The End

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  Dublin, Ireland
Saturday, December 23, 2006

Despite not having written any travelogues Brian would like to have the last word. All the long distant bus trips in Argentina have provided him with the time to practice his blackjack skills and compile a few lists. So here goes:

TOP 10 FOOD

1. Argentine Steaks

The best beef in the world. So nice, so juicy, so massive! Ed summed it up best - he was in Argentina for 7 nights and had 6 steaks (and a whopper on the other day by all accounts!). Bife de Chorizo is a slab of sirloin the size of the plate and definitely our favourite. But don't miss out on the Bife de Lomo, Asado and various other BBQed bits of cow.

2. Steamboat, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Makes the top 10 for the experience as much as the food. A huge bot of boiling stock on the table and trays of noodles, veg and meat to cook in it. Dinner lasted about 4 hours.

3. Thai Green and Red Curries

One for when United are playing and one for when Ireland are playing.

4. Aussie Seafood BBQ

Cooked on the BBQ in Port Douglas - shrimps, tuna, etc. Bruno and Bella's barrimundi was bleedin brilliant.

5. Sausage Sizzles, New Zealand

A great New Zealand fundraiser. Not a Saturday afternoon shopping went by at the local version of Woodies DIY without the scouts (or underwater hockey team - true!) having a sausage sizzle. One dollar for a BBQed sausage on a slice of bread. Beats a crappy daffodil for your coat any day.

6. Bruno's Fajitas, Sydney

In here as a staple for any visitors to us in Woolloomooloo. Would surely have been a hit with Chef Ramsey if I'd got on to Hell's Kitchen.

7. Raw Fisha and Sea Urchins, Bay of Islands, NZ

Taste was fairly average to be honest and I don't know how the Japs do it but we did catch the stuff ourselves!

8. Evil Jungle Curry, Thailand

We were warned off it twice by the waiter which only made us more determined. Even the chef came out to see if we could eat it. Managed to hold it down.

9. Simon's Pasta Bake, NZ

Included for sentimental reasons. We were honoured to sample the famed "third dinner date" - lucky us! On a harsher note, could have done with some meat or veg!

10. Josie/Sinead/Fearghal's Special, OZ

Pasta and beans...............and nothing else! Solely for when the times were hard travelling up the east coast of OZ. The low point of the whole trip. If this were a Top 1,000 list, this 'dish' would still be last!

Ciara: I have to admit I agree with Bruno on most of the above. I just can't figure out why none of my dishes made the list!

Top 5 Sports (and Australian Rules)

1. Football: River Plate V Gymnasia, La Monumental, Buenos Aires (venue for the 1978 World Cup Final). Number one for the fans and the fire brigade!

2. Rugby Union: All Blacks V South Africa, House of Pain, Dunedin. Saw the All Blacks win the match of the year. Pity about the arrogant tosser supporters!

3. Thai Boxing: Bangkok. The boxing was great but watching the frantic locals (including the police) gambling was better!

4. Test Cricket: Australia V Pakistan, Sydeny Cricket Ground. The seats should rotate 180 degrees because once the locals have downed a few schooners of beer all the action happens in the stands with singing, beach ball throwing and beer cup stacking competitions. The huge screen will show a reply if something happens out on the pitch.

5. Rugby League: Roosters V Broncos, Aussie Stadium, Sydney. Great cheerleaders!

Good but not on the list: some good Super 12 NSW Warratahs Games.

N.B. Last on any list is the Aussie Rules. Sydney Swans V Someone else. Crap sport! Best thing about it is the referees prancing about like Bangkok lady-boys.

And so the end is here. 14 months, 7 countries and 4 hair cuts later and what have I got to show for it? An extra stone of me is the obvious answer. There's over four thousand photos to be developed and a backpack full of scruffy clothes all fit for the bin. Bruno's bag never arrived in Gatwich airport so he doesn't even have any scruffy clothes. It's time to hang up the flip-flops/thongs/jandles and return to a life-style that involves having clean feet for the majority of the time. It's good to be back.