November 2006

Uruguay
Argentina

Farmland, Capitols &
'the motorcycle diary' !!!

In Zick Zack style south.

First from the Iguazu Waterfalls in the northeast corner of Argentina thru the Pampa a bit further southwest.

Somehow I an not impressed from the city of Corrientes and I ride further thru big, flat, with rivers carved landscapes.

Temperatures start to change a lot from day & night, sun & shadow, dry & rain and the different gets bigger and bigger.

With the border crossing to Uruguay I war all my warm clothes like an onion, one over the other.

These clothes which don’t dry after a laundry day a 100 % I stripe with a bungee cord on the bike and the rest does the wind.
I call this the lazy housewife laundry.

Uruguay feels like an undiscovered jewel in the tourism world.
Fantastic plains, soft rolling hills, trees which lead me in the next town, great cities and over all the great people.

Real Motorbike classics like BSA, Ariel, Universal a.s.o. from the 40s I meet on the road.
Actually I wanted only a little snack break, but 1. It comes different and 2. As you think.

So this little stop became a real late afternoon tee with this local biker.

The with building covered peninsula called ‘Punta del Este’ grows from a 70 glamour to the Acapulco of Uruguay.

The capitol, Montevideo doesn’t need to be scared to loose its famous touch.

Lots of historic buildings, the government, interesting flairs and around 2 mil habitants make it to that what it is.

Close by are immigrant areas like ‘ new Switzerland’ where I have a look at the world thru almost real Swiss cheese.

A nice stop in the pretty Colonia before I return to Argentina.

Unbelievable but true – I reach at the same summer day this Christmas decorated Buenos Aires!!
At Dakar Motos, Fusae, Moses and I get a nice and warm welcome.
Thank you Sandra and Javier – it really feels coming home.

There is place to sleep an to work at the bike (Service and new parts after almost 45.000 km = 26.400 mls).
So, I take Fusae to peaces and have a look.
Once more I knock at the door of Royal Enfield USA.
There awesome guys send me again a great package with all the needs for my bike. Incredible generous and really a support as you can wish – thank you all!

Till I get it out of custom that’s an other story for it self.

That means I have some time to have a look around the city, to by these and that and do what it needs to be done and organized.

There is plenty of time and options to talk with other travelers.
People from all over the world meet here and that fills many afternoons and evenings.

All sorts of bikes, types, stories, motives and background meet here.
Buenos Aires – what a melt pot – from global, motorcycle and traveler sight.
Great buildings seem to be alive like Ché. (Ernesto Ché Guevara)

Have you maybe seen the movie ‘the motorcycle diary’ and remember the Norton Motorcycle which El Ché and his friend road around south america??

Unbelievable but true, I don’t only meet the mechanic of this bike, have a look at the bike it self - he even gives me this famous movie motorcycle for a spin!!!!!

Days later I am still high from this right shifted British bike.

Sir Gustavo (the old-timer specialist) has also a look at Fusae and adjust the timing new – THANKS !

These days there is also an interview for a Car & Motorcycle show where I give Answer and Information about my trip.


So….

Bolts, nuts and studs to control and retighten a second time.

Then it is time to ride the bullet further south.

Yihhaaa!!!!!!!!!!!