| Author | Message | ||
     Monet Unregistered guest |
I will be traveling to Buenos Aires near the end of May by myself. I would like to visit museums, people watch and take tours (walking and escorted). Can you recommend some things for me to do? | ||
| Roberto Unregistered guest |
Welcome, Monet! Yes, I can. Let me gather some information tonight. Tomorrow, I will be posting here on the board a list of activities both free and guided tours that you can undertake while there. Please check back. | ||
| Roberto Unregistered guest |
Monet, here is the deal. I can print a whole lot of information, partly in english, of activities you can do for free while in Buenos Aires. Many of these activities are organized by the City itself, so they are cheap or cost nothing. The list is very long and I thought that if you can provide me with a mailing address I can forward the complete leaflet to you. It will be easier in case I miss any details. You can email me your address to info@travelsur.net with a reference to this thread. I can also give you details on guided tours and how to book those via email. Let me know. | ||
| Santiago Bengolea Unregistered guest |
The Delta is one of those unforgettable sites that remain forever in the memory of its visitors. Sailing across this area is the best way to get to know in-depth its rivers, its islands and its people. A voyage not to be missed indeed. by Pablo Etchevers The “Barba” was expecting us from very early in the morning. It could be said that no sooner had the first sunbeams touched the water of the San Fernando marina, everything was set to go. The Barba, in fact, is nothing else but a beautiful boat being used for both fishing and sailing. The minute one meets its owner, Santiago Bengolea, it seems as if both the boat and the skipper got mingled in only one person. After getting everything on board, we left the Canestrari marina, sailing the Lujan river, which works as the natural border between the continent and the islands only accessed by means of some smaller vessels. Sailing means watching its quaint waterfront, some purely english style rowing clubs, countless marinas and large Belle Époque mansions like the Tigre Hotel, which today is home for the "House of Culture". Thus, we slowly left the busy channels and rivers of the first section of the Delta, like the Vinculación, Urión and the Honda channel, until our eyes met the vastness of the Paraná River, which we had to cross in order to get deep into the quietness of the Aguaje del Durazno, a beautiful creek of calm waters that flow inside a laberynth and pushed us towards the low areas of the River Plate. This place belongs to the second stretch or central section of the Delta. Once there, we made our first stop to fish some "bogas". To no avail. Some cold meat, a wide selection of cheese and an elegant wine were the perfect excuse for what was to come: our lunch… The important thing is that as tourists sail along, they get to know every cubic feet of water they have traveled. How and when, what kind of vegetation and animal life, which tribes (natives) used to populate the islands before white men arrived, why there are so many varieties of fish, all this and more are areas of interest to first time visitors. And Santiago's knowledge of the region is so vast and profound that he leaves no unanswered questions. Visitors end up fully satisfied. The boat slows down and Santiago points at the shore and tells us how the islands were originally created and how they continue to be "formed". He explains to visitors that Paraná River floods drag a large amount of sedimentation which -once held by the shores- create ridges that become the foundation of future islands. “The Delta holds the key to lots of questions and answers. This is the real attraction of these rides. Some facts are discovered during the first encounters with the river streams. Unanswered ones are saved for future visits. Maybe this is the reason why the speed of the boat adaps to whatever turists are looking at –no point in rushing-. The Delta will make apparent its own life at every creek sailed. There is no need to go searching for something in particular. It is better to stop and wait for nature to show what she's got, her rules and codes. And this happens at the Delta again and again. It always surprises you. By noon, we were deep inside the Estudiante Channel, a unique creek that perfectly summarizes the magic of the Delta. Its soft current, its water hyacinths adrift, its azaleas and wild ferns at every corner, its peacefullness interrupted only by falling leaves is what made everything so special. Birds singing would interrupt the reigning silence every now and then. There, as we waited for some "dorado" or "surubí" offspring to bite, the Barba began to light a fire in a portable grill that was hanging from one of the boat's ends. A typical argentine "asado" could be spotted on top. Within minutes, what Santiago said about the Delta *being in charge* made complete sense. An old craft stuffed with timber appeared out of nowhere and •••••• ended the quietness of the creek. Shortly afterwards, a boat selling 'groceries' showed up so we called it -just like calling a cab- to buy a few pounds of pecans -famous, tasty nuts grown locally and introduced in the region in the early 1900's-. We waved at a little rowing boat with kids coming back from school as two islanders in canoes transporting "tacuara cane" and "wicker" would check their fishing traps -placed there the previous night- in search of large wolf fish. The greetings among members of each vessel is part of the navigation "codes" of the Delta. These cultural habits are common among everyone there regardless of the kind of boat they sail, a canoe, a kayak or a million-dollar yacht. It seems as if social classes would take a second stance behind the fabuluous Delta landscape, one with its own codes imposed by nature. As for the asado… We were speechless…. Even though sailing is a beautiful way of appreciating nature, many tourists enjoy walking through the islands. And they can do it, as the possibility of making it to the shore is always present. Our destination was the "Los Pecanes" inn, in the