South America & Asia Traveling without agenda

[German Grüner]

Hello,
I am going to post the story with photos of our last vacations, the first ones with normal departure after the pandemic.
This year our idea was to travel without a rigid agenda, to stop to camp when we needed it due to tiredness or because we liked the place.
From the beginning we left very late on a January Friday: we didn't postpone our departure to next day in order to avoid traffic. Fatigue told us that it had been enough to reach a road service station in Saladillo, 185 km far from home, where we slept next to the truckers.

We had breakfast there, and quickly continued. We arrived at Bolivar, where we went to visit the park of Acollaradas lagoons. It has an island that can be accessed by this suspension bridge

We continued to Guaminí, we visit the camping area, one place where we have camped comfortably in the past.

Now in many places we see that character signs have been built with the name of the place.

Well, let's see if I can continue and I don't stop trying. I'll continue later!

 

[Dave Cook]

Nice pics and looks like a well sorted Disco!

Keep posting, it will be good to see more of Argentina. I hope to travel there with my wife someday

 

[German Grüner]

Well, we continue a little more.
Years ago we were here and took photos of the buildings made by the architect Salamone. He was in charge of design and build a lot of public buildings in the 1930's, mainly art nouveau style, and was rediscovered nowadays. Well, we toke again the photo of Guaminí's municipal palace. As we mentioned the other time, we have already seen and photographed many buildings that are part of his prolific work, which in general are quite characteristic.

We don't have an agenda, but through reading we learn something and taking advance we are close, we define our itinerary. Here, for example, in front of Guaminí's municipality we find this small square that contains many telegraph poles that belonged to telegraph network of the forts line on the border against the Indians, (1870) called Zanja de Alsina. In the past we have already visited other points of La Zanja, for example here: http://www.landroverclub.com.ar/viewtopic.php?nomobile=1&f=1&t=143552

Just a few meters away, a mast from the time of this architect, marked by the lack of steel that was alleviated with the manufacture of cement. Masts with lightning rods because they are made of insulating material, and with a cable that carries the eventual discharge to earth. Not a current mast.

We continued our trip skirting the chained lagoons and visited city of Pigüé, where we walked a bit around its square,...

...and Puan. Here, for example, municipal palace is wrongly attributed to the same architect. In fact I saw it and thought it was, and later I was disappointed

In this town you can breathe the vanguard of war against Indians reading commemorations of squares and churches dating of 19 century.

I'll continue later...

 

[German Grüner]

The city of Puan had a coast park on its outskirts, which probably had the same fate as the nearby town of Epecuen in 1985 (35 years under water)...

In order to traveling west we took the route and a few kilometers from Puan we saw a strange silhouette.

how to upload photos to the internet
As we got closer we found it was a temple so we went to visit it

[/url]
It is made of stone. Water absorbed from environment penetrates its structure and fine particles of salt fall inside.
To go up there are two ramps going up in opposite directions. But from the outside it only looks like there is a single ramp. It is a mystery that we asked ourselves to solve later, when we see more photos. Let's see if anyone was there and has a better photo!

Finally we entered to province of La Pampa, with the aim of camping next to the Guatraché lagoon. A mass of clouds combined withD2's electric windshield collaborated to cause our old and trusty Garmin 276 to lose signal throughout this part.
We arrived at Guatraché with dry lagoon and we set up the tent at the campsite and tried to enjoy the breeze from lagoon.

Stormy sunset on the lagoon

dry dock

Camp in Guatraché

I'll continue later

 

[German Grüner]

On next day, which was Sunday, we walked around the place

Having seen people from nearby Mennonite colony at the campsite, they mentioned that it's possible visit there, have lunch, etc. But what they did not tell us was that on Sunday there are no walks there. That is why we leaved it for another time, which will not be far.

We took a walk around the area

And given the proximity we decided to go through Jacinto Aráuz, where according to his memories, Dr. René Favaloro fulfilled the role of country doctor when young (this doctor was worldly known because he was involved in development of by pass hearth cirugy).

In this small and neat town, with an old railway station without tracks as usual, there is a memorial of the doctor, and a series of interest points to visit.

For example, this is doctor's first house.

The town only had an ice cream parlor open, so we had lunch in town's beautiful square, and an ice cream as dessert. After that we decided to advance taking the "ruta de la rastrillada" (old indian east-west route) from there and to reach the Lihue Calel National Park, our favorite when we go south west. This is a photo of the route when arriving in the afternoon.

We camped next to the interpretation center, when sun went down

and soon we were under our lamp in utter darkness.

The almost always cloudless night in this place allows to enjoy viewing sky
We sleeped peacefully in this place, full of "free" animals

I'll continue later

 

[German Grüner]

We continue. We woke up at Lihue Calel National Park, a place we have already visited many times.

Usually we ascent to the "Cerro de la Sociedad Científica" from where you can see the curved horizon to all sides.

It is a must to drink our "mate" up there, looking at the infinite pampas.

This place delights us with all autochthonous fauna devoid of fear of human beings.
These vizcachas were preyed on days later by a little fox.

