So I´ve moved and currently back packing Northern Patagonia. I´m in Bariloche right now, and do not feel as though I´m in Argentina...it´s cold! The town is like a cross between an Alpine ski resort, and a shanty beach town in the UK. It´s totally unlike Mendoza, in respect to it´s architecture and lay out which looks and feels very hispanic (flat, tree lines streets etc...). But it´s a nice place, I do feel at home here.

I left Mendoza on Friday evening, taking the micro which are cross country coaches. I tell you the coach station was mad, it was like Victoria or Paddington Station meets Argentina, busy and unorganized! As I get out the cab, a lady opened the door, and I started asking here where I go and all that, as I thought she worked there, but it turns out she was just begging! When my coch finally turned up, 15 mins late, I boared to be very surprised. It was very pleasent. Executive bus, so all the sites where like 1st class on a plane. The were a few hiccups though...we just left the coach station. Without any introduction from cabin crew or anything, it was very vague, then later on...we had to change bus, but it wasn´t announced we just had to figure it out and follow each other! S we went through the night, and I slept well...and wake up in just vast, vast secenery. We were in the Pampas, sort of flat land which covers the central body ot Argy...where the Gauchos herd their livestock over 1000s of kms f land. So this was just flat, shrubby land then went as far as you could see, and I saw the sunrise over it!!! We carried on through the day, and as we passed through the city of Neuquen, the landscape gradually became more rocky and red desert like. The land scape was very desserty and shrubby. Reminded me of being in Arizona....except here I saw real tumbleweed!!

Every hour r so we passed through an isolated village. Their were obviously very shanty, and poor and all the houses had bbqs outside, to cook asados. Although everyone in Argie eats asados (they are yummy!), its a tradition from poor people, who seems t eat it every day. Meat here is very cheap, hence. Traditioanlly you´re served one piece at a time, and pieces are continually being cooked, and more served up. for about an hour this goes on...each piece of meat more amazing than the last!

Anyway, we arrived into stunning, rugged Patagonia at about 2pm ish, and it reminded more of the wildernesses in Scotland or Wales, just a whole lot bigger and more trecherous! There were lakes, snowy mountains and forests. Lots of pictures!

When I got to Bariloche, I was amazed...it´s beautiful! I have pictures to add.

Spent the evening familiarising myself in the hostels, which is great. A very nice, young vibe. Very clean, and lots of foerigners. I latched onto a group of ozzies, and then Argentines and we all got pretty pissed in the bar! I had to go to bed at 1.30am as I had to be up early for an excursion the next day...but it did get pretty messy on the Quilmes Bock, 4% beer, served up in 700ml bottles at $10 each, (1pound60!)...and apparently, according to the Argentines thats pricey!

So, the next da (earlier today) went on an excursion into the national park, which was amazing. Will update when I have time...with pictures!