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Mema joins us by plane on the Fridsy the 13th. We finish visiting "Salta la linda" together and wait for Vincent's arrival from San Juan where he had a tooth removed. The next day we decide to go to Cachi, a picturesque village 180km to the West of Salta. But before we have to fill up the car (that is unfortunately not yet running on hydrogen) and that is the same story as everyone else: we have to queue because of limited supply of fuel due to roadblocks caused by farmers protesting against raising export taxes).

The road is breathtaking but a new puncture delays our arrival at destination. We arrive by night. The following day is spent taking pictures before heading towards Cafayate via Molinos, a Mexican film-feel  village with an impressive church.

A few breaks later (may I remind you that we are 5 in the car), we follow the same road to Salta: our efforts are once again rewarded by the stunning sceneries that the Quebrada de las Conchas has to offer. Another puncture, an engine stop and a worrying noise in the back wheel bearing later, we eventually get back to Salta.
The visit of the high altitude archeological museum leaves us speechless: they have 3 hundreds years old frozen momified incas on display. A procession to San Franscico's cathedral calls our attention: policemen are standing saluting in front of the building whilst listeing to the national anthem.

We leave the car with Luis: he manages to fix the electrical problem and solves the noise that turns out to be a broken transmission box satelite. A few coca leaves later, 3 days and advices from a nostalgic garagist, he hands us back the car. We are done with Salta, it is time to move on, my visa is expiring on the 26th. As all the indications about how to renew my visa are contradicting each other, I decide no to take any risk and to go and cross the border without knowing this would be the beginning of another adventure…

But before, snce we are not far away from an outstanding part of Argentina, we think it would be a shame not to visit "Tolar Grande", a ladnscape that is used in many posters by the tourist office without knowing that this would be the beginning of another adventure of its own...