Melbourne international airport, Australia
July 27, 2016
For some wild reason we thought it would be normal to take our baby girl Arlo aged 4 months on a journey we will never forgot (and she will never remember) We headed off for our 3 month trip to Argentina and Chile. But first we had to conquere 4 flights, a turn around, 8 other infants on board and 30 total hours of travel. Ambitious much?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 28, 2016
After settling into our little apartment in Barrio Norte, we hit the streets. Arlo strapped into her new pram, was remarkably contented. We had a quick bite to eat while I brushed up my espanol with the waiter and then headed for arguably the worlds most famous cemetery. It was both fascinating and creepy. Cementerio de la Recoleta. Look it up.
Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
July 29, 2016
Arlo found a new love for midnight play time leaving Tommy and I partially amused but mostly sleepy. We sunk a bucket of coffee and took off for Palermo. Where the best restaurants in town are, we found a parrilla and ordered. The steak lived up to its name. It was delicious. We tried the local beer and Malbec which complimented our meals perfectly
Plaza Francia, buenos Aires, Argentina
July 30, 2016
Today we explored the quirky markets of plaza francia. Our español improving with the interaction of stall holders admiring Arlo. We saw the giant Floralis Generica and surrounding park. Which until it's gears broke would open and close its petals like a real flower according to the daylight.
Recoleta, Buenos aires, Argentina
July 31, 2016
Booked a flight at midnight instead of 12noon to Bariloche😳 So all the agenda called for today was some serious chill. Arlo had a doozy last night and this morning I discovered the tip of her first toothy peg! Safe to say no one slept much last night. All day pjs, cuddles and tummy time, listening to our first Argentine storm play out. Bliss.
Bariloche, Argentina
Aug. 1, 2016
We arrived in Bariloche this morning whilst our air BnB host was sleeping. We had arranged that she would leave the front door open for us. We stumbled around with our taxi driver trying to find our cabaña. We woke one señor who came out in his underwear and let a cat out of another. Apologised, caught the cat and went to bed. Woke to this view!🏔
Bariloche, Argentina
Aug. 2, 2016
Today was un buenisimo día! We tired our luck on the public collectivo, it was a great success. From our cabaña to the town centre it's about 20 minutes but worth the trip for a nice meal and a view to die for! The town is built next to lake Nahuel Huapi and is surrounded by snow capped mountains. Also Arlo rolled back to front! For the 1st time.🙊
Bariloche, Argentina
Aug. 3, 2016
Today was pouring rain here, which meant fresh snow on the montain tomorrow! We were cabaña bound but manage to get a short break in the weather to permit us to see part of the lake closest to us. It was eerie, raining and felt like we were trespassing but seemed like it would be the place to be in summer.
Cerro Catedral, Argentina
Aug. 4, 2016
Cerro Catedral, the mountain we planned to snowboard quite a lot, wasn't as we imagined. The mountain was closed due to wind. There was not even a base in some parts in the village where the lifts left, and prices are exorbitantly high. On the bright side, we will travel more to ride other mountains in the area. Our crystal clear lift passes.👆🏽
Cerro Catedral, Argentina
Aug. 6, 2016
Today I was lucky enough to go to the Mountain and finally get a shred in. Was waiting for the bus and a local picked me up, she knew how to speak English so that was sweet. Get to the mountain and sun is out, no wind, was perfecto. The runs at this mountain are so long and there is so much terrain to ride. Can't wait to ride with Romy soon! Peace
Cerro Catedral, Argentina
Aug. 9, 2016
We put Arlo into the mountain daycare today for two reasons. Exposure to Spanish, and secondly to have some adult time together. We had such a great day exploring the giant mountain and were able to go to visit Arlo every 2/3 hours. The views were truely breathtaking and runs that were Kilometres long! Happy folks = Happy Bub. Buenísimo día 🤗
Cerro Campanario Río Negro, Argentina
Aug. 10, 2016
We have been away for 2 weeks now. But it feels like a lot longer! We hiked Cerro Campanario today. There is a 2 person lift that can take you up, but we decided on incidental exercise/cheaper option. Incredible views of the Andes up top, and a little cafe with delicious cakes and coffee. Not sure how they got materials up there to build it?! 🤔
Bariloche, Argentina
Aug. 18, 2016
When it snows it pukes! It has been snowing on the mountain for the last week. And down here in Bariloche for the last three days non stop. Today we walked to the bus stop in the snow. Rode all day in the snow walked home in the snow. Tommy had Arlo and he made lots of friends with cafe workers and waiters on the mountain. This is our front yard!
