Buenos Aires Argentina

Posted on December 29, 2012 by David Cross

Before coming to Buenos Aires, we spent a day at Iguassu Falls on both the Argentina side and also on the Brazilian side which you can see in those blog posts.

Now, BA is a very interesting city.  It is delightful in many ways and it is scary in many ways. We were impressed on how clean the city is maintained compared to many other South American (large) cities and how “European” the city felt. We were able to easily get around and tour many of the historical and popular sights in the city.

The bad, there was rampant pick pocketing (fortunately not us), but a guest in our hotel had a camera stolen right off her table in front of everyone. We also saw families living on the street with kids only blocks away from the luxury shopping district.

We of course visited the famous square and presidential palace where Peron and Evita spoke to the masses…

And also visit the cemetery and mausoleum where Evita now rests after being out of the country for so many years after her death.

What was interesting to perceive was the protests with the government over the veteran wounded from the Falklands war over 20 years ago and how hundreds of people lined up outside the banks every morning due to the fiscal crisis still ongoing in Argentina.

Look closely and you can see the lines of people down the street…

It was pleasant to our and visit the artists community and colored buildings in the southern part of Buenos Aires in La Boca

…and then enjoy the park and window shopping in Puerto Madero in the afternoon. Walking around in Buenos Aires at 20 degrees Celsius is much more pleasant than the scorching heat of Rio.  Very pleasant city and people overall; definitely a city that should not be missed.

If you want to see another part of Argentina, check out my blog post on Ushuaia.

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Iguassu Falls – Crossing the Border

Posted on December 28, 2012 by David Cross

In case you missed it, here is my first Iguassu Falls blog posting when I was in Brazil.

Today, we crossed the border near Iguassu Falls into Argentina. It is a very small customs and immigration office, and fortunately we were able to wait in an air conditioned bus while our guide handled the process to exit Brazil and enter Argentina. Brazil was about 20 minutes and Argentina was about a hour and a half to go through the bureaucracy. Today, it was a little cloudy and cooler than yesterday as it rained overnight while we were sleeping.  No complaints!

From there, we took another small excursion around the falls from the Argentinian side. The style and approach in Argentina is very different than Brazil. Visitors are required to take a train ride (20 minutes) to the high side of the falls.

It is a very relaxed atmosphere where you get to admire the lush jungle and listed to the VERY LOUD grasshoppers making their pre-mating calls. From this park, you get to stand over most of the river paths that tumble of the rocks below. It is a nice perspective to see the falls from both sides.

 

We finished our hike and headed to the local airport just as it stared to downpour.  If anyone is interested, the movie in the 80s titled “The Mission” with Robert DeNiro is filmed and about the Iguasso Falls historically.

The Iguasso airport on the Argentinian side was also a different experience. At first, we struggled to have the cafeteria in the airport make up some palatable sandwiches. That turned out fine. Then, we went through the metal detectors and XRAY machines while local police looked through our airports. The official went through all my visas, and then stopped at my Israeli residency visa. He motioned for me to come with him, take my carry on backpack and we were going to the back.  Uh oh…what is the problem? No hablos espanol…this is not going to be easy.  Into the elevator, down to the basement…we go into a room with a dozen police.  I guess I better be ready for a tough situation…but then they brought me to our bags. They wanted them unlocked.  I could draw this story out longer, but I will be nice.

They did not like my wife’s bottles of shampoo. These 4 bottles right next to each other frisked them out in the XRay. We filled out some paperwork, I signed something that I have no idea what it said, and away I went back to the boarding lounge to get on the airplane. That was definitely different. When travelling around the world, you always have to be patient, calm and don’t worry. 🙂

A completely different experience than what occurred when flying from Santiago to Easter Island which I highlighted in this blog posting!

On to Buenos Aires! I think a bottle of Malbec will be appropriate tonight.

Brought my Starwood Gold Guest card…upgraded to the club floor at the Sheraton Liberator in Buenos Aires 🙂

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Iguassu Falls in Brazil

Posted on December 26, 2012 by David Cross

At first, we visited Rio de Janeiro which was in this blog entry.

Today we visited Iguassu Falls in southern Brazil. It was almost 40 degrees Celsius out, but the trails through the park were nicely shaded which was very fortunate.

We encountered numerous wildlife while walking around, colorful birds…

and of course the white Egret

The local raccoon, that loves to meet visitors…

as well as small and large lizards

This guy was almost a meter long! He might have been going after this afternoon snack:

Tomorrow, we will cross the border into Argentina and see the falls from that side and then venture further south again to Buenos Aires.  I wonder what type of food we should try there?

