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Published: November 8th 2006
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Canyoning in Salta
If you look very closely you can see a member of our group in the middle of the picture (wearing a yellow helmet) crossing the canyon. After leaving Sucre, we had a short drive to Potosi. Potosi was to be our last stop in Bolivia before we headed into Argentina and was an enjoyable few days. It was a very small town and was the base for the group to visit the mines and we spent a couple of days exploring.
The drive into Argentina was an all day affair with a two hour boarder crossing. Argentina is much more western compared to Bolivia and Peru so our first stop at a service station provided huge excitment on the truck. We were all able to stock up on food we hadn't been able to purchase for ages (Becky got very excited about Cadburys chocalate!! YUM!).
Our first and only stop in Argentina was to to Salta. We arrived late in the evening, so dumped our bags and headed out for some dinner to try the legendery Argentinian steak. When eating steak in Argentina, you don't get asked how you would like it done. There is only one way to cook a steak in Argentina and thats the right way!! Luckily it was done just the way Mike liked it so he loved it ("the best
Campsite
We camped in the middle of the forest by the river. This was also the river we rafted on. steak I've ever eaten"). Becky in general doesn't like steak, but she finished off this steak, so it must have been good!
The following day we had a two hour drive to Salta Rafting where we were to camp for two nights in the middle of no-where on the banks of a huge river. Here we were to go rafting and zip lining across huge canyons. The rafting was great fun, if not a little tame. The waters were only a grade 3 but the scenery was breathtaking. We spent 2 hours rafting down the river through huge gorges. We finished the last rapid by flipping the raft which was great fun if not a little cold. (Becky got thrown in the water 3 times!! once by the guide!!! BBBRRRRR)
That afternoon we headed off canyoning. Canyoning is a series of zip lines across huge canyons up to 500m long. We completed a total of 9 zip lines however the last 2 were the longest and most eventful. Becky was unable to carry enough momentum across the 8th line and was left dangling above the gorge (scary!!!!) , only for the guide to come out to get her
and pull her in. The day was topped off with a great bbq, which Mike cooked more argie steak, and copius amounts of Sangria. We really enjoyed our 3 days chilling out by the river, getting a tan and relaxing but it wasn't all fun and games. There was an enemy amongst us ..........................the midges and sand flies!!! OUCH!! The little buggers eat you alive! Beckys legs looked like she had some unfortunate diease!! Lovely.
After three days at Salta Rafting, we headed back into Salta. Salta is a beautiful city with a very European feel about it and we enjoyed the day exploring the city. It has some beautiful colonial architecture and a fantastic plaza. As the temp was 35oC it seemed rude not to spend a few hours enjoying the plaza with a beer in a lovely little bar!! Salta is also where we found the longest south american siesta. From 1.30pm until 5pm - everything (except the bar!) was closed!!
From Salta we headed for the Chilian boarder. It was a difficult experience. After a 12hour drive (including 2hrs through no mans land - a strip of land between argentina and chile owned by noone.
We spent 2 hours nowhere - brilliant!!) we arrived at the chiliean side of the border only for them to insist on searching everyones belongings and the entire truck (literally everything - camping equipment, food, speeping bags, rucksacks etc) for ........................ fruit!!! (no fresh produce is allowed over the border. After they had confiscated a packet of popping corn (because it had weobles!!!) we were on our way. After a 15 hour drive we arrived in San Pedro. It was a slight misson as we arrived to find our campsite flooded so we had to stay in a hostel for the night (oh no!! 😊 San Pedro was to be our base for two nights where we were to visit Moon Valley. Moon Valley is to the north of the Atacama desert (the driest desert in the world) and has what is believed to the closest landscape to the moon. It was a fascinating place to visit. We climbed through salt caves and then climbed the dunes to watch the sunset over moon valley (not as impressive as salt planes!). It was brilliant to watch with a bottle of wine though!!!
The next day we left at 5am to
head to Bahia Inglesia on the coast. We were staying in cabins on the beach. The weather was amazing and it was so nice to lie on a beach and chill out for a few days!!
We left Bahia Inglesia after 2 nights and drove to La Serena also on the coast. We shared a cabin with another couple and spent a few days in this lovely western beach resort. We caved and bought some jeans each (we seem to be only ones on the tour without them!!!) We celebrated halloween here with a fancy dress party (Becky went as a witch - mike as a crazy axe man!) spent the night around the campfire with more drinks then ready for our last drive day to santiago - our last stop!!!
We arrived in Santiago mid afternoon and headed out to explore the city. We spent our last few days visiting the government buildings, the congress, the cathedral and riding the metro. We also took the fonicular ( like a vertical tram) up to the highest viewpoint over Santiago.
Here we got a fantastic view over the city and took a cable car ride across the mountain to
another view point.
At 5am the following morning after an eventful goodbye meal the night before we said goodbye to swampy and our friends on the tour. We had a brilliant time in South America and can't wait to go back. We picked up abit of Spanish (Hola chica, NO gracias etc) and had a amazing time. We made some fantastic friends but we are now heading to a new adventure....................................... New Zealand!!!!
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Catherine Atkins
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Very Jealous!`
Hi Both Well it all looks and sounds fantastic! I am extremely jealous as I am stuck in the office with the rain falling outside! I look forward to receiving your updates, it also helps to give me some ideas of holidays in the future. Keep having fun. Love Cat