Buenos Aires

We started our next adventure by flying into the capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires.  A city of 10 million people we were able to get just a taste in the short time we were here but definitely a city worth visiting.  Unfortunately for Argentina they are presently not in a good economic position and it is estimated that 35% of the population are living below the poverty line.  Wages are low and taxes are high so things are tough  on the average citizen.  That being said even though we did see many begging and homeless the streets were clean and the people proud. Lessons could be learned.  The Main Street of the city is the widest Street in the world and has green space and bus lanes down the middle. We wandered through the Recoleta district where massive old mansions are now embassies or converted into apartments as few could afford their upkeep.  Many shops and restaurants line the treed streets and we enjoyed a wonderful meal at a local restaurant with a wonderful Malbec wine from Argentina with a huge ribeye and a couple of appetizers for less than $80.  We wandered through the cemetery which is a history lesson in itself as this is where presidents and those in power are laid to rest. We walked the pedestrian streets, ate empanadas, strolled the waterfront along the old warehouse district and visited the Boca area.  A visit to the Presidential Palace and a couple of cathedrals rounded out our sightseeing.  We went to a dinner tango show which was a definite highlight of our visit to this very cosmopolitan city.  Finally we met up with our National Geographic travelling mates who we will be sharing the next part of our exciting journey with.....our trip to Antarctica!!!

Aerial view of Buenos Aires 

Many of the streets are lined with trees offering welcome shade in the heat and humidity

These large trees were brought in from India but flourish here and are quite plentiful in the parks about the city

Statutes are everywhere around the city and this one is placed in the oldest tree in the city

This was our first penguin sighting and he conveniently held wine

The Recoleta Cemetery originated in the 1800’s and the ornate mausoleums hold the remains of the wealthy and famous of Argentina.  Very unusual to us one can see into each mausoleum and the coffins are all visible.

Eva Peron was finally laid to rest here more than 20 years after her death and is the most visited site in the cemetery 

Many of the sculptures in the cemetery were done by the best sculptures in Europe and it was like walking through a museum 

We went to a dinner tango show which was way beyond our expectations. We had front row seating and the dancing was spectacular 

The facial expressions were so much a part of the dance

The way and speed with which the dancers could move their legs was amazing

The live four piece band were all true professionals as well to make for a remarkable evening. As Buenos Aires is the birth place of the tango this was something not to be missed and the venue dated back to the early 1900’s adding even more to the experience.

The old dock buildings which had been abandoned for years have now been repurposed as apartments, offices and some of the best restaurants in the city.  A lovely walk all along the harbour.

The repurposed harbour now has some of the most expensive real estate in the city 

The former president had this image of Eva Peron erected knowing how much she means to the people of Argentina as she was such a strong supporter for the rights of the poor

Our visit to the colourful Boca district was fun and full of photo opportunities.  It was in this dock area that the immigrants landed in Buenos Aires and being poor built shelter with whatever was available but painted it bright colours to cover the shabbiness. It is now a major tourist draw though it is recommended that one does not go their after dark

Colourful figures pop out of windows

Houses are painted in all sorts of colours

An apartment building of sorts yet one does not have to stick to a colour scheme

Decorative alleyways

Lots of figurines 

The people of Argentina love their meat and menus are very evident of that

The Presidential Palace though he no longer lives here and flies in by helicopter to the landing pad behind for any official business.  This is the balcony from which Eva Peron gave her famous speech to the people of Argentina.