A love affair (with Mendoza)
I spent a few short days in Mendoza, Argentina in February 2015, and I’ve never been the same since.
To be honest, Mendoza, felt like a passionate, whirlwind holiday romance. The kind you spend reliving over and over in your head.
It did, and said, all the right things. It swept me off my feet.
Our whirlwind romance began on day one. Mendoza took me on a romantic walk. We meandered through the big leafy streets, bustling sidewalk cafes and restaurants, lively plazas and beautiful parks. We took in the sweet smells and vibrant sites of this laid-back metropolis. Straight away, I knew Mendoza was different, I’d never felt this way about a city before.
Mendoza continued to romance me. It took me on a winery tour with Martin’s bikes. We pedalled our bikes through gorgeous country-side, laughing and taking in the green, leafy streets between wineries, intermittently taking a break to sip some of the country's best wine at the cellar door with passionate and intriguing wine-makers. Oh how quickly I had begun to fall in love with Mendoza.
And with a sunset horseback ride, I was done. I was totally and unequivocally in love with Mendoza. Los Pingos picked us up and took us to their ranch. We were introduced to our horses and set off into the beautiful countryside. We climbed mountains and valleys. We took in the fresh air and the stunning golden sunset hues, to the gentle, rhythmic sway of our horses. Once the sparkling night sky came to life, we returned to the ranch for another asado and bottomless carafes of deep red wine. Our host brought out a guitar and began to serenade with his sultry Argentine accent. As I looked around the table, I knew I wasn’t the only one in love with Mendoza.
Whilst it was a brief holiday romance, I still find myself reliving those few short days in Mendoza with a bottle of imported Malbec and my feet firmly on Aussie soil.
You must go, but be prepared for the love affair that is Mendoza!
