Bariloche

W 12.26.12

• today we were treated to a great tour guide who drove us around and outside of Bariloche in a tour van with a family of four and another couple...was personal, and a great introduction to the area
• again, blown away by the scenery today...been a real challenge to choose photos for the blog...take a look:

• ski lift ascent to enjoy some mountain/lake/town views:

• nice hair, Becky...it was quite windy up there!

• the rose hip stop: Bariloche grows a LARGE amount of rose hip...so they make all kinds of products out of it...tea, lip balm, lotion etc...
• here, we got to sample these products:

• Mary and Paul were smart and purchased some rose hip lip balm to soothe their glacier-sun-burned lips
• we then stopped at a little chapel on a hill 

• snapped a sneaky shot of this big boy

• soaked in more views, including the famous Llao Llao Hotel, where we didn't stay, but some others on our tour did

• we then made our way to another ski lift at Cerro Catedral, a well-known ski resort area outside of Bariloche

churro and hot chocolate to hold us (me) over until lunch...was literally liquid chocolate

• a bite to eat on the mountain

• Paul, Jake, and I went up one last ski lift...just to get a little bit higher...

• ...and to play in the snow for a few minutes

• ...and to take in a few last views before our return to the city center

• <3 cloud shadows ^^^... v v v 

• time make our way back down 

• we spend the rest of the afternoon exploring little downtown Bariloche
• where we found loads of CHOCOLATE!!! ...lots was sampled...lots was purchased...Rapa Nui...Mamuschka...GO THERE!

• we were able to squeeze in a reservation tonight at the usually-full, very-popular Bariloche restaurant, (#1 on Trip Advisor), Alto el Fuego

• provoleta came out sizzling (as it should)

• some of the best meat and fish we've had yet!

• plus we got to watch the chef prepare our meat

• of course, finished off with a little dessert sampler...the one in the middle is a common Argentine dessert, dulce de batata of over cheese...not my fave, but fun to try