The three hour wait for the flight passed in a flash, there must have been a conspiracy between the makers of all the time saving devices we have in our lives and the inventors of the smartphones.Looking around the lounge people of all ages, creeds and colours were all doing one thing, getting rid of the excess time, fiddling, chatting, surfing etc on their phones.
An uneventful flight and arrival at the hotel in a coma.
19/6/2013
Went to the money-changers and was disapointed to find that the rate was down slightly from last time, 7.7 pesos for a dollar instead of 8. Still it's much better that the official rate of 5.5. Paying cash for everything is ok but walking the streets of Buenos Aires with wads of cash heightens the awareness.
Arrived on schedule to collect the bike , very relieved to find i could still fit into my riding gear although my voice did go a bit squeaky and breathing became difficult.
It's been some time since I last rode and after struggling to get on board i was back to wobbling up the road and out into the Buenos aires traffic.Made it back to the hotel but finding myself in the wrong lane and having to get across 5 lanes to do a U-turn is not for the faint hearted.
20/6/2013
Common sense got the better of me and had another day trying to catch up on sleep.
21/6/2013
Awake bright an early and gave myself a good talking to to get started. By the time I had paid the hotel bill and got my panniers down to the bike the sweat was pouring off me.
Out of the carpark into the cold air and i was on my way to Parana, the capital of Entre Rios. one note to self, check that the GPS is "on line". it was a bit strange to find whichever way I turned It was indicating the correct way,also a bit annoying as I had turned off the autopista by mistake.When I eventually got out of the city it was nice to find good roads and lots of flat green landscape, was a bit surprised to find so much water but i guess the region being called Entre Rios should have been a clue.
Whilst riding and reflecting on all the meat in the restaurants it dawned on me I didn't see a single cow, they must be hiding.
Argentinians seem to have the same method as we Brits when dealing with non mother tongue speakers,a toll booth operater responded to my Manuel impressions of "que?" , "que?"by yelling louder and louder, eventually looking up from her newspaper to flap her arms around. I now know what " pasada la barriere" means.
These GPSs are good, and it seems my free download from "Proyecto Mappear"is spot on because it led me straight to my pre-booked lodging.I was a little perplexed as I couldn't figure out from which place they had taken the photograph for the internet, anyway they had a locked garage for the bike and the rooms are clean.
22/6/13
Very pleasant day spent walking around Parana, celebrations underway for their bicentennial.
 |
| I GUESS THIS IS PROGRESS?? |
Very nice place and strolling in the afternoon sun, people watching, it was evident that wherever I have been people are doing exactly the same things, enjoying time with the family.
 |
RIVER BANK AT PARANA Not having my insurance green card and tomorrow being the last day of a very long ( 4 days ) weekend I have decided to go to Concordia, on the border with Uraguay and attempt the crossing on Monday morning. |
23/6/2013
Didn't know what to expect in the way of traffic being the end of a four day public holiday but the road was quiet. Arrived before lunch at prebooked hotel and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the accomodation for 40 dollars
Lunch was not available at the hotel so I was directed to a shed like building on a garage forecourt about 50 metres away. It was certainly a lesson on not judging a book by its cover.
Inside it was bustling with people waiting for tables. It could have been Sunday lunchtime anywhere in the world with families all out together. The food was good and the service excellent, the thought crossed my mind that once Mcdonalds and the like "progress"to these parts all such family run establishments will be history. There is something that is just "nice "about such places and the way of life they represent, no counting how many chips in a portion here.
24/6/2013
Set off for the border 20 kms away wondering what was in store. I don't know what i was expecting but after the excitement of the borders in Africa it was all rather tame, there were very few vehicles and everything was quite well organised.Pleased to say that my Spanish ( or miming ) is up to the task of getting me and the bike out of and into countries, i don't know if the Uraguayans fully understood when I told them I was there to escort Suarez back to Liverpool. Both sets of immigration and customs are in the same building so it makes things very simple.I asked if I could just turn around and go back but they said I had to spend a night in Uraguay,No mention of insurance by the Uraguayans and I was on my way.
Stopped at the first place I came to.It just happened to be a Spa with thermal springs and very nice too.
 | ||||||||
| SPA HOTEL
As it had hot springs there was plenty of hot water and the time was early I got a wash on . Out for a walk with my "spare" trousers on I realised I had made a big mistake when the press stud button at the top of the fly kept popping open. There is no way I can lose wt. here and the next hour was spent drying my washing with the hair-dryer.I felt so bad about my clothes not fitting I had salad as one of three courses at lunch and went for a long walk after.
Obviously I am on the right track. One thing that is a bit odd though is that I feel like a teenager in this hotel, sitting down to lunch was a bit like being in a rest home.
25/6/2013
Re-entering Argentina is a bit more officious than going into Uraguay but is still very straight forward. All the concerns I had have disapeared now as I have finally realised there is nothing magic about any of this, hundreds of vehicles pass every border every day.
26/6/2013 Relaxed 200 kms to Gualeguaychu ,the first 100 in fog. Hotel decent enough but there is something a bit sad about holiday resorts out of season.
27/6/13
Returned to Buenos Aires arriving in the rush hour just to give a bit of excitement to the day.A few days to kill before flying back so no real excuse for not seeing the sights as recommended by the guide books. Seems like all big proud cities are being turned into themed shopping malls. |
 |
| PATRON SAINT OF ARGENTINA |
 |
| NO COMMENT NECESSARY |
 |
| FAST FORWARD A FEW YEARS |
Next episode end of August, Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.
View Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and Punta Arenas in a larger map
