Month: April 2019

This morning we took the public bus about 20 km to the Argentine National Park Iguazu. In the national park we walked along the Lower Cirsuit and the Upper Trail (easy to walk on asphalted paths and a few stairs), and had a gigantic view of the falling water masses of one of the new seven natural wonders of the earth. Unimaginable, what power is behind it. The waterfalls stretch almost 3 km wide and you can get very close!

At least as interesting as this wonder for us were the animals that live quite trustingly amidst the tourist crowds. Coatis (Coati, Nasua) prey on treats in the picnic areas.

Perky “Plushed-crested Jay” birds (a type of crested jay) let themselves be fed by hand (with peanuts).

We also saw a crocodile in the water and toucans in the trees. There is a luxurious hotel in the park with a huge infinity pool and a view of the waterfalls. We met Olivia from Bremen, who treats herself to a stay here and is totally thrilled. On our round trip we took pictures of each other. In the evening we took the bus back to Puerto Iguazu and after we went to the supermarket we cooked a mushroom risotto.

( Bus there and back 320 ARS pP, park entrance 1 day 700 ARS pP, 2nd day park 50%)

Silke

In the bus we were served cake, jam, crackers and coffee for breakfast. The seats were comfortable and clean but we still didn’t sleep very well.

Around 12:00 we reached our destination Puerta Iguazu 3 h late. Our apartment is located directly opposite the bus terminal. In the afternoon we made only a small round through the town and walked to the Mirador de tres fronteras. On a small excursion boat we made a mini tour 1h. Aon the Rio Iguazu we drove under the Puente International Tancredo Neves ( Fraternity Bridge) along, which connects Argentina with Brazil, and are then to the Rio Patana, on whose opposite bank Paraguay with the Puerto Tres Fronteras lies. A few small waterfalls could be seen on the shore and many anglers..

Then we walked to the Argentine viewpoint. After the walk with boat tour we did some shopping and then cooked us a spinach pan!

Silke

We left Today in time for our next destination. After breakfast, we went during rush hour first in local traffic with the Metro and bus 160 to the airport. At check-in, there was then an unpleasant surprise. Our booking was not confirmed and therefore our ticket was not valid. A new ticket should cost four times as much! Without further ado, we took a cab to the long-distance bus terminal and booked two seats on a night bus directly at the counters there.

“Cama class. There is food, pillows and blankets. The seat backs can be tilted up to 160 degrees. So we are a little longer on the road ( 15:30- 9:00 +1) but save an overnight stay and see a little more of Argentina.

Reiner

The capital of Argentina has shown us from your best side. Beautiful sunshine at 22 degrees accompanied us during our city walk, which we started in the late morning. We took the metro and got off at the station Carlos Pellegrini at the Obelisco. We continued through the city to the pink Presidential Palace at Plaza de Mayo and then to Café Tortoni, which has a beautiful ambiance, with many paintings and illuminated colorful leaded glass windows. There we had coffee and cake. We continued our walk through an antique flea market to Plaza Dorrego, where a couple was demonstrating tango. One cannot and does not want to avoid the tango in Buenos Aires. Also in Calle Lavalle / corner Calle Florida the dance school of José Carlos ( Florida y Lavalle Tango Show) presented the art of tango dancing. We got a free lesson or rather the posing worked out before!

The metro took us back to our apartment and we cooked some ricotta spinach tortellini with salad.

Silke

After the trekking tours our things were pretty used up, so today we planned a washing day including equipment cleaning. For the washing machine, which is located on another floor, we needed coins. Apparently not a common means of payment anymore. However, I was able to exchange some in a small store without having to show my passport. The country is currently subject to high exchange rate fluctuations with inflation tendency (forecasts for 2019 about 23% (but currently it is at 45%)).The dollar increased in price against the peso in the past year by a good 100%.

We were only able to pay for our apartment in US dollars.

In the late afternoon we went for a walk in the nearby area and bought some food. 31 degrees outside temperature.

The city has to wait another day for us.

Reiner

Having had a good breakfast again with homemade scrambled eggs, we took a shuttle bus to the airport.

Our LATAM – plane took off at 12:36 and we reached Buenos Aires at 15:15. Bus ticket card bought and loaded, with the bus 8 to the center and with the Metro 5 stops to Shopping Abasto, where just opposite our small apartment is. At the center we wanted to exchange Chilean pesos into US dollars, but had to go back to the apartment because we didn’t have our passports with us. We also bought a new SIM card for our cell phone there. Then we went grocery shopping and made some gnochi with tomato sauce.

Silke

At breakfast we enjoyed a super great view over the lake Lago Argentino, the mountains and the city. After checking out our luggage was put in the storage room, because we have another night here but have to change our room. At 13:00 o’clock we went by bus 1.5 h about 80 km to the glacier Moreno in the national park Los Glaciares. Directly at the parking lot begins a bordered path with railings and grid floor, which leads over stairs and curves to several viewpoints. We had 4 h stay and it was very exciting to watch the impressive natural spectacle. The weather was wonderful, sunshine at 18 degrees. With a loud roar, partly like gunshots, partly like thunder, large and small chunks of ice detached themselves from the up to 70 m high ice wall and fall into the water of Lago Argentino. The glacier is breathtaking. The ice surface, unlike most other glaciers, does not retreat but grows and collapses again at intervals of several years.

A large crested caracara walked among the cars in the parking lot.

At 19:00 we went back to the hostel and there we spent a nice evening in the restaurant. We helped ourselves at the salad buffet and drank Argentine wine.

( Bus 800 ARS pP, National Park 700 ARS pP)

Silke