On Tuesday we officially rode to the end of the Pan American Highway as tarmac stops for this lengthy road in Puerto Montt. The crowds of well-wishers and the 
anticipated firework display failed to materialise as we both discovered, as we suspected, that we are in actual fact two nobodys on a nice jolly through the Americas. We've riden a staggering 3044 kms in 4.5 days to get to the end of the road and neither of us ever want to have to undertake such riding again as my arse, without its plush Airhawk suspension, is currently feeling rather numb. Due to our impecable planning the ferry leaving Puerto Montt to take us on the Carreta Austral, our intended entry into Argentina, was fully booked. We had to unfortunately double-back 100 kms on the Pan American Highway to enter through a different border crossing. This alternative point of entry, needless to say, was just as breathtaking (see above) producing scenery very reminiscent of Norway and Britain's finest M11 to Cambridge, on a good day! We passed through the Chilean Lake District and the start of Argentinian Patagonia to finish the day in S.C de Bariloche. Matt studied Spanish here two years ago so arranged to meet a few friends in a bar. Having spent the last 70 days in Matt's company it came as no surprise to me that nobody turned up! At least his recommendation for a tasty steak bore more fruit. It was also refreshing to see in Argentina that Visa and Mastercard were acceptable forms of currency. In Chile both Matt and I appeared to be black-balled on entry as we were hindered at every turn in our attempt to spend thousands of Chilean pesos.
On Thursday we will stock up on supplies for the onward slog to Ushuaia as we anticipate a great deal of camping and sleeping under the stars. Bring it on :-)
anticipated firework display failed to materialise as we both discovered, as we suspected, that we are in actual fact two nobodys on a nice jolly through the Americas. We've riden a staggering 3044 kms in 4.5 days to get to the end of the road and neither of us ever want to have to undertake such riding again as my arse, without its plush Airhawk suspension, is currently feeling rather numb. Due to our impecable planning the ferry leaving Puerto Montt to take us on the Carreta Austral, our intended entry into Argentina, was fully booked. We had to unfortunately double-back 100 kms on the Pan American Highway to enter through a different border crossing. This alternative point of entry, needless to say, was just as breathtaking (see above) producing scenery very reminiscent of Norway and Britain's finest M11 to Cambridge, on a good day! We passed through the Chilean Lake District and the start of Argentinian Patagonia to finish the day in S.C de Bariloche. Matt studied Spanish here two years ago so arranged to meet a few friends in a bar. Having spent the last 70 days in Matt's company it came as no surprise to me that nobody turned up! At least his recommendation for a tasty steak bore more fruit. It was also refreshing to see in Argentina that Visa and Mastercard were acceptable forms of currency. In Chile both Matt and I appeared to be black-balled on entry as we were hindered at every turn in our attempt to spend thousands of Chilean pesos.On Thursday we will stock up on supplies for the onward slog to Ushuaia as we anticipate a great deal of camping and sleeping under the stars. Bring it on :-)
3 comments:
A few days late but still worth mentioning. Crossing the Tropic of Capricon means that if you went directly west or east for that matter, you would land on that great island called Australia and be able to eat all the Kangaroo you want for half the price of beef!
Si
Felicidades !!!!!youre almost there !!!!!
Not long now, I bet its the thought of the Christmas Roast Dinner with English beers and wine that is spurring you on. Enjoy the warmth, it's freezing back home.
Mum & Nigel
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