Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

Back on the tour bus we head towards Recoleta

 

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Bentito Quinquela Martin, responsible for the brightly coloured houses, watches over La Boca

 

 

 

 

 

 

BA has an underground transit system

 

 

Faculty of Law

 

.Floralis Genérica. A city gift from an architect, this striking steel flower sculpture sits above a reflecting pool.

 

A modern balletic sculpture of Eva Péron in a park

 

The Monument to the Mayor Torcuato María de Alvear is a monument to the first Mayor of the City of Buenos Aires between 1880 and 1887

Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We are at our last stop

 

 

Happy Hanukkah!

 

Gomero de la Recoleta. The most amazing rubber tree

 

The sculpture of the Atlantean was inaugurated in 2014. The figure is 1.85 m. high, weighs approximately 250 kilos and rests on a circular iron base. It is made up of more than three thousand car parts, welded and assembled

 

Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Recoleta, Buenos Aires, was built as part of the Franciscan monastery, completed in 1732 and dedicated to Our Lady of the Pillar. It is the second-oldest church in Buenos Aires, and has served as a parish church following the expulsion of the Franciscans in 1821.

 

 

Recoleta Cemetery. Entry wasn't included in the tour. We returned the next day

 

The cemetery wall overshadowed by a memorial behind it!

 

There is Jacaranda everywhere!

 

Recoleta Cultural Centre

 

 

I'm famous albeit associated with fast food!

Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Back at the hotel we had lunch in the hotel bistro. Was excellent. I always try and get a specific mug on my travels at the local Starbucks. There's an office block right next door to the hotel with a Starbucks concession. Sadly no mugs but they do give away the coffee grounds to use as fertiliser! We then rode the hotel lift to the top floor (19) to see what views we could get. On 17 there's an exclusive lounge to which we don't have access. Will see if I can sneak a peek!

 

 

 

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Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Last night's dinner / tango show was fabulous. The meal was delicious and the dancing sublime. The gaucho display was spectacular.

 

At the outset we were asked to not take pictures of the show, so I obliged. Then after the trio of couples had finished their various routines, to rapturous applause, an older couple danced with perhaps less vigor but as much beauty. 

 

Then I was told to take pictures!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Some gaucho action here

And here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Heading back to the hotel. What a day we had!!

 

 

 

This is the balcony at the Pink House from where Evita Péron spoke to the crowds.

 

 

The Obelisk.The iconic Obelisco de Buenos Aires stands at the intersection of two of the city’s most important streets: Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world with an incredible 16 lanes. The monument was erected in 1936 to commemorate the first foundation of the city by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, and marks the spot where the Argentine national flag was raised for the first time.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

For your future reference the dinner/tango show was booked through Viator as an  'early show. Signature Tours was the vendor.

[NorbertsNiece]

We've had another awesome day today. The concierge at the hotel called a cab for us and we went straight to the Recoleta Cemetery.

 

In this maze like city of the dead, over 6,400 monuments, sarcophagi, coffins, and crypts memorialize some of Argentina’s most famous citizens.

 

I was in danger of becoming extremely morbid.... exposed and occupied coffins not something I am accustomed to. Some of the monuments were the size of small cottages!

 

 

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Edited December 15, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Liliana Crociati..... such a sad story. You can read about her here

 

 

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[NorbertsNiece]

Now being perfectly honest I had an ulterior motive in coming here. To visit the family tomb of the Duarte family, and the burial place of Eva Péron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I really want to finish off our day today but my eyes are telling me they need to rest. We embark tomorrow afternoon so I will do my very best to cross the T's and dot the I's in the morning.

 

We had a super taxi driver guide for the rest of the afternoon and loads to share.

 

¡Mañana!

[0106]

Thank you for all your wonderful pictures and commentary.  How are you paying cabs?  Have you changed any money?  Did you enjoy the food at the tango show?  Have you had any other local food?

[NorbertsNiece]

1 minute ago, 0106 said:

Thank you for all your wonderful pictures and commentary.  How are you paying cabs?  Have you changed any money?  Did you enjoy the food at the tango show?  Have you had any other local food?

Geoff changed some USD for pesos. Paid the cabs in USD! Food at the tango show was very good indeed. Did not eat elsewhere. No time or energy!

 

Will share cabby info later, highly recommend him.

 

Geoff finished the bottle of champagne British Airways gave him this afternoon while I was blogging 😀🥂🍾

[NorbertsNiece]

Outside the cemetery there was a cab parked up. That's how we met Franco, cab driver extraordinaire. We negotiated a price to take us to the Evita museum. $5. On the way there with our limited Spanish, his WiFi ( he let me use it!) and Google translate on both phones we got along swimmingly. He offered to take us on a tour of choice after we'd been round the museum and for $30 for 3 hours we struck a deal. When we got out at the museum he didn't take the initial $5, we could've scarpered!