The copetonas walk calmly at the time of the hot nap

A peach tree grew not far from the old ranch: an exogenous flora. Some guinea pigs take advantage of the fact that our presence keeps eaglets far, and they eat fallen peaches.

The elusive guanacos usually approach the route outside the reserve, where distracted people pass and are not bothering them with the curiosity of park visitors

We stayed one more night, to return to observe the firmament

The park authorized a food truck to give more comfort to the very few campers who are encouraged. We toke advantage of it!

Next morning we continued on our way towards Casa de Piedra, Gral. Roca, passing through Cipoletti, Neuquen and arriving at Piedra del Aguila, we saw that if we continued, we would lose the daylight to see landscapes of the entrance to the Andean zone. To make matters worse, when we arrived at the ACA service station, they told us that there was no electricity.

We went to a restaurant for dinner and then under the threat of rain we went to the station beach, where we saw that many tourists were preparing to spend the night.

The proximity of the "full" (YPF service stations shops) would ensure a good breakfast.

I'll continue later

 

[German Grüner]

In the morning we had breakfast at "Full" shop and soon we left for the west.
We continued climbing in height and soon we had the beautiful color of reservoirs in front of our eyes.

We arrived at Confluencia, a place where we saw the finally closed service station, surrounded by such a beautiful landscape. We continue along gravel next to the Traful river,
We went through the viewpoint that is now closed.
traful lake

We camped a bit cramped for our liking. We found the whole area very busy this year.

We took advantage of the beautiful day to go swimming in Lake Traful

We walked through the town that grows slowly

And we also did trekking through the trails

The next day we continued on our way, towards the west, and we turned south along the "road of the seven lakes"
And we stayed at Lake Espejo Chico, where we set up camp

A couple from Cauquen brought their calf and brought it up to place we were, so that we could give them little pieces of fried cake...

While he watched, his chicks ate. When he judged that it had been enough, he went to the water and his children followed him.

Here it was cold for the first time.

I'll continue later

 

[Paul d]

In the morning we had breakfast at "Full" shop and soon we left for the west.
We continued climbing in height and soon we had the beautiful color of reservoirs in front of our eyes.

We arrived at Confluencia, a place where we saw the finally closed service station, surrounded by such a beautiful landscape. We continue along gravel next to the Traful river,
We went through the viewpoint that is now closed.
traful lake

We camped a bit cramped for our liking. We found the whole area very busy this year.

We took advantage of the beautiful day to go swimming in Lake Traful

We walked through the town that grows slowly

And we also did trekking through the trails

The next day we continued on our way, towards the west, and we turned south along the "road of the seven lakes"
And we stayed at Lake Espejo Chico, where we set up camp

A couple from Cauquen brought their calf and brought it up to place we were, so that we could give them little pieces of fried cake...

While he watched, his chicks ate. When he judged that it had been enough, he went to the water and his children followed him.

Here it was cold for the first time.

I'll continue later

There is some stunning scenery there good luck ..

 

[Redcoat]

Stunning places

 

[jenks69]

Great trip! Love the pics

 

[German Grüner]

We continue:
We spent night in "Espejo Chico" lake, but the day before we were planning to get closer to Villa La Angostura and leave Disco on the Isthmus, then making the 12 km walk to the Quetrihué peninsula, where a myrtle forest is. To do so, since there are 24 km to walk in one day, we decided to get up early, drink some mate along the way, and enter Los Arrayanes (myrtles) National Park as soon as it opened its doors.

Already on pedestrian path, approximately one kilometer traveled, there is a barrier to avoid the passage of predators. We can pass, leaving closed,

After 12 kilometers, we arrived at peninsula's port, tired and we put our feet in the Nahuel Huapi.

Testimony of our passage through the Arrayanes forest

Speaking of the Myrtles, here their typical cinnamon-colored trunks. These are trees related to eucalyptus

Upon returning to the isthmus, the D2 was still waiting for us (luckily) in the almost deserted parking lot

Seeing the crowd of tourists in Villa La Angostura, we decided to flee from there to the East, to do wild camping.
That's how we did it late at night. Only D2's door was visible!

At next morning when opening tent we got the surprise of a beautiful landscape

I'll continue later

 

[German Grüner]

The place where we camped is called "Ragintuco", on Lake Nahuel Huapi's coast

The beach landscape is very impressive. We spent a restful day at the beach

And we sleeped under those tremendous "coihues" (main tree of medium andean region)

We decided to spend one more night,

And next day we left for Bariloche, biggest city in the region. Here is its Civic Center. We are in a giant National Park.

"Mitre" street, the heart of Bariloche

Panoramic point, obligatory station of the "small circuit"

This is the view from Cerro Campanario

To which we climbed by the chairlift

As night fell we sought to camp at Cirse, a Nautical Club, which was saturated. As soon as we reached campsite, we ate some lentils for dinner and went to sleep with plans to go early to Port Pañuelo, to go on a catamaran excursion tomorrow...

I'll continue later

 

[Paul d]

The place where we camped is called "Ragintuco", on Lake Nahuel Huapi's coast

The beach landscape is very impressive. We spent a restful day at the beach

And we sleeped under those tremendous "coihues" (main tree of medium andean region)

We decided to spend one more night,

And next day we left for Bariloche, biggest city in the region. Here is its Civic Center. We are in a giant National Park.

