We´ve just spent the last week in Bariloche in the middle of the Argetinian Lake District. The place is absolutely stunning but it seems to have made us a little too enthusiastic on the activity front!
So far we have decided to walk about 4 miles and climb up a mountain higher than Snowdon (well, it did have nice views was our slightly bizarre reason for doing this - I have to admit we did take the cable car back down again though.) Then we accidently went on an 11 mile walk round the Circuito Chico (also known as the little circuit - it doesn´t feel so little when you walk it all though). We had only planned to walk about 5 miles through the forest and past a few more lakes enjoying the scenery. But, when we got to the end, the bus didn´t come. At 4pm we had to make a choice; walk the 6 miles back to the main road and get back to civilisation or wait in the middle of nowhere for a bus that may not come. So, being the sensible little people we are, we started walking so we could get back in daylight. Now, it wouldn´t have been so bad if the route had been flat...the only road took us through a panoramic viewing point and was a little undulating to put it mildly. Then just before the main road, after nearly an extra 2 hours of walking, the bus passed us and refused to stop as we weren´t at a bus stop (it was 2 minutes round the corner). We really did feel a little jinxed by that point - but we made it, with slightly tired feet! Even on our ´quiet´ days we´ve been scrambling over rocks to view retreating glaciers and strolling along the lake shores. Oh, and our lovely hostel is at the top of a very steep hill - just what you need after a huge Bife de Chorizo!
The exercising hasn´t been confined to Bariloche though, in Mendoza our previous stop we climbed hills, cycled round vinyards and went horseriding. The only dilemma now though is how we´re going to manage our 36 hour bus trip down to El Calafate with no chance to exercise...?
Sarah
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