Sweet. That's the tour done.Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Now for their second bit of my post.
;)
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Sweet. That's the tour done.Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Now for their second bit of my post.
;)
[For Militia
Proudly sponsored by Tooheys New FOR THE LOVE OF KALE
Got up Tuesday 1st July 2014 at 5:20am.
Up early as I am off to Sao Paulo for the Argentina v Switzerland clash had packed the gear last night so after shower I was in a taxi and on my way. Had a 9am flight to Sao Paulo from the airport I had lost my tablet case in and some money a few weeks ago.
Once the taxi arrived at the airport I checked in and then went to the lost and found. No luck.
Oh well on the bright side I get to see Lionel Messi play in the WC today so little to be downhearted about
Plane was a little late with take-off and we landed about 10:30am. Went and tried checking in for my return flight but was unable to for some reason.
Wanted to do it now as with the game finishing approx. 3pm /3:40pm the 6pm flight was cutting it fine with Sao Paulo traffic and the carnage getting out and away from the ground
Queued for the bus to the stadium. By 11am we were on our way. Took to 12pm to actually get to the ground. With the security checkpoints barricades etc. making kick off was cutting it close. Go out and hurried where I could the last 400metres are up a hill and I charged up it like the Energizer Bunny. Got in went to the toilet and grabbed a drink.
Made my seat 15 mins before kick-off. What a ****ing seat to.
Behind the goal 2 rows back on the 6 yard line. Best seat I got at the WC. I knew it was alright before I came from the stadium guides you could see the bay location. I got even luckier as my seat was as close to the goal rather than the corner flag as possible.
Teams came out and the atmosphere was insane.
Argies everywhere Few Swiss but Brazilians everywhere giving it to the Argies. Scuffles everywhere. Argies singing. Brazilian’s booing trying to drown it out. Brazilians singing five time champion Diego’s a homero (homosexual)etc.
Were singing one song that confused the **** out of me to start with. Argie had narrowly put out for a corner as opposed to own goal. Brazilians started chanting what I thought was suicide, suicide suicide. This chant was regular through the game and I kept thinking it was suicide. Sooner or later it dawned on me they don’t speak English and were actually chanting for the Swiss. It was actually Suica the Brazilian pronunciation of Swiss
The pair of them having singing contests trying to outdo one another. Hate to actually see how the non segregation would work at a WC if they got to play one another and one was sending the other home
Thought the Swiss were valiant in defeat. Lacked quality up front but the Swiss coach’s tactics to quell Di Maria Higuain Lavezzi Messi etc worked a treat. They weren’t far away from pulling it off when they coughed it up on half way Messi burst forward and could have shot but sucked the defence in before laying it off to Di Maria.
Where I was you could see it was actually in even before it beat the keeper.
The angle was such that it was coming right at us and the keeper was not gonna save it.
The place went off the Argies going nuts more so in relief they weren’t facing the lottery of spot kicks.
One last twist in the tale as the Swiss hit the post from a header and then it ricocheted back into the path of the Swiss player and ricocheted off him again agonisingly wide of the post.
Was quite impressed with Di Maria the later the game got his desperation level increased and made the extra efforts to win it for his team. Didn’t think he had the ticker for it.
Messi on the other hand was anonymous a lot as the game hung in the balance. Didn’t think he led by example enough
Anyway fulltime sounded and I was out of there like a scalded cat.
Was actually running where I could and got back to the bus station 3:40pm in record time. Was on it quickly and back at the airport by 4:30pm. Bit of insanity getting to and from the ground today.
Checked in and flight came and went and was back in Rio before you knew it.
Jumped a taxi back to Copacabana and got ripped off blind. R$125 for the fare. Bloke spoke English and was a bit of character to put it bluntly so I was chatting away and jumped in an never noticed the metre wasn’t put on.
By the time we got to hotel he pulls out the list of set prices and you know you have been had an the character aspect is all part of the scam. As the taxi’s here lock you in your basically at the whim of the driver to open the door. Paid the bill lesson learned.
Threw gear in hotel. Headed out to find an ATM. 4 rejections before success. Visa accepted everywhere my arse.
Filled the wallet up with Reals and headed out to a restaurant. Went into a joint where it was price per kilo. IE you fill our plate up with whatever and put it on a set of scales it is weighed and that is then factored into the restaurants per kilo set price.
Done that and as I was sitting down to eat realised they had a Churriasco aspect and I had just filled a plate full of shit I would struggle to eat from the buffet.
Walked home and hit the hay at 11pm absolutely ****ed after 2 big days
For Militia
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Got up Wednesday 2nd July 2014 at 8:30am.
After two huge days and no football on have the day to explore Rio. Only two problems I have to urgently get some laundry done and I also have to change hotels.
Good news on that front is I am back off the tour and on my own again. Copious amounts of porn on the Wifi and also the ability to drop my pants and inspect any pimples on my arse as I see fit.
Sorted the gear out. Separated the laundry and went searching for a Laundromat. There are heaps about you walk past them all day yet when you need one you walk for miles to find one. Add in when I did find one when I did ask about pick up she pulled the calendar out and pointed to one weeks time.
Not that good when I will be in Santiago Chile at the time.
Found another one who told me it would be ready by 3pm today. Glad at such efficient service but would have preferred picking it up the next day. The 3pm pick up did sort of cause an issue with picking up luggage changing hotels taxi etc. Just one more drama
R $52 for eight days of washing, can’t complain at the price
Headed back to hotel to check out. They charged me for 1days internet useage in the room despite it being that poor I couldn’t update a FB status and I gave up and went downstairs
Left the gear there and jumped the Metro 3 stops to the end of the line to Ipanema. Had been in the area after dark but not during daylight. Strolled the main street two blocks from the beach till I came to the end of Ipanema where it becomes Leblon.
At this point detoured inland a few blocks and walked around the Lagoa for a bit. It is a giant lake with an inlet from the ocean. From the waterfront the view is spectacular you can see Christo up on the hill.
After a bit came to the Flamengo Fc complex. Ironically it ain’t in Flamengo itself. Bit like how Waratah Golf Club is in Argenton. Wandered into the shop BR$230 for a replica shirt I will pass.
Headed into Leblon. Nothing special. Nice neighbourhood but not sure why the real estate is so deer. Might be because there is little shops and no riff raff about and a latte latte type crowd.
Wandered down to the beach and started to head back to Ipanema. On the way stopped at one of the many kiosks on the waterfront. Here I got a coconut drink. Literally a straw shoved into the coconut. Bizarre watching people walking along with these coconuts everywhere.
Also sat down for a platter of BBQ fried prawns and looked out over the beach.
Chicks with their butt cheeks hanging out, blokes playing football or footvolley skin everywhere.
Afterlunch continued the stroll and found a shop on the beach called Barraco do Joel. Obviously my work spreading the word on the Griffo is having the desired effect when the locals are embracing the Griff
At the end of Ipanema they had some rocks on the end of the beach. Not like the type Asian fisherman die at regularly but a raised rocky crop well away from the water and with trails and what not. Headed up and checked it out.
Place was loaded with cactus everywhere. Like an idiot thought I would test the cactus out to see how sharp it was. It worked even drew blood from the finger.
