https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home daily 1.0 2020-10-30 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/5/choosing-my-car monthly 0.5 2018-10-07 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb8772008522909523cd068/1538815781073/IMG_6775.jpeg Home - Choosing my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb876eee5e5f0483de1156a/1538815729281/e8498dbf-d5a0-4f36-8912-34219656fe1a.jpg Home - Choosing my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb876dab208fcdd65db8a4b/1538815709757/981b262b-4d82-486a-8907-42f7ff853288.jpg Home - Choosing my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb876bceef1a15f4f7b4f7a/1538815681050/e0d121c0-f86b-4156-9bfb-07c67e2516ce.jpeg Home - Choosing my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb876a08165f57f29e54997/1538815673134/IMG_6763.jpeg Home - Choosing my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb8765aeef1a15f4f7b4dc1/5bb8765b104c7bda55abefb1/1538815584527/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+6.10.49+am.png Home - Choosing my car https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/6/buying-my-discovery monthly 0.5 2018-10-06 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934cc8165f56086e60546/1538864335682/Land+Rover+listing+pic+14.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934cbec212d5199cdab44/1538864334424/Land+Rover+listing+pic+13.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c9eef1a10b275cdb88/1538864333421/Land+Rover+listing+pic+12.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c8104c7b81751e33be/1538864333007/Land+Rover+listing+pic+11.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c7b208fc8b42d13bad/1538864330851/Land+Rover+listing+pic+10.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c6f9619a590040afd1/1538864330115/Land+Rover+listing+pic+9.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c50d929783f9a6952f/1538864329078/Land+Rover+listing+pic+8.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c44192025ef7413ad9/1538864327625/Land+Rover+listing+pic+7.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c2eef1a10b275cdb5b/1538864325827/Land+Rover+listing+pic+6.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934c18165f56086e604cf/1538864325702/Land+Rover+listing+pic+5.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934be085229e8f508feb2/1538864324855/Land+Rover+listing+pic+4.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934be9140b704832b44d9/1538864322817/Land+Rover+listing+pic+3.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934bbc83025c9ab6c51d9/1538864319865/Land+Rover+listing+pic+2.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb934ba4785d317a3e93824/5bb934bb4192025ef7413a87/1538864320206/Land+Rover+listing+pic+1.jpeg Home - Buying my Discovery https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/4/mentions-1 monthly 0.5 2018-10-07 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/4/the-plan monthly 0.5 2018-10-08 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb5d4a5e5e5f011a5a2f4d6/5bb930e215fcc04e6ff1ccd7/1538863357799/Panama+-+Buenos+Aires.png Home - The Plan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb5d4a5e5e5f011a5a2f4d6/5bb930d7e79c70e04360b176/1538863338258/VAN+-+Panama.png Home - The Plan https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/20/equipment monthly 0.5 2018-10-20 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bcbc01ff4e1fc3b6452899f/5bcbc0364785d3d9aabc4ba4/1540079705954/IMG_7315.jpeg Home - Equipment https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bcbc01ff4e1fc3b6452899f/5bcbc020a4222f55bdcce4a7/1540079674147/IMG_7312.jpeg Home - Equipment https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/10/20/rethinking-north-america monthly 0.5 2018-10-20 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/11/19/west-coast-off-roaders monthly 0.5 2018-11-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf2d2dc70a6ad91ae20590d/5bf2d3ca562fa747a5551176/1542640589208/Screen+Shot+2018-11-20+at+2.15.36+am.png Home - West Coast Off-Roaders https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf2d2dc70a6ad91ae20590d/5bf2d2ea562fa747a5550666/1542640377643/3.jpeg Home - West Coast Off-Roaders https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf2d2dc70a6ad91ae20590d/5bf2d2dc758d46e4034c9fb0/1542640367383/1.jpeg Home - West Coast Off-Roaders https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf2d2dc70a6ad91ae20590d/5bf2d2dc575d1fa7b4215559/1542640371896/2.jpeg Home - West Coast Off-Roaders https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/11/20/customizing-my-discovery monthly 0.5 2018-11-21 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4c9c11ae6cf01e17dc8bf/5bf4ca3703ce6458107aeb08/1542769284395/21.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4c9c11ae6cf01e17dc8bf/5bf4ca1f8985831a2f994770/1542769273704/20.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4c9c11ae6cf01e17dc8bf/5bf4c9c2b8a045419194bf33/1542769186627/19.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4c9c11ae6cf01e17dc8bf/5bf4c9c221c67cd9702c634f/1542769211895/18.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf41a6ecd8366b5875a4489/1542724735245/17.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf41a1d0ebbe8893995e0fc/1542724663119/16.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf41719032be48ae7ad6c90/1542724203681/15.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf416d80ebbe8893995b6aa/1542724127064/14.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf416c96d2a73f0fb093b4e/1542723341330/12.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf416b92b6a285fc821aa8e/1542723287066/10.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf4166d40ec9abcd83f6101/1542723271987/8.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf41662032be48ae7ad6391/1542723257675/7.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf41648575d1ffaf4377302/1542723169162/5.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf4164603ce64eaebaa07f7/1542723167577/4.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf4161488251bf85f91aaa6/1542723144302/3.jpg Home - Customizing my discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bf4161003ce64eaebaa059b/5bf416140ebbe8893995ad1d/1542723143396/1.jpeg Home - Customizing my discovery https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/12/1/north-to-alaska monthly 0.5 2018-12-01 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028d0b0ebbe8bdba6d3a75/1543671073378/6.jpg Home - North to Alaska On Day 1, the drive from Vancouver to Prince George (before the car got dirty) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c029506898583a954c282ae/1543673137651/P1010259.jpg Home - North to Alaska One of the colder days, there was ice on everything. Thankfully car started happily every time and didn’t seem to mind the cold. And it was always warm in the car, the motels and restaurants https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c02937a032be4beba14e54a/1543672729060/P1010177.jpg Home - North to Alaska What surprised me quite a bit was how big British Columbia was before we arrived at the Yukon border. It was many days of driving before we finally crossed over. One thing has really settled in is that Canada is huge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0291e770a6ad79cd169c12/1543672319150/P1010108.jpg Home - North to Alaska Frozen river on the drive in to Anchorage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028ef31ae6cf3207870592/1543671560156/IMG_7582.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Prince George (day two) and the cold had settled in already https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c02869888251b9d3cec5b36/1543669416561/4.+.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Moose: This is the best shot I had of my moose encounter. We looked at each other for a few minutes but he kept his distance and the snow was too deep for me to get any closer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0290194ae237fc55dbac66/1543671874406/IMG_7714.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Old paddlewheel boat that use to serve as a transport and barge during the gold rush era https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0294b88a922dd6f3184a7b/1543673035411/ Home - North to Alaska Jolene and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028a0d2b6a280deeb6db20/1543670298626/7.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Liard Hot Springs – a beautiful natural hot spring in the middle of the Alaska Highway. I ended up spending a few hours talking to two nice strangers in the pitch dark, never seeing their faces but enjoying the serenity and hot water against the freezing mountain air https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028e1b562fa71d4c795d67/1543671338038/IMG_7633.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Fridges not required up here. Ironically, the ARB fridge I have set up in my car has served to keep things warm while the rest of the items in the car trend towards the ambient temperature (-19C was the lowest we saw) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028c85352f53138d2ae7de/1543670938930/5.jpg Home - North to Alaska Typical view out the front window. Roads are a mix of compacted snow, gritted bitumen and black ice. Despite how it looks, 100km/h along this is fine and you feel sure footed most of the time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c029597575d1f6d6b386822/1543673256810/ Home - North to Alaska Not sure if it’s fashionable but I certainly appreciate the warmth of my rabbit fur hat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0286450ebbe8bdba6d011c/1543669326338/2..jpeg Home - North to Alaska Bison: The drive from Whitehorse to Liard Springs posted caution signs for bison. Sure enough, I saw about a dozen over the course of the day including an up-close encounter with these two. Talking to a local later, he laughed that I lived up to my reputation as a typical Australian foolishly approaching dangerous animals (pro tip: Bison weigh 1,000kg and apparently will charge) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0292e3cd836693d91348be/1543672614266/P1010157.jpg Home - North to Alaska Our friendly fox. Maybe he wanted food or maybe he was just curious. But he spent almost five minutes wondering around the car and checking us out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028f3321c67c7381b54315/1543671624436/IMG_7608.jpeg Home - North to Alaska North to Alaska by Johnny Horton became the theme song for the segment. We started each day on the road by playing it, followed by Dolly Parton’s Jolene (the car’s name) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c029213575d1f6d6b3845a9/1543672363923/ Home - North to Alaska My Dad insisted that I take many photos of signs along the way. Appeasing his request here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c02875588251b9d3cec602f/1543669613054/P1010288.jpg Home - North to Alaska I find myself taking more photos of my car than the landscape around it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0294760e2e7219026705b1/1543672982673/P1010201.jpg Home - North to Alaska Village of Teslin, Yukon Territory https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028fe888251b9d3ceca746/1543671811129/IMG_7686.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Probably had a couple of beers at the saloon by this stage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0291590ebbe8bdba6d5fdd/1543672165768/IMG_7907.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Same bison as before. But the car gives a little context to how close and how big they are https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0286bc4fa51a85b008cb57/1543669458881/6.jpg Home - North to Alaska We saw various birds including this one (unidentified) but less than I thought. I was amused at the ptarmigans which appeared to have the flying capability of a chicken. Surprised to not see any eagles or other birds of prey which I’d come to expect from time in coastal BC https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028a9940ec9a058d577990/1543670430976/0.jpg Home - North to Alaska Learning to fly a drone in the freezing cold at stops along the way (I’ve got a long way to go but at least I figured out how to make it take off and shoot photos & video). Admittedly got a bit too close to power lines on first test flight https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028b14cd836693d9130422/1543670565594/6.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Signpost forest in Watson Lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0290c3c2241b1a453b5850/1543672052906/IMG_7852.jpeg Home - North to Alaska One of the many scenic spots along the Yukon route https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c02905d6d2a738dea6259e4/1543671919896/IMG_7743.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Welcome to the United States. Boarder crossing only took about two minutes which, looking forward to my upcoming crossings in Central and South America, I imagine will be a dream to fondly reflect back upon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0285764d7a9cb0b6f79082/1543669124390/Screen+Shot+2018-12-01+at+10.57.49+pm.png Home - North to Alaska Phase 1 of my route: Although covered in less than two weeks, it constitutes about 20% of my planned kilometres across the journey to Ushuaia (Southern Argentina) and back up to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0288efb8a045e8f43d362d/1543670018504/IMG_7938.jpeg Home - North to Alaska I was very lucky I noticed my first oil level issue was while I was within a few kilometres of a major town (and some very friendly and helpful Canadian mechanics). Having said that, I’m carrying a lot of equipment including fluids https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0284e5c2241b1a453af139/1543668985533/P1010290.jpg Home - North to Alaska Kelly (my sister) and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c029df603ce646acb8ce3a1/1543675448195/P1010155.jpg Home - North to Alaska Fox (a red fox I believe) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028b54898583a954c22c33/1543670636153/5.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Beers with the locals in Tok, Alaska and getting a view on life in small towns in remote Alaska (summary: it’s mostly about hunting, fishing and drinking from what I gather so far) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028d5b032be4beba14b27c/1543671153082/7.jpg Home - North to Alaska When the visibility was good, it was spectacular views in every direction https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028fa3cd836693d9132d4b/1543671747699/IMG_7678.jpeg Home - North to Alaska The sun at ~2pm to 3pm https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0289b9f950b75aa1c55dd5/1543670217737/IMG_7668.jpeg Home - North to Alaska First spot in the highlight has to go to sharing a great adventure with my sister Kelly https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0291132b6a280deeb717ab/1543672098212/ Home - North to Alaska One of hundreds of similar photos. The camera never quite does it justice though https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028e9ef950b75aa1c58aa2/1543671463669/IMG_7562.jpeg Home - North to Alaska T=0: Departure time, Vancouver https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028a7c6d2a738dea6226cd/1543670406443/3.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Trying the local microbrews at Yukon Brewing which were great. Also being amused that they sell fresh produce grown hydroponically from a container out the back of the brewery – it’s weird to see someone show up to a brewery and walk away with a head of lettuce https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028dca03ce646acb8c5573/1543671258332/IMG_7604.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Each night ritual: End of drive beer followed closely by charging batteries, phones, GoPro, drone, internet roaming device https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c029256c2241b1a453b649e/1543672424745/ Home - North to Alaska The animals in Alaska, Yukon and Northern BC are huge and plentiful. Which is great as long as you don’t hit them (the preference of animals and drivers alike). I’ve seen a couple of cars totalled along the roadside with a deer or other carcass nearby. Fingers crossed that’s not me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028887562fa71d4c792c7c/1543669919546/3..jpg Home - North to Alaska The first, but certainly not the last, time the duct tape comes out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028ae50ebbe8bdba6d25db/1543670522455/4.jpg Home - North to Alaska Matanuska Glacier on the drive into Anchorage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0291b703ce646acb8c7608/1543672260063/IMG_7925.jpeg Home - North to Alaska The Liard River Hot Springs lodge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028668898583a954c20428/1543669383575/3.jpg Home - North to Alaska Caribou: This is one of Kelly’s photos and the best single photo I have of a caribou. However, I saw hundreds of them in various herds over the journey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c028a4e8a922dd6f317edf0/1543670362267/2.jpeg Home - North to Alaska Open mic night at the Gold Pan Saloon in Whitehorse for some country classics https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c0293ec575d1f6d6b385714/1543672836103/P1010251.jpg Home - North to Alaska Another beautiful landscape and common addition to many of the photos - my Hi-Lift Jack https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2018/12/20/following-the-rockies-south monthly 0.5 2018-12-22 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6389f950b7ec9aef7bb7/1545495463006/IMG_8099.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Glacier National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7ce2c2241bdf92803264/1545502160053/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e76a36d2a734eedf977d8/1545500364422/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e60bb8a922d911fe25000/1545494765396/IMG_8117.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Sadly arrived here a few days after fishing season closed so I just enjoyed the view and moved on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6219c2241bdf927f3538/1545495089998/IMG_8143.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South My West Yellowstone motel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7aaf0e2e7264c5282d57/1545501467329/IMG_8470.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6c4e898583352e2065b8/1545497699068/ Home - Following the Rockies South I keep looking for 4WD trails and but have only found a couple including this one in Arches. Looking forward to testing the car off-road properly at some point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7eb7575d1f59f7694636/1545502469403/IMG_0013.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Daily fluid checks in Loveland https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e767903ce64637db25461/1545500306312/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e79d821c67c0d67bf29c8/1545501256007/IMG_8437.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7dfe21c67c0d67bf4d86/1545502225445/IMG_8527.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7620cd83668367c0bc9a/1545500208537/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e76dc70a6ad49a4a3f675/1545500403778/ Home - Following the Rockies South Warming up the car in the morning when it’s -15C out. This is just exhaust on a cold morning, nothing sinister https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7780032be437e934c4ee/1545500753107/IMG_8446.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South In general, I was frustrated at Zion with my photography and inability to capture what I was seeing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6b45cd83668367c058af/1545497435391/ Home - Following the Rockies South Broken Arch https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e67a3352f53c7fe20ee66/1545496497583/ Home - Following the Rockies South View from the front of the house https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6711575d1f59f7686a35/1545496358753/ Home - Following the Rockies South It was amazing to watch the lake slowly form a thin layer of ice over the course of a day. The ice blew away the next day but waiting for the lake to freeze is such an enjoyable part of living in colder climates on the water https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7b33352f53c7fe21aba9/1545501617416/IMG_8522.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e625170a6ad49a4a336f9/1545495140764/IMG_8172.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Wolves at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Centre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bed4970a6ad7df68ad19c/1545334126552/IMG_7964.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Adjacent to Athabasca Falls https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e692d758d46eaf190e40b/1545496917407/ Home - Following the Rockies South Sand Dune Arch. The light snow was provided a nice contrast to the red colours of the park and against the blue sky https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bec850e2e72ab2b42f7bd/1545333907183/ Home - Following the Rockies South Phase 2: Almost 5,000km through Canada and the USA which represents about 1/6th of my total planned miles https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e61762b6a282c99135e12/1545494925051/ Home - Following the Rockies South I crossed the whole state of Montana in a day. Was stunning the whole way across https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e787670a6ad49a4a4088d/1545500897275/IMG_8427.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Eastern entry into Zion https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e603f352f53c7fe20ad00/1545494610260/IMG_8102.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Driving out of Glacier National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6473032be437e9341359/1545495675363/IMG_8199.jpg Home - Following the Rockies South Playing around the drone to break up the drive https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7e4acd83668367c10ecf/1545502314507/IMG_8546.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Coolant issue being fixed in Flagstaff AZ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6cc8758d46eaf191066f/1545500120061/IMG_8380.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e78f721c67c0d67bf1f47/1545500974693/ Home - Following the Rockies South The trail head for a handful of the hikes. In retrospect, spending any less than two full days here won’t be enough time to see what it has to offer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e63c3c2241bdf927f4237/1545495518183/ Home - Following the Rockies South Grand Teton Pass coming into Jackson Hole https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6abb8a922d911fe2b52c/1545497289661/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6a7303ce64637db1e54b/1545497227799/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e611340ec9abd16ade930/1545494834608/ Home - Following the Rockies South A typical Montana ranch on the drive to West Yellowstone https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e668803ce64637db1c12c/1545496212286/IMG_8228.jpg Home - Following the Rockies South My uncle Ger and I got to spend some great quality time together in my Loveland layover https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e63f94d7a9c2baf34d561/1545495580915/IMG_8191.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Arriving through Grand Teton Pass into Jackson Hole https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bf14d70a6ad7df68b1006/1545335720852/IMG_8098.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Duck Lake Lodge; Babb, Montana. Bit strange arriving after dark to find I was the only guest in an unattended lodge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e699840ec9abd16ae38e9/1545497006608/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7a67758d46eaf19186f3/1545501347387/IMG_8476.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e67cf0e2e7264c5277fe1/1545496576585/ Home - Following the Rockies South My new friends at Goodway Auto Repair. Pictured with Brad here who was excited to hear about my adventure and offered his assistance if I needed it down the track (and sure enough I have once already and will probably again). It’s a real pleasure to meet genuine, friendly and helpful people like this when you’re in a bind. My sincerest thanks to Brad, Josh and Chuy for helping me out. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e69cacd83668367c047ec/1545497059518/IMG_8287.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South About this time, I had a coolant leak dripping from a hose onto the hot engine block causing a good amount of smoke from the engine bay. I fixed it once but ultimately needed a replacement hose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6b774d7a9c2baf351df3/1545497641327/IMG_8338.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6a51898583352e205142/1545497190449/IMG_8296.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e61b4aa4a99bcaeaa06fd/1545495007342/ Home - Following the Rockies South Quiet season in West Yellowstone. Only one open restaurant and barely a soul in the whole town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7f1070a6ad49a4a4446e/1545502517528/IMG_8639.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Foreshadowing the transmission issue in Mexico. That’s my front drive shaft limply hanging from the diff and not connected to the transfer case. The bigger issue it caused was a reasonably large hole in my transmission and required a replacement. I’m presently waiting for the parts to arrive in San Carlos and to be on the road (fingers crossed) by Christmas day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e62c8032be437e9340491/1545495312305/IMG_8177.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South These grizzly bears were removed from local towns because they were coming into the populated areas to scavenge food https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e6ae188251bb6cab69027/1545497394664/IMG_8321.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7970562fa7219bfcadaf/1545501124287/IMG_8450.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7caa8a922d911fe359ea/1545501901057/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e763f88251bb6cab6f802/1545500251192/ Home - Following the Rockies South Pretty sure the car was red / maroon when I started https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7c5a1ae6cf09995c2ac8/1545501849986/IMG_8498.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bef7a562fa712cfbfd0c9/1545334769339/IMG_8026.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Lake Louise https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e66592b6a282c99138a76/1545496171333/ Home - Following the Rockies South Sunset view from my aunt and uncle’s house in Loveland https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e66d40ebbe84faf25e76c/1545496299708/ Home - Following the Rockies South A whole day watching three games of football was quite a treat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7e7621c67c0d67bf52a6/1545502375009/IMG_8231.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Very glad I picked up an OBD2 diagnostic tool before setting out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1beda588251bd697db491f/1545334245112/ Home - Following the Rockies South Athabasca Falls https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bef15cd836656561b6317/1545334589590/IMG_7999.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Switchbacks on the road to Banff https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e657dcd83668367c021dc/1545495950498/ Home - Following the Rockies South A quiet lookout over a Montana lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bee1570a6ad7df68ae009/1545334519513/IMG_7978.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Athabasca Glacier https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7de0b8a0457386759c07/1545502193660/IMG_8479.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e75f4c2241bdf927feaf6/1545500178560/ Home - Following the Rockies South https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e7bc6758d46eaf19193be/1545501750695/IMG_8459.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South One hour helicopter flight around the Grand Canyon. Definitely the right way to see it in my view https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bf00b4fa51ac7fe6c9428/1545334868496/IMG_8048.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Johnston Canyon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bf08cf950b71d2d032309/1545334988404/IMG_8070.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South My best ever snow angel (St Albert, near Edmonton) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1e64a14fa51a05053c8199/1545495724152/ Home - Following the Rockies South This somewhat captures something I had never seen before. As I drove into Glacier National Park at sunrise, the sun appeared as a beam of light rising directly into the sky - like a powerful spotlight at a nightclub pointed upwards. Much more impressive in person than the photo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c1bec20758d4639c5ff1177/1545333826241/IMG_8360.jpeg Home - Following the Rockies South Arches National Park https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/1/5/stuck-in-san-carlos monthly 0.5 2019-01-06 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3162976d2a73059710362d/1546740440231/IMG_8855.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Roo (fellow Aussie) and his biker mate from the Sons of Freedom https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312f814ae23783edb1d4b2/1546727330068/IMG_8673.jpg Home - Stuck in San Carlos … and in general, hang here in San Carlos. Photo taken from my drone (DJI Mavic) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312dc770a6adec3ecfe77e/1546726904455/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Then go to one of a few bars. This is Soggy Peso https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c31611403ce64e8bf198935/1546740051610/IMG_8775.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos My furry friend from the apartment https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3125542b6a28cb4022126f/1546724722645/IMG_8576.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Elias, the skipper of my first boat trip. Good guy and great first person to practice my Spanish with https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312594aa4a99548f7975e3/1546724842793/IMG_8612.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos These pelicans put on a show while waiting for our fish scraps https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315eae4d7a9c0f3dfccff1/1546739397521/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Just managed to fit the transmission in the back of Jonathan’s Kia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312eacaa4a99548f79e3fb/1546727106331/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos … or Hair of the Dog for a few https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c316091f950b7a898044d65/1546739869979/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Pepe, the legendary bartender from Hammerheads https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c316163aa4a99548f7c2a77/1546740147425/IMG_8838.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Another day at Hammerheads https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312ad5b8a0455ef9c33306/1546726119658/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter in his natural habit, his favourite bar stool at Hammerheads bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312b074ae23783edb19c2e/1546726194093/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Jonathan, the San Carlos mechanic https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312d894fa51ae3f53089dd/1546726824524/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos … or see a mechanic at the marina who knows a guy who can maybe help with a permit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3161cc8a922d582293b969/1546740198578/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Alex, owner of Hair of the Dog, another great guy who kept us company for the many hours we spent at his bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c31621db8a0455ef9c5aa3f/1546740303286/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos The second mechanic finishing off the job with the help of the welder https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3129fd8a922d5822913dfe/1546725958462/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Car arrived at the car wash where it would sit for 10 or so days. The workshop was open air next to a three bay car wash. Thankfully not much rain in the desert there https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315d04352f5360e3375fb2/1546739026267/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos My big fat yellowtail https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312d47575d1f6be27c0d2e/1546726767016/IMG_8690.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos … or Gary’s fuel pump https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315f49cd83665593415e65/1546739541689/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Then sat in this dull room on the border for four hours waiting for seemingly nothing while they ‘processed’ my tax paperwork. In actual fact, they just sat around looking at videos on their phone and talking to each other. A little frustrated at this point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3126038a922d5822910788/1546724928283/IMG_8628.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Elias with the fresh fish tacos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312b3c575d1f6be27bf503/1546726212329/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter and I running errands https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c316268f950b7a898045f9e/1546740353024/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos The twins, Suzie and Brenda at Hair of the Dog https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312b5a575d1f6be27bf6cb/1546726249820/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter and I just hanging out by the car, accomplishing precisely nothing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312f440ebbe80a25762166/1546727279648/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos And then watch the sun go down over the Marina from our bar stools at Hammerheads https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3123726d2a7305970d5b84/1546724354473/IMG_8668.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Drone photo I took of my first hotel, the Sea of Cortez. A great spot to relax after landing in Mexico, right on the water https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315d8d0e2e72045fa7b2f4/1546739103822/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter, Zach and Ryan’s daughter Correlia on the flybridge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312432b8a0455ef9c2deeb/1546724473345/IMG_8568.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos One of about a dozen bonita I caught my first day out fishing. After 12 of them in 60 mintues, my arms hurt and it was time to start switch to bottom fishing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315df6352f5360e3376b32/1546739221014/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Christmas Party at Troy’s who owns the local bar Hammerheads https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c31272c0e2e72045fa52e82/1546725609960/IMG_8637.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos My drive shaft hanging limply from the differential https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312ed7898583102b6897bd/1546727204374/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos … and more often than not to Hammerheads at the marina, often to see the band (Mostrip, a touring Mexican crew in a combi van) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3124b4cd836655933eb807/1546724617336/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Bonita: I’ve always heard about these but never had an opportunity to catch one. Having spent a little time in San Carlos, I now realise you do everything you can to keep these off the hook and aim for the yellowtail. But was fun to catch a few https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3163780ebbe80a257877b6/1546740664607/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Yeah, I probably had a few too many beers this night to be messing around with Mexican police but seemed like a good idea at the time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315ffa03ce64e8bf197cf8/1546739727754/IMG_8886.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Ericka and Anna from Hair of the Dog, always glad to see us and great banter https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312cfec2241ba8a7054721/1546726691702/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Then we go around fixing stuff. This is working on Pobre Juan’s bilge pump https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315ece0e2e72045fa7bf29/1546739422946/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Happy moment as I turned around from Tucson and headed south. All going well at this point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312a7a0e2e72045fa559c8/1546726039870/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos The hole in my transmission https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315d674d7a9c0f3dfcc3ab/1546739068276/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Zach pulling in his yellowtail with skipper Brian https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c312c7db8a0455ef9c34a29/1546726586214/IMG_8799.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Each day started in this courtyard with coffees with Tweeter and I the only guests and Nelly and the handyman the only other people around. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3160d903ce64e8bf19877b/1546739946086/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Jeremy, Zach, Tweeter and I having a play with Wild Bill’s boat to see if it would go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c315dc770a6adec3ed20e4d/1546739170500/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter doing what Tweeter does - putting away cans of light beer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3162f50e2e72045fa7eb4b/1546740502487/ Home - Stuck in San Carlos Tweeter and one of the Hair of the Dog bartender’s daughters https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c3129006d2a7305970d9c39/1546725875352/IMG_8656.jpeg Home - Stuck in San Carlos Getting a tow from my hotel https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/2/1/east-across-mexico monthly 0.5 2019-02-10 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b58c9c830256fe3e8460d/1549490432348/IMG_9380.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Another dog just lapping up the attention of the many tourists visiting the archeological site https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b5898e2c4834f2fb2db16/1549490361218/IMG_9298.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) I must admit that taking a hot air balloon over Teotihuacan would be one of the better places in the world to do it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cbeb652dea724570e337/1549061108389/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Rammstein, Puerto Vallarta 2019 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b590d08522942d026db52/1549490501822/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Thankfully I arrived early and this pyramid wasn’t nearly this crowded when I climbed it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b65054785d3da54d3d31d/1549493549660/IMG_9433.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cdce9b747a2f198a369f/1549061595450/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Main square in Guadalajara https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c81e4192028bb8642ad2/1549060149437/IMG_8998.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Probably the only professional looking mechanics I went to in Mexico (replaced my O2 sensor and had me on my way) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5521f453450aaf3bbb88cd/1549083204963/IMG_9208.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Muffler mechanic workshop with plenty of Jesus stuff https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b665108522942d0286fff/1549493873080/IMG_9509.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c76d4785d3f2fbd69303/1549059964752/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Plaza Machado in the old town by day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b544471c10b8883155d74/1549489272043/IMG_9257.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) One of the beautiful little laneways that I was more than happy to get lost in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5520947817f790ccf9ee1f/1549082789869/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Near the Plaza de Armas in the historic district https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c7080d92972aee152ca4/1549059860140/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) View from Joe’s Oyster Bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b5b61104c7bed894b9d23/1549491190882/IMG_9421.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) My only other photo of Tehuacan - the spot I sat and ate & drank each day looking over the main square https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b597cfa0d604cdf8ca037/1549490574991/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Obsidian knife thought to be the type used in ritual human sacrifices here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b5b1a24a69418bf97b35d/1549491005086/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) One of two photos I bothered to take in Tehuacan - my hotel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b649a4e17b6659e795342/1549493426245/IMG_9435.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cb364785d3f2fbd6d281/1549060938033/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) One of the main streets in Puerto Vallarta Vieja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cb120d92972aee1577bf/1549060891895/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) The Malecon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b5959104c7bed894b7cb3/1549490539897/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) I was told selfies here were obligatory so I complied https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b64c553450a372e72b3fb/1549493483372/IMG_9440.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b55009140b7d7b6066931/1549489428929/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) I love the colours on the hillside as well as these underground tunnels https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cc0953450a533882dcf9/1549061138907/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Undoubtedly one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. These guys really know how to put on a show https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b65a11905f4f4ae0db3ef/1549493697686/IMG_9469.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) The main cathedral in Oaxaca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b55b224a69418bf97542d/1549489603137/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) This church is a lot smaller than it once was to make room for the Jardin de la Union across the way (where I spent a lot of time sitting and watching the people and sights on Guanajuato https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b65efb208fc9f308e32d4/1549493767571/IMG_9470.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) The ‘mezcaleria’. Mezcal has a great depth of flavours and if you want, like whiskey, you can get a bit carried away with all the different variants (one of which, amusingly, is ‘pechugo’ or chicken breast) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c552252971a1875f2b6bf4f/1549083301157/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Getting a good part of the way to solving my exhaust leak https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c73ceb39317382bceb5b/1549059911654/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) I’d soon learn there’s one of these signs in every Mexican city so I started collecting photos of them https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c78fe79c70aae33f1e43/1549060000943/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) One of my favourite foods of the region, aguachiles (shrimp ceviche) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c7ce7817f71c87321d6a/1549060072033/IMG_9016.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Standing on the malecon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cb6d4e17b60f131c0fdc/1549061014021/IMG_9029.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) View from my posada at La Casa de Descanso run by Marco and Tania (highly recommend) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b661e15fcc042eae58589/1549493823719/IMG_9488.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b53ebe79c7082d4e302a2/1549489173078/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Captures some of the bright colours of Guanajuato https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b55d7c830256fe3e7f794/1549489664320/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) No reason for this one other than it representative of Mexico’s many cute street dogs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c56271c10b61cebadc2a/1549059491828/IMG_9883.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) A quiet beer on the beach in front of Casa Cenote near Tulum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54ca75e2c48366f081e519/1549060802535/IMG_9081.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) The Malecon of Puerto Vallarta https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b54954e17b6659e77db51/1549489394756/IMG_9266.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Local market and entrance to the tunnels below https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c5ebeef1a186c42a5875/1549059578378/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) My route across Mexico (Image: Google Maps) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cad6ee6eb05027b11b87/1549060861501/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Puerto Vallarta beach in front of the old town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54cd1b971a1801aaf2955b/1549061413000/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) My hosts Tania and Marco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b65da7817f74e1fa41fba/1549493728415/IMG_9478.jpg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Ian and I enjoying a mezcal cocktail in the central plaza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5521b6eef1a1fa4e01c288/1549083112072/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) My muffler mechanic’s dog who kept me company while he was working on my exhaust https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b558fe5e5f0051af129bc/1549489572144/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) The theatre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b654541920261e727b23f/1549493588475/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c54c802ee6eb05027b0e6fe/1549060102781/e1357a6b-ebcf-4ca2-a6d8-52acc6bb1785.jpg Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) New friends from Chihuahua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c55212bb208fc0b8998705d/1549082949212/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c55216ea4222f53dde1a908/1549083042492/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c5b57f515fcc042eae4b33b/1549490278237/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 1) Panorama from one of the pyramids https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/2/10/east-across-mexico-part-2 monthly 0.5 2019-02-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742f957817f79792e5a870/1551118245190/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Cenote Dos Ojos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d1dae4966be7f76475bc/1549849073271/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Maybe a few too many mescals and cervecas this evening https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742afe4192027e38a2f9d7/1551117145828/IMG_9813.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Akumal beach: Here, we snorkelled with turtles right off the beach. We saw five of them and all must have weighed 60 or 80kg https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7431464e17b6018eb31ef8/1551118714208/IMG_0147.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d4864192028682e5e225/1549849791074/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) There’s not a whole lot between San Jose del Pacifico and San Cristobal de la Casas so we opted to push through the 12 hour drive in one day. One of the few stops we made over the course of the day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c6e04fff4e1fc98466dde17/1550714846302/IMG_9799.