South America

Where to start?? I have not travelled all of South America but from what I have seen, it's my favourite place to go!! Infact I am in Sydney right now (a cool, cool city), but somehow, I keep finding myself reflecting on Argentina,Uruquay and Brazil!!

Just a few highlights.....

Uruguay:

I can’t say Uruguay has ever been on my 'must-see' list. In fact to me, it sounds like a concrete jungle Eastern European war zone but it’s the escape we all need, and I really liked the girls I met on the project. I randomly asked  if they wanted to come with me (Charlie and Adrianna).  The words ..."I can't believe we have only known each other for 4 days" was said quite a lot as we got on so well and are good friends now.

After 12 hours of travelling; 1ferry and 2buses, we arrive in a place called Punta Del Diablo. Punta Del Diablo is a beautiful little fishing village in the very north-east corner of Uruguay near the border with Brazil. This is a beach town, best described as the Wild West meets Grand Designs. No roads, just dirt tracks separate small colourful cabin houses. So different, such a gorgeous town, very simple with a handful of shops, a few crafts being sold on the streets. Every beach faces a different direction and it's surfer's paradise, so we loved it!!!!Had an amazing holiday there, met cool people and I would recommend Uruguay to anyone...nice beaches, unpretendious, cheap (20 pesos to one pound) and lovely people!!

Next, my trip with mum (MAGS!!) also now referred to as my 'sis'...all the men loved her and called her my sister!!!!This trip was incredible...the best holiday I have ever had. We learnt, saw, smiled soooo much!!! El Calefate (right down south of Argentina) was the highlight!! PLEASE EVERYONE GO!!!!! It's kind of unfound, as in, not many people know about it, which is why its makes it so special. The airport has only been open for 10years! Breaktaking views of the glaciers and quite a few laughs with the faulty towers hotel we stayed in!!You can get other hotels don't worry, we were just unlucky with this one!!!!

 We then flew to Bariloche (it's on the map at the top) which is a ski resort with mountains and lakes. It borders Chili-beautiful place, we loved it. Great treks and loads to do there!!

Following this we moved onto Iguazu Falls which borders Argentina and Brazil. It was amazing, but for some reason it wasn"t as breathtaking as El Calafete. BUT, still worth seeing :-)

Our final stop was Rio. I have always dreamt about going to this city! A crazy city at that!! A mix of fun Brazilian people in bikini's yet contrary to this you do feel underneath it all that you have to keep your wits about you. I wore my rucksake on my front the whole time so it was all fine!! Rio, is everything and more than I thought it would be. Saw some of carnival and the views from Sugar loaf and Christ the Redeemer was definately 'memorable'!  We then moved onto a a day tour island hopping down the south of Rio, it was sooo relaxing. Our 'job' for the day was to jump off a cool boat to get onto the different islands...paradise!Tough times!!

I could write so much more about all of this, but won't bore you!! My diary entry is getting packed of stories and all the exciting things I have seen

I feel very lucky!!

So, thats me up to date now. I am in Sydney now, just come off the beach!! Thinking about taking a trip upto the Whitsunday Islands next week before going to Melbourne:-)

Hope everyone is ok back home and GOOD LUCK YEAR 11 GCSE STUDENTS FOR MODERATION ON FRIDAY!!! DO YOURSELF PROUD!!!!!!YOU CAN DO IT, SHOW THEM HOW GOOD YOU ARE!!!!!

Smiles from the other side of the world!!! :-)

 Sarah