Already there is another week since we have followed her back to the summer on the northern side of the globe. Below we report yet of some events of recent weeks and at the end of the tours are still planned for next season 2009/2010.
Paro = Rutas Cortadas (through strikes, blocked roads) are replaced by Aedes aegypti and H1N1
was still reassuring then that the teachers in the area of Mendoza, and further north could not convince this strike means. So we could all our Preparations for the Andean highlands tour perform unhindered.
But of the press releases we were even not spared.
All the alarmist reports in the newspapers about dengue fever and Porcina (swine flu) dealt course. It was evident in northern Argentina in the more humid areas where mosquitoes are just at home, Since almost time for the largest known spread of dengue come, which had been brought in from Paraguay to Argentina via Bolivia. Up even after Easter persistent high temperatures were not prone to redress the situation. Aedes aegypti, the daytime only slow-flying insect with striped legs and polka-dotted body, which transmits the dengue virus was just, suddenly spotted everywhere. In the provinces of San Juan, Mendoza and San Luis, however, no cases of illness were known. After some research it was clear to us that there was no danger for our tour, as we as more than 2,500 m above sea level motion and sea level only in Chile on the other side of the Andes reached. Aedes aegypti does not survive 10 ° C. What swine flu or even H1N1 = Porcina concerned, there was in Argentina and Chile have no cases. We feared most, that would be disinfected at border crossings, the cars. Which was also not what we should know later.
The Tour
still it was pretty hot when we started the Highland tour in Mendoza and we were happy to reach the higher areas. Guests this time were almost all "repeat offenders". Fidi's side, no surprises were expected to service and overhaul of the front axle were successful.
The trip went like clockwork, the border was entirely within the normal range, the weather could not have been better, which increases gave rise to star studies. Discussions while now actually really shows the Southern Cross with its extension, brought us to the conclusion that we do not all understand exactly what is in all the clever books. The 5-fold extension is to point south ... Go where the tail (2 shows in the south of the Cross Related bright stars)?
If not the car, then the camper
The second day of the tour should start with an unusual breakdown. All packed, we were given leave to go shopping. Everyone was already seated and I still graduated from the camper. There was an indefinable comic click here. I became suspicious of the campers wanted to lock open again. As was nothing more - the cylinder had apparently passed. All get out. Astonished faces. Luckily, Rolf part of his tool in a still accessible from the outside cabinet, but there was not the appropriate tool to find, because we needed a hacksaw to saw through the locked bolt. Each tried in his pockets to find something useful. No result. Oh yes, there was still the practical Victorinox pocket knife, which was fortunately in the cab .. This should work it. After a half hours, the castle was cracked. Finish with bolt we could not, however, the door lock a second lock and that a barrier to prevent the opening mechanism can be moved. This had to be rich just for the tour.
The next clumsiness should not be far. The next day, namely, where we left the hut system in Rodeo, we did not notice that a decorative chain on the top bar of the exit to go deep as that ventilation hood would fit through the refrigerator. There were only the words ouch - good to hear and because the piece was already on the ground - shit. The very best Duct tape often had to serve for the first time until we had more time to properly repair it with fiberglass paste. Almost a whole roll stuck Rolf about the gaping hole. This was supposed to keep a rain shower was. It could go on. What's next?
