Heading further south so a town I had heard fantastic things about, Mendoza. Even people from Buenos Aries rave about this place and as that`s the best place I´ve been to so far I was excited.

On our first night we met a crazy Chinese boy (who is quite possibly the most enthusiastic person I have ever met), a couple of English girls, a scotsman with crazy eyes, a Belgum boy who`s name neither of us could remember (and thus dubbed Belgy), and a yank called Andrew who became yanky doodle Andy (yak yak yak). This was the group that we took with us on our tour of the local wineries.

Trying to organise this many people to do anything always turns into a nightmare, and I realised how relaxed I must have become when I only got a tiny bit irritable and snippy... what a result.

The day consists of hireing bikes and cycling round the numerous vinyards and wineries around Mendoza. It`s supposed to be a nice leisurely day out but of course ended up being a mad dash through the rain to try and get as much red down you in the small amount of time we had left of the day.

We were however rewarded for this at the end of the day by the most beautiful rainbow I`ve ever seen.

Next on the agenda was more white water rafting. After hours of typical South American waiting around we set of with a guide who seemed to think it was a great idea to wear his shorts over his trousers. This should have been a warning. This guy turned out to be a world class nutter.

We launched ourselves onto the water and rowed along for a while, skitting over a few sections of rapids. After every rapid the guides would yell, 'celebration', to which we were supposed to bash our paddles together in the air and cheer. Fine. Our guide however seemed to tire of this after a while.

After the next rapid he stands up on the sides of the boat and trys to get us all to do the same. Four people all balanced precariously on a raft heading swiftly for the next rapids. The next one was to stand up and slap our arses at the bemused looking fisherman on the banks of the river. And as we finished the course he had us all wedged into the front of the boat, sitting on top of each other in what appeard to be an attempted to flip the ratt.

What an awsome time! I don`t think I stoped smilling once. Topped by going arse over tit into the water and being bodily hauled out by the guide, after which I don`t think I could actually stop giggleing.

I think Mendoza is now definatly my favouite place of my whole trip. Every one of it`s wide avenues is lined with beautiful trees, all the people we met were awesome, it`s full of beautiful plazas with fountains and little markets, just outside are some of the most fantastic mountains, our hostal had a pool and a great garden, your stopped by men on the street at least three times a day just so they can tell you how beautiful you are.

I even recieved a marrage proposal when I was there. A man who must of been at least 60 stopped us in the street and told the belgum boy I was with that I was 'bonita', and that I should marry him as he was single and had lots of money. He then proceeded to get caught up in a playful tussle with his friend and run off giggleing. I love this place!

My last night there (as well as my last in Argentina) was marked in the only way it could have been, by a huge amount of steak and red wine. Today we caught a bus back to Chile. The road to the boarder is one of the most beatiful I´ve travelled. Scores of weeping willows and bright green and golden poplars sat onto rich red earth and intense greens of the plains. This on a backdrop of dark green mountain with snow capped peaks visible behind all lit with the warm golden sunshine of the start of the Argentinian autum. There were tears as I crossed the boarder and a heart felt promise to myself to return.

I really can`t describe how I feel about this country except to say that it`s a feeling as close to romantic love as I can imagine. It has so many levels of warmth it`s almost tangible. I can`t imagine a better place to be.