Merry Christmas from ‘The End of The World’
Posted by Karen on December 25th 2007
Written on the 2007 Alaska to Brazil expedition
Hey Everybody!
Pan American Highway Completed! From Alaska to Ushuaia! Only 6 weeks left on our 9 month journey - How on earth did THAT happen!
So Far…
Well we can confirm that Argentine beef really is every bit as great as they said it was going to be!
We have spent the last few weeks weaving in and out of Argentina and Chile, from one side of the Andes to the other.
Both Chile and Argentina are extremely westernized (especially compared to what we have been used to) and very cosmopolitan. The people are nice and friendly and it’s great not to stand out as a ‘Gringo’ for once. When they find out where we are from they are politely interested but apart from that we are just treated them same as everyone else – and it makes a refreshing change.
A lot terrain and scenery is very similar to New Zealand in places, but their huge rocky mountains and milky blue glacier lakes are very unique.
Mendoza was our first stop where most made a visit to one or two of the vineyards and wineries as this is one of Argentina’s most famous wine regions. It was then over the Andes and into Santiago which also just happens to be one of Chile’s very popular wine regions as well. More vineyards have seen the truck filling up with wine far too fancy for an overland expedition. There is something to be said for sitting around a campfire sipping a good Luigi Bosca Reserve from a tin cup!
We then headed south to the pretty Swiss-like town of Pucon, one of Chiles ‘out door adventure’ centres. From here it is possible to do almost any outdoor activity you want, but it is renowned for its climb to the summit of the Villarica Volcano. It is only a day trek but ‘quite challenging’ and the views down into the still very active volcano are incredible, not to mention sliding all the way back down through the snow on your bum! Fly fishing was also on the agenda and some of the nicest trout most had ever tasted was cooked over the camp fire.
Our ‘fit bunch’ all successfully attempted the volcano while the rest chose to just relax and potter around the very pretty little town and enjoy slightly more leisurely activities.
From Vineyards to Argentine Horse Ranches to White Water Rafting on one of the worlds most difficult rivers (The Futelafu) on the Carretera Austral, in Chile, to our first real taste of camping in the rain, it has been quite a full on few weeks. The cold weather has returned as we go in and out of altitude and it feels very weird to be back in the snow one minute and swimming the next! Life in altitude makes for an interesting journey and the good news is that no one has suffered in the slightest from any Altitude sickness, despite going as high as 5000+ meters at times, we barely note the difference these days.
Back down at sea level (and staying there now) the scenery on the Carretera Austral was wonderful, Chile is so diverse and has so much to offer – it just keeps getting better and better, completely different from one area to the next.
It was then back into Argentina to view the famous Moreno Glacier, this is simply one of the most incredible natural sights the world has to offer, short of going to the Antarctic it just doesn’t get any better than this – you have to see it to believe it and it really is not until you stand directly in front of its massive bulk, hearing it creak and groan and watching chunks of ice the size of houses fall every few minutes, do you realize just how fortunate we all are to be able to experience something of this magnitude.
From here we headed to back to Chile’s ‘Torres Del Paine National Park’. Once again we keep going on about the scenery, but just look at the photos and you will see why – Chile and Argentina truly are 2 of the of the most magnificent countries in South America in terms of what they have to offer. Packs were donned, tents carried and our fit lot were off again! They returned cold, hungry and completely knackered, but having witnessed some of the best scenery on offer.
Just arrived in Ushuaia now (back in Argentina!) at the ‘End of The World’ to celebrate Christmas!
Hope every one has a great time over the holidays,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
All of us xx
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