The border at Paso Hua Hum

From San Martin, you can skirt the top of Lago Lacar on a good dirt road and end up at the little used border crossing at Paso Hua Hum. Funny, but the Andean passes are now down to 700 m.

When we arrived to check out of Argentina, we had to make some noise to get someone to come out of the aduana.  Then, they had to start a generator so they could turn on the computers to check us out of the country.  Not much traffic here.

The immigration guy on duty was working at our last border crossing at Paso Tromen where we told them we would only be visiting the country for a few minutes.  He didn’t mention it, but he remembered us and asked where we’d been for the past few weeks. He seemed pleased we stayed.

Onward to Chile. Again, not much happening at this border. Everything was quick and efficient since we were the only people there. But, since the guys had nothing better to do, we got a very thorough inspection and they decided to confiscate lots of food items we thought were allowed.

We’ve learned to eat as much as we can before heading to the border – definitely all the fruits, vegetables, and meats.  Honey is also disallowed, but Angela has been successfully smuggling our stash we collected on the palta farm. Apparently, cous cous is not allowed in this part of Chile either. Cous cous! I think we’ve been carrying it around since Peru, so no big loss.

Another 5 km to Lago Pirihueico and the road ends. Literally.  The only way into Chile from here is aboard a ferry that runs once per day.  It holds up to 24 vehicles and leaves at 4 pm.  If you miss it, you will definitely get a peaceful night’s sleep.

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Also, it looks like I’m headed back to the U.S. in the new year. Soon – like Jan 12th-19th.  I’m coming back to the California to work! The good news is that I’m working… the bad news is that… I’m working. Angela and Bode will stay in Chile and kick it lakeside while I’m away.

It’s a quick trip and I’m not sure how much free time I’ll have, but hope to meet up some folks when I’m back. Shoot me an email if you’re available.

Also, I saw this on a sign recently: un cigarrillo tarda 2 minutos de su vida, un whisky es de 4 minutos de su vida, un día de trabajo de unas 8 horas de tu vida!