Colonia Suiza, Argentina
Aug. 21, 2016
Today we wandered the quaint town of Colonia Suiza. It's a town tucked into Cerro Lopez, a 3000m high mountain and famous for cooking 'Cuantro' a meal cooked under ground layered with green leaves and dirt and left to cook for hours giving a distinct delicious smoky flavour. Today was also Dià Del Niño (Children's Day) Arlo got a prune. 😝👶🏼
El Bolson, Argentina
Aug. 23, 2016
Today we decided to venture out from Bariloche to spend a few days in a small hippy town called El Bolson. It was just as we'd imagined, hand made trinket market stalls, food vendors, street dogs wearing coats. We headed to a restaurant for a late lunch where Arlo tried some lemon.🍋 Then she had a bath in the sink. A day of firsts!
El Bolsón, Argentina
Aug. 24, 2016
We headed out for our nature hike expecting it to be flooded with tourists like us but we were the only ones in sight and everything was closed and looked abandoned. After crossing a very dodgy suspension bridge one at a time, we walked until we found Rio Azul a fast flowing super blue glacier river! Such a beautiful part of the world. 🌎
Llao llao, Argentina
Sept. 4, 2016
FATHERS DAY!
What better way to spend Father's Day than at a 5 star hotel buffet lunch! We were spoiled for choice of seafood, salads, dips, steaks, wine, beers, sweets and treats; we had the works! All of the finest things in life were served up to us a special treat for the best dad around! Pic showcasing his his new haircut! 👌🏽💙
Bariloche, Argentina
Sept. 11, 2016
Our last day in Bariloche. Tom went to the mountain and I took the bus to town for one last look around before we head off on our adventure! I was going to post a picture of the Centro civico but this shop assistant was too in love with Arlo for me not to share. She told me in Spanish her heart was now full and complete. Arlo has that effect often!
San Martin de Los Andes
Sept. 12, 2016
San Martin de Los Andes. Today we took the bus via routa Siete Lagos seven lakes to arrive in San Martin. It was a beautiful journey the lakes were different variations of green surrounded by forests. We arrived to our Airbnb house which has a little garden and a fantastic kitchen! We took a stroll to get some fresh air. It's a beautiful town!
Hua Hum, Argentina
Sept. 13, 2016
Today Arlo turned 6 months old which means we have been gone for 6 weeks now! Time is actually flying, but each day we are experiencing something new. We hired a car and drove to Hua Hum the boarding crossing of Chile and Argentina. Then we hiked in to see a Waterfall feeding Lago Lacar which was Jade green. Another memorable magic day.
Junin de Los Andes, Argentina
Sept. 14, 2016
Today we set off in our rental car to check out Junin. We were greeted with a sleepy little fishing town without much happening. The Plaza Square was lucious green and there was a fast flowing river where from November they catch a heap of Trucha (trout) but that was about it. What stood out was the desert like landscape on the way in.
Cerro Chapelco
Sept. 17, 2016
We rose extra early today to get our bus at 6am. Reluctantly saying good by to our favourite town thus far. San Martin de Los Andes was really wonderful and we found a coffee shop that can make a coffee! This is the view from the top of Cerro Chapelco from yesterday feat the snowball brothers. #living.
Pucon, Chile
Sept. 18, 2016
Today was Chile Independence Day! Or Fiestas Patrias. We went to a 'Fonda' which was like a musical festival without the live music. Every kind of BBQ'd meat you can imagine, beers, and the national drink that was basically an alcoholic spider! We had a great day. And although we didn't put in as many hours of partying as the Chileans we did try!
