Fene & Marilyn

The Gateway to Patagonia is a wonderful city for nature lovers, skiers, hikers and more. Especially chocolate lovers!!

Read more about Bariloche here

We flew from Mendoza to Bariloche, it was an easy flight, about 1 hour. You see the Andes on the right side the entire time so sit on that side for a great view. The other side just shows the expansive plains – you really and truly believe there are bits of land down there that no one has set foot on. There are no roads for miles – if I was an alien this is where I would land, not NY City!

Bariloche was a great town, considered the Gateway to Patagonia. It is right up next to the Andes and is a big tourist spot for wealthy skiers as it is the exact opposite season of Aspen.

The other claim to fame of Bariloche is their many chocolate shops. The story goes that after WWII and millions of immigrants were invited to Argentina so that it’s vast lands could be more easily settled. Many of the German and Swiss immigrants were drawn to the snow-capped mountains of the Andes as they reminded them of their lovely Alps. So it was here in the late 40s that they tried to make a like by farming and ranching. To make ends meet some of the families used their old family recipes for chocolate and make truffles and other chocolate treats. Walking Street of Chocolate Dreams

There were four or five of those businesses still there and of course we had to make our way to all of them. Rapa Nui, Mamushka, Tourista, Abuela Gaye, Fenoglio and more…

There several large lakes that are a brilliant blue, then the land comes up sharply from the shore so walking the 3 or 4 streets of downtown meant you had to climb a lot of stairs.

There are a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating and of course chocolate tasting so we stuck with the last one to make sure we got it done right before we moved on to the other activities. Alas we were not there long enough to try the other outdoor activities, but I’m sure we’ll be back.

One super-fun day was when we took the gondola ride to the top of Cerro Otto. There is a restaurant at the top that slowly rotates so you can see the entire Bariloche valley and the lakes that surround it. The gondola was not scary at all, well at least until you got in it. The ride was about 15 minutes and in many places it was quite high. Of course it didn’t help when the other couple in our gondola kept crossing themselves like they really thought this was a big deal. They were locals and I thought perhaps they knew something I didn’t so I got a little nervous.

And then Marilyn starts screwing around and wants to get better pictures while we are up there.

We had one of the best steak dinners there at El Boliche de Alberto. The steaks were so big each couple shared an order. So we each had 1/2 pound of steak, large pile of french fries, a huge salad and then of course I wanted to try the Grilled Provolone and it was just amazing!!!! El Boliche de Alberto on the Web. We swore this was our best steak ever, but of course then we went back to Buenos Aires and had to top it again at La Cabana!

Enjoy the pictures… Click the image to enlarge. Then click the Play arrow to play slideshow or the direction arrows to go at your own pace. To close the enlarged image click the X or just click on the image. (Don’t forget to watch the video of the Cerro Otto view at the bottom of the pictures).

