PATAGONIA

December 2006 I left Rio de Janeiro in a fully equiped Land Rover Defender, on my way to Ushuaia, in the most southern part of the continent. During 64 days, I drove 18.131 kilometers, mostly on dirtroads and mudtracks. Spend more than 35 liters of high grade motor oil, 2200 liters of diesel, visited the Iguazu waterfalls, tasted incredible malbec wines in Mendoza, ate lamb and guanaco inPatagonia, amazed myself in Tierra del feugo, saw penguins in Puerto Deseado, whales in Puerto Madryn, visited Punta del este in Uruguay, and drove 2 days on the beach in Brazils' southern states of Santa Catarina and Paraná. Here are some impressions.

CUBA: ALEGRE, PERO NO FELIZ

"Alegre, pero no feliz" is something like "cheerfull, but not happy". That was how a cabdriver in cuba described me the life in this beautiful country. In July 2005 I spent 16 days in Cuba, and had the pleasure of registering the daily routine. I sincerely hope to go back very soon. Cubans are very warm and friendly people.

FRIO DE JANEIRO

Frio de Janeiro, Brazils' exotic city, covered up in mist, rain and freezing temperatures. Even so, the Carioca's get out and have their customary Sunday walk along Ipanema's beach.