Escape to Argentina

Tripoto
13th Apr 2015
Photo of Escape to Argentina 1/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 2/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 3/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 4/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 5/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 6/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 7/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 8/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 9/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 10/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 11/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 12/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 13/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 14/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 15/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 16/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 17/18 by Amadeus
Photo of Escape to Argentina 18/18 by Amadeus

Going to Argentina has been a dream of mine since High School. My Spanish teachers were Argentinian ladies, who somehow instilled a love for their country in me.

Years went by and it became a distant dream. I procrastinated. Part of it was trying to get another person to go with me. Then suddenly, I had a moment of awakening and decided to break away from my routine & the usual travel companions who don't want to step out of their comfort zone. 
 
Taking the plane from London to Buenos Aires felt felt like an escape. It was liberating. Like taking a rocket to the moon. Literally. 
 
Buenos Aires was amazing. What impressed me the most was the vast amount of French architecture and Parisian style Avenues in the large city center. It was like Paris on steroids, however, because the buildings are supersized. The scale is larger than they would have been designed in Paris. And most building were well preserved, although once you entered cafes for example they seemed worn out and from a bygone era.
 
Of course, I had to go to Patagonia. Another 3 hours further south. Another lunar rocket sensation. Further escaping. I chose ElCalafate & ElChalten, only transiting through Ushuaia this time. One day I will go back to Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego, Torres Del Paine & and the Antarctic. 
 
I spent 8 days in Patagonia. 4 out of these had bad weather. The rest was amazing weather. The lesson I learned is that for an outdoor holiday like this, I should reserve extra days and try to only go out when the weather is good. 

Teatro Colon Opera House

Photo of Av. 9 de Julio 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

Detail freeze from the side of the Teatro Colon

Photo of Av. 9 de Julio 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

An artist's performance at the Malba (Modern Art Museum of Latin American Art)

Photo of Av. 9 de Julio 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

From my seat at Teatro Colon. Attended a performance of "Werther", An Opera by Jules Massenet.

Photo of Av. 9 de Julio 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

The Best steak I had in Buenos Aires. Finding a good steak in Argentina wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. (The Argentine Experience)

Photo of Vera 1302-1350, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

The Argentine Experience. A dinner with a comedy performance by "The hosts", who give an introduction to all that is Argentinian. From history to vocabulary & how to order a steak done. Ultimately, the Steak is what it is all about.

Photo of Vera 1302-1350, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Amadeus

Perito Moreno Glacier, ElCalafate, Patagonoa. Unforgettable experience. There was a fear factor added. It was rainy & the terrain was unstable. Weather is unpredictable in this area. My advice 2 travelers is to set aside several days and wait 4 good weath

Photo of RP11, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

Perito Moreno Glacier, ElCalafate, Patagonia

Photo of RP11, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

Crevice on Perito Moreno Glacier "Big Ice Trek". The blue is natural. Even when the sky is grey! It's about how light rays go through a prism effect in the ice. Normally there was 2 be a picnic on the glacier but rain &unstable terrain put the kibosh on i

Photo of RP11, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

The road to ElChalten (from ElCalafate). 5am

Photo of RN40, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

Mount FitzRoy. Approaching ElChalten, referred to as the trekking capital of the world. An amazing little town.

Photo of RP23, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

One of the cute little shops in ElChalten. The whole town matches this look.

Photo of San Martín, El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

"Don Guerra". One of the coolest pubs ever. It's a brewery. In ElChalten.

Photo of San Martín, El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

"Don Guerra", ElChalten, Patagonia. Trout with roasted vegetables. Better than anything I had in my 10 days in Buenos Aires (not counting the steak).

Photo of San Martín, El Chalten, Santa Cruz, Argentina by Amadeus

A perfect day for a Glacier hike. Viedma Glacier. Outside ElChalten

Photo of Lago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina by Amadeus

A Tia Maria on shaved glacier ice. Viedma Glacier, ElChalten, Patagonia. An incomparable & unforgettable feeling. After a long trek in the sun & the adrenaline rush I got, this surprise came like a most refreshing reward.

Photo of Lago Argentino Department, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina by Amadeus