13/5 buses and salta A long full day. All you want coming off long distance flights is to get the body clock right. The plan was to land early morning, catch a night bus and sleep the night, then change in Mendoza and sleep the night on the bus again to arrive in Salta on the morning of the 13th of May. The plan!! I crashed out in the old hostel in Santiago and had a nap before the first bus. It was a lucky mistake as I had a Chilean immigration nightmare. Not ...

12/4 Mendoza We arrive in Mendoza after changing buses in San Juan. It was sad to say goodbye to Andres and Miguel. Andres has been so great for my confidence with my Spanish and both of us have really enjoyed his company. The hostel we booked, hostel Empendrado, is really relaxed and clean. The free glass of wine per day was a surprise that we are happy to accept. We decide on cooking at home and produce Sarah's carbonara pasta lunch. Later on Sarah heads off ...

11/4 Luna landscapes I would love to explain this place properly but I think the pictures show somewhat of what it was like. Aside from everything being explained in fast Spanish on windy rocks so we understood or heard almost none of it, the surroundings looked like we were on the moon. First we saw plant fossils (they uncover dinosaur fossils here too), then to the striped greys and purples and white valleys, then the sphinx and big ironstone ball (that's what...

10/4 Valle Fertil We got up very early to catch a bus to Valle Fertil and we were hoping to be able to get a cheap tour of Luna Valle later the same day. Tours of the Valle commence from both San Juan and Valle Fertil but there is a very large price difference. We arrive for lunch and are met by Indio. Indio is a born entertainer, he is indigenous to the area and also speaks Spanish, English, German and a little French. He offers food and explains possible tours...

San Juan Arriving early we set off to the creatively named San Juan Hostel, an older place with parts that are redone. Eg. Bad old pillows with new super soft blankets. The staff are great and gave us Internet and breakfast which was so appreciated. Also $3 for 2 loads of washing so we were very happy!!! The owner really wanted us to visit this nearby lake, he said it in every sentance or option. We were trying to work out the best way to do the southern winerie...