1.800.344.6118
Contact UsRequest a QuoteRequest a Catalog
Share your Travels. Win a Trip! Create your Trip Journal [click here]

John and Cathy's Argentina Adventure

By : John Power
Trip Begins January 9, 2009
Trip Ends January 22, 2009

With help from our friends at Adventure Life we experienced much of Argentina. From the restaurants and cafes of Buenos Aires to the natural beauty of Patagonia, the Perito Moreno glacier and the Iguazu Falls we fell in love with the country.
See my photos : John and Cathy's Argentine Adventure

Want to go? Awesome Argentina, Iguazu Falls Extension

I went to: Argentina, Patagonia, Bariloche, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Iguazu, Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier
[enlarge map]
[reduce map]
January 9, 2009
Top

Day#1

Buenos Aires, Argentina

After months of anticipation we were finally on our flight to Buenos Aires. We were able to book a non-stop from New York, so the flight was doable. We were able to get some sleep on the plane. Our taxi driver found us at the airport and conveyed us to our hotel. Our hotel is mid-class with a helpful staff. It is well located. We spent the afternoon walking in city. Over and over again we were reminded of the great capitals of the world. A tour of Recoleta cemetary, the final resting place of Evita, finished our tour. A quick nap, then found resturant,Le Brigade, for our first Argentina steak dinner. Good service, good food. Full moon over BA. Weather is warm but, not oppressive. Good police presence on streets. Looking forward to a good night's sleep.

January 10, 2009
Top

Day#2

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Today we discovered that it is difficult to change traveler's checks here. After much walking and even more patience, we had our pesos. Decided to ride the BA metro to the zoo. The metro is quite easy to navigate. A thirst forced us to stop at Sullivan's drink house. Ah those Irish! They,re everywhere, thank goodness. Palermo is very pretty and very hip. The zoo was small but entertaining. Around this time John started worrying about missing the US football playoffs. We "just happened" to find the US embassy. John located a US Marine from Brooklyn who gave us the needed info (after much "Semper Fi"ing.)God bless the US Marines. Dinner in a resturant that was off the tourist trail. Dinner half-priced. It was a cool evening so we walked back to hotel. Escorted tour tomorrow.

January 11, 2009
Top

Day#3

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Started the day with breakfeast in hotel. It was nice to meet a couple from US at the hotel. Next was a city tour with tour guide, Leo. We finally met our tour mate, Margie from Salt Lake City. Much of the tour repeated yesterday's walk, but this time we had Leo explaining the significance of what we were seeing. We stopped at the flea market in San Telmo and lunched in local resturant which had home made empanadas. Hot empanadas and cold Quilmes beer! What a combination. We than followed the US Marines to "The Alamo" pub for the playoff game. The New York Giants lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. We'll get'em next year. For dinner we met Margie and took in a tango show. Decent dinner and good service. The tango band,which consisted of a piano, bass, three squeeze box accordions,a cello and violins was great and the dancers were superb.

January 12, 2009
Top

Day#4

Ushuaia, Argentina

Today was an early day. We had an early breakfeast and an early pick-up by our driver and Leo for our trip to the airport. After a return to the hotel for some forgotten item, we headed out again. Whoops! Wrong airport! We made it to the right airport in plenty of time for out flight to Ushuaia. Arrived at Ushuaia AOK. Considering that we are only 600 miles from Antarctica the climate is a pleasant surprise. Air is cool but not cold. Hotel is decorated with beautiful antiques. Our room was large but because of the A-frame there were some areas of limited headroom. John walked around room on his knees to be on the safe side. We went up ski lift to see the glacier and enjoyed the view of the city and bay. Dinner was incredibly fresh seafood in a nice resturant in town. Ushuaiais bigger than expected and the weather has been perfect. Early up tomorrow, we're going to the country!

