshines bum to the ice bellow, and followed by some supportive laughter), "you two don't know where we are do you" and the most enthusiastic and common comment of all "Were gunna die". Much to Sunshines surprise we did however manage to get out in one peace and escape the evil clutches of the ravenous killer beaver who was stalking us throughout. After such an outing we were ready for home and bed, however due to constant polite ways and not wishing to offend an offer to attend a bar opening in town which sported free drinks till 2am myself and my Irish friends made the huge sacrifice and attended. We had a great time, and even managed to leave the locals with a few great lessons, such as how to man tango and why for reasons of cash flow, kiwis and Irish should never be invited to events with free booze.


We left Ushuaia in high spirits and headed North to find some warmer weather (to a balmy -3 degs), and thus headed to El Calafete, a tourist town with some spectacular glaciers which I am sad to say, make fox and fraz joseph look like small ice cubes floating in a muddy puddle. After partaking of the best pizza I have ever tried, talking for hours on end with Sunshine and a great group of musical Argentinians who couldn't speak English, and teaching Aido a thing or two about my amazing musical talents (which are only challenged by a particularly untalented pumpkin) it was time to depart. I sadly parted company with my grand Irish company and headed off to Puerto Madryn, a sea life heaven where I spent a few days making some great wild life pornography (it is the Right Whales mating season at the moment, and man are those some frisky big fish), and even got in a 32km bike ride to see a seal (he was cute but to be honest I think I could have missed him in the name of preserving my apparently fragile thighs). The return half of my bike ride did bring out the generosity of the Argentinians as I was often stopped by people offering me a ride into town. It does worry me though that I was looking down right haggard enough for a family of 5 to offer to cram me and my bike into the car and drop me off in town. But I am proud to say that I made it and am a better man because of such adversity. I am also now of the view that anyone who goes on long distance bike ride for the fun of it is an idiot.

I have just spent the last couple of days in a new Snowboarding town called Bariloche, and have been having a blast with the snow, chocolate and my latest Irish travel buddy, Jo (a grand Dublin lass, who learnt a valuable lesson, jager bombs do in fact give you hang overs, funny that). Jo is actually on her way to NZ so be nice guys, and look out she is a daemon on the slopes (who wouldnt be after pointers from me, hmmmm, Jo you might want some wrist gaurds).