One of my most favorite places that I have traveled to is Bariloche, Argentina. Located in the Patagonia region of South America this is a stunning part of the world. The Andes mountains, deep lakes, thick forests of tress, meandering rivers...Gorgeous. I found it to be very similar to British Columbia in that way. This intense, palpable sense of nature and life all around you. Now, I am not the most outdoorsy of gals, but I fell in love with this place. The food, the people, the scenery, the way of life. It was hard to leave.  

                             The Andes

My time in Bariloche was brief, only a few days, but it had a profound influence on me. I think about this place so often and have many little things in my home that keep me reminded of my time there. What made it most special for me were the people I met there. I had the pleasure of staying at a ranch outside Bariloche that was brimming with life. The ranch was owned and maintained by a family that was so kind and generous to me and the people I was with. They cooked our meals, made sure we were always happy, and left bottles of Malbec at night for us to drink before bed. It doesn't get much better than that.  

I loved being in Bariloche and at this very special ranch. I will never forget that family. 

 Sunrise, Fortin Chacabuco

Our cabin: the site of many good times.

 One of many lunches, served to me by the most handsome cowboy. 

The traditional, classic mate.