tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61394369493614894742024-02-22T09:13:14.968-08:00Meandering MukluksWelcome! Check out what we're up to during our return to South America for another 5 weeks of sunshine.Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-78180249671411428372012-12-23T13:13:00.002-08:002012-12-23T13:16:24.069-08:00Bus Rides and Iguanas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Lima’s hustle and bustle grew a bit tiresome by the end of
our 8 days there and we were both happy to begin making our way north to
Guayaquil. The busy company Cruz del Sur proved once again to be an excellent
choice—almost fully reclining seats, food, blankets, and pillows. All of these
things made the 32 hours much more comfortable and we passed out of Peru and
into Ecuador without any trouble at all. I had my last taste of Peru on the bus
ride as well by consuming my most favourite Peruvian cookies, </span><i style="text-align: left;">alfajores. </i><span style="text-align: left;">These little wonders are a
short bread cookie filled with dulce de leche and sprinkled with icing sugar.
These treasures coupled with gravol made the time fly by despite a somewhat
smelly baby and a few horrendous movies that most likely never made it to North
American theatres.</span></div>
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We opted to return to another familiar hostel in Guayaquil
and have decided to forgo the northern adventure to Canoa because of a lack of
swell. Instead, we bought plane tickets back to the Galapagos Islands for a
week, and then will see how the waves are during afterwards. We will fly into a
new location that we did not visit last time, San Cristobal. We will get the best
snorkeling and beach basking this way, rather than taking another bus. It is
also possible to surf in this area, so if the opportunity presents itself we’ll
be ready! </div>
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More soon...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">do it yourself coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choices</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not something I purchased...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miraflores' ocean view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ecuadorian Bolon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something lurking up there</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green iguana in Guayaquil </td></tr>
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<br />Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-79321325841148716422012-12-08T17:34:00.000-08:002012-12-09T03:21:25.108-08:00Regresamos a Lima<br />
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In many ways, it feels like it hasn't been long since our
last visit to Lima and we have experienced a strange familiarity coming back.
Overall, we had hardly any troubles with flights, connections, and layovers. We
flew with LAN airlines from LA onward and were impressed with the high quality
of service on our 8 hour flight which included movies, a blanket, two meals,
ear plugs, and head phones! What more could you ask for in an airline these
days? However, just as we were commenting to each other about our smooth
sailing, Iain had realized his bank card was only good for one withdrawal as he
had left it the ATM machine outside the airport. Thankfully, we will just use
our visas and I have my bank card… dodged another bullet.</div>
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Lima is a busy city full of crazy drivers and equally loco
pedestrians. Cars always have the right-of-way and people boldly leap into the
streets when the briefest of traffic lulls present themselves. The buses are
always honking, and cars move fast which means we have to too.We came back to the same hostel in the
Miraflores district we visited last time called ‘Friend’s House’ which is cheap
and a great location that we already know. The only downside is 12 U.S.A. peace
corp. are staying here too and the only time it’s peaceful is when they’re
gone. I've been practicing my southern drawl with Iain well cursing the Americans for
their boisterousness which we can hear at ALL times. Although, we have found
humour in overhearing an American <i>gordita
</i>(chubby girl) loudly talking while eating, and simultaneously choking/hiccuping without a break in conversation. </div>
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We have
spent the last few days shopping for our house and have made some great
purchases so far—paintings, beautiful textiles, wooden bowls, and blankets. It
has been fun to loiter the various markets practicing Spanish and bartering for
bargains, and spreading the money to whom we think could use it most (think
elderly, pregnant ladies, and vendors on the market’s periphery).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the paintings we purchased </td></tr>
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Lima has somewhat of a grand culinary reputation that we
hadn’t experienced during our last stay, but we had a great meal at a restaurant
Mezze last night. We also checked out Club Habana for a few mojitos and visited
cats in Parque Kennedy. We’ve also tried<i>
cortados </i>(coffee & milk) and cake from a great, bustling diner-like place called
<a href="http://www.manolochurros.com/?lang=en" target="_blank">Manolo</a>. We have also been frequent visitors of a high end grocery store called Vivanda
where Iain has been binging on <i>granadillas
</i>(he’s had four since I started writing this). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A regalo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango is lunch</td></tr>
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We have booked bus tickets with Cruz del Sur to Guayaquil,
Ecuador on Wednesday. This is somewhat of a commitment (30 hours on a bus), but
a much cheaper option compared to flying. From Guayaquil we will make our way
north to Canoa.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbO5NhJMBcBnaYvxGbleROiXMtGcEm7ZgHtE7zH_hv8HAhCmF1xrpPPnVWFOQNzdKOMmeasltH1bf7gBgRZ_I8zwk5sm3iwr1vOkUjlLPN4wBFYxWBO34ww-bo0AmK0citR8eaytYYgW8/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbO5NhJMBcBnaYvxGbleROiXMtGcEm7ZgHtE7zH_hv8HAhCmF1xrpPPnVWFOQNzdKOMmeasltH1bf7gBgRZ_I8zwk5sm3iwr1vOkUjlLPN4wBFYxWBO34ww-bo0AmK0citR8eaytYYgW8/s400/Copy+of+DSCN3429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Nina, maybe a famous artist? We bought one of his paintings</td></tr>
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Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-87147581750618761612012-05-06T14:09:00.000-07:002012-05-06T14:16:59.828-07:00Here We Are in Canada<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWVgm07DbewqepjnQtKc1CcnvnFqEKlZ0D-LUsEqOLsqnebOuacRUmi2DxqmGHORyD8p950Lt2vXHU0DRBC8CCm_RmIRBp9PRXQU9nrRDEIkFV1pZY4KuCDcQOP4x3Bk0iNb24gnXRU6a/s1600/380745_10151582912475461_674020460_23552899_874529662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWVgm07DbewqepjnQtKc1CcnvnFqEKlZ0D-LUsEqOLsqnebOuacRUmi2DxqmGHORyD8p950Lt2vXHU0DRBC8CCm_RmIRBp9PRXQU9nrRDEIkFV1pZY4KuCDcQOP4x3Bk0iNb24gnXRU6a/s400/380745_10151582912475461_674020460_23552899_874529662_n.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Three Brothers</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;"></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We hung around Miraflores neighborhood of Lima for our last two days scouring the market for textiles and</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="text-align: left;">goodies and did not leave empty handed.Our flight left the city at 2 am, but we got to the airport early enough to deal with surfboard transport problems if they arose. To our surprise we didn't have any trouble sending the boards and we hopped on board our flight foot loose and fancy free and ready to start the trip back home. We got to Vancouver the next afternoon and were greeted by Iain's brothers Erik and Doug and spent the evening with them. Iain was glad to reconnect with them en route back to Whitehorse and happy to distribute some presents (including the creepiest festival masks I've seen in a while).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfXCncPjwKDDNAxF43DP9W6VMVnwO86Hswv1Lpqzo01lFoeQqlA3dsho0FoNqKTW4GcrJnqFOcdh77IDbO68GhtlFin0wFrfZ_zdJFPxNEA9bKc0laaKAr_8M-zPAWJZ8OJTduvy7j2w4/s1600/IMG_1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfXCncPjwKDDNAxF43DP9W6VMVnwO86Hswv1Lpqzo01lFoeQqlA3dsho0FoNqKTW4GcrJnqFOcdh77IDbO68GhtlFin0wFrfZ_zdJFPxNEA9bKc0laaKAr_8M-zPAWJZ8OJTduvy7j2w4/s320/IMG_1373.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airport pick-up</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> </span>The next day we arrived in Whitehorse shell-shocked but unscathed. Since then we have been readjusting to the lack of garbage and drinking tap water. We both felt a bit spacey getting used to the old life but are gearing up for a summer of work and are looking forward to topping up the bank accounts! We are also looking ahead to a beautiful Yukon summer with friends and family. In particular I am looking forward to using an oven, gardening, running and doing some yoga. In the fall we will think about what future adventures we should pursue. Right now we are considering another winter move to keep surfing and get a change of pace. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjMHydOF02xjSeQrZI0gmHV4EUjht13b7ShKsAbnn-VOCpQBSs0g__UFNaekI6cjlPsIhpab26roP84KD5Q6LIDwsLvpVLbwsQ3Wd4_p5Ark5Z-Wx3urqytameFMr3IZC4qQpz9Azp6fA/s1600/IMG_1376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjMHydOF02xjSeQrZI0gmHV4EUjht13b7ShKsAbnn-VOCpQBSs0g__UFNaekI6cjlPsIhpab26roP84KD5Q6LIDwsLvpVLbwsQ3Wd4_p5Ark5Z-Wx3urqytameFMr3IZC4qQpz9Azp6fA/s400/IMG_1376.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dads with their Chilean wine from Iris and Emeterio </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScI7_PtEKQ4wLu1tNwNj722LAwPtm73bpPVbR2Gtwul0xiGACB4frPKf_w32bfPCCaD2Hqmsl6sEkTaSLrP4lIyMWSN5Y7NY8qBf-M0bV1WQq5DlOS5OsB5u2jKZt68lN67Iedc4HGTuP/s1600/IMG_1380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScI7_PtEKQ4wLu1tNwNj722LAwPtm73bpPVbR2Gtwul0xiGACB4frPKf_w32bfPCCaD2Hqmsl6sEkTaSLrP4lIyMWSN5Y7NY8qBf-M0bV1WQq5DlOS5OsB5u2jKZt68lN67Iedc4HGTuP/s400/IMG_1380.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parents happy to see their children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading and sharing our amazing experiences in South America with us! </span></div>
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<br />Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-56742621424395667162012-04-29T20:53:00.000-07:002012-04-29T20:53:10.449-07:00Ecuadorian Coast and Bringing it Back to Lima<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEU9IN7kUdv7deWM9whRk5U-asFTRsgm5FcajmDIs5OzBmoiR4ku1kBuDXGVxdUkWO-k-5G9azcL13SLFIyhG__HOZkM4QEurHKvs9jelcwC4AR0GBWM3v6nZ0Fw6WQHi62MkEnQeOVPW/s1600/DSCN3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEU9IN7kUdv7deWM9whRk5U-asFTRsgm5FcajmDIs5OzBmoiR4ku1kBuDXGVxdUkWO-k-5G9azcL13SLFIyhG__HOZkM4QEurHKvs9jelcwC4AR0GBWM3v6nZ0Fw6WQHi62MkEnQeOVPW/s640/DSCN3351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHz90OCPWsnWsGr-y0PL4PiL7unvBz785SkPWIMobUj3mETf2IezMkUgEgH_W5sbFZTkdU_R5buPuwqkZECkFcCiF9_kju6P5JDlW1qjYJ00k_hBZgnvMw-AeO_YAbSBgYg54yrFnhb5b/s1600/DSCN3210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHz90OCPWsnWsGr-y0PL4PiL7unvBz785SkPWIMobUj3mETf2IezMkUgEgH_W5sbFZTkdU_R5buPuwqkZECkFcCiF9_kju6P5JDlW1qjYJ00k_hBZgnvMw-AeO_YAbSBgYg54yrFnhb5b/s320/DSCN3210.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfing! </td></tr>
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Our last leg of the trip around Las Tunas and the
surrounding communities was a perfect way to enjoy the little time that
remained in South America. Las Tunas is a quiet beach town that hasn’t yet been
spoiled by hordes of tourists similar to that in nearby Montanita . We were
able to surf daily and take in the last rays of sun and truly warm weather we
will see for a while. We stayed in a fantastic spot that had few people,
kitchen access, friendly staff and beach front views. Each day we got to drink
a morning coffee on our private balcony over-looking the waves and there
couldn’t have been a better way to start the day. We also met and got to know
one of the local stray dogs named ‘Surfing’ who we grew fond and who grew fond
of us too. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPfogurGTkp29zEvOPwfww-6YJfOoglzSWbPz6dH_qv6YeuMNM2XFBkkzEsb2CFQC0oDJVxwqbVCjli6vTpsBLfNF2eumEFn0ohQTyg3JF8RTZh3WV0alIAXxUaRGhLM5sTPe3YZWhmp9/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPfogurGTkp29zEvOPwfww-6YJfOoglzSWbPz6dH_qv6YeuMNM2XFBkkzEsb2CFQC0oDJVxwqbVCjli6vTpsBLfNF2eumEFn0ohQTyg3JF8RTZh3WV0alIAXxUaRGhLM5sTPe3YZWhmp9/s320/Copy+of+DSCN3194.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfing and his new friend Iain </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfaPzYiG2RcLBbiPIR0RETeg5pM7FvZfER2YSez0wKR-qmPMEtTvMWVHCRRl5FijXO-_gRdxyz0D859tCEhhypG91lJFpuPl-jaHcemdb_EztyInUcNMnd8P4XUb0rvef7joplcgara0v/s1600/DSCN3275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfaPzYiG2RcLBbiPIR0RETeg5pM7FvZfER2YSez0wKR-qmPMEtTvMWVHCRRl5FijXO-_gRdxyz0D859tCEhhypG91lJFpuPl-jaHcemdb_EztyInUcNMnd8P4XUb0rvef7joplcgara0v/s320/DSCN3275.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirada al Mar</td></tr>
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He ended up following us everywhere and was the most eager passenger
to step foot into the car whenever he was allowed to tag along for a car ride. He
was a hard dog to leave behind and just one of the few awesome strays we
befriended while away that desperately needed care and attention. However, the
best part of <i>Cabanas Mirada al Mar, </i>were
the lovely, hard-working owners who graciously agreed to house our trooper
until we return next which was a relief and surprise.</div>
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We spent a long time trying to figure out a way to sell the
car, but none of the plans formulated into much. Anyone that bought the vehicle
would have ended up acquiring a number of problems with it that weren’t worth
there hassle. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TQ2uXNhXqYnrE12zszpM0V1NV33HhSTp7_cdnh-vhPEdygx7fAu-mJRGV3GViCmQUbZnfnlzOGVXvWg2YCivB_-65uLC6nzT1sajriYuEpbaA5TxV-nD-UtqULk6rZj4bLRvr_a6ZSit/s1600/DSCN3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TQ2uXNhXqYnrE12zszpM0V1NV33HhSTp7_cdnh-vhPEdygx7fAu-mJRGV3GViCmQUbZnfnlzOGVXvWg2YCivB_-65uLC6nzT1sajriYuEpbaA5TxV-nD-UtqULk6rZj4bLRvr_a6ZSit/s400/DSCN3202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching </td></tr>
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Additionally, we were starting to think the little amount we
could get for the car in Ecuador or Peru was more work and travel time than we
really wanted to deal with. So in the end, we decided to leave the car in
Ecuador and return back to it at some point to pursue other adventures.</div>
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Coastal Ecuador was the perfect place to maximize the car’s
use since we could travel to nearby locations depending on the surf. We also
took the bed out and made room to give rides to our Finnish companions which
was great since we needed to get rid of the bed anyway and we could all ride together.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUh1_n5z23Vu7WbpxSSYFm2IaIWfC7XqfuKjbu5eYWcf7RDUTVEFmIMU4SLpk64jWAxK40Hf2EZb1rSz0i5MH3W5SczwjaJPEfWtVBCLjKpmAKL6pfqXbTAXVP0xLROYJ7keFYyyMtPTh/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUh1_n5z23Vu7WbpxSSYFm2IaIWfC7XqfuKjbu5eYWcf7RDUTVEFmIMU4SLpk64jWAxK40Hf2EZb1rSz0i5MH3W5SczwjaJPEfWtVBCLjKpmAKL6pfqXbTAXVP0xLROYJ7keFYyyMtPTh/s400/Copy+of+DSCN3376.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We both had some great days in the water which was super fun
and rewarding. I surfed mainly in La Entrada which had a really good learning
wave that was small and less intimidating than some of the more powerful breaks
around us. It felt really good to solidify my surfing experiences with catching
some green waves and finally get down
the line (riding the actual wave or the ‘green’ part as opposed to the white wash ahead of the
break), which I had been trying to do since we left Peru). We also sold my Bic
surfboard and rented a glassed 7’6” which was such a treat after being dragged
around by the plastic beast on the shore break. My last session I went out
alone because Iain had hurt his leg and it was amazing to be able to paddle out
and catch my own waves solo style. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDFimh_Ev6bD9r7LY-q00r52_BiRq-YUQ9yf7n6JsrpDZpB-7IcHeyMFfw9g7JIfZiluiupsYXtApL8q6oP14zClfsGTHZp9XAWtvwciZX_YyQbCz2MKI3JiUPAM-jW-nKoC1-jyaTEpA/s1600/cDSCN3313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDFimh_Ev6bD9r7LY-q00r52_BiRq-YUQ9yf7n6JsrpDZpB-7IcHeyMFfw9g7JIfZiluiupsYXtApL8q6oP14zClfsGTHZp9XAWtvwciZX_YyQbCz2MKI3JiUPAM-jW-nKoC1-jyaTEpA/s640/cDSCN3313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain's best Ecuadorian waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_OlAJ6Drn5pzuvV1yXS_jwIPrPdV7-kv9yL4L8h-jldJaI8tJQWVNCoJ2mIMp-wscfO7JVrCl7OFr6YNundMo9KCI9_NMCCYImwZTGc9qZHXvBXGHnSV1ERzd3raBYykSf7pylQWwjSN/s1600/cDSCN3331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_OlAJ6Drn5pzuvV1yXS_jwIPrPdV7-kv9yL4L8h-jldJaI8tJQWVNCoJ2mIMp-wscfO7JVrCl7OFr6YNundMo9KCI9_NMCCYImwZTGc9qZHXvBXGHnSV1ERzd3raBYykSf7pylQWwjSN/s400/cDSCN3331.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's in there...</td></tr>
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Iain accompanied me on all of my La Entrada sessions as well
as catching waves at Las Tunas, Ayampe, and Rio Chico. Iain’s best day was the
last day when the waves were barreling. As soon as he looked out the window
first thing in the morning he quickly geared up and ran full steam ahead for
the ocean. Iain got two barrels and the last one smashed his leg up a bit.
