TravelStream™ news feed for member debstew on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/debstew en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:27:32 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1178745840/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1178745840/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1178745840/tpod.html Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:27:32 -0400 2 Weeks in South America for Rally of Argentina

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Auckland, New Zealand

Back to NZ and straight to school... very tired!!!

Stew off to Rally whangarei...


ended up doing very well!
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Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina

Hi there!

Yes well Miriam and I are rather anxious as the rally car has still not arrived in Buenos Aries (BA) scruteneering, I think, is supposed to be today... wont be able to have that done so are applying for a late check after the first special stage when the car gets here to Villa C.P. Stewart seems relaxed and left early for recce with Warwick. I think right now all they are thinking about is writing their own notes, will be a great challenge for them.

Last night (Sunday) Miriam, myself and Kelly (Andrew Hawkeswood) went into town at 7.00pm, as shops don't open till 5.00pm and were hugely surprised about the number of people on the streets... it was so busy. Still haven't bought much yet.

Oh yeah, at lunch yesterday, Henning and Petter Solberg walked past and gave us a friendly greeting, I was wondering whether he recognised us from the night before because I had challenged Petter to show us some of his disco moves.... apparently he used to be a Champion disco dancer!!!

Anyway, the rest of the team arrived last night and we had an amazing dinner... meat christening, as Argentina is supposed to have the best meat in the world. I had Llama Ribs... they were nice, but a little fatty. They don't have veges in this country!!

Well take care all

Cross fingers that the car arrives soon.... by thursday it will be too late....!!!
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Cordoba, Argentina

A very early start of 3.30am our taxi/tour driver Christian was early and cheerful, apparently after dropping us off he is going to make a 300 km trip south to see his wife and 2 daughters, how sweet. Then back to Santiago the next day for more tours.

Back to us, we had no problems at the airport until they wouldn't check Logan in as they couldn't see whether he had paid for his flight so had to purchase a new ticket.... rather expensive.

We had a long wait but managed to fill in the time by ordering some breakfast. We had cheese and ham toasted sandwiches, very tasty, we ordered by looking and pointing to someone else's breakfast.

After breakfast we bumped into a large group of English speakers,who could only be associated with rallying, considering their behaviour, clothing and volume and who by chance happenedto be part of the team who were using the same container as us to get their car to Argentina. Entertaining bunch.

The plane trip was pretty comfortable, a relatively new plane, bigger seats. The flight was very short, around 1 hour 20 mins. We had a spectacular views of the Andes amongst the clouds and Stewart spotted some mines, he was pretty excited about that.

Arriving in Cordoba, we hadn't really thought about how we were going to get to Villa Carlos Paz, the city we were staying in for the week. As luck would have it, Andrew Hawkeswood and Neil Allport were there to pick up that group of lads we had met earlier and we hitched a lift with them. Stewart was driving one of the cars that had been hired, it was really budget and I don't think he was impressed with the lack of power steering, electric windows and air conditioning. As usual a bit of a race and boys fun driving to our village... we made it but it was interesting.

Our impression of Argentina so far is that is is much greener, and more like NZ than Chile. Villa Carlos Paz is stunning with lovely scenery and atmosphere!

Can't wait to do some exploring.

Last night, all very surreal, we went to a local club and spent the night drinking with all the top rally drivers in the world. Stewart made quite a connection with Daniel Elena, Sebastian Loeb's co-driver. All the big names were there, Danny Sordo (Miriam thinks he is very very hot!!), Mikko Hirvonen, Petter Solberg, Seb Loeb plus co-drivers and the number one mechanics and engineers for the big teams. Quite cool!

I have attached some photo's.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177768800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177768800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177768800/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 10:10:16 -0400 2 Weeks in South America for Rally of Argentina

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Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile

Christian - our Chilean Guide, great sense of humour and good English.

He looked after us for two days. The first day we went to a wine school outing place. First place to be set up as a teaching facility. Quite interesting learning about their wine making methods. The rest of the day we saw some great sites of Santiago, including the hill in the middle of the city where you could see the Andes.. very impressive. Really itchy eyes because of the terrible smog.

