It’s three-hours to the entrance to Talampaya National Park where Christi and I learn to our surprise that the Argentinean National Park Service employs a dual pricing structure: foreigners pay A$25 (about US$6), while locals pay only A$4 (US$1). In addition, all visitors must pay a whopping A$65 for the compulsory guided tour – in Spanish. Our travel agent had promised us an English-speaking … [Read more...]
Ischigualasto or La Rioja bus station? Day 76
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Christi and I know there is a bus to Mendoza at 7:40 am, but after our recent night bus adventure and yesterday’s long excursion to Talampaya and Ischigualasto (6 am to 11 pm), nothing short of a natural disaster will drag us from our beds before the 11 am check-out. We pack and take a taxi to the bus station on the outskirts of town. There’s some confusion as to when the next bus to Mendoza … [Read more...]
Mendoza, Day 77
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The hotel Petit is petite in every sense of the word: the lift barely holds one person, while the two single beds in our bijou room are barely large enough to accommodate two normal sized people. I think Christi and I have discovered Lilliput and it’s in Mendoza! On the plus side our tiny room does have a small TV and a private bathroom so it’s bijou luxury. Breakfast is included, which I hope … [Read more...]
Maipu, Day 78
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Actually getting to Maipu is an adventure in itself, as riding the city buses is unnecessarily complicated. Argentina is chronically short of coins so finding sufficient change for the fare takes forever. Also each bus has two numbers describing its destination. For future reference route #10, bus #171 goes to downtown Maipu. Once there, Mr. Hugo’s bikes quickly rents us the required … [Read more...]
La Barra restaurant, Mendoza, Day 79
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La Barra is undoubtedly the best restaurant Christi and I have experienced on the trip to date and we are eager to return tonight. Until then we wander aimlessly around Mendoza. We do not manage a particularly early start to the day, however, as Christi is feeling a little delicate. We amble along some beautiful streets lined with tall trees and big houses until we find ourselves at the … [Read more...]
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