 

The building itself, built at the start of the 20th century, was originally the home of a wealthy family and was acquired by Eva Peron's social foundation in 1948 for use as a refuge for women from outside Buenos Aires. It has a café with a nice space to sit outside.

 

I had no idea she'd been such a prolific film star!

 

They were firmly against taking pictures of her dresses ... . There was a black satin Dior evening gown that was stunning. All the Péron dresses were simply cut but so so elegant.

 

More about the museum here.

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Back in the cab we head towards Plaza de Mayo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiles In tribute to those who perished in the last dictatorship.

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

I want to visit the Cathedral.

 

Pope Francis was the Archbishop of Buenos Aires for 15 years. Then known as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio, he used to hold mass at this cathedral before moving to the Vatican in 2013. The cathedral houses the Pope Francis Museum, which holds some of his personal and liturgical objects.

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[Ellencruise]

Thank you for posting fabulous photos. I did this cruise March 23, wonderful, best trip so far in my lifetime. Enjoy every minute!

[Torquer]

Wonderful photos/info about the Evita museum.  Unfortunately, I guess we will not get to see it on our upcoming cruise.  When we disembark in BA, we have an 8-hour tour booked before taking us to the airport, but that museum is not on the itinerary.

[NorbertsNiece]

Mausoleum of General San Martín guarded by statues representing Argentina, Peru and Chile.

 

It is guarded around the clock by two soldiers.

 

 

 

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Tribute to Our Lady of Aparecida 

Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Last pics from yesterday.

 

We now go shopping. I have 2 stores to visit. We're in the Florida neighbourhood. Had I the time I could have had a wonderful spree there! Fabulous shops and such a favourable currency exchange!

 

There's a house on the very top of a building. The man who owned the building, an immigrant from Spain, built his home on the roof of his fabulous furniture store!

 

 

 

 

I have a collection from around the world. They didn't have Buenos Aires or Argentina.

[NorbertsNiece]

Cruise Day 1 / 23

 

Good morning and thanks for following!

 

Still at the hotel, all packed and ready to go. A fruit bowl laden with fresh fruit appeared whilst we were at breakfast. I had a mild reaction to the soup I'd been given last night 🤦‍♀️

 

Just realised I hadn’t mentioned the soup..... we both ordered tomato soup, mine GF. We were given the wrong bowls... I had a few spoonfuls before we realised. 

 

Took a trip to floor 17 to grab pics of the Club Lounge and the view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Our cruise and itinerary

Holland America Line 

Iglu Cruise 

 

Saturday, December 16

Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

Sunday, December 17

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Depart: 7:00 PM

 

Monday, December 18

Montevideo, Uruguay

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 11:00 PM

 

Tuesday, December 19

Punta del Este, Uruguay

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 4:00 PM

 

Wednesday, December 20

At Sea

 

Thursday, December 21

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Arrive: 9:00 AM Depart: 6:00 PM

 

Friday, December 22

At Sea

 

Saturday, December 23

Stanley/Falkland Is/Islas Malvinas

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 5:00 PM

 

Sunday, December 24

At Sea

Monday, December 25

Antarctic Experience

 

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 6:00 PM

Tuesday, December 26

Antarctic Experience

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 6:00 PM

 

Wednesday, December 27

Antarctic Experience

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 6:00 PM

 

Thursday, December 28

Antarctic Experience

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 6:00 PM

 

Friday, December 29

At Sea

 

Saturday, December 30

Drake Passage and Cape Horn

 

Sunday, December 31

Ushuaia, Argentina

Arrive: 9:00 AM Depart: 3:30 PM 

Daylight cruising Glacier Alley Beagle Channel

 

Monday, January 1

Punta Arenas, Chile

Arrive: 10:00 AM Depart: 10:00 PM

Strait of Magellan

 

Tuesday, January 2

Scenic cruising Sarmiento Channel Scenic cruising Amalia or Brujo Glacier

 

Wednesday, January 3

Cruising Chilean Fjords

 

Thursday, January 4

Puerto Chacabuco, Chile

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 3:00 PM

 

Friday, January 5

Puerto Montt, Chile

Arrive: 8:00 AM Depart: 5:00 PM

 

Saturday, January 6

At Sea

 

Sunday, January 7

San Antonio (Santiago), Chile

Arrive: 7:00 AM

 

 

 

[SilvertoGold]

BON VOYAGE!!

Wonderful posts and even more to come! How is that for the best Christams present? Totally enjoying your thread and wishing you a speedy embakation and a truly wonderful cruise.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

Our cab driver's name was Franco. Telephone/WhatsApp:

+549 11-5165-6469

 

email : fromerocde@gmail.com 

 

Tell him Linda sent you. Can contact in English via WhatsApp/email 

Edited December 16, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[0bsessed]

Enjoying your blog and getting lots of ideas!

 

What were your thoughts on wearing jewelry (rings, earrings, etc.)?  There seems to be mixed thoughts on wearing jewelry in both Buenos Aires and Santiago.  Some say no worries, others say no way.