Nonetheless, he was perfectly content with the experience and left the coast
happy with all his waves. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXTNLDlE3vuV-bKGWRv8Ricxd7R3QGDqhoRFoS1FmgtmS6vQcy8xVq138gklLWn3qzxbh-Ihk3HjlHfVucsLnmL_91nE2yvNgmfFTOj1RibtiZpLP-GhzJ79JMQmv6_h6rWOs31FJf_0u/s1600/DSCN3298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXTNLDlE3vuV-bKGWRv8Ricxd7R3QGDqhoRFoS1FmgtmS6vQcy8xVq138gklLWn3qzxbh-Ihk3HjlHfVucsLnmL_91nE2yvNgmfFTOj1RibtiZpLP-GhzJ79JMQmv6_h6rWOs31FJf_0u/s400/DSCN3298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset session </td></tr>
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After saying goodbye to the trooper, Las Tunas, and the
Finnish crew, we started heading back towards Peru by taking a bus from
Montanita to Guayaquil and then embarked on an epically long bus journey from
Guayaquil to Lima that took approximately 30 hours. Thankfully, we booked the
ride with bus company <i>Cruz del Sur </i>which
is by far the most prestigious contender in the bus travel business. We paid a
little extra to ride VIP style in the lower deck of the double-decker machine
and had a ton of room to relax and sleep. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0SwgsBv0VxD0aLFOJWsaahZqZz3JXqVm8HYMLc_BsVccYX55qH3aCGlxDbxvbmUGgA2aIaA-yQOTQlfoOzdk2HXlrTFP14kreHbsaE38PqFg8wYeU1FULhCuY7rub8sE02SUsBZ75LA4/s1600/DSCN3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0SwgsBv0VxD0aLFOJWsaahZqZz3JXqVm8HYMLc_BsVccYX55qH3aCGlxDbxvbmUGgA2aIaA-yQOTQlfoOzdk2HXlrTFP14kreHbsaE38PqFg8wYeU1FULhCuY7rub8sE02SUsBZ75LA4/s320/DSCN3392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding in style with Cruz del Sur</td></tr>
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We made it to Lima in one piece and are now thinking about
our return to Canada which commences and 2 am on the 1st! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe3jkTBYTGUYCy31HZm3rA9P9PDmIq4kpsVNOWDJ9B2UzsdfbGI2qBJ3mTpmVvIYBf4WXPlskRnXb2avTE_tTTOPChH20jXNku9P5NzkBLFPl-8O68huRCFe5wcWIZaMWb50q7ndprkim/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe3jkTBYTGUYCy31HZm3rA9P9PDmIq4kpsVNOWDJ9B2UzsdfbGI2qBJ3mTpmVvIYBf4WXPlskRnXb2avTE_tTTOPChH20jXNku9P5NzkBLFPl-8O68huRCFe5wcWIZaMWb50q7ndprkim/s640/Copy+of+DSCN3217.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Surf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IS4a-RnknuIg0caoEMiQxY7PhtLmrzlVoIqQZ_99sOz5yAQZPadAPgIi3BRX7Pyzn8qVBfMxZhfdCBcjVcKRn-Fzk5-W1Xudo_BkIYERHOzEq_ZiWQLJr_ye4hA9t13OT6LtB8_YULWD/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IS4a-RnknuIg0caoEMiQxY7PhtLmrzlVoIqQZ_99sOz5yAQZPadAPgIi3BRX7Pyzn8qVBfMxZhfdCBcjVcKRn-Fzk5-W1Xudo_BkIYERHOzEq_ZiWQLJr_ye4hA9t13OT6LtB8_YULWD/s320/Copy+of+DSCN3237.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jussi and Surfing on an excursion </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0ROKlG3xl506pCGGcPB-YKENNT49RvYLsdW-LnZ_Eki52YTRn_WwaMx62N2q5cr_wMx9eSPIjF2Tv3VSweEAJSsPp11Z47-Vm_G4GgERqZxozZ2zHvDnGS-U1NDndYlrVpAMJhIwqVjL/s1600/DSCN3244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0ROKlG3xl506pCGGcPB-YKENNT49RvYLsdW-LnZ_Eki52YTRn_WwaMx62N2q5cr_wMx9eSPIjF2Tv3VSweEAJSsPp11Z47-Vm_G4GgERqZxozZ2zHvDnGS-U1NDndYlrVpAMJhIwqVjL/s400/DSCN3244.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A milk and fruit drink obsession has started</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UxOhT4DY54c1tHSTY511ZORgVHRXp86sMMQPoIx9cSf30BZtqPsHqz3e-9rrhH18ud76S7UeCZcUGynuYpu9xcR6ZHJVC1x1QSCDuc18tT51-m4UlDm_waVLM9GW1nJ9oRWRIo5Ls7pS/s1600/DSCN3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UxOhT4DY54c1tHSTY511ZORgVHRXp86sMMQPoIx9cSf30BZtqPsHqz3e-9rrhH18ud76S7UeCZcUGynuYpu9xcR6ZHJVC1x1QSCDuc18tT51-m4UlDm_waVLM9GW1nJ9oRWRIo5Ls7pS/s400/DSCN3266.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Tunas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UM1Y3FpiSTZfAzRc2jXnkZm6xdepb0JxKv4yxluttjN-zvV_swOWBVC1gFia5ZDhKmCsGVBEGMW4l2uQ49Bhi48WYiQ6u93gGh5Q0ElcUYLu08k9c79Aluhzb8zwAUR1B8aG55Dy9G9L/s1600/DSCN3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UM1Y3FpiSTZfAzRc2jXnkZm6xdepb0JxKv4yxluttjN-zvV_swOWBVC1gFia5ZDhKmCsGVBEGMW4l2uQ49Bhi48WYiQ6u93gGh5Q0ElcUYLu08k9c79Aluhzb8zwAUR1B8aG55Dy9G9L/s640/DSCN3337.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blood and a bit of wax</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG4TPUKzI70lvIWWInk6Mh52s33AOkJcKvdi6m9L1GqHgxKMG9ZB02MX320lA0jnnP4TWcyeDpZHJKQHQyURqPznPdgh6qnevhiZI32TqydwLAfVef6dFKWnGJ0NY1TObuh01FRGx9sr3/s1600/DSCN3382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG4TPUKzI70lvIWWInk6Mh52s33AOkJcKvdi6m9L1GqHgxKMG9ZB02MX320lA0jnnP4TWcyeDpZHJKQHQyURqPznPdgh6qnevhiZI32TqydwLAfVef6dFKWnGJ0NY1TObuh01FRGx9sr3/s400/DSCN3382.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramon's artwork on the back of Mirada al Mar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa2LeNukfHPW6jSxwILXC01MuTipI9rOpupHqhD_l9a2BooKBYhP5GjLoWyapgLoGutEZC-XPUj5_IVwDq2mveLPacR-pCpbZZX5pybVGdhkviLWYQcwIVaeEJgZKrSJB-uz7OZv-fy8t/s1600/DSCN3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa2LeNukfHPW6jSxwILXC01MuTipI9rOpupHqhD_l9a2BooKBYhP5GjLoWyapgLoGutEZC-XPUj5_IVwDq2mveLPacR-pCpbZZX5pybVGdhkviLWYQcwIVaeEJgZKrSJB-uz7OZv-fy8t/s640/DSCN3385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">packing and surfing go hand in hand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XbjHfrLAsl6FIkA_8kSEI0qxnZE9qVZbU0OG99plRgz59B3NOHrTgsOECJqgej7MKFtoQLMKb4xLvzyr0rpVngue2kTNz-lTEJNcY9ELu_iwOnBiokePAitlgxqUDirNbC-cORXuT8EN/s1600/DSCN3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XbjHfrLAsl6FIkA_8kSEI0qxnZE9qVZbU0OG99plRgz59B3NOHrTgsOECJqgej7MKFtoQLMKb4xLvzyr0rpVngue2kTNz-lTEJNcY9ELu_iwOnBiokePAitlgxqUDirNbC-cORXuT8EN/s400/DSCN3387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Grandma' and Jose</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEe3GjYLP0Lj4zSMVVeNzZt3sxC3JDhIkiTCM3VdSTvMZ8T_AfoDe3vOgwfKTO_Xt-2Z9aNojaCrWrbItpUeZPypT8XiMFPWkR8leH9EfUsQjbWNibfkTrl7kfEmkVr2LA7ByBBZR7BW5/s1600/DSCN3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEe3GjYLP0Lj4zSMVVeNzZt3sxC3JDhIkiTCM3VdSTvMZ8T_AfoDe3vOgwfKTO_Xt-2Z9aNojaCrWrbItpUeZPypT8XiMFPWkR8leH9EfUsQjbWNibfkTrl7kfEmkVr2LA7ByBBZR7BW5/s400/DSCN3389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9IzcsXxQnmF4AEKhrxPsBW09oGxCKyne7eYn9f_diIO2nhw-3Nneock0W8lyttzCi-1Pv_fephqseo3oV-PFYyuB4dHm9qQJxpDV6AeAQIrHzuAT_7WEXlK2S2_GpIE6lsNVB4mA-FML/s1600/DSCN3391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9IzcsXxQnmF4AEKhrxPsBW09oGxCKyne7eYn9f_diIO2nhw-3Nneock0W8lyttzCi-1Pv_fephqseo3oV-PFYyuB4dHm9qQJxpDV6AeAQIrHzuAT_7WEXlK2S2_GpIE6lsNVB4mA-FML/s400/DSCN3391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-30084485459576100442012-04-15T05:58:00.000-07:002012-04-15T05:58:41.259-07:00Mishaps, Monkeys and Mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9TayGC6XyYPGrokZzIpOKvS6FXjKaMeWDwKZlozxw2bwf5iojehPm3KEjBHh0QucH-cy_67vDhQaGRVJSukH3mvVAJJJ4Ph9c3xxywwMBSFGA1mg96MJeiZdqzXiAldSc6R8QwtolONQ/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9TayGC6XyYPGrokZzIpOKvS6FXjKaMeWDwKZlozxw2bwf5iojehPm3KEjBHh0QucH-cy_67vDhQaGRVJSukH3mvVAJJJ4Ph9c3xxywwMBSFGA1mg96MJeiZdqzXiAldSc6R8QwtolONQ/s320/Copy+of+DSCN2617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hesitant vs. Excited </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The adventures continued from Banos to Misahualli where we got to the beginning of the Amazonia and sampled a little taste of jungle life. We stayed at <a href="http://www.france-amazonia.com/index-en.html" target="_blank">France-Amazonia</a> which had real coffee and great information on day activities. The first afternoon we arrived we scoped out the area and went for an exploratory drive. I spent the night dreaming of insects (when asleep), but mostly stared at the ceiling thinking spiders were going to fall on my head. Although nothing of the sort happened, the presence of insects was everywhere in the incessant vibrating hum throughout the night. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o04QFbcHXZN5Q0SnhDrpznbzV1hCvl5MjhOWHhZSaGhsnAW79-h2NopXS9c9aqBVRL1OWChdFZOVm702K_EZ4ZP9xHAdcyL-zViUmkKC8nKkLFgTQMwWC2pBEQfovrGPn3N4E6MtlKvS/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0o04QFbcHXZN5Q0SnhDrpznbzV1hCvl5MjhOWHhZSaGhsnAW79-h2NopXS9c9aqBVRL1OWChdFZOVm702K_EZ4ZP9xHAdcyL-zViUmkKC8nKkLFgTQMwWC2pBEQfovrGPn3N4E6MtlKvS/s320/Copy+of+DSCN2649.JPG" width="102" /></a>The following day we decided to visit the ecological reserve Jatun Sacha to walk in the rainforest and were able to do a self-guided tour accompanied by an English information booklet. The walk was fantastic and awe-inspiring. Every so often there were various stations that corresponded with the booklet that explained different things we were seeing. After we finished, we stopped by another conservation site with medicinal plants. We were the only ones there and got a free tour with a super knowledgeable staff member. This was definitely my highlight of the jungle experience and it was incredible to learn about what plants are used to remedy various ailments from nasal congestion to contraception. We were able to try out a natural anesthetic used for numbing of the mouth, use sap to seal a cut on the hand that had antibiotic properties and learn more about hallucinogenic plants like <i>Ayahuasca </i>which is used traditionally by those living in the Amazonia, but is all the rage with tourists pursuing eco/jungle travel. We continued on down the road and stopped at Kamak Maki, an indigenous Quicha village that is promoting sustainable tourism. Iain also got to meet a monkey here that became his new best friend.The finale of the day was visiting a famously old and gigantic tree on the outskirts of town. We managed to see it just before sunset and to witness its size alone was worth the visit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6d1gW2oclFuElpvnIkAbiHUuVHblHP1xRiqYFm_2O9uSw0A9zDe_qQCYqdIjwcLskFUeEtUseVnTVPbp0ctHL2g5XUmYiJNOBr_-8XENbtmVICj5Ku1gZQmA9QaUyNiD6ClX4CyxZJ_N/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6d1gW2oclFuElpvnIkAbiHUuVHblHP1xRiqYFm_2O9uSw0A9zDe_qQCYqdIjwcLskFUeEtUseVnTVPbp0ctHL2g5XUmYiJNOBr_-8XENbtmVICj5Ku1gZQmA9QaUyNiD6ClX4CyxZJ_N/s200/Copy+of+DSCN2757.JPG" width="159" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The next day we decided to check out of the hotel climb up to a waterfall and start making our way back to Banos. However, the day started out a bit rocky after I discovered an enormous fury spider in our bed after breakfast. This was terrifying and possibly my worst Amazonian nightmare. The night before I finally put our bug net to use for the first time and slept slightly easier knowing nothing was going to fall on my head. Little did I know this creature lurked beneath and I flipped out upon finding it. After the spider incident was dealt with we made our way to the town’s well-known waterfall location. It was an hour hike in and we wondered if we should wear shoes, but decided against it. After the first ten minutes we should have turned around to go back and get shoes because the trail was more like a dangerous mudslide. The walk turned into one of those situations where you think it can’t be too bad for too long and just push ahead because you’ve already come so far. It went from bad to worse after my flip-flop broke and from then on in we were walking barefoot for about 2/3 of the way there. When we got to the waterfall it was crowded with Ecuadorian tourists who were celebrating Easter weekend. After taking a couple anti-climactic pictures we decided to head back slowly and surely (still barefoot) until I accidently put my hand on the craziest looking caterpillar we had ever seen. It was so strange looking Iain had taken pictures early to document its red head and feet and bizarre long yellow feeler/hair things. The evil caterpillar stung me immediately which resulted in a hyper-ventilating ‘get me out of the Amazon’ emergency accompanied by and tears. After making it back to the car it was time to leave the jungle. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsWyzjco2Uf1csCK37GGJl_1kgQW7WKjryo06EpUtejHJwke49gjYyC9kTfhGNMQantfE4zP-5czAORcDaZFJGNvaZJtTFBS5mkxCXCn_CLM91RVDYg68UlucT6G-JmHOkKE3FVpus7PJ/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsWyzjco2Uf1csCK37GGJl_1kgQW7WKjryo06EpUtejHJwke49gjYyC9kTfhGNMQantfE4zP-5czAORcDaZFJGNvaZJtTFBS5mkxCXCn_CLM91RVDYg68UlucT6G-JmHOkKE3FVpus7PJ/s400/Copy+of+DSCN2823.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">woke up to this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walked like this...<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iIG-m1f6UKcklvJVId-QPZ7lMpkDZSeo5m5gHBYbrOY9FtiNSdK_QDyfphH0iL61qn2AOczwLee6zMoUK3z7pVUd4ZE04ardhSsDjBWNAASt5sHaCZols1b60bfgsg9jJPgYFAzPeGiK/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iIG-m1f6UKcklvJVId-QPZ7lMpkDZSeo5m5gHBYbrOY9FtiNSdK_QDyfphH0iL61qn2AOczwLee6zMoUK3z7pVUd4ZE04ardhSsDjBWNAASt5sHaCZols1b60bfgsg9jJPgYFAzPeGiK/s320/Copy+of+DSCN2832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">to see this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D41KZ56qn02wONrjCppA7IP6FuiiJZ3s-W5WGT72z0OPQ3FCurqtbMv35vkcHY4ql_ogvkfYokiSYhl4u4DTmuCGyH_o7NASNTyeidVs7FDQZphm4U4Y9glctkLv2GPjLh5xurLu2lZr/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9D41KZ56qn02wONrjCppA7IP6FuiiJZ3s-W5WGT72z0OPQ3FCurqtbMv35vkcHY4ql_ogvkfYokiSYhl4u4DTmuCGyH_o7NASNTyeidVs7FDQZphm4U4Y9glctkLv2GPjLh5xurLu2lZr/s400/Copy+of+DSCN2836.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">got stung by this</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After spending the night in Banos we headed into the Andes to attempt the Quilotoa Loop. We had read that the mountainous trip was no easy go and that the roads were anything from smooth, but ended up taking a wrong turn which took us deep into the cloud forest. We were extremely far down this road and the sun was setting when we came across an impassable portion. We ended up having to camp the night in the car on the side of the road, but managed to get out fine the next morning and make it to Chugchilan unscathed. However, we later discovered from a guide that a ‘dog’ Iain had spotted during a late-night bathroom break was quite possibly a bear. We spent a couple days in the area; one day we viewed the cloud forest from above by horseback and another we hiked around Laguna Quiotoa.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guess we can't go this way<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new friend</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">We spent one night off a seemingly random road where we met Cesar. Cesar lives on a hill above were we had parked the car and works in the mountains growing potatoes. After offering Cesar a cup of tea and an axe that we didn’t need he asked if we would be there in the morning. Iain promised we would have pancakes and invited Cesar to come back. The next morning Cesar brought us potatoes in return for the axe and took his pancake to go in our cooler. Since we are leaving so soon back to Canada, we compiled an extensive array of belongings that he could take that we needed to leave somewhere anyways. It was so great for us to give someone our things that we would have no use for in a few weeks. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tea under the umbrella in the rain</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After leaving the Andes we drove back to the coast and have stopped in Las Tunas where we are back to surf a few more days before the end of the trip. Our Finnish friends from Huanchaco, Peru are here too, and it is so awesome to be surfing without a wetsuit in warm water. We will relish the last week here in Ecuador. </div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwvG6GidNq5Y2l4kdZ4bY-QRNdF0dUWpgnusPKoMDfclKCT916XBCU-gOvpjwKD8O1cwfVUTMFtYRVXJnrD8JKq_aqwKUANImBTuiSsTh40WFl-OyX_0nF5oNevJlePJcuK8xOTP6tf6L/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN3180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwvG6GidNq5Y2l4kdZ4bY-QRNdF0dUWpgnusPKoMDfclKCT916XBCU-gOvpjwKD8O1cwfVUTMFtYRVXJnrD8JKq_aqwKUANImBTuiSsTh40WFl-OyX_0nF5oNevJlePJcuK8xOTP6tf6L/s320/Copy+of+DSCN3180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">balcony view from Las Tunas</td></tr>
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</div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-84739762711044282432012-04-04T21:00:00.001-07:002012-04-04T21:10:34.937-07:00Cruising in the Aida Maria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a great time getting to know the Galapagos Islands via the <i><a href="http://www.aidamariatravel.com/galapagos-cruises/aida-maria.html" target="_blank">Aida Maria</a> </i>for 5 nights! The cruise we ended up booking was an 8 day deal, but we hopped on in the evening when the boat stopped in Puerto Ayora. Our boat was deemed 'tourist superior' which turned out to be right for us, although we can't compare it anything else.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHjs_TLP0CjhKe9hOzmEL_chmq7aoDBECuottgNkWIlZj1qlv-4OKTHqdfBb_S3FimeSE4AKKaQVXSby9zsI02AJEY26wd_pK0WsAsnZMcY8errpJrL4kmFHb8FyItX-ff9MYR1U7s1P6/s1600/FDSCN2208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHjs_TLP0CjhKe9hOzmEL_chmq7aoDBECuottgNkWIlZj1qlv-4OKTHqdfBb_S3FimeSE4AKKaQVXSby9zsI02AJEY26wd_pK0WsAsnZMcY8errpJrL4kmFHb8FyItX-ff9MYR1U7s1P6/s320/FDSCN2208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Aida Maria</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We really liked our itinerary which took us to the northwest side of things: we visited Isabella Island, Fernandina Island, Rabida Island, and islands Santiago and North Seymore. We ended up back in Baltra at the airport for the finale, which was a bit of a nuisance since we were planning on heading back over to San Cristobal for 4 days which would entail a bus from the airport to the canal, a ferry across to Santa Cruz, a bus ride to town, and then another ferry ride from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal. After standing in the heat for a while waiting, we decided maybe we had seen a good portion of the Galapagos and tried to change our flights to leave then and there seeing as we were already packed and ready to go.Turned out we could, so we left a few days early and arrived back in Guayaquil. Overall, the staff were professional and hospitable and our guide really knowledgeable, the food was great, and we got to hang out with some interesting people. Usually the day consisted of a walk and a snorkel--the walk being the tedious part and the snorkel being the fun bit. We got to see so many animals, reptiles and birds there it was an incredible experience. Not only was the wildlife easy to view, it was ridiculous how close we were able to get. Mostly they just don't seem to mind people around in the slightest so we were in the mix with all of them. We were able to see turtles, dolphins, white-tipped reef sharks, eagle rays, sting rays, crabs, loads of fish, penguins, flightless cormorants, fly-catchers, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, flamingos, the Galapagos hawk, finches, marine iguanas (Iain's favourite), land iguanas, lava lizards lots of sea lions and fur seals and too many more creatures to name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flamingo at a distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tortuga Bay in Santa Cruz</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain sharing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd largest crater in the world</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cA5Hd-tEHNJkkKk6FQ5h40vxa7pMnZsWN6LOHB9_L9rcKvrFdgJFG8UCs0x7l08RZECW0SStYW76FOYmTYai4aIHmHR4qBn-o26VKkv2lokQCCXQs2PPd40m3oe5EG-7DUlnL2IT9-IL/s1600/FDSCN2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cA5Hd-tEHNJkkKk6FQ5h40vxa7pMnZsWN6LOHB9_L9rcKvrFdgJFG8UCs0x7l08RZECW0SStYW76FOYmTYai4aIHmHR4qBn-o26VKkv2lokQCCXQs2PPd40m3oe5EG-7DUlnL2IT9-IL/s320/FDSCN2086.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby tortoise </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRokErsK_n_Z1r9ig-K3Vb9QHBelSvYvG1rJmtLKb7AmASupaLNouHbCK0isUlbEFTLGvfhpXHIPyWg8iMr4TiP28YR12HBDviWIG5XaPEDVqADuLqJ8oZYXo9RU1eLy5UTv3PaaYj1JSK/s1600/FDSCN2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRokErsK_n_Z1r9ig-K3Vb9QHBelSvYvG1rJmtLKb7AmASupaLNouHbCK0isUlbEFTLGvfhpXHIPyWg8iMr4TiP28YR12HBDviWIG5XaPEDVqADuLqJ8oZYXo9RU1eLy5UTv3PaaYj1JSK/s320/FDSCN2100.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">witnessing a tortoise 'fight'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE59QEzbF3RT7ZnAL1pyYdtEG237aHifUHI5gic20r-MacEG8_fetuMw9CkzuifBMtl8uBiypKes0_482MOD03GwSuDM2-0dwHh8F0n9GH_Os1YS5-5cCQ3ooeGBYnykl1_tWVlo8N1gX/s1600/FDSCN2127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE59QEzbF3RT7ZnAL1pyYdtEG237aHifUHI5gic20r-MacEG8_fetuMw9CkzuifBMtl8uBiypKes0_482MOD03GwSuDM2-0dwHh8F0n9GH_Os1YS5-5cCQ3ooeGBYnykl1_tWVlo8N1gX/s320/FDSCN2127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lava on Isabella </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrI8oQ91RjeSBk51-Ff4_59EaABSA5hy3FznJUi6OS_YhmkYH4yHqs7nv2P3BQKiV08hwg5swzEuGDcG8csKOzi8doaUcZwPxi_qmAftxaaNhTWjUFEKTJFxWV8EOpwkYzNvDuXx6TiM8/s1600/FDSCN2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrI8oQ91RjeSBk51-Ff4_59EaABSA5hy3FznJUi6OS_YhmkYH4yHqs7nv2P3BQKiV08hwg5swzEuGDcG8csKOzi8doaUcZwPxi_qmAftxaaNhTWjUFEKTJFxWV8EOpwkYzNvDuXx6TiM8/s320/FDSCN2112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xRodah2Og2LfZTQUDd_OJURbMajwycg0i5YcKS2Ob6404FaPfmTmPJuChgZ_ijcufC2tqXUGT-9p39qcnAu1JwbnEw7kGK1DXoeoyk1pZBTOsk3nbb2DoPA2Vt3kzqnsHSQU79BbcaLk/s1600/FDSCN2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xRodah2Og2LfZTQUDd_OJURbMajwycg0i5YcKS2Ob6404FaPfmTmPJuChgZ_ijcufC2tqXUGT-9p39qcnAu1JwbnEw7kGK1DXoeoyk1pZBTOsk3nbb2DoPA2Vt3kzqnsHSQU79BbcaLk/s320/FDSCN2134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">herd of tourists </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDzeZj09Frp40-7FwTLmr7VIKzuzeXZrVuLF2pIoY5r912vSTpVwVEh5P5QaNCFmrIFfcVoZHJT9Ug6_nLG6-gc061zNV1V-pEQVUpWH4BYIVZl2NKVHBUnoPINcw3hksV7kda6iIVVgH/s1600/FDSCN2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDzeZj09Frp40-7FwTLmr7VIKzuzeXZrVuLF2pIoY5r912vSTpVwVEh5P5QaNCFmrIFfcVoZHJT9Ug6_nLG6-gc061zNV1V-pEQVUpWH4BYIVZl2NKVHBUnoPINcw3hksV7kda6iIVVgH/s200/FDSCN2153.JPG" width="149" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVGhWkbJJNOGJhc8bOHlGT3IKGMam_MHMzRyDwI4_Hi3drgsxzaZXgHb-hTvgH2BK-iay1NJ_RHnWvMe_ArTi06yHeUPwURQCq0zZvtfR63LkAYkv4Ll_t9VA9x7eReIXlvgCSUqyi-g8/s1600/FDSCN2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVGhWkbJJNOGJhc8bOHlGT3IKGMam_MHMzRyDwI4_Hi3drgsxzaZXgHb-hTvgH2BK-iay1NJ_RHnWvMe_ArTi06yHeUPwURQCq0zZvtfR63LkAYkv4Ll_t9VA9x7eReIXlvgCSUqyi-g8/s320/FDSCN2164.