Blogs from Junín de los Andes, Neuquén, Argentina, South America - page 2

I woke up by somebody swearing besides me. It was Pablo, he did not find his mountain sunglasses. You need sunglasses now ? I said. The time was about 02:00, and I had slept about two hours. It was dark inside as well as outside the refugio. And cold. I think there had never been light or heating in that mountain refugio. There has been a change in weather, Mario said. No wind outside, I make the breakfast now, he said. Hearing that, there was no reason for being in the sleeping bags anymore. We were restless and did a last check of daypacks. Probably for a long day. Personal things which should not be carried to the summit were stowed aside. I checked the temperature, and made a decision. Better using many thin layers, you ... read more

Day 107: Tuesday 14th October - Arriving at Estancia Huechahue too sore too ride! Arrive at Estancia Huechahue shortly before midday, after a short hop (3 hours, but that is short in Patagonia) north from Bariloche on the bus. The bus driver has no clue where Huechahue is evidently when I ask him, although I confirmed yesterday when I bought the ticket that the bus passes the Estancia (ranch). Fortunately I spot the miniscule sign to the Estancia from the road and get dropped off just 200 metres past the entrance, otherwise I would have arrived at the next town 25km away! Met by Carrie when I arrive, who although Argentinian speaks exceptional English. She helps me out by booking my 2 flights with LADE for later in Patagonia, I´m lucky as the reservations had expired. ... read more

Many apologies for my laziness; I am now foregoing exploring leafy Palermo to belatedly write this. It might be short! My last day of spanish lessons was the best yet - a wander around Bariloche taking in museums (one suprisingly interesting given it´s modest initial impressions, one closed!) and a coffee, one of my favoutite pasttimes in the town. The lesson was good because we just chatted and it was great to finally put some of the grammar into practice. Having delayed leaving for a day in order to have a last hurrah paragliding off Cerro Otto, I was pretty disappointed to miss out because of the whims of "paper,scissor,stone" (I lost and ended up on the second flight) and a building breeze at the landing site which made it too difficult. I did get one ... read more

When someone mentions the country Argentina a tapestry of images come to mind, of sultry tango dancers, wild soccer hooligans, gorgeous natural wonders, and big juicy beef. Some of my caring vegetarian friends and family have been concerned about the ´no como carne´or ´soy vegetariana´deal, so I am writing to say: every little thing is gonna be alright! I have been eating fine, cooking every day and smiling past offered plates of sausage or burnt beef. We were invited to an asado at the neighbours and had no problems at all. What a relief! No feelings hurt, no meat consumed and no feathers ruffled. Yesterday I visited the pigs, sheep and chickens. They were so sweet and cute. So I have posted some pictures of my new friends here. Anyway, with out stepping on any toes, ... read more

Another perfect day!….Bariloche breakfast and then off under another Simpson’s sky, little fluffy clouds on azure background...sweet!....snowcaps on ragged mountains all around, perfecto asphalto, nice curvery, off towards San Martin de los Andes. Winding thru’ the mountains, in fact fanging thru’ the mountains, getting some of the dust off the bike…. close-up, wildflowers, behind, pine trees up as far as they can go, then rock and more rock right up to the snowline and the sky. Then the road plunges down, sweeping along another huge, dark greeny blue lake, this looks deep and cold, a few white caps whipped up by the wind, refreshing for me as its getting hot in the sun. Camp sites and campers in little pockets along the lake, its like the middle of nowhere but we often come across bunches of ... read more