Salta’s Southern loop
The Salta and Jujuy provinces are a popular place for backpackers to rent a car and start a road trip. I wasn’t very keen on driving, so I was happy when I saw a message from Freek, whom I’d done some day trips with in Córdoba. He would be in…
The beauty of the North
Salta. When I stepped on the plane to South America, I had never heard of it. I think the first time I heard about it was in Ushuaia, as a recommendation from some Argentinians. Then I started seeing it in Facebook groups and when I changed my itinerary, Salta was…
The mountains of Argentina’s smallest province
Tucumán is Argentina’s smallest province. It seems to be a fairly popular stop for South American travelers, but less with Europeans. Since it’s on the way from Córdoba to Salta, I decided to stay a few days. I was so surprised by the city! But also by the surrounding countryside.…
Córdoba connections
Sometimes life just takes over. You enter a roller coaster ride where you don’t have time to think and just go with the flow. And then suddenly the ride ends and leaves you lonely and uncomfortable, without a plan. I built a wall of protection a long time ago, protecting…
Waterfall wonderland
“Would you like to join the asado tonight?” I had just arrived in Puerto Iguazú and was very hungry, so the invitation to the hostel bbq was perfect. Not only could I enjoy some grilled meat, but I also talked to a bunch of other travelers, some of whom wanted…
The route of the 7 lakes
It’s perhaps the most popular thing to do in the Bariloche area: the 7 lakes route. The Ruta 40 between San Martín de los Andes and Villa la Angostura is particularly scenic and has become a popular day trip, even from Bariloche. I’d hoped to find some other people interested…
Art another way
“Do you like art?” A woman in Villa la Angostura asks me when we talk about my trip to Buenos Aires. “You should visit the cemetery. It’s beautiful.” Not quite what I expected as an answer. But I was well situated to visit it. My hostel’s 7th floor reception area…
Overnight at refugio Frey
A girl in my hostel had warned me. She tried to go to Villa Catedral by bus, but the bus never showed up. She was at the wrong stop. Supposedly I was at the right stop, but time passed and I didn’t see a bus. 5 minutes. That’s possible. 10…
My most expensive hike yet
There are many accessible hiking trails around Bariloche, but some lie a bit deeper in the Nahuel Huapi national park. Several trails, including some to the mountain huts, start from Pampa Linda. A rough dirt road gets out there and the road closes during parts of the day. Yet I…
Mixed feelings
Leaving Chile felt strange. I was on a bus from Puerto Varas to Bariloche. It’s not even that far away, as the crow flies. Yet I had the feeling I was closing a chapter. I was ready for a change of scenery, but I almost felt like I was cheating…