Coming back managed to pick up a beanie Angry Birds style for my nephew from a bloke selling them on the beach front. What was bizarre is why you would be selling beanies on a beach in the middle of winter when 95% of days in Rio are 30C+
Not really a location on the planet where you need winter gear
Grabbed the metro back got the laundry grabbed the gear and jumped a taxi to my new hotel. Was moving to the Centro business district. Reason being is hotel was $200Aud a night and not the $400Aud a night those in Copacabana were going for.
Only a 5-10 min walk to Metro to get back to Copacabana region. Area around the hotel fine during day time after dark whilst the office workers are there departing for home it is fine though very dangerous once the office workers go home.
Place at night is full of homeless vagrants riff raff and people from Woy Woy etc
After checking in to hotel checking WiFi works headed straight back to Copacabana.
Went to a Churriasco for dinner. Was bizarre hammering through cut after cut of meat and realising I was still hungry but was absolutely sick of the taste of meat. At this stage it was a relief to hit the salad bar.
Leaving there got ripped by them. Charged me for a fruit cocktail I never had. Started arguing the point and the No Ingles ploy came into effect.
Paid the bill of $R9 extra $4.50Aud.
**** all really but the principle is the people here at times are trying to rip you off. For what is a highly Catholic country some need to re read a passage in their book called the 10 Commandments.
Despite the food being good I won’t be back.
Dumb ****s just cost themselves a paying customer tomorrow night for their greed.
Headed down to Copacabana Beach and found a little bar. Had a few beers watching the chaos unfold down there before heading back to the hotel and tucking into bed about 1am
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Got up Thursday 3rd July 2014 at 8:00am.
Headed down grabbed breakfast muesli fruit salad and more fruit. Back upstairs for shower and hit the road. First up on a mission.
Going to see the one thing in Rio I hadn’t yet. Maracana.
Grabbed the metro which takes you straight there.
Got out and walked around the thing. Despite the WC security measures in place still able to get some good shots of the exterior of the joint.
After this jumped back on metro for Copacabana. Spend a few hours browsing the shops for gifts. At present I am limited to one suitcase of 23kg up until leaving Brazil next week and then after that 2 suitcases of 23kg. My plan is to buy a suitcase when I get to Sao Paulo and then buy souvenirs in SP Buenos Aires Santiago where I can fill the thing.
At present I am stuck looking for items Brazil specific items I can buy later or small light things not taking up much space.
Managed to pick up a Neymar no 10 Brazil shirt for my 22 month old nephew who loves kicking the ball about.
Picked up a sarong for my mother
Picked up a couple of t shirts for myself but what was the bargain was picking up a pair of genuine Adidas shorts in blue with the red trim still with the tags on them for $R20 from a street stall.
At that price they either fell off the back of the truck or old mate had shoplifted them that morning. No way in the world are they that price.
Speaking of crime not certain exactly what had transpired but a large crowd had gathered outside a pharmacy.
All of a sudden the cops arrived sirens blazing.
Couple mins later some bloke comes out in cuffs led by the cops and is thrown in the back of the divvy van to cheers and taunts from the crowd. **** knows what he done though
After completing the shopping by purchasing a towel for $R9 and headed down the beach. Cheaper buying one and leaving it on the beach than renting one. Being that it was 35C spent the arvo down their sipping on caprinihias on the beach and taking dips in the ocean.
By 5pm as the sting went from the day headed to Botafoga to get the metro to the hotel. Reason for this is it was 6 of 1 half a dozen of the other I needed a piss and knew where the toilet could be found.
Only problem was I had no idea where the Metro was so I spent 40mins walking some dinghy streets with NFI until I found it.
Jumped on board and headed back to hotel making it back by 6:30pm
Got in to WiFi zone at hotel to find I has pile of are you alright messages. Turns out a bridge overpass had collapsed in Belo Horizante and the parents were panicking cause they had misread the itinerary as I go tomorrow.
Called in on Skype and sorted that out.
Headed down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. Ordered the Filet Mignon and ****ed my order up. Got the faroda not the feijoda I was after.
Instead of black beans like I thought I was ordering I got a plate of bread crumb like seasoning for rice. As the stuff is as dry as **** and I had no rice was hard to find uses for it.
My fault no one else
After dinner repacked my luggage and had a big find
For some reason I had hidden US$200 in my poncho cover. **** knows why.
It was assumed lost when I left my tablet cover in Rio airport so now I had only lost the tablet cover about $60Aud about $60Aud of Uruguayan and Argy money.
Gonna get a shit load of Argy money in Florida St with that in a few days time
After this logged on and looked into resolving my littering fine situation. Turns out I am up for $R157 and I have to pay it at the bank.
Only problem is you need a print out of the full document found online. Not much good for a tourist with a tablet or phone but no ****ing printer.
What compounded the ****ing thing is it came in some obscure file format and was unable to be saved by my limited PC skills and equipment. Right click would be really handy on a tablet
After sending it through to my hotel who were unable to print the file format and much ****ing around on my part trying to get it as a PDF with no success ended up calling the brother in law in Australia who I emailed it to he looked into it found a solution and emailed it back.
From here I was able to email it to the hotel who printed it off.
3 hours wasted. Rather ridiculous a government organisation who targets tourists and not locals has ä website that is in Portuguese only won’t translate and is running some ****ed up file format and code no **** on the planet uses.
Basically encourages you to not pay the thing. If you don’t pay it and get out of the country what’s the worse they can do. Refuse another visa entry if you wish to come back??
Anyway I will head to the bank and have a go at paying it. If it don’t work they will only stop me from leaving the country for so long before they deport me anyway
After enough aggravation and ****ing around hit the hay at 1:30am
Going back to Argentina in a couple of days
Any of you lot want some Argentina flags to fap off over Flores???
For Militia
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Got up Friday 4th July 2014 at 8:30am. Showered and heeded down for breakfast. Plate of muesli and yoghurt watermelon and these bread balls the size of a golf ball with various flavoured custard fillings. Probably in the top 5 things I have ever eaten
Could have sat there all day eating the things but made my way back upstairs grabbed the luggage and checked out. Gear stored at the hotel as later tonight I was departing Rio most likely for the final time.
After all the shit last night sorting my fine out the ****ing banks are closed for a public holiday so I can’t pay the fine anyway.
Basically it is getting frustrating that I won’t pay it and if I make it out of the country without sorting it I just never come back.
Head off to the Maracana for the France v Germany QF. Arrive at 10:30am well early for a 1pm ko
Wanted to spend the day there walking around for an hour taking it all in. Turns out that pool I wanted a swim in is a no goer SD. The place is part of the lockdown zone and about 20blokes with automatic rifles are waiting there.
Being that it was 35C took some block out. Security confiscated it. FMD. No liquids also includes items that prevent the occurrence of sun cancer apparently.
Mind you I wasn’t complaining the most. The pricks were confiscating cigarette lighters. What was even funnier was that FIFA have a designated smoking area outside the ground inside the perimeter yet only those who smuggled lighters in were smoking.
Was rather humorous watching one bloke light a cigarette and that one light lit another hundred others.
