Saturday, December 5, 2009

So back on the road for the last 2 days travel into Buenos Aires. Still not without some potential drama due to the busy roads,but also the fact that "Mana" was starting to run a little rough (maybe just bad fuel) but both tyres are now looking like a pair of racing slicks.....not sure if they would make the last 500 k's...
One last night with the camp set up, we've camped alot due to the price of accommodation and while most of the camps have been horrible due to noisy outsides, it has saved us the precious $$ that are fast running out.
Into town we arrived and amazed at our own ability not to get too lost in a place of 14 million folks.
Got to our accommodation with out incident and under a warm blue sky. had made a booking for the time left here on the Internet and eager to see what we had booked. Cath leaves in about 5 days but I don't fly out until the 12th as I have to try and organize the shipping of the bike yet.
So with that, we will sign off the blog.
I've been on the road now for almost 3 months and covered 24000 k's. Been through 14 countries, 28 boarder crossings, sailed with bike on board and just about all the weather that's available. The last 8000ks of course have been 2 up with Cath "it's different from Behind" which has added to this amazing experience.
With all the worlds events leading up to this happening, it would have been easier to put it off for a period of time and let things settle, which is what a few people felt I should have done. But what happens then, it's just replaced with some other event, and before you know it you've missed out again on experiencing something that you just can't describe yet alone watch on the discovery channel.
I would not have changed a thing on this whole experience and I'm sure will find it hard to settle back into doing what I must and get back to work, but sure am going to miss life on the road...... although I do hear that Brazil is great this time of the year........
Cheers
Kiwi on wheels......
The Peninsular boasts one of the largest breeding colonies of Magellanic Penguins, this is just one of hundreds.
My little camera does not do the Southern Right Whale any justice at all and Mark,thankfully, got some great footage on the video. But it gives you an idea how close they were.


Classic
Whales ahoy!!!!! Sooo exciting, we werent to know it yet,but we would be right beside a mother and calf, and it was overwhelming
Cape Valdez Peninsular National Park, Pt Piramides, and we saw two whales just off this ancient sea bed, unfortunately, we had been sitting on the beach at dusk having a beer, and didnt have the camera...so you will just have to believe me.
The photos are in the wrong order here, but when we stopped on the road for a tea break, we couldnt believe our choice of beach and who we were to share it with
They were just doing what sea-lions do
This pup, had a dead fish stuck to its chin, too cute. The whole group smelt more than a bit fishy tho!

on the move,images from the back seat

Mark sticks to the centre line, which makes for close call action!

These red flags are everywhere along the roadside, often, they can be accompanied by intricate shrines, with figures,crosses and offerings.Notice how they are stretched out in the ever present side wind.
The roads can be quite narrow and passing trucks dont have much space, combined with an unstable shoulder.... this truck driver with his two big trailers,was not meeting his deadline today.
Love this look, horses and dogs doing the muster.

Head'n North....

Back out of Ushuaia and over the pass again ready for the wet and cold that seemed to be awaiting for us. However it went very smoothly and was on the other side before we knew it. How did we know.... cause the wind had kicked in with vengeance and to a point of ridiculous..
Not only can you fill up with fuel at the gas stops but this one station had some great little pies on offer all for about $1 each.....so 9 later.....
back on the road again and only 3000k's to go
with alot of trucks on the road to add to challenge