smugglers in Argentina and Chile
order to adapt to the altitude, we stayed overnight before crossing over the San Francisco Pass at 3300 m above sea level yet It was already after 23 clock. We sat just as comfortable in Puna tea and red wine punch all stay in tents, as far in the distance from the west on a small door - her words from the Chilean border - two vehicles approached the pass road paved. Our camp was about 1 km away from the pass line. The area is known for smugglers and there are also occasionally Checks made by the police. We observed the "gentlemen" with our binoculars. People got out of the vehicles waved, arms, baggage was off and charged again, then all got back on. The vehicles drove to explore the surrounding area (they had us have probably seen) continues quite rapidly. That was in Argentina. In Chile, Carabineros us surprised when we control early in the morning by 5 clock were traveling to Tatio geysers. Rolf took the steep switchbacks as usual and Fidi muttered to himself with pleasure, when suddenly in front of a curve only a few meters in front of us went off a blue alarm light without warning. Full Stop! They were out there about -5 ° C. We found ourselves again in a flood of light from headlights. Behind us, an armed carabinero and 3 others before us. One of the men interviewed Rolf then, because wherever we wanted, how many people we were, what nationality, etc. - "to Tatio geysers well" was the dry and somewhat forceful response by Rolf. The head of the troupe then moved from the police vehicle and instructed the "boys" that we were the tourists who had camped in the valley below and it should open the path. There was probably something in the game - but we did not want to know. Rolf put the car in gear and off we went. The Tatio geysers were then in spectacular as always in the sunrise. Breakfast there was against this magnificent backdrop at 4200 meters above sea level
mouthguard to 4100 m above sea level .
the Jama Pass lay before us today. Once again we crossed the Andes (4800 m above sea level). We held out for any flowering lupins in this desert, which had occurred a few years time. But this year it was extremely dry and there was nothing in this kind of spot, but vicunas (barrels or barrel-shaped seal of Fidibüslern), and tons of pink flamingos!! Soon we reached the Argentine border crossing station at 4100 m above sea level It was just a coach in clearance. What we have seen, however, gave us food for thought. The officials were all equipped with face masks and were known to them personally truck drivers do not even greet with a handshake. We asked what was going on here. "Porcina" (swine flu) was the answer and it would be mandatory at all border stations these measures for civil servants. It is noted that the Jama Pass can get traffic from Bolivia ago. We were then cleared, got hot after discussion with the customs officers are granted 8 months for the vehicle is not only 3 months, what for us after the tour meant to go to Chile again, and then obtain the re-entry to Argentina the 8 months, which we then pass on the truck Libertadores (Mendoza - Santiago) was successful. There, however, we had nowhere to find mouth masks, and the officers behaved normally. Not more than a screen wallpaper on the computers of the Chilean customs officials revealed that it had to be somewhere Porcina - it was a mouth guard dog was pictured carrying full size! When the Argentines at the entry into Las Cuevas was a first aid post was set up with two doctors, which the incoming people watch and individual travelers and answer questions about Health presented. What to do with people showing these symptoms would .... ?
disappointment at the ritual stones "Los menhirs"
On the last day of tour we were on the dry side of the Precordillera to the tropical forest landscape in Tucuman. The temperatures had become comfortable and at night it cooled off pretty well here already. Aedes aegypti was no longer active. Whether the larvae survive the winter and the number of poison that was sprayed, we will know next year. We still wanted to visit the ritual stones "Los menhirs. Along with the rising tropical mist were always great pictures and moods. But we could see the stones on the hill nowhere. We rode 2 times around the hill - nothing. The original track was washed away. Years ago we had heard that these stones had been defaced by graffiti artists.
The fact that these stones had been dug up but then and has moved into a small park were in was not known. We found out about the nearby gas station. We then have the little park in the nearby village visited. The stones were there at all any more charisma, she stood side by side lined up in a maximum of 2 m distance - a huge disappointment.
top 2 pictures as it was there once.
margins:
spill: no
Camper: a broken door lock cylinder and a torn Refrigerator Ventilation Hood
Conclusion
encourage more new routes us to this Tours continue. We have adapted the tour Andean highlands / Atacama desert in 2010 has accordingly and will get back to the Sico Pass instead of the Jama Pass to Argentina.
In Patagonia is for the south-north route in February 2010 a new route before. We will start in Punta Arenas and Concepcion in Chile end in the tour. The North-South Tour in December / January in the route guidance only retained the tour will end in Punta Arenas are instead in Rio Gallegos.
The latest tour descriptions are available. Delivery is available on request.
Latest photos from all over the 08/09 season
are charged to
http://fotoservices.bluewin.ch/fotopage/fidibustours/
Saludos - Bea & Rolf - the fidibusteam
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