Pregame gave my Aussie flag to one of the locals I chatted to for 15 mins and a few other things I had brought to give away to others. Basically clogging up my luggage I didn’t need and the people receiving them were stoked getting a gift
Headed in and knew I didn’t have the greatest view before I arrived. Was up high behind the corner flag down the end France attacked in the first half.
Was actually 2rows from the back and had scored an aisle seat so was forever up for other people to get drinks toilet etc all game and this was compounded by others walking down the staircase blocking the view.
Was surprised the ground wasn’t higher up. For an 80k ground I reckon up the back of the Joel Griffiths stand at Newsy is higher up.
That being said being an oval shape meant the view although fine at our end we were almost 200m from the goal Germany scored in.
As for the game thought France were better and a little unlucky to go home. Germany scrambled well and denied France countless times just as it looked like the Frogs were about to cut them apart.
Anyway eat a dick Frogs. No one likes you
Wasn’t that impressed by the German crowd expected a bit more from them.
Once again the Brazillians gave it to the German about being 5x champs etc. People here are great and hospitable but when it comes to football they just lose class by carrying on like a 12year old Man Utd fan
Anyway cracking day and great to visit a cathedral of world football.
Leaving the ground was fun. Sardines on the walkway as the police stopped the crowd to prevent overcrowding at the Metro station. Then sardines on the Metro.
Got off and walked around Centro getting lost somehow with no people about it was easy to get side tracked. Did see some interesting places though before finding my way back to the hotel just before kick off for the Brazil game.
Being the hotel wasn’t set up for viewing the game grabbed the luggage and headed to airport which was a 600m walk.
Missed the first 5 mins but was able to watch it with 1000 other people. HT came and went and checked in for my 9:30pm flight.
Mainly to fill the break in the game and get rid of the luggage. When I did so was told if I wanted could leave in 30 mins and not 3.5 hours time.
Jumped at the chance and was strapped into a plane within 10 mins. Struck it lucky and even had 3 seats to myself. After a 45 min flight where the captain kept us updated on the Brazil Colombia match every 5 mins we landed in Belo Horizante and grabbed an airport bus $R21 to the city which is 40km away.
Fortunately no overpasses collapsed into town.
Being it was pushing 9pm and had NFI where I was let alone where the hotel was pulled out the phone and found out the hotel was 550m away. Set off on foot.
Belo Horizante is a rather hilly place luckily for me it was down what can be said as close to a vertical inclined street you will ever see. Holding the suitcase was fun as gravity kicked in. Thank **** I won’t walk up it. I will get a taxi to the top if need be
Found the hotel and checked in. Only staying in Belo as I got a hotel for $50Aud a night for 2nights and is about 1/8 the prices in Rio. Even plane fares included it is still a way better deal.
Headed down the local shops an got Subway. BMT. Mostly the same as home but had something like rocket and the sauces were different. Got the BMT with a parmesan sauce.
Ordering the thing though took 15 mins due to the amount of questions asked in making a sub and my level of Portuguese. Got there I the end. Headed back to hotel and hit the hay at 11:30pm
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Got up Saturday 5th July 2014 at 5:40am. Showered grabbed the gear and headed out the door.
Today would be my 12th and final game of the World Cup. Had a 9:00am flight out of Belo for Brasilia for the Argentina v Belgium clash.
Got the taxi out the front of hotel and was on my way R$120 to airport. Can’t complain as it is easy a 30-40km trip.
Strapped in and we were on our way. An hour later we were landing in Brasilia.
Got off to the most glorious site in the world. The Budweiser Girls were in town so that means FREE BEER
Grabbed a couple to start the day.
Headed outside **** Me. Arriving the same time for the France Nigeria match Monday and todays match what a contrast. Easy to pick up a taxi or bus Monday. Not today. People everywhere.
After sussing the bus and taxi situation out went the taxi option
Spent my time in the queue talking to a Belgian bloke who had his kids running around trying to hock a spare ticket. He had a ticket on half way 5rows back.
Had paid $US800 for 4 of the things but his wife couldn’t get to Brazil. Being that it is illegal to sell over cost price $US330in Brazil that is why he had the kids running around.
Turns out he actually got the tickets off an online site like EBay. The name on the ticket matches the name of a FIFA official who got them for free and has then hocked them for profit
Cabbie for some reason was hell bent on dropping me as close as he could despite the traffic. Eventually got him to stop. $R50 damage
Made the trek of about 2km to the ground walked in and reunited myself with my dear friend Beer. Had a chat to a couple of Belgium and some Poms before taking my seat.
As for the game cracking goal by Higuain with the first time volley on the turn to win it. Belgium had the better of the game Argies defended grimly. Belgium just didn’t have the class players to break the Argies down.
Atmosphere was fantastic once again numerous scuffles involving the Aries and Brazilians.
It really is bizarre. Small pocket of fans for Belgium. Pile of foreigners with no affiliation either way. 30k of Argies **** knows how they got so many tickets and 20k of Brazilians.
Usually a football game has 2sides to cheer for but for every big name team Brazillians believe can win the Copa Mundial there are 3sides being cheered for.
It is actually rather embarrassing the way the locals carry on. The hospitality and warmth they display is first class. As soon as they get to a football game they lose the plot.
Knowing full well they were buying tickets to a game involving teams other than Brazil sure turn up cheer the team you want to win but the day is for the fans of the competing nations not about them
Be the equivalent of 5k of Jets fans turning up to Gypos V Smurfs game and singing about Griffo and Jets all day. Wrong place wrong time and lame
Anyway full time came and went. About 500m from the ground there are some markets had a browse but didn’t buy.
Had some good stuff but timber which would only be confiscated upon arrival in Australia. Already have one timber product I am planning on getting through hidden in the luggage.
Being that for some reason I had booked a flight at 10pm and it was 3:30pm decided to go check out some of the Martian monuments. Went for a 5km stroll past a heap of them before turning around and arriving back at the bus station.
For some reason the buses had disappeared and private illegal taxis were bowling up. Gave it a miss as didn’t feel comfortable safe etc
Headed up to the shopping centre and grabbed a taxi. On the way to the rank met an Argy bloke who wanted to split a fare. He negotiated a fixed price of R$40 so R$20each
At this point noticed the lack of Portuguese Spanish has probably cost me a bit with the inability to negotiate.
Had a good chat in Broken Spanish Broken English Broken Portuguese with him to the airport.
At the airport I gave him my tour jumper
Wasn’t the worse jumper quality but as the tour group had made the jumper in a colour that represents the Gypos and it didn’t have enough Australia about it and it had far too much about the tour group with their name all over the place it wasn’t setting foot in Newsy
No luck getting an earlier flight tonight. Settled into watch the Dutch V Costa Rica game got the lasr 20mins plus extra time and pens.
One of the things with the WC you go to a game in the flesh you miss other games on TV and throw in travel plus there is so much to see and do gee do you miss some football.
Anyway Dutch triumph is good for Aussie football as it reinforces that the Dutch way we are going down can work for us in time
Was regretting giving the jumper away as the temp had dropped.
After the game headed into the terminal and had another serve of the Spaghetti Marinara I had the other day here.
Finally the call came to board. Must say Brasilia is a fantastic city at night by air. Due to the structured symmetry about it the lights look amazing.
Settled in and had a 45min nap only to be disturbed by the bloke sitting next to me waking me up to tell me we had landed and to get up.
