070211 - Ruta 40

Ruta 40, ARG - Finally another dream come true. Driving on Ruta 40. Up to Perito Moreno it is still paved road. But beyond there, all the way south to El Chalten, it's one long ride on gravel. The landscape is so facinating. Undescribable. Emptiness. Nothingsness. For miles and miles to come.

Close to Perito Moreno we went on a side trip to the Cueva de las Manos ("Cave of the Hands") - some very, very old stone paintings. Located in a fertile valley and protected by the overhanging caves, the paintings had been drawn a few thousands of years ago.

After that stop it was all driving and hoping to get to El Chalten earlier than expected. The bus had no air-conditioning, due to the gravel it was impossible to see a movie because the disc would be skipping all the time, and my I-pod just went flat. ;o)