Buenos Aires

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Geo: -34.5952, -58.3934

Up early for a 10 mile bike tour around Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires (our last port of call). It was overcast but warm - it had rained the day prior so the tour guide said we were lucky. Our tour guide was a 29 year old local guy named Leo who brought two other female colleagues to help cross the busier crossings. 22 of us set off in convoy along Buenos Aries city streets, quieter than normal due to it being a Saturday. Our first stop was a park with a sculpture of a huge metal flower - the flower opens in sunlight and closes as it gets darker. Thankfully there were cycle paths once we moved away from the docks. We cycled through the most expensive area of the city (the north) which is an area that you can only move to if you are wealthy and a resident recommends you - they don't want strangers as neighbours. The area became like this originally due to an outbreak of yellow fever and cholera in the 1800's which killed hundreds of people - the rich members of society decided to segregate themselves and so chose an area outside of the central boundary to build there houses - there are no flats, just big plots. From there we went to the planetarium, set in more parkland with a lake where families gather to picnic (on the date 12/12/12 5000 people gathered as the world was supposed to end) Then on to the city's rose garden (plaza holanda) which is enclosed by a circular road - the whole area was buzzing with joggers, people on rollerblades, walkers, cyclists. We parked our bikes and went over the bridge (another lake) to see the roses - a thousand different varieties and most were in bloom. By this time we were very hot and sticky, but next on to the Eva Peron (Evita) monument. Leo explained how she caused lots of controversy by marrying the president (she was an actress who was perceived as being common and not a suitable partner) and helping poor communities. Next, on to the Cementario de Recoleta, the city's cemetery for the wealthy - an incredible place with walkways of tall tombs, sometimes containing several coffins, on display with stairs going underground with whole families buried in layers. The remaining family pay a tax to keep their place within the cemetery and once payments stop the plot is resold and the remains got rid of to take in the next 'inhabitants'. One horrific tale was of a 19 year old girl who fainted on her 19th birthday, was pronounced dead and brought to the cemetery. As it was raining heavily the funeral was abandoned and when the family returned the following day, the coffin had moved. Suspecting something was amiss, they opened the coffin to discover scratch marks suggesting she was alive! We saw Eva Peron's grave (although as the guide pointed out, Eva probably wouldn't be happy being buried amongst aristocrats when she fought for the working classes) Back to the ship, packed our suitcase and sat by the pool for a few hours. Then out into town to the original Argentine tango club for a meal and show. The guide, Gus gave us some local information - It had rained heavily last week which had brought lots of river plants from the hills into the harbour around the ship. It has also affected water filters within the city and meant due to blocked pipes, there was no water for two days. He recommended what we should choose from the menu which was typically Argentinean - empanadas, followed by steak, then pancakes with Dolce de lette (exactly what we had) The show consisting of singers, dancers, musicians and drum players was very authentic (sadly no photos as these weren't permitted due to a CD being available for purchase!) A perfect end to our time in South America. Tomorrow is checking out, a few hours in the city and travelling home (6pm flight).

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Photos

The "China Buffalo"
Very popular mode of transport

Comments

[Corey]

Incredible.