BARILOCHE - DAY 1

OK - so after a very easy transfer from BA to Bariloche today, day took a major bollocks turn as i found out that ALL MY SODDING MONEY had been stolen from my checked luggage. Bugger, bugger, bugger. $900 down the pan. Tried to console myself with the thought that it could have been much worse - at least they didnt nick the Dairy Milk. Or my green card. Poor old Sam was trying to cheer me up, but it was a bit of a relentless task for an hour or so, so i took out my frustration by swearing profusely at the crap drivers in Bariloche. Felt much better after a while and after some lunch - the scenery was so stunning, it was hard to remain down for very long. So, in the afternoon, we took the Circuito Chico route around Bariloche and Lago Nahuel Huapi. Wow. It was absolutely stunning. The drive was about 40kms round trip and went round the lake via Llao Llao - the Hotel Llao Llao is very famous (another one on the 1000 Places List!) so of course we stopped for plenty of photo-ops and the obligatory hot chocolate! On the way back, we managed to find our way down to the lake's edge for some more pics before heading back to the hostel (via the supermercado) for a supper of steak and frites (plus lots of comforting Dairy Milk for me). Also checked out the local Malbec for $3 a bottle (yes - there's a common theme here!) - yummy! The views from the hostel are absolutely gorgeous - Sam took this photo at sunset and it really does look like that!! (check out his website for more from today!). Anyway, that's all for today - more tomorrow!