We woke up in Buenos Aires to an immense thunderstorm. During breakfast, rain starting pouring through the transparent roof and the noise was so load we couldn't hear each other.
After breakfast it was another fear-inducing taxi rides to Aeroparque where we caught a short flight to San Rafael. We picked up our HiLux and looked for food. All the supermarkets were shut and we know from bitter experience virtually nowhere opens on New Year's Day. We food a small corner shop and bought some basic provisions before heading west to the Andes and then south to Malargue.
On the way, a chap waved us down and said that our rear tyre was wobbling. We couldn't see anything wrong but nevertheless kept the speed down to 80 kph just in case. Yet again the landscape was wide and empty with the Andes in the distance and a sparkling bright salt lagoon by the road.

We didn't stop for photos as we were bothered about reaching the lodgings by nightfall.

The owner of the Apartment was waiting for us. They were very tidy and of a high quality but there was no oven, one ring and no cooking utensils. We explained to the owner that this was a problem because we were vegetarians. He laughed and said "You come to Argentina and you don't eat meat!" However he kindly said we could use the kitchen where they prepare breakfast and anything in it. He went out for the night and we had a Mexican meal and a few drinks. At midnight there were fireworks and horns pipping.