Uruguay
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9 March 2019
A very long day as we flew from Brisbane via Auckland across the International Dateline to Buenos Aires. Fortunately we had clear skies flying over the Andes affording us views of the snow capped volcanoes followed by the dry Patagonian salt pans. |
Snow capped volcanoes rising high in the Andes.
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The Andes and waterways south of Puerto Montt.
The salt pans of Patagonia
10 March
After overnighting in Buenos Aires we caught the Buquebus for the one hour ferry ride across the Rio de la Plata to Colonia in Uruguay. |
 Interesting - The Argentine immigration officer chose to put his stamp over the Falklands stamp.
Breakfast in San Telmo, Buenos Aires at a popular pizza joint by the look of the 10 delivery bikes.
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11 March
We were picked up and taken to our chariot for the next 3 months or so. The Bee was a little dusty on the outside but otherwise looking good and behaving well for its 11 month rest.
Stocked up on food, water and fuel before spending a night on the foreshores of the Rio de la Plata.
We were picked up and taken to our chariot for the next 3 months or so. The Bee was a little dusty on the outside but otherwise looking good and behaving well for its 11 month rest.
Stocked up on food, water and fuel before spending a night on the foreshores of the Rio de la Plata.
Large barn where the Bee was stored. Some store their vehicles outside.
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Neighbouring farm.
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12 March Awoke to rain and a much needed wash for the truck before driving to Neuva Helvecia. Hotel Suizo has storage facilities too and some quite large overland vehicles are parked around the building waiting, waiting for their owners to return. It is now legal to store a vehicle up to a year in Uruguay. We overnight and fill our tanks with the springwater before heading to the Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha in Tacuarembó 400 kms north. |
Vehicles in storage.
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13 - 16 March Tacuarembó
Time for the Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha - a festival celebrating the gaucho way of life, past and present. We drove past dozens of gauchos and gauchas riding into town.
At the site we were directed to an area near some amenities in a field. Parked up and began to set up until BANG an actuator broke when about 30 cms up. After lowering the functioning actuators we decided to sleep with the roof down for the night as it was getting dark.
Our camp was metres from the plywood boundary wall of the site. A big mistake for any rest as the duff duff music continued until after 5am and 3 hours later the lassoing commentary began! Still we stayed a second night and although the entertainers performed til after 5am again, they were of a higher quality, not requiring the incredibly loud pumping base.
Time for the Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha - a festival celebrating the gaucho way of life, past and present. We drove past dozens of gauchos and gauchas riding into town.
At the site we were directed to an area near some amenities in a field. Parked up and began to set up until BANG an actuator broke when about 30 cms up. After lowering the functioning actuators we decided to sleep with the roof down for the night as it was getting dark.
Our camp was metres from the plywood boundary wall of the site. A big mistake for any rest as the duff duff music continued until after 5am and 3 hours later the lassoing commentary began! Still we stayed a second night and although the entertainers performed til after 5am again, they were of a higher quality, not requiring the incredibly loud pumping base.
The grounds, set around a small lake, have various stalls selling everything from food to gaucho accessories and plastic toys, a small side show alley, historical displays of housing and living set up by each of the rural societies, a small arena and a larger one used for horse riding competitions plus a stage that is lit at night for the entertainers that crowds throng to at 10pm with their foldable chairs under arm.
The historical displays are judged by the public with a lot of time and effort going into making them authentic replicas. Traditional clothing is worn by competotors and visitors alike and traditional food prepared over coal fires.
The historical displays are judged by the public with a lot of time and effort going into making them authentic replicas. Traditional clothing is worn by competotors and visitors alike and traditional food prepared over coal fires.
These guys playing guitar were amazing. They were duelling the whole hour or more as the bronco riding was going on. Payadores.
During the day bronco riding, lassoing and other displays of horsemanship are seen in the main ring. Oh and the horses are not restricted to the rings as many horses and their riders wander around the whole area.
Some of the action.
Saturday morning was a highlight with over 4,000 horses in parade ridden by people of all ages. But the children seem to hold a special place as they sit on the horse with an adult or are grown up and skilful enough to proudly ride their own horse, some at very young ages. It was a very happy time with most dressed in period or traditional outfits. The womens long dresses looked very elegant over the back of the horses.
17 March
We drove west on a country road towards Salto on the border with Argentina. Guy was driving all over the road to avoid hundreds of tarantulas who were seeking out a mate. We did stop to observe one as he wandered about, finally finding a burrow with a fat silvery female in it. After a few minutes she came to the entrance of the burrow, played handsies for a minute or so, reared up during which there was a quick interchange then she backed down the burrow and the male walked off before the female decided she was hungry.
We drove west on a country road towards Salto on the border with Argentina. Guy was driving all over the road to avoid hundreds of tarantulas who were seeking out a mate. We did stop to observe one as he wandered about, finally finding a burrow with a fat silvery female in it. After a few minutes she came to the entrance of the burrow, played handsies for a minute or so, reared up during which there was a quick interchange then she backed down the burrow and the male walked off before the female decided she was hungry.
We crossed the border from Uruguay to Argentina after some delay as we had to search for our Temporary Import Permit for the truck to hand back to the Uruguayan Customs.
Now Argentina.
Now Argentina.