We have been tango'd!

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We arrived in the City later than scheduled due to a technical fault on BA's Jumbo ( The airport at Sao Paulo was flooded as far as I could see) and the customs/immigration at the BA International airport were another experience to add an hour or so to the timescale. So we only had a few hours to get our bearings before finding a restaurant for dinner.

As the title suggests the intrepid explorers have ventured into the tangoria's as they call them here. Its all very stylish, and to be quite honest, a bit energentic too! However, it's quite an experience in this hot city.

Our tour started on Sunday with a slow walk to the San Telmo district (Defensa) to see what was billed as an antiques outdoor market. It stretched for some 2 kms and it was a mixture of Portobello Road and a carnival with street theatre, bands etc. The rest of the city was extremely quiet though - or everyone else had rushed off to the beaches to cool off. Beer and shade were the order of the day and we felt quite relaxed as the skin started to redden!

Monday left us to explore Puerto Madero (a sort of London Docklands) with the usual bars etc which we will visit tonight for the Argentinian bar-be-que fillet steaks. Mmmmm. There are historic ships, posh hotels and condo's and shops for the sturdy. Last night we visited the BOHO area known as Palermo Soho for drinks, shopping and finally an outdoor meal (not a burger) in a boutique type garden restaurant.

Gordons àdvanced planning fell into place when a tour guide arrived at the hotel this morning (early) to take us on a full city tour, including areas where no man should go on his own! We did the usual cultural things (Parliament, Palaces around Retiro, and the visit to Eva Peron's (Evita) tomb at Recoleta (spooky). Then to La Boca, a run down ancient dock slum with more than a faint resemblence to the French Quarter in New Orleans. It's a tourist rip-off now, but we spent a quid and went into the Boca Juniors football ground which is a shrine to the little fat one who had the hand of god to beat England in the world cup!

More posh shopping areas were discovered and we are enjoying the street walks (during the day) and the little pastry bars etc. where refreshment is essential. The cost of things here is pretty cheap, but you can spend as much on dinner in a really swish place - however our wardrobe rarely extends to swish when travelling.

We are off to the countryside tomorrow to the Pampas - Goucho's horses, etc. Watch this space for news that we have been pesuaded to ride one of the critters.

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Photos

Buenos Aires
It´s the English Tower (opposite the Malvinas Memorial) and now renamed

Buenos Aires
Guards at the Las Malvinas memorial

Buenos Aires
L has a beer in La Boca!

Buenos Aires
Lindsay sitting alone at the BJ´s Stadium

Buenos Aires
G has a beer in La Boca

Buenos Aires
That believe it or not is the Post Office (behind Lindsay)

Buenos Aires
The Yatch Club in the background at Puerto Maderno

Buenos Aires
Lindsay looking around the Recoleta Cemetry

Buenos Aires
A rest outside Recoleta!

Buenos Aires
Richmond´s is one of those street cafes that every big city has where intellectuals discuss the world´s problems. So what were we doing there - having a coffee of course

Buenos Aires
Lindsay on a tree lined street

Comments

[Tom Taylor]

The Memories...
These photos made me all nostalgic - why did i return?