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Published: November 27th 2009
Just a quick one to avoid having to write anything like the length of the previous entry as we are still moving pretty quickly as we aim to get in everything on our planned itinerary.
Thankfully we had a fine final day in cold and wet Barriloche, so we had yhe opportunity to take in the lakes and mountains on the amazing chico circuito bike ride. That night we boarded a bus for 13 hours taking us across to the Atlantic side of Argentina and Puerto Madryn. PM is an old Welsh settlement, but thankfully the Welsh language has died out after 3 generations, we have enough trouble with Spanish! The main reason to visit PM is the marine life. We did 2 day trips to the nearby Pensinula Valdes and Punta Tomba, which were well worth the discomfort of hours on end in cramped mini vans. We saw Elephant Seals (huge lumps of lard which barely move), Sea Lions, Penguins, Whales and Dolphins, the latter two definitely being the main attractions. On the Whale watching trip we just sailed for a couple of miles and the ocean was filled with scores of them. Although it's obviously a bit intrusive
Whale Tail
Southern Right Whale, Puerto Madrynthey don't seem to be disturbed by the daily hoards that are shipped out for a nosey. They actually seem quite inquisitive especially the calfs which played beneath the boat before popping up to show their ugly heads. The dolphins we saw were a strange little type (Commersons), who were typically playful and the most rapid that I have ever seen. After the trips we were keen to get out of PM, the town itself is expensive, and a large proportion of the tourists there seem to be over 50. I'm no ageist, especially as I'm getting on a bit myself, but too many oldies change the atmosphere of a place and also tend to push up prices as they invariably have a bit more dosh to spare.
Eighteen hours on a bus and we were in the much anticipated South American super city, Buenos Aires. We stayed in the 'artist´s neighbourhood' of San Telmo which we loved. Every corner has a cafe or a Parilla making it a coffee lover or carnivour's paradise. Steaks are delicious and are as generous in size, which my waistline has started to mimic. Starved of any real consumerism for the past few
Under the boat it goes..
Southern Right Whale, Puerto Madryn months, Nat hit the legendary BA boutiques of trendy Palermo. The results were suprising and in a way pleasing - she had lost her shopping mojo and returned with a solitary purchase. Unfortunately this was short-lived, over the next couple of days I increasingly spent my time outside shops on park benches or inside offering my unwanted opinions, as Nat regained her Oxford St skills.
We're on a BA break at the moment - just arrived in the scorching jungle town of Port Iguassu, this afternoon we're off to see the waterfalls which are supposed to be the world's most impressive. (Photo's next time). So the 18 of the previous 24 hours were spent on a bus, although this time we did it in style - finally managing to get an executive suite which really is the first class of bus travel. After exploring the falls up here for the next 2 days we really are in the final stretch - 5 days on the beach in Uruguay followed by 5 more days in BA.
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Gary
non-member comment
Great blog
Hey I just want to tell you both that I have really enjoyed reading your blog. You are visiting all the places that myself and my wife are planning to visit next year (with the exception of Brazil) and in the process you are providing us with valuable travel tips. Keep up the good work and enjoy the rea,inder of your trip.