There’s something about cities situated on lakes and surrounded by mountains that makes me happy. Queenstown, New Zealand is one of those cities – a place that is famous for allowing you to both downhill ski and water ski in the same day.
San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina is another. Situated on a lake, it serves as a gateway for those who want to visit the rugged Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego regions of southern Argentina. While I was only able to visit Bariloche for one night in January of 2010, I knew that I was in for a treat as we drove along Ruta 40 and entered the city limits. We could see the city across Nahuel Huapi lake well before we reached it, and I managed to snap this photo of the city in front of the mountains before we made our way into town.
I consider the travel experiences I gain in my 20’s and 30’s to be a preview for extended travels in the future. I can’t wait for the opportunity to come where I can spend more than one night in San Carlos de Bariloche.