Argentina - San Martin De Los Andes

Our landmark in San Martin de los Andes!

Does the wind always blow in San Martin de los Andes? The dust swirls in all directions, battering one's face with tiny, stinging bits and making one's hair feel like straw. And the wind chill!

This town is located on Lake Lacar and is well laid out. It appears that there are strict town planning laws which have certainly helped to keep this town looking charming with its many interesting buildings.

We wandered around enjoying the crisp air and the gorgeous trees all decked out in pink.

There are many shops selling/renting ski equipment as the well known Chapelco Ski Resort is about 19 km away.

The nearby Parque National Lanin offers numerous opportunities for hiking and for the very fit there is the 3 day trek to the crater of Volcan Lanin. At 3776 m this is the highest peak in the park.

In our wanderings we spotted a menu in English! Yeah! La Casona is a family run restaurant with a friendly ambience. It's off the main drag and very tastefully decorated. My chicken with mushroom sauce was served with tons of potato croquettes but no vegetables! I am missing the Cape Town restaurant scene and will even welcome the spinach and butternut a La Spur!!!

We were seated at a window and gazing up at us with pleading eyes, was the cutest dog. He just kept looking at us and if eyes could talk...oh my word. As my chicken piece was huge I cut some into bite sized chunks and sneaked out the door to feed him. Well he gobbled this up and then vanished without even a thank you!!!

After lunch we headed back to the Plaza to find our car. Well yes - that was the plan. How does one lose a car in a grid - lined town? It seems easily! At this stage the town was also very quiet as the World Cup Rugby match between Argentina and New Zealand was being broadcast. So nobody to even ask for directions!

The clouds were getting thicker, the swirling dust relentless and the temperature was starting to plummet.

We had visions of walking in circles around these grid-lined streets until we dropped from sheer exhaustion!

Eventually, after about our 5th circuit we spotted the Red Bus parked at the Plaza and there on the opposite corner was our trusty vehicle, quietly awaiting our return.

James just about hugged the car - I don't think he has ever hopped in the drivers seat so fast.

The entire town is covered in this beautiful pink - truly stunning.

We headed back down the 7 Lakes Drive still marvelling at the beauty despite the heavy, dull cloud cover which showed no sign of lifting.

The roads were very quiet this Sunday, maybe because most locals stayed home to watch the WC Rugby 2015? Unfortunately, the Pumas lost to the All Blacks with final score being 26-16.
So there are some sad faces around.....!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com

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Argentina - 7 Lakes Drive

7 Lakes Drive Argentina

Stunning scenery - just magnificent. Sometimes words are just not good enough to describe this drive between Villa La Angostura and San Martin De Los Andes.

We have done the drive twice already in both directions so actually 4 times and we are still not tired of the landscapes.

This morning the lakes were like glass with incredibly breathtaking reflections of the snow covered peaks.

There are many stopping places in order to take photos and soak up the beauty all around.

Lago Correntoso, Lago Espejo Chico, Lago Falkner are my favourites but there are many more!

Take a picnic - there are many "camping" spots along the way - most have braai places but ablutions are rather basic if available!

The road is pretty good even though you may spot the odd cow munching away right next to the road or some horses that come right up to the car to see if there is some food on offer! The wild horses shy away and look rather neglected. Sheep can also be sighted so do take care.

If you wish to support a St Bernard called Hector, stop at the 2nd viewpoint out of Villa Angostura! A guy with a Kodak sign on his van sits there all day waiting to take photos of you with his dog.

A 2 km detour takes one to Lago Espejo Chico. This is a peaceful spot with great views. The locals really enjoy sitting on their deck chairs even when the weather is very chilly!

Lago Correntoso has views from both the long road bridge and lower down from the small beach areas. The water is crystal clear and has many different hues.

Another great stop is at Rio Ruca Malen where one can turn off the main road and  get down to the river. The old bridge is very photogenic and the water? Oh my word - it is so clear, deep and mysterious!  Incredible!

All in all, a place of great beauty and natural charm.

The Argentinians are preserving their landscapes as most are declared as National Parks.

It truly is a beautiful country!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com

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Argentina - Hike to Lago Espejo

Rio Correntoso

We headed off towards Rio Correntoso to take some photos of the bridge, river and lake.

At the parking spot we saw a sign that said Lago Espejo 5 km. So a hike - that sounded like a great idea as we have done a number of long drives and both felt the need for some exercise.