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Holiday Dinner Overlooking Beach in Rio

Posted on December 25, 2012 by David Cross

Last night we had a pleasant and enticing gourmet dinner at the Skylab restaurant above our hotel (Rio Othon Palace). It was a great view and setup for the holidays.

Afterwards we met with the chef to compliment him on the meal and he signed our menu.

Then, we took a nice leisurely stroll alongside the beach…but for some reason, almost everyone had abandoned the beach for some reason…UFOs?  😉

Today, we are off to Iguassu Falls…see blog post.

No club or airport lounge though!

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Rio National Park

Posted on December 24, 2012 by David Cross

Took a walk through the National Park outside of Rio.

waterfall

A spectacular view of the city like no other…

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We were able to observe the famous ants that live in the trees that turn from green leaves to white flowers after 60-70 years…

ants

as well as the tiny Brazilian bees that can enter the Brazilian nuts. (no picture yet)

The trail signs… 🙂

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Rain and Lightening in Petropolis

Posted on December 23, 2012 by David Cross

We made a visit to Petropolis Brazil today. It was a gorgeous drive through the lush mountain landscape to visit the historical colonial sites in the Rio province. We toured the Imperial palace and local scenery and were caught by surprise with a major thunderstorm with major lightening. Have not seen this much rain in years!

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Corcovado in the Fog

Posted on December 23, 2012 by David Cross

Twice in 10 years, when I visited the famous Redeemer statue, it was shrouded in fog. Every few minutes the fog broke and the statue reappeared. At least it was a little cooler up here this morning.

What a coincidence…maybe that is part of its mysterious mission and statement. The train ride to the top was a pleasant 22 minute ride through the deep foliage.

SONY DSC

Off to the local market from here…

market

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Samba Nights in Rio

Posted on December 23, 2012 by David Cross

Saw a great show of the historical talent and traditions of Brazil to unwind the evening (and a few caiprihainas as well).

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On the Beach of Rio de Janeiro

Posted on December 22, 2012 by David Cross

We arrived in Brazil a day before the world ends, but unlike the great book I read 20 years ago, we are truly on the beach with no major apocalypse in Rio de Janeiro.  (I think they made a black and white movie in the 50s, but I am not sure any more, it has been a long time…)

We are literally 25 meters away from the famous Copacabana beach.

 

This is a great location, although we are not at the best hotel in the area (Othon Palace).  Three star at best, but we are truly balanced between the tourist area and being part of the local scene. We are eating side by side with the local population in their favorite cafes and eating spots and shopping for fruit, water, Gatorade, wine and snacks at the same supermarket down the street.

Yesterday morning we went for a great early morning run around the “lagoon” which is a 15 minute walk west from the beach and ocean. This is where he local running clubs, bikers, walkers, boaters, kayakers, etc. all gather and work out early in the morning.

It is a gorgeous park with approximately a 5 mile loop for running. It was hot – at 7 AM, it was already 80 degrees and Gatorade was mandatory. Very friendly and fun way to start the day on the east coast of the Atlantic Ocean.  The evening kicked off with a nice long walk along the boardwalk to join in the festive atmosphere of Brazil.

 

Later, after some dinner, we went back to the Lagoon where they have the “world’s largest Christmas tree”.  It is a floating island that floats around the lagoon at random. We took a few shots were not easy without walking a few miles to the other side…

Running around the world is always fun.  Some of my other favorite spots:

 

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Learning on Sabbatical

Posted on December 21, 2012 by David Cross

Not goal #1, but a personal goal overall :-)

A number of enrichment lectures were held throughout the Antarctic cruise from the expeditionary staff and also some of the guests. We were fortunate to get to know and become friends with Paul Anastas who was a professor at Yale and a science advisor to both President Clinton and Bush (http://www.chem.yale.edu/faculty/anastas.html). He had an interesting talk on how to “Design for Tomorrow” to ensure a sustainable future.  The future is scary unless we look at the big picture outside of organizational, political and virtual boundaries.  There are many examples in nature that prove we can use different chemical and industrial techniques to avoid creating toxic waste to produce products.

In addition, which I may have forgotten to share earlier, Jim McClintock joined us on the shore landings and also educated us on his work on the warming trend in the Antarctic. (http://www.wolfmanproductions.com/james_mcclintock.html). He shared and signed copies of his book with the entire passenger list which was provided an insightful and educational perspective on the risks of the marine environment with a warming Antarctic Peninsula. 

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