RTW: p68 - PETE’S ROUND-THE-WORLD TOUR 2006 ENDS!

Leaving Santiago I had 18hrs of fun getting back home to Sydney. And due to time zones I lost a full day. oh well.

Yes, I’m back home!
What an amazing year.

here is an idea of what my last year has included:

14 Countries
(4 continents, 9 languages, 8 currencies)
22 Flights
10 Forms of Transport
08 Local Alcoholic Drinks
12 Hostels
03 Jobs
Numerous “World’s biggest/best/most etc.”
LOADS of friends and memories.

Thanks and greetings to everyone I met and no doubt we’ll meet again somewhere in the world!

But where will I be in 2007??

TBC…..

This is the countries I’ve visited, not only this year but in 04 as well.

RTW: p67b - Santiago, Chile, Elmorado

Chile has quite a lot of adventure sports on offer but I only had a short time there. I decided on a Hike in the Andes up to the glacier El Morado.
7.30am I was picked up by my Chilean Guide and a German girl who played translator for the day. We drove for 3hrs into the Andes and parked around 2500m Altitude. We then began a 4hr hike upto 3050m! Most of the track was still under snow but it was sunny and warm, and in fact the 1st time I got burned this year!
The trek up was actually more interesting than the top and the landscape varied dramatically. The Walk back was half the time at 2hrs and I was well ready for lunch and a rest!

RTW: p66 - Wonders of Brazil, Pantanal

That night we checked out an all South American Rafain show with buffet. It was the first real vegetarian food I’d seen in a while so i ate shitloads! The show was pretty good, dancing, singing, comedy etc.
In the morning we bused into Paraguay for some Tax-free shopping. The bridge was crammed with cars and bikes returning with goods that really didn’t seem any cheaper to us foreigners.
Another night bus onto Bonito, swimming in a natural pool, one Pancho and an the English guy went Cave Diving! Some went snorkeling and the last day rained out.

PANTANAL is a massive wetland area, which in season goes under 5 feet of water or so! Filled with cayman (small alligators), water pigs (like giant gophers), anacondas, lots of bugs, BIG bugs, monkeys etc. It was all about exploring.

We slept in a big room of hammocks and the guys who run the area were our tour guides, they walked around bare foot (even when wet), shirtless, and never seem to have any bug issues. Yet all the Gringos were soaked in DEET and still getting attacked. Must be something in the blood.

At one point we were walking and Continue Reading…

RTW: p67a - Santiago, Chile

Arriving in Santiago, Chile, I stayed with my Dad’s cousin Frances - who I recently met for the first time in Dublin!
We went for a drive one day to see Pablo Neruda’s house, He’s a famous writer/communist politician and has an odd house right on the beach. The design of the house itself is very ship-like. With wooden interior, low doors etc. And is basically filled with loads of stuff he hoarded throughout his life. Tons of stuff from tribal masks, to instruments, to various bits and pieces from ships. Its like a mini-museum but it is all from his personal collection.

RTW: p65b - Wonders of Brazil, Foz Do Iguacu, Argentina Side

Next the Argentinian side. The morning was in full sun, we later got drenched heading down to jet boats - where we proceeded to get wet by going INTO the water falls!! (video coming) The water was actually warmer from the falls and the sun popped out as soon as we finished! Bloody awesome.

RTW: p65a - Wonders of Brazil, November 1st, Foz Do Iguacu

November 1st! SO EXCITING!
Spending my 24th Birthday in Brazil!

But no.. the full day AND night was spent on a bus! Heading to Foz Do Iguacu. Hence the previous night used to celebrate instead. Night buses in South America though are something of a luxury. They are basically the shell of a standard Coach, but decked with only 12-16 seats that are like Recliner Sofas! Very comfortable compared to your average night bus. You even get blankets and a cushion like on the plane. Actually its more comfortable than a plane apart from the constant winding of the roads which gets to you after a while. Doesnt

However the trip was worth it. Iguassu Falls is the worlds largest waterfalls, with a flow rate 3 TIMES that of Niagra falls! Totaling 275 falls, It also marks the boarder between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

We spent a full day exploring the Brazil side starting with a CHOPPER ride!