January 13, 2009
Top

Day#5

Beagle Channel

A perfect day,weather-wise,for our trip to Tierra del Fuego National Park. We were picked up early by guide, Freddie, from Canal tours. What a great guide! His English was far superior to our Spanish. He was very knowledgeable about the area's ecology. We followed trail up to "Freddie's Balcony", a great spot for a coffee and soup break. Great views of islands and harbor. We walked down to shore line and camp for bar-b-que lunch of chicken, kabobs and red wine (love those wines of Argentina, especially the Malbecs). After lunch, into small boats to paddle around small islands where we were apparantly the afternoon's entertainment for a local sea lion who followed us closely. Returned via Rte.#3 which is the famous Pan-American highway. Dinner at high-end resturant,great fish dinner. After dinner, drinks at Lola's. Cathy was the victim of an equipment malfunction and was locked in bathroom stall. She didn't panic but was forced to crawl out of the stall. John laughed all the way home. Cathy didn't.

January 14, 2009
Top

Day#6

Ushuaia, Argentina

Another great day, sunny and clear when it needed to be. AM shower gave way to a beautiful afternoon. Drove with Canal tour guide Augustino to southend. Like his fellow guide at Canal Augustino was very knowledable. He drove us to a zodiac dock. The ride across the Channel was windy and cold but even Cathy didn't care because we were going to the penguin rookery! (In the interest of full disclosure we should mention that Cathy is a little nutty about the little guys in tuxes. She will only drink a martini shaken in her penguin martini shaker). We both had a ball but Cathy was the proverbial kid in a candy store. We walked the secure area next to a nesting area. We were an arms length away from hundreds of penguins and their chicks. What an experience! We returned to boat (Cathy had to be cajoled off the island) to our next destination, Gable. The weather has been getting warmer all day long. Augustino led us on a great hike across the island. We took our break at a perfect location to enjoy the view of Beagle Channel. Our hike continued to an old shepherd's hut for lunch. More great eats and great local wines. Returned to the zodiac and across water, stopping to view and enjoy wildlife along the way. Rain on the road on the ride back to town.

January 15, 2009
Top

Day#7

El Calafate, Argentina

Today was a travel day so we had breakfeast early. The ubiquitous ham and cheese sandwiches appeared again. We did some shopping for gifts before leaving Ushuaia. Check-in and flight to El Calafate went well with no problems. The rain in El Calafate was the first big rain we have seen. This provided us with a great excuse to have a rest day after traveling. We are staying at a working sheep ranch. Nice rooms and a killer view of Lake Argentina. A gaucho, who Cathy and Margie thought was hot, gave a demonstration of sheep herding by his dogs as well as sheep shearing. After dinner we sat in front of the fireplace listening to Ride of the Valkeries and sipping Malbec. Quite a lovely way to end the day.

January 16, 2009
Top

Day#8

Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina

Another early start. After a quick breakfeast we grabbed the last two seats on the tour bus to the Perito Moreno Glacier. One's first views of the glacier are deceptive. Your really can't tell the true size and scope. After a short boat ride we landed at the "eco"camp at the foot of the glacier. Our guide gave a great introductory talk about the glacier and then gave instructions for our safety on the climb. We left unnecessary gear at camp and hiked up to base of glacier. Here we donned crampons for ice walking. For some reason John insisted upon calling them capons which gave a great visual and a good laugh. Everyone walks like Frankenstein in their crampons. We walked up and down over the glacier surface. Our tour ended with a drink of scotch with glacier ice. And chocolates! It doesn't get much better. After our boat ride back to land we took a bus ride to the other side of the glacier. We hoped to see the galcier "calve", but no such luck. We returned to the ranch for drinks and dinner and another "brisk sit" in front of the fireplace. Another great day.

January 17, 2009
Top

Day#9

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Today we returned to BA from el Calafate. BA is having a heat wave (37 degrees C) and it shows. There are not many people stirring. Margie has to head back to the states today so we will miss her during the rest of our trip. We decided to walk around San Telmo again. This is such a great city to walk. There's always a small block you missed with something interesting to see, be it architecture, store windows, cafes or restaurants. We found a place for steak where everyone seemed to be a local and the waiters treated us like family. Wonderful meal. We're off to Iguazu Falls tomorrow. Let the jungle know we're coming!

