Vital statistics

Since the 1st December 2011, I've stayed in forty hostels, one camp site (did I mention it was in a Tsunami zone?!), one rented beach house, one hospital, two hotels, the homes of four hospitable families and friends and endured several overnight bus journeys which meant no need to stay anywhere at all! 

I have visited a total of eight South American countries (including one that has a town which is supposedly the end of the World), crossed just as many borders and taken just as many flights (I am Flash packer after all...) and lost count of the number of times I have feared for my life whilst travelling on a local bus. 

Ushuaia, Argentina - supposedly the end of the World...

I have been ill a grand total of three times, been bitten by fleas only once (thankfully) and eaten alive by mosquitoes (randomly only in Colombia?!).

My now not so new post laser surgery set of eyes have seen countless UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other breath taking places of natural beauty.

El Perrito Moreno glacier in Argentina

I've been horse riding in beautiful valleys, white water rafting on rapid rivers, rock climbing up mountain peaks and abseiling down them, zip lining across rapid rivers (getting stuck half way across...) and hiking up volcanoes (and sliding back down), mountains and through jungles. Not bad going considering my fitness levels were akin to a couch potato.

Horse riding in Bariloche, Argentina

White water rafting in Mendoza, Argentina

Zip lining in Mendoza, Argentina

Rock climbing & abseiling in Mendoza, Argentina

Climbing Pucón Volcano in Chile

Sliding back down Pucón Volcano in Chile

I've eaten the most delicious food (mostly my body weight in meat) and drunk the best cocktails, beer and wine, albeit NOT in Bolivia. Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru -  you´re all joint winners!

Steak in La Cabrera in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best pizza EVER in Las Cuartetas, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sushi in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Passion fruit mojito with ice lolly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

More steak in Rio de Janerio, Brazil

BEST beer in Brazil

 Acarajé in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Feijoada in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Alpaca burger in Arequipa, Peru 

I've seen how coffee, Pisco and wine are made and obviously tasted the results : D

Overall though, I've met the most amazing people (too many to count) and shall take away with me treasured memories and photos back to a better appreciated life in London...

...but not quite yet!

I have decided, given where I am geographically and also the fact that I may not have this opportunity again, to keep on travelling up through Central America : D 

So you shall all have the joy of reading about my adventures and mishaps for a few months longer!*

*N.B. This is all subject to me not being eaten alive again by mosquitoes...