Staggered out grabbed the bus into town and made it back to the hotel by 1am
geez. im getting confused with all these airports and restaurants.
Seems you're doing a stack of walking as well, are you beefing up or turning into a stick figure?
Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploa...ama-Crying.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Not making much difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by hawk
Food is fantastic here. I am trying to make the effort to do a fair bit of walking. Getting a bus or metro are fine if you have some distance to do but getting out on foot lts you see many things you miss.
The food situation in Brazil is gonna see a nation of norm's as the economy grows and more and more move into the middle class.
Am now back in Argentina and it is glaring how hard it is now to find junk food. It is here but takes a bit of tracking down. In Brazil it was hard to find somewhere without it
brazil is shitfight, lucky you're out
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Got up Sunday 6th July 2014 at 7:40am. Showered and headed down for breakfast
Breakfast was a farce basically paid $R22 for cereal and toast. What a con.
Headed back upstairs grabbed the gear and checked out. Grabbed ä taxi and 45mins later and $R135 out of the wallet and I was at Belo Horizante airport again bound for Sao Paulo.
I originally had planned to leave Brazil yesterday but a change of heart to see the M60 QF in Brasilia made me stay a bit longer. The only flexibility with my flight booking without getting creamed fiscally was to push my flight out of Brazil back 2 days.
Problem was I had to spend a night in Sao Paulo to fill in time. Worse still it was a Sunday. Sunday’s in Brazil are like the rare public holidays in Australia where nothing is open. Hard to find shit open to keep occupied
Was able to get a Novotel Hotel for $Aud 95 for the night so couldn’t complain too much on that front
No sleep today on the plane as I developed some kind of coughing fit. Think I am getting the flu again.
Land in Sao Paulo and wait about 30mins for luggage??? WTF Were they doing???
Finally get the gear and book a taxi $R 118.Initially thought I was getting ripped but could see why it was a long way to the hotel.
Check in and head up to the room. Nice place. Hotel does its business from business stays in Sao Paulo but weekends are dead so have dirt cheap rates below the normal
Decide to go for a walk to Avenue Paulista the nominal main drag of a town with 30 million inhabitants.
On the way not much open but stumbled past what I would suggest was a brothel on the way.
Spotted some bird on a balcony who was definitely topless before she ducked down with her head at the waist height of a bloke who also had no clothes on. Maybe she was tying his shoelaces?? Bit bizarre that it was done on the balcony 3 floors up and not in the room.
Another thing to note was how many homeless were about.
I shit you not on at least 7 occasions I had to change course to avoid tripping over someone sleeping in the street on the footpath in the middle of the arvo. Now you see the homeless in Australia but not to the extent as to here in South America.
After 40mins of trekking made it to the Avenue Paulista.
Here there were a lot of arts crafts and various odd bod stalls everywhere.
Did have the pleasure of watching a Brazillian Elvis perform. Bloke was singing one of Elvis hits poorly and then proceeded to jump on a bus stopped at lights and serenaded the bus. Bloke was not talented but left him a pile of shrapnel and some notes as he was putting on a performance anyway
After walking the avenue for an hour or two and seeing enough hippie Rastafarian wannabe dole bludger to fill Nyngan a thousand times over (seriously the dreadlocked bums were everywhere with their beads twisted wire and what other useless shit they were trying to hock) plus it getting on nightfall with my worsening cold made my way back to the hotel
Decided to go to the hotel restaurant and when I arrived it appeared it didn’t open for nearly an hour decided to make other plans.
Headed back up the road and checked a few places out. First dozen were well over priced. Now I ain’t tight but paying $R 80 for lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise is over the top.
For that price the plate better be wedged between the pussy lips of some stunner.
Ended up at a Churriasco.
Wandered in and the bird was dribbling on in Portuguese to me about the place. Nearly every word was going straight over my head. Ended up having to get a translator for me. Found a customer who spoke Ingles for me.
This lady then tried explaining the intricacies of the churriasco in that meat would be bought around and I could help myself to the salad bar.
I explained I had been to a churriasco before and the only reason I had the odd look on my face was because I was waiting to be shown to my table which the waitress had failed to do and that was the only reason we were having issues
Sat down and plowed in. Tonight they were bringing out chunks of roast meat you would only buy that big if you had to feed 50 people. Had more than enough meat before hitting the salad bar once done damage R$28
Headed back to hotel for some porn and internet research time. Turned out could have got the bus from the airport to about 600m from my hotel for R$32. Ahh well
Repacked the bags as tomorrow I was leaving Brazil and needed to hide the timber products from customs
Headed to bed at 11:30pm
I disapprove of your non-compliance with border laws. I hope the next diary entry reveals a change of heart.
May you forever be added per 2/3 cups of couscous to 2.5 cups of water!
The timber products are items to use at football matches to disturb the ambience.Quote:
Originally Posted by Couscous
Not rare pieces of protected timber to sit on a night stand.
It will be worth the effort to get them home.
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Got up Monday 7th July 2014 at 7:40am. Showered and heeded down for breakfast
Breakfast was pretty average for a reputable organisation
Headed back upstairs grabbed the gear and checked out leaving the gear to collect later. Set off on foot and located the bus location for later today.
Continued on foot for a few hours with NFI where I was. Just kept ducking in and out of shops. Highlight of the day though was hitting the hardware district of Sao Paulo. No Bunnings here. Just a street about 1km long with every shop selling drills.
Seen enough drills to last a lifetime.
Did also duck into a flea market arcade where for at least 10mins I was trapped inside. The place was a maze of tightly squeezed together stalls all more or less selling similar shit and all manned by Asians. I kept walking around trying to find the exit and had NFI until I got lucky and seen daylight
Eventually stumbled onto a Banco do Brazil. Went in spent 45mins queuing before being served and paid my fine. Least be able to get back to Brazil one day.
Kept walking in the general direction I thought my hotel was in. Sao Paulo is a crazy place and 500m down the road you could get lost. Eventually spotted what I though was my hotel from the window shutters. Only problem was how to get to it. 30 mins of hiking and I was right.
Being it was about midday decided not to head too far as I needed to head to the airport soon. Headed down to one of the cambios and traded $BR235 for a $US100 which would come in handy in Argentina
Strolled around the shops near the hotel before heading in and grabbing my gear at 1:30pm and making the trek of 600 metres to the airport bus stop. Paid $BR 32 for the trip and waited about 15mins for the bus
Grabbed the bus at 2pm to the airport. Going a bit early for a 6:30pm flight but Sao Paulo’s traffic is notorious so better to be there early than late. Ended up getting there just after 3pm.
Just my luck got off at Terminal 1 and had to walk to Terminal 3 at the other end. After nearly a kilometre hiking through the airport I found my airline Turkish Airlines at the furthest counter away imaginable.
Had picked Turkish Air as they fly Turkey to Buenos Aires with a stopover in Sao Paulo. The leg from SP to BsAs was actually priced 50% lower than any other airline. Checked in and got rid of the gear.
Headed down and went to Carls Junior home of the slut burger. Anyone not familiar with this place they get highly attractive women dressed sluttily and basically bordering on porn to advertise their greasy fatty hamburgers.
Hey what can I say the marketing had worked on me. Grabbed a burger wasn’t bad at all.