second branch of the Delta. Once there, owners Ana and Richard gave us a brief on what used to be the Delta golden days when the islands would supply the city of Buenos Aires with fruit. Times when the "fishing club" would constantly grow its membership and when almost 100,000 people populated the three main islands. Today, even if that figure does not surpass 25,000 habitants -including weekend visitors- tourist growth has caused some local families to see this place as a real estate investment destination. Knowing this, tireless Ana guided us through many different paths leading to the heart of the average Delta islands. Nests of all kinds of birds' species, wasps and bees, hydrangeas, creepers and wild ferns, small lagoons and rivers with beavers included, as well as humming-birds, were some of the attractions our eyes could watch in every step we made. By tea-time, we were sitting opposite to the river in a shade provided by the pecan trees which gave this place its name. Ana’s secretely guarded recipes for some special treats done with this unique nut, have turned her into a true local gastronomy legend. After tasting some of her home-baked cakes we knew the reason behind her fame. The disappearing daylight signaled dawn. And it was time to be on the move again. The lunar zodiac forecasted a beautiful full moon that would show us a different Delta, with stars, satellites and all. And it is true: the Delta night also deserves our eyes to come to a halt in its colors, our smell to get lost in its odors and our ears to be marveled at the silence of its music or at the wind of some southeastern wind. But that is a different story that I may tell you another day... Recommendations “Río Abajo” by Lobodon Garra “El tempe Argentino” by Marcos Sastre “Viaje al país de los matreros” by Fray Mocho “Sudeste” by Haroldo Conti. Books that are must-reads before getting to know the marvelous Delta.  (Message edited by admin on April 27, 2005) | ||
| BryanAdam Unregistered guest |
I was wondering if someone could send me the list of things to do while in Buenos Aires. Thanks I appreciate it a lot. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 187 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bryan, here is an interesting list. You must copy and paste: 1) Buenos Aires guided tours: http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id =17&info=visitas 2) Must-see places in Buenos Aires: http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id =18&info=imperdibles 3) Buenos Aires walking tours: http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id =16&info=autoguiados#item0_Self-guided 4) Buenos Aires architecture: http://www.bue.gov.ar/recorridos/index.php?menu_id =19&info=arquitectura 5) Learn spanish in Buenos Aires: http://www.bue.gov.ar/servicios/ 6) Turist information, restaurants, etc: http://www.bue.gov.ar/servicios/ 7) Shopping in Buenos Aires: http://www.bue.gov.ar/actividades/?menu_id=102&inf o=compras 8) Nature: http://www.bue.gov.ar/actividades/?menu_id=83&# 9) Tango: http://www.bue.gov.ar/actividades/?menu_id=73&info =tango 10) Cultural activities in Buenos Aires: http://www.bue.gov.ar/actividades/?menu_id=22&#ite m0_Activities 11) Buenos Aires nightlife: http://www.bue.gov.ar/actividades/?menu_id=85&#ite m0_Night 12) Festivals and Conferences in 2005: http://www.bue.gov.ar/expos/?menu_id=23&info=agend a 13) Useful data: http://www.bue.gov.ar/informacion/ | ||
| Aubrey Unregistered guest |
Dearest Roberto, Thanks so much...just this tread answered all my Questions..I am a 24/f going to Buenos Aires for 2 weeks during Christmas....Cannot wait of course. I do have one question anything going on just durring the Christmas season(the last two weeks of Dec) if you can think of anything please e-mail me at aubreyhardaway@yahoo.com Thanks so much! | ||
| aubrey Unregistered guest |
:continue: I do understand the Christmas weekend will be rather slow. I shall be celebrating with family and friends...just as most of the population will be! Just was wondering if anything eles was going on...Thanks so much! | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 210 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hello Aubrey, I haven't emailed you because I am short of ideas. Seriously, most locals spend a quite time with their loved ones, exchanging gifts. Perhaps, some families gather at a restaurant and make it a special ocasion but remember, we do not have snow in Buenos Aires and it is usually fairly hot. And yes, most things / services will be closing early on the 24th. If you decide to make the restaurant thingy you should call for reservations soon... Maybe some local reading this thread will post something specific as to what can be done during Christmas other than the typical. | ||
| Santiago Bengolea New member Username: Santiagov Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2005 |
Roberto´s last post to Aubrey is very clear regarding usual Porteños habits for Christmas. Guess ther´s nothing special as its basically a family oriented day... probably some dancing clubs will open really late, maybe starting 1 AM.. As for restaurants Rodizio Costanea would be one of my choices if looking for a restaurant, surely will need to reserve. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 231 Registered: 12-2004 |
Just for americans who are familiar with Fogo de chao, Porcao and other churrascarias popping up in big cities like Atlanta, NY or Miami... Rodizio is our local version (I think they are from Brazil like most all-you-can-eat churrascarias). | ||
| Santiago Bengolea New member Username: Santiagov Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2005 |
Roberto : The general idea was copied from Brazilian churrascarias , but´s more upscaled and focused on high quality cuts , same as a excellent salad bar table including salmon, sushi, seafood, etc.. A key aspect is "veggy fans" have very good choices too, service is friendly and they have a special room for kids where they draw, paint,and even have a clown ( guess only on sat. n sundays) while parents eat, eat ,eat and drink  | ||
| Santiago Bengolea Unregistered guest |
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