Argentina & Chile November 2008 - Day 9 - Susques - Uquia 200km

[David_L]

I took a shot looking down the hill. Quite spectacular. I don't know what the green patches of cultivation are. Maybe vines.


[attachment 17875 scenery_Cuesta_de_Lipan.jpg]

[Benjy]

Spectacular indeed,
That looks like some major water erosion running down the middle of this valley,
It almost looks ripped/torn apart.

Benjy

[David_L]

We headed down the hairpin road in the direction of Purmamarca. On the way we passed some fascinating scenery and plenty of Trichocereus pasacana growing at the roadside.

[attachment 17967 Trichocereus_pasacana2.jpg]

[David_L]

It looked like when the rain came in this area it sometimes came in serious quantity. Imagine this dry wash being full of water!


[attachment 17968 dry_wash.jpg]

[David_L]

There were some spectacular mineral rich hillsides as well. That green is copper not vegetation! I guess this would have been mined by now if it was in Chile.
[attachment 17969 Purmamarca_scenery.jpg]

[David_L]

Eventually we reached Purmamarca town. It was market day, but also siesta time. Yes the stall holder was asleep. There was a hot wind, but also low cloud that suggested rain wasn't that far away.In the background Tito is taking in some local colour

[attachment 17970 Purmamarca_siesta.jpg]

[David_L]

Quite a spectacular crag to have at the end of your main street. I think the market was mainly for the tourists, but there weren't too many of those around.


[attachment 17971 Purmamarca3.jpg]

[David_L]

Trust Tito to get into the shot!


[attachment 17972 Tito.jpg]

[David_L]

Trichocereus pasacana is a substantial 'tree' of a plant, and like a tree it has a woody skeleton. We saw quite a few of these on display in various places and this was a nice example.


[attachment 17973 pasacana_skeleton.jpg]

[Mike P]

Another general shot of the town.
[attachment 18043 e1.jpg]
And yes Tito seems to be in this one as well.