To go or not to go ?

We took the bikes into the dealer and met other travelers from Ecuador and Australia. We were thinking of changing out tires but there was enough tread for the rest of the journey which we estimate to be around 4000 km.

We took Ali to the dentist and me and Hussain went shopping. When we got back Ali stated that the infection was serious and that he had to take another course of antibiotics.The only option is to remove the implant and Ali wanted to do it in Kuwait so again we are looking for shipping out of Chile and hte end of the trip for Ali.

For me and Hussain we have mixed feelings. The trip wouldn't be the same without Ali, and coming back is a very remote possibility.

We visited the Kuwait embassy here and met MR. Bader Al-Sager, Mohammad Al-Zammel , and Mr.Ahmed Al-Dhafiri. We had such a good time that they treated us for dinner.

To Santiago Chile

We left early for the border which we know would be at a high elevation since there were mountains between Argentina and Chile. We didn't dress warmly at the start and when the temperature started to drop we were only about 10 km from the border and didn't want to stop.

Initially when we first saw the sign welcome in Chile we were thinking that we didn't stamp out of Argentina , did we miss the border ? Then when we reached the border we found out that both the Argentina and Chile side were together in one place.

It took us almost 3 hours to cross the border half of it was waiting for our turn in a long line, and the other weeding through the paperwork. on the border we met three Brazilians and shared stories.

We then continued on to Santiago initially on a mountain road that had a wet railroad track that was crossing the lanes diagonally. the tires slipped a bit but we heard later that part has stopped many bikers on that road.

We stopped for fuel 20 km before Santiago and took a break. We reached the hotel in the early afternoon and rested especially since Ali's implant was really acting up. Tomorrow we take the bikes in for service at the local BMW dealer and take Ali to the Dental clinic for his appointment.

To Mendoza

We got our bikes ready really early that morning and waited for breakfast which consisted of tea and two pieces of bread each. I wasn't surprised after squashing the cockroach out side my room.

The road started as before twisty with humps and then turned into straight and hot. We stopped for fuel and coffee then continued on to Mendoza. After settling  into the hotel we went for lunch and then Ali and Hussain went for a hear cut.

Later in the day we visited a mall and had dinner there Ali's tooth implant is aching again, tomorrow we go into Chile.

 

To San Agustin del valle fertil

Valle Fertil is an area that is full of strange rocks and some dinosaur fossils. The road was nice a twisty but also had many humps and crevices so we were moving in all directions right left , up and down.

Hussain started to get dizzy. We stopped for a picture and some rest , and then continued on to our hotel which was really basic with a big sign.

We walked into town and found a nice restaurant that was closed since all restaurants open after sunset. But we came back later and had a good meal. Later that night a strong thunder storm rolled in and and shook every thing from the thunder.

To La Rioja

 We left Tafi del Valle early as usual and headed towards La Rioja , the mountainous twisty road turned into a straight desert road and the temperature went up to 34 Deg. c we go there in the early afternoon and rested until the just before sun set when we walked around the town square.

We found this new Skate board shop with a bicycle that had an engine attached to it. We went in and the owner a young fellow showed us videos of him self on TV as he presents the store and some skate board champions.

We went back for an early dinner so that we can continue on tomorrow to San Agustin.

To Tafi del Valle with Ali

Ali was excited to get back to riding especially that he has been almost 6 days since he last rode a bike. His tooth was OK after the shots he got from the dentist and we were heading to towards an interesting place.

Along the way to Tafi del Valle we stopped several times, the reason being is that it was a short distance and and easy ride. We came across interesting colored mountains and then there we saw many tourist stop and went in to find "Garganta del Diablo" the Devil's Throat.

We continued on until we reached the ruins of the Quilmes civilization and took a look walking around the cacti.

The road then started to ascend and get curvy and we finally reached our Hotel in the middle of town. We all went in town later that day and walked around before dinner it is small touristic town with many crafts shops many made from cactus.

It seems that all the restaurants open around sundown which is 8:30 pm here.

Three Nights in Salta

On the first day we had some shopping to do as well as get insurance for the bikes. Salta is a nice small town with one shopping mall and a main square with nice little restaurants. the first night was nice walking around we didn't many people until the next day in the morning when the streets were bustling.

We were told later in the afternoon on the 31st that we should make arrangements for our meals since all restaurants will be closed in preparation for the celebrations of the new year. we went to the closest market and found out we were too late every thing had closed even the local McDonald's.

We took a taxi to the mall where we were yesterday since there is a grocery shop there. and it was closed. We finally went to gas station and has some snacks to eat. We then took a taxi to the Main square and were surprised to find one restaurant open. We had dinner and went to the hotel happy.

Later That night the streets were empty and all we can hear from midnight on were the fire works all over town that lasted on and off for about an hour.

The next day we were face with another problem. Ali's implant tooth was aching really bad and he had to go to the dentist who only gave him a sedative since it was an implant and they were not equiped to handle it. they recommended that we go to Buenos Aires. but we were headed into Santiago Chile so we looked for a clinic there and managed to get an appointment for next Monday the 7th of January. Now we had to be in Santiago on that date.