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Pescadores brew pub south of Cancun. I’ve made a real habit of trying to visit as many craft breweries as possible as I travel. It’s become one of my favourite parts of travel is to check in on the state of the craft beer industry everywhere I go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7430334e17b6018eb30d68/1551118428848/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7430796e9a7f48140d825f/1551118492613/IMG_9889.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Seeing if this muffler shop is able to fix the exhaust leak that’s been following me around since San Carlos. He confirmed the problem I already knew to be the case but couldn’t do anything for me. I still enjoyed observing his technique of listening for the problem through a tube https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7430e7ee6eb04cc3ae182a/1551118603575/IMG_0151.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) We were basically one of two groups staying at this facility. It was a cross between campground, hotel and hippy commune https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742c25085229a06cf90360/1551117473000/IMG_9823.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d5614e17b65729ca7390/1549849992424/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) The central plaza of San Cris https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d1960d929794cf5c48a9/1549848995181/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Sunset over San Jose del Pacifico https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742f15a4222fc9b8e1787b/1551118122613/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) The beach behind the Tulum Ruins https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60dad37817f71b5be974d5/1549851399073/IMG_9751.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Water slide https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742acb4785d3f9f1e56abe/1551117042780/IMG_9809.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Playa del Carmen beach https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742f41f4e1fca8f3c7e96a/1551118160973/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d0b1652deabd42e873eb/1549848830496/IMG_9616.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Bobby and I on an afternoon hike above La Cumbre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742731e4966b8a5d53f42f/1551116835107/IMG_9801.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60da047817f71b5be96bfb/1549851196618/IMG_9745+2.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60cdcc9140b743f64946d2/1549848021152/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Puerto Escondido was a blur of drinks at the hostel bar and the clubs along Zicatela. This was one of the girls working at the hostel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60cce51905f4fc9c2e2a5d/1549847935179/IMG_9551.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Playa Carrizalillo in Puerto Escondido https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60db7fe79c703cac2b4463/1549851552339/IMG_9776.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Drinks at the cabanas later. I’m not sure what’s going on here … I don’t even remember this to be perfectly honest https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d1b64785d39661173453/1549849036614/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60cde5e5e5f0cc90123487/1549848048286/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Hostel bar drinks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d51e652deabd42e8a15a/1549849925549/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) This kid was quite set on cleaning my shoes. Not sure how I felt having cleaned and shined Blundstones. I’m used to buying them and scuffing them up straight away so they don’t look new https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d15e085229b582c98156/1549848960063/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) A sample of the mushroom-fuelled scribblings that covered the walls of La Cumbre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742cd94192027e38a310f3/1551117607423/IMG_9842.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Ruins of Tulum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7431d5ec212d3d8a55299a/1551118852367/IMG_0159.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) I had some company while reading out at the end of the dock. Turns out a six-year old is a good level of Spanish conversation for me to practice with. I have some work to do https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742bc18165f5c724819683/1551117299014/IMG_9820.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Main street in Tulum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60db19f9619ad3547d8148/1549851437292/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d63fe4966be7f764a527/1549850229875/IMG_9722.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Saying bye to the Americans, Vlad and Monica - my first backpackers that I picked up at a hostel. Had a good run from Puerto Escondido to San Jose and then on to San Cristobal with them before parting ways https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60cfd215fcc09ae515efb3/1549848561449/IMG_9564.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Cute Mexican girl, the owner’s daughter of a side-of-the-road restaurant we stopped at for some chicken on the way to San Jose. Never seen a kid more excited than when Bobby gave her some of his Kinder Surprise https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d004eb39311832fd8c06/1549848621653/IMG_9600.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Parked on the side of the mountain after a gruelling 2,500m of vertical in three hours of driving https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60da9c0d929794cf5ca7ca/1549851324814/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Sofie and Rhys https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d039eef1a13325da9d33/1549848650690/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Quiet spot in San Jose del Pacifico overlooking the mountains https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74311bee6eb04cc3ae1ae7/1551118648688/IMG_0136.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Getting into my previously under-utilised roof top tent https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d950104c7bb62a1993ef/1549851010687/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) View from the back of the collectivo on the way to Robert Barrio falls https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60de6afa0d60425bab1ba4/1549852282871/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Picking up Hadyn at Cancun airport https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742f63e5e5f04befa90ea2/1551118201620/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Taking up this guys offer on a photo opportunity outside of Cenote Dos Ojos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742a64fa0d60310c7a69a1/1551116989113/IMG_9806.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) The main drag at Playa del Carmen https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d9914e17b65729caa02b/1549851063344/IMG_9743.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d201971a1829e8ff983b/1549849129201/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Someones pet racoon at the bar. Cool pet, the owner was a bit overprotective of him though. Maybe rightfully so given everyone was getting a bit rowdy and all over him https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742cafe79c7042cf8f9857/1551117513712/IMG_9828.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) I can’t tell you what this is but it was cute https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d09f4192028682e5b972/1549848739800/IMG_9608.jpg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Drone shot over San Jose del Pacifico https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742fbe8165f5c72481cdf1/1551118370512/IMG_9870.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Casa Cenote (I think, there were a lot of them…) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d5a3ec212d3859d65ee0/1549850048842/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d60deef1a13325daddc5/1549850162374/IMG_9714.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d9c5f9619ad3547d726d/1549851120501/IMG_9744.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Clara and Bobby https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60de3b4e17b65729cad20e/1549852249695/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Patrick and Rachael: Overlanding friends from our Campeche hostel who were on a one-year tour with just them, their tent and their bike https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d05fb208fc722ad645cc/1549848699658/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) La Cumbre hostel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60cc8efa0d60425baa5aad/1549847721390/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Lucan, my first hitchhiker https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60ccc0c83025b45f69eefd/1549847762417/IMG_9538.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) We drove for four hours together and I heard some great tails of his two years on the road through South and Central America https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d68553450a883a282783/1549850451570/IMG_9727.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Jolene’s first wash since Colorado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d109a4222fa3c7e1b62d/1549848903113/IMG_9618.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74318eeb3931659af612fb/1551118783401/IMG_0121.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60db434e17b65729cab21f/1549851499130/IMG_9765.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Waiting for our ride home https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d4e08165f527b77eaa65/1549849867352/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60d5d5fa0d60425baabfa4/1549850101263/ Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c60de1e971a1829e8001a03/1549852204695/IMG_9784.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) Double Dutch: Sofie and Clara, who were with me from San Cristobal through Pelanque, Campeche to Cancun https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c742b6ae4966b8a5d543379/1551117232941/IMG_9815.jpeg Home - East across Mexico (Part 2) https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/2/25/cuba monthly 0.5 2019-03-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74688bfa0d6058371ca431/1551132832072/IMG_9982.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7463ba4e17b66ca3b56a5e/1551131595657/IMG_0070.jpeg Home - Cuba Hadyn enjoying a Bucanero (one of the countries two nationally produced beers) while getting lost in the real Havana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746369c830254718a3df6d/1551131525090/IMG_0048.jpeg Home - Cuba City tour in old American classic https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7467c7652dea46e60853cc/1551132653547/IMG_9916.jpeg Home - Cuba I absolutely love the use of cannons as bollards https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74660be2c483084dcd679c/1551132197377/IMG_0007.jpeg Home - Cuba I spoke to this bartender for an hour or so in Spanish as he explained to me all of the troubles with the system. He was good-spirited but a little more critical of the government than most people I spoke with https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746858652dea46e6085bec/1551132781550/IMG_9960.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7468f2104c7b6fd1187814/1551132931495/IMG_9999.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746824e5e5f07e3d1c98cc/1551132738959/IMG_9943.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746781fa0d6058371c9381/1551132592859/IMG_0084.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7466b353450a4d17612569/1551132376078/IMG_0017.jpeg Home - Cuba Buena Vista Social Club https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746632eb393112c08bbb8a/1551132239102/IMG_0001.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74665eec212d0833433236/1551132271586/IMG_0010.jpeg Home - Cuba Another bartender friend https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74667ef4e1fce990b90179/1551132312784/IMG_0016.jpeg Home - Cuba Dinner and a show: Seeing the Buena Vista Social Club over a meal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7461dd4785d3db6b888800/1551131133230/ Home - Cuba It’s crazy how many buildings are in this state. And it’s not just in the outskirts, buildings like this exist within 100m of El Capitolio (the most important political building in Cuba) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7466ea4192028beb6874b1/1551132420732/IMG_0042.jpeg Home - Cuba Che and not Osama https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7467594785d3380b2cf10c/1551132523509/IMG_0074.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7467fceef1a1d6800744e7/1551132686543/IMG_9938.jpeg Home - Cuba Daiquiris at Floridita is a must when visiting Havana. One of Hemingway’s favourite haunts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7468c0f9619a402e7d765a/1551132884483/IMG_9992.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7461b5e4966b8415374872/1551131078958/ Home - Cuba The centre of tourist Havana at sunset https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7465868165f5cd5b317f42/1551132151715/IMG_0018.jpeg Home - Cuba My ‘tour guides’ who took us on an adventure https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c746714eef1a1d6800737c5/1551132478334/IMG_0058.jpeg Home - Cuba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c74621d6e9a7f281122cfc6/1551131189425/ Home - Cuba The view from our casa and a typical landscape of Havana. Buildings can often be nice inside but rarely from the outside (a function of the way housing is provided and subsidised by the government) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7463924e17b66ca3b5687c/1551131565537/IMG_0061.jpeg Home - Cuba Cojimar, the setting for The Old Man and the Sea https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c7463e2fa0d600635ce109e/1551131667623/IMG_9958.jpeg Home - Cuba La Guarida https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/3/20/belize monthly 0.5 2019-03-20 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c92882371c10bfe7617eba0/1553107321842/IMG_0180.jpeg Home - Belize Car ferry https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928230a4222f9d75e5b3d3/1553105526705/IMG_0193.jpeg Home - Belize Beach front of Sarteneja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928983ec212d06b1c14976/1553107390601/0.jpeg Home - Belize A weird quirk of Belize is that many stores have two specialties and often times they are unrelated. This is a real estate and drone store. We encountered other strange combinations like mechanic + hairdresser and shoe store + carpenter https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928127e5e5f0462645b93e/1553105314187/IMG_0178.jpeg Home - Belize The lovely insurance people at the Belize insurance agency https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9283a81905f4be46e8ffde/1553105883562/IMG_0228.jpeg Home - Belize Lamanai Archeological Reserve https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9287099140b744b0e1e4ef/1553106719639/T+-+Copy.jpg Home - Belize ATM Cave. Photo credit: MayaWalk Tours https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c92878f085229b8f881e2ff/1553106912648/X.jpg Home - Belize Photo credit: MayaWalk Tours https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c927f07104c7b132d87a05e/1553104772142/IMG_0255.jpeg Home - Belize Lamanai ruins https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928584971a187fb460125c/1553106350851/IMG_0218.jpeg Home - Belize Mennonite gas station https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928b5b085229b8f8821bf2/1553107878974/3.jpeg Home - Belize Our camping spot on the beach in Sarteneja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c92828c41920245433098d4/1553105583037/IMG_0191.jpeg Home - Belize With nothing else to do, we sat by the water and drank beer. Tough life. And yes, I’m a tragic Packers fan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9283490d92973fb5ed3daa/1553105776707/IMG_0181.jpeg Home - Belize The hand-cranked car ferry https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9283f6e5e5f0462645e315/1553106017356/IMG_0231.jpeg Home - Belize https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928bbc0d92973fb5edb473/1553107977869/4.jpeg Home - Belize One of very few restaurant choices in Sarteneja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928b229b747a03aca1651e/1553107786374/2.jpeg Home - Belize Sunset over Sarteneja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9280101905f4be46e8cb32/1553105040989/IMG_0203.jpeg Home - Belize Sarteneja https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928474e5e5f0462645e980/1553106106514/IMG_0249.jpeg Home - Belize https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c9287614785d36350825057/1553106797145/F+%282%29.jpg Home - Belize Photo credit: MayaWalk Tours https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928a389b747a03aca157c7/1553107727094/1.jpeg Home - Belize Dogs everywhere I go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c928c1ffa0d604271b2dadd/1553108049621/5.jpeg Home - Belize The view from Bella’s overlooking San Ignacio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5c92853d971a187fb4600e0f/1553106280736/IMG_0223.jpeg Home - Belize Mennonite children https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/4/10/guatemala monthly 0.5 2019-04-10 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae37c2f4e1fcf538f97171/1554921433817/IMG_0296.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae374ee79c707fbfeee884/1554921304596/IMG_0341.jpeg Home - Guatemala Tikal crew https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3c30ec212dac40064d00/1554922591800/IMG_0473.jpeg Home - Guatemala Semuc Champey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3862c83025772ef1bf08/1554921588576/IMG_0375.jpeg Home - Guatemala Everyone gathered around to check out this guy climbing on the thatched roof and then, embarrassingly for him, he managed to fall off the roof in an almighty thud surrounded by falling branches https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae337c8165f5284db7a530/1554920328104/IMG_0366.jpg Home - Guatemala Watching the sunset over Flores (left to right: Hadyn, Ingrid, Gabe and myself) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae38c4a4222fbed7e19024/1554921694738/IMG_0331.jpeg Home - Guatemala Checking out the ancient food storage caves https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae5032e2c483ba4085eb02/1554927685128/IMG_0576.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3b8c24a6945079d9bbb9/1554922412571/IMG_0461.jpeg Home - Guatemala Zephyr Hostel in Lanquin. Always a party here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae500f53450a796d124b9c/1554927639106/d703a922-9ddf-47ed-8c14-5ef2a7bd3769.jpg Home - Guatemala Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3a114e17b63d448de27c/1554922028162/IMG_0426.jpeg Home - Guatemala Stopover in a town on the way to Lanquin https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3a77a4222fbed7e1a430/1554922122868/IMG_0432.jpeg Home - Guatemala I quite enjoy finding car washes in the most remote and obscure pueblos I can find. Always a bit more interesting to explore a place that rarely gets any gringo tourists while we wait 30 minutes for the car wash https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae38111905f4b5ea69aa39/1554921508989/IMG_3170.jpeg Home - Guatemala Gabe taking a photo of us taking photos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae50240d92977242854c43/1554927657293/e211f4f9-83e7-4281-bbe2-f166712b23a2.jpg Home - Guatemala Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae50f7eb3931683519f0c0/1554927888887/IMG_0691.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3b21ee6eb079bcf6bff0/1554922292308/IMG_0453.jpeg Home - Guatemala As cliche as these photos with town names are, they usually come out pretty well https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae5097ec212dac40075771/1554927784363/IMG_0674.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3ec3e2c483ba40850bc2/1554923225967/IMG_0505.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3c754cd61c00017e1bc7/1554922634812/IMG_0475.jpeg Home - Guatemala More Semuc https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae50b59140b70a01cc13c4/1554927821531/IMG_0681.jpeg Home - Guatemala Freezing cold just after sunrise on the summit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4010419202d81099eb28/1554923550561/IMG_0554.jpeg Home - Guatemala One of my favourite things to do on the road is visit the local micro-brewers and experience their take on small scale brewing. The brew pubs are always funky and fairly certain to serve you a tasty beer and a good meal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4fdff4e1fcf538faa5fb/1554927587630/31c5c715-a894-4d92-9326-7b0f7a2cbf51.jpg Home - Guatemala Long exposure shot of Acatenango erupting Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae33b99140b70a01caa38b/1554920404004/IMG_0263.jpeg Home - Guatemala Streetscape of Flores https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3bc8419202d81099b4b6/1554922456005/IMG_0463.jpeg Home - Guatemala The view from Zephyr https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3e31652dea4d690f6e9d/1554923078780/IMG_0488.jpeg Home - Guatemala One of many churches in Antigua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae343d53450a796d10e95f/1554920532917/IMG_0281.jpeg Home - Guatemala Sunset over Flores https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3257e4966bff9002d1de/1554920043733/IMG_0384.jpeg Home - Guatemala Ruins of Tikal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3ef0c4eaa7000165b36f/1554923264188/IMG_0507.jpeg Home - Guatemala Many Central American countries including Guatemala have these awesome chrome and graffiti buses. They’re really well maintained, functional and look amazing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae370ff4e1fcf538f96905/1554921269069/IMG_0364.jpeg Home - Guatemala Main plaza of Tikal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3f5bf9619acd73ff5f12/1554923375436/IMG_0522.jpeg Home - Guatemala Fruit lady at the market https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3f8715fcc06774423939/1554923421509/IMG_0534.jpeg Home - Guatemala Not untrue https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3e92104c7b2ebea39d84/1554923171535/IMG_0501.jpeg Home - Guatemala I really liked the well maintained ruins of these churches https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4fee8165f5284db9140e/1554927602985/731ce45e-ee2a-4e32-b32c-355613380e3c.jpg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3b5571c10bfddaf0ef6c/1554922366411/IMG_0457.jpeg Home - Guatemala Lanquin https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae507cec212dac40075633/1554927751869/IMG_0660.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae379bf4facf0001b5d6c0/1554921396931/IMG_0293.jpeg Home - Guatemala Indiana Jones jeeps https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae504fc4eaa700016695f7/1554927707712/IMG_0624.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3be8085229543f92c647/1554922488973/IMG_0466.jpeg Home - Guatemala I bloody love Unimogs. At times back in Melbourne I’ve participated in auctions for ex-army ones (always unsuccessfully). Not sure what I’d do with it but it’s about one of the coolest vehicles you could own https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3cc8971a1861cc33f9f1/1554922722584/IMG_0483.jpeg Home - Guatemala A car full of Australians https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae341be79c707fbfeec15f/1554920481266/IMG_0361.jpg Home - Guatemala Good crew https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3afb7817f7ca1208298f/1554922255125/IMG_0440.jpeg Home - Guatemala Overlooking the jungle near Lanquin https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4fcec83025772ef2f723/1554927572159/29f7bde7-b13f-48ec-9a41-b425c48f085c.jpg Home - Guatemala Rum and Skittles Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3c9ce2c483ba4084ef7a/1554922674971/IMG_0480.jpeg Home - Guatemala Hadyn and the Aussies https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae50d8eef1a10d92b1ddb7/1554927850817/IMG_0687.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3e64c4eaa7000165ad11/1554923130045/IMG_0495.jpeg Home - Guatemala Dog https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4fbcfa0d6012e4370114/1554927553912/9e58bdf6-d688-499c-8c97-c7e404ad91eb.jpg Home - Guatemala Acatenango basecamp Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3dd8fa0d6012e4360fad/1554922992973/IMG_0540.jpeg Home - Guatemala Antigua is filled with colour, both the town and the people https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae37e7e4966bff900317f7/1554921470667/IMG_0325.jpeg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae4fffc83025772ef2f938/1554927619678/aadc6926-044e-4ea7-8b48-890c5067c201.jpg Home - Guatemala Photo credit: Dajana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3fe0104c7b2ebea3addf/1554923503896/IMG_0548.jpeg Home - Guatemala The crew at the Tropicana hostel. Brady, Dajana, Hadyn and Gabe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae345ff9619acd73fed415/1554920569535/IMG_0276.jpeg Home - Guatemala Skybar, sampling the various local beers to decide on our favourites https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3fadc4eaa7000165bc40/1554923456479/IMG_0538.jpeg Home - Guatemala Dajana outside one of the big churches https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3844e5e5f02b0de0dfdb/1554921554244/IMG_0394.jpg Home - Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae33f0ee6eb079bcf6652d/1554920447859/IMG_0268.jpeg Home - Guatemala Board meeting prep in the hotel overlooking the lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae376f6e9a7f0a8cfff0e2/1554921352162/IMG_0382.jpeg Home - Guatemala Hadyn and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3f2f4785d3245a3f1f1f/1554923332372/IMG_0514.jpeg Home - Guatemala A woman cooking local food at the market https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae3a4ef4facf0001b5f8db/1554922085211/IMG_0429.jpeg Home - Guatemala Jolene taking a well deserved bath https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cae5067c83025772ef2fe7a/1554927730326/IMG_0652.jpeg Home - Guatemala Our mascot for the trek https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/5/8/costa-rica monthly 0.5 2019-05-08 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd2fee553450a40ed453447/1557331745097/IMG_1480.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Beach camping at Puerto Viejo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd2ffcd0d92975b5a862140/1557331933558/IMG_1351.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Like a kid in a candy store: Land Rover parts dealer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd302c00d92975b5a864383/1557332705510/IMG_1496.jpeg Home - Costa Rica At the beginning of his 15 minute road crossing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd2ff60f4e1fcc7b1c0b335/1557331826128/IMG_1339.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Otto and Sarah from Finland. We met at Sunday Funday in Nicaragua and crossed the border into Costa Rica together. Curiously, we had a mutual Finnish friend from my last South America adventure back in 2010 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30315eef1a1282cf40696/1557332778096/IMG_1500.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30297a4222f782c8c1d75/1557332652787/IMG_1459.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3003f53450a40ed45420f/1557332048551/IMG_1392.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Replaced parts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3010a1905f46129eedfcf/1557332257578/IMG_1367.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3015100d065000138c9e9/1557332323867/IMG_1413.jpeg Home - Costa Rica One of many craft beer flights I had over the week in San Jose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd2ff87b208fcbeddd1e0dd/1557331868241/IMG_1343.jpeg Home - Costa Rica One of the first things I noticed about Costa Rica was how crazy the currency was. Some pretty big numbers to get your head around https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30333eef1a1282cf407fd/1557332809028/IMG_1502.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd302f0ec212dd5909c2ab2/1557332746036/IMG_1499.jpeg Home - Costa Rica He seemed vaguely aware of my presence but didn’t seem too bothered that I was there https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3027100d065000138d958/1557332613733/IMG_1453.jpeg Home - Costa Rica One of the sleepy sloths at the Sloth Sanctuary. All the sloths here had been rescued and rehabilitated https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30170eb3931486d8ab4af/1557332353192/IMG_1417.jpeg Home - Costa Rica A craft beer restaurant: One of the favourite spots I visited last time I was town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30228ee6eb026ac852fa8/1557332541867/IMG_1465.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd300ec77107600016ceaa4/1557332218374/IMG_1363.jpeg Home - Costa Rica One of my favourite Costa Rican craft brews https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd300c49140b7f343d4f7a5/1557332192045/IMG_1360.jpeg Home - Costa Rica One of the plazas in San Jose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd301fa43725e00016487be/1557332498393/IMG_1463.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Home for the night - a parking lot on the beach in the middle of Puerto Viejo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd301d057a1430001022572/1557332455064/IMG_1442.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Stopping to enjoy the ocean on the drive along the North coast of Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd2ffe8971a18603b49bf9f/1557331963383/IMG_1352.jpeg Home - Costa Rica I’d been hanging out for months to get my hands on these gaskets and other necessary parts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd30005925b540001736cb7/1557331986808/IMG_1358.jpeg Home - Costa Rica The best Land Rover shop in Central America https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd302497817f7cd043a844f/1557332576945/IMG_1471.jpeg Home - Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3001d24a69419a1c1cd57/1557332021613/IMG_1391.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Clean bill of health: All mechanical problems fixed and meticulously cleaned inside and out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3012d15fcc0213de098c7/1557332285588/IMG_1372.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Fer. We met on my last trip to Costa Rica. Was nice to catch up again a few years on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3007f0d92975b5a862767/1557332103511/IMG_1365.jpeg Home - Costa Rica Angela, my Spanish teacher https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/5/8/the-darien-gap monthly 0.5 2019-05-10 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a3014e17b617b40d0f28/1557373720702/IMG_2093.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap She’s out! And only with minor damage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39f66f9619aeaac79ebce/1557372822940/IMG_1908.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Outside DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales aka place for taxes and customs) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39b356fbb5d0001f2b4db/1557371934830/IMG_1529.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap DIJ inspection to check out VINs and meeting my new friends (Jamie, Sylvain & Horst) for the first time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a0617b27600001eec136/1557373033149/IMG_2000.jpg Home - The Darien Gap Jamie’s kids taking care of Horst’s dog while we’re all down at the port bashing our head against a brick wall https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a1689140b7cc6246422b/1557373326925/IMG_2031.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Back in the port office wonder WTF is going on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39c707b27600001ee9f9c/1557372033714/IMG_1536.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Surprise car inspection from a stray cat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39eb09b747a3f5ed44463/1557372619185/IMG_1823.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The very welcoming customer service window at the Seabound Marine offices in Cartagena https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a01524a694d88fba3ef2/1557372980318/IMG_1946.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Sylvain and Jamie getting nowhere with Rafael at the Port office https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39d3a6fbb5d0001f2c4b8/1557372239395/IMG_1579.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Jumping through hoops at the Port of Colon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39caea4222fb3a50345f0/1557372095327/IMG_1571.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Convoy of shippers the night before we turned over our cars. Rancho Juancho on the North coast of Panama close to Colon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a2020d92973134919d59/1557373459336/IMG_2060.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The container inspection required long pants and covered shoes for safety. Zbynek left his pants packed in his bike. But he had his pyjamas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a0a0e4966b1cef04b93a/1557373094255/IMG_2002.jpg Home - The Darien Gap The whole gang crammed in at the Seaboard office. I’ll say that while the process sucked, it was generally a great crew of people who found the funny side in situations without funny sides https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a221eef1a146970aa20e/1557373484116/IMG_2062.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Finally time for the Czech bikers and I to get a look at our container after the block had been removed by the customs people https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39d5d6e9a7f5462bd075b/1557372294462/IMG_1581.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Following the inspections of the vehicles - the final stage - we hand over the cars to the port guys who drive off into the guts of the port, leaving us with a confused sense of loss at being parted from our vehicles https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39922ef7ab9000151341a/1557371180852/IMG_2066.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The big day at Cartagena port - container opening day! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39c8c53450a096cbe75b7/1557372065486/IMG_1542.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap More paperwork. The guy at the counter is from Argentina and rode his motorbike solo to Alaska and turned around to head back home to Buenos Aires. He was crossing back into South America on the home stretch when we met him - what a legend! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39ed815fcc0631cb361b2/1557372700131/IMG_1893.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap When in doubt, Google Translate. Usually better than no translation, often not by much https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39d90fa0d602db9ce6979/1557372347480/IMG_1582.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Bye Jolene, see you in Cartagena https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39fbb8c5c890001a58ae5/1557372880820/IMG_1943.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Zbyněk (head of the Czech biker gang) and I pestering Rafael at the ‘Portuaria’ to release the car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a32dbd02f000013a81b1/1557373753462/IMG_2114.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Behind the wheel and feeling great about it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a2c1fa0d602db9ce9188/1557373682988/IMG_2090.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Apparently when you pay for the shipping, you also buy the tie downs and they are yours to take or dispose of. So the Czech bikers packed them up nicely and as far as I know tried to sell them for a bit of extra cash https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39c299b747a3f5ed43090/1557371997105/IMG_1532.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The Barnsley’s Defender 130. What a beast - these guys did an amazing job of turning an already incredible machine into an overlander’s dream https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd399bbfa0d602db9ce4c84/1557371351342/IMG_1513.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Slight miscalculation on gas station intervals. Thankfully I always have 40 litres of premium on roof https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39a65652deadb3111550b/1557371519195/IMG_1557.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Nicely preserved ruins of an old church in Panama old town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a1b18165f5264433b9d1/1557373375894/IMG_2049.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Picking up my temporary import permit (aka TIP - the ever important document you need to get your car into each new country) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a1ce5bd5a80001bbe125/1557373409053/IMG_2055.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap We must have gone in and out of the port office one hundred times. And every time, these guys wanted to slow us down by inspecting our identification and giving us a pass. After a while we just started hopping the fence or sneaking around the side of the building which occasionally got us in trouble https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a0b7085229b947d82c7b/1557373130308/IMG_2004.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The whole group being sent off on its next mission from Cartagena port https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a1457b27600001eec803/1557373270293/IMG_2024.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Back to DIAN for more waiting. DIAN put a block (‘bloqueo’) on our container which added 24 hours to my container and let the rest escape a day earlier than me and the Czech bikers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39cdeec212d77a83cbbf8/1557372205243/IMG_1572.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Best photo I have of Jamie’s Defender setup. He sleeps himself, wife Angie and two kids comfortably in that thing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd399868165f5264433771e/1557371311941/IMG_1509.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The drive through Panama - and I covered over half the length of the country in a single day - was stunning the whole way across (until I got to Panama City) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39a4453450a096cbe65af/1557371481627/IMG_1554.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Panama City’s central plaza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a0ede5e5f02b9aea8d77/1557373175406/IMG_2013.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Off on a solo mission to deal with my insurance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39a0511ee7700012c0e4e/1557371448046/IMG_1552.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap The nice part of Panama City https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39aaa971a1831017f4db1/1557371620315/IMG_1562.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap A very loudly decorated Argentinean restaurant https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a128ec212d77a83cdf15/1557373239975/IMG_2019.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Progress: Jamie and Sylvain getting all Village people and throwing down some YMCA moves in the port. Here they’re celebrating their appointment to open the container and inspect the cars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a2500d92973134919f9b/1557373548201/IMG_2070.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Finally!!! Our container! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39f47419202bc72de3b81/1557372751036/IMG_1907.jpg Home - The Darien Gap Our checklist for the week. We skipped some steps and performed many others. But it was better than nothing as a guide https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39f2d11ee7700012c35f1/1557372726192/IMG_1906.jpg Home - The Darien Gap Hungover but nevertheless usually put forward as the best Spanish speaker of the group (I wasn’t), I adopted this stance on many occasions to converse through the window at the Seabound office https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a07953450a096cbe9651/1557373071027/IMG_2001.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Down at the port watching the monkeys climb on the building while we wait. There were also lizards and parrots to keep things interesting https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39fa76e9a7f5462bd19c8/1557372844935/IMG_1909.jpg Home - The Darien Gap Absolutely ridiculous set of instructions. This contains my favourite of them all: “…pay the 73$ (at some supermarket)…” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a0d9b208fcf7d3401588/1557373151025/IMG_2005.jpg Home - The Darien Gap Every time we got sent on a new mission, we all piled in taxis to the next place for the next challenge. Often times we’d hail three taxis to fit everyone then all barge into the next building together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39a8bbd02f000013a42cb/1557371551901/IMG_1559.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Some buildings like this were reminiscent of Cuba, a vibe I really enjoy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a344f9619aeaac7a0b9c/1557373800920/IMG_2123.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap So happy to see my car on the streets of Cartagena (and in South America), I stopped at a local parking lot for a private little photo shoot https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd399ec9140b7cc6246045f/1557371385588/IMG_1521.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Arriving exhausted in Panama City from a full day on the road and not feeling overly well - this gecko kept me company while I ate Japanese from a chain restaurant which was all I could find to eat near the hostel at that hour https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a106bd02f000013a722c/1557373209519/IMG_2016.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap One of the smarter moves: opting for a couple beers and some lunch during some enforced waiting time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a29c1905f49f526d9419/1557373619294/IMG_2081.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap First glimpse of my beautiful car in over two weeks! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd39e1f4785d35d8a8cd1aa/1557372570747/IMG_1905.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Sylvain, Jamie and I trying to sort out our import permits for the cars into Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a27b4e17b617b40d0b61/1557373579356/IMG_2078.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap My car’s in the back, behind all those bikes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cd3a23a15fcc0631cb37ca5/1557373506471/IMG_2064.jpeg Home - The Darien Gap Heading in for inspection. Ironically, not sure what good inspections were - heaps of us had minor issues (some others that I know of major issues) but by the time you’ve waited around a week to get hold of your vehicle, the last thing anyone is going to want to do is file a claim for damages. We just signed off and moved on https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/4/28/car-problems monthly 0.5 2019-04-28 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a30d9b747a531eddff4e/1556456221858/IMG_9891.jpeg Home - Car problems Heaven in Costa Rica: this was the first Land Rover parts store I’d been to and by the time I got here, there were so many things I wanted to buy. It was better than being a kid at Christmas! As time goes on, I still can’t think of many things I enjoy more than finding a good Land Rover parts store and stocking up https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a1a6744479000171cd47/1556455859976/IMG_9194.jpeg Home - Car problems Lube shop in Guadalajara https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a0f7085229d40eee0864/1556455684338/IMG_8881.jpeg Home - Car problems Jonathan and his dad putting the new transmission in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a47c9140b7ee61e5603e/1556456588793/IMG_100150.jpeg Home - Car problems A new floor jack, spark plug leads, oil, oil filters, wiper blades, gloves and some hats. Funny how priorities change; at home these would be completely boring purchases (or ideally things that I don’t even deal with and just let the boys in the service centre take care of). But for me now living on the road, with my car as my best friend, this stuff is so important and makes me happy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59ff3085229d40eee0339/1556455429137/IMG_8259.jpeg Home - Car problems Brad from Goodway Auto in Silverthorne Colorado. He and his crew sorted out my misfire issue while I went back to Loveland to watch NFL games and relaxed on the lake with my uncle and aunt. His crew have also been useful a few times to help with me with mechanical Spanish translations while trying to deal with issues on the road https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a3bcb2512d00018d1fbf/1556456404175/IMG_100144.jpeg Home - Car problems The latch from my water carrier embedded in my tire in Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a1dec8302560fa369c3a/1556455917723/IMG_9209.jpeg Home - Car problems Getting the exhaust sorted. Or at least getting as far as I could without the proper parts which would come five countries later when I got to Costa Rica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a1ff4e17b663885802dd/1556455950902/IMG_9212.jpeg Home - Car problems This guy did an awesome job with few tools and had me back on the road in an hour. I can’t believe it but he was working on my exhaust hot (literally five minutes after I drove it to the front of his workshop) without gloves. He pointed out that the main leaks were at the exhaust manifold rather than under the car which is what Jonathan (transmission guy) and the welders were suggesting. His fix held up for quite a while but eventually I had to learn how to keep all the exhaust bolts tight myself or else the car sounded atrociously loud and would give me a ton of engine fault codes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a1c14e17b663885801b3/1556455888346/IMG_9208.jpeg Home - Car problems Workshop of my exhaust guy in Guadalajara. I thought it was a really nice pit but apparently he preferred working on the street on little ramps https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a176085229d40eee0ac3/1556455808242/IMG_9001.jpeg Home - Car problems At the low point, I literally went to a Toyota dealership in Mexico to see if they had a decent second hand Land Cruiser, Hilux, Forerunner or Tundra and was contemplating selling the Discovery and buying a more reliable Japanese-built truck. It was a shitty time but I think needed to mentally hit rock bottom to realise that it was just a car and ultimately a replacement was always an option. But thankfully I was over-reacting and in fact, I was very far from that point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a069f5a50f00010a17b1/1556455549650/IMG_8640.jpeg Home - Car problems My front driveshaft hanging limply in San Carlos after the universal joint gave up. I’m pretty particular about getting these greased reasonably often now. I would really rather not have a repeat of this issue. After this drama, I carry a spare driveshaft with one spare u-joint https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a0d2bfc5c60001dc6d93/1556455659354/IMG_8866.jpg Home - Car problems Driving back from Tucson AZ with my new (reconditioned) transmission. That smile was short lived when 30 minutes later I got held up at the Mexican border for 4.5 hours dealing with the import tax https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a2eef4e1fc08df203661/1556456190046/IMG_9890.jpeg Home - Car problems It’s not the cleanest engine bay being a 16-year old truck. Photo taken to diagnose an issue with my troublesome 5th cylinder in Honduras https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a18b1905f4d13a693314/1556455833710/IMG_9169.jpeg Home - Car problems One of the many Mexican mechanics I stopped to see for minor assistance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a2994ca75600015c2e68/1556456104684/IMG_9602.jpeg Home - Car problems When it’s not raining, I get as much as I can up on the roof. From left to right: Rooftop tent, spare backpack for hiking, water carriers, fuel carriers, engine oil and coolant, a box full of other fluids (transmission, brake, etc), duffle bag with winter clothes and MaxTrax. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59f53e4966b54dc99f5ea/1556455277641/IMG_7939.jpg Home - Car problems My first fix on the road. Supergluing a side turn indicator back on just outside of Vancouver https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59fd24e17b6638857f771/1556455399913/IMG_8231.jpeg Home - Car problems My OBD2 diagnostic device is one of my best friends on the road. I get engine warning lights constantly (admittedly most are O2 / emissions related from the ongoing exhaust problems which I ignore and reset). I’ve gotten very used to seeing a warning light, grabbing the device while driving, plugging in to see what the issue is and quickly diagnosing whether it needs attention and usually without my passengers even realising what I’m doing. This misfire issue was one of only two mechanical problems I’ve had to date that required immediate attention https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a32a971a181ca1fed43e/1556456259862/IMG_9892.jpeg Home - Car problems Some fellow Land Rover enthusiasts put me onto Taller Bernal Cruz in Costa Rica. With timing constraints, I did virtually nothing in Costa Rica other than have my car spend a week with these guys and stock up on parts. The did a ton of fixes including solve the major issues like exhaust problems that had been following me around for the six countries. It was a full clean bill of health for Jolene https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a3531905f4d13a693bc6/1556456293992/IMG_99088.jpeg Home - Car problems Some damage done in the shipping container between Panama and Colombia. I repaired the part with multiple layers of super glue and then bolted it back https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a136f9619af513701297/1556455759065/IMG_8959.jpeg Home - Car problems The low point of my entire trip. Only days after sorting out the transmission, I pulled into Mazatlan and the car was throwing up a ton of faults - 13 of them to be exact. At this stage, without fully understanding what was going on with the exhaust, I was pretty down and dejected that the car was a piece of shit and that I’d be forever and constantly solving mechanical issues in countries without access to parts or experienced Land Rover mechanics. I was not a big fan of Land Rovers at this stage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a03053450a6d53e997fe/1556455482413/IMG_8276.jpeg Home - Car problems Coolant top ups in Arizona https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a21bb208fcfb579fabb2/1556455982418/IMG_9601.jpeg Home - Car problems Just a little love and attention over San Jose del Pacifico in Mexico https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a372c8302560fa36a453/1556456338470/IMG_99391.jpeg Home - Car problems Not only did the guys at Bernal Cruz fix everything, they gave her a thorough wash inside and out. I hadn’t been more happy with the car since the first day I picked her up in Vancouver https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59f35bfc5c60001dc6498/1556455239542/IMG_7537.jpeg Home - Car problems Jolene’s first workshop, the West Coast Offroaders shop in Vancouver. These guys did such a great job. Of all the problems I’ve had, virtually none had been attributed to any of the equipment they installed. At the time, I felt like I’d completely overcooked the fit out of the car. Now I wish I’d done more https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59c31e83b420001b2c727/1556454465714/IMG_8656.jpeg Home - Car problems Getting a tow in San Carlos, the biggest issue to date when the driveshaft came loose and put a whole in my transmission https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a047b2512d00018d0d24/1556455513307/IMG_8546.jpeg Home - Car problems Sorting out my leaking coolant hoses that were giving me grief through the Grand Canyon National Park and causing some pretty horrific looking white smoke as the coolant steadily dripped onto the hot engine block. New hoses on and pressure tests ok https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a15a652dea319bb0c56e/1556455785342/IMG_8998.jpeg Home - Car problems Looking back at this time, it seems naive that I had this mechanic switch out the O2 sensors when that wasn’t the issue at all. In retrospect, it was pointless until sorting out the leaks and getting decent gaskets https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a2b715fcc03ef0dfa5c0/1556456162991/IMG_9889.jpeg Home - Car problems Love the creativeness of mechanics in Latin America. This guy was using a simple bit of hose to listen to and locate my exhaust leaks. He couldn’t help me but I had fun hanging out in his pit for a little while with him https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a0b48165f562eb857229/1556455622004/IMG_8760.jpeg Home - Car problems My old transmission pulled out at Jonathan’s car wash in San Carlos, Mexico. If you look closely, you can see a 1.5 x 1.5 inch hole in it midway along and internals trying to squeeze their way out through the hole https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a39d8165f562eb85823e/1556456368860/IMG_100017.jpeg Home - Car problems I always get great pleasure in having the grime washed off. I’ve been through so many kilometres of mud, dust, desert, tarmac, snow and every other surface there is so it always feels great to wash it off and start over getting her dirty again. As a general rule, I try to get the washes done in the smallest and most obscure towns I can - they are cheaper but also much more culturally interesting places to stop. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a3fa085229d40eee1875/1556456473005/IMG_100145.jpeg Home - Car problems Tire shop in Armenia with Jolene temporarily sitting on three wheels and a jack https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a110e79c70bb32a9ee0d/1556455722629/IMG_8892.jpeg Home - Car problems The welders in San Carlos trying to figure out how to torch out the rusty bolts on the downstream end of my exhaust manifold https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59fbaec212ddf237e66ab/1556455367834/IMG_8144.jpeg Home - Car problems Learning to deal with regular oil top ups - a little less comfortable in temperatures of -25C. This was one of my colder stops outside of Yellowstone National Park. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a44eb208fcfb579fb8b0/1556456540752/IMG_100148.jpeg Home - Car problems Bogota’s candy store. There were three Land Rover specialists within 50m of each other which is such a rare thing to find in Central and South America. Bought a few necessary mechanical spares and some things to improve the car - most notably a rear ladder which I can’t wait to install. I spend more time on the roof the car than I thought I would so a ladder will make life much easier https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc59f78fa0d6052bc6ce068/1556455301633/IMG_7940.jpeg Home - Car problems After 5,000km (and admittedly quite negligently not checking my fluids the whole time), oil indicator light went on and I stopped in at a Jiffy Lube to find out she was bone dry due to a pretty significant oil leak. I’ve lost count of how many gallons of oil I’ve subsequently had to put in her. I’d say it’s typically it’s about 500ml of synthetic 5W30 (if I can find it) for every 12 hours of driving https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc5a4281905f4d13a694035/1556456513248/IMG_100146.jpeg Home - Car problems I carry a compressor which is pretty handy for airing up after off-roading but in this case, getting enough air in the tire to limp to the repair shop https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/4/25/honduras monthly 0.5 2019-04-27 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46e11104c7b28fd6454b0/1556377119976/IMG_1033.jpeg Home - Honduras Centre square in Comayagua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d0f8165f56d5a4c3f8e/1556376864828/IMG_0992.jpeg Home - Honduras Cayos Cochinos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d2c15fcc00d0250de51/1556376890967/IMG_0999.jpeg Home - Honduras Going for a paddle in Cayos Cohinos to break up the day fishing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46c2139ce670001f58c30/1556376622412/IMG_0948.jpeg Home - Honduras Dajana from Germany and I. The two of us travelled together for a few weeks in total through Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46bed1e1e7000017ebdd9/1556376566949/IMG_0937.jpeg Home - Honduras The German brew house with Dajana, Ruth and Hadyn https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46cf3e2c4832e455727ec/1556376836579/IMG_0988.jpeg Home - Honduras Gotta love when the word ‘Yamaha’ is painted onto the cowling of the outboard. Confidence inspiring https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc468c8e79c708de0d62135/1556375821146/IMG_0916.jpeg Home - Honduras Hadyn, Dajana & Ruth https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46bd2ec212dd51a9cd910/1556376544453/IMG_0930.jpeg Home - Honduras Streets of Copan by night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46bb4f9619ae9e201ae3e/1556376518221/IMG_0929.jpeg Home - Honduras Town square in Copan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46956ee6eb01fc10eba16/1556376096561/IMG_0909.jpeg Home - Honduras One of the small buildings on the Honduras side of the border where they took payments for the car’s import permit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46c37f4e1fce530ac3c5c/1556376668287/IMG_0967.jpeg Home - Honduras I loved this old Jeep on the outskirts of Copan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46c8a71c10b8676830abf/1556376718475/6e8c170c-5dc0-4473-9516-bc6b2e47d4ba.jpg Home - Honduras Truck full of dead horses https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46b41104c7b28fd64434c/1556376399678/IMG_0912.jpeg Home - Honduras It was hot as hell and I was running between buildings sorting out various parts of the car import process. This was one of my stops. The guy didn’t have change but I didn’t care, I just wanted to cross into Honduras https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46df7ee6eb01fc10eda4b/1556377095802/IMG_1032.jpeg Home - Honduras Checked into a quiet hotel in Comoyagua to relax before crossing into Nicaragua the next day. Had a small cylinder misfire issue pop up again here for the first time since I fixed it in Colorado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46b934785d30b09d75b00/1556376484834/IMG_0924.jpeg Home - Honduras I realise that when I take photos of the car, it’s because I love it and we’re getting along well. There was a period where I didn’t take many photos of it when it was giving me lots of troubles but by this point, those troubles seem largely behind me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d5c4192020fd90631ba/1556376944198/IMG_1016.jpeg Home - Honduras The local Sambo Creek bar at the end of our day fishing. We took shelter from the rain here while the crew pulled the boat up onto the beach https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46b5a15fcc00d0250d2c3/1556376423875/IMG_0914.jpeg Home - Honduras Streets of Copan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46cc27817f7d84a72f9d4/1556376784204/IMG_0982.jpeg Home - Honduras Our ponga for the day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d919140b7f9b2f34795/1556377004744/IMG_1025.jpeg Home - Honduras Pig family https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46b741e1e7000017ebb3f/1556376455113/IMG_0920.jpeg Home - Honduras The view from our hostel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46c029140b7f9b2f33d5a/1556376596264/IMG_0941.jpeg Home - Honduras This guy was Canadian AF. His laptop is out because he wanted to show us a YouTube video of him hugging strangers which is apparently his thing. He gave us vouchers for free hugs. I think of our group, I was the only one that took him up on the offer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d457817f7d84a72fcf3/1556376912634/IMG_1007.jpeg Home - Honduras The fishing crew https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46ca59b747a242baea39d/1556376761125/IMG_0977.jpeg Home - Honduras Beachfront of our hotel in Sambo Creek https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46cdbec212dd51a9cdf51/1556376808892/IMG_0986.jpeg Home - Honduras Local (fire) rum for good luck on the day out fishing. A little rough to be drinking at 7am https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46d7ab11b2b00016fc88f/1556376966589/IMG_1019.jpeg Home - Honduras Sambo Creek. I now wish we’d taken a little more time to explore this town, populated entirely by the Garifuna people local to the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5cc46e299b747a242baeadb7/1556377145407/ Home - Honduras A bit of entertainment while I sat in the town square with a beer in hand watching the world go by https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/5/5/nicaragua monthly 0.5 2019-05-05 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4703fa0d6020ec6e5c59/1557088019517/IMG_1100.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Central market https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b44fa0d6020ec6e7b00/1557089105607/IMG_1173.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Valentines day party just down the beach from us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4d7bb208fc5e822b3cb0/1557089666887/ca373ab5-dff7-408b-a917-06e5a4ba18e1.jpg Home - Nicaragua Fishing in San Juan del Sur https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf48119e9eea00011b9bd0/1557088310020/IMG_1070.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4a91a5949900017a0d70/1557088925812/IMG_1130.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4ee67395d8000129fa27/1557090026834/c7ec169a-1eee-48ab-b6d0-36f1e06490ed.jpg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf48640d9297770eb62942/1557088375198/IMG_1075.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4661e79c701a812b1cd4/1557087928258/IMG_1050.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Lieven and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf48401905f41dbcbe21be/1557088345847/IMG_1072.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4795eef1a108d7389803/1557088171787/IMG_1111.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b9c05748e000197d584/1557089185573/595631b0-103d-491c-a15a-101533aff77e.jpg Home - Nicaragua Headed back to the mainland https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf450224a6946263ecb319/1557087521347/GPTempDownload.JPG Home - Nicaragua Navigating a closed highway. I drove through 50km of this, all the time hoping that the highway would eventually join up to Pan-American highway (which it eventually did) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf46c20d9297770eb61aa8/1557087954450/IMG_1085.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Nicaragua does one thing really well - rum. Flor de Cana has to be one of the best (and best value) rums in the world https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf445f0092d30001dde517/1557087348186/IMG_1042.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Nicaraguan road to Leon. This was taken moments after entering the country and moments before my first run in with the Nicaraguan police https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4acea5949900017a0f09/1557088991373/IMG_1147.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf471e24a6946263ecc258/1557088051715/IMG_1101.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Street food https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b88104c7b981c371e05/1557089165941/11c410fc-80ff-460d-ae26-9ce26cf9f04d.jpg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4440f9619a23bcf214c7/1557087317297/IMG_1031.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Leaving Comayagua and noticing a misfire issue, something that I thought I’d left behind in Colorado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4e7be79c701a812b5b56/1557089929926/IMG_1313.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4ed390e5120001efea90/1557090010481/0430cb6e-c24e-466f-b44d-0695a00b3d28.jpg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4aec71c10b7dac3020e3/1557089025940/IMG_1151.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4a72419202f5ac12a71a/1557088902111/IMG_1122.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf46e1652deaddf2e6161c/1557087993095/IMG_1092.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Leon’s main church https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b272585e60001e438a5/1557089078030/IMG_1165.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4646a59499000179ece5/1557087831090/IMG_1044.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Keeping an eye on my car from the hostel bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4c278165f5845bb52380/1557089344717/IMG_1203.jpeg Home - Nicaragua I ran into a couple with British Colombia plates at a waterfall. If was so excited to meet them and find out about their trip, having covered the same ground I had to get to Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4aaceef1a108d738afd8/1557088955278/IMG_1145.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Our campsite for the few days we were on Ometepe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4daa99e55f00014b1e7d/1557089719487/IMG_1284.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Dajana and I off San Juan del Sur https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b78f4e1fc4e9c6cc725/1557089150171/8fd6f082-0cc8-4c03-994f-3500bf4b00e7.jpg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf473fa9c5690001ae2b55/1557088080175/IMG_1104.jpeg Home - Nicaragua There’s a lot of politically-oriented graffiti around the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4383eb3931597f9721e2/1557087124842/IMG_1293.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Successful haul after a day’s fishing in San Juan del Sur https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4bab7817f75cd38a9bd6/1557089199546/a8f68dab-e4b7-4ee1-9665-8185ff7985de.jpg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4a409b747a3598ccee07/1557088867978/IMG_1120.jpeg Home - Nicaragua The car ferry to Ometepe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4c7c24a6946263eceb86/1557089419917/IMG_1221.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Zipolote hostel. Glad we didn’t stay there, a bit too hippy for me. But their food was great https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4d8fe5e5f08d2c8de33e/1557089692923/IMG_1273.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Anne-Marie from Ireland pulled in her first ever fish and biggest fish of the day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b5f0d9297770eb63d4e/1557089132695/IMG_1177.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf475eeb3931597f974008/1557088111176/IMG_1105.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4de04785d3a010047d21/1557089771920/IMG_1296.jpeg Home - Nicaragua San Juan del Sur beach view. We sat here and ate the fish we caught earlier that day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4bc5085229f44bf9ba8e/1557089237421/IMG_1185.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4e95e5e5f08d2c8deb60/1557089957292/IMG_1316.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4be251e58c0001f2501a/1557089274235/IMG_1186.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4c4f7395d8000129e46e/1557089390643/IMG_1207.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Slightly underwhelming Ometepe waterfall https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4b0fa4222f281f7d8018/1557089050545/IMG_1163.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4dc671c10b7dac303894/1557089747710/IMG_1287.jpeg Home - Nicaragua https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4c08ee6eb0583463c383/1557089305435/IMG_1188.jpeg Home - Nicaragua The daughter of the restaurant owner who let us use his beachfront https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ccf4eb69b747a3598cd113c/1557089990998/IMG_1321.jpeg Home - Nicaragua Ian and Anne-Marie, our Irish friends https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/4/bogota monthly 0.5 2021-03-25 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476146d73cd5000127a503/1564959086670/IMG_3486.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477ac9eebdc3000178f4b2/1564965599269/IMG_4125.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475c4353ea2800011bfaa7/1564957777105/IMG_3403.jpeg Home - Bogota A Botero piece in the free museum of his works. While potentially speculation from our tour guides, I was told that he donated his collection to this museum as a bribe to reduce a prison sentence his son was facing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47619d3160290001488794/1564959154020/IMG_3478.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476d962bed1e000171f0be/1564962295334/IMG_3817.jpeg Home - Bogota We went through three distinct climates as we hiked up and eventually there was no vegetation near to the top where the elevation was close to 5,000m https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4780fbd9552b0001de1e91/1564967276539/IMG_4253.jpeg Home - Bogota In a rush to buy the tickets and not bothering to translate the description, I bought tickets to a ballet when I thought I was buying tickets to an opera https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477d76316029000149e340/1564966305546/IMG_4330.jpeg Home - Bogota The Spanish thought this lake was full of gold so they tried everything they could think of to get at it. But they weren’t particularly successful https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4780d6b17678000111eb2f/1564967143804/IMG_4251.jpeg Home - Bogota Carmen at Teatro Colon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47623df352bf0001330eec/1564959311268/IMG_3644.jpeg Home - Bogota Ok, so it’s not the most obvious but that is my name and I commissioned this bit of street art / vandalism https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d570db3b7269e0001e9eabe/1565986253054/IMG_3777.jpeg Home - Bogota Parked on the streets of Guican, sitting right below El Cocuy National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476259b0f5980001a43c12/1564959785268/IMG_3566.jpeg Home - Bogota I helped this guy out a little so he promised to make it up to me by putting my name on a nearby wall https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475bd44d40e50001d9e63e/1564957682722/IMG_3417.jpeg Home - Bogota Cute old couple near to Plaza Bolivar. They needed a little tip in order to let me take the photo but certainly worth the $1.00 I gave them and happy for them to have it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476d194d40e50001dac71d/1564962098995/IMG_3783.jpeg Home - Bogota Fresh legs as we start the 20km hike towards the Devil’s Pulpit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4779ec8eb45400015e3855/1564965408320/IMG_4062.jpeg Home - Bogota Looking out over the world’s tallest palm trees https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d478299fc33c900014e9749/1564967601361/IMG_3322.jpeg Home - Bogota Bogotanos playing chess in one of the main pedestrian malls https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476e538560f600014c0ab9/1564962396188/IMG_3840.jpeg Home - Bogota At the glaciers edge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47822d4d40e50001dbd384/1564967486932/IMG_4279.jpeg Home - Bogota The Libros Merlin second-hand bookstore in downtown Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477dcc5832920001166f63/1564966363602/IMG_4352.jpeg Home - Bogota A giant store dedicated to ice cream and deserts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477b24831efb00012608bf/1564965763036/IMG_4183.jpeg Home - Bogota It’s sometimes a drama at the time but I truly enjoy hanging out a workshops getting things fixed. If I had the option to have no mechanical problems on this trip whatsoever or the many that I’ve had, I’d probably still take the problems because of the fun of sorting out the situations and the people you meet to help you along the way … maybe that’s why I drive a Land Rover https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475c21cdea4800010607da/1564957751444/IMG_3386.jpeg Home - Bogota Trying ‘chicha’ - an alcoholic drink made from fermented corn https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476b71316029000149005b/1564961668308/IMG_3744.jpeg Home - Bogota Following an off-road trail along a river towards El Cocuy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4775558eb45400015dfdde/1564964197613/IMG_3891.jpeg Home - Bogota Pueblito Boyacense dog https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476d446a811c000103fec4/1564962141689/IMG_3808.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4761ce4d40e50001da36d6/1564959211115/IMG_3472.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d57114bb36deb0001071f37/1565987167582/IMG_8288.jpeg Home - Bogota Pueblito Boyacense in Boyaca which was built to showcase the cultural and architectural diversity of Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d57136944f07b00013c4983/1565987704975/IMG_4307.jpeg Home - Bogota Lake Guatavita https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4780ad1c7ed7000173e139/1564967100725/IMG_4515.jpeg Home - Bogota We ate each and every one of these ingredients across the ~12 courses of the meal including capybara, cayman, ants and caterpillars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477a40b0f5980001a56d0e/1564965450959/IMG_4069.jpeg Home - Bogota You wouldn’t catch me climbing up there to get a coconut down. In fact, I can’t even see high enough to tell if they are bearing coconuts. Fact: not all palm trees have coconuts but all coconuts come from palm trees https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475cc1b0f5980001a3f2f1/1564957902515/IMG_3469.jpeg Home - Bogota Napping in the Botanical Gardens https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d5712524ef6bf0001148aa4/1565987430120/IMG_4120.jpeg Home - Bogota Flume ride at Parque del Cafe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47759d4d40e50001db2fca/1564964277271/IMG_4019.jpeg Home - Bogota One of the chapels in the Salt Cathedral. Maybe a little overrated if I’m being totally honest but then religion isn’t really my thing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475c6031602900014846e7/1564957840215/IMG_3410.jpeg Home - Bogota Panoramic view of Teatro Colon in La Candelaria https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4774d9d9552b0001dd7e6f/1564964077681/IMG_3993.jpeg Home - Bogota Town square of Nobsa in the Boyaca region https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477b07f352bf0001344099/1564965656719/IMG_4162.jpeg Home - Bogota Getting some air in the tires to limp to the tire repair shop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475ca3831efb00012480e0/1564957872722/IMG_3455.jpeg Home - Bogota Jess, Josh and I playing around in the National Museum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476bb5b17678000110dd52/1564961779307/IMG_3756.jpeg Home - Bogota We arrived in Guican beneath the national park to find most of the town either at this football match or drunk in a handful of local bars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475b7bd9552b0001dc492d/1564957598710/IMG_3368.jpeg Home - Bogota The view of Bogota looking down from Montserrate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4789bdeebdc3000179d2e1/1564969420192/IMG_0268.jpeg Home - Bogota Not actually Bogota. This is me preparing for a board meeting a couple months prior overlooking Lake Peten Iza in Guatemala https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476e6a8fefae000128aaf7/1564962425872/IMG_3845.jpeg Home - Bogota Starting the slippery hike down https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47757453ea2800011d3aab/1564964232463/IMG_4022.jpeg Home - Bogota Catedral de Sal (Salt Cathedral) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d477a791c7ed70001738ce2/1564965517867/IMG_4113.jpeg Home - Bogota Apparently this place is kinda a big deal to people from the region. An amusement park but with a coffee plantation theme https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d478477fc33c900014eb4cf/1564968084427/IMG_4273.jpeg Home - Bogota It’s nice shopping when you can get what you need … and what you don’t https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4783fe2bed1e00017313d4/1564967943612/IMG_4359.jpeg Home - Bogota Klauss Herget helped look after my car to get some routine maintenance and minor fixes done while I was there. Ostensibly one of my many reasons to justify the extended stay in Bogota. I hope to maybe cross paths with Klauss as we both cross Africa in our Land Rovers in the coming year https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4779c5fc33c900014e211b/1564965339307/IMG_4053.jpeg Home - Bogota Valle de Cocora https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47617df352bf0001330471/1564959121539/IMG_3497.jpeg Home - Bogota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d475bad1c7ed7000172143e/1564957632639/IMG_3378.jpeg Home - Bogota One of the pieces on display at the Gold Museum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d57143703a9e000012b1e13/1565987908808/IMG_4501.jpeg Home - Bogota Dinner at Leo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47817f53ea2800011dda88/1564967311915/IMG_3337.jpeg Home - Bogota Violeta from Seattle (a friend of my sister) and I at a weird and wonderful restaurant called Jugueteria. The entire place was lined with dolls and toys literally from floor to ceiling https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d476e8fb0f5980001a4d88a/1564962502930/IMG_3880.jpeg Home - Bogota The incredible view from our cabaña on the morning after the hike: It was freezing cold and the altitude gave me severe headache so while it was a stunning view and the friendly owners fed us tasty traditional food, I was itching to leave this place https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/2/sailing-the-san-blas monthly 0.5 2019-08-03 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44be26b0f5980001896b35/1564786257635/IMG_1629.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Enjoying the pristine waters of San Blas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bc0e2bed1e000156a59c/1564785684202/IMG_1646.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas Blessed with a beautiful sunset every night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bd1d4d40e50001bf6d68/1564785973616/IMG_1645.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Jessie and Angie from the Netherlands on the first party day ashore https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bdc8d73cd500010cd238/1564786132941/IMG_1683.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas The crew: Luis (First Mate), Carmelo (Captain) & Gonzalo (Chef & Guide). While initially shy with my Spanish and finding the northern Colombian island accent hard to understand, after a while I would find myself talking to these guys for hours at a time. The crew makes a trip like this and we couldn’t have asked for more in these three https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bc4f4d40e50001bf6155/1564785748758/IMG_1649.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas Our trusty boat, the Nacar 2 (photo credit to one of my fellow passengers) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bb3cf352bf00011818c6/1564785484457/IMG_1627.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas All the islands are exquisite and pretty much look exactly the same - just like this https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bcd8cdea480001eb9faf/1564785895746/IMG_1634.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Toon from the Netherlands was the only other person aboard who shared my passion for fishing and made good company out the back of the boat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bdecd73cd500010cd378/1564786160589/IMG_1709.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas Nighttime shenanigans https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bb91831efb000109ee55/1564785570761/IMG_1623.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Enjoying our first day ashore after an overnight sail (motor) to get to the San Blas Islands https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bcf64d40e50001bf6ad3/1564785932224/IMG_1639.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Jessie: We would go on to travel together through to Bogota. Jessie became one of my best friends of the holiday, road tripping together from the north to central Colombia. I look forward to catching up again with her when I eventually pass through the Netherlands next year https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bd758fefae00010d6785/1564786042990/IMG_1651.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas Gonzalo from Argentina was both the chef and guide for the trip. I’d go on to spend time in Cartagena together with him, his girlfriend and cat. We became very good friends on the trip and I have no doubt our cross paths with again in Argentina later in the year https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bd5af352bf00011836dd/1564786015305/IMG_1648.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas Luis (First Mate), Sean (Ireland) and Toon (Netherlands) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bc93d73cd500010cc3c5/1564785829041/IMG_1640.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Every day is similar: Pull up at an island like this, swim, go ashore, fish, drink and play https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bd444d40e50001bf6f86/1564785993601/IMG_1647.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas The island experience wouldn’t be complete without collecting a few coconuts and drinking and eating their tasty contents https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bcb4b0f59800018957b9/1564785860070/IMG_1609.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Boarding time at Puerto Lindo and meeting new friends, several of which I’d go on to travel with through Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bd8931602900012d9aa5/1564786068801/IMG_1652.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas My only catch during the five days but it tasted great for dinner that night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44bda4f352bf0001183aea/1564786101564/IMG_1671.jpeg Home - Sailing the San Blas Gazing out the back of the boat with my line in the water. I spent many, many hours contentedly taking in this view https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d44be031c7ed7000157a2ff/1564786183600/IMG_1711.jpg Home - Sailing the San Blas We all brought plenty of rum. Some of us ran out sooner than others. But on the calm nights moored at islands, night time was play time https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/5/bogota-to-quito monthly 0.5 2019-08-18 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d488658a62ed100019dbcac/1565034090799/IMG_5197.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito You couldn’t ask for a better place to spend the night when you’ve got to re-pack the car and fix some broken gear https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48503129d3db0001822feb/1565020212732/andy.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito Andy: I didn’t seem to have a decent front-on photo of Andy to introduce him so I borrowed this from his Facebook profile - taken a month later as he walked the Uyuni Salt flats in Bolivia to raise money for a good cause (Support Our Paras) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d486374f4b7e70001c1635e/1565025161413/IMG_4918.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito These guys were really good. Hip hop has become a means of expression for the people of Comuna 13 with several notable rappers coming out of the area (just not notable enough for me to remember which ones) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485234db83e700017369bd/1565020747879/IMG_4566.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Making progress down the Salento-Toche trail https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487f48f787cb00012d07ce/1565032295986/IMG_5066.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Routine morning fluid checks before hitting the road on our way south https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487b3240e1d600012dfe49/1565031235454/IMG_4978.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Self-explanatory really, isn’t it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48841e3cfc0e0001fc417b/1565033523879/IMG_5149.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Andy almost making it out of the mud rut but eventually needing a little hand. MH not amused because there was no need to be in there in the first place, he just wanted to get a little dirty https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48854d33d5850001fb60a8/1565033821077/IMG_5157.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Pro-tip: large plastic bags come in handy when you’re otherwise lying in the mud https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487f7bd48d3d00010a5822/1565032337801/IMG_5082.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Fact: MH loves llamas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4863c8015bdf000131cd72/1565025245094/IMG_4904.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Couple are supposed to get photos in front of this mural kissing. I just took a photo of it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48670dddd8fc0001990d08/1565026065873/2c774f48-d094-494f-80d5-2e64b5b0b5fa.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito Myself, Margot and Jorge. Jorge had a bad habit of feeding me shots of agurdiente, even when he knew I was just about to get in the car and drive all night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485b51e60c330001e2c159/1565023074916/IMG_4724.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito There’s an easy way and a hard way to get to Nevado del Ruiz. I’ll let you take a guess which I chose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485b790e5c7b00010d5680/1565023131156/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+10.00.21+am.png Home - Bogota to Quito Finally getting excited about getting out the drone to capture some of the stunning scenery. 30 minutes later I crashed it into one of these rock walls but it recovered itself and with no damage thankfully https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485bb1fca8ab0001be2d9a/1565023171629/IMG_4764.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito El Siphon: This was where I got my dinner that evening https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485b0053ff8a0001d6eca4/1565022997306/IMG_4708.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Cleaning the tires near Los Nevados National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4866725b531a0001607bd4/1565025929440/IMG_4975.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Jorge (the hostel owner who was an absolute champ and who gave me a lot of hugs), Margot (my French friend) and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d488004da806e000138c4cd/1565032472896/IMG_5102.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48669d94e49100015b1805/1565025955384/7ef490a6-908e-423c-99ea-8e7fcb2c33d8.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito Mick, a friend I made in Brazil on a past trip, who recently moved to Medellin and has an envious life as a freelance journalist and frequently travelling around South America for work and play https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487b9a19d5180001a2a904/1565031340447/IMG_4996.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito The amazing view from the Piedra. The water seen here is caused by the dam that was constructed in 1960’s. I’m sure the results of flooding an area by building a dam aren’t usually as successful as in this case https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d488597ec4de300010c36fe/1565033937453/IMG_5170.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito And then we woke up to this pretty spectacular view https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485bd9692eae0001f7df7c/1565023212611/IMG_4721.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito El Siphon ‘campground’: Found as one of the only camps marked on iOverlander in the area, it was a great spot to rest for the night with Maribel, the owner, making a decent dinner accompanied by aguapanela (a local drink that’s really good to keep you warm in the cold) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485e366a57ad0001e1737f/1565023814082/IMG_4799.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Climbing up Nevado del Ruiz https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485ea1eae1c0000148df03/1565023921448/IMG_4813.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito The volcano peak and glacier are in the background behind the car. This is as close as you’re allowed in recent times. They are worried about safety given this is an active volcano with a history of killing many in the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485e75e60c330001e2f6ea/1565023881499/IMG_4804.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Looked like the surface of the moon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487bdaf2a77d000102da62/1565031419265/IMG_5007.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487fd540e1d600012e518c/1565032437272/IMG_5091.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito MH in front of Sanctuario de Las Lajas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4852b929d3db0001825b1a/1565020864299/756b402c-c78b-43ba-a922-c4aa98114d5d.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito Andy and I at camp on the first night chatting about Land Rovers most likely (Photo Credit: Expedition Marooned) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487bb96315ae00011da1a7/1565031373730/IMG_5004.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48642a3568b700012c588e/1565025839553/IMG_4931.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito These are the two major Medellin football teams (Deportivo Independiente Medellín & Atletico Nacional) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4857e31afadd000176e5b3/1565022220547/IMG_4634.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito MH in possession of the spare part we needed, thanks to members of the Land Rover de las Americas group coming to the rescue https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d488525cd4e3100018a380a/1565033784866/IMG_5151.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito “Want a beer MH?” … “yes please” … meanwhile Andy is lying in the mud pulling his compressor unit off … again https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485a826bdf2a0001c92ce1/1565022951703/IMG_4699.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Off adventuring on my own again through central Colombia in search of snow and glaciers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48849bfb4ab200014f7360/1565033641400/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+2.33.25+pm.png Home - Bogota to Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4885f5b5009000018b152c/1565034017324/IMG_5182.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Second tow truck for Expedition Marooned in as many weeks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d484f0973fc0d000149aa66/1565019935324/IMG_4546.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito My Discovery 2 on the left and the Expedition Marooned LR3 on the right https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48529ecb6d85000158f40d/1565020845550/IMG_4578.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Our camp at the Machin finca, perched above a valley underneath the peak of a volcano https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487b74061a5c0001e5ab07/1565031304336/IMG_4992.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Jolene in front of the Piedra de Penol https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4857618552ba0001995af6/1565022115960/IMG_4641.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Much to the dismay of the people’s house we broke down in front of, this became camp for 24-hours for Andy while MH and I went into town to get the spare part and had a fried chicken meal while Andy ate noodles and watched YouTube videos of Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Down https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485e596a57ad0001e176d0/1565023847891/IMG_4810.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito This is the highest point I’ve driven so far - 4,454 metres according the Garmin https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487c0a4cb5840001190f41/1565031455566/IMG_5026.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Lake Hotel in Gautape. I can’t recommend this place enough to anyone driving across Colombia. Prepare to be welcomed with open arms and fed really well. And there’s supposedly bass in that lake … i just didn’t catch any https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4866d9015bdf00013202c9/1565026027027/IMG_4973.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito A trip to the movies at Cine Colombia with Margot. Funnily, of the 12 people in the cinema, we were the only ones left by the end of The House That Jack Built https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487b516315ae00011d98f0/1565031265047/IMG_4979.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Overlooking the main township of Guatape https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4852d96bdf2a0001c8a02b/1565020904231/IMG_4585.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito MH and Andy enjoying their dinner while the kids (and I mean like 5 year olds) herded the cattle on horseback below https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485717fb354900013f7b49/1565022000030/IMG_4599.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito The guilty offender: The dryer on the air compressor had completely come apart https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4863fe94e49100015ae6cd/1565025307278/IMG_4915.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito A communal gym looking out of the neighbourhood https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4869f7a6f63a00019c607e/1565026828450/IMG_7965+copy.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito Courtesy of the Defender 90 driven by Santiago Andrade of Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485ee5f9e4f10001160505/1565023984990/IMG_4826.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito In front of the Nevado del Ruiz peak https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d484fa16bdf2a0001c869bc/1565020071718/eb604225-1475-4740-b92f-4ac2d2b5b744.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito MH and I (Photo credit: Expedition Marooned) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48672fb1738e00011d5f26/1565026111732/IMG_5031.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Carlos working on my roof top storage box https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4856b71afadd000176d400/1565021921716/IMG_4595.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito The Expedition Marooned LR3 had lost all compression to the air suspension, rendering the car undriveable https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4884492f98e40001c8ccd6/1565033565770/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+10.16.26+am.png Home - Bogota to Quito Lake Mojanda out to the right and fun straight ahead https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485b24fca8ab0001be223d/1565023032659/IMG_4702.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Driving up into the clouds. Camp would be made at around 4,000 metres above sea level shortly after this was taken https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d487fa1da806e000138be61/1565032373284/IMG_5089.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Yeah, I suppose they’re pretty cool https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d486762af34f80001645668/1565026162258/IMG_5039.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito I dropped my roof top tent and gas and water carriers all back about 6 inches to make room for more storage up front. It may seem foolish to some readers how excited I am about a box but storage and easy access of the right equipment is such an important aspect to overlanding https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48525c3d8669000155f517/1565020806940/IMG_4568.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Lunch stop: Andy and I took this opportunity to compare machetes. His was bigger https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485e0153ff8a0001d725cd/1565023781120/IMG_4776.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito The entry to Los Nevados National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48581da0ba7c00019d7fea/1565022264850/IMG_4655.