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sea turtle taking a breath</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6kRSg7Lf70MTztQiDf5IgHd4hhBRtovDKPRSnZZOPvsLnw72VAXk8JedUxhnPq_sr41rc5i3l031D_Gfd_wfETyqzXQJjptUaGGFG1eAWe47ovM5cSFSVNrn7tKztwkgDQD3360eVSuO/s1600/FDSCN2253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6kRSg7Lf70MTztQiDf5IgHd4hhBRtovDKPRSnZZOPvsLnw72VAXk8JedUxhnPq_sr41rc5i3l031D_Gfd_wfETyqzXQJjptUaGGFG1eAWe47ovM5cSFSVNrn7tKztwkgDQD3360eVSuO/s400/FDSCN2253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2VLNHDCVP1zZAF51iB4OW0vdgtzAt0mJdsNaKWtg3Dck1R-lvmwp2Qg8NgquoQ0AemfUJFsQrUEqfk6V0aADMJuIUd-KyLq8jASinkzL5Q6VCWkW1VuSgYe9URLi1VnysZI-0JI1VvJf/s1600/FDSCN2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2VLNHDCVP1zZAF51iB4OW0vdgtzAt0mJdsNaKWtg3Dck1R-lvmwp2Qg8NgquoQ0AemfUJFsQrUEqfk6V0aADMJuIUd-KyLq8jASinkzL5Q6VCWkW1VuSgYe9URLi1VnysZI-0JI1VvJf/s400/FDSCN2217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick! Get a picture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbil2PJo3p7sU4Y3FSY5JGD2IMPwWT9HFICe-FZqlfGUICJOQSj283Lq4PcjpV14njnEW0QyMkbfjJidPItauWAqtfk0IwJa1MA9Wcv9kFeBUKWDPL5Oi1Wqnq_qjemBTKTWJBWfoBJumq/s1600/FDSCN2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbil2PJo3p7sU4Y3FSY5JGD2IMPwWT9HFICe-FZqlfGUICJOQSj283Lq4PcjpV14njnEW0QyMkbfjJidPItauWAqtfk0IwJa1MA9Wcv9kFeBUKWDPL5Oi1Wqnq_qjemBTKTWJBWfoBJumq/s640/FDSCN2259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNoIh5CoMTRT7WlFor0pHOO8fpPDyRHRRQGbcIELNGzPUGEiu50PUaB3RuOQ2QAUiPf7HpnsanLDjjtQxrFGuh0cyFKCpt4Hxzk3XWg1tLRzsORpkf1r7cFUdfO3ms6I6wxRtsoUgPK65/s1600/FDSCN2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNoIh5CoMTRT7WlFor0pHOO8fpPDyRHRRQGbcIELNGzPUGEiu50PUaB3RuOQ2QAUiPf7HpnsanLDjjtQxrFGuh0cyFKCpt4Hxzk3XWg1tLRzsORpkf1r7cFUdfO3ms6I6wxRtsoUgPK65/s640/FDSCN2280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is happy living together</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcYCM43mjUK0a50QkFpB2yhHsLuaH-SCGMGarexIH2tBD4nZN8OrRwsYlDDeM5E8SsuNDqYPgjE_jB0JnwGE_y3036slYZ0bKaOta344HSSl3V68JWf4TwdQP6eYMwDoUoBpz45ittA2k/s1600/FDSCN2301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcYCM43mjUK0a50QkFpB2yhHsLuaH-SCGMGarexIH2tBD4nZN8OrRwsYlDDeM5E8SsuNDqYPgjE_jB0JnwGE_y3036slYZ0bKaOta344HSSl3V68JWf4TwdQP6eYMwDoUoBpz45ittA2k/s320/FDSCN2301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ2QQbsPYa-Nx7VT-sP9gPdxIOR19tlu-Afkpfv551UmTBM2HF26Aw12OV1xboO1-fqkjkmyq57HA_BwweaaHrI4KSqmjTOSSmx9i5aZxoY6vTI-7AkVSEqBqYWgBfx_Akggd5byxEoFz/s1600/FDSCN2296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ2QQbsPYa-Nx7VT-sP9gPdxIOR19tlu-Afkpfv551UmTBM2HF26Aw12OV1xboO1-fqkjkmyq57HA_BwweaaHrI4KSqmjTOSSmx9i5aZxoY6vTI-7AkVSEqBqYWgBfx_Akggd5byxEoFz/s320/FDSCN2296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEo5OqrRA7zX3-ExitnQgtmsAMfMoYCnVodCyWtYnH5-0isgqUWXFEVym3vlaQ3JYqWX9MqSGVI3KwOxg6Ur03CHc2rlGQZLbdpZuwr0yhZeVVts840tcr2rpdVAfIuYJw0YRKpSPUXHq/s1600/FDSCN2305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEo5OqrRA7zX3-ExitnQgtmsAMfMoYCnVodCyWtYnH5-0isgqUWXFEVym3vlaQ3JYqWX9MqSGVI3KwOxg6Ur03CHc2rlGQZLbdpZuwr0yhZeVVts840tcr2rpdVAfIuYJw0YRKpSPUXHq/s400/FDSCN2305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49f1hzc7z5JUK1wDDQy1rcCEc5kIHugMkiTcRTmmC_51KKex0VAsXPcff84_Ioh-dQHNRjJ-eqY8nJJqNEqBwYjF5gM0aJ-bHd3CW-hnhVWmMbLQE19fmbBNp_KXzzYNB7cGm51NkSMSU/s1600/FDSCN2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49f1hzc7z5JUK1wDDQy1rcCEc5kIHugMkiTcRTmmC_51KKex0VAsXPcff84_Ioh-dQHNRjJ-eqY8nJJqNEqBwYjF5gM0aJ-bHd3CW-hnhVWmMbLQE19fmbBNp_KXzzYNB7cGm51NkSMSU/s320/FDSCN2307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3dTMgnztaHIHGEn9OoXF_iX7dteRsqu7tOIPcBpiGivh6BImQBA8aH6P2jcVi0XFHikQL3URVos2aFb64LzJZRK28K0mLz87En1x9TivOOqvEl9sO7o8OMThNmwEXPFvDHuBj5QCknvO/s1600/FDSCN2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3dTMgnztaHIHGEn9OoXF_iX7dteRsqu7tOIPcBpiGivh6BImQBA8aH6P2jcVi0XFHikQL3URVos2aFb64LzJZRK28K0mLz87En1x9TivOOqvEl9sO7o8OMThNmwEXPFvDHuBj5QCknvO/s320/FDSCN2322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymz0wNOjsCQexlqxH32cfH8Ch06J9sNzTyo6jfilcRrUGfESEG_Vo24szJ507CU82vRfxUQ-gLWnhI8Ktyl_0yeTkMo-awR4Vk8dVe4mzZYbvIGZ7dr_e-ZZeNEXZoC6alEeEpREpWUjC/s1600/FDSCN2319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymz0wNOjsCQexlqxH32cfH8Ch06J9sNzTyo6jfilcRrUGfESEG_Vo24szJ507CU82vRfxUQ-gLWnhI8Ktyl_0yeTkMo-awR4Vk8dVe4mzZYbvIGZ7dr_e-ZZeNEXZoC6alEeEpREpWUjC/s320/FDSCN2319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava Lizard</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAOoSJoxX4ES-z-MjgJ4_IavwSqzPYTFTTt3PfrCbR2sKt96LOmJ8tgijilxzdusKMvbQEqwJOQfjpJqWJ4nrxfXUvoqMxxIUx-kvqxM3yqcjvx6DwRyCelpKEyS9krd4hAo99NVkMjKu/s1600/FDSCN2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAOoSJoxX4ES-z-MjgJ4_IavwSqzPYTFTTt3PfrCbR2sKt96LOmJ8tgijilxzdusKMvbQEqwJOQfjpJqWJ4nrxfXUvoqMxxIUx-kvqxM3yqcjvx6DwRyCelpKEyS9krd4hAo99NVkMjKu/s640/FDSCN2335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTh5zTqy5MsFvwGFVVhDiVevr9FISlc5jwmMUG4WAqkRQks1wM69XXomOWn5Hkak-OcZsydt8CjqD7VnnrrF9fOrN8OWl_khj9ohVN7OClM-6ZkKWslQSWKlJVGMq24T7zSHkJyzHBF0E/s1600/FDSCN2331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTh5zTqy5MsFvwGFVVhDiVevr9FISlc5jwmMUG4WAqkRQks1wM69XXomOWn5Hkak-OcZsydt8CjqD7VnnrrF9fOrN8OWl_khj9ohVN7OClM-6ZkKWslQSWKlJVGMq24T7zSHkJyzHBF0E/s640/FDSCN2331.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Iguana </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-ScraDC_O0RtVE3hm3hRRgbaW7fRh38QOhy_q0W_ICxlF_n235WMKv9x1v4EkBNPClhdxvhjQzm4T-zRssh41bziip8djoYkR2f057ML49zMJFbAhfIOP0d2Vm9DLR-93VOTsIPdmakv/s1600/FDSCN2365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-ScraDC_O0RtVE3hm3hRRgbaW7fRh38QOhy_q0W_ICxlF_n235WMKv9x1v4EkBNPClhdxvhjQzm4T-zRssh41bziip8djoYkR2f057ML49zMJFbAhfIOP0d2Vm9DLR-93VOTsIPdmakv/s320/FDSCN2365.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8a57h_dC6BO2ozrImlpNJ7m8ERydXckBB9ba2w_Z8RiePXOhD151htnm3lhZjlhxVwTa_fRpNtPWxsEcCqsLa2Q_E7PlwgXWp44egnY9gEWSD2-HoXSwHxJFL8rbufxLGF3gPqwpFhI6/s1600/FDSCN2393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8a57h_dC6BO2ozrImlpNJ7m8ERydXckBB9ba2w_Z8RiePXOhD151htnm3lhZjlhxVwTa_fRpNtPWxsEcCqsLa2Q_E7PlwgXWp44egnY9gEWSD2-HoXSwHxJFL8rbufxLGF3gPqwpFhI6/s320/FDSCN2393.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird watching at its best</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain reconnecting with iguana friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Riser</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEzlyXGNWVKLsBN3WYiOFn6FChaGzrHn77538RpqYWoaatVNX3dWWAVsrQVRT0YSo0upnoxohD8KVP-SaZlly7uWa1frJJQfhRV-T5ZFVI2kibeZeXypAJa9AnClsuaKu_h5qd_i7S_aa/s1600/fDSCN2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEzlyXGNWVKLsBN3WYiOFn6FChaGzrHn77538RpqYWoaatVNX3dWWAVsrQVRT0YSo0upnoxohD8KVP-SaZlly7uWa1frJJQfhRV-T5ZFVI2kibeZeXypAJa9AnClsuaKu_h5qd_i7S_aa/s640/fDSCN2536.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boobie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuMxT_bwqyvXw_dpuHWLNLoGnYkTjMsAsQXaTwMbgTuqfqUoX0b9vVcD4IbdOKN9V0O6_h_pnB-_a_4mHbkZHijiNZr0eUmrLR_WWEEFomyJcPugzwrQ97WL-E9rAovHrEJY7V0mMGX4V/s1600/fDSCN2565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuMxT_bwqyvXw_dpuHWLNLoGnYkTjMsAsQXaTwMbgTuqfqUoX0b9vVcD4IbdOKN9V0O6_h_pnB-_a_4mHbkZHijiNZr0eUmrLR_WWEEFomyJcPugzwrQ97WL-E9rAovHrEJY7V0mMGX4V/s640/fDSCN2565.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frigate searching for a mate </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9SbVIJlSXzGlcgvJnJaf8huDCUWa_AN0vqyAEaQSJ0mAtwVon57GIBywdsCDRH3DlDCaYtso-3b37C7Xc8bAWaegO1uqRMnJyg_UMz1czVdm6Ee_W6iHH2FbjII2XWK_GBpc6My2thk6/s1600/fDSCN2590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9SbVIJlSXzGlcgvJnJaf8huDCUWa_AN0vqyAEaQSJ0mAtwVon57GIBywdsCDRH3DlDCaYtso-3b37C7Xc8bAWaegO1uqRMnJyg_UMz1czVdm6Ee_W6iHH2FbjII2XWK_GBpc6My2thk6/s400/fDSCN2590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;">Back in Guayaquil we checked up on the trooper and set of for the town of Banos in the Central Highlands. We spent yesterday and today wandering a bit and are leaving tomorrow to head for Misahualli in the Northern Oriente to get a small taste of the Amazon. There is an indigenous community nearby that has been recommended to us to visit. We will keep are eyes peeled for blow-darts (as suggested by Tony), ocelots, monkeys, butterflies, insects, plants and trees. </span>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-86798156307756954462012-03-27T16:33:00.000-07:002012-03-27T16:33:37.837-07:00Welcome to Ecuador<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4vtXCgyG-7cym4WbHPShFXiCpPLsEzj3zyJl6XoVLosRy-7wgzkobh8k303AH0jaECL89FWqIFN6A1GoPm2djsod_2vHqPIOOzWHbmCDVv_q5dQ0LqQDZ20hUfB3NpxZ9gSMrw83l-if/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4vtXCgyG-7cym4WbHPShFXiCpPLsEzj3zyJl6XoVLosRy-7wgzkobh8k303AH0jaECL89FWqIFN6A1GoPm2djsod_2vHqPIOOzWHbmCDVv_q5dQ0LqQDZ20hUfB3NpxZ9gSMrw83l-if/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1956.JPG" /></a></div>Much has happened since we have updated you last. We left Lily, continuing north to Pacasmayo and Mancora. We had our first car malfunction in some time--a gas leak. But, without too much trouble it was fixed with a little bit of handy work from Iain’s end of things. We were told that the best restaurant in all of South America was located in Mancora (according to friends and South American adventurers Naomi and Paul) but it was closed when we were there. We spent the night in little Zorritos in a Hospedaje with the aim to reach the Ecuadorian border early in the morning. The Aguas Verdes and Huaquillas border has the reputation of being the worst border crossing in all of South America (according to Lonely Planet and other various internet sites, blogs, and forums). We decided this was all a bunch of bologna after we passed through, but other travelers have confirmed negative reports since we crossed over. Thankfully for us, this was one instance that proved to be very helpful in having our own vehicle. The shadiness seems to arise out of the need to take taxis and exchange money. One strange thing however was the trying to find customs (or Aduana in Spanish) to get everything sorted with the truck. After passing through immigration we had to drive about 4 km into Ecuador into a different town to get our official documents allowing us to drive in the country. It took us awhile to get there, thinking, “No this can’t be right…we’re driving in Ecuador…we must have passed it…this doesn’t make sense.” Literally this place was in the middle of nowhere, and not at all near the actual immigration office. Once we finally got there, we had to make a few trips into a nearby town to get new insurance and try and find a notary. After a few frustrating hours we had got everything sorted and were back on the road headed for Guayaquil.<br />
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The first things we noticed about Ecuador was: 1) the high humidity resulting in a constant state of perfuse sweating 2) bananas 3) plants and green things everywhere! We boogied along all day and made it into Guayaquil hassle free and found a nice room at Hostal Suites Madrid. The next day we got down to business trying to sort out options for getting to the Galapagos Islands. Our car trade idea was shut down pretty quickly, so we decided we better just splurge and spend the money to get there. There are tour offices in Quito and Guayaquil selling all-inclusive cruise packages over to the islands, but we decided to fly to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz and try and find a cheaper last-minute boat ourselves. That way, we were free to explore on our own and run around as we wished. It was all very easy: we booked our flights independently with TAME airlines and flew out the next day. We searched around for a few hours looking at different cruise options and itineraries in Santa Cruz and decided on a 5 night trip to the northwest area. We think we got a good deal, but will have to experience it all before making the final judgment call. There are many, many different boats ranging from ‘tourist’ class to ‘luxury’ and we opted for ‘first-class tourist.’ We definitely think we could have got a luxury boat on a different itinerary for the same price, but our selected route was a little harder to find. This particular route was our number one pick because it will take us to islands we are unable to do by day-trip and we will visit Fernandina which hosts the most species on one island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While we’ve been waiting to hit the deck we have visited the Charles Darwin Research Centre to give the very famous Lonesome George a visit. George is the last remaining turtle of his species. The poor old fellow has been living on the island since 1972 and researchers have been attempting to breed George for 39 years. In 2000 the females he shares his pen with finally got pregnant but sadly the eggs were not viable. Another day we visited Rancho Permiso to see more tortoises in their natural land living large. They were amazing gigantic creatures and a cool sight to witness up close and personal. After finishing your visit we explored some nearby lava tubes which are underground tunnels. Walking through them was a fantastically refreshing break from the scorching sun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals at the fish market in Puerto Ayora</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Iguanas on Isla Santa Cruz </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan spying on a lazy beast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These tortoises can live up to 120 years!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRm4JMHFdAus4X4C5SdAua_GwAKNVaZLVyldoncpgEIcJKw0GLnLx9GZXpLmx4X_3xm4ftm-rGlarLoT434ZZ9CQUINoRGtzk288f0lYXDU3Vsppb_Uf45ABWQVgpbJmdGlJom32C5lUt/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRm4JMHFdAus4X4C5SdAua_GwAKNVaZLVyldoncpgEIcJKw0GLnLx9GZXpLmx4X_3xm4ftm-rGlarLoT434ZZ9CQUINoRGtzk288f0lYXDU3Vsppb_Uf45ABWQVgpbJmdGlJom32C5lUt/s400/Copy+of+DSCN1991.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDTmOOMLDvet3A9TyYGHJ79_1bwj_azDcoCqjBVLJOcWh12gEWKkaYGUdeNK8exzBp8_XoshnwXm5LSLinGe9JY5MYOPQWH2ywHXwESigJkWCz57Q6baDHEZ7CaA7LJS79VvLFWiOeAVW/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN2008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDTmOOMLDvet3A9TyYGHJ79_1bwj_azDcoCqjBVLJOcWh12gEWKkaYGUdeNK8exzBp8_XoshnwXm5LSLinGe9JY5MYOPQWH2ywHXwESigJkWCz57Q6baDHEZ7CaA7LJS79VvLFWiOeAVW/s400/Copy+of+DSCN2008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan waiting to say hello.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava tunnels</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tight squeeze</td></tr>
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We also decided to go diving at one of the popular spots in the area called Gordon Rocks (also recommended by Naomi). We didn’t think that I would be able to go since I had never gone diving before, but our tour company was able to take me and one other new diver on a ‘discovery dive’ while the other experienced divers were taking a break. Iain saw some awesome marine life: manta rays, eagle rays, white-tipped reef sharks, tropical fish, lots of turtles, and the most impressive…a group of hammer head sharks! I on the other hand, saw fish and one turtle! Both myself and my Canadian new-be partner had equalizing problems and only got down to 10 m without the other person going up. We were a pair of yo-yos bobbing up and down. This must have been a bit frustrating for the dive instructor who was trying to keep us at an equal depth. Overall I had a good time when I wasn’t throwing up over the side of boat (99% of the time). I also went to the doctor today to give the ol’ ears a check-up (I was feeling a familiar discomfort), and it turns out I have another ear infection. This news was actually was a bit of a relief since hopefully next time I try diving it will be a bit easier on the ears once the infection is gone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan's first turtle encounter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain chasing after a sea turtle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A school of Hammer Heads</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sea turtles didn't mind us at all. There was always one in sight during the dives.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkODstTFqCEsTnjPqL9qURqjXo42I9JhoRXdz1En-AhQbWHmP5xzEq5b2FdpZZB3DnF4ThOScnKrUjaIxdHjyiLgoqR8Mg6vggLjTrLAmhwKTC0dH3ogntzgjpyZki2AzuSMVNBJ-Q_AI/s1600/P3250275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkODstTFqCEsTnjPqL9qURqjXo42I9JhoRXdz1En-AhQbWHmP5xzEq5b2FdpZZB3DnF4ThOScnKrUjaIxdHjyiLgoqR8Mg6vggLjTrLAmhwKTC0dH3ogntzgjpyZki2AzuSMVNBJ-Q_AI/s400/P3250275.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan swimming with a school of fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyZxaA4_KeBzuBQG8Huifk7o6UFrAqyLqBAlbLGbjw5ij3gVuRr6EXcA_nqlIO_Ws_K93DyTrmz3GR0lvzytZQkYQOFoahSrgRHiZGEeuywY4nk2ELt95ik8mTVb1dV2mdT_EiqYEaV6g/s1600/HH1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyZxaA4_KeBzuBQG8Huifk7o6UFrAqyLqBAlbLGbjw5ij3gVuRr6EXcA_nqlIO_Ws_K93DyTrmz3GR0lvzytZQkYQOFoahSrgRHiZGEeuywY4nk2ELt95ik8mTVb1dV2mdT_EiqYEaV6g/s400/HH1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of a tranquilo Hammer Head shark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpOdTWEMnQO5fW3VWcdyCo1bP1-rqT5Ho4gfTPHXlgVi3WvzI8B5QxDybCpZWHG4HBKTMYLUOrG-Ml9z3y1gj6N7waPpBuoXKvGj41pGc3znXAhEKWyWmq3N1Mtv2TZtxAKTcnuxRnu7B/s1600/P3250318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpOdTWEMnQO5fW3VWcdyCo1bP1-rqT5Ho4gfTPHXlgVi3WvzI8B5QxDybCpZWHG4HBKTMYLUOrG-Ml9z3y1gj6N7waPpBuoXKvGj41pGc3znXAhEKWyWmq3N1Mtv2TZtxAKTcnuxRnu7B/s400/P3250318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Hammer Heads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPN9dpznS_S77eoQ7VxLL4S343FctJt4ftlynfbvuL2rwXQWltCEv1iYKH1TUjoCdrN9uSwU91DU2t2F9-Hd-Xi0JI2APEv2hyVRZmyHv6SQ_ovYlhFOXPQfcKMJov7j6OP5r6Dy985Qt/s1600/P3250322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPN9dpznS_S77eoQ7VxLL4S343FctJt4ftlynfbvuL2rwXQWltCEv1iYKH1TUjoCdrN9uSwU91DU2t2F9-Hd-Xi0JI2APEv2hyVRZmyHv6SQ_ovYlhFOXPQfcKMJov7j6OP5r6Dy985Qt/s400/P3250322.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tipped reef shark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Tonight we will hop aboard the Aida Maria for the next 5 days and look forward to visiting more unique islands of the Galapagos.Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-72138205861415299962012-03-15T09:43:00.001-07:002012-03-15T09:46:33.298-07:00Tsunamis and 'Poonamis': The Peruvian Surf Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What happened to going to Asia? We blew right past it, looking for the best surf stop that we could settle into for a few days. Continuing north turned into a last minute decision that we should spend the night in Lima (population 8.5 million!!!!). Fortunately for us, we drove into posh and pretty Miraflores unscathed although the traffic was insane. We later heard of a group of Australian guys getting pulled by the traffic into the dirty depths of the city, getting their surf boards robbed, obtaining dog bites (which later meant rabies shots) and hiring a juice selling man to be their body guard to keep their rental safe while guiding them to the panamerican highway. Thankfully none of those things occurred although we did have our first police ‘incident’ the next day. Driving out of Lima was a relatively simple task since Iain google mapped our route, memorized landmarks and has a pretty awesome sense of direction. Once we got onto the multilane highway we were quickly pulled over by the police. The old fart looked like a dirt bag from the beginning and told us we had committed a few infractions. Firstly, he tried to tell us we weren’t allowed to change lanes…then he accused Iain of not using lights (which were on the whole time), then say that it was illegal to have tinted windows (which is also untrue), and finally saying our paperwork wasn’t valid. He told us the price for all our illegalities was 200 soles—a ridiculous price. In the end, we told him our hostel told us not to carry much cash because there were a lot of robberies in Lima and that if he would kindly escort us to his office we could pay with visa. They didn’t like that very much, but were happy with 10 U.S. dollars, 10 soles, but didn’t want the 4 U.S. one dollar bills. That was it—we’d been swindled by the police for the first time in South America! There was something very unsettling about accepting that the police force in unreliable and shady. Thankfully, while continuing the drive north that day, we were pulled over several other times and no one else scammed us. We spent the night in a tiny beach town of Tortugas.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b9bGVCzC0R_T2riGzpcTREnsujNiiuCkj7OHOf2KBDGZuNe__2sZtsHcc4CxIFbobAK5yQXEvt7vPh_GhKqTq026ZN0xfcGddlI63aqUJpWsOpvcy-9ji3yZX0I75zA8wAw-pQKX1yra/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_5604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b9bGVCzC0R_T2riGzpcTREnsujNiiuCkj7OHOf2KBDGZuNe__2sZtsHcc4CxIFbobAK5yQXEvt7vPh_GhKqTq026ZN0xfcGddlI63aqUJpWsOpvcy-9ji3yZX0I75zA8wAw-pQKX1yra/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5604.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan catching a wave in Huanchaco</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVTM-ccagmHQX2h0SByGjBN0OrzEqbCiTwha0UqKfMqTqpK_uq0cVa_qSvuO7qnNEVNVK390LIV0vtE8UFDo243r65qvch_JuN7Zlz-DlfaQtnhTMXJsvWc25cizOv2HYb55Q_HEBcDqX/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_6086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVTM-ccagmHQX2h0SByGjBN0OrzEqbCiTwha0UqKfMqTqpK_uq0cVa_qSvuO7qnNEVNVK390LIV0vtE8UFDo243r65qvch_JuN7Zlz-DlfaQtnhTMXJsvWc25cizOv2HYb55Q_HEBcDqX/s320/Copy+of+IMG_6086.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain surfing in Huanchaco </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The next day we went through Trujillo and on to Huanchaco. We shopped around for a suitable place to park the car and sleep and ended up discovering <a href="http://surfhostallily.com/" target="_blank">Surf Hostal Lily</a> We ended up liking Lily so much we stayed for awhile. Huanchaco is a nice size town and had a bay perfect for learning as well as a good place for Iain to surf. For eight dollars a night we were able to park and sleep in our car, have access to internet, bathrooms, showers, the kitchen and common places. They also have a shaper (surf board maker) on-site, and have great deals on board rentals and equipment. We rented me a longer board and I immediately started having more success on it. The hostal has also been great for us to meet more people and finally relax into the routine of surfing, sleeping and eating. A small crew of guests came together at Lily that resulted in fantastic group meals and surf excursions.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXoMBiocZIyiMZ84ojtibAOz9Y1MW2LLoVBLZYbaMBHggUpw14iLIfdDSh43VhRIgrMD8lApfQFgrk3JCZAfsJ2kHT2qGd5ihQRIWwVyfIYkg9iZZRfT8pB14_DYcEWLqNtZS09wBpFNj/s1600/DSCN1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXoMBiocZIyiMZ84ojtibAOz9Y1MW2LLoVBLZYbaMBHggUpw14iLIfdDSh43VhRIgrMD8lApfQFgrk3JCZAfsJ2kHT2qGd5ihQRIWwVyfIYkg9iZZRfT8pB14_DYcEWLqNtZS09wBpFNj/s320/DSCN1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly and Iain making pancakes for the Lily crew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaQvdeWy6zC0u5pZUhzj02LLhuWXshQLUi0P1Saao7lPnzazlHzw0QHQrMVMn0zitzvFQ08R-sLbUyAxvKBFwtNKyL9OR3nQD1HnGdw8c_uvy13OVNWOgNYfxjFloJOyeMN17Bu0Dcp-c/s1600/DSCN1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaQvdeWy6zC0u5pZUhzj02LLhuWXshQLUi0P1Saao7lPnzazlHzw0QHQrMVMn0zitzvFQ08R-sLbUyAxvKBFwtNKyL9OR3nQD1HnGdw8c_uvy13OVNWOgNYfxjFloJOyeMN17Bu0Dcp-c/s320/DSCN1897.