Salta, Cafayate and Jujuy - 22nd to 27th September

Had a really good few days in the North of Argentina. Got into Salta but pretty much straightaway headed to Cafayate, a smaller town to the south. Drive there was through an amazing series of canyons - really beautiful scenery.

In Cafayate spent a day doing another winery, visiting a goats´cheese farm and eating wine flavoured ice cream. All followed up with a meal in the House of Empanadas (like mini pasties but better) which was delicious. The next day our hostel owner Walter gave us a fantastic tour of the canyon, the Quebrada de Cafayate. Lots of amazing colours, rock formations. Also played a very dangerous drinking game with the hostel owners - needed to blow at least 1 card, but not all, off a deck of cards placed on a wine bottle. Needless to say, we were rubbish and ended up drinking lots and lots!

After that headed north to Jujuy. On saturday took a 1 hour bus in search of thermal pools. When we arrived we were a bit surprised to find it was a swimming pool filled with thermally heated water (not quite the unmissable rock pools we had imagined from the guidebook). Then did another tour through the canyon round Jujuy, lots of small dusty villages but really good fun again, especially the llama for lunch!

Santiago and Mendoza - 14th to 21st September

Had a great time in Santiago - a really fun city and stayed in a brilliant hostel. Saw lots of the sites on a free walking tour, including the poet Pablo Neruda´s crazy ship-themed house and the historic downtown. All very photo-worthy but we forgot our camera! Luckily, we did have it on us when Ben ordered the world´s biggest sandwich - a whole loaf of bread filled with at least one box of tomatoes, an iceberg lettuce, a stick of salami, a big block of cheese, a jar of pickles and a tub of mayo. Delicious!

From there we went on to Mendoza, with a 3am, 3000m border crossing back into Argentina. Luckily they didn´t find our stash of garlic. Stayed at another lovely hostel with free wine! After lots of deliberation we decided to go on a horse trek in the foothills of the Andes. Incredible scenery and a delicious asado BBQ. Unfortunately this caught up with us a day later - horrible food poisoning.

Once recovered we rented some bikes to explore a few of the wineries around Mendoza. All delicious, even if we could only smell wine, not toast or cinnamon!

Rio - 9th to 13th September

We have had an amazing time in Rio. Stayed in a super skanky (but great fun) hostel complete with dogs sleeping and jumping on Anna in our 20 man dorm - thanks for the recommendation Livi. Right by Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and the weather was finally good so spent lots of time there.

Did all the usual touristy stuff - up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, cable car up Sugar Loaf hill for sunset and saw the steps of Selaron (photo above), a Chilean artist´s creation of tiling a set of stair cases with thousands of tiles from all over the world. Also had some really fun nights out. Went to a huge street party in Lapa neighbourhood, saw one of the samba schools rehearsing for Carnaval and went to a favela (only just in, pretty much on the edge of it) party which was really fun but now we think we are deaf from the loud, loud baille funk.

Now in Santiago in a lovely hostel. Going to explore the city for the next couple of days before heading to Mendoza for some wine tours. xx

Paraty - 4th to 8th September

We are in Paraty on the coast of Brazil at the moment. There are meant to be lots of beautiful islands and beaches but unfortunately we haven´t seen any as the weather has been so bad.

Luckily there has been a really fun festival (complete with 80´s Brazillian rock bands) going on so we have been kept very entertained. Also been enjoying too many caipirinhis made by our hostel owner and eating tons of acai berry smoothies. Hoping for a glimpse of sunshine tomorrow before heading to Rio. x

Iguazu Falls - 31st August to 3rd September

We´ve had a brilliant few days at the Iguazu Falls, first day on the Argentinian side, and next on the Brazillian.

Lots of walkways and very close views of the falls on the Argentinian side, and an amazing panoramic view from the Brazillian. Lots of raccoon like things trying to steal your food too, and other amazing birds and guinnea-pig-on-stilts like creatures.

Splashed out (ha - literally!) on a boat trip under the falls. We looked like 2 lost twelve year olds in our zipped up kagoules and life-jackets. See pictures!

Now heading to Partay to enjoy the beach befroe heading to Rio!

xxx