Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report My Argetina Trip ...part 2

Both our return internal flights were with Aerolineas, and despite hearing nightmare stories about this airline, we had no problems at all. The one big problem was beyond their control because of the smoke in BsAs.

When we arrived in Salta, Angie was waiting for us. We weren't starting to tour with her til the next day, but there she was!! a nice surprise.
Angie is warm, caring and went out of her way to make this a wonderful trip.
The north west truly is breathtaking.
Anything you may have read about how beautiful it is, is definately true.
The mountains were unbelievable. I loved it all.

In Salta we went to the museum to see the mummies of LLullaillaco Volcano. Very interesting and worthwhile.

Angie drove us through the coloured mountains, we stopped in Purmamarca for lunch.. I LOVE the empanadas!
Oh did I mention I LOVE the dulce de leche??? LOVE IT!!

We drove to a height of 4170 m high. and 240 KM fromt eh Chili border.
Then on to the salt flats.. Salinas Grandes. It looked like a frozen lake and I kept thinking we'd fall through.. quite amazing to see.

We stayed in Purmamarca and loved it.

The next day we went across the border into Bolivia to shop. Quite an experience. I'm glad we went .
I was in awe of the outfits the women wore and tried to discreetly take pictures.

If you are in the northwest and are near a guanaco ( a wild llama) , don't get too close.. I had one ( in captivity, spit in my face... goop all over me! Then he tried to reach some food just outside his fence. Stupid me went close to push it through the fence... and he spit at me again.

In Talcara, we ate at a fabulous restaurant called Yacon. It was one of the best meals of my whole trip. IF you are in this area, don't miss this restaurant.
Enter LaValle y San Martin.
Address is Rivadavia 222.

The next day we headed south on HIghway 68. Breathtaking.... fabulous. I truly loved this drive. I was so happy Angie was driving , so I could concentrate on each and every mountain.
We drove to Cafayete, where we went to a winery, and also a cheese factory.

The drive back was just as spectacular , seeing everything from the opposite direction.

In Salta I bought a beautiful pair of leather boots. The leather is so soft.

SO the very last day was the only snag.. the smoke in BsAs was so thick, the airport was closed, so we were 'stuck in Margarittaville'!!..in Salta til after midnight, when a plane finally arrived to take us back to the 'Big Smoke' so to speak!

I was in contact with Isabel who had been in touch with our B&B and assured us we could still arrive there, no matter how late.
IT was in Palermo and we knocked on the door at 4 in the morning, to be greeting by Nora , the owner. SHe was great and so was her B&B.
IT's Bed & Baires Guest House,
at Malabia 1935 in Palermo. www.bedandbaires.com.ar We loved it, even though we were only there a few hours. Then we were up and off to the airport to head for home.

A truly wonderful trip!!!

Air Canada once again fed us 3 times.