Buenos Aires Again

This time would be my third time landing in Buenos Aires. The first was flying from Kuala Lumpur, second time was on transit from Santa Cruz to Rio de Janeiro and the third time, which is also the last time for this trip. Buenos Aires, the largest and also the capital city for Argentina located on the southern shore of Rio de la Plata, which is also daddy's favourite city in South America.

But this trip, the city isn't so cheap anymore compared to 4 years ago when daddy was there. Four years ago, daddy could have a set of Parilladas for 2 with a personal wine bottle for 18 pesos but this trip, the minimum would be around 40 pesos (50 pesos at the same exact restaurant along Lavelle Street). This city is no longer as cheap as how daddy thought it would be, but anyhow it is still a charming city with lots to offer, from food to nightlife to tango!

Anyway, it was a slow day since daddy wasn't feeling well and did not want to do anything too tiring. So we walk around Av. Florida till Casa Rosada and visited the Metropolitan Cathedral, before going back to the apartment to rest. Before walking back to the apartment, mommy went to Zara and bought some dress and shirts for me. Mommy also bought a jacket from Montagne since mommy never had a winter jacket before and it would be useful to cold countries.

Lunch : Oats
Dinner : Porridge

Some photos taken today



Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Leaving for Buenos Aires

(view from the apartment - 703)

We left Rio de Janeiro today after spending 4 days here. It was a good stay except for the terrible weather until today when we left, bright sunny day. I could see both the Christ and Sugarloaf from afar clearly.

Daddy did not wake up today until around noon unlike me and mommy which got up early thought of walking on the beach but it rained for a while in the morning so I stayed in the apartment with mommy packing the bags. Then around noon, mommy starting waking daddy up since the car rental time was up and daddy needs to return the car before noon.

After checking-out from the apartment we took a taxi to the airport at 1530hrs for our flight at at 1835hrs since daddy was afraid we might missed the flight due to traffic congestions. We got to the airport in 45mins and checked into the our flight without any problem even our luggage was slightly overweight due to daddy's coca-cola bottle.

The food serve today was much better than both flight I had, Santa Cruz to Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. Both flight, we were only served with sandwiches but to daddy and mommy surprise we were given pasta instead this time.

We arrived in Buenos Aires at 2150hrs and checked into our apartment by 2300hrs without any problem.

Lunch : Porridge
Dinner : Oat

Some photos taken today


Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

O Christo Redentor

Since we did not manage to visit it yesterday daddy said we will have to visit it today as we will be leaving tomorrow and this will be the last full day we will be spending in Rio de Janeiro. Today, the weather isn't very good either or it hasn't been good at all since we arrived. We left around 1000hrs this morning hoping that the sky would be good but it was worst than yesterday. It was so cloudy that we could not even see the sugarloaf at all and only part of Copacabana.

The drive up was easy and daddy used a different route since daddy did not want to drive through the city as the traffic out was quite bad leading to the tunnel. When we got to the foot of the Corcovado, there were some guys try to stop daddy from driving up but luckily we drove up a day earlier and knew it was possible to drive all the way to the ticketing counter. There was no problem driving up except there has been a landslide a couple hours ago but it was cleared by the time we were driving up.

The entrance was only 14 reals which the entrance and transportation up to the main entrance or you can pay 30 reals by train, which take a longer time but supposingly more scenic. We opted for the van and in a few minute I was up looking up at the second wonder of the world, Christ the Redeemer, build in the 1930s. This statue stand at 130ft atop a 2300ft Mount Corcovado. In 2007, Christ The Redeemer was voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

We did not stay too long here since it was too cloudy and daddy thought it would be nice to take a drive to the city instread, and visit Carioca Aqueduct, which was build in the 18th century, bringing in fresh water from the Carioca River to the city population. Now it longer served as an aqueduct but a tram bridge connecting the Lapa and Santa Theresa neighbourhood.

We walk around centro but daddy was afraid to take photos since he did not feel safe carrying the camera openly.

Later in the afternoon, daddy thought to drive to South America's largest malls, Barra Shopping, but it was a total dissapointment, it wasn't as big how its being advertise. There were nothing much to buy and a total waste of time. The restaurant isn't that interesting either, I would suggest Rio Sul anytime for mall shopping in Rio de Janeiro.

As we were driving back to the apartment, daddy saw the Hard Rock Cafe and could not resist stopping over to check it out. Mommy wasn't so keen since I was already sleeping but daddy insist to have a look since we are already here.

