Santiago to Mendoza (Argentina)

November 14th Santiago to Argentina

I awoke at 4.30 am, did my Duolingo and then packed up my messy hotel room - amazing what mess you can make in three days. I was packed and on the road by 7.30am. It was a cold morning, but not by British standards. It felt strange heading north, but this was the quickest route, according to Google. Eventually we started heading east and climbing into the Andes, zig zagging up the valleys.

 The road from Chile to Argentina

 A little bit higher

On the way down- Argentina

Towards the top I reached the Chilean border and was waived through by the border guards. I stopped the bike as I didn't want a repeat of the Mexican fiasco. I was assured that the Argentinian border, 18km away, was where all the paperwork would be completed. As I decended it became warmer and the landscape softer. Sure enough after 18km I arrived at the border control, I entered a building that looked more like a cross between a bus station and an aeroplane hanger- there were quite long queues. I amanged to slip between cars and get nearer to the front. Everything seemed to run like clockwork, I handed my papers, they were stamped, entered onto the system and within the hour I had my temporary import papers and was ready to go.

I slowly walked over to my bike and carefully began putting my paperwork back in my bag. I have learned that if I don't rush and take my time, then things go much more smoothly. So with this mantra in my head,  I double checked my paperwork, as I couldn't believe I had got through in under the hour without complications. Now, if I was to ask you which would be the third most unwelcome nationality on your paperwork, after Syria and Iraq, what would it be? Throughout Latin America, all customs post have huge problems with United Kingdom - is that England? Or is it Britain? England is Britain, yes? This border guard had not bothered to check with me my nationality and had entered on my paperwork - nationality AFGHANISTAN ! I hurriedly walked back to the guard and managed to get it changed.

The ride down was delightful, wonderful scenery and as we left the Andes behind we entered the Mendoza vineyard region, very reminiscent of Marlborough in New Zealand.

 The deepest blue lake, I've seen since New Zealand

Mendoza is an attractive city, not too large nor too small, but just the right size to feel at home in. This evening I walked into the centre to get some money and  see a bit of the sights. The temperature is decidedly warmer and the hotel has no aircon - so who knows how I'll sleep tonight.

 Attractive square in the centre of the town