Anything you want

"Some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something. Unless you've lived so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all. In which case you failed by default.

 J.K. Rowling - Harvard Speech 2008

Life is too short to...

* not fall in love deeply

* have a job that you don't love

* postpone getting a ticket to go to that place (or places) you've been dreaming of

* not tell people how you feel

* not be who you really are

* not dance and sing MORE

* not spend a quiet day with yourself

* not help make a difference

* not feel gratitude (for the small things also)

* not be a better sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, wife, husband, father, friend, grandfather, grandson, grandaughter...

* not tweet

* not be the best at whatever it is that you do

* not smile

* be too worried about consuming chocolate, coffee, wine

* not read more

* not do sports as often as you can

* not spend more time in contact with nature

* not hug

* not take risks

* not be more curious



Please tell us what other things "life is too short to..." miss. We'd love to know your thoughts on this. xx

The Tao

We recently found a copy of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu. Have you read it? if you haven't, we recommend it. The book was a gift from Michelle's father. In the dedication, he noted that, as a boy, he had the chance to be in a lecture by a famous physicist at the university. He was 16 then. Her father asked the physicist what book would he recommend if he could only choose one. To which the physicist replied: the Tao.

It is, in our opinion a difficult book to understand, at first. Perhaps, a good idea is to read it a couple of times. We value the teachings of the Tao because of how different they are to Western values. We were taught, for example, that when we feel that change is necessary, it can be achieved through effort and perseverance. Contrary to this thought and more aligned with the theory of Acceptance, the Tao, says that we should accept what is in front of us without wanting the situation to be other than it is.

We should study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try and change what is, only sets up resistance. It teaches us that nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks. The idea behind the Tao is to let yourself flow as freely as possible.

Whatever you're trying to accomplish, it will happen more naturally if you stop looking for results and value the "trip", walk that path.

If your mind is calm you will come to "understand" which means "to stand under". Te - which may be translated as "virtue" or "strength" lies always in Tao, or "natural law" in other words: Simply be.

To Westerners who may disagree, or are not willing to accept a different perspective, this may just be a "Chineese tale*"!

But, a good one to think about.



*Chineese tale is the translation for "Cuento Chino" an Argentinian Film with Buenos Aires- born actor, Ricardo Darín

2011

“A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...

It feels an impulse...this is the place to go now.

But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.”

- Richard Bach

The great Outdoors

Arelauquen Golf and Country Club.

If you are looking for a mix of relaxation, romance and action for your coming vacation, Arelauquen Golf and Country Club is the place to go, specially if you have kids.

Arelauquen is conveniently located 15 minutes away from Bariloche's airport. The property is surrounded by the Andes mountains and the Nahuel Huapi National Park; it's close to Cerro Catedral, Bariloche's major skiing center and in front of Lago Gutierrez. No matter where you stand, there are magnificent views and the most breathtaking sunsets over Lake Gutierrez.

Arelauquen has an office that takes care of all your requests. You can either choose to rent a villa or stay at the lodge. Someone will always be waiting for you on the date of your arrival regardless of the time (I've tested this many times!). You can arrange to hire housekeeping service so you can go out and enjoy your activities, perhaps a romantic dinner with your soulmate? and have everything taken care of when you get back to the house.

There are so many activities in Arelauquen, we recommend you to plan ahead! If you like horses, you can go horseback riding up in the mountains, get ready for the views! they are something hard to describe or even picture. You can take riding lessons, polo lessons or watch polo matches. You can take gym classes or lift weights, choose the kind of massage or treatment you would like to receive at the spa, relax in any of their gorgeous common spaces, swim, rest and/or have a drink in their indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool, practice kayaking, windsurfing or fly fishing, go sailing, go mountain hiking, play tennis or golf and you can also arrange to send your children to the Kid's Club where a similar array of activities are organized for them by very experienced staff, including camping!

Arelauquen's Club House has a living room section, a quiet library "for adults only" (very important!), a TV Room, besides the spa, fitness area, pool and coffee-bar. There is a recreation area for children and teenagers that has ping pong tables, pool tables, "metegol" games (soccer), wii and wii games, and toys and games for little children and toddlers.

Keep in mind that you will need a car to move around Arelauquen and to explore Bariloche and its surrounding areas, such as Villa la Angostura. The villas offered for rent look good in the photos but are always better than that in reality.

Taking all this information into account, you can enjoy a two week vacation and go back home knowing that you'd love to come back for more Patagonia magic.

We've experienced Arelauquen and we highly recommend it.
Co-post: Vale and Mich

Photos 2 and 4: Vale's kids with their grandfather.

Natural Selection

Photos: Florian Von der Fecht


About fourteen European countries could fit in Argentina and there would still be space left.

With over 210,000 acres of pristine land, Bahía Bustamante - a private farm in Southern Patagonia, is a good example of the vastness of land that Argentina is blessed with.

Upon arrival, one is enchanted by stunning views of magnificent landscapes and wildlife. The deep-blue ocean in front of you, the austerity of the accommodations which enhance the beauty of the vast, natural surroundings; the cold, crisp air that energizes. It's a gift of the Gods. Perhaps the answer to a crazy life in a modern world. The answer to a prayer for a bit of calm and connection with nature. An undisturbed view of the horizon: "look at me, I'm here" it says. Yes, Mr. Horizon, it's you that hides behind those tall buildings in noisy cities. It's you that I miss.