Bariloche

Most of the town was pretty hilly – it was like using a Stairmaster everyday. Most of the town was pretty hilly – it was like using a Stairmaster everyday.	The town had a real winter wonderland feeling but we were there during summer. The town had a real winter wonderland feeling but we were there during summer.
Becky loved the Rebecca store – they had the most beautiful textile frocks and wraps. Becky loved the Rebecca store – they had the most beautiful textile frocks and wraps.	And the food brigade begins. And the food brigade begins.
Mamushka’s chocolate is world famous. Mamushka’s chocolate is world famous.	We had trouble picking items to taste… but we worked hard and it. We had trouble picking items to taste… but we worked hard and it.
Turista’s selection was amazing. Turista’s selection was amazing.	Doug and Abuela Gaye. Doug and Abuela Gaye.
Proof that Marilyn could resist going into another chocolate shop. Proof that Marilyn could resist going into another chocolate shop.	The cute downtown streets The cute downtown streets
Again, the architecture reminded us of Lake Tahoe or Aspen. Again, the architecture reminded us of Lake Tahoe or Aspen.	Lots of stone and wood Lots of stone and wood
This is part of the buildings the surround the original plaza. This is part of the buildings the surround the original plaza.
	This was a church that was only about 50 years old but looked like it came right out of early 15th century Germany. This was a church that was only about 50 years old but looked like it came right out of early 15th century Germany.
	Then we took this crazy tourist train. It didn’t even drive us into the beautiful woods, it just kept circling the residential neighborhoods. Then we took this crazy tourist train. It didn’t even drive us into the beautiful woods, it just kept circling the residential neighborhoods.
And then we stopped at a "beautiful vista" and the driver got out and smoked two cigarettes while we sat on a dirt road above a dry flood zone. And then we stopped at a "beautiful vista" and the driver got out and smoked two cigarettes while we sat on a dirt road above a dry flood zone.	But the views in the end were worth it. Everywhere you look was the beautiful brilliant blue lakes. But the views in the end were worth it. Everywhere you look was the beautiful brilliant blue lakes.
Dinner at El Boliche was out of this world – steaks, fries, grilled cheese and more… Dinner at El Boliche was out of this world – steaks, fries, grilled cheese and more…	I wish your monitor was scratch and taste, this was the best steak I had ever eaten (then we went to Buenos Aires). I wish your monitor was scratch and taste, this was the best steak I had ever eaten (then we went to Buenos Aires).
Look at all that food!! Look at all that food!!	My Gondola awaits My Gondola awaits
This was the easy part. This was the easy part.	This was the hard part. This was the hard part.
Under the rotating restaurant was a tribute to the work of Michaelangelo with replicas of some of his best work. I am not mature…I’m not, I’m not, I’m not!!! Under the rotating restaurant was a tribute to the work of Michaelangelo with replicas of some of his best work. I am not mature…I’m not, I’m not, I’m not!!!	See how big he is now! See how big he is now!
The restaurant was like the Space Needle in Seattle – it just slowly rotated around the most amazing view – be sure to watch the video The restaurant was like the Space Needle in Seattle – it just slowly rotated around the most amazing view – be sure to watch the video	Expansive view from up there. Expansive view from up there.
My girl never puts her camera down. My girl never puts her camera down.	The view from Cerro Otto, Bariloche, Argentina The view from Cerro Otto, Bariloche, Argentina
	We saw several condors that fly down from the Andes We saw several condors that fly down from the Andes
Don’t all winter-wonderlands have carved gnomes? Don’t all winter-wonderlands have carved gnomes?	There, now the view is better! There, now the view is better!
And then we got stuck on the way down for over 10 minutes just dangling in the air with now sound but the wind whistling through the gondola. Gee I hated this part! And then we got stuck on the way down for over 10 minutes just dangling in the air with now sound but the wind whistling through the gondola. Gee I hated this part!	But the view was amazing. But the view was amazing.
In downtown the park outside the old church was beautiful with the lake in the background In downtown the park outside the old church was beautiful with the lake in the background	The anniversary couple The anniversary couple
View of the church from the top of town View of the church from the top of town	View of the church from the church park View of the church from the church park
Their stained glass windows were great Their stained glass windows were great	Posed shot. Posed shot.
Another of the anniversary couple, Doug and Becky HIll. Another of the anniversary couple, Doug and Becky HIll.	On our last morning there we took a walk along the shoreline with all the morning Argentinians. The water was so clear and beautiful. They catch a trout and a Salmon trout in these waters – most restaurants served steak and lake food. On our last morning there we took a walk along the shoreline with all the morning Argentinians. The water was so clear and beautiful. They catch a trout and a Salmon trout in these waters – most restaurants served steak and lake food.
A good one for our funny photo series. Anyone care for a Barfy Burger? A good one for our funny photo series. Anyone care for a Barfy Burger?	And of course an annual visit to the dentist, Mr Cock, should be on everyone’s good health list. And of course an annual visit to the dentist, Mr Cock, should be on everyone’s good health list.

The video is kinda’ big.  For best viewing, click PLAY then click PAUSE (click the middle of the image) and let it load all the way and then click PLAY)

Mendoza, the wine capital of South America. We expected so much and still we were overwhelmed by what we saw, ate and drank.

This is a wonderful city and is certainly on the list for a return visit.

Click Here to read more about our visit to Mendoza.

We have had a great time in Mendoza. This is the reason for our trip, to celebrate the 35th wedding anniversary of Doug and Becky Hill. So of course Mendoza has been the highlight.

