June 30, 2013

Boy were we in for a treat today!

Our morning started off a bit rough. The alarm sounded at 8 am and we peeled our hungover selves out of bed. We were told the bus was scheduled to pick us up at 8:30 but in argentine time that was more likely to be 9 or 9:30 so we took our time getting ready and eating breakfast. But of course the bus came right on time, in fact, it came 3 minutes early so we rushed out the door.

We were the first ones to be picked up so we found a nice seat in the back of the bus. I dozed in and out of consciousness as we made the rounds to other hostels and hotels to pick up other guests who had also decided to spend their Sunday at the spas. We had a full bus and set out into the mountains.

I slept through most of the hour long bus ride, until Brent gave me a good shake and pointed out the window. We were weaving through the most beautiful setting. Surrounded entirely by mountains with snow capped ones off in the distance.

When we arrived at the “spas”, we were taken by surprise. We had expected some mediocre mud baths or hot springs in the middle of a deserted paradise that would more than likely be flooded with backpackers like ourselves. Instead, we arrived at a very nice looking building with an infinity pool off in the distance. We started to worry we had gotten on the wrong bus.

Once inside, we were given directions and the day’s itinerary. Of course, all of this was explained to us in Spanish and we were completely lost and still wondering whether we were in the wrong place. People started making moves and we were left standing there totally confused. Brent let out a “uhhhh?” The two people in front of us turned to Brent and responded, “we’re assuming you caught some of that.” And like that, we became instant friends with these two, a brother and sister from England.

We were engaging in your standard traveler to traveler conversation, when we were greeted by an English speaking employee who relayed all the info. He told us the buffet would open its doors at 1pm and the rest of our day could be spent alternating between different thermal pools and the sauna. Then he asked of we’d like a robe. Things were starting to shape up very, very nicely. The best part is our names were on the list and we were indeed in the right place. All under Brinte, Brent’s swish argentine alter-ego. Muy bien!

We continued on with the tour of Thermas de Chacas with big stupid grins on our faces. (Words won’t do the place justice so here are a few photos to help with the description.)

We quickly changed into our swimsuits and robes and made our way out to the thermal pools. The rest of the morning was spent floating between the different thermal pools, mud baths, and hanging out with our new British friends. Meanwhile, there’s some sort of mountainside marathon taking place. So there we were, being completely worthless lounging around in our warm thermal pools while 100 or so extremely fit individuals ran past in the cold. Fortunately, we didn’t feel the least bit bad about it.

1pm finally rolled around and we were more than ready for the buffet. As instructed, we showed up in our robes and were kindly seated at the Brinte table. We lined up at the buffet and took in the incredible spread. It had completely surpassed our expectations and it was beautiful! They even had my favorite, matambrita. We loaded up our plates.

As we sat down and looked around we couldn’t help but giggle. This whole arrangement definitely broke every rule in the table manner book. We were in a fine dinning room with a seating chart, table assignments, a beautiful buffet, and then a bunch of people pigging out in their robes. Perfecto.

After we each ate about three plates of food, we headed back out to the pools and the leisure resumed.

Before heading back to the bus around 6, we went and checked out a swinging bridge that we had been staring at all day. I was too much of a wimp to walk across it but we took advantage of a quick photo opp before heading back to Hostel Lao. Funny enough, after an entire day of lounging, everyone slept on the bus back into town.

The rest of the evening was uneventful. We grabbed dinner at a spot close by called Old Bull. We were told to get Lomo Completo but I was far too full from lunch to eat dinner so I stuck with the soup. Brent followed through with the Lomo and some garlic fries. We ended the day strong by scoring a side of chimichurri to take home. It was invaluable for our stay in dinners the rest of the week.

Excellent day.