23Jan Buenos Aires, Argentina

It was rainy Sunday morning when we arrived in Buenos Aires 2 years ago.
It was so quiet that I and my friend are the only ones on the street in city center.
Paris of South America!
I thought it well deserves the title with its magnificently decorated French and Spanish style architects around.
I was so excited to visit this beautiful city again.

The ship docked in heavy industrial pier surrounded by containers.
So every passenger has to be transferred to the terminal by shuttle bus.
Downtown is only 15 minutes away by foot from the terminal but our group took a courtesy shuttle bus provided by H. Stern the jewelry shop at Plaza San Martin.
It was fine day and soon the summer heat starts soaring up.
I was accidentally separated from the group of friends where Calle Florida begins.
Calle Florida is the main shopping thoroughfare and the busiest street in town.
There were a lot more crowds of locals and tourists jammed into the bustling street than last time.

The obelisk in city center of Plaza de Mayo

Look like a museum building but it is a catholic church Metropolitana at the Plaza de Mayo

Presidential palace Casa Rosada where Evita made it famous with her balcony appearance for speech

One of many beautiful church Monserrat

A street of San Telmo with cafés and restaurants

Whoever this smiling young lady is speaking to must be in love with her!
How San Telmo is that!


I decided to walk to San Telmo, the old and rustic part of the city where is many antique shops and cafes are scatted around.
I was glad that I still remember every street corners and big churches I have seen from the walking tour we have done last time.
But I also liked to try small streets and being lost in back alleys by myself.
I felt much more secured and safer this time with large crowd on the streets.

I came back to the ship with exhaustion of 5 hour non-stop but pleasant walk.
But I took my notebook computer and went out again to the internet café located inside the terminal.
First, I rang my parents for Lunar New Year.
Mom said that everything is fine at home and she is following the map of itinerary to see where about I am for the day and pray for us and the safe sailing.
I was also very happy that I was able to update few blogs that I was behind.
It has been more than 10 days since I gave up using ship’s internet service with frustration.
Internet café in the terminal was much faster than the ship’s.
4$ for an hour internet service was not too bad.

Many antique shops and clothing shops on street of San Temlo

San Telmo church

A couple is performing tango in a park surrounded by out-door cafés of San Telmo

On my way back to town center from San Telmo

One of many beautiful churches on streets

Main commercial mall Calle Florida stretches nearly 2 km

Diane and John practice their tango step

Main theater hall of Piazzolla

Dinner at Piazzolla

My steak was cooked to perfection!

I only managed to take one photo during the tango show as photography was strictly prohibited ^^

When I returned to the ship, I rejoined the group of friend who spent a day on tourists’ hop on hop off bus.
We were ready for the night out after short refreshment in the afternoon.
One of our table mates organized a private tango dinner show in town.
It is conveniently located on Calle Florida.
Two groups of us took 2 taxis to the theatre called Piazzolla.
It is on the basement of very nice old style arcade building.
We got there at 8:10 and greeted by a pair of tango dancers.
And soon we were told to come out to the center stage in a small hall.
Men and women were separated into two groups and we were taking a tango lesson!
After their short demonstration of basic step, the male dancer grabbed me and paired with a young girl who also could not find the partner.
She is from Norway and eager to practice the tango with me.
We were escorted into the main theater after 20 minutes of having fun of tango practice.
Dinner tables were nicely set up in the theater.
We were all overwhelmed by rather small, yet intimate enough and sophisticated interior décor.
Three course dinner was complete by spinach quiche, perfectly cooked Argentinian steak Chateau Briand and very nutty almond & raspberry ice cream.
Quality of wine and well trained waitress was also flawless.
It was wonderful show of tango dances and songs by 7 pairs for hour and a half.
No less than the show we have seen two years ago at Senor Tango which we though the best.
Diane and John who organized the night were also very happy that the rest of group was satisfied with the tango show and dinner.
It was raining quite heavy when we came out of the theater but we all know we will have better day tomorrow with clearer air!