MENDOZA - WINE REGION OF ARGENTINA

Arrived in Mendoza at 1pm and went to our Hotel Urbana in the centre of the city and was warned to keep an eye out by a local.
Was siesta time so all the shop fronts have the steel shutters down, which makes it look less appealing and in a seedy area.

Thankfully after siesta we discovered it to be a great area, near the plaza and most nice restaurant's. They only eat here from 10pm onwards, and the place becomes alive with the locals and the kids. Had a delicious meal in one of the finer restaurants of Mendoza in my slip slips and shorts.
Once again not knowing what to expect but visualizing a Napa or Stellenbosch of Argentina. Was I in for a shock.Caught the bus to the wine route and then rented bicycles to tour the wineries.
What a disappointment as we rode through residential areas to visit the wineries, furthest thing from Napa or Stellenbosch. Nonetheless the wineries themselves  were great, dating back to the 1800's. They give a great tour, not that I could understand a word but the wine was good and the architecture was interesting.

Could only manage three wineries on the bicycle, but the cycle shop had free wine afterwards which was barely drinkable, but was a great vibe being around all the youngsters travelling. Great bunch of kids from Israel travelling  for eight months and was fascinating to hear their stories about the army and life in Israel. I invited them all to come stay with us when they get to the USA and hope they take me up on the offer, so my neighbor Bob can entertain them while I am working, cause they like to suck down beers.
We stayed in Mendoza to long, by two days. Went for a four hour hike up in the hills outside Mendoza on the last day and visited all the plaza's again and had another fine meal at a real nice place. All the streets are lined with huge trees which makes the hot days somewhat bearable and adds to the beauty of a somewhat drab city. Not a place I would come back to in a hurry.