Last day of 2010, Best day

December 31, 2010.

The last day of 2010 and the best day on our trip. Met very nice people at breakfast, then rode out to the Moreno Glacier. Took the wrong road, it was gravel (ripia).

Fields of native bushes similar to Sage are in full bloom and the air is filled with the flowering scents.

The road ended up intersecting the right road, which was beautiful pavement. Park entry is expensive. They stick it to the tourists, but we took advantage of the road. In the park, the road is perfect cement all the way to the parking lot for the Moreno Glacier. Twisty, undulating and following the shore of the lake, the road whispers to us (Enjoy).

Weather is scattered clouds, warm and a bit windy. Everything combines for the best ride of our trip. Up to 150 on some straights, slowing to 60 through 20-30kph hairpin turns. Few cars only added to the turns and challenge. Michael is hot on my tail and bikes are operating perfectly. After 35kms of perfect riding conditions, the parking lot for the Moreno Glacier arrives. Have perfect location to park the bikes in full view of everyone. Got tickets for the Catamaran ride to the wall of the glacier with an hour to spare. Went to the restaurant and had a great lunch, little pricey but good food. Walked down to the dock and was awe struck by the massive glacier hovering in the water in front of us. Boat ride was a perfect length of one hour, only 25% full and we had ample picture ops. After the boat ride, we walked the newly constructed pathway to many observation decks. Each deck higher and closer than the last.

Gun shot and thunder sounds as chunks of ice break off and fall into the lake.

On our walk back to our bikes, 2 BMWs show up and turns out that I had met them briefly at Viedma, 3 weeks earlier. On the way back to El Calefate, the park road was even better because the wind was at our backs. Engine sounds echo into our helmets instead of the wind of earlier in the day. Listening to these engines whir up and down while shifting in and out of the corners and straight stretches got us into the perfect zone for riding. After the exit of the park, the road straightens out and 140 is a perfect speed all the way back to town. Siesta, then David and Martin show up and get one of the last rooms. Evening planning discussions ensue, then shower, out to dinner at 10pm. Good dinner, pricey, but what do you expect for New Years Eve. Watched fireworks at midnight. Helena from Holland, who we met in the morning at the hostel, has accompanied us 4 guys. She is very friendly fits in with us very well. Went across the street from the restaurant for music and we all arrived back at the hostel about 3:30am on New years day. Greatest day ever!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE, from El Calafate, Argentina.

To El Calafate

December 30, 2010

Packed up and before heading out of Puerto Natales, we took a few pics of the town and views.

Rode towards Torres de Paine National Park. Very expensive to enter the park so we decided to continue to El Calefate, near the Moreno Glacier on Lago Argentino. El Calefate is a nice and clean tourist town, very similar to Bamff or Jasper, but the landscape is much flatter and drier. Checked out the town, got stickers and souvenirs.

To Puerto Natales

December 29, 2010

Said our good-byes to Patrick and Jana as they are staying until their new tires arrive and get installed. Hope to catch up with them later in the trip. Edwardo At Hostel Indenpencia is such a wonderful host, he made us feel at home. Rode to Puerto Natales today. Wind was gusty, but no problems. Found a nice hostel with wyfi. Town is quite nice and touristy. First time Michael and I felt that the summer season has begun. Lots of people in the streets and all the stores open, selling their wares. Beautiful mountains, snow and Glacier covered are the backdrop for this town.

To Punta Arenas

December 28, 2010

Border crossing day. Up early and on the road by 8am. Didn't know about the lineups at the border and had 80kms to reach it. Borders were good. Took 10 minutes to check out of Argentina and about 45 minutes to check into Chile at separate border crossings 15kms away from one another. Stopped for breakfast after the Chile crossing and had a great breakfast. Patrick and Jana said their goodbyes to John and Sharan and carried on. We said our goodbyes at a later fork in the road. John and Sharon are finishing their trip, going to Buenos Aires and shipping their bike. We head for Punta Arenas to go north to Ruta 40 and the Carraterra Austral in Patagonia.

To Rio Grande

December 27, 2010

Riding day, we pack up and leave our home away from home. La Posta Hostel was very nice. Probably the nicest place we have stayed. Rode to main street to pick up a few small souvenirs. Met John and Sharan at the sign near the edge of town and headed out. At the Garibaldi Pass, Uly, Annaleen and family are there on their way south. Stopped and visited for 15 minutes then headed for Rio Grande. Stayed at Nautica Camping Club again and Norma made dinner for all six of us. We kept catching up to Patrick and Jana, they like traveling their own speed.

 

Almirante Brown and Estancia Harberton

December 26, 2010

Hector, La Posta Hostel owner, has a KLR motorcycle and took us for a ride out to the east Beagle Channel, almost to the Atlantic Ocean, Almirante Brown and Estancia Harberton. Estancia Harberton is the first ranch in the Beagle Channel over 130 years ago. Describes the history to us and was a wonderful host. Takes us to see the famous flag trees.  Rode 240kms and 7 hrs of riding. Very wonderful man. After we got back and ate left over stew, we talked to our family. Julie has been making the rounds and had Christmas dinner with Dad, Lynda, her family and their friends. Got to video chat with them all too. Miss everyone. More homesick.

Christmas Day

December 25, 2010

Had to move into an 8 bed dorm room this morning because the hosts had this one booked.
Michael had problems getting up. He didn't feel so good. Wonder why? He stayed in bed most of the day nursing his hangover. I went for a walk into town and back. Weather changes every 5 minutes. Got back and made Chicken stew for dinner. John and Sharan came over and had Christmas dinner with us. Nice quiet evening, got to talk to the family at home through Gmail Video Chat. Wonderful technology. It was nice to see Julie's families, but we miss them all very much. Made me homesick. Just not the same as being there.

December 24, 2010

Much of the day was spent updating my blog. Bought groceries for Christmas dinner. They don't know Turkey down here so we settled on chicken. We were invited to a Christmas Eve party at another hostel, friends of our hostel owners, "Freestyle Hostel". All you could eat and drink, party till the sun comes up. Food was good, wine, beer and punch was free flowing and at midnight, Champagne came out. Music was loud and we all partied hard. Michael indulged in the wine and beer a little too much. Found out that he likes penguins.