Yes, around a lake, not the lake. Because this specific lake that borders two countries has two names.

In Chile it is known as Lago General Carrera after José Luis, who fought the Spanish Reconquista but was not particularly loved in his neighbouring country and consequently executed in Mendoza. In Argentina it is therefore known as Lago Buenos Aires, the name given to its capital in 1536 by the Spanish conquistador named, hold your breath, Pedro de Mendoza. The Chileans in their turn named the few rocks in their part of the lake Islas Malvinas, the most painful of Argentine humiliations. And so the animosity continues.

In my opinion this lake indeed deserves two names, for in Chile it houses the impressive Marble Caves, a pleasant climate, beautiful mountain landscapes and lovely bright green nature, while in Argentina it’s just windy, dusty and empty. What argentines lack in the desolate pampas, they compensate with incredible friendliness.

Oh yeah, on the Argentinian side we filled our stomachs with the ripest, fattest, and sweetest cherries ever and attended the slightly silly cherry festival, before heading south towards El Chaltén. Stay tuned!