We're heading back home

Well the trip is done.  94 days in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.  It was an amazing trip.  I think I learned more on this trip than previous trips I've taken.  It's not so much about the attractions along the way but more about learning about myself.  My stay with Ginny on the Chacra was life changing.  Not in the way I first thought and not even what I thought when I left the Chacra.  It was more about reflection.  

I visited Ginny one last time while in Buenos Aires the day before heading home.  She was staying in an apartment with her friend Janice who she has known since they were 10 years old.  Also staying with her was Rosa who is one of her care givers at the Chacra in El Huecu.  People dedicated to supporting Ginny.  Ginny is waiting and hoping for medical treatment to ease the dibilatating pain caused by osteoporosis in her neck and back and also her multiple sclerosis.  It's a waiting game.  

Slowing down to "smell the roses" is so important.  Family, patience, gratitude and empathy.  All so very important.  Learning this is an ongoing project.  I'm learning.....family first.

Day trip out of town

Friday, April 4th we decide to make our way out of town to the Tigre y Delta.  

We pass a dog walker extrordinaire on the way to the metro on Avenue Santa Fe.  We count eight large dogs!  How does he do it!  They all seem happy and relaxed.

We start the journey on the metro and then switch to the train to Mitre where we catch the Tren De La Costa.  It all takes about 90 minutes and when we first arrive it seems that there is nothing there except a very large Casino and some questionable cafés.  We are disappointed and are thinking of leaving when we discover so much more a little further down the road.  The town of Tigre is beautiful and the maze of waterways reminds me of Venice.  We don't have enough time to explore by boat so we walk the streets.

Gorgeous tree lined pathways.

There a museum just for Mate!

We explore the Museo de Arte de Tigre which is housed in a mansion that used to be a hotel.  Most of the art is from the late 1800's and early 1900's.  The building is beautiful.

 

It's hot and we're tired.  We stop for a cold beer beside the water before beginning our long trip back to our apartment.  It gets darker sooner than we anticipate and we find ourselves on the Mitre train going through a dodgy area in the dark.  We feel vulnerable as two sleazy characters approach us on the train asking for money for something to eat.  We say no but then we both feel that we might get robbed so quickly stash our money and any thing else of value into our bras and panties.  We laugh at our situation which is good...just let those bad boys find our valuables!  Of course nothing happens and later as we sit in the Italian restaurant a couple of blocks from our apartment we pull our valuables out and back in our purses.  

We are eating like Argentenians.  It's 10:00 and we're having excellent steak and mashed potatoes with tomato.  Of course we have the obligatory wine as well and waddle back to the apartment.  I will definitely be hitting the gym when I get home.

Some history....

On April 3rd we aquaint ourselves with the metro and for 10 pesos ($1) we buy a return ticket.  Getting off at the hub (Catedral) we walk around the Centro and first visit the oldest cafe in Buenos Aires, Cafe Tortoni built in 1858.  Beautiful building inside and out.

Then we find our way to the world famous Teatro Colon opera house.   What a beautiful building.  I would have loved to hear a performance but too late for tickets.  We do pay for a guided tour which was worth it and while we were listening to the guide we did hear the orchestra finishing up their afternoon performance.

We then walk to San Telmo and have the best late lunch, early dinner at a steak house that I had found when I came to Buenos Aires back in December.  Wonderful steak, salad and a HUGE glass of wine.  The wine was 17 pesos which is $1.70 and so good.  The whole lunch was approx. $16 each as the portions are so large that we easily share.   What a steal.

After this we catch a cab to travel to La Bocca.  We had read the it is best to take cab in and out of this area due to high crime even during daylight hours.  They say do not go there at all after dark!  We arrive at the one area that is relatively safe and very touristy called Caminito.  The colors are great and there are several couples randomly performing the Tango.  I buy my token, tacky souvenir.

It's getting late in the day and things are closing up so we catch a cab back to the Centro to our metro station and go home.  It's absolutely packed with commuters on the metro but moves quite quickly.  We are still stuffed from our late lunch so no dinner tonight....just snacks and wine!

