The bus ride from Chile into Argentina, over the Andes was spectacular stunning scenery. Freezing cold with lots of snow and people skiing. The trip was comfortable however longer than anticipated, but no problems crossing the border and earning our 2nd stamp in the passport from South America.

Arriving in Mendoza we picked a hostel as recommended by the lonely planet, as it was cheap and near to the bus terminal (so less walking with heavy bags). Booking in for 2 nights and picking up lots of leaflets on what to do in and around Mendoza. Considered how to spend our time over a cerveza or 2 with a very drunk frenchman, who was great quality, however much trouble we could of got in for being to noisy in the hostel, as we did not realise how late it actually was, as crossing the border we should of turned our clocks forward an hour, but nobody mentioned this to us!! Oooops..

Our first day was spent on mountain bikes with 2 girls from Finland, cycling the surrounding wineries. Some very impressive wines and vineyards. And v interesting to see the old traditional machinery and process as they still hand pick all their grapes. We also visited a family run chocolate factory that produced preserves and liquers. Having the choice of 1 to taste, Karen opted for the absinthe, resulting in her getting back on the bike feeling rather woozey and light headed! The circuit according to the leaflet should of only been 12kms in total, but we swear that must of been each way. It felt like it anyway as the journey back to drop the bikes off was torture on the ass, every bump in the road making us want to scream in pain, I dont remember cycling being so painfull on the behind!

Anyways glutons for punishment the next day we were booked on a 4 hour horse trek around the Andes. Getting out of bed early trying to be quiet as in a dorm I awake to Karen crashing off the top bunk half naked as no ladder down, nice work Karen, the whole dorm was awoken haha. Being driven in a minibus about 90mins out of Mendoza to the middle of nowhere. Being assigned our horses, or ponies really was funny as Karen landed the laziest stubborn one that refused to move at any decent speed, no matter how much she kicked yelled and even slapped.. We met 2 great Geordie lads, who had never ridden before so they were good entertainment when the horses played up. We laughed alot all day and said wow just as much as we climbed to around 2000mtrs with surrounding arid dessert and snow capped mountains. The 4 hours didnt hurt our behinds as much as we had anticipated, but still we felt as tho we deserved a beer so we all headed to a nearby retaurant that took 90mins to get the food out to us (shocking). Awaiting the minibus back to Mendoza the last laugh had to be on me as I sat on a wooden fence that snapped from under me, leaving me rolling around on the floor crying with laughter, no harm done tho we even tried to fix the fence!

Leaving Mendoza on an overnight 12hour bus trip further north having very much enjoyed our time.

Missing you all lots, keep the messages coming xxxx