29th January 2007 - Day 304

Headed off from Puerto Montt to Bariloche. The bus drive was very comfortable. It was really exciting going through the Andes. Stopping off at the Border checkpoint - twice. Once to leave Chile then over the Mountains to stop at another border control building waving blue and white flags, before entering Argentina. Met a nice couple from Buckinghamshire, called Simon and Anna, who had been travelling around South America for the past 3 months or so. (They were far better at Spanish than either Paul or myself, but then again thats not difficult!)

The views into Argentina were breathtaking, although i must admit i did sleep some of the way and Paul kept waking me up when there views were more spectacular, this was especially the case when we drove into Bariloche, around the lake - Wow!!! Tried a few hostels but all the best ones were taken, managed to get a nice place, although a little soulless called Nahuel Willy, a little out of town but it did have a supermarket opposite which was handy. Bariloche seems like a very cool city in the mountains - a place to chill for a few days.

30th January 2007 - Day 305

Spent the day looking around Bariloche, taking in the sights of the lakefront and eating the local cuisine and drinking the local vino tinto. Had dinner at a very nice restaurant called La Esquina - moi bien!!!

31st January 2007 - Day 306

Walked around the main centre of Bariloche, browsing the vast crafty, touristy shops. And drolling of the huge array of chocolate shops!!!!

1st February 2007 - Day 307

(Mum´s birthday) Happy Birthday Mum!! On our last day at Bariloche decided to venture a little further out of town to Llao Llao, which hosts a very swanky 5 star hotel. Took the local bus which was crammed with tourists and locals alike. We were dropped off at the Llao Llao hotel, but unfortunately you could not go into the hotel unless you prebooked a table at the cafe, even for a coffee (A fact the bible "Lonely Planet" forgets to mention!) Also i think you probably need to dress a little smarter than a pair of shorts!!! So headed off for a walk around the lake.Bumped into Simon and Anna again and so had lunch with them at The Pilgrim (Mock Irish bar) in the city centre. Decided that the food at La Esquina was so good we returned for another helping - yum!!!

2nd February 2007 - Day 308

Headed off from Bariloche on our four day tour with Overland Patagonia down to El Calafate.