The ship that Michael's friend Dave German runs expeditions to Antartica on. At this point while meeting him 2 hours before departure I was blissfully unaware that our trailer hitch was breaking. *

Broken trailer couplings... harumph crappy aluminium. *

The 'bomber' repair as Damien calls it that we were able to make just before stores closed when leaving Ushuaia. What a way to start. *

The 1 1/2 month old welcoming Guanaco at the estancia Tepi 30km north of Tolhuin *

After a cold rain and a really hurting knee it was really nice to find a hot 1905 woodburning stove, hardwood floors and comfy chairs. We were so happy here that we stayed an extra day to relax and watch the day go by. *

Good advice from Arnaud and Cecil who were 8 months out from Bolivia. They gave us a couple bags of noodles and some good pointers regarding the wind and the choices on both the Argentine and the Chilean sides going north. *

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La primera vez del ocean atlantico y del viento mas fuerte... ay ay ay *

Windblown Estancia Punta Maria with Damien resting in the necessary aerodynamic position *

ea. Punta Maria *

Getting closer to Buenos Aires *

No Comment! *

photo of a Rio Grande. Seriously affected landscape by oilboomitis of the 70's and 80's. This is a town desperate for landscape expertise! But as we whitnessed they are trying. We can only hope that the fruits of their labour produces the beautiful city that can be read between the closed shops and deteriorating buildings. *

panoramic view of the Valle Carbajal and the Sierra Valdivieso North of Ushuaia on the way to Lago Fagnago *

Jose Toranza and his crew of mechanics who helped us ascertain the state of the rear freewheel (worn and will have to be replaced in Puntas Arenas where they have a replacement... maybe) Jose also invited us to his home for lunch and many many Breaded steaks (milanesa) *

Argentina has some interesting provinces that take up the (Malvinas) Falklands and a good chunk of Antarctica. (stay posted for a picture of Chile's claim on antarctica...) *

Another Tandem coming south from Bolivia. It's the way of the future... and they had a lot of encouragement for us fighting the wind. *

Epuiser par le vent. *

Voila pourquoi! This is exactly why! *

Almuesar (lunch) in the ditch to avoid the wind. *

The first hills in a very long time! At this point I'll take the hills over the wind any day. *

We missed the boat on Tuesday to Punta Arenas because of very very slow bank service in Porvenir. This is one very tranquil little town. Shops barely even bother to put signs up. So we went to see the lighthouse and we we met with the customary wind of the region ;) *

This is a good example of the colourful architecture of Porvenir where almost all the houses have corrugated roofs and siding. *

more homes *