Two-thousand Kilometers!

 

2000 kilometers!

A good night’s sleep and back in our saddles was how we rolled (haha). And this time, we rolled out of Cafayate and toward Belén, the next larger town on our route to Mendoza. Before leaving, however, we met this awesome German family of four who were cycling a similar route as we were (but slower because they had children ages three and five)! It was so interesting to meet a whole family (with kids!) doing what we were doing!

Cafayate

Just outside of town next to the region’s vast wine fields we stopped at a friendly-looking distillery, where we stocked up on some goodies :)

Destilería

So many sauces!

Alchemists would be proud

Kai’s red chili sauce

Between Cafayate and Belén, there was relatively little to see other than long roads  on flat plains bordered to the east and west by hills and mountains. The paucity of villages and shops along the way made us feel like we were cycling the Bolivian altiplano again. Thus, the next two days we camped.

Quick roadside lunch (humitas and milanesa) at a roadside restaurant

Camping on a free campsite; our two loyal guard dogs didn’t charge either

Altiplano?

Day 2: the last kiosk for 80 kilometers

Shrine with a long name: “Casa de Nuestra Madre Del Valle del Pie del Medano”

The second day of camping brought some ugly surprises in the form of dozens of thorns stuck in our tires (and several consequent flats)… The good news: we reached 2000 kilometers!

Deceiving campsite :(

We were happy to arrive in Belén to a warm shower :)

Plaza in Belén

Local kids playing soccer

Hi, I’m a cactus. Please hug me!

Llamas!

YPF gas station (they have these everywhere here!)

Dinner at a restaurant called 1900