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It’s been a while since we’ve been on the road this early. I think it may have to do with the nice weather. We have time to explore and enjoy the area arund Sarmient, a very isolated city established in 1897 by five European families, who started farming in the area. It seems that not much would grow here on this arrid land, but being so close to the large lake, named Lago Musters, makes it an ideal place for agriculture. There are several Chacras (hobby farms) in the area, where one can find cherry orchadrs, lodging, animals, or crafts.
30 Kilometers south of Sarmiento is the Petrified forest. Unfortunately it requires traveling on 30 km of gravel road of which we have had our share, but we really want to see the forest.
The park is protected and an entrance fee is charged. Walking the various trails, teaches us a lot about the formation of the unusual looking land around us.
7 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean invaded this area and dragged with it all sorts of vegetation including large trees. The minerals in the water turned the trees into stone over the centuries. From a distance they look like real wood, but as we get closer and touch them we feel the hardness and realize they are rock.
The vegetation has adapted itself to the climate and the strong winds.
The wind force here can be as high as 90 km per hour. It almost blows us away and we need to hang on to each other.
Ramiro can not resist putting a small piece of petrified wood into his pocket, despite the fact that the park attendant told us that we are not allowed to take anything with us and our bags and pockets will be checked before we leave.
In the end the rock ends up in Ramiro’s underwear. He better hopes that it does not petrify the rest of the content.
Our next destination is Comodoro Rivadavia at the Atlantic coast. The road is similar, desert like. Groups of baby Emu are very close to the road looking for food.
This area is rich in oil and for a moment it looks like we are in the Drumheller area in Alberta, with all its oil pumps. which we call “crazing cows”.
Later we learn that this area can be compared to the oil Capital of Alberta; Fort McMurray.
Ramiro’s ex brother in law, Abel, lives close to Comodoro in the elite village of Rada Tilly along the coastline, where beautiful vacation homes have been built facing the most southern beach on earth. Abel works for the municipality.
As we enter the village around 3:00 pm, it seems totally deserted. There is not soul on the streets or on the beach. But two hours later, the beach is full of life with children playing, coules stolling along the Costanera and families sipping their Mate (a herbal tea, drunk from special cups, made of wood, copper or other metal, which is drunken with a small metal straw) The dry leaves get placed in the cup, which is filled with hot water from a thermos. Every time the liquid is sucked up, the cup is refilled with hot water again until there is no more flavor left.
Accommodation is hard to find. We consider going on to Comodoro to find something, but with the help of a very friendly young lady at the tourist office we find a gorgeous, small enclosed bungalow park in Rada Tilly.
It turns out that Abel only lives a block away from the bungalow park and we pay a surprise visit.
We take advantage of having a full kitchen and cook our own meal. This bungalow is very special. It has a lot of extras, including a safe and sandwich grill. We feel right at home.
After a long walk along the beach, we’re covered with sand, picked up by the strong winds. It gets into everything and acts like sand paper.
At night we watch some TV. Ramiro is very anxious to find out who won the election.
It is hard to believe, but Piñara won as will be President of Chile. No Socialist Government.
Ramiro is very happy.
Monday, January 18
I need a little down time and spend the entire morning in our bungalow doing some computer work and take care of little things. It feels good not having to rush. We still have the entire afternoon and evening and use it to visit Comodoro. It does not have an attractive beach like Rada Tilly. but a rocky beach filled with petrified shells. Ramiro remembers picking up these kinds of shells and has a moment of reminiscense.
In the evening Abel takes us to the mountain outside of the village. Via a long winding road we drive to the top from where way below, we can see the sea wolves playing on the rocks.
At the view point we have a beautiful view of Rada Tilly and Comodoro.
Abel and Cecillia invite us for dinner. I am having difficulty with the late evening meals and am happy that fish is being served, which is much easier to digest.
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