"Argentina - I am here (Part 1 - December 2004)" Top 5 Page for this destination Provincia de Mendoza Travelogue by Trekki

November 28, 2004:

Ok, Christine (tini58de) suggested this, and I think, it might be a good idea to keep you all my family and friends updated about my upcoming trip to Patagonia.For now, not much to say except that I am eager to get out of here, out of cold and narrow Germany. Backpack is half packed (at least the important things are already in there). Lisanne - the little red dress will perfectly match my hiking boots :-) Thanks for borrowing - it will tell a lot of exciting stories, when it is back :-) At this stage, I can't promise to keep you daily updated, as part of my trip is also to get back to the nature life (and not running into Internet Cafes every day). But I will do my best, at least once in a while - every 1-2 weeks.

November 29, 2004:
it seems that everything is arranged. Backpack is ready to be thrown first on my shoulder and then in the plane.Hotel in BsAs is booked (thanks to the help of Sof76, the Forum and finally my colleague). She also got me the bus tickets for Mendoza, where I will head for thursday dec. 2.
And the best of all - my dream Hostal has a bed for me. About this I am all over excited, as I liked their website, and the pictures of the house - and Claudia, the owner, is so nice (on the phone and sure in reality as well).This is the Hostal: casapueblohostel:-)
http://www.casapueblohostel.tk/
casapueblohostel

Horsebackriding near Mendoza :-)

December 7, 2004:
Finally went to a I-Cafe to type in some travel "things". I have arrived safe in Buenos Aires some time ago (gosh - already 1 week ago), stayed in a nice hotel thanks to my colleague and left next day for Mendoza. Terrible bus journey - so whoever reads this and wants to travel Argentina by bus - please never consider T.A.C. to take you anywhere. The bathroom did not function (and it was a 16 hours ride), we must have stopped at nearly every location in between the 1000 km between BsAs and Mendoza...
But - the night was clear, and I could see my beloved Southern Cross - Cruz del Sur, which meant / means: I am really here !!!
In Mendoza, the hostel above (Casa Pueblo) was just what I had expected - and anyone who is heading for Menoza and does not stay there - bad luck ! The family is great, it is a perfect place to stay and enjoy. Over the weekend, I met 2 german girls who are currently living in Santiago and just came to escape the dusty city.We had a nice weekend together, walked through the city, ended up in the huge Parque San Martin and enjoyed sun. Oh, yes, northern hemisphere friends - did I mention, it's quite hot over here ? By now (after only 1 week), I look like I belong here (probably do - who knows...).
Sunday we have booked horseback riding with an adventure travel company. It was one of my best rides ever, as we went deep into a stunning mountain valley - you could feel and hear the silence :-) My little rusty horseshoe, I got from the guide, will always remember me on these serene landscapes.
So, tomorrow, I'll go heading again with them, horseback riding again.Friday evening I most probably leave for the South, to San Martin de los Andes. Not that I don't like it here - did I mention I could stay forever ? - but I wanted to go to the south, as there are some very important future plans to check out. At least - my future has a name already: La Quinta de la Alma - The Cottage of the Soul So - I might not have the time or feel like jumping into the next cafe soon for updating. Depends....but - be sure, I am at home here and I like it very much (except these funny keyboards where y and z are mixed up....)

December 15, 2004:
Ok, finally I had to leave Mendoza, which was hard, I mean HARD .
Big amount of tears at the bus station, when Claudia (the owner of Casa Pueblo), Yoni and Paula (also guests like me) brought me there and waved goodbye until my bus left. But - the good thing is that I will return to Mendoza at the "end" of my trip, for another 1-2 weeks. Just too much to do there, and also a promise for horsebackriding in the mountains for some days. Now I am in San Martin de los Andes, since yesterday.
My first encounter with the northern part of Patagonia. It really resembles the alpine areas in Europe quite much, a lot of wooden buildings and all quite cute.Tomorrow, I will rent a car to discover the famous Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Road of the 7 lakes). It must be tremendously beautiful there, and I am really looking forward to it.

Horsebackriding near El Bolsýn

December 23, 2004:

Ups - seems there are some updates to be done....So, by now I am in El Bols?n, which is 42. lattitude, some 150 km south of famous Bariloche. This since 6 days already, but time passes by quite quick here. Just toooo much to see, feel learn and enjoy.Whoever is planning to visit the "Los Lagos" area of Argentina, should definitely plan this road "Ruta de los 7 Lagos". It is best done by car, and rental cars are not expensive here. The road leads from San Martin de los Andes southwesterly down to Bariloche. San Martin has still somehow "dry" climate, but the climate changes quite quickly the more south you go.The landscape is full of lupines in all different shades from blue to violet to pale pink - joined by yellow (I mean YELLOW) broom (Ginster) and the red (=RED) flowers of Notro trees.The more humid it gets, the more the forests resemble fairy tale forests.
And suddenly, some miles north of Bariloche, it made "click" and I felt in love that badly that I can't get it out of my brain.My love has a name: Villa La Angostura. Whoever thinks of Bariloche to be nice, has never ever (= NEVER EVER) seen Villa La Angostura. How to best describe it ? It is a tiny little village, stretching out at the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, the houses all made of wood, the atmosphere is cozy - THE place to be for me.But - as my travel companion did not like the rainy weather, we had to go further south. However, the rental car time (and my associate payment) ends soon - so I will be back there for Christmas and the following 2 weeks (before heading back to my beloved Mendoza).Finally, we ended up in El Bols?n last saturday. This is approx. 150 km south of Bariloche, and a nice town with relaxing atmosphere.For serious trekkers, it is paradise, as it is surrounded by several mountain ranges, some still covering snow - and also some glaciers in the direction of Chile (=west).The people are so friendly and helpful (as Argentine people are, generally), and the refugios in the mountains are just great. The last 2 days I went on a horseback trip again (seems I am more on a horse here than on my feet), we went 35 km (one way) deep into the mountains.The place is called Los Laguitos, it is mentioned in the Lonely Planet "Trekking in Patagonia" as a side trip from Cajon de Azul (another refugio). And this was such a rewarding trip - incredible. Weather was not "the best" (for european standard thinking), but the more the weather here is rainy, misty and foggy - the more it reveals the real magic atmosphere of Patagonia (this at least for me).We spend an incredible night in the little refugio Los Lagunitos, Willy (Jorge Fernandez), the friendly, warmhearted owner, prepared a fantastic meal for us (patagonian stew), which we enjoyed with homemade beer :-) (we = Cat and Gruff from Wales, our guide Rene and me).
Tomorrow is Christmas - funny feeling to have no snowcovered christmas trees - but that's life :-)and more - please see the other Travellouges.