Since daddy did not manage to get any souvenirs from Rio and it would be our last night in Brasil, daddy was determine to get a few souvenirs from friends so we drove to the night street market along the Copacabana beach.

Lunch : Oats
Dinner : Cereals

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

My First Helicopter Ride!

Daddy woke up late today since daddy did not sleep for more than 24 hours since we left La Paz. Mommy had to wake daddy up to send the cloths to laundry! Today started with daddy checking out the price of car rental prices since it would be easier and safer to drive around Rio. Daddy got a, Fiat Palio Mark IV 1.0, Four Door hatchback. It a small but powerful car since daddy manage to drive up to the entrance of Christ The Redeemer (O Cristo Redentor).

After getting the car, we drove to the Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar) mountain cable car station ($30 Reals per person) which is located not far from our apartment in Copacabana. Daddy thought we were going to spend a couple of hours up in the mountain but we spend almost 4 hours up there. The sky wasn't very good and we had to wait for the cloud to pass before we could take photos. But it was definately an experience going up to this city icon. When we were on the way down to Morro da Urca, daddy wanted to try the heli ride arond Christ The Redeemer, one of the seven wonder of the world.

After that we took the cable car back to the car deciding to visit Christ The Redeemer but the weather was so bad and it was getting dark, daddy decided to go the next day. Hopefully the sky will be clear and daddy remembers to bring the zoom lenses. Then daddy thought of driving to Centro for some food but we got lost and ended up in one of the suburd. Anyway it was an interesting day out.

Tomorrow, daddy will be trying his luck and hopefully the sky would be clear for Chrst The Redeemer and also visit Lapa, a colonial aquaduct and maybe some shopping in Barra Shopping, supposingly the largest shopping mall in Latin America! Supposingly 6 times larger than the Asia largest, Future Park Rangsit in Bangkok.

Lunch : Porridge
Dinner : Oat



Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Arriving in Rio De Janeiro

It was a short rest before I woke up again to take another flight to Rio de Janeiro on the worst airline so far I have taken on this trip. My flight was at 0610 and we arrived in Rio de Janeiro at 0930. Again on this flight again, daddy and mommy only had the choice of tea, coffee or water! not even coke. Anyway arriving in the capital of Carnival was exciting since daddy wanted to be come in his previous trip but daddy went to Foz do Iguacu. Me and daddy had some problem with the immigration again, (previously daddy had his problem in Chui) they asked for the visa! which obviously we did not need one. When we got to the apartment office! It was a sunday so no one was actually working and we had to wait for another hour or so to get it sorted out. But the apartment I got was nice and clean, with a small kitchen that mommy could cook for me as well.

Since daddy had not sleep the whole day, it was a quiet day until the evening when daddy took me out shopping at Rio Sul, which is about 10mins walk away but we took a cab instead which cost us 7 Reals.

Rio Sul is a nice shopping mall with some nice restaurants located on the second floor, but the price of goods wasn't very tempting though but mommy did buy me a toothpaste, First Teeth, which daddy has been looking for quite some time now. Anyway the shopping mall closes at 2100hrs and we only spend just less than 2 hours here.

Tomorrow I will be starting my sightseeing, first to the Sugar Loaf and then to see Christ The Redeemer, but it will all depends on the weather if its going to be clear day unlike today! No sign of the statue all the way from the airport to the apartment.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today



Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Breakfast in La Paz, Lunch in Santa Cruz, Dinner in Buenos Aires

It was a full day travelling again today. We started off with a wake up call at 0545hrs for a pick-up to the airport at 0630hrs for our flight departing at 0830hrs for Santa Cruz on AeroSur, which was pretty good eventhough it was flying with an old 727. We were served with some cookies and bread for this flight, arriving in Santa Cruz at 0930hrs.

In Santa Cruz, we took a taxi out to the main plaza, Plaza de Armas, but there isn't much to offer in this largest city (in Bolivia). So took another taxi back to Viru Viru International Airport at 1300hrs to check for our flight at 1600hrs bound for Buenos Aires. The security check was very tight, daddy has never been to another security check like this before.

