Myself and Michael (still groggy) made a beeline for the bus terminal the next day bound for the small town of Tilcara, 4 hours from Salta. This place is like nothing I've seen before. Guaranteed to make any geologist wet their pants with excitement. It is set at the bottom of a cluster of multicoloured mountains known as the Quebrada de Humahuaca and included is a river running through the town as well as a few cobbled streets. It has the feel of a desert but is...

At first glance, it seemed as though school was out for the summer in Salta, with school children, music and shredded exercise books all through the streets (ahh the memories). But here is where things really start to get tropical, the scenery changes as do the people. The proximity to Bolivia starts to show in peoples faces, and I was excited to see cultural dress being worn by the women. It makes things feel more authentic. After sneaking my first peek at a de...

The first of what was sure to be many low points. As the bus pulled in to the terminal at 5am a horrible feeling of dread passed over me. My illness, together with the bleak Mendoza weather meant I wanted nothing more in life than to be asleep for an undetermined period of time. My wish soon came true, and after standing in the terminal for an hour I was asleep in a hostel reception, desperate to fight off anything holiday-ruining disease. I awoke the next day r...

More magnificent mountain views passed and I was in Bariloche, the Lake District of Argentina. Aptly named for the huge lake Nauha Huapi that the town is located on. An early start was in order for the 33km lake circuit Circuto Chico or "Le tour de Chico" as I called it. I met my 2 Australian chums at the bus station at 9 for what was sure to be a true test of endurance, willpower and aerodynamics. Who will win? The stage was set, and after the debriefing at the...

Powering up through ruta 40 I tried my best to prevent myself from losing out on the spectacular mountain and lake views from the bus. However, the bender of a bus ride had taken its toll, and I found myself succumbing to the gods of snooze, falling in and out of sleep throughout the journey. I had caught wind of a planet-saving, earth loving town of around 30000 peeps known as El Bolson, situated at the foot of some mountains. I arrived, and had instantly been ...