For all our friends and family in the South, you guys are snowed in and we just have a nasty, nasty rain/snow mix happening. So, what better way to spend your evening than to snuggle up and read more about our adventures. That's exactly what you thought.
I figured I would do this early in the week too because this weekend is more hunkering down to work on our own respective thesises, so, NO DISTRACTIONS!...unless I ask for them...
Onto Bariloche! The Switzerland of South America. It is known for it's chocolate, beautiful landscapes, and is a ski town in the winter. This is the point in the trip when we slowed down. We had been on the move constantly until now, and I'll be honest, it was a welcome respite.
We flew from El Calafate to Bariloche and got into our first cabin, which was closer to the edge of town. But, the buses are quite frequent therefore, no need for a car.
The next day, we went into town for some adventures in chocolate. There's a ton.
See the Switzerland reference? Main square
Christmas Tree
The town is situated on a huge lake, Nahuel Huapi. There's a Loch Ness monster fable attached to the lake too.
I really like this one. He probably won't like me posting it. I have the power.
CHOCOLATE! An alfajor and another treat
Um num num
We went to several more chocolatiers and took home some goodies to dine on after our homemade meal. Another hard thing to do when traveling is eating something from home. Luckily, we had a cabin.
Dinner with cheap, nice wine
Our chocolate goodies
The fate of chocolate bears
The next day was New Year's Eve and we celebrated by renting a car to do the 7 Lakes Drive. This region is the lakes district, so we were afforded some beautiful views of many lakes.
Our drive on Route 40. It's infamous.
1st spot and it was our favorite
We started counted the lakes too late. #3
Paul thinks it's weird that I count with my thumb first.
#4
Picnic
#5
#6
#7
These are my new favorite flowers. I love them and they smell so lovely.
Uh oh...#8?
#9...
Last lake #10! More like the 10 Lakes Drive, but I'm sure we counted a lake twice. We stopped at a little place and had a couple of crepes stuffed with dulce de leche. That, is the best. Just letting you know. We then drove back in the rain.
That night, we stayed in and rang in the New Year listening to some Argentinian show that was terrible.
New Year's Day was rainy until later and we got stir crazy (even after the talk of just resting in Bariloche). We don't do well just relaxing. We went on a walk around in the nearby park.
We began by staring at this magnificent hotel. Ridiculous right?
Our hike was trimmed with this strange plant. Apparently, its life cycle is every 12 years and they die. Right now, they are dying, but they were still beautiful.
Then, we went to a spectacular viewpoint
On January 2, we moved to a new cabin. Don't ask me why we moved to another, I messed up the bookings and schedule. Whatever. New cabin was much quieter and really nice.
We then decided to go on a hike. You know, something to keep us limber since Torres del Paine. Something short. Nothing too rigorous. Cerro Lopez takes how long? 2 hours? That sounds like a goodly time.
Nice views
Our bird friend
See that pink house? I asked Paul "surely, the trail doesn't lead all the way up there?" "oh no, not possible"
So wrong.
We didn't bring food and the 2 hours was meant 2 hours up. We were hungry, tired, weak from lack of food. We made it to the top though. And raced down afterward. But we were very well behaved to each other, even in an extreme case of hunger.
Sexy
How we actually felt
We ran back and decided it was time to eat. We went to the local cerveceria (brewery) and I got a cider...
And Paul got a sampler.
Then we inhaled this 3 person platter of meat, cheese, and bread. We have issues.
I think I am going to finish this part of the trip with a special Valentine's post, because coincidentally, January 3rd, we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, since we were separated on our actual date, October 16. It'll be somewhat sweet and fun. So, while you are waiting out the storm, come back tomorrow for Valentine's special :).
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