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Board repair from a Tofino ding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a4281n1bBEiO1DY7hl2wWTlTJE5m4XvDPQuTr2KUwLD88D_EIUE3bV4fyiBsCsUZZYXJifZzIkNavHms7cpbrDszLN4HWaxW34DbA5lpoUIRvw49u47QT7-7FV0VMWEx7gFpKHie9T92/s1600/IMG_6714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0a4281n1bBEiO1DY7hl2wWTlTJE5m4XvDPQuTr2KUwLD88D_EIUE3bV4fyiBsCsUZZYXJifZzIkNavHms7cpbrDszLN4HWaxW34DbA5lpoUIRvw49u47QT7-7FV0VMWEx7gFpKHie9T92/s400/IMG_6714.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset sessions in Huanchaco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">While at Lily, we endured an event that will surely be remembered. This event was coined as the ‘Poonami’—similar to a Tsunami, but instead of water there was poo. To explain more clearly, there was a problem with the sewage system the day following Carnival, and a flood occurred in the whole backyard area of the hostel. The ‘poo water’ kept rising, and passing in certain areas was difficult. It was so extreme, the smell was practically unbearable and people needed to take refuge in alternate rooms. The problem was not only isolated to Lily, but turned out to be an issue throughout the city. It was even rumored that the Mayor’s residence became flooded. It took about two days to clear up the problem, and since then it has been discussed and remembered as an important historical event at Lily. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxfj9GQyhrrIWnhOKPesx9zh8aBEk7RgXjUQDAL2X2wfMH79MrRB3je6LIRFLgYGkaWPcKKGf2X261gupLXOfDCEGQFraf6nEa7wHgKfxhDi19LYCWgOvNz3JBbHdxt6FDP-DM-x0M5KL/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_5757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxfj9GQyhrrIWnhOKPesx9zh8aBEk7RgXjUQDAL2X2wfMH79MrRB3je6LIRFLgYGkaWPcKKGf2X261gupLXOfDCEGQFraf6nEa7wHgKfxhDi19LYCWgOvNz3JBbHdxt6FDP-DM-x0M5KL/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5757.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEctSKjMcwgAjvTizItbJJMM8d_xiN6QGqKTwlmWsrbmE0Gtn7WQ2TWH0w2cIYQHj3olbK6PA5u2Zl1a-kCv5y9c44Pc1AOq4EfQfbtG5WjOwJL-5kWGS91yJG1yIJ-B9wcevjKr2rY4x-/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_5671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEctSKjMcwgAjvTizItbJJMM8d_xiN6QGqKTwlmWsrbmE0Gtn7WQ2TWH0w2cIYQHj3olbK6PA5u2Zl1a-kCv5y9c44Pc1AOq4EfQfbtG5WjOwJL-5kWGS91yJG1yIJ-B9wcevjKr2rY4x-/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5671.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW4TYY-uAnSyfwacWwgH8c_-swONi9qDTzCeMGdZrYlfAw_ylNSVNFnpdbDDcmwgOYT1gwjDII356vUbpYjhbKHDeMOZDYfuuqrt7BG47tAyDcagZdzFNPIB3R4bE_nRjPchUywbMG8Ik/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_5704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGW4TYY-uAnSyfwacWwgH8c_-swONi9qDTzCeMGdZrYlfAw_ylNSVNFnpdbDDcmwgOYT1gwjDII356vUbpYjhbKHDeMOZDYfuuqrt7BG47tAyDcagZdzFNPIB3R4bE_nRjPchUywbMG8Ik/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5704.jpg" width="400" /></a>The ‘Poonami’ likely contributed to the illness that occurred afterward. People started dropping like flies around the time of the poonami from stomach upset and vomiting. Last week I started getting sick mid-surf, threw up once in the water and then spent about 7 hours vomiting approximately every 20 minutes. The worst part of the virus was that we were sleeping in the car, the best part was that we had a pot I could use to be sick into. Luckily for me the grossest/ most uncomfortable part of it was over by the following morning, and with the help of Iain, gatorade, and maintaining a horizontal position I got better pretty fast.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The real kicker with the flu was I was also combating an ear infection from a few days before. We ended up having to go to nearby Trujillo to see a doctor that reported I had an infection of bacteria and fungus. Not surprisingly, this seems to be a common problem for surfers in South America. The water is questionable at the best of times in Huanchaco, but when rain coupled with a nearby eroding garbage dump spew into the ocean it leaves something to be desired. We talked to lots of surfers that gave loads of preventive suggestions, but in the end I have been utilizing drops for ‘swimmer’s ear’ and relying on my trusty naturopathic ear drops from <a href="http://www.clearhealth.ca/Clear_Health_Naturopathic/Clear_Health.html" target="_blank">Clear Health Naturopathic Clinic</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtAW2eBLWZIrkMBuEZXxmsRPDk5V1iiB-cd1qlXjbbNph4VXGjZxchLeClmv1sBdVrdfZesbcjqdKZk4A29s8fWXMZYTeEbgFMVQ91qMkE00C7TWGJEKQk_tw7wcQnZ4SYZjXco_PqbWd/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_5628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtAW2eBLWZIrkMBuEZXxmsRPDk5V1iiB-cd1qlXjbbNph4VXGjZxchLeClmv1sBdVrdfZesbcjqdKZk4A29s8fWXMZYTeEbgFMVQ91qMkE00C7TWGJEKQk_tw7wcQnZ4SYZjXco_PqbWd/s400/Copy+of+IMG_5628.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WcVr2y29YUL6ZMPdfKPA9FHvj5Mj5LnrY_oKQClaTPwd0k0iBPvorzJobyFMvw7ZziAhe1Q82cehyphenhyphenuvXMSeFJH2wMbE1b8XOBzdOa7xT9LRE903XbL7Qhdke_b2pjZsi6c0EuSvVeIh-/s1600/DSCN1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WcVr2y29YUL6ZMPdfKPA9FHvj5Mj5LnrY_oKQClaTPwd0k0iBPvorzJobyFMvw7ZziAhe1Q82cehyphenhyphenuvXMSeFJH2wMbE1b8XOBzdOa7xT9LRE903XbL7Qhdke_b2pjZsi6c0EuSvVeIh-/s400/DSCN1908.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting the Trooper to work! Boards on the roof, and boards on the bed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Iain: When the swell eventually picked up Huanchaco became unsurfable so we went to Pacasmayo which can hold waves over 20 foot. When we got there our international surf crew was already suited up and ready to tackle the big waves. Our surf crew consists of Benjamin from Germany, Nico from France, James from England, Juhsi from Finland, Danny and Kelly from the US, and Andrew from Australia. We all met in Huanchaco and had been hanging out for the last few weeks. We paddled out and had the break all to ourselves. The waves were AMAZING!!! Best waves of my life hands down. Even Andrew from Australia agreed. The second wave I caught was the best/longest wave of my life--after about 20 high speed turns and over half a kilometer long I could hardly stand on my board. After the second day of the surfing shenanigans out I became dehydrated and exhausted and caught I what we called ‘surf fever’. I lost my appetite and sweat through the night. After a few gallons of water I felt much better just in time to catch a stomach bug. This happened right before another good swell which the UN surf crew decided to go to the ‘longest left hand wave in the world’, Chicama. So in the heat of the moment I self prescribed antibiotics and in 6 hours left perfect (with the help of ‘doct-rents’Marjorie andTony). Chicama was beautiful. The long perfectly shaped waves reeled along for hundreds of meters. Not as big as Pacasmayo but a great place for practice.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRU8NrHzqaAWrTabA741m1-eXm_oVdDr1KFOGHj60SS2zvec9a6HFGpLU9qxKeSEKuVeYUfpPmOTBuyJiXaYFruDVYZGuPfe-tbKPWTysos65IgpfeK0Mso4V2oUC8pUO9sC4CTEBTEu9/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_6954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRU8NrHzqaAWrTabA741m1-eXm_oVdDr1KFOGHj60SS2zvec9a6HFGpLU9qxKeSEKuVeYUfpPmOTBuyJiXaYFruDVYZGuPfe-tbKPWTysos65IgpfeK0Mso4V2oUC8pUO9sC4CTEBTEu9/s640/Copy+of+IMG_6954.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain surf a 'Bomb' in Pacasmayo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGhmXOCaVYngeP7g5fG1dhlxj6RPO0rIGQRqxsHxWW7pGxu1d2SWlZjSb26bX_9Zt_rleFb2cnch9O9bi7B-x1mUN17P0BCMERaJmWLjHRe7rdc6KfBwXCTSrNy6oZBmn6pcwa6Aflxzo/s1600/DSCN1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGhmXOCaVYngeP7g5fG1dhlxj6RPO0rIGQRqxsHxWW7pGxu1d2SWlZjSb26bX_9Zt_rleFb2cnch9O9bi7B-x1mUN17P0BCMERaJmWLjHRe7rdc6KfBwXCTSrNy6oZBmn6pcwa6Aflxzo/s640/DSCN1919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain, Danny, and Nico in Pacasmayo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ36PdcZBW3o0Uu03VHULYdiQCX0uZtF8UGuN25LjNd-vlUt4iRq3qEOINlYNg8YJiQ71KFV5-PindDk2qkPHTjAC1q4eR4mXyx9DEPSZaXxFPGlXwWZvEO65m4YUgl8XsHByp8ePlliO/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_6889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ36PdcZBW3o0Uu03VHULYdiQCX0uZtF8UGuN25LjNd-vlUt4iRq3qEOINlYNg8YJiQ71KFV5-PindDk2qkPHTjAC1q4eR4mXyx9DEPSZaXxFPGlXwWZvEO65m4YUgl8XsHByp8ePlliO/s640/Copy+of+IMG_6889.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain surfing another epic wave in Pacasmayo. This wave holds like this for hundreds of meters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxBK1MX5V22_hyCNOgM1Xuh8zXJ6FCAsnDspRQvn9s1lse8GPFG0Qv6S-e71je2ChZs8T6zfEYHn_T1ETR7yxuQTPWx-2YTzqq3h6Vb3_iSbc0x3sPBBYqAsCvNoiXmCrgJogBhhBBVHV/s1600/DSCN1914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxBK1MX5V22_hyCNOgM1Xuh8zXJ6FCAsnDspRQvn9s1lse8GPFG0Qv6S-e71je2ChZs8T6zfEYHn_T1ETR7yxuQTPWx-2YTzqq3h6Vb3_iSbc0x3sPBBYqAsCvNoiXmCrgJogBhhBBVHV/s400/DSCN1914.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The UN crew checking the surf in Pacasmayo</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-uUTYQAA1jknNh9SkzLfEseAB66s3rL94EMMlMmA0QRpmShX31A4glaH99aziD2_nzAWxMdsy7dru3pp68WWv7HKDO3mBRx1b76atQT3XXq40hBfZQ2QuinJqHT5urEaOQGtS8VH9o6U/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-uUTYQAA1jknNh9SkzLfEseAB66s3rL94EMMlMmA0QRpmShX31A4glaH99aziD2_nzAWxMdsy7dru3pp68WWv7HKDO3mBRx1b76atQT3XXq40hBfZQ2QuinJqHT5urEaOQGtS8VH9o6U/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHICAMA!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XCMs2wKKaN9eK7pSJRSaHklWJ0crO3ReEW7cqTH9jDYRWxoebb2tDgbyACHK66ghnTxy1IIf_cCJb-N-Jy6UnK1Z1LYyYCz_-QeBkwu4_L_x75asThXfNIWeJtpOOgvct63cB_HSLoqB/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XCMs2wKKaN9eK7pSJRSaHklWJ0crO3ReEW7cqTH9jDYRWxoebb2tDgbyACHK66ghnTxy1IIf_cCJb-N-Jy6UnK1Z1LYyYCz_-QeBkwu4_L_x75asThXfNIWeJtpOOgvct63cB_HSLoqB/s400/Copy+of+DSCN1934.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view of Chicama from the bed of the trooper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTXqcdVAB4hDtb8StIOCtiweajjH5ygFXpy7jzYQhRqFTl5lvwTQNi-EKFjYqECgKQd-BvkWY9zGq3x5jTFzJPe2kVZvSbkck5M516a1DR2kBHTKdytoOg5ZBEU54JOzyEFeLlBS-7ntU/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTXqcdVAB4hDtb8StIOCtiweajjH5ygFXpy7jzYQhRqFTl5lvwTQNi-EKFjYqECgKQd-BvkWY9zGq3x5jTFzJPe2kVZvSbkck5M516a1DR2kBHTKdytoOg5ZBEU54JOzyEFeLlBS-7ntU/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1942.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the points in Chicama</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">We are currently back in Huanchaco and will probably be here for a few more days for learning waves for me. Unfortunately for me Chicama didn’t work out too well even when the swell died down because I got sick AGAIN! This time: fever, sweats and congestion, and muscle pain. No rest for the wicked in South America! We will finish recovering, and have decided to make our way north and soon head to Ecuador. Our latest ambition is to try and trade the car for a trip to the Galapagos Islands. More on that soon. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-62952483531293366922012-02-22T07:55:00.000-08:002012-02-22T07:55:16.698-08:00Sand Boards, Sand Boogys and Sand Dunes<div class="MsoNormal">Megan: Pisac to Cusco was a bit of a rough drive because we were both getting sick from our jaunt up Machu Picchu and it was my first attempt at a short car ride minus gravol. Things didn’t turn out so well with this experiment and the result was an abrupt roadside stop and a nice view of breakfast. Back in Cusco the city was bubbling with its usual mix of grime and loveliness. It was awesome to be immersed in Inca history and the later colonial influence. We checked out Museo Inka on our way out of town and saw our first mummies ever! They looked a bit different than originally imagined—the Inca tied up their dead with their knees tucked up to their chest and palms placed on the side of their face. This position makes it look like the person was terrified, screaming, and in agony at the time of death. Unfortunately we don’t have any pictures to verify since they weren’t prohibited in the museum. In addition to the mummies, we saw a lot of other really old stuff: ceramics, stone work, textiles, paintings and artifacts documenting the bloody colonial invasion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road Hazards--rocks and centerline straddling buses</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We were getting a bit tired of the rain and clouds so decided to head back towards the coast. Instead of taking the same way back through Arequipa, we took the less popular path to Nazca. Iain read that this road had been closed for 10 years due to rebel activity by The Shining Path. Luckily for us, the road is fine in the bandit sense, but high rains still pose a potential danger. Nothing too crazy happened to us, but there were many rocks and boulders on the road and rivers spewing out to the highway. We were lucky we didn’t have any problems, although Iain confirms it was the craziest mountain road he has driven to date. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many river crossings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzyyFKk4hLUTca7Q-G2GA-3kMQ_S5lUTxI6Vu-ILLi6Mha9YA0xzLrV9HCOeazxbNTr0IWsrvUNq5vCDZzv80FGjcwtjODUd3_-yR7GRgOgby_Ryrs7CAmCUKrg-KR6L50j4BPg-KbLWN/s1600/DSCN1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzyyFKk4hLUTca7Q-G2GA-3kMQ_S5lUTxI6Vu-ILLi6Mha9YA0xzLrV9HCOeazxbNTr0IWsrvUNq5vCDZzv80FGjcwtjODUd3_-yR7GRgOgby_Ryrs7CAmCUKrg-KR6L50j4BPg-KbLWN/s640/DSCN1615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade? To me Road Hazard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDdE6ezpY1iNBUdRofStlhVFNKWoj6rqtO0jFBARF2oufz1RIEk_OEoJKQGKZTY0ipgXkizlk0_DXNRJSTF-fbKCGIKiLzUmY_y2XMmq0xrVMTBFWJPX7QPwMBib42z7g77EGcWkIkxBk/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDdE6ezpY1iNBUdRofStlhVFNKWoj6rqtO0jFBARF2oufz1RIEk_OEoJKQGKZTY0ipgXkizlk0_DXNRJSTF-fbKCGIKiLzUmY_y2XMmq0xrVMTBFWJPX7QPwMBib42z7g77EGcWkIkxBk/s200/Copy+of+DSCN1633.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road Food--Peanut Butter/Nutella/Banana sandwich</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYgt86S0mBhlvH13aJmRN3huBw6mBvFXnjSg3oF2KFTYB7ivn_a6KnMeYGlq2wIA3-FF39TdhoM0U4WPb4CZ1Rv7spKuJlqt3k5nKJk3tKi2n83DVmfamB7NZTiAjWSBBgCpc9J4ROYuM/s1600/vlcsnap-2012-02-22-09h02m39s197.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYgt86S0mBhlvH13aJmRN3huBw6mBvFXnjSg3oF2KFTYB7ivn_a6KnMeYGlq2wIA3-FF39TdhoM0U4WPb4CZ1Rv7spKuJlqt3k5nKJk3tKi2n83DVmfamB7NZTiAjWSBBgCpc9J4ROYuM/s640/vlcsnap-2012-02-22-09h02m39s197.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River nearly breaching over the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBzs8GWBdtdo_hPw756CCccxo-nyV1fXEGxWNALL-TEi9MD218k2RA0C_io6vbOjCVfG_mlL64dH57kB0AHYbHvbca5PT4VaSTDMYGay72VT7ScBaPvteuQvVNnEMhkdERxBpjQKoylvn/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBzs8GWBdtdo_hPw756CCccxo-nyV1fXEGxWNALL-TEi9MD218k2RA0C_io6vbOjCVfG_mlL64dH57kB0AHYbHvbca5PT4VaSTDMYGay72VT7ScBaPvteuQvVNnEMhkdERxBpjQKoylvn/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1603.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From the Passenger Window of the 'Road'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY-R6i8H3tBAaiw3eh2gl2efHHJZG2G0YPoPqK1xYsRq1V5yvLrdjOynJD08Nt1JCSNF7Mlou8duxqIMdNGmMqWv3qVCiSGezC9gxNMDr_0vNz8k0tkSYCjHucuH7cd6Z_mgD_0dF2lCw/s1600/vlcsnap-2012-02-22-09h02m09s195.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIY-R6i8H3tBAaiw3eh2gl2efHHJZG2G0YPoPqK1xYsRq1V5yvLrdjOynJD08Nt1JCSNF7Mlou8duxqIMdNGmMqWv3qVCiSGezC9gxNMDr_0vNz8k0tkSYCjHucuH7cd6Z_mgD_0dF2lCw/s320/vlcsnap-2012-02-22-09h02m09s195.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From the Drivers Window</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg9nJDL9jt98reQBKxLnDAvuhxgD6TnnOwrvrVvQJ3teRsntzNixxoLUHF0By3pkDzLVUOwCH81k3ZhfjW5GVbVwCb5EB1lX85UVqrD1ySyt7yHtuvY8CWqsWMy35filINYR4rSEXxawF/s1600/DSCN1646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg9nJDL9jt98reQBKxLnDAvuhxgD6TnnOwrvrVvQJ3teRsntzNixxoLUHF0By3pkDzLVUOwCH81k3ZhfjW5GVbVwCb5EB1lX85UVqrD1ySyt7yHtuvY8CWqsWMy35filINYR4rSEXxawF/s320/DSCN1646.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to Iain’s superb driving abilities we arrived unharmed! Nazca was a bit disenchanting and bad thing seemed to be happening to us there. First, we couldn’t get breakfast anywhere, even though we checked it out the night before and it seemed every street corner served breakfast. Typically we don’t eat breakfast out so this was even more frustrating. This shouldn’t have really been a big deal, but supper was a disappointment the night before, it was very hot out, and we were getting ‘hangry’ (anger and or moodiness that develops due to hunger). After locating food, things continued to work against us. I bailed in slow motion UP our hotel stairs (which would have been very humorous to witness) and Iain razored a bald spot smack front and centre of his head while trying to give himself a haircut. We took these as signs it was time to leave. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The main attraction in Nazca is the Nazca lines which consist of 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and 70 images of plants and animals. They are a mystery to researchers who have proposed several theories as to their purpose over the years. Going rates for flights over the lines cost about $50, but we opted out and checked out the mirador (lookout) for about almost nothing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Iain: The next stop was Huacachina, an oasis on the outskirts of Ica. Huacachina is known for its impressive sand dunes surrounding a laguna. Sand boarding is very popular here, with two competitions every year ranging from Big Air to a 9 second Slalom decent. Megan and I signed up from a sand boarding trip in a ‘boogy’. Boogys happen to be old gas guzzling Suburbans and Broncos which have been stripped down and rebuilt with roll cages, axel reinforcements and driven by a driver who lives on the edge of insanity. Our first decent on the sandboards was a humbling experience- I built up speed and suddenly faced planted with authority. Megans decent was quite similar. After the third run we had gotten the hang of it. On the way back to the town I opted to try the locals ‘kicker’, a hand built sand jump. I asked politely if I could try their jump and if they could give me any last minutes tips on the topic. They asked how much sandboarding experience I had, I exaggerated and said all day (more like 30 seconds) so with a bunch of safety tips they gave me the go ahead. I managed to get down to the jump without face planting so I figured I’d better make it worth it and to the locals surprise landed a trescientos sesenta (360 degree spin). Excited I climbed back up and added a tail grab to the spin. Imediately I became a town hero and was invited to a free day of boogying/boarding and asked if I would coach, judge and compete in the up coming competition. A boogy mechanic has offered to buy our car at the end of our trip, we just need more information on the paper work.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next stop Asia.. Peru.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4jRqBUF0fms8Y_xxHoiKWRjbtHNv72kGn1SrYztPVJLS5rHcqP1E3DG1HCNhQbpSzBXCTJ875yob1gBbNtR3Xyrs65d1wO22igB4f2mT3SFRKm990it5CAgeqw208BMlIpvPklqQGDoF/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4jRqBUF0fms8Y_xxHoiKWRjbtHNv72kGn1SrYztPVJLS5rHcqP1E3DG1HCNhQbpSzBXCTJ875yob1gBbNtR3Xyrs65d1wO22igB4f2mT3SFRKm990it5CAgeqw208BMlIpvPklqQGDoF/s400/Copy+of+DSCN1678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huacachina</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huacachina at Night, Ica in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAq0FdHtKIEN7_E4FbrmnnMDQUek4XRrVrhXOkQgG4GjKEhl4RuZ5baY_mHpvgZ8OOsOR9k-X7RRdJU6qzs1rETBFeWCQoqYTlzVlfrmJBNrw9MRD-i2whHVM8Q61q5PLt0y2DSVpE8Dd/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAq0FdHtKIEN7_E4FbrmnnMDQUek4XRrVrhXOkQgG4GjKEhl4RuZ5baY_mHpvgZ8OOsOR9k-X7RRdJU6qzs1rETBFeWCQoqYTlzVlfrmJBNrw9MRD-i2whHVM8Q61q5PLt0y2DSVpE8Dd/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1827.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck Boogy, Driver digging it out with a Sandboard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Boogy/Sandboard shuttle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDchUGV-t8KFg-f5fODTK-mOXwLVaOsWGlAWA1AMWl9mzKubWHVweeM3Ua6NE-tVzrL74Wvtk1SonUh9YtTCMwl7ZLSR8Miu_N1C2q92mH6SP-h-oeBJ-v4n8rZsBuL6QFJq6e7jVFH9tN/s1600/DSCN1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDchUGV-t8KFg-f5fODTK-mOXwLVaOsWGlAWA1AMWl9mzKubWHVweeM3Ua6NE-tVzrL74Wvtk1SonUh9YtTCMwl7ZLSR8Miu_N1C2q92mH6SP-h-oeBJ-v4n8rZsBuL6QFJq6e7jVFH9tN/s640/DSCN1840.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Decent</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQdoC1rKR3OlewmO49luOh2aY96M8Lu2MrkfTefX5e2WJg940J9wql4iKIfk9Yl16-4Jrha0cd8kCH9WrBym8ZkvdIaHPReDf0k_fJJnsOUkEeZpniBlqK8Nu0mW-h_jq9Q1xx-dnOTpE/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQdoC1rKR3OlewmO49luOh2aY96M8Lu2MrkfTefX5e2WJg940J9wql4iKIfk9Yl16-4Jrha0cd8kCH9WrBym8ZkvdIaHPReDf0k_fJJnsOUkEeZpniBlqK8Nu0mW-h_jq9Q1xx-dnOTpE/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-67691844129825111422012-02-17T14:32:00.001-08:002012-02-17T14:35:57.093-08:00Cusco and The Sacred Valley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24NrHi1-CVS_3WwRwGHPLfRBN2vXkOSDqvVakorlrRb2tGcVDDWyRjWdq09VW5OyGp7aYOGfhrf5R3WGVVjMr-MHEs5wwQ8pr81Am04vRWZR9bqruZUqsyAdLO3hDOMnznQNi1eFKGHTj/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24NrHi1-CVS_3WwRwGHPLfRBN2vXkOSDqvVakorlrRb2tGcVDDWyRjWdq09VW5OyGp7aYOGfhrf5R3WGVVjMr-MHEs5wwQ8pr81Am04vRWZR9bqruZUqsyAdLO3hDOMnznQNi1eFKGHTj/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1041.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streets of Cuzco</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Before leaving Arica we met up with two travelers from Germany that were surfing and camping their way through South America. We decided to cross into Peru with them, and maybe convoy to our next stop. Prior to entering a country in S.A. you must first exit out of the country you are currently in (in our case Chile). We have had no problems with this process in the past crossing through into Argentina and back again. However, on this occasion at this particular boarder they refused to let us exit Chile because apparently to travel with a Chilean vehicle into Peru we needed to be Chilean residents. Technically, we had the paper work, a RUT (similar to a social insurance number), but it was a paper copy only valid for a short time. The old-timer boss told us all we needed to do was get a new temporary RUT that was valid for a longer period. The next day we got our new paper, headed back to the boarder and got rejected outright again. We found the boss working that day, and he said it was impossible for us to cross here but maybe we could get through by the nearby Bolivian boarder. Feeling bummed and defeated we contemplated what to do next, but thought we would go back once more to get clarification on what exactly the problem was. </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkokbW64TUyljgIw2wwgqLh-QQLI2gIi2uB0zupYGfyA41Cb0uyHqWXXpXljStg6CAwF3kAAN8I0CHV1e9fQ-OoRVupYa1MXeftnRl_h308-rAIONyex3BG7cAbMiyjbm9zUNQ5wNFQNe/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkokbW64TUyljgIw2wwgqLh-QQLI2gIi2uB0zupYGfyA41Cb0uyHqWXXpXljStg6CAwF3kAAN8I0CHV1e9fQ-OoRVupYa1MXeftnRl_h308-rAIONyex3BG7cAbMiyjbm9zUNQ5wNFQNe/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1038.