Leaving Ushuaia, we see a reminder of why there are still tensions with the UK. We've had no trouble, but this is the first trip I've not carried a Union Jack somewhere.
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| A tribute to the veterans and those lives lost on the Belgrano |
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| The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) are Argentine |
A quick blast north on Ruta 3, stopping for coffee again in Tolhuin, then on to Rio Grande for a return visit to the empanada shop. Duff's bike overheated just after leaving Ushuaia, so it's now on the back of the trailer and Duff is riding shotgun in the truck. What with his headlight bulb, puncture, leaking radiator, and now the terminal overheating, Duff is now officially our champion bike killer - taking the crown from Mark.
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| Duff, the champion |
The last border crossing was just another tarmac run away, and with Argentina now behind us, I can now reveal that Jeremy Clarkson was travelling with us incognito and he was pictured next to the welcome to Argentina sign! Maybe that explains Biker Dom's enthusiastic throttle wrist? "More POWER!"
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| Look who was welcome in Argentina |
We divert west from the road to Cerro Sombrero and visit Pinguino Rey to see penguins in their natural habitat. En route Ray manages to hit a fox that dashed out in front of him. The fox is killed instantly, its guts splashed on the gravel, and Ray is lucky not to be dashed and splashed himself. Fortunately fortune favours the speedy and his angular momentum keeps him on track. Luckily Sandra Duck had her eyes closed.
After we pay our $25 entry fee, the penguins are pleased to see us, cackling like aliens in an unknown language. There's a group of about 30 spaced apart, definitely not enjoying the heat. Yesterday saw 100kph winds, but today is still and the sun beats down without respite. The penguins are not used to the heat, so occasionally they dip into the fresh water pond that separates us from them to cool off.
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| Hot, but not sweaty |
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| About to take a dip to cool off |
Normally they would swim in the ocean to cool off rather than the fresh water, but in the distance we can see why they choose not to today. The orcas are in town and they like nothing more than a tasty penguin to feed on. We can see their venting plumes as they surface and empty their lungs. It's a bonus for us to see them as well as the penguins.
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| Orca plume in the distance |
Another long day today with 430km covered. Tomorrow we go back to the mainland and on to Punta Arenas, where we return the bikes and take sharp intakes of breath as we have them assessed for damage.....
Pics at
http://bikerdom.blogspot.com
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Sent from the dusty road using my rusty BlackBerry
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