Day 1

Soo, turns out ba airport isn't nearly as big as we thought it would be - only four or five luggage carousels with baggage being handled in brought day light. Ah well, we had finally arrived and were well excited.

Retrieve luggage in one piece - check. Don't get stopped and frisked by customs - check. Figure out which bus to take to hostel - complete. Get change for bus - hmm...despite widespread advice to go to the bank we insist on buying largely unwanted items in an attempt to obtain the correct amount of 'monedas'. Half an hour later and 30 pesos out of pocket, we finally decide that another bottle of water / pack of Oreos isn't going to do the trick and resort to the bank, who were more than happy to help. d*** !

Lesson 1: have some faith in the advice of locals, they might know what they're talking about

Finally get on the bus and it swiftly becomes apparent that a) we landed in a completely different airport hat expected, and b) blondey and the black chick with backpacks certainly aren't from around here, which warrants stares, nudges and lengthy stares. Bothered, we're over it...ish.

The hostel is easy enough to find, and our room is ready earlier than expected - score. Birthday celebrations ensue (photo) with long lunch with grand plans to return to the hostel for maté tasting then drinks on the roof top terrace. Optimistic - a 'quick' nap after a tinto fuelled lunch in the sun invariably turns into a full nights' sleep

Lesson #2 : Get used to the fact that you're no longer 18, sleep is not overrated.