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 o...

Bariloche... aka San Carlos de Bariloche! After a couple of weeks in Welsh Patagonia, I head north 4 hours by bus and arrive in the Lake District and stop in the town (city) of Bariloche. It was a lovely drive... given the scenery... green and mountainous with the odd glimpse of a snow capped peak! Then, as we approached the Lake District... serene turquoise lakes! Picture postcard type scenery! I arrived at the bus terminal and decided to be economical and ...

Esquel and Trevelin continued... hoping the computer doesn`t crash this time! I spent a total of 2 weeks in the area, a week staying at Planeta Hostel in Esquel followed by a week at Casa Verde in Trevelin. Both very homely hostels, where a warm welcome was received and an added touch... of a welsh speaking owner at Casa Verde! Casa Verde being a log cabin type hostel and must be one of the best hostels I have stayed in so far. Set on a hill overlooking the town...

Esquel and Trevelin - Welsh Patagonia! My first night in Esquel Jeremy Wood picked me up from the bus station. He arrives in his 4x4 car, with Welsh Patagonia doning the sides. Jeremy takes me to the hostel, but only to drop off my bags as he then gives me a short tour (by car) of Esquel, calls on Eluned who is on a year placement from Wales, but she isnt in, so then leaves me in town for a couple of hours before picking me up again to take me to a Badminton e...

Ruta 40... the worst road in the Americas... no tarmac, or asphalt as they say here. Well, there were brief moment of some tarmac! Ruta 40 (Route 40) takes you from El Calafate to Bariloche. I however was in El Chalten and would start my journey there, whilst Esquel is 4 hours south of Bariloche, I stop at Esquel. Mind you, I stop at the roundabout a few kilometers out of the town, as the bus will not take you into Esquel! The trip is a 2 day journey and a ...