We leave Salta for a night in the town of Cafayate. I can actually remember how to spell and prounouce it now. The town has a nice and rather large main plaza but serves up the worst torta and ravioli we have ever experienced. Wine flavoured icecreams make up for it afterwards however. The real reason we are here for is the hike up the valley to a 12m waterfall. It´s such a picturesque scene with barren rock faces and valley walls but yet brilliant green vegetation and huge cactii at the bottom. It´s bloody hot but the thought of swimmining in the rock pools keeps us going.

Our guide is actually good and points out all sorts of plants and stuff along the way. We reach the waterfall and jump into the freezing but refreshing water. The route back is different but just as scenic. Such amazing and contrasting landscapes exist in this area and I feel like Clint Eastwood is about to pop out from behind the nearest catcus.

The next town en-route to Mendoza is Tafi la Valle, which reminds me of Daylesford in Victoria a little. We dine on the local speciality which is spread eagled goat cooked over the hot coals and I must say it was a little disappointing. It´s nearly 40 degrees I predict and so we don´t do much but lay around at Aubry and Maria´s plush hotel with the dogs and llamas. That night I catch a bus to Tucuman and onward to Mendoza at 2am. Tucuman´s bus station was massive and I had to sit in almost 40 degree heat waiting for my bus....geeeez

Mendoza is a beautiful city at it´s centre and reminds me of Melbourne in many ways. Cafes are sprawled out over the pedestrian malls and there is plenty of shopping to be had. At night there is al fresco dining on the streets and more steaks are consumed during our time here. Argentines seem to take great interest in their appearance and my favourite object of interest is male hair fashion. The current style in vogue is to have your hair short all over with dread locks at the back....the Argentine Mullet. It´s awesome and I should be taking photos for the chronicles but still stare in amazement too long to get the camera out.

Along with Aubry, Maria, Danial and Lou we do Mr Hugo´s bikes and wine around the Maipo area. It´s loads of fun and after all the wine (in the heat) we all manage to stay vertical on our bikes the entire time. Some of the wineries were top notch and of quite modern architecture. Malbec is the red of choice here and so we did our bit on sampling the local produce. The other days in Mendoza were spent meandering around the city and it´s massive park. The main plaza is also quite nice and most days there was a charming young couple dancing the Tango for a few pesos if you wanted to observe. I really enjoyed my time in Mendoza but it was indeed time to move south to the famous Argentine Lake district.......more to follow