Slowphil gathers momentum

[Slowphil]

Ah Santiago, didn't spend enough time there but that's the general complaint of the trip



the fish market was designed and built by Eiffel of the tower fame



and the street art was eclectic








huge parks everywhere and lots of sidewalk cafe's in the barrios



but Argentina calls and the border is waiting



funny thing was when we arrived at the border up in the mountains there was a huge building, large enough to park busses and semis in so the customs and immigration didn't have to go outside during the winter, we thought we cleared out of Chile and headed off down the road looking for the Argentine customs, after about 200 kms we came to the conclusion that we apparently had cleared into Argentina at the same time, easiest crossing I've ever seen

after a couple of days we landed in San Juan de Bariloche but just outside the city we came across this nifty little cafe so stopped and had a nice cup of tea



not sure what this machine did but it had a place of prominence in the cafe



and the setting for the cafe and camp ground was beautiful

[Slowphil]

and just to wet your appetites here's a sneak preview of San Carlos de Bariloche

view from our 10th floor penthouse hostal







and a few street scenes



and a little bit of whimsicle art for sale here





well that's it for now, have to go out and play, a friend of mine from Australia who I haven't seen in 5 years just rolled into town

edited to add this spot

my friend and I coming together

[fredgreen]

looking good Phil! You'll soon be at the end of the continent.

[Slowphil]

Originally Posted by fredgreen

looking good Phil! You'll soon be at the end of the continent.

Hi Fred: they call the area "The End Of The World" for a very valid reason. Really looking forward to seeing it but not feeling the winds that go with it.

Your going to love this place when it's your turn to come down'

Cheers Philip

[Slowphil]

A few more pics of Bariloche before heading down the road









but Patagonia is calling and the views on the way are magnificant



but one must keep body and soul together with a little sustinance while on the road



nice little town to stop and have a coffee in





but the Argentine/Chile border arrives once again, clearing out was easy





on the Chile side Guillermo had a real cute customs agent who made him empty every bag he had, the agent that I drew stood there with me and we watched with amusement as he dumped everything he owned, even his silver tongue couldn't save him this time



and it's off to Puerto Montt to arrange a 4 day ferry ride down the coast

[Slowphil]

but once again it's time to eat,nice little cafe with really nice staff



My impression of Puerto Montt is a tough little ferry terminal town with a nice side as well







but wait - what's this-the 4 day ferry isn't until Friday and it's booked anyway, all right we'll hop on the next available ferry heading south - WHAT - they're all booked for the next few days? can't be can they

so off we head on the bikes toward Hornopiren where we can get a ferry heading down, off down the coast and onto a small ferry ride



while we're waiting we'll have something to eat and a cup of coffee, the ferries coming? quick stuff down as much food as you can, slurp some coffee and get out on the bikes









it was only a small ferry so there weren't any facilities for passangers, we stood out in the wind and rain for about 1/2 hr on the trip, it's a good thing the 4 hr ferry ride tomorrow will be on a much bigger ferry

[Slowphil]

couple of pictures of Hornopiren before we catch the ferry, only the restaurant at the hotel is heated but the staff was nice enough to let us hang our soaking riding gear beside the stove to get it dry, oh did I mention that it was wind, rain and cold all day?





but now it's time to board the ferry and get out of the rain and wind

WRONG it's a bigger ferry but there are no facilities for passangers so it's out in the wind and rain for another 4 1/2 hours










here's a seat I discovered



but Guillarmo needed his rest poor fellow



in between the rain I decided it was a fine time to oil my chain







heading to Chaiten be continued

[Slowphil]

Made it to Futalaufquen where we decided to camp so we could watch the meteor shower that night but first the trip

heading out from the hotel where we once again took over the kitchen to dry our clothes


the view from our hotel




but down the road we go




























when we arrived at Futalaufquen son of a gun there was another Canadian bike, rider from Montreal travelling with a German, nice couple of guys will probably meet them doen the road at El Calafate



since there was supposed to be a huge meteor shower that night we decided to camp and watch the show



but again it decided to rain, heavily so I picked up my tent and moved into the common building where I was joined by a host of others



actually it was kind of fun, a small party took place

[garrydymond]

Phil believe it or not I am half way through a ride report. I thought you would like to know as you know I don't enjoy doing them. You can find it at http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=849390 I am only doing it because my brother visted and I thought it would be nice for him to see.

Garry

[C-Stain]

w00t!



By the looks of your SPOT Tracker....you made it! Congrats ole man! Now its time to party like its the end of the world...but wait, that was yesterday!

[fredgreen]

MERRY CHRISTMAS PHIL........From Fred, Marcella and Stacey.

[Misery Goat]

Merry Christmas, Phil!

[true grip]

Love to read of the trips down south. Enjoy reading yours and seeing the wonderful pics. Looking forward to more.

Thank You phil

[Radioman]

Spotted SloPhil in Ushuaia........

[Slowphil]

Originally Posted by true grip

Love to read of the trips down south. Enjoy reading yours and seeing the wonderful pics. Looking forward to more.

Thank You phil

Thank you for following, lots more to come

Cheers Philip