2019 Dec. Buenos Aires. Argentina.

Buenos Aires was a quick city stop between my Patagonia trekking adventure and sight seeing visit to Iguaza Falls. The phobia from the birdshit scam was still fresh in my mind, so I wasn’t too keen to explore crowded places in cities. Had an unexpected good dinner at Bar Chin Chin around the corner from Curio Collection Hilton Hotel we stayed in. The steak was also excellent, hence my conclusion that steaks are very well executed by most decent chefs in Argentina generally.

 

Highlight of the evening was drinks at Bar Sur to experience live Tango dancing. Cover charge was not cheap, as this was the bar made famous by Wong Kar Wai’s movie ‘Happy Together’ (春光乍泄）starring Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung. Not surprising, a number of the guests were asian tourists.

   

 

New Year’s eve was free and easy day to explore the city, but many places closed early. We headed to La Boca, Buenos Aires’ famed neighbourhood for its colourful houses, tango and soccer team, and supposedly the one attraction that every tourist must visit. The centrepiece was the cobblestone strip El Caminito. Outside the tourist area was a fairly poor neighbourhood with many crime reported, so need to be extra careful.

                     

Visited another shopping and dining area in Palermo in the afternoon, stores were starting to close early. Chanced upon this street with graffiti all over.

                 

We headed to Recoleta Mall next and walked past Participatory Science Museum with an interesting painted facade.

Visited Recoleta Cemetery in the heart of Buenos Aires, arguably the world’s most beautiful place to rest in peace. Buried here were the who’s who of notable Argentinians including politicians, Nobel Prize winners, and of course Argentina’s most beloved Evita, Eva Peron.

       

This place reminded me of the cemeteries in New Orleans, but bigger and nicer. The entire cemetery is a huge maze and impossible to navigate. Took us some effort to locate the most famous and visited tomb of Eva Peron. 🎼 Don’t cry for me Argentina…

             

Decided to take a long walk to the revamped dockside area Puerto Madero and then back to hotel, to take in some views of the city.

   

The unique 335-foot pedestrian suspension swing bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava.

       

Finding a restaurant for dinner on New Year eve was not easy. Decided to eat at Bar Chin Chin again early before the countdown partygoers gather at the bar. Of cos, I had to order the excellent steak again. And that was probably why despite all that self-punishing hardcore trekking for this trip, I did not lose any weight. 🙂

               

We did not want to go to the big countdown parties with huge crowds in the city. Decided to stay in our hotel and sat at the small square right in front. Nice ambience with customers from the restaurants and bars flowing out, and locals gathering to dance in the small park.

         

Dancer performing outdoors at the restaurant

Countdown moment to New Year 2020

Revellers dancing and celebrating

It was a nice low key countdown to 2020 in Buenos Aires, great ambience! Flew to Iguazu the next morning on New Year Day.