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!

8th Day - Vacation

05 Feb 2015
2,080 - 2,150 km
Trelew

We spent two nights in Trelew, not because there was so much to see, but because we really needed a day off. This day we slept in, took a relaxed walk around the city, and bought groceries to cook a delicious dinner yet again. At the same time, I tried to update my blog as best as I could, although it does take its time! 

The day after, we were back on the road again, but only for some 70 km. We wanted to see a bit of Puerto Madryn before the last stretch toward Punta del Este / Uruguay.

Leaving the city, we had one of those "This way!" "No, that way!" "I told you so!" moments before we finally found ourselves on the right road. But once on the road, it was an easy ride and we got there in no time. Yet our welcome was something unexpected, although not entirely uncommon. A demonstration enacted by burning tires beside the road blocked the flow of traffic. The local fishermen were very unhappy about their wages; I hope they got the message through!

We had looked up a very nice hostel, which we liked at first glimpse once we had arrived. We also met  more motorbikers from Brazil. But it is always a pleasure! They are all such happy people!

As we discussed with the receptionist about what we could do, we realized, although we had arrived early, there just wasn´t enough to visit the island where you sometimes can spot whales. We decided to cash in another easy day, and waited for the sun to set a little before visiting the beach.

"Eh...who disturbed my siesta!!" 

It was fantastic to sit down for awhile and just enjoy the afternoon with some "mate" and excellent company!

But when the hour clocked for weather conditions with much less "fry-your-brain" intensity, we decided to head for the beach and enjoy a comfortable and relaxing afternoon. The hostel was just a few blocks away. Although we were not alone, the beach was far from crowded. We decided to take a stroll (to use our legs which we had barely done for the last week).

At one point I see two guys throwing the frisbee, no doubt foreigners!. I loove the frisbe! I had to join! ... even just for a little while! With my two new friends from Belgium and Switzerland, we threw the frisbee for quite awhile among the Argentinian crowed on the beach! Excellent!! :D

Happy as a little child on Christmas day, we finally decided it was time to move on back toward the hostel. We bought and cooked some food, and for desert we had some cake and tea along with a Uno challange!!

No matter who won that night, we had a long day waiting for us the next day! I calculated three more days until we touch down in Uruguay! 

Caro´s New Hobby

It is hard to imagine a journey through the same landscape days on end with very little variation. It was a challenge that we both struggled with, but in different ways. Arguable it was even harder for Caro, as she had nothing to occupy her mind with. So I gave her the camera, and with little previous experience, she started to shoot as we kept rolling through the wide extensions of Patagonia. These are some of her shots.

When I started to see the result I was thrilled. Rather than having to stop the bike, remove the helmet, pick up the camera each and every time I wanted to take a photo, she is always there. I am left to enjoy the road! Moreover, out of her photos, we are able to give you a better feeling of what the trip is actually like!

Enjoy the photos to come!