Elaine's Travels

Monday, January 10, 2011

Borders of Brazil and Paraguay - View from Argentina

View from Argentina side of the interesection of the Parana River and the Iguazu River. Posts from Brazil are green and yellow and posts from Paraguay are red and white.

Triple Frontier - the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay

Our flight from Buenos Aires was over 3 hours delay. We flew Aerolineas Argentinas Airlines from Jorge Newberry (AEP) to Aeropuerto Internacional Cataratas del Iguazu (IGR) into the Argentina side of the falls. We went straight to the hotel that night and had dinner in the hotel.

The only spot in South America where 3 countries join borders is located near Iguazu Falls. It is called "The Triple Frontier" - the countries of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet in the center of the river where the Parana River joins the Iguacu River! Each corner is marked with a post with the colors of the country flag. Elaine is standing near the marker for Argentina!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Day in the Pampas Region of Argentina

Darrell and I both enjoyed our day in the country. The Estancia was very authentic and old. The food and performances were great. There were many pieces of farm equipment around the ranch. (We thought this tractor needed John Richardson's touch!)

Dance Show at the Estancia

After a wonderful lunch - we saw a music and dance show - featuring songs and dances from all parts of Argentina. There was also a dance with the 'boleadoras' used by the gaucho's during their work on the ranch - it was an exciting performance. Then final dance was the tango - beautifully done!

Gaucho riders

The horse riding by the "Gauchos" was really fun. The horses are galloping at full speed while the riders stand and try to thread a ring with a lance. They start with long lances and big rings then move to small sticks and tiny rings! These guys work hard - they helped with the horse backing riding, cart driving, wine pouring and general entertainment. An announcer provided interesting commentary about the life of a gaucho and the the life on the Estancia during the show in his mixture of Spanish and Spanglish!

Asado Don Silvano - Parrillada grill

An authentic way of cooking over open flames brings a fabulous Argentine style meal at the Estancia Don Silvano. We tried the Argentine sausages - chiarso, chicken and of course - steak. If you are in Argentina - you are going to be offered wonderful steak!

Don Silvano Estancia

The Estancia has been in the family for over 100 years and is now a guest ranch and interesting day trip for tourists wanting to experience the Gaucho way of life in Argentina.

Gaucho Show -San Antonia de Areco

Full Day: Fiesta Gaucho - Gaucho Ranch in San Antonia de Areco; Steaks - "parrillada"; Pampas style. Horse riding!

This is how the "Gaucho Show" was billed. Sounds a little corny but kinda fun!

We drove from Buenos Aires to the north about 90 kilometers into the Pampas region of Argentina to an Estancia for a the full day. We started off in pouring rain - so we are thinking - we will just stay in the dining hall all day. Magically - the clouds parted and a lovely day was available.

We were greeted by the beautiful peacock with its glorious feathers.
We went horse back riding through the farm - Darrell enjoyed his red roan horse. We also rode in the horse drawn cart through another part of the ranch.

Tango - in Buenos Aires

Of course tourists in Buenos Aires must go to the "Tango Show" and we did. But what I didn't really expect was exactly how fantastic it would be! The show tells the story in music and dance interpretation. Starting in the 1900's when the gentleman gets off the train in Buenos Aires and meets the lovely lady. Then trouble starts!

The singers and small orchestra creates a dramatic setting for the dancers. They glide across the floor effortlessly with the many turns and elablorate foot work! Really amazing. The evening's performance really sets the tone for the wonderful Romanticism of Buenos Aires!

Puerto Madreo - Buenos Aires

The Platte River runs through a lively section of Buenos Aires called Puerto Madreo. A new pedestrian bridge provides a crossing point for the many visitors to this lively entertainment district. Over 80 restaurants line the river with shops and strollers everywhere. New high rise condo's have recently been finished in this area.

Darrell and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Cabana Las Lilas - a wonderful Argentine Steak House located right on the river. And of course - we had steak! With a wonderful Argentine Malbec from the Mendoza region - one of the largest wine producting regions in the world.

Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires

The soul of the city is found in Plaza de Mayo. The "Pink House" - Rosada - is the presidental residence that was in use during the time of Juan and Eva Peron. Evita would come out on the balcony and address the thousands of citizens who would gather to hear her words of encouragement. Before we left the US - I watched Madonna's movie version of Evita - which showed her remarkable rise from poverty to the most powerful women in the country. The Pink House is now a museum/government property.

The Plaza also has the main cathedral, several other government buildings and statutes. It is also a center for protests. Currently some veterans group is protesting. They have tents set up for round the clock protests as well as banners.

Beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina

We arrived after an overnight flight on American Airlines from Miami (MIA) to Buenos Aires (EZE)Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini Airport - the "Eurpoean capital" of South America. We are staying in the heart of the city -the "Times Square" area. The obelisk is the central point for the main avenue - 9 July - up to 12 lanes of busy traffic that runs through the heart of the city. The city has a very "French" feel - you almost think you are in Paris. The architecture is classical French. Many of the avenues are lined with trees. We arrived at the hotel around noon. Darrell wanted to rest - but I wanted to explore. So I took the hoho (Hop on hop off) bus - which provided a 2 hour driving tour to see the main features of the city.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

2011 South American Trip Itinerary

We are in Naples, FL - getting things ready to drive over to Miami for our flight to South America. I will try to post photos to the blog - but expect some time lapse while on board the ship!

Jan 06 Miami - Fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jan 07 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jan 08 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jan 09 Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Jan 10 Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Jan 11 Iguazu Falls, Brazil - fly to Rio de Jainerio, Brazil
Jan 12 Rio De Janerio, Brazil
Jan 13 Rio De Janerio, Brazil
Jan 14 Embark Oceania Insignia - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Sail
Jan 15 Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil
Jan 16 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Jan 17 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Jan 18 Montevideo, Uruguay
Jan 19 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Jan 20 Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Jan 21 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Jan 22 Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Jan 23 Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Jan 24 Cruising the Drake Passage
Jan 25 Deception Island, Antartica
Jan 26 Paradise Bay, Antartica
Jan 27 Half Moon Island, Antartica
Jan 28 Cruising the Drake Passage
Jan 29 Ushuaia, Argentina - Patogonia
Jan 30 Punta Arenas, Chile
Jan 31 Cruising the Chilean Fjords
Feb 01 Cruising the Chilean Fjords
Feb 02 Puerto Chacabuco, Chile
Feb 03 Puerto Montt, Chile
Feb 04 Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Feb 05 Valparaiso, Chile
Disembarkation Port: Valparaiso
Feb 05 Casablanca Wine District, Chile
Feb 06 Central Valley Wine Country, Chili
Feb 07 Santiago, Chile
Feb 08 Santiago, Chile
Feb 09 Arrive Miami, USA - drive to Naples, FL

Almost have everything packed and ready to go - just need to review and double check "stuff". Worried about rough seas - but ready to see some of our beautiful world!