Made my way in got stamped out of Brazil and tried to rid myself of my remaining Brazilian Real at the Cambio. When the bloke offered me a rate of $BR3:$US1 I told him to get stuffed and I would take it home with me. Thief
Finally boarded the plane and what can I say about the décor. Sky blue filth. Not even a true sky blue but that blue with a tinge of green. Plane looked like your grandma had decorated it fifty years ago
Kicked back and started to watch Anchorman 2.Well I did until the bloke in front reclined and the screen moved into a position that no matter what angle I tilted it to or adjusted my seat to I couldn’t see the picture clearly. Gave up in frustration and turned the MP3 on.
3hours later and we were touching down in Buenos Aires. Walking through the terminal to customs etc the first thing I noticed was even inside how ****ing cold it was. After two weeks in t shirt and shorts those days were over. What was even worse is I was still in t shirt and shorts with my jumper in my suitcase waiting to come out on the carousel.
Not thinking clearly I dawdle through the terminal and was one of the last of about 5 arriving plane loads to make it to the queue for entry visa processing. What made the process slower was the dopey Argentinians who held up the queue I was in cause they never read the sign properly that the queue was for foreigners
For some reason they wanted a fingerprint scan. Considering it wasn’t required the first two times I had entered Argentina by ferry and taxi a little inconsistent.
Got through grabbed the luggage and put a jumper on. Went to the taxi counter to find out a price as I needed some local currency. Bird said I could pay in Brazilian Real so coughed up some of the excess cash I had left over and headed to the taxi rank.
Bloke there stood in the doorway of the taxi with his hand out wanting money. Told him his tip was to be good to his mother. Parasite wanted cash to point me to the next cab in the queue FFS
Jumped in and soon realised I had left my Adidas cap on the plane.30 min ride and in was back in the Buenos Aires CBD at my hotel at 11pm.
Was the same one I stayed at last time I was in town. Only got 1double bed in the room this time.
With no cash in my wallet and the cambio not open on Florida St to the next morning and not wanting to get ripped at the ATM with the official exchange rate I viewed the contents of the mini bar and took note. Then headed to the corner store and checked what matched.
Went back to hotel and hammered away on the food and drinks I could replace the next morning at quarter the price and no one would be none the wiser.
Hit the hay just after 00:30am
Would like to point out timber products were successfully smuggled into Argentina
I feel we need a civic parade when you get back to the hunter.
http://i.imgur.com/WKkNdge.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/...e_weevil04.jpg
Settle for a drink and catch up on stories?Quote:
Originally Posted by GazFish35
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Got up Tuesday 8th July 2014 at 7:40am. Showered and grabbed the gear and headed out. Wandered down to Florida St and exchanged some money $AR11.5:$US1
Headed to the corner store grabbed the items consumed from the mini bar and returned to hotel to restock before hitting the streets.
First up wanted to check out a plaza I had seen last time here but hadn’t actually visited. That done was stopped on the way by a bloke who wanted to talk to me. Bloke spoke excellent Ingles so had a good 15min chat until I found out he was hitting me up for money.
Walked off and heeded down to avenue 9th July the number uno street in Buenos Aires.
This avenue goes for kilometres and is about 100metres wide with about 4 roads through it. It also has the National Monument the Obelisk and a pile of advertising lights ala Piccadilly Circus. Done a bit more strolling this type down near the water front area.
That done onto some shopping. Picked up a Brazuca for the nephew, picked up a Boca Juniors t shirt and a shirt to commemorate the greatest footballer who ever lived bar Griffo.
Yep got a shirt with Diego Armando Maradona emblazoned all over it.
Went searching for a suitcase but not able to find one for under $50AUD ended up buying a large duffle bag for $AR1900 about $16AUD
Searched high and wide for something for my mother but so far am clueless on what to buy. It is either complete junk or items she has to pick herself.
As for the general shopping in Buenos Aires the amount of copy right infringement blows away any Asian flea market you will ever see. The Argentine National team shirt was done by Adidas LeCoqSportif Nike Puma Topper etc
All in various levels of shoddy quality and priced well below the price a genuine Argentina shirt from Adidas retails for
Feeling a bit beat up and hungry called into a restaurant for some steak. Absolutely fantastic.
Continued the shopping picking up a few more bits and pieces.
Ended up breaking into a coughing fit that made me contemplate suicide.
The temperature was freezing well not quite but so much of Buenos Aires doesn’t see daylight for long due to the high rises keeping the streets in the shade for 90% of the day. Due to the flu and it getting on towards 4pm decided to call it a day and head back to the hotel to watch the Alemania v Brazil semi-final.
Had planned to go to an open air screening of it but when you are sick it is cold you can’t be arsed either those plans fall apart easy
Well what a game. At one stage there I thought there was a type on the screen with the score. There wasn’t Deutschland were scoring that often I had missed one of the goals as they were just constantly showing replays of goals being scored an actual goal was scored and I just passed it off as another replay.
The streets in Argentina erupted with a glee and the sounds of vuvuzela’s foghorn etc resonated through the city every time Brazil was humiliated.
In one regard I was glad this happened to Brazil. The people for the most part were fantastic warm and hospitable. At the football though they were as arrogant as a 12year old Man u fan telling you why they are the greatest side ever
The 7-1 score line was a degree of karma for the arrogance they had
Anyway spent the night in the hotel room on the internet and watching the Simpsons in Española as the cold weather and the flu was really wearing me down. Ordered Room Service and got a great feed of steak and pasta.
Hit the hay just after 11:30pm
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Got up Wednesday 9th July 2014 at 6:40am. Showered and grabbed the gear and checked out
Grabbed a taxi and was heading to the airport. Was easy to grab a taxi as today was a public holiday in Argentina for their national day like Australia day so there was little happening.
Shame I had organised my travel to leave today well before the draw came out cause it would have been awesome to party with the Argentinians on their national day as they played for a spot in the WC final
Anyway checked in for my flight to Santiago Chile where I will be staying for a week before heading home
Had a hard time at the airport duty free trying to rid myself of my remaining Argentinian pesos. The things are worthless outside of Argentina
There is also only so much liquor you can buy which I did
Wandered back and forth trying to find something. Most of the stuff was overpriced or I had no need for. Ended up cleaning out most of the money buying some Winnie the Pooh plush toys for my 6 month old nephew
Paying for it was fun as the bloke in front bought nearly the entire store.
Left just enough money to get a drink of a bottle of water and a sandwich. Exactly what the met was I am not sure but it was not like anything I have seen before and I will be relieved if I never eat anything like it again.
Settled in on the flight with some tunes only to find the MP3 failed after 2songs as I hadn’t charged it. Sitting there bored I had a hard time staying awake.
Thanks to WLG recommendation I had got a window seat and up above the clouds the sun was shining I was rugged up it was warm and it was hard to stay awake with how exhausted I was
Succeeded by reminding myself of what the purpose was to stay awake and that was to admire the Andes Mountains as we approached Santiago.
Eventually remembered I had music on the phone so slipped it on.
After about an hour and a half of flying the mountains could be spotted in the distance. WLG was dead set right absolutely majestic with the snow glaciers lakes rises and falls 15mins of viewing we got and absolutely splendid.