Back in Buenos Aires

Well we arrived back in Buenos Aires around 5 pm on April 1st.  We caught the Transfer Express from the airport as we were advised not to take the black and yellow cabs as they have had reports of people posing as cab drivers and robbing the tourists!  This company was great.  We arrived at the apartment we had rented in Recoleta and were welcomed by Ana.  

After settling in we go to get some groceries at a supermarket 1-1/2 blocks away and there is a "police incident" happening.  At first we think they are filming a movie or something but the grocery store is closed and it's obvious something involving criminals has happened.  We find another store, buy some groceries and quickly return to our apartment.   Never did find out what had happened but are assured that the neighbourhood is safe.

The next day we plan on scoping out the neighbourhood of Recoleta and visiting the famous cemetery where Evan Peron was buried.

This cemetary is huge and very old.  There are some very famous people put to rest here and some amazing monuments.

We leave the cemetary and walk around exploring the area.  Beautiful architecture.

Are we in Paris???

We go in to one of the many pastry shops.  Oooo, la, la!  What goodies they have.  We buy three different types of quiche for our supper and head home.  Wine and quiche....yum!

Onward and upward!

Well we're off the ship and headed to the domestic airport for a flight north to Iguazu to see the falls.  We arrive around 5 pm and it's very stormy.  Rain, lightning, thunder!  We hadn't anticipated this and wonder if this will be a wasted trip.  Fortunately luck has followed us and the weather clears the next morning as we are picked up by our tour guide.  He is great.  Very knowledgeable.  This is a huge park.  

We board a small train for about 20 minutes that takes us closer to the falls.

Well laid out with walkways to protect the environment.  

Magnificent!

This Coati was a pretty friendly fellow.  These were abundant in the park.

This is very close to Brazil.  Very tropical.

We took the boat excursion where they drive right up to the falls.  You get absolutely soaked!  What a great perspective to be able to look up at these wonderful falls!

Some where over the rainbow!

The next day we go into the town of Iguazu and walk to the view point where the three countries, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay meet.  We fly back to Buenos Aires in the afternoon.  

Last port, Montevideo

It's Saturday, March 29th and we are visiting our last port of call which is Montevideo, Uruguay.  The weather is beautiful.  Sunny and hot.  We disembark and make arrangements with a taxi driver for a two hour tour of the city.  This is a beautiful, clean city.  I sure wouldn't mind coming back here for a longer period of time.

Beautiful beaches!

Lots of history and great architecture.

We board the ship for the last time and head to Buenos Aires where we will disembark in the morning. Sigh!!!

Day at Sea

It's Friday and our last full day at sea.  Tomorrow we go to Montevideo.  Today it is Marlene's birthday as well as the birth of my grandson, Jameson!  What a wonderful day!

There is a wonderful jazz group on board.  We love to listen to them.

There are also lots of other professional groups, singers and dancers.  We can't do it all and it's terribly hard to choose.  The sun sets and our last night on board commences.

It's our last formal night so we get dressed up and it's Surf n'Turf in the dining room.  Wonderful meal.  We were joined by eight people from different parts of Australia.  Great night.

Puerto Madryn

It's Thursday, March 27th and we wake this morning to find our ship docked in Puerto Madryn.  The sun is out, blue skies and warm temperatures.  As we head off to explore Puerto Madryn it must be at least 70 degrees.  

It's a beautiful city.  Sitting around the sea.  

When you leave the city it is very flat and dry.  We head to the monument that commemorates the settlers from Wales that settled here back in 1865.  

When they first arrived they dug out caves where they first lived before constructing houses.  You can still see the remnants of these.

We then walk to the Eco Centre which is fairly new but very informative.  Fantastic views from this area.

It's a long walk back to the ship but we walk on the beach since the tide is out.  

We stop for a cold drink and a chance to use the WiFi.  Little grand baby is due tomorrow and I want to keep up with what is happening.  So far all is good.

Every night our cabin boys make up a different animal out of towels.  Here is our penguin!

Doesn't really compare to the real thing but it's sweet!