Before leaving Santiago we thought we´d test out the nightlife and headed to a quaint little square called The Patio, filled with lots of restaurants and bars. We treated ourselves to some cocktails whilst we listened to a live band play some traditional Chilean music. The barman gave us and an American girl we had befriended some free Pisco Sours, a classic Chilean Aperitif, and ´sour´ being the predominant word as we certainly made some funny faces when drinking it! The next day Nikki picked up her new passport and Leanna attempted to meet her at the tube station so they could book the next leg of their journey, however she managed to get very lost and realised listening to directions when hung-over was not a good idea. An hour or so later they were reunited and all booked up to go to Argentina!

The bus journey across the border was filled with gorgeous views of hills, mountains, a full moon and windy roads. Customs was relatively painless compared to Asia and within 5 minutes we were free to tread the soil on the other side. Still on the bus and on the way to the WC Nikki got chatting to some, very loud, Americans Jesse and Drew, who were only in Mendoza for one night and wanted to treat us to dinner. Seeing a Jesse apparently had loads of money and we definitely didn´t, we took up his offer and several hours later were tucking into good food and wine at a local restaurant. Jesse certainly liked to dominate conversations (about himself) and we had trouble finding an excuse to leave! Eventually with aching cheeks from all the pretend smiles and laughing we had to do, we were in a cab wondering whether it was all really worth a free meal? Mendoza was very hot and we spent time the next day at the enormous park San Martin, chilling by the lake. The city itself is home to many a vineyard as 40% of Argentinean wine is produced here, so we booked ourselves onto a tour of 2 local wineries for some tasting. The tours were interesting as we learnt about the wine making process and were surprised at how long it actually takes. The first was a large established winery which allowed us to try only 2 types of wine, which was a disappoint as we were hoping to get drunk! The second was a family run business and although we only tried 2 types of wine again here, our guide was generous with measures and topped up our glasses willingly. Back on the bus and a very random stop at a nearby church later, we were back in the centre and tapping away in an internet cafe, when a local guy walks by, leans over and tries to take Leanna´s bag from right next to her! Nikki seeing this (Leanna still tapping away none the wiser), grabs the bag, stares him out and he walks casually on by, totally unfazed. We both couldn't believe the cheek! The next day we had a 20 hour bus ride to look forward to, so we prepared ourselves with an early night. Little did we know our cab ride to the bus station the following morning would be a total race against time in a beaten up old banger, with squeaky brakes and dodgy steering and yet still our instruction to the driver was "Rapido!".