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Published: November 23rd 2014
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Different BMW but same place
I have a photo from here from 2005 Hi, we have all arrived here in Coyhaique on the Carretera Austral 'Highway'.
Over the past week or so we have visited the fabulous Torres del Paine National Park in Chile before crossing back into Argentina and our ride up the notorious section of Ruta 40.
Well much has changed since my last time here in 2009, as they have pretty much paved the whole 600km section, and on the day the wind gave us a break also.
We were prepared for the long day with our now much desired 'Tail Gate' lunch, which is presented by Melean with the help of Paul.
Our two night stay in El Calafate gave us a relaxing visit to the fabulous Perito Moreno Glacier.
Entering Chile through Paso Rio Jeinemen, we had a drama at the border, it turned out that when Paul and Melean entered Argentina at Cerro Castillo, they never cleared the truck with customs into Argentina, so the truck had been illegally in Argentina, and if it had been stopped by Police at any of the check points that we had gone through, it could have been impounded for up to three months to determine and
confirm ownership etc.
Lucky for us that Christian, the actual owner of our truck was still at the border and was able to confirm he was the registered owner and finally the Chilean Customs officer could see the mistake and made exceptions and let us in!! - Lesson learned, make sure you clear customs when coming and going at border crossing.
All the guys had a hassle also, as Customs had just installed a new X-ray machine and wanted to use it to it's max, so all the luggage had to come off the bikes and out of the truck and go through....after 2 hours we were on the road again, and enjoying one of the most spectacular and enjoyable roads of the Expedition as we followed along the lakeshore of Largo General Carrera.
Don't forget to check us out on Rosco's Rocky Road FaceBook Page.
un abrazo, Rosco
Here is a catch up from David Lees from a few days ago:
On Monday we went into the national park Torres Del Paine, renowned for its beach forests, craggy peaks, glaciers, glacial lakes and valleys. The day started out fine and relatively warm. Once
we were in the park the roads were unsealed and rough in places, just how some of the team like them We stopped once inside the park to pay the entrance fee, which all parks here charge. We appeared to being ‘taxed’ an additionally because we were from NZ. Not sure how it all came about but Rosco told us that the ladies in the admin demanded that we perform a Hakka. Collectively we must have seen 100’s of All Black tests so no rehearsals necessary, no consulting Peter Sharples straight into it. With feet stamping, slapping of thighs, tongues poking out and a loud Kome Matty Kara etc we left them with a unique cultural experience one like they will never see again.
The Guanaco (a southern species of Lama) were abundant and almost tame. They could be approached to within several metres and many cameras were looking for that ‘National Geographic’ type shot.
The mountain peaks were incredibly share with small glaciers coming down between them. There were misty clouds coming over so the photos do not do them justice.
We tried to get close to the glacier face but a 2km walk each way,
over shingle, with rain and wind setting in, wearing bike gear, we agreed that in a few says we would have a better opportunity to look at another glacier. So time to head back to town and the hotel. It was getting pretty murky so only a few decided to stop and look at the cave were the remains of a giant sloth had been discovered last century.
After getting all our wet gear into the boiler room to dry we headed out and found that for a Monday night some of the restaurants were full and we tried several before we were once again amply fed and watered. Being a tourist town every day is a weekend.
Today we rode over to El Calafate in Argentina. It is one of the most promoted tourist destinations in Argentina with the alpine setting and easy access to glaciers that we will look at tomorrow. An easy 350 km ride over very good and very empty roads. Our friend the wind was still about making sure we were leaning in and out on straight roads. The landscape was more open pampas but more fertile than what we had seen on
the east coast. Large farms with sheep and cattle on the plains then dropping down into the glacial valley to El Calafate. Once settled we walked a sort distance to a Parrilla restaurant, damn, it turned out to be a smorgasbord, and I’m now regretting that……Cheers, David
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
World travels
Fantastic photo