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| All in a days work |
These past 10 days have been a welcome change of pace with my brother-in-law, John O'Malley joining me in Mendoza to encourage the sampling of just a little of the local fare.
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| Malbec aging in oak |
These oak barrels were deep in the cellar with Gregorian chant helping them complete there task of creating a Malbec masterpiece
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| Vineyards of Kaiken Winery |
Our little rental car was put through its paces on a high Andes dirt road up to Christ the Redeemer Statue on the border between Argentina and Chile
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| We just came up that in a tiny Chevy !! |
As the road got progressively rougher and rockier we finally relented and turned the low slung Chevy Joy around and headed back down the pass (need a KTM for this one )
The next stop was Mt Aconcagua (6962 m , 22,837 ft ), the highest mountain in the western hemisphere. We only did a short hike in this national park but I am told that this mountain can be climbed along a non-technical route, luckily we were short on time and so did not have to prove our mountaineering skills.
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| Look at the glacier on the right face |
Heading north through the mountains we came to the El Leoncita National park where a high mountain observatory complex is to be found. With the clear air and dark skies the 3 hour outdoor star gazing lecture was something that I will never forget. The research scientist, Carlos was fantastic and although the lecture was in Spanish he would check with John and I that we got what he was talking about and take the time to explain in English if we did not.
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| Sun aurora behind the Andes |
Back down the mountains and north into the dry desert found us at the Tamalpaya National park with it's red sandstone cliffs and deep canyons that reminded me so much of the national parks of Utah. Cars are not allowed to be driven in the park so the option is either all day hikes in the very hot desert environment or the much more leisurely tour truck that stopped along the way to view some of the amazing sights
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| Light refreshment of wine and olives provided |
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| Petroglyphs |
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| Towering cathedral-like cliffs |
The Patagonia Mara is an animal that looks like it was assembled from spare parts. It is a rodent but looks like it has the rear legs from a kangaroo, the body of a small antelope, the head of a big rat and the ears of a fox.
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| Patagonian Mara |
And then a return south to Mendoza, only to find my best friend, Lomo locked up in jail.
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| Lomo |
Now time to turn in the rental car and get back on my trusty steed, Moto Naranja
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