Mar 31, 2017 - 18 March 2017 - Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

More border crossings on 17th March as we start to head north towards Torres del Paine National Park. And another ferry crossing across the Magellan Straits. Our treat for today is a visit to a king penguin colony - it was a bit voyeuristic peeping through the holes in the fence to see the penguins in the wild but very interesting too. Tonight we are wild camping at a very cold place called Parque Chabunco, a camping area on the side of the road with beautiful views over the Magellan Straits. We even saw whales! So we finally reached Torres...

Mar 22, 2017 - Northbound

The worst part of Ushuaia was the night club across the street from the hostel. Live, loud rock music started at 1AM and went to 6AM. Rarely have ear plugs been so dear. We therefore didn't mind the 3AM alarm and 4AM start to leave town. After crossing back to Chile and taking the ferry across the Straits of Magellan, we stopped for a look at king penguins before stopping at a real park for the night. The real park was in training to be a town dump and was right next to the highway, but we are tolerant travelers. After a very long drive,...

Mar 22, 2017 - 52k to Niebla via Valdivia on the west coast

Wed Mar 22 52k to Niebla via Valdivia on the west coast. 5hr ride time. Ascents 421m. Relieved to be still alive this morning and not squished in our tent ! Tent wet and caked in dust. Quick wipe down with wet wipes and everything packed away quickly. Sprinted 1k back to the main road, fearful of a truck hitting us. Cool /damp morning 5C, rode in the shade of the hill. 30 mins later had our coffee and porridge with the last of the blueberries at a bus shelter in the sun. Many homes in the shade, with ice on the roof and smoke puffing from...

Mar 19, 2017 - to 5k before Osorno. 49k.

Sun Mar 19 to 5k before Osorno. 49k. 3:10 ride time. Total ascents 271m. Another overcast morning. Pete replaced his worn brake pads. Camp dog , v handsome with soft hair, but his back end matted. Most dogs we have seen look to be in pretty good health, except for the city dogs that can look mangy and thin. Village market - fresh foods, fruits/vege and crafts, new and used clothes and shoes. Feasted on queso (cheese) empanadas, BBQ sausages and meats on a skewer, and a caramel toffee torte. Delicious and cheap! Sunny and 25C now. Bombed...

Mar 15, 2017 - to Puerto Varas 73 k

Wed Mar 15- to Puerto Varas 73 k 5:45 ride time Total ascents 768m =many hills. Cold southerly wind off the lake gusted through the night. 8C at 8am, so set off wrapped up warmly. Misty cloud over the volcano. Had to stop and eat big juicy blackberries even though we were full of porridge. Rode in the shade of steep hill, little waterfalls, road hugging the shore line. Quick shop in Las Cascadas as we weren’t sure we’d make it to P. Varas. GPS doesn’t tell us the topography, only the distance. Salmon farms in the lake. On a big climb 2 girl...

Mar 4, 2017 - Torres del Paine, le plus célèbre Parc du Chili

Bonjour à Tous, Moment longtemps attendu, un des bijoux de la Patagonie. Dernier Grand Parc avant la Terre de Feu. Il est au Chili, donc, retour en ce beau pays. 6 jours de treck en espérant que la météo se trompera un peu, car, dans les quelques jours d'attente de mes dates de réservation à Puerto Natales, rien de bien encourageant... Au départ de cette ville, ciel clair et pas de vent. Bien, dans le Parc se fut l'été pour 2 1/2 jours. Pas vent et ciel dégagé. Oui, 2-3 averses le 2ieme jours en pm alors que je dormais, car, départ dans...

Mar 4, 2017 - 36k Conaripe to Linguine

Sat March 4 36k Conaripe to Linguine at edge of the Andes. Overcast morning -heavy dew on the tent. Easy riding for about 8ks then we hit gravel and short sharp hills. N very happy with fatter tyres. Bush all around and peaceful riding apart from the cars and buses, dusty. Was offered a ride in a ute to the top, but declined it, lucky the top was only 2ks further. 2 hrs riding came to 2 Termas Baths, chose Pillaifa Termas bout 2k off the road. 4 pools of different temps, garden setting, on a farm. Picnic / camping spots. V clean. $20 Nz...

Mar 3, 2017 - 75 ks Pucon to Conaripe

Fri March 3 75 ks Pucon to Conaripe. Sun again. .great riding on the v busy main road along Lake Villarica, smooth tarseal and mostly good wide shoulder. New developments being advertised and built, established mansions behind ornate gates and huge trees block the lakes view for most of the 25 ks. Small public beach gave us a peep of the lake. We are so fortunate in NZ that the general public can get access. Sandwich at lake front with wide open view of nearby volcano Ruka Pillan and the volcano north east of lake Carburga, that we couldn’t...

Mar 2, 2017 - Pucon

Thurs Mar 2nd Pucon Traffic and the water pump were the sounds last night, but better than dogs and music. Still dark @ 7am…then the rain started and only stopped at 1pm. Easy decision to stay in camp, drink coffe and do more hours planning our route. Plan to take a ferry at end of lake Pirihueico , to the 40km border road over the Andes and to San Martin de los Andes ,Argentina. Could take 2 days to do this, we are not sure of the ferry times and how long is the journey…or what condition or how high the pass is.. Weather looks promising....

Mar 1, 2017 - Caburgua to Pucon

Wed 1 March Caburgua to Pucon Sunny ! ..but too cloudy to see the volcano across the lake. Coasted 4 k downhill to the waterfalls, this time we visited the other side ..better views and in the sun. Enjoyed coffee at road side café..at half the price of same in Pucon. Chose lake side campground, $32 tent site. Threatening clouds, got the tent up and were given large plastic sheet to put over tent. Back to bike shop, bought wider tyres for N bike, so she feels more comfortable on dirt/sand. Ate and blogged for 3 hrs in the large covered...

Mar 1, 2017 - 1 March 2017 - Pucon, Chile

A long drive day yesterday (12 hours) through agricultural country - fruit trees and veggies everywhere you looked. Motorway all the way so we stopped every couple of hours at service stations for a break. Had an interesting cappucino - coffee with whipped cream on top. Not what I was expecting, but not bad! Rain most of the way, some of it very heavy which could change our plans for the next few days (our climb up the volcano tomorrow is not happening because of the weather, fingers crossed I will get to do it on Thursday) Today...

Feb 28, 2017 - 26 February 2017 - Santiago, Chile

Arrived in Santiago today after around 15 hours flying time (via Auckland). We are staying at the Happy House hostel, quite comfortable and easy to get into town. On 27th we joined a walking tour of Santiago with a very entertaining guide who gave us an interesting overview of Chilean history - this lasted for 4 hours and after that we caught the metro back to our hotel and had a rest before our group meeting at 6pm then dinner at a steak restaurant. Our truck, Rosita, is parked outside the hotel ready for our departure in the morning. We...