April 2009 Update

Delaying our departure from Rocha was the correct decision with a clear blue sky greeting us early in the morning. Hotel Arrarte included a light breakfast in the price and after a quick pack we were on the road early. The Southern Atlantic coastline of Uruguay shares a lot with the Pacific on Australian shores although the prolific predatorial wildlife of the Australian waters is not present here. We visited several beaches in the region including La Paloma, Costa Azul, La Predera and Punta del Diablo. The beaches were very quiet despite having excellent surf and a lot of the businesses were also closed. While enjoying a lunch of fresh fish at Punta del Diablo the weather decided to do a U turn and a very strong wind began moving some very dark overweight clouds in our direction. A few photos and a hasty departure we headed back to La Aguada Campground at Costa Azul. The choice of places to camp was not limited with the grounds having hundreds of available sites and only two occupied. Such are the extremes of the tourist industry in South America. I can only visualize what the grounds would be like over the Christmas New Year period and we were even a little surprised the grounds were open as in Argentina and Chile most of these types of facilities would have closed. Our host was very helpful and while doing a little internet in the reception another two travelers (backpackers) arrived to swell the numbers.

Hotel Arrarte in Rocha

March 2009 Update

Our family of campers at La Posta was down to five with the departure of Andy (USA) and the mood was dampened a little when it rained over the next couple of days. No leaks with the tent though and we hoped that the rain would disappear for Jorge’s Birthday asado. Fabrice (France) a free lance motorcyclist journalist arrived with his girlfriend from Venezuela in their small motor home and proceeded to photograph and interview everyone for a special article on La Posta.

Leo leaving his mark on the wall.

February 2009 Update

A quiet time these past few weeks with most hours devoted to sorting out bike problems (some ours, some others) and doing four months of updates. After the Dakar Rally we moved into the hostel at Dakar Motos joining Mathias (Honda Transalp) from Switzerland. He also followed the Dakar but clung much closer to the route and competitors than we did. He covered 10,000 kms in the two weeks of racing with his journey being almost as long as the racers. Mathias mentioned that on returning it took him some time to ‘come down’ after all the pressure and hype of this huge event. Now he was preparing for his next jump….. across the Pacific to New Zealand then onto Australia.

Mathias (with Javier) cleaning his bike at Dakar Motos before departing to New Zealand.

Thursday 1st Buenos Aires

In the evening after our first contact with the Dakar vehicles at la Rural we were fortunate to dine out with several motorcycle travelers staying in Buenos Aires. Rider # 116 Don Hatton from Canada visited our small group before dinner passing on his thanks to Javier and Sandra for their help in Buenos Aires. Good to meet another rider to look out for over the next two weeks.

The Dakar Rally Argentina Chile 2009

Team Rally Australia # 205

The tourist office in Posadas gave us a number of options to bunk down for the evening so ‘cruising’ the streets on a very quiet Sunday was a different experience. Posadas is another river city and has a very active waterfront laced with parks and restaurants. The evening brought no respite from the afternoon heat and hundreds of people gathered on the grassed banks trying to get cool in the river breeze. Restaurants were packed as we walked the pathways searching for a suitable eatery. Outside tables were at a premium so it was inside or nothing. Whew!!! Was it hot!!.. and sleeping that night was even stickier and humid.