MEETING UP IN MADRID

The last stop on our fantastic adventure is Madrid, where we meet up with Grandad, Martin and Lade.

The view from the Aparto Suite balcony is pretty special.

Palacio Real

The Apartotel has a vintage car collection in the basement.  A unique display of vehicles from the 1910's to the 50's.

Grandad used to ride a Harley similar to this!

Plaza Mayor

Celebratory meal out tonight so feel the need to smarten up ... not done this for a while.

The Restaurant Teatro Real is in the Opera House building

... entrance through the Red Hall

dining in the former ballroom

Tomorrow we fly home after 10 amazing weeks.  We have seen some fantastic places and met many wonderful people along the way.

What have we learnt?

Plan ahead
Be open to change
Cherish each moment
........................................

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink.
The years go by, as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it's later than you think ....                       Herbert Magidson

WE DID!

Thanks for following us around.

RIO DE JANEIRO

The Corcovado (cog train) takes us up to Cristo Redentor

Two cable cars take us up Pao de Acucar and Sugarloaf

Good views from the top

and Christo Redentor in the clouds

View from the hotel balcony

and the rooftop pool

Ipanema 

To be continued ...

BIRTHDAY BOY

Denis began his birthday in Sao Paulo with a champagne breakfast and ended the day at a Churrascaria restaurant in Rio de Janeiro.

Passadores (meat waiters) come to the table with knives and a skewer on which are speared various kinds of meat.

It's all very tasty and very filling.

The place is buzzing creating a really enjoyable atmosphere.

Another surprise birthday cake when we get back to the hotel!

Memorable day.

SHORT STAY IN SAO PAULO

Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil.  Around 11 million people live in the city, with around 20 million in the metropolitan area.

There is heavy rain and lightening when we arrive, which makes for an interesting drive from the airport to the hotel.

The next morning the rain clears and the temperature is around 28 degrees.

It is Sunday, so we decide to take it easy and start the day with a stroll down Rua Oscar Freire, known as Brazil's most glamorous street.  Smart apartments and fancy shops.

Morning coffee at Santo Grao, a stylish coffee shop with pleasant ambience.  Spot the tourists!

This is the Unique Hotel, an unusual half moon shaped building with a

Skye Bar looking out over the rooftops to Ibirapuera Park

Evening meal at a traditional Brazilian Restaurant.  Feijoada  has ten varieties of meat served in a traditional pot with 13 side dishes to be added!  Far too much food, and not really to our taste but it's good to try the local cuisine.

Nice surprise when we get back to the hotel ... early birthday cake for Denis from the staff.

We have only managed to see a very small part of Sao Paulo.  Tomorrow we move on to Rio.

BUENOS AIRES

It is only a short flight from Chile to Argentina, especially as we take our first ever flight on a 787 Dreamliner.  It's quieter and quicker.

There are a lot of people in Buenos Aires, around 3 million, and a lot of cars.  Avenue 9 de Julio is the widest street in the world, 16 lanes at its widest.

The first day we are here there is a general strike.  Lots of places are closed and the streets are particularly quiet.  There are no buses and many of the roads are blocked so we explore the area around the hotel on foot.

There are three main things we plan to do here:

Visit some of the historic buildings and museums, enjoy a steak meal, and watch a tango show.

The Balcony at the Casa Rosada, used on many occasions by Eva Peron to address the people, the "shirtless ones".

Museo Evita 

a setting that narrates the life and work of one of the most important women of the Argentine history.

Teatro Colon - world class facility for opera, ballet and classical music

Delicious steak meal,

and another.

Incredible evening at the Tango Show ... first class dinner,

amazing singers, dancers and the band combine to create a unique atmosphere.

"Strange acrobatics of a human ball curled up in a strange dance provocative and artistic, which does not stand comparison to any other dance in the world, ever".                                Vicente Rossi 1926

After watching this wonderful show, we know what he means!

Buenos Aires, a vibrant city that overflows with energy and brims with life.  We love it.

SANTIAGO, CHILE

Our first visit to South America begins in Chile.  It is a long way from New Zealand to Santiago!  The flight is around 10 1/2 hours and the time difference 15 hours.  We arrive at 2pm, manage to stay awake till the evening, and after a good night's sleep we are ready to explore the place.

The tour bus takes us around many of the historic buildings:

 The National Museum of Fine Art

Santiago Cathedral

The Central Post Office

and this cafe

serving traditional Chilean cakes

The funicular takes us up Cerro San Cristobal for panoramic views of the city and the Andes

The next day we take a trip to Valparaiso, a UNESCO world heritage site.  

Valparaiso was once a leading commercial port on the sea routes of the Pacific coast of South America.  Today there is much less activity around the harbour but still plenty of small fishing boats.

   

The people live in communities amongst the steep surrounding hills.

The streets are very colourful and there is some amazing street art

There is a lot of renovation taking place and care is being taken to retain the original character of the place; some of the buildings need a little more work 

 some have been lovingly restored.

It's definitely an interesting place with lots of character and worthy of preserving.

It has been an interesting few days in Chile.