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South America or bust

By : Alison Charman
Trip Begins February 15, 2011
Trip Ends March 3, 2011

We wanted to see Patagonia, but there was so much more to this trip than that
See my photos : South America or bust

Want to go? Awesome Argentina, Patagonia Wildlife Safari, Iguazu Falls

I went to: Argentina, Patagonia, Ushuaia, El Calafate, Puerto Williams, Buenos Aires, Perito Moreno Glacier, Chile, Punta Arenas, Magdalena Island, Torres del Paine, Iguazu, Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Los Naranjos, El Galpon del Glaciar, Las Torres EcoCamp, Hotel Jose Nogueira, Santiago
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February 15, 2011
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Miami to Buenos Aires

Miami, FL

We spend a day in Miami, essentially waiting for our overnight flight to Buenos Aires, but we've been there many times so it's quite familiar. After a very pleasant trip to the Fairchild Tropical Garden and lunch at our favourite Italian Restaurant we settle ourselves at the Airport. It's now that I realise that should have paid more attention to the Itinerary and the Guidebook! Luckily my husband, Ian, knows me very well and has copied the relevant pages, so I start to wonder exactly what I've got myself into. I don't speak much Spanish, I'm not really fit and all I have to offer is my natural enthusiasm for beautiful places.

February 16, 2011
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In Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

We arrive at a reasonably unsociable hour and that seems to be the norm for travel both to and from South America. A very sweet gentleman meets and delivers us to our Hotel. All I can focus on is his cracked windscreen and I later realise that this is the first of many. South America is hard on windscreens and Ian feels the need to explain the economic situation in Argentina. It's clear that his years in the Oil business have been a little complicated by South American political regimes, but there's no need to talk to me as if I'm a 10 year old.

Buenos Aires sits there like the Paris of this continent and yet it is so much more. The crowds, the heat and the vibrancy are almost like a wall that hits you as you step onto the streets. It's hard not to feel extremely English but it's best to just wade in and get on with it

February 17, 2011
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Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Iguazu

Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Iguazu

We have a half day to meander around Buenos Aires before flying up to Iguazu. It's such a pleasure to be away from the grey English winter, so the hot and humid conditions in Iguazu are very pleasant.

Our guide, Hanibal, meets us at the Airport and transports us to the Lodge. It is tucked into the jungle, a leisurely walk from the downtown area, so is handy for the local eateries and gift shopping. The staff are very helpful and we are soon settled in and have a swim and bar snack and we're ready to see what tomorrow brings

February 18, 2011
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Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Iguazu

Iguazu Jungle Lodge, Iguazu

Up early so that we can get on with our day while it's relatively cool. We are greeted at the National Park by a pair of Toucans, who sit in a tree just inside the main gate as if they are paid extras.

Hanibal gives us plenty of background information about the area and we head off to take a look at the Devil's Throat. I'm amazed by the wide area the river covers but it's make up explains the size of the falls. Once we've admired them from above, we take the river trip up to the falls and get thoroughly soaked in a wild ride that Disney would be proud of. It is sad to hear, on our return, that some people have died at the falls, but we felt our boat was very stable and unlikely to be up-turned.

It might have been a good idea to see the falls from the Brazilian side, but we are fairly tired and ready for an afternoon nap. Dinner later in town at 'La Rueda', which is excellent

February 19, 2011
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Iguazu to Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

We are timetabled for the Jungle trek this morning and have to be ready and packed before breakfast as we fly back to Buenos Aires later. It's the one part of our package that I could have done without as I had no interest in either Ziplining or the wet rappel in a waterfall. I know the younger people really enjoyed it, so it was just a bad choice for us. We all found it a bit of a wild ride when a rock got stuck between the two back tyres and made us bump around but we enjoyed our guide's quiz along the way home.

The things I really enjoyed seeing were several Blue Morpho butterflies flitting through the dappled sun by the waterfall. They were impossible to photograph but I know they were there.

We leave Iguazu in a rainstorm and feel relieved we missed all that. We head back to Buenos Aires and our Hotel La Reina Plata. It's fairly utilitarian but clean and well placed at one end of the main pedestrian shopping street. After a quick change we are off in search of dinner in the Puerto Madero area. It's one of those upmarket areas built around a disused dock and warehouse area, with plenty of restaurants and feels pretty safe at night.

February 20, 2011
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Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Up early again to meet up with Felicia, our guide for the City Tour. We are joined by Tommy and G.G, who will be with us on our travels for a while. Once we have established our common like of red wine we know all will be well on the journey.

Felicia begins in the 25 May Square, takes us via La Boca and ends at the cemetary in Recoleta. The contrasts between the political, the fleshpots and the afterlife are incredible and I think we'd all like to end up in a mausoleum adorned with beautiful angels!


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