Hotel Rosario Mendoza

... bitterly cold. We were stopped outside what looked like a large silo nestled in the valleys of the mountains and popping ears were a sure sign that we were high up. Before long - success - an entry stamp into Chile in my passport and back on the bus for the remainder of our jounrey (Of course not before the standard South American pointless waiting and inevitable bag checks). The bus pulled out of Los Labradores border crossing point and began to ...

... premier league or whatever they call it and this game was important because if they lost they would loose their status and drop to a lower category. It was a tie which means they´re safe. The game was an awesome experience. People just go mad for football (soccer) is South America and this was no exception. There were about 8 checkpoints where you got felt up and searched to make sure you were not bringing anything ...

... 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 ...

... road. The views were beautiful, we did take a few pictures although they are not very reprensentative as they are just taken through the window. We did see Mt Aconcagua - apparently the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere. We arrived an hour early (not sure how...) and were feeling pretty pleased with ourselves as we had made a reservation. We picked up a map at the station and set off (the map didn´t show our hostel location it was too far ...

... which produces chocolates, sweets, sauces and liquors, plus a restaurant for lunch. In total I tasted a Torrientes (white), Malbec(red), Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc(w), Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Melbec(r), Moscatel grape juice, Pinot Noir (r), three liqueurs (one fragrant, one nutty and one called Russian Death which was spicy and lethal) and absinthe, Olive Oil, organic Syrah(r) and organic Moscatel (w). It was a very good day!

Encore une nuit tres froide. On redescend vers le refuge, nos jambes nous font terriblement mal. Nous profitons d'un depart de jeunes francais pour squatter une voiture directe pour Mendoza. Gros dejeuner bien gras dans le resto glauque de la gare routiere, quel bonheur. Le retour a la civilisation est difficile. La nature, la tranquilite, le decor, l'air pur nous manque. Par contre un lit au chaud ca fait du bien aussi.

... it, and had to return to the previous place to get further instructions. The people here are quite friendly as well, as the lady practically walked me down the block to the shop. I managed to find it, but the guy told me that no, he couldn't do it for me. But he was able to refer me to somebody who finally could help me out. Back at the hotel, I chilled the bottle of sparkling wine I had purchased the other day, and ...

... trying that!! Today Abi left for New Zealand and Kevin and Meg headed to Chile. When they all left, I was completely undecided as to where to go. I am feeling exhausted by all the rapid traveling I have been doing-too many overnight buses with not enought time in between. I have a week and a half left in Argentina. I knew I want to visit Iguazu Falls but other then that I wasn't really sure. Thought about heading to Salta (which is in the northwest of ...

... which made it easier when it got too technical for my Spanish! <br><br>It took bloody ages, but it was worth it in the end when I received two gleaming DVDs, but now full of lovely piccies from everywhere we've been since the Galapagos islands. <br><br>That's a huge weight off my mind ...

... congestion on the roof of South America. Thanks to some skilful driving of yours truly, we wind our way to our destination, passing the closed ski resort of Penitentes. During the winter, a couple of months hence, this area will be entirely snow-covered, though at this time we see snow only on the peaks. We search for Aconcagua, the highest American mountain, to no avail. One of Argentina's most striking sights, situated 2720m (8920ft) above ...