Buenos Dias amigos

So its official - we´re here! Its an unbelievable experience seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling Argentina, because after so much anticipation, planning and constant wondering we have it all in front of us and to be quite honest its a wonderful inexplicable feeling I have not had before. The flight was really bad as for about 80% of the 14 hour flight there was ridiculously bad turbulence and I have a really low tolerance, every shake and I think ´this is it we´re going to crash´ Poor Lee had his arm nearly nawed off by me.

Anyway we made it, and Buenos Aires is beautiful and gritty all at the same time. We are staying in the old region called San Telmo where its less hectic and full of locals, antique shops (whoopee!), plaza´s, cafes and delicious little restaurants serving steaks the size of my two hands. Yum yum. Though it takes roughly 2 days to digest. The hostel is cool, the first time I´ve done anything like it, there are people from all over the world here and they are all super friendly. There,s a big kitchen where we all get together to cook and talk in the evenings. The wine is cheaper than water and I have been sampling many a bottle.

We went to see Eva Peron´s grave today plus a fantastic hippie market which puts Portobello to shame to be honest - this is the genuine stuff, and its all gorgeous. Lee has had to strap my arm to his so when he thinks its time to move away, I have to as well. Probably best considering I have a heavy bag already.

South America is scoring vast points with me and its only our 4th day. Tomorrow we go to Plaza Dorrego to eat at a beautiful little balcony restaurant that looks over the square as there will be free tango shows in the afternoon that we can watch. The people here in the hostel are tango crazy, and its interesting to follow. More stories and pictures soon, well once I get more time to do it.

Hurray for life trips.

A few more days

to go. I can't believe that we have just under 3 days before we get on that flight to Buenos Aires. Its been a weird experience so far - anticipation like I've never known it because its exciting, nerve wracking, worrying, joyous and well all the opposite emotions in one big bag!
We've just had a lovely couple of days in Wales with Bobby and family, and we're now back in London till we set off. Its bizarre trying to think about how we're going to be on another continent for 7 months - who are we going to meet? what are we going to see? are we going to be ok? I think I know the answer to the last one because its Lee and me. I couldn't think of anyone else I would rather do this big trip with...

Right well there is money to be withdrawn and yellow fever jabs to get today - not to mention our farewell drinks party is tonight too. Whoo hoo. Its all happening.

Boozy birthday lunch

So it started at around 130pm and went on till about 8pm - Sangria (which i made myself and was rather lethal), Pimms, beer and wine (feeling fine!) and complete with spicy rice and curry lunch. Here are a couple of pictures, and you can see how the day deteriorates with two of my friends (an artist and a designer) attacking my with their pens and leaving graffiti (or grapheety) all over my arms.

Fun fun all the same... though I passed out shortly after this, while my parents and Lee watched Borat.

Home sweet home

This is no picture off the net, this is Kosgoda Bay on the way down south - part of the beautiful scenery we get while driving down south (Unawatuna) for New Years Eve a few days ago. It has been absolutely fantastic being back home in Sri Lanka. Being here with my family, my friends and especially with Lee, he has had a much better opportunity to experience the country and culture since we're here for so long. Its easy to slip back into things and the lifestyle... not to mention the gorgeous weather we've been having. Sunny, blue skies and breezy days.

It was my birthday yesterday - eek! 27, I am not so keen on this post 25 experience, where did time go? I can't believe I'm 27, but it feels kick ass awesome to wake up and think "ok so i'm 27, but no need to panic, cause I am off on an amazing world travelling adventure in under 3 weeks with the most wonderful man!" so i think i'll be ok.

Going to post more pictures of our time here (some from my birthday drinking session at our bar at home, 7 hours of sangria and wine!) its been so long since I have though Lee has been merrily blogging away since we got here and posting his pictures on Flickr. So click on his blog if you want to see more.

We've been to Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Kelaniya Perahera, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa (surf trip) and living it up in Colombo with Christmas, parties, clubbing and bars etc... Tis the season to be in Sri Lanka!