19/4 walking tour We are 6 months and 1 day into our travels!! So far we have almost completed the most expensive part of the trip. We got up in our great little hostel/hotel (it's very cheap and we got a private room with cable) and we prepared our own breakfast, eggs with avocado and tomato, which goes down a treat. Off to try the second free walking tour ran by this company. It starts at 10 so we made it down there early and met up with another couple. The ...

15/4- Through the Andes We jump on the bus early in the morning headed for Chile again and we were so happy to see that we did actually have the panorama seats. We have heard a lot of people talk about how beautiful the drive was. They were correct. We both slept the first hour but after that the landscape changed constantly with some rocks even my father would find interesting. Snow capped mountains, winding roads climbing up to the hilltop Immigration point....

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...