Arrival into Argentina was less than glorious. Having planned ahead and booked a hostel in Chile for my arrival into Mendoza, it totally slipped my mind to take note of either the address or even the name of the hostel. This potentially worked in my favour, having hopped of the bus and collected my bag, I got speaking to Rosie and Ellie - two delightful girls from Twickenham. We got chatting and in our search for an ATM, I decided to tag along with them to Hostel Independencia. A very dodgy taxi driver took us from the bus station which to be fair considering there were kids tossing a dead mouse between them, I would have got into a car with anyone! A short drive to the Hostel, we checked in and head out for food. With our belly's filled and the piss sufficiently taken out of our almost handicapped waitress, we head for bed. The following day we threw ourselves into the Argentinian lifestyle, we set out to get some lunch at around 1P.M. and didn't leave the restaurant until well after 3P.M. Happily filled with my first Argentinian beef and a glass of red wine, Ellie sufficiently peppered in bird poo from the critters above and through with being hasseled by homeless people - we set off to find something to do in Mendoza. That was easier said than done, in the end we found ourselves in a cinema watching 'Robin Hood' which was actually surprisingly good! The evening was wiled away with the staff from the hostel who ended up taking us to a locals club...very strange place but good times were had by all. Homeward bound and bed, we planned to take part in the main activity in Mendoza, the bike wine tour. Unfortunately we slightly overslept...


Another day passed us by and so we decided to do something constructive with our lives so we head to the supermarket, bought some steaks, potatoes and salad and rustled up home-made steak and chips with a healthy dose of red wine. It was delicious! I met the 'Hong Kong Girls' in the kitchen at the hostel, they have since become my official stalkers! The following day was  the day of the wine tour. I managed to recruit Sarah the evening before into coming with us so breakfasted, showered and checked out, the four of us head for the bus stop to Maipu. Under Ellie's guidance we spent a good 40 minutes waiting at the wrong bus stop, thanks to the help of a concerned elderly lady we finally found the right bus and were off! Standard travelling protocol meant stalking the nearest people of similar ethnic background to find our goal - 'Mr Hugo's'. A jolly Argentinian who made a living getting travellers drunk and then renting them bikes! We got our bikes and set off on the streets of Maipu visiting select wineries and chocolate producers.Sampling the wines, chocolates, conserves and liquers was actually a lot more interesting than just a piss up on wheels. One paricular winery tour involved going inside a fermenting chamber and in the tasting session, we had the flavours and aromas explained to us and how these differences were achieved. My favourite winery was called 'Tempus Alba', granted I was assaulted by the gay manager but the food, location and wine was just incredible. I could have stayed all day! I was very tempted to buy a bottle but alas I don't think it would have made it back to the UK intact, luckily I do have the name of a guy who imports the wine so all is not lost.


The whole day was just brilliant, sampling the different delicacies of the region against the beautiful mountainous backdrop was such an experience. As light began to fade, we head back to Mr Hugo - escorted  by the police, I'm not sure if police presence in South America makes me feel more comfortable or in greater peril! Back at Mr Hugo's, he literally insisted on pouring us more wine, as much as I enjoyed the day it, it was getting a little ridiculous. My enjoyment of red wine is still blossoming but there are definitely limits...


Mr Hugo's escaped, it was time to head back to the hostel from which we set off for the bus station. The time had come to leave Mendoza and head for the bright lights and bustling streets of Buenos Aires. The bus journey was verging on the grotesque. If you have ever had a red wine hangover, try surviving that at 4.30A.M. on a bus that is almost as hot as satan's bum crack with no water! I think my travelling low point manifested when I sucked on a tap on board the bus and genuinely contemplated drinking out of the toilet, I was desperate - when thirst hits a physical level, you know times are bad. Thankfully Rosie woke up, watered me and I made it alive to Buenos Aires. Off the bus and into a taxi, our adventures were only just beginning...