2/4/2014 Paysandu to Termas de Guaviyú
D69, T6, Av 15.35, Max41, Tot 441, 25,945
Head wind till Tucuaembó turnoff then on the right sboulder
Mild overcast day
Camping
All my gear was dry and a good sleep was enjoyed in the comfortable bed.
It was a late night getting the blog up to date.
The hotel was the first time the net was easily available to me.
I returned to the dentist, he told me the tooth is vertically cracked. In the meantime he glued it together for me and said it could last a month maybe more.
It needs a crown, he told me that dentistry is more affordable in Paraguay, so a crown should solve the problem in a few weeks or more in Ascuncion.
Leaving town a few bikes were spotted, they belonged to a Brasillero, Urugaullo and an Argentino.
They were heading south. We talked for an hour, so my departure from town was after twelve.
Today was hard work in a 15 knot head wind out of the north east, prevailing here they tell me.
I still need another big nights sleep. The different climate is still taking a bit to get used to.
The countryside now has less cropping and more undeveloped terrain and that which is developed has cattle roaming about.
Lunch was enjoyed at a sevice staion behind a building to get out of the wind.
The road, though in good shape has no shoulder or what there is contains loose stones and is not consistent.
Many trucks use this road, Ruta 3.
As stated the other day life is back to normal for me now.
However this has its drawbacks. I am getting so used to doing this, the excitement can wane.
Dorothy whom I road with in AR, had told me much of the ability to cycle longterm is psychological. I am now seeing what she said.
It is so important to be positive and stay a little pumped. Adrenalin is a great help, even if only small quantities are rushing through your veins.
Luckily, the ability to produce this is still within me. It really does help so much.
This can be produced with far reaching thoughts about good stuff and dreams.
The unknown that each day provides also infuses a little bit into the system.
At seis y media (1830) the Termas de Guaviyú were reached.
Pulling in to the reception, a campsite was booked.
It was a large complex, with a big camping area and an enclosure of 4 or 5 clear swimming pools filled with thermal water at about 26 degrees.
I stripped down to my boxers and just chilled out in the nearest pool for an hour. It was so good.
Heading across to the camp area, a spot was found.
After having set up the tent, I wandered over to say hello to a couple who had a caravan onsite.
They were good company, gave me some food. I went back and got my mate and we sat around till nueve y media, 2130 and chatted over many mates.
It was great for my Spanish. Much was understood, much was not.
Discussing new topics makes one realise how small my vocab is.
Importantly we had a few laughs and all got the jist over what was said.
Heading back to the tent. I decided not to put any gear inside to test it for room.
It was perfect being able to fully stretch out.
The night was mild with a light breeze.
The wind had taken it out of me, sleep came very rapidly.
3/4/2013 Termas Guaviyú to Salto
D60, T5, Av16.21, Max 36, Tot 501, 26005
Hot, cross wind
Hotel Tia
A great sleep was enjoyed, there was room to spread out , only my bar bag has the luxury of being inside with me now.
Having not had much to eat last night, bread rolls and tuna with onion and tomato laced with fresh garlic were accompanied by porridge and coffee.
A cafe was visited to pen the account of yesterday.
Before heading off another swim in the pool, in the heat already mounting, the water felt quite cool compared to last night. Another mid day start was commenced.
The road, still just the same with gentle slopes and always a cruise down the other side went on and on.
Yatay palms (Butia yatay) were a common sight in the terrain. The palm is endemic to the area. The palms are occasionally seen in Australian gardens.
Other than this, nothing much has changed from a visual point of view.
Coming to a large gas station about 20 km on, a large bottle of Pomelo drink was enjoyed.
The coke company seems to have a monopoly on soft drinks here.
This was enjoyed with some other guys at tables and chairs near a truck weigh bridge.
Loads of cattle were coming over the scales and to be weighed.
I asked the guys if they could weigh the bike.
With me included, it came in at 140kg.
Later in the day my weight was taken, 3 kg have already been shed. That puts the bike and gear in at 73kg.
So, my equipment weight has come down from about 60-65kg to now aboutn50kg.
I can feel the difference when riding and especially moving it about in confined spaces, like up stairs in foyers of hotels.
Now at about 31 degrees latitude. The climate is almost exactly the same as in Coffs Harbour about now, minus the sea breeze, though nor easters are the prevailing wind, probably already meantioned!
Further on, I stopped to see if there were any Warmshowers hosts in Salto, there were none.
This is one of the many advantages of having the Samsung.
I got 3 gb of data for 10 days at nine dollars in Colonia, good value it was thought.
