Tuesday 22nd January; we drove into the high Andes via the pass between Mendoza [Argentina] and Santiago [Chile]. At 2800m [9800feet] after a short walk you reach a viwpoint of the "roof of the Americas" Aconcagua [6962m] the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The drive is spectacular with amazing geographical features. Included are sea fossils at 2800m, volcanic, glacial, earthquake and erosion through water and snow. See photos and description; we have more for friends interested in geology!

Our stay in Mendoza, organised by Grapevine Wine Tours has been excellent and as with all of this Argentinian oddysey, too short. Mendoza itself is a very attractive city but you are spared the pictures! It is built in semi-desert and irrigated via snow melt man made canals. The streets are made bearable in the heat by tall sycamore trees, the restaurants and, of course, the wine are excellent.