13th Day - Family Reunion

10 Feb 15

3,380 - 3,700 km

Colonia del Sacramento 

You are already aware that the big capital cities make me a little uneasy, and although Montevideo is fairly small and I am quite familiar with it, I was still a bit nervous. 

The road out of Colonia was in fairly good condition, but later the road ran up and down all through the hilly countryside. On the relatively small bike (for two), it became a constant change from acceleration to gearing down to make the following peak. But we kept the spirit up!

We entered Montevideo from the west, parts I was not familiar with, but as soon as we got into the harbour, I was able to navigate by memory. And it is a good feeling that you know what and where you are going, especially with lots of  traffic! We drove through the main square La Plaza de Indepedencia, and out along the river where you find a beautiful view of the river, the city, and its beaches. - It is a very special city, especially to me as Uruguay was the first country I came to, and I spent almost a year here!! 

We drove through the neighbourhood where I used to live, which brought back tons of memories! We didn´t give it much time, because I wanted to come back with my parents. We continued along the riverside and by memory we navigated out to the highway heading out east (the signs are mostly no where to be found or are always with a different name than it "should" have). Now we were only some 200 km away. 

  

I remember the first time I laid eyes on Punta del Este, the so called "Miami of South America". A long beautiful beach, boarded with high residential buildings all the way to the end of the bay, and with huge cruisers at anchor. We drove down town and made the loop to see the tiny city before finding the exit to where my family friends live. 

I remembered our exit being 22, but I was obviously mistaken because the exit seemed nothing like to what I remembered, and when we arrived at 30 and the end of Punta it was a fact. We drove back and "unofficially" got lost in the neighbourhood where all the streets look alike. "Officially" we were getting to know the area. 

Finally, after asking some gentlemen at a golf course that we ran into, we were put in the right direction. As we stopped at an intersection, i suddenly recognized the road and knew I had to turn left. At this instance, one of the gentlemen pulled up in this car beside me and asked me to follow him, ...

But we drove left instead of straight, and continued the last few blocks to the house of my family friends. We still wondered what the gentleman must have thought! ... :S

But it doesn´t matter, we were finally at the doorstep, and the end of this first epic part of our trip. My dad first noticed us out of his window, and then everyone came down to greet us! It was special to see them again, especially their faces when they actually saw the bike with their own eyes! In my family, Im the black sheep, ..no one drives motorbikes! Much less across a foreign continent!

It was not always easy. We leaned so many things on the way, about ourselves and each other. We overcame obstacles, and most importantly; We made it!!

(Now for a treat with the parents!) 

12th Day - Uruguay

09 Feb 15
3,380 km
Colonia del Sacramento

When we arrived the night before, we had no difficulty in finding a hostel in this small, cultural city. When we left the hostel that night, we noticed that they had closed off the block just outside the hostel, and found out that carnival had arrived to town! After getting something to eat, we returned just as they got started. Something special in Uruguay is "Murgas", which took part after La Carnival, very unique in Uruguay. - I was stoked to be back!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DbP1Ux3pVA  (jump to min 09:45)
(Generally the songs humorously talk about the political, social, and economic situation in Uruguay)

Colonia is a special city, with its cobble stone streets, historical architecture, and the lighthouse. Not to mention the Beetle, which perhaps their President Mujica made famous. 

Instead of leaving the first thing in the morning, we decided to take a day off to ourselves and explore this culturally and historically rich city. We cruised around aimlessly, visited a few museums, marvelled at the numerous old cars, churches, and enjoyed a splendid cup of coffee outside a charming café.

 Did I mention that we swapped the bike for this beauty .... nah! Just kidding!

It is a lovely city that no one should miss if ever passing by this area. We truly enjoyed some time together off the bike.

The next day, we only had a days worth of kms before finally touching down in Punta del Este and seeing my parents for the first time in over a year!

11th Day - The worst day so far

08 Feb 15
3,080 - 3,380 km
Close to Azul

We had looked up the schedule for the ferry that was going to take us from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, and we were scheduled for early evening. That way we had plenty of time to drive into the capital city with the margin on our side. To be honest, driving through Buenos Aires was something that had scared me a little already from the start. But there was more to this day!

Unlike the day before, this one started out with a very hot and humid climate. It was not pleasant. But it was the last day before Uruguay (if everything would go as planned), so we dealt with it!

Standard 2nd breakfast at a gas station along the road :)  -->


Photographer and driver (and to the right flying bison spotted);




The animal kingdom! It is just for a moment, but when the animals, birds like "beasts" fly (terrified) when we pass by, its something out of a movie.

But there was also the horrendous traffic!

Ruta3; What should have been a proper highway with rails dividing the lanes, was instead a chaotic race "home" with little regards to others. Seemed like everyone was decisive about overtaking the cars in front of them whenever there was an opportunity. 

More then just a few times was I forced to sidestep to the emergency lane to avoid head on collisions. It kept me on my toes to say the least! 

Seemed like we were indeed getting close to the capital.

Before we got too close to the capital, I decided to stop at a gas station for a coffee and something to eat. Although I didn´t feel the hunger, it was just what I needed to calm down from my tense mood. Without realizing it, I had become stressed and irritated.  We talked a bit to get it out of the system.

We joined what became a 10 lane highway leading into the city of Buenos Aires. I was glad to have Caro with me, as keep track of the traffic and reading all the signs simultaneously got overwhelming at times. We did fine, and got to the heart of the city where even I felt familiar with where we had to go.

But it just happened to be no exit as we passed over the harbour where I knew we were supposed to be, instead we headed toward the more industrial part of the harbour and parts of the city I was not eager to explore, nor get lost in. Buenos Aires was not the city I wanted to get lost in tin he wrong neighbourhood! We took an exit and eventually stopped at a gas station, thank God!

