Pyromaniac pioneers and their bad ideas

Patagonia is a new land. Just over 150 years ago the first pioneers mainly from Yugoslavia, the UK and Spain started to colonise the land. The Chilean government awarded land to those brave enough to survive the tough weather and isolation. Sadly in order to clear the land, these pioneers started massive fires that destroyed […]

The Tough Gauchos of Patagonia

It’s the people you meet that make the trip so special. The people of Patagonia are incredible. Their forefathers and to great extent those we met are pioneers. Colonizers of the vast, temperamental and wild land. This was very true of the Gauchos we met. These tough rugged individuals who run the “estancias” – the […]

Glacier Blues

Patagonia is Melting One of the highlights of Cycling the Carretera Austral, is that you are consistently close to a Glacier or ten. Chile is home to over 24,133 glaciers, 80% of all the glaciers in South America. When you riding, to the left, right, in front and behind, you can nearly always see a […]

The mighty Carretera Austral

Our main objective for coming to Chile was to cycle the Carretera Austral. I hitched this road 21 years ago and vowed to return one day. The Carretera Austral is 1240km long and goes north south through Patagonia from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins. 98% of the road goes through fantastic wild countryside, passing fiords, […]

Bigwoods in the bigwood

The mighty Alerce Tree I’m not sure if it’s the name, by Big Woods – or rather big tree always attract me. This part of Patagonia is home to the coniferous Alerce Tree (False Larch). Just like the Redwoods of the US west coast, these majestic trees can grow for over 4000 years and reach […]