Yesterday we visited Colonia in Uruguay.
We took the ferry from Buenos Aires Puerto Madero, which takes 1hr to cross the Rio de Plata to Colonia in Uruguay.
Colonia is a colonial settlement that swapped hands between the Portuguese and Spanish 10 times within a 100 years during the colonial wars and it remains remarkably intact and shows how both cultures shaped it´s look i.e. there are Spanish style houses next door to Portuguese and different street constructions.
It was another great day meeting really nice locals and enjoying tinto vine, potres and a superb paella.
Today we leave Buenos Aires and although we´ve had a wonderful time we cannot wait to get to Rio and the beach!!!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Melting in the Chocolate Box
Yesterday we spent Valentine´s day in the famous Chocolate Box in Buenos Aires and at 31 degrees we certainly melted.
We awoke yesterday - Valentine´s day - and walked from Palermo to La Boca to the Bombadero stadium - nicknamed the Cholocate Box to tout 2 tickets for Boca´s 1st game of the season vs. Newells.
It´s a 1 hr walk and it´s pretty hot in BA this week so we pretty exhausted by the time wegot there. La Boca is supposed to be a rough part of BA but we found the people to be just as warm as every other Argentine we´ve met here.
We had a coffee in a wee cafe near the ground and then asked one of the stadium guards where we could get a ticket. He advised us of where to go and we found a tout very easy - paying double the face value, which was 60 pesos each - circa 10 GBP.
After getting the metro home we came back for the 5.10pm KO very excited. And we were not disappointed. The Bombadero has only standing at both ends - where the home fans are located - and the seats are on both sides of the pitch. This makes for a great atmosphere and we were in one of the ends with fans who truly love their team, football and songs. It reminded me of Celtic Park before the seats came in.
Unfortunately along with us, Boca melted in the afternoon sun losing 2-0 at home - a shock defeat - but the Boca fans chanted from start to finish, playing their drums and blowing their whistles - never saying die until the final whistle.
We were locked in for 40 mins after the game - no reason why! but we walked away from the ground feeling as comfortable as ever.
So we melted in the Chocolate Box on Valentine´s day along with the famous Boca Juniors amigos.
We awoke yesterday - Valentine´s day - and walked from Palermo to La Boca to the Bombadero stadium - nicknamed the Cholocate Box to tout 2 tickets for Boca´s 1st game of the season vs. Newells.
It´s a 1 hr walk and it´s pretty hot in BA this week so we pretty exhausted by the time wegot there. La Boca is supposed to be a rough part of BA but we found the people to be just as warm as every other Argentine we´ve met here.
We had a coffee in a wee cafe near the ground and then asked one of the stadium guards where we could get a ticket. He advised us of where to go and we found a tout very easy - paying double the face value, which was 60 pesos each - circa 10 GBP.
After getting the metro home we came back for the 5.10pm KO very excited. And we were not disappointed. The Bombadero has only standing at both ends - where the home fans are located - and the seats are on both sides of the pitch. This makes for a great atmosphere and we were in one of the ends with fans who truly love their team, football and songs. It reminded me of Celtic Park before the seats came in.
Unfortunately along with us, Boca melted in the afternoon sun losing 2-0 at home - a shock defeat - but the Boca fans chanted from start to finish, playing their drums and blowing their whistles - never saying die until the final whistle.
We were locked in for 40 mins after the game - no reason why! but we walked away from the ground feeling as comfortable as ever.
So we melted in the Chocolate Box on Valentine´s day along with the famous Boca Juniors amigos.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Buenos Aires
Having a wonderful time in Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and colourful city. It has trees lining almost every avenue and street and is shaped in blocks much like many American cities or Manhattan.
We´ve had a wonderful time so far, wandering the streets or into the night, in search of the cities many tourist attractions or cool restaurants and bars.
So no matter what we have eaten or how much vino tinto we have drunk we have worked it all off and more in our walking.
We had a few issues with ATMs but that seems to have worked out now and we are off to hopefully tout some tickets for Boca´s first home game of the season at the famous chocolate box stadium.
We´re all going to take the ferry over to Uruguay on Monday as it is only 1 hr to Colonia and we can go on an organized day trip.
I´ve also been practising my espanol which has gone much better than I hoped - Tennille has been very impressed!
Buenos Aires has been a great 2nd destination and our MyT Argentina appartment has been just what we needed - we´re both looking forward to Rio but will always remember our time in BA.
Buenos Aires is a vibrant and colourful city. It has trees lining almost every avenue and street and is shaped in blocks much like many American cities or Manhattan.
We´ve had a wonderful time so far, wandering the streets or into the night, in search of the cities many tourist attractions or cool restaurants and bars.
So no matter what we have eaten or how much vino tinto we have drunk we have worked it all off and more in our walking.
We had a few issues with ATMs but that seems to have worked out now and we are off to hopefully tout some tickets for Boca´s first home game of the season at the famous chocolate box stadium.
We´re all going to take the ferry over to Uruguay on Monday as it is only 1 hr to Colonia and we can go on an organized day trip.
I´ve also been practising my espanol which has gone much better than I hoped - Tennille has been very impressed!
Buenos Aires has been a great 2nd destination and our MyT Argentina appartment has been just what we needed - we´re both looking forward to Rio but will always remember our time in BA.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
New York to Whistler
OK050 touched down in New York on Sunday afternoon and as we rode in our yellow taxi into Manhattan we knew our big trip had really started.
