If there is one thing that I have learned from today's weather is that if you see a photo you want, better to take it now. Lest the clouds roll in within the next 5 minutes. We leave the lodge at Puyuhuai on the 0930 water taxi. It was nice to have a bit later start for the day, and the next stop, Coihaique, is a mere 200 clicks down. This is perhaps one of the easiest days to date. However, it is raining again, which the boat operator says is very usual for this time of year. And boy is this one big bummer. In fact, we end up having to bypass the first glance at a Glacier because it is all fogged in. And we are cold and sopping wet by the time we get to take the second option of 60 clicks of dirt.
Today, we will ride the valley of magnificent waterfalls. However, the micro 4/3rds camera doesn't handle water well and will spend most of the day locked away. The other cameras just don't have the lens to capture them well. But we do get this money shot.
Today, we will ride the valley of magnificent waterfalls. However, the micro 4/3rds camera doesn't handle water well and will spend most of the day locked away. The other cameras just don't have the lens to capture them well. But we do get this money shot.
Lunch stop arrives in feels what would be a second breakfast, so we soldier on. Roads are really quite good down here so you could see a lot from a rented car. Gas, although expensive at $6/gal, has been plentiful so far.
This waterfall is apparently very windy at the top near the bowl. Notice the huge water spray at the top?
I don't think that you could ever get tired of posting photos of water falls? This is the same one as the money shot above (Cascada La Virgen), but what is usual is the close proximity to a town and the base is very accessible pretty much right off the Ruta 7. Our guess is that the total fall is >100ft.
We travel the valley all day, and have sheer rock faces like this. Also of odd note, there are animals everywhere. Sheep, cows, wild boar, horses and all but one, have been in excellent flesh. It is strange though to see little to no hay production given the animals probably out number the human population.
We have seen hoards of backpackers and bicyclist too. Those poor souls really struggle into the headwinds. And also at customs and the policia road blocks. We started customs while they we still inside, and rode off without ever seeing them again.
Yesterday, I had just past a few cars and Bruce was 2 cars back as we entered police road block. For a moment, he stops me looks only at the side of the bike then ushers me though. Apparently, the cops rough up on you if you have clapped out vehicles (which they kindly perform an impromptu "safety" inspection including that of your luggage), or check your papers. Realizing the little CB500X Honda was very new, he let me proceed.
And here is the track for day..notice the start point on the far side of the water!
Yesterday, I had just past a few cars and Bruce was 2 cars back as we entered police road block. For a moment, he stops me looks only at the side of the bike then ushers me though. Apparently, the cops rough up on you if you have clapped out vehicles (which they kindly perform an impromptu "safety" inspection including that of your luggage), or check your papers. Realizing the little CB500X Honda was very new, he let me proceed.
And here is the track for day..notice the start point on the far side of the water!
I get a bit leery about the hotel for the night while reading our roadbook. For one, it has what I consider a suspicious sounding name, Dreams. For second, it is also a casino. I have flash backs that it is going to a rundown Nevada-style whore house. To my pleasant surprise, it is absolutely neither. And wouldn't you know it, it also has a waterfall shower!
