7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
D82, T6, Av14.62, Max 32, Tot 744, 26,237
Hot, light wind, 31°
Camping in sawmill
Things were packed early and a huge breakfast had upstairs in the hotel.
Heading from the hotel down to the river to catch the boat across to Monte Caseros, took me about 10 minutes to the wharf.
Here I received an exit stamp from UY. It was a very laid back affair. The boat was like n Asian river boat, long and narrow.
The concrete wharf had a steep staircase leading down to the water level area for embarkation. Luckily there was another fairly fit bloke about who helped man handle the bike down this steep un hand railed decent to the boat.
Here, we loaded it on the bow.
Since I have lightened the load these activities have become alot easier.
The old guys skippering the boat had a great job, the old diesel engine harmoniously hammering away in the passenger area had the sound about it that you could tell it was loved and well maintained.
Thirty minutes later we were in AR, across the river Uruguay. Here the officials took my passport and gave me an entrance stamp and a guy working on another boat exchanged my last few UY pesos for AR pesos.
My phone card lasted the length of time in UY.
Once in town the 10 days to the hour was up and the data stream ceased.
Claro here were not open till 0500, waiting was not an option.
Asking around town as to where I could get some US dollars changed to pesos, led me to the large supermarket in town, the best rate was 10 pesos to the dollar.
Grabbing a few supplies I headed out of town. Riding west it was great to have a tail wind.
So great, that I missed the gravel turnoff to Libertad. Back tracking took in about 7km.
The roads here in AR are so nice and smooth. With a tail wind it had been to enticing.
Once on the sandy road to Libertad, the going got tough, it literally was sand.
At one point, riding in the patchy long grass to the side of the road was better, at least the sand was firm.
The road did improve as time went on.
Some power line workers gave me fantastically cold water mid way across the 30 km stretch to Ruta 14.
I am constantly sticky and sweaty now.
Water management is a big deal, it is important to stay hydrated.
The road had really taken it out of me.
Though reaching the overpass of Ruta 14, on climbing the ramp it was great to be on a dual carriage way highway.
Some 5km down the road was a gas station, here 4 empanadas and iced tea were enjoyed in the AC building.
Watching TV, there has been another quake in CL and flooding in Neyquen and Cordoba here in AR.
Buenos Aires was also on alert for storms.
An hour was spent sitting an eating in this haven from the elements outside.
Once departing, I was again full of energy, the k’s were clocking up fast on the odometer.
The terrain here is very flat, with grasslands all around and many Eucalyptus plantations. These were later found out to be Eucalyptus grandis, or Flooded gums.
Very tall slender growing trees.
Ruta 14 now follows the border with Brazil. I am staying out of Brazil till the time comes when I have to enter.
My communication there will be seriously reduced. My Portuguese is zero for lack of a better word.
However I am armed with a phrase book and the net will help along with the locals
Riding on in the early evening, conditions, temperature wise were slightly improving.
At 1800 a couple of potential camping spots were investigated, both required access to private property, they were noted suitable.
Some distance on and now almost dark, a sawmill was seen.
There were a couple of men standing around back from the road.
They at first said it was no good camping because of the dogs, another guy came out.
Thankfully, he said it was cool. He took me to a large shed and said I could set up here.
Whilst setting up the dogs, some 5 of came to check me out, they were fine, just inquisitive.
It was all good, shelter and water.
Again, only the inner part of the Hubba was used. In this respect it is perfect.
I am now used to its smallness and am enjoying the ease at which things can be found within.
Dinner was bread rolls, salami with tomatoes and red onions, these were not eaten during the day.
It is great being back in AR in more ways than one.
The people are so friendly and laid back, roads are very smooth, most things are affordable and generally, there are always houses and small towns about. The latter I missed in UY.
Though there were a couple of lights on for the night in the large shed, they did not stop me from falling asleep rapidly.
Even at night it is warm. I now have a tropical sleeping bag, mostly it is even too hot for that.
D82, T6, Av14.62, Max 32, Tot 744, 26,237
Hot, light wind, 31°
Camping in sawmill
Things were packed early and a huge breakfast had upstairs in the hotel.
