My Summertime in Argentina: Kayak Trip in San Carlos de Bariloche

What to do on a late summer day in the heart of the “Swiss Andes”? Go kayaking! It might not sound as obvious, but I was taking my chance: Thanks to the great & efficient team at Achalay & Rodinia Hostels in Bariloche, I could join a small group of seven happy kayakers in no time. Our tour with Cuadrante Sur – Tours en Kayak en Patagonia at Lago Gutiérrez about 15 minutes from downtown Bariloche proved to be downright exciting and well-organised: An experience I can definitely recommend.

Summer in Argentina: Enjoying my kayaking experience complete with a “mate merenda” at Lago Gutiérrez

Summer in Argentina: Enjoying my kayaking experience complete with a “mate merenda” at Lago Gutiérrez.

 

Excited about kayaking once more, after having had some initial experience trekking & kayaking in Tierra del Fuego National Park.

Excited about kayaking once more, after having had some initial experience trekking & kayaking in Tierra del Fuego National Park.

 

Before we paddle away, everything is explained to us on the beach of the lake ...

Before we paddle away, everything is explained to us on the beach of the lake …

 

... and off we go: Me & my hilarious guide Stella, competing only for who’s having the better time ;)

… and off we go: Me & my hilarious guide Stella, competing only for who’s having the better time 😉

 

The clear blue waters of the lake are just too tempting … The perfect spot for a kayak tour on the quiet lake outside of town.

The clear blue waters of the lake are just too tempting … The perfect spot for a kayak tour on the quiet lake outside of town.

 

Visiting San Carlos de Bariloche

This city in the heart of the Argentinian lake district has been founded some 100 years ago by Swiss and German migrants, preserving a kind of “middle-European charm” – spiced up with Latin American vibes of course. For instance, there are no streetlights for pedestrians whatsoever, let alone clear traffic rules and loud, pumping Reggaeton street music will always remind you that you are far from home. In any case, as an Austrian with some Alpine experience to tell, it is funny for sure to order venison goulash with Spaetzle from the restaurant of Familia Weiss in Bariloche … Or taking a walk by the lake of the city, which bears a faint reminiscence to the mountain & lake backdrop found in the European Alps. Faint, I’d say … for everybody Argentinian, San Carlos de Bariloche is “very European” of course 😉

Checking out Urban Street Art in Bariloche.

Checking out Urban Street Art in Bariloche.

 

Some things never change: Teenagers hanging out over music & chat in the city park

Some things never change: Teenagers hanging out over music & chat in the city park.

 

Walking by the harbour, I enjoy the natural beauty and peace of this moment.

Walking by the harbour, I enjoy the natural beauty and peace of this moment.

 

Spaetzle taste good here .... ! Too bad they “only” offer bland Parmesan cheese on top, and no delicious real mountain cheese :D

Spaetzle taste good here …. ! Too bad they “only” offer bland Parmesan cheese on top, and no delicious real mountain cheese 😀

6 comments

Name * 1 March 2013 - 03:42

gabs auch einen whiskey on the ice???deine fotos sind atemberaubend und es ist spannend was du alles so erlebst …meine Reiselust ist kaum noch aufzuhalten…vielelicht kommst du ja doch noch bei uns vorbei falls die Iberia noch streikt..besitos

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Elena 1 March 2013 - 03:46

Liebe Veronika !!

Vielen Dank für Deinen lieben Kommentar 😀
Ja, von Córdoba habe ich ebenfalls schon viel Gutes gehört: Ich muss wirklich noch bei Euch vorbeischauen 😉

Schön, dass Dich meine Beiträge so sehr inspirieren, Deine Wahlheimat Argentinien noch genauer zu erkunden! Ich möchte Dich total gerne wieder sehen und habe immer noch tausend Fragen (mindestens!) zu Argentinien, dem Leben hier und überhaupt … 😉

Hoffe, wir sehen uns bald wieder ! Einstweilen schöne Grüße aus der Weinhauptstadt Mendoza xxx

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Name * 1 March 2013 - 03:53

ah dann kannn ich es noch kaum erwarten was du fuer tips von dort berichtest dachte naemlich schon ob wir anstelle Bariloche nicht liebermal nach Mendoza fahren zu Ostern ..also wenn dir noch Zeit bleibt bist jederzeit herzlich willkommen hier 🙂

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Elena 1 March 2013 - 04:14

Danke Dir !!!

Nos vemos: Schau doch mal hier vorbei, meine ersten Fotos aus Mendoza verschaffen schon nach wenigen Stunden Reiselust … 😉

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativelena/sets/72157632882006243/

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max 1 March 2013 - 12:12

Kayaken is fun aber man sollte Dinge die einem lieb sind vorher wasserdicht verstauen speziell Kameras….

Hatte mal einen netten Kajakunfall bei der die Kamera gemeinsam mit mir ins Wasser ging 😉

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Elena 1 March 2013 - 23:35

Lieber Max,

Uije, natürlich bei diesem Trip bekamen wir alle wasserdichte “dry bags” für unsere Kameras – sehr wichtig! 🙂

Wo bist Du denn ins Wasser gefallen? 😉

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