My first stop in Argentina was the small city of Salta. A bit of a nothing city really, but I managed a couple of good nights out and my first taste of that famous Argentinian steak. I had travelled to Salta with 3 Dutch boys, an Israeli couple and a Sth African girl that I knew from Chile. A great bunch and with whom I had those big nights out. Drinking games anyone....uurrghhh!!! Dominique (the Sth African) & I did manage to squeeze in a couple of touristy sites between drinks and not alot of sleep though!
In the city itself, we jumped in a cable car that made it´s way a few hundred metres up for a panoramic view of the city. The view was not that spectacular but there was a great park up the top where you could wander about, have a coffee and basically chill out for a while. The highlight of Salta though (aside from those nights out) was a day trip we took to a place called Humahuaca, about 2 1/2 hours north of the city. We visited some great little towns and markets, but it was the scenery that made the day. As you travel north through the Las Conchas Ravine, you experience an array of colour from the surrounding countryside. You could be mistaken for thinking it was Autumn with all the vibrant browns, reds and oranges. As we went further north the mountains were very dramatic with unusual formations and a multitude of colours. Seven Colour Hill and the Paleta del Pintor Hill (painters palet) were stunning and my favourites of the trip.
From Salta I travelled south to Mendoza which is Argentina´s primary wine region. Mendoza is a small and beautiful city. The incredibly wide treelined streets, the amazing plaza´s and parks where there is always a market, live music or some form of entertainment happening late in to the night. It´s incredibly clean, there´s great international cuisine and of course the many vineyards. I visited 3 great wineries and indulged in the most civilised meal I have had since leaving home! There were about 10 of us that ventured out on our wine tasting day. After the 3rd winery we had our incredible lunch. Tapas style, 4 courses, European and Argentinian cuisine and a constant flow of delicious red wine, your glass never empty. Now this was a day where I didn´t mind being back in civilisation at all :)
From Mendoza it was down to the beautiful Bariloche. Bariloche is located at the northern tip of Patagonia and part of the Argentinian lakes district. Bariloche also looks like it has been plucked straight out of the Swiss Alps and dropped into the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Argentina! It´s incredibly pretty here, Swiss chalet style architecture, right on Lake Nahuel and surrounded by those snowcapped mountains I never tire of. Apart from the Swiss chalet style architecture it actually reminded me of parts of Alaska. It´s very touristy this time of year although mainly local tourists on their summer holiday. It´s also the place where school groups come to party after completing their final year of high school. Argentine schoolies week! Every second shop is a chocolate shop and probably the best chocolate your ever going to taste...that includes Belgium chocolate. Big call but true :) And of course the weather....what can I say. Bloody freezing! In Mendoza I was lazing about in the 
lovey dry heat where the temperatures averaged around 35 degrees celcius. A 19 hour bus trip south and it dropped to a cool 8 degrees, rain falling and wind howling. Crazy weather where you can experience 4 seasons in a day 3 times over. I loved it though. It was so nice to get all warm and cozied up by a fire and drink hot chocolate everyday. One day was so cold and wet, myself and a Canadian guy from the hostel decided to hit the local cinema and see the latest James Bond film. A small luxury when living life on a budget and out of a backpack! The film was one of only 2 movies playing at the tiny cinema, but it was a great movie for a cold and rainy day. Especially when it´s followed by a dinner of scrumptious Argentinian steak, a bottle of red, cheesecake and a delicious homemade hot chocolate before literally falling into bed, full as a goog and as content as can be.
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