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Ninos Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">It seemed a little strange that although we weren’t Chileans, and couldn’t cross into Peru that we could cross over into Bolivia. To our good fortune, we spotted a grandfatherly looking man and thought he could be our guy—and he was! He had to argue with a few adamant Chilean aduana’s officers, but when all was said and done we were granted with permission to get the heck out of Chile. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">We decided to go to Arequipa for the night since Cusco was too far a journey and we’d be arriving late. Although this seemed like a great idea, its Peru’s rainy season and we ended up getting a little more than a smooth drive into the city. Torrential rain was pouring down and we ended up having to take an alternative route into the city. It turned out the river before entering the city had flooded and buses were wheel well deep in water. In turn, this backed up traffic from 10 km away and it took about 3 hours to inch our way forward. In the end we couldn’t even cross, but were told we could use a back road. We followed a few other able vehicles up this dark and road but made it in. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGn6DZtnHM-rd-mBapliqX3X4fRgazF7AtqQ3YaWtZ3uYSghHio14wuU46R9pYqc9rkFZ_4kXjglepwxBdqPTm-PRAU_IQRwYuokdlEBZVBslDZQzFZDo3yoVc3_pVsG7FacrPcr6X2oQ/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGn6DZtnHM-rd-mBapliqX3X4fRgazF7AtqQ3YaWtZ3uYSghHio14wuU46R9pYqc9rkFZ_4kXjglepwxBdqPTm-PRAU_IQRwYuokdlEBZVBslDZQzFZDo3yoVc3_pVsG7FacrPcr6X2oQ/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1043.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninos Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The following day we hit the road early for Cusco. This turned into another long day of driving, but we managed fine and took in the new landscape and had already decided Peru was going to a fantastic part of the trip. That night we stayed at <a href="http://www.ninoshotel.com/">http://www.ninoshotel.com</a>. Owner Jolanada van den Berg is doing some amazing things from the profits of the hotel for local children. The profits from the hotel help fund a program designed to feed and foster 600 ninos between the ages 6-12. In addition, 80 Peruvians are employed at the various centres and other ninos hotels in the area that support the same project. The next day we were able to visit the centre and find out more about the poverty which has been uncomfortable and challenging. I think there is something to this raw grittiness that holds an undeniable truth that most of us don’t want to acknowledge. The poverty is ubiquitous, but while we sympathize from a distance, it is very easy to ignore everyone, acknowledge no one and constantly remain on guard believing that we will be swindled or bamboozled if we pay the slightest attention. Our personal solution to providing something without contributing through monetary means has been by 1) engaging in conversation and always trying our best in spanish 2) showing gratitude and respect and 3) giving food away when it seems appropriate. We’ve also decided to call out other tourists we see doing things that are rude and who are lacking common courtesy. We saw a bit of this in Cusco from the wealthy, flashy people who in our opinion were pretty much asking for trouble showcasing their affluence and bad attitudes. Cusco is known to be a bit of a rough town for tourists and there is no question why with the high-rollers wandering the plaza. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacsaywaman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEV-bl9N2NjraSnQ-Xp7JQvDh9Ht7Clr-FP_2DOFv-pyRv0Vy6x3NorobsDbZtotooym5eK539dpj1vbA8q04Ed7XY_Oi4MhNkAZgJ3aMIyDgst5eTtQGzPuU4M6aEKgwUjfyDpInoyJO/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEV-bl9N2NjraSnQ-Xp7JQvDh9Ht7Clr-FP_2DOFv-pyRv0Vy6x3NorobsDbZtotooym5eK539dpj1vbA8q04Ed7XY_Oi4MhNkAZgJ3aMIyDgst5eTtQGzPuU4M6aEKgwUjfyDpInoyJO/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacsaywaman </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7Pn-FT1pdNKgDHzaKDTtz6rWpmAmRVebNJpSEdsdxLtEoeOFElAbHURv0NjFnzC80PW5TrA2AKmB8MKLQumu0lj-V60zZ13ZAb-opzTribydw9kdxyRCHx-WNfK_6UaHh7rIGlbWik1e/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7Pn-FT1pdNKgDHzaKDTtz6rWpmAmRVebNJpSEdsdxLtEoeOFElAbHURv0NjFnzC80PW5TrA2AKmB8MKLQumu0lj-V60zZ13ZAb-opzTribydw9kdxyRCHx-WNfK_6UaHh7rIGlbWik1e/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Works</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ollantaytambo terraces</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">After we got tickets for the train ride to Machu Picchu and entrance tickets into the park we left for Ollantaytambo . We checked out the Sacsaywaman ruins along the way and stopped by Pisac for their renowned market. We left Ollantaytambo the following night for Machu Pichu, but high rains that caused a landside of rocks to cross the tracks meant a 3 hour delay. We only got a few hours of sleep that night at Aguas Caliente (elevation 8000ft) and left at 6 am for the hike up to site. It turned out be more grueling and hot than expected and Iain was shirtless in the first 20 minutes. This part of the Machu Picchu experience turned out to be the most physically demanding! Highlights of the day included: a) Wayna Picchu b) the sun dial (radiating energy from the quartz inside the granite) c) the condor d) the Inca bridge e) petting llamas and f) all ruins in general.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32aehtjkwUpOVosQFQKDbDWgYcKDPATZcAb1iPOwndL7lNNSwohsqAdM0nc-EJyDRPuWM4yPzBm2_w28ntkOvElYPHmpsuHaDlEKI2Bh2Amkos681sEAvMjlCyiaXfkXdMnQBelQ9eah-/s1600/Copy+(2)+of+DSCN1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32aehtjkwUpOVosQFQKDbDWgYcKDPATZcAb1iPOwndL7lNNSwohsqAdM0nc-EJyDRPuWM4yPzBm2_w28ntkOvElYPHmpsuHaDlEKI2Bh2Amkos681sEAvMjlCyiaXfkXdMnQBelQ9eah-/s640/Copy+(2)+of+DSCN1422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machu Picchu Baby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MP Local</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPSWQAFQ3HiCNBTQ3FbWMNcU4eYxJkadtEDM6j1SKh3ahClr0dtRilET3EjnWTF2KDsbs3qKExlr699ECMxVG4W5qiCKnqMPezyvAFG70PdQjCd1lE_c-AHMrdhbI1bDyXMPNwn0ecCSC/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPSWQAFQ3HiCNBTQ3FbWMNcU4eYxJkadtEDM6j1SKh3ahClr0dtRilET3EjnWTF2KDsbs3qKExlr699ECMxVG4W5qiCKnqMPezyvAFG70PdQjCd1lE_c-AHMrdhbI1bDyXMPNwn0ecCSC/s640/Copy+of+DSCN1487.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moray Terraces, 20 micro-climates used for agriculture experimentation </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H9FKwxPopHPwBePE970VhGcefV8N5d6f9MPpAAfZDyLtz1hp8QsMJkYkIyBuVOVFWdSEVTx7_Lmgc3YJhLhJFT0vcFZaa20yPYkN0h3STxF7T4Xxcmu4HxUJW_FF93So5nYrfIhDhGb4/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H9FKwxPopHPwBePE970VhGcefV8N5d6f9MPpAAfZDyLtz1hp8QsMJkYkIyBuVOVFWdSEVTx7_Lmgc3YJhLhJFT0vcFZaa20yPYkN0h3STxF7T4Xxcmu4HxUJW_FF93So5nYrfIhDhGb4/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1490.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moray Watering System</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">After our full day of exploring we spent the night in Ollantaytambo and the next day checked out ruins around Moray and went back to Pisac. We’ve taken in more ruins here and the enormous/famous market one more time for spectacular textiles and art. We plan to head back to Cusco tomorrow to do a load of laundry and check out some museums with our boleto touristico.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">p.s. our apologies for the lack of mechanical entertainment regarding our car—apparently our car enjoys the high altitude of the Peruvian Andes and we haven’t broken down since our last post <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day in the Sacred Valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreams Do Come True!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgQTSWig3ZAZsrT5qz143d6LRGWYdwmYgLnHt3jyUz4myrKW7Yx817PEGoSsjcIJZrfpxNfh5TsJw248dxQ-0mcRB_nHDJSYkSyRRg5TVuj7fpgEWeXxnWX8Sw8K44761ogMgRwTYFya3/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgQTSWig3ZAZsrT5qz143d6LRGWYdwmYgLnHt3jyUz4myrKW7Yx817PEGoSsjcIJZrfpxNfh5TsJw248dxQ-0mcRB_nHDJSYkSyRRg5TVuj7fpgEWeXxnWX8Sw8K44761ogMgRwTYFya3/s400/Copy+of+DSCN1471.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Compass</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjmWFyUbgLKJEceXfDMlQfe_odblvN2B9LdtFZeMHHH37Yt9_OsVXqL1z6WNC8ogp5AvK_XwE3B7p5s362RwYvfHErrFk06FHDy_qXBEX-L-Z1loLUrpfkVJ4NOzJkOWSEPOWRK4TWLAy/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the result of being the only tourists in the market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_cAKdwp-UCN8QCMUtbB_Ik7KxplnU9FfdAvwrYQrK4OHS14vE_QO5WptqmcLOi259IQ1DW2sTccUh-p-Q_OzEfaaEC1HotcDexfjS0HmBVD4JQLPPZpTYvnc7OgNUJNkHTisoFV9zQmT/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_cAKdwp-UCN8QCMUtbB_Ik7KxplnU9FfdAvwrYQrK4OHS14vE_QO5WptqmcLOi259IQ1DW2sTccUh-p-Q_OzEfaaEC1HotcDexfjS0HmBVD4JQLPPZpTYvnc7OgNUJNkHTisoFV9zQmT/s400/Copy+of+DSCN1512.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quechuan friend/guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2BQgQk_6ONVy5z7_fgnuQVTbck-YzNLts3Xegk5aqRFARKQcQE85D3hyphenhyphenH7o8e-66XoFct9qFpridszANPJPwk6bLChAfIAVi1iMNX4M7H8ikUAR3OZ_5GghdqG77Lqm7WU-ColBtvtUh/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN1396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2BQgQk_6ONVy5z7_fgnuQVTbck-YzNLts3Xegk5aqRFARKQcQE85D3hyphenhyphenH7o8e-66XoFct9qFpridszANPJPwk6bLChAfIAVi1iMNX4M7H8ikUAR3OZ_5GghdqG77Lqm7WU-ColBtvtUh/s320/Copy+of+DSCN1396.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Wayna Picchu</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inca Face in the Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insane River Below Machu Picchu</td></tr>
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</div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-4822703028793839242012-02-04T12:50:00.000-08:002012-02-04T12:50:22.587-08:00Last Stop in Chile<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRriSghdY4fNuzmz6iGr3YSrGy9UG8IBob5_d409NSSLeKsmOx45WYaYuLl5TzLqwHp2lmHuwMdF1r47a6xw2omItppmFyDTfQ8lF9r-o436U5nyGcXsNlwqbDNzTqvhg4L6nMAuHgps0/s1600/Copy+of+P1200590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRriSghdY4fNuzmz6iGr3YSrGy9UG8IBob5_d409NSSLeKsmOx45WYaYuLl5TzLqwHp2lmHuwMdF1r47a6xw2omItppmFyDTfQ8lF9r-o436U5nyGcXsNlwqbDNzTqvhg4L6nMAuHgps0/s320/Copy+of+P1200590.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf lesson #2</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We escaped the depressing exterior of San Antonio at night thanks to three hard working mechanics labouring till about 9:30 pm. Not willing to spend another $50 for a hotel we camped out at a toll station for the night. It was perfect and terrible at the same time--there was lots of light and lots of trucks passing through which means safety, but the constant noise didn't create the most peaceful conditions for sleeping.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The following day we blew passed usual tourist stops Valparaiso and Vina del Mare eager to steer clear of cities and find some sand and surf. We found the oasis we were looking for in Playa Ritoque just outside of Quintero. We spent about five days living like beach bums and had some much needed fun. These few days felt like the vacation we'd been waiting for--especially because the beach had car access and we were able to find our own private spot.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan observing Jupiter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmUDuTUMzUWSA8k_AKt4YD1SQO3CQXYWiYiCIjtHecgZUQ2TCGhUyxsUrJZhTdo8BKAjlT14CzzXhgOk73JDrOz1-ArWRToDlg-YGoY6HleuUAXmT2R5WsjgTSWf89JhIQeA_ohxj_2kd/s1600/Copy+of+P1250633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmUDuTUMzUWSA8k_AKt4YD1SQO3CQXYWiYiCIjtHecgZUQ2TCGhUyxsUrJZhTdo8BKAjlT14CzzXhgOk73JDrOz1-ArWRToDlg-YGoY6HleuUAXmT2R5WsjgTSWf89JhIQeA_ohxj_2kd/s320/Copy+of+P1250633.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cerro Mamlluca</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After the surf died down a bit a few days later, we kept moving and ended up in La Serena. It was a good thing we found another mechanic there because we ended up having to go back a few times. Our first problem was the master cylinder which needed to be replaced. Refusing to let another car problem take over the day we sped over to Vicuna for a star gazing experience at <a href="http://www.mamalluca.org/" target="_blank">Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca</a> with a 30 cm telescope. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chile has several observatories in the Atacama region because the sky is always clear, climate is dry and there are mountains galore. Chile's prime astronomy location is so awesome that Europe is investing heavily into world-class equipment. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98bA8Sw8Kk1EQo3oZf1Axz-EFiX_b27pEVdZbYdPgglRtfusx1MkZftU7Wi9lNU7qA2u67g9t4c0ceuPzfzNHxaXzrL4b2ahTEezcOflWrZBKh0w7CP3ArE0MXth982pftHCcxbvq6OXC/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98bA8Sw8Kk1EQo3oZf1Axz-EFiX_b27pEVdZbYdPgglRtfusx1MkZftU7Wi9lNU7qA2u67g9t4c0ceuPzfzNHxaXzrL4b2ahTEezcOflWrZBKh0w7CP3ArE0MXth982pftHCcxbvq6OXC/s200/Copy+of+DSCN0944.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Pisco</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other highlights of the area were purchasing some pisco sour (grape brandy) and discovering Danone's greek yogurt in coconut flavour at the locas Unimarc. We highly recommend it. We also visited the tomb of Grabriel Mistral, discovered he was a famous poet and unfortunately didn't know more about the famous man that we were visiting. Heading back into La Serena we encountered our second car issue: the torsion bar retaining bolt (3/4" thick and 10.9 gage steel) snapped! None of the local automotive shops had the piece so our nechanic bought one from Finning and had to cut, mill, and re-thread it into the appropriate size. We spent our night in the Copec gas station since they repeatedly outdo the campgrounds and hostels in all criteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVrPwmcsSrkAHZN4XqSwmybzjiHvd2CQ9h9jgJpRWpKX64aEc9XV4bgusAMxkVxnlParm41lFNtqR_CqoBABnJsqDtsBup7KlUVt-5s1hbgNKZtZaORJ17hyNiYUKqk14jn2IgLDQ2J7z/s1600/Copy+of+P1260642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVrPwmcsSrkAHZN4XqSwmybzjiHvd2CQ9h9jgJpRWpKX64aEc9XV4bgusAMxkVxnlParm41lFNtqR_CqoBABnJsqDtsBup7KlUVt-5s1hbgNKZtZaORJ17hyNiYUKqk14jn2IgLDQ2J7z/s640/Copy+of+P1260642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop dogs and our broken bolt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next day just out of town some strange noised reminiscent of our past exhaust pipe problems began to sound. We drove back to the automotive shop where the mechanics were shaking their heads and laughing at us by this time. They must of liked us, felt sorry for us, or both, because they re-fixed the exhaust pipe for free. <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o7rdX-5dRCT2hUfFuXsUcEmwLr1U_jqpHktCHrsduG_S4OiGVaCo0-cTOiJm7EedEuXVKX6AyWLpbMLzFQJiI_emUE_9hELX2dtXK_zHHRJoIPWxrojIZ0HpMGJlEgGRN5vPCr8FlWIB/s1600/Copy+of+P1260651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o7rdX-5dRCT2hUfFuXsUcEmwLr1U_jqpHktCHrsduG_S4OiGVaCo0-cTOiJm7EedEuXVKX6AyWLpbMLzFQJiI_emUE_9hELX2dtXK_zHHRJoIPWxrojIZ0HpMGJlEgGRN5vPCr8FlWIB/s320/Copy+of+P1260651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun bathing boat on La Serena's beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXfswkRgqDWwowO0hokZi5bhdxoAFPIxotyFKU7AySL9LJrKN8B6c5NJF-CW1LUAIMIg-4eKxsTrVYb1KMqFs2UnOV-swY_CThgdcjVj-X7OG4AtnoYCXJAC-SJTvIrznks-RnrJXtZNb/s1600/Copy+of+P1260655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXfswkRgqDWwowO0hokZi5bhdxoAFPIxotyFKU7AySL9LJrKN8B6c5NJF-CW1LUAIMIg-4eKxsTrVYb1KMqFs2UnOV-swY_CThgdcjVj-X7OG4AtnoYCXJAC-SJTvIrznks-RnrJXtZNb/s640/Copy+of+P1260655.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying our favourite wine at the gas station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtKSljwaXC1T24Tye6OGNuZTK1ela2wjbTsjF6gLrnWCG2Mo3mKRsbdV2_VaDPC5EflB_BjYD4QY_7vlLjELhQopcKSKjc4tDwsONU40R-3anTiR95oJV2ra8cg7xXDLlzOLbOfXCpAH8/s1600/Copy+of+P1270673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtKSljwaXC1T24Tye6OGNuZTK1ela2wjbTsjF6gLrnWCG2Mo3mKRsbdV2_VaDPC5EflB_BjYD4QY_7vlLjELhQopcKSKjc4tDwsONU40R-3anTiR95oJV2ra8cg7xXDLlzOLbOfXCpAH8/s320/Copy+of+P1270673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to eat one of Chile's largest corn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our next stop was Bahia Inglesa. This small summer hot-spot was busy and expensive and our beach that we camped on was garbage ridden. Generally there seems to be little concern for environmental protection of beaches and oceans. In addition, mining in the region doesn't seem to be helping the situation much since they pay a fee to dump waste water into the ocean. One person mentioned that a beach in Chanaral was now green because of mining contaminates. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRBzR-xd6rucDAz72CZD644JBz4zUi-ZvtDPV_hbOUC2YVHcQEY7TUjS5b62-2dwLpPa8ygX-g3tyexHC7X6sUAn3rpz54pKkw2HlhPdFYZ5yw26NOCPfhzTcN7eZrzGTb_jJSFiDYHBx/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRBzR-xd6rucDAz72CZD644JBz4zUi-ZvtDPV_hbOUC2YVHcQEY7TUjS5b62-2dwLpPa8ygX-g3tyexHC7X6sUAn3rpz54pKkw2HlhPdFYZ5yw26NOCPfhzTcN7eZrzGTb_jJSFiDYHBx/s640/Copy+of+DSCN0922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isla Pan de Azucar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT6yVPy_SagQm1vj5T8Z2pNJHr8v2wlcDf5V0USsMadb1raCOOloOp1FQWw01rkwkGqIomQ3sOoWxIK4UOvKp9suGW7F7YtXV_P79ar_WF1W12kfnA2vt6Er0VafMUexZgyGO8lNas_Cd/s1600/DSCN0910sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNT6yVPy_SagQm1vj5T8Z2pNJHr8v2wlcDf5V0USsMadb1raCOOloOp1FQWw01rkwkGqIomQ3sOoWxIK4UOvKp9suGW7F7YtXV_P79ar_WF1W12kfnA2vt6Er0VafMUexZgyGO8lNas_Cd/s640/DSCN0910sm.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love it when you call me Big Papa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCaV5NB8nE6flf_RRhAnFrAGUTInq0i6i4wBYbrKZ9DGZfykjlEXb_NhpcNBjANkeg4iVne_5HKKOnGA6WnZR2CsT79Lzi5-LDrL2W2-NY0gWY4zcQr_GprG2DmYPUOrbeF1kJk6WXuJA/s1600/DSCN0917sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCaV5NB8nE6flf_RRhAnFrAGUTInq0i6i4wBYbrKZ9DGZfykjlEXb_NhpcNBjANkeg4iVne_5HKKOnGA6WnZR2CsT79Lzi5-LDrL2W2-NY0gWY4zcQr_GprG2DmYPUOrbeF1kJk6WXuJA/s640/DSCN0917sm.JPG" width="427" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">One gem we discovered slightly north was Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar. This beautifully maintained coastal park is a reminder of possibilities of what could be for other areas. Although designated camping is a must in the park it was relatively cheap and the purity worth the pesos. Nearby Isla Pan de Azucar is home to humboldt penguins and sea lions and was just a short boat ride away. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, feeling energetic and adventurous Iain and I decided we would paddle out on the surfboards to check it all out. We paddled for about an hour an a half through flat water which was tiring for me, but more cold for Iain. We did get close enough to see penguins and a huge male sea lion swimming close by, although Iain's waterproof camera died on the journey and the very large jelly fish scared me throughout. The following day we took a boat over and were able to get a better view and some pictures.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parapente cew</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leaving the pristine park was hard, and our next stop was Iquique. We took in some paragliding yesterday and plan to leave tomorrow. I rode a tandem with an instructor which was fun, and Iain had his first lesson and solo flight. Iain loves it and can't wait to do a course. We arrived in Arica today and are getting ready to head into Peru (maybe tomorrow). Our trusty Lonely Planet got left behind in a mall in Iquique, but luckily we are able to download an e-version and not pay the whopping $70 for a new one. Yikes! </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan and Hernan (instructor) flying by Iquique</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0bOTtTKbv-D_FElLcyAnT2rvrA2KXmuHVMOv4stOgXpYc_YlYRE31ePB9AJ5HNROU0iEMJU08rTP78ntTI8Qo_AsHn434pcJAnPGP5OlVmSiH561xPpThR2nvzjHjSX_DorWoOarpcZQ/s1600/Copy+of+GOPR8421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0bOTtTKbv-D_FElLcyAnT2rvrA2KXmuHVMOv4stOgXpYc_YlYRE31ePB9AJ5HNROU0iEMJU08rTP78ntTI8Qo_AsHn434pcJAnPGP5OlVmSiH561xPpThR2nvzjHjSX_DorWoOarpcZQ/s640/Copy+of+GOPR8421.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing for lift-off</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFSMIJeqe94wbiGm82YfYE_m1BraCtXTfbx8jFKJfV5E48KJzo-pbT0yKaL6d5SyVbSx0bSlOOoZjNWGlRQXVTwaydvyrB5ggOPuMPzRUfW62SIT6PB9VWeuxWAxINA9klcEjNkSt8DJw/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFSMIJeqe94wbiGm82YfYE_m1BraCtXTfbx8jFKJfV5E48KJzo-pbT0yKaL6d5SyVbSx0bSlOOoZjNWGlRQXVTwaydvyrB5ggOPuMPzRUfW62SIT6PB9VWeuxWAxINA9klcEjNkSt8DJw/s640/Copy+of+DSCN0966.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lift-off!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadbwW9tk7C11SHaRkfm31cvpfIrCZeQQcZO6HVttoDN_TJQG8qdMhcELJBqNEkmfdKOkv5MEGqxIYYXh6VnPXbpeI5E_HwKYOUebwxcy9rVCIzkypt7hILNMiq6koaxgrujIJfBmIaXR_/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwHDe0k177W6l7RgQOJPM5VxVOhYbQfUINq09ZwzjCeFj4kMJHrDhq29zoEb6TsDWC7UpyQeYJWts04iZPqii-RKuIwZkNdLutZ_2DNNkoiNgAGgk5NCwlZsnoCZF3Ncs2Guerkyi_J85/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwHDe0k177W6l7RgQOJPM5VxVOhYbQfUINq09ZwzjCeFj4kMJHrDhq29zoEb6TsDWC7UpyQeYJWts04iZPqii-RKuIwZkNdLutZ_2DNNkoiNgAGgk5NCwlZsnoCZF3Ncs2Guerkyi_J85/s640/Copy+of+DSCN0987.