Mendoza

November 21-26. Mendoza, Argentina. Gary and Karina left after Puno to go back to their sailboat in Valdivia, 850km south of Santiago.

Mike and Judy carried on to Mendoza, Argentina as the four of us had planned. This is their report.

Mendoza is an oasis created in the desert that stretches from the Andes mountains to the coast of Chile on the Pacific Ocean. Two million trees have been planted, all imported. There are no indigenous trees. They are watered by an irrigation system, established 2 civilizations before the Incan. This involves diverting water from the Mendoza River, which originates in the Andes. Agriculture uses 80% of the available water and people 20%.

In 1861 there was a large earthquake which flattened the city. When the city was rebuilt it was decided that everyone should be able to escape into an open area. The design is large squares with a park on every corner. The streets are wide as are the sidewalks. A unique feature is the exposed stone ditches, essentially small canals, running along each side of the road to water the trees.

As there is no grass for cows and sheep to graze on, they only raise goats and chickens.

Wine is the largest source of income, especially Malbec, followed by olives, walnuts and various fruits and vegetables. There are many wineries and the type of grape varies with the elevation of the vineyard. Oil and uranium are also exported.

A trip into the mountains reveals the desert and only very low scrub type vegetation. Enroute we stopped at the Puente del Inca, Incan Bridge. The Cuevas River has bored through the mountain forming a natural bridge. We also viewed Mt Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,962 metres (22,841’). Our niece, Karen, (Don and Lee’s Daughter) climbed this mountain up to 18,000 ft. between Dec 2000 and Jan 2001. An unfortunate set of circumstances, having nothing to do with her, required the team to quickly head back to the bottom, making further ascent impossible.

We drove as far as the Chilean border where the village of Las Cuevas has been built in a European style at 3200 metres (10,498’). As we had no passport for entry into Chile, we returned back to Mendoza.

Due to the political unrest in Santiago at the time, they decided not to stay for any tours in Santiago. They had a quick overnight stay near the airport and then returned home to Radium.Read more