We had driven hard up the gravel Ruta 40 from El Chalten to Los Antiguos/Chile Chico on the border. I was in my glory, flying over the rough rode like it was Dakar season again. With a stop before the border for cherries, we crossed over to meet the notorious SAG (Chile Agriculture) who promptly took every spice, herb, firewood, cheese, fruit, egg, vegetable, and anything else which might be of use to them. There was a big kerfuffle with Claudia when the SAG man made a grab for her smoked trout; the fangs came out and the trout was retained if only it were to be consumed immediately. The last of the smoked trout was now gone.
Across the border in Chile Chico starts the famous Carretera Austral road which has done in so many vehicles in the past. I could not be more ready for this. I was built for this. I had drained the time, patience, and money of so many slaves, just so I could get here and conquer this road. After a brief stop at the worst grocery stores in Chile to stock up on barely edibles, we hit the Carretera Austral at full tilt.
Across the border in Chile Chico starts the famous Carretera Austral road which has done in so many vehicles in the past. I could not be more ready for this. I was built for this. I had drained the time, patience, and money of so many slaves, just so I could get here and conquer this road. After a brief stop at the worst grocery stores in Chile to stock up on barely edibles, we hit the Carretera Austral at full tilt.
I'd had a great day. We arrived in Coyhaique; and everyone needed a reward. The slaves went on the hunt for a trout serving restaurant (in the land of trout should not be hard). Surprisingly while billions of trout are exported from this area, it is unavailable for the local people to consume. With resigned hearts the slaves returned empty handed, so I did my best to cheer them up with a faulty alternator bearing - squeak squeak squeak!! They went to bed without barely a reaction.
The next morning the hunt was on. For an alternator specialist. By a strike of fate one was located and we parked outside to wait for him to finish the alternator overhaul on our very recently (1 week ago) refurbished alternator. But frowns got turned upside down when who should pull up to the shop, but a black market fish vendor; a van stuffed with smoked trout and salmon. My new fridge finally paid for itself in spades, overflowing with delicacies.
The next morning the hunt was on. For an alternator specialist. By a strike of fate one was located and we parked outside to wait for him to finish the alternator overhaul on our very recently (1 week ago) refurbished alternator. But frowns got turned upside down when who should pull up to the shop, but a black market fish vendor; a van stuffed with smoked trout and salmon. My new fridge finally paid for itself in spades, overflowing with delicacies.