A day on the ranch....

Dec. 31/13 

Last day of 2013.  I'm sure it will be memorable.  Life on the ranch is very basic and real.  Maria arrives at 8:00 am to help Ginny get bathed, dressed and have breakfast.  Sky has been up since 4 am since she had work to do for the ranch.  I get out of bed and shower at around 8:30.  Ah, the life of Riley!

Maria works from 8 to noon so after cleaning up she prepares the noon meal.  This includes baking fresh bread....wow!  Jorgeo, one of the gauchos on the ranch is setting to the task of killing a goat which will be our dinner in the next few days.  No shopping at the supermarket for meat in this household.  

Off comes the skin!

The eggs are from the ranch too.  Had that and an orange for breakfast.  What a different taste (the egg that is).

I briefly walked up the lane leading to the ranch and snapped a few pictures.  It really is a beautiful area.  Quite windy lately so not hot at all.  Just comfortable.

The Ranch

When Sky picked me up from the bus station she was also picking up a man who had travelled on the same bus as me from Zapala.  This was George or Jorge in Spanish who is from San Martin de Los Andes.  He is coming to the ranch to visit with Ginny for a week.  When I get to the house I am told that I will have the loft as my bedroom.  Problem being that I am a little too tall for this area so when the other volunteer, Cedar, arrives she will stay in the loft and I will go over to the other house.  I got settled, had a well deserved shower and then we dined on chiorzo sausage cooked over an open fire (no propane BBQ here!).  Sky made wonderful guacamole and salad.  Ice cream for desert.  Bed was welcome and I slept soundly.  It is so quiet!

Sky at the computer.  She is amazing.  Just barely five feet tall Sky manages her father's ranch and also manages her mother's affairs which includes the arduous task of lining up people to see to all Ginny's needs.  She is as talented as any gaucho on the ranch and there is no task that she would not be capable of performing.  She definitely wins the award for multi tasking!

Zapala

Zapala is a sleepy small town but is one of the hubs when travelling to several destinations.  Having to spend 4 hours there before my bus to El Heucu was long.  When I left Buenos Aires it was so hot I was wearing a light cotton dress that I had purchased in Hawaii.  It was great for the bus ride however arriving in Zapala was totally inappropriate.  It was much cooler and blowing hard.  I changed into something warmer in the restroom of the bus station and then  I purchased my ticket which was 95 pesos.  Now since I didn't want to haul my suitcase around town I decided to scope out the friendliest face among all the ticket agents to see if I could park my bag in their office.  I wrote out what I thought the request in Spanish would be and then gave it to him.  Didn't expect him to agree to this as no one else seemed to be doing this but the fellow said sure.  What a relief.  Walked around town and found a grocery store.  Bought some fruit and yogurt and walked some more.  None of the restaurants seemed to be open and I wasn't really hungry so I returned to the station, got out my IPad and read.  Again the bus was on time but this bus was totally different.  More like a city bus and loaded with locals.  Off we went and very quickly found ourselves on unpaved, windy roads through the country.  We had to stop a couple of times for herds of goats filling the roadway.  Also a few horses that required a little persuasion to use the side of the road and let us pass.   There were groups of authentic gauchos off to the side as well as this is a time of roundup.  Dusty and hot (air conditioning ? Hardly!)

We arrive at El Heucu in 4 hours and Skye is waiting for me.

Long trip to the ranch!

Leaving Buenos Aires at 4 pm on the overnight bus to Zapala.  Made the mistake of arriving too early at the bus station and ended up waiting 3 hours.  Thought it would take longer to get there and wasn't sure how it worked.  I am finding no one speaks English.  Quite different from France.  Finally the bus arrives right on schedule.  I have purchased a full bed seat which is located at the back of the bus.  This is a great way to travel.  Very comfortable.  Similar to first class on a plane.  I get settled and can't help but to doze off and on.  At around 8 pm we are served a snack of salad and a sweet bun.  I thought this was dinner but just when I start to settle in to sleep the lights come on and dinner is served at the typical time of 10:00!  Chicken, mashed potatoes and what appears to be Creme brûlée.  We also get wine!  Love it!  I get a pretty good sleep awaking a few times through the night.  The sky is amazing.  So many stars.  I forget how beautiful it can be away from the city.  We are served breakfast at around 8:00 and then we arrive in Zapala at 9:00.  The landscape is quite arid.  Somewhat like the Merritt/Kamloops area.  Next bus is not until 1:30 pm.

Oops! Forgot to mention that I found a special man!

The strong, silent type!

Finished the day with another lovely dinner!

Red wine and steak cooked to perfection!  One portion feeds two people easily so I'm taking the left overs back to my apartment and will enjoy them for lunch before heading off on my epic 14 hour bus ride to Zapala!

Saw the pink palace where Eva Peron stood!

Here's the pink palace

After breakie I took in the sites

Lovely shopping mall....really went there for the air conditioning :)  The Xmas tree was still up.  It was decorated with Saworski Crystals!

Busy day in Buenos Aires

Today I explored the area.  First off was to get a map of the area and after that it started to make sense.  Spent the day walking around discovering different spots, some of which Marlene and I will explore together when we return to Buenos Aires in April.  Great food, great wine!  Even the shopping..

