Archives: 2010 November


Argentina – Iguazu Falls

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After spending the last two days in Buenos Aires it was time to head to the final location of my trip, Iguazu Falls. Located at the northern edge of Argentina, Iguazu Fall is actually a series of 275 waterfalls that stretch 1.4 miles across the Iguazu River that separates Argentina from Brazil.

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Iguazu Falls

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Water Falls, Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Long Exposure of Iguazu Falls


Argentina – Buenos Aires Cathedral

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Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral

Panorama of the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral


Argentina – La Boca

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La Boca is a neighborhood in Buenos Aires that is popular with tourists because of the bright painted buildings.

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

The colorful buildings of La Boca

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

Tango Dancers

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Colorful, Buildings


Argentina – Recoleta Cemetery

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Recoleta Cemetery is a cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina that contains the graves of many famous Argentines, including Eva Perón and several past presidents of Argentina. The cemetery holds 4700 private family crypts and is an interesting place to visit because of the wide variety of architectural styles of the crypts.

Recoleta Cemetery Statue

Statues at Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Mausoleum Panorama

Panorama of the interior of a mausoleum at the Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Detail of the door on one of the mausoleums

Recoleta Cemetery

Recoleta Cemetery

Someone wants out

Recoleta Cemetery


Argentina – Coolest Burger King Ever

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I know Argentina is known for it’s amazing steaks and other really delicious food, which I ate a lot of while I was there. But, sometimes when visiting a new city and just wandering around taking photos, I don’t really feel like taking the time or dealing with the language differences to stop and eat at a local restaurant, so I’ll just hit a McDonald’s or other fast food joint for something quick to eat.

So, I was pretty shocked when I went into a Burger King to get a quick lunch and found marble floors and columns, a central domed ceiling with leaded-glass