Sat 29th Oct 2005

This will be kept quite brief as it's been a tiring day, so don't feel like a lot of anti social typing.
Had to check-out of room by 10 so up after another great nights kip in our luxury. Left easily and tried to find a bank. Sussed that and got another 300 Peso's (£50) before getting subway to end of line as it doesn't go that far out of downtown. even that far out you are still well in the shopping areas. Took a wander along the road trying to suss whether to risk a taxi when a local asked us where we wanted to go and he said this bus takes you to that area and we boarded with him. Again it was friendly advice, and we left the bus as adviced but still in middle of nowherecompared to where we wanted to get.

Wandered again and found a 'remise' taxi office where you book a ride in advance, and a local driver took us to Sandra and Javiers place ( the bus was 1.60 which was well cheap) The taxi was 6 which was also excellent at just over a £.

A general note here. The prices are quoted in $, and that's how I'll start writting it, but it is peso's, US$ have to be written with the US in front – a mistake we made with a taxi before we knew – big difference !

We were warmly greated by S&J and a group of Leo's - two of them, and a third later! They were working to finish the details on the accommodation, we're the first paying guests I think. S&J really live up to their mantle of brilliant people. They must truly have helped a lot of people selflessly in their time.

The accommodation is basic, in the manner of a hostel or bunkbarn, two sets of bunks, a kitchen area, a toilet and shower and a motorcycle workshop attached (of course that is the business area) The accommodation isn't really a business as much as something to help travellers.

S&J Moto Hotel

During day some curtains were erected to sheild the hotel from the shop and up at the window. With just us here it is great, tommorrow a German couple will be in too - lucky we have our beach towels on the lower bunks. We had pizzas and entranados together at lunch and then Marco from Switerland turned up after three weeks of riding up to Uraguay and around Igzuma falls and today back from Azul. he is 23 and has already been for few months before...having traveeled through Russia before SA. He leaves the bike here and returns for more riding in a while. well travelled man, as are most of the people we meet - and here we are not even having a bike yet and already so much adventure.

It is becoming very clear that our thoughts of riding round a large portion of SA are pure fantasy ! Unless we want to ride like Kevin and Julia Saunders who rode Alaska to Ushuaia in 37 odd days we won't be getting to half the places we thought. Still you live and learn I guess, and we'll see how we go on the road. Lots of advice and we'd be foolish to ignore it all.

Javier is fortunately in very good spirit after the loss of his father and they are still apologetic about the problems we had - simply no need to even consider us we keep telling them.

Marco has a flight at 1pm tomorrow and will be getting up at 9, but even after his several hundred kms today still has gone out to see friends and will not be back before we're in bed !

Even though we have done very little it has been quite a taxing day and we're both knackered and glad of a little bit of calm just now...if you ignore the dogs howling in the background. Apart from the dogs it is much quieter out here. Lets hope none of the rsesidents who share this place snore eh !

For our tea we had a fantastic fruit bread (Raisens and apricots) and bread a cheese spread and crisps - easy option. And found some more 'dark' lagers. The one tonight Brahman Bock, at 6.3% and very pleasant, a 970 cm bottle ( funny size, must be a SA imperial option) cost $3.30, in my maths that's only 66p.

A footnote for later - must mention mate - that's pronouced mat eh - it's a tea drink...ish !