At long last we are back in the land of civilisation! Salta is one of the first big cities in Argentina as you cross the border from Bolivia and is very western in its appearance. Having spent 8 weeks in the mointains of Peru and Bolivia we got used to the underedevelopment and it wasn't until we got here that we remembered what it's like to have facilities again - like permanent running water and electricity. We have to say that whilst Bolivian scenery was very beautiful we are somewhat relived to be back in a place with amenities and''normal' things like parks, roadsigns, tarmaced roads, trees - and above all, no rocks!. The people here have been really welcoming and for the first time in several weeks we are paying the same price as everyone else - no Gringo tax......so far. Chris has been very discreet about the war, only mentioning it under his breath or when somebody annoys him! There does not seem to be any animosity towards the British but as you would expect we have come across a few streets called Calle Malvinas (their name for the Falklands) rather than Falklands Street! We arrived in Salta mainly to take a rest from Bolivia and as because it is the starting point for the Tren a las Nubes (the Train to the Clouds). Reportedly one of the highest passenger trains in the world, reaching an altitude of 4750m (15,500ft), it was originally built to service the borax mines on the plains. A feat of engineering at the time (they started building it in 1921 and eventually finished in 1948) there are 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 12 viaducts, the highest of which is 64m, two swichbacks and 2 complete track loops, the total journey covers 440km over a whopping 15 hours - a long time to be on a train and very tiring by the end. You will also note that from the many (very many) pictures of the train in the photoalbum, Chris has now become a train spotter! And for those lucky enough to be invited to a home viewing of the video there is about 4 hours worth (only kidding)! The European feel of Salta is further excentuated by the fact that there seems to be close links with France (though we have not been able to find out why). Croissants are a regular feature and there's a monumnet proclaiming French friendship. Chris suspects it's because the French sold Exocet missiles to the Argies during the war! The town has it's own goldola up the surrounding San Bernando mountain (228m above the City) for a clear view across the city and the surrounding plains. At the top, as well as a spectacular view there are some beautiful natural and man made waterfalls. But that is it for Salta. We have been here for 6 days and now it is time to move on and further south to Mendoza - the home of Argentinian wine production......yipeeee! Our crystal ball tells us there will be many drunken nights ahead !!!!!!!