The last few weeks have certainly been a new experience for us. Being in one place for such an extended period of time, having essentially no time restrictions, and being able to spend pretty much as long as we needed to do whatever it is we wanted here in BA. Novel indeed ! It’s not that we couldn’t have done this at any earlier stage of this journey – we simply haven’t chosen to. Right now though, the vehicle shipping time frame has forced our hand. Relaxing ? Absolutely !! Would we want to stay this long in any one place normally ? Probably not, but that is as much because we simply would never complete all the other things we hope to if we did.

Our ”local” coffee shop. Lois determined they made the best cappuccino in the neighbourhood !

Most of our time here has been spent at what they call an ”Apart-Hotel”. The Arenales Suites has been excellent – the unit is large, well equipped, has a rooftop pool, a kitchen and is centrally located in the Recoleta neighbourhood. One of the nice things about having had this stability is the feeling that you almost start to belong in the neighborhood. The little store on the corner knows us by name, the café across the street prepares our morning hot drinks as soon as they see me in line and the bakery beside it has our baked goods order down pat. Even the guy at the little liquor store up the street knows our preference in beer and wine. We will certainly miss that when we move on !

Spreading out our “things to do in BA” over the month we will have spent here has meant we’ve still found much to do in the past week – we’ve walked more parks, seen more shops, sampled ever more cafe’s, explored three more museums, enjoyed relaxing pool time ( the weather has been amazing ), been in to have our Covid tests ( Uruguay requires them still ) and, like most people around the world we have ( very nervously ) been glued to news of the unfolding developments in Ukraine. Here are some images of our last week in Buenos Aires.

Museum of Latin American Art, Buenos Aires ( MALBA ). Lots of abstract stuff here and it also includes the work of internationally recognized artists like Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera among many others.

One of Malba’s most popular exhibits. I did say “abstract” !

More art – here in the Manzana de las Luces, a restored historical building

Banner, outside the Evita Museum. She is practically worshipped in Argentina and the museum tells her life story with excellent displays. Lots of focus on her fashion sense with many of her outfits displayed.

The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes has one of the most impressive collections of European masters ( among others ) in all of South America. We are certainly not art buffs but even we recognized many of the famous names on the walls in this museum. It was interesting to see the distinctive changes in artistic styles over the centuries. Below is a selection of just a few:

”Retrato de mujer joven”, Rembrandt, 1634

“Le Moulin de la Galette”, Vincent Van Gogh, 1886

Guards entering the Metropolitan Cathedral which houses the mausoleum of legendary Argentine independence hero, San Martin.

Wandering around downtown we came across a name that is internationally recognized. ”Harrods”, the famous British department store did have a branch in Buenos Aires . Founded in 1914, closed in 1998, but the building still stands. For many years it was Harrods’ only store outside London ( a little bit of trivia we did not know ! )

We’d read much about the famous San Telmo market so decided to check it out. The neighbourhood was a bit sketchy……

…and mixed in with what were described as “antiques” was a lot of good old fashioned junk !

We had looked forward to eating at a traditional Argentine parrilla ( grill ) so went out to “La Estancia” on our way to a Tango show. The meat was divine !

Managed to get seats just a couple of rows back from the stage but photography was difficult with so much movement on stage and no flash permitted.

The show is held in a completely renovated old MGM art deco theatre. Very 1920’ish.

While out for the Tango show we explored BA at night……

…..and the lighting on some of the classic old buildings was impressive.

During the day we often wandered the back streets – it’s mostly office buildings and high rise apartments but occasionally you would come across some of the older parts of the city – more tradition low rise buildings and cobblestone streets.

As we near the end of our time here and out of nothing more than sheer curiosity ( did I mention we had time on our hands ? ) we did a Google search of “South America’s Most Popular Tourist Destinations”. It pulled an article from TripAdvisor of a few years back and actually went on to list a “Top 10”. Having now travelled fairly extensively down here we were curious if the survey results would align with our own experiences ( read about the survey here ). The broad answer, yes, pretty much (although I’d change up the order a bit ). Buenos Aires topped the poll, Cartagena was there too as were Rio de Janeiro, Cusco, and Bariloche, all of which matched our own experiences. Santiago ( Chile ) and Bogota ( Colombia ) certainly do have their attractions but their inclusion in a Top 10 surprised us. For the survey “Destination” seems to have been interpreted as city or country – how else would one explain the absence of Iguazu Falls, the Salar de Uyuni, the Carretera Austral, Moreno Glacier, or Torres Del Paine to name just a few iconic South American attractions ? It all comes down to personal taste I suppose.

