Pan-American Road Trip Memories 5
The Pan-American Road Trip began in December 2011. A road trip through South America with 83 classic Volvos. Over 35 days and 16,000 kilometres, these Volvo enthusiasts drove from Buenos Aires in Argentina, southwards to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing memories of this memorable journey on our blog.
Day 19: Caldera – San Pedro de Atacama
How much more desert can you take? This is even more desert than yesterday: there really is nothing here. According to the information we have, this is the driest place on earth. No people, animals or plants. Just 40 degrees, sand and stone (and a bunch of mad Dutchies). ‘Camelot’ is playing on the iPod: at times heavy, but still melodic metal. I have to put up with a minor setback as Egbert turns the volume down a bit and says: ‘This is a form of abuse!’
Then there’s the breakdown update: a seized wheel bearing, an oil filter that had vibrated loose (spotted in time) and a blocked fuel system. We’re chugging along without any problems and are delighted with the newly fitted tyres. The car’s also become a bit quieter as a result (unless the radio’s on).
Day 19: Caldera – San Pedro de Atacama
Team 68
At around 10 o’clock in the morning, that blazing sun is back again. The landscape is bizarre. As dull as I found the pampas of Argentina, these towering mountains are just as impressive. And the longer you drive through them, the more colours you begin to make out. Along the side of the road, we pass hundreds of small memorials to people who have lost their lives on this road. They are beautifully decorated with photos, toys and heartfelt letters. We’re driving to one of the most beautiful places in the north, where we’ll have a day off tomorrow.
Day 20: San Pedro de Atacama
The technical team repaired the exhaust. Afterwards, we drove briefly to the Valle de la Luna, the Valley of the Moon. This valley dates back 250 to 200 million years, to a time when all the continents were still united. Where there used to be a lake, there is now a desert with very little rainfall, high temperatures and strong winds. Due to constant erosion, new palaeontological discoveries are continually being made. Various species of dinosaurs, reptiles and plants from times long past have been found here virtually intact. The Valle de la Luna is one of the most important palaeontological sites in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Book a Pan-American Highway road trip
The book ‘Panamericana Road Trip’ has been published as a memento of this memorable journey. The story is told through the stunning photographs of travel photographer Thijs Heslenfeld, accompanied by a selection of the many stories written by the heroes of this journey. For anyone who didn’t make the journey, this is a wonderful book to lose yourself in. The proceeds from the book will go towards the special projects run by the HoPe Foundation. This organisation – founded by Walter Meekes – focuses primarily on developing education in the remote mountain villages around the Peruvian city of Cuzco.
More about LatinAmeriCar
Would you like to join one of these exclusive road trips yourself? Then take a look at our LatinAmeriCar page. Do you have any questions about a unique trip of Latin America, would you like a bespoke travel proposal, or would you like to arrange an appointment at our office? Please feel free to get in touch with us. Send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or call +31 73 610 62 04. We’d be happy to help.