The long trip to Mendoza begins in a slight panic - it takes us some time to figure out the unique ordering system of the bus station platforms but we're there in time.

Each of our 'Cama exejutivo' seats is more comfortable than expected so no complaints there. Dinner soon arrives, accompanied by the much anticipated refreshments. Vinohora. 12 hours later and we're nowhere as close to Mendoza as we should be...another four hours and the leafy, vibrant centre begins to emerge...

"Get back in your monkey hole":

Monkey hostel rooms are disappointingly small and the wifi connection is somewhat of a joke, but it's central and is a roof over our heads. First order of the day - Malbec. Then find another hostel and plan for the next two days.

Success, but still need to stay in the monkey hostel for a night...way too old for this s***e (bathroom actually made us retch, and beds are probably infected - fact.)

A night on Villanueva : optimistically arrive on the party street around 9, knowing full well that the locals don't surface till about 10pm. After walking up and down the street a few times, we end up in the token Irish bar - classic!!

We soon realise that "it's social suicide to arrive at a club before 2am". Oops, doesn't stop us making the most of the fact that the bars sit side by side on this street. Two very strong mojitos, one Cuba libre, one Bloody Mary and g&t later we head for the only bar that seems to be playing Spanish music - it's a pool bar. Love a bit of pool. A short wait for a table and then we're expertly wielding cues (smacking balls with little regard for aim or strategy, before being joined by two locals in search of a bit of banter. Turns out they're wine tour guides, love this place.

One game swiftly turns into best of three and its somehow 5am. A friendly invitation to party in another part of town is politely declined, but being gentlemen they kindly walk us back to our hotel providing interesting tips about the city and environs en route. Another kind offer, this time to show us the best of the region at some point during our stay - email addresses are swapped, one never knows. I❤Mendoza, shame we have to tolerate monkey s*** for a night.