January 18, 2009
Top

Day #10

Iguazu, Argentina

Another early flight but well worth it to give us more time in Iguazu. We were met by our guide and driven to our new digs, the Iguazu Jungle Lodge. Wow! Beautiful room, or should I say suite. We had a kitchen, dining area, European style bathroom and bedroom, as well as a deck. When we opened the curtains the jungle was our backyard. After a leisurely lunch at the pool we were transported to the jungle where we had our very first tree-top cable experience. Talk about exciting. As if this wasn't enough we took a short hike to a waterfall where we each had a chance to rappell down the falls. What a way to get wet. We rewarded ourselves with dinner and a bottle of Argentine wine in our room. To the Falls tomorrow.

January 19, 2009
Top

Day#11

Iguazu, Argentina

Looking forward to a really great day. We will visit Iguazu Falls, the second largest falls in the world, second only to Victoria falls in Africa. Our tour started in the sub-tropical rain forest which gets over 300" of rain per year. Everything is green, green, green. We rode a small train through the National Park to get near the falls. You can hear the roar from a half-mile away. As you approach the falls, the power and the force is overwelming. Over a half millon gallons of water per second. WOW! Swallow birds fly the falls to nest on the cliff face behind the falls. This protects them from predators. We walked several trails to view a second set of falls down river. Little did we realize that we would soon be in the falls rather than viewing them. We got on a boat to view the falls when I noticed the crew donning protective attire. Sure enough, the boat proceeded to ride through the spray of the Devil's Throat. Before we could catch our breath the boat then headed down river through the rapids. Argentina seems to specialize in exciting ways to get wet. The pool back at our hotel seemed way too tame by comparison but we took a rest there anyway. Dinner in the room with, you guessed it, another bottle of Argentine wine. Tomorrow back to BA.

January 20, 2009
Top

Day#12

Buenos Aires, Argentina

As we had an early check-out and mid-afternoon flight the hotel staff graciously let us check out and spend the day by the pool. After all of our activity since we got to Argentina it was some welcome down time. Returned to BA,same hotel,same staff. They looked at us like "you again"? Enjoyed the afternoon with drinks on our previously undiscovered rooftop deck followed by dinner in local Italian resturant. As we were leaving, the men at a nearby table bid us some warm good-byes. I think they enjoyed our enthusiasm for their country (and their wine). Tomorrow we explore the neighborhood "La Boca"

January 21, 2009
Top

Day#13

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Last day in BA, Argentina. We slept late and packed before touring the old section of La Boca. This is the old Italian section of city with a great history. We made one misstep and wound up in the tourist trap section of town with people on the street luring you into their restaurants for "authentic" food and traditionsl dance. We quickly got out of there and actually found a wonderful, truly authentic reataurant with what was perhaps the best food we had in BA. We've been blessed with great weather for the entire trip which will make it even harder to leave. It's home via Miami tonight.

January 22, 2009
Top

Home

Miami, FL

Home with memories to treasure for a lifetime.

