Tolhuin
Last step before "Ushuaia"
On the advice of Michel and before leaving " Rio Grande " we visit the " Estancia Maria Behety "
It is a rural farm. It was founded in 1897 on an area of 62,000 hectares and can accommodate up to 39,000 sheep.
The shearing shed has a capacity of 7,000 animals. The buildings that constitute the heart of the estancia have the typical style of architecture of the great patagonian estancias, with a wooden structure, covered with metal sheets outside.
We are witnessing the mowing, a well-oiled and especially fast teamwork.
In the late morning we arrive at " Tolhuin ", direction the tourist office.
We are attended by a pleasant and competent hostess who, with maps, invites us to discover the different hikes or attractions of her city. In addition, she offers us to stay on the parking lot of the office for the night while benefiting from water and electricity.
We leave it after receiving two glasses with the city’s effigy!
In the afternoon we hike around the "Laguna Negra" and then we settle down on the parking lot by plugging in electricity... Very convenient in this season.
Very quiet evening.
Rio Grande
We changed our plans.
After checking the weather in the region, we change our route, going directly to Ushuaia without passing through " Punta Arena " in Chile which we will visit later.
To reach the "Tierra de Fuego" we must imperatively cross Chile, the strait of "Magelan" and two borders in one day.
Chile is very particular about importing food... Vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meat are not allowed. If not declared the fine is extremely " high".
So the day before, our afternoon was dedicated to cooking meats, vegetables and cakes!!! We only keep two tomatoes, two carrots and a little butter that we declare to have less control ...
The first border crossing is fast.
Then we reach the strait of " Magelan " where we take a ferry that crosses in in 30 minutes to the other side on a rough sea.
The second border crossing is also proceeding smoothly.
We are back in Argentina.
We stay two days in "Rio Grande" : the weather is not good.
In summary, we have every other day a beautiful sun accompanied by clouds, the rest being either rainy or very gray and windy.
We meet again with " Pascale et Michel ", another opportunity to exchange information
Monte Aymond
We are back on the road to " Ushuaia"
We stop at the "Laguna Azul" A beautiful lagoon, once the crater of an ancient volcano.
It owes its name to its blue color, exceptional, thanks to the depth of its waters.
The environment of the site being nice, we decide to stay there for the night before going to the Chilean side.
Rio Gallegos
Our visit of the glaciers ends, we keep a spectacular memory despite the rather low temperatures.
We reach more than 300 km away the Atlantic coast in Rio Gallegos, last city before our passage to Chile.
The landscapes are still monotonous but the road in good quality.
Founded in 1888 Río Gallegos is now the capital city of the province of Santa Cruz and the only city in southern Patagonia. It mainly lives from sheep farming and port activity.
It is only a step city that allows us to do the resupply, withdraw cash and do the laundry.
We visit the " Muséo Malvinas Argentinas ". Small original museum where ex-combatants, families and villagers provided all kinds of war material, letters, coins, etc., to illustrate the war of the "Falklands".
Of course, seen from the Argentinian side.
Other museums in the city are closed ... as usual!!!
The next day, rain is present almost all day, so we stay to update the site and work on the video.
ROAD BOOK 190
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