LOCATION: Santiago to Buenos Aires
Travelling west to east today and have to comment on the amazing overhead view while crossing the Andes. Wow. No joke, at some stages it felt like the peaks were higher than our aircraft In fact, eagle eye @Mac commented that we had to circle around some of the peaks to dodge them and often exclaimed "We can reach out and touch them."
It seemed a persistent climb - at least 40 minutes of ascent before the red lights went off for access to the "banos" and the seat belt sign went off. My ears were popping constantly- and @Deb's continue to crackle, not really ever recovering fully from that first flight to Sydney two weeks ago.
The landscape was a perpetual brown, dotted with icy peaks. I guess it matched what the imagination would paint as a moonscape.
The Adventure
A. Morning getaway - Another alarm to wake us up but at a more reasonable hour. At least 7.30 gives us a little respite. This is our farewell to @LoRi - they will head west for Sydney in another 18 hours and we continue on around South America for almost another month.
We were very keen to get to the LATAM desk for the 8.30 opening as @Deb had a boarding pass from check-in but didn't have a seat allocation. Wanted to make sure we were all a actually on the flight. Last night the Concierge had instructed @Mac to go "right and right" to the international terminal. This morning, "Daniel the Doorman" insisted we go left and told @Deb to "Take the bus."
So, we followed his morning advice. The bus took a 6 stop 20 minute scenic route to the terminal, via car parks, public transport stations and the cargo terminal. Feeling a little nervous because we had been told by @Amanda out travel agent it was a merr 100 metres away, about 15 minutes into the circuitous route, @Deb asked one of the two pilots who were on board, if we were heading in the right direction. The answer was, with a laugh, "Yes, but you should have walked." His laughter made sense when we alighted from the 20 minute ride to realise we were across the road from where we had started. Think "Daniel the Doorman" is in for some advice.
No worries at LATAM. We were ushered to the "Priority" queue and @DeLoy were allocated seats in the first row. Perfect.
And yes, walked outside, crossed the road and we were, in two minutes, front and centre for our breakfast back at the Holiday Inn. Took our time at the buffet breakfast as our final little table of 6 for a while and after last collection of gear from our rooms, took the short stroll (😅🤣😂) for our final good byes and our security checkin and immigration.
A little surprised by the length of the queue here - we were a full 30 minutes in this process. Acknowledging the efficiency of the team though - the snaking queue moved so quickly. There were 34 gate checkpoints for "foreigners" and 31 of them were operational. Well done Santiago.
Made our way to Gate D01 and only had time for a toilet stop and an activation of the eSim and we were called on board. Loving our Premium investment with LATAM (thanks Amanda at Travel Associates) - we get an allocation of three generous seats - the middle one is left free, guaranteed overhead luggage storage (that was very handy on this chock a block flight) and first "on and off" all with the lavish attention of @Deigo and food and wine served in glassware with crockery and silverware.
As mentioned, that first 40 minutes of the flight was spectacualr and the time passed so quickly. We do need to be more aware of the responsibilities around in-flight entertainment. Need headsets and devices handy, charged, connected and loaded with the content we need. Onto it .. got some long hauls coming up in a week.
C Welcome to Buenos Aires The communication with the on ground team prior to our arrival had been perfect. The responsibility for looking after us has now transitioned from SilverSea to Adventure World. They are co-ordinating all of our future on the ground tour operators.
And if our first experience is anything to go by - they are efficient. @Paulyta is our point of contact for @Argentina and we had messages on arrival introducing herself, giving some hints on safety and confirming our flight arrangements.
Our landing was by far the bumpiest part of the ride. Argentina welcomed us with 26 degrees and a thunderstorm. @Mac saved his prior experience at landing until we were on the ground. Just as well because in 1982 he recalls it as being the worst of his life. He arrived in Buenos Aires in a major thunderstorm - the pilots had to make a steep banked 180 degree turn to realign with the runway. In the wildness of the storm - the last 10 metres was a literally drop and the plane bounced to a landing. The announcer told the passengers they were in good hands that day because they Captain's were ex fighter pilots!
Today was not in the same league. He gave a thumbs up and said "I'm back." Then threw in that his worst turbulence was on the same flight over the Andes. Glad he saved all that till we landed.
@Paulyta was there waiting with the obligatory sign and the 6 seater van pulled up at the curb. @Bronaldo zigged and tagged us through the heavy multi lanes traffic to deliver us to the welcoming comfort of the Carles Hotel.
