TheQueen

Tuesday, January 29 - Tango Report & La Ombu

We repaired to the Cafe Tortoni last night at 9, and had dinner there while we waited to be seated for the tango show. The cafe, with its high ceilings, Tiffany glass panels and lamps, busts of literary greats from a by-gone age, does not disappoint. We are led through the red velvet curtain and seated directly in front of the stage. Wow!

Monday, January 28 - Tango!

So, last night we arrive at the Armenian Social Club at 9 p.m., all set for tango lessons. We find a crowd of energetic couples and singles in the middle of a milonga lesson. Milonga is another lovely dance, somewhat easier to learn than tango. Too bad we didn't get here at 8. Milonga lessons conclude, and after a break, there is a short tango show.

Sunday, January 27 - Buenos Aires, Tigre

We started our stay in Argentina's capital city with a walk to the famous Plaza de Mayo, and the seat of power for the government, the Casa Rosada. You will see that it deserves its name. Isa, who lived in Buenos Aires until age 19, tells us that in Evita's (Peron) time it was a much prettier pink. We take photos of fountains, monuments, statues, and cathedrals that populate the square and its boundaries.

Saturday, January 26 - Traveling in Chile and Argentina

Yesterday we traveled from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, Chile to Argentina, once again. It made for a leisurely day, and we did some souvenir shopping. Today we travled from Ushuaia, way down south, to Buenos Aires, the capital city. We're sitting in the courtyard of our hotel, a very pleasant, airy courtyard, planning our activities for the next few days. We have really been enjoying our travels in Chile and Argentina, and are looking forward to Peru. But I thought I ought to write a little bit for those of you who haven't traveled in these parts so you'll know what to expect.

Thursday, January 24 - Penguinos and Punta Arenas

Here we are in Punta Arenas once again. As you may recall, we flew from here to Ushuaia, where we boarded the Via Australis for our cruise around Cape Horn. The boat brought us back to ... Punta Arenas. From here we fly once again to Ushuaia, and from there to Buenos Aires. Put our circuitous route down to the exigencies of Lan Chile's flight schedules and the only cruise we were able to book. But before we get to Puntas Arenas, we have one more opportuntity to commune with penguins.

Tuesday, January 22, Piloto and Nena Glaciers

This morning was leisurely - no need to get out of bed before 7. And the weather today was just about as good as it gets in Patagonia. The sun started peeking through the clouds shortly before breakfast time (0800). B took this great picture from the top deck.

Monday, January 21 - Cabo des Hornes, Cape Horn

We begin this first full day of our cruise with the highlight of the trip, a visit to Cape Horn. If all goes well we will be taken to the island on the zodiac boats and climb to the monument on the spine of the island. We must be ready with foul weather gear and life vest by 7 a.m.

Sunday, January 20 - Heading for the Horn

Today we spend the day in Ushuaia, waiting to board the Via Australis for our voyage around Cape Horn. We rise late, breakfast and pack. While I putter with my computer, D and B find the office where we are to check in with Cruceros Australis, the cruise company. And we see our ship in the harbor; in the picture, the red arrow points to to it. Not so big, eh?

Saturday, January 19 - Estancia Harberton, Tierra del Fuego

Today we wake to bright sunshine and still air. It is that rare warm, sunny day in Tierra del Fuego. Breakfasted and supplied with sandwiches from the bakery across the street, we roll down to hill to board our catamaran, Elisabetta, for a boat ride up the Beagle Channel to Harberton Ranch.

Friday, January 18 - Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego

Yesterday we spent organizing our touring here at the Fin del Mundo, and doing all those little chores that one puts off when traveling. Once gain we visit a pharmacist, where I get a better decongestant-and-cough syrup. The antibiotic has worked, but I'm left with a pesky cough and a wheeze. But the view from out hostal window is some compensation.