Bariloche

When we left Mendoza, we took a 16 hour overnight bus to the city of Bariloche in Patagonia's Lake District. This area was settled by immigrants from Switzerland, Germany and Italy. With its buildings, prevalance of chocolate shops, and restaurants offering a variety of fondues, it is easy to see why the area has the nickname "little Switzerland."

Here are some of our photos from the city of Bariloche.




Lake Nahuel Huapi

High Andes Tour

Doc and I decided to go on a tour of the high Andes, which took us from Mendoza to the border with Chile. It was so cool starting out with a view of the mountains in the distance and slowly ascending the mountains as the day passed. We had a great, funny guide who took us on an unexpected hike through the Parque Provincial Aconcagua (to see a suspension bridge) and an awesome driver, who narrowly averted what could have been an awful accident in the mountains when a crazy driver in a slow, old, rickety car decided to overtake our minivan and a coach bus but somehow failed to notice the semi in oncoming traffic quickly heading his way. Kudos to them both for a great day!

After leaving Mendoza our first stop of the morning was in an areas called Potrerillos. From here we saw the precursors to the Andes and a dam on the Mendoza River. This river begins in the Andes and eventually irrigates the grapevines throughout the Mendoza region.





The next stop was in a small town called Uspallata (claim to fame being that Seven Years in Tibet was filmed around here).



We then continued along the road taking us in the direction of the border. We passed some really cool land formations, which our guide explained were formed by glaciers. Would you believe that the cliffs in the pictures below average 80 meters and in some places the cliffs are 120 meters?!?





Our next stop was a nineteenth century bridge used by the army, which crossed a stream. Right near the bridge, I saw this small shrine and thought it was quite beautiful.





From the old army bridge we continued further into the mountains and stopped next at the Puenta del Inca, or Inca's Bridge. The bridge was formed naturally, but due to an avalanche the old spa you see in the photo has been left for ruins.



Our next stop of the day was at the Parque Provincial Aconcagua. This is the access point to the tallest mountain in the Andes, Aconcagua. We walked to the Laguna de los Horcones, where we had some great views of Aconcagua. Our tour guide also took us on a further walk into the park. The differences in the weather over such a short distance surprised me. Sometimes I felt like I would be blown away by the strong, chilly wind and at other times the wind was perfectly calm and it was warm.













Before heading back to Mendoza, we stopped for lunch at a small place right before the Chilean border. The sign for the bathroom there gave me a good laugh.



All in all, an awesome day!

Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo and Wine Tours

Doc and I went on two wine tours to Maipu and Lujan, where we saw some vineyards, learned how each winery produces its wines, and of course enjoyed a tasting.


Oak barrels


Even larger oak barrels


Grapevines


Grapes early in the season

We also visited the Iglesia de la Carrodilla in Lujan de Cuyo.


Iglesia de la Carrodilla

Mendoza

After leaving Iguazu we flew to Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina. Mendoza itself was a nice city with some great parillas and an enormous city park, where we relaxed on a Sunday. Here are some of our pictures from the city.


Plaza de Independencia




Plaza de Espana


Plaza de Italia


Parque de San Martin


Parque de San Martin


Parque de San Martin

Day 2 at Iguazu Falls

On our second day at Iguazu Falls we decided to walk the upper circuit route again, this time in the sun. As with the previous day, a butterfly joined us for the journey.


My companion


A sunny view of the falls from the upper circuit


A sunny view of the falls from the upper circuit


Looking down toward the end of the lower circuit


A sunny view of the falls from the upper circuit


Lizard

After visiting the upper circuit, we headed down to the lower circuit for different views of the falls.


View of the falls from the lower circuit


Look close and you'll see the nose of a toucan!


Getting soaked at the end of the lower circuit walkway


A view from the lower circuit


A view from the waterfront

Day 1 at Iguazu Falls

After arriving at Iguazu Falls we headed straight toward the train and catwalks that took us to the Gangantua del Diablo. On the way, I was joined by a few butterflies who took the journey with me.


Train to the catwalks that brought us to Gargantua del Diablo


Check out the butterfly on my purse!


Catwalks around the side of Gargantua del Diablo


Gargantua del Diablo


Gargantua del Diablo


Gargantua del Diablo

As we were taking in the sites, we noticed some storm clouds gathering in the distance and decided to head back toward the train. The storm clouds were quite impressive and had I been in Oklahoma, these definitely would have given me pause for concern. Doc took this amazing photo of the storm clouds approaching the waterfalls.



Luckily, we made it onto the train before the sky opened up. But the rest of the afternoon was quite rainy. Nonetheless, we opted to walk the upper circuit along the falls and got some great shots in the rainy weather. And another plus ... there weren't any crowds!


The upper circuit in the rain


The upper circuit in the rain


A coati we saw along the way


Getting soaked ... and loving it!