Our first trip to the South American continent, to Argentina. We enjoyed exploring the city of Buenos Aires and escaped to the breathtaking mountains and lakes of Patagonia.
Buenos Aires
Highlights:
- Our first Empanadas at La xxx in xxx
- The Malbec!
- The colourful streets of xxx in La Boca
- The steak! In particular, the steak from Desnivel in xxx. Our experience here dining alongside the locals and their families was so good!
- Leisurely games of chess in the city’s parks and beautiful botanical gardens
- Dulce de Leche!
- Dancing all night at the amazing Argentinian wedding of our friends from London
Patagonia
Exploring Buenos Aires was fantastic, but we were really blown away by the beauty of Patagonia. We stayed outside the city of Bariloche in a cabin surrounded by trees, with a warm wooden interior and large picture windows. On arrival, we put the tin kettle on the gas hob, had cups of tea and dozed to the pitter patter of rain.
*Photos of the air bnb*
During our time in Bariloche we kayaked, hiked and rewarded our efforts with beers in the gardens of the Patagonian breweries.
*Photos and caption of Patagonia brewery*
Kayaking around lake xxx was incredible. The views of the surrounding snow capped mountains were spectacular. It was amazing to see the mountainous landscape from that different perspective when on lake xxx itself – very different but equally as breathtaking as the views from above on our hikes!
*photos*
Our other major highlight in Patagonia was hiking up to and staying the night in Refugio Frey. What was amazing about this hike was all the different terrains we passed through – from scrambling over waterfalls, past burnt silver birches with vistas of the emerald lakes, into forest speckled with sunlight and up past the snow covered mountains with condors flying above us.
*photos*
We climbed up and over boulders until the shelter was in view then finally, for the last 500 m or so stretch, carefully treaded over the compacted knee deep snow to reach its front door. Bringing our swimsuits with us was an error! The glacial lake xxx behind Refugio Frey is stunning and apparently glorious to swim in during the summer months but at the end of November when we were there it was completely frozen over!
*photos*
Snow and ice surrounded Refugio Frey which made it feel extra cosy and warm when in the shelter itself. On arrival we hunkered down drinking hot chocolate, chatting to the other visiting hikers and mountain climbers, and playing many games of chess. When looking up from the chessboard, we were continuously amazed with the view.
*photos*
The Refugio Frey hike could easily be done in a day but we wanted to experience an overnight stay in this infamous shelter. A great little adventure!