Anyway our flight on Aerolineas Argentinas wasn't very pleasant, it was a 3 hours flight but the service on board were almost similar to an hour flight services. Daddy was surprise that the airline only served sandwiches with either, Tea, Coffee and Water. No other drinks with available! Anyway, the flight was arrived in Buenos Aires on scheduled and we checked into Santo Hostal, which was introduced by the cab driver. Stayed for a couple of hours before we left to the airport for our flight bound to Rio de Janeiro at 0610hrs on June 22.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today








Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

A Day In La Paz

Daddy got up early since daddy had to check the airticket from La Paz to Rio deJaneiro since daddy hope to arrive in Rio tomorrow. There was a few optionflying there, but all flights will have to go via Santa Cruz (VVI) Airport,
1) Santa Cruz - Ascunsion (Paraguay) - Sao Paulo - Rio
2) Santa Cruz - Ascunsion (Paraguay) - Ciudad del Este = Foz do Iguacu - Rio
3) Santa Cruz - Buenos Aires - Rio

For flight 1 and 2, the earlier available would be on Monday, June 23 so daddydecided to fly with Aerolineas with a night stopever in Buenos Aires. I will beable to arrive at Rio de Janeiro on June 22 morning.

After getting the airticket sorted, daddy took the walking tour suggested in theguidebook, it was uphill, downhill but most of it were walking pass through the city commercial area, reminding daddy of Bangkok's Chinatown (Yaowarat). It tookus about 3 hours to finish the walk, including a little shopping and snack at Copacabana Fried Chicken. It ended at Plaza Murillo, where the Presidencial Palace and Congress Building is located.

Tomorrow I will be in Buenos Aires again.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today





Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Into Bolivia

(sunset at Copacabana, Bolivia)

Daddy thought that going into Bolivia would be hassle free, but it turn out to bequite difficult since they needed a confirm return ticket, hotel confirmedreservation inside Bolivia, Yellow Fever Vaccination Card, photos, and photocopypassport. We could have been able to get the visa within minutes if we had submitted all the documents but it took us more than 4 hours before we got our visa.

We arrived at the consulate at 0930hrs with photos and passport and did not have any others since an agent told us not to worry as it would be able to settle it. So we trusted him but we were told to come back with an hotel confirmation and the yellow fever card. We then took taxi to the city hospital to get a vaccination which was not difficult and fast, which only cost 3 Soles per person instead of RM300 to get one in Malaysia.

Anyway, we only manage to get our visa stamped around 1330hrs and had to rushed tothe bus station since the departure was at 1430hrs on Trans Titicaca. The first half of the bus ride was interesting since daddy got a seat for me after the experience I had on the Cusco to Puno bus ride. We arrived at the Peruvian CIQ at 1700hrs andcleared the Bolivian CIQ by 1845hrs (Bolivian Time - One Hour Ahead) which was located 150m apart. Second half of the bus ride was quite tricky since we had tochanged into a smaller provincial bus in Copacabana with all our luggages beingstuff on the roof of the bus. It was a horrible ride, going up to almost 14,000ft in a cramp bus. Daddy almost fainted when he was sandwiched between two Andean woman smells of "garlic, onions and chilli".

Half way to La Paz, we were all told to get off the bus and go onto a boat to crossthe Titicaca lake which cost another 3 Bolivianos (Bs) per person. It was almostlike forcing everyone to get off and go on the boat. The bus was suppose to arrivedat 2100hrs but it did not arrive until 2200hrs. The whole journey took about 7hours. I would not suggest anyone taking the Trans Titicaca eventhough if you are travelling with a child.

Check into Sagarnaga Hotel, by 2230hrs. Tomorrow daddy would have to check theairticket from La Paz to Rio de Janeiro.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Cusco To Puno

We woke up very early this morning to catch the bus from Cusco to Puno, which islocated about 400km south east of Cusco. Puno is located on the coast of Lake Titicaca, South America's largest lake and also the world's highest navigatablelake.

This journey started at 0730hrs with 6 stops along the way. The first stop, whichis a colonial church located at Andahuaylillas. This church was build by the spaniards and it is supposingly the Sistine Chapels of The Americas. Inside this church there are variety of painting and murals dating back to the 16th and 17th century with a dash of moorish architecture.

The second stop, Raqchi, an Incan temple dedicated to Wiracocha, the supreme god of the inkas, which is build with stones and muds. On the wall of the temple, painting of the Inca cross is still visible. The wall in this temple is supossingly to divide the temple to left and right, just like Cusco is divided by Avenue Del Sol.The division line is base on the Incan astrological. The temple is located next to theinkas highway.

The next stop was lunch at Sichuani in a nice restaurant with buffet lunch served.After lunch, we were stopped at Artesanias Q'ori Choccllo, an interesting houserepresenting a home of an incan family.

On the fifth stop would be, La Raya, the highest pass from Cusco to Puno at 4,335mor approx. 14,000ft with snow peaks as the background.

