We had to take the front wheels off, and I had to let air out of Billy’s rear tire to be able to close the tailgate.
It wasn’t too far to the first border where we leave Argentina. There was a long line. It seemed that everyone was getting out of their cars and going up to the building, so we did the same.
Checking out of Argentina.
We got in line. It was a rather lengthy line, but it was moving. Finally we got to the migración window. Passports were checked, and the vehicle papers were checked. Then we had to go to the Adunas (customs) line where only Markus (as the driver) had to show his passport.
Now we were in no man’s land for a short distance to the border office of Chile. There we had to, once again, park the truck, and go inside. First we got what we call, “the Holy Paper” (the paper you have to give back when you leave Chile, so by all means, don’t lose it), then our passports were stamped. Onto line 2, Adunas, but first we had to fill out the same declaration form we had to fill out when we came to Chile. Of course, there were no pens. Alex got one, and we took turns. Okay, through that line. We thought we were done, so we went back to the truck. They hadn’t taken the declaration form. We thought they would take it as we drove through the inspection. Ah no. There was “Step 3”. This time, only Alex went in with all the declaration forms while the officer inspected the car. We were concerned about the sandwiches because they had lettuce, avocado, and salami. But, sandwiches were okay. Then Markus and I pulled ahead, and waited for Alex. We were now officially back in Chile.
See the Chilean guanacos?
Alex gave the guy the stamped declaration forms, and we were free to go.
Why did the Chilean guanaco cross the road? So I could get a photo, of course!
Next was the ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra Del Fuego.
Strait of Magellan.
You just stay in your vehicle for the crossing.
Funny thing, I couldn’t even tell we were moving. Then we were on the other side!
Tierra del Fuego!!!
Next stop was to exit Chile. We saw many guanacos on the way. Even caught this one jumping the fence.
Good job getting over the fence!
Then what should we happen to see? A couple of two-wheeled animales! Okay, maybe not really animales, but beasts nonetheless.
Mathias and Carmilla! They had already ridden quite a long distance from Cerro Sombrero. They did 80-some kilometers before noon, and that was with no wind. Now (about 1:30) it was quite the tailwind, and they were flying! They wanted to get past the border back into Argentina. They only had another 24 kilometers to go. If we had room in the truck, I’m sure we would have picked them up.
Vamos!
Four kilometers later we got to the border control to stamp out of Chile. This time it went much quicker, even though there were two buses. They had the car people go past the bus people. We did the first two steps (stamping out, and customs), then drove 13kms to stamp in to Argentina. As there are no signs really telling you where to go, we drove up to the front. The border police officer said we had to park and go in. Markus started to back up, but then the officer said we could just pull in front. Sweet! That saved us a lot of time!
Pulling up to the Argentina border control.
So, now we were back in Argentina! It was just another 68kms to Rio Grande. We made it to the Links Apart Hotel where I am staying while Alex and Markus drive the truck (doing in reverse everything we did to get here) back to Rio Gallegos. On Thursday (today is Tuesday), they will take the bus back to here.
My apartment is quite nice.
Kitchen, dining, and couch (and flat screen TV).
Cubby for Alex and Markus’ bags.
Baño
King size bed.
And the bikes have their own patio!
I walked to the nearby La Anónima mercado. It’s a smaller one, but has everything.
Now I’ll see what’s on the TV. Maybe I’ll learn some more Spanish…
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