Microtel Inn Suites Malargue Mendoza

... two, I spent the afternoon walking around; checked out the main plaza and a huge public park.

Sunday, headed to TermasCacheuta Spa. OMG...it was UBER fantastic!!!! The scenery, the peace and quiet, just straight up chillin =) I had two half-hour massages - one before lunch and another after lunch.

Speaking of lunch...they had a buffet that rivaled some in Vegas ...

... have been zig zagging through a valley between mountains so they have been left and right of me.
At Mendoza I stopped at a gas station for fuel and a coffee and to consult the map for accommodation.
I shall be stopping here a couple of nights at least before heading for Santiago.
The internet here is muy rapido, I have managed to download all photos to date. Happy viewing, though I think ...

... and seems that their actions were the straw which broken the back of the fading camel that is Lattitudeīs Argentine placement. However, it has to be said that both girls seemed unhappy in Salta and perhaps this is in fact a blessing in disguise for both of them.



Before we knew it we were being woken at the border crossing in the Andes at 2am, having fallen asleep trying to watch the film on the bus. It was snowing when we got off ...

... of 4 wines. Well, actually only 2 wines. 3 of the samples were of Malbec, all different ages. The other was a very sweet and delicious dessert wine. Fortified by our tasting, we zoomed down the road to the second winery, a slightly larger and more modern affair. The fermentation tanks were concrete blocks, very unromantic. This time we got only 3 tasting...two of Malbec, and one of a Malbec / Cab Sauv blend. Can you ...

... waiting in small gangs by the side of the road in stalking position, then swarming around your motor like marauding Apaches eating various inedible parts. Visions abound of cars being bought with bumpers able to withstand the bite of a German Shepherd, tyres flattened by an angry Retriever and insurance forms siting the loss of an exhaust pipe due to a particularly hungry Schnauser. In Mendoza, I saw on no less then three occasions dogs crossing the road. No ...

... get started late....they weren't kidding. We arrived at 11pm and the place was practically empty, which made it easier to appreciate how many disco balls they had on the ceiling. We grabbed a table in a side room and managed to entertain ourselves and teach our waiter and the Canadians "shake face", thanks to a very unique Camel display (see video). Iskra started to fill in at 1AM and was packed at 2. The "evening" started out with a band that ...

... in the main park. On the Saturday they chose one of the local beauties to be "Reina Nacional de la Vendimia" (National Vendimia Queen) from the 18 contestants representing the Mendoza Barrios. Three of the contestants have already been eliminated by the voters, one works for the Government & therefore cannot to be trusted, one is a professional actress & didn't pass the IQ Test & the third is a pinup from Playboy Magazine (enough said).

... forgotten loads, as a day of wine tasting does take its toll (and I thought all the dinners and lunches I have had with the Hardy clan would have set me up perfectly for this!!), so will no doubt update you with more from today and the rest of the week, in the next blog. Hope you are all well, keep the comments coming (just make sure you put your name if you are using the guest log in, otherwise we donīt know who you are!!), and we will update you again in the next few days.

... and an olive oil farm (seriously) but I think we should have maybe just went to them ourselves by bike... we were just worried about staying on the bikes after a bit too much vino if you know what I mean ... I already told you about Fiona's new nickname, right? She's bad enough on steady ground... never mind 2 wheeled transport!! On our last day we went shopping!!! (Oh how I ...

... which look a little something like this...



See how they're much fuller and often elipsed, rather than rounded.

We were shown the sorting vats were they chuck the raw harvested grapes and vines...



...which removes the vines and leaves, then the grape ...