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Published: February 23rd 2006
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Mendoza Park
We didnt expect to fing Joey here.... nice duck dude! So after our week long default trip to Chile we boarded a bus to Mendoza, Argentina. Now we've enjoyed some spectacular scenery en route from A to B, and you may well have heard enough of our love affair with the Andes, but the road to the border between Chile (Santiago) and Argentina (Mendoza) is something else. Once again in awe of just how gigantic and dramatic nature can be, our faces were stuck to the window and our jaws hung low. Our road ascended and as the mountains became angrier, we gave up trying to comprehend and quantify their dimensions. Some serious colour therapy was to be had as the natural shades of orange, red, yellow and brown provided us with a warm and earthy glow. We even managed to catch a brief glimpse of the snow-capped Mount Aconagua, nearly 7,000 metres above sea level, standing proudly, self-important, with every justification; it is the highest peak outside of the Himalayas. A raging brown river was in hot pursuit of our road, bursting with foam and spray. For several hours, the road continued twisting and turning, one section had over 20 hairpin switchbacks in an almost vertical rise.
After a
Steak Night
The before shot tedious 2 hours spent at the border control we continued to Mendoza arriving late into the night. We checked into a HI hostel and fell into bed. The following day was spent trawling the streets of Mendoza in temperatures unfit for human exposure, in a vein attempt to get hold of some cash. It was Sunday and everything was closed. They really do believe in the day of rest, which we would normally adhere to sans probleme but when you only have 8 pesos (almost 2 pounds) in your pocket and an empty belly, it is hard not to get frustrated. Fortunately, some locals took pity on us and fed and watered us. Our first experience of of Argentinian hospitality.
The HI hostel was a bit lame so we moved out and into the Damajuana hostel, which was closer to all the action. This had a pool and with scorching temperatures of 42-44 degrees, leisurely dips in the cool water became a necessity, especially for Duncs who turned into Sweat Monster! Most people staying at the hostel were Argentinian and we were made to feel at home early on with offers of the national drink 'Mate' (pronounced ma-tay). This
Mendoza Park
The very leafy park is the nation's obsession. It is made with boiled water and 'yerba' (herbs) and is normally taken 'amargo' (without sugar, bitter). I really wanted to like it as i'm sure it holds the key to the nation's high energy levels, but despite several tastings, my taste buds were non too pleased, Duncs' neither.
Mendoza is a famous wine producing region, so we decided to tear ourselves away from the pool and hire bikes to cycle around some 'Bodegas' tasting the local produce with Colette and Alyssa, two crazy girls from Californ-ia. As you'd imagine, wine, scorching sun and cycling make an entertaining mix but we had a wicked time and are glad to report much vino was quaffed but no injuries sustained. Duncs' bike got a flat tire about half way through but we were miles away from anywhere so he carried on until the wheel stopped turning completely. He hitched a lift back to the bike rental place. We waited in the shade for him to return. Which he did, some time later, on the back of the rental guy's scooter, carrying a replacement bike over his shoulder!
The city is beautiful and there are several leafy,
Wine Tour
JGirl...step away from the wine! tranquil parks to explore, chill in and bike around. The lifestyle is similiar to the mediterranean culture but days are more drawn out (4-5 hour siestas!!)and involve more meat. Meat is crucial to every meal and 'Asados' (BBQs) are the norm. These involve big slabs of meat (beef in the main) sizzling away while good wine is poured and samba music plays. We would sit around and chat until early hours. It is quite normal for locals to go out to eat around 11pm, in fact, we tried to eat out on the first night at 9, and sat alone in the restaurant wondering what we had said.
Duncs had been dreaming about eating steaks as we had been assured the best cuts could be had in Argentina. He sampled both his best and largest steaks in Mendoza. The former being enjoyed at our hostel restaurant for a mere 2 pounds!, and the latter whilst out with some friends. It was unbelievably large, seeing is believing...see photo. By the end of this feast, he went a funny shade of purple and felt quite ill. He even started to question his carnivorous side on our amble home. I have not
Mendoza Park
Rather nice fountain eaten red meat for 13 years but with with Duncs' claim about the quality of the meat, I decided to taste a bit. I expected not to enjoy it but I was wrong. It melted in my mouth and was 'muy' tasty.
Mendoza is a great place to chill out in. We went for 2 days and stayed for 6....that says it all! The shops there are also good fun to mooch around and prices are low. We met many Argentinians from Buenos Aires there who got us even more excited about the place... off to the city lights and the home of Tango we went......
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George the gringo
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Meat-tastic mate!
MMmmmmmm..... sttteeeaaakkkk..... In truth i'm not a big steak eater either but I'm looking forward to some Argentine BBQ action. Glad Dunx got his fix too! Keep up the good work dudes.