Tuesday, Day 108 - Apr 24 - 8am to 6pm, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires rivals Madrid or Paris for sophistication and culture. The tree-lined boulevards of fashionable Buenos Aires are home to superb restaurants, art galleries, museums, the magnificent Teatro de Colon and the brightly colored houses of La Boca barrio. As the sun sets, Recoleta awakens and the passionate melodies of the tango rise from the milangas along San Telmo’s cobbled streets. Few cities in South America share the ambiance, lifestyle and amenities that make Buenos Aires so endearing. We visited Buenos Aires two different times on a land trip to visit Mendoza and Iguassu Falls on the way to and from our Antarctic cruise in 2008; spending a week total. Then we had three days here on our Circle South America cruise in 2011. We are looking forward to this stop and the last Special World Cruise Event.

In the morning we take the shuttle to the Plaza Hotel which is just two blocks from our favorite leather shop. We walk to the shop and try to order new vests for both of us and a new jacket for Dick. We have bought items here every time we have visited. Today though, the lady owner who we have worked with each time is not in and no one can speak English or access the records. They try to call but can’t reach her. So we leave a note and a leather choice and will try to email her. We do a little shopping on the nearby pedestrian street. 

Next up is a 45 minute, $15 taxi ride through horrendous traffic to get to the Zanjon about 11:30AM, site of the World Cruise Event. 

From there we walk to the San Telmo Square and check out some of the antique shops. They are full of wonderful eye candy...silver, gold and china items and furniture from a bygone era, beautiful but totally impractical for today’s lifestyle, at least ours. Carolyn does spy a jewelry set that she loves. It is sapphires and diamonds in a classic 1900's setting and it now has a new home.

By now it is almost time for the third World Cruise Event so we walk back to Zanjon in time to meet the arriving buses from the ship at 1PM. The final 2018 World Cruise Event is an afternoon of eating, wine and entertainment at Zanjon de Granados in the San Telmo neighborhood. El Zanjon de Granados is believed to be the site of the first settlement of Buenos Aires in 1536. We spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating architectural site. We descend from a beautifully restored 1830s house into an impressive labyrinth of wide, vaulted brick tunnels, long walled off and buried on the site. We enjoy a spectacular luncheon in this wonderful historical structure which offers a glimpse into five centuries of urban archaeology, followed by fabulous “Evita” and tango performances.

While we explore the tunnels we have glimpses of tango dancers and hear about life in the early times. After we see the tunnels we gather in another underground area for delicious small bites of salmon, chicken, veggies and fruit in cream cheese combinations on crackers and pastries along with free flowing wine, beer and soft drinks. All the while, actors in period costumes are portraying 1900's street scenes all around us. After that we are taken to a ball room in the house for a late lunch/early dinner (aka lupper at our house) and more entertainment.

The food is good and plentiful, the service is great. There is plenty more wine and beer. Plus, we have vignettes of entertainment relating to the history of the house and the Tango all during and after the meal. By 4:30PM, when we start heading back to the ship, we are a group of mellow, happy campers. Regent  redeemed itself with this event. It was in true Regent style!

We get back about 5:30PM and get cleaned up and in our jammies. Dick goes to bed and Carolyn orders a room service snack and reads until she falls asleep in the chair. Apparently most of the 190 world cruisers did the same thing as us. They said the dining venues were empty.