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent way to check surf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyLj05TMZZYr7txxvmUqTbxHBrujm31nV0BBB_IShfgJ-C_EqRyjwmCifIQlfvd1VWDdj7QcYNz36sYPtBkuxPsi-NP4fP9nuYO1FsblKqYFcLWtwlcPpb8V14C0VxT_SlzDF2MtOEUy5/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyLj05TMZZYr7txxvmUqTbxHBrujm31nV0BBB_IShfgJ-C_EqRyjwmCifIQlfvd1VWDdj7QcYNz36sYPtBkuxPsi-NP4fP9nuYO1FsblKqYFcLWtwlcPpb8V14C0VxT_SlzDF2MtOEUy5/s640/Copy+of+DSCN0988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-79620779388783907072012-01-17T17:14:00.000-08:002012-01-17T17:14:08.777-08:00Breakdown, Repair, Play and Repeat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sRI4UlOUUFJxk0r_4Ga8lp6F5TKONyJJLx6mri9AJ-g3-Qfd-u56V24TdWxIMuoUi67j-f76WbQVh0J1bw6fpY_1kJ4wk1V7M0dOzMNwKN3I-vJ-HEMlKsl8GWoJXav8Ft6JNUbF-gGf/s1600/smDSCN0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sRI4UlOUUFJxk0r_4Ga8lp6F5TKONyJJLx6mri9AJ-g3-Qfd-u56V24TdWxIMuoUi67j-f76WbQVh0J1bw6fpY_1kJ4wk1V7M0dOzMNwKN3I-vJ-HEMlKsl8GWoJXav8Ft6JNUbF-gGf/s400/smDSCN0782.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trooper TLC</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The car misadventures continued as we got back to Coyhaqiue after the Glaciar. Check it out: while Iain was parking the car near a mechanic to fix the exhaust pipe that disconnected during the bumpy drive on the way back from Tranquilo, he backed into a tree with gusto. After not having found a new door Iain managed to fix it using a left-over 2”x4” we happened to have kicking around, a two tone ratchet strap, and some physics. The door was so dented the it wouldn’t even close as first—esthetics were the least of our worries.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHRsxxy3ykTACW0IcyUsuwVzTEEUNcbKatHcivcTPdPHRP-pBorMjKEOODxyptDAKm-zuhL8WHUmcwvpfvo3MICzud7ARIeExSitVL4DBz1pXH_5uyOuetNrE7yIrGQlsGtYez5BVT0JU/s1600/P1070502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHRsxxy3ykTACW0IcyUsuwVzTEEUNcbKatHcivcTPdPHRP-pBorMjKEOODxyptDAKm-zuhL8WHUmcwvpfvo3MICzud7ARIeExSitVL4DBz1pXH_5uyOuetNrE7yIrGQlsGtYez5BVT0JU/s400/P1070502.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parque Nacional Quelat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLihXet0UGqFsFiUc9d7FwJLrSm-RuelfrXX5N12_nd_Z8pZ4OTybq6Oj10fn6d4HW7tY9PN0dZRCUsfY_mJOYa_rsSi34rPQJWf-NBsht69aE2bCIEmJA9wNx5-pN_z8vWWUzRKu5TRW/s1600/Copy+of+P1070516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLihXet0UGqFsFiUc9d7FwJLrSm-RuelfrXX5N12_nd_Z8pZ4OTybq6Oj10fn6d4HW7tY9PN0dZRCUsfY_mJOYa_rsSi34rPQJWf-NBsht69aE2bCIEmJA9wNx5-pN_z8vWWUzRKu5TRW/s320/Copy+of+P1070516.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Finished with southern Chile and ready to get a move on, our next stop was Parque Nacional Queulat. We stumbled upon this magnificent place while driving through and the weather was cooperative enough for us to hike around for a bit. We climbed into Rio de las Cascades where about six waterfalls surround the valley. It is always nice to get out and move to break up the driving so we were both happy to get some fresh air that afternoon. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EiqZVqbrw6clsRb_pgHd2yOuX2wyNod-1C3lr8hOX1QxwZCCe0nI6QxXfB2L9G_Q2MOLhlFzMNfZF4sRRQwvuaLsytSwhWvrddhmIrDeuANyLDrBU8FK4m3GAOkC-py-BThn_ATDMzXO/s1600/P1070510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EiqZVqbrw6clsRb_pgHd2yOuX2wyNod-1C3lr8hOX1QxwZCCe0nI6QxXfB2L9G_Q2MOLhlFzMNfZF4sRRQwvuaLsytSwhWvrddhmIrDeuANyLDrBU8FK4m3GAOkC-py-BThn_ATDMzXO/s320/P1070510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spy a Megan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGF9x99CC4-jcW2DKn6Znn1-wkOuaqdtir5W4_ylDlsjJn3PS760Aze-qCtkVcyNiov2dZtlYAP14SEi4xiQgBYM_IFr1QKiKkPOutUHfMPVwgoGIWOR7le6X1_MPkMNNSYfflEvnaG7f/s1600/smDSCN0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGF9x99CC4-jcW2DKn6Znn1-wkOuaqdtir5W4_ylDlsjJn3PS760Aze-qCtkVcyNiov2dZtlYAP14SEi4xiQgBYM_IFr1QKiKkPOutUHfMPVwgoGIWOR7le6X1_MPkMNNSYfflEvnaG7f/s320/smDSCN0840.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot springs to ourselves..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">The weather started out grey and turned into pouring rain the next day and this was our first real hard day of rain. The real bummer to the rain was mainly the fact that our cooking setup requires the back door of the trooper to be left open which is definitely not conducive to all weather cooking conditions. The other regret in the rain was not purchasing the single tarp we’d seen on the trip in Coyhaique. A lesson that has taught us if you see something you might need, buy it immediately—you may never see it again. The positive aspect of all the rain was it was an awesome day to go to some natural hot springs.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvX_BiSiOJPa11qz32M4cgOk2PKMMKF4hZ-Xu0hMIxOQkPdx2NYfPkXhMOc0jGxzEh_vtCnTr_M87AHXwZ5T7RCqne-dvB3s-8AalXXksUU9uTnkkeUEovfONXcxJOETn0MYO2VrGjUqg/s1600/P1080556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvX_BiSiOJPa11qz32M4cgOk2PKMMKF4hZ-Xu0hMIxOQkPdx2NYfPkXhMOc0jGxzEh_vtCnTr_M87AHXwZ5T7RCqne-dvB3s-8AalXXksUU9uTnkkeUEovfONXcxJOETn0MYO2VrGjUqg/s320/P1080556.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As we attempted to get out of the rain we drove into Argentina again back to El Bolson. We continued on Argentina’s northward bound highways until crossing back into Chile again near Pucon. My main aim here was to 1) eat a fish taco 2) get more eco-friendly conditioner from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Siempreverde/199567346761828" target="_blank">Siempreverde</a>.The return back to Pucon was better than expected since it was refreshing that we knew area, and could find a good campground to wash laundry and go out for an afternoon of rafting with <a href="http://www.politur.com/travel_english/publish/index.shtml" target="_blank">Politur</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8F8aSkRzfx6h_OLqv7pTV4WgOfa9duuL8mcswuXFbdCKPQQjUKnPLKeahOkFFokcQYE2F4G-pfHwmnSbe26JL1O2oxnGh8_1XGEiEqzVLf5aF929VSq8BmwZyF_yK_0BRF_gJhv3vR1I/s1600/_MG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8F8aSkRzfx6h_OLqv7pTV4WgOfa9duuL8mcswuXFbdCKPQQjUKnPLKeahOkFFokcQYE2F4G-pfHwmnSbe26JL1O2oxnGh8_1XGEiEqzVLf5aF929VSq8BmwZyF_yK_0BRF_gJhv3vR1I/s640/_MG_0134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rafting in Pucon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd06P4qDtD2rzJl23PA9cGrmGsDyK69nShy4B8_EYgYDmgwLEvOh1Ai2XEA_9CDk37pusDCoBDT_NO3vogiilvUFu-sgUMHt0CLPGKocLItX4j4Zasgo5tGr-yliLes9o8bC32hR6MN-KF/s1600/_MG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd06P4qDtD2rzJl23PA9cGrmGsDyK69nShy4B8_EYgYDmgwLEvOh1Ai2XEA_9CDk37pusDCoBDT_NO3vogiilvUFu-sgUMHt0CLPGKocLItX4j4Zasgo5tGr-yliLes9o8bC32hR6MN-KF/s400/_MG_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdu_DaSP3ccSKln4OWnxnGTsTtQNvvS7Dz5sdSxG1b4xEuDigFwtT33_1BhU2_R6p1lAo2N6KLzeMIogKos8p4Jd3zkaeM-pJ-iJSnqiE2rL9KBT3NmdjU24fMIPC852q1L1rwwfD8hDe/s1600/smDSCN0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdu_DaSP3ccSKln4OWnxnGTsTtQNvvS7Dz5sdSxG1b4xEuDigFwtT33_1BhU2_R6p1lAo2N6KLzeMIogKos8p4Jd3zkaeM-pJ-iJSnqiE2rL9KBT3NmdjU24fMIPC852q1L1rwwfD8hDe/s640/smDSCN0869.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every piece of clothing we own</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X6FieLVKxZtn2cP37mRj_SLAuwl9h_HF6XjqvJFji9G6FiMIB0hx9lpSHgYYopvoilP5gimfy1hVOBhyphenhypheniPeUCIbbmz2xo4LWa-fxXJhS0F-docHCZx_SFxM-NhMV5-jY8IV6WSaLiJQd/s1600/P1170582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6X6FieLVKxZtn2cP37mRj_SLAuwl9h_HF6XjqvJFji9G6FiMIB0hx9lpSHgYYopvoilP5gimfy1hVOBhyphenhypheniPeUCIbbmz2xo4LWa-fxXJhS0F-docHCZx_SFxM-NhMV5-jY8IV6WSaLiJQd/s320/P1170582.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for this to be repaired</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">When we were finished in Pucon we drove to Pichilemu in hopes to find me a surf board. We only spent two nights back in the old stomping ground probably because it was insanely busy and very expensive (if anyone tells you Chile is a cheap place to travel don’t believe them). During our last visit we had a water front Cabana for about $40, while this time around we stayed at a hostel for $60. The summer season is only about two months of the year, so prices are sky-high. Despite the hoards of people, we did get me a used surf board from <a href="http://www.manzana54.cl/main.html" target="_blank">Manzana 54</a>. I think Iain was more excited than me to make the purchase, but I’m already feeling attached to the ol’ Bic and want to bring the beast home. Iain is a very good teacher and we got out a couple of times before deciding there would probably be better surf with fewer people further north. However, that is easier said than done in the Trooper.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">We left Pichilemu hoping to get to Vina del Mar or Valpariso, but instead are currently in San Antonio because we stopped to get a radiator cap and once again Iain noticed the vehicle was smoking. Turns out we need a new head gasket. Hopefully it will be done tomorrow morning and we’ll be surfing by night. Keep your fingers crossed for us!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-40533093797088445452012-01-06T12:52:00.000-08:002012-01-06T12:52:59.914-08:00<div class="MsoNormal"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6stz-sWxd-KgW0DX6jN3N_WQpBFqzfbdkel0DrgONbPYANd1-ghaE6sEns1wpGOXxD2IUHEqZPLym102-b9nJFmbqFVF4kJXT6wo6TbJ0ljnmgXKHIN3uCvDtjk-GQvlxAiq1a_0fx3s0/s1600/DSCN0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6stz-sWxd-KgW0DX6jN3N_WQpBFqzfbdkel0DrgONbPYANd1-ghaE6sEns1wpGOXxD2IUHEqZPLym102-b9nJFmbqFVF4kJXT6wo6TbJ0ljnmgXKHIN3uCvDtjk-GQvlxAiq1a_0fx3s0/s320/DSCN0699.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poland to the rescue! Broke down on Route 40.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyloVqGNxj29QUjMmMnxFCU1M02XiEAIh1MOXJi7Qo_DDaSt19_PFaaHJZpHq5h38GD4s-3Vyqpgg2nqTxcdicU8BvGYfVGkKu6N18_mMnE60vzHWusoeOLGMDlyNsO_RsscK0fekKzUY/s1600/DSCN0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyloVqGNxj29QUjMmMnxFCU1M02XiEAIh1MOXJi7Qo_DDaSt19_PFaaHJZpHq5h38GD4s-3Vyqpgg2nqTxcdicU8BvGYfVGkKu6N18_mMnE60vzHWusoeOLGMDlyNsO_RsscK0fekKzUY/s320/DSCN0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Local traffic on Route 40</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGTDWS-cXw1A73DXPJ7FXp2fxVBGNyMtfzIRGuw0sEDb3tWms98cXbKwBp05cU3WvDdLEIBPC4eNp1dcLt3Dox-O7EDXna4y9mPigJEDeNAjvk5wkm-ThS6jmk778Q_qSn9w-mxrJrX1K/s1600/DSCN0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLGTDWS-cXw1A73DXPJ7FXp2fxVBGNyMtfzIRGuw0sEDb3tWms98cXbKwBp05cU3WvDdLEIBPC4eNp1dcLt3Dox-O7EDXna4y9mPigJEDeNAjvk5wkm-ThS6jmk778Q_qSn9w-mxrJrX1K/s320/DSCN0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">After getting our fair share of fresh air and drinkable river water in El Chalten we decided to move on upwards to start to long trip back up Argentina and Chile. We were sitting on the fence about what route to take back, but read about El Puesto <a href="http://www.elpuesto.cl/">www.elpuesto.cl</a> and a trip they do up on Glaciar Explorades. This seemed like the next best destination so we took the notorious route 40 in Argentina back up from southern Patagonia. Route 40 is known for its barren and bleak dirt road and lack of service stations in addition to the cavos de los manos—caves with prehistoric handprints lining the walls. This road proved to be both barren and bleak, two things we had seen a little too much of driving west to east and back again to get a glimpse of those penguins. At one point we had to drive 70 km out of the way to get gas and Iain noticed the engine temperature slowly rising. As it turned out, the radiator cap was lost somewhere along the bumpy dirt road and we needed some creativity and metal to make it the rest of the way to our fuel up location. We have been so lucky to have had assistance at pretty much every potentially disastrous situation so far, and this event turned out to be no different. This time our help turned out to be a camper full of Polish travelers who happened to be mechanically savvy. With everybody brainstorming, a new radiator cap was created using: a tin can lid, a loonie which was hammered to increase its size, some wire, and of course duct tape. We arrived to the gas station with no problems 30 km later and found a new radiator cap too! After an hour or two back into our drive the new radiator cap stop working properly and we had to modify it accordingly.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBphiLfwUpLkvrxSXMhVRF5kOMjhkeyv2bG9d32X6tokDt6fg915sTeJCCCTCDWMd-Oo7yeR_VlzwNRxEqfg9-KvnB3AfqiNvDTpQJf36clem4yTE9MIGVUSfkrnXXueHymOSXwZ_5MRPG/s1600/DSCN0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBphiLfwUpLkvrxSXMhVRF5kOMjhkeyv2bG9d32X6tokDt6fg915sTeJCCCTCDWMd-Oo7yeR_VlzwNRxEqfg9-KvnB3AfqiNvDTpQJf36clem4yTE9MIGVUSfkrnXXueHymOSXwZ_5MRPG/s400/DSCN0704.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished product</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iED82ESTribcl-XJa-PGP6MKL_jgG53nVMtTAgR2u0V28FHxYr29K3riyAPdDwiY0dW2Nac2EWnKUMhD10TNsjKeuDh3cwsU_TH_l4gB33mEB5bci-i4KochH-RxFWKsrUbLQtUeLPSV/s1600/DSCN0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iED82ESTribcl-XJa-PGP6MKL_jgG53nVMtTAgR2u0V28FHxYr29K3riyAPdDwiY0dW2Nac2EWnKUMhD10TNsjKeuDh3cwsU_TH_l4gB33mEB5bci-i4KochH-RxFWKsrUbLQtUeLPSV/s320/DSCN0711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rejected from Chile--preparing to varnish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">After jumping through that hoop of fire, we made it to Los Antiguos, the last town before crossing into Chile. Feeling really awesome about getting back into Chile and ready to get on that glacier, we stopped at the boarder ready to keep moving. After a tedious wait in line and claiming our fruits and vegetables we went out to get inspected (Chile has relatively strict regulations in this regard and they are much more thorough in their searches compared to Argentina). Turns out, they inspected a little bit more rigorously than we expected, telling us our beloved bed frame needed to bite the dust if we wanted to enter. Apparently our wood was no good because it wasn’t varnished and there was no way they were going to let us through. So back we went to Los Antiguos to spend the afternoon varnishing….</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnFRum9nJqFN8_4-bmAH0y5fHXomWqRYLzKJ6tx0DoUc2Eadf1zx3oxq148JBqRYRpv9lnDNxz5q6Gn-f-k41x-wL47DIn19NHAvIi_DX3kgY0wsbp-9vF31tKbwPDFF81kWgBerV1RrF/s1600/PC310414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnFRum9nJqFN8_4-bmAH0y5fHXomWqRYLzKJ6tx0DoUc2Eadf1zx3oxq148JBqRYRpv9lnDNxz5q6Gn-f-k41x-wL47DIn19NHAvIi_DX3kgY0wsbp-9vF31tKbwPDFF81kWgBerV1RrF/s320/PC310414.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain trying a new look<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYYVEagnSkz51msrr_fzvtV7SOLhVvsvPocpIDgSJWF3XGCxcY8byUH17ikSLqiUfqDvn_Y31Srty6Lrw43dTSF2uh8c7GsfMhlTseyxjwAOuGcHcYG8QG-Gi0B5X-LrNaGgpKWu-9mS4/s1600/PC300406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYYVEagnSkz51msrr_fzvtV7SOLhVvsvPocpIDgSJWF3XGCxcY8byUH17ikSLqiUfqDvn_Y31Srty6Lrw43dTSF2uh8c7GsfMhlTseyxjwAOuGcHcYG8QG-Gi0B5X-LrNaGgpKWu-9mS4/s320/PC300406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">The twisty road to Coyhaique</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">The following day, they did let us in and we passed through Chile Chico and we went onwards to Coyhaique were we spent a very uneventful New Year’s Eve. Yesterday we backtracked to Tranquilo to and did a 6.5 hour stint up and around the Glaciar Explorades. We thought the experience might be similar to climbing on the moon—rolling mounds of white snow and ice everywhere. Well worth the effort and a little extra driving. </div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier Explorades</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallest peak south of 40 degrees, Monte San Valentin (4080m)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain climbing around</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ty-xGsJcVt4pH4sUuwD6iAyJpTTlW78AqtdnzTIAk1ncanE023DACbiRCB-PcddARVBfFC_341ArpVg1lbCu1vRbB96whFbujFCdT-OPK3BpZC_0gXa5wa2w5vVPfgVjzNu0qs7JyNUq/s1600/P1040458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ty-xGsJcVt4pH4sUuwD6iAyJpTTlW78AqtdnzTIAk1ncanE023DACbiRCB-PcddARVBfFC_341ArpVg1lbCu1vRbB96whFbujFCdT-OPK3BpZC_0gXa5wa2w5vVPfgVjzNu0qs7JyNUq/s640/P1040458.JPG" width="158" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoIAgKmjyZXWH6u0gEkQ-3Cgxae-5rNWeQZMlVS4C9Q5O-Y6itUF_KnYlTbuzum3KPZ_qwIiR2egyaJnyyfP4i3Ts-DBp4YgkX7xhXlj-0SFfIyEk-Magsft7LxGEk22NCSOypkSvTFgV/s1600/P1040482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoIAgKmjyZXWH6u0gEkQ-3Cgxae-5rNWeQZMlVS4C9Q5O-Y6itUF_KnYlTbuzum3KPZ_qwIiR2egyaJnyyfP4i3Ts-DBp4YgkX7xhXlj-0SFfIyEk-Magsft7LxGEk22NCSOypkSvTFgV/s400/P1040482.JPG" width="300" /></a>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-2900260585598956762011-12-31T13:15:00.000-08:002011-12-31T13:15:12.957-08:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB2vyq0v5YzEeGId5eQYxwRSnsdj5uBvF45j6OsHJ0iHUTCkgRlkhpAjDtT1nFYW-I1EJHT94_svaTimXHCN8IgPIa_tT0EDg4fXNmXThXzZiU9krgmGoIx67vUTSUnZpOaXGbb-vZw6a/s1600/PC190321ed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB2vyq0v5YzEeGId5eQYxwRSnsdj5uBvF45j6OsHJ0iHUTCkgRlkhpAjDtT1nFYW-I1EJHT94_svaTimXHCN8IgPIa_tT0EDg4fXNmXThXzZiU9krgmGoIx67vUTSUnZpOaXGbb-vZw6a/s320/PC190321ed.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning tires in protest </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">Our drive back into the west of Argentina became a little more exciting when getting gas became a problem. Apparently Argentina has a fairly constant issue with its gasoline; companies want to increase prices but the government will not provide subsides, so to make sure they have as much control over the market, companies limit the amount of gas available by producing the minimum allowable amount. We both thought the remote region just had less gas, but that was definitely not the case. When we got to Trelew on our way out of town it was decided that desperate times called for desperate measures: we would camp at the gas station and wait until the fuel truck showed up. Luckily, the truck came about an hour later but we decided to camp the night there anyway. It was actually a fantastic idea because a) they had hot showers that cost $1.50, b) there was wireless internet c) they had real coffee and practically a restaurant in there. The following night we stayed at another YPF and had another great experience camping alongside the truckers.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RFbcT4Nb1nmI0ezwJFUlCEqyiUsabkqb5hYlQW93L64GuXoF8j-W25VXhY1I7NuCyp2Wiuc4qjMP6D9Q9kHAHpLZUmTkJ3rZwHX0jtOlywlAqH0gqRBiq7XUY64kVnazq2cq7ZZpw25i/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RFbcT4Nb1nmI0ezwJFUlCEqyiUsabkqb5hYlQW93L64GuXoF8j-W25VXhY1I7NuCyp2Wiuc4qjMP6D9Q9kHAHpLZUmTkJ3rZwHX0jtOlywlAqH0gqRBiq7XUY64kVnazq2cq7ZZpw25i/s320/Copy+of+DSCN0532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping at the gas station</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNU6EL4w2x59PAq-LFSRgsKiDpoVzUVYVXSAlsro6BFdBIqpOqoHtR17j7EzG421lx-aLAAJUotWx69Q1zafctI2eh2Yyr5TDam6mI8stJOiUoUJprCqO_mSPyU3RYC5SFklvt_UkWWcU/s1600/DSCN0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNU6EL4w2x59PAq-LFSRgsKiDpoVzUVYVXSAlsro6BFdBIqpOqoHtR17j7EzG421lx-aLAAJUotWx69Q1zafctI2eh2Yyr5TDam6mI8stJOiUoUJprCqO_mSPyU3RYC5SFklvt_UkWWcU/s320/DSCN0541.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glaciar Perito Moreno</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUjaqbJrGoIx36EYzN6lJDpmZ5o2N-ZkS5NbtI0OjVsfNwEb6Hxmw2ZrkjyJly0K-IiZpZuLELEMEOcKUKsEmkGKlQfhTUi1F8t1EXJlHh6HXU3jiPMeHA7j_ATsr62CcQFgVBek3iLev/s1600/DSCN0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUjaqbJrGoIx36EYzN6lJDpmZ5o2N-ZkS5NbtI0OjVsfNwEb6Hxmw2ZrkjyJly0K-IiZpZuLELEMEOcKUKsEmkGKlQfhTUi1F8t1EXJlHh6HXU3jiPMeHA7j_ATsr62CcQFgVBek3iLev/s400/DSCN0584.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2XXm1pzQHKjlakkdBDIuyo8GyBPFSPpQVm2cpXkVxVkodu9Wl4An46JBpammXrzMl_8QAUIvA562921OArHMaCgPi2WbGgz7H7hYEiyKCiXi-hbMHjlX13oq3GaDoyNO22lOBdvBQ6bE/s1600/DSCN0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2XXm1pzQHKjlakkdBDIuyo8GyBPFSPpQVm2cpXkVxVkodu9Wl4An46JBpammXrzMl_8QAUIvA562921OArHMaCgPi2WbGgz7H7hYEiyKCiXi-hbMHjlX13oq3GaDoyNO22lOBdvBQ6bE/s320/DSCN0562.JPG" width="240" /></a>Next, we made our way to El Calafate to see Glaciar Perito Moreno in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. This glacier was by far one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen, and well worth the admission fees. The park had a great walkway and many places to sit and listen to the glacier calving huge icebergs into the lake (a sound similar to thunder). It was also declared the eighth wonder of the world by Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. We liked it so much, we decided to stay the night, unfortunately this isn’t allowed and we got kicked out in the morning. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">L</span> We considered walking on the glacier (one well recommended company by Lonely Planet is Hielo & Aventura: <a href="http://www.hieloyaventura.com/">www.hieloyaventura.com</a>) but decided in the end it was too expensive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FLbIUPaYeQlIly9xlpWkg7dr9rjUZ8XKVB5YZSMuUHmpIThj9feQBrSKH8eJR9QeP9Jr7b7BAhp38CD5wDTdW1B1ElxkEllFC6nUZYGzH0jMFNdAhlcO2LXzwHkEVOxJ9mTd3ymPMyaE/s1600/DSCN0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FLbIUPaYeQlIly9xlpWkg7dr9rjUZ8XKVB5YZSMuUHmpIThj9feQBrSKH8eJR9QeP9Jr7b7BAhp38CD5wDTdW1B1ElxkEllFC6nUZYGzH0jMFNdAhlcO2LXzwHkEVOxJ9mTd3ymPMyaE/s320/DSCN0582.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDHLIazgGxo8zAIE55CvzKcEc0fvRYcPGo9QhyphenhyphenJSqfEGJWY3GCsqL2PZ2dzF6-6qBj8g5YHbz_-hGdCWqEN9kYazHWX-nzNAEFxzmF0SCJ4thqSi3jOFaFsZf6X7398jAHCkeXKjPbSGz/s1600/PC220354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDHLIazgGxo8zAIE55CvzKcEc0fvRYcPGo9QhyphenhyphenJSqfEGJWY3GCsqL2PZ2dzF6-6qBj8g5YHbz_-hGdCWqEN9kYazHWX-nzNAEFxzmF0SCJ4thqSi3jOFaFsZf6X7398jAHCkeXKjPbSGz/s640/PC220354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illegal camping</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP_zJPkr0oFY4k7HAVCxgeB6WxCtI79uaM1eSK3PAIRkq_Lc0reABOFWgI9wr94uXFOwBIh-X_DZsQOZ06xtEC0b43NaY_LVYElqXpeZuSkFxfR5XX-HAhyphenhyphenDoTcnEALQTf930QCcIZEfo/s1600/DSCN0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP_zJPkr0oFY4k7HAVCxgeB6WxCtI79uaM1eSK3PAIRkq_Lc0reABOFWgI9wr94uXFOwBIh-X_DZsQOZ06xtEC0b43NaY_LVYElqXpeZuSkFxfR5XX-HAhyphenhyphenDoTcnEALQTf930QCcIZEfo/s320/DSCN0609.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">After the glacier we made our way to El Chalten, a town a few hours north of El Calafate. El Chalten has gotten a lot of hype. I heard about it several times, and decided it would be worth exploring while in Patagonia. To be honest, I think Christmas was not the best time to go. There were tourists everywhere which I found irritating even though I am one. This is mainly to do with the trekking scene: El Chalten is home to Fitz Roy and some world class mountaineering which draws hardcore, skilled, and bad-ass climbers to the area who are attempting to do some pretty insane ascents. However, it also draws everyone else that kind of wants to be hardcore (and who look it), but aren’t really doing anything all that special. For example, it must be trendy to wear bandanas around your neck (even though Iain and I were both baffled at what purpose they served) and to use trekking poles. