Thursday, November 22, 2012

Van Hell Sing


Living out of a van is amazing, the ultimate freedom of just cooking, hanging out and sleeping comfortably where-ever I surf is awesome.

More van crew






Having different mates scattered along the coast from Angourie all the way up to the Sunny Coast - there's always someone to hangout and surf and jam with. There's a little van crew forming - and when we get together is vantastic.



After almost a month of hitching from New Brighton (thanks lads) to Byron everyday - finally getting wheels was epically liberating. I've been trying to stay really mobile and take advantage of all the great waves that litter the Far North Coast. Its amazing what you'll find if you go searching.


The heckler gets heckled

Lowds on the tune at work







VANREAL!!!












Monday, July 16, 2012

Our headquarters




The famous Evita
Around San Telmo

Downtown
Impressive buildings around San Telmo


We walk a lot around the city - taking in the sights
Peak hour at the Converse park
Coming back from the warm, sunny, surf rich coast of Peru to the chilly grey tones of Buenos Aires was a bit of a shock to the system - however I was super stoked to see my gal and catch up with the family again! They welcomed me back with open arms and plenty of meat, wine and cheese, which I always look forward to when returning from surf missions. I jumped straight back into the swing of things; found some locals to teach English to, skated the days away and hung out with Cata drinking Quilmes Stout and mani Japon (Japanese crunchy coated peanuts) after her long days at uni.
Throwy centraaaal




Tigre Delta

Mum
  
STEEL


Two families uniting

Centro

As half my family ( Mum, Dad and Benny) were finally coming to Argentina to get to know my parallel Latin existence, I was getting psyched to show them around and to explore parts of the countries I had never been. On their arrival they were frothing from the first minute and were constantly surprised by all the little cultural differences I have grown pretty used to. The weather was awesome for walking around and we enjoyed heaps of long nights at the Micozzi's with the wine flowing and the laughs erupting as the two colourful family's got to know each other.   
Empanadas and beer en la boca in La Boca

Amazing buildings in Plaza de Mayo
With mi hermano en La Boca
Stopping off in a little town on the road to enjoy some mate

mmm

Northern Argentinians

Epic craft work at 4200m altitude

Mi Papa jaja


Unfortunately Cata was buried under uni projects (...architecture...) and couldn't come away with us so we flew up to the Northern extremities of the country, not knowing what to expect. Landing in Salta around 2000kms later, it was great to breathe the fresh Andean air and see wide open spaces for the first time in a while. Walking around the city that day was like stepping into another world - the people looked and spoke different and seemed from a completely different culture. Cheap empanadas and Cervezas Saltas were on every corner and the backdrop of the city was beautiful coloured mountains.
Las Salinas Grandes

The highlight of our Northern trip was probably the surrounding provincial towns around Salta. The drive down to Cafayate was hands down the most epic stretch of road I've ever driven. Every step of the journey our eyes were blessed with these insane moonscapes emerging around every corner, with different coloured bizarre mountain formations tapering off into the horizon. We stopped on this picturesque river and had a picado with tasty cheese and salami and red wine, eagles were scouring the mountains above us as the glacial water gushed past.  
A salty freeze
Benny embracing the space


Amazing scenery in Juyjuy





Plaza at Salta





Overlooking Salta









That's me on the left - with the over-sized chin


















Pre-Incan rock art


 On the big drive up from Cafayate to Tilcara - the scenery changed yet again to cactus covered dusty hills and the altitude left us in need of more cocoa leaves (the raw ingredient of cocaine). We were constantly chewing the stuff which makes your mouth numb though works really well for altitude sickness! The little town was perched on a picturesque hillside and looked more like 1800s Incan village. The people were really warm and the surrounding hills were silent and stunning.








Roadside picnic

2 peso fried empanadas!!!