Buenos Aires Heading Home Soon

One day and so much. Mike and i had a lie in as both tired before heading out for some exploring. Mike was in charge and the first stop San Mayo plaza, very beautiful with a lovely cathedral quite different from Europeans cathedrals with its ornate tiling mosaics, a solid silver altar with intricate silversmith work very beautiful, confessionals open and on while we walked past. At the plaza their was a massive protest going on and riot police, armoured vehicles and police everywhere. we had planned on seeing the government building but they were closed due to the riots- bad luck also the natural museum and the wax museum not too sure if the protesters were also the reason as they were all supposed to be open. Argentina has protests and strikes on often mainly by my figuring out to do with pay issues, health and education. it was quite strange to see workers in suits and tourist amongst the protesters. One part of the plaza was barricaded off yet on the other side people were having their lunch in the park while the riot police started to disperse the crowds. Mike and I headed towards LaBoca area- colourful, trendy and touristy but great place to spend a few hours. A real market with vibrant atmosphere, school children in groups, shoppers and local cafes. Mike ans I both did a short tango with the performers, spent some money and headed back to the hotel for a time before heading out to dinner and Mike is thinking of going out with some South African netballers here for a world cup. A great day.
Tomorrow off to Uruguay

Catch up

At the Zoo

The zoo has free entry and is just a 100 metres down the road from the hotel

Images from Iguassu Argentina

Queuing for petrol as the car had Argentinian plates we got priority service e.g a shorter queue
Making a living juggling at the traffic lights

Iguassu Falls Argentina-WOW

Iguassu Falls in Argentina and Iguacu Falls in Brazil

Today I went to the Iguassu Falls in Argentina. The journey across the border to experience the jet boat ride up the river and under the waterfalls was amazing. Water mist sprayed out metres into the air and drifted back onto me. Drenched to the skin I still had the broadest smile.After all the photos I had seen it still left me in awe of the magnitude of it beauty and the force of mother nature. The Falls are one of the Wonders of the Natural World. To experience two wonders of the world in two days is just mind blowing.

The boat took me right up under the waterfall and into the mist ahead. The river was turbulent as the water tossed and turned from the pressure of the falls. the tourist trip was so Eco friendly and the Argentinians are so recycling conscious. The walkways and viewing platforms over the river, above and under the falls meant truly take only photos and leave only footprints. The WOW FACTOR

I now want to make sure I also visit the Brazilian side of the falls for it is another different and spectacular view from a new perspective. Approx 3600 people visit the falls daily.

Itaipu Dam Tour-the singing rock

The Itaipu Dam is one of the modern wonders of the world visited by approx 1200 people daily. Apart from the engineering feat the Itaipu Dam brings in much needed work and money to the economy, provides health, sanitation, educational and working training programmes as well environmental and ecological support to the region. In 2005 it was recognized world wide for its social development and responsibility

My left foot is in Brazil and my right in Paraguay

Parque das Aves

This afternoon a number of the team headed out to do the touristy thing at the local Parqu das Aves. This place was amazing and we all wished we had more time to explore the 5 hectacres and view the 800 birds. With an entry of approx NZD14 the price was cheap for the experience. Many birds were in their natural habitat without enclosures and cages. Everyone was camera happy so here a few snaps from the day. Brazil with its reputation for bright vibrant colours just has taken them from mother nature. There was also an enclosure with 100's of butterflies and hummingbirds. Definitely worth a visit a real must.

Taroba Hotel and views from windows

Images of the town centre and locals

Pedicures Foz style- walk off the street, no booking and six work areas in this one tiny room. Also hairdresser, make up and eyebrows down in the front room. Social and public!! Pedicure just over 4NZD value for money. Looking down the main street Brazilian flag in the distance

Pedestrian carnage-No one stops for anyone even for the wheelchair access

James and Mike at the course Iguacu

Images of Foz do Iguassu

Heading towards Brazil

Driving from the hotel Buenos Aires early morning to the Newberry airport. The view beyond the cars is of the sea- no horizon and no clarity the smog was low and thick. They also have fog but it seemed more smog.This would have been in the past a beautiful esplanade for people to enjoy.Locals were fishing and some walking along the path and parks jutted out into the water.The airport was crazy with a few counters operating but no apparent order to them. Aerolineas counters take any and every flight out so no flight numbers displayed suggesting where to book in. Crazy system.People queued out of the airport doors waiting to check -in. armed guards every few metres. After about 40 minutes of queueing and no movement forward panick started to hit in and with some help and plenty of gestures managed to get a counter opened to check -in and hoped my baggage would follow. Once past security the bedlam stopped and quiet prevailed in the gate areas. The gate number for my departure came up 10 minutes before the plane left so was starting to get a little concerned in case I was in the wrong area. After what seemed like forever the plane turned and headed towards a solitary airstrip in the middle of the bush . the Iguassu international airport. No customs, passport or luggage check. I was met by a volunteer and whisked across to Brazil. No hassles at all. We also picked up a couple of people from the Brazilian airport so I didn't reach the hotel until 4.30pm and found my booking had been misplaced. Finally got a room and aircon and quietly relaxed.

Buenos Aires-night on the town-well almost

Bottled wine on tap

Socialising just doesn't start early in BA. Following the hotel's recommendation I headed out at 9.30pm to a local, small, intimate restaurant just a short stroll about a block and a half away on this lovely balmy evening . It was a cafe and speciality patisserie by day and a restaurant by night. It was warm and welcoming with a strong Italian influence in the food and decor and by 10.30pm it was just buzzing and turning people away. It only appeared as if it would seat about 20 people all up. All the service was done by men in typical waiter aprons and with a dash of class a young women was behind the counter making up boxes for the next day but that appeared to be her only responsibility.. I ordered my meal, bottled water and a glass of the local red- not half bad either and settled down to enjoy the comings and goings of the restaurant and the locals. The streets were just filled with people out and about socialising, passing the time of the day and relaxing. Unexpectedly, the waiter started bringing out complimentary food- a wonderful mango and white wine juice shot just mouth-watering followed by bruschette with a cheese and herb topping yummy, it didn't stop there next came a basket of pastries- cheese puffs, breads and plain pastry puffs I could have easily just had the water and wine and skipped the ordered meal so exercised considerable restraint and waited for my meal. The restaurant 'Cantello' was a wonderful find, great food , reasonably priced and excellent staff. I strolled back 11'30pm to my hotel replete and feeling quite at home and relaxed in Buenos Aires