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Unfortunately the part didn’t fit so a tow truck comes to collet the LR3 from the side of the mountain https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4886343cfc0e0001fc6e5e/1565034056249/IMG_5190.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Safely delivered to Quito’s best Land Rover mechanic - Faconza. Thanks to Alex for opening on Sunday and letting us sleep in the workshop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d486338af34f80001640abb/1565025102960/IMG_4909.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Overlooking Comuna 13 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4857c11afadd000176e3bd/1565022163344/IMG_4607.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Cable ties, super glue and gasket maker trying their best to hold the dryer together. While it didn’t explode, neither did it maintain enough air pressure to inflate the suspension https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48639dddd8fc000198c424/1565025204747/IMG_4929.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Playing reggaeton of course https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4880807e80f20001160d41/1565032588042/IMG_5132.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Las Lajas by night. These lights changed colour like tacky Christmas decorations https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d486781bea8b1000152f892/1565026194143/IMG_5042.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Carlos the fabricator and the local Land Rover mechanic Andres helping me secure the box to the roof rack https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4852163d8669000155efe3/1565020699136/a0832c2b-4ba0-47d1-ae64-a151614ada4d.jpg Home - Bogota to Quito With another car in convoy makes it easier to get better photos or at least a different perspective (I can see what my ass looks like). This is one Expedition Marooned took of me crossing a bridge on the early stages of our trail drive https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d485bfc455e0900019f0509/1565023246873/IMG_4759.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito Sunrise outside El Siphon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4885757b102f00013a7b1c/1565033865481/IMG_5168.jpeg Home - Bogota to Quito While not an ideal camp spot, not a terrible one either. With some minor levelling required with the use of this rock, I had a terrific nights sleep here on the trail beside Lake Mojanda https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/4/colombian-north-coast-pt-2 monthly 0.5 2019-08-06 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471fcbeebdc300017411ba/1564942307763/IMG_2699.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Anita and I making our way to the stunning beaches of Tayrona https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4727834d40e50001d6f004/1564944278461/IMG_2919.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The Santa Marta port from a rooftop bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47276d48c3ef000189c65a/1564944243932/82e98662-d396-44b7-be8f-16b939ff0340.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Kicking back at a bar / restaurant in Santa Marta https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4714ce583292000110d5ef/1564939503815/IMG_2450+2.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The local gas station https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471c58fc33c900014911d0/1564941408726/1711ded9-bde7-4ad5-a811-9c873978e74d.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Anita and I in Tayrona National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472442cdea48000102d9ef/1564943442008/IMG_2859.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Help to the rescue. This boat secured a rope to ours, pulled us off the rocks and towed us around the corner to the safety of a calm and quiet beach so we could repair the prop and limp back to the harbour https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470db52bed1e00016cb836/1564937677347/IMG_2387.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) A local La Guajira school where Margot and I delivered water, rice and cooking oil to the students https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470b8648c3ef0001885740/1564937106731/IMG_2352.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Sun setting over the Caribbean coast https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4700994d40e50001d4f296/1564934847734/IMG_2295.png Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Cabo de la Vela: Almost to the northernmost tip of the South American continent. We opted not to go to Punto Gallina (the actual northernmost tip) unguided because we’d heard there were issues with Venezuelan refugees in the desert that would hold up cars with chains across the road and then decide if they wanted to sell you something or rob you https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470b65d73cd5000122e94c/1564937076597/IMG_2335.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Right before we went for a spin and I let the kids drive the car (supervised of course with them on my lap) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472953b1767800010d4e25/1564944742178/IMG_3017.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) With so much time spent on the beach, Jolene was due for a clean. Pretty sure this was about USD$5.00 for a thorough 45 minute hand wash https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472ea0cdea480001037651/1564946109698/IMG_3202.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The Plaza Mayor in Villa de Leyva https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470aff6a811c0001feb9e3/1564936976428/ Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Hanging out with some thirsty and curious local kids https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4700522bed1e00016c04fa/1564934274006/IMG_2304.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The desert of the La Guajira https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4714abb1767800010c35e9/1564939458732/IMG_2425.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472fa9831efb000121f2af/1564946364585/IMG_3261.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Raquira: really charming little town painted in bright colours and filled with many handicrafts and nick-nacks. While it felt a little touristy, we didn’t see a single other extrañero (foreigner) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4719676a811c0001ff717c/1564940674316/IMG_2537.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Jessie in the jungle https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472488fc33c90001498cc3/1564943515081/IMG_2877.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470ea2b0f59800019fa77b/1564937955070/IMG_2408.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471e625832920001115310/1564941942293/IMG_2690.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) I upped my coffee game and picked up some essential equipment in Santa Marta. I added a V60 and a hand grinder to my travel kit. And there’s no shortage of good quality coffee beans in Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4717e98eb454000158f78b/1564940292660/IMG_2505.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Meeting up with Jessie (Netherlands), Josh (US), Stijn (Netherlands) and Fab (Germany) at La Frontera in Palomino https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4723aaeebdc300017449b6/1564943291310/IMG_2816.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The fishing gear was pretty low-tech but we came back with more than enough to eat that day and Anita was able to feed her friends with the rest a few days later https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470de28560f6000146dc3f/1564937713378/IMG_2409.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d473015d9552b0001d9d6fa/1564946478831/IMG_3276.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472ed11c7ed700016f8ba7/1564946146586/IMG_3252.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Picked up another hitchhiker: Josh (Toronto, Canada) was added to our travel team here. Great bloke and someone I’m sure I’ll see again down the track https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472b4aeebdc3000174ba08/1564945240035/IMG_3076.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470e0d316029000143ed6c/1564937794967/IMG_2412.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) One of the three schools we visited https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470e6ad73cd50001230f18/1564937872421/IMG_2411.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Inside of the school pictured directly above https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4702d58fefae000122fb43/1564934890836/IMG_2292.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our shopping for the kids of the La Guajira https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471db88560f6000147a7ec/1564941774207/IMG_2661.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472f451c7ed700016f930d/1564946274667/IMG_3231.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Pozos Azules outside of Villa de Leyva. Hint: don’t go there. Underwhelming would be a understatement https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471e06b1767800010ca9b8/1564941852245/IMG_2676.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our beach campsite in Tayrona https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4729378fefae000124f266/1564944706551/IMG_3031.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Jessie and I somewhere between Santa Marta and Bucaramanga https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470b3b48c3ef00018853ad/1564937034652/IMG_2344.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) These guys were awesome. They seemed to like my Land Rover as much as I do https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472ff0d73cd5000124daa9/1564946440166/IMG_3271.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4723d148c3ef00018992c0/1564943335242/IMG_2821.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f94253ea28000116b3b1/1564932445797/IMG_2254.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Home for the night: We enjoyed a healthy amount of rum with some locals around the fire with the car pulled right up onto the beach. Cold beers from the fridge, hot delivered chicken and some good times https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4704f1d9552b0001d7972a/1564935431730/IMG_2307.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Enjoying a cold beer and watching the kite surfers of Cabo de la Vela https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471fa24d40e50001d68176/1564942266400/IMG_2708.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) I stopped riding horses more or less after a week long horse riding camp with my school as an early teenager The memories of my sore arse from that time has generally discouraged me getting on a horse ever since. I made the decision in this instance that it was more appealing that hiking for an hour in the tropical heat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4727fbcdea480001031056/1564944397237/IMG_2993.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) We were very close to headed south with a third passenger. She eventually managed to return the dog to the street performer owner https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471f79f352bf00012f4866/1564942225063/IMG_2664.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Picturesque view in Tayrona National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4727ca831efb000121804b/1564944365223/IMG_2985.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Enjoying the relative lively neighbourhood surrounding the Plaza de Santa Marta https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471c78cdea48000102692a/1564941444109/IMG_2668.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f918fc33c900014756ee/1564932382636/4b42436d-48ad-41b6-8d6e-9ac8e2f58f87.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Enjoying some downtime on Mendihuaca Beach. Rafael in the background put my machete to good use and headed up coconut acquisition for the group https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fce41c7ed700016cf619/1564933370465/IMG_2264+2.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our camp for the night in Playa Mayapo. I was in my rooftop tent and the others slept in hammocks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4720b51c7ed700016ec1b6/1564942526452/IMG_2732.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4720ef2bed1e00016db8de/1564942598140/IMG_2756.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4727ac1c7ed700016f27b0/1564944309671/IMG_2927.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Jessie and I excited to be reunited and getting ready to hit the road together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472b1e5832920001120ac8/1564945206505/IMG_3071.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Paragliding above Chicamocha Canyon outside of San Gil https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471aac8eb4540001591e5a/1564940991857/a8417bf9-dc52-4d63-b547-b611a49bb417.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Exploring the region was made so much easier by having a car. I find it hard to imagine doing it any other way https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fd0bcdea48000100d76a/1564933401494/IMG_2274.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The seemingly abandoned fishing town of Playa Mayapo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fd762bed1e00016be25c/1564933523578/IMG_2289.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our host’s kids showing us their new pets https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47191af352bf00012ef620/1564940595802/IMG_2522.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Overlooking the fishing village of Taganga https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471de453ea280001188615/1564941811792/IMG_2653.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4705288560f6000146657e/1564936833948/IMG_2449.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) One of the many unused buildings in the main strip of Cabo de la Vela https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f7cc6a811c0001fdceae/1564932055229/IMG_2245.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The new travel crew: Rafael, Margot and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fd27d73cd50001222f60/1564933428321/IMG_2279.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) In the end, I’m glad we opted for the safety of the restaurant grounds. During the night we were woken to the sound of several cars and their lights. There wasn’t any trouble but it reminded us that the smart move in Colombia is seeking out a local restaurant or home and getting the owner’s permission to stay on their property https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472ef3f352bf0001302deb/1564946185791/IMG_3221.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) I never quite figured out why this exists and who built it. But it was … interesting https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47241cf352bf00012f9454/1564943403777/IMG_2856.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The Garmin InReach is a great piece of kit for the overlander. I use it to track my location and past routes (see here: https://aus-share.inreach.garmin.com/longdrivesouth and click ‘View All Tracks'). But it also lets me send text messages when I’m out of cell phone coverage and in a more dire situation to hit an SOS button to get help on the way in an emergency. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472f7658329200011246bd/1564946328656/IMG_3242.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Jessie very happy at the ‘Penis Park’ (aka the archaeological site El Infiernito) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4723fb8fefae000124ac0c/1564943373197/IMG_2838.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) A Rex Hunt moment (for the Australian readers that get this reference) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f7738eb4540001575871/1564931986301/IMG_2216.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our private waterfall outside of our Minca hostel (Rafael and I) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47297653ea280001192442/1564944775076/IMG_3022.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Adding another run in with the police to my tally. In this case I think I may have been speeding slightly. Usual process is that they ask for a huge amount of money (that you wouldn’t ever carry) and then I tell them I don’t have it. In this case I asked the policeman in Spanish if it was possible to pay less if I paid in cash now to which he replied ‘of course’. The alternative is not feasible and requires giving them your vital documents and searching for a police station and then trying to track down the policeman that detained you initially again. This sort of corruption has been the norm since Mexico with the possible exception of Costa Rica. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4725d8eebdc30001746bf5/1564943853106/IMG_2780.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Taganga: One of my highlight places to visit along the North Colombian coast https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47238548c3ef0001898ee8/1564943252731/IMG_2800.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our ‘lancha’ for the days fishing charter https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4724ab53ea28000118e3e9/1564943550371/IMG_2884.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Enjoying the day’s catch with my favourite Colombian beer, Club Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4725af48c3ef000189ac0b/1564943819873/IMG_2898.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Ocean view from our hotel room in Taganga https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472b681c7ed700016f59a4/1564945267831/IMG_3096.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The main square of San Gil https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4715021c7ed700016e2ce8/1564939548430/IMG_2437.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Climbing up the Pilón de Azúcar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471a8dd73cd5000123aa89/1564940959342/_DSC4234.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) The giant hammocks of Casa Elemento in Minca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47153ecdea480001020de3/1564939596974/IMG_2499.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Margot and I saying goodbye after an amazing journey up the coast together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471812eebdc3000173abcc/1564940312962/_DSC4252.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Exploring the Minca region with a new composition of passengers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fcbd1c7ed700016cf475/1564933329087/IMG_2259+2.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Sleeping on the beach has its disadvantages … like no showers. But our solution was to sneak into hostels and clean ourselves (and in this case Margot taking the opportunity to wash her flip flops) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d470bb62bed1e00016c9bca/1564937165729/IMG_2373.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Our camp for the night. The owners made us a delicious meal of fresh lobster and fish https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f92f53ea28000116b31e/1564932403766/a2e3ac44-eb64-48f6-b0be-14b45f23686a.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) A great spot on the north coast where the river meets the sea at Mendihuaca Beach https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f9758eb45400015772ae/1564932475378/f2da2aa2-ab03-4f45-905f-a7eb021f7bd7.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Rafael being Rafael https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46fd468fefae000122b9ba/1564933468954/IMG_2285.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Week old puppies with their mum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d47205ab0f5980001a08939/1564942497227/IMG_2740.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Panoramic picture of nicest beach we found https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46f7a4eebdc30001720f87/1564932030390/IMG_2229.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) Margot & Raf looking for a table at Minca’s French patisserie which has the most amazing baguettes and dips https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4720d048c3ef000189675c/1564942559483/IMG_2761.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d471a738eb4540001591c5f/1564940927576/_DSC4219.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d472f2e4d40e50001d75f70/1564946228687/LRG_DSC03580.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 2) https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/3/colombian-north-coast monthly 0.5 2019-08-04 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46301b4d40e50001ce30f0/1564880928938/6b11f060-0248-45bc-9d9c-1791e49415bb.jpg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Margot and Rafael: The next phase of my adventure would be to head up the coast with these two. Both are amazing people. My time with Rafael was relatively short-lived but Margot and I traveled further and she became a close friend and part of my stories to come https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d462eb1b176780001044e4d/1564880566735/IMG_2199.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) The sun setting on our quiet jungle oasis https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461626b1767800010344b1/1564874292614/IMG_1866.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Sun setting between the centuries old buildings and down over the ocean in Cartagena https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4615d9fc33c900013fbd01/1564874220032/IMG_1724.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Getsemani by night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461ce5fc33c900014012dd/1564876386547/IMG_2042.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) My Scottish friend Danny who I saved from potentially being murdered. Well… maybe not murdered but certainly got him out of a bad situation https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4612866a811c0001f60fc8/1564873370200/IMG_1726.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Jessie, Fab, Toon and Angie: my friends from the San Blas sailing trip https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4613091c7ed70001651511/1564873500973/IMG_2017.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) The ‘Confused Shippers’, as we tried to navigate the convoluted shipping process. Confused Shippers was also the name of our WhatsApp group we used to communicate (much to the chagrin of our shipping agent who was included on the thread and had to trawl through our banter and answer all of our stupid questions) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461a3fd9552b0001cf98c6/1564875338162/IMG_1932.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Our Venezuelan beer vender who we got in trouble with the police https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d462566cdea480001f9d504/1564878190857/IMG_2198.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Drone shot of our Minca accommodation, nestled in the jungle a few kilometres form the town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461b1acdea480001f95808/1564875561906/IMG_1966.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Gonzalo, his girlfriend, his friend and his cat showing Norm and I some hospitality on the boat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461994f352bf000125ed17/1564875250126/IMG_1924.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) A street dog enjoying Trinidad Plaza alongside the tourists and travellers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461cc1cdea480001f96f4c/1564875984682/IMG_1985.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Maybe not one of my smartest decisions. Followed these two to Nexus night club in a bad part of town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461eda8eb4540001501a13/1564876530937/IMG_1861.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Apparently it was lucky to touch this Botero sculpture so I jumped right in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461f53cdea480001f991ae/1564876646351/IMG_2124.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Finally got my car out and was ready to hit the road again https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d46258653ea2800010fbf1d/1564878241839/IMG_2208.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) First time I’d pulled out the paper maps I’d been carrying for each country. The three groups scrounged insights and tips from friends and the internet and began planning our respective routes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d462e04831efb0001187c40/1564880406409/IMG_2180.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Taking stock, comparing notes and kicking back with my overlander friends https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d460ec94d40e50001ccbefc/1564872483244/IMG_1859.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Traditional Colombian dress in the old town of Cartagena https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4611bed9552b0001cf3e57/1564873166121/IMG_1793.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) On the wall of the citadel at Cafe Del Mar on the day Norman arrived https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4615fd583292000107cb1d/1564874254661/IMG_1855.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) The centre of the old town on our walking tour of Cartagena https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461e86b0f5980001976b1e/1564876476899/IMG_1728.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Most of these people are hanging out for their street food - arepas - which I suppose I would describe as a thick Colombian tortilla https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d462dd9583292000108da83/1564880369726/IMG_2224.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Container buddies united. The Barnsley’s (Jamie, Angela, Lily & Spencer), Sylvain, Marjorie and I https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461a0c31602900013b6d67/1564875296633/IMG_1810.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Trinidad Plaza: no shortage of beer, street food and entertainment https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461f20f352bf0001262e35/1564876595733/IMG_1838.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Jessie and Angie - ‘Double Dutch’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461a5d48c3ef00017fd8fb/1564875375405/IMG_1878.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) Norm and Carina outside our favourite place for a cheeky cocktail in Getsemani https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d461b414d40e50001cd48a0/1564875603415/IMG_1971.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) A night out with the Argentineans https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d462669d9552b0001d02053/1564880289815/IMG_2162.jpeg Home - Colombian North Coast (Pt 1) My Discovery 2, the Barnsley’s fully-kitted out Defender 130 and Sylvain & Marjorie’s overland-converted VW T5 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/5/land-rover-de-las-americas monthly 0.5 2019-08-19 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d59eb12c3c084000166d9db/1566173994280/DARC9771.jpg Home - Land Rover de las Americas The final day in Quito. I first got here almost three months prior and have been using it as a base to travel while the car got upgrades. I’ve done countless things to it in Ecuador, all with the help of my good friend Santiago Andrade helping me every step of the way https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48c12b43e901000123cb64/1565049252354/IMG_7877.jpeg Home - Land Rover de las Americas Santiago coming the rescue once again. I broke down in Quito after some electrical faults drained my battery and I was stuck by the side of the road https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48c275d9c9390001ce7926/1565049476571/IMG_1357.jpeg Home - Land Rover de las Americas Taller Bernal Cruz in Costa Rica. I gave these guys a really long list of problems I’d developed driving from Canada to Costa Rica. They were the first good Land Rover mechanic I’d come across since buying the car in November of 2018. They took care of absolutely everything I asked them to https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48eec198b30c00019a477d/1565060818556/IMG_5203.jpeg Home - Land Rover de las Americas The Expedition Marooned crew and I ‘camped’ overnight at Faconza in Quito after their air compressor issues surfaced again https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48c1b1117ee60001a88e49/1565049277162/IMG_4360.jpeg Home - Land Rover de las Americas Klauss Hergett looking after me in Bogota and sorting out some maintenance and fixes I’d developed. Klauss, I hope our paths cross in Africa https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d48c2a2360220000132ce5d/1565049545403/IMG_4634.jpeg Home - Land Rover de las Americas The much needed part Alejo sourced for us when we were stuck on the Salento - Ibague trail in Colombia. Amazing turnaround to get us the part the same day and without asking for anything in return https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/8/6/ecuadorian-amazon monthly 0.5 2019-08-23 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498ad2a45265000137a4fe/1565100765275/IMG_5259.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon You need to look closely but that’s the head of a giant cayman, nestled in the plants just off the side of our long boat. We didn’t do much swimming at this lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499df9a45265000138e364/1565105673180/IMG_5604.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon We had three dogs for company. They were extremely adept and covering themselves in mud and then crawling all over everything and everyone https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a9d9c1ef2100019503e5/1565108755989/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+11.38.17+pm.png Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Joining in on dance practice for the big traditional dance meet. I still can’t get the song out of my head, we heard it that many times. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498db95c97220001c823fb/1565101509611/IMG_1971.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Squirrel monkey kisses https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d497fc8580c020001f72954/1565097939779/XXeefasd.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Alex, myself & Santiago: I had a seamless transition from off-roading adventure with Andy and MH of Expedition Marooned, overlapping briefly at the Faconza workshop (with Santiago’s help) in Quito and then Alex and I jumped in the car and headed east to the Amazon. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499aa8b560e80001104a91/1565104821997/IMG_2130.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon One of the many fish we caught and ate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499a6db560e80001104666/1565104766908/IMG_2077.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Hidalgo presenting us with lunch options today. ‘Do you want the snail on the left or the snail on the right?’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a85b2ad086000162684d/1565108332772/IMG_5740.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Driving down the backgrounds, we found some locals playing volleyball and drinking beers. We stopped for cold beer and watched the game, much to the bemusement of the regulars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499a4ca45265000138a227/1565104736404/IMG_2079.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon This small clearing was our camp for a couple days https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498d6e83664200018c4000/1565101438586/IMG_5346+2.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Due to a timing issue and only one fishing pole, we only had about 15 good minutes of fishing which was only enough to pull in the one piranha. The group we spoke to that went out the day before pulled in over 30 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498ebde58b7e0001209c4e/1565101782965/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+11.21.56+pm.png Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Never drive over a bridge when there’s a perfectly good river https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498d4ad16dbf0001e107f2/1565101404274/IMG_1936.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Piranha fishing. They would bite straight away and take your bait really quickly. The trick was getting the hook to set which was a lot harder than I’d have thought https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b77220c97c00010a5e7f/1565112194459/IMG_5917.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The ‘sauna’ is the centre top of frame - the tent looking thing with the wooden chair https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b9ac0cd4040001a9d5d0/1565112762794/IMG_5966.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The shaman’s chair https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a94cd997fc00010dcdb1/1565108575278/IMG_2379.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498d17208ae80001aa15a6/1565101350204/IMG_5338.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon My car’s fridge wasn’t much use when I was travelling through Alaska but I couldn’t imagine a more vital piece of equipment in the Amazon. It’s primary role, of course, is keeping the beers cold https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49828183664200018b91c8/1565098652429/IMG_1749.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Cascada San Rafael. I understand that it’s the most impressive waterfall in Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a2abb560e8000110d251/1565106876640/IMG_5633.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Darcy and baby Darcy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498ab32877210001ea8a37/1565100737859/IMG_5276.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49882bb560e800010f1c49/1565100088219/IMG_5228.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon It may have been the morning but our new friends were very insistent we try their special local spirit https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499db92877210001ebcb98/1565105606785/IMG_5582.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Hidalgo and one of our host’s three dogs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499e1a98b30c0001a1e5bf/1565105724237/IMG_5611.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Hidalgo looking for the path that required the least amount of hacking. The jungle was thick and moving through was slow going https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498a927fda4c00018ef497/1565100706528/IMG_5262.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon We hired a guide to help us explore the wildlife surrounding the lake at Limoncocha https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499d8eb398e50001dbe3f4/1565105570309/IMG_5570.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Elvia and Hidalgo setting the nets in the search for manta rays https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49aa4e2ad0860001628a45/1565108828710/IMG_5872.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499b204f24e600010204dd/1565104948841/IMG_2167.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The Alex tree: Our host Lenin carved Alex’s name into this tree for him https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49ac047b31b50001f99a33/1565109285392/IMG_5814.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon After switching to the spare and driving to the volcanizadora (tire repair shop), tire repair cost me the equivalent of US$8.00 and took less than 30 minutes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499dd85c97220001c939c1/1565105639198/IMG_5594.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Elvia found a tortoise https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bd313b504600012a2433/1565113673853/IMG_5951.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon These very old trees have a special place for the indigenous. It was really impressive and I believe 500 or so years old https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498a4783664200018c08d9/1565100633210/IMG_5239.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The lake at Limoncocha https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bcad9d8ad60001885ec0/1565113542328/IMG_5926.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Alex doing his best to debrief from his experience in Spanish with the shaman https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bd08d3428d0001710bc1/1565113625740/IMG_5938.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Part of our jungle walk learning about the various medicinal trees and plants in the Amazon. Apparently this one is used to ‘clean the eyeball’ … wasn’t sure that my eyeball’s were in need of cleaning but why not try. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a8cd61091d0001093cd4/1565108449316/IMG_2367.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Having some height issues. We were too tall to cross this bridge. I did go and start to wade the river below as I began to consider crossing but after getting a few metres out and almost getting knocked over by the current, we figured we’d just look for a bigger bridge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a87cd997fc00010dbe09/1565108366059/IMG_5751.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Forever hunting for the best water crossings. Found a few but nothing overly challenging in the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a9297440df00014c79a8/1565108539713/IMG_5782.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Exploring the local waterfalls https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b6a4bd1e670001153fbe/1565111989671/IMG_5922.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon This is the Ayahuasca before it has fully reduced down. Still a couple more hours on the fire to go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498b35c8554a00019a3de2/1565100864631/IMG_5296.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The three of us crawled into this hollowed out trees while bats both perched above us and flew back and forth in front of our faces https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4993758d8604000190fc3d/1565102985943/IMG_5508.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498d004f24e60001012165/1565101324587/IMG_5250.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Some local indigenous folk cruising past us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bd5cbe260b000143b91b/1565113714718/IMG_5954.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4987f18dc10f0001aa3f27/1565100032387/IMG_5220.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Finding ourselves hanging out with the locals in Lago Agrio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a82d61091d00010931aa/1565108294106/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+11.30.49+pm.png Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Limoncocha to Puerto Misahualli https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498b0b580c020001f7de84/1565100828867/IMG_5298.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon There’s no context of the scale of this spider but it’s easily bigger than my hand https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498cdc98b30c0001a0cbec/1565101291944/IMG_5248.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Alex’s Mum is a bird watcher. I’m sure she’d be proud (and jealous) of her son here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499af85c97220001c9073b/1565104907606/IMG_5579.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon This is how the fish was cooked each day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498ef58dc10f0001aab117/1565101827762/IMG_5457.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The local: there wasn’t much in the way of choice for local watering holes. When we arrived, we were the only people here (and one dog who kept wandering in and out of the front door). But once a couple locals came through and saw a couple of gringos at the bar, a few of them phoned in support and beefed up the numbers in our group https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498f138d8604000190b427/1565102100345/IMG_5464.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon I swear she was having more fun than this photos suggests https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49abaa0cd4040001a8d20d/1565109180433/IMG_5802.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon I was reading checking my phone in the bar and saw that someone had taken a photo of my car and posted it on the Land Rover de las Americas thread. I went to the same spot and took the same photo with me in it to tell them to come back for a beer but they’d already moved on by the time I noticed https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a9b961091d0001094e45/1565108683541/IMG_2402.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Lago Azul https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bd8576dccf0001580f1d/1565113750957/IMG_5948.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Eating grubs: Well, no … after thinking about it momentarily I couldn’t bring myself to eat it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4982d4580c020001f759b9/1565098733510/IMG_5218.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon My cousin Alex from the US https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b799ab269d0001d4074e/1565112234923/IMG_2552.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Home for a few days. Simple but effective https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498af05c97220001c7f3a8/1565100798429/IMG_5307.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498e772877210001eacac3/1565101696964/IMG_1919.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon One of the local guides in Limoncocha https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49aa317b31b50001f979be/1565108801323/IMG_5869.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon I can assure you no children were hurt in the making of this blog post https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b969ab269d0001d42bf7/1565112696662/IMG_5906.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The ceremony room featuring two giant wooden anacondas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a900c1ef21000194f4ac/1565108504094/IMG_2374.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon More police. This instance more of a routine stop and didn’t cost me anything https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a2cc7fda4c0001908e09/1565106910295/IMG_5637.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Holding the 19-day old boy who they’d named after me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49ab6a31127a00016507db/1565109116592/IMG_5795.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Tena had some strangely cosmopolitan areas considering it’s a city of no more than 40,000 in the Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49abd0f6147d0001a7a977/1565109217924/IMG_2439.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Flat tire again so giving the new jack I picked up in Bogota a go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498cbc4f24e60001011d42/1565101262373/IMG_5280.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4992f81c00020001f54c00/1565102953520/IMG_2042.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Had a spare day so grabbed a rod, bought some reels and spent the day by the river https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49939ac8554a00019ad442/1565103013341/IMG_5504.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Dinner https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498846b560e800010f1d6b/1565100116975/IMG_5230.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Alex and I doing our best to get out of Lago Agrio and not finding ourselves drinking with this crew for the morning https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499d61e58b7e0001219867/1565105535982/IMG_5557.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Tio being very generous in fishing out the handle from my fishing rod from the water. Needless to say he never found it and that rod and subsequently been replaced https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49bcd73b504600012a1e4b/1565113584030/IMG_5971.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The closest thing there was to a shower https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a317c8554a00019bf9fc/1565106989233/IMG_5642.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The whole crew (minus the three dogs) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499a8da45265000138a727/1565104790788/IMG_2087.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Cruising down the RIo Napo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b60583e42e0001851789/1565111829940/IMG_5974.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Our shaman Jose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4993b24f24e60001018e25/1565103039866/IMG_5518.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Dinner (a few hours later) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b62aa992d70001ac6604/1565111870670/IMG_5901.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Trekking to the shaman’s jungle compound https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b72d6b88430001774a7e/1565112134378/IMG_2540.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Collecting medicinal leaves for my sauna https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498b518d86040001907552/1565100898671/IMG_5300.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49a286a4526500013938ba/1565106841644/IMG_2170.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Lenin carved both Alex and my names into trees at the campsite and told us that they named the site in our honour - the Alex and Darcy campsite https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d4982a8c8554a000199b987/1565098684938/IMG_1751.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498d9f5c97220001c822a8/1565101485151/IMG_1953.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Some of my favourite friends I’ve met on this journey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498a65a452650001379dfe/1565100675792/Screen+Shot+2019-08-05+at+11.11.34+pm.png Home - Ecuadorian Amazon A six-foot cayman https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b65b6b88430001773982/1565111950769/IMG_5924.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon One of about five meaningful structure at the shaman’s place https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49ab8b655cd30001e0eed7/1565109146848/IMG_5801.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Alex’s new best mate Juan. We met him in Limoncacha and agreed to meet his a few hours away in Tena. Was the source of much amusement https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49aa6ad997fc00010de264/1565108851170/IMG_5887.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498ea35c97220001c833c5/1565101748565/IMG_5486.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Google told us there was a bridge but there wasn’t. Thankfully there was a ferry. It turned out to be cheap and fast and a lot more fun than a bridge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499d428dc10f0001aba674/1565105489896/IMG_5555.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon We didn’t catch many big fish but we caught a lot of little strange fish https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b989a96d1c000151208f/1565112728594/IMG_5964.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon The ceremony room: There’s not much to it. A place to sit (or more often lie down) and a place to throw up. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49880f11f971000157b77d/1565100059848/IMG_5223.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon An unexpected visit to a karaoke bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d498dd18dc10f0001aa9f4d/1565101534154/IMG_2004.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d49b6eaf5790e00011765ba/1565112062575/IMG_2542.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Ayahuasca pot in back, ‘sauna’ pot in front. Sebastian and Danny from Argentina keeping an eye on things under the watchful eye of the Jose’s brother (also a shaman) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5d499ac798b30c0001a1ae75/1565104854551/IMG_2138+2.jpeg Home - Ecuadorian Amazon Eating a cacao raw off the floor of the jungle. You wouldn’t think to look at it (or taste it in this state) that this is where chocolate comes from https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/12/galapagos monthly 0.5 2019-12-13 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28a5c04b7db043c6a500e/1576176302680/DARC9480.JPG Home - Galapagos The first time I saw flamingos on the trip. Even though I’ve seen many since, it was a treat to see them flying - they are usually just wading around in the water and rarely put on a show like this https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2823e04b7db043c68e52d/1576174249376/DARC9226.