Harvest Lunch at Bodega Nanni

Just a block off the main square in Cafayate, we ate lunch about 30 feet from where they were bringing in the grapes, hauled by a pickup. Then they stepped right in with their dirty boots. Very different than some of the places we have been where they are meticulously hand sorting every bunch that comes in.

The Secret of the Peruvian Paso Horse

The best!! They have a special gait that allows you to trot easily for long distances without getting bounced around too much. And they have lots of energy. Very responsive and spirited horses, and a fantastic ride through the vines, around the golf course and through the dunes. Just me, John and our gaucho, Daniel.

Horsing Around Again

This time in Cafayate, where we rode through vines, around the golf course, then through amazing sand dunes that sit in the middle of the valley about 2km from our villa.

Private Golf Course

La Estancia Cafayate. Not a soul around. Perfect greens. Awesome views 360 degrees.

Conference Call

Yep, this is living the dream.

Backyard at our Villa in Cafayate

Beautiful huge high altitude valley filled with vines. Surrounded by mountains. Ridiculously nice weather.

It Was Inevitable

After weeks of driving on unpaved roads strewn with various sizes and shapes of rocks it was when, not if, we'd get a flat. Our time ran out today while Betty was driving. Pretty easy fix except for the 3" thorns we landed in. Great job by Betty as driver.

Good Morning Cafayate

Still in northwest Argentina, this is the last of the big wine growing regions that we're visiting. Cafayate is high - about 5,500 feet - and specializes in Torrontes, an Argentine white. We're in a small valley surrounded by mountains. The drive here was like driving through the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Early morning view from our room.

Cerro de los Siete Colores

The Hill of Seven Colors. Purmamarca, Argentina. In the Andes at about 6,200 feet and a short drive from the border with Bolivia. The colors are real and come from different types of rock and mineral content. This was taken shortly after sunrise and changes throughout the day. Purmamarca is the best known spot but this type of color is all over the mountains here.

Not Again! Yes, again.

AndeLuna vineyard and restaurant.

Vineyard Lunch and Food Marathon

We are so full from the past week, we want to fast until we no longer feel like we will explode. That could take a few days. Or weeks.

But you only get to eat like this so many times in your life. Fresh everything from their garden. Perfect weather. Staring at the snow capped Andes. Incredible food. Great service.

So we have scheduled one more big lunch in the Uco Valley tomorrow. These are one-meal-days and you still feel like you couldn't eat another bite.

Cerro de la Gloria, Mendoza

Did we mention that this region has 300 days of sunshine per year?

Thus another perfect day. Bike ride through the city, the General San Martin Parque (about 300 acres larger than Central Park NYC) then switchback up the small mountain to 1,000 meters where you get a great view of the city, the foothills of the Andes, and one of the finest monuments we've seen - to the Father of the Army of the Andes. The mountain bikes we had were perfect for the task. About half the ride was over rocky trails.

Daily Chores

On the way home from the laundry. Wash and fold a bag full for about $7.50 USD.

Lunch at Ruca Malen, Luján de Cuyo

Near Mendoza. 7 courses, reputed to be the best tasting menu around Mendoza. I am only posting this picture to show the before and after on this pork dish. After cleaning his plate (there was a pork croquette under the greens on top of a sauce), John said "yeah that one didn't do it for me ...". Ha ha ha!

More Vendimia

Wanted to add one more pics which if you blow up gives you some idea how many performers are on stage at once but also to say that the really amazing thing about this is that EVERYTHING is new every year. And by everything I mean the entire amphitheater/set, costumes, props, music, choreography - the works. They build this thing new every year and the performers have about a week to rehearse this giant production in the actual space before the opening night. Packed crowds of 30-40k every night for three nights in a row. Incredible!

The Scene on the Front Plaza, Park Hyatt Mendoza During Parade

Selfies remain in style the world over.

Vendimia 2018

This could only be outdone by the opening ceremonies at the Olympics. 1,200 dancers. 18 beauty queens.

You get to the amphitheater at 8pm. Someone wins a motorcycle, then someone wins a car, about an hour of thanks to the sponsors, reading off of each queen's name and region, then the show finally starts at 10 and ends around 1am. By 2am you are tucked back in to the Park Hyatt. An amazing night.

Sunset José Ignacio Uruguay

If you want crazy sunsets, deserted big beautiful beaches, and some excellent restaurants, come here right at the tail end of the season. Still enough going on, though some restaurants were starting to close. High season pricing at the rentals, but they switched over the day after we left.

Dogs and Horses on the Beach, Uruguay

Where there are horses there are Jack Russell Terriers. Where there are big empty white sand beaches, there MUST be a crazy fun horse ride. What a day!

Lunch at Dominio del Plata, Lujan de Cuyo

Excellent. I can only go so long without posting a picture of food.  This place is owned by Susana Balbo, the first female oenologist in Argentina.  She was put in charge of developing the Torrontes varietal for the Michel Torino winery in Salta, and is still known as the queen of Torrontes.  We will have to check that out in about a week when we're in Salta.  We had to skip dinner after our huge lunch there.