9th November continued
We drove south again, It seemed a never ending journey, Just before the town of
Neuquen we saw a camping, I don't remember the name, the owner was a baker and
made bread just for us! We paid 4 us. to camp.
The owner took the children to see his farm animals
We set up a table put on some music and played petanca, a game where each player has
to get his ball closest to the smaller one that is thrown first, Alex became addicted and
played with his father until late.
10th November
In the morning we headed south again past Neuquen, and suddenly came to a crossing,
our idea was to carry on south, but the signs advertising visits to dinosaur excavation
sites was attractive, as Alex is dinosaur crazy, there were other signs that said that it
was also the fruit and wine route. OK lets go.
After a while driving we saw a sign on the left indicating the excavation site, 17 kms
away, we went on the track and everything was clanking around, after 1 km we
decided it was too much, we turned back, what if we had a puncture? The stones were
very sharp.
We continued hoping that we would find something at a easier distance and on a better
road... we did! Bodegas fin del mundo, poor Alex, another Bodega, but he was quite
happy, he loved roaming around these big buildings. This time we just entered to buy a
couple of bottles and stretch our legs. The entrance was a maze of vines and Cypress
trees, and when we tried to get to the road we couldn't, it was a laugh to say good bye to
the guard the second time we returned to the bodega.
We finally arrived at the road following a tractor, and arrived at Zapala, went to store
to stock up and asked for a camping, as we were off route there were no campings, I
read a mention of a Laguna Blanca and we decided to give it a try, after driving
another hour and very tired, we arrived, only to find that the wind was blowing very
hard, and no camping place, we found the park ranger and asked if we could camp, he
said that we could. But Fernando was not happy: how would he make his BBQ with that
gale? I convinced him that this was the best we had at least for another 200 km before
we found another camping, and we would make a pasta and salad.
He agreed and went for walk along the lagoon with Alex, they came back in a bad
mood, they were chased by midgets!
After a while the wind stopped, the lake became flat, and we got to appreciate the volcano
in the background, then the sky started giving us a light show, we stood for more than
an hour watching it was a treat! The best sunset ever. ( Alex's sunset pics)
We went to sleep with the curtains open gazing at a sky full of stars.
11th November
When I woke up in the morning, I looked out of the window, what a sight! I sneaked out
of the van a took a walk, the lake was like a mirror, the sky blue, the volcano and snow
topped mountains in the background, on the lake I could see black necked swans,
flamingo's, ducks and other birds, a cow was grazing nearby, it was really an
amazing feeling standing there alone with that crisp nature.
It was difficult to leave Laguna Blanca, it was magical, never less we backtracked to
the main road and headed for Junin de los Andes, the road was dry and monotonous. I
took a sleep in the back and then Fernando did the same, while I was driving I started
noticing the mountain formations change, The scenery was like pictures I had seen of
Colorado, all of a sudden I viewed a turquoise blue lake backed with an amazing red
mountain, It brought a smile to my lips and both Alex ( my co-pilot ) and I felt happier.
We arrived in Junin and stopped at a Restaurant for lunch, we ate trout, and aubergine
in vinagrete, and went to look for a camping spot, we found one by the river, but the
lady was not very friendly, she had no bath facility's and wanted 6 us.
The road was just above us we then went to a lovely place in town, but it was closed, we
finally made camp just out of Junin at camping Blancas, at the edge of a river, the
camping was full, they charged us 4 us and Alex went off to play at the river,
Fernando decided to cook a leg of lamb and spent the next
3 hours doing so! He made up for not barbecuing yesterday.
When we went to see what Alex was up to, he had made a bridge,
Isabelle wanted to join in the fun and started throwing stones
into the water, she has had a passion for collecting stones ever
since.
12th November
We headed for San Martin de los Andes, again we left the green, and changed it for
brown, but the drive was not long, and soon we arrived in San Martin, we camped at
the automovil club at the entrance of the town. We paid 4.5 us, It was a very nice
camping ground with a roaring river running through.
We went into town to find a laundrette and an Internet café to be able to call our
family back in Spain.
We also roamed for a while around the town, gazing into all the chocolate shops, and
enjoying the scenic swiss type village. It was very cold. We bought Alex a fishing rod,
maybe we will have a chance to learn, but it seems that we are in too much of a hurry to
see everything...
