Province of Jujuy
Day 174 Sun 20/2 Tilcara
A 3 hour bus ride from Salta to Tilcara, arriving at Tilcara at 13:00. Ran into Florence, an Argentine from the tour to Cachi. She was on a 9 day vacation from her job in Mar de la Plata.
After lunch and a walk around town and a visit to a museum, we hike to Garganta del Diablo. It is a pleasant hike, but the altitude does make hiking a little harder.
Back in Tilcara, I venture out to try out a restaurant that advertised regional specialities. I had cazuela de Quinoa, washing it down with a couple of glasses of a nice red wine from a Cafayate winery.
Northern Argentina is cheap and even splurging out on dinner leaves me well within my budget.
The night was not quite so pleasant as I had to endure an attack from bed bugs. I woke up a few times in the middle of the night due to them! My lower jaw swelled up and I made a quick trip to the hospital where I was told that if there was no pain, I should go back in half a day if it were still swollen. The travails of the traveller sharing mattresses with others! However, I progressively get better as the day progresses. My face looked like the reflection on one of those curved mirrors than enhance certain features!
Day 175 Mon 21/2 Tilcara/ Purmamarca
Flor and I meet up again and head out to Purmamarca. Purmamarca is known for el cerro de siete colores – the hill with 7 colours. The hills surrounding the village of Purmamarca is very colourful and draws tourists by the bus loads. The Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy is a UNESCO heritage site and is very beautiful. I could ride in a bus along the canyon all day!
We catch a taxi to Salinas Grandes, one of the largest salt flats in Argentina. It is very beautiful and the drive there no less so. I do manage to nod off on the way back. There is only so much beauty a man can handle.
After visiting the cemetery in Purmamarca, it is time to head back to Tilcara.
Head out to a tiny little restaurant for dinner, where I enjoy the performance of a 3 man group playing folk music.
Day 176 Tue 22/2 Tilcara/ Humahuaca/ Salta
I took the bus to Humahuaca, a beautiful village set among colourful hills. I walked around a while, enjoying the village. Sadly the battery in my camera died and I couldnt record the scenery and the buildings. I enjoyed the 40 min drive there as well.
I saw a few women dressed in what I think of as Bolivian costume. There is more indigenous folk in Northen Argentina.
Back to Tilcara and it is time to hop on a bus to Salta. This time, the bus takes much longer as there is some problem that needs to be fixed. Half an hour in the shop doesnt make for an enjoyable ride!
Tags: Travel
Damu