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After spending New Years Eve porkless in Cordova, I left for Puerto Madryn – hung over, in a rain storm. I gave Chandra, an American living in Cordova, a ride down, and these over-the-shoulder shots are hers. I think they do a good job of showing what its like on the road.

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Even with the rain, the sun came out a few times

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And broke through the clouds a time or two.

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But without a few clouds, sunsets are boring.

Outside of Puerto Madryn is the Valdes Pinsula, a wildlife refuge with penguins, sea lions, seals and in winter, whales. We took what I though would be an excursion, but turned into and adventure.

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But the real reason I came to Puerto Madryn was to see the Dakar Rally. The race came right through town and I got see the bikes, cars and trucks as they passed. There was an area for all the teams to gather, but the public wasn’t alowed in. It was like going to Gauleyfest and having to stay outside the fence the whole time.

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This guy made a smoking entrance into town.

And here in Madryn I’v reconnected with Mike and Simon. We’ll be heading south together for a while-