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Published: April 19th 2009
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Bike riding in Bariloche turned out to be a big day. After negotiating the bus system and arriving at the bike hire place, we set off (me on my junior sized bike), with three other travelers and began the Circuito Chico. The circuit was only 25kms, but had some bloody hard climbs - which required a small (or large towards the end) amount of walking. The hard work was worth it, though, for the very speedy downhills and the amazing views over some of the lakes of Bariloche. We had plenty of stops along the way including at a small beach, a walk to Lago Escondido - the 'secret lake' which turned out to be not-so-secret, with about 30 other people there already - and right up the top after a very very steep climb was the lookout point over Lago Moreno Oeste.
After we had recovered from our exhaustion, we all went out to a restaurant that had been recommended to us for its great food and Hobbit-like feel. It took us a good while to find it in the dark, though, so much so that we tried to convince ourselves that someone had turned the street signs around,
until Ray, one of our bike riding friends, pointed out that they would also have had to rotate the moon 90 degrees too. It certainly was very hobbity, with a small wooden door and trees growing inside and through the roof - great food though, excellent steak. We've been eating up a storm in Argentina, trying all the local specialties: steak, empanadas (much like samosas) and much ice-cream! We had a very lazy morning on Easter Sunday and eventually wandered down to get in on the chocolate action. Every second shop in Bariloche sells chocolate, and massive amounts of it! Following our chocolate-eating obligations, we had a cable car ride up at Campanario, which had excellent views over Bariloche. Bit of a shame is was slightly overcast and it getting a bit chilly - especially for the genius wearing thongs!!
Next stop was Mendoza. We had another big bus ride to get there, about 19 hours, although i'm sure they could have done it in about 15 for all the stops we made. The bus service was not so nice this time - a bus which sounded like it was going to breakdown the whole time, a crazy bus
driver who kept braking suddenly, no food (only out-of-date snacks), no blankets, more expensive and they turned the music up full blast at random times! Oh well, can't complain, I'm sure they are only going to get worse. Two highlights of Mendoza were a winery tour and horse-riding.
The tour involved a visit to three wineries, with not much tasting but some very informative talks. The guides spoke excellent English (except for the woman who kept talking about 'elaborating' the wine - not sure what she was on about). Of course, we had an expert in our group who kept asking ridiculous questions and trying to take over the tour. Even better though was that he was a German, socks-and-sandles-wearing man. Got some classic shots of him. The highlight of day though was lunch at a fourth place. We got there to find a mammoth table overflowing with every sort of bread, cheese, meat, vegetable, spread, etc. imaginable...and that was only the appetizers! Was followed by empanadas, rice, spaghetti, caramel sundaes for dessert and much wine - we were very impressed and very full, hardly able to roll back onto the bus.
Horse riding in Mendoza was another
great day. Was a beautiful ride (despite the lack of helmets), with great views over Mendoza, a very nice sunset and, of course, the obligatory Jesus statue. My horse was initially called O'Lonhro, but quickly became Trotsy, because we couldn't keep up with the others when he was walking and had to keep trotting to catch up (bit like me, really).
Other highlights of Argentina:
- Our continuing inability to speak Spanish. I think we worked out the other day that we could put all the words we know in one sentence. It would go something like this: Hello, three more beers, beef and chicken, the bill please, thank you, you're welcome, goodbye.
- Susie telling the waiter at a pub in English, despite the fact that he spoke none of it, with a touch of Spanish, to put the beers on our running la cuenta (bill/tab).
- Taking photos of St. Christopher in ridiculous places.
- Trying mate which is a bit like sweet tea.
- Also, I take back my comment about beer being cheap here. It's ridiculously cheap - 3L for less than $5.
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Em
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Alcholic fun
Wineries, cheap beer, choc...Hmmm I have a very strong sense that in a few weeks I'm about to meet up with a severe case of alcoholism..and obesity! Shame the German winery know-it-all wont be about so show off his keen fashion sense! And happy that the only Trotsies you've had so far have been of the equine variety...touch wood!