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28641ca514d7fdafe5181/1576175217831/DARC9349.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df37c1904b7db043c844bf9/1576238170451/G0028824.jpg Home - Galapagos It was my first dive since 2009 I think. Was literally Googling ‘how to scuba dive’ the night before trying to remember how it all worked and what the equipment did. Thankfully all came back to me once the equipment was on and just the first dive I went through a bit more oxygen than I should have breathing a little too heavily https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df37c644e0d57635d276d7d/1576238187818/b64dcc85-f49d-45fd-a2ac-f47326598b1d.JPG Home - Galapagos Gertjan and I started a mutiny and took control of the ship for a short while. Very quickly relinquished control back to the captain when we decided we didn’t want the responsibility and just wanted to drink a few more beers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df286cdeeaf93748a124d9f/1576175439823/DARC9322.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28b02b7f79f2f33e128ad/1576176471051/DARC9499.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28fe83806ad43ab8b660e/1576177707610/GOPR0573.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29d4f8f674e483799c9a3/1576181111384/dfe6335d-7900-4023-a277-919cf4e6cf37.jpg Home - Galapagos What it’s all about: in the chair with a big fish on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df288021678ca753877b237/1576175655477/DARC9399.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29d843806ad43ab8de363/1576181179381/IMG_8399+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos My first mahi mahi and dinner for that evening https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28c274c2e38505cea8689/1576176768041/DARC9597.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df285dc1678ca75387756ab/1576175154246/DARC9325.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df27f42dfd250360dbe489f/1576173449311/IMG_8239+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos Our boat, the Xavier III https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df288353806ad43ab89fa8f/1576175715736/DARC9417.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df294244e0d57635d0f18d5/1576178753725/IMG_8349+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos The only two walruses in Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df282b6ca514d7fdafdb4e1/1576174341778/DARC9203.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2831892c2512f279fdbbc/1576174609774/DARC9252.JPG Home - Galapagos Sanne and Latoya (Netherlands) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df293e704b7db043c6c0429/1576178705844/IMG_8302+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df294504c2e38505cebf8d6/1576180538936/IMG_8364+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos We sat down at this table for a cheeky morning beer maybe about 10am after finishing up the cruise. We ended up sitting there drinking all day until the cafe closed at 6pm. Pretty sure we even drank them out of most of their beer supply and had to switch brands and bottle sizes a few times. As the day wore on, people started to join us and the group swelled from three to about eight https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df37c7504b7db043c8457f9/1576238204562/94a1077f-149e-4e96-8197-c1190c8a2d2a.JPG Home - Galapagos Our Galapagos crew https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df37c95a705f61846ae964d/1576238238841/7cb1b154-f315-4ea9-874c-c35297578cbc.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29c0ceeaf93748a162dfe/1576180772864/IMG_8391+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos These lures were not small https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28e79a705f6184694a017/1576177374283/DARC9560.JPG Home - Galapagos Very surprised to hear that my parents actually got this. And even better when I explained to them where it had come from and how (update: now significantly more than 18-months to go most likely) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29284b7f79f2f33e27d22/1576178448367/DARC9665.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29dc804b7db043c6db64a/1576181229748/IMG_8415+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos This 5-foot white tipped shark was fun to wrestle in. And caused a bit of chaos when we got him up beside the boat trying to release https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df281d8679676402481b5a3/1576174124395/DARC9211.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29047b7f79f2f33e2050c/1576177939138/GOPR0466.JPG Home - Galapagos My Belgian friends Gertjan and Annelien https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28ac0b7f79f2f33e11daa/1576176371365/DARC9500.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28f743806ad43ab8b4ed8/1576177612891/GOPR0645.JPG Home - Galapagos Photo credit: Gertjan - along with all the other underwater photos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28874b7f79f2f33e0bae1/1576175834017/DARC9408.JPG Home - Galapagos Latoya, Annelien & Gertjan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df289ba1678ca753878028a/1576176111430/DARC9449.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2841c4e0d57635d0c668a/1576174690624/DARC9265.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df37ca9ca514d7fda194194/1576238259762/0ca6256e-e084-4d31-85e8-2380de14f37f.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2867e92c2512f27a06e09/1576175297486/DARC9361.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28b764e0d57635d0d9c08/1576176654578/DARC9528.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29bbdeeaf93748a161e4c/1576180734525/IMG_8381+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos Tesoro fishing charters were complete professionals. The guys, Nico & Moab, were absolute legends https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df289fe8f674e4837965bb5/1576176205424/DARC9453.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2846b3806ad43ab89562d/1576175037435/DARC9270.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df28c954e0d57635d0dcd1c/1576177153533/DARC9582.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df29c4092c2512f27a44d25/1576181042283/DARC9698.JPG Home - Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df27f98098f5c7a222c2118/1576173513726/IMG_8285+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos Our ride to the islands and snorkelling destinations https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df2931f1678ca753879b76f/1576178595365/IMG_8267+copy.jpg Home - Galapagos https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/13/ecuador monthly 0.5 2019-12-16 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c80cca514d7fda2211bc/1576257574198/aIMG_7997+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador The Virgin of Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ce45eeaf93748a36d89c/1576259188015/5IMG_7414+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador San’s Defender 90 on the left and San Senior’s Defender 110 on the right https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cc831678ca75389bbd18/1576258719343/aIMG_8603+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3b56c4e0d57635d2d61a2/1576252820089/IMG_7877.jpeg Home - Ecuador Me and San. In this picture, he’s come to my rescue once again when some electrical work I had down on the car caused me issues and I broke down in central Quito. Yet another occasion for a tow truck but thankfully quite a cheap and easy one in this instance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ca1893135176b07f48c7/1576258107908/IMG_7462+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, home of Liga de Quito FC as viewed from our box https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ca6d1678ca75389b713d/1576258257089/IMG_7530+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Going away party at the ranch https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3dcbab7f79f2f33075791/1576262931413/DARC9800.JPG Home - Ecuador Staring up at Mount Cotapaxi as it breaks through the clouds. It’s nearly always completely cloud covered but I managed to arrive on a day with nice streaks of blue sky https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e46fc7d8655c368c98c9/1576264913623/4DARC9886.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cfc98f674e4837bab0c8/1576259583709/2IMG_7839+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador How many Ecuadorian’s does it take to change a car battery? Turns out the answer is 5. And they’ll also accidentally mess up your wiring so that a few hours later you’ll be calling a tow truck to get the car back to the mechanic to fix what they broke https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ccbcb7f79f2f3305078d/1576258813299/IMG_7971+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador A blurry photo to match the blurry memories. A typical scene at Casino as friends walk around with bottles of aguardiente pouring directly from bottle to throat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d0d94e0d57635d318529/1576259874862/7DARC9701.JPG Home - Ecuador Project complete https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d2b7eeaf93748a377c2e/1576260334567/12DARC9755.JPG Home - Ecuador Carrs 4x4 coolant expansion tank and ARB compressor now mounted in the engine bay https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d80f3806ad43abb008e0/1576261689473/IMG_8623+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Bye mate. Thanks for everything! And see you in Africa ;) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ccab04b7db043c8dcc60/1576258738631/8ecf26ec-e952-48d3-8410-09d0aa4b69b7.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ce093806ad43abae8616/1576259129483/4IMG_7411+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Evidence that my friends had passed through here. The Barnsley’s were friends from Panama and Colombia who crossed around the Darien Gap at the same time / same boat as me. Expedition Marooned (now renamed Expedition Rove) I met and travelled with in Colombia and are to be my companions across Africa https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d18b1678ca75389c7a14/1576260057975/10DARC9722.JPG Home - Ecuador Gull wings done https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3dc4292c2512f27c70ba3/1576262827387/DJI_0094.JPG Home - Ecuador Cotapaxi National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c64b4c2e38505c0cc91f/1576257159717/IMG_7575+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador The view of Quito in the foreground and Mount Cotapaxi in the background from the window of my bedroom at San’s place https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cb60eeaf93748a36685d/1576258459759/aIMG_7541+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Guaranteed way to get any party going - aguardiente through a funnel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cba84e0d57635d30c311/1576258517520/aIMG_7569+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Drinking, reggaeton and dancing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e6a1b1e93317fdcc0de4/1576265525495/91DARC9947.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cc56b7f79f2f3304fba6/1576258679408/IMG_8597+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Nights at Casino https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e5fb27e30264b3b6f5a0/1576265274279/8DARC9924.jpg Home - Ecuador Passing through a small town, I noticed a big gathering of people. When I got out to see what was happening, I saw that most of the town was watching these kids play musical chairs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c84592c2512f27c3fb62/1576257655662/IMG_6043+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador The historic old town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e58691da223324d01ae0/1576265199644/7DARC9912.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ce8293135176b07fee29/1576259238203/6IMG_7855+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Getting some work done on the 110 at Javier’s workshop. This has to be one of the best kitted out overland vehicles I’ve ever seen in person https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d1f204b7db043c8e8b04/1576260267774/11DARC9740.JPG Home - Ecuador The tail gate got a bit of attention. Now features a drop down cooking table, bottle opener and fire extinguisher mount on chequer plate as well as security mesh over the window ready for Africa https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d7c71678ca75389d8126/1576261634755/G0020784.JPG Home - Ecuador San giving me a personal escort out of the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d0394e0d57635d316a12/1576259682912/4IMG_8552+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e531b29aca197b843349/1576265082468/6DARC9898.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e41db1e93317fdcba9cc/1576264801128/3DARC9880.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c7a3a705f61846b77a41/1576257512759/aIMG_6025+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Another (different) monument to the zero latitude https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d0a504b7db043c8e664d/1576259788832/6IMG_7967+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Turns out the gull wings were quite a complicated project. It came out perfectly in the end but not without its challenges. I have a fair few ‘practice holes’ in my bodywork after we had to experiment with location for the gas struts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c984b7f79f2f33047f5c/1576257964770/IMG_7986+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Paila https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e7cc15cbb67bbdbaae45/1576265699357/99IMG_8722+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador That awkward temperature where it’s so cold it’s almost freezing but not enough to turn the rain to snow https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cf8904b7db043c8e37fb/1576259519583/1IMG_8506+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Javier’s workshop. This is the guy who fabricated most of the new kit for my car. He built everything from scratch from pictures I showed him that I had pulled off the internet. The finished product looked like they’d just been unboxed from a 4WD store https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d2f904b7db043c8eab93/1576260407575/13DARC9771.JPG Home - Ecuador Lots of work over three months and very happy with the result. Ready for the road https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e33c91da223324cfc15f/1576264597332/2DARC9870.JPG Home - Ecuador The agriculture of the area gives the rolling hills an interesting mix of patterns and colors https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c9cd3806ad43abade381/1576258042631/IMG_8703+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador More hornado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d00904b7db043c8e4b21/1576259628188/3IMG_7457+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador I spent a considerable amount of time here at Talleres Faconza (including sleeping here one night). The owner Alex looks knows his stuff and has looked after many of my overlanding friends https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3caddb7f79f2f3304bc69/1576258387662/IMG_7529+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Beer pong in front of the cabana https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e645c7d8655c368cd8a3/1576265364560/9DARC9932.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c8854c2e38505c0d23a0/1576257803290/IMG_7501+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador From the top of the teleferico https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3dd2b1678ca75389e4ff3/1576263020286/DARC9826.JPG Home - Ecuador The car having a rest after a tough climb above 4,600m in low gear https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c7f6a705f61846b78615/1576257533559/a7aceb4f9-e8e7-4d43-9df9-2609dcc5a170.jpg Home - Ecuador At the top of the teleferico overlooking Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ddaee5b1bf1dddeba7db/1576263164476/DARC9804.JPG Home - Ecuador A scramble up the volcanic ash to the refugio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e4de4e483376a73867f0/1576264995735/5DARC9877.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c5fcca514d7fda21ba40/1576257050072/IMG_7554+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Me, Ricky & San. These guys, amongst others, would be my closest friends for a few months as I joined their life in Quito https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d06f8f674e4837bac8d1/1576259736398/5IMG_7805+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Thought it was really cool that one day in Alex’s workshop, there was an identical car to mine but completely stock. So cool to look at them side-by-side and see how much mine has transformed from the factory form https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3de0993135176b0823c77/1576263363709/DARC9811.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c6a78f674e4837b94d20/1576257229175/IMG_6070+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador While it’s a small thing, having the use of a car parking space over three months as I came and went was such a treat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c6f693135176b07ecea0/1576257426565/DARC9117.JPG Home - Ecuador A monument and museum for the zero latitude https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3dd7604b7db043c904a16/1576263064928/IMG_8628+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d787b7f79f2f330694b1/1576261564691/DARC9789.JPG Home - Ecuador The send off party https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e2b027e30264b3b66d9a/1576264493695/IMG_8643+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Lake Quilotoa https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c9bc04b7db043c8d5ff8/1576257987847/a7604a31-ea41-4fa8-af4e-c23d120d62af.jpg Home - Ecuador Far from traditional but San took me to a great sushi restaurant. Something I’m so used to eating often in Australia but haven’t had since leaving there https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cdc78f674e4837ba6da3/1576259044181/2IMG_8003+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador We went to a 40th birthday party for Hernan, one of the guys in the local Land Rover community. This was the cake. Kind of says it all https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e75778db4c252fd358c9/1576265655357/98IMG_8725+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Cajas National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3d12e4e0d57635d319080/1576259962734/8DARC9706.JPG Home - Ecuador Very happy with the side routed exhaust, Devon 4x4 fascia and custom rear bumper thanks to Javier https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e3a591da223324cfd43f/1576264721488/1DARC9950.JPG Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cd69eeaf93748a36b6c3/1576259000912/1DARC9791.JPG Home - Ecuador My Disco and San’s family collection of Defenders https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3cdefeeaf93748a36cb45/1576259069327/3ded2b9bf-7036-4f45-bbf7-a85f4da3a74b.jpg Home - Ecuador https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ceeb3806ad43abaeab1b/1576259375548/9IMG_8525+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Sometimes we’d hang out at non-Land Rover workshops too https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3e7ed9726b96c27105a62/1576265760280/100IMG_8734+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Unfortunately the best campsite I could find in Cajas National Park - the parking lot outside of the ranger station https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3c9368f674e4837b9b1e7/1576257909987/IMG_7956+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Hornado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df3ceb0a705f61846b8825d/1576259298053/8IMG_7861+copy.jpg Home - Ecuador Parts heaven https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/14/southern-peru monthly 0.5 2020-06-17 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df537af9eff7e06e61f343e/1576351700715/6DARC1487.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df531414b14fd7c6877ef11/1576350159079/7IMG_9650+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru The beauty of arriving late was that the trail was more or less all to myself https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5363a460f77349da65f4d/1576351480006/2DARC1452.JPG Home - Southern Peru Cusco old town really is quite a romantic and lovely part of the world https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df528eb1bd90e41f9305d03/1576347945860/7DJI_0218.JPG Home - Southern Peru This is a drone image we captured from the side fo the road. It was unclear if it was part of the main group of lines, not being in the style of the above images. But I nevertheless enjoyed exploring from the air https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df53051460f77349da5b149/1576349830545/4DJI_0259.JPG Home - Southern Peru It’s really a stunning drive and a preview of the many similar routes I would drive in Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df525be460f77349da490f1/1576347149080/4DJI_0185.JPG Home - Southern Peru Drone shot of our camp for the night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df538239cc32e3e13f26ce6/1576351853441/8IMG_9747.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52db74ef8f11afc9f988c/1576349156524/5IMG_9566+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru Out the back of the ‘service station’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df525364b14fd7c68769b0e/1576346985830/1DARC0917.JPG Home - Southern Peru Camp for the night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df528954f4ce57dd23a5724/1576347874893/6DARC0996.JPG Home - Southern Peru Clockwise from bottom left: The hands, the tree and what I assume is a lizard https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5259b9eff7e06e61d614a/1576347059210/3DARC0920.JPG Home - Southern Peru Our newly purchased Tacama wines in plastic camp wine glasses https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5219c9eff7e06e61cf2f2/1576346148188/4DARC0745.JPG Home - Southern Peru As well as the charming old homestead https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df531f93b2bfa139fece523/1576350232131/8IMG_9654+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru The last photo before the darkness set in and I followed the tracks alone by torchlight in the otherwise pitch black https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52af334929a2cbf114a6f/1576348411073/10d742d001b6-58f1-40c8-8d3f-82b9d8fe6d6d.jpg Home - Southern Peru One of many times a local would ask for picture with us - and of course, we would make sure we got our own photographic memento https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df530c24f4ce57dd23b41c8/1576349931197/6IMG_9639+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru The car would rest here for a couple nights while I hike into Aguas Calientes and up to Machu Picchu https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df534fc4f4ce57dd23bbc28/1576351039614/8DARC1408.JPG Home - Southern Peru The highlight of Machu Picchu for me was getting the f*** out of there. My car was waiting for me, as was an adventure into the Bolivian Amazon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52e4103e32e53348918b9/1576349289822/1DARC1260.JPG Home - Southern Peru Aguas Turquesas (torquoise waters) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52e749eff7e06e61e38fc/1576349383598/2DARC1267.JPG Home - Southern Peru Looking down onto the pools from the trail above https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df521645040b64727df273f/1576345998739/2DARC0718.JPG Home - Southern Peru An impressive on-site production capability https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df526c94f4ce57dd23a265d/1576347423312/7DJI_0203.JPG Home - Southern Peru The roads here were largely optional and the maps provided the route. Although I did see a few warnings on iOverlander about the white salt flats in the background of this shot - evidently a few overlanders had gotten a little cocky and bogged themselves in there before https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df534353b2bfa139fed2752/1576350819729/5DARC1376.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df521354f4ce57dd2399b98/1576345944005/3DARC0735.JPG Home - Southern Peru Hacienda Bodega Tacama https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df522e75040b64727df4e4a/1592355452959/8DARC0815.JPG Home - Southern Peru An oasis from the many days of driving through deserts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df526691bd90e41f9301abb/1576347323674/6DJI_0197.JPG Home - Southern Peru Drone follow of us making trails towards Paracas the next morning https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52bc39eff7e06e61df12b/1576348634349/15DARC1179.JPG Home - Southern Peru The mood of this day is indescribable. The whole day everyone had such a happy disposition and were having so much fun https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df527e89cc32e3e13f0b5f2/1576347657081/3DARC0946.JPG Home - Southern Peru I asked them if they’d let me fly (I’m a bit rusty but I’m sure it’s like riding a bike). Unsurprisingly they said no https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52ed5460f77349da58c4c/1576349460399/3DARC1299.JPG Home - Southern Peru Piscinas Naturales de Millpu https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df524134f4ce57dd239e383/1576346695337/6DARC0873.JPG Home - Southern Peru Way more vehicles than there were tourists to take. Most sat idle and interfered with otherwise great photos of the oasis https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52d4a9cc32e3e13f143ef/1576349059214/4DARC1250.JPG Home - Southern Peru This kid couldn’t be cuter. I must have taken 50 photos of him while we played and waited for his mother to fill up the tank https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df520e5460f77349da40d4d/1592355446010/5DARC0659.JPG Home - Southern Peru Having grown up in Perth (Australia), sunsets over the ocean were such a commonplace thing and something I’ve missed since moving away https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52a494b14fd7c68772526/1576348268513/5DARC1150.JPG Home - Southern Peru The festival organiser. He would frequently dance in the centre of the circles. Between the dancing, the people of the town would come to pin money to his vest https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52d8e9cc32e3e13f14c2f/1576349099761/4DARC1254.JPG Home - Southern Peru Getting some much needed gasoline on the road to Millpu https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52b383b2bfa139fec1b95/1576348507272/12DARC1157.JPG Home - Southern Peru I love that in every photo you can see someone pointing their camera at Sanne https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df533ce03e32e533489b27b/1576350758886/4DARC1361.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df520794f4ce57dd2398a6a/1576345759075/3DARC0642.JPG Home - Southern Peru Sunset from the dunes of the Paracas natural reserve https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5285b9cc32e3e13f0c018/1576347788067/5DARC0987.JPG Home - Southern Peru The condor https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52d049eff7e06e61e160b/1576348985940/2DARC1231.JPG Home - Southern Peru There were shepherds nearby so I guess these many have belonged to someone. But they aren’t fenced in and are a very common sight across the open plains https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52a7834929a2cbf113fe0/1576348307485/6DARC1144.JPG Home - Southern Peru Adorable ladies in traditional dress https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52b0603e32e533488b565/1576348459590/11DARC1147.JPG Home - Southern Peru Some of the Peruvian kids were too cute https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52729460f77349da4b02a/1576347484557/8IMG_9511+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru Helping out some Peruvian fisherman with a dead battery in an inopportune place. They were lucky we were passing by otherwise they had a long walk to get assistance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df537df3b2bfa139fed8e21/1576351766840/7IMG_9722+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru Try as I may to spend some time alone, I did find myself with some new friends quite quickly in Cusco. Magnolia and Fred would be good company for a couple days while I rested and prepared to leave Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df524529cc32e3e13f05578/1576346728850/7DARC0885.JPG Home - Southern Peru Little human specs braving the hot sand and sun for the best vantage point over the oasis https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52acd03e32e533488ae73/1576348392003/9DARC1136.JPG Home - Southern Peru The centre of attention. From the attention Sanne got, one got the distinct impression they don’t see many blonds here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df534c25040b64727e128f5/1576350961052/7DARC1394.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5330834929a2cbf1228dc/1576350532525/3DARC1359.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df523c134929a2cbf1085dd/1576346595827/4DARC0840.JPG Home - Southern Peru My Dutch travel companions https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df527bc0027c56344a3fc72/1576347612301/2DARC0934.JPG Home - Southern Peru Patiently waiting at the airport for our flight over the lines https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df529b83b2bfa139febf27e/1576348165754/3DARC1067.JPG Home - Southern Peru Sanne enjoying the company of our new guide and friend https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df537839eff7e06e61f30de/1576351648417/5DARC1483.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df532424f4ce57dd23b6fa1/1576350341613/1DARC1314.JPG Home - Southern Peru With a 10am entry ticket thanks to my late arrival the night before, I had no choice but to wait through the morning for my chance to enter the gates https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e25dd972e103654ebb85bdb/1579539877405/2DARC1336.jpg Home - Southern Peru Proof that you can get a shot of the ruins in the thick of the midday throngs of people. However, the reality is that right behind me are 30 people waiting to take this exact photo for their Instagram. Following this shot, I turned my attention to capturing Machu Picchu as it really is, which is to say, my camera was pointed at the people and what I saw in front of my face rather than trying to get shots to fool myself and my audience that I was practically discovering this untouched wonder https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5298e4ef8f11afc9f1ba6/1576348078366/2DARC1041.JPG Home - Southern Peru I tend to like my boots dirty but it’s a good excuse to give some money to the local kids https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52fc79eff7e06e61e5cde/1576349699823/2DARC1426.JPG Home - Southern Peru Getting as close to Machu Picchu as possible by myself and avoiding the hoards of tourists as best I could https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5225c5040b64727df40c4/1576346236926/DARC0763.JPG Home - Southern Peru Taste testing the pisco range at Tacama https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df520164ef8f11afc9e295c/1576345657585/1IMG_9422+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru Seeking out our first Pisco Sour. I’d later learn that there’s a bitter dispute between Chile and Peru about who originally created pisco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df526174b14fd7c6876b155/1576347231898/5DJI_0189.JPG Home - Southern Peru The view down Playa Carhaus https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52b6a1bd90e41f93097f6/1576348557620/13DARC1165.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52c9a03e32e533488ea33/1576348919558/1DARC1220.JPG Home - Southern Peru One of the many relatives of the llama. I stopped trying to tell them apart but the choices are llama, alpaca, vicuna or guanaco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df522b89eff7e06e61d12ab/1576346327066/7DARC0789.JPG Home - Southern Peru Vineyards are good for the soul https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52be90027c56344a47edf/1576348679863/16DARC1185.JPG Home - Southern Peru I love this photo. I had my camera out and was panning around looking for photo opportunities. I saw this girl looking at me and indicated to my camera so as to ask permission if I could take a photo of her. She nodded agreeably. Her face and smile are just so beautiful, innocent and happy; and the candid shot of her mother beside her equally caught up in the magic of the day. It’s my favourite photo of the festival and makes me happy looking at it and recalling the memories https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df520bf34929a2cbf103793/1576345818946/4DARC0646.JPG Home - Southern Peru Yes, I know, I take a lot of pictures of the car. But it’s very photogenic (or at least beauty is in the eye of the beholder) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df520424f4ce57dd2398482/1576345711432/2DARC0686.JPG Home - Southern Peru Wistfully staring at the Pacific Ocean towards Australia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df523ee03e32e53348807c0/1576346634182/5DARC0853.JPG Home - Southern Peru The curious settlement behind the Huacachina Oasis https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52aa01bd90e41f93085d7/1576348350884/8DARC1127.JPG Home - Southern Peru Our host, centre-left of frame and the organiser with the sash in the foreground https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df528131bd90e41f93044b7/1576347728371/4DARC0980.JPG Home - Southern Peru The Nazca lines from the plane: The spider https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df537063b2bfa139fed7643/1576351532268/3DARC1455.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52f4903e32e5334893b00/1576349554541/1DARC1411.JPG Home - Southern Peru The road to Hidroelectrica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df522304ef8f11afc9e61d2/1576346190996/5DARC0766.JPG Home - Southern Peru What better way to lift everyone’s mood than wine https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df522899eff7e06e61d0f8c/1576346288109/6DARC0779.JPG Home - Southern Peru Having driven through much of the country, I never would have guessed from the climate that any wine came from Peru but then Peru was full of surprises https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52473460f77349da46e57/1576346822115/8IMG_9501+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru It was surprisingly hard to get a good photo of the oasis and capture it all properly and in the context of the dunes. This was my best effort https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df527834f4ce57dd23a375e/1576347567488/1DARC0930.JPG Home - Southern Peru We pulled over here and flew the drone to see if we could see the lines around us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df530935040b64727e0ae3b/1576349876607/5G0121076.JPG Home - Southern Peru Back driving solo. Just me, my car, my music and my way https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df525729cc32e3e13f07236/1576347025876/2DARC0914.JPG Home - Southern Peru Another Pacific sunset https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df529584b14fd7c687709e9/1576348036951/1DARC1034.JPG Home - Southern Peru Our new best friend, the man in the left of frame. We talked for over an hour with him in the main town square. He was so pleased to have us a company and tell us everything he could think to talk about https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5373703e32e53348a17ef/1576351609796/4DARC1467.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e25c671c77df972909bf61e/1579533954953/1DARC0868.jpg Home - Southern Peru Huacachina Oasis: a series of restaurants and hotels surround the lake while sand boarding, dune buggies and hiking the dunes are options outside https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df524cf460f77349da476d2/1576346859961/9IMG_9474+copy.jpg Home - Southern Peru We didn’t stick around into the evening though I wish I had for a good night shot https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5347134929a2cbf125171/1576350901716/6DARC1385.JPG Home - Southern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df523601bd90e41f92fd07f/1576346497146/2DARC0831.JPG Home - Southern Peru I find the contours of the sand dunes mesmerising https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df535679eff7e06e61eefb7/1576351146403/1DARC1444.JPG Home - Southern Peru It’s a little squeezy at times driving a fully-kitted Land Rover down these narrow streets https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52b9b9eff7e06e61dee2b/1576348599905/14DARC1177.JPG Home - Southern Peru These women asked for a photo and after it was taken, I kissed the top of the hat of the girl in the right of frame. Their reaction and mine was hilarious https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5300f4ef8f11afc9fd9f7/1576349760146/3DJI_0248.JPG Home - Southern Peru Drone follow as I wind my way along the cliff edges to Hidroelectrica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df523870027c56344a39ca1/1576346549906/3DARC0820.JPG Home - Southern Peru These custom dune buggies (basically reconfigured old Nissan Patrols on beat up leaf-spring suspension) will take you for a wild ride through the sand dunes. In the end I’m happy we took their trucks and not mine - I probably would tipped over my high-centre-of-gravity Discovery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df52a111bd90e41f9307845/1576348222582/4DARC1079.JPG Home - Southern Peru On our walk to the fiesta, the streets were vastly empty (presumably with everyone already at the party) https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/13/north-peru monthly 0.5 2020-06-17 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df442a73b2bfa139fdbf3ab/1576289090773/4DARC0198.JPG Home - North Peru Headed back into the countryside: trout (trucha) dishes were abundant in the area and became my new favourite dish for a time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43b8b9eff7e06e60cc20f/1576287212143/DARC0100.JPG Home - North Peru Driving through one of the few towns, I was surprised to see a woman herding her flock through the main part of town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df436a84f4ce57dd22937b2/1576285906649/IMG_8759+copy.jpg Home - North Peru I was well and truly due for some alone time after several months traveling with family, my adopted Ecuadorian family and friends and cooped up on a boat of strangers in Galapagos. Travelling solo doesn’t always mean being solo so a day quietly sitting by the water by myself and reflecting with a cold beer in hand was well overdue. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df445ed03e32e533478c834/1576289796941/ Home - North Peru The girls in good spirits on the first day being stranded in Yungay https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44cb49eff7e06e60e6d2d/1576291699052/7IMG_9243+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Always thankful for blue skies when seeing natural wonders like this https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43ceb4ef8f11afc8e7132/1592355644535/DARC0138.JPG Home - North Peru Pulling off the highway to stop for some food, stretch the legs and (admittedly) have the car pose for a few shots in the red desert. The number of photos I take of my car are proportional to how much I love it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4473f3b2bfa139fdc688a/1576290154030/IMG_8975+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Conferring with the guys https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df444145040b64727cfe4bd/1576289445285/8DARC0227.JPG Home - North Peru Any excuse to leave the bitumen, especially if there’s an opportunity to give the car a bath https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df444c64b14fd7c6866f311/1576289583812/10IMG_8932+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Sanne’s new friend in Huaraz https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df443b83b2bfa139fdc139b/1576289281450/6DARC0213.JPG Home - North Peru Closing in on Huaraz on the drive from Lima https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43dc9460f77349d943e32/1576287814493/DARC0064.JPG Home - North Peru There were hundreds of kilometres of this as I made my way south https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4542634929a2cbf028b24/1576293635687/2IMG_9326+copy.jpg Home - North Peru When breaking down in remote places, I usually start with a beer to just stop and consider the issue and the options if it can’t be solved. In this instance, with the complexity of the problems I’d had and the reliance on parts I didn’t have, the best bet seemed to be to drink a beer and call our friends again for a tow truck. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df437b134929a2cbfffad74/1576286199334/DARC9980.JPG Home - North Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44aff03e32e5334793e8e/1576291180570/3DARC0401.JPG Home - North Peru Looking back on our trail as we near the top https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df443519cc32e3e13e0dc6d/1576289192258/5DARC0203.JPG Home - North Peru A typical roadside lunch stop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df449b81bd90e41f9215ec8/1576290940258/1DARC0258.JPG Home - North Peru Setting out for Laguna 69 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4477e4f4ce57dd22b0402/1576290202244/IMG_9213+copy.jpg Home - North Peru A happy moment: my sensor arrives via bus from Lima. I’m so elated at this point that I feel it warrants a selfie with the guy manning the office who signed over the package https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43bf94ef8f11afc8e5763/1576287437206/DARC0107.JPG Home - North Peru A lone man sitting on the sidewalk. As many times as I pass scenes like this, I can’t help but feel how charming these images are https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df447a79eff7e06e60df534/1576290370377/IMG_9147+copy.jpg Home - North Peru The mechanics from Automundo. I spent a lot of time with these guys and really appreciative of their generosity in putting me ahead of other customers to get me on the road, bringing me food in the workshop, showing up on a Sunday to finish the job. And mostly for making it a fun and enjoyable time working alongside them in the workshop for the four days I was there https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e0a71758863c530b1eed61e/1577742727319/3DARC0511.jpg Home - North Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4409c5040b64727cf8094/1576288552512/DARC0075.JPG Home - North Peru A typical town of the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df445885040b64727d00532/1576289711434/2IMG_8958+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Back in the pit once again and beginning to search for the issue https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4391a1bd90e41f91fc4cf/1592355628566/DARC0014.JPG Home - North Peru Setting off on my two-day drive across the desert from Mancora to Lima https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44b7a03e32e533479493b/1576291255309/4DARC0425.JPG Home - North Peru The mountain the overlooks Laguna 69 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e0a71a670f0353ba906568b/1577742773957/1DARC0548.jpg Home - North Peru The pass through the national park that came quite close to 5,000 metres at its peak https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4420d4ef8f11afc8efddd/1576288920394/3DARC0188.JPG Home - North Peru The pyramids of Lima. As I’ve said before, sometimes a bit hard to get excited about more ancient ruins. But was is remarkable is that these are in downtown Lima which is quite unexpected https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df452dd0027c5634495d091/1576293139813/4DARC0592.JPG Home - North Peru As I’ve no doubt said before, one of my favourite parts of the driving yourself is crossing through areas that don’t see tourists and travellers. The family and friends preparing for this wedding were as interested in us and what we were doing there as we were with their local traditions and made for a pleasant and interesting stop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4373a460f77349d937b31/1576286100227/DARC9982.JPG Home - North Peru While I’m told Mancora is a famous surf spot, I never actually saw any waves. But I wasn’t looking very hard either https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df455c74b14fd7c686899c5/1576293905304/3DARC0625.JPG Home - North Peru Help arrives. We’d drive through the night to Lima, arriving a few hours before dawn https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df444af5040b64727cff133/1576289466494/9cb2a5c-7769-4897-9302-c40ae0dfa2a8.jpg Home - North Peru I can’t articulate why but crossing rivers in a car has probably been my favourite thing in the entire world ever since I was seven or eight years old. I recall family trips around Karatha and the Pilbara in Western Australia as a child and hold extremely fond memories of the family crossing rivers on our adventures https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4461303e32e533478cb02/1576289858499/5IMG_8994+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Getting to the fuel pump: Not that bad pulling the carpet up but it’s a bit more challenging when you’ve got ~100kg of drawers, equipment and a fridge sitting on top of it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df445b934929a2cbf012499/1576289761945/3IMG_8964+copy.jpg Home - North Peru To my knowledge, the guys from Automundo SA in Yungay had never worked on a Land Rover before but they weren’t shy about jumping in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4561e5040b64727d18f16/1576294010983/4IMG_9360+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Augusto from the Land Rovers de las Americas group. I can’t thank him enough for everything he did to help during the trials and tribulations of our time in northern Peru. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e0d041c03dac823b70961c0/1577911342821/DARC0241.jpg Home - North Peru Lake Llanganuco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df448679eff7e06e60e08b3/1576290454309/IMG_9229+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Happy travellers. With the car working and back on the road, we headed for Laguna 69 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44de94ef8f11afc90334e/1576291898653/2DJI_0133.JPG Home - North Peru A campground all to ourselves https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df446554ef8f11afc8f6b65/1576289932588/6IMG_9025+copy.jpg Home - North Peru The cavalry arrives. Land Rovers de las Americas members put together that a Lima Land Rover mechanic is in the area and willing to lend a hand as a detour from his weekend adventure up to Llanganuco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43d610027c5634493a477/1576287656946/DARC0163.JPG Home - North Peru With more time, I would have happily stopped in this small fishing town for a couple days and slept on the waterfront right here and fished every day. But alas, I had made a promise to meet the girls in Lima https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44bc403e32e5334794fde/1576291391613/5DARC0336.JPG Home - North Peru Success, and thankfully still with a decent amount of daylight to spare. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43ed603e32e5334781027/1576288093092/DARC0052.JPG Home - North Peru One of the poorer pueblos of nothern Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4522e460f77349d964e19/1576293002107/2DJI_0177.JPG Home - North Peru Nice to have others in the car for once to let me fly the drone while someone else drives. It’s possible but definitely harder doing both at the same time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df453bc9cc32e3e13e263e1/1576293393363/1IMG_9334+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Stranded yet again. And very far from everything at this stage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df441960027c563449411d7/1576288772548/2IMG_8882+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Lima has a park called ‘Circuito Magico del Agua’ (Magic Circuit of Water) which features live shows of fountains choreographed to music. It sounded cheesy but was actually quite a pleasing attraction and a fun and modern sanctuary within the bustling city of Lima https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df446984b14fd7c686720e6/1576289995480/IMG_9052+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Coincidentally, I would break down in almost the identical spot (within 10 metres) twice - once driving it back to workshop from Caraz and the second time when we thought we’d found another fix and I was on a test drive. It was one of several times the car was given a tow back to the workshop. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df446fc4f4ce57dd22af89a/1576290086957/IMG_9095+copy.jpg Home - North Peru My home for several days. Certainly not the first time I’d slept in a workshop and it definitely won’t be my last https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44a894f4ce57dd22b500c/1576291060837/2DARC0299.JPG Home - North Peru The hike starts flat and easy but the altitude makes the latter stages a lot more challenging https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43b011bd90e41f91ffc50/1576287104560/DARC0036.JPG Home - North Peru The entirety of the country has is covered with grave markers lining its roads. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43ff00027c5634493e8d6/1576288392999/DARC0047.JPG Home - North Peru A poor community on the outskirts of Chiclayo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44d9c4f4ce57dd22b9f20/1576291799232/1DARC0430.JPG Home - North Peru Looking down on Lago Llanganuco the way we’d entered the park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df436271bd90e41f91f702f/1576285841554/DARC9998.JPG Home - North Peru Mancora: one of the main streets running the length of the beach with a row of beach-front hotels https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43e574ef8f11afc8e989a/1592355653052/DARC0072.JPG Home - North Peru Ironically, there were occasional large scale instalments of wind turbines during these same stretches. It was quite the juxtaposition to see a sea of plastic littering the desert and an attempt at renewable energy towering above. Funny that they could be simultaneously making big strides to protect the environment on one front and dismally failing on another https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df43f711bd90e41f9206174/1576288217228/DARC0133.JPG Home - North Peru A pushed up mound of dirt and rubbish that separates the street from the beach on the other side https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df436e634929a2cbfff987f/1576285989186/DARC9993.JPG Home - North Peru The Mancora beach front https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4359a4ef8f11afc8d9a6a/1576285621832/IMG_8745+copy.jpg Home - North Peru One could easily assume that border inspections like this are common but they are not. Customs officers rarely do more than a superficial opening of a draw or two or point and stuff and ask what it is. This was my most thorough border search by far https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df453204b14fd7c68686138/1576293200802/5DARC0594.JPG Home - North Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df452959eff7e06e60eff33/1576293070938/3DARC0589.JPG Home - North Peru A family prepares a slaughtered pig for tomorrow’s wedding https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df439960027c56344933135/1576286954326/DARC0034.JPG Home - North Peru A rare sight with some greenery. I was definitely feeling like I was crossing Asia at this point more so than Peru https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df44c4e0027c56344953552/1576291496585/6DJI_0113.JPG Home - North Peru Drone shot capturing Sanne and I at the top and on the banks of Laguna 69 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4355734929a2cbfff6f4c/1576285563582/IMG_8743+copy.jpg Home - North Peru There was no apparent reason for the border hold up - they were just disorganised. The Venezuelans were dealt with separately with aid and a border camp set up outside. Things got a bit aggressive here when impatient people starting pushing in line and I physically had to push a guy out again when he tried to cut in front of me at the very front of the line after my four hour wait https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df441504b14fd7c68669e83/1576288653882/1IMG_8800+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Sanne and Latoya were waiting for me with a cheese platter, beer, wine and a game of cards the evening we meet up in Lima https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df4454d9eff7e06e60dc218/1576289658990/IMG_8956+copy.jpg Home - North Peru Having small hands is an asset at times. The girls trying to check the fuel bleeder valve awkwardly tucked between the plenum and the fire wall https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/14/bolivia monthly 0.5 2020-02-08 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df679a55040b64727f9fff1/1576434125575/IMG_0463.JPG Home - Bolivia Loaded up with firewood for Uyuni, I hit the road ready to meet up with my new friends https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df675c23b2bfa139f05bd16/1576433144031/1DARC1739.JPG Home - Bolivia Crossing Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df551e23b2bfa139ff07de1/1576358412506/9DARC1581.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df543f54ef8f11afca20e49/1576355050249/IMG_9796+copy.jpg Home - Bolivia Nothing like minor engine problems to compound an already stressful morning. This one was not to present an immediate issue but foreshadowed a bigger problem later on in Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df550a04b14fd7c687b7630/1576358076955/2DARC1551.JPG Home - Bolivia The view towards the Death Road from La Cumbre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df674e90027c56344bda999/1576432912481/5IMG_0285.JPG Home - Bolivia Starting work to replace the coils and leads https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5454c4b14fd7c687a3a5a/1576355194656/1DARC1507.JPG Home - Bolivia A nice relaxed wander through the site without many others there at all https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df548504ef8f11afca29165/1576355956838/2IMG_0352.JPG Home - Bolivia Dinner with the La Paz Land Rover club https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df54ff93b2bfa139ff04875/1576358036581/1DARC1548.JPG Home - Bolivia La Cumbre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df547773b2bfa139fef4a3d/1576355738762/3IMG_0365.JPG Home - Bolivia Marcelo’s workshop in La Paz which would be home for one night and where I spent much of my time while in La Paz just hanging out with the mechanics https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df677d19cc32e3e130ab0f2/1576433652873/5DARC1774.JPG Home - Bolivia Only a few hours after the wedding: looks like he enjoyed the reception https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df551519cc32e3e13f540ee/1576358265106/6DARC1565.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6749e03e32e5334a17768/1576432845753/4IMG_0289.JPG Home - Bolivia Inside the workshop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df678349eff7e06e637809f/1576433743729/IMG_0449.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6760934929a2cbf2abc8e/1576433206168/2DARC1737.JPG Home - Bolivia Evo Morales for president 2020 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df554ac1bd90e41f9351a31/1576359130711/3DARC1629.JPG Home - Bolivia Thankfully wasn’t the first to go through here and the path had previously been cleared https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6721434929a2cbf2a41a2/1576432186317/5IMG_0204.JPG Home - Bolivia The sun going down over the Amazon jungle https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6729634929a2cbf2a4fc3/1576432323789/1IMG_0190.JPG Home - Bolivia The grin says it all: happy with my catfish https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6764134929a2cbf2ac3cb/1576433244582/3IMG_0366.JPG Home - Bolivia Toll points on the country roads are often where people (frequently children) can be found selling food and drinks to motorists https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df672453b2bfa139f055db3/1576432250675/6IMG_0210.JPG Home - Bolivia Breakfast of eggs, fried bread and coffee https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df67550460f77349dbe00e8/1576433042636/7DARC1650.JPG Home - Bolivia Waking up in the morning and preparing to drive out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df548211bd90e41f933bf32/1576355910729/1IMG_0347.JPG Home - Bolivia These guys made me and my Discovery 2 feel at home after meeting them through the local Land Rover workshop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6795b34929a2cbf2b2536/1576434073905/IMG_0461.JPG Home - Bolivia On the way to Uyuni, I stopped to introduce myself to these lovely people and negotiate the purchase of some of their firewood https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df548e534929a2cbf147f9a/1576356127212/5DJI_0290.JPG Home - Bolivia Drone shot of the Land Rover club with our cars lined up behind us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5569103e32e53348d8f0d/1576359626223/12DJI_0280.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df548ae5040b64727e36d6c/1576356057771/4DARC1711.JPG Home - Bolivia La Paz by night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6751a9eff7e06e637234c/1576432965687/6IMG_0286.JPG Home - Bolivia Plenum off to get at the coil packs (located near the firewall behind the engine) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df550fa4b14fd7c687b8113/1576358174319/4DARC1562.JPG Home - Bolivia Welcome Death Road Keep Your Left: The left side (opposite to the normal driving side) would be an uncomfortable place to overtake on the death road as your left wheels would tread perilously close to the edge. Thankfully I didn’t encounter another vehicle the whole way down https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df555fb4b14fd7c687c105d/1576359449080/9DARC1639.JPG Home - Bolivia The final stretch before Rurre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6785903e32e5334a1f405/1576433796317/IMG_0441.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e3f1bad120d25193d483587/1581194168600/1DARC1615.jpg Home - Bolivia One of the friendlier service stations that offered a ‘sin factura’ price without any negotiation https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df673b69cc32e3e130a2f03/1576432608066/6IMG_0244.JPG Home - Bolivia Silverio serving up dinner https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df546594b14fd7c687a5768/1576355573781/6DARC1524.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df547a53b2bfa139fef5077/1576355806266/4IMG_0022.JPG Home - Bolivia La Paz traffic zebras: a government initiative begun in 2001 as a tool to educate the populous on the use of crosswalks (zebra crossings). Also made popular by their feature on Last Week Tonight by John Oliver https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df551294ef8f11afca387e1/1576358213582/5DARC1563.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df671dc03e32e5334a129f3/1576432135916/4IMG_0195.JPG Home - Bolivia Our accommodation for the evening: comfortably slept the three of us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df547145040b64727e33aa9/1576355650681/1DARC1687.JPG Home - Bolivia La Paz, Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df673149cc32e3e130a1c65/1576432441524/3IMG_0227.jpeg Home - Bolivia The teeth of the paku look pretty menacing so we kept our fingers clear https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6792f4f4ce57dd2545a3c/1576434000513/IMG_0457.JPG Home - Bolivia I have no idea how they turned this over. But then months later I’d turn my car over and you’d have the same thoughts looking at the photos of mine https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df550c99cc32e3e13f52e5c/1576358126369/3DARC1554.JPG Home - Bolivia Right from the beginning of the day, crosses lined the street from La Cumbre right through to the end of the Death Road https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df552514ef8f11afca3a8f9/1576358501947/12IMG_0088.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df556524f4ce57dd23f7531/1576359554024/11DJI_0262.JPG Home - Bolivia The road to Caranavi https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df551b80027c56344a8ed1c/1576358358492/8DARC1578.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df674714f4ce57dd253ba3e/1576432787694/3DARC1649.JPG Home - Bolivia The sign for my mechanics workshop https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df677991bd90e41f94a4436/1576433606747/4DARC1789.JPG Home - Bolivia I suppose this must have been a weekend. There were at least four couple battling for prime position to take their post-wedding photos in this plaza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df545844ef8f11afca2379a/1576355232576/2DARC1510.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df672d04ef8f11afcb877a0/1576432387959/2IMG_0218.JPG Home - Bolivia Paku: cousin to the piranha but much bigger https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df556239eff7e06e62292fd/1576359493986/10DARC1669.JPG Home - Bolivia Some failed cryptocurrency startup? https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5474c5040b64727e34071/1576355694280/2IMG_0032.JPG Home - Bolivia La Paz as viewed from the Teleferico - a unique network of cable cars connecting the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df676e89eff7e06e6375f9d/1576433434382/1DARC1796.JPG Home - Bolivia The cobbled streets of Sucre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df677603b2bfa139f05f6a6/1576433551135/3DARC1792.JPG Home - Bolivia One of Sucre’s many charming plazas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df545e54f4ce57dd23d9d0f/1576355348927/4DARC1518.JPG Home - Bolivia I don’t blame them for relaxing in the shade - it was hot https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df551854ef8f11afca394cd/1576358311502/7DARC1569.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df671a54f4ce57dd25368ab/1576432079820/3IMG_0165.JPG Home - Bolivia Father and son making a great team https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df673469eff7e06e636ee5f/1576432502364/4IMG_0231.JPG Home - Bolivia Catfish head soup https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6781c460f77349dbe51f2/1576433705263/IMG_0446.JPG Home - Bolivia Met these two in Rurre and coincidentally ran into each other in Sucre. Crazier than it sounds given they are over 20 hours drive / 1,100km from each other https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5554d3b2bfa139ff0ce85/1576359291061/8DARC1653.JPG Home - Bolivia It’s a 200m drop to the river below https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df548814b14fd7c687a990b/1576356005168/3DARC1698.JPG Home - Bolivia Five Discoverys overlooking La Paz https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df673824ef8f11afcb88c5c/1576432555493/5IMG_0238.JPG Home - Bolivia Paku for Sunday dinner with Silverio and his family https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5551b4b14fd7c687bfd95/1576359229962/5G0181844.JPG Home - Bolivia Much like the North Yungas (Death) Road but this one is still in use https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df547e8460f77349da84833/1576355842744/5IMG_0035.JPG Home - Bolivia Filing a police report in downtown La Paz for my insurance on a pick-pocketed cell phone. Not a smooth or easy process but made better by the kind security guard at my hostel who offered to accompany me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6772434929a2cbf2ae220/1576433494062/2DARC1786.JPG Home - Bolivia The warm lights of a Sucre street market https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df543cb4b14fd7c687a0978/1576354793907/IMG_9794+copy+2.jpg Home - Bolivia Taking a quick break and ducking away from a policeman in search of a bribe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df678f103e32e5334a2054f/1576433952592/IMG_0371.JPG Home - Bolivia Pepe’s car: a right-hand drive Japanese import Toyota which would be the other half of our convoy to the salt flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6712f4f4ce57dd2535b60/1576431955033/1IMG_0154.JPG Home - Bolivia Headed up the Beni https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5492a460f77349da8729a/1576357619520/6IMG_0368.JPG Home - Bolivia Honorary member https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df545aa5040b64727e312ba/1576355288829/3DARC1512.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df554e59cc32e3e13f5ae4c/1576359184740/4DARC1636.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df673fe34929a2cbf2a7f02/1576432671383/1IMG_0250.JPG Home - Bolivia Even before arriving, I’d read multiple reports about how good this bakery was and it didn’t disappoint https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df546213b2bfa139fef2ba8/1576355406767/5DARC1519.JPG Home - Bolivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df5573603e32e53348da352/1576359766957/14IMG_0301.JPG Home - Bolivia A typical pueblo along the Ruta Nacional 3 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df543ab4f4ce57dd23d57b2/1576354751093/IMG_9781+copy.jpg Home - Bolivia The ominous and dimly lit streets of the Desaguadero border town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df554804b14fd7c687bf017/1576359073907/2DARC1626.JPG Home - Bolivia The start of the day featured quite heavy rain making for interesting driving conditions https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6742a0027c56344bd9687/1576432742120/2IMG_0281.JPG Home - Bolivia The town of Yucomo where I would try to track down a mechanic https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df6715f1bd90e41f94987f2/1576432024523/2IMG_0161.JPG Home - Bolivia Choco cooking up a delicious chicken meal for the three of us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df544f6460f77349da7f51a/1576355120325/G0141130.JPG Home - Bolivia Central Desaguadero: trying to forge a path to the old border based on outdated information - shortly after this moment I learned from a local they had relocated the frontier to a new building just a few minutes drive south of the city https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2019/12/15/stuck-in-the-salt-flats monthly 0.5 2020-02-10 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c57b0185ae5f8127a82f/1576519098074/8IMG_0496.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Rocky pulled out and the car never moved at all. We were substantially worse than when we first sunk in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c613e105606755dd0ad9/1576519227971/1DARC1922.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Quitting time, end of day one. Finally an excuse to use my awning - I think this is the literally the first and only time it’s come out. It’s off the list of equipment for the next rig I build https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bbd0148f414853370bf8/1576516604952/4DARC1817.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Eva and Amber from France https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c310148f414853383484/1576518561641/2DARC1926.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Everything we did just seemed to make it worse https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7be1bd398f93195b8e366/1576517179729/2DARC1896.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Having some fun before things go wrong https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c0490185ae5f8126bdb9/1576517712593/3b70012c0-083c-4413-8302-29daf281062b.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats At least we showed a little bit of creativity in our Uyuni photography https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c2e9ff23cf1f358a5aa5/1576518405895/1a42d86df-7f3c-46f9-8355-6647010d6dd8.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Day one efforts to dig out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c3ac148f4148533850b8/1576518633306/3DARC1948.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats After a bit of digging to get some rocks under the wheels, we weren’t doing much good https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cacb3f22553c3320a0a9/1576520470349/IMG_0551.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Sun setting and with much work ahead https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cd5bbf86217b181c2287/1576521096910/5IMG_0586.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Back into the town of Uyuni! https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c4ef148f4148533882ab/1576518953857/6IMG_0490.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats In retrospect, this seems so futile but at this point we had some hope this might help. Rocky was buried reasonably deep to give us the best chance of getting out https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c0055113f455b649f49b/1576517675062/2DARC1880.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Dan from Queensland https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cbb1e105606755ddfff8/1576520653758/IMG_0567.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Finally making progress in the pitch black of night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c0ac03c4377361363a9c/1576517840161/DARC1853.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cb2256ec9170a9b11351/1576520525843/IMG_0555.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats You can see from the limp brush wire on the car’s left side how much we bent the ARB bumper in the process https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c89356ec9170a9b0af3b/1576519868175/IMG_0542.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Help arrives https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bccdd398f93195b8b829/1576516849342/4DARC1844.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Digging a hole for the fire was essential due to the wind. And at this particular location, very hard work to dig into https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cb5a85982c50a8de215e/1576520572419/IMG_0564.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Lots of work ahead of us here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7b9f2b5038e34c6c74a85/1576516088976/3ef0ec9d3-b8bc-4079-9122-401941c5b690.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Pepe & Eva starting early on the drinks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bcab5113f455b649662d/1576516802324/3DARC1827.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c72bbf86217b181b2739/1576519475894/f042b730-0d49-487b-be87-9afffde366a5.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Our makeshift sun shelter as we wait for responses from our messages https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c0da77f1a8149cf7e25d/1576517889441/DARC1862.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c699e105606755dd2b6d/1576519371286/4IMG_0517.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Sleeping was made more challenging by the angle of the car. That’s about a 30 degree bend in the middle of my queen size mattress https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bc3e5113f455b64950c0/1576516678806/62c79e0a1-e4de-454c-81ac-66279d940b2d.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats The sun going down as we prepare for our first evening under the brilliant stars and night sky https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7ca8a2b72246fbef263ac/1576520383511/IMG_0549.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats It was at least three hours of this before we even felt like we were making a difference https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c13577f1a8149cf7ef17/1576517979467/IMG_0479.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats First moment of trouble https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7be90841e970bc24d45ff/1576517296284/4DARC1901.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Rhys showing us how it’s done https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7ba4eff23cf1f3589010f/1576516192758/4DARC1798.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Camp spot for the first night. The theory was to use the island for wind protection but the wind wasn’t compliant and came barrelling in on the unprotected side https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e405e76ea5b4947236c79d7/1581276841533/IMG_0535.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Wishful thinking. Looking back, it may have worked if the Toyota had diff locks. We made a good go of constructing a solid path but just couldn’t get power to the right wheels https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c7f8b3325a6bba337e98/1576519680210/4b61eb2-673a-4363-a15a-1545c3294ecc.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Pepe having his turn with the sign. He was successful in finding and stopping someone - briefly. They paused only long enough to decide they weren’t the ones that were going to help us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cd9306419709c1d790d0/1576521147705/6IMG_0596.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Even after the three-hour car wash, all I wanted to do was drive back in here and ask them to do it again just to be sure the salt was gone https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bf0ad398f93195b90875/1576517427328/6DARC1905.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c03503c43773613624ac/1576517695219/2ef7cb6b-5b90-4077-aa0f-c595b2e4e374.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c1e6e7c320168adaa9fd/1576518169675/IMG_0483.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Pondering the next move https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c648a6d1327327dd2473/1576519261761/2IMG_0506.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats I’m quite happy about the challenge at this point. About the time I exclaimed how good the day is going. The rum helped https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bbbeb5038e34c6c796ba/1576516550380/3ad70937-7a18-464b-a1d3-231229e9eee8.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Truly freezing the second the sun sets https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bc7db5038e34c6c7b6ad/1576516765360/2DARC1830.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Such a unique landscape. Certainly distinct from everywhere else in Bolivia or anywhere I’d been all year for that matter https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bdcad398f93195b8d898/1576517134793/1DJI_0322.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Slack lining https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c05ab5038e34c6c84c03/1576517729699/4e1176fb-06bd-41e2-ae67-91d0e16f8d41.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Pepe and his van https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c2245113f455b64a43c5/1576518351025/IMG_0484.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Getting some weight off the car and access to our gear while we figure out next steps https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c4abb5038e34c6c90d0d/1576518881022/5IMG_0489.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats ‘Rocky’ the land anchor https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7ca4cbf86217b181ba3ea/1576520316786/IMG_0545.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Three jacks at work: Floor jack at the front, bottle jack into the wheels, hi-lift jack once we’d managed to create some space to work https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c1afcadf86474c351e7b/1576518106225/IMG_0482.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats After the second attempt at driving out, front left dug in as well https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bf3d148f414853379789/1576517444055/7ecf95b3f-db4a-4d5f-beb8-3d30b493030b.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e405e122c3202581341207c/1581276734415/IMG_0528.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Day two of our efforts to free the Toyota https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c7d521d7c1442ae18a42/1576519646444/2f0702d11-a305-4893-9d10-4022e67e8952.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Chocomesh and Eva waiting patiently https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7be48148f414853376b25/1576517252479/3DJI_0325.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Drone shot from directly above https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cd18b3325a6bba345895/1576521037151/4IMG_0574.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Slowly gathering and taking stock of our equipment that had become strewn around the site https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c7c16eabde6fa21b9f18/1576519627106/1b97ac9a9-29e7-475c-a1d1-c274bafbccf9.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Chocomesh keeping vigil on the ‘road’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bfe7ff23cf1f3589daeb/1576517618119/1eb2-1cef-49b0-a02c-afd0086b65bc.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Group shot https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bcfae7c320168ad9e6ca/1576516866121/5ba49bc-520a-4a9a-af2a-ceccefae6766.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Recklessly dousing the campfire with cups of gasoline https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bc0903c4377361357d5e/1576516658550/5DARC1805.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Night one campsite https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7ccb485982c50a8de5ff5/1576520951912/3IMG_0581.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Badly in need of a shower (both car and owner) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7b9b1cadf86474c33d441/1576516050373/1G0201909.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats GoPro snap of the drive out in convoy following along behind Pepe’s van https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df69b935040b64727fe1513/1576515888743/IMG_0466.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats The assembly point in the town of Uyuni, a short drive from the salt flats themselves https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c167e7c320168ada975b/1576518052759/IMG_0481.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Immediately after trying to reverse the first time, the back left wheel dug in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bebbb5038e34c6c8045e/1576517375659/5DJI_0318.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats You can drive for an hour or more in a straight line and still not get to where you’re going. It really is quite large https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c06bff23cf1f3589f00c/1576517773625/5DARC1914.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c73f6eabde6fa21b8877/1576519522598/IMG_0523.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Collin and G setting off for the ‘road’ to try to stop a passing car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c916b3325a6bba33a622/1576520188070/IMG_0543.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Our Bolivian saviours getting to work https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c457919a1962a0af02fd/1576518813551/4IMG_0488.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Preparing to try the land anchor https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cb883f22553c3320be0f/1576520612043/IMG_0566.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats So glad I had a heavy duty rear bumper made in Ecuador. Were it not for this, we’d be jacking onto the soft plastic factory bumper - which would have been destroyed by this assault https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cc7185982c50a8de4f0d/1576520873333/2IMG_0580.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats The war zone https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bb73d398f93195b886e9/1576516512051/1IMG_0473.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Divide and conquer: we all played to strengths and showed great teamwork when it came to campsite duties https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c8c656ec9170a9b0b8c8/1576519932882/IMG_0559.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats The second car arrives to help https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7b9dcff23cf1f3588ec77/1576516072868/2c206395-8bd9-45a3-a820-08b43b3f329d.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Early afternoon stop to take in the expanse of the flats and have a beer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bbaa5113f455b6493a7b/1576516532490/2f357233-3b67-4b38-8252-8a0ccdaf4baf.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Preparing for a campfire before the cold and wind had set in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7ca0706419709c1d6e7d6/1576520247316/IMG_0544.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Jack, dig, fetch rocks, place rocks, drop, repeat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7c66a85982c50a8dd44c5/1576519310871/3IMG_0511.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Trying to stay warm https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7bc65841e970bc24cedce/1576516723375/1f2f-f1e8-4588-a536-88971465c6c5.jpg Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats Brilliant sunsets over Salar de Uyuni https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5df7cc252b72246fbef2ad66/1576520805395/1IMG_0578.JPG Home - Stuck in the Salt Flats The day after: Somewhere in that tire track is one of my Tred Pros. I fished around for it but the mud is virtually freezing. I had to give up looking for it after my arm lost feeling search for it in the cold mud https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/3/2/patagonia monthly 0.5 2020-03-09 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6c9c8041a02fb66c52ee/1583180999193/4P1020456.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d78d6cbece00d7cbe00fe/1583184129947/3DARC2651.jpg Home - Patagonia Fin del Mundo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5be2644d61136660a527/1583176730137/4P1020267.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5db139872f0808e15f2b/1583177196214/5P1020220.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d71267a68077a7cde11e5/1583182159871/5DARC2473.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d7607a549a809356c6dd6/1583183389570/8DARC2595.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d633d86c54568fae62c24/1583178602775/13P1020328.jpg Home - Patagonia Beautiful blues of the ice https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6d9a9d200d5ee2a60d7c/1583181264994/8P1020497.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d70bfa549a809356affe6/1583182059203/3P1020541.jpg Home - Patagonia The offending pulley with destroyed bearing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4ede971031011ab9d107/1583173380331/6IMG_0728.jpeg Home - Patagonia Sister and brother https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d61827a68077a7cd9d235/1583178168190/7DARC2260.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d71e587cda275479e79ca/1583182329512/1IMG_1055.jpeg Home - Patagonia The sound in front of Puerto Natales https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d72e739872f0808e6d7fb/1583182603743/7IMG_1137.jpeg Home - Patagonia Daniel’s shop in Puerto Natales. He proved to be a very smart mechanic. The rest of us were ready to tear the engine apart looking for an unknown problem but he sat back and thought the problem through before we had a chance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d507dd974912487f469f8/1583173804557/12IMG_0798.jpeg Home - Patagonia Well deserved beer at the end of a long and amazing day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6e7ec9f8cf1b02a33752/1583181479253/5DARC2439.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d778d80dd940e4b057820/1583183792376/2G0042040.jpg Home - Patagonia Preparing to board https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5e2e21442c3df98a977b/1583177300392/IMG_0956+copy.jpg Home - Patagonia Mum obviously enjoying one of our newer wines, the Black & Ginger Grenache https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d533f971031011abb103c/1583174509986/2DARC2148.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6c2f7a68077a7cdc99a0/1583180896995/2IMG_1017.jpeg Home - Patagonia Unfortunately we never came across the puma. The big cats eluded me my entire trip across the continent https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6de9ebb34b58910a37b7/1583181315100/1DARC2408.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4cb2d34c2003d78b9be8/1583172829603/1P1010907.jpg Home - Patagonia Convoy to Jurassic Lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e63ab23b6faeb732ce41bc2/1583590257314/2DARC2108.jpg Home - Patagonia The moment our guides turned around, pointed towards the Ruta 40 and we carried on solo again https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d51eaf31daf07a50e0def/1583174191018/1P1020133.jpg Home - Patagonia Parque Nacional Los Glaciares: In front of Fitz Roy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d71ab86c54568fae9ed31/1583182279730/8P1020548.jpg Home - Patagonia Have definitely lost count of the number of tow trucks by this point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d76960dfbc9620232c55a/1583183554643/3DARC2605.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d504f5a1c3c310545597f/1583173743276/10IMG_0807.jpeg Home - Patagonia We’ve well and truly lost count by this time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d651fa549a8093567d85b/1583179173340/4P1020353.jpg Home - Patagonia Somewhat ominous scarecrows manning the gates here. There were quite a few of these scattered through Patagonia and we never figured out why https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d66767a68077a7cdb18fd/1583179429374/2P1020378.jpg Home - Patagonia Starting to get close to the Torres https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d613379994676d2ea3cae/1583178100401/6P1020300.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d75510dfbc962023264fb/1583183229890/4DARC2564.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4ddf586a9006d27ba826/1583173136612/2DJI_0329.jpg Home - Patagonia The waters here are literally thick with giant rainbow trout. Any closer than this shot and you can see the dark water which is just solid with fish https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d741ecb7a917c87253389/1583182914783/4DARC2514.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6ed2a549a809356a71bd/1583181579528/7P1020506.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5b7e8041a02fb667ad47/1583176659237/3DJI_0406.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6b63d33c894d9d39418b/1583180764084/8P1020431.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d700a8041a02fb66d4b56/1583181881202/5P1020530.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4ea18cd4672dbd1b1b27/1583173323060/5IMG_0659.jpeg Home - Patagonia A typical rainbow trout of the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6d14a7dfdf6e9bee245c/1583181139081/6P1020478.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d70f57e12af263144fd79/1583182098874/4DARC2467.jpg Home - Patagonia An all too common sight: A Land Rover with the hood up https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d62ee79994676d2eaaf73/1583178546430/12P1020321.jpg Home - Patagonia Kelly used her zoom to catpure this photo but we were still probably a couple metres away as he perched on the guard rail right in front of us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d529b5ea10507874451ca/1583174391416/4IMG_0890.jpeg Home - Patagonia Kelly and the town of El Chalten were both born in 1985 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d52708b678d425121e806/1583174290126/3DARC2112.jpg Home - Patagonia Fitz Roy: famous for the Patagonia outdoor clothing brand logo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4fc2d974912487f43666/1583173603976/10IMG_0666.jpeg Home - Patagonia Such magnificent specimens https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d60ad87cda275479996e1/1583177941836/4DARC2225.jpg Home - Patagonia Mum & Kelly trying to stay warm and dry https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d626539872f0808e28e08/1583178391995/10P1020327.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d637839872f0808e2d23f/1583178696071/14P1020337.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d66b187cda275479b43d0/1583179512373/3P1020371.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5f0c87cda275479921f1/1583177534212/P1020287.jpg Home - Patagonia Back on the road pushing towards El Calafate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4d5dd34c2003d78bcaeb/1583173005019/4P1010935.jpg Home - Patagonia Cresting the final hill and descending down to the lodge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d512fd34c2003d78cc31e/1583173971479/1P1020090.jpg Home - Patagonia Play time on the way out. I love a good water crossing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6af839872f0808e4ce41/1583180564391/6DARC2357.jpg Home - Patagonia Perhaps our best glimpse of the torres on this pass through the park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d73f10dfbc96202320ab8/1583182866809/3DARC2499.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d606e7e12af26314087b1/1583177891072/3DARC2202.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4f0f1768482dc4c5937a/1583173441570/7IMG_0763.jpeg Home - Patagonia Lucho: our guide https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d646fd33c894d9d375ef5/1583178940035/2DARC2289.jpg Home - Patagonia The geography of the area is this: A coastal mountain range running down the west of the continent. The mountains trap all the rain on the west side and is quite green. So the east side (Argentinian side) is just dry rolling pampa (scrub) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5fa70dfbc962022c97af/1583177683537/P1020346.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5ccd9d200d5ee2a1c2a5/1583176955850/1IMG_0936.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d51895b6f9b4c2ff024da/1583174078271/3P1020097.jpg Home - Patagonia We were chewing through petrol and doing continuous fuel calculations. I swear I could see the gauge move as I stared at it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6cd187cda275479d1092/1583181067306/5P1020465.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d674ca7dfdf6e9bec8b5b/1583179656278/5P1020409.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5d87d33c894d9d35a281/1583177127999/4IMG_0920+copy.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d63d386c54568fae6497b/1583178777602/15DARC2274.jpg Home - Patagonia Time to head out: They really did an excellent job of the walkways and stairs. The expansive network really spreads out the tourists so you don’t feel like everyone is crawling on top of each other https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d72c0a7dfdf6e9befbdbb/1583182556558/6IMG_1107.jpeg Home - Patagonia This won’t mean much to most people but each of those codes represent an engine fault. Thankfully all stemming from the one root cause https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5b158e04a10988bf9e96/1583176565611/2P1020144.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6aada7dfdf6e9bed7471/1583180491323/4DARC2342.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d7755c9f8cf1b02a5b2d9/1583183746970/1DARC2611.jpg Home - Patagonia The Tierra del Fuego ferry appears to run all the time without a timetable and is just constantly back and forth as though its a continuation of the road. The cost is negligible https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d790ecbece00d7cbe0dc2/1583184212706/4DJI_0475.jpg Home - Patagonia The end of the world https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6c6b78f3d262f3edafb8/1583180947431/3P1020453.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4ce6d34c2003d78ba602/1583172893685/2P1010913.jpg Home - Patagonia Breaking up the three hour drive to Jurassic Lake Lodge - their traditional stopping point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d64397a68077a7cda78fb/1583178853553/1DARC2285.jpg Home - Patagonia Cutting back into Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6d5c644d611366653306/1583181200024/7P1020496.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d745e39872f0808e73d48/1583183004430/1DARC2534.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6e327a68077a7cdd304b/1583181395559/3DARC2422.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4d2a78e09a73708ecca4/1583172949327/3P1010915.jpg Home - Patagonia Jose leading the way in his Hilux. Despite us driving further and further from infrastructure that we may need like mechanics and gas stations, at least we knew we had a trusty Toyota with us to save the day if things went pear-shaped https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6e5d86c54568fae912f1/1583181428489/4DARC2428.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4f4b3427b847e85da0a0/1583173478340/8IMG_0785.jpeg Home - Patagonia This one left a little surprise on my pants. Occasionally they would eject their eggs when caught https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5fed79994676d2e9e2c9/1583177758067/1P1020296.jpg Home - Patagonia Perito Moreno Glacier https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d53a35b6f9b4c2ff09ed0/1583174617515/4P1020156.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5c78ebb34b5891057963/1583176892824/6DJI_0419.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d537a3427b847e85eaf64/1583174555440/3DARC2163.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6610ea6416178198b65f/1583179376081/1P1020407.jpg Home - Patagonia The road into Torres del Paine https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4da3a697922a400b5b01/1583173076968/1P1010949.jpg Home - Patagonia Jurassic Lake Lodge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d72038041a02fb66de2cb/1583182370856/2IMG_1099.jpeg Home - Patagonia A comfortable place to rest. Shame the heater was broken https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d7299c9f8cf1b02a46396/1583182517867/5IMG_1060.jpeg Home - Patagonia New and old. Such a simple and cheap component but enough to stop me in my tracks. I now carry spares https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d74df79994676d2ef9833/1583183108678/3DARC2551.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d61e321442c3df98b8a5b/1583178286329/8DARC2231.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d78621ac42648950c6db1/1583184024924/1DARC2628.jpg Home - Patagonia Nearing Ushuaia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4c031768482dc4c4db67/1583172690070/4P1010891.jpg Home - Patagonia So many overlanders have passed through these parts and have a habit of leaving their stickers across fuel pumps and the store fronts across the region https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4f71e282e661231598ae/1583173544715/9IMG_0744.jpeg Home - Patagonia All catch and release. Kelly doing her best to catch this one https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6a14c9f8cf1b02a1ffa2/1583180361445/2DARC2324.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6028644d61136661b998/1583177829323/2DARC2207.jpg Home - Patagonia A visitor stands in front of the 70m high ice wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier, conveniently providing my photo with some scale https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d76ce87cda275479fc164/1583183607863/4IMG_1178.jpeg Home - Patagonia The border crossing back from Chile into Argentina https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4b493172f13e820706bd/1583172494180/1P1010899.jpg Home - Patagonia A typical view in Patagonia. This photo could be almost anywhere https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d74a57e12af2631460a6a/1583183049793/2DARC2542.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6bfd0dfbc962022feb6a/1583180835947/1IMG_1030.jpeg Home - Patagonia Saddle chairs in the bar at Hotel Estancia Ovejero Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d75870dfbc9620232741b/1583183268755/5DARC2584.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d725e21442c3df9902f15/1583182467539/4IMG_1081.jpeg Home - Patagonia Chilean protests: The smaller towns were much more peaceful in their demonstrations. Nevertheless, you exercise a healthy amount of caution when social unrest in spreading through the country. We noted that several businesses obviously expected the worst and had boarded up their shops in fear of rioting and looting https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6f627e12af26314490ac/1583181686819/2DARC2462.jpg Home - Patagonia Lago Grey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d73b678f3d262f3ef976b/1583182821494/2DARC2484.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4c5bd974912487f3442a/1583172752235/5P1010883.jpg Home - Patagonia This was the view but my eyes were mostly glued to the fuel gauge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d715ac9f8cf1b02a41160/1583182194168/6IMG_1046.jpeg Home - Patagonia Good opportunity to try the Black & Ginger Riesling. While I’m off flitting about the world, my business partner (he’s the Black, I’m the Ginger) is back home doing the hard work and putting out some really good wines https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6b1e644d611366649bdf/1583180632672/7P1020422.