Too many Pisco sours for Debbie - not a well lass the next day!

However, the show must go on. The next day we went to a really flash winery and tried some spectacular wine and were hosted by a very hot Chilean man, he is a ski instructor in the winter and had many other great qualities.... Debbie soon perked up!

We then went to Valparaiso a huge city by the sea and drove around and saw the typical brightly coloured buildings. The city is built on very steep surrounding ranges. The roads are so steep, they would give that road in Dunedin a run for its money for a steepness competition. Very expensive land and houses here despite them looking very tatty and run down. This is a very popular tourist destination. We then went on to vino del mar, a more modern city, basically still attached to Valparaiso but the buildings are much newer.

Back to Santiago and hopefully off to tea soon, I´m hoping for pizza.

Later!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177610400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177610400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177610400/tpod.html Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:24:49 -0400 2 Weeks in South America for Rally of Argentina

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Santiago, Chile

This trip is totally different to our big one a couple of years ago. Much more relaxing. We are using taxis, not wasting half a day figuring out the public transport system and walking miles to find our hostel. Got a cab, managed to fit all of our bags in the boot of the car, incredible considering all of us have over packed.

Hotel is so luxurious, Stewart and I can´t believe it and are loving it. Really it is nothing amazing but so much better than mixed dorms in backpackers around the world.

We did some street wandering, a little paranoid about muggers etc, as we have heard so many atrocious stories. We were fine, but did get heaps of interesting looks!

Had dinner very early around half 6 the restaurant was dead quiet, the waiters found it funny but we enjoyed our meat!!!!

Off to the hotel bar after this and enjoyed the local drink Pisco sour! mmmm not so sure about this!

Logan didn´t turn up, one of his flights were late and he missed is connection through to Santiago, he spent 21 hours in Dallas airport... over night.... with no money, carry on luggage or anything .. poor lad!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177541400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177541400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/wrc_argentina/1177541400/tpod.html Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:59:16 -0400 2 Weeks in South America for Rally of Argentina

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Auckland, New Zealand

Met up with Miriam and Warwick (stewarts co-driver). Ready for a flight of 10 hours to Chile.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1158891360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1158891360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1158891360/tpod.html Tue, 10 Oct 2006 22:25:42 -0400 Round the World via Asia, Russia, Europe, UK and USA

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Nelson, New Zealand

Hi all,

Great weather here, beautiful Hawkes bay sun.. yay.

Thought you would like to see some picks of stewart and rally... he did very well at this rally coming 2nd overall in the National championship... Fantastic for a rookie.

Hope all is well.

Deb and stew
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1150771920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1150771920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1150771920/tpod.html Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:47:25 -0400 Round the World via Asia, Russia, Europe, UK and USA

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Te Awanga, New Zealand

Wow we are just so lucky. Stewart and I have a lovely place in Te Awanga on the waterfront. It has been a little noisey but I love it all the same.

School is very busy. Holidays coming up, yay. I don't have much planned. R and R I think. Maybe I will go skiing in the second week. THere has been heaps of snow so should be worth a shot.

I have attached some photos of school and the view from our place.

Might encourage some of you guys to pop over here.

Debbie
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1143332700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1143332700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1143332700/tpod.html Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:04:37 -0500 Round the World via Asia, Russia, Europe, UK and USA

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Tauranga, New Zealand

A fantastic weekend. Stewart and his co-driver Warwick Searle lead from stage 1 and brought the win home. Stoked. First win for Stewart and first win for a Mitzy Evo9 in NZ!

The weather was great, roads were a little rutty and dusty but all ok in the end.

I was support crew, kept them fed and their moral up. Trevor also competed and came in a pleasing 12th. Both cars completed the event without any scrapes, stoked.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1142383980/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1142383980/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/debstew/debstew_2005/1142383980/tpod.html Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:00:11 -0500 Round the World via Asia, Russia, Europe, UK and USA

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Hamilton, New Zealand

An amazing wedding. I was honoured to be part of the wedding party. Here are some photo's.
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