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate if you are older and have a balance issue they might be a great tool to keep you moving with a little extra stability. But generally, they were totally unnecessary and actually caused more damage to the trail than anything else. I will make a comparison to explain: using the trekking poles on this trail is similar to using trekking poles on the millennium trail. I think I mentioned the horseflies in an earlier post, and let me tell you, they were out in full force during our time </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7llw8z1m3hiQdrC84WJGcObxzCMbBnIjEt0Mn6u69PSzwSIkvR5BXApjwBOixUEOcl2Vx9-age_3X_U5g7_StZc-gmaWyHael1ihGTsnODjjHIC4xUNYdqs7kny0Q0bGZDm8pdpchUXTV/s1600/PC250377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7llw8z1m3hiQdrC84WJGcObxzCMbBnIjEt0Mn6u69PSzwSIkvR5BXApjwBOixUEOcl2Vx9-age_3X_U5g7_StZc-gmaWyHael1ihGTsnODjjHIC4xUNYdqs7kny0Q0bGZDm8pdpchUXTV/s320/PC250377.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Laguna Torre</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S2z5fOnIbfyWOYxK2_-y35aVBiNIjcyiRhFOuoPLJQEiISmpSOgA25AP8SPf4M2y_Hk2Xf6ggP3nbzILMV0b1mtNxE3yj-yePP-RdmubdonfJRGRsSdjNpjOo_3xbZllvuYji_eNXvrF/s1600/PC250380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S2z5fOnIbfyWOYxK2_-y35aVBiNIjcyiRhFOuoPLJQEiISmpSOgA25AP8SPf4M2y_Hk2Xf6ggP3nbzILMV0b1mtNxE3yj-yePP-RdmubdonfJRGRsSdjNpjOo_3xbZllvuYji_eNXvrF/s320/PC250380.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">there. I felt like a bee keeper with bees swarming everywhere around me, the downside being they were actually horseflies trying to bite and there was no honey at the end of it all. Regardless of all of this, we checked out Laguna Torre and spent the night then went to and Laguna de los Tres the next day and they were both beautiful. The mountain scenery was spectacular and I hiked up a bottle of champagne for Christmas Eve. When we got back into town Christmas day we had one of the best meals we’ve had so far at El Bodegon Cerveceri, the highlight being the best vegetarian pizza ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitz Roy </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOChq0v5B3_9CkZ6oh_1vQGDw3qo-Q_u_fkohpc7FcBaA3AKSVOfZYeyIGmh1j04tlvHz2lqNvkB7DCVsSCK6SThhJHdVK2XFYKP6rb36kw8bQc7xr_z3y_W-zI8GNfy0RuA2L75kZrr5/s1600/DSCN0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOChq0v5B3_9CkZ6oh_1vQGDw3qo-Q_u_fkohpc7FcBaA3AKSVOfZYeyIGmh1j04tlvHz2lqNvkB7DCVsSCK6SThhJHdVK2XFYKP6rb36kw8bQc7xr_z3y_W-zI8GNfy0RuA2L75kZrr5/s320/DSCN0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Merry Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-10717979361350407082011-12-23T09:34:00.000-08:002011-12-23T09:34:26.952-08:00Hippies and Penguins<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR67txaE5DxhQgqoHWpx6fZkHL2SZLYUgxjT-a0U7uT-VuuzPWOf5wX2bBhJcMwv1r4RykRpfLESDWSxNEjNc7RkCbmXMpezliGhMO_NqY2EuboAJNB8P-4r_YYxh8qiEawGuo6PaBMmIV/s1600/PC190344sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR67txaE5DxhQgqoHWpx6fZkHL2SZLYUgxjT-a0U7uT-VuuzPWOf5wX2bBhJcMwv1r4RykRpfLESDWSxNEjNc7RkCbmXMpezliGhMO_NqY2EuboAJNB8P-4r_YYxh8qiEawGuo6PaBMmIV/s400/PC190344sm.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf check</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Iain: The drive out of Canyon Azul involved a very steep and bumpy 4x4 road which bounced us around vigorously and more importantly, the Troopers oxidized gas tank. It became obvious that we needed to flush out the debris in our gas tank. We pulled into “Rally Sport”, a maintenance shop geared towards 4x4s owned and run by Muaricio and Pamela<b>. </b>It somehow seemed that we were priority and were helped right away. I spent the rest of the day assisting Muaricio while Megan patiently read her book and ate cherries. Our gas tank was free of debris, our 4x4 system was inspected for wear, and or carburetor was cleaned and tuned. The Trooper never ran so well, possibly too well….. Muaricio<b> </b>invited us over for lunch, a barbeque for dinner, a bed to sleep for the night, and use of his laundry machine.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1JGpIA4iKqGh5JptRF-DloRoeUzq0O32YKhSN8ybmtMztF8HoElkSp0aFPRDNp_Y9W3mxhCQUxPPMs5vVk2ffbe_OuSeC-v2MHs_tpgOy8lHp0EkWr-FAIXJqddF0DpY3o9Yv_2jN1ps/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1JGpIA4iKqGh5JptRF-DloRoeUzq0O32YKhSN8ybmtMztF8HoElkSp0aFPRDNp_Y9W3mxhCQUxPPMs5vVk2ffbe_OuSeC-v2MHs_tpgOy8lHp0EkWr-FAIXJqddF0DpY3o9Yv_2jN1ps/s200/Copy+of+DSCN0438.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg27qCNvT4w-rMpowTMFEXmvLQOCysV2uwYaElK1X-smDssPfMTZzM9nB7kDFtsf6GGNTtAW8EWWNqJOhlju1KWzDe_vrfu2vtqEwM4iJJdzOLxGdo_fi98RTC2x6Rsx3LCQMIFovoaDT8/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg27qCNvT4w-rMpowTMFEXmvLQOCysV2uwYaElK1X-smDssPfMTZzM9nB7kDFtsf6GGNTtAW8EWWNqJOhlju1KWzDe_vrfu2vtqEwM4iJJdzOLxGdo_fi98RTC2x6Rsx3LCQMIFovoaDT8/s200/Copy+of+DSCN0432.JPG" width="200" /></a>Megan: Being in El Bolson an extra day longer didn’t turn out to be all that bad because they have a great <i>feria artisanal </i>(craft market) three times a week. It happened to be a Saturday when we checked it out and was definitely worth seeing. El Bolson tends to draw a hippie crowd into the town with their nonnuclear zone and fair share of organic farming and the market had new-agers and several people that wore genie pants (a fashion trend in South America it seems) but that had also decided to forgo wearing shoes. One man told us that there were a lot of Canadians from Nelson, B.C. that visited the area. For anyone that knows Nelson, it seemed all too fitting. We got a lot of neat stuff from the market: drinking mugs with wooden exterior, hand-made spoons, I got some earrings, berries and cherries, and a thank-you gift for the soon-to-be-born Melana.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Iain: Ready to leave El Bolson we fueled up on fruits, vegetables, and gasoline. The Trooper purred along without haste. Five minutes into the stress free drive our temperature gauge began to climb. We pulled over, popped the hood and saw antifreeze everywhere. One of our coolant hoses had ruptured. Luckily the hose was long enough to trim and the rupture was near the end of the line. I was able to repair the line on the road and we were back on track awaiting the next obstacle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHgPTp2iGxsP-jDcEQiuZLJcPhtEWd76Sk7aXSoUWJ4PI6o4Z7ENHR1m5PayHj3a5C29KnsL0nVkR1lugfu-Z4cT-SStAK5oE9HfMxjcB5pkr54dg07N0TZFO2NuPNpgcvkLh9-QIGQCA/s1600/DSCN0528sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmipRl5B3CBuNZLTnF16EAwVD1SpiTX9IJmLNlJM9bJ-i7p0g_GR14iYjCqx9xzawIF_NwgDoXvtzEWyvGSXUIJAW2EEn4dpXO4i3MQwYNJW-sLze-tFOrxqsrjCVMwf3iQP9aEglUxs_/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmipRl5B3CBuNZLTnF16EAwVD1SpiTX9IJmLNlJM9bJ-i7p0g_GR14iYjCqx9xzawIF_NwgDoXvtzEWyvGSXUIJAW2EEn4dpXO4i3MQwYNJW-sLze-tFOrxqsrjCVMwf3iQP9aEglUxs_/s320/Copy+of+DSCN0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Megan: The next day we made it from the west all way over to the opposite coast stopping in Puerto Madryn. The drive was really pretty boring and we were both surprised at how flat and baren the drive was. We stayed at a campground which despite the number of people turned out to be great. The showers were clean and hot, plus there were electrical outlets at every site so we were able to charge up the electronics and Iain cut his hair. We left the next morning to go see the Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo where a colony of 300,000-800,000 penguins reside from October to March. Although the travel time to see these creatures was ridiculously long they were so incredible to watch. We were also lucky enough to see some babies alongside their parents. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_9t8cVzen-vqiiuURnLV-MSWh4xE-yIwUcaO7keIyqO3DoXryFuM-RnZcgWtUoGGimxyBuYSwo8QOaLmLboXdAkUzEUmdcFTOrXdcy0rn-pUF7Rn4qzjNM5aGDTHigSy3YcVZz0w0dHG/s1600/Copy+of+PC190324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_9t8cVzen-vqiiuURnLV-MSWh4xE-yIwUcaO7keIyqO3DoXryFuM-RnZcgWtUoGGimxyBuYSwo8QOaLmLboXdAkUzEUmdcFTOrXdcy0rn-pUF7Rn4qzjNM5aGDTHigSy3YcVZz0w0dHG/s320/Copy+of+PC190324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are a few interesting facts about these little guys:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-they have a 30 year life expectancy</div><div class="MsoNormal">-most have monogamous breeding partners for the season and have strong family bonds</div><div class="MsoNormal">-they can drink saltwater and expel the excess salt by sneezing </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gn7J4AGBBiT0CFrvI62q0ME7KAxlbcnFw2DExE97TBAnQ0zxkbpc_76ZLWwfSpNfBIpthwvnG0-gd9YWRMu-IfZsCEwQTeCq1TcnXNWSVT1AGVfs8dDwCkGUn6G9p5zD0zShAB8KSp42/s1600/Copy+of+PC190328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gn7J4AGBBiT0CFrvI62q0ME7KAxlbcnFw2DExE97TBAnQ0zxkbpc_76ZLWwfSpNfBIpthwvnG0-gd9YWRMu-IfZsCEwQTeCq1TcnXNWSVT1AGVfs8dDwCkGUn6G9p5zD0zShAB8KSp42/s320/Copy+of+PC190328.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to Work</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our visit, we decided to get out of the area because it was so flat, with not a lot to see or do. Previously, I wondered why the guide book didn’t say much about the east coast or anything in the middle of central Argentina, but now we know why! Iain said he had never driven so straight, for so long while driving so slow. We couldn’t wait to get back into the mountains for some change of scenery. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHgPTp2iGxsP-jDcEQiuZLJcPhtEWd76Sk7aXSoUWJ4PI6o4Z7ENHR1m5PayHj3a5C29KnsL0nVkR1lugfu-Z4cT-SStAK5oE9HfMxjcB5pkr54dg07N0TZFO2NuPNpgcvkLh9-QIGQCA/s1600/DSCN0528sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHgPTp2iGxsP-jDcEQiuZLJcPhtEWd76Sk7aXSoUWJ4PI6o4Z7ENHR1m5PayHj3a5C29KnsL0nVkR1lugfu-Z4cT-SStAK5oE9HfMxjcB5pkr54dg07N0TZFO2NuPNpgcvkLh9-QIGQCA/s1600/DSCN0528sm.JPG" /></a></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-12557958408034555522011-12-21T06:41:00.000-08:002011-12-21T06:41:47.465-08:00Chile to Argentina<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Argentina/Chile Border</td></tr>
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</div>Our last post happened in Pucon, Chile on a rainy day. So far, I would have to say Pucon has been my favourite spot. It was a beautiful mountainous location with a touristy feel, but not in a cheesy souvenir kind of way. We checked out some hotsprings called Termas Los Pozones. These were a bit of a disappointment mainly because there were too many people and the water was dirty. There were quite a few termas around the area and Los Pozones boasts the lowest cost and natural pools under the starlight--but when it's bustling it seemed like just an overcrowded bathtub! Needless to say, we got out of there pretty fast and camped by a river that night. The next day turned out to be awesome and we hiked in a natural native araucaria forest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Araucaria Forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Volunteer Trail Guide</td></tr>
</tbody></table> This spot called El Canl is a spectacular sanctuary that was created by locals to deter logging interests in the area. I read a sign that said the trees were 200 million years old... I'm not sure how accurate that was, or if I missed something there, but I will admit I did feel like I was in Jurassic Park. We acquired another 4-legged friend that day for the entirety of the 6 hour hike who had soft spot for cows which resulted in some pretty angry beasts chasing us down a mountain and then baricaiding the exit. We ended up slipping past them through the barbed wire fence and thankfully they didn't charge after us!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blockade </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cow Loving Dog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Top with the Monkey Puzzle Trees</td></tr>
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After the hiking, decided we needed to search for another shower. It has been a bit of a task at times because some hostels aren't supper keen on car camping stragglers wandering in to just their facilities. However, <a href="http://www.treehousechile.cl/" target="_blank">The Tree House</a> turned out be generous enough to help us out and we were able to fill up on water, plus I finally traded <i>The Help</i> at their book exchange. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcano near Pucon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The next day we decided it was time to move on from Pucon, so after the most fresh, froshy, and tart lemonade I've ever had (at Cassis) we made for the hills on route to Argentina! We managed to get across the border with fifteen minutes left to spare before they closed for the night. They next day we made our way into civilization driving through Junin de Los Andes and <a href="http://www.sanmartindelosandes.gov.ar/" target="_blank">San Martin</a>. The latter town was much more exciting then the first with an undeniable European feel. I noticed it right away, looking at the buildings, and the items in the grocery stores: a lot of pasta, real coffee, and chocolate everywhere. As we kept driving, we started to dislike Argentina: no normal left hand turns, so many flies everywhere, and so much dirt. Finally, I suggested that the excessive dust everywhere might be ash from the nearby volcanoes in Chile...turns out it is.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling Around the Ashy Mountains</td></tr>
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So much so, people had dusk masks on and it was impossible to make out any of the beautiful scenery around us.The next day we woke up to finish the trek to El Bolson and decided to hike the Cajon del Azul. The hike was nice, but the real superstar was the water--pristine, clear and amazing. There was a refugio at the top that Iain really loved. Basically a place for people to camp and eat with a great garden, sheep, and homemade beer. An old-timer built this place in the middle of nowhere in the 80's himself and it was a feat in itself having anything up there at all. It was made of natural timbers and the carpentry was unique and impressive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety First?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI0gTeDEbNxQUNGK7rZpdvj2OqX8D9mBiZWcOcpv-CUOyG3na7Pq0RLhOVttBH20xPQbgBUSrhthltolIXKEwUCB2_Kim5G-VRlbty0-Y4_aqXeDDM3NvFPR4Oy-zzqCSyFBfONQCAFmR/s1600/Copy+of+DSCN0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI0gTeDEbNxQUNGK7rZpdvj2OqX8D9mBiZWcOcpv-CUOyG3na7Pq0RLhOVttBH20xPQbgBUSrhthltolIXKEwUCB2_Kim5G-VRlbty0-Y4_aqXeDDM3NvFPR4Oy-zzqCSyFBfONQCAFmR/s320/Copy+of+DSCN0397.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glorious Water of Cajon del Azul<br />
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</tbody></table>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-244189668933214212011-12-10T10:24:00.000-08:002011-12-10T10:52:24.063-08:00Week Highlights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Asados con Emeterio y Iris</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eating Arroz y Leche ice cream</div><div class="MsoNormal">Drinking Lemon Stone</div><div class="MsoNormal">Feather duvet in the trooper</div><div class="MsoNormal">Bathing in the river</div><div class="MsoNormal">Surfing</div><div class="MsoNormal">4x4ing along the river</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finishing the bed frame</div><div class="MsoNormal">Espanol escuela con Mireya </div><div class="MsoNormal">Listening to ‘If ya think I’m sexy’ on the radio</div><div class="MsoNormal">Discovering pancakes with yogurt thanks to Marjorie</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finding peanut butter in San Clemente</div><div class="MsoNormal">Climbing a mountain</div><div class="MsoNormal">Making it to Pucon</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Favorite quote</div><div class="MsoNormal">‘We’re not in the Jeep (Tony’s WW2 Willy’s Jeep) Iain!’ </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life at the gas plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Marjorie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No comment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3n3U0aKIPGc7ZvjNeWe6BZekmnjj9kKwv69ZXiOZDyh4wzkk370FgbmEt7lYMN7qIq9CHVS7LK6Ez-crPvnILCkdu-vTRmqu2eSaZ026MExuSV60XWK7rg7vx3r4BRn4ZyiFcZhdR5Uo/s1600/PC090213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3n3U0aKIPGc7ZvjNeWe6BZekmnjj9kKwv69ZXiOZDyh4wzkk370FgbmEt7lYMN7qIq9CHVS7LK6Ez-crPvnILCkdu-vTRmqu2eSaZ026MExuSV60XWK7rg7vx3r4BRn4ZyiFcZhdR5Uo/s320/PC090213.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundry day on the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-10911768065596333052011-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:002011-12-10T10:45:56.119-08:00Ode to Bovi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bovi is a Dachshund that we got to know very well over our few days in San Clemente. Although Iain made a few jokes about me trying to steal him I did not. The following pictures are my "Ode to Bovi."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_2_F-1skmZ34J8Se9jMLf-dzdNGjYGIbT_EMffrLBgFP10_2J34QfEMFxA1-GSxYON3ZUyx5aR_jsXTR7Hoo1c5Y8QtvA-vCwEtqtUQKjECo9fckQQgP4w3tD2FySI2LJZJ34HDZrJtY/s1600/DSCN0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdvjkuMeWKrasngsMkp4c4WQW3Edkjk14vZ5U7ghTjZzTPWOgmhG3c_mvSjL_usgVuc6P19scsn65MLBxp6-kqXxMOGFR3tSODp7V7rhmQnjvqCN1CYjJeee-4QNcERB57ThEMw6koDuz/s1600/DSCN0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdvjkuMeWKrasngsMkp4c4WQW3Edkjk14vZ5U7ghTjZzTPWOgmhG3c_mvSjL_usgVuc6P19scsn65MLBxp6-kqXxMOGFR3tSODp7V7rhmQnjvqCN1CYjJeee-4QNcERB57ThEMw6koDuz/s320/DSCN0171.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_2_F-1skmZ34J8Se9jMLf-dzdNGjYGIbT_EMffrLBgFP10_2J34QfEMFxA1-GSxYON3ZUyx5aR_jsXTR7Hoo1c5Y8QtvA-vCwEtqtUQKjECo9fckQQgP4w3tD2FySI2LJZJ34HDZrJtY/s400/DSCN0167.JPG" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Mi Casa Es Su Casa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMeE1q_Esfzj3Ro5ZW023WtojPyT97lfyIg2Y9rS9pLv91o_uAhe_492QokNfrizSmAHBn1zHAjVkJMu6naJY3h1VBHUaBhiNsBuorfozmyRnqDo_msG-3UUXfTlIgKVdTKro67EFfVLo/s1600/DSCN0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMeE1q_Esfzj3Ro5ZW023WtojPyT97lfyIg2Y9rS9pLv91o_uAhe_492QokNfrizSmAHBn1zHAjVkJMu6naJY3h1VBHUaBhiNsBuorfozmyRnqDo_msG-3UUXfTlIgKVdTKro67EFfVLo/s400/DSCN0174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Seguro Bovi</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lvnlvYrwNzb7sMAMNSsnXtnGIOvWfJHVB83jPZZkLBN8TWXvwn2B5rbgNBxCxtTV5vBYSosWPDPWi0JUIs8nA9Rls2wPMJxq9wdN5jfFwGUmzgTaukC9raiwkLgD4fxkjy0eRDMue4J9/s1600/DSCN0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lvnlvYrwNzb7sMAMNSsnXtnGIOvWfJHVB83jPZZkLBN8TWXvwn2B5rbgNBxCxtTV5vBYSosWPDPWi0JUIs8nA9Rls2wPMJxq9wdN5jfFwGUmzgTaukC9raiwkLgD4fxkjy0eRDMue4J9/s320/DSCN0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I make new friends quickly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf4s8fikR0yI0wAfETBewqlab13xbE5ShFkSWzDgg4XI5CKyupU1GPSoQAWqEv-HJmUHOACiCgGYxo0LXuEH8j6Jpxo7-1gGxVlhwno_S-hAaF17lcKtgmcScm1ae4O2yzbKcqGA8BDvi/s1600/DSCN0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf4s8fikR0yI0wAfETBewqlab13xbE5ShFkSWzDgg4XI5CKyupU1GPSoQAWqEv-HJmUHOACiCgGYxo0LXuEH8j6Jpxo7-1gGxVlhwno_S-hAaF17lcKtgmcScm1ae4O2yzbKcqGA8BDvi/s320/DSCN0180.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Carry me like a baby" -- Katie Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn-6N_UkOBHsMuBu4ZhOx_R7LPP_qvgckJjJz_pY4w7-VFtjqF3dzCVQvy8qsE7cLkJmdZALIs9gH338an1n5F8mtp7ETWhzhnEnHVtQ7e-_yywc6lgLnnfOs_r647QfWVO6tWAkFJrYn/s1600/PC050135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn-6N_UkOBHsMuBu4ZhOx_R7LPP_qvgckJjJz_pY4w7-VFtjqF3dzCVQvy8qsE7cLkJmdZALIs9gH338an1n5F8mtp7ETWhzhnEnHVtQ7e-_yywc6lgLnnfOs_r647QfWVO6tWAkFJrYn/s320/PC050135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Toe Nibbles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnGWs_9OcxNIrBjx9SCO1tnDVvBdPx4k0oYt_paMLWa_YF19ZLss2-Iq7rWz4vPSJsiW9NznOMaDPPmmgo4pazSjTIIGJGxkfNcKFJoPaoLQU7IeToLB8-0jGDOKUbKjjIQpXYUtLPIb_/s1600/PC050137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnGWs_9OcxNIrBjx9SCO1tnDVvBdPx4k0oYt_paMLWa_YF19ZLss2-Iq7rWz4vPSJsiW9NznOMaDPPmmgo4pazSjTIIGJGxkfNcKFJoPaoLQU7IeToLB8-0jGDOKUbKjjIQpXYUtLPIb_/s640/PC050137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Too Excited </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-43804131467127961832011-12-10T09:12:00.000-08:002011-12-10T09:14:52.721-08:00The Bumpy Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt72Ppp7e8gZK7x_xda6q07dkCLA8JV321NLb4c3EVDw272IY7DnnRXlXzqYxyQzbeG_IUIv5QkTW77ygAH5x7BY6a2XGabIfDZGrlwxfbHrPVjmx5gkhfIXF9CnqLDA2_1bbZDdFW7sOW/s1600/smDSCN0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt72Ppp7e8gZK7x_xda6q07dkCLA8JV321NLb4c3EVDw272IY7DnnRXlXzqYxyQzbeG_IUIv5QkTW77ygAH5x7BY6a2XGabIfDZGrlwxfbHrPVjmx5gkhfIXF9CnqLDA2_1bbZDdFW7sOW/s400/smDSCN0147.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>After catching some really fun waves in Pichi, we took the road less travelled south in hopes to reach Argentina the next day. The road went from a flat, wide, paved highway to a steep, sandy, narrow logging road which was impassible without 4x4. It was inevitable--we were lost. A couple hours later we found a 'useful' sign<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4EPRpHQ9n3erS5Nftbumt9yEtgZz3DLuqdeeT7cgyJS2kU17dF88fjthEeIkBUn19LjafsgYed-yueS568r2ZbcsTVuhUpojC8ifFE1yJRprARrUj9HTg-SZy8MSXMQnyEqH0hEjEZUt/s1600/smDSCN0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4EPRpHQ9n3erS5Nftbumt9yEtgZz3DLuqdeeT7cgyJS2kU17dF88fjthEeIkBUn19LjafsgYed-yueS568r2ZbcsTVuhUpojC8ifFE1yJRprARrUj9HTg-SZy8MSXMQnyEqH0hEjEZUt/s400/smDSCN0164.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Not so useful sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table> and broke free of the loose sand and ended up on a highway again. We camped down another logging road, made dinner with our new stainless steel appliances and had our first cozy/claustrophobic sleep in the Trooper</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIxEYbFvmX9z9sWps71e-cpspi2EiuUFJoINSaADSn0Q7TkflMFX713hRXsIuf0C9JSSLiC-Cc-q9Rx1ZthzlU1bou4lYdXAna3S8nb1Lbv1NgUhijSzx48keQq6PXjoRCUoaXQVdm1aB/s1600/smPC030129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIxEYbFvmX9z9sWps71e-cpspi2EiuUFJoINSaADSn0Q7TkflMFX713hRXsIuf0C9JSSLiC-Cc-q9Rx1ZthzlU1bou4lYdXAna3S8nb1Lbv1NgUhijSzx48keQq6PXjoRCUoaXQVdm1aB/s320/smPC030129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">First night in the Trooper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNinr72nSrHbg_gd1AhjhCphfjT4M1DYuKQOgi8YfwZjVudh4_M7rHO7wZ43NTs4nGh1bIw01uXd4Rtr7vVSqw3A95Ull2jX3tEb1V4EcnMJsrBGLxzgvOTXlRc4vWlRm18B1u8_yfX13u/s1600/smPC060146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNinr72nSrHbg_gd1AhjhCphfjT4M1DYuKQOgi8YfwZjVudh4_M7rHO7wZ43NTs4nGh1bIw01uXd4Rtr7vVSqw3A95Ull2jX3tEb1V4EcnMJsrBGLxzgvOTXlRc4vWlRm18B1u8_yfX13u/s640/smPC060146.