After the mountains you are basically in Santiago so it was less than 10mins before we were on the ground.
Was ****ing delighted to see the pilot park the plane in the middle of the air field and not at the gate so we had to get a bus to the terminal. Can someone explain why billions are spent on airports yet people still have to disembark out in the airfield when you have the walkways to the plane door???
Headed in and had a pile of paperwork to fill in to enter Chile. After completing the paperwork had to go pay the Reciprocity Fee of $US117 as the Chileans impose this on Aussies as the Australian government fleeces Chilean’s this amount when they visit Australia
That paid through customs to get passport stamped. Luggage collected with a few moments of panic.
As I was one of the last off the plane and had the paperwork to do and was probably the only one on the plane to have to pay the Reciprocity fee I was one of the last to collect luggage.
There were a few suitcases off the conveyor belt. Went searching and found the suitcase. My bag with souvenirs was no where to be seen. Eventually located it after a few minutes of panic on a different conveyor belt.
Through customs timber smuggled into Chile now.��
Headed out grabbed some money and got a taxi. 20 min drive and was at my accommodation. Got quite lucky as I had to pay for my accommodation and the taxi fare came to the exact surplus amount of Chilean Pesos I had
Anyway was renting an apartment for a week for CLP$210000 about $Aud400
Had to wait about 10mins for the owner to turn up and meet me. Went in checked the place out and agreed to go ahead with the deal. Have a lounge room bedroom kitchen and small bathroom so no bidet
Best part is it is close to the metro and shops are within 200metres
Dropped the gear and headed out looking for a bank to top up my empty wallet. Took 3 banks with one even closing the door on me as I tried to enter?? WTF
Wallet full of cash grabbed some drinks and headed back to the apartment for some Johnny and to watch the Argentina V Holland game.
As for the game two afraid sides who neither wanted to win. Unfortunately one had to and the Argies triumphed on penalties.
Spent the night in hammering through the Johnny except to duck down stairs and grab some sushi from the shop under my apartment
Hit bed about 10pm
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Got up Thursday 10th July 2014 at 9:40am. ****ing slept in
**** it. Needed it big time
Coughed my hole up this cold is ****ing killing me. Showered and packed some gear and headed out to see a bit of Santiago
No map no ideas just headed out. Got to the street I got to yesterday and decided to head left
300m later and I came to some big fancy building. Pile of Chilean flags on it and looked important. No idea what it was but found out later it is Constitution Plaza.
Kept walking and ended up in a shopping precinct. Went into a few sporting goods stores. Full of shoes and **** all clothing.
Ended up in a shop and bought some balloons for my nephews. Being they ate 4-2-6months hours of fun with these things and even better they had cartoon characters on them
Now this is just an example of how ****ed up customer service is in South America. My purchase came to CLP$135 just over $2Aud
They had 3customer reps serving and the first 2 directed me away to a 3rd
This one wrote out a receipt and took the goods off me and gave me the receipt. I was then directed to one of the other stuff who hook the receipt off me and took my money and gave me change before giving the receipt back. I then had to front the 3rd tiff member who placed my item in plastic bag.
The whole process took 3-4minutes when 1 could accomplish it in 20seconds.FMD
After this stumbled on the office for the local tourist bus. Went in and spoke to the bloke in there. Bought the tourist bus ticket or CLP$20000 about $35Aud
Whilst there I also booked a day trip to a seaside town called Valparaiso and Vilna Del Mar. Monday at 8am I will be picked up from my apartment and taken to these places about an hour’s drive west on the Pacific Ocean coast.
Have heard good things about Valparaiso from people so if it is any good may even head back again
Headed to the bus stop and jumped on. Being first on got the pick of the seats and took the one up top at the front where the windscreen offers protection from the cold.
Must say the hour and a half circuit was an eye opener. My impression of Santiago from what I have read and seen so far were blown away. The further East we travelled into the Providencia and El Golf regions blew me away. Far more modern and stylish then I expected.
Drove past a golf course and realised I still hadn’t had a game over here yet. This course may well be given a miss as the fairways were a straw yellow colour most likely from the frost cold etc
All the while driving you got the occasional glimpse of the snow-capped Andes mountain range looming east of the city. Quite a spectacular back drop.
Ended up at the last stop and got out and checked out the museum of art. 600CLP entry so just over a dollar to look at some artwork
Being that it was now getting on 4pm decided to have a late lunch early dinner I made my way down to the Central Markets. Old school building of Chilean cuisine.
First thing that hits you as you walk in is the smell. It deadest smells like some birds twat. Correction some birds twat that has had 4pilchards up it for the last month.
The odour of fish was in the air big time.
Wandered in and found a restaurant. Place was full of them so was a matter of picking one and the first waiter who spoke to me in Ingles got my business
Sat down and ordered some Garlic Shrimp with some salsa accompaniment. Thing came out in one of those sizzling bowls you get from an Asian restaurant immersed in some fluid. Was fantastic
Next up for the main got the salmon which came in a white seafood sauce with shrimp mussels crib nest etc. lettered through it. Alright but had better Salmon dishes
Damage for food and drinks came to CLP $16000 about $30Aud
Might not seem like much but you would pay twice that back home for what I had.
After this as it was getting cold and about to get dark decided to make my way back to my apartment. It was 3C at 5pm and for someone with a bad cold not a good place to be out in.
On the way back stopped and picked up 4pairs of socks at a market stall for CLP$2000 about$3Aud which was handy as I am running low on them. Plus it is easier than washing them!!!!
Spent the night in watching a bit of TV internet Skyped home to HQ before tucking in at midnight
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Got up Friday 11th July 2014 at 9:40am. ****ing slept in
**** it. Needed it big time still need more though
Coughed my hole up this cold is still ****ing killing me.
Today it is foggy and overcast. That means it is ****ing freezing cold. Temperature will not reach double figures today which will mean it is going to be a cold night.
Headed down to the Metro which is less than 2 hundred metres from my apartment. Cost 690CLP a little over $1.30Aud to travel anywhere on the network. Good news with heading into the Metro is the temperature rose about 5C just going in.
Got the train 3stops and changed onto another line. Another 4stops later and I was out in suburbia. Well not luxurious suburbia but working class struggle class suburbia.
Despite the surroundings not being the best little fear as the people are lovely and it is a pretty safe place.
Set of on my mission to see the home ground for the Chilean NT and also the venue of the 1962 World Cup Final Estadio National.
Found out I had actually walked the wrong way and what should have been a 10 min walk turned into 25 as I took the scenic route.
Eventually came to be able to see the ground. Thing was fenced off about 80metres from the stadium. Found an open gate and was pulled up straight away. Through some broken Spanish and some broken Ingles was able to negotiate entry into the external perimeter but I wasn’t allowed into the actual ground. Anyway set off on a walk around the thing.
Absolute shit tip from the outside. The façade was kept as a modernisation project in recent years was done on the inside. The ground actually was used for prisoner interrogation detention execution etc during the coup d’état of Augusto Pinochet in 1973 so has a sordid history.
