Argentina

Hi,
The last few days were amazing. I did some daytrips west and south of Salta and the countryside is really terrific.
The first trip was to the west, going up to 3350 meters from where I had an amazing view over the Andes mountains. After that I went to the Los Cardones national park, with thousands of cactus up to 8 meters high. They have the shape of a candle...cardones for that reason. Then on to Cachi, a sleepy mountain village with a nice central plaza, like most south american cities have.
Today was even more beatiful as I went south to Cafayate, tasting some very nice wines over there. But before I reached Cafayate there is the Quebrada de Cafayate, a canyon shaped landscape with colours and rock shapes in all possbile ways. A frog, a monkey, the titanic, a submarine, indian face, a priest, a duck. And it really looked like it as well, I did´nt even had to look 12 times before I saw that shape.
By the way, the argentines drive like mad cows which adds to the adventure of course, well to a certain limit that is. But the good thing is that for a carnivore like me, there is always a nice restaurant waiting with lamb or baby goat that goes right into my stomach.
Two great but tiring days, so it´s time for a beer and a good night sleep, because tomorrow I will have a long day of travelling, across the border into Bolivia and hopefully I reach Tupiza the same day.
Cheers, Michael.

Well, hi everyone,
Just a short update of my travelling so far. I had a flight from Buenos Aires to Salta last tuesday.
So by know I have seen most of Salta, as it´s not that big. It has a really nice charm, and in contrast with buenos aires, you see more people with indian blood, which makes the city more colourful. The city itself is colourful as well, with it´s art deco coloured churches and cathedrals. These are really the highlights of the city, as for the rest it´s just relaxed but nothing spectactular. With the teleferico I went up to about 1500 metres for a view of salta and the andes. Well, at least salta, because of the hazy wheather conditions you couldn´t see much more than let´s say 10 or 15 kilometres. Well, I will see that mountains the next few weeks a lot I think....probably will be looking forward to flat holland after that!
By the way, Argentina is much cheaper than 5 years ago when I was there. The reason is probably that the peso and dollar aren´t connected anymore, as now you get more than 3 pesos a dollar, almost 4 for a euro. Well, I don´t mind, but life has´nt become better these days for lots of argentinian people, especially outside buenos aires and here in the north.
But still, it´s an amazing country and the next few days I will be exploring the landscapes around Salta. Keep you updated!
Cheers, Michael.

Hi everybody,

Well, I arrived in Buenos Aires yesterdag evening, but unfortunately, my backpack wanted to stay in Amsterdam. It doesn´t like the cold belly of the plane I guess. But he has to pay: now he has to fly at night, when it´s even colder...at least the Iberia help desh said the bagage will come in the morning. Probably I will see it when I get back from my day stroll in Buenos Aires.
It´s sunday so it´s relatively quiet in this 14 million inhabitants city. Shops were just opening on the central pedestrian Florida avenue.
Did some relaxing at the Plaza the Mayo, where the presidential palace is. After that I took a walk around the main east-west corridor, Avenue de Mayo, crossing what is probably the widest boulevard in the world, 6 de julio. It has 10 lanes...each direction. The obelisk which is here is a clear landmark, and getting lost in BA is almost impossible.
Well, that´s it for now, I hope I will be reunited with my luggage today.

Michael.