We've made it to the northern part of Patagonia. Lakes and mountains all around.

The bus station in Mendoza was very busy, but we arrived in good time. After going here and there we found the correct stand and the coach pulled out at about 20.00 hrs.

We arrived in Bariloche today at 14.00 hrs. The seats in the coach were very comfortable and we both slept well. The saddest thing about the coach journey was the food. Mostly dried out sandwiches and crumbley biscuits. Dinner yesterday was the best, Richard had beef stew and mash, Ana had chicken stew and mash.

On the journey the landscape is mainly arid and covered with scrub. Only one family of rhea was spotted. No more condors sadly.

This evening we had a free dinner in the hostel. And guess where the couple sitting next to us came from? Cambridge! Infact one had just finished her teacher training, and her husband had been working in Thetford Forest for the British Ornithological Society.

The air is cool here in Patagonia but the sun has been shining all day so the temperature is very pleasant.

Summer is just starting. The daffodils are going brown and the hawthorn bushes are about to burst into flower. In the winter this is a skiing resort so it has a youthful feel.

Ana is pleased because there are lots of shops selling chocolate, there is even a chocolate museum. Overall there is something slightly Swiss about the place; especially the chalet-type buildings and the georgeous St Bernard dogs.