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Published: April 30th 2006
New Country, New Map
We´re scrapping the usual google Map and going with this from now on. Hopefully it´s a bit clearer! Arrived in Salta, Northwest Argentina after a pretty horrific 36ish hour journey which began when we boarded the jeep on the last day of our S.W Bolivia Tour.
After a 400+km jeep ride we caught an overnight train from Uyuni to the Arg / Bol border at Villazón.
Walked across the border and did the usual queueing and stamping and finally got into Argentina. 8hours later we arrive 300kms south in the city of Salta.
The first difference that struck us was the transport, as we stood transfixed in awe at the shiny big coach in front of us ready to take us on smooooooooth paved highways down to Salta.
Upon arriving and getting the first shower in 3 days we headed out on the hunt for decent grub. Fortunately we didn´t have to look far as Salta seemed to be filled with great restaurants and bistros. Over our first ´bife chorizos´(2 inch thick serloin) we quickly decided we would like Argentina.
After a couple of days of resting up and making the most of some good food and wine we decided to tempt fate on our own and hired some mountain bikes, taking them on
Salta main square
Cafés and bistros lined the square and served some delish meals for less than we had anticipated! a route recommended to us by someone we met on the Death Road ride.
Got up at 5am and took a bus with our bikes and packed lunch up into the mountains 90kms from Salta. Salta is at sea level and we ended up, 4 hours bus ride later at 3000+m.
Some 60kms cycling and 6hours later we got back to Salta, exhausted, dirty and ready for another night on the red stuff(s). Despite the exhaustion, we went to a hostel-organised Barbeque and glugged cheap wine and ate hunks of meat until we could no more, eventually getting back to the hotel at 3am. (The loooongest day so far!)
On Thursday we left on a nightbus from Salta to Cordoba (Arg´s second city) arriving first thing friday morning. Cordoba was not as impressive to look at as Salta; far bigger, busier and dirtier but nevertheless we found some decent food joints which kept us more than occupied for 2 days until the next nightbus to Mendoza from where we write this entry.
Arrived in Mendoza first thing this morning and plan to do some more biking and some rafting during the next few days. Also visit
Salta feniculaire
We did the tourist thing of taking a cable car up a hill to check out the view of the city. At this point we still cant believe how civilised and modern everything seems! some vineyards probably tomorrow 😊
Love to all
Chris and Rach
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rich
non-member comment
looks amazing
getting more and more jealous each time i get an update! Argentina jsut looks incredible! I sometimes get emails and photos from a friend who lives in argentina, half the photos are of plates of food! take a photo of the biggest steak you can!