So , we took a rest. Took it slowly. Gently, slept in, coffees in bed, wines in the afternoon. Maybe a beer

The “rest” element of this trip in full swing.

Our Airbnb was perfect. Modern, clean, full of thoughtful touches that made you feel like you were at home. So nice to unpack – and I know this is boring- access to a washing machine. Everything got a good going over.

Each day we would choose one activity and build our day around it, a food tour ( thanks Judy and Warwick) – a gallery , a museum, a park or perhaps a cocktail ( thanks Alex) and we generally just wondered aimlessly around the streets if fabulous Buenos Aires. Weather was perfect ( sorry everyone in NZ) – 22-30degrees not too humid , not too hot. Nice enough to sit with doors open and no aircon.

So what behold, some of the highlights of our time in this wonderful city. Spunky, charming BA.

Recoleta cemetery

I suppose in what was once the richest city in the Americas , it makes sense that the cemetery would be something else. Ornate, elaborate and just a wee bit ostentatious. Ego’s were not left at the gates here- that’s for sure. If you had the dosh, you wanted others to know.

Covering over 14 acres in the middle of the city, there are over 6000 mausoleum’s. It’s fascinating to just see the architecture, mini versions of the highest forms of designs for their dead owners to rest in.

I was surprised that the coffins were very much open to view. You could even touch them, I assume they are lead lined? They also appeared to in many cases have a more discrete downstairs area too.

That’s enough of the dead people I suppose!

Nacional museum fine arts.

It’s remarkable that a country that is under such severe financial stress that there is still a strong sense of public good. Museums are “free” to be fair there is some arming to get a “donation” which we happily gave. But you did notice things like the absence of printed material. Staff looking stressed, maintenance not being done. But still, here we’re gazing at some incredible art, Rodin, Monet, Manet, Picasso, lautrec, . So many of the classics open to the public. I found the Argentinian art a little less accessible without a guide. But you still got a sense of things.

Having eaten so much meat we found a seafood restaurant to try and lighten things up. Success and then as we were leaving noticed this. What the actual? yup that’s Harry !

I feel like now is also to reveal a bit of a new thing ( for me at least) coffee tonic , yup , coffee with tonic water, ice squeeze of lemon. You have to try it! Pleasantly surprised.

Montevideo , Uruguay

In the middle of all this we decided to connect with a former exchange student ( from many years ago ) from Uruguay. Gabby very generously gave up her Sunday and came and met us off the ferry from BA.

2.5 hours by fast ferry and you’re in a new country. That will never ever loose its thrill for me.

A look around the old town, ( which was very quiet given the time of the year when everyone is on holiday.

Uruguay is small 3.5 million people. Not flashy , conservative and they’ve escaped a lot of the economic and political turmoil that impacts its neighbours. The parallels to NZ are definitely there. To start with Montevideo is as windy as hell , like Wellington!😂. They rely heavily on dairy and agriculture. Are politically stable and influenced heavily by their larger neighbours. I got the sense when it came to Argentina and its political problems, there are a few eye rolls from Uruguayans.

Buenos Aires ecopark

This was a tad unusual, a semi abandoned zoo in the heart of a large city. While the official line is that modern zoo practices are incompatible with modern day expectations. I have also heard that they simply ran out of money. So most of the animals are gone , except for a few hangers on like the lonely hippo and his neighbour the solitary giraffe, I feel they along with the single buffalo could create their own stories ?

The 18 hectare site has been rebranded as an eco park. Still free entry and it’s fair to say that some of the old enclosures, even empty are pretty stunning. Soz, I didn’t get pics. But you can imagine.

We also went to the Botanic gardens, again stunning and free! Right next door to the eco park.

So many places to explore and I suspect we having got to half of them. I’ll need to save them for next time. Because there will be a next time.

So that’s just about it for Argentina, next we fly to Iguacu stay on the Brazilian side but will hop back over the border to check out the Argentinian side of the falls. Looking forward to it!