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d696ec9f8cf1b02a1d12f/1583180237036/6P1020412.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6fcaa7dfdf6e9beee4ab/1583181825349/4P1020528.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d53e3cb7a917c871cb6b9/1583174659372/5DARC2137.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d704ea549a809356ad7f4/1583181944198/1P1020538.jpg Home - Patagonia Broken down… again. This time you can see my fan belt hanging off the bull bar https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d50e078e09a73708fbf79/1583173912347/14IMG_0802.jpeg Home - Patagonia The lodge was small; all guests are at the table so in total it was myself, mum, sister, the two twins who were friends of the owner and the three gents at the end https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5c248041a02fb667d67b/1583176812108/5P1020261.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6f82644d61136665c81d/1583181758664/3P1020527.jpg Home - Patagonia The icebergs of Lago Grey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d77eddd1c4a113e004919/1583183892443/4DARC2620.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d62ab39872f0808e29f68/1583178467175/11P1020310.jpg Home - Patagonia A Condor (I think) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5312586a9006d27cee59/1583174454569/1DARC2155.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d623786c54568fae5ee20/1583178324137/9IMG_0988.jpeg Home - Patagonia Mum is cute AF https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d764c644d6113666793ad/1583183456838/1DARC2600.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d77ba88d80e518848499a/1583183833182/3DARC2612.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d75af86c54568faeb0016/1583183305108/6DARC2585.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d781f10cf69734cf6c7a3/1583183947668/5IMG_1175.jpeg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d50b9a697922a400c15b7/1583173839569/13IMG_0858.jpeg Home - Patagonia Each night the chef Naza would whip up something absolutely amazing. But no fish on the menu, the government prohibited taking any fish out of the lake https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d64c5d33c894d9d377949/1583179027087/3P1020352.jpg Home - Patagonia Guanaco … or llamas … or whichever. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d69e6cb7a917c8722a401/1583180298736/1DARC2314.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6a55d33c894d9d38f41b/1583180450250/3DARC2339.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e64059a2d98b5251aed526e/1583613349313/2DARC2629.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4e68f31daf07a50d483f/1583173267764/4DJI_0341.jpg Home - Patagonia There are two main fishing spots from our lodge - directly out front on the shore and the upstream in right of frame https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5d3fa7dfdf6e9be9e4e0/1583177075491/3IMG_0916+copy.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6ad5ea641617819a0ce6/1583180525885/5DARC2352.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d717c39872f0808e66ba2/1583182241412/7IMG_1049.jpeg Home - Patagonia The new Riesling gets Mum’s stamp of approval. But she is quite easy to please https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d52378b678d425121d78f/1583174246956/2DARC2124.jpg Home - Patagonia Blessed with perfect weather as we rolled into town https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4b961768482dc4c4be5e/1583172603381/3P1010890.jpg Home - Patagonia Bajo Carcoles: one of the smallest towns we came across. Thankfully with a working fuel pump https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5ab9c9f8cf1b029de824/1583176460575/1DJI_0372.JPG Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6eb239872f0808e5bce0/1583181514257/6DARC2446.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5d03c9f8cf1b029e81bb/1583177013777/2IMG_0912+copy.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d7315a549a809356ba439/1583182677989/8IMG_1147.jpeg Home - Patagonia Daniel wanted to make 100% sure that I knew the cause of the problem https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6f25d33c894d9d3a3016/1583181657638/1DARC2456.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d60e4cb7a917c87201975/1583178012360/5DARC2219.jpg Home - Patagonia There’s a condor more or less centre frame here if you look hard https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5e5dc9f8cf1b029edc94/1583177384226/P1020141.jpg Home - Patagonia Aprés-style drinks in the cold but with a healthy dose of sun keeping us warm with our artesenal beers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d75d57a68077a7cdf53d0/1583183356599/7DARC2592.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4e191768482dc4c55acd/1583173209068/3P1020041.jpg Home - Patagonia Pulling in one of the ~65 trout https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d770378f3d262f3f08149/1583183670222/5IMG_1188.jpeg Home - Patagonia I’ve had probably 15 or so quick vehicle searches by Argentinian police since arriving in the country. But they’re just doing their job and early single one of them has been lovely and chatty and many have asked about my trip and if they can come with me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d766c0dfbc9620232b588/1583183500400/2DARC2604.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d73830dfbc9620231ec53/1583182765809/1DARC2481.jpg Home - Patagonia Punta Arenas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d70847a68077a7cdde840/1583182005280/2P1020540.jpg Home - Patagonia I figured out very quickly what the problem was but it wasn’t something I was going to be able to solve on the side of the road with the spares I had at the time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d65afebb34b589107f7da/1583179243126/5P1020359.jpg Home - Patagonia We had a lot riding on this gas station. If it wasn’t running, then we would have been in big trouble. As we showed up, it didn’t look attended but sure enough after pulling up, someone came out of their little house alongside to pump the gas. They were just staying out of the wind and going about their day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d722dea641617819c0421/1583182419100/3IMG_1123.jpeg Home - Patagonia A kindred spirit: Robert and I shared many interests from motorbikes, overlanding, travel and Latin America in general. Robert would become a good friend and guide while I was waylaid in Puerto Natales https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6e0bd33c894d9d39eb76/1583181352436/2DARC2412.jpg Home - Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d5f48a549a80935663d1e/1583177628460/P1020293.jpg Home - Patagonia Perito Moreno Glacier is just beyond those mountains https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d4ff8fa653c41616283fb/1583173670882/11IMG_0827.jpeg Home - Patagonia The fact that we’re both holding fish at this point is testament to how quickly we were pulling thing in https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5d6703a549a80935685d6b/1583179586366/4P1020394.jpg Home - Patagonia Guanaco https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/3/1/chile monthly 0.5 2020-03-08 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be6909d9d61249dc6e2b9/1583081138506/5IMG_0256+copy.jpg Home - Chile Headed down into the cellars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beb206b59fb4dac0e85b9/1583082335424/3IMG_5344.JPG Home - Chile The perpetrating spike went straight through the tire. But a clean puncture and easy to patch up https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bfa6da72c2f71ab065db5/1583086254843/3IMG_0599.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bee737a7f3216d6d7c075/1583083176817/2IMG_0470.jpeg Home - Chile A quiet pub that reminded my of the little dive bars back in Wisconsin. We watched on TV as the protests kicked off and Santiago’s streets began to fill with fires and violence https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be8e69c441026dc936493/1583081754388/7IMG_0156+copy.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf790d344ff762e4e8180/1583085505148/1P1010820.jpg Home - Chile The drive from Coyhaique to Puerto Ibañez https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be92fb728573d1b93fd0e/1583081824137/5IMG_0132+copy.jpg Home - Chile There are many ‘ascensores’ (elevators) around the city to allow its inhabitants to scale the steep hills. They are actually funiculars (cable cars) but local tradition has them called otherwise https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf0d39c441026dc94bb6e/1583083772983/1P1010662.jpg Home - Chile Chaiten https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be1b1212d7f00cada368e/1583079893038/7IMG_0959.jpg Home - Chile Eventually I limped into the city of La Serena and found a motel. Being a Sunday, I couldn’t do much but pull out all my muddy gear and start to wash it down and re-pack https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bed8cd344ff762e4cf4eb/1583082933730/4DARC2006.jpg Home - Chile A local market served and some lovely weather aided in killing some time while waiting for our evening ferry https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf5d5e6c06e061fb19546/1583085070299/3P1010752.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be6bbe6c06e061faf1c47/1583081194264/6IMG_0258+copy.jpg Home - Chile The cellars were reasonably impressive, presumably dating back to the late 1800’s like the business itself https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf9689d9d61249dca2021/1583085967626/6P1010851.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be6f6bcd48e5c8c4c12d6/1583081236970/7IMG_0270+copy.jpg Home - Chile Admittedly it got a little gimmicky down there with all the devil stuff, sound effects and the explanation about the meaning of the name (which I’ve now forgotten because we were laughing too much at how ridiculous the explanatory movie was) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be846a72c2f71ab032163/1583081591895/3IMG_0120+copy.jpg Home - Chile According to our guide, some influencer made this door ‘Insta-famous’, but it has no significance, just a colourful door https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be1eed48f8f22c9f293c5/1583079938669/ Home - Chile With my Mum arriving the next day and not getting the assistance I was hoping for in La Serena, I bit the bullet and got a tow to Santiago. It was an expensive proposition but I knew a mechanic in Santiago and at least I could the car in the shop that night and make the airport to pick up my Mum the next morning https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be23bd344ff762e4b29b6/1583080036805/10IMG_0284+copy.jpg Home - Chile Cristian and his crew setting to work the next day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bed67118337590dafebf9/1583082882967/3DARC2003.JPG Home - Chile Our new favourite beer - Kuntsmann. An example of the German influence in the region, Kuntsmann is brewed in nearby Valdivia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf67de0cc0e63b18f06d3/1583085438172/6IMG_0518.jpeg Home - Chile Ventisquero Colgante glacier in Queulat National Park https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf514af79a531e0dac421/1583084884726/1IMG_0500.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf55e55dd08365438c39f/1583085003268/2P1010750.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be2c9a72c2f71ab024ae4/1583080160830/1IMG_1039.jpg Home - Chile Getting Mum a the airport https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beab417c29a501a410597/1583082204483/1IMG_1015.JPG Home - Chile One of many punctures of the past year or so and won’t be the last https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bed16d48f8f22c9f48328/1583082807375/1DARC1995.JPG Home - Chile On the lake shore https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bedc0a72c2f71ab040bcb/1583083012230/5P1010625.JPG Home - Chile The Osorno Volcano is visible from most of Puerto Varas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf911d344ff762e4eb333/1583085882015/4P1010833.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf1b055dd083654381573/1583084012306/1P1010700.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be496e6c06e061faec037/1583080677437/4IMG_0333+copy.jpg Home - Chile A minor miracle I was able to photograph these two without anyone else in frame https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf660a72c2f71ab05999f/1583085171913/5IMG_0524.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf8d4bcd48e5c8c4f27e9/1583085831584/3P1010827.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be526d344ff762e4b9712/1583080780949/6IMG_0348+copy.jpg Home - Chile A tidy and well presented section of the city filled with museums, galleries and government buildings https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf61c9c441026dc959fa2/1583085141094/4P1010729.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be5625da97a29826b79ea/1583080828277/7IMG_0355+copy.jpg Home - Chile Miraculously, while taking a work call outside a pub, I saw a familiar face walk by. Cyril and I had worked in the same building and been involved in a startup business together about nine years earlier. I had no idea where in the world he was but remarkable how quickly you can place a face on a busy street, even completely out of context https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bebf65da97a29826c8d41/1583082515440/7+IMG_0463.jpeg Home - Chile Setting out on the road with a new bit of kit Kelly had delivered me - my Ultra Gauge. Now one of my favourite bits of kit. It was telling me from the outset of our departure from Santiago that I had no signal to my front two air sensors https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf286bcd48e5c8c4e0842/1583084214109/4DARC2073.JPG Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf9999d9d61249dca2c4d/1583086015530/7P1010859.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be4edbd974c78733aac33/1583080730859/5IMG_0340+copy.jpg Home - Chile Church… I don’t know. Don’t pay attention when it comes to Churches anymore. Something to do with religion… there may have been an earthquake involved at some point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5becccd48f8f22c9f4788b/1583082745638/3P1010622.JPG Home - Chile Proud to be chauffeuring my mum around South America https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf1099c441026dc94c362/1583083852109/2P1010693.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf2f7b728573d1b95b6e8/1583084309489/6DARC2091.JPG Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be34db728573d1b930183/1583080308964/4IMG_0037.jpeg Home - Chile An early sitting for our meal at Borago. While we got there at 7pm, I’m sure we didn’t leave for a good three hours or so https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bea65bcd48e5c8c4ca4ed/1583082138576/XIMG_0384+copy.jpg Home - Chile Packing up at the hotel prior to departure south towards Patagonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be9ced344ff762e4c646f/1583081977327/9IMG_0203+copy.jpg Home - Chile A local dish: Lomo a la pobre which consists of meat, chips and an egg on top https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf7ca9c441026dc95f375/1583085559861/2P1010802.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bed40483fcf203354fb5d/1583082842989/2DARC1999.JPG Home - Chile Plaza de Armas https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf39817c29a501a429f72/1583084486279/IMG_0544.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beb67d344ff762e4ca6be/1583082381240/4IMG_5347.JPG Home - Chile Tire on, airing up, ready to go https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bec6017c29a501a414cec/1583082631639/1IMG_0428+copy.jpg Home - Chile The lake shore at Villarrica https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bef1917c29a501a41c562/1583083341559/5P1010656.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf2cc55dd083654384a13/1583084269496/5DARC2089.JPG Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be18ce6c06e061fae53b4/1583079849151/6IMG_0951.jpg Home - Chile This was a low point. About two thirds of the way through the day after bopping one cylinder at a time with my little trick to clean and reattach the spark plug leads, at this location I had four cylinders (from different coils) playing up all at once. I replaced the four spark plugs on the side of the road, around a blind corner as huge tracks barrelled past but the fix didn’t hold as I’d hoped https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be01fa72c2f71ab01d866/1583079476814/DARC1955.jpg Home - Chile The Chilean side of the border. I realise looking back how nervous I was about the days driving to arrive here because there were absolutely no photos and I was obviously more focused on just getting the drive done https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bfa2755dd083654398aea/1583086178193/2P1010867.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be32a6b59fb4dac0d3860/1583080259760/3IMG_0026.jpeg Home - Chile Mum and I at the Museo de Bella Artes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be37d9c441026dc927600/1583080359012/5IMG_0046.jpg Home - Chile I can’t even remember what the food was but I believe it was served out of a barnacle https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bebc8118337590dafaf48/1583082476247/6IMG_0390+copy.jpg Home - Chile Inspecting the spike, it appears as through someone fashioned it from a piece of metal into something designed to puncture a tire https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6136cdba1d791ba749d718/1583429443056/4DARC1965.jpg Home - Chile Eventually I arrived in the dark to this beach in Taltal on the Chilean coast. With no one in sight and camping appearing to be legal, I parked and camped up for a short sleep before continuing on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be4029c441026dc928c38/1583080490858/1IMG_0224+copy.jpg Home - Chile Christmas time! Kelly brought all manner of things. From spark plugs, diagnostic computer, thermostats, coolant hoses, heavy duty tape for fixing leaks, gaskets, a rooftop tent heater and so many many more little necessary and unnecessary things https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf1585da97a29826d719f/1583083920247/3P1010695.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be6189d9d61249dc6cdfd/1583081027141/3IMG_0238.jpg Home - Chile Torontel is not a variety that gets much airtime in Australia or other places I’ve been but somewhat common in both Chile and Argentina https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beae7483fcf20335489c3/1583082262726/2IMG_1017.JPG Home - Chile Still slower than I’d like to be on a tire change but it’s within 30 minutes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be167bcd48e5c8c4b2b08/1583079810317/5IMG_0934.jpg Home - Chile Just south of Puerto Flamenco a couple hours into a full days drive, the warning lights were telling me I had misfires again https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be882e6c06e061faf61d1/1583081677290/4IMG_0131+copy.jpg Home - Chile Looking out onto the Port of Valparaiso. It used to be an important port before the Panama Canal was built. Prior to the canal, ships would pass around the south end of the continent through the Straights of Magellan https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bee29483fcf20335527cb/1583083088177/1DARC2017.jpg Home - Chile Catching a glimpse of our car ferry arriving several hours before boarding https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf891b728573d1b96a0b5/1583085770686/2P1010828.jpg Home - Chile Waiting for the ferry to Chile Chico https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf854a72c2f71ab05f0b9/1583085701601/1P1010829.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be59bd344ff762e4ba7f5/1583080906271/1IMG_0229+copy.jpg Home - Chile The old ‘I’m trapped in the pot’ gag. My mum is cute https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be969118337590daf5225/1583081889072/6IMG_0136.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf25bb728573d1b959dad/1583084155664/3DARC2068.JPG Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf369e6c06e061fb1363d/1583084429097/IMG_0542.jpeg Home - Chile Eco Cabañas Wanderlust https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be03f9c441026dc91ed09/1583079516464/DARC1953.jpg Home - Chile Beginning the descent out the high plains down to the desert across sand-swept highways. Amazing how nice it was to actually be on a road at this point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be64c212d7f00cadb0376/1583081094673/4IMG_0246+copy.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bea0317c29a501a40eada/1583082056083/10IMG_0209+copy.jpg Home - Chile Mum making friends down at the cerveceria https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be2e9483fcf2033532f82/1583080225453/2IMG_0021.jpeg Home - Chile Museo de Bellas Artes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be4349d9d61249dc68a5d/1583080542742/2IMG_0292+copy.jpg Home - Chile Kelly and I comparing the Chilean and Peruvian Pisco https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf1fc9c441026dc94e5d2/1583084114520/2DARC2057.JPG Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf9ecb728573d1b96dd53/1583086110272/1P1010869.jpg Home - Chile The morning we cross into Argentina, staring out the hotel window at the ferry that brought us here the day before https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf944af79a531e0db7eb9/1583085918843/5IMG_0575.jpeg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be0707a7f3216d6d580dd/1583079603613/DARC1964.jpg Home - Chile Stunning colours of the mountains https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be71d0054c853618c82ef/1583081277428/8IMG_0267+copy.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be80fd48f8f22c9f3a360/1583081533702/2IMG_0107+copy.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beee06b59fb4dac0f21e4/1583083279708/4P1010648.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be467a72c2f71ab028711/1583080588506/3IMG_0326+copy.jpg Home - Chile The Pre-Columbian Museum. It was very good actually, worth a visit to anyone who gets to Santiago https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be5d3af79a531e0d84b06/1583080973386/2IMG_0230+copy.jpg Home - Chile Concha y Toro vineyard https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beb97118337590dafa797/1583082429815/5IMG_0389+copy.jpg Home - Chile These guys patched the tire while we ate lunch. They were quicker than the time it took to serve the food https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be20f17c29a501a3f97d6/1583079985638/9IMG_1004.jpg Home - Chile In the passenger seat of Mario’s tow truck. Eight hours down the Chilean coast together to Santiago https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf8089d9d61249dc9ed51/1583085631631/3P1010822.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5beeb355dd083654379095/1583083221009/3DARC2040.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be79fd48f8f22c9f39282/1583081477633/1IMG_0105+copy.jpg Home - Chile We are not hippies. We are happies https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5be9abaf79a531e0d8e642/1583081923182/8IMG_0173+copy.jpg Home - Chile https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bec9117c29a501a4157e3/1583082691110/2IMG_0430+copy.jpg Home - Chile Mum, Kelly and Jolene https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e5bf31f7a7f3216d6d88dc8/1583084360121/7IMG_0484.jpeg Home - Chile https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/3/13/north-to-buenos-aires monthly 0.5 2020-04-02 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd9e84821c02cb67e495d/1584126868863/1_DSC3621.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Start of the day and fresh legs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be78f988ba00bc92d7794/1584130010086/5DARC3194.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Rio Cañadon de las Toros https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bced3752b38570ee4bd96/1584123674375/6DJI_0481.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Ushuaia can be seen mid-frame on the ocean’s edge https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcb1ea49df0743895a74b/1584122688112/1G0072175.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The final stretch of Ruta 3 headed towards the ‘fin del mundo’ (end of the world) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd8bf4821c02cb67e0c92/1584126242120/2DARC2836.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires My second time in Torres del Paine had kinder weather and the blue skies gave us stunning views of the torres (towers) from many angles https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd3b51e6b032a2c053d98/1584124884351/1G0082184.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires My last car ferry: these had become commonplace ever since crossing into Chilean Patagonia more than a month before https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bce84b88de003224fb271/1584123581427/5DJI_0480.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd593b34a5b59dc94a372/1584125343405/3IMG_4449.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Removing the debris https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdf6e62c24817d5365cfa/1584127892210/18DARC3037.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bedd604fc08721da00532/1584131565093/7IMG_1539.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires The sun setting is a natural alarm clock: time for a beer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bebc52d7950335b1bd229/1584131142023/3_DSC4212.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The occasional skunk draws our attention from the otherwise empty plains https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdfafa8232e06276e4c0b/1584127946222/1DARC3044.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Exit from Torres del Pain https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd3de999ad667c53cd17d/1584124949401/2IMG_1268.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bded52d7950335b1945b6/1584127735451/15DARC2984.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beeaec73ea636183ab900/1584131773562/3IMG_4600.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge) in Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd1412d7950335b1674ac/1584124349327/8IMG_1255.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabri and I had both had enough of the cold. Each kilometre we drove north was one kilometre closer to summer in Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdd13d3ba72301e46eb71/1584127285352/7DARC2868.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The trail splits at multiple times with one path for hikers and the other for those on horseback. Although we never saw anyone actually riding horses that day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bde0a62c24817d5361fed/1584127537491/11DARC2940.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires About three hours into our four hour ascent, the dirt ground became snow-covered https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bed5e999ad667c542093b/1584131452749/4DARC3229.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The main square in Tandil https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be11c43f2951062961820/1584128333358/7IMG_1353.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires These scarecrows were definitely scary but I don’t know their purpose (presumably not to scare crows, perhaps to scare tourists) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd95d4821c02cb67e2f22/1584126351016/4IMG_4183.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Right before we were told if we didn’t get to the trail in a few minutes, we wouldn’t be allowed to hike that day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be456b34a5b59dc97b3ba/1584129155666/10DARC3178.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdbefa8232e06276d83aa/1584127053066/3DARC2850.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires I didn’t have a chance to explore many of the attractions that this sign was suggesting - perhaps I’ve left enough to go back one day and give it the time it deserves https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beabef9334739b3a2b0bb/1584130796185/5IMG_2985.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires For some unknown reason, there’s nothing more fun to me than driving into a river https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcc56037a0561dd60b1c5/1584123034165/4.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The end of the road: My days of driving south were behind me. It also is not lost on me that the title of the blog - The Long Drive South - has become redundant since this is no longer the endpoint to my adventure. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bca56037a0561dd604e30/1584122497059/IMG_1199.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires When I met Fabri, he had just returned from an Antarctic cruise and would talk at length about the penguin colonies, the beautiful blue colours of the ice and taking plunges into the freezing cold waters from the boat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bde8b62c24817d53634a7/1584127671930/14DARC2979.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabri enjoying our prize for reaching the top https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcc0481c61452cda9d7ae/1584122954097/3DARC2665.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires While the sign said a touch under 18,000km, running the journey through Google Maps puts it more around 28,000km of roads. By this time, my odometer had registered more than 50,000km since beginning around a year ago https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd56cb88de0032251341b/1584125304714/2IMG_4448.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The Chilean police and one of their armoured trucks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcca419bb1f4bdbde132b/1584123139385/5DJI_0465.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Looking south towards the Beagle Channel (via drone) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be542953e3a388f22a6e5/1584129520176/2_DSC3973.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bca8ab33b15147b29e696/1584122544999/IMG_1206.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Each time we crossed back into Argentina from Chile - which I did many times - I was thankful for the noticeably better food and wine (sorry to my Chilean friends but it’s true) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdf372f532454d964283b/1584127841097/17DARC3030.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be03f953e3a388f21ae52/1584128161538/4DARC3063.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Positivity is a great characteristic in a travel companion https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd33b04fc08721d9ab00c/1584124772212/3DARC2747.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be9bf2f532454d9663927/1584130567834/1IMG_1424.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fishing spot for the day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beda9752b38570eeafff8/1584131530475/6IMG_1534.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires The streets of Tandil https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bea51c73ea6361839b62b/1584130674727/3IMG_1420.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Braving the cold mountain waters https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd004b34a5b59dc93771f/1584124001199/4IMG_1245.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires A random message left for me by a stranger was a nice surprise to wake up to as we set off https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be006988ba00bc92beb41/1584128048927/3DARC3056.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Leaving Torres del Paine (Chile) and back into Argentina towards El Calafate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcdb0ede584624b496064/1584123355492/2IMG_1219.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabrizio (Turin, Italy) and Tim (Melbourne, Australia) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd79c953e3a388f1fd735/1584125885084/10DARC2798.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires While not pointed at the current government, this mask covered a bronze statue with a translation that reads: “In memory of the indigenous peoples assassinated by the Chilean state and the landowners in the era or the mercenary Popper, McLennan, Braun Menendez”, a reference to genocide perpetrated by Julius Popper against the indigenous Selk'nam people during the late 19th century https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd5dd62c24817d5345f6f/1584125418886/6IMG_4452.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The truck following the protestors as they scattered and blasting them with the water cannon https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bea13999ad667c54152df/1584130630686/2IMG_1417.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Gabe on the hunt for trout https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdba2972d5f3eb4f48467/1584126940112/2DARC2843.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires A cheery Fabrizio as we set off for Base las Torres https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be2cd2f532454d964df09/1584128765052/3DARC3098.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The last time we were here, it was half raining / snowing. Blue skies proved much more pleasant https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd0b343f295106292b971/1584124166546/6DARC2735.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires A lookout on the drive out of Ushuaia. I had to fight hard to resist driving down this trail to see where it led, but we had places to be https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd6aa752b38570ee65088/1584125693233/9DARC2791.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Centre frame it says “Piñera basura” which refers to Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, and ‘basura’ means trash https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcd2aa55453445ecdde59/1584123304132/1DARC2676.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The Martial Mountains just outside the town of Ushuaia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be5fa4821c02cb6808e06/1584129580763/3IMG_1366.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be6ef988ba00bc92d575a/1584129824389/2IMG_1410.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires The crew at a waterfall https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd680a8232e06276c6323/1584125597344/8DARC2790.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fuck tha Police https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be72c04fc08721d9eacf0/1584129872947/3IMG_1411.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires One of many lookouts to the many waterfalls of the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be81a953e3a388f232ed0/1584130141041/7DARC3214.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Cerro Fitzroy and Lago Capri https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd8292d7950335b17ed6d/1584126133604/DARC2828.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Parque Nacional Torres del Paine https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be1fe1e6b032a2c083fd3/1584128637518/1_DSC3887.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Pampas Fox https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bee5762c24817d5395c9f/1584131709385/1IMG_1564.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Our first evening in Buenos Aires at Parilla Don Julio - ranked among the world’s best steak restaurants, situated immediately next to my apartment and a place would become a weekly dining fixture for me https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be308752b38570ee8d9f9/1584128812633/4DARC3101.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Perito Moreno Glacier has an average height of 74m above the surface (the ice wall you see here). What’s more impressive is that the average total thickness, if you include the ice below the surface, is 170m. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bed32953e3a388f2430b0/1584131407782/3IMG_1516.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Homemade salsiccia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be17bb88de0032253ae1f/1584128395495/9IMG_4303.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires I’d passed through this region before and knew that this necessary little gas station was operational, thus easing any concerns about the cross through the pampa back to El Calafate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd06cc73ea6361834c3cc/1584124056760/5DARC2716.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Another example of photography failing to capture the beauty of what we witnessed with our eyes. The contrast between the snow and rock of this mountain was unreal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd469f9334739b39e3b5b/1584125182054/4IMG_1290.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Our host at the Isla Magdalena bed and breakfast was a pleasure and wished us well I left him behind for the second time https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdc59999ad667c53e8cbf/1584127118278/4DARC2853.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Staying in the park of Torres del Paine itself is possible but horrendously expensive. We didn’t see the value given we had the freedom of our own vehicle and could stay in the nearby town of Puerto Natales with many more amenities and a fraction of the price https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd420999ad667c53cdc92/1584125021985/3IMG_1286.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Our quiet bed and breakfast outside of Punta Arenas as Fabri and I develop our a rhythm travelling together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd7c81e6b032a2c0621fa/1584125925424/11IMG_1294.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Chile no puede mas: ‘Chile can’t take it any more’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdd6ba8232e06276dd44b/1584127392349/9DARC2892.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires I took several hundred photos this day. It proved an excellent place to continue to practice using my new (used) Cannon 5D MKIII https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcfc8f9334739b39d310a/1584123895544/3DARC2695.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabri had been pining for an opportunity to drive with me for the better part of a year. I was honoured that we eventually had the chance to travel together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beafad3ba72301e49ce47/1584130852878/6IMG_1428.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires The cost of my childish obsession with river crossings was that the carpets soaked through, also saturating several of our possessions including Gabe’s book and my box of spare parts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd99b43f2951062947643/1584126412237/5DARC2810.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Amazing how much difference clear skies can make. My previous time in Torres del Paine didn’t allow much visibility and all of these views were obscured by cloud https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bec4f972d5f3eb4f7cc93/1584131184439/4IMG_1481.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires The hotel / service station / restaurant / general store of Bajo Caracoles https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd92da8232e06276ce719/1584126288540/3DARC2823.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires This is how I remember Fabrizio in large part - hidden behind his telescopic lens https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beccf1861a32988350858/1584131323789/1IMG_1511.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Epocha de Quesos: The first gourmet food we’d found since leaving Ushuaia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bee87b88de00322566aff/1584131748075/2DARC3269.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Estadio Alberto J. Armando, aka La Bombonera, and the home of Club Atletico Boca Juniors. I would later have the privilege of seeing a home game here https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be65a59bf4c196ccf6a38/1584129704192/5IMG_1391.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdfd462c24817d5366c62/1584127991128/2DARC3050.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdcd2f9334739b39ff465/1584127230897/6DARC2866.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Argentinian Gaucho https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be41e972d5f3eb4f63263/1584129097984/9DARC3173.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd2eb59bf4c196ccb60e7/1584124723038/2DARC2759.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd374f9334739b39e02bd/1584124825488/4DARC2779.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bec7bd3ba72301e4a2446/1584131225136/5IMG_1483.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabri making himself at home. Given his profession, he is appointed the ‘Food and Beverage Director’ of the journey https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bed8962c24817d539374e/1584131485690/5IMG_1530.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires While I don’t always cherish having to work from the road, more often than not it beats having to work from the office back home https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdf0559bf4c196ccdd46c/1584127785637/16DARC3028.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be1604821c02cb67fa6cb/1584128365647/8IMG_4297.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Clowning around https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bde58a8232e06276e077b/1584127613563/12DARC2953.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires A perfect view of the Torres https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdd401861a3298831cfe0/1584127328136/8DARC2875.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Windy Pass https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be286c73ea63618384284/1584128703898/2DARC3093.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Perito Moreno Glacier https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beb5b1861a3298834b896/1584130952937/1IMG_1472.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabri gets his chance behind the wheel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd116953e3a388f1e7e05/1584124215547/7DARC2718.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Again, I can’t help but feel the photograph only partially captures the beauty of this scene https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd53dd3ba72301e455dc1/1584125281946/1DARC2804.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Parked next to the a small and peaceful protest https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be4a3b34a5b59dc97bf3d/1584129334961/1_DSC3981.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcb4c19bb1f4bdbddd28c/1584122866875/2_DSC3266.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires She hadn’t made it easy on me but Jolene had made the distance and I was proud to have nursed the temperamental Land Rover all of this way https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be868972d5f3eb4f70a89/1584130327049/8_DSC4197.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Jack, myself, Gabe and Fabrizio at Lago Capri under Cerro Fitzroy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd61f2f532454d9623076/1584125526470/7IMG_4453.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Armoured truck with their water cannon trained on the protestors https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcf4e972d5f3eb4f1cacd/1584123790782/1DARC2700.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires I probably wasn’t allowed to drive up onto the monument but I couldn’t resist. We hastily took the photo and made haste northwards https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be6bf2f532454d9659eca/1584129764054/1IMG_4240.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Exploring outside of El Chalten https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcde82f532454d9608888/1584123424048/3DARC2679.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be638a8232e06276f9fdb/1584129614459/4IMG_1378.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bdc9a1e6b032a2c072e03/1584127172557/5DARC2856.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Give way to horses https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be7e5a8232e0627700247/1584130054752/6DARC3200.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires View from the Lago Capri hike of the previous day’s drive up the river https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beb94953e3a388f23df0d/1584131001991/2IMG_1473.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Lunch stop for sandwichitos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bea86d3ba72301e49b95d/1584130724815/4IMG_2978.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Our only prize of the day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be337972d5f3eb4f600bc/1584128872441/5DARC3110.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires The calving ice https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bd2342d7950335b169d08/1584124640388/1DARC2742.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bce28752b38570ee49ece/1584123512652/4DARC2680.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be378972d5f3eb4f60f06/1584128926063/6DARC3128.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Gabe, Jack and Fabrizio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bed0659bf4c196cd0e552/1584131365813/2IMG_1512.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires I can’t describe our excitement as we walked into the building and be greeted with this selection of cheeses and cured meats. 14-hours on the road is more than enough to build an appetite and thirst for wine https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be0e21e6b032a2c08006e/1584128272209/6IMG_1346.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires A remote Chile / Argentina border crossing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bee1a2f532454d9673a20/1584131651086/8IMG_1547.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires We did a reasonable job of cutting down the local bug population as we drove the 4,000 or 5,000km from Ushuaia up to Buenos Aires. By the time we arrived, the car was well and truly read for a wash https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bca3a0e0a9b1171bb59bb/1584122444906/IMG_1201.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Enjoying my first beer with Fabri after my arrival in Ushuaia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be75b1861a3298833e596/1584129918916/4DARC3190.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Gabe seeking the best vantage point https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be0b0999ad667c53f73dd/1584128210975/5DARC3070.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires Fabrizio would take photos of the scenery, I would take photos of my car https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6beca4a8232e0627710d2d/1584131251910/6IMG_1500.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Another lunch stop and a moment to take in the Argentinian countryside https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be3f52d7950335b1a3a63/1584129043434/8DARC3147.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6bcf9704fc08721d99e306/1584123838642/2IMG_1246.jpeg Home - North to Buenos Aires Beginning of our first day’s drive together https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e6be3a9988ba00bc92cb6ec/1584128999875/7DARC3141.jpg Home - North to Buenos Aires There’s no occasion a little wine won’t improve https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/4/7/rollover-in monthly 0.5 2020-04-12 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d244e90b2a8587339eda9/1586308233374/2IMG_3215.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert This photo show’s the best view of the situation. With three wheels off the trail and the front-left on it, the plan was to follow the tire marks that lead up the slope taking a line slightly to the left of them to avoid the ruts on the right. I only made it a metre or two forward of this shot before the car rolled https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d45e5813db05894faa574/1586316829100/IMG_3442.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert The guys at Todo Ford did a great job and had me on the road again much quicker and for much less money than I was expecting and as soon as it was ready I was on my way to Cordoba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d23b310eeeb46a884e742/1586308070659/3IMG_3212.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Looking back over our path to Mendoza on the flats below the hills https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d445485799e1fe9093e67/1586316487623/IMG_3330.