Getting settled in Buenos Aires

Well after leaving the airport my experience was the taxi driver from hell.  He did get me to my destination but I didn't think we would make it as his car kept dying.  He ground the gears like there was no tomorrow and driving at speeds up to 120 k wiggled his way between the lanes of traffic.  There happened to be a protest happening (not sure what about) but some of the roadways were blocked so it took longer than usual to get to my destination.  Cost was $43 US which wasn't bad and I felt so sorry for him so I tipped him $5.  As he left me at the curb there was no sign of Fabian who was my contact.  Spotting a buzzer of some sort I pressed it not really expecting anything and then voila!  Fabian appears!  Nice young fellow who shows me the apartment.  I shower and get a wee bit settled then figure I have to eat supper.  It's already after 8 pm and I must be running on adrenaline.  Gathering all my courage I head off down the street.  On the corner there is a bonfire with many police.  This is part of the demonstration so I ignore it and head down the block to the restaurant that my new landlord has recommended.  I find Le Brigada which is a pretty upscale restaurant and get the pathetic table for one.  After ordering steak, salad and red wine I hear someone speaking English behind me and venture to strike up a conversation.  End of story they invite me to join them and what a lovely family they are.  They are also from Toronto and were on my same flight.  Michael, Jen and their daughter Townes were so nice.   They produce advertisements and travel all over.  They have lived in Buenos Aires in the past so had great tips for me.   Dinner cost me $32 US and it was worth it.  Well it's 11:10 pm and I can't imagine what time that would be back home so I'd better turn in.  I want to spend a full day of sightseeing tomorrow as I have to leave for the ranch the following day.  Nighty night!

Arrival at Buenos Aires

Met this lovely couple from Toronto.  We were going to share a taxi into town but they were staying in a different part.  Was wonderful passing the time (almost one hour) with them while we waited for our taxi.    They only have a week but are staying in Buenos Aires for the week.  Hope to stay in touch.

South America here I come!

Leaving YVR.  First stop Toronto and then on to Buenos Aires.

And so my time in lovely Hawaii draws to a close....

This is habit forming.  Definitely coming back soon????

29th Annual Xmas Parade

Today we enjoyed the Xmas parade in Kona.  Great entertainment moved down Alii Drive as we enjoyed a wonderful meal of local Ahi tuna.  Tomorrow we're heading home.  So sad :(

Let it snow!

Here we are at the little known, best kept secret 69 Beach.  A little shopping, a little sun and snorkelling.  Perfect day.

Trip to Hawi

Today we drove north up the island to a small picturesque town called Hawi (pronounced Havi).  Just beautiful. Had lunch in the Bamboo Restaurant which is a local building over 100 years old then drove as far as you could go on the road to enjoy the view.  It's about 80 degrees during the day.  Just perfect.  Going snorkelling tomorrow.

Wyndham Royal Sea Cliff Resort

Life's tough but someone's got to do it!  Might as well be me.  This is a wonderful resort and the weather is nice and warm.  Anyone shovelling snow?

Lunch ... Oh so good!

Some of the local fish and a glass of crisp white wine.....sigh!  Oh it's soooooo....warm out!  

Hawaii here we come!

Ready for some sun and heat on the Big Island.  Can't wait!

and then we bid farewell to Vence...

The weather has been lovely and Bonita and I spent many an hour lazing around the pool but we still managed to get in one last day at the beach in Villefranche.  What a busy day it was!

 Our regular morning routine was having coffee while gazing out over the Mediterranean....how I am going to miss that!

On our last evening in Vence, Klaus (who owns La Gardiole) suggested we make a special dinner and have it on the terrace.  What a cook he is....the food was fantastic and we had a lovely time.

Getting every little bit out of the pan.

Cheers!  Huge prawns and white wine....mmmm...tres bon!













And this is where it ends....a fantastic six months in the south of France....this is one place I am definitely going to go back to!  A bientot!

Last few days in France..

Bonita, Judy and I visited Colle sur Loup for an artisan's exhibit and then went for dinner.  What a charming village.

Bonita and Judy strolling the market

Music to dine by!













and then more time at the beach in Villefranche...

Very busy day at the beach...hard to find a spot to sit.

Sooooooo....nice....but now it's time to head back home!

Last but not least....

My last visitor has arrived....Bonita is here and after recovering from her jet lag we are starting to explore.  Friday was Fete de Music which is a celebration of music held everywhere in France.  There was plenty of entertainment in Vence however we called it an early night due to jet lag....Bonita did really well in managing to stay awake until 10 p.m.

The best Coccocino - coffee and chocolate...mmmmm...good!

Wedding procession typical of old times taking place in the main square in the Old Town.

Sampling the market...so much fresh produce.

Some of the music performed....here we have cellos.
I love the sound with the old walls.

Lots of company the last few days....

Diane and Chris arrived and spent five days with me.  It was so much fun.

And then there were four!  Colette and Peter arrived in Vence...they stayed in town at the La Victoire Hotel

Fill'er up!  So handy that good, clean drinking water is available everywhere!

A day in Villefranche to enjoy the beach and dip our feet into the sea

Moules et frites!  Mussels and fries....very popular and really hit the spot after the beach.

Chris at the flower market in Old Town Nice...

Party time on the Promenade d'Anglais...different bands and entertainers

An afternoon at the hilltop castle in Cagnes sur Mer....great food, good company!

And then Chris and Diane picked up their rental car in Nice and headed off to Arles and more adventures....wish I could have gone with them!