I just returned to civilization and internet access from a multi-day ski trip to Frey Hut so I’m completing this update a little later than intended.
Tuesday, August 27th, my first full day in Bariloche, I decided to sleep in and be lazy after the crazy adventure getting here. When I did come too, I was pleasantly surprised to open the blinds to an incredible view.
My goal for the day was to get a few groceries, establish my bearings, and figure out where the things I needed were for a longer term stay — supermarkets, SIM card, bourbon and bitters, coffee, tea, ski helmet — the important stuff.
While I was walking about it was hard not to notice the abundance of chocolate shops and extremely touristy stores selling various nicknacks. They line Mitre street and are quite prevalent on many other streets.
Mamushka is one of the most popular chocolate shops in the town.
Sometimes too much selection prevents one from being able to make a choice…
For my first real dinner in Bariloche I went to a steak place that was quite close to where I’m staying called El Refugio del Montanes de Julian. The steak was pretty damn good and the wine was decent but it wasn’t the mind blowing meal I was hoping for. Certainly better than the chips and cookies for the previous night’s meal.
On Wednesday, with a list of places to go, I went around town and picked up everything I was missing for day to day living and my ski adventures. After a quite a bit of walking and carrying, I returned to the apartment with my loot, made an old fashioned, and made plans for dinner. I decided to head back to the pub (Manush) that I enjoyed after arriving on Monday to try their food since the kitchen was closed by the time I made there. It didn’t disappoint. I tried some more of their beers and had a tasty pork dish with a great mushroom sauce.
Thursday, I skied. The morning was a bit bleh so I didn’t rush. I drove to Cerro Catedral, the local ski resort, and bought an afternoon pass. It hadn’t snowed too much recently so waiting for the sun to come out in the afternoon was a good move. I explored the upper areas of the mountain and found a few nice runs. The good ones involved a bit of hiking of course 😉 Towards the end of the day they opened up the highest lift (equivalent to Whistler peak chair) because the wind had died down. I snapped a few shots of the terrain in behind the resort (where I just returned from for my hut trip).
The prominent peak in the second picture is Tronador. Weather permitting we should be heading up that one early next week.
After my resort skiing I had my first mind blowing Argentinian steak later in the evening at Alto el Fuego. It was truly amazing *cry*. I will definitely be heading back.
Friday was rainy and windy. I spent the day relaxing and catching up on e-mails and photos. I did find another nice place for dinner called Kandahar. Deciding to try something besides steak I went with trout fried in butter which was oh so very tasty.
Saturday was filled with trip preparation — organizing gear and meeting with my guide and the rest of the group.
And on the 7th day, he was picked up at 9am on Sunday AM for the start of some mountain adventures.
i want steak!!!!! mail some to 3346 w. 10th ave plz 😉
Does any steakhouse in Vancouver compare? *cry*
Maybe one of the fancy ones but I’ve never been. Regardless, steak + good wine at a Gotham’s or Hy’s will probably cost 5-8x the $20-30 the steak and wine here does. Nom!