Argentina, Santa Cruz province

We entered Argentina via the Paso Integración Austral border crossing, and it was a smooth process. On first sight it looked pretty much the same as the part of Chile we had just left, and not until we reached Rio Gallegos did we see the changes. The most obvious was the wind, it was so strong that the ferry we had taken to leave Tierra del Fuego was closed the following days. It turned out that Rio Gallegos is listed as one of the windiest cities on Earth, and when it is really strong schools are closed, the ferry doesn't go (it is a ferry ride of about 10 minutes all up!), and it is dangerous to go out as the wind gusts pushes you around.

The next few days we drove around the southern-most province of Argentina, Santa Cruz. This is famous for different things, one of them the continuous strong winds across the whole Patagonia landscape. It was hard work for Harold.

We left Rio Gallegos and drove to El Calafate via RN40, one of the roads going north. It is a choice which way to go, and the roads are not consistently good, with many still not being paved. Next we carried on north on RN40, and by ignorance ended up having to pass the Damned73, a 73 km long stretch of gravel road where several motorcyclists have lost their lives. When arriving in Gobernador Gregores we reviewed the plan and decided to go on roads 27 & 288 to the east coast rather than carrying on north on 40, which had more sections of gravel than we were prepared to take on.

The morning we left Gobernador Gregores we learned that the roads in Santa Cruz would be closed the following day (and for an unknown time) due to high winds. The police advice was for us to go to Comodoro Rivadavia.

We feel we have seen a lot of Patagonia, it is beautiful and monotonous and quite special. We have seen guanacos, ostriches, wild horses, the odd fox, a few birds, and plenty of cows and sheep. The landscape has mountains and valleys, rivers and lakes, sand and dust, unrestricted views, wind, strong sun and light, and straight roads that go forever. It has been an experience, and seeing how different it is in Chile and Argentina has been a treat.