Santiago

Well now we have spent two full days in Santiago.  The apartment we rented is on the 27th floor of a high rise and the view is amazing.  The weather has been creeping up to the low 30's so by the afternoon we are seeking shade and cold cervaze!

The view from our apartment.

 

Colourful graffiti is abundant here....some of it is quite beautiful.

The old and the new....reflection of a beautiful old building on a new high rise.

Bolsa de Comercio.  Another beautiful building.  I love the architecture.

Beautiful church.  They were preparing for a wedding that was to start shortly.

 

The Palacio La Moneda where the military coup that over threw the President happened back in the 70's.  We went to the Museo de La Memoria which was a fantastic museum dedicated to the memory of the thousands who were abducted and tortured.  Many never to be seen again.

A very creative person on the pedestrian street.  I don't know how he did it being in the full sun with all that paint on.  It must have been 34 degrees the afternoon we saw him.  We just had to give him some pesos.

We did a walking tour for 3 hours which was amazing.

A huge seafood market and then the best vegetable market.  Everything was so fresh and in abundance.  If I'd had time I would have bought lots but we had to keep up with the tour guide.  We hope to return if we can find our way!

We also visited the Museum of Military History.  These fellows in the courtyard were re-enacting battle in authentic costume....boys and their toys???

And then we were home....a cool dip in the roof top pool and a cold beer.  Perfect ending to a day!

Over the Andes...Chile here we come!

Yesterday we left Mendoza taking the bus over the Andes to Santiago, Chile.  We boarded our bus at 10:30 a.m.  Marlene and I got great seats.  This is a double decker bus and we had the two seats right at the front.  Semi cama, which is half bed.  Comfy!  What a way to travel the 8 hours it took to get there.

All aboard!

Great seats!

You can just see the top of the Andes above the clouds as we head out down the highway.  The clouds cleared and we had clear blue skies all the way.

Amazing colours in the earth.

Two hours to clear the border.  Chile is very strict on not bringing any meat, dairy, fruit, seeds, earth, plants, animals, etc (pretty well anything!) into their country as they have very little disease.

We wind our way down the other side of the Andes.  This switchback was crazy scary.  At times it felt that the front of the bus was hanging over the edge (which it was) and of course we were sitting right at that part!  No  protective barriers!

And at last Santiago.  Huge city!

The Last Supper.....actually lunch!

It is our last day in Mendoza.  We have decided to go to a famous restaurant called 1884.  The chef and owner is Francis Mallman and it is the only restaurant attached to a working winery in Mendoza.  Rave reviews from other people that have gone.  Problem was that the only reservation that we could get was 9:30 tonight and with leaving early tomorrow we felt this would be too late.  Luckily we discovered that they are open for lunch so off we went.  Fantastic!  Great food and wine.  Marlene and I shared  a bottle of Pinot Gris which was delicious.  Funny how we can finish a bottle between the two of us with no trouble now!  Might have to address that when we get home. :)

Garden in the centre of the court yard.

More colourful murals on the wall of the winery.

More side trips...

Marlene and I were walking around Mendoza when we came upon an exhibition of Picasso at a small art gallery.  I still don't "get" Picasso!

After enjoying a wonderful late lunch/early dinner at an Italian restaurant we ventured out at 9 pm to the last night of the wine tasting.  I bought four tickets for the premium wines (90 pesos) and Marlene bought six tickets for the classic wines (60 pesos).  Wine glass in hand we started to make the rounds trying to pick which wines we wanted to sample.  Really just a guess and by golly! Malbec is of course the specialty of the region and I love it.

Lots of people.  We managed to get home around 11 pm as we had to get up early for a wine tour we were taking the next day.  I did manage to spill some wine on my white capris after stepping on some uneven ground.  Really!  But what was I thinking?  Wearing white and drinking red wine???

We were picked up at 9 am by the the Trout and Winery Tour company.  There were seven of us plus our guide.  Off we go to our first winery.

What a magnificent winery!  Our guide was so knowledgeable and the wine at 10:30 in the morning is flowing freely.  I know we have the option of spitting it out but what a waste that would be!

The barrels are oak and made in France.  They only use a barrel four times before it is discarded.

Harvest time is around the corner so we were lucky enough to see the vines laden with grapes.

This is a very old winery.  Beautiful colourful ponchos line the walls.  They had quite a collection of antique machinery.

This piece of equipment was used to separate the grapes from the stems.  Looks like torture!

Happy campers after mega wine and a lovely lunch!

Lots of snow on the Andes right behind the vineyard!  Magnificent!

Lavender in abundance.

Just can't get enough of those mountains!

Little side trips....

Marlene and I walked to an area outside of Mendoza City called Godoy Cruz (about an hours walk).  We were told that there was going to be a celebration with music, singing and traditional costumes.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and even though it didn't rain the threat was real so they cancelled the celebration.

Since the celebration wasn't going to take place we decided to catch a taxi and head to the next area called Palmares where there is a large outdoor mall.  Had a nice lunch, checked out the stores and then walked back to Godoy Cruz to pick up some groceries and head back to the apartment.  Definitely put on the miles today!

That evening was the Blessing of the Fruit at San Martin Park.  Didn't start until 9:30 pm so we walked there (45 mins.) and enjoyed the choir and orchestra.  Huge choir!  Was amazing.  Not a great picture though...

The next day we went to the aquarium....famous for their resident turtle, Jorge.

Some murals and buildings about town are so colourful.

 The oldest part of the city which was settled in the 1500's was destroyed 300 years later in an earthquake.  This is the only ruin left.

We're off for a wine tour tomorrow!  Only two more full days left in Mendoza.

Arriving in Mendoza

On Feb. 25th we decided to fly from San Martin de Los Andes to Mendoza instead of the 20 hr. bus ride.  Arrived at about 9 pm and quickly caught a taxi to our next accommodation.  Turned out to be more like a hostel and too far outside of the city so after staying one night, cancelled and moved in to an apartment in the city.  Much better.

It is the annual wine festival and there are all sorts of festivities.  Wine tasting is a big one!

Now that's my size for a bottle of wine!

Dinner at a great restaurant.  Filet mignon, red wine and Creme brûlée....doesn't get much better than that!

The next day Marlene and I did the city bus tour to get our bearings.  Took 2 hours and gave us a good idea of where everything is.

Some colourful buildings....

Mmmmm.....thought we were in Argentina?

 

The parks are huge.  Trees were brought from all over the world and originally hand watered so that they could slowly adapt to the arid conditions of Mendoza.  They have an amazing irrigation system which consists of ditches all over town.  This was originally introduced by the Incas.

There is a huge show which takes place over three days but unfortunately after we leave.  Incredibly hard to get tickets anyhow.  This is the arena where it will take place.  Capacity is 22,000 and it's sold out!