Why is Argentina so Amazing?

Well this is my último día/final day in Argentina. I've officially spent every single Peso I have and I don't plan to take out anymore. Which works perfectly because I had just enough for my bus ticket to Chile, just enough for my local bus ticket around Bariloche, but was unfortunately one peso short of a zucchini for dinner.. But the lady took pity on me and let me have it anyway! I'm excited for what's to come, for bigger and better things. However Argentina was RAD. So lets just talk about that for a little while.

Rad sunset over Lago Nimez, El Calafate

Buenos freaking Aires

Where do I even begin..? If you go to BA, and you want to have a good time, go stay at a Milhouse hostel. Guranteed fun. I got to spend a week in the city with the Chan Clan exploring the city, smashing through choripan and steaks, learning how to tango and in general discovering what the night life was all about. 

Pictured - Buenos Aires

Argentinian football is unreal, and being able to see a game was a highlight. Imagine if Rogers Arena was filled with Canucks fans without a single away fan and they all knew the same 25 chants. That´s Argentine football for you. Wandering through La Boca, Palermo and Puerto Maderno were all sweet and the latter is now one of my favourite neighborhoods in the world, and it should be yours as well. 

The sweet little walking bridge in Puerto Maderno

Peninsula Valdes

Only spent a day here, and while I didn't really get under the skin of the place, I definitely saw exactly what I was looking for. What a day it was.. After several hours of trying to figure out what to do after arriving, I finally made it out the door with two Irish ladies (Coleen & Tara) and one Japanese fellow (Daiki). Immedietely getting into the rental car a horrible smell overcame us and we realized that one of us had stepped in a TON of dog poop and brought it into the car. For the record, it wasn´t me.

Whale watching with a bunch of legends

Hours of driving through crazy flat lands reminded me of the praires back home. We kept seeing all sorts of strange animals but the awesome part of the day was finally getting to Puerto Piramades and seeing Southern Right Whales! While I`ve been whale watching before, here they literally get within meters of them which was absolutely surreal to be so close to such a huge beast.

Whales. So close

Beautiful Patagonia

Winter is my favourite season of the year and I was quite happy to have an August winter in Patagonia. While I choose not to go snowboarding in Ushuaia, I did get to go hiking in Tierra del Fuego and take a boat tour around the Beagle Channel. We ended up getting lucky with a sunny and calm day for the Beagle Channel and it ended up actually turning into one of most beautiful things Ive ever seen, with the water clearly reflecting back the mountains as we glided past sea lions and leopard seals

Ushuaia from the Beagle Channel

In El Calafate I was blown away by Perito Moreno Glaciar and in El Chalten left with an itch to climb Mt. Fitz Roy. After a full on day exploring Nahual Hanui National Park today in Bariloche, I simply can't wait to return to this part of the world. The air is fresh. The sounds are strictly of nature. The beer is as fresh as the crystal clear water. And the backpackers are all a little bit more out there, for you have to be a little crazy to run away from the sun. In a good way. Obviously. 

Lago Nahuel Haupi on the left - Lago Moreno on the Right

To all the friends I've made in Argentina, to the ones that I've danced with, laughed with, trekked with, drank with, you made Argentina that much more special for me. You know who you are, Love you all.

See you all in Pucon, Chile! Time to get my volcano hiking game on ;)

Channy

Instagram & Twitter - itsnathanchan

September 2nd - Jumbo Mercado, Osorno, Chile