We flew overnight to Buenos Aires. After a couple of days there we went to the Peninsula Valdez -- flew to Trelew airport near Rawson and stayed in Puerto Madryn, near the peninsula itself. We spent four days there and then took an over night bus to San Carlos de Bariloche (Andean lake district) and after a few days flew back to B.A.
Buenos Aires
| On our first day we walked around B.A. and saw the national bird (Hornero), the "Pink House" and the Boca area. |
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Tigre
| Then we took a train up to Tigre, a fascinating place of meandering rivers and canals. We took a pleasant cruise deep into the area, had lunch, and saw some interesting birds. |
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Buenos Aires
| The third day we visited the famous Recoleta Cemetary, where Evita and many others have been buried for a hundred years. Outside there was a display of antique cars and motorcycles. |
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Punta Loma
| We flew down to Trelew in Chubut Province and rented a car and a small apartment in Puerto Madryn for several days of wildlife viewing, beginning with the sea lions at Punta Loma. |
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Peninsula Valdez Punta Cantor
| Also on the peninsula we visited a smallish penguin colony where we were able to get right in among the penguins. (More later) |
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Peninsula Valdez Punta Norte
| Way up at the northern tip of the peninsula we saw a couple of little armadillos and several lethargic elephant seals. |
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Peninsula Valdez Road
| Along about 200 miles of dusty dirt roads on Peninsula Valdez we saw many birds, guanacos, and a few rheas |
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Peninsula Valdez Whale Watch
| Right away we went out on a whale watching expedition on a smallish boat where we got right up among the whales. Some did their famous jumps for us. |
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Punta Tumbo
| We drove about 100 miles of dusty roads down to Punta Tumbo, home to hundreds of thousands of penguins, where visitors can walk around and mingle with the penguins, who seem to pay no attention -- until you get too close to the nest. George got nipped. |
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Puerto Madryn
| On our last day we went out along the beach and spotted this whale washed up. We took a very comfortable overnight bus ride to Bariloche and woke up to our first view of the Andes. |
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Bariloche
| Since George Bush was visiting Argentina at the same time, we were treated to a small anti-Bush demonstration on this remote corner of Patagonia. |
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Siete Lagos Circuit
| Again we rented a VW Golf and took some long dusty drives. On the "7 Lakes Circuit" we saw magnificent views, condors, and lots of unusual birds. |
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Villa Angostura
| On our next-to-last day in Bariloche Jim was down with a case of Inca's Revenge so May, Cathy, and I went up to Villa Angostura for a pretty strenuous hike. |
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Bariloche
| Last day in Bariloche. We flew back to B.A. did some shopping, etc and then took the overnight flight back to Washington Dulles. |
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