Whizzin` down through Argentina

Necochea
Arriving late into Necochea from Beunos Aires we grabbed a taxi with the most helpful driver in the world. The campsite we intended to stay at was closed so he literaly whizzed us across town, with the back of the car swinging out on corners, to an alternative riverside campsite. The other campsite looked closed but on closer inspection we found a crazy but every so friendly night porter/ security guard. He didn`t speak a word of English but before midnight we had little "melony" our brand new tent up. We did attract a new canine critter but this time he was as plasid and friendly as they come. We named him Sammy.

The next day we crammed Necochea living into 12hours - spending time realxing near the beach, watching a crazy dog show, riding bikes through parks, forests and sand dunes, enjoying a walk down by the river with it`s huge shipwreck and enjoying homecooked grub with a carton of wine. We had a chat with Carlos, the nightporter chap, he told us that Sammy had been guarding over our tent the whole of the previous night.

Bahia Blanca
Having to wait until 2pm for our coach to Bahia Blanca it was another late night arrival for our quick stopover in a new city. We managed to find a cosy and cheap hotel near to the bus station with a video and pizza place just around the corner. Whilst we waited for our pizza we had a laugh at the list of dodgey/classic titles they had to rent: Father of the Bride, Ghostbusters, Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

The next day we booked our tickets to Peurto Madryn and put our "killing time" skills to the test as the coach didn`t leave until just before midnight. Thank god for left luggage! We had fun people wacthing in the central plaza, the main park and whilst enjoying a couple of beers along the main high street.

With the likelyhood of being fed on the coach we only needed a small snack to keep us going `til boarding the coach. Having looked around most of the empty restaurants, people don`t head out until gone 10pm, we chose a tendre libre (all you can eat). The waiter chappy explained how things worked and said we had the choice of anything on the buffet carts. We dutifully tucked into the range of pasta, salads anf hot meats. On return from our second mini plateful we were in for a bit of a surprise. The largest hot platter of chicken breast, beef chops and beef steaks. We soon slimmed down the portions from the buffet cart.

Peurto Madryn

Well the weather certainly got colder the further south we got. No wonder that the Welsh decided to settle there with all their crazy sheep farming antics. It also meant that there were plenty of authentic welsh tea rooms to keep warm in. For the price of a cup of tea back home we were spoilt for choice with plate full of 8 different cakes, a plate of scones and cheese and the biggest pot of tea with woolen tea cosy, goes without saying.

Having our fill of cakes and tea the next day we went on a day long wildlife adventure on Penninsula Valdez. It was brilliant to get so close to elephant seals, sea lions, pengiuins with their fluffy little chicks, llamas, birds or prey and other native species. Sarah and I were like little kids running along the coast trying to see more and more.