The ride was a bit easier today without the stronger winds and overall the road appeared to fall into Salto.
A cycle track was used for a short time on approaching town, its surface was a bit bumpy so I headedcback up to the highway again.
On the town outskirts an engineering shop was visited, there the owner made up 4 spacers for my front racks, at no charge which was great of him.
We both searched the scrap metal on the floor to find the profile required.
These fail every few thousand km.
They move the bottom mount aside so I can undo the axle without having to loosen 1 side of the rack.
I have Pin Head anti theft axles installed.
Salto is the second largest city in Uruguay, again on the banks of the Rio Uruguay.
It has another international bridge to AR.
Time was not had to check out the waterfront.
All I wanted was a room and a shower.
This was had at the Tia Hotel, it was full of young student teachers, training here.
A huge buffet come parrilla was enjoyed. The Parrilla is like the asado of Argentina where meat is bbq’ed.
Here they use wood alot and cook with the hot coals. A lot of green vegetables were eaten along with a couple of great slabs of beef, all followed by bowl after bowl of red jelly and chocolate ice cream.
It is so good being able to eat like this, it really is literally like filling the tank on a car.
Without a full stomach I am going nowhere.
Incidentally, the meal was all you could eat, meat included for $15, I am getting used to these prices.
Though once back in AR in a few days things will be more affordable.
My room at the Tia is incredibly small. I negotiated a better deal for the space not much bigger than a single bed. With a fan and a few power points it sufficed perfectly.
It was 500 pesos or $22 for the night. The courtyard here in the old building really adds atmosphere to the place.
Many people were just sitting around drinking Mate.
Most people in the streets are cuddling a thermos and sucking on a bombilla.
The yerba they drink here is straight ground up leaf, unlike in AR where most is drunk con palo or with small pieces of stem in the brew.
Either way, my enjoyment from the brew is immense.
I took 2kg home to my parents in NZ , mum likes it dad is not to keen.
Uruguallos all say how small their country is, Likely it can be ridden from north to south in under 10 days that does say alot for its size.
You never know, the National Anthem of Uruguay maybe heard in Brazil this year on more than one occasion, for a small country the have a good football team
D69, T6, Av 15.35, Max41, Tot 441, 25,945
Head wind till Tucuaembó turnoff then on the right sboulder
Mild overcast day
Camping
All my gear was dry and a good sleep was enjoyed in the comfortable bed.
It was a late night getting the blog up to date.
The hotel was the first time the net was easily available to me.
I returned to the dentist, he told me the tooth is vertically cracked. In the meantime he glued it together for me and said it could last a month maybe more.
It needs a crown, he told me that dentistry is more affordable in Paraguay, so a crown should solve the problem in a few weeks or more in Ascuncion.
Leaving town a few bikes were spotted, they belonged to a Brasillero, Urugaullo and an Argentino.
They were heading south. We talked for an hour, so my departure from town was after twelve.
Today was hard work in a 15 knot head wind out of the north east, prevailing here they tell me.
I still need another big nights sleep. The different climate is still taking a bit to get used to.
The countryside now has less cropping and more undeveloped terrain and that which is developed has cattle roaming about.
Lunch was enjoyed at a sevice staion behind a building to get out of the wind.
The road, though in good shape has no shoulder or what there is contains loose stones and is not consistent.
Many trucks use this road, Ruta 3.
As stated the other day life is back to normal for me now.
However this has its drawbacks. I am getting so used to doing this, the excitement can wane.
Dorothy whom I road with in AR, had told me much of the ability to cycle longterm is psychological. I am now seeing what she said.
It is so important to be positive and stay a little pumped. Adrenalin is a great help, even if only small quantities are rushing through your veins.
Luckily, the ability to produce this is still within me. It really does help so much.
This can be produced with far reaching thoughts about good stuff and dreams.
The unknown that each day provides also infuses a little bit into the system.
At seis y media (1830) the Termas de Guaviyú were reached.
Pulling in to the reception, a campsite was booked.
It was a large complex, with a big camping area and an enclosure of 4 or 5 clear swimming pools filled with thermal water at about 26 degrees.
I stripped down to my boxers and just chilled out in the nearest pool for an hour. It was so good.
Heading across to the camp area, a spot was found.
After having set up the tent, I wandered over to say hello to a couple who had a caravan onsite.
They were good company, gave me some food. I went back and got my mate and we sat around till nueve y media, 2130 and chatted over many mates.
It was great for my Spanish. Much was understood, much was not.
Discussing new topics makes one realise how small my vocab is.
