Last Day in Argentina
We had a full day planned and actually got to do most of it. After our leisurely breakfast in the garden, we hit the ground running. Took a taxi to Plaza de Mayo, the center of Buenos Aires and immediately stopped at Cafe Tortoni, the oldest cafe in BA for some tea and scones (which puts my Brit pal, Chris into hog heaven:-)
Walked the city streets till we got to the government buildings, pink, I might add and took the photos de rigeur. It is one crowded bustling city. We walked and walked, been averaging 10 miles a day so feeling very righteous about the "fab" food as Chris would say that we have been indulging in. Hopefully it all balances out, pun intended.
From there we to walked to the Colon de Teatro, the famous opera house. We had wanted to cram in a ballet that was playing this week but you just can't do it all. There is so much to do here, we'll just have to come back:-) Then lunchtime, ah lunchtime. We were referred to Tomo 1 and we walked and walked and still couldn't find. When you are standing on a street holding a map, you don't have to ask anyone, they come over to you. The Argentinians are just the warmest, friendliest people ever. Finally, success and much to our surprise and delight, it was a beautiful, first class dining experience, white tablecloths and all. Great food, great service, great ambience and a perfect way to end our last lunch together.
Time for another taxi so the hotel next door called us a radio taxi. There are two types, the radio kind (safer) and the general kind (we never took). Apparently, there is much crime that thankfully we never saw. Pickpockets in the squares, cab drivers that take you the long way or the wrong way. Counterfeit money in exchange for your money and locks on every store door as you have to ring to get in or else security guards inside.
We wanted to go to Caminitos where the buildings are very colorful and tango dancers in the street but alas, alack, no time so we headed straight to the Faena Hotel and Spa for, you guessed it, a massage to end our trip with. Well...we were left breathless by this GORGEOUS hotel in all areas. It is one of the Leading Hotels of the world, 5 1/2 stars and up there with the best I have ever been to. We walked the hotel areas and each one more magnificent then the next, the pool, the restaurant, etc. Rooms start at $600 per night US. Got to the spa with a fitness center that put most US health clubs to shame. The spa was one of the most beautiful and classy I have ever been to (Sam says, I use infinite superlatives a lot, she is right:-) but truly it was and I have been to many spas. Took a sauna, then the relaxation room till called to massage. Here I go again, that was the BEST massage I ever had. She gets on the table and uses her knees, elbows, it was strong and just what I needed after two weeks of dancing and walking.
We were going to try to get to Caminitos on the way back but the city traffic was horrendous and we wanted to get our new coats as Chris is leaving early tomorrow. We got there just in time altho' mine had to be refitted. My leather jacket was custom made overnight at the leather factory...simply amazing. Now exhausted, we cancel our plans to dine at Casa Cruz and opt to eat at our hotel for the last time and it has a wonderful restaurant. It was a gorgeous night, weather wise so we ate outdoors which we had never done at night. It was perfect, again, white tablecloths, overhanging lights, gardenia bushes all around us, music playing, no one out there and a perfect ending to a perfect two week vacation with my Wales gal pal and travel buddy extraordinaire, Chris Leach, affectionately called Leachee Nut.
I leave tonight so the next blog will be back on US soil. Thanks for reading and keeping up with our trip, it's been fun to be able to journal this way as opposed to the "old days".
The trip was mucho bueno:-)
