After our efforts the day before, we had got ourselves 470km from Mendoza, although being unsure of the road conditions ahead we left early just in case it took while. After breakfast we set off at sunrise and found ourselves on straight tarmac roads which meant we could get some speed up. The weather however was ridiculous being some of the hottest conditions I've encountered so far. Even with all the windows of the truck open a hot air made the truck feel like a sauna. We did plenty of shade stops en route to cool, stopping for lunch under some trees.
In the end we arrived into Mendoza about half 1 which was a lot earlier than expected. Mendoza is a vibrant city full of pleasant leafy boulevards and atmospheric plazas where the locals catch up over coffee in the many street cafes and bars. A university town and an important economic centre, the city has a bustling cosmopolitan feel and has some great restaurants, lively nightlife, interesting museums and galleries, and great shopping. Mendoza is perhaps most famous for its wine. Whilst Mendoza is located in the dry deserts just underneath the Andes, extensive artificial irrigation has made it possible to grow grapes and olives here, both of which benefit from the long, hot, sunny summers - the region produces around two-thirds of Argentina's wine. Mendoza is also used by many adventurers as a base from which to explore the colossal mountains in the area. The highest mountain in the Americas, Mt. Aconcagua (with a summit 6,962m above sea level), is in the high Andes just to the west of the city making the city a big draw for mountaineers.
With it being new years eve we had the afternoon to relax, although there wasn't much to do as everything was shut anyway. I struggled to find booze but I got somewhere in the end. After a bite to eat we set off for our new years celebrations at about 8 which took place at another hostel which was where Gus were staying and were reunited for the first since Christmas. It was here we had all inclusive wine and a bbq with lots of steak for dinner. With a mix of locals and dragoman it was a good atmosphere and it turned into quite a late night. Let's just say I wasn't anticipating returning in daylight and being welcomed back to the hostel by members of my group having breakfast.
After returning late I didn't wake up until the afternoon, where I explored Mendoza which was like ghost town, everywhere closed. We eventually found a street with some cafes open and had a drink, before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant. I then headed off to a pub devoted to Liverpool which was interesting, before heading back to the hotel where I passed out being so tired.
Monday was another day to explore Mendoza, and despite having the option to go on another wine tasting trip, I opted to stay at the hostel and watch the Southampton game. Bad decision. Unlike yesterday however Mendoza was actually open so we looked round the shops and sat a cafe for the afternoon, before heading back to the hostel to watch the darts which was good. I then went to a local pub with some good reviews famed for good burgers and an English atmosphere, and I wasn't disappointed, probably the best pub I've been to in south America. It turned into quite a late night.
Tuesday was another long drive day including a border crossing which gave the potential for a long day. Due to this we left early, although I was extra tired as I barely slept the night before due to the heat which meant I spent much of the night sitting in the lobby to stop myself from sweating. The drive to the border was relatively easy, stopping en route at an old inca bridge site, and a viewpoint to see Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America. We also stopped here for lunch which included chicken which was nice.
When arriving at the border we were met by an almighty queue which felt it stretched back for miles. Luckily we counted as a bus which meant we had a separate less busy lane, although we must have passed a solid queue of cars for a good 10 minutes before we reached the official border crossing. We then had to wait for ages before they would let us off the truck and inside the building to get stamped in and out, which also took ages as they accused us leapfrogging the queue. We eventually got stamped in, where we had to wait in a single file queue of buses for a search of the truck. We eventually got searched, although in all the border took over 7 hours to cross which was horrendous.
When finally on the road we got the wine out to celebrate and played games, luckily in daylight with the extended daylight hours through heading south so rapidly. We didn't arrive into Santiago until gone 9 in the end so it was a very long day. We quickly checked in and then went out for dinner to this unique seafood restaurant which had a submarine setting and various sea related things all round the place. I had this battered fish thing with chips and eggs. We didn't end up eating until half 11 though by which time I was exhausted and went straight to bed!
Wednesday was a free day to explore Santiago, Chile's capital. With a very European atmosphere, Santiago is set out with wide tree-lined boulevards which lead to pleasant plazas and leafy parks, and on a clear day the snow-capped peaks of the Andes provide a magnificent backdrop to the Santiago skyline. Much of the centre is pedestrianised, which together with the wide streets and efficient metro system make Santiago an easy city to explore on foot. I did just that and used a map of a guided walking tour, but instead of using a local guide did it self guided.
Starting off at the hotel, the first thing I had to do was get my bearings which I managed, passing buildings such as La Moneda palace and the old congress building before arriving at the plaza da armas which was the main square. I then headed up to the local fish market which absolutely stunk, before passing the old railway station en route to Vega central, a very busy locals market. It was a massive change here, going from the clean almost Western feeling historical centre to a graffiti covered suburb full of locals.
I spent a while looking round the market, passing through the hipster feeling Patronato neighbourhood and back across the filthy river to the historical centre, passing the Museo Bellas Artes en route. I decided to detour off the walking route at Cerro San Lucia and explored this park area full of gardens and old buildings, heading up this tower and a viewpoint of the city. After heading back down I passed through the Lastarria neighbourhood towards Plaza Italia. The final section of the walk took me through the trendy Bellavista neighbourhood home to many western restaurants to finish at the base of Cerro San Cristobal and the funicular railway.
Instead of riding the railway I decided to walk up the hill instead which was a nice walk through trees along a dirt path. When reaching top there were brilliant views of the city, as well as a jesus statue which overlooks the city. Instead of heading back the same way, I went up and over the hill to the other side and into the Providencia neighbourhood home to the tallest building in south America, the Costanera tower. It was very modern and trendy round here, and I explored the shopping centre and had dinner by the river which was really nice.
I didn't leave Providencia until about half 6, although as I had ended up a good 5 mile walk from the hotel I decided to catch the metro back which was very busy. I negotiated it without problems though, despite not fitting onto a train until my 3rd attempt and looking like an idiot when trying to buy a ticket. When arriving back at the hotel I relaxed and said goodbye to the 3 people leaving our truck, as well as finding out a 4th member had told us we're all wankers and stormed off quitting the truck. I did get to meet the new people however including a Middlesbrough fan, and a Sporting Lisbon fan who is obviously a fan of Cedric who came from there. The evening was relaxing although there was a pool table which was good.
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