Always fun to open that door and get first impressions. We liked what we saw - generous space, big bathroom with plenty of linen, expansive comfy bed, big windows with plenty of light and air con. Ticked all the boxes here at Carles.
Just two little stumbling blocks.
@Paulyta had advised us to lock our passports in the hotel safe. So stowing our stuff there was first job. @Mac always tests it first -locks and unlocks yo be sure he knows how it operates. No worries. All stored. About 30 minutes later, goes to add some more stuff to it and safe wont open. Shoots an error message. No time to worry about it now - that's a problem for tomorrow.
Second problem - or should I say "challenge" is the toileting. Oh no. Here we go again.
The signs here in Buenos Aires, very specific. No toilet paper in the loo - it goes in a bin beside the pedestal. Our bathroom, not only has the obligatory bin, but also features a bidet. Keen to toilet like a local, the bidet was the number two (Pun intended @Gary) on the list after the safe. Not quite like the technology rich inclusion in Japan, this was a multi tap, multi stream little number. Manually select hot and cold combination of water - then a stream for the back and a sprinkle for the front. It was the finesse between the stream and the sprinkle that caught @Mac short. Of course, in this learning phase, had his glasses on and was bent over close to the bowl (he has mmplenty of experience with this in our dual crossing of the Drske.) I heard a yelp and then laughter as he emerged covered in, what I hoped was clean water. Got it working to spray his hair, face, glasses, arm and tummy. If he can only get that working on his derriere we will be fine. Imagine if you have to call for assistance with a malfunction!
D. Nightime stroll - Well that was unusual. We found ourselves "independent." Not only did we have to forage for ourselves to find a venue to eat, but we had to actually pay for it! Sort of lucky we didn't do an "innocent" eat and run!
@Paulyta had given us specific instructions on where to go and not to go - so we headed down the "artsy" street, located the "cornerstone" Disco for later and somehow found ourselves in a series of streets lined with massive steel barricades
These was an army of workers in denim strides, black shirts and gloves, moving in unison like a choreographed ballet corps, dismantling what had been the security wall. Apparently there had been a 3 day gathering in memory of an attack on the Jewish community.
We walked the busy streets and the quiet streets because we felt we should but really we were just scoping our next eating place. Settled into Fiorelli's because we liked the menu on display outside, only to learn that had finished at 3 pm. Ha, missed that by a few hours! Had drinks and moved onto choice two.
We had unanimously agreed we only wanted something light and settled on a quiche and salad at a dine in bakery. Couldn't believe our eyes when it arrived. Massive. Huge. So much for light.
How are we getting on with communication. Luckily, most we have dealt with have some English - we have noon Spanish. We make do with pointing, the translator and charades. So far, so good and the people in the hospitality industry are so generous with their patience and their smiles.
Strolled home via the Disco (cornerstore type, not the dancing one) and picked up some room essentials. This store had everything and probably had a bigger wine selection than Dan Murphy's! The best part was the "checkout chick." Ha ha. No language wxchanw wngahed in here. So different from the restaurants. Placed our selections on the conveyor belt - she didn't even glance up, nor was there a break in her jaw chomping and bubble popping interaction with a wad of gum. Scanned our items, with narry a word, eyes glued to her phone and ear buds in, watching a movie. Quite a talent really and a little experience that had us laughing on the 2 minute walk up the hill to home for the next three nights.
Nightcap - tick.
Toilet paper sorting - tick
Bidet mastery - tick
Teeth cleaning with bottled water - tick
Safe access - a challenge for tomorrow.
And BTW we don't have feather beds (see below.)
PS Heard from @LoRi they had negotiated thr 3 minute transit to their flight with a trolley and checkin had prgressed smoothly. Safe travels.
Steps 9205
Weather light rain earlier but clear skies 26 degrees
Health - heads, stomachs and hearts all doing well
Can you believe this?
🦜 The Weirdest Laws in Buenos Aires (Yes, they’re real)
🛏️ 1. Feather beds are illegal in Buenos Aires
This is the city’s most famous bizarre law: owning a feather bed is officially prohibited.
Why? Lawmakers once argued that feather beds “induce and encourage lascivious feelings.”
It’s Victorian-level moral panic, but in Argentina… in the 21 st century.
For Jesse ... bet you could be a problem solver and help us get into t his safe!
"Grandad, a lesson for you. This is a basin - not to be confused with a bidet!"
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