We travelled from Australia to Buenos Aires on Sunday the 12th of March 2017. And in the process crossed over the International Date Line, thereby acquiring, on our arrival a second Sunday the 12th of March. We left Melbourne late Sunday morning and arrived here at 3pm. Travelling Air New Zealand, and in a first for us, Premium Economy. An extravagance that was thoroughly worth it. Especially on our first, short trip to Auckland when we enjoyed our own little pod seating arrangements. Here are the children enjoying the experience.
Three hours at Auckland airport passed quickly. Our second trip was meant to be eleven hours but thanks to strong winds was only ten. Very unusual Said Andrea, our guide at the airport who was a bit late picking us up. She said twenty or so minutes earlier was not uncommon but an hour certainly was. I was momentarily taken back to classroom discussions of trade winds and the roaring forties And images of Magellan and old sailing ships. It took us a little while to exit the airport. Lots of very big, modern buses picking Ng up and unloading passengers but eventually our little van squeezed in and we were driven along massive freeways and along the city’s lovely major boulevard July9 (named for Argentina’s Independence Day, an image of Eva Peron high above) to our hotel, Sileo. A great location, central to a lot of the things we want to see. Including the famous Recoleta cemetery which we overlook from our room.
It’s a bit disconcerting. Especially seeing tourists wandering around. There are guided tours which are recommended.
It was a beautiful day. People picnicking on the green parks alongside the freeway as we came in. There are lots of green places Andrea tells us, because most people here live in apartments. Three million of them in the city. Ten million in the province of Buenos Aires. Once settled in our room we went out for a walk. There was a market happening nearby and we wandered around that. The usual market stuff; lots of jewellery, leather belts, shoes, bags & hats, woollen things, tea-shirts, souvenirs etc. There were also lots of funny looking bowls that looked like swollen tobacco pipes with strange little stirring things inside them. We deduced they were pots for jam.Eleanor bought a fridge magnet and a cup. I bought a scarf.
There were lots of people sitting in the park which was extensive. Mostly young people. There was a raucous puppet show keeping onlookers amused. There were also quite a few dogs, including one or two daschunds! Andrea tells us that paid dog walkers sometimes walk up to twenty dogs here.
We were all exhausted by now. It was about 6pm. We went and had pizza in a place overlooking the park. No English menu thank you very much. Eleanor has been doing a Stirling job interpreting. We ended up with too much of everything – pizza and wine! But that was fine. Home to the hotel and in bed by 8pm after observing this wonderful full moon shining down on us.
Pauline says
Got to confess the trade winds and sailing ships did come to mind when reading of your wind assisted flight. Day one and already shopping…nice to see. Great photos