In Mendoza we stay in the municipal camping. Our intention is to stay the shortest possible time in this large city of almost 2 millions inhabitants. The temperature is between 30 and 35°C … the city is nice with beautiful pedestrian alleys, smart hotels, pleasant places… the children are happy to find Mc Donald's. We enjoy the good weather and taste a lot of ice creams.

Luka likes a lot the 'gnagnaces' ...

It's time for the maintenance: cleaning of the vehicle & washing of clothes…. anyhow everybody takes time to relax.

Luka does not appreciate the showers too much, that's why Catherine improvises a small bath in a bowl for him…

While Catherine goes shopping with the girls, Daniel meets Richard. He is an American missionary. It is the day for the distribution of the meals to the homeless people… This is done along the pavement…

 

We were sitting on a terrace of a restaurant when a man said “Hello, my name is Alessandro… I am movie producer and I would like to make a film about your trip and your car…”. We are a little bit surprised but we accept.

He will join us at the end of the afternoon with a second cameraman, Pablo. Daniel presents the family, our equipment & the trip in front of the camera.

Alessandro worked during 10 years in Buenos Aires for the main argentinian TV and he is independent today. The film he is making at the moment is for the argentinian TV.

Alessandro comes back the following day and proposes to organize an “asado” with other friends.

It's a good opportunity for us to stay longer than planned in Mendoza...

Daniel goes with Alessandro and Pablo for a 4x4 demonstration for the film with the Defender.

During that time Yasim joins us in the camping and prepares the asado with Cyntia & Pablo's wife… Yasim travelled a lot in Europe and South America.
 

After the asado, Yasim proposes us to visit a private zoo and then invites us to meet his family…

The private zoo is in the back of a sumptuous building, it was a discotheque in the past.

There are several sorts of animals: peacocks, pink flamingos, lamas, goats, pigs, piché (armadillo), a toucan,…
 

Stroke the lama is funny but not the kisses…

Male or female ? ...

It's very hot outside ! A bit cold water is refreshing...

Later on, we are joining Yasim's family ... We are all happy to jump in their swimming pool.

Yasim's parents have also travelled a lot and tell us about their trip with their 3 kids with a motorhome in Europe ...

What a wonderful family ! Thank you  Alessandro and Yasim and thanks to all the family for their great welcome ...

The following day, we leave the camping. We say good bye to Annemarie and Fons, who had joined us for asado the day before. Since 5 years, they travel 6 months in South America and stay the other 6 months at home in Holland. They have superbly arranged their Mercedes 208, which offers them full comfort.

On the way towards Chile, Alessandro and Jorge (the future compere of  Alessandro's report) accompany us for the last part of the film.

We are again close to the cordillera and we are leaving Alessandro heavy-hearted.
 

The last catch:

The Defender starts & Daniel shouts out of the window : 'Goodbye Argentina'
 

We continue our way towards the border, the landscape is superb.

 At 3000 m above sea level, we are in front of the Aconcagua, the highest mountain of America…

And a last gigantic Condor comes to greet us...In front of us the Chilean border and behind us Argentina…

Ciao Argentina ...