Share Mendoza, Argentina
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Another thrilling night bus later and we were in Mendoza. We were fed one ‘Alfajores’ cake at 7:30AM on the bus, from then until 4:30PM when we arrived in Mendoza we got nothing else! Feeling rather hungry after a taxi to the hostel we set about McDonalds. It was Sunday, everything closed as usual, McDonalds was about the only option.
Up bright and early the next day for the wine tasting tours. Caught the local bus 17KM out of Mendoza to a border town called Maipu (yes, we are childish and laughed). First vineyard tour of the day, around 10AM, first wine of the day… 9:50AM. We were a little worried that we had started too early. But 5 minutes later we were saved by a few couples who also wanted to get a little boozy-woozy! One of which were Keith & Krisy (K&K). We stuck together and made our way round 2 vineyards. We spent the rest of the day sat in the beautiful surrounds of the ‘Beer Garden’ eating pizza, empanadas and drinking beer.
We picked up a stray dog and it ran by the side of our bikes for at least 4-5KM. We sat in the beer garden for about 2 hours, he, sorry, “Grapes”, waited for us the whole time. Then ran all the way back with us! It was 1.6KM each way to the vineyard, then at least 2KM back to the bike rental place. He stuck by us like glue, very strange.
Great day with some great company. Caught the local bus back to town and went for a steak.
Chilled out the next morning and then walked to the other side of town towards the park to meet K&K. Rented bicycles again to have a “relaxing” ride around. It was about a grade 2 hill up to the top of the park where the most depressing Zoo in the world is. After a great deal of sweat and moan (Brogan) we made it to the top. Walked round the Zoo to find small cages for big animals, huge areas for goats and the most vile smelling monkey/gibbon enclosure you are likely to smell at any “Zoo” in the world.
To make us feel a little better we ditched the bikes and headed for a patio, in the sun, overlooking a lake. Travelling can be hard sometimes… not today though! We drank far too many, though some may say not enough, Andes in the sun then made our way back towards the city to eat, you guessed it, steak. This steak though was special, it was 5CM thick (at least) and bigger than your fist. It was so tender and juicy, just what the doctor ordered.
Several more Andes, jugs and cocktails later we hailed a taxi to get back to the hostel. I proceeded to chew the taxi drivers ear off in my best Spanish possible. Bed.
Feeling quite hungover the next day we decided to take a time out. Made our way slowly to the bus station to book our ticket to Bariloche then met K&K for dinner at about 10PM. Had possibly the worst food we have had since being here, some horrid lasagne. Should of stuck with steak!
Last day in Mendoza consisted of waiting around for our night bus by trawling the sports, book and clothes shops trying to find ways to waste our money. Luckily we stayed strong. I did a straight swap for my book, easy enough. Stood in the street to watch the Copa del Ray final, when in Rome… “Go on…”.