Here I introduce all those who have donated via Just Giving to Second Harvest Japan.

I donate 1000 yen towards this challenge!
Sakaki. 2011-05-25 21:11:49

Master Yamada,
You are already in Italy now, and I can read the blog and be ascertained of your well being.
As for me, it has been decided that I will very soon, in July, to the stage.
Even though being a single mother household, I will be able to pay for a private school, and to lead a life I enjoy. I'm truly grateful for this. Thank you for your leadership.
I give 1000 yen towards this challenge.
Gome, 2011-05-11 07:17:15

This is a huge undertaking. I support this.
I give 10'000 yen towards this challenge.
Crystal, 2011-05-10 23:34:29

With everyone's support, the goal post of this 4th continent has come in sight.
I will continue still for just a little bit longer.
And I pray that the contributed total amount will continue to increase.

English http://justgiving.jp/pdf/justgiving-man.pdf?110318

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[Argentina] Esquel – San Carlos de Bariloche

28th January, 2012 (Saturday)
Distance:241Km
Departure:10:30
Arrival:15:30
Weather:Blue skies with occasional showers
Temperature:13ー19℃


Well, today I'm on may way to the famous site seeing town Bariloche.


Departure preparations in the hotel's parking lot.
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Since the hinges of the left pannier case are broken, I have to tie it down the lid down with a belt.

That's the belt that, despite me saying that I didn't need it, I was pressured to take with me by the lady at the BWM dealer in Lima replying: 'Well, take it anyway'.
Looking at this, I'm grateful for her insistence.

Since I can't close the lock, I'm not feeling very comfortable with it every time it starts to rain.


Then: tyre pressure check.

Hmmm, it seems to be loosing air ...

But it's about half.
From the place where I mended the tyre there still leaks in fact a little bit of air.


But being prepared is the best of all things, hence I will have it mended right here in Esquel.


When I go to the tyre shop I was told of by the owner of the hotel, it's closed.
The place shown by the closest petrol station is also closed.
Oh yes, of course, today is Saturday!
Yet, at the outskirts of town I discover a tyre shop that is open!


Inside there were 3 guys that looked like they'd in the mood to mend my tyre, but the one that looked like the most senior among them rejected saying [We don't do bikes here!]


Can't be helped then. I then decided that I'd be moving on while continuously refilling the air in the tyre.


I leave the town, and after only a little bit of time it suddenly gets really cold.

I have to stop to get into my rein gear.
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The scenery is beautiful, but the wind is … rather strong.
The bike feels like it is about to fall over.


And in that moment Jeremy, a crazy English man, comes to my mind. We had been driving together down along the West coast, and he had the habit of smoking self-rolled cigarettes. For the whole time, every time he tried to role a smoke, the tobacco got carried away by the wind, and he seemed to have a rather tough time. Finally, the documents he had received at the border crossing got also blown away by the wind, and he set out to drive after them for dear life.


And as I was laughing at him, the wind blows the glove away that I had left lying on bike. And I obviously drove after it for dear life.
Crazy people, isn't it!

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Finally I can separate myself from the Pampa that has been going on forever, and enter a mountainous area.

On the way it's starts raining. It's been a long time since I saw rain last.
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The landscape looks beautiful even when it is raining.


Ohoh, darn! The water could get into the left pannier case.

But then again, it's not raining strongly, so it's probably gonna be OK.

And then arrive in Bariloche, situated at the foot of the Nahuel Huapi National Park.


I changed the itinerary, so that I would arrive earlier in Santiago.
Since I decided the other day on my flight from Santiago to Australia, the amount of time I can spend in Santiago is very limited. In addition, in order to have my bike repaired and maintained I would like to get it as early as possible to dealer in Santiago.
In order to do that, I created a schedule whereby rather then staying occasionally for a couple of nights in one place, I only spend one night in each place, skip some cities by doing more kilometres, and in this way arrive earlier than originally planned.
Physically it's gonna be a tough call, but I assume that this will work out somehow.


And in considering all that, I don't do any site seeing at all here in Bariloche, and instead I'll be relaxing.


I go into town and have a late lunch at a Chinese restaurant recommended in the guide book.
Then I fill the tank at the petrol station, buy myself dinner, proceed to the hotel I had planned to stay at and indeed there were rooms available. Without delay I go to my room, and settle down.

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From the window I can see The Nahuel Huapi lake. It looks beautiful and creates a nice mood.


And since the room came with a bath tube, I take a nice hot bath, and then go early to sleep.

Translation: Pamela Ravasio