We had a sunrise arrival in Buenos Aires. A very cosmopolitan skyline. Unfortunately, we are not allowed independent travel here, but must stay in the Viking bubble. This is an Argentine rule, not Viking’s. Too bad, because the Washington Post did a review earlier this year and we were looking forward to visiting some the places included.
I went on a bicycle tour of the city. Single speed, cruiser type bikes, with a basket, helmet provided. Outside the port we “island-hopped” from one pedestrian island to another until we reached a pike path in the main part of the downtown area. The path was well marked and well used with lots of bike traffic going both ways. Not quite to Amsterdam density, but well enough that most pedestrians where aware of the risk of crossing the path. Especially, with a pack of mostly over 60-year-old riders on bikes they had never ridden before in a city environment with lots of distractions.
We made frequent stops, with a guide that was very, very good. Lots of information, funny, and not a bad singer of Fado and Tango vocals. We had three outriders who stood guard at intersections. One had to sacrifice his bike to a customer whose steed developed a flat tire.
Karla stayed behind and had the gym mostly to herself. Read, wrote some of our blog and read her kindle.
Plane in Front of Air Force Headquarters
Gift from United Kingdom (Pre Falklands or as it's called her the Maldivian War)
Art in a Park
Generic Flower Sculpture
The artist specifically announced this is not modeled after a real flower. The petals used to open and close with the sun, but the mechanism is failing, so it is opened on special occasions.
Eva Peron Memorial
Gift from the French
Recoleta Cemetery
Mausoleum Designed by Gaudi
Parthenon Copy?
Evita Peron's Final Resting Place
Evita's body from display, and its whereabouts were a mystery for 16 years. Eventually it was returned from Italy and she is buried in her brother's family tomb. Not quite the final stop for a lady of the people.
Can't say he wasn't loved.
The church next to the Recoleta Cemetery founded by monks whose humble cemetery became a major tourist stop.
After a shower, we played a final Trivia match with first leg passengers and finished second again. Dinner with departing friends and then off to a wine tasting at El Querandi, a restaurant, tango, wine business. COVID hurt them terribly. We were seated in the basement of an old building with a winding staircase and ancient brick walls.
A Museum and Culture Center on the way for wine
The traditional quince jelly/cheese meal ending
Our Favorite
It was a very educational and delightful evening. The host spoke extemporaneously about Argentinian wines, their roots in Europe, and the business factors that have helped and hurt wine production in Argentina. We had one white and three red wines, including of course a Malbec. Small appetizers of an empanada, an onion/cheese bruschetta, a beef skewer and the cheese/quince jelly combo to finish. We have very close friends whose son would have really enjoyed the evening.
Only 18 passengers continuing tomorrow with only 70 or so embarking. The crew/pax ratio will be outrageous.