3 to 6 March: Mendoza

Mendoza is Argentina's most famous and important wine region. It is an attractive city, with the snow capped Andes acting as an impressive backdrop to both it and surrounding bodegas (wineries).

We eventually reached Mendoza via Buenos Aires from Bariloche and whilst not the most direct route, it was definitely worth it.

We were lucky enough to arrive on the main evening of Argentina's most famous wine festival - just as soon as we had arrived at the hotel we were back out the front door in a taxi to 'Vendimia 2007'(http://www.vendimia.mendoza.gov.ar/vendimia/). We managed to buy great tickets from a tout that sat us 20 rows from the front and next to the press, in the packed stadium for 20,000 with another 30,000 sat outside on the hills. The show told the story of the history of the region and the story of the annual wine harvest, finishing with a Miss Vendimia 2007 contest (Miss Grapes?).

We also visited 3 of Mendoza's wineries in Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu which was great fun- hic!

1 to 3 March: Bariloche

After El Calafate we flew to Bariloche, the Argentine Lake District. Beautiful surroundings, with the region's largest lake, Lago Nahuel Huapi, lapping at the shoreline of our Hosteria. We spent the first day here relaxing but we were intent on one major trek.... so we decided to trek to the top of Cerro Lopez and its quaint but very necessary pink Refugio. At 2,000m, the reward for our efforts were the spectacular views throughout our climb. We slept particularly well that night!!

Orcas and Penguins!!!

Orcas pack hunting a Minke whale on day 13, Antarctic Peninsula



King Penguins, Salisbury Plain, Souh Georgia





Gentoo penguins, Antarctic Peninsula



Rockhopper Penguins, Falklands