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Published: August 7th 2007
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So, here I am again, sitting in a net Cafe, wondering what the hell all of you out there would find particularly interesting about what I have done in my most recent travels! From where I left off, I was in BA saying farewell to my friend Jem, then hopping on yet another overnight bus to Mendoza, Argentina's wine region! I had heard so much about all the great and interesting things to do in Mendoza, but in all honesty I was a bit dissapointed.
There are opportunities do do some rafting but I was too disorganised to arrange one within my time limit. But I did however manage to hire a bike from hell and visit some winearies, which proved for an interesting afternoon. Imagine smooth, flat dirt roads lined with trees that cascade over, the gentle warm breeze passing you buy as you ride a fanatastic bike along to drink some of the finest wine Argentina can offer! Well my wine and bike tour was NOTHING like that, which is ok, it just annoys me when people build things up only to be completely knocked over! The streets were filled with road works, no trees, slightly uphill (which killed
me), cold head wind, crap wine and a snobby restaurant which wouldnt serve us intially. So I have a few recommendations for you if you want to persue the good old wine tour on bike around Mendoza.
1) dont go with "Bikes and Wines" I was in agony after only 2.5 hours sitting on those horrible bike seats, plus the people I was with were sore too, make sure you research a company with comfortable seats.
2) Go for the Whole day, an afternoon just isn't enough!
3) Take your lunch with you, we waited for 1 hour for our lunch at a recommended deli/lunch place that originally were not going to serve us as we didnt purchase meal tickets prior to arriving (we were advised we could just show up). After a few words with the manager, we got an overpriced meal and froze to death sitting outside after being told we were not allow to sit inside. The place was empty! Take a loaf of crusty bread, cheese and gerkins and have a picnic, much cheaper and satisfying!
4) take loads of change for the bus to cover your ticket there and back, the small shop owners do
Another Gargantuan Diablo!
but no water in this one! Visited on our way to Cafayate give change!
5) Try the chocolates and Liqueors at the Chocolate factory, some are to die for, plus they have really cute dog to pat!
Other than that, my good experiences in Mendoza were outweighed by the bad! Unfortunately on the overnight bus from Meldoza to Salta my iPod was stolen out of my bag that was under my feet, all compartments were locked except the one with my iPod in, so I only have myself to blame. I had also heard after my departure that a couple nearly had their day packs snatched out of the hands 10 metres outside the Mendoza bus station and a friend, Arin had her iPod and Mobile phone taken out of her back pack whilst trying to help someone with directions! So be wary of your belongings around the bus station and on buses leaving Mendoza, particularly Andesmar Bus service. It was weird because there was a pregnant lady sitting next to me,and I thought she may have been the Culprit, but I only realised my iPod was missing after half the bus disembarrked for another connection. When I thought it may have been missing, I calmly checked the rest of my
bag, nothing else was gone, so I was relieved, plus the iPod was playing up a bit, so they got a dud one anway!
So the Next stop was Salta! Argentina's biggest most northern city known for amazing day trips out to the desert and a lookout boasting views of the Andes and the City it self. After Reporting the iPod theft and making an insurance claim, I took it easy, got drunk and enjoyed my last days in Argentina, sitting in the sun, reading and checking out what Salta has to offer. I arrived on a sunday and enjoyed the street market where vendors sold everything from jewelry and cakes to stuffed dead frogs dressed up as little girls, karate sensei´s etc, it was quite amusing but unfortunatley I didn't have my camera with me.
I had made friends with the girls in my room and we took a day trip to Cafeyate to visit more Bad wineries! Joy! We had good day and I made Empanadas at the hostel that night with a whole buch of Aussies! Then headed to the Bolivian border on the worst overnight bus with a delightfull Californian Chica, Arin!
Apologies for
Plaza Independencia - Mendoza
University students take a break and enjoy the sun! the boring, speedy and undetailed blog, but I figure that Pictures help frame my travels much more!
Stay tuned for my tour of the Salar de Uyuni!
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Glenn
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Ms Photogenic
Hey Morley! Thanks for making my night duty a little bit more exciting! Love the photos! That sucks about your iPod! And those Empanada things look awesome! Oh, and well done, not too many exclamation points in this Blog! Haha! Take care! Glenn!!! !!!!!!