Thanks PaulTiger for your enquiry about the South America trip. I was in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay for just under 7 weeks, mostly in Brazil.

I can't pretend to be able to make any kind of coherent report - not enough sleep yet, or enough time for reflection. But I can take a stab at it.

Overall, in terms of industry I can see the parallels with the problems of the gold stocks in Ecuador and Peru. Things are done inaccurately and late, even if with a lot of heart and gusto. The finer points of engineering and scheduling just fall apart. Nobody takes plans or time seriously. Sorry if that sounds critical. The plus is that they enjoy life more.

It made sense for me when I was with my friend and we ordered a pizza. I said I'd have double tomato. She said "no, you won't." She explained, it doesn't matter if you pay more, and they don't mind you ordering it, but somewhere between reading the order someone will discuss the soccer game and their cousin's wedding and the instruction will turn into "don't forget the olives". By the way, also don't try to order without olives.

She had a senior staff meeting, very important, everyone supposed to be there, they even said "English Time" which means Actually 09:00, not 11:40 or whenever you get there. Even then, her interpretation was hey, everyone else will be there English Time, so that means instead I can make a phone call in at 10:30 just to see what's happening.

Sorry for sounding critical again. I loved the tropics and the sun, and Carnaval in Rio was absolutely stunning, the best I could imagine. What they say about it is true - just the best. Unbelievable.

Also saw Carnaval in Uruguay, what a wonderful place, friendly kind people, and lots of vintage cars that people stilll drive. People do not run over you there.

The big old land baron families from one or two hundred years ago still control the land, and land prices are expensive, even if building, labour and basic materials are cheap.

I found the security situation in Brazil really dire, especially in the big cities. It is not exaggerated. I was living in the local houses and apartments and the residents were terrified of their own neighbourhoods. Driving was no problem but pretty Latin.

Anyways, I'm not saying anything new, especially to those of you who came from the region, or who have lived there. I was a bit sceptical, but I believe I will go back - there is just so much to see. Canada looked orderly but so bland, so white, so plain afterwards.

Happy to see you guys all keeping the board very much alive, especially in these very trying times. I bet against myself in holding the stock, as I've kept very close tabs on subprime and have predicted a deep tanking for a long time (everyone ignores my posts saying that), and I also know about junior mining and Winter - slow news is bad news. But this company still excites me, and their situation is solid.

I had the weirdest experience on a plane there, sitting next to a spiritual practitioner from the heart of Brazil. I idly mentioned how my monetary position had taken a very, very heavy hit from the general markets and Winter and all, without mentioning KXL, and in response he described in detail KXL's demonstration of commitment by buying of the hotel and restaurant, and the greatly increased activity and general situation in Geraldton, how at least one mine is guaranteed to take off. I still don't understand the coincidence at all or why he would know anything about KXL or the hotel or any of it. I just have no answer.

So Brazil in particular still draws me in.