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First an apology for the continuing lack of photos, we delayed posting in the expectation of being able to sort this out but every pc we try shudders and crashes when connected to our camera - can't imagine why. We'll try again soon. In the meantime ....
Off again on Ruta 40 heading south. This was more like the classic road trip we had expected. Had dinner last night with a group of Germans and chatted to Charley, a Canadian who was doing the route alone on his motorbike. We spoke about the construction work and the fact that it meant that we would be some of the last people to drive the 'original' Ruta 40.
The Germans were part of a group and were very well prepared, with several 4wds driving in convoy with spare fuel cans, a tour leader and walkie talkies ( no mobile coverage here- yet). In contrast we just had 'Bob' the vw golf which we were coaxing along the gravel and had planned the trip ourselves. Hans was telling us about an Aussie they had met who had flown his motorbike out from Brisbane and who was riding it right up the Americas, shipping it to Europe and riding it home from there. We were suitably impressed by this and then amazed as the Aussie appeared at the window as if on cue.
The Germans were very keen on singing folk songs and trying to get us all to join in. We saw them drive out in their convoy knowing that they were unhappy with the miles their 7 day tour was forcing them to do as a group and were glad we were doing our own thing.
We filled up in les tregos without any problems and the ripio ended here for us, so the rest of the drive was a bit tame and fast.
Stopped at Hotel la Leona for coffee and cake as well as our first empanadas which are a kind of pastie filled, in our case, with chard - a green vegetable or cheese. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid out here for a while apparently and the hotel had some great old photos and stories of them.
Weather in El Chalten is a bit rainy so we haven't seen the mountains yet, but it's due to change tomorrow. Both very excited to be here and have 3 full days of hiking planned.
Took some very moody photos of Mt Fitzroy from our window as the cloud cleared.
Went out for a meal and had the best food we've had since we've been here. Maybe because we're back on the gringo trail veggie options are available again. It's been a bit testing as in a lot of places they really don't get it and so serve us ham or chicken and still say veggie option! Even bought sweet croissants at the bakers the other day which turned out to be filled with ham! So we're absolutely loving El Chalten and we haven't even hiked yet.
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