Celebrations all round

Happy New Year to you all. I spent my new years eve at Bariloche, an Argentian ski resort. its summer here at the mo and very hot (we had alot of sun - sorry Steph) so there is no skiing but there are loads and loads of chocolate shops to make up for it. The place looks like it is an Alpine village complete with Swiss chalets - It doesn´t look like it should be in the middle of South America! Obviously I had to toast the arrival of the new year with a couple of drinks. But seeing as I am with a large group of people, I also had to toast the arrival of the new year in each of their countries of origin. As we have Kiwi´s with us that meant having a drink at 8am local time (new years eve), going through all the other countries represented eg South America, Greece, Germany, England (at 9pm), Argentina obviously at midnight and then we kept going to try and mark the Canadian new year at 5am. I´m afraid to say I didn´t quite make it - but then again neither did the Canadians so I didn´t feel that bad.
Crossed the border yet again to Chile where I spent a couple of days relaxing upon a riverbank in the blazing sunshine. We then drove down Chile in the shadow of the beautiful Patagonian landscape. Its mountains, glaciers, ice blue streams and lakes not to mention thick lush forrestry as well. The road we are on has been called the most beautiful in the world and I can well believe that it is. The road is only accessible for 2 months each year during the height of summer - all other times it is a mud and ice road too dangerous to use. It was these surroundings that greeted me on my birthday. The truck I am on had been decorated with ribbons and balloons and I was made to wear a special pink crown for the day. Diane my tour leader had even baked and iced me a huge chocolate and caramel cake complete with candles. I doubt I will ever have a birthday with such a spectacular backdrop again - good job I made the most of it!