Wandered round but was unable to find an unlocked gate as I did at the Centenario in Montevideo. Took some photos and wandered off. Least I can say I have seen all the grounds the World Cup Finals have been played at in South America
Wandered off busting for a piss. One of the big problems over here is toilets are hard to find and not readily available. Not certain but I think I actually broke into the private quarters of the staff at a servo I came across. There was a sign up in Spanish about toilets and I just charged in an took a pass anyway
Headed back to the train station and jumped on bound for the eastern end of Providencia. Got off and walked across the over road footbridge to a shopping centre.
Next door to the shopping centre is Gran Torre Santiago the tallest building in South America. Wanted to go and see if they had n observation deck. They might one day. The exterior has been built but the interior s still a construction zone. Any way it still look impressive anyway.
Wandered into the shopping centre. Thing is 5 stories high. What is also bizarre is the escalators travel up into space. There is nothing stopping you after the handrail plummeting to your death
Going up from the 4th to the 5th floor the hand rail about waist height is the only thing stopping you plummeting about 80 metres to the first floor.
Wandered into a shop where you could buy just about anything.
Fridges TVs Computers Toilet Paper Beer delicatessen. This place had it all. Picked up a ball for my nephew for about $2Aud and a few other supplies.
Wandered back to my apartment. 1hour later and still not there and freezing my nuts off in the 3C temps got on the metro and saved another 2 hours of walking.
Got back dumped the gear and headed out to the Italian restaurant nearby for some pasta.
Headed back to the apartment for a quiet night in with my bottle of Johnny
what grade of jonny is it?
Is a "Johnny" some kind of Argentinian anti-inflammatory syrup? That's what you take when you have a horrid cough, right?
BlackQuote:
Originally Posted by hawk
Yes it is not an anti inflammatory.
Too much of this stuff and you lose co ordination
Does **** all for the cold also
JW Black Label - world's finest medicine....Quote:
Originally Posted by Couscous
if someone could translate the member's diary entries into english for me that would be greatly appreciated.
Ingles parksey, Ingles.
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Got up Saturday 12th July 2014 at 9:40am. ****ing slept in
Loving these sleep ins
Good news today was the sun had made a comeback and the weather wasn’t cold and miserable.
Anyway after the general business was taken care of heeded out searching for a mythical entity called a Café con Piernas.
Had been informed an out these establishments but didn’t quite believe the story. Basically they are coffee shops that you go to ogle women that come in your 3 categories and are a Chilean specialty.
First one is pretty easy to find. They have open glass windows and can be seen from the footpath. In these the staff wear basically short skirts and tight clothing. Nothing to get worked up about as they ain’t showing much
Second one and third one are findable but you have to search a bit more. They are not exactly in the public eye and are hidden in galleries. When you walk into these the women are dressed in lingerie swim wear etc basically as minimal fabric as possible only covering the minimal amount of person.
There is a slight difference between the second and the third one but it isn’t easily discernible. One you can go in stare at the chicks all you like have a chat drink your coffee and walk out the door. The other one though the chicks will molest you or allow you to molest them.
Anyway headed straight past the first types anytime I spotted one.
Found one of the other ones and wandered in. Ordered an Express for CLP$2000 under $4Aud. Downed my drink whilst staring at some great tits and arse. As none of them spoke Ingles any chance of small talk was out.
Wandered out and headed to another. Walked in ordered a cappuccino and was soon harassed by a bird. Had a great rack on her and this time we had a bit of dialogue with the translate app on the phone. After a bit headed out.
Wandered into another galleria that this time had 3 of the things in close proximity. Figured this would be a great place. Wandered in and knew I had struck pay dirt.
The women were walking around in slutty lingerie that barely covered anything. Some bloke was getting a lap dance in the corner a bird was burying some blokes face into her tits and another bird had an outfit on that was covering everything bar her tits.
Not long after I was approached and greeted by one of the girls. First up she walked up to me smiled and placed her hand on my chest before running her hand downwards and rubbing my crotch. FMD
Bit of small talk in some broken Ingles and some broken espanyol and she asked me something. I thought she asked me if I wanted a drink so I grabbed the wallet and pulled out a CLP$10000 (Approx$18Aud) note which was the smallest I had.
Turns out it was probably not drinks she offered. Next thing you know she has dragged me to the corner and is rubbing me up burying her tits in my face and giving me a lapdance.
Before too long she was unzipping my jeans and freeing it. She then proceeded tugging us off right there whilst dirty dancing to the music.
Anyway when that was done she gave me a kiss and I walked out the door. Never even ordered a drink
What a way to start the day.
Café Con Piernas need to definitely find their way to Australia
After this decided to head up to the El Golf area the rich end of town. Not the best idea as not much happening here on the week end. Wandered down to Providencia and done a bit of shopping.
Stopped in for lunch at Taco Bell for a burrito and taco. What though was good is they threw in some items that were like a prawn chip you get from the Chinese takeaway in consistency but were smaller and about the size of a finger and doused in cinnamon.
Continued with the shopping and window browsing as I made the long trek back to the apartment.
Got back in time for the Brazil V Holland game for the best of the losers trophy. Great to see Brazil end up with nothing.
Joga Bonito my arse.
Ref though was a disgrace though. How Tiago Silva wasn’t given a red in the second minute is baffling.
After the game headed out for a feed and grabbed a steak at a nearby restaurant. Not as good as in Argentina but still fantastic.
Headed back to the apartment to keep my friend Johnny company. Made it to bed about midnight
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Got up Sunday 13th July 2014 at 9:40am. ****ing slept in
Loving these sleep in
Got up and felt the urge to go Have a coffee. Unfortunately the Café Con Piernas were shut which was a ****ing tragedy as I was busy tomorrow.
Matter of fact nearly everything was shut. Basically Sundays in South America are dead. Locals must go to church or something. Did contemplate going to church but seeing as I hadn’t set foot in one for 20years figured no that will continue
Anyway decided to go somewhere I knew would be open to kill time before kick off to the World Cup Final which was on at 3pm local time.
Headed to Santiago Zoo. Thing is located on a hill and besides being dirt cheap like CLP $300pesos to enter should offer some good views of the city.
Got the metro train to the closest stop and then walked up to the zoo which was about 500metres away.
Getting to the entry to the zoo was fun. A good 500metre walk all uphill tested the legs lungs heart and everything out. Just outside the entry there was a great little view of the nearby snow capped Andes Mountains.
Took a few photos whilst coughing my hole up. That could also be down to the overwhelming odour of animal shut
Headed in once again the pathways headed up hill. Good news was that there were various animals to stop and look at on the way so you barely walked 30-40m before pausing. The elephants looked like they had Aids. Seriously they looked terrible.
Got to see a pile of weird and wonderful critters many I was familiar with others that I had never seen before.
The reptiles were a little lacking in quantity though the boa constrictor and python were interesting. The crocodile display was out of action unfortunately as the area was being renovated.
The lions and tigers were a bit of a disaster as the things being nocturnal were asleep as was the bear. Did get to see 2 aussie icons the emu and 3 hoppers. Surprisingly the hoppers were a popular thing with the locals.
Bizarre really. I hate the pricks of things and the only time I like them is when I have a rifle pointed at their heads or seeing them as roadkill on the side of roads.
After about 2 hours headed out and went to check out the local neighbourhood called Bella Vista.
On the way out there was a bloke hocking these whistle things. Picked up a few. As they are timber will have to be smuggled home.