The last stop would be Pukkara, an archeological site consisting of pyramid structure dating back to 4000BC and this is the first sign of civilised culture in the Peruvian history.

We arrived in Puno on schedule at 1700hrs and checked in Monterrey Hostal. Its along and tired day, luckily I had a seat to myself and had no problem sleeping throughout the way.

Tomorrow, I will be heading to La Paz if everything goes out well.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Cusco Attractions

After relaxing for a day daddy thought it was time to visit the attractions nearCusco. Initially daddy was thinking of leaving in the morning by renting a van butbecause daddy did not return back to the hostel early this morning, it would be mucheasier to join a city tour, which was a bad choice.

We left the hostal around 1130hrs and walk straight to the tour company which daddywanted to buy the bus ticket for Cusco - Puno. They also had daily tour as wellwhich they charged USD8.00 per person (I am not included). It was totally waste of money since it was only for the guide and transportation, Since we did not want tothe whole trip, we only started the tour at 1530hrs for the last 4 attractions which cost another 40/S for mommy and daddy,
1) Sacsayhuaman (Sexy Woman)
2) Q'enko
3) Puca Pucara
4) Tambo Machay


Since we have a couple of hours to spare before going joining the group, daddydecided to walk to the market and tried the steam chicken noodle, which was actuallyquite good except for the oily soup.

The van was supposed to pick us up at the cathedral at 1530hrs but did not arriveuntil around 1545hrs. The ride to the first site, Sacsyhuaman was quite interestingsince it was going uphill but unfortunately this tour did not included the Jesusstatue next to it, daddy should have ask them since Uncle Edmund mention about it.

After Sacsyhuaman, we continue another 2 more ruins, until the last which is, , andlocated at 12,000ft, the highest of the 4 ruins. Thy to spot the thumb and thefinger with a bangle in the wrist.

After days of having, roast pollo (chicken), lomo (beef), mommy suggested to have korean food instead, but daddy actually wanted to have some isrealis food.


Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today,





Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

Seven Wonders Of The World

Finally daddy arrived at his main highlight of this trip, Machu Picchu which was voted as one of the New Wonders of the World on July 7, 2007.

We woke up around 0530hrs and hopefully we could catch one of the earliest busses up to the main gate of the ruins. But as usual, we only manage to leave the hotel around 0700hrs and arrive at the main gate just before 0730hrs. The ride up okay but it would have been better if the road were tarred. The entrance to this park isn't very impressive, only an office with a small booth to check the entrance passes.

I was greeted to the beautiful scenery and obviously the ruins. There are a few walk to take but daddy took the long circuit, which took us nearly 4 hours to finish which include me having my breakfast there. There has been 2 theories about the contruction of this complex, one is being a the control centre during the heights of the Inca Empire and another would be a settlement to house serious criminal offender. It started off with steep climb into the Hut of The Caretaker of the Funenary Rock to see the famous view of Machu Picchu.

Daddy took the following route,

1) Hut of The Caretake of the Funenary Rock

2) Royal Palace

3) House of the High Priest

4) Sacred Plaza

5) Temple of Three Windows

6) Principle Temple

7) Sacristy

8) Intihuatana

9) The Three Doorway

10) Residential Sector

11) Industrial Sector

12) The Mortars

13) The Prison Group

14) Temple of Condor

Daddy initially wanted to try climbing the Huayna Picchu (Wayna Picchu) but the queue was too long and it was lucky that daddy did not climb since it rained immediately we arrived back in Aguas Calientes. The climbed would have taken 1 hour up and 1 hour down.

We arrived back at Agua Calientes at about 1200hrs and went immediately for lunch and we were stuck there for hours since it rained and did not stopped until we board out train bound for Cusco. Initially daddy thought it would be good idea to have a dip at the hot spring but it rained so we stayed around the hostal until the train departure time at 1703hrs.

The train ride back to Cusco wasn't as good as the ride from Ollay since it was full and the seats were unable to recline as well. I was crying all the time until daddy had to give me his seat so I could sleep better. The journey took very much longer than expected, maybe because everyone were tired. We did not finish the journey to Cusco as we got off in Poroy as the is a bus that cost NPS4 per person and only took 10mins from the train station to Cusco, at Plaza Regocijo.

An exciting but extremely tired day!

