Trackin Jac's Global Domination: Wine and Dine in Mendoza, Argentina

For my second weekend in Chile, Meghann, Michael and I decided to take a trip across the border to Mendoza, Argentina. I paid my reciprocity fee ($160...eek!) and we started planning. We booked an overnight bus there, but after hearing that this drive was meant to be one of the most beautiful in the world, we opted for a daytime bus return (more on THAT disaster later). The trip out was completely uneventful until we reached the boarder. At 10,500 ft above sea level, we pulled into the building where we would complete our border crossing formalities (stamp out, stamp in, check bags). We went through the lines to get stamped and climbed back up the stairs of our double decker bus to get our bags for the customs portion. On my way down the steps, I slipped - only going down about 4 steps, but tearing a little skin off my pinky in the process. A little blood, no big deal. We got in the back of the customs line, sitting on tables, when I started to feel a little nauseous. I asked Michael to get me some water right as the world started to close in on me. Michael went to get some help, while Meghann held me up...and that's all I remember! I came back to as Michael was returning with a Chilean army looking lady. The dizziness slowly wore off and we were eventually able to head back to the bus (although I was walking a little crooked). Our best guess was that the sudden rush of adrenaline from falling mixed with the altitude caused a little havoc. The rest of the bus ride went off without a hitch...

We arrived at our hostel somewhere around 4 in the morning and headed straight for the nearest couch (we couldn't actually check in until 2 pm) for a couple hours of shut eye. We awoke at a normal hour and set out for our adventure - a bike winery tour in Maipu. Armed with $6 rental bikes (Mr. Hugo's Bikes - awesome family run company) and a map, we were off to our first stop of the day...

..Museo del Vino, was the most expensive tour we would take. It was less than $10 per person...but at the end of the tasting, we could use our entry fee towards the purchase of wine...WOOT! We pooled our money together and bought a nice bottle of wine, as well as an additional cheap bottle.

Surprisingly, the tour also had an olive oil factory...

...a chocolate factory (we didn't visit), and beer gardens! We stopped in at the beer gardens for lunch...a delicious pizza.

We finished up with a wine tasting and headed back to Mr. Hugos. Have I mentioned how awesome they are? When we arrived, Mr. Hugo had fresh lemonade waiting for us! It was so refreshing after a long day of bike riding and wine tasting!

That evening we went out in search of some Argentine steak - a must have while visitng. Most restaurants in Argentina don't open until after 9 pm (obviously), so it was a bit of a challenge...but we eventually settled into a place, ate steak, and headed home for an early night.

The next day, we geared up and mentally prepared ourselves for the 3.5 hour hike up Cerro de la Gloria. As it turns out...the hike was only about 20 minutes. Dodged that bullet!

We continued on, walking through Parque San Martin..it was gigantic..and around the city. For lunch we had steak (of course) the size of a small baby. I don't remember much after that, due to a sudden onset food coma....Ok...I remember a rousing game of Geneva and the bottle of cheap wine...

The trip back to Santiago...like I said earlier, it is suppose to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. What they fail to mention is the wait at the border during the day is not even kind of worth the view. I mean, the views were ok...

...but when we arrived at the border, we didn't get off the bus. In fact, we sat there for over an hour...waiting our turn in line. When it was finally our turn, we hopped off the bus (carefully), went through the lines...stamp out, stamp in...and reloaded the bus. Again, we waited, and slept, and waited...another couple of hours...before we were finally able to unload to take our bags through customs. Of course, there are only 2 people inspecting the luggage because that's what makes sense when there is a long line. After searching bags and confiscating apples, we were FINALLY on our way again. This sign should say "Welcome to Chile...eventually":

We headed down the switchbacks to wait in traffic caused by construction. Luckily, it wasn't too long of a wait after our bus driver overtook half the line.