Sunday 25th October – the route to Belen – about 205k

We had a relaxing, if frustrating, day off in Villa Union, where the promised wi-fi ‘paratodos’ (for everyone) in the main plaza didn’t work. The computer shop nearby advertising wi-fi paratodos directed me to the petrol station which had an open network and I spent an undignified hour on the kerb reading emails. Continue reading

22nd. October – to Villa Union – 167 km

We had been told the Argentinian Automobile Association had free wi-fi in their café, so we paid them a visit before leaving San Jose de Jachal, dutifully buying two coffees to find out the password. The wi-fi wasn’t working, other people were also having problems and there was no one in the office to put it right. Continue reading

October 19th. – On to San Jose de Jachal – 225km

Just as we left the campsite at Calingasta the drizzle started. The sky was overcast and it was clear we would need our wet weather gear at some stage. We cycled alongside a small river with trees, houses and a variety of plants that were not pampas. The road was a series of ups and downs for about 45km so pleasant and not too tiring. We were heading towards some North Wales style black clouds, with blue sky above us and more black clouds behind. Continue reading

Mendoza to Uspallata – Tuesday 13th. Oct.

When we arrived at breakfast in the hotel, the television news was discussing the closed pass between Santiago and Mendoza again. The weather was still unseasonably cold. Our destination was west to Uspallata, a town on the way back to Santiago. We had actually driven through on the coach but it hadn’t stopped. From Uspallata we could get on a road heading north and avoiding the ruta 40 that runs from Mendoza to the city of San Juan. We wanted to join ruta 40 later but at this point it was far too busy. We weren’t too sure how the weather would be in Uspallata but didn’t want to hang around in Mendoza waiting for the ideal moment. Continue reading

Mendoza, Argentina Sunday October 11th.

(Sorry no photos)
Arriving in the Mendoza bus station we were immediately accosted by someone offering ‘cambio blu’ this is the informal exchange of currency. We were surprised it was done so openly. The Government has pegged the Argentinian pesos at 10:1 to the US dollar. We were able to exchange for 15:1. We did however later find that the rate went down if you had small dollar bills. Continue reading