Mendoza... wine country... time for a vineyard tour by bike!

I am heading north slowly but surely and stop in Mendoza a region of Argentina known for its wine. Its a big city, on the flat, with wide streets and dangerous pavements! I´ve not seen anything like it and a complete safety hazard... where between the pavement and a road, there would be an open gully, about a metre or so wide and nearly as deep, running the length of the pavement. Apart from this open gully, trees also line the streets, whilst some tree trunks have been carefully paved in, others are not and mean there´s a nasty step or even a hole one could trip into!

Apart from these hazards, Mendoza is a pleasant looking city. Due to an earthquake back in the late 1800s, Mendoza has lost most of its colonial buildings and when they rebuilt it, they ensured that the streets were wide enough in the event of a subsequent quake and buildings were built to survive a quake as best as possible. Given its closeness to Chile and Santiago in particular, I guess its in a rather hazardous area! The holes I mentioned above are probably still work in progress... where they haven`t finished the job!

It was in Mendoza the flip flops first came out, after my trip to Patagonia. The sun was warm and bright and the parks were very pleasant. Ít´s here I decide to have my first haircut since leaving the UK... and must say... it isnt too `bad... given the hairdresser spoke no word of English! My Spanish isnt good, but a lot of animation helps!

I also indulge in a massage and some reflexology. The back and neck has suffered a little... with a large back pack, many walks and the frequent overnight bus hasnt helped, so have had a relaxing and pampering time in the city.

I meet an irish girl, her aussie fiance and a german at the hostel and we all venture on a bike tour one day. Though our intention was to go on Mr Hugo´s bike tour, as recommended by many travellers en route, we end up hiring a bike from an alternative company. As it happens, the day began a little frantic.... well, a case of not being able to get to our correct location in good time! Finding the correct bus to take us out to the location proved a little puzzling, and when we got on the bus and asked the driver to signal when we should go off... he forgot! About 1.5hrs was wasted and then we faced a walk back to the bike rental company, when a car pulled up beside us. He said he had bikes to rent. He spotted us looking a little lost in the village and when he realised we walked away from the village, he jumped in his car to catch up with us.

We eventually decide to take him up on his offer, given he could also give us a lift back to his store. It was actually more of a village store than a bike hiring company, but he did have bikes, albeit they were mountain bikes.... and not the type we expected, with a little basket in front etc....

Thankfully, Mendoza is quite flat, so the bike journey was quite comfortable, apart from the actual seat and was very picturesque. Cycling along vineyards with the Chilean Andes as a backdrop.... bliss.

We first cycle to our first destination... Chandon.... the champagne company! We have a tour of the factory and get to taste a few sparking wines. I´ve learnt quite a bit about making champagne and how they cork the bottles! The venue was very upmarket and we all felt slightly under dresseed!

After Chandon, having had no lunch yet, due to the transport issues.... we continue to cycle to the next vineyard.... given earlier on our journey we had stopped at Norton vineyard and requested a tour at 4.30pm. But as we headed to the next vineyard, cycling on a dirt track between fields of grapes, watching them being harvested, we realised time was ticking on and made our way to Norton. We have another tour, we watch the grapes being stripped from their stalks and skin, crushed, then head on a tour through the vast stainless steel vats, through cellars of casked vino and get to taste wine straight from a vat, a cask and of course a few bottles! A very pleasant and enjoyable afternoon.

No one came off their bikes, but I did manage to stump my toe on the pavement earlier that morning treading the streets of Mendoza to locate our bus stop and whilst in the very upmarket building of Chandon, I walked into a window! Well it was an archway... of glass... but it was so clear, I thought it was an open archway. I wasn´t harmed, my arm took most of the hit... to the amusement of the others!! :o)

Following our wine tour, we settle down and have a lovely meal, made by the others at the hostel, with some more wine and then a DVD... The Notebook. It is then I am told of a lovely story... the romance between the irish girl and aussie guy. They met 7 years ago when she was travelling Australia, but it wasnt until 3 years ago they got together when he visited Ireland and he gave her a gift, the film, Notebook. They got engaged just before Christmas and were now travelling before making a decision of where to settle.... whether Ireland or Australia or even elsewhere!

It is also when I am at Mendoza I manage to get news of my passport.... and thus make a decision to return to Buenos Aires for an Emergency Passport. A journey on a Cama Suite bus (very nice!) of about 12 or so hours, to stop in BA for 24hours to get a passport in order to continue my travels through south america.