With new directions, we were able to get back on the highway and with genuine gut-feelings were able to get off at the right moment. With much relief we drove along the road by the harbour, and just moments later arrived to where we had to embark the ferry. We had made it!

To be honest, it took me a few minutes to collect myself. Not only driving through BsAs, but to have crossed Patagonia in the manner we did. You never give yourself time to think about the magnitude when you are actually doing it. I was relieved!

Funny moment: At the immigration, the guy was lecturing me about my numerous boarder-hoppings registered in my passport and told me it was not allowed. He continued to call me a "fake tourist" and urged me to get a proper visa. I reasoned for myself, if they had already allowed me to exit and reenter the country, the problem lied within the administration. In lack of response Caro came to our aid and I was moments later allowed to yet again leave the country.

But this time for a long!

We were finally heading towards Uruguay. A country that lies very close to my heart and whom I have much affection towards. Uruguayan "mate" which I had longed for very long! We settled in the seats of the ferry as in the end of Jurassic Park when they fly away in the helicopter. We made it!!

10th Day - A beautiful day

07 Feb 2015
2,630 - 3,080 km
Rio Colorado

This day was going to take us into the heart the province of Buenos Aires. Our first goal of the day was Bahía Blanca, an important coastal city, and from there cruise on the 51 up to where it reunites with Ruta 3. The day was gorgeous, but the fun was yet to come!

Although this may look worse than it actually is (especially early on the day), every once in awhile it is necessary!

"Don´t worry baby! ... I´m an expert!!"

 Fortunately nothing too bad this time! Just adjusting the chain! 

On the 51, we finally found something that we truly enjoyed so far on this trip! The 51 proved to be drastically different from the Ruta3. It was a thrilling excitement to drive through the open countryside on this snakelike road! Even though the curved road constantly required my attention, it was not hard to fully enjoy the beautiful fields of cows and crops, the stand of trees, and the significant lack of vehicles.



 It was like driving through the countryside of which likes you reed in books or see in movies! - Beautiful!

But, ... something waited for us at the distance!

Although we could not tell whether we were driving right toward it (as the road kept turning), but somehow it was getting closer and closer, and growing bigger and bigger by the moment. There was no doubt, a big chunk of rainy clouds hanging heavily above the gorgeous countryside,
perhaps with lightning. 

                                                                                                              "Thank God the road finally turns!" :S

We drove on the border of it for quite awhile, and at one point we thought it was inevitable, but we pushed on! We kept driving  awaiting the rainfall at any moment. Fortunately we were able to make it to a gas station just in time ... for a coffee, while we watched the rainfall from inside!! - It was amazing driving right next to it, observing it. You feel tiny!

After awhile we kept going. As the rain had just recently past, the air was filled with moisture, like the fields and the road with rays of water. It came to a point where I just had to stop and put my yellow pants on (rain gear) because water was beginning to drip down my boots.







The scenery was gorgeous! It was just one of those moments you can´t fully describe, but neither will you will never forget them. That feel, touch and sound will always vibrate in your memory.

 We were heading for the city Azul, but when it started to get dark, we decided to stop at on of the hotels we spotted beside the road not far from Azul. We were tired after yet another very extensive day on the road. But it had been one of the best days!

This is what I imagined when I wanted to set out to ride the bike, ride freely on countryside way outside the cities, with only you, the road and the experience! Not all of the days are like this, actually quite few, but they are still the ones that stand out!

9th Day - Start of the Run toward the finish line

06 Feb 2015

2,150 - 2,630 km

Puerto Madryn  

It was too bad that we did not get a chance to visit Peninsula Valdez, but we had already a very small time margin. As we were getting closer to the province of Buenos Aires, we were still unsure of which road to take to the capital. But instead of setting a fixed route, we decided to ask for the wise council of the gas station staff along the road! To say the least, we were eager to continue our journey, fresh in our heads, our bodies, and in spirit!

The road continued to took us farther up north, still without much vegetation on the sides, except bushes. We had talked about visiting one of the beaches in the area, but we felt compelled to keep going. Moreover, once you get into the groove, build up some momentum and truly enjoy the ride, you are more reluctant to stop, even for a picture.

To escape the oppressing heat that was bearing on us, and why not eat a second breakfast; we stopped at a gas station that had a camping ground next to it. With our flexible plastic bowls, we hid beneath the trees while preparing our standard breakfast of fruits, nuts and cereals with yogourt. We still had a long day ahead of us, hence essential to replenish the body with some nutrients!  

Throughout the day, we passed by small lagoon-like towns, sheltered by the trees from the wide wild Patagonia outside! 

... and the road goes forever on and on

And in the middle of nowhere.... :)

Halfway!! (...to Rio Colorado!)

And then something happened!: 

After Rio Negro (Black River) ...wooola! Wild Trees!! 

Yupp yupp!!

And the truth is, we were both strangely happy to see them, ...weird hu?! 

By now we sort of had a routine with breaks and we knew better what we needed to maintain the spirit high. Music, dance, stupid photos, snacks & water, etc. And with help from the two days of rest, we were able to squeeze quite a few extra km in before dusk. 

The Crew

The afternoons are always a treat, kind of a reward from the days long hours on the road. It is just somehow more relaxing, enjoyable, and soothing. 

Just as the sun was setting behind the horizon were we arriving to Rio Colorado that meant the end of the day. It had been a long day for sure, but we had made great progress!

The spirit was still high, and we were looking forward to enter the province of Buenos Aires the next day, where Caro´s family is from!

It just turned out that that day was one of the best days of the trip!