Advertisement
Hello There... Just a new entry to mainly share some new photos with you!
First of all, it´s good to be OUT of the city, fine as it is. I am glad I can now be in my element! The whale watching and site seeing in Peninsula Valdes was beyond expectation... we toured nearly the entire peninsula at a very relaxing pace and saw many awesome animals including Patagonia cavys (those giant rodents you may remember from the zoo) and herds of guanacos (deer-llama looking animals) and a lesser rhea (which is nearly like an ostrich). Check the pictures to follow... We were within feet of the right whales that are all gathering in the Peninsula for mating time. What can I say more than, how lucky I was to be there, to hear their spout to see them flip through the water. They are so alive, vivacious and happy, it was great to see. It is also sad to think of their vulnerability despite their size... they are so tranquil and innocent really... in the past and now, humans with other ideas have no problem finding and killing these whales. They are slowly returning in numbers... but slowly... it
was, great visting this vast desert area. The scenery was dramatic in its stark nature as set against the clear blue sky we had that day...
So now, I´m in San Carlos de Bariloche, which is in the northwestern portion of Patagonia in the Andes Mountain Range... the city is really beautiful adjacent to the alpine lake, Lago Nahuel Huapi, and surrounded by the increadible beauty of the Andes range. I am staying at the Bariloche Hostel which is really nice and comfortable and has excellent lake views. Great people come and go from here day by day. It´s about 100 pesos a night to have my own room (roughly $30) or $10 in a shared room which I don´t prefer but don´t mind especially considering my lack of income now! It´s very comfortable and at home feeling. You can cook in the kitchen so no need to go out!
I met three great new guys on Thursday and we decided to take the drive from Bariloche to San Martin de Los Andes to the north which is over 250 km away...the drive there and back was increadibly scenic and great! It´s a route where you pass by
at least 7 lakes and San Martain de Los Andes is similar in nature to Bariloche in that it´s a ski resort destination, adjacent to an incredible alpine lake. Really the pictures speak for themselves. First we went the slower, mostly gravel (back way) which had little to no people the entire way... and then we went back in a loop another way which was also amazing and stunning to see! Today was Day of the Rainbows... there was rain scattered throughout our day and our entire drive we must have come across 20-30 rainbows! I went with Matias (a new different Matias) who lives in Buenos Aires and his friend from Parana, Boris...and a guy named Michelle from Canada. We all have the same taste in terms of desire for nature viewing so it was never a problem to slam on the breaks to take all the pictures we wanted of our trip and breathe in the FREEZING crisp air. San Martin de Los Andes isn´t as great of a city as I´d been told, it´s nice but wasn´t the supreme upscale place I´d heard about. I prefer Bariloche in this regard...more dynamic and a little bigger for more
things to do and see...
I will be here for a day or two more hiking in the mountains if I can pass with the new arrived snow... and just enjoy. Then off to Mendoza where I hope to commence Spanish school and get a little more serious now. Much to learn! I´m hoping my brain begins to open up more to the language, so far I have found it hard to retain words I learn day by day. I can´t seem to progress in my vocabulary... I hear a word and five minutes later it has escaped me. I have to sit down and read more as well... Í think the combination of seeing and speaking should help!
Sorry for the bore of this letter, it´ll be more inspired next time... but after some serious computer glitches today, I´ve lost my spirit and patience! Next time 😉 Miss you all very much!
Yours, Lorie
Advertisement
Tot: 0.068s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 10; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0393s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb