Our plan is to be in Buenos Aires around 20 June so, with 6 days to spare we decided to look at the map and point to 3 or 4 place names that we have never heard of and, not on the tourist map, and see if we can get there and what we might find.
The bus system here in Argentina is very efficient and reliable so with names in hand we find ourselves on an overnight express bus, 10 hours in the most comfortable first class bed (even better than some of our hotel rooms) and arriving at Corrientes at 7 am. We left temperature of 27 degrees at 9 pm in Peurto Iguazu and arrive to 12 degrees and high wind factor and wet. Paul was the centre of attention with his shorts and open shirt. We spent the morning having coffee, purchasing sweaters and visiting a gallery and found we could get to our next destination, Goya (chose this 'cause he was an artist), the same afternoon. This time had a birds eye view of the passing scenery as we sat at the top of the double decker up the front seats. The three hours past by very quickly.
Goya was a quaint smaller country town on the river Parana. (We are following this rio all the way from Iguazu to Buenos Aires). Didn't take long to realise this is mainly a fishing town with nothing much else (a grafiti sign said; 'goya is dead') and at this point we made a decisuon that we should make this a food and wine expedition as well as sight seeing. A restaurant recommended to us by a local lead us to a very 'happy' evening of pate, steak, fish and a Lattitude 33 Cab Sav topped off with the owners own special liquor.
Our next destination, Santa Fe, 'cause we liked the name, and a 3 hour bus trip had us in a much larger city and with the bus terminal conveniently located near the centre and close to hotels, we were within walking distance of everything. So, out on the streets we headed. We like the long plazas they have here. Few, if any, shopping malls, crowds of shoppers. It seems that most shops stay open until around 10 pm - some close from around 1 pm to 4 pm. Resisting any temptations to buy, especially leather clothes, we headed for a bar and ordered a martinini which came with accompanying olives, nuts, and a plate of tapas - and that was just part of the service, no extra. We had passed a classy looking entrance to an Italian restaurant so returned to find it hidden through three lots of stained glass doors, smart looking waiters showed these two scruffy travellers to a table and before long a bottle of Bosca Luigu Cab Sav and pasta and veal satisfied our appetites.
The next day we decided to visit the contemporary museum and walk through the historical part of town. To our surprise there was no one around. Not even at 12 noon and it was Saturday. Couldn't work out what was going on so, finding the gallery closed headed back to the bus terminal to find a bus going somewhere.
We arrived in Rosario 3 hours later. A kind taxi driver took us from place to place to find accommodation. You can't trust the 'Rough Guide' books, two of the hotels they suggested were just skeleton of buildings. Finally decided the Hotel Presidente was fit for us - in fact a little above our usual class but after going to five hotels we thought we should just take it. It was then we found out it was fathers day in Argentina and, it was Sunday, not Saturday. Oh well, I guess holidays are like that - just lose track of days. OK does anyone know what is important about Rosario? This is the birth place of Che Guevara and as it turned out there was a photo exhibition of him and family. Interesting and lucky for us that galleries open at 4 pm and close at 10 pm on public holidays. Oh there was also an exhibition on Croatia so, (Vic and Vicki, it looks great) knowing we will hopefully be there later in the year, viewed this too. After this a pizza and beer was in order.
The next day in Rosario was again quiet. It was Monday - we had our days right - and later found out it was the Argentinian Flag Day. Rosario celebrates with gusto. The flag, blue and white was hanging everywhere and at the national obilesque women, with their Singer sewing machines were diligently assembling Argentina's biggest flag (around the size of two blocks) after which, in a ceremony, the locals raise it and carry it around and around the block. Quite an amazing and very patriotic sight. Can't quite imagine the same being done with the Australian flag. At lunch time we found a wonderful sunny spot and following the wine and food thing, a cold Latitude Chardonnay and hamburger we just watched the passing parade. Oh, one other thing here at Rosario was the Amigos Club of Torinos. Torinos are cars. Around 150 all dolled up with leather seats, rich colours and psychadelic painted engines were on display.
So this is the end of our pick a box tour. We're sitting on our final double decker bus ride before reaching Buenos Aires (5 hours) - upstairs, front seat with the trusty little computer finishing off this posting. Hopefully get it off tonight.
The bus system here in Argentina is very efficient and reliable so with names in hand we find ourselves on an overnight express bus, 10 hours in the most comfortable first class bed (even better than some of our hotel rooms) and arriving at Corrientes at 7 am. We left temperature of 27 degrees at 9 pm in Peurto Iguazu and arrive to 12 degrees and high wind factor and wet. Paul was the centre of attention with his shorts and open shirt. We spent the morning having coffee, purchasing sweaters and visiting a gallery and found we could get to our next destination, Goya (chose this 'cause he was an artist), the same afternoon. This time had a birds eye view of the passing scenery as we sat at the top of the double decker up the front seats. The three hours past by very quickly.
Goya was a quaint smaller country town on the river Parana. (We are following this rio all the way from Iguazu to Buenos Aires). Didn't take long to realise this is mainly a fishing town with nothing much else (a grafiti sign said; 'goya is dead') and at this point we made a decisuon that we should make this a food and wine expedition as well as sight seeing. A restaurant recommended to us by a local lead us to a very 'happy' evening of pate, steak, fish and a Lattitude 33 Cab Sav topped off with the owners own special liquor.
Our next destination, Santa Fe, 'cause we liked the name, and a 3 hour bus trip had us in a much larger city and with the bus terminal conveniently located near the centre and close to hotels, we were within walking distance of everything. So, out on the streets we headed. We like the long plazas they have here. Few, if any, shopping malls, crowds of shoppers. It seems that most shops stay open until around 10 pm - some close from around 1 pm to 4 pm. Resisting any temptations to buy, especially leather clothes, we headed for a bar and ordered a martinini which came with accompanying olives, nuts, and a plate of tapas - and that was just part of the service, no extra. We had passed a classy looking entrance to an Italian restaurant so returned to find it hidden through three lots of stained glass doors, smart looking waiters showed these two scruffy travellers to a table and before long a bottle of Bosca Luigu Cab Sav and pasta and veal satisfied our appetites.
The next day we decided to visit the contemporary museum and walk through the historical part of town. To our surprise there was no one around. Not even at 12 noon and it was Saturday. Couldn't work out what was going on so, finding the gallery closed headed back to the bus terminal to find a bus going somewhere.
We arrived in Rosario 3 hours later. A kind taxi driver took us from place to place to find accommodation. You can't trust the 'Rough Guide' books, two of the hotels they suggested were just skeleton of buildings. Finally decided the Hotel Presidente was fit for us - in fact a little above our usual class but after going to five hotels we thought we should just take it. It was then we found out it was fathers day in Argentina and, it was Sunday, not Saturday. Oh well, I guess holidays are like that - just lose track of days. OK does anyone know what is important about Rosario? This is the birth place of Che Guevara and as it turned out there was a photo exhibition of him and family. Interesting and lucky for us that galleries open at 4 pm and close at 10 pm on public holidays. Oh there was also an exhibition on Croatia so, (Vic and Vicki, it looks great) knowing we will hopefully be there later in the year, viewed this too. After this a pizza and beer was in order.
The next day in Rosario was again quiet. It was Monday - we had our days right - and later found out it was the Argentinian Flag Day. Rosario celebrates with gusto. The flag, blue and white was hanging everywhere and at the national obilesque women, with their Singer sewing machines were diligently assembling Argentina's biggest flag (around the size of two blocks) after which, in a ceremony, the locals raise it and carry it around and around the block. Quite an amazing and very patriotic sight. Can't quite imagine the same being done with the Australian flag. At lunch time we found a wonderful sunny spot and following the wine and food thing, a cold Latitude Chardonnay and hamburger we just watched the passing parade. Oh, one other thing here at Rosario was the Amigos Club of Torinos. Torinos are cars. Around 150 all dolled up with leather seats, rich colours and psychadelic painted engines were on display.
So this is the end of our pick a box tour. We're sitting on our final double decker bus ride before reaching Buenos Aires (5 hours) - upstairs, front seat with the trusty little computer finishing off this posting. Hopefully get it off tonight.
7 comments:
Dear Robby and Paul, wow....., the only thing crossing my mind as I discovered your blog and spent a moment in each of your destinations. It was also fantastic to see Robby's smiling face again. Snow in the mountains last night means our first winter here has begun very cold indeed. Mum and Dad are in the Alice, getting free camp in exchange for some time given to the Ghan and Truck museum. Mum is in the coffee shop and Dad is very happy about working on some vintage trucks. I will definitely be back to read your about your new travels. Love Cherie.
Oh you hedonists you! I am just drooling with envy. Such a realxed, open, "let it happen to me" approach to life. Your experiences have completely transformed my ideas about visiting that part of the world. What I can't understand is how you guys can survive such ordeals! Things are fine here. It has been a tad cool and we are going through firewood like Twisties, but hey! I am off to the Lands for a week next Wednesday - not sure about it all, but at least Dot will be here. M is bearing up really well although there are times when I suspect the drugs are more "effective" than others. Now that I am clear of some of the distractions, I look forward to monitoring your progress more closely. Just love the way you are approaching the experience. Much love to you both, Marty
I have just been reading some of your past postings; Robby, you are a wonderful chronicaler, your insights and observations are a treat to read. I suggest you rent yourself out as the ultimate travelling companion/documentarist. As for Paul, what can one one say? He sounds as though life is there for the taking - translating kerosene into something vaguely consumable is a very special skill.
Hey Cherie, What a delight to hear from you. We´re now in Buenos Aires and the weather is cold - but probably not as cold as Blue Mts. Hope you have lots of woollies and a log on the fire. Look forward to visiting your new house when we return - in the summer.
Love Robby
Marty, Great you are back in the world of non distractiion. Also been watching your updates, which I enjoy, especially about family happenings and our girl Marie. What I want to know is how you get all your pictures running down the side of your blog instead of like mine all cramped at the top?
Have to say, you looked the ants pants at the wedding. Was that a new suit? Marie looked a right treat too. Love you both R&P
R+P,
Can’t believe I have beaten ‘fast Fellie’ from Narara (Manageress of the Central Coast’s best Tsunami Shelter) to this section. I agree with your friend Marty, Robbie you are a wonderful chronicler, your insights and observations are a treat. This is the first travel blog that I have followed which has ‘real friends’ as opposed to ‘virtual friends’ and the experience is enjoyable thanks to the extra input from those geniuses at Google. What a world we are in to be able to do it. Too bad Google Maps street-level is not available for Rio de Janeiro as I would like to do a virtual cruise down Ave Atlantica, Copacabana. You can both tell me about it if we hook up in Croatia in September. Things are usual-usual here with the exception of Vicki having a bad case of sciatica. We are in ‘try to get back to health’ mode to make our trip happen. We really enjoyed the Rio/Iguazu/Argentina section of the blog and loved the ‘Goya is Dead’ photo. It’s going to be a great travel journal by the time you both are back. Haven’t heard any recent name changes from the ‘mystic one’ lately is he finished with his identity crisis or is it just on hold. I can picture the pair of you Tangoing in Buenos Aires so stay healthy and keep enjoying the adventure.
The VeeBees.
Hi there R&P... what fun you are having! It has taken me the morning to read up on all your adventures. We have limited internet in Vanuatu so I have had to wait till I came home to drop in and say hi. My assignment in Vanuatu finished last week so I am back for medicals and debriefing. Your blog has reminded me I must get on and update ours again! South America sounds wonderful and your scripts bring it to life so well. If you are headed back through the Middle East after August we may be able to offer you a bed...perhaps in Al Ain in the UAE!!!! More on that when it is definite! Pot luck at Bridgets this weekend and we will all have a good yarn about your adventures I am sure! Continue to enjoy. We both send our love - mine from Aus and Ron's from Port Vila....he is still there while I girl it up on the CC. Cheers
Cheryl
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