Mendoza: getting a grip

We're back from a walk around town. Went for some lunch and had two perfectly decent salads (I had glass of chardonnay, H had beer) and then a rather disappointing chocolate cake (which I thought was going to be more ice-creamy). We then waited the customary 20 minutes for the bill despite no other people in the restaurant and four members of staff. We did get two updates from the waiter to say the bill was on its way (as if it might be arriving by bus from the next town) until he came over and just told us verbally the price. Was all rather odd but we're getting used to it now. H was fuming atp so I was trying to distract him but it didn't work. Add to that me getting jumpy and irritable about a car that exploded as it drove past and you can imagine the scene. We walked around the town after that trying to find some restaurants mentioned in the guide book but only coming across frat boy style drinking dens with "local beer" and other delicacies. Things were improved when we got to the fancy wine tour shop and booked ourselves on a nice $135 per person wine tour for tomorrow (including lunch). Will be really nice. Then we're moving to the Park Hyatt in the evening and will spend the day there for my birthday, so should be great.







Argentina, November 2009
Here's our itinerary for the trip:



Monday 9 November:

leave Heathrow at 21.25, H armed only with Swedish ID card, rather than full passport - fingers crossed.

Tuesday 10 November:

arrive Buenos Aires. H turned around and sent back on next plane to London. M goes to 725 hotel and meets Jon and Liz in the evening.

Wednesday 11 November:

H gets new passport and gets back on evening flight to Heathrow.

Thursday 12 November:

H arrives. Both check into Faena hotel in Puerto Madero.

Friday 13 November:

Catch overnight bus to Mendoza

Saturday 14 November:

Arrive Mendoza, check into Villaggio hotel.

Sunday 15 November:

Wine tour of Mendoza.

Monday 16 November:

M's birthday. Spend day at Hyatt.

Tuesday 17 November:

Trip into the Andes.

Wednesday 18 November:

Move to Cavas Wine Lodge.

Thursday 19 November:

Second tour of wineries in Mendoza. Catch overnight bus to Buenos Aires.

Friday 20 November:

Arrive Buenos Aires. Check into Howard Johnson hotel, Recoleta.

Saturday 21 November:

Check into Esplendor hotel.

Tuesday 24 November:

Catch 13.15 flight from Buenos Aires.

Wednesday 25 November:

Arrive early morning at Heathrow.