Volcán Lanin, Argentina
Sept. 23, 2016
Heading back to Argentina to make our way down south. We could get used to this weather though haven't had mid 20 degrees in a long while! This is volcán Lanin on the boarder of Chile and Argentina it is jaw dropping massive! We stopped here whilst going through immigration, which turned out to be VERY relaxed immigration! Nothing like the airport!
San Martin De Los Andes, Argentina
Sept. 26, 2016
Heading to Bariloche today from a quick stop over in our beloved San Martin de Los Andes.
Arlo has been an absolute dream. Sleeping so well. Happy little Vegemite during the day. Feeling so lucky to be able to do this trip. This is us at the bus stop with all our gear. Arlo entertaining the masses.
Perito Moreno, Argentina
Oct. 1, 2016
What an incredible day. Today we saw Perito Moreno. A massive glacier that is over 5km wide and 170metres tall!
It was seriously mind boggling watching sheets of ice fall and the delay of sound was incredible.
Up there with the most surreal nature encounters we've ever experienced.
Monte Fitz Roy, Santa Cruz, Argentina
Oct. 3, 2016
Mt Fitz Roy. We have wanted to do this hike to see the iconic Mt. Fitz Roy beauty. Unfortunately when we got there a cloud had decided to loom over the peak obstructing our view. We sat by Lago Capri for half an hour or so but with no movement of the clouds we decided to head back. This was half way back when the cloud lifted slightly.
Puerto Natales, Chile
Oct. 4, 2016
Today we arrived in Puerto Natales. It is a funny little town that is beginning to show signs of becoming a massive tourist town. Our airBnB house is pretty sparse but we have a big bedroom with carpet that Arlo is loving heaving herself along on. We also found some really well made coffee. And bought a perculator! Very successful day!
Torres del Paine, chile
Oct. 5, 2016
We hired a car mainly because it was the cheaper option and because we could have a car seat for Arlo that she would hopefully sleep in. (Turns out she's forgotten that she likes sleeping in cars 😑) drove to Torres del Paine national park through the back entrance and were greeted by all of the nature. Guanacos. Ostriches. Armadillos. 👌🏽❣️
Torres del Paine, Chile
Oct. 6, 2016
Today we were up and off to a very early start to avoid paying the park fees. We managed to just scrape by with 10 minutes to spare.
The sunrise, the scenery, the mountains, the water. Everything was truely Stunning. Torres del Paine has to be one of the nature highlight of our lives. Also lucky enough to see two Condors just 5 metres away.
Punta Arenas, chile
Oct. 12, 2016
Further south and it's Tommy's Birthday! We had planned to go to a brewery. But they only do tours Mon and Fri. Not to worry. Went to the next best thing. The local pub. But only after scaling 100s of stairs to check out mirador Santa Cruz. This was the only sunny part of the day. We woke up to snow on the ground!
Valparaiso, Chile
Oct. 14, 2016
Back to the land of the living trees. Did you know that there actually are not many trees in Patagonia in the winter/spring time. We were shocked to see such barren landscapes and so many dried up lagoons. But it makes sense. Arrived in Valparaiso after a hefty flight. Sunshine is bliss. Arlo is a celebrity.
Easter Island, Chile
Oct. 17, 2016
Rapa Nui what a magical place. We weren't expecting the Moai to be scattered so freely around the island and township and saw one almost the second we arrived. Gobsmackingly giant is an understatement we have hit paradise with a lesson in history that caused such a thirst to know more. About everything.
Santiago, Chile
Oct. 25, 2016
Santiago gets a pretty bad wrap. We were told it was boring, dangerous, dirty and not worth the time. We had a completely different experience there. Staying in quaint nuñoa 10 minutes out of downtown. People bent over backwards for us, made us empanadas, gave us wine, offered to take us to their family homes and were downright nice.
Santiago aeropuerto, Chile
Nov. 1, 2016
Home time. Had a great experience on a qantas flight home. We were lucky enough to the the bassinet and Arlo enjoyed sitting up being admired by the rest of the plane. She slept a fair chunk allowing us to get a couple of hours to. We had a fantastic trip but as Dorothy says. There is no place like home. 🏡