Oops - Well apparently we had a rest week!! (Tuesday 27th September - Sunday 2nd October)

Tuesday - biscuits on a bus

Not quite snakes on a plane, but a drama nonetheless! As we liked Rioja so very much, we got up early and hot footed it away as fast as our little legs could carry us - well 1km to the bus station at least. We found a bus leaving in an hour or two (El Rapido) who said "bikes, no problem, just pay the guy putting your luggage on". So we paid the guy putting the luggage on...then when he saw us pay the luggage guy, we had to pay the ticket inspector too before they'd let us on... Twice... Grrr! Well I suppose they have to earn their beer money some how! Beer money relinquished and bikes almost safely stored we excitedly made our way to our seats on the upper deck. I have to say, this was by far the most unpleasant bus we've taken so far. Biscuits and food everywhere and grumpy attendants. Oh well, it's not like this would be an 8 hour journey or anything... Oh wait!  Biscuits on a bus, was only made more entertaining by the choice of movie they played... 'Precious'... A movie that managed to squeeze in every single taboo subject possible... Child abuse, rape, drugs, sex, violence... You name it, it had it! Not quite your family friendly bus viewing choice at 11am - but hey - at least it was in English!


Wednesday - one metaphor too far

Today we found our beautiful green oasis, our breath of fresh air, our haven of peace... Ok I'll stop now, but man we love Mendoza! Though I'm not sure if we're more in love with the city itself or with 'Casa Lila', our amazingly beautiful, incredibly luxurious, super friendly B & B; or the city itself. After a long lie in we were presented with a glorious breakfast prepared by Maria from Peru, we even had a choice of eggs! We then spent the rest of the morning drinking tea on the sofa looking out into the beautiful green garden; the afternoon eating burgers, cleaning bikes and doing laundry; and the evening drinking wine! Finally - the day we'd been dreaming of for weeks was here and man were we going to enjoy it!

Thursday - spending all of our money on food and wine

That's not technically true, we also spent a good portion of it on spa treatments too! Helped by our wonderful hosts at Casa Lila, we booked a day that we could only justify by saying it was the anniversary treat that we never had! By the time we arrived back at our room we were more than slightly drunk, incredibly relaxed, and so full up we were worried we might not be able to face breakfast tomorrow! A simply stunning day!

Friday - super sad to say goodbye

We dragged ourselves reluctantly out of Casa Lila and somehow avoided the temptation to move in there permanently. A half hour bike ride was all we had in store today, to catch the bus to Santiago. By now we were ready to be cycling again and were tempted to do the 400km journey under our own steam, but there were two hurdles that we didn't want to climb: 1- there are a series of tunnels at the top of the mountain pass that bikes are prohibited from using (with good reason); 2- the mountain pass! It would mean crossing over the Andes again. So we were taking the bus. Let's be honest, we were always taking the bus! So a slightly more palatable bus journey and a border crossing later and we were navigating the mountain bike course that is the cycle path through central Santiago. After some fraught moments standing outside our pre-booked apartments with no one in sight but the Friday night party goers and homeless, we eventually found quite possibly the nicest nan in the world 'Victor' who led us to quite possibly the nicest city apartment in the world (for what we paid at least!).

The weekend - feels like home

So we chose an apartment, as we've longed for vaguely healthy home cooked food. We spent Saturday being very lazy, cooking bacon and avocado for breakfast and baked potatoes for supper - amazing! We even managed to incorporate a quick stroll around the park (Cerro Santa Lucia)! Sunday was slightly more active with a walking tour of the city, but we ended it snuggling on the sofa watching Poldark series 2 (thanks itunes!!!). Tomorrow we renew our saddle sores and head to the coast, but today we relax. Perhaps its a bit too much like home though, not sure I want to move again!