Sunday 11 November 2012

Don't Cry For Me Argentina - Madonna

As my departure date gets ever closer, so begins a series of lunches and dinners with those who want to wish me bon voyage starting with daughter Julie and her partner Nigel at the Gurkha Resturant on Friday, unfortunately I forgot the camera. Last night was the turn of my longest standing friend in Weymouth
SOOTY and GILL STOCKEY at the fabulous ENZO Italian on Weymouth sea-front. The wine was of particular note, a 2010 Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, a light bodied red which is as fruity as tuttie! On the subject of good wine today we take a visit to what for me is one of the Top 5 cities in the world, Buenos Aries.
My first, of what has been 4 visits, was along with Mike Hughes back in 2001 after 3 weeks on the road travelling through Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern Argentina. We were just about ready for a shower, clean cloths and a comfortable bunk so opted for the Castelar Hotel in mid-town BA before setting about discovering this magical city.
The gateway to RECOLETA CEMETERY
where lies the body EVA PERON, undoubtedly Argentina's most famous person.
At 11 pm on 15 October 1945 – Eva Duarte de PerĂ³n stepped on to the balcony of the CASA ROSADA and addressed the crowd.
World famous for meat production, particularly beef, there was no chance we would walk on by.
We struck very lucky in this particular restaurant where we were requested to shift table and agreeing were rewarded with a bottle of Champagne.
Doctor Roberto Gomez and son Juan where 2 lovely people I me at the Costanera Sur Nature Reserve in the heart of the city. They were of great help in both bird identification and where to go making my day far more enjoyable than had I been alone.
To all friends and followers in WONDERFUL Argentina
BAY-WINGED COWBIRD
 
MONITOR LIZARD eating a BAY-WINGED COWBIRD
 
GUIRA CUCKOO
BLACK & RUFOUS WARBLING-FINCH
BLACK-CAPPED WARBLING-FINCH
BLACK-NECKED SWAN
BRAZILIAN GUINEA PIG
CHALK-BROWED MOCKINGBIRD
COSCOROBA (Swan)
GIANT WOOD RAIL
GREEN-BARRED WOODPECKER