MENDOZA - ARGENTINA

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.

Must start a wine collection

So having a great time here and extending my stay here. Next stop Uruguay, next week.I think.

More info

CHILE - SANTIAGO - LAST PAGE FROM HERE

So my time here has come to an end and leaving for Mendoza, Argentinia tomorrow, Sunday 8 August. Been a fairly eventful week here and made good aquintances.Again realised how lost one can be if you do not speak the language. One misses out on so much, but having said that, people did try very hard to talk to me in English. I have now promised myself  to learn a new language every 6 months at Wits, starting with Spanish.

Satiagons are very outgoing and have a great attitude. And very proud of being Chileans.

One place that I will remember with fond memories is a bare boned pub called La Piejora. Was introduced to a drink here called Terremoto, meaning earthquake. A concoction of fermented white wine and pineapple ice cream with a dash of ternot, it would soon leave your legs shaking. And soon everybody speaks English!

Tonight visited three coffee shops - with a difference. Stunning girls in lingerie welcomes you with kisses on the cheek and have a chat with you while you sip your coffee and admire their assets.Yes, I like coffee!
Sorry, no pictures of them.
But here are some more images of Santiago - the zoo and people in general.

Bye bye. Until Mendoza

CHILE - SANTIAGO

Arrived in Chile Saturday night 31/7 and booked in at the Plaza de Armas Hostel on the main square after wandering for about half and hour looking for the place.Was told that there would be a Virgin Mary statue in front of the place, but they ommitted the fact that it is located 6 storeys up. In fact right outside my room.

A great place ie Santiago.After Beunos Aires, it rates next in terms of architecture and cleanliness and I could easily settle down here.Been here 5 days now and met great people- both travellers and locals. Will probably stay another 5 days.Much socialising to be done.

 

The Plaza at night seen from the hostel balcony.

Santiago to the west

Santiago to the  east. Viewed from top of a man made hill in the Metropolitan Parque. You can either walk to the top or take the fenicular ( a tram like cable car). I chose the latter obviously.

Virgin Mary statue on top of the hill.

The Mercado Central, a fish market about 5 blocks away. They also have restaurants/cafes in the center and outside edges. So here you can have your fish and eat it. Ha Ha!!

One thing I had noticed in Chile, are the number of stray dogs roaming the streets. Santiago no exception. Took this photo of dog sleeping in a square. Someone has put dog pellets in frront of it. So it will at least wake up to lunch.

A wall in Bella Vista with original artwork.

A mime doing a tree in the Plaza

Wary travellers

Self potrait