Icebergs in Torres del Paine, Chile

Icebergs in Torres del Paine, Chile, originally uploaded by simonthepom.

we found a cheeky little wifi connection at a pub after our iceburg discovery so thought we would share it with you. These iceburgs are huge and broke away from a glacier 15km's away so the glacier must be humungous. Torres del Paine is just spectacular so far. We have 2 more nights here so tomorrow is a little warm up 8 hour hike for macchu pichu.

Ps. In case you were wondering you can add your comments to the blog and a little return communication would be welcome with our moments of home sickness.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Today we had the pleasure of visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier, about 80 kms from El Calafate, where we stayed last night and tonight. The glacier is absoultely jaw-dropping, at 2.5 kms wide and 60m high!!! The video is the road to get there and what a sweet road it is. Glad we could ride it rather than sat on a bus with the plebs...

After staring at the glacier in sheer awe, we took a boat trip to get a closer look. This is what we saw:

The glacier advances 2m a day and within an hour or so, we heard a huge cracking sound, the sound of tonnes of ice dropping into the sky blue water below, bloody amazing!

Lake Argentina

Hi everyone,

We have had some amazing days these past few days, much more spectacular than any words could describe. Ruta 40 is all it is cracked up to be, classic gaucho territory with wide expanses of sky as far as you can see. At some points the sky and clouds swirling above made it difficult for the eyes to soak it all in as we cruised past. We have already racked up over 3000km´s since we started on the bikes.

So far we have seen guanaco (cousins to the lama´s), condors, armadillo´s, flamingos, deer, rhea (like an emu) and a dead skunk. Pheweee, they smell. The condors are our fav so far, they have such grace and seemless effort with one small flap to soar above the mountains.

2 nights ago we stayed at an Estancia (traditional Argentinian sheep station) and experienced an Argentinian BBQ. Yum, yum, yum! The lamb was the best we have ever had, cooked in a raging open fire on a skewer (up its bum) so was super crispy on both sides. Argentinian wine and beer is a fine drop!

PS We are having some issues with our hard drive so can´t show you pictures of the above for now. But will up load as soon as we can. This is the last internet connection before Ushauia we the bike trip finishes so you won´t hear from us for a few days after this.

We´re still around...

Sorry for the lack of posts everyone, internet is few and far between round these parts. I´m writing this on satellite internet, so won´t post any pics as it´s quite slow.

We arrived in El Chalten yesterday, an absolutely beautiful place, surrounded by the Fitz Roy range and a massive glacier, just stunning! I´ll post some pics and videos of where we´ve been riding in a couple of days when we get to El Calafate, but let me say this, it´s the windiest place I´ve ever been! Quite challenging on the bike on gravel roads.

Love to all xoxoxo

Into Argentina...

The border crossing was definitely tedious... After 30 km's of dirt and gravel roads (pretty hard core) we arrived at the Chilean part of the border to find that the customs people were on strike! Bastards! So we spent the next 7 hours waiting for the private contractor (yes, just 1) to arrive. Wasn't a bad spot to be stranded, next to the volcano, but after 7 hours the sun did start to take it's toll on us.

So after finally getting through the Chilean and Argentinean border we had another 15 k's or so dirt and gravel, only to arrive on some of the best bitumen I've ever experienced, period! Amazing curvy roads that motorcyclists dream about. Only slight issue was that it got dark towards the last 100 k's into Bariloche (not so good with a dark tint visor...)  So this arvo we're going back to ride some of it again and also the Seven Lakes Drive, check back for more pics and video on the way.

The dogs are some new friends we've made here at Bariloche, they know how to turn on the cuteness, just like Cash.

Much love to all xoxo

Some pics for your viewing pleasure

We'll start this post with an oh 'so romantic' pic of us in front of the volcano in Pucon at sunset...ahhh... absolutely glorious. A nice relaxing evening before we head off for Bariloche in Argentina.  Our first boarding crossing which we have been told can be slow and tedious. xoxo

The damage

Here you go Mum, photographic evidence of my topple injury.  Nothing to worry about, just a bruise!  But a goodie.  Hopefully my first and last one... although my bum is still a bit sore after yesterday's marathon ride.

Pucon

We got to Pucon last night, and wow what an amazing place. A massive volcano all covered in snow towers over the town. Pretty special.

Had our first day on the bikes today with a half day ride to get used to them. They are pretty damn hot bikes! Really easy to ride...most of the time. Cate had her first spill at very low speed. Think gravel but large pebbles the bikes slide around on. Mainly her ego bruised but we will post evidence once the bruise comes up nicely...it´ll be a goodie!

Cate was a bit disappointed being the only chick on the tour and the only rider to tumble...but hey, Ewen dropped his bike quite a few times on Long Way Round so I am sure there will be a few more. Particularly as part of this mornings ride was to orientate ourselves with the bikes, but also with dirt and gravel roads.

Soaked ourselves in natural hot springs in the afternoon in readiness for our first border crossing into Argentina tomorrow. Exciting stuff. I would use an exclamation mark if I new how to with this keyboard. :-?

Av. Libertador Bdo O'Higgins, Santiago

Av. Libertador Bdo O'Higgins, Santiago, originally uploaded by simonthepom.

This is the view from our hotel room. There's been protests everyday, unions demanding pay rises, 14.5% they want... So it's been less than quiet with the protestors blowing whistles constantly all day, must work for I suppose.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Pucon, a 10 hour bus ride south of Santiago. We are so ready to get out of the city and start riding through the Andes and then Patagonia in about a week.

Here we are in Santiago

After quite a long flight, we've arrived in Santiago de Chile. We now have 3 days here before leaving for Pucon to jump on the bikes.

Santiago is really nice, much like Europe. We enjoyed a nice dinner with some cracking Chilean wine, yep will be having some more of that!

More exploring tomorrow in very very broken Spanish - which will hopefully improve by the end of the 6 weeks.

Buenos noces!

Simon & Cate