Tuesday, 28 January, 2014
We arrived in the capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires, early this morning and after breakfast, we boarded our all too familiar tour bus for a full day of touring this huge and historic city. The really BIG difference today from every other day of this cruise is that the weather finally changed and we experienced torrential rains until about 12 noon, so our city tour was affected. One foul weather bonus was that many people stayed inside due to the rains, so the crowds in and around the city were not as large and chaotic as usual. One of the highlights of Buenos Aires that we visited was The Boca district with its colorful flavor and very gaudy buildings and decorations which you can see a sampling of in the photos posted on the blog tonight. We also were well entertained by a professional dancing couple who performed the Argentine Tango for us.
We also toured the grand historic buildings of the old-town, and the Mausoleum where Evita Peron is entombed, by far the most popular tourist attraction in this city. We spent considerable time in the May Square where much of the civil unrest gets its start in Argentina. This is also the location of the Pink Palace, where the Perons lived when General Peron served as President, and from where she gave her final "Don't cry for me Argentina" address to her country from the famous balcony. You will recall that Eva Peron was an extremely popular and very young First Lady who had the masses supporting her because of the immense time and energy she spent working for the poor of Argentina, from where her own roots originated. She also neglected her own personal health issues, and refused medical care when she became ill at age 33, dying after a short battle with uterine cancer. Eva Peron is the most admired and revered woman in the history of Argentina, almost considered a saint by the masses, but not by the government or the military who disdain her, and for decades refused to permit her burial in Argentina.
Following a long and busy day in the city, we returned to our ship for the final time and finished the process of packing for our departure tomorrow morning. We will head to the airport and catch a midday flight up to Iguazu Falls, which straddles the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This massive series of waterfalls covers many square miles, dwarfs all of the Niagara Falls combined, and is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. We're very excited to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Dinner tonight was our final one on the ship, and that's probably a good thing. It's been an amazing epicurean journey but certainly not what we're accustomed to. Actually, we're really looking forward to a good homemade casserole. Tonight's dinner started with Shrimp Cocktail, a Pineapple Mango boat, a fresh fruit platter, followed by a delicious Chilled Pineapple Pina Colada Soup, then a Crispy lettuce and Mango Salad. Marla had sweet and sour pork on rice with steamed vegetables for her entree, and I had Blackened Sea Bass with grilled salmon and vegetables. Dessert for Marla was Mango Sorbet and I had a Heath Bar frozen yogurt Sundae. It's time to leave the ship while we can still move!
Three more days and this incredible adventure comes to an end. Mixed emotions, but life goes on. We'll be seeing you very soon.
Love to everyone from both of us.
Tom and Marla
We arrived in the capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires, early this morning and after breakfast, we boarded our all too familiar tour bus for a full day of touring this huge and historic city. The really BIG difference today from every other day of this cruise is that the weather finally changed and we experienced torrential rains until about 12 noon, so our city tour was affected. One foul weather bonus was that many people stayed inside due to the rains, so the crowds in and around the city were not as large and chaotic as usual. One of the highlights of Buenos Aires that we visited was The Boca district with its colorful flavor and very gaudy buildings and decorations which you can see a sampling of in the photos posted on the blog tonight. We also were well entertained by a professional dancing couple who performed the Argentine Tango for us.
We also toured the grand historic buildings of the old-town, and the Mausoleum where Evita Peron is entombed, by far the most popular tourist attraction in this city. We spent considerable time in the May Square where much of the civil unrest gets its start in Argentina. This is also the location of the Pink Palace, where the Perons lived when General Peron served as President, and from where she gave her final "Don't cry for me Argentina" address to her country from the famous balcony. You will recall that Eva Peron was an extremely popular and very young First Lady who had the masses supporting her because of the immense time and energy she spent working for the poor of Argentina, from where her own roots originated. She also neglected her own personal health issues, and refused medical care when she became ill at age 33, dying after a short battle with uterine cancer. Eva Peron is the most admired and revered woman in the history of Argentina, almost considered a saint by the masses, but not by the government or the military who disdain her, and for decades refused to permit her burial in Argentina.
Following a long and busy day in the city, we returned to our ship for the final time and finished the process of packing for our departure tomorrow morning. We will head to the airport and catch a midday flight up to Iguazu Falls, which straddles the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This massive series of waterfalls covers many square miles, dwarfs all of the Niagara Falls combined, and is considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. We're very excited to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Dinner tonight was our final one on the ship, and that's probably a good thing. It's been an amazing epicurean journey but certainly not what we're accustomed to. Actually, we're really looking forward to a good homemade casserole. Tonight's dinner started with Shrimp Cocktail, a Pineapple Mango boat, a fresh fruit platter, followed by a delicious Chilled Pineapple Pina Colada Soup, then a Crispy lettuce and Mango Salad. Marla had sweet and sour pork on rice with steamed vegetables for her entree, and I had Blackened Sea Bass with grilled salmon and vegetables. Dessert for Marla was Mango Sorbet and I had a Heath Bar frozen yogurt Sundae. It's time to leave the ship while we can still move!
Three more days and this incredible adventure comes to an end. Mixed emotions, but life goes on. We'll be seeing you very soon.
Love to everyone from both of us.
Tom and Marla
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