Our Argentinian Adventure!

Needless to say, I was nervous about traveling to Mendoza and Buenos Aires because I speak very limited Spanish. Mark, my other half, knows only a couple of words and phrases so I was practically his guide. Well, half way through the trip, I surprised myself of how much Spanish I was understanding and speaking. Of course, it helped a lot that many Argentineans can speak some English.

So, our adventure began when we crossed the Andes. It was such a spectacular sight- raw Earth and its natural colors, untamed and untouched, so massive and grand.

This road was out of control. It was so scary doing a 180° turn on the edge of the cliff.



Although it's summer, some snow still remain on the apex of some mountains.









As amazing some of these photos are, it doesn't capture enough of the Andes' beauty.

We arrived in Mendoza in the afternoon. Once we got to our hostel, we napped and rested. Then we went out and had ourselves some meat. Argentina is famous for its beef and gauchos and has the highest consumption rate of beef! Well, on our second day in Mendoza, we did the winery tours on bike. We rented a bike from Bikes and Wine and biked through several wineries in Mendoza. It was hot and tiring. I haven't gone biking in over ten years and it was brutal for me.

Aww.




Boy, let me tell you... wine, bike, sun, and heat do not make a good combination.

Well day two and last day, we planned to go to Termas de Cacheuta which is a water park (they also have a hotel and spa) that uses the natural hot springs of Mendoza River on the foothills of the Andes. BUT, when we arrived at the bus terminals to catch a bus, they told us all the buses that go there were full, so... we couldn't go. We were so upset to hear it because it was our last day in Mendoza and it was the only thing we had planned. So, we improvised and decided to check out the enormous park in Mendoza called Parque General San Martin. This park was off the hook.

Bathing is prohibited.

Mark eats a hamburger the size of his head. It was apparently good.



On our way back to the hostel, we found ourselves in Plaza Chile.



Our hostel Hostel Empedrado had so many ripe grapes vines growing!

So, sixteen hours later, we were in Buenos Aires! When we arrived at our hostel, we were greeted by the lovely faces of Melissa, Ben, Lee, Phil, Andrew, and Jon! I can't believe we all made it happen to meet up in Buenos Aires! They've all been traveling around South America and for us to meet up was soooo awesome.

Finding our way to La Boca



La Boca Stadium

Mmm Parrillada

Mark getting ready to eat blood sausage... I had a bite too and it was disgusting.

Of course, the tango. Ben did alright for his first try.

(We're better at the naked tango)

More of La Boca neighborhood

walking back to our hostel...

Oh, how I've missed you, Guinness!

The next day, we went to the Buenos Aires Zoo...

"Se llama, llama" ... they are so cute!

"Do it like they do on the discovery channel..."

Mark and Melissa

Argentinean empanadas are delicious.

So are their ice cream.

Obelisco de Buenos Aires

Chillin'

Avenida Corrientes from our hostel balcony. We were pretty much located at the Broadway of Buenos Aires. Theater after theater are on this street.

at the "Botanical Garden" ... it wasn't really much of a botanical garden.

Mark made a friend ;)

Japanese Garden

Recoleta Cemetery

This place was like a labyrinth of tombstone after tombstone

Some were nice and new, others old and creepy.

Mark touching a coffin

El Ateneo - an old theater turned into a record/book store.

(panoramic photo courtesy of Mark's camera phone!)

Believe it or not but we actually had one of the best pizzas is Buenos Aires.

This is how much Argentinians take pride in their meat industry.

Solar Flower

Leather cuffs from an Argentinean leather craftsman.

So remember when we were so bummed from not being able to go to Termas de Cacheuta? Well, turned out that we had a ten-hour layover in Mendoza so we decided to spend that time in Termas de Cacheuta and we did! It worked out so perfectly.

Perfect.