We went back to the camping for dinner and I was very intrigued how, a small guy in
a very small tent, with just his head sticking out so he could heat up something in a
pot over a camping gas, was having fun.
After dinner Fernando and I went for a walk, Alex actually looked after Isabelle, but he
did look a little worried when we arrived back, the poor boy.
13th November
We went to collect our laundry buy some alfajores to take back for our friends Claudia
and Hector, did some more shopping, and bought smoked goods ( trout, salmon,
boar),and continued in the direction of ruta de los siete lagos. As we left town we found
the lake, we hadn't realized that it was so close! So we stopped right there and had our
lunch of smoked delicacy's with a great view, I think the fancy restaurant also had a
great view: of our van!
We traveled just a few Km´s to camping Catitre, 10 us, and made camp very close to
the lake, the view was wonderful, a small stream ran just a few metres from us and
Alex went to try to fish a trout with his new cane, he was amazingly patient.
We cooked goats meat, which was delicious. We played domino while Isabelle carried
stones from one place to another.
14th November
We traveled from Catitre along the Seven lakes route, it was wonderful! The lakes were
intense blue, the mountains poured waterfalls into them, the vegetation was lush, what
a luxury! We stopped by a Cristal clear blue rushing river to have a snack, we were
tempted to stay the night, but decided to carry on, the day was young and we wanted
to see more beautiful views, but, the road ended! Wow that is too soon! we should learn to
enjoy what
we have..
We are west of Angostura and just east of the Chile border, what shall we do? We
decided to go to Angostura and decide tonight where to go from here.
We drove around for a bit then went back towards chile to camping we had see coming
in to town, just next to a Supermarket, it was very nice, but 10 us!
I almost froze when I came out of the very clean showers, We are not used to such low
temperatures!
We decided that the next day we would go to Chile so we made a mega-barbecue of all we
had in the fridge, and celebrated that we had come to an agreement on which direction
we were to take. Luckely Isabelle made friends with the campings dog and it ate the big
amount we had left over.
continue
We drove south again, It seemed a never ending journey, Just before the town of
Neuquen we saw a camping, I don't remember the name, the owner was a baker and
made bread just for us! We paid 4 us. to camp.
The owner took the children to see his farm animals
We set up a table put on some music and played petanca, a game where each player has
to get his ball closest to the smaller one that is thrown first, Alex became addicted and
played with his father until late.
10th November
In the morning we headed south again past Neuquen, and suddenly came to a crossing,
our idea was to carry on south, but the signs advertising visits to dinosaur excavation
sites was attractive, as Alex is dinosaur crazy, there were other signs that said that it
was also the fruit and wine route. OK lets go.
After a while driving we saw a sign on the left indicating the excavation site, 17 kms
away, we went on the track and everything was clanking around, after 1 km we
decided it was too much, we turned back, what if we had a puncture? The stones were
very sharp.
We continued hoping that we would find something at a easier distance and on a better
road... we did! Bodegas fin del mundo, poor Alex, another Bodega, but he was quite
happy, he loved roaming around these big buildings. This time we just entered to buy a
couple of bottles and stretch our legs. The entrance was a maze of vines and Cypress
trees, and when we tried to get to the road we couldn't, it was a laugh to say good bye to
the guard the second time we returned to the bodega.
We finally arrived at the road following a tractor, and arrived at Zapala, went to store
to stock up and asked for a camping, as we were off route there were no campings, I
read a mention of a Laguna Blanca and we decided to give it a try, after driving
another hour and very tired, we arrived, only to find that the wind was blowing very
hard, and no camping place, we found the park ranger and asked if we could camp, he
said that we could. But Fernando was not happy: how would he make his BBQ with that
gale? I convinced him that this was the best we had at least for another 200 km before
we found another camping, and we would make a pasta and salad.
He agreed and went for walk along the lagoon with Alex, they came back in a bad
mood, they were chased by midgets!
After a while the wind stopped, the lake became flat, and we got to appreciate the volcano
in the background, then the sky started giving us a light show, we stood for more than
an hour watching it was a treat! The best sunset ever. ( Alex's sunset pics)
We went to sleep with the curtains open gazing at a sky full of stars.
