We went on a big hotel/hostel hunt when we arrived to Mendoza after a 14-hour bus ride, visiting about 10 places that were either too full, too expensive, or didn`t have private rooms. Exhausted, we gave up and started walking to our ¨backup¨ hotel. Then Clint spotted the perfect hostel--it had a private room available for us, was very affordable, and was one block away from a great street in town. Hooray!
We took a day to explore the city and loved it. The weather was great and the city has very wide sidewalks filled with restaurant tables. It seems that people are always outside dining and drinking. All the streets are tree-lined and there are clean parks with fountains about every four blocks. Later, we learned the reason why this city is so spacious and green. A huge earthquake left Mendoza in ruins in 1861 and they rebuilt strategically, betting that there would be another earthquake in Mendoza`s future. So, the sidewalks are wide to keep falling rubble out of the streets and the parks are meant as refuges. Whatever the reason, though, it is a great city.
Then we did the famous bikes & wines tour through Mendoza`s wine country. We rented bicycles from a guy called ¨Mr. Hugo¨and rode a short 18km circuit with about six wineries along the way. Clint was very funny on this excursion. We had the best time on a terrace overlooking a vineyard at the first winery and we both loved the wine.
Then Clint quickly gulped down the wine at the second place. By the time we got to the third winery, he had to nap on a bench while I toured and tasted. He was so sleepy and pitiful, and I was ready to head back with him. But once we got back on the bikes he was all peppy again--so we carried on our merry way.
At the end of the day, we had toured four wineries, done a liquor tasting, and enjoyed a last glass of wine with Mr. Hugo.
Then we made the critical decision to take a bus to the town of Uspallata to go hiking and backpacking...
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