San Carlos de Bariloche

We jumped aboard another coach & headed south to the cooler climates of Patagonia. As it was a 18hrs coach trip we thought we´d spoil ourselves & splash out an extra $65 pesos (just over £10) for luxury seats.... & boy they´d give a first class airline a run for its money...3 meals including wine, 3 of the latest English movies & bus bingo!! Bariloche or the Lake District as its also known is set in the middle of Nahuel Huapi Parque Nacional in the foothills of the Andes, & the scenery is breathtaking. You are surrounded by snow capped mountains, lush green forest & gorgeous blue lakes very similar to an Alpine ski resort & even though its half the temperature we´re used too (from 30 to 15 degree´s) the sun still had its hat on.

After great advice from Brian the owner of Green House Hostel we headed off to complete the Circuito Chico... "30km, no probs she says". OMG my legs were in a world off pain, it was Mountain Biking in its truest form... skidding on the off road gravel paths & massive hills. But the views made the pain all worth it...stunning!! Next we opted for the less energetic option & took the chair lift to Cerro Campanario which is the highest point in Bariloche, giving you a 360 degree view of the national park & the massive route we´d just done. So we could have saved our legs & just taken the photos from here but where would have been the fun in that!!

Always on the look out for cheap days out, Brian told us of a free lake,forest & waterfall trek that wasn´t on the main tourist track & it has got to be the most picturesque place we have seen so far!! After a lovely lunch over looking the lake we headed back into town to sample something else Bariloche is famous for.... Chocolate!! On our last night we met up with Lil & Brad an Ozzy couple who we'd met in Mendoza & had a fun night out on the town.

Don´t cry for me Argentina the truth is I have left you & we´re off to Chile & the next stamp in our passport....YEAH!!