Neuquen to Villa Pehuenia
21/04/09 22:00
After sunrise we could see just how vast and flat this part of the country is. It is bleak with few animals and the air is noticably drier.
Police checkpoint en route to Neuquen.
We arrived in Neuquen at 11:00. This is only a transit stop as we never left the bus station. Our next destination is Villa Pehuenia near the Chilean border and we will travel with Albus at a cost of Arg$65.
We had a 2 1/2 hour wait and had a good lunch in the terminal.
Gilles about to board.
On board for a 13:30 departure. Albus use similar buses to Chevalier but this one was older and somewhat tired.
As we proceeded the landscape rapidly became mountainous as we climbed into the Andes.
Our first gaucho.
We passed though CutralCo, Zapala and Aluminé. At times asphalt gave way to gravel as the road steepened with many switchbacks. Very dramatic scenery with some cows and sheep appearing.
We arrived at Villa Pehuenia around 20:20 after some 7 hours. Not a lot was open. It seems we have arrived in between the end of trekking/fishing and the ski season.
Some helpful locals take us to Apartamentos Don Piri, just outside town, where we booked an apartment. Later we ate at Los Troncos, a bit uppish on price but not bad given that they were the only place open. Our apartment cost Arg$150 for two and our meal Arg$140 for two.
My Movistar mobile does not work here but Claro does.
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Police checkpoint en route to Neuquen.
We arrived in Neuquen at 11:00. This is only a transit stop as we never left the bus station. Our next destination is Villa Pehuenia near the Chilean border and we will travel with Albus at a cost of Arg$65.
We had a 2 1/2 hour wait and had a good lunch in the terminal.
Gilles about to board.
On board for a 13:30 departure. Albus use similar buses to Chevalier but this one was older and somewhat tired.
As we proceeded the landscape rapidly became mountainous as we climbed into the Andes.
Our first gaucho.
We passed though CutralCo, Zapala and Aluminé. At times asphalt gave way to gravel as the road steepened with many switchbacks. Very dramatic scenery with some cows and sheep appearing.
We arrived at Villa Pehuenia around 20:20 after some 7 hours. Not a lot was open. It seems we have arrived in between the end of trekking/fishing and the ski season.
Some helpful locals take us to Apartamentos Don Piri, just outside town, where we booked an apartment. Later we ate at Los Troncos, a bit uppish on price but not bad given that they were the only place open. Our apartment cost Arg$150 for two and our meal Arg$140 for two.
My Movistar mobile does not work here but Claro does.
next
Buenos Aires to Neuquen
20/04/09 22:58
Today was the beginning of our Patagonia road trip. For the first leg from Buenos Aires to Neuquen we are booked on Chevalier leaving Retiro at 20:00. The cost for Executivo class is Arg$170. We have made no other bookings and plan to wing it as we go.
Retiro Bus Station - Buenos Aires.
Our Chevalier coach.
On board awaiting departure.
My travelling companion, Gilles.
Our route will take us south and west through the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Mercedes, Chivilcoy, Pehuajo, Santa Rosa, Caranche, Casa de Piedra, General Roca and on to Neuquen.
Retiro Bus Station - Buenos Aires.
Our Chevalier coach.
On board awaiting departure.
My travelling companion, Gilles.
Our route will take us south and west through the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Mercedes, Chivilcoy, Pehuajo, Santa Rosa, Caranche, Casa de Piedra, General Roca and on to Neuquen.