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After our volcano adventure, we still found some great things to do in Pucon, including a walk through the national park where we climbed around 700 metres to some stunning lakes, and an afternoon in natural hot springs where we soaked our aching bodies after the intense workout from the last few days.
We took the night bus to Valparaiso, which is on the coast, about 2 hours west from Santiago. It is a port town built in to the hill side, with steep roads, lots of stairs and the most grafitti I have ever seen... It seems normal to have atleast something on the wall of your house! We spent a few days walking the streets and trying to take in as much as we could of this wonderful place, visiting the local cemetary, enjoying views over the town and the coastline and spending a day on the beach at Viño del Mar, playing in some big waves.
We only had 2-days in Santiago, but made the most of it by walking in the city parks and enjoying the views over the city with its mountain backdrop (smog made the views less impressive!). We decided to spend an evening in the park, so bought a 1.5 litre bottle of white wine, block of cheese, olives and bread and watched the daylight fade and the city take on a new light in the darkness. We foud an Irish bar for beers before drinking wih some fellow travellers back at the hostel till the early hours!
The bus ride back in to Argentina took us through the Andes on what is the most beautiful journey I have ever made... Every corner opened up another magnificant view of mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes! After a few painful hours at the boarder (just slow, no rubber gloves) we were back in Argentina and in wine country!
We decided to do a bike wine tour, which was more about the wine than actually biking... We were greeted at 10am with lots of cheap red wine at the bike shop, biked for 10-mins to a wine museum where we saw the techniques for making wine and then had a good taster. Another short bike ride and we were at a chocolate and liquor factory, where we enjoyed 95% Absynth!, bread and wonderful tapenade and chocolates. Another short ride and we were drinking home-brew beers and eating pizza and empanadas, before visiting our final winery where we enjoyed 6 bottles of wine and a great view of the Andes. Back at the hostel beers, wine and a good old Argentine BBQ finished us off.
On the bike tour we arranged to take a 2-day trip in to the Andes with some guys in our hostel. We drove south from Mendoza for a few hours before cutting in to the Andes and drove a further few hours along dust tracks up to nearly 4000 metres, enjoying wonderful views of Lamas, mountains, valleys and rock formations. We eventually arrived at Laguna Del Diamante, a remote lake located 3200 metres high and overlooked by a volcano... It was stunning! We set up camp and spent a few hours fishing in the giant lake, catching nothing, but enjoying the views. We then headed back for a camp fire, another BBQ and more wine. It was a cold, clear night and there were so many stars it was amazing. Even saw a few shooting stars!
After a cold night in a tent, we were up and fishing in the mornng. We did not catch anything, but it was just amazing being in this place and enjoying the breath-taking views that surrounded us. I sat in the back of the truck for the return journey, which was pretty special, especially when a Condor came cruising over at low level.
The last few weeks have taking us to some awesome places, with some great walking, spectacular views and lovely wines (our livers have been hit hard in wine country), but we are now looking forward to our last week in the north of Argentina and finally getting to Bolivia...
- comments
vinay dude all the pictures look amazing you my freind are living the dream!!!!!! I love the trek in the mountains looks like lord of the rings....where was frado!? Just confused as i didnt know that Si was out there with you???? (As i look at the toad/frog...!!! LOLOL)
Maaike Yo! More updates please!!! Vinden we leuk! Kusje!