Thursday 30th December 2010-Monday 3rd January 2011
We got the 12 noon bus from El Calafate and stopped at La Esperanza (half way across Argentina and very Estepa) and had some lunch and changed buses. The only accommodation to be found in Rio Turbio was the Hotel at ars250. Expensive for us but beggars can´t be choosers. We went through the town of 28th November ( stupid name, no?) and it had been described as pretty to us by the tourist office in Puerto Deseado. Another town to write down on your "do not visit list" . Put Rio Turbio down twice and underline it. 10,000 people and coal mining.
Next day Ianne had come out in large rashes again so we asked the hotel to get a doctor and 5 minutes later the ambulance arrived and whisked us off to hospital. After 4 hours on a drip and lots of cortisone injections Ianne was discharged and felt better. She was warned that the rashes may return and given a fairly strict diet. Incredibly, there was no charge for the ambulance and treatment.
As nothing is open New Year´s Evening and New Year´s Day we had our dinner at lunchtime and it was the best ( and most expensive) on the trip so far. Lots of beef! Both Lise and Hanne telephoned so we were happy.
On New Year´s Day everything closed but we could get breakfast at the hotel. We went for a walk to one of the hills that overlook the town and had a stunning view of the snow capped Chile mountains. It was overcast and not to hot which was good because Ianne had been told to keep out of the sun. We had corned beef sandwiches for lunch and tuna sandwiches for dinner, watched 3 films and watched Liverpool beat Bolton 2-1.
Had a 2 hour siesta and then slept for 10 hours. Next day we found an Internet Cafe and managed to send some emails. We had lunch and dinner at the hotel as nothing else was open. The tourist office looked permanently closed. What a surprise. Very nice notice on the hotel wall. The French leave here with the most favourable impressions, the Italians leave here with the most favourable ambiance and the Argentios leave here with the most towels!
Summary of Rio Turbio. It is 10 minutes from the Chile border and that road looks very good in your rear view mirror! However if you want a really nice dinner the 1 hotel will oblige. There has never been a horse here.
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