Mendoza, Argentina

 We traveled all day; twelve hours from Llao Llao to Mendoza. The delay was in flying to Córdoba and spending five hours there waiting for a continuation flight to Mendoza; somewhat inconvenient, but the other alternative is a much longer bus ride.  I think Mendoza may be the low point in our trip. It will be difficult to compete with the attractions of Buenos Aires or Llao Llao.

From our hotel room looking west.  All the trees are irrigated, and they really improve the city atmosphere- walking down lush, shaded streets instead of hot pavement from direct sunlight. The Andes mountains are in the distance.

Mendoza is a large city built in an arid climate using water brought in from the Andes mountains through irrigation ditches. Little water channels run everywhere, along the curbs of streets, through the park lawns. We witnessed two young women, who drove their car too far forward when parking, dropping the front end into an irrigation ditch; it caused considerable damage to the vehicle.  The streets are well-shaded by many irrigated trees. While enjoying the scenery, you need to keep an eye on the uneven/broken tiles of the sidewalks. Not much of an Old Town here or a notable skyline; the mountain slopes to the west are barren, befitting a scrub brush climate.

The big attraction here is the vineyards, world famous Malbec grapes. We are staying in a twenty-story tall major hotel in the city center, close to shopping, parks, and restaurants.  My lactose intolerance is a drawback here. Many restaurant dinners have cheese and milk in the recipes; with the language difference it is important to communicate clearly.

In the evenings, the streets are crowded with people with late dinners being normal.

Street vendors set up their stalls in the park plazas to sell a variety of high-quality hand-made merchandise.  Clothing, leatherwork, food, toys, kitchen utensils, paintings, spices, knives, sculpture, jewelry; whatever you desire.

The weather is appropriate for shorts & T-shirt, upper 70's. Siesta is observed, and in the evenings the streets are full of people. Outdoor restaurants open about 8pm. A Harley Davidson motorcycle meet is in town; plenty of rumbling exhaust.  Note the irrigation ditch at the left edge of the photo.

However, the traffic here is clean burning, with no discernible exhaust fumes. Two nights ago, an antique sports car show was held in the central plaza. Beautiful old cars, most all European, including an Aston Martin, like James Bond drove in a "007" movie. The Porsche club also had 25+ vehicles on display. We have been walking in a beautiful park on the west edge of the city: 970 acres with golf, tennis, equestrian, zoo, rowing (the lake was hand dug by prison inmates), World Cup soccer stadium, amphitheater, and many shaded running trails.

Fountain of the continents in General San Martin park.

Flower stalls always add color to a street scene.

We went on an excursion with nine other tourists to some vineyards in the Valle de Uco, a newer grape growing region near the Andes mountains. These are large, modern, international businesses. The trip included an outstanding meal in a scenic setting. The veal tenderloin here is fabulous; Argentina is known for its meat products. Excursions like this also promote meeting other tourists, many from far distant places- Thailand, Australia, Spain, Canada, Ireland, and others, which adds to the exposure to new ideas and viewpoints. Future trips suggested to us include Italy, New Zealand, and China.

Wine, vineyards, and Andes mountains.

This vineyard is on 5000 acres.  The owners live in the Netherlands.  It is a huge international enterprise.  Note the piano in what is an underground wine ageing vault; the vault is huge and has perfect acoustics for a piano concert.