So off we set uphill. The houses here are set in amongst the trees - some look as if they never get any sun at all. That would depress me totally. A lake view - yes thanks! I am amazed that there are so many people who really live out in nature - no street lights and really in the middle of nowhere. They have to contend with muddy roads and just imagine during winter when snowfalls are also an issue?

I do love the architecture though and the fact that wood is the preferred medium for most of the buildings.

This road is so quiet with only a handful of cars passing us. As we headed further and further there was the load music of the builders working on a new house and even further on a few large dogs! That's the sum total of noise or human interaction  - it's just so quiet and peaceful. In fact, the only person we saw was a guy on a bicycle and he was perhaps heading to the construction site.

The houses must be rather expensive here, I assume, as they are well looked after and look pretty expensive.

However, I am not too sure if I would like to be so cut off from the world? The peace and tranquillity are a given with spaces between homes and quite far from Villa La Angostura.

There are not many places left in the world where one can walk such a distance and be totally safe!

The forest is amazing - very tall trees heading up towards the sunlight although some had such exposed roots that they look as if they will fall over at the slightest puff if wind. As we headed more into the forest, still following the signs, we wondered if a giant had measured out the so - called 5 km distance? By now we were just about at eye level with the snow capped mountains as we had gone up and up! The forest walk was glorious but hey, where is this lake?

Going higher and higher with no sign of  Lake Espejo anywhere close by, we eventually gave up and decided to head back down.

Unfinished home with this amazing view!

We did pass a half completed house with a gorgeous lake view (not Lake Espejo!) - it is for sale if anybody is interested in burying themselves in the country? Really deep in the country!

 



By now my nose, hands and mouth were feeling so frozen that I had visions of losing all feeling and ending up a frozen statue somewhere in the forest!

Luckily, I spotted a very sturdy bamboo stick on the ground and this helped to transverse the muddy and snowy bits on the long way down again.

After a long 3.5 hr walk with no rest we were very pleased to spy our parked car waiting at the Rio Correntoso bridge!

A hike to a mythical lake but perhaps it really was just around another few corners? Surrounded by tall trees and an ongoing upward spiral we both had our doubts!

Anyway, some great exercise in air so fresh it should be bottled!

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com

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Argentina - Pitfalls!

Lights on Vehicles are Compulsory in Argentina

Travel is fun but it can also be extremely challenging. More so when you trip and fall, smashing your knee onto solid concrete. At the time, I was more concerned re the fact that I dropped my Nikon D300! However, as the pain increased my concern for my precious camera took a back seat. And still Villa Piren Reception would not give us keys. I hobbled to our unit Number 10 - it was all locked up so cleaning was complete?

The patio table was broken - Gold Crown rated by RCI? I think not! At 14.30 the Reception Desk got somebody on duty who speaks English. Hurray for small mercies! Thankfully we eventually got access to our apartment. Our next hurdle was to drive into Carlos Paz for supplies. This proved to be another impossible task and with my pain now reaching excruciating levels, the walking was not helping. We managed to find a small cafe for some basics. By the time I got onto my bed I was shaking like a leaf and in continuous pain. Extra strength Voltaren had no effect!  

With my pain increasing, James requested that the English Receptionist accompany us to the nearest hospital.

The roads in this town are like a maze to the uninitiated! Giselle directed us to the closest hospital which was closed! It is housed in a modern building and is "private" Perhaps more like an upmarket clinic? The local government hospital was much further and I hobbled in to face a sea of faces waiting to be attended to. My first thought was " we will be here all night!"

However,  I have nothing but praise for this hospital even though they classed me as a "African" on the admission form! Giselle explained the situation and I was called in about 5 minutes. Hobbling along I was told to wait while they grabbed the nearest wheelchair! All my life I wanted this ride experience!! 

After being examined, the doctor told my interpreter that I needed an injection to "relax" me. This injection seemed to go on forever - I have no idea what was in that huge cocktail! Maybe best I didn't know.The X - rays were taken - no fracture damage thankfully. 

James actually had the most entertaining time in the waiting room. Dogs, yes dogs, people all staring at him, a mother breastfeeding what looked like a 3 year old, kids running riot etc.

Whilst this hospital looks as if it requires a huge cash injection, the staff and doctors were very efficient and pleasant.

My prescription? Some unknown tablets for pain and 5 days ( yes you read that correctly!) of bed rest. Me? While in a foreign country that is waiting to be explored?

Anyway, whatever was in that injection worked and the night brought blissful sleep. I am doing my best to stay put for 1 day - we will assess again tomorrow.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com