Travel Day - 18 Dec 2013

---

Wednesday 18^th December (Odyssey Day 40)







This morning we were meant to depart Mendoza at 0800 but typically, Emma’s bus had broken down at the border and so we delayed until 0930 instead. I think everyone really enjoyed the lazy morning, especially with the breakfast this hotel puts on. We did managed to pick Emma up on the way out of town.







It was a very hot day today and the windows stayed open as wide as possible. It makes a nice breeze when driving, but as soon as the truck stops, the heat is instantly there. When the truck sits out in the sun for any length of time with the door and windows closed, the inside temperature can top 50°C, especially in the cab.







After our brief lunch stop, it started to rain. Well kind of. I’m not sure if 10 minutes of a light misting rain actually counts as rain, but it sure cooled things down a bit!!







We went past some newly surfaced roads too, even passing a huge truck that was actually painting lines down the centre of the road. It seemed like a rather large vehicle for the job, but who am I to judge? At least the road was nice and smooth.







We arrived into our camp around 1700. It was an interesting place to stay. It felt quite hot and dry and the water pools were dry and in the process of being cleaned. The shower was also broken but fortunately they allowed us use of one of the cabins in order to shower. Just as well since in this heat it wouldn’t do to skip too many showers…







All the grassy areas for our tents were a bit sloped here, so we all had to be careful which way around we put out tents. Not very comfortable to sleep head down on a slope, but fortunately these slopes were really obvious.







Danielle was making Christmas chains to decorate the truck for Christmas day. She had help from Wayne (of course), Ellie, Hannah and Kelly. It was a nice sheltered camp spot here with stone tables and benches to sit around. Danielle and Hannah are both ‘truck wallahs’, which basically means their current truck jobs are to do random bits and pieces, including organising Christmas and birthdays.







It is getting dark earlier and earlier now, with the sun going down well before 2100. And as soon as the sun went down today, out came the frogs and toads! Ellie’s yells could be heard all around the camp.

---

Photos

Travel Day
Tennis balls aren't meant for cricket

Camp
Wayne, Ellie, Hannah, Kelly & Danielle making Christmas chains

Camp
Getting into the Christmas spirit

Camp
The neighbours and Ellie didn't get along

Comments

[D MJ Binkley]

Adorable friend
Friendly guy