Heading from the hotel down to the river to catch the boat across to Monte Caseros, took me about 10 minutes to the wharf.
Here I received an exit stamp from UY. It was a very laid back affair. The boat was like n Asian river boat, long and narrow.
The concrete wharf had a steep staircase leading down to the water level area for embarkation. Luckily there was another fairly fit bloke about who helped man handle the bike down this steep un hand railed decent to the boat.
Here, we loaded it on the bow.
Since I have lightened the load these activities have become alot easier.
The old guys skippering the boat had a great job, the old diesel engine harmoniously hammering away in the passenger area had the sound about it that you could tell it was loved and well maintained.
Thirty minutes later we were in AR, across the river Uruguay. Here the officials took my passport and gave me an entrance stamp and a guy working on another boat exchanged my last few UY pesos for AR pesos.
My phone card lasted the length of time in UY.
Once in town the 10 days to the hour was up and the data stream ceased.
Claro here were not open till 0500, waiting was not an option.
Asking around town as to where I could get some US dollars changed to pesos, led me to the large supermarket in town, the best rate was 10 pesos to the dollar.
Grabbing a few supplies I headed out of town. Riding west it was great to have a tail wind.
So great, that I missed the gravel turnoff to Libertad. Back tracking took in about 7km.
The roads here in AR are so nice and smooth. With a tail wind it had been to enticing.
Once on the sandy road to Libertad, the going got tough, it literally was sand.
At one point, riding in the patchy long grass to the side of the road was better, at least the sand was firm.
The road did improve as time went on.
Some power line workers gave me fantastically cold water mid way across the 30 km stretch to Ruta 14.
I am constantly sticky and sweaty now.
Water management is a big deal, it is important to stay hydrated.
The road had really taken it out of me.
Though reaching the overpass of Ruta 14, on climbing the ramp it was great to be on a dual carriage way highway.
Some 5km down the road was a gas station, here 4 empanadas and iced tea were enjoyed in the AC building.
Watching TV, there has been another quake in CL and flooding in Neyquen and Cordoba here in AR.
Buenos Aires was also on alert for storms.
An hour was spent sitting an eating in this haven from the elements outside.
Once departing, I was again full of energy, the k’s were clocking up fast on the odometer.
The terrain here is very flat, with grasslands all around and many Eucalyptus plantations. These were later found out to be Eucalyptus grandis, or Flooded gums.
Very tall slender growing trees.
Ruta 14 now follows the border with Brazil. I am staying out of Brazil till the time comes when I have to enter.
My communication there will be seriously reduced. My Portuguese is zero for lack of a better word.
However I am armed with a phrase book and the net will help along with the locals
Riding on in the early evening, conditions, temperature wise were slightly improving.
At 1800 a couple of potential camping spots were investigated, both required access to private property, they were noted suitable.
Some distance on and now almost dark, a sawmill was seen.
There were a couple of men standing around back from the road.
They at first said it was no good camping because of the dogs, another guy came out.
Thankfully, he said it was cool. He took me to a large shed and said I could set up here.
Whilst setting up the dogs, some 5 of came to check me out, they were fine, just inquisitive.
It was all good, shelter and water.
Again, only the inner part of the Hubba was used. In this respect it is perfect.
I am now used to its smallness and am enjoying the ease at which things can be found within.
Dinner was bread rolls, salami with tomatoes and red onions, these were not eaten during the day.
It is great being back in AR in more ways than one.
The people are so friendly and laid back, roads are very smooth, most things are affordable and generally, there are always houses and small towns about. The latter I missed in UY.
Though there were a couple of lights on for the night in the large shed, they did not stop me from falling asleep rapidly.
Even at night it is warm. I now have a tropical sleeping bag, mostly it is even too hot for that.
 With friends we owned one of the great old Citreons once
 Grain growing is also big business in AR
 Sustainable forestry, Flooded gum plantation in background.
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 Parts of this road were like riding on a beach
 Very sensible speed limits, notice trucks max is 80.
No intimidation by some truck drivers here.
 The nights retreat.
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