Steak and wine - Nico and Beni do Salta and Mendoza

Argentina at last.  After four months of stumbling through developing countries whose roads weren't complete without a ditch every few steps and idea of hygiene was - well, let's not go into that - I had finally reached the promised land.

The change in atmosphere was immediate.  The border crossing was simple, clear, and efficient and we were waved through with a smile and a joke.  The taxi refused to take all five of us at once; apparently, we were now in a country with actual rules and safety measures.  Sort of inconvenient.

Our first stop was Salta where we sat down to the first of many steaks and bottles of wine at amazing value.  "Isn't that a little bit unhealthy?" "I'm assuming that the red wine will balance out all the cholesterol from the steaks.  Pretty sure it works that way."  Couple days later we rented a car and began a road trip down through ancient rock formations - including a gaping hole in the ground known as the Devil's Throat and a giant toad - towards the northern wine district of Cafayete for tastings galore.  Next day we passed through beautiful Cachi and thousands of cacti, stopping briefly to witness dozens of majestic Andean condors lift off and glide up through the adjacent mountains.



We downgraded transportation for our Mendoza wine tour, opting to go with the recommended Bikes and Wine company.  Expecting dirt country roads leading from one vineyard to the next, we were shocked to find ourselves tipsily navigating through cars and trucks on a bumpy asphalt road drunk not only from wine but also absinthe, schnaaps, licquor, gourmet chocolate, and jam.  And then back at the launching area we fought on a giant inflatable castle, complete (of course) with more wine.  "Not sure if this was entirely authentic experience."  "Fun though."  "Wonder what the Disney Wine Tour would have entailed?" 



After checkin out the local artisans, makin dinner, and hittin up the park, we walked the wide streets of Mendoza one last time before our east.  Check back soon for Did Che drink Duff beer? - Nico and Beni do Córdoba.

Note: Shout out to new Canadian friends Jenn and Jeremy! They have a family mountain. Also note that you can now become a follower of the blog. Do it!