Monday 22 February 2010

Don't Cry For Me Argentina!

Maria Eva Duarte de Peron (as she looked in 1946)
07/05/1919 - 26/07/1952

While I've heard little or no news since leaving England, someone did say that Argentina has started a little 'sabre rattling' over the presence of a BP rig being towed into the waters of Los Malvina's. As your correspondent on the spot I can report all is very quiet at the Buenos Aries Naval Base.

A couple of Argentine 'war canoes' not exactly straining at there moorings to set sail and blast the BP Explorer out of the water.

A bijou Auxiliary craft that looks like it could carry 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps.

I still haven't had my say on the Falklands conflict, which I will save until I return to base, but it is not favorable to Great Britain.

Last evening we dined at the internationally acclaimed restaurant Las Violetas, and while we agreed the decor didn't seem as flamboyant as shown on the advertising leaflet, the array of cakes and pasties, strategically place just inside the main entrance, were enough to make an anorexic want to stay. Again we opted for the Malbec grape and were well satisfied with both bottles, while Jim had another beef steak (about as big as the Auxiliary photoed above) while Liz and I had the lamb. I convinced Jim that someone was trying to poison him, so had no trouble relieving him of a decent size taster of his steak, while our lamb was some of the best I have ever eaten. Only sufficient space for a main course, we joined a couple of young English ladies (of Indian ancestry) for a nightcap, the ladies having Amareto and we two Drambuie.

One of several stained glass windows

The main restaurant, the cafe being round the corner to the left.

Not the best image in the world, but gives the reader some idea of what was on offer.

More stained glass.

A mirror image of Jim the Medic.

Liz doing her Evita impression.

The wine taster.

A nice bit of lamb.

The Eva Peron monument Buenos Aries

I was told some years ago that this is a Rubber Tree. While no expert on the subject I do think I'm misinformed, but whatever the species it is reputed to be the largest of its kind in the world.

Today's target was the city center, but once again at noon the rain started and drove us to cover, I even went into a Shopping Mall - Yuk!

A few photographs from inside Cementerio de la Recoleta

The exclusivity of this cemetery is renowned in Argentina, money alone cannot by you a way in, you have to be at least a dignitary. This is why there is still massive controversy here about Juan Peron's wife being laid to rest there. One of 3 illegitimate children from humble beginnings, there are many in 'high office' who would see her remains removed in an instant.


At Evita's family crypt.




Don't cry for me Argentina, the truth is I never left you!

One of the more ornate sarcophagus.

A little jape in the graveyard.

Thought this was the Captain's Cabin, but no matter how hard you knock they wont let you in.

A little light lunch