Bella Vista is a bit of a grungey neighbourhood full of bars and restaurants. Äs it was getting on 1:30 and could feel the need for a dump headed back to the apartment.
Was gonna sit in and watch the game but as the TV was now on the blink headed back to Bella Vista. For some reason the apartment complex has got workmen in on WC final day to do some work on CCTV system and they have ****ed the antenna connections into the place.
Well done
Grabbed a table at an Italian restaurant 10 mins before kick off and watched the game. Ordered a BBQ pollo pizza and it arrived about 10 mins into the game. **** me the thing was rectangular and about 70cm x 30cm Ponied up and had the thing knocked off by half time.
Stayed for the rest of the match and had the misfortune to knock off a pile of the local beer called Cristal. This would have to be one of the worst brews on the planet. The thing is worse than blue tongue. It barely has a taste and is memorable for being plain. Good news is they were cheap at CLP$1000 each just under $2Aud
As for the match thought it was once again another poor world cup final. The last good one I seen was in 86. They are usually tepid affairs as both sides are more interested in not losing than winning. Anyway was relieved it didn’t go to penalties so I could stop drinking the Cristal.
Thank you Gotze
Am glad the Germans won. The way they have approached the game in the last 10years and the money they have poured into yoof development finally got them the reward they deserve. The way the Argies approached this tournament by parking the bus and scrapping all game and neglecting to utilise the talents they had up front properly got what it deserve
After the game headed back to the apartment. TV still ****ed so hit the internet for the round up of the game before hitting bed at 11:40pm. Would have been in bed earlier but was on facey with WLG asking me the hard questions for about an hour
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Got up Monday 13th July 2014 at 7:00am. No sleep in today
Shower and downstairs to wait for the tour bus pick up.
On a day trip to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar
Bus rep arrived for pick up at 8:20am 20 mins late. Then had to walk three hundred metres to meet the actual bus. Travelled across Santiago to the far side of town where we got out and had to get on another bus.
Basically all the different tours the company were running were leaving from this car park. Jumped on board for the trip which would take approx. 2 hours to Vilna Del Mar as we now had to drive all the way across Santiago again in peak hour traffic.
South American deficiency at its finest again. The punters on the trip could have been asked to congregate at various locations as the bus headed through Santiago and saved a shit load of time.
Settled back well didn’t really settle back as the bus was full and the seat I had chosen was broken. Well it had a fault. Basically it ever so slightly eased into the recline position. You would be sitting upright then in a couple of minutes you would be laying down.
Had a pile of Brazilians on the trip and only 2other English speakers. Both American. One of them I wanted to strangle as every time he spoke to me he used the word mate in some type of sarcastic stereotype.
Was really enjoying the Chilean countryside was quite inspiring and a little unique. After an hour we stopped at a shop for a rest stop. Obviously a good kick back for the bus company
Not long after it started to rain. I hadn’t actually seen rain for about a month. Last time I seen rain was in Rio at the start of June. The World Cup had come and gone and the closest I got to rain was rain causing issues for my plane to land but by the time we hit the ground it had stopped
Bit of an irritation as the rain brings fogging to the windows of the bus so the next hour was hard to see much out the window.
Made it into Vina del Mar as the rain was ongoing it made the next hour fun not.
As it barely rains in Chile the place gets less than 250mm a year the tour guys had very little idea what to do. The place we were going to was closed due to the rain so we had a bit of an ad hoc tour
Ended up going and seeing a monument from Easter Island. There are only 3 on the planet that have been moved from Easter Island which is a part of Chile about 5 hours plane ride away in the Pacific Ocean. This is the only one actually in Chile.
As it was raining it was a case of duck out get some photos get back on the bus and get going again.
Next up we stopped at the Ocean. Going for a swim here was out of the question. The surf was huge and dangerous plus due to Arctic Currents is on 12-13C
Not much good in summer either as those currents persist year round
Next up we stopped at some clock made out of flowers. The thing was fantastically done with flowers arranged in certain ways in different colours about the size of a centre circle on a football pitch. Better yet it had poles that moved and you could actually tell the time from it.
After this headed off for lunch at a seaside seafood restaurant.
Waited an hour for the meal and had the bizarre situation where the min came out minus the side of potatoes and the side of rice. Sat there looking confused for 3minutes before digging in. The fish was gone and then out came the potatoes and rice. Food was good anyway even if the restaurant struggled with their service and organisation.
After this went and had a walk by the waterfront. Got saturated but didn’t care. Had a raised vantage point so headed up and had a look out.
Finally headed back to the bus at 2:30 which became 2:50 by the time the stragglers arrived.
Ridiculous to have a 2 hour lunch break and even more ridiculous that people were late. I was at a table where we were the last to be fed so have NFI what everyone else was doing when I wasted 30mins by the water and still made it back on time
Anyway bus heeded off to Valparaiso and a short 15mins we were there. The rain had cleared and we got out for a walk. The town is very hilly. Some of the streets are near on 40degree inline. What’s worse is they go for 500m or 1.5km up hill.
Our bus took us up the top and we walked downhill thank Griff.
Lots of wonderful street art and we once again had some shoddy paving. As we were walked we were followed by dogs with two of them at one stage fighting for about 2mins
Ended up down the bottom with a splendid view over the town.
From here we took a cable car ride down the bottom. These things were about 1000 years old an operated on a pulley winch system and this is how the locals got around the place
After this jumped back on the bus and headed back to Santiago. Got back at 6pm and were stuck in traffic for 45 mins before we made it back to the shopping centre car park.
Here I made a huge mistake by taking up the offer to be dropped at my apartment. Should have got out and taken the metro which would have only taken 15-20mins tops. It took 20mins to drive out of the car park and turn the bus around I the traffic and pass the shopping centre.
After this we visited nearly every back street in Santiago.
Finally got dropped off but across the main drag 300metres from my apartment.
As it was raining then had to negotiate Santiago’s rain issues.
Basically water just pools here. Puddles are everywhere. As they got so little rain it is almost like storm water runoff wasn’t part of the town planning.
As a result you almost have to wade through the place in some parts to get home. Got in absolutely saturated.
Now the rain wasn’t that bad. It was at a level that would see NBN games called off though 4days before the match leaving everyone to ask why.
As for the tour the rain made a mess of the day but bit of a joke really.
1hour wasted at the start of the day getting picked up and going to the rendezvous point.
Two hours travel there.
1.5hours in Vina del Mar.
2hr 20mins on lunch 1hour in Valparaiso and then another 2hour trip home to Santiago.
Bit of a farce really.
Very little time spent actually seeing Valparaiso or Vilna del Mar which I thought was the reason we actually went
Headed out and grabbed some dinner. Went to KFC as I just couldn’t be ****ed having a sit down meal. Rather bizarrely my burger had avocado on it.
Took it back to the apartment and ate there before hitting the hay at 11:30pm
Café with legs :cool:
And more by the sounds of it!Quote:
Originally Posted by pv4
did you photo this cause i never thought I would ever hear thisQuote:
The elephants looked like they had Aids. Seriously they looked terrible.
you home yet?
Membership issues?Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Why do I get the sense that I just read a sanitised account of the Café Con Piernas?