After playing in the Dave Kelly Winter Classic poker tournament on Saturday night until the wee hours we left Prague for New York a little tired but very excited. Upon arrival we had a great night with Anna & James, as we popped into Wolfgang's for great steaks then watched Arizona come soooo close to winning the Superbowl! We were roaring for you Cardinals along with all the New York Giants fans in "The Hill" bar.
We left as quietly as we could at 4am on Monday morning for our trip to Vancouver.
12 hours later we met Rob in Whistler and after a night of "1 more pitcher, 1 more pitcher" we had an absolutely brilliant day on the slopes. The conditions were perfect today, with blue skies and flat and fast slopes.
What a start to our trip! if it keeps going like this then it may never end...
After playing in the Dave Kelly Winter Classic poker tournament on Saturday night until the wee hours we left Prague for New York a little tired but very excited. Upon arrival we had a great night with Anna & James, as we popped into Wolfgang's for great steaks then watched Arizona come soooo close to winning the Superbowl! We were roaring for you Cardinals along with all the New York Giants fans in "The Hill" bar.
We left as quietly as we could at 4am on Monday morning for our trip to Vancouver.
12 hours later we met Rob in Whistler and after a night of "1 more pitcher, 1 more pitcher" we had an absolutely brilliant day on the slopes. The conditions were perfect today, with blue skies and flat and fast slopes.
What a start to our trip! if it keeps going like this then it may never end...
Friday, 30 January 2009
Last Day at School
After 10 glorious years with DHL, and after a few false starts (or should it be ends?) I have finally come to my last day at school.
And it has been a school where I have learnt so much about life and about myself. A school where I received excellent management and professional education that has shaped my career and a school were the opportunities to adapt & change were plentiful.
As at school I met some who will be friends for life and for those whose paths I may never cross again the time spent with them was always fun, educational and fulfilling.
So, I will leave the school gates for the last time today to go home and prepare for the party tonight and the big trip that starts on Sunday.
School is out!
And it has been a school where I have learnt so much about life and about myself. A school where I received excellent management and professional education that has shaped my career and a school were the opportunities to adapt & change were plentiful.
As at school I met some who will be friends for life and for those whose paths I may never cross again the time spent with them was always fun, educational and fulfilling.
So, I will leave the school gates for the last time today to go home and prepare for the party tonight and the big trip that starts on Sunday.
School is out!
Monday, 5 January 2009
Cairngorms & Edinburgh
Happy New Year!
We were back in Bonnie Scotland for the Christmas break, enjoying Christmas with the family in Edinburgh then spending a week in the Cairngorms.
It was a family Parry Christmas this year with the only exception being Nana who had a terrible cold and couldnt attend. It was great fun, with everyone (especially Ross and I) eating far too much and enjoying the festivities.
We ventured up to Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms on the 27th for a week. It was cold from start to finish with the temperature never rising above -4 and the coldest morning clearing of the car down at -12.
Despite the cold we enjoyed quad bike trekking through the highland forests, sledging, and the girls enjoyed swimming and pottery painting - Steph's cupcake being the cutest finish.
We arrived back in Prague last night to find more snow and cold temperatures - 4 weeks to go we laughed as we arrived back at the appartment in the cab.
4 weeks to go!
We were back in Bonnie Scotland for the Christmas break, enjoying Christmas with the family in Edinburgh then spending a week in the Cairngorms.
It was a family Parry Christmas this year with the only exception being Nana who had a terrible cold and couldnt attend. It was great fun, with everyone (especially Ross and I) eating far too much and enjoying the festivities.
We ventured up to Nethy Bridge in the Cairngorms on the 27th for a week. It was cold from start to finish with the temperature never rising above -4 and the coldest morning clearing of the car down at -12.
Despite the cold we enjoyed quad bike trekking through the highland forests, sledging, and the girls enjoyed swimming and pottery painting - Steph's cupcake being the cutest finish.
We arrived back in Prague last night to find more snow and cold temperatures - 4 weeks to go we laughed as we arrived back at the appartment in the cab.
4 weeks to go!
Monday, 22 December 2008
Stubaital Glacier, Austria
We set off for Stubaital on Friday for a weekend of snowboarding before Christmas with David & Will - and did it snow?
It didn't stop from the moment we got there until we left. The driving snow, howling wind and limited visibility making snowboarding pretty tough this weekend and I came to the realisation that I am probably a sunny-day-snowboarder than anything hard core.
It is always fun getting up on your board but when you can't see much and you fall down a lot then it's time to retire to the bar.
Snowboarding aside, the food, beer & banter was great and we all learnt a few more Americanisms from Will and now all agree on the pure arrogance of Koala's.
The 6 drive back was a challenge too as the rain became biblical at some points, but back safely we arrived and we're now looking forward to Santa arriving this week.
Will the weather be better in Edinburgh or Aviemore???
It didn't stop from the moment we got there until we left. The driving snow, howling wind and limited visibility making snowboarding pretty tough this weekend and I came to the realisation that I am probably a sunny-day-snowboarder than anything hard core.
It is always fun getting up on your board but when you can't see much and you fall down a lot then it's time to retire to the bar.
Snowboarding aside, the food, beer & banter was great and we all learnt a few more Americanisms from Will and now all agree on the pure arrogance of Koala's.
The 6 drive back was a challenge too as the rain became biblical at some points, but back safely we arrived and we're now looking forward to Santa arriving this week.
Will the weather be better in Edinburgh or Aviemore???
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