My Photo Album: John and Cathy's Argentine Adventure
An Argentine Adventure begins from Buenos Aires
An Argentine Adventure begins from ...
Love the outdoor art!
Love the outdoor art!
Cafe Tortoni, a must see in BA
Cafe Tortoni, a must see in BA
Breakfast at Cafe Tortoni
Breakfast at Cafe Tortoni
Cathy visits her favorite place
Cathy visits her favorite place
At deaths door, Cementerio de Recoleta
At deaths door, Cementerio de Recoleta
Beauty amongst the sadness
Beauty amongst the sadness
Angels wept
Angels wept
The main drag in BA
The main drag in BA
Traffic on the main drag
Traffic on the main drag
Flags at the Plaza de Mayo
Flags at the Plaza de Mayo
Commemorating those who disappeared during the Dirty War
Commemorating those who disappeared ...
Waiting for Evita to appear
Waiting for Evita to appear
Music on the streets of Buenos Aires
Music on the streets of Buenos Aires
Home-made Empanadas for lunch!
Home-made Empanadas for lunch!
Pedro gives the empanadas his personal touch
Pedro gives the empanadas his personal ...
Waiting for our first taste of Argentine beef
Waiting for our first taste of ...
Cathy goes nowhere without her Times
Cathy goes nowhere without her Times
A great place to stay in Ushuaia
A great place to stay in Ushuaia
Only 600 miles to Antarctica
Only 600 miles to Antarctica
Ships on the way to Antarctica
Ships on the way to Antarctica
Low tide in Ushuaia harbor
Low tide in Ushuaia harbor
Ushuaia harbor at dusk
Ushuaia harbor at dusk
Cathy joins the penguin conga line!
Cathy joins the penguin conga line!
Its a long way to Alaska
Its a long way to Alaska
Cathy looks too happy with our guide
Cathy looks too happy with our guide
Cathy,Marge,and guide Freddie
Cathy,Marge,and guide Freddie
A good guide knows the best views
A good guide knows the best views
The beauty of Beagle Channel
The beauty of Beagle Channel
Coffee break on Gable Island
Coffee break on Gable Island
Heading to an out of the way place for lunch
Heading to an out of the way place for ...
A great place,off the beaten path,for lunch
A great place,off the beaten path,for ...
Lunch is always better enjoyed when shared with friends
Lunch is always better enjoyed when ...
Cathys new best friends
Cathys new best friends
Has anyone seen my waiter?
Has anyone seen my waiter?
Just another day at the beach
Just another day at the beach
Spread your wings,my son!
Spread your wings,my son!
Sunset in the southernmost city
Sunset in the southernmost city
A travel day in the rain
A travel day in the rain
Learning Glacier 101
Learning Glacier 101
John and Cathy meet the Perito Moreno Glacier
John and Cathy meet the Perito Moreno ...
Just dont step back...
Just dont step back...
Cathy prepares for her glacier walk
Cathy prepares for her glacier walk
Intrepid glacier explorer
Intrepid glacier explorer
Enjoying a libation with glacier ice
Enjoying a libation with glacier ice
Top of the world ma!
Top of the world ma!
Totem of the ancients
Totem of the ancients
Cathy and Ignacio,our host, discuss politics
Cathy and Ignacio,our host, discuss ...
Our digs in BA
Our digs in BA
Welcoming us to the park
Welcoming us to the park
Getting briefed by our guide
Getting briefed by our guide
I hope the snakes can read the sign!
I hope the snakes can read the sign!
Some people just have to be told!
Some people just have to be told!
Do some people not notice the Falls?
Do some people not notice the Falls?
John and Cathys first look at Devils Throat
John and Cathys first look at Devils ...
The Devils Throat.
The Devils Throat.
The scope of Iguazu Falls cant be captured in one photo
The scope of Iguazu Falls cant be ...
So we need this one...
So we need this one...
...and this
...and this
...this
...this
and this.
and this.
Adventurers at the Falls
Adventurers at the Falls
Posing with our guide by his countrys flag.
Posing with our guide by his countrys ...
Not quite the New York City subway.
Not quite the New York City subway.
Train operator at Devils Throat
Train operator at Devils Throat
A place for a quiet picnic.
A place for a quiet picnic.
Awesome power
Awesome power
The Falls are just a little taller than Cathy
The Falls are just a little taller than ...
For those who dare!
For those who dare!
Cathy gets ready for the Devils Throat
Cathy gets ready for the Devils Throat
Everybody in the boat
Everybody in the boat
The boats going where????
The boats going where????
Pretending to look casual as we head into the Falls
Pretending to look casual as we head ...
What a nice photo op!
What a nice photo op!
Wait! Where is everyone?
Wait! Where is everyone?
Park entrance
Park entrance
It looks calm
It looks calm
Really calm...
Really calm...
Cathy auditions for Tarzan role!
Cathy auditions for Tarzan role!
Jane,not Tarzan
Jane,not Tarzan
Waterfall again! And we get to rappel
Waterfall again! And we get to rappel
Ready for a Power-ful Adventure
Ready for a Power-ful Adventure
Our refuge in the jungle
Our refuge in the jungle
BAs version of Grand Cenral Station
BAs version of Grand Cenral Station
And we feel right at home
And we feel right at home
And La Boca welcomes us
And La Boca welcomes us
We prepare to enter LaBoca
We prepare to enter LaBoca
Colorful local dwellings
Colorful local dwellings
Colorful local denizens
Colorful local denizens
A salute to the brave Italian sailors
A salute to the brave Italian sailors
Where was Cathys favorite meal in BA, Alex?
Where was Cathys favorite meal in BA, ...
Right here at El Obrero!
Right here at El Obrero!