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Published: November 4th 2011
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Heya from Patagonia! Woo!
We're currently in El Bolson - a lovely arty, hippy town in beautiful North Patagonia. Tomorrow we head out on our most epic bus journey yet - some 26 hours south to El Calafate!
Since our last update, we've been on bikes on no less than 3 occassions. I promise you this is not my influence. First was the 'not to be missed' Mr Hugo´s bikes and wineries tour in Mendoza. What we hoped to be a great day certainly delivered! Despite a bad start to the morning... having woken up in our dirty hostel, realising the included breakfast consisted solely of biscuits (no there wasn't even a variety box), having to rush to the bus station and then getting the wrong bus out of town... with the help of some lovely Malbec, things soon improved. What can I say about the day? We sat in the sun, drank good wine and had an amazing lunch! After 12 tastings, we meandered back to our rental company (the infamous Mr Hugo) where free wine and interesting (if tipsy) company kept us for a few more hours. After the bus dropped us off in an unknown location
in Mendoza, finding our hostel was perhaps not the simplest affair... but luckily (as I forgot to mention earlier) Mendoza is a lovely, safe (and very green) city.
Bussing south, Andesmar once again delivered an executive service. On arriving in our destination, Bariloche, we were dismayed to find our hostel was located in what looked like some council flats (marring the otherwise attractive city centre). We took a lift up to the 10th floor and were surprised to find our favourite hostel yet! The most amazing views over Lake Nahuel Huapi and the gorgeous surroundings, a living and dining room where you wanted to stay all day and a kitchen with 3 cookers. If you're going to Bariloche, Penthouse 1004 is the place! And you should go to Bariloche. It's a a stunning place - huge crystal clear lakes, spectacular gleaming mountains and attractive forest. 2 nights quickly became 4 as we relaxed and took in the surroundings on several lovely bike trips. The remnants of the big volcanic eruption in June still lie: in thousands of dust particles which line the streets and float on the lake. When the wind picks up, many of the locals still don
masks!
You're probably reading this in you lunch break and are going to hate me for what I next say. But travelling is almost hard work sometimes guys, and I wouldn't call it a holiday. But the last week has been pretty damn close. Thank you Argentina!
From Bariloche we had planned to head to other desitinations in the Argentine and Chilean lake district and then fly down to south Patagonia. Ash induces dodgy flights though and we are now bussing South - taking in the spectacular Perito Moreno glacier on the way. Our next blog should get to you from somewhere near the 'end of the world'!
Until then!
Peter x
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