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Published: January 14th 2011
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Lago Nahuel Huapi
A buena vista on the bike trail. This last segment of our trip has been one of great beauty and extreme distance. When I last wrote we were in the hippie town of El Bolson. From there we went to Villa La Angostura, a small town on the coast of the expansive, sparkling lake Nahuel Pan. The roadsides were lined with these amazingly bright, yellow flowered shrubs that exploded with lots of buds. One day was spent on mountian bike through a hilly and haphazard trail to a special forest full of the Arrayan tree, kind of twisted brances and trunk covered in orange bark, some around 300 years old.
We changed directions from north and travelled west, to Chile and the Pacific. On our way, we met a family having their holiday in Peyuhue, a small thermal bath complex in the middle of the Valdivian jungle. We stayed there with them practicing Spanish, sharing wine, steak and insights, relaxing in the mineral waters and hiking through beautiful, fresh and mossy forests. Thor was excited to find a tarantula in the road and we both appreciated the green lush surroundings, much different than the bleak and expansive south.
After soaking and relaxing for 4 days
Mr. trantula
In Spanish, its called a chicken spider because of its size. we ventured further west and reached the Pacific, something like home for the two of us. The waves, gulls and kelp smell were a welcomed and familiar feeling. We boarded a ferry and crossed to the mystical island of Chiloe. Our time there was filled with massive piles of ground-cooked sea food, good people, hiking, discovery and penguins! Christmas and Thor´s birthday were spent in a remote part of the island, reached by bus and one river boat crossing. We feasted and camped there 4 days, hanging with the animals and hiking along the shore line.
When it was time to leave the island we crossed on the ferry once again and walked for 2 days up and over the Andes, from Chile to Argentina. There, we camped under lightning and thunder which started a small forest fire in the woods above us. Once we reached civilization we boarded a long bus north, to the wine region of Mendoza. We celebrated New years at a campground with a pool and listened to firecrackers for days. After a week in the city we travelled north, Bolivia bound, to the city of Salta, where we are roasting in the sun right
Cave
Pink and orange algea, light coming both ways, waves coming in... very special place. now. Here we have had many laughs with friends and been enjoying the new tastes of the north. During a rainstorm we climbed a thousand stairs to get a view of the city, not sure why we did it but it was fun to count. There is a loud and chaotic market here that we have been enjoying people watching in and buying beautiful and cheap fruit.
Today we returned from 3 days on the road with two Dutch women we met in the city. Our travels led us through deserts, caves, waterfalls, giant rocks and valleys. Each day we drove through otherwordly landscapes, being awed at what our earth created. The temperature up here is much warmer and more humid, so yesterday we decided to cool off by bungee jumping from a bridge and meanwhile getting a nice head dip. Thor had no problem jumping right in but i took a little more coaxing, but i have to say that it was worth it. This afternoon we are taking a short bus north, to prepare for our crossing into Bolivia, where i will turn 21!
The soles of our shoes are wearing thin and today is our
Penguin rock
That´s me, chillin with the penguins. They sure were funny little guys. 3 month anniversary of travelling; we still have 3 months. Withing the next couple of days we will finally reach Bolivia, where we hope to venture into the jungle and find some animals. Things are looking and feeling pretty good right now, I am excited for a new country and all the suprises it has for us.
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momma
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OMG your safe
So glad to hear from you honey and know that you are keeping on/ keeping on! The warmth must feel so good on your bones after being in the cold south. Will you be getting into more of the Indian native culture now, instead of such a European influence. Look for the Biblioburro- the man who for years has saddled up his donkey with books and traveled in the mountain acting as a library. I may have a future there! Only 1/2 way through your travels??? And both of you having birthdays to boot. Here is a great big hug for you both- so glad you are taking such good care of one another. You are making memories to last a lifetime. I miss your enthuasism/curiosity and fun takes on life honey and cant wait to hug you up and hear your stories. Be safe, my lovely and enjoy. I'll love you forever momma