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Having decided to go and visit Bariloche in Argentina I got the bus at 9am (Fri 30th). We arrived a bit later than expected due to some sort of problem with a couple of people on the bus who would not be allowed across to Argentina so they took them back to the stop where they got on! The scenery as we crossed into Argentina was beautiful, with forests, mountains and lakes. It was interesting to see the volcanic ash in the forests which looked quite deep in places. Bariloche is a town set on a lake in the Lake District. I had booked a hostel which was recommended- Penthouse 1004- apart from being lovely inside it was on the 10th floor and therefore had amazing views of the mountains and lake.
I was lucky to be able to catch up here with Katy and Colin, an English couple I had met in Ecuador back in November. They have always been slightly ahead of me and I missed them by a day in Ushuaia! We met for a few drinks and it was lovely to catch up. Jorge (from my group off the boat) was in Bariloche so we met afterwards and went for a meal with a few people from his hostel. Ended up being a late night but we didn't even eat til about 11.30! Nightclubs get busy at 3am, very different to at home!
So Bariloche in the winter is a skiing area, but the rest of the year it is a good base for hiking in the nearby National Park. I spent day going on a chairlift up the mountain of 'Cerro Campinario'- I say a day, I wasted lots of time due to going on the bus to the place then realising I had no money. I therefore went back to town for cash then returned. Could have walked up but it was all uphill and the chairlift was a bit of a novelty! The views up there were fantastic as you could walk around so have 360 degree views of the surrounding lakes and mountains.
The next day in the morning I got chatting with an English couple who were hiring a car for the day- I asked if they'd consider me joining them and splitting the cost of course. Luckily they said yes (thanks Danny and Emily!) so we saw some of the surrounding countryside and visited El Boulson a nearby town. Described as a hippy town it has a craft market which we wandered around and had some nice food. We tried to go and visit a forest that has things carved out of the trees but after a while on the very gravely, stoney road we decided to turn back for fear of damaging the hire car. We went to see some waterfalls and drove around the lake near Bariloche before taking the car back.
Monday I went hiking in the Parque Municipal Llao Llao which is near Bariloche. I was there for about 5 hours, hiking for just over 3.5 hours. I had a few stops, including about an hour on a lakeside beach sitting in the sunshine as it was lovely. My legs ached in the evening but I enjoyed the walk. My legs ached again the next day and as I hadn't yet made my plans for moving on I decided on a day to try and get a few bits done whilst enjoying the views from the hostel! I did my banking so I now know how much I have spent in total. I have spent loads more down here which I knew but it still a shock when you see it written down! I am glad that when I go to Bolivia afterwards it will be so much cheaper. In the afternoon I treated myself to some chocolate covered raspberries which are made by one of the chocolate shops. They are delicious!! Bariloche has loads of chocolate shops but I resisted the temptation to go in any of the others, but had heard about the raspberry chocolates- you have to ask for the as they are not on display but kept in a refrigerated drawer, felt like they were a big secret! If you go to Bariloche, go to Rapa Nui and ask- sooo delicious! In the square in Bariloche they are building a huge chocolate Easter egg- apparently it will be shared out on Easter Sunday, shame I won't be there!
On Monday (in the early hours and again in the morning) out of the hostel window I heard and saw 2 memorial services to commemorate 30 years since the Falklands war, although at the time I didn't realise that is what they were. I bought a newspaper the day after to see what is being said here but haven't read it yet.
The hostel was the kind of place you could stay for ages; very comfortable, relaxing, friendly, helpful staff, but I decided that if the weather was ok on Wednesday (4th) I would get the bus along the 'route of the seven lakes'- a journey I wanted to take due to the scenery. So yesterday I got that bus and the weather stayed ok, the views on the way were good, it passes as the name suggests the lakes in the area. But I have to admit that despite trying not to I nodded off a few times despite the bumpy road! I arrived in San Martin de los Andes at about 3.30. The rain started not long after and there was a power cut in the evening. I did manage to go shopping and cooked dinner. Staying in the same place was a French-Canadian couple who I had chatted to in Ecuador in January when Mum was here- they remembered me, I didn't recognise them but strangely did remember the pizzas they had been making! I have my own room with a TV- both are a treat as I can't remember the last time I had a room on my own! Slept so well and didn't wake until 9 as no-one was getting up, getting ready or packing :-) A wet, grey, cold day today means I have done very little- went out to buy my bus ticket for tomorrow (it's back to Chile, to Pucon I go) and hada short wander in the town. It is by the lake and I can imagine it is a lovely in good weather. With the rain I had a good excuse to go to some cafes so I had a hot chocolate in one and then tea and lunch in another while finishing a book. Then this afternoon I am watching TV whilst catching up on my blog- I may even get around to sorting out some of my many, many photos!
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