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Published: October 5th 2012
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The least I can say is this week-end was simply amazing...impressive....well, whichever superlative words we may use.
Before starting, let me make two comments....polo can actually be cheaper than skiing or diving....and you don't need to have any previous horseriding experience to give a try to polo. Will develop those further for the "non-believers"!
I've got some experience when it comes to polo, and actually close to none when it comes to horseriding.
I did ride a horse once 6 years ago...it was a 30 minutes ride in the sand dunes of Dubai at sunset. A moment I will remember, but not specially for the riding itself. This was it, 30 minutes on a horse...in the sand.
My experience of polo is a little more diversified. I was lucky to attend the final of the National Grand Final in Buenos Aires 8 years ago. No champagne here, it was only about seriously high quality polo, actually more like the best match of the year...worldwide! Than back in 2008, living in Shanghai, we were invited to attend a week-end of polo on the outskirts of Shanghai...highlight....the Cartier brunch...that was something...30
westerners...300 chinese....the "social place" to be...being a snob or not was irrelevant... Do not ask me how I got invited, but yes, was invited...That day was full of champagne, way too much champagne...great food...and some polo...and that was it, my polo experience was about seating...and drinking!
If you are curious about the mix between polo and Argentina...the figures are simple, the ten best worldwide players are all argentinians....inner sanctum being the city of Pilar.
So this week-end, we settled for La Sofia, 2 days, one night...a dream place. The Estencia is just outside the village of San Andres de Giles.Not much to speak about the village itself, but the Estancia is beautiful, at the end of a dirt track, 20 minutes from San Antonio de Areco.
La Sofia is run by an amazing couple...did I say amazing...thanks Silke and Marcos!
The Estancia has only 6 rooms. There were us and two very nice friends from UK..both serious riders!
Once we arrived Silke wanted to know how we wanted to do things. And I told her simply...now I'm in your hands, you plan, we enjoy...and trust
me, we enjoyed!
Let's divide this blog in three parts...the Estancia, the food and the horses/polo. First, the Estancia....no TV here....no huge luxury....it's like being welcome in the home of great friends who have gorgeous taste. Silke and Marcos welcome you like old friends...and I know we will be back...for them, for the polo. They also have two kids, so it was great fun to see those four kids running around...Tiffany and Leslie enjoyed!!
The food....we ate...we ate...we ate...
First was the asado. We had arrived late morning, so after settling in nicely, we made it for a two hours asado...and that meat...you know. Plus I tend to like their wine...DV Catena Cabernet-Malbec 2009 is always nice...
Than we had a nice teatime around sunset...before another great dinner, this time pumpkin soup, followed by a tournedo of veal (ternera)...dessert for me was just too much. Did I tell you if you come here it's better to love horses...and yes, your beef (but they cater to everybody).
Even breakfast was a highlight....that food...thanks Silke and Marcos. We took all our meals with the two other guests,
as well as Silke and Marcos. This is like sharing great time with great new friends...for your romantic exclusive getaway, it's not here....but trust me, this place is romantic...and friendly...and well...exclusive too!
The horses and the polo! Leslie had been twice on a poney...but with somebody to hold the horse....Tiffany never made it to the poney. Good point to note, polo horses are really well behaved...and really nice!
So we went after our long lunch...for a nice long ride around the polo field...and the fields surrounding La Sofia. And you know what...it was fun! I'm an idiot, I've got two kids who are now asking me...when are we riding again...soon guys, planning a day of it in December in Patagonia! Spoiled kids...happy kids....
The next morning it was polo time. Tif didn't made it, that's a little too early for her riding and holding a stick at the same time....but Leslie had so much fun...well, once he found how to get his horse moving properly!
Small issue, with our level of "inexperience"....we go up to the trot, but I still have no idea how to gallop...and hit the
ball at the same time...who cares...we had the fun of the beginners. I have also to admit that having been a serious golf player...hitting that ball with that stick...is pretty easy. Easy when the ball is not moving, another story to hit a ball on the go! So we play polo...in first and second gear...but never found out the third gear! Smile!
We will be back to La Sofia...hopefully as early as March 2013...for La Sofia, but even more for Marcos and Silke...and for sure for the polo.
So now for those who ask...ok...how much...a lesson of polo is 50usd a person per hour...not cheap...but you've got the horse...the field...the sun...and the smiles! For the stay, it's all about the quality you are enjoying, save a little, it's worth every cent!
That was last week-end....we are not even at the end of the week yet that we have done few more amazing stuffs in Buenos Aires!
And I forgot, if you were wondering, Marcos and Silke are both amazing polo players...
Argentina I love you!
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GRACIELA
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glamour
I am glad you are enjoying the best part of our country!!! Enjoy the glamour of polo! Enjoy the best beef in the world!