Glaciar Perito Moreno and a World Cup Win for Argentina
Update 5 (December 2022)
El Calafate, Argentina
My first day in El Calafate was spent relaxing and having a look around town. The previous day had been about 600km, including unsealed roads which is quite a day on a motorbike.
For my second time I met the local police, since arriving in South America. The first was within a few days of arriving in Chile. They had been behind me for a while and just joined me when I stopped for a rest. I think they just wanted to stop and have a smoke and a chat.
This time around I found a local’s drivers license on the dirt road near my hotel and after a few inquiries decided to walk it down to the police station. The officer seemed appreciative.
In more complicated situations like this I just use the Google Translator app on my phone.
Day 2 in El Calafate was a busy one. In the morning I planned to ride out to the Los Glaciares National Park and visit the Glaciar Perito Moreno. And then in the afternoon, the World Cup Final 2022 between Argentina and France was on.
The glacier is about 70km from El Calafate and was an easy ride. You pay a fee at the entrance to the park and then drive further on to the viewing area. As you’d expect with such a significant tourist attraction it is well set up. Today wasn’t too busy, I think the Argentinians had other things on their minds.
It is an amazing sight. The face is between 50 to 70 metres high and the glacier extends some 30km.
What the pictures obviously don’t capture is the movement and sound. It is constantly moving. Every 5-10 minutes there will be a loud (sometimes very loud) cracking sound, sometimes with ice breaking off and falling to the water.
If it hadn’t been for the game starting at noon, I could have just found a comfortable spot and watched for hours.
Flower and insect on the way to visit Glaciar Perito Moreno.
The crevices in the photo must have been 15-20 metres high and the beautiful deep blue is the natural colour.
It was time to get back to town and see what was happening with the World Cup, Argentina v France.
I had a quick shower and walked into town. As you’d expect, all the bars were packed but I eventually found one with a good spot under a big shady tree where I could see the TV and have a beer.
I was about 30 minutes late and just as I arrived Argentina scored a goal and then a second soon after.
Half time, 2 nil up, everyone’s feeling good.
A nervous crowd as France began a rapid comeback and quickly evened the score.
There was a stunned silence at first when Argentina won.
The reality of the win soon settled in.
Everyone made their way to the centre of town. People were coming from all directions to celebrate.
Everyone’s in full flight now.
A Ford Ranchero made in Argentina during the mid 1970’s I believe.
Someone had brought an Argentine flag that must have been 25 metres long. People were doing laps of the centre street in a kind of conga march.
I soaked up the atmosphere for a couple of hours and then left them to it. I had the Olé Olé Ola song stuck in my head for the next three days.
Coyhaique to El Calafate, Argentina
Update 4 (mid December 2022)
El Calafate to Ushuaia, Argentina
Update 6 (late December 2022)