BA has been an awesome place to spend this extended time but we do have plans to wander around southern Uruguay before flying on to the US, so it’s now time to move on; by the time this blog goes out we’ll be ready to sail across the River Plate to Montevideo. We look forward to doing a little exploring there before bidding a final ’adios’ to South America.

14 Comments

Lucille Howard on March 18, 2022 at 3:34 pm

Another great inspiring post, thanks Jeff! By the way, forgot to tell you we saw your container ship pass Panama!!! LOL- just kidding we are on Pacific side!!!
- Jeff Gunn on March 18, 2022 at 4:12 pm
  
  Oops, I should have read this before replying to the last comment. Actually I have been following the ship and it is moored in Colon today – so yes, it was there but as you say, on the other side 🙂
Chris Woods on March 19, 2022 at 7:58 am

Seems like sun and fair weather every day!
- Jeff Gunn on March 19, 2022 at 8:02 am
  
  It really has been wonderful weather. The last days of summer seem like a good time to visit – crowds not too bad and still nice and sunny !
Scott Porritt on March 19, 2022 at 8:13 am

Again, such a wonderful read with some fine photography from Lois ! Safe travels as always you two.
- Jeff Gunn on March 19, 2022 at 8:29 am
  
  Thanks Scott……! Look forward to catching up in April/May . Hi to Kim ! Lo says hi…..
Piotrowski Anita on March 19, 2022 at 8:18 am

So sorry we will miss grabbing a cup of coffee with you. We were suppose to stay in Montevideo until June but returned home in March after our dog died. Hope you enjoy Uruguay ! Safe travels home .
- Jeff Gunn on March 19, 2022 at 8:30 am
  
  Yes, that would have been nice and we should be in Montevideo mid next week ( going to Colonia first ). Perhaps our paths may cross somewhere else ! Sorry to hear about your dog – I know how tough that is.
Charlie on March 19, 2022 at 9:15 am

Hi J & Lo,

Yes, it must be tough to spend so much time on one place, especially with those ants in your pants 😂😂😂.

Very hot here in Playas del Coco so a big effort to write this 😄. Probably not the best time to be here. It rained for a few minutes the other day and everyone here is saying they’ve never seen rain in March before!

We’re thinking about heading to Nicaragua, but I think we will need PCR tests to cross the border. Well, at least we won’t need them when we head home on Apr5. We’ll be spending our last few days in the Arenal area which should be a lot cooler. Our daughter and son-in-law are with us for a couple weeks.

I hope you have a nice time in Uruguay!

Hi to Lo! (Nice ring to that, eh?)
- Jeff Gunn on March 19, 2022 at 11:28 am
  
  Hi Charlie,
  
  Sent you a reply in email with some Nica tips. If you can spare a bit of time it’s definitely worth popping over there.
  Glad you are enjoying C/R and the weather has mostly been good. Let’s connect in person in May when we both get back !
Tonia Roggeveen on March 21, 2022 at 11:22 pm

Sure looks like a real adventure and very relaxing.
- Jeff Gunn on March 22, 2022 at 3:59 am
  
  Hi Tonia,
  
  Well, the “adventure” parts now are mostly behind us ( we hope ! ) it’s pretty much the “relaxing” part now ( which is a nice change up j!
Ashley Bush on March 26, 2022 at 2:07 pm

I love that they know you at the coffee shop, bakery, etc! You have a knack for being known!!! In the best way of course
- Jeff Gunn on March 26, 2022 at 2:43 pm
  
  Hi Ash !
  
  Yeah, that was kind of nice. Been away a week and already miss those guys !
  
  Hope all is well in K town, look forward to a coffee when we get back.

Argentina – Our Time Draws to a Close

14 Comments

Jeff + Lois

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