From Chile to Argentina and back again.
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| Sheared: The long and winding road |
East from San Pedro to Salta and Mendoza, then west to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Getting closer to the finish line.
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| Salta by starlight |
SALTA was nice. They had their very own cable car, and a nice country ramble took us back down to town.
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| Another town, another cable car |
It was a big pilgrimage weekend when we arrived. People dragging man-size crucifixes up the road from miles around, flags and hankies waving and hundreds of thousands of folks filtering through the town square for the main event - carrying the Virgin of Milagro around town on a big bed of roses.
She once stopped an earthquake happening, so now gets an annual 'thank you' from the populace.
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| Everyone´s got one |
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| Spot the virgin |
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| Jesus saves, Messi scores on the rebound. |
From the bell tower there was some seriously heavy and repetitive campanology prior to the procession. If Angus Young had walked on in an Argentina shirt playing Back in Black I wouldn't have been in the least surprised.
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| On the road again |
MENDOZA saw us cycling through the vineyards with English John and Alex from Germany. Think Harry Enfield's Jurgen, but funnier.
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| Before... |
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| ... after |
Three vineyards, nine small-ish tasting glasses of wine, a shared picnic and a very hot day on the bikes. Lovely.
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| Up... |
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| ...over... |
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| ... and out |
An amazing bus trip and border crossing over the snowy and precarious Andes brought us to
VALPARAISO, almost back to where we started in February.
It was strange to feel 'seasoned' enough travellers to not be overawed this time 'round, but we were both a bit emotional when we arrived.
It's been a long trip so far and, looking back at the diary, a lifetime's worth of experiences have come and gone.
Still, a steak dinner and a bottle of red wine cheered us up.
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| My Little Virgins |
And now VINA DEL MAR. A very nice beach town but, hey, another beach town... Kim's been out and about, but I'm just in listening to the Newcastle match.
I´m ready to leave South America now. Back to Santiago on Friday, where we're re-booked in at the Happy House 'til next Wednesday.
Two-thirds of our year gone. New Zealand beckons...
("a lifetime's worth of experiences have come and gone.")... no not gone Keith you've still got them xx great pictures and bet you're looking forward to the next adventure :o)
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M&D XXXX
Aye time gos to fast i think,it just seems like 5 mins since you left.Like the tash shot.All well at home ,our house is quiet without the lads ,managed to skype with michael last night,his image was hazy but sound clear.Not bad for 7000 miles away.Hes doing ok he has sprouted a beard also.Chris and gina settled in new gaff they both ok.Chris talking about full time at aa more cash for him.he seems to enjoy it and he got a 250 notr bonus so he must be doin summit right.Gonna suffer toon tonight on tv .stoke away cant see them getting owt from there .But we shall put our nerves on full panic no doubt.Looking forward to seeing nzl on blog ,suppose to be a lovely country.Probably more westernized than you have been used to a good thing as far as scran and drink anyhow.Take care xxx from all.
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