Argentina - 30 January, 2002

.

Travel Distance

Leg 2 Total:

9,645 km

Leg 1 Total:

Galapagos:

771 km

Grand Total:

19,416 km

We have to make an unscheduled stop today.  One of our tires has been shredded and none of the spares kept at the back of the truck are in working condition.  We are able to drive, but we cannot go too far before we find a new one (the back tires come in pairs).  So we packed up the truck and headed off.

A bit over an a hour later, we came to Concordia where we were dropped off in the town center while the drivers took the truck off to get fixed.  So we had a morning in a town that was not on the tour.  What to do.  First, off to the coffee shop and a brief stop in the internet cafe.  We then had a chance to look in our guide books.  Well, the most interesting thing in the book appeared to be the ice cream place.  So we went in search of it.  We were able to find it and enjoyed a large ice cream there.  It was actually not too bad.

Then back to the town square, where we had a bite to eat before meeting up with the truck, which had been able to get some brand new tires.  Then off we went.

We were now behind schedule, so we pushed on as fast as we could.  We were not sure where we were going to camp, so we just kept our eyes peeled for something that might look good.  The problem is that this whole area is one big cattle grazing space and everything is private land and fenced off.  In the end, we stop at one of the many estancias (farms) and ask if we can stay there.  We are turned down as the owner is away and the foreman cannot make that decision.  On we drive.  One try our luck at another estancia and this time the owner is in and he allows us to camp on his fields.

It is an excellent camp.  Nice soft grass on flat fields and excellent views of the night sky.  The only danger are the many cow droppings all over the place.  But we are able to avoid these booby traps.  We have a quiet evening.  We watch the stars, see some shooting stars, gaze at the moon as it rises and have a nice dinner.  Then it is off to bed to sleep under the night sky.