"Mitre" street, the heart of Bariloche

Panoramic point, obligatory station of the "small circuit"

This is the view from Cerro Campanario

To which we climbed by the chairlift

As night fell we sought to camp at Cirse, a Nautical Club, which was saturated. As soon as we reached campsite, we ate some lentils for dinner and went to sleep with plans to go early to Port Pañuelo, to go on a catamaran excursion tomorrow...

I'll continue later

Stunning pictures again .scenery is beautiful..safe trip .

 

[German Grüner]

Next day was less Land Rovering day because early we went to Port Pañuelo and we left by catamaran towards Blest arm of Nahuel Huapi Lake

It is a visit to the most intense rainfall regime area of the lake, because it is in the upper part of the mountain range, behind which we have the Valdivian rainforest region.

There we visited El Cantaro waterfall, among other natural beauties.

From there we made a path that took us to the Puerto-Blest hotel, which, as the photo shows, could be seen along the way.

We arrived at the hotel, but we continued by bus bordering Frias river to the same name lake, where we continued its navigation by means of another boat

In Puerto Blest we saw this timeline in recognition of actions of domestic limits proficient Moreno, an authentic Indiana Jones

Almost on the border with Chile is this beautiful lake,

Final destination of the trip, the port of Frias

From Lake Frias you can see the summit of Cerro Tronador, with its glaciers. This would be from the north. To the south lies its black glacier

Before the return boarding by catamaran

When we arrived at Port Pañuelo, a storm broke out, and it also took us a long time to be able to leave for Bariloche. Our next stop was going to be El Bolsón, but we decided to head north again as it seemed to be less crowded. Under rain we did go around Lake Nahuel Huapi and return to province of Neuquen. Getting dark under rain we returned to camp in Ragintuco

 

[German Grüner]

We woke up with rainy weather, we walked along the route of the seven lakes, where we stopped at some viewpoints, heading north. This is one end of Correntoso Lake

We arrived at another national park: the Lanín

Thus, we came to camp at the ACA of San Martin de los Andes.

Since campsite is close to the town, we took advantage of the improved weather to walk to the shore of Lake Lácar

Where we seen some new things, because since 2008 we have not passed through this town.

We toke advantage of the city to dine on typical dishes and walk until late. We went to sleep and the next day we visited the viewpoints in the upper part, always so beautiful

... and at this point, given that vacations are meager, we realized that we should go turning the course towards our house. So we continued on our way to Junín de los Andes, and then towards Alicurá, leaving the Andean zone.

 

[German Grüner]

We have continued from Junin towards the route that borders the Limay river
When we stopped bordering the Collon Cura river, terrain rises and behind we could see all distant surrounding landscape

We saw for the last time the Lanin vulcan, who was behind us

Following the route we arrived at El Chocon reservoir, and that place we set out to visit. One of the greatest reservoirs of the world

And there the Ernesto Bachmann Museum, since we are in the Dinosaur Villa ...

Skeletons of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs found in the area, an important paleontological site

In Villa El Chocón we managed to camp. At the time of the tremendous wind, (there is a time in which wind starts) we had to change camp position, because it wanted to close our tent

At next day our Disco had a fierce fight against four kidnappers, haha!

After walking around the place and visiting the dam we decided to continue on our way to our beloved Lihue Calel National Park.

 

[German Grüner]

When we left El Chocón village we said goodbye to Mupo, the local mascot dino

After a couple of hundreds of kilometers, and crossing city of Neuquén, we arrived at the National Park and the guanacos were already waiting for us in the visit circuit

...which we did safari style, looking through binoculars from D2's rear bumper.

We continued on our way to "the eaves" walking

we arrived at the site, the rock eaves where ancient aborigines left their paintings

We went back, and we made camp for this night.

On a starry night, and with a full moon, we ate dinner on our last camping night. It will be our last night, because we had no more time.

Next morning a lizard visited us, among many other animals

It was not at all afraid of us and it ate the ants externating its viperine tongue with enough precision.

And being Saturday we made the last 800km home in one go.

End of the trip, I hope you enjoyed it!

 

[Paul d]

When we left El Chocón village we said goodbye to Mupo, the local mascot dino

After a couple of hundreds of kilometers, and crossing city of Neuquén, we arrived at the National Park and the guanacos were already waiting for us in the visit circuit

...which we did safari style, looking through binoculars from D2's rear bumper.

We continued on our way to "the eaves" walking

we arrived at the site, the rock eaves where ancient aborigines left their paintings

We went back, and we made camp for this night.

On a starry night, and with a full moon, we ate dinner on our last camping night. It will be our last night, because we had no more time.

Next morning a lizard visited us, among many other animals

It was not at all afraid of us and it ate the ants externating its viperine tongue with enough precision.

And being Saturday we made the last 800km home in one go.

End of the trip, I hope you enjoyed it!

Great pics and right up along the way .the Disco looked like it performed effortlessly .there are some stunning places in the world to visit I must say ..keep well

 

[Geobloke]

Super trip thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us