Exploring Argentina off the beaten path was the highlight of my trip, and Potrerillos definitely took the cake for being the best little-known destination. Follow the link to read Part 1 of my Mendoza, Argentina adventures: an incredbile biking wine tour!
I'm sure its clear by now that I am a wine-lover and aspiring (hopeful) connoisseur, but despite all the delicious flavors I'd sampled over the previous days, Potrerillos was by far my the highlight of the weekend in Mendoza. If I were to make a list of my favorite things, wine would be up there, but mountains would come first. Growing up primarily in the midwest, it has been less than a year since I first laid eyes on any of those massive rock wonders, which was an experience that, quoted from my friend Jazzy on our spring break road trip last year, was so cool that she could "hear the geology!" I have since spent two months in Quito, Ecuador and greeted the Andes as an old friend as we rolled into the foothills.
Potrerillos is a small village, so small that although its only industry is tourism, the town is host to a single, tiny tour agency and one restaurant/ice cream shop. It was rural to say the least, but what it lacked in economic activity, it made up for entirely in the incredible views of the mountains overlooking the bluest lake I have ever seen. We slathered on sunscreen and headed for the hills.
We arrived after the hour long bus ride not entirely sure what we would do when we got to Potrerillos, but it soon became clear that hiking around the lake was a must, so we set off, walking directly towards the waterline from town, making our own paths through the dried up bushed before taking a hard right towards the Mendoza residents on holiday, clad in tiny mini asados on portable grills and drinking Quilmes. We quickly realized that this place was a secret kept well-hidden by the locals.
We hiked around the south side of the lake, which began with loose stones and a slanted incline, but grew into solid cliffs and bluffs as the landscapes and the rock types changed. Soon we found ourselves climbing high above the waterline, looking down over the beautiful lago and up at amazing red rocks. After a few miles, we reached a cliff with space enough for the seven of us to do cartwheels (though we didn't) and we broke out one of the free bottles of wine from the day before. The spot was a perfect photo opportunity, and as a group with a female ratio of 6:1, we took advantage of it. Karl was a good sport though, and played photographer for a bit as he swigged more wine when we weren't looking. 😉
Of course, no hike around a lake would be complete without a swim in its waters. We descended our cliff and made camp along the rocky shore, playing music through Karl's handy bluetooth speaker and opening another bottle from Mr. Hugo's. The water was bitterly cold, but it was so refreshing after the hike and it washed away our lingering wine hangovers.
We hiked back up a road that we discovered was a chute for all the cars of Mendoza weekenders at the beach area nearby. It was not as picturesque, but we soon reached the main road and came upon a sight that we had somehow overlooked on the bus ride to Potrerillos amidst our awe with the giant lake. Ahead of us was a massive red rock bluff, which we casually decided to hike. The top provided an incredible view of the small town and the expanse of the lake and mountains. We climbed up the front side, but soon learned that the back descent was much easier and less nerve inducing for those mildly acrophobic among us (me). It was a beautiful end to a fresh-air day, and we spent the last several hours in Potrerillos chilling at the delicious and inexpensive single restaurant in town waiting for our bus and sharing laughs.
I think the most interesting thing about my Mendoza weekend is that the highlights of it–really the only two parts worth mentioning, did not take place in the city of Mendoza. I had imagined city strolls amongst fancy wineries and late-night bars and parties, but what made the weekend amazing was just getting out of the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires and experiencing something outdoors for a change. Cities are wonderful cultural hubs with endless activities, but taking time to visit the periphery is important too. If we had chosen to stay inside the city of Mendoza our experience would have been completely different; we would not have had a hilarious drunken bike adventure in a town with a comical-sounding name or have dipped our toes into the peaceful, crystal blue lake in Potrerillos at the foot of the Andes mountains.
This was my first taste of life outside Buenos Aires, and I really don't understand what all the locals mean about BA being the only place that matters. While I know I will never forget my experience living in the city, it is the excursions and adventures on the side that make traveling worthwhile and unexpectedly beautiful. I am going to the beach town of Mar de Plata next weekend, and then leave for a 16-day adventure in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile in mid-March. I am ecstatic; I can't put into words my excitement, but I hope that when I return, I can put them onto paper.