So, 2 days down 118 to go, and if it carries on like this it really will be a trip of a lifetime.

Having slept the first night in Buenos Aires Airport, we woke at half past five to cross the city to the domestic airport for our final flight to Salta.  Within 5 minutes of being awake a security guard came over with 2 hot frothy cups of coffee - that really sums up the trip so far.  We had an easy transfer across the city, wedged into a little van with our bikes and bags of panniers - we were thankful not to be cycling from there as the city is massive with lots of busy traffic.  The flight to Salta was stunning, and excited us with views of the mountainous landscape we were about the cycle in.

We put our bikes (Carlos and Pedro) back together just outside the airport, with the help of a whole group of taxi drivers, who gave us route advice, fizzy pink grapefruit juice and help adjusting brakes.

The Argentinians have been extremely friendly, tooting their horns and waving as they pass in cars or on motobikes, sometimes chatting as they drive along side as we pedal along to welcome us to their country.  They are very patient of our phrase book searching as we try to communicate, and seem really excited about our trip, although a few have said we are crazy when we tell them we are going to Ushuaia.

So we´ve done about 100 miles of cycling so far - the road between Salta and Cafayate was swept away by the river last year, so now brand new tarmac through the spectacular of Quebrada de la Conchas - huge red sandstone rock formations along a stunning valley.

Lots of opportunities at every turn for wild camping away from the road:

With a quick wash for some relief from the heat just outside the tent as the sun went down.

Our Route so far  Next stop back north to cross the Atacama desert to San Pedro de Atacama...