Importantly we had a few laughs and all got the jist over what was said.
Heading back to the tent. I decided not to put any gear inside to test it for room.
It was perfect being able to fully stretch out.
The night was mild with a light breeze.
The wind had taken it out of me, sleep came very rapidly.
3/4/2013 Termas Guaviyú to Salto
D60, T5, Av16.21, Max 36, Tot 501, 26005
Hot, cross wind
Hotel Tia
A great sleep was enjoyed, there was room to spread out , only my bar bag has the luxury of being inside with me now.
Having not had much to eat last night, bread rolls and tuna with onion and tomato laced with fresh garlic were accompanied by porridge and coffee.
A cafe was visited to pen the account of yesterday.
Before heading off another swim in the pool, in the heat already mounting, the water felt quite cool compared to last night. Another mid day start was commenced.
The road, still just the same with gentle slopes and always a cruise down the other side went on and on.
Yatay palms (Butia yatay) were a common sight in the terrain. The palm is endemic to the area. The palms are occasionally seen in Australian gardens.
Other than this, nothing much has changed from a visual point of view.
Coming to a large gas station about 20 km on, a large bottle of Pomelo drink was enjoyed.
The coke company seems to have a monopoly on soft drinks here.
This was enjoyed with some other guys at tables and chairs near a truck weigh bridge.
Loads of cattle were coming over the scales and to be weighed.
I asked the guys if they could weigh the bike.
With me included, it came in at 140kg.
Later in the day my weight was taken, 3 kg have already been shed. That puts the bike and gear in at 73kg.
So, my equipment weight has come down from about 60-65kg to now aboutn50kg.
I can feel the difference when riding and especially moving it about in confined spaces, like up stairs in foyers of hotels.
Now at about 31 degrees latitude. The climate is almost exactly the same as in Coffs Harbour about now, minus the sea breeze, though nor easters are the prevailing wind, probably already meantioned!
Further on, I stopped to see if there were any Warmshowers hosts in Salto, there were none.
This is one of the many advantages of having the Samsung.
I got 3 gb of data for 10 days at nine dollars in Colonia, good value it was thought.
The ride was a bit easier today without the stronger winds and overall the road appeared to fall into Salto.
A cycle track was used for a short time on approaching town, its surface was a bit bumpy so I headedcback up to the highway again.
On the town outskirts an engineering shop was visited, there the owner made up 4 spacers for my front racks, at no charge which was great of him.
We both searched the scrap metal on the floor to find the profile required.
These fail every few thousand km.
They move the bottom mount aside so I can undo the axle without having to loosen 1 side of the rack.
I have Pin Head anti theft axles installed.
Salto is the second largest city in Uruguay, again on the banks of the Rio Uruguay.
It has another international bridge to AR.
Time was not had to check out the waterfront.
All I wanted was a room and a shower.
This was had at the Tia Hotel, it was full of young student teachers, training here.
A huge buffet come parrilla was enjoyed. The Parrilla is like the asado of Argentina where meat is bbq’ed.
Here they use wood alot and cook with the hot coals. A lot of green vegetables were eaten along with a couple of great slabs of beef, all followed by bowl after bowl of red jelly and chocolate ice cream.
It is so good being able to eat like this, it really is literally like filling the tank on a car.
Without a full stomach I am going nowhere.
Incidentally, the meal was all you could eat, meat included for $15, I am getting used to these prices.
Though once back in AR in a few days things will be more affordable.
My room at the Tia is incredibly small. I negotiated a better deal for the space not much bigger than a single bed. With a fan and a few power points it sufficed perfectly.
It was 500 pesos or $22 for the night. The courtyard here in the old building really adds atmosphere to the place.
Many people were just sitting around drinking Mate.
Most people in the streets are cuddling a thermos and sucking on a bombilla.
The yerba they drink here is straight ground up leaf, unlike in AR where most is drunk con palo or with small pieces of stem in the brew.
Either way, my enjoyment from the brew is immense.
I took 2kg home to my parents in NZ , mum likes it dad is not to keen.
Uruguallos all say how small their country is, Likely it can be ridden from north to south in under 10 days that does say alot for its size.
You never know, the National Anthem of Uruguay maybe heard in Brazil this year on more than one occasion, for a small country the have a good football team
 Yatay palms (Butia yatay) scattered through the undeveloped country
 This little spacer allows me to access the axle pin to repair a puncture without having to undo the rack mount.
 These pools were just the best after a hot day.
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 The nights spot Termas de Guaviyú
 Time was spent with these cyclists before leaving Paysandu
 Downtown Salto
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