Daniel in South America ( Dani Llama): MENDOZA

So left Santiago Sunday with great views along the way to Mendoza. Could only appreciate the region and the mountains around Santiago when we about half and hour outside the city.Most amazing were the Andes mountains as we got closer to the Argentinian border. Also a few ski resorts going up, but did not look busy.

Arrived in Mendoza around 9 and for the first time had to queue for a taxi. Always something new to experience.Welcomed by a blazing fireplace I settled down for the evening with a couple of beers and chatting to other travellers. Hit bed around 1 am and slept like a baby. Next morning decided to go and view a well known statue in the park.What was supposed to be a 3 km walk ended up more like a 20 km hike!This park is huge and filthy. It looked like Rhodes park on a Monday. Bottles, plastic bags and other rubbish were strewn all over the place. Looked like the whole city population visited the place that weekend.This was the first time during my trip here in South America that I had observed trash. Anyway the statue was erected in honour of those that fought the liberation wars and is called Cerro De La Gloria (which is theme running throughout South America's history)

And talking about liberators, here I am with my buddy Che Guevara

A view of the mountain in Mendoza

That Monday night we had a braai and essential refreshments that laid the foundation for visiting a club at 1am Tuesday morning and dancing to Latin American music until dawn.The street I am staying in is Mendoza's nightlife entertainment block lined with bars and restaurants.Below a feel for the street.

Above my hostel and below entertainment area at the back.

All this for about R70.00 a night. OK so it is cold here too now, but they have a big area indoors with a bar, pool table, lounge chairs and long tables and benches. Absolutely ideal for socialising.

Tuesday afternoon we went for a wine tour that took us to 2 wineries and an olive farm. The one was a boutique winery and the other one organic. First time I had organic wine and it is something different.I still said that it tasted a bit too healthy and one could probably have it with breakfast.

However they were very sparse with their tastings but I bought some wine anyway for supper as I was going to make my famous pasta that night, and yes you guessed right, for two girls (one from Canada and one from Switzerland) and myself of course.(Most hostels have a kitchen where you can cook your own food). Below some winery pictures.