Wednesday, May 31, 2017

The Great South American Road Trip (Argentina/Chile)

We had few plans in place when we left. Really it was merely more than an idea. An idea to see Patagonia...ALL of it. From Buenos Aires to the tip, to the End of the World. We started off  May 13th from NYC landing in Buenos Aires on the 14th, and with an open schedule and lots of flexibility, we did just as we had set out to do, ending 6300 km (3780 miles) later in Ushuaia on the 28th. I praise God for the opportunity to see a new part of his creation, thank Him for the friends willing to travel the world with me, and will treasure the memories forever.

As always, pictures never can capture what was real, but I offer a few below should you like to see a glimpse into our trip.
 at the Market Puerto de Frutas

  at the Market Puerto de Frutas. Notice the cup the lady is holding. It's her mate cup, rarely do you see an Argentinian out and about without one. (mate = a hot herbal tea)

  at the Market Puerto de Frutas

 While in Buenos Aires we were able to stay with some friends. Juan, Marla & Thiago.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Quick trip to El Caminito.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. El Ateneo is an old theater transformed into a book store and cafe. 

 Exploring Buenos Aires. La Recoleta

 Exploring Buenos Aires. La Recoleta.

Exploring Buenos Aires. La Recoleta
 
 Exploring Buenos Aires. La Recoleta. Perhaps the only spot to have flowers, that of Eva Peron.

 Exploring Buenos Aires.. La Recoleta. 

 Exploring Buenos Aires. La Recoleta. A place to sit. A story to share.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Teatro Colon (Columbus Theater) and the Obelisk.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Due to construction of both the Congress building and the Congress Plaza this was really the closest we could get. 

Exploring Buenos Aires. Looking down July 9th Avenue towards the Obelisk. 

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Stopping at Cafe Tortoni.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Looking down Diagonal Roque Saenz Pena towards the Obelisk from Plaza de Mayo.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Three clocks on one corner of Plaza de Mayo?

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada (Pink House) to the right. 

 Exploring Buenos Aires. I didn't actually succeed in getting a good picture of the Casa Rosada, but this is a good one of us, so it shall suffice :)

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Puente de la Mujer.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Puente de la Mujer.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Puente de la Mujer.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Puente de la Mujer.

 Exploring Buenos Aires. Puente de la Mujer.

 Sunrise over Rio de la Plata.

 Heading South from Buenos Aires, into the Pampas, surrounded by estancias and their herds of Argentine beef. 

 
 Stopping in Tandil.

 Mar del Plata at sunset. 

 Mar del Plata at sunrise.

As we left from Mar del Plata heading West the Pampas continued as did the estancias.

Stopping outside of Neuquen to see the world's largest dinosaur, Argentinosaurus Huinculensis.
 
 Stopping outside of Neuquen to see the world's largest dinosaur, Argentinosaurus Huinculensis.
 
 Stopping often for photo opportunities.

 Farther West and the Pampas rose to the Meseta Patagonica, and beyond that... the Andes Mountains.

 Guest book at our hostel in San Martin de los Andes, El Andaluz. 

 Enjoying San Martin. Chocolate? yes, please.

 Twilight futbol game on the shores of Lago Lacar in San Martin. 

 Leaving San Martin de los Andes we took the Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Lacar.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Lacar looking back over San Martin de los Andes.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Melinquina.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Melinquina.

 Route of Seven Lakes.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Getting that perfect angle on Lake Faulkner.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Faulkner.

Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Traful.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Friends joined us at Lake Traful.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Traful.

 Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Traful.

Route of Seven Lakes. Lake Traful.
 
 Route of Seven Lakes.

 Route of Seven Lakes.

Route of Seven Lakes.

 Bariloche on Lake Nahuel Huapi

 Bariloche

 Bariloche

 Sunset over Lake Nahuel Huapi from our penthouse hostel in Bariloche.

Continuing along Route 40 South from Bariloche.

 Stopping in Esquel for some lunch. We were pretty sure this group of ladies over my shoulder were having a book club meeting. 

 Back on the East Coast in Comodoro Rivadavia. Nightly roadtrip planning.

 The Face of Patagonia. The Guanaco.

 Mt. Fitz Roy looming large in the distance as we approached the West once again.

 Welcome to the North end of Glacier National Park.
 Arrived at El Chalten with enough time for our first trek of the trip. Up to Eagle's Viewpoint and then over to Condor's Viewpoint.

 It was good that we hiked that night, because clouds kept Fitz Roy hidden from view during our hike the following day.

 Fall Colors on our hike.

 Looking down over El Chalten with Fitz Roy in the background. 

 Sunrise as we started our trek to Laguna de los Tres. 

  Sunrise as we started our trek to Laguna de los Tres. 

 Lake Capri on our way to Laguna de los Tres. 

 on our way to Laguna de los Tres.

 At Laguna de los Tres. Fitz Roy hidden by clouds.

 Turning to head back down from Laguna de los Tres.

  Turning to head back down from Laguna de los Tres.

 Hiking Fitz Roy

 Hiking Fitz Roy.

 Stopping to refill my water in the mountain springs.

 The Glacier, Perito Moreno, at the South End of Glacier National Park.

 Panoramic of the Glacier, Perito Moreno, at the South End of Glacier National Park.

Looking towards Lake Argentino at the South End of Glacier National Park.

 Sunrise at Torres National Park in Chile, view from our cabin.

 Puerto Natales, Chile.

 Puerto Natales, Chile. We never could figure out why the flying people?!?!

Flat tire on our way back to Torres.

 So back to Puerto Natales for a mechanic.

 Home from Puerto Natales, take two. Loved that they had "suggested" speeds.

 Viewpoint over Rio Serrano. Are cabin is there in the center.

 Rainy mornings in the cabin. We tried to be serious for a photo.

 Rain stopped for our first hike of Torres. Milky turquoise of Lake Pehoe.

 Milky turquoise of Lake Pehoe with the horns trying to peak through the clouds.

 Salto Grande waterfall.

 Los cuernos (the horns) with the sunlight breaking through.

 Looking out over Lake Grey towards Grey glacier (notice small icebergs to the right!).

 Sunrise over the towers as we start our hike.

 Los Torres del Paine.

 At the base of the towers. Los Torres del Paine.

 Los Torres del Paine


 
 Hike back from the Towers.

 Our three shadows as we hike back from the Towers.

 Unexpected sheep crossing in Chile.

 :)

 Ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego.

 Heading out to Beagle Channel from Ushuaia.

 Looking back towards Ushaia at sunrise from the Beagle Channel.

 Isla Alicia

 Beagle Channel looking towards Argentina.

 Telienka was the name of our boat.


 



 The lighthouse "Les Eclaireurs"

 Stopping on Isla Bridges for a quick trek and lesson on the natives, the Yamana.

 From Isla Bridges looking towards Argentina.

 From Isla Bridges looking towards Chile, cushion plants that grow 1mm a year.

 Isla Bridges

 Make it to the End of the World. Check.

 Ushuaia

 You see Estados Unidos? United States 10,548 km away.

Flying home, one last look at Ushuaia surrounded by the Andes.


Hasta el proximo, con mucho amor, buenas noches.
Until next time, with much love, good night.