Ushuaia (Argentina) – Puerto Montt (Chile)

It was a strange feeling. After Ushuaia we would go north. Of course, there is no road going south from there…

We had arranged to bring the pick-up back to Puerto Montt. From there the roads to Buenos Aires are all paved and we hopefully wouldn’t hit strong winds. With Christy still hobbling around with here crutches we didn’t want to risk her not feeling safe on the motorbike.

We had to cover 2300km. It was mainly flat and vast country we drove through. Unusual for this area we had very little wind. And so it was a very relaxing driving. Little traffic, straight roads, no wind, nothing to destract you from driving. For some time even Christy took over, driving with cruise control. For me it was a nice break and I enjoyed not having to concentrate on the boring road.

But the landscape had its elements. The incredible vastness is something that just makes you dream and take it easy. It is like a visual relaxation program.

The last few hundred kilometers became actually really nice. The area gets hillier, and finally the hills become mountains. We didn’t stop in Bariloche but continued to a hotel next to one of the lakes in the Argentinian Lake District. A very beautiful area with dark forests and lots of lakes.

Finally we arrived in Puerto Montt where we dropped the car. For the next day we planned to visit a doctor another time to see what he says. He instructed us to wait another week and then we would have green light. Soon we would be back on the bikes again…

The ferry to leave Tierra del Fuego.

There were curves….eventually

but mainly it was straights.

Christy is taking over…

It was nice to relax a bit myself…

Not that the driver was overly busy…

Christy spotted this little guy on the side of the road…

The armadillo was not shy at all. Nice little chap…

Clouds… a dome of clouds…

Beautiful colours from the setting sun.

Great sunsets…

Long roads. This is close to where Christy had her accident. We bypassed Rio Mayo this time though.

Along the roads there are always these little temples, where people donate their best (cokes, booze, cigarettes) in change for a safe travel.

Short dusty parts.. somehow I will miss this.

The Ruta 40 is still very straight, but the upcoming mountains on the horizon promise some curves.

A little break. South of Bariloche the hills slowly became mountains.

Shortly before Bariloche.

Sunset in the Argentinian Lake District

The birds here are fantastic to watch. How they sail in the wind….

This little fellow is not only an artist in the air, he is proudly demonstrating his military marching style.