4th January Esqual – La Union (Chile) 363 miles

Well we both got up nice and early and headed of towards Baralochi after first stopping to fill up, that was the plan but no gas. We have more than enough to get to the next stop so off we go.
Early on in the ride we both noticed something different, no wind, don’t worry it came back but it was strange to experience that again after all we miles we have done battling with it.
We fill up near El Bolson and then get to Barilochi. We were told this is a trendy town by some of the other travellers we have met. Certainly the way we went into you would not think so but as we progressed into the centre the whole aspect changed. We found a compter shop where Martin may well have been able to sort his netbook had it not been siesta time. Martin did however establish that they had a good open wireless internet connection, so there we were sitting on a mini wall outside the shop, Martin sorting email on his phone and me netbook in hand skypeing Jo and then the boys. Whilst we were there we also managed to book the bikes in for a service in Santiago, so we now have a target, we must be there by 8am Friday.
Moving on we are now winding our way toward the Chilean border, I sa y winding because we are making our way around lakes and mountains, the road is good and interesting. During our wind through the hills we notice that we are at about 1250 metres above sea level, however looking around you would think we are on the valley floor with the mountains rising around us.
Having made the border we go through the same routine we have done several times now and move into another park, this is between the border crossings and in fact encompasses them. We have now checked out of Argentina and have 18k to do before we reach the Chilean checkpoint. The road winds onward and upwards through the mountains and is fantastic, the temperature drops 10 degrees by the time we reach the top and it is now raining and quite thick for (cloud). We descend down to the checkpoint and all is routine apart from them confiscating our dinner, sausages, there are restrictions on taking food across the borders, particularly fruit, but that now seems to include sausages.
The run down into Chile and the town of Ororno is uncannily like travelling through English countryside. Everything is green, there are trees, lawns are mown, there are grass verges, it is amazing the difference between two sides of a mountain, all down to climate no doubt.
Chile does feel quite different up here to Argentina, these comments are made whilst riding along the road, so very much first impressions, seems a bit more organised and structured. How I can come up with that riding along, goodness only knows but it is just a feeling I have.
It is now about 8pm and we top up with gas and debate where to stay, we can go on about 80 or so miles, where it would seem that the nearest campsite resides, but that will make us very late, 10ish by the time we get pitched and we need to eat. There are a couple of towns nearer, about 20 miles. Nothing in the first other than an empty and disused campsite, so lets try the other town. We don’t want to go on the toll motorway for 100 yards and pay again, yes they have a motorway her. So, Martin takes us on a wild goose chase up a ripio route as we haven’t done much of that today, unfortunately it starts going in the opposite direction with no sign of change, all the way back then.
We eventually reach the next town and no signs of campsites, hostels, hotels or restaurants for that matter. We back track yet again and it is now dark, cabanas the sign says so we investigate, a double bed , bathroom etc, so we take it, Martin will sleep on the floor, he offered. We ask if there is anywhere where we can get something to eat, now normally I can make out some of the Spanish language but this lady speeks so fast I have na idea what she is saying. With a bit of pointing and a question and answer session we just about make out where she is talking about and go to investigate.
Yhe eatery looks closed, lights are of but there is someone inside. Can we get something to eat is responded by a sandwich and a coffee, OK better than nothing, Then on goes the griggle and some meat is cooked, we ask if we can have an egg with it, no probs. Well when it arrived it was a large bap with meat cheese and 2 eggs, quality, because we were starving. Good banter with the staff and we will probably go there for breakfast.
On our return there are now 2 ladies, one who speaks a few words of English. They now have a different cabana for us, one with 2 beds but it is extra, but not a lot so we accept and again have quite a laugh trying to chat using multiple languages.