First, we planned to use the bus system in Argentina as that and flying are the only true methods of travelling these great distances. So we bought our ticket on the bus going to Mendoza over night. This way we could get some sleep and arrive ready to party in Mendoza. The seats were all pretty reasonable but the ride is 14 hours so I wanted a Cama Executive (sleeper seat) but the company we used CATA International also had a “Royal Suite” seat for $10.00 more. Bring it on!! This is one of the best decisions we have made thus far. We had appetizers, dinner with wine, movies, a blanket and pillow and yes the separating curtain that made this the all exclusive “Suite” – loved it! And we got a good nights sleep to boot.

We planned some fun events here. First we all (4 couples) stayed in one house together in the Lujan Cuyo region (about 20 minutes from downtown). Next some of us went on an Estancia ride and saw the most extraordinary vistas. The next day was the anniversary party at the swanky O. Fournier winery – we took the full tour and then had a wonderful pairing lunch in the dining room.

The next day we had another tasting tour that began with a tour of the exotic Catena Zapata winery in all it’s Mayan Temple glory then off to Kaiken Winery we had the most extraordinary wine blending game. We are all given different Malbec wines from different Kaiken vineyards, we all chose the colors and aromas we liked best. Then we teamed up and we were supposed to blend any percentage of these 3 wines to come up with our own blend. We blended for aroma, color and taste. WHAT FUN we had with this. Tracy and Becky were the winners by a nose (tee hee). We bottled this new blend and have it now for a special occasion.

The Mendoza region is beautiful, hot, flat and dry. It reminded me a lot of California. We will certainly want to come back as 4 days here is definitely not enough.

There are a damn lot of photos here but I just found it hard to just cull out my favorites.

Click the image to enlarge. To close the enlarged image click the X or just click on the image.

To Mendoza

Mendoza has a very busy bus station. On Friday night it seemed like the whole city was going somewhere. Mendoza has a very busy bus station. On Friday night it seemed like the whole city was going somewhere.	But even in all this chaos the gates were clearly marked and the buses were on time and easy to find. But even in all this chaos the gates were clearly marked and the buses were on time and easy to find.
Completely laid down seat. Completely laid down seat.	With a foot rest for a completely flat nap. And TV! With a foot rest for a completely flat nap. And TV!
A picada appetizer. A "picada" is the typical Argentinian snacks tray with meat and cheese and olives and nuts and bread. A picada appetizer. A "picada" is the typical Argentinian snacks tray with meat and cheese and olives and nuts and bread.	Would you like wine with your bus meal? Would you like wine with your bus meal?
Everyone finally arrives at the Villa. Everyone finally arrives at the Villa.	Dinner at a recommended Italian place in Mendoza. What a great meal. Dinner at a recommended Italian place in Mendoza. What a great meal.

