Today I have crosed back from Santiago to Argentina and the city of Mendoza. The reason for this is that the journey through the mountains is said to be spectacular. I have been so lucky as the grey day of yesterday turned into a bright sunny day today.
The area is steeped with history and many battles were fought through the pass eventually O'Higgins who proclaimed independance in Chillan in 1818 was one of the victors. Yes it's 200 years this year thet chile is celebrating independence. Yes I did the maths as well and apparantly they are celebrating from the start of the War of Independence, I expect they will celebrate again in 2018!!
Anyway the journey was worth every peso and I hope the photo's give some Idea of the civil engineering to get the road through! What is even more amazing is that there is a railway alongside the road most of the way. It has not been used for 20 years but in 2005 both Argentina and chile agreed to have it open again for the 200th celebrations in 2010. Seeing as how they have not yet started work yet they must mean 2018!
Tomorrow it's wine tasting day so I'll say ado till maybe Tuesday or even Wednesday!
Chow!!
