The Petrified Forest

So on through Patagonia, via Santa Cruz on our way to Ushuaia. Boiling hot day and 600km to cover we take a teatime break near Fitz Roy to see the natural monument - Petrified Forest. Between two volcanoes lies the remains of a fossilised jurrasic forest covering 15000 hectares. Due to the volcanic minerals the wood was fossilised, many huge coniferous tree trunks have been uncovered, many still lie under the surface. They have amazing colours, almost like brown gemstones and are easily the width of a car. Although a hot walk, it's well recommended. Dont remove any stones though - its punishable by a prison sentence. Jenna was strip searched on the way out because a guide saw her bend down and touch a pebble.

Just round the corner we found a small campsite (of the kind where a flushing toilet qualifies you as a campsite even ifs its never seen bleach) and set up camp.

There's been a running theme the past couple of weeks, an obsession with 'molitos' (armadillos). For a strange reason we all have a fondness for the strange creatures - so imagine - first surprise, then horror, then simple fascination as two locals were BBQing freshly caught & killed molitos. Everone jumped out the truck and started questioning (a sharp stick through the top of the head then slit the throat if you're wondering). In my personal inspection, only bowels are removed prior to cooking, eaten with head & offal!

When in Rome - yeah, I tried it, piece the size of a pea, tastes like 100yr old red meat with salt and fish. Ollie who had been coo-ing over and hand feeding these cuties the day before was happily knawing his way through a leg, skin, claws n' all. He liked it. I didn't eat much for tea - felt sick.

Early night for me as i was quite partied out, so snuck into the tent early. It was a warm night so I just needed my sleeping bag. Ollie woke me as he came in, his head torch making shadows on the canvas- when I saw it (no, not that - behave), I saw two living creature shadows- Ollie with something on his shoulder with a big body and MASSIVE legs. So I screamed, told him not to move (didn't want it falling on me) and got the hell out of there in one breath. I didn't however realise my scream would wake everone up and they would find me half undressed outside the tent in full glare of many headtorches - not even matching underwear- the shame! Couple of guys dived into the tent to rescue Ollie who was still searching for the 'thing' not realising it was still happily sat on his shoulder! Not quite sure what it was- maybe a cicada, but being big and insecty is enough for me to justify my reaction. Did I mention I hate camping?! One month down- 4.5 to go!