Getting High

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Having endured none-stop rain in Pucon, we moved swiftly on to Santiago with another 550 mile overnight bus journey. We were welcomed with blue sky and sunshine, which was the first time for a good few days. Santiago was nice, a massive City with the Andes in the background. With our next plan to cross the Andes to Mendoza in Argentina, we were a bit disappointed to find that the pass had been closed for a few days due to snow and it might prove difficult. Luckily it re-opened yesterday and we made the bus journey which was one of the most amazing road-trips we´ve ever had. Starting at 350 metres above sea-level in Santiago, we climbed a steep road with hairpin bends to 3,500 metres to the border with Argentina, with mountains over 6,000 metres at each side. The amount of lorries backing up was unbelievable and even though our bus proceeded to overtake them all, we still had a couple of hours delay at the border. With deep snow all the way up the mountain, it was amazing to see the downward side more like a desert. The journey was made when we saw a condor soaring alongside the bus about 50 metres away which gave us a really good look. We also saw a pack of wild llama´s which was pretty cool.

In Mendoza now, and about to go on a cycling tour of some wineries. Not sure the two go together, but we´ll give it our best shot !!

Hope to have some photos soon when we have downloaded the ones on the camera (apparently the ones we took before were not the right resolution to put on the website).

Adios.

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Comments

[Louise, Mark, Joseph and Thomas]

Good to hear fom you both on a regular basis finding it very interesting its like watching the Travel Show (whos Judith Charmers!!)..Reading everything to Joseph (and Mark) and I will not tell him about the volcanos Rach only just got him to stop worrying about the tornados!! Joes had chicken Pox very scabby Thomas growing fast and eating everything in sight..Take care and love you loads xxx

[Mum & Dad]

Condor
We got quite excited last night when we saw an owl sitting on the lamp-post outside the house - to see a condor must have been amazing! Keep up the good work - we all look forward to the next episode of ' Journeys of the Jenkinsons'. Keep safe xx

[Joni]

get yer binos out
vultures, storks and now a condor! will this south american twitching ever end! All doing great here, baby Anna keeping us up all night (i am writing this at 5am). I tell you, i wish the stork had never been near this bloody house!!!

[Douglas]

Budapest calling. Reading your blog avidly - thinking of snow and ice to cool down - it is 41 C today.

[Mum and Dad]

hols
Ready for our hols tomorrow! Not quite as exciting as yours but just glad to escape from the wet U.K. We'll catch up with your travels when we get back. I asked Joe if he'd packed his suitcase (just before his last day at school). His reply: "I'm only going into year 1 Grandma" Out of the mouths of babes!! Lots of love. Take care Mum and Dad xxx