Lunch : Cereal
Dinner : Milk

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow. (more than 200 photos)

Today's Movie -

Leaving For Machu Picchu

We got up early this morning again to catch our flight from Lima to Cusco before connecting to Aguas Calientes with Perurail. We left the hotel at 0700hrs to the airport for 0930hrs Star Peru flight. We arrived in Cusco at 1030hrs and daddy got immediately got a vehicle to take us to the train station to collect our train ticket, Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and Aguas Calientes to Cusco. But it did not go well as the agent inside the airport did not keep her promises for all the arrangement. So instead we got another taxi to send us to Ollantaytambo to catch the train at 1858hrs. It was a 2 hours taxi ride to Ollantaytambo but the scenery were fantastic.

We arrive at Ollantaytanbo at 1630hrs after all the delays. Daddy wanted to visit one of the ruins in the city but unfortunately the train station was too far away and needed a pass which cost USD12 for entry! Instead we waited around the train station for 2 hours before boarding the train to Aguas Calietes.

The train ride took slightly more than 2 hours, arriving at Aguas Calientes at 2130 and our hostal did not come to the train station to meet but everything got sorted out and check into the rooms without and problem.

Tomorrow morning I will be heading up to one of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. Daddy got the entrance tickets for NPS122 per person excluding the USD14.00 bus fare up to the main gate.

Lunch :
Dinner :

Some photos taken today





Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

More Perurian Pyramids

As planned, we went to Huaca Pucllana just after breakfast. It was about fifteen minute walk from Ovalo and daddy saw a 4 month old boutique hotel, Hotel Habitat, along Ave. Arequipa (about 5mins walk from Ovalo or 5 blocks away).

Huaca Pucllana is about 1700yrs ago and it was use as a ceremonial ground for sacrificing young women! luckily they do not do it anymore but anyway I am too young. Bodies of young women, as young as 12 years old was found at the base of the main ground just next to the main entrance. There is a guided tour in English, which lasted about 45mins. Entrance is S/6 for adult and free for baby! In this site, you can also find 3 hairless dog, some alpaca, llama and cuy.

After that as we were walking to catch a taxi to Huaca Hullamarca, we got into a very good pollo and parilla restaurant, Las Canastas, excellent pork chop and sauces!

We then took a taxi to Huaca Huallamarca, which is about 2000 years old and fully excavated site located in San Isidro. There is a ramp that lead you up all the way to the top of the pyramid and quite a view of San Isidro. S/4 for adult, and free for baby but without a guide. The museum has a few peruvian mummy excavated from this burial ground.

Lunch : Cereal and Milk
Dinner : Porridge

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow.

Today's Movie -

First Day In Lima

I think I am still stuck to my Malaysian Time routine as I woke up at 0630hrs this morning while daddy just slept around 0300hrs and the worst was I refused to let either mommy or daddy to continue sleeping. Initially we were suppose to meet up with Uncle Calvin and Anuty Irene at 1000hrs but instead, mommy started knocking their door at 0830hrs! It was lucky that mommy and daddy had their breakfast earlier we manage to join a city tour to Pachacamac which start at 1000hrs.

The tour to Pachacamac took 3 hours, starting off with Miraflores City Hall on Mirabus open-top bus. The bus took a drive to Huaca Pucllana and then via Diagonal to get onto Circuitos de Playas Highway (Pacific Ocean Coastal Highway). Pachacamac "literally translated to he who created land and time" Temple has been a ceremonial centre for about 1000years before the expansion of the Inca Empire. Daddy wanted to very much to view the excavated and reconstructed Palacio de Las Mamacunas (House of the Choosen Woman) but unfortunately this guided tour only stopped to explore the ruins Templo del Sol (The Sun Temple). Since I slept as soon as I got onto the bus, only waking up after the Templo del Sol tour, I stayed in the bus having my milk while waiting for daddy to come back. The tour ended at exactly 1300hrs and daddy would highly recommend this trip. Bring along a wind breaker if you are going to seat on top during winter! and becareful of the tree branches as well.

Daddy wanted to walk to Huaca Pucllana but because Uncle Calvin needed to change the room, so instead, we went on the hostal shopping! hopefully tomorrow we will be able to cover both Huaca and Central Lima before heading back for some shopping at Larcomar. So instead, after checking into the new room at Hostal Schell, mommy took me to Bata along Larco Ave and got me a new leather boot on then we walk over to the Mercado del Indios (Indian Market) for some souvenir shopping.

Lunch : Oats
Dinner : Cereals

Some photos taken today

Click here for more photos in slideshow (200 photos)

Today's Movie -

(local time 0326hrs)