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Chileno parents, Emeterio & Iris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xstAReP_eyprJjbigKwreFAEMvoTrEKABbozvhnNy213-W3u2_78UIDb3rTJQYVqZU38bDBNhnEgcgYeGKVsCqPWAZo3cKWBZ30tliZ24mWP9eR1T5vhSyqiZeIoXb-f5f1fiEeuGQT_/s1600/smPC050140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xstAReP_eyprJjbigKwreFAEMvoTrEKABbozvhnNy213-W3u2_78UIDb3rTJQYVqZU38bDBNhnEgcgYeGKVsCqPWAZo3cKWBZ30tliZ24mWP9eR1T5vhSyqiZeIoXb-f5f1fiEeuGQT_/s320/smPC050140.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen Reno</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>. We woke up, made breakfast and turned east for Argentina. A few ours into the drive our Trooper started running hot due to a hole in a small thin metal plug which helps contain the antifreeze around the cylinders. We limped back to the nearest town (San Clemente) and pulled over at an abastible (propane shop). We asked the shop owners if they knew of a good mechanic, but it was Sunday so we would have to wait a day for repairs. We soon found out that Emeterio, Iris, Peralita and Sammy had taken us under their wing</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uJ-eGtNiL0WtDaDVx06D6WcUsd-HLAr586PjPHs51YcTXFAJtBEz_y5CWKSvBNej7DyAVlvuMQLYTDFRvOKJDXcNzeOmxs7uJgPR_pyUl181kKFWR7DNdZzAR1n968grBg5_sSfdIqj6/s1600/smPC070208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uJ-eGtNiL0WtDaDVx06D6WcUsd-HLAr586PjPHs51YcTXFAJtBEz_y5CWKSvBNej7DyAVlvuMQLYTDFRvOKJDXcNzeOmxs7uJgPR_pyUl181kKFWR7DNdZzAR1n968grBg5_sSfdIqj6/s320/smPC070208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Peralita<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIcRDu-bfmzBVkkw5XESeogbD20tNRZ0VjgQwKBksd1qLt0-ZXVQWVLOhYprKySY61Pw2rDU9o2PSevy7jj1b7kQcyad7ceiR5XEuGyMGkwFSZX4LgubhEbakThMtM5-1yKUXj0sWz3oU/s1600/smPC070210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIcRDu-bfmzBVkkw5XESeogbD20tNRZ0VjgQwKBksd1qLt0-ZXVQWVLOhYprKySY61Pw2rDU9o2PSevy7jj1b7kQcyad7ceiR5XEuGyMGkwFSZX4LgubhEbakThMtM5-1yKUXj0sWz3oU/s200/smPC070210.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sammy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div> and were willing to do all they could to get us back on</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaudVSqfOCXegrPMFpGcb5tEP_FwHod_P3PQY50EV-3uRFQv7_GSQ3XzSOMLinP11bRyO6NCx9S-ktWm8cgYxRxf49sNJfrLOXzFV8kohUBIdm4nXal1vmiXeOuVuy7vqKxbDFy9jYEQwy/s1600/smDSCN0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaudVSqfOCXegrPMFpGcb5tEP_FwHod_P3PQY50EV-3uRFQv7_GSQ3XzSOMLinP11bRyO6NCx9S-ktWm8cgYxRxf49sNJfrLOXzFV8kohUBIdm4nXal1vmiXeOuVuy7vqKxbDFy9jYEQwy/s320/smDSCN0213.JPG" width="238" /></a> the road as quickly as possible as well as showing us what San Clemente had to offer. We slept in our vehicle (which we have named Darwin who is ironically not so fit) and spent the next day repairing Darwin, fixing roof racks, renovating our kitchen, learning Spanish and playing with Bovi. The repairs cost $35CAN which included new parts, labour, and a re wired winch! Ready to leave for Argentina, Emeterio & Iris informed us that the road had been closed for some time and would be reopened in 2012. This route was just not meant to be, but seeing as we had come this far Emeterio & Iris<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"> </span>recommended we check out their 'back yard' aka Rio (river) Vilches which was an hour up the road. We didn't really know what was up there, but we decided to drive as far up the river road as possible. The road ended at a national park surrounded by </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Naj9NnWvfRtBKQ15FK9FgqgW_-RtebEvbtdwGmLcuJAZYgvhh1INmR763aSN3EL_rwXIfa4s25tumg8X7FWucUoWZJB4eHeENqA9FDEFa0i27BA1LStqAWtM196SkbwBIX9shQvfTJA/s1600/smPC060156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5Naj9NnWvfRtBKQ15FK9FgqgW_-RtebEvbtdwGmLcuJAZYgvhh1INmR763aSN3EL_rwXIfa4s25tumg8X7FWucUoWZJB4eHeENqA9FDEFa0i27BA1LStqAWtM196SkbwBIX9shQvfTJA/s320/smPC060156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Megan's nemesis</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>snow capped mountains. We paid $12CAN for two days in the park, hiked to Laguna Alto and El Enladrillado, camped in our tent beside a creek</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovoinp9g336JrbdYCS6B1-CC2YTGQXZZWuIY0uMr7OAKJYUfQBgaap0Vt5LIfZt0s76m0VJaFKebqquV3uMvGxwG6P_Itjs1tKCQ5SR9tEqTohMjkB1xC8oXtoit_vHyq9dRVEam4SFnA/s1600/smPC060158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovoinp9g336JrbdYCS6B1-CC2YTGQXZZWuIY0uMr7OAKJYUfQBgaap0Vt5LIfZt0s76m0VJaFKebqquV3uMvGxwG6P_Itjs1tKCQ5SR9tEqTohMjkB1xC8oXtoit_vHyq9dRVEam4SFnA/s200/smPC060158.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Camping by creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div> and didn't see anyone else. A nice change from Santiago. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK2z1e-w0-c5nro9aGoHgB-KPCLEgPIX0F2ZJWHKLInSmaAFUom6GkQg3zd_a2cD-Q4gOZ3MFXAo8zb4eDG19nZbzREfjgf8KTjgYN3Ya9r7LPTDvdnP0QACGJx21TLLSRL7jI4XaNU0U/s1600/smPC070205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK2z1e-w0-c5nro9aGoHgB-KPCLEgPIX0F2ZJWHKLInSmaAFUom6GkQg3zd_a2cD-Q4gOZ3MFXAo8zb4eDG19nZbzREfjgf8KTjgYN3Ya9r7LPTDvdnP0QACGJx21TLLSRL7jI4XaNU0U/s400/smPC070205.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeuo-NCaRYZGTzMQPnkpQneoC202F0LvUod5MtyxnX4CfVJyJPJoWWDzugULWK9pLn1SziArTBPmaLeZMxn6NCYE_8tJ8dGAeNLgMBWdPrQuw7HyTkui_5D6CEa9ACjz2drdyoz7gEgpL/s1600/smDSCN0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeuo-NCaRYZGTzMQPnkpQneoC202F0LvUod5MtyxnX4CfVJyJPJoWWDzugULWK9pLn1SziArTBPmaLeZMxn6NCYE_8tJ8dGAeNLgMBWdPrQuw7HyTkui_5D6CEa9ACjz2drdyoz7gEgpL/s640/smDSCN0203.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">El Enladrillado</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLFyKud4bRPh5w4eNO67hNLtzNrjhd7bxn_imtSD6bxQyVL5EhRbv9JrhHSfm3fTjuaMHT9OUpkRoEhZ1rn7SFh4SUukh9vljIzISNpMKBNNpIQyfgus0i_GPBGHLXJayTMnspCXHFh-6/s1600/smPC070203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLFyKud4bRPh5w4eNO67hNLtzNrjhd7bxn_imtSD6bxQyVL5EhRbv9JrhHSfm3fTjuaMHT9OUpkRoEhZ1rn7SFh4SUukh9vljIzISNpMKBNNpIQyfgus0i_GPBGHLXJayTMnspCXHFh-6/s640/smPC070203.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Laguna Alto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFNZu9OdmH8osdYT8556B3tsQn5ttG2tQAiVDfWui8rDHIAgQHtdU41QHYFsxDPIjw_CnIv9devT7roxDJxEaXx3Q4aK6NVhfqGHE1AK2I6ZeN2_HEH91hXZtDIwPTVLW4BYH26ns1AXi/s1600/smPC070172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFNZu9OdmH8osdYT8556B3tsQn5ttG2tQAiVDfWui8rDHIAgQHtdU41QHYFsxDPIjw_CnIv9devT7roxDJxEaXx3Q4aK6NVhfqGHE1AK2I6ZeN2_HEH91hXZtDIwPTVLW4BYH26ns1AXi/s640/smPC070172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">El Enladrillado</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHLU_HtDy60iHvj3YV4Edzx3DQyKhlPqPbYIqyx0YSsWSJ6MzS_oDoSIC8HjHjuNgOY1s_qbzIYDEG8o1d2cpohFSkUZHtVahNtRuaKDcQl0TFjw6Z_A1iavnLEkwK70duZn7AeXs06x8/s1600/smPC070177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHLU_HtDy60iHvj3YV4Edzx3DQyKhlPqPbYIqyx0YSsWSJ6MzS_oDoSIC8HjHjuNgOY1s_qbzIYDEG8o1d2cpohFSkUZHtVahNtRuaKDcQl0TFjw6Z_A1iavnLEkwK70duZn7AeXs06x8/s640/smPC070177.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">El Enladrillado</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwIXkvEYPOQ_cxi5yr3bjU8yY8shN7Wmuq87od12V1V9HKZf991PE6AWsfixnTRthyo9ZJdtk9LOkrfTs3ro8rWHG9_13-nDB4LyVqpdBipbyCtA1_HoQPQqJo9mfjtX5WyfM3p2wDimx/s1600/smDSCN0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwIXkvEYPOQ_cxi5yr3bjU8yY8shN7Wmuq87od12V1V9HKZf991PE6AWsfixnTRthyo9ZJdtk9LOkrfTs3ro8rWHG9_13-nDB4LyVqpdBipbyCtA1_HoQPQqJo9mfjtX5WyfM3p2wDimx/s640/smDSCN0211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Happy to be out of Santiago<br />
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<b>Muchas Gracias Emeterio, Iris, y Dayanna</b></td></tr>
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</div></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-52823246205433087322011-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-01T12:06:12.805-08:00Bed Frame Building, Dog Stealing, and Car Trouble<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1Ql5UNGh-ZRFIGdCDX3PcsFTtS0MBc96AHEN2Njn3qjvPIyd-Zl5zoUby7bRq8J2uq_RqUAnefwkrHXnzeZy4_loEXDpSDH8yPvJdp_zgrHBnXjjIMsxZhQAM8Ov_cIEPFUkz4NdIfxY/s1600/DSCN0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1Ql5UNGh-ZRFIGdCDX3PcsFTtS0MBc96AHEN2Njn3qjvPIyd-Zl5zoUby7bRq8J2uq_RqUAnefwkrHXnzeZy4_loEXDpSDH8yPvJdp_zgrHBnXjjIMsxZhQAM8Ov_cIEPFUkz4NdIfxY/s320/DSCN0102.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning at Punta Lobos, Pichilemu<br />
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</tbody></table>Hola from Pichilemu! We arrived in the Chile's surf town three days ago and are very happy to have some space to roam. I thought Iain was going to lose his mind if we stayed any longer in Santiago. The traffic was starting to really get to us and it was almost impossible to get one task or errand done without running into several obstacles. Everyone seems to have an answer to any question (regardless of whether they actually know or not), and we consistently get several different answers. The lesson learned is to never take anything said the first time to be the truth, and ask at least three people the same question because you are generally bound to get a more accurate understanding of what is going on. For example, we tried to find a winch control which turned into an entire three day process. After we went to a large automotive service station and parts store, we were told that no, they didn't have the control. Iain asked several people there if they did or did not have the part. One guy told us to go the the mall (really? the mall sells specialized car parts.. hmmmm) and another told us to check out a website for used parts... whatever. No winch and a day of running around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePNkNTLTXdJs_Pzvzx6VY1yFRxlp0c6eVTzBuIQkG8EOxn_HdHlEkQXVUb-CJsV30XzpXWl38jcru4J2apZKOvfnayerzNzIn6r2Uw7yyGx2aVKv7lhZGHBIMnfLDOe6GcFl4OSzfLeY/s1600/DSCN0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAePNkNTLTXdJs_Pzvzx6VY1yFRxlp0c6eVTzBuIQkG8EOxn_HdHlEkQXVUb-CJsV30XzpXWl38jcru4J2apZKOvfnayerzNzIn6r2Uw7yyGx2aVKv7lhZGHBIMnfLDOe6GcFl4OSzfLeY/s320/DSCN0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain's First Surf </td></tr>
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Iain got a surf in yesterday out front of our Cabana, and reported the water is cold. Not as cold as the lake surf, but I have seen hoods on, and booties worn by most. the waves (olas) were not treating him well... but it was nice to see him in his element and making use out of his new wetsuit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietY1uSwguX0rnu9-OOAaxhMYKn8bfl-y9eAmL9HgvydzYwOEwfqThZzTyJkjOZgpXGNs8W8uCqM6dIjyuPdHpzbHqIP2TcAuQr0skFie_DujLlrKAesY7MEjXmyr-koJtQfO2kKqAZo15/s1600/DSCN0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietY1uSwguX0rnu9-OOAaxhMYKn8bfl-y9eAmL9HgvydzYwOEwfqThZzTyJkjOZgpXGNs8W8uCqM6dIjyuPdHpzbHqIP2TcAuQr0skFie_DujLlrKAesY7MEjXmyr-koJtQfO2kKqAZo15/s320/DSCN0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building Has Begun<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">We started to build the bed frame yesterday which was awesome! The first night here we camped and now we are staying in a great cabana with a kitchen and living room and bathroom all for the same price of our hostel room in Santiago. It is low season here and things are fairly quiet in the town right now and will be for about another month. It worked out fairly well... except that our Trooper is back in the shop with another mechanic. This time it's the 4x4 and the idle being fixed. I am starting to question whether or not this vehicle was the smartest purchase, but so far the repairs haven't been too expensive. We will find out tonight when we go to pick the beast up: was it 3500 or 350.000 pesos? Ah, the language barrier--numbers are really hard. We are looking at just the small difference of between $75 or $750. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlARR2Fs8Barvr-bTAg5_ChdEjDaWjsqHJoM3_HRMbLpszI9_VFAttPCqrsZjBpM5s7CdhGqZJItvnDgfP79IR2B5dsTzzgigRQU0xFTPraC21n259gsVuxzsfktzSGa2UEhbHnaRlS4I/s1600/DSCN0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlARR2Fs8Barvr-bTAg5_ChdEjDaWjsqHJoM3_HRMbLpszI9_VFAttPCqrsZjBpM5s7CdhGqZJItvnDgfP79IR2B5dsTzzgigRQU0xFTPraC21n259gsVuxzsfktzSGa2UEhbHnaRlS4I/s320/DSCN0131.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwJrchvUrMoDxLJ_Pc6XOaTBBEih_N9zjnsGCM_dZAu1UFV5NX25nJPoHHJCKY7AZaaOkpOzKnRwlFbkYKevEQiqnThBkdRrDcZRsnf0x6g2qTYqrqeXAhiKHXNlI8VJ5tnIyBmUMgdUP/s1600/DSCN0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwJrchvUrMoDxLJ_Pc6XOaTBBEih_N9zjnsGCM_dZAu1UFV5NX25nJPoHHJCKY7AZaaOkpOzKnRwlFbkYKevEQiqnThBkdRrDcZRsnf0x6g2qTYqrqeXAhiKHXNlI8VJ5tnIyBmUMgdUP/s320/DSCN0124.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I tried to steal a dog. It ran across the road, and I'm sure I heard him bark, "Take me home to the Yukon!" How perfect--a husky-ish South American pup ready to join in on the fun. I will not lie, I am waiting for the right dog to accompany us, but Iain maintains that the dog must find us. I've been researching the government requirements needed to import. seems like a lot of work, but so has this car...This dog seemed totally game to come with us and Iain was the one that suggested that we keep him. I was already trying to find a vet to take it too, when a little 4-year-old opened his gate and stood there pointing at us with his lower lip sticking out, fighting back tears. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiXwmHgOmHVIWNjFN7JDgxLYrhkAdzIuHGr5dW01htL8E4LLSASBYv5RN_ritJBpwt0ehMBjYFyWvVvZ7Hl3LkpaCow90qEXPGf_qdPNXQuCtgIZ6cB66j7hx2IqZSxrnOQX5KuKP5jCS/s1600/DSCN0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiXwmHgOmHVIWNjFN7JDgxLYrhkAdzIuHGr5dW01htL8E4LLSASBYv5RN_ritJBpwt0ehMBjYFyWvVvZ7Hl3LkpaCow90qEXPGf_qdPNXQuCtgIZ6cB66j7hx2IqZSxrnOQX5KuKP5jCS/s320/DSCN0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This should have been my dog. :( </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow, we plan on leaving Pichilemu and head to PATAGONIA! </div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-21291710759933075382011-11-28T17:47:00.000-08:002011-11-28T17:47:44.211-08:00Chow Santiago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">Route 115 to Argentina</blockquote></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pichilemu, Chile's surf capital</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XHPxw3GWyfOMzVNAj_ala6pdgNNCLLntUalxExviukQKyoLzGwsVhyphenhyphenqB3JJAPHTlEuD63Yk6A8Ydu09iNXg65JFegMiIHBepgs3meiNyMg6Mn6XmSZIfFMujlrr7uazapuGx8hPqBjCS/s1600/PB280112sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XHPxw3GWyfOMzVNAj_ala6pdgNNCLLntUalxExviukQKyoLzGwsVhyphenhyphenqB3JJAPHTlEuD63Yk6A8Ydu09iNXg65JFegMiIHBepgs3meiNyMg6Mn6XmSZIfFMujlrr7uazapuGx8hPqBjCS/s320/PB280112sm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old clutch with about 8000 extra km's</td></tr>
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We have our vehicle once again and its better than ever! The clutch cost a third of what it would cost in Canada and was fix in half the time. Today we found maps of Chile and Argentina, we bought Argentinian auto insurance for one month at two bucks a day, and picked up the final paper work for the Trooper. We are cleared to cross into Argentina and are going to take the route less travelled to get there (Ruta 115). Tomorrow we head to Pichilemu to build our bed frame, organize our truck and, of course, SURF.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One damn good look'n Trooper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEzdX50RKIeuFqlbSOV8KCZ21eJk3L0u5Y0ZapmmtXPrsAEF1zx4sU6E3T9e5tCNBaWKZJz82Z9Lxiuucq-ssvnWYb7ius-861meoXRGGhvUnI5QBe2bgVhawf5d6A2n1gmTcgUA25dQs/s1600/PB170101sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEzdX50RKIeuFqlbSOV8KCZ21eJk3L0u5Y0ZapmmtXPrsAEF1zx4sU6E3T9e5tCNBaWKZJz82Z9Lxiuucq-ssvnWYb7ius-861meoXRGGhvUnI5QBe2bgVhawf5d6A2n1gmTcgUA25dQs/s320/PB170101sm.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ywksCPmJp54iMAWiAEkAy2IA7vH7Q5TVOEOYMm4a598etLd1tWBF4sf43_iZx_dzY6u1HFg6ZxKEZqKas_-gRZau4OW5qVO4wWQ955j8aag5TGXsAvxrdTCPDneNtBcUswZmGx425Tc/s1600/PB240107sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4ywksCPmJp54iMAWiAEkAy2IA7vH7Q5TVOEOYMm4a598etLd1tWBF4sf43_iZx_dzY6u1HFg6ZxKEZqKas_-gRZau4OW5qVO4wWQ955j8aag5TGXsAvxrdTCPDneNtBcUswZmGx425Tc/s400/PB240107sm.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-61271838805772418892011-11-27T06:22:00.000-08:002011-11-27T06:22:51.214-08:00New Clutch=Dollar BillsWe're stuck in Santiago--still! Turns out our new car had a very old clutch. It's currently being replaced and expect it back on Monday night. It's actually a miracle that we noticed that it was acting funny here, in a big city, rather than the middle of nowhere. In addition, we're extra lucky that we met a young guy sitting across from us at supper one night that worked with cars, had an American girlfriend and was very eager to help us with our car needs. We were able to take the car to his shop yesterday and are pretty confident we wont be overcharged. The downside is that we can't build the bed or drive...so we are hanging out and really hoping to leave Tuesday.Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-54298574594652371902011-11-24T11:45:00.000-08:002011-11-24T11:57:27.657-08:00Vacation? What Vacation?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trooper, car salesmen and us</td></tr>
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Wow. These past few days have been jam-packed with long wait times, hunger, one small earthquake and a lot of cars. It took us 8 days to finally find a car. After the last post and the subaru hunt, we back tracked back into the world of SUVs. Neither of us were really digging the the low clearance and in general lacked enthusiasm for those subarus that met the criteria. Back to the drawing board we went, and FINALLY ( THANK YOU LORD) bought a 1989 Chevy Trooper. We saw over 2000 vehicles and took the metro across this city. Pretty much covered the entire thing... I'm so glad it's over. Here's a picture with us and Leo, our car salesman. He was so stoked to talk to Iain about surfing and obviously, Iain made a new friend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trooper with our bed building supplies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Once we found a car, we thought the rest would be fairly straight forward. However, as we've been learning, things don't really happen fast in Chile. Actually quite the opposite--painfully slow. The banking took forever, since we ended up needing a Chileano to come with us in order to take out cash from our visas. The Chileano was necessary only because it is way more convenient for the bank to say no to a foreigner than a Chilean. Once all of that craziness was dealt with, we thought it would be a good idea to go to a hardware store to gather supplies...another poor idea without eating lunch first since Chile has a way of making a simple purchase take about 4 hours. You can't simply pick it out and pay... there are multiple numbers and receipt scanning and waiting....and waiting more... eventually we got the stuff to build a bed frame after both of us almost died from hunger in the all day process. Iain reported that his vision was going he was so hungry... and lord help us, Iain needs to eat. The picture below is Iain sawing our wood purchases to fit inside the vehicle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing comes easy... <br />
especially when your last clean T-shirt is a long sleeve <br />
and it's 36 degrees<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I am praying that tomorrow will hopefully be our last day in Santiago. It is time to leave this place for awhile. It is busy, smoggy, loud, and lacking in fun. It is taking so long to run errands because 1) we are terrible at understanding Spanish directions 2) our map is ripping and for some reason can not find another one anywhere 3) there are no street signs and driving is insane (apparently multi-lane highways do not need lines...) 4) most things occur at a snail's pace.</span></div></td></tr>
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On a positive note several awesome things have happened in the midst of the chaos: a) We had two really great Spanish lessons with an electrical engineer that needed to learn English that we randomly meet on the metro and got some really interesting info about Chile's history b) Yesterday we hit up the mall and got almost all of the things we need to live independently in our troop and we both found ripcurl wetsuits on sale. c) we still love each other d) we ate lunch today and it was revolutionary and fantastic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iain drinking his fresh squeezed fruit juice at lunch</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-84573762442744045942011-11-19T17:55:00.000-08:002011-11-19T17:55:57.046-08:00Say Yes to Subaru!Is it Saturday? The last few days have been a blur. It took around 17 hours to arrive finally in Chile! Iain has become an expert in a few areas: 1) using the Santiago Metro 2) finding car lots 3) looking for faults and leaks in every vehicle he sees. The last few days have been a lot of work. On Thursday, we both got a Chilean identification called a RUT and have searching for vehicles for the last two days. We have found a few cars of interest: blazers, pajeros, gallopers...but nothing beats the late 80's subarus. The greatest highlight has been the Subaru Loyale, 1989. Its a good thing Iain knows about cars because there have been problems and leaks....most travellers think we are a little loco to buy a car in Chile (pronounced Chil-eh), but mainly because you have to know the system and have a little time and perseverance.<br />
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I am hoping we will buy something sooner than later so we can get out of the city and into the fun. Santiago is a pretty nice city, but trying hard to be 'first class' and losing authenticity in its efforts. We have both found the American vibes fairly cheesy and we think we spotted a Montana's in Bellavista last night.<br />
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Fingers crossed for a Subaru tomorrow! Many of them, and hopefully an abundance of parts if they are needed. Other highlights include: fig, nut, and honey ice cream, friendly people that offer English lessons in exchange for Spanish, not much English and a lot of Spanish, warm weather, and wine!<br />
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More soon. Hasta Luego!Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139436949361489474.post-57006682038421755812011-11-19T17:21:00.000-08:002011-11-19T17:57:41.940-08:00Megan and Iainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689725721158419547noreply@blogger.com0