Bariloche - The Lakes District

We arrived in Bariloche expecting that, having ventured some 1000km north of El Calafate, the temperature would increase. Unfortunately, the reality was somewhat different. We were greeted by temperatures ranging between 2-10 degrees, chilling winds blowing off the lake and other such nuisances, which spoilt any ideas we had of fishing or white-water rafting. BUT the setting was nonetheless spectacular, and we had a beautiful time. 

Our accommodation was fantastic - Lirolay suites, 7.5 km’s from the centre of Bariloche. Our 2 bedroom room was decked out with all the creature comforts, including heated bathroom floor tiles, and we were well pleased when we opened the doors at the end of each cold day.

The lake in front of Lirolay at sunrise

Lirolay Suites

Down by the lake

Highlights of Bariloche:

• Strolling around the freezing city. Apparently Bariloche is famous for its chocolate ... we saw 3 huge chocolate stores which all made their own chocolate. We sampled chocolate at Rapa Nui and Mamushka;

Outside a chocolate shop

Babushka dolls at Mamushka chocolate shop

Kid in a candy store

• Catching the bus to the magnificent Llao Llao Hotel, perched atop a hill with 260 degree views of Lake Nahuel Huapi Lake. G played golf while the ladies attempted to visit Isla Victoria (there are no photos of Isla Victoria as we did not make it);

Inside the hotel

G tee-ing off

Not a bad course...

Amazing dog at the wharf

• G driving manual in general and G driving manual on the 7 Lakes Drive – a 400-odd km route with 150km of dirt/rock road. We drove past lakes and cows, up and down treacherous mountains, and met lots of cute animals along the way;

Us

Old bridge

Friendly dog

Crazy road and amazing scenery ... 60km of dirt road behind us, 60km to go ...

Additional obstacles

Kitten at a coffee stop

Beautiful - near Villa La Angostura, ski resort for wealthy Portenos

• Eating and drinking, pretty much everything and everywhere, including “El Patacon”, an amazing parilla with pictures of Bill Clinton eating there on the walls;

Dinner at Don Molina, thanks to Bev's recommendation. Amazing tuna salad. Later, Mum got stuck in the bathroom and had to crawl under the door

Gnocchi at El Fonda del Tio, a lively local eatery in the backstreets of Bariloche. Cheap and great, but a very cold walk away

Everyone who eats or drinks at Blest Cerveceria writes messages on coasters and sticks them to the walls. Cute idea

Eating something made out of meat, like everything in Argentina

Another night, another steak - Boliche del Alberto. $10AUD buys 3 big, juicy fillets of steak

Grey having a shot of Aguadente thanks to the friendly Columbian waiter. At this beautiful place called I Latina we ate cerviche, seafood stew and vegetables

• We drove to El Bolson, a hippy town in the hills, to see its famous Saturday artisan market. We ate farm fresh raspberries, drank home-brewed beer and spent money on things we don’t need;

Cool wooden toys. Mum went crazy. We were captivated for many minutes

• Sunday in Colonia Suiza, a one road town, with a gorgeous market and communal Sunday barbecue.

• Art at the airport;

• (Unhighlight) - Grey drew attention to my dislike of flying as we were boarding our flight to Mendoza. The pilot "invited" us to come to the cockpit during the flight - he thought it would help me get over the fear. Then the pilot introduced me to his co-pilot who was in control of the plane and doing a driving test that day! ARRGGH.

Sometimes the best thing to do is just close your eyes and block your ears

Looks difficult to master and easy to mess up!