Mendoza Estancia Ride

The drive was 1.5 hours straight into the Andes. Very dry and desolate and we were getting concerned that our ride would be very ugly. The drive was 1.5 hours straight into the Andes. Very dry and desolate and we were getting concerned that our ride would be very ugly.	The mountains were getting so close. The mountains were getting so close.
We popped over one of the hills and realized the climate and landscaped had changed in an instant. We were now in a fertile valley with thousands of hectares of green grass. We popped over one of the hills and realized the climate and landscaped had changed in an instant. We were now in a fertile valley with thousands of hectares of green grass.	The Estancia campo was fantastic, right out of an old west movie. The Estancia campo was fantastic, right out of an old west movie.
	After the 1.5 bus ride we just gaped in awe at the beauty around us. After the 1.5 bus ride we just gaped in awe at the beauty around us.
	Our steeds await us. Our steeds await us.
This looks like a promising lunch ahead. This looks like a promising lunch ahead.
	Two up, two more to go. Two up, two more to go.
We head out for a 3 hour tour of some of the Estancia’s 600 hectare. We head out for a 3 hour tour of some of the Estancia’s 600 hectare.
The horses are not wild but not all of them are broken. There is one stallion that keeps adding to the herd. The horses are not wild but not all of them are broken. There is one stallion that keeps adding to the herd.
Wait for me!!! Wait for me!!!
	The "wild" horses watched us carefully. Probably feeling greatly sorry for their friends beneath us. The "wild" horses watched us carefully. Probably feeling greatly sorry for their friends beneath us.
	We scared up many a bird. We scared up many a bird.
	We all had great horses, well maintained and well trained. Some had lovely names like TuYo (Yours and Mine) and Nosy. We all had great horses, well maintained and well trained. Some had lovely names like TuYo (Yours and Mine) and Nosy.
BUT Marilyn’s horse was named "Cara de Verga," yes that is DICKFACE in English. He was named this because he does not play well with others. We all that that was terribly appropriate for Marilyn, as she does not play well with others either. It was the best Pairing we made in Mendoza. BUT Marilyn’s horse was named "Cara de Verga," yes that is DICKFACE in English. He was named this because he does not play well with others. We all that that was terribly appropriate for Marilyn, as she does not play well with others either. It was the best Pairing we made in Mendoza.
Becky on her fantastic horse. Becky on her fantastic horse.	Becky and our guide Jannika. Becky and our guide Jannika.
These purple thistles were everywhere, just popping up out of the yellowing mustard. These purple thistles were everywhere, just popping up out of the yellowing mustard.	Marilyn really wanted a great picture of a Thistle so she carefully lined up the shot and… Marilyn really wanted a great picture of a Thistle so she carefully lined up the shot and…
Dickface ate the thistle before she could hit the shutter. It was a tragedy on the Estancia. Dickface ate the thistle before she could hit the shutter. It was a tragedy on the Estancia.	Fene captured this picture of a thistle as Marilyn was too distraught to contineue. Fene captured this picture of a thistle as Marilyn was too distraught to contineue.
Richard on TuYo. this was a great horse! Richard on TuYo. this was a great horse!
	We made a "Hay Stop" and checked our saddles. The horses just pigged out. We made a "Hay Stop" and checked our saddles. The horses just pigged out.
Just look at TuYo’s feet! I swear he is part Clydesdale. Just look at TuYo’s feet! I swear he is part Clydesdale.	Fene and Nosy. Fene and Nosy.
	Becky saying Goodbye and thanks. Becky saying Goodbye and thanks.
The saddles were fascinating. There was the saddle blanket and a chunk of foam under neath and a saddle blanket and a hunk of sheepskin on top. The saddles were fascinating. There was the saddle blanket and a chunk of foam under neath and a saddle blanket and a hunk of sheepskin on top.	But underneath it was pure rawhide and pretty small at that. We were sure were were going to be saddle soar for the rest of the trip. But underneath it was pure rawhide and pretty small at that. We were sure were were going to be saddle soar for the rest of the trip.
	This little mascot was waiting for us when we came back. Perhaps he knew we were going to have an Asada (Argentinian BBQ). This little mascot was waiting for us when we came back. Perhaps he knew we were going to have an Asada (Argentinian BBQ).
	Goodbye Nosy. Goodbye Nosy.
This is a great picture of Becky threatening me not to take a picture of her dismount. And as you can see I have not included any on this blog. (Psssst – check us out later on YouTube for a dismount scoop!) This is a great picture of Becky threatening me not to take a picture of her dismount. And as you can see I have not included any on this blog. (Psssst – check us out later on YouTube for a dismount scoop!)	The typical Asada includes Empanadas (meat filled pastries), grilled costillos (beef ribs), Beef sausage, and Chorizo (grilled sirloin strip) plus grilled vegetables including squash and eggplant and green salad. You will definitely not starve here. The typical Asada includes Empanadas (meat filled pastries), grilled costillos (beef ribs), Beef sausage, and Chorizo (grilled sirloin strip) plus grilled vegetables including squash and eggplant and green salad. You will definitely not starve here.
Dig in! Nothing like a ride out on the range to make a cowgirl and cowboy hungry. Dig in! Nothing like a ride out on the range to make a cowgirl and cowboy hungry.	One last little ear snuggle before we left. One last little ear snuggle before we left.
Our mounts were galloped back to the coral by Jannika. Our mounts were galloped back to the coral by Jannika.	Some of next year’s range horses still being broke and trained. Some of next year’s range horses still being broke and trained.
It was a long ride home but what an adventure we had. It was a long ride home but what an adventure we had.