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert A rock caught under the car caused this hole which is now patched. The side steps suffered from being dragged across the ground https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d423a90b2a858733ed3bb/1586315892968/IMG_3296+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Jacking the roof rack is a small contribution relative to the power of Jorge’s winch but we want to give the operation every chance of success https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d44dd8f68bc0143778b78/1586316552656/IMG_3331.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert The side mirror took the biggest beating. It was the only thing that needed to be replaced - the rest was just bashed and bent back (more or less) into it’s previous shape https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d456485799e1fe909621c/1586316693612/IMG_3393.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Amazingly the windows didn’t even break. The front windscreen did develop a new crack but is superficial and will probably never be fixed https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d23ff8f68bc0143728ad6/1586308163963/1IMG_3214.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Immediately before we tipped: I had enough time to inspect the situation but foolishly, despite this, disregarded the signs that we were close to tipping. From looking at the photo above, many people would probably find it hard to believe the car was near to it’s tipping point but whn the back when the back left wheel dropped off the ledge, the centre of gravity would be too far over the wheels https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d43b190b2a858733f0e6a/1586316217813/IMG_5186%2Bcopy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Giving Jorge a huge hug in appreciation for saving us https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d3fb79a6ae9365a04bfbd/1586315251152/IMG_3278.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Emilio manoeuvring into a better position https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d234ad4d7ce5942bd733c/1586308006743/1IMG_3207.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert The first hour was saw us winding up the series of switch backs referred to as the ‘caracoles’ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d410144d62924e8056491/1586315646987/IMG_3290+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Emilio and Jorge confer on the plan of attack https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d40c485799e1fe908b8b4/1586315487906/IMG_3289+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert The sad view of my car as we prepared to jump into Emilio’s car, abandon mine and head to Mendoza for the night https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d26c0c9803e244ef7bdd0/1586308840604/2+IMG_3242.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert In less than 10-minutes from the roll, I’m already enjoying myself https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d418a02c0b1299e8bb692/1586315729269/IMG_3293+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Emilio’s disabled car can be seen down the trail. The distance from the oil patch to the snorkel show the collective progress of the day - literally just dragging my car two feet closer to the bank. Meanwhile I prepare to take a piece of the load with the hi-lift while Jorge begins to winch from the left https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d42814d9b706e8cf8135d/1586315984490/IMG_3302+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert The moment right before the car falls gently to a rest on all four wheels https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d26f2ce13b13d5eb8448f/1586308996149/3+IMG_3244.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert All loose items including the contents of the centre console follow gravity the the drivers side https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d4056c0354b0728036382/1586315366436/IMG_5185%2Bcopy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Eventually Emilio’s vehicle is lined up perpendicular to my car and offers the best chance of righting it. The challenge is that he had to build momentum from a short run up while point up a hill in the sand https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d43e944ca42619688eaab/1586316321416/G0092291.JPG Home - Rollover in the desert A fast-paced convoy back to Mendoza towards the safety of the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d4348252fcc6118bc8a21/1586316140311/IMG_3308+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Celebrating: Jorge, me, Emilio (left to right) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d2493ce13b13d5eb7e58f/1586308312268/3IMG_3216.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert And there it was. We were on our side. Hours from anywhere on a trail that had no other traffic and not a single usable feature around - no trees, rocks or useful structures of any kind https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d267b713b2d6cd795baba/1586308788975/1+IMG_3223.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Hopelessly stuck https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d2a7fce13b13d5eb8d9ba/1586309816174/IMG_1097+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert An earlier, and very fruitless, attempt to try to pull the car over at an angle https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d278c4d9b706e8cf3e8cf/1586309089939/4+IMG_3249.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert A lot of people later joked whether I took the opportunity to inspect the undercarriage. I did. I also took a lot of photos of the rear undercarriage because at the time I was in discussions with several equipment manufacturers about installing a long-range fuel tank and they were asking me for photos underneath for the install. So what better situation than this with the sun illuminating all of the normally dark undercarriage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d45a7c74f165b20a394ba/1586316762556/IMG_3391.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Despite superficial damage, the panel beaters were able to fix everything with a minimum of fuss and cost https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d28993a0d5703405d7ff8/1586309299301/312f0401-2b35-44e5-b6eb-16a98e620637.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert The satellite view of our position shows that there’s really nothing of note for a long way in any direction https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d29d3f695053fc53f597e/1586309663647/IMG_3275+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert The facial expression here perhaps says she’s not overly impressed at the situation in which we find ourselves https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d41e3a33dc04558006e32/1586315818038/IMG_3294+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert Preparing to winch as Jorge’s son watches on https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d27eb628d055516f93f01/1586309148372/ Home - Rollover in the desert With time to kill, there were plenty of photo opportunities https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d28be3a0d5703405d83ce/1586309466102/4IMG_3271.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert As far as terrain in which to find yourself turned over like a turtle, there can’t be much worse than a desert without a single useful tree or rock being offered up by the surrounds https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e91534bcfe71128e10407a8/1586582399960/IMG_3234.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert A telling photo of Cati’s disposition as we wait for help to arrive https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d408e9a6ae9365a04e0b1/1586315451706/IMG_3288+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert The efforts to snatch my car out had taken its toll on Emilio’s rear driveshaft. There was nothing to do but remove it and put the car into two-wheel-drive https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d451c17114d6ea7fb8c7a/1586316622473/IMG_3336.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Dropping Jolene off for a week of TLC with the guys from Todo Ford in Mendoza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d285385799e1fe904f41e/1586309264400/2IMG_3227.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert Whether a Garmin or a similar device, I don’t know how I could have got through this trip and this situation without this piece of equipment. It’s saved me many times before. It even lets me tend to some of my basic work obligations when I’m off grid without a phone signal https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d24ea44d62924e8010e8f/1586308409170/4IMG_3219.jpeg Home - Rollover in the desert A rare view of the undercarriage https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d283502c0b1299e87eb31/1586309190816/1Screen+Shot+2020-04-07+at+3.29.15+pm.png Home - Rollover in the desert At this point, we’re midway from Mendoza to Uspallata https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5e8d42f1c0354b072803c943/1586316093158/IMG_3305+copy.jpg Home - Rollover in the desert On four wheels again https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/6/28/uruguay monthly 0.5 2020-07-08 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96184e6aaf04d0e2c34c1/1594249446921/IMG_3977.jpeg Home - Uruguay First night together in Colonia: After a surreal day shared with a near stranger from the airport across the Argentina-Uruguay border and down into Colonia, we were both happy with how the day went and that we’d ended up successfully at the end of the day with a beer in hand. With these thoughts of a positive first day presumably in Mick’s head in this picture, it brings a smile to my face as I recount the memory of our first day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef961efdfbc365adac74370/1594162391821/IMG_3991.jpeg Home - Uruguay Aubrey from eastern Canada had ridden this bike, with his few possessions and incredible distance to serendipitously meet us outside our hostel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96d509e8f05514add69f8/1594165297816/IMG_4174.jpeg Home - Uruguay The trucks lined up outside the port as we begin the series of administrative challenges to get the cars into their boxes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9627af6302b5d71fca92d/1594162459269/IMG_4003.jpeg Home - Uruguay Freedom is a full tank https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef966d592723c7515fedd65/1594163506063/5IMG_4125.jpeg Home - Uruguay While we were on the east coast of the continent, the way the coast bends around meant that we were looking out west over the ocean and sun would set over the water. With binoculars and a high vantage point, Argentina could be made out in the distance https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef97133bcd92c70db774b5d/1594250782824/IMG_4250.jpeg Home - Uruguay And of course, celebrating with Mick over a steak and a wine once it’s all done https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef965bd5708dc5cb9e7f792/1594163270904/2IMG_4056.jpeg Home - Uruguay Being near the ocean never gets old, no matter how many times I see it https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96ca09f8c8b0df05cbc7f/1594164996972/IMG_4142.jpeg Home - Uruguay The first step was to locate our shipping agent in Montevideo and get through some paperwork. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96c38df03ed5901192278/1594250217522/IMG_4157.jpeg Home - Uruguay I love this: road road workers mid-morning firing up the BBQ in preparation for an early lunch https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9691ddfbc365adac7fd17/1594164678261/IMG_4087.jpeg Home - Uruguay Palm trees and typical European-influenced South American architecture https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef970b72801f1255c1cb8c4/1594165696426/IMG_4238.jpeg Home - Uruguay Mick’s car nose-to-nose with mine with ratchet straps being put on. There’s very little clearance above with a roof top tent but enough in a 40’ high cube https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96675b7918e00881c2956/1594163417992/4IMG_4070.jpeg Home - Uruguay I really couldn’t help but feel that I’d been transported to my home in Australia. The feel of the site and the many Eucalyptus trees were very reminiscent of many nights camped out in Victoria back home https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef970fb5708dc5cb9e92840/1594165707772/IMG_4249.jpeg Home - Uruguay All smiles once the process was complete and the agent drives us back to our hotels in the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9623e9e8f05514adc4631/1594162448653/IMG_3995.jpeg Home - Uruguay I left Mick parked up on the sea wall to fiddle around with his vehicle - after all, he’d been separated from his travel companion for almost a year - while I wandered the streets of Colonia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9649bfe8b687d4e8bfb44/1594162882837/IMG_4034.jpeg Home - Uruguay I wish I had learned a bit more of the history of the city while here but the reality was it was a short stay in Colonia and we were on a mission to the port https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96977cc68267c5a07ea60/1594164666935/IMG_4094.jpeg Home - Uruguay I was fascinated by this building and its façade of different coloured windows, mish-mash of air conditioners and various blinds and curtains making for subtle colour differences across its giant glass face overlooking the central plaza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef97038dfbc365adac89fd2/1594250758716/IMG_4218.jpeg Home - Uruguay There’s very little space each side once the car is in but enough to squeeze out of the drivers side door with a little bit of athleticism https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9656c75467b19acf3eaed/1594163236222/1IMG_4055.jpeg Home - Uruguay Stocking up on supplies (mostly beer) for a few nights of camping outside of Montevideo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96ef19e8f05514add9867/1594250635528/IMG_4201.jpeg Home - Uruguay Waiting, of course. Always there is waiting. Met a nice couple shipping a Troopy back to Europe https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef968c59f8c8b0df05c5d5f/1594164144207/IMG_4082.jpeg Home - Uruguay We really didn’t try very hard to explore broadly but the brilliant weather did afford us some very pleasurable walks around the central areas of the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96d833895911144e599ad/1594165299231/IMG_4179.jpeg Home - Uruguay Pay a fee here … https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef97181e6aaf04d0e2dbf82/1594165864564/IMG_4258.jpeg Home - Uruguay With everything sorted and the car destined for Africa, there was nothing left to do but wave goodbye to Mick and head to the port again to take the Uruguay-Argentina ferry back to Buenos Aires. I was pleased that I sprung for a little bit extra for the comfort of a first-class ticket and amused that we all had to put on these little paper booties to protect their carpet https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96852dfbc365adac7e8e1/1594164098146/IMG_4080.jpeg Home - Uruguay Central plaza in Montevideo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96761aa2570139461c90e/1594163675121/6IMG_4123.jpeg Home - Uruguay Trying my hand at tending the asado https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9644adf03ed5901185c85/1594162756188/IMG_4025.jpeg Home - Uruguay While a touch touristy, you can’t blame them for capitalising on the natural interest of the travelers exploring these parts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9632cdfbc365adac76baa/1594249808562/IMG_4012.jpeg Home - Uruguay It’s a very charming old city with the many crumbling structures https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96f444414c650912e5fd6/1594165536708/IMG_4208.jpeg Home - Uruguay Removing the roof rack to get their Defender into the container https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96fb69e8f05514addaab3/1594250697698/IMG_4211.jpeg Home - Uruguay The Troopy in, Agathe and Mathieu prepare to drive their car into the box https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef967d93895911144e50c51/1594163925848/9IMG_4134.jpeg Home - Uruguay Silvia was very pleased to share her homemade Limoncello and Mick did a great job of keeping up as a jet lagged 68 year old https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef961512801f1255c1b33b3/1594161700920/IMG_3969.jpeg Home - Uruguay Picking up Mick’s car from the overlander long-term storage. Uruguay is unique in that it has a 12-month TIP (temporary import permit) rather than the usual 90-days, making it a favoured country for many travellers to leave their vehicles. This particular rural property catered to exactly these people and had a large barn on the property filled with vans, 4WDs and expedition trucks. They had made sure before our arrival that his battery was charged and without much fuss at all, Mick started up his familiar vehicle and shortly after we were straight on the road https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96cf9f6302b5d71fdce0e/1594165255528/IMG_4165.jpeg Home - Uruguay Agathe, Mathieu and their Land Rover which had seen them around a majority of the world in the preceding year https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96e151ea2ed3906011773/1594165316614/IMG_4184.jpeg Home - Uruguay Find the next office… https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96e5567d07462399f759c/1594250598252/IMG_4187.jpeg Home - Uruguay Drive to another place in the port… https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96bb4bcd92c70db76d159/1594250194806/IMG_4107.jpeg Home - Uruguay Mick a bit knackered after a solid day of walking around the city (didn’t help that he was doing it on an injured foot but he kept at it) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef963c6dfbc365adac77853/1594162605477/IMG_4016.jpeg Home - Uruguay The lighthouse https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef962c592723c7515fe85e6/1594249792101/IMG_4007.jpeg Home - Uruguay A stunning colonial town that sparked memories of past times where such places would have a roaring sea trade and the threat of invaders and pirates necessitated the cannons lining the citadel https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef965254414c650912d6a09/1594163029881/IMG_4047.jpeg Home - Uruguay This became a familiar view - sat across from Mick with a beer in front of us (although on this occasion, he opted for a 7-Up as he fought to overcome the jet lag from his recent flight) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96de21ea2ed3906011414/1594165306949/IMG_4180.jpeg Home - Uruguay Sign of form there… https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef967a04414c650912da571/1594163887256/8IMG_4129.jpeg Home - Uruguay The friendly staff that made our nights outside Montevideo memorable https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef966125708dc5cb9e7ff84/1594163349501/3IMG_4060.jpeg Home - Uruguay Mick explained to me that he’d set up his car so that if he saw a nice spot for a quiet beer, he could have chairs out and beer in hand within a couple minutes. I loved the purposeful design of his car’s storage around this particular use case https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9707c9f8c8b0df05d2441/1594165613548/IMG_4222.jpeg Home - Uruguay No one is ever in a hurry at the port it would seem https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef96401068552405e7a7a6c/1594249842530/IMG_4020.jpeg Home - Uruguay Cobbled streets, old cars and lovely modern cafes occupying the old buildings of the city - on a perfectly sunny blue sky day no less - were perfect ingredients for a very content stroll through the site https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef964e692723c7515feb23e/1594249910561/IMG_4043.jpeg Home - Uruguay One of relatively few occasions my path took me to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/6/25/life-in-argentina monthly 0.5 2020-07-05 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef446dfa0680c5b1a246c47/1593560579501/3IMG_1913.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Sanne and I had travelled most of Peru together after meeting on a sailing tour of the Galapagos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44cfa93fc26602958562b/1593729505293/3IMG_4393.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A packed Teatro Colón https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef946f7d960e626a1f5a541/1593732971684/12.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina This outdoor BBQ caused the street outside of my apartment to be blockaded to traffic https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44688ab9a4362b7d64bbb/1593988378081/1efdfd114-684b-498f-a9d2-4b82ce6cf01e.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Sanne, Gabe, Jack and I. Nearly universally, most people wanted to meet for a steak at Don Julio shortly after arriving. At times, I would even run across some travellers unintentionally who I’d met previously sitting at an outdoor table as I meandered back and forth from the bars and restaurants to my apartment https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43cc4ec071a338da6c56d/1593558932106/IMG_1684.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Goodbyes at Ezeiza International Airport https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef448e9c3ea9b156f0b3df2/1593561273038/IMG_1795.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A random collection of guys invited up for the weekend for food, drinks, banter and manual labour https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef435069c952511979433fb/1593987342980/4DARC3321.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Some locals chat amongst the brightly painted buildings of the barrio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95645dfbc365adac60959/1593734674105/16IMG_3251.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina An unfortunate turn https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef951369f8c8b0df0599ea0/1593733848389/5IMG_3031.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Sabrage: A favourite trick of mine and a good use of the machete which hadn’t seen much action since being put to work on the coconuts of the northern beaches of Colombia https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9505b75467b19acf1610a/1593733742748/3.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A tour of a traditional-style sparkling wine producer https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef951d775467b19acf191b0/1593990355527/7DARC3531.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The road to Uspallarta from Hotel Villavicencio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44def6803967047c173cf/1593730391578/3IMG_4328.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Carnaval in Buenos Aires was less of the drink-fuelled variety and more of a family affair that embraced tradition and was, in all, a very wholesome affair https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44a182b873309e5533c1f/1593562129328/IMG_1949.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The fact that there’s a setting on the kettles for maté says it all https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44fa3ab9a4362b7d6fe36/1593731231615/IMG_3935.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina My long-term car park gave me space and time to do a stock take of my growing collection of spares and tools https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef430462faeb330e57f5a77/1593471191061/DARC3441.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The main thoroughfare passing through the suburb of Recoleta, adjacent to the art galleries, parks and law faculty of the Universidad de Buenos Aires https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43091ae574d50c6620ab2/1593471345523/2IMG_1861.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95721bcd92c70db748f47/1593734990364/19IMG_3481.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A lively little bar in the outskirts of Mendoza at Chacra de Coria https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95d2b287bbd2ec2a71500/1593990853062/1IMG_4650.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Temple Bar, a few blocks from my apartment, was my second home and I would frequently stop in for a quiet beer before afternoon siesta. Or meet my friend Tm and his girlfriend Sheila in the evening there before headed out for a late dinner and casually bouncing between a few favourite watering holes in Palermo. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95b3bb23df673eabc30a2/1593737091842/10IMG_3635.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Feeling blessed that Natalia had reached out and offering her friendship during a lovely day at a local waterfall https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44da4dfa6c41b25608e14/1593989567034/2IMG_4324.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Carnaval de Buenos Aires. Not as big an event as the nearby version in Brazil but there were various dedicated blocks around the city filled with dancers, costumes and party goers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44e9fc8ff317596c3804b/1593730746113/2IMG_4296.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A brilliant experience to share a match with the fanatical Boca fans https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95f95f68194679efe041c/1593740019397/IMG_4739.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina I had spare room in my bags and an a few extra rolls of toilet paper - which apparently was in short supply back in Australia the day I left https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4469de4119807307a245f/1593988436826/2IMG_3883.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Gonzalo, a BsAs local, whom I had met while crossing from Panama to Colombia via sailboat. He was working as the chef on board and we had stayed in touch committed to catching up once I had landed in his city. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95592f68194679efcdaf0/1593990361878/14IMG_3162.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Hotel Villavicencio https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef959a1f68194679efd54f5/1593990744684/8IMG_3554.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Argentina, quite strangely, has a love affair with Fernet Branca which is an Italian digestif. In fact, more than 75% of the global production of the Italian drink goes to Argentina. The bitter drink is not my favourite but the taste always reminds me of the country https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4353cdfa6c41b255e83e3/1593471941162/5DARC3334.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A cliche photo opportunity that I simply couldn’t say no to https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef950dbe2b6dd59a619af3d/1593733756551/4.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The vineyards of Mendoza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef449a6749a523e4d1d6647/1593988717724/2IMG_4269.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Recoleta cemetery. While I never actually got around to going inside this time, I could frequently be found at one of the various brew pubs that looked over this iconic attraction https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94314bcd92c70db722168/1593732424624/7.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina You know you’re in a place that prizes its meats when you are offered a selection of steak knives https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44a6da0680c5b1a24bef9/1593562458157/1IMG_4315.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Brewpub in San Telmo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94c159e8f05514ad9c444/1593733508803/IMG_2919.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Fishing with the cousins on the Rio Negro https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43408d5fc3f540c50ea94/1593471543341/7IMG_4601.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A cityscape on one of many evenings out walking through the central suburb of Puerto Madero https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43c352faeb330e5806430/1593987600761/3DARC3431.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Fabri bemused at this piece. We caught the security guard throwing us a knowing look as if to say ‘I don’t get it either’. Full disclosure: the sides of the painting are actually painted which is what qualifies it as art (I suppose) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef957e2287bbd2ec2a681df/1593735683645/2DARC3580.jpg Home - Life in Argentina ‘Amo Cordoba’ (I love Cordoba) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef954621ea2ed3906fe655c/1593990306233/9DARC3564.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Always looking for a spot to pose https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9421b61489c0a0242ac0a/1593732369343/5.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Chila in Puerto Madero. Not on the Top 50 list but this ended up being one of my favourites and deserving of a ranking in the Latin charts https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44aa44ae5a860ec7ea710/1593988943305/2IMG_1941.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Cocktails at one of several high-end rooftop hotel bars https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9541d79597872202eb2c5/1593990276520/8DARC3561.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Always looking for the best view https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4495a367ed22dde5208a6/1593561530967/1IMG_1875.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Lazy afternoons in the park drinking maté https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef949d59f8c8b0df058b06b/1593733306114/IMG_2874.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Patagonian peaches https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44039acde830a0b6a10e9/1593988270071/5.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina I met a friendly parking lot attendant who gladly accommodated my car at a reasonable long-term rate. I even enjoyed added benefits such as running water, plenty of light, privacy and space to work on the car. And when I went home for Christmas back to Australia, the attendant offered to connect with with his sobrina (niece) who was living there https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9569f1ea2ed3906fea66d/1593990525305/17IMG_3433.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The grandson of this family learned of my accident on Instagram and invited me to their house for dinner. Their son ran motorbike tours in the area and their family friend ran a nearby winery. They would make me feel at home for my remaining days in Mendoza. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95acffe2e3739fdd889fc/1593737040439/9IMG_3619.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Natalia invited me out for a day hiking in the countryside outside of Cordoba to a waterfall and a day of lounging in the sun on the rocks https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94a2f27513553d352acd9/1593733344081/IMG_2878.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The family’s factory for sorting and packaging the apples and peaches https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44b75c1cfc77b35ed4bf6/1593989217885/IMG_2005.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Four brash Australians and an American at the polo. We did struggle a little in our enthusiasm to observe the decorum of the other attendees showed at the stadium https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef447a07302c407f05fd8e1/1593988529355/6.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina While I had many international visitors, I also made local friends. In fact, it was generally my preference to avoid English speakers as much as possible https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95856fb8ae15cc012f4b6/1593735830551/4DARC3591.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A ‘perro’ finding some shade on a hot summer’s day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43d13749a523e4d1c6e98/1593559660529/1IMG_1594.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A Sunday morning in Palermo before the bars opened https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44c70acde830a0b6afcc1/1593729404357/1IMG_2164.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina “Star Wars: A New Hope in concert for the first time at the Colón Theatre. The movie with live orchestra” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9594a068552405e794318/1593736798674/7IMG_3542.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The Rooftop overlooking Paseo de Las Artes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9581ffb8ae15cc012ec17/1593735706221/3DARC3586.jpg Home - Life in Argentina One fo the many picturesque churches of the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef955431ea2ed3906fe84e2/1593990350438/13IMG_3106.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Lago Potrerillos https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef942891ea2ed3906fc58cc/1593732391599/6.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Chila https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef434c4a0680c5b1a22ec69/1593471884629/3DARC3304.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The colours of summer in Boca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9449340b8240f64880663/1593732595086/9.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina El Baqueano in San Telmo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef956ddf68194679efcfb0e/1593990550907/18IMG_3476.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Hacienda del Plata winery in Mendoza: A private tasting with the winemaker https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95f42bcd92c70db758a29/1593739945310/IMG_4736.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The day of my departure: Don Julio was still open and I ceremoniously toasted to my time in Argentina with a send-off meal alone at my favourite parilla https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94dba79597872202df86e/1593733518013/IMG_2941.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina No shortage of dogs on the farm https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43e1dae574d50c6635363/1593988189323/3DSC4454.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A candid snap by Fabrizio in Palermo Soho as he strolled the streets with his camera https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef437abdbe71d7968d7f156/1593472914015/2DARC3370.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The team museum within the River Plate stadium https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95ee3aa2570139460d412/1593991253113/IMG_4734.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina My regular haunt, Temple Bar in Palermo in the time immediately proceeding my departure - closed for the pandemic. At the time I left, Buenos Aires was at the very beginning of their city-wide lockdown https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95d83fe8b687d4e8b3688/1593990867182/2IMG_2267.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Many evenings I would dine alone at any one of the several quiet restaurants within a block or two of my apartment and be present in the moment, considering how lucky I was to be living this life. I was happy for this quiet break. And happy for a steak, some blood sausage and a bottle of wine as my company for the night. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95e1d287bbd2ec2a727a7/1593990957339/4IMG_1969.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina I passed many hours sitting on my balcony on the tree-lined Palermo street, frequently with a glass of wine or can of Patagonia beer in hand. During the days, I would appreciate the nearly ubiquitous cloudless blue skies. Sunset would come and go, often many hours before I would head out to a late drink or dinner https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4481fdbe71d7968d941ba/1593988609520/8IMG_1723.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina And, of course, before long I had met an Argentinian girl. I met Cati shortly after Fabrizio left and we dated for most of the time I was in Argentina https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43900a754194ab897e289/1593473234159/1DARC3386.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef93e4467d074623999fc63/1593732267635/4.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina La Cabrera. A decade ago on my last visit, La Cabrera was the place to be. Fast forward to 2020, it had fallen away somewhat and been overtaken by a new generation of restaurants and restauranteurs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef433967302c407f05e2733/1593471486000/6+DARC3263.jpg Home - Life in Argentina One of the many local markets near to Boca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9496edfbc365adac47693/1593733296905/IMG_2870.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Strolling through the family orchard with Cati and her mum https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9457e7097fa758698bc90/1593732616128/10.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A Don Julio steak https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9578440b8240f648a63e9/1593735667624/1DARC3573.jpg Home - Life in Argentina One of the charming plazas of Cordoba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94427fb8ae15cc0109c26/1593989862266/8.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Sanne and I continuing our search for the best restaurants of Latin America. Our first hatted restaurant together was at Astrid y Gaston in Lima (world #67). She had worked Michelin star restaurants back at home in the Netherlands and, as such, had both a professional and personal interest in fine dining https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94748e6aaf04d0e291666/1593990091257/13.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Siamo nel Forno. Genuine Italian-style pizza fully approved by a genuine Italian restauranteur. I had many people give me their list of best pizzas in the city which, in turn, I tried. But this was the clear standout https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44cc4acde830a0b6b058d/1593729470825/2IMG_4404.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Being fond of the Star Wars movies, it was an excellent way to experience Teatro Colón and the orchestra playing the musical score https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef5cbec6f24095395b8888a/1593732124619/2IMG_1564.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Fabri and I enjoying some morcilla (blood sausage, a local specialty) on our first night in BsAs https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44767dfa6c41b25600bba/1593560629845/5IMG_2038.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Food was central to most social occasions and there was no shortage of great places to eat https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef447dcbf21de69a5790567/1593560773693/7IMG_2333.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Sandra, who worked in the same building as me in Melbourne, visited briefly as part of a quick summer tour of South America https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43f4fa0680c5b1a23d1b3/1593988202118/4IMG_3732.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina 50 metres down the leafy street and up four stories on the right was where I could be found most days of November ‘19 through March ‘20 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4312fbf21de69a57710a3/1593471449180/4DSC4553.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A common sight in Buenos Aires were the dog walkers and at times I would count up to 13 dogs per walker https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef437246803967047bfa799/1593472871754/1DARC3360.jpg Home - Life in Argentina River Plate home stadium (Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43d75ec071a338da6d682/1593988141508/2IMG_1561.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The intersection nearest my apartment and also the corner where Argentines and tourists alike loitered for a table at the world famous Don Julio (centre frame) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94aa5e6aaf04d0e297d5f/1593990175473/IMG_2892.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Family dinner complete with slight crazy and racist grandmother. A true test of my language skills https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95b9e5708dc5cb9e6dd04/1593990802253/11IMG_3674.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Hiking the countryside outside of Cordoba with some locals https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94fb175467b19acf14e8d/1593733686856/1.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Jolene on one of many of her visits to the wineries of Mendoza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44736ae574d50c66418f9/1593988457057/4IMG_1927.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Late nights with red wine and friends on my apartment balcony https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef448a2d5fc3f540c52ae40/1593561216915/IMG_1785.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina At least they fed me before I was put to work https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95fe0b23df673eabcb351/1593991334472/IMG_4743.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Thank you to Tim for providing me an N-95 mask and some hand sanitiser for my series of flights back home - items that I wasn’t able to procure myself before in my final weeks. The flight home was a non-event and went smoothly in the end. But I’m glad I didn’t leave it any longer than I did. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef946322801f1255c181b3a/1593732928765/11.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Dining & traditional Argentine folk music https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef955f7aa257013945fc823/1593990371518/15IMG_3183.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A little flexing https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4347e9c95251197942aed/1593471832560/2DARC3286.jpg Home - Life in Argentina The restaurants and bars in the shadow of the Boca stadium https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95023df03ed5901160785/1593733714773/2DARC3473.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Tastings that usually involved multiple variants of Malbec https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44f2a2faeb330e581e332/1593731197975/IMG_3844.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina ‘Taller World’ in Buenos Aires was recommended to me by the local Land Rover community and I, in turn, would certainly recommend them to anyone else in need of a good mechanic in the area https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4384fe37edb2f127b7518/1593472952971/3IMG_1625.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Fabri reflecting on the history of Grande Torino and River Plate https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44d493f43e215419a477a/1593730171566/1IMG_2227.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina On this particular day, I heard music from my apartment and simply wandered towards it to find out what was happening. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef94aea4414c650912a65e9/1593733492783/IMG_2903.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina There’s not much to the mostly agricultural town of Allen https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43246c3ea9b156f096563/1593471467736/5DARC3439.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Fabrizio strolling through Recoleta https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9478e1ea2ed3906fcf07d/1593733034182/14_DSC4428.jpg Home - Life in Argentina A street vendor in Boca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef958ebfe8b687d4e8ab5bd/1593736317557/6IMG_3507.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina El Paseo Buen Pastor Cultural Centre https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44ed9c3ea9b156f0bbe06/1593730806326/3IMG_4298.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The yellow and blue palette of Boca Junior football club can be seen inside the stadium and across the whole of the suburb of Boca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95ce45708dc5cb9e6fd7b/1593737156136/12IMG_3714.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Even got an invite to drinks with the girls, most of whom were English teachers and translators in Cordoba https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef93e0a79597872202c1f74/1593732175403/3IMG_3924.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina I had followed these plaques across the majority of Latin America https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef4344bec071a338da5fb88/1593471772768/1DARC3294.jpg Home - Life in Argentina One of the main pedestrian streets of Boca https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43c00d5fc3f540c5191e5/1593473279351/2DARC3405.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Fitting sculptures for a very romantic city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef43c7da754194ab8982e83/1593474099277/IMG_1682.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina A sad day as Fabri set off for Italy https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef449eec3ea9b156f0b5adf/1593988823137/IMG_4686.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Days at home sipping on maté https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44b232b873309e55355ec/1593989101363/IMG_2007.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Campo Argentino del Polo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef5cb7d67b9b669de83bcd2/1593732088898/1.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Don Julio parilla in Palermo https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef441667b13f1460dae06ce/1593560150657/6IMG_4500.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Temple Bar, Palermo Soho. I could be found here many afternoons and evenings taking full advantage of the perfect weather that seems to be a constant during the Argentinian summers https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9589b3895911144e37745/1593990677240/5.jpg Home - Life in Argentina I very much enjoyed the architecture of Cordoba and was pleased to get away from the hotel for long walks by myself around the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44bcd9c95251197960d7e/1593989323523/IMG_1993.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina While we weren’t acquainted with the rules of the sport, it was a very pleasant sport to watch https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44e4adfa6c41b2560970e/1593730705248/1DARC3271.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Boca Junior stadium from the outside by day https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef954aa67d07462399cb432/1593990323628/11IMG_3066.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Horse riding through the vineyards of Mendoza https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef9517292723c7515fc9e70/1593990196732/6IMG_2996.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina Beautiful water tower on a winery grounds https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef430d1d5fc3f540c508e4c/1593471425345/3IMG_1864.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The Sunday markets of San Telmo. A perfect place to find food, local antiques and soak up the atmosphere of the city https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef44ad7e37edb2f127ce52f/1593562524116/3IMG_4512.jpeg Home - Life in Argentina The popular Trade Sky Bar perched above Puerto Madero https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/t/5ef95e09dfbc365adac6ccab/1593990883400/3.jpg Home - Life in Argentina Every day, I would walk passed the kitchen of Don Julio and smell the delicious grill and watch the diners waiting for their table with a glass of complimentary sparkling wine in hand. I would exchange a knowing nod with the hostesses at the front of the restaurant as I passed by yet again. https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/2020/10/30/alaska-to-ushuaia-time-lapse monthly 0.5 2020-10-30 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/category/Mentions monthly 0.5 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/category/Learnings monthly 0.5 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/home/category/Journey monthly 0.5 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/contact daily 0.75 2018-10-05 https://www.thelongdrivesouth.com/about daily 0.75 2018-12-01 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb7f61ac830256456a9a547/5c0273fa032be4beba13ef65/1543664650282/P1000986.jpg About https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb5d2f77980b355cbdc3deb/5bb7f61ac830256456a9a547/5c0273eb898583a954c17baa/1543664631742/IMG_7745.jpeg About