11th November
When I woke up in the morning, I looked out of the window, what a sight! I sneaked out
of the van a took a walk, the lake was like a mirror, the sky blue, the volcano and snow
topped mountains in the background, on the lake I could see black necked swans,
flamingo's, ducks and other birds, a cow was grazing nearby, it was really an
amazing feeling standing there alone with that crisp nature.
It was difficult to leave Laguna Blanca, it was magical, never less we backtracked to
the main road and headed for Junin de los Andes, the road was dry and monotonous. I
took a sleep in the back and then Fernando did the same, while I was driving I started
noticing the mountain formations change, The scenery was like pictures I had seen of
Colorado, all of a sudden I viewed a turquoise blue lake backed with an amazing red
mountain, It brought a smile to my lips and both Alex ( my co-pilot ) and I felt happier.
We arrived in Junin and stopped at a Restaurant for lunch, we ate trout, and aubergine
in vinagrete, and went to look for a camping spot, we found one by the river, but the
lady was not very friendly, she had no bath facility's and wanted 6 us.
The road was just above us we then went to a lovely place in town, but it was closed, we
finally made camp just out of Junin at camping Blancas, at the edge of a river, the
camping was full, they charged us 4 us and Alex went off to play at the river,
Fernando decided to cook a leg of lamb and spent the next
3 hours doing so! He made up for not barbecuing yesterday.
When we went to see what Alex was up to, he had made a bridge,
Isabelle wanted to join in the fun and started throwing stones
into the water, she has had a passion for collecting stones ever
since.
12th November
We headed for San Martin de los Andes, again we left the green, and changed it for
brown, but the drive was not long, and soon we arrived in San Martin, we camped at
the automovil club at the entrance of the town. We paid 4.5 us, It was a very nice
camping ground with a roaring river running through.
We went into town to find a laundrette and an Internet café to be able to call our
family back in Spain.
We also roamed for a while around the town, gazing into all the chocolate shops, and
enjoying the scenic swiss type village. It was very cold. We bought Alex a fishing rod,
maybe we will have a chance to learn, but it seems that we are in too much of a hurry to
see everything...
We went back to the camping for dinner and I was very intrigued how, a small guy in
a very small tent, with just his head sticking out so he could heat up something in a
pot over a camping gas, was having fun.
After dinner Fernando and I went for a walk, Alex actually looked after Isabelle, but he
did look a little worried when we arrived back, the poor boy.
13th November
We went to collect our laundry buy some alfajores to take back for our friends Claudia
and Hector, did some more shopping, and bought smoked goods ( trout, salmon,
boar),and continued in the direction of ruta de los siete lagos. As we left town we found
the lake, we hadn't realized that it was so close! So we stopped right there and had our
lunch of smoked delicacy's with a great view, I think the fancy restaurant also had a
great view: of our van!
We traveled just a few Km´s to camping Catitre, 10 us, and made camp very close to
the lake, the view was wonderful, a small stream ran just a few metres from us and
Alex went to try to fish a trout with his new cane, he was amazingly patient.
We cooked goats meat, which was delicious. We played domino while Isabelle carried
stones from one place to another.
14th November
We traveled from Catitre along the Seven lakes route, it was wonderful! The lakes were
intense blue, the mountains poured waterfalls into them, the vegetation was lush, what
a luxury! We stopped by a Cristal clear blue rushing river to have a snack, we were
tempted to stay the night, but decided to carry on, the day was young and we wanted
to see more beautiful views, but, the road ended! Wow that is too soon! we should learn to
enjoy what
we have..
We are west of Angostura and just east of the Chile border, what shall we do? We
decided to go to Angostura and decide tonight where to go from here.
We drove around for a bit then went back towards chile to camping we had see coming
in to town, just next to a Supermarket, it was very nice, but 10 us!
I almost froze when I came out of the very clean showers, We are not used to such low
temperatures!
We decided that the next day we would go to Chile so we made a mega-barbecue of all we
had in the fridge, and celebrated that we had come to an agreement on which direction
we were to take. Luckely Isabelle made friends with the campings dog and it ate the big
amount we had left over.
continue
 |
| |
 |