Bahia Bustamante is far, yes. It's also beautiful because of that. A desirable destination for those who have covered much of the world and are in search of a wonderful place to chill in peace and enjoy nature. A destination with no crowds cause nobody even knows this place exists. And, for those few lucky ones that do, know this: only 18 people are allowed there at once. Soriano, owner of the property, would like to keep it this way. He's very much into protecting the environment, and more so when it comes to his own heavenly land.

Bahia is quiet and breathtaking. It offers no more and no less than the great and simple pleasures of life: a sky full of stars, home-cooked meals, wine, comfortable lodging, beautiful sceneries, sunny mornings, penguins playing around you, attractive guanacos (kind of like a llamas) carelessly walking around; AND, when you get tired of sleeping, eating and reading, there are plenty of exciting things to do: horseback riding, kayaking, walking on the beach, or exploring the property's 65-million-year-old petrified forest.


Special thanks to: Bahia Bustamante

wine in the Andes

Mendoza, Argentina - One of the eight World Wine Capitals of the world

Mendoza is an oasis at the feet the Andes Mountain Range, the highest of America.
The imposing hills, sun, plentiful rivers, and fertile lands give birth to Argentina's
famed wine with Malbec as the signature grape.

When it comes to relaxation and activities, Mendoza has a world to offer: outdoor
adventures such as horseback riding, mountain climbing, skiing, 4x4
crossing, rafting, vinotherapy spa treatments, etc. There is also a
rich cultural scene with theaters, museums and art galleries.
Other options include international cuisine and regional specialties, and of course wine - the trademark of this city.
Engage in planting, harvesting and making wine. Personalized
circuits have been conceived to share locals' passion for the vineyards, wineries,
restaurants, wine lodges and most importantly the visitors!

So let's see some of the vineyards that I like (of course there are many more) and why I like them:

O. Fournier















Photo courtesy: O. Fournier

O'Fournier is a winery located in the beautiful Uco Valley. The Spanish
family Ortega Gil-Fournier, established their dramatic and innovative
winery at the turn of the millennium. This architectural wonder has been
designed to work with gravity to minimize the use of pumps, and its
underground cellar holds up to 2,800 oak barrels at a constant
temperature and humidity. Their state-of-the-art laboratory has
micro-vinification capabilities.
The vineyard produces remarkable Tempranillos, and a blend of
Cabernet-Malbec-Tempranillo. The chef of the restaurant at the
winery, awaits with her signature fusion-cuisine, while the
wine-maker explains to us how to do the wine- paring with their
awarded wines, including their top wine A Crux, B Crux and Urbano.

Vistalba

Photo courtesy: Vistalba

Carlos Pulenta’s winery is another must visit. Carlos is a direct descendant
of the Pulenta lineage of winemakers. His Vistalba winery is a model
establishment and an architectural jewel: a product- focused
facility aimed at maximizing the quality of his wines in a stark, modern, understated building surrounded by 120 acres of vineyards.
All grapes are picked and sorted by hand, and each barrel and
bottle is carefully tracked throughout the production processes.















At Vistalba we can always enjoy a splendid lunch surrounded by the
Vineyards at La Bourgogne, the winery's sleek restaurant run by chef
Jean Paul Boundoux, considered by the Great Wine Capitals organization
as one of “The World's Best Restaurant Inside a Vineyard”.

Salentein















Salentein winery is located in the mountains between a sea of vineyards.
The magnificent bodega, designed for both form and function in the shape
of a cross, allows for customized gentle handling of the grapes,
reducing the distance wine needs to be moved between winemaking steps.
Each of the wings is a small winery with two levels- a ground level
that houses stainless steel tanks and French wooden vats for fermentation
and storage, and an underground level for aging wine in oak casks.

The two levels allow wine to flow from the tanks to the barrels by a
traditional gravity transfer system. The four wings converge in a
circular central chamber, which resembles an amphitheater that was
inspired by ancient classical temples. A visit to the Killka Art Gallery,
with More than 100 works of famed Argentinian artists such as Nicolás García
Uriburu, Carlos Alonso or Marta Minujin is a must. Your experience here is not
over without an exquisite lunch at Killka's restaurant.

Catena Zapata



















Catena Zapata winery has pioneered modern vinification techniques
and high altitude viticulture in Mendoza, helping to bring Argentine
wines, particularly those made with the Malbec grape, worldwide
recognition. The bodega has passed through four generations who
have inherited the wine-making passion. Located in the town of
Agrelo, with Mayan-inspired architecture and technology.

Trapiche
















Photo courtesy: Trapiche

Trapiche, located in the Maipú area is surrounded by stunning
natural landscapes, and a Florentine- style building. This is
one of Argentina’s biggest wine brands, their medium–bodied reds
are highly desired by local and international wine-lovers.
The people at the bodega are welcoming and generous with their
knowledge.


Have you been to any of these bodegas? others? which ones did you like the most?

x Mich

Around Chile

Thanks W hotel for your hospitality!
Photo #4 kindly provided by W Hotel, Santiago. Thanks!

PATAGONIA GLACIERS

Just got back from El Calafate

It was magical. I loved being there again.
My favorite things were BIG ICE, picnic next to the icebergs and dinner at Los Sauces.