Microtel Inn & Suites Mendoza ( Guaymallen)

... people who just arrived for weekends and had to go back to work........<br><br>We did a day trip into the Andes while in Mendoza we visited Inca runies. It was freezing cold but so pretty. We also visited the hot pools at the base of the Andes. Monty and I spent a whole day there. We travelled there independently so we would have more time. And yes again we got on the right bus... <br><br>Mendoza also boasts a beautiful ...

... br><br>We got to Mendoza mid-morning and found our hostel which was located fairly near the main part of town. Having set down our bags we toddled off to the centre which is lovely with tree-lined avenues and large green plazas.After wondering why the leaves were all still an autumnal shade of copper though here it is the middle of winter, we sat down for a Quilmes - Argentinian - beer in one of Sarmiento Ave´s many outdoor cafes. <br><br>That evening we ate at a fantastic Italian ...

... argue with hospitality such that our hotsel host gave Jon his shoes when Jons had got wet during a trek in the snow!?)<br>With the Andes on our door step we could not miss the opportunity to do a little trekking in the area. A word with our hostel (well one particular guy, Roco) and they suggest snow walking. We have never done it before and thought it would be fun so booked ourselves a day trip to Mt Aconcagua (the highest mountain outside ...

... took my seat again. After about 15 minutes, I realized this thing didn't have any lights, speakers, or anything to signal that it was my turn to go. I also noticed that no one else had one. I started to realize what I had done. I peeked back in the office to see everyone frantically searching for the remote to change the numbers -- the remote that was in my hand. I needed a plan. I couldn't be seen with this thing. After a few minutes, I ...

... walk round, full of parks, wide streets as their was a huge earthquake here in 1861 and they rebuilt the city with wide avenues and green spaces, there is a really cool crafts market in Plaza Independencia. After a good nights sleep we were ready to take on the world.. decided to hire bicycles and visit a few of the vineyards outside the city, Argentinan wine is my favourite so heaven once again. Had a great day touring the vineyards ...

Look, swirl, sniff, taste, aerate, distribute, expectorate...and there we stood opposite our mentor, hanging onto her words as we practised the art of smelling and tasting the wines presented to us. We came to Mendoza to drink the world renowned wines and I can safely say we made the most of our time there. Over two days we visited six vineyards on both foot and by bike. Picking up wine-tasting tips along the way, we appeared more like wine enthusiasts and less like drunken ...

... that we saw. Incidentally, someone told me there are over 800 wineries in Mendoza! Oh well, certainly enough for me! The problem is....TOO many bottles to choose from! Our cabbie FINALLY found the hostel, and we didn't have enough to pay him, so he took what I had. The place is a really great hostel, and we had a good time here. We saw parades on two different evenings (nights, really), and ...

... Not the greatest way to spend 6hrs! It was quite scary as the ferry (as in a old large container ship) crashed against the waves very heavily on the way back- people were seasick and quite frightened. The next day we made up for it by taxiing to a colony nearby. As a town Punta Areas was quite nice, but we did manage to get ripped off- a bar offering 2 for 1 drinks actually demanded that the same person drink the 2 drinks....a unique interpretation! We flew up ...

... to be a sweaty mess around here so accept and even better, embrace it on a bycycle and you will have a whale of a time. We head to Mr Hugo to rent bikes for the day about 11am - he is the vendor of choice as he likes to join the cyclists for a tipple after their tours. The tour we do (not a tour really, just us following a standard circuit around some of the local vineyards) is a classic example of how you meet people ...