Fun in Mendoza

	Our first dinner together! Our first dinner together!
The anniversary dinner! The anniversary dinner!
The winery theme and labels were the constellations and the Southern Cross. The winery theme and labels were the constellations and the Southern Cross.	Art was exhibited in the cellar. Art was exhibited in the cellar.
To Doug and Becky! Where are we celebrating number 40? To Doug and Becky! Where are we celebrating number 40?
	Beautiful food. Beautiful food.
Cold almond soup. Cold almond soup.
B and D forever! B and D forever!
As usual Tracy had way too much to drink! As usual Tracy had way too much to drink!
Wait, she was stone sober, she always acts like this! Wait, she was stone sober, she always acts like this!
	Our next winery was Catena Zapata Our next winery was Catena Zapata
	We could just never get enough of the Andes. We could just never get enough of the Andes.
	Myan Temple theme. Myan Temple theme.
Marilyn! Wait for your glass! Marilyn! Wait for your glass!	The cellar. The cellar.
Doug wanted to stay the night. Doug wanted to stay the night.
Next winery, Kaiken Next winery, Kaiken
We tasted the harvest ready grapes. We tasted the harvest ready grapes.
Love this shot. The hazy film on the grapes is the natural yeast that is developing from the internal sugar. This yeast is what gets the fermentation started in the tanks. Love this shot. The hazy film on the grapes is the natural yeast that is developing from the internal sugar. This yeast is what gets the fermentation started in the tanks.
A rose by any other name…. is still a rose. A rose by any other name…. is still a rose.
	Okay, take your shoes off and let’s get to stomping! Okay, take your shoes off and let’s get to stomping!
At Kaiken were were allowed to blend our own wine. This was serious competition. At Kaiken were were allowed to blend our own wine. This was serious competition.
	Tracy was making damn sure the formula was correct. Tracy was making damn sure the formula was correct.
Great teamwork girls! Great teamwork girls!
	Now for the tasting of our wines, wow was this hard. Now for the tasting of our wines, wow was this hard.
The judges, Tiffany and Tracy, our guides. The judges, Tiffany and Tracy, our guides.	Next was Ruca Malen. Next was Ruca Malen.
What a shot, right! What a shot, right!
A wine pairing lunch to stop the senses. A wine pairing lunch to stop the senses.	Doug could not stop counting the glasses. Doug could not stop counting the glasses.
	And again, beautiful food. And again, beautiful food.
And lots of tasting. A Malbec, a chardonnay, another malbec, then a cabernet sauvingnon, then the reserve top end Malbec and then a finish with Champaign. Whew!! And lots of tasting. A Malbec, a chardonnay, another malbec, then a cabernet sauvingnon, then the reserve top end Malbec and then a finish with Champaign. Whew!!	Okay I just had to show it again. Okay I just had to show it again.
	Toes in the grass kind of lunch! Toes in the grass kind of lunch!
And again, those Andes dominated every view. And again, those Andes dominated every view.
Andys’ 60th birthday that night was celebrated with homemade Pizzas and… you guessed it MORE WINE! Andys’ 60th birthday that night was celebrated with homemade Pizzas and… you guessed it MORE WINE!
	Happy Birthday Andy. Now if you would only look and act your age! Happy Birthday Andy. Now if you would only look and act your age!
	We had a great villa. We had a great villa.
More shots of downtown Mendoza More shots of downtown Mendoza	What a great city with lots of parks and plazas. What a great city with lots of parks and plazas.
Now us Americans in South America are starved for a little Gringo culture so we went nuts for the Mendoza WalMart! Now us Americans in South America are starved for a little Gringo culture so we went nuts for the Mendoza WalMart!
	Every street was tree lined and shady. Good thing because it can get in the 90s on a regular basis. Every street was tree lined and shady. Good thing because it can get in the 90s on a regular basis.
Careful not to sit on the bench after the sprinklers have run! Careful not to sit on the bench after the sprinklers have run!
To Good Friends, Good Wine and More of Both!!! To Good Friends, Good Wine and More of Both!!!

The Woman’s Bridge. The design is meant to represent a man and woman doing the tango.

The woman is the represented by the curved walkway lying down as if she is being dipped in a Tango, the man is represented by… well… I guess we can all figure that one out.

Click Here to read more about our visit to Puerto Madera.