The local buses stop for breakfast.
Cachi is a small town in the Valles Calchaquies - series of valleys fed by water from the snowmelt of the Andes. Although it also has a traditional feel about it, it is completely different from the other small towns I had stopped at further north where the Andean influence was much more apparent. this church looked like something from an old country and western movie.
There wasn`t too much to do in Cachi itself though pleasant little town the main attraction was the countryside around it which was beautiful for walking so I walked up to the local village of Cachi Adentro. Though Cachi did have the cheapest accomodation I stayed at in Argentina at 12 Peso (2.oo pounds!).
There are no bus services between the local villages and the locals just flag down a passing neighbour´s pickup if they need a lift I managed to get one back to town as well.
My next intended stop involved a couple of buses and a taxi ride as there were no buses the whole way (despite the information in my guide book which said they were frequent and took 2 hours!!). But still can`t complain as I got to see more of the stunning scenery in this area. The locals get their mail, papers and supplies dropped of by the buses.
The drive between Molinos and Angastaco is certainly up there with the prettiest drives that I have done on my travels - this would be lovely to do in your own car but would take me forever as I would just have to keep stopping for photo`s!
By the time I got to Angastaco I had missed the last bus to Cafayatte but that turned out to be a good thing as I found a nice little place to stay and enjoyed the last few hours of sunlight exploring this small town which was again in a beuatiful setting surrounded by hills. Obviously not too many white tourists here as the kids were all amused and happy to get there photo`s taken.
Next morning I was up to catch the 6am (!!) bus to Cafayate my last stop in the Valles Calchaquies. This was a much bigger town than the last couple and gets quite a few tourists and has a nice laid back cafe culture.
I took a tour out to the Quebrada de las Conchos (the valley of the shells) which was just spectacular. I couldn`t believe the colour of the individual hills let alone that they are all different and run into each other. Again not understanding Spanish limited what information I picked up but from what I understood this valley was created over 2 million years ago after some movement with tetonic plates, the different colours are down to the different minerals that are found here.
And again some locals worship and give thanks to the mountains.
Some of the rocks have unusual formations and shapes and have been given names like this one called ´The Toad´.
This one looks like it has a face carved into it.
Whilst this one is called ´The Castle´ because it looks like a castle!
Thress priests cross - names in memory of three priests who were murdered here during a robbery many years ago.
Souveigner stalls set up along the route.
And we caught a nice sunset on our way back to Cafayate.
Cafayatte is famous for it`s wineries so I hired a bike and went out to have a look at a few - there wasn`t much point in me paying for one of the all inclusive tours given that I haven`t started drinking since I have been away. But it was nice to have a look around the area and see the set up.
Well that about covers my first couple of weeks in Argentina , still a few more to up date you on as I am way behind in my blog but will catch up eventually. The scenery in the north of Argentina down to Cafayate is defintely in with my favourites since I started travelling - and the photo`s don`t even begin to do it justice. Enough for now will update again when I get the chance.
Hope your all well.
Jack xx
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