December 28- last day in Mendoza

It was a strange start to the day. Our checkout was 10am and our request for a later checkout was refused as the room was booked for the next guests. However, breakfast was either at 8:30 or 10:30am. We chose 10:30  because we needed the extra sleep for the long journey ahead. We got ourselves all packed up and brought our luggage to the front desk to be checked in. Turns out breakfast is served in the room- our room! So... off we go back to our room to wait. What about the 10am checkout? oh well. We get served a scrumptious if not very nutritionally great breakie of croissants, cookies, juice and  thin coffee... lots of white starchy stuff- the usual.

Next we were off to the market to pick up a few last minute things. We found this cute little thing all curled up like it was sleeping. I should have asked how much it was.

This image has given me nightmares

You can buy ham 1000 ways here in Argentina. The dried kind is our favorite! Proscuitto, proscuitto everywhere! 

Even though the market is one of our favorite places to be in any country we decided to hail a taxi and see the aquarium. Other than the giant sea turtle named George, it was a bit like visiting any slightly decrepit  pet store back home. The Giant toad in all its stages of development was kinda cool too.

Hollis and Bowen are all stocked up on fireworks to let off on the beach for New Years. These temporary stores have popped up everywhere and judging by the  brisk business, New Years Eve will be a noisy and smoky affair in this country. Fireworks weren't allowed in Chile which made the boys "hate that country" so we hope this purchase will lift their spirits.

A quick trip into the Art and Cultural Center was a nice respite from the heat and an opportunity to check out some cool art made entirely of spoons.

The boys were stoked to get the luxury treatment on the bus again. Turns out we had the same hostess as we did on the trip coming to Mendoza. What a hard job she has especially when two giggly Canadian boys are aboard! It was an uneventful trip. We were served ham 4 ways (again) and a bunch of cheap alcohol ( again). Our hotel is fantastic! 2 bathrooms and a separate bedroom- yahoo!

~ Liz