And so, our trip comes to an end...

We saved the best for last.

Iguazu Falls was absolutely spectacular. It's known as the 8th wonder of the world, and rightfully so. It makes Niagara Falls look like a leaky faucet. We took a boat ride (like Maiden of the Mist) right into the falls, and got drenched. We also had lunch with coaties (co-aht-ees) which are adorable little creatures that are kind of a cross between a racoon and a possum that are all over the park, and will literally crawl onto your table and steal your food.

Then, after a delightful siesta we had dinner at was probably the most interesting restaurant we've ever eaten at. The chef is from Italy and uses molecular infusion in his cooking so every dish is a new experience. Ste p H had an eggplant appetizer with parmesan flavored ice cream dressing. It was amazing. She also had a chocolate torte thing with chocolate filling covered in chocolate (that's what they called it--a chocolate torte thing)

Tomorrow we have a relaxing day in Iguazu before heading back to Buenos Aires, then a stopover in Brazil, then back to sunny Monrovia. Thanks for following our trip, and it's now time for another siesta and some chocolate things.

Touring around Salta

We flew in to Salta in northern Argentina, and took at 27 hour bus tour of the region. About half way through the tour Steven woke up. We climbed up to 4100m on the tour (about 13000') and Steven got an altitude headache so he went back to sleep. Traveling down the windiest road ever was very fun, especially sitting on top of the bus.

We then saw these very cool salt flats

which, because of the amount of salt in the air, made Steven even sleepier

We finally returned to our hotel about 10 p.m., where after a grueling day of sleeping, we went to sleep. Today we had several hours to kill, so we walked around Salta and went to an amazing Museum that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and houses 3 of the best preserved mummified children in the world that were discovered completely in tact high in the Andes about 25 years ago. The children, 2 girls (one of whom was hit by lightening after being buried) were sacraficed by their Incan tribes about 500 years ago. First, they are chosen based on their beauty and rank in their tribe, then they are paraded throughout the streets, then giving alcohol to put them to sleep, then buried alive.

. We then finished walking around town, where Stephanie blended in perfectly with the locals.

Here is a better picture of Stephanie when she wakes up in the morning.

Running around Buenos Aires

In keeping with Stephanie's idea of a "relaxing" vacation, we had been trying to locate a store in Buenos Aires where I had seen a very nice briefcase when we were first here. My little "Sherlockisimo" finally tracked the store down using Google street maps. We then managed to catch an earlier flight to Buenos Aires today that allowed us a small window to grab a taxi, race into town, get money (we ran out), go to the store, and get the briefcase. We then hightailed it back to the airport only to find out that our flight had been delayed an hour. I told Steph that we should go back into town just for the fun of it, but that idea didn't fly. But I do own a beautiful new briefcase, plus we got gifts for everyone who has been reading this blog. Your original authentic ceramic penguin is on its way.

Bumming in Bariloche

This was the view from the hotel lobby in Bariloche (Spanish for "the town that sleeps from 1-5"). In keeping with our longstanding tradition of fitting in with the locals, we are now experts in siestaing.

Argentenian driving

O.k., so I can deal with being in a rental car the size of a Yugo, and not being able to go more than 65 without the doors falling off because of the vibration of the engine. But what is difficult to fathom is why they have a stop light in the middle of the highway to allow yaks to cross, but in the center of every single town there is not only no stop light but no stop sign anywhere. The cross streets are a complete crap shoot. Whoever can get through the fastest has the right of way. And the double yellow line on a highway? Here if it's an even numbered day it means you can pass, but only if going up hill on a curve. The nice thing about all of this is that I have only hit 1 pedestrian on the entire trip, and she deserved it because her cane had cracked and she was walking too slowly. On to more important things--we're kind of chilling the last couple of days. Drove around some beautiful lakes, saw killer sunsets, a Chilean volcano (active), some very unusual trees with pine "cones" the size of bowling balls.

Steph continues to excel at finding the absolute most remote hotels in the world with magnificent views and working toilets. She is a tourista Goddess.

The Day was Saved

After being saved by ice cream once again, we headed off on "7 Lakes Rd". As the name implies it has beautiful glacier lakes from the Andes Mtns. I enjoyed the curvy mtns rds, showing off my Indy 500 skills while Steph held on for dear life. We arrive at our destination and are now looking for the hotel. We are told to head up the rd only to eventually to be on an unpaved rocky rd which we have learned Argentina has perfected. After leaving our transmission and getting a flat tire (not really), I'm thinking to myself, where the Hell did Steph pick this time. To our surprise we get to the top only to find an adorable hosteria with a welcoming owner and views to die for. We'll have to get a new transmission tomorrow, but tomorrow is another day!!!

Horror Movie

Our story left off with beautiful lake views. We thought it would be a brillant idea to take a boat ride to to a nearby pennisula to see myrtle trees and bike ride back 7 miles since we were told it was downhill. Just as in a slasher movie everyone is happy at the beginning and at the end only 2 people are left. That is what this morning felt like. The first half was uphill trails. We did more walking than riding. Then we get so excited we start going downhill, only to find it became so steep because of a detour they had that we were walking and falling. We now have war wounds to show for it. Had to have gelato to fix the mood.