Mendoza, Argentina
February 12, 2007
S 32°53.353
W 068°50.862
We headed out on a seven hour bus ride today from Santiago over the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina. Our plan… drink excellent wine, relax by the pool, and eat try some of what is supposed to be the best beef in the world. The longer bus ride meant we were in semi-cama class, which is a step above Clasico; seats that recline to almost 135 degrees, more leg room, a leg rest, and a little bag lunch. This bus puts Greyhound to shame!
Still, we definitely weren’t looking forward to the long bus ride, but we knew the scenery on the journey and the end results would make it worthwhile. The trip from Santiago heads directly east into the Andes where the bus climbs through countless switchbacks. The views coming up the switchbacks were absolutely breathtaking. A few of the peaks still had snow remnants from winter, but most of the snow had melted and was now running off in little creeks near the road. The ski lifts swinging in the summer the summer winds were now inoperable and looked out of place against the barren mountains.
Upon arrival at the border between Argentina and Chile all passengers had to de-board the bus for passport control. The line to cross the border and the whole process took almost an hour, but was a dream when compared to the San Ysidro border which can take hours. The inspection process is also a lot more thorough; randomly screening at least 25% of bags on board the bus and doing a visual inspection of all carry on luggage.
After completing the process we got back on the bus and headed down the other side of the Andes. The reflection from the sun as we headed down the Argentinean side made the mountains glow. The burnt orange color reminded us of red rock canyons near Vegas, except there were brilliant blue lakes mixed into the mountains. The views from the bus and experiencing more of the countryside is what convinced us to make this trek over the Andes.
Well, that the Malbec and the grilled beef…
The Big Trip
- Marc & Laura
- San Francisco, California, United States
- Two kids who grew-up in small towns in the San Joaquin Valley of California (Hughson & Carmichael) during the 1970’s and thru the 80’s. We still have family living there and visit our home towns with regularity. We’ve lived in San Francisco for the past seven years; both working in wireless telecommunications… a far stretch from the days of raking almonds and grading peaches in the Valley. Living in S.F. allowed us to see things we never really understood growing-up, and at times never imagined… culturally, socially or economically. We’ve really come to love it here. In the process of visiting many countries over several years (Nepal, Fiji, Thailand, Peru, Guatemala, France, UK, Netherlands, Turkey, Greece); mostly by backpack and on a budget of $100 a day or less, we realized we must see more. In 2004 we put a plan together to allow us to see the world. After 26 months of saving, planning and counting the days, we’re on target to leave on Jan. 29, ‘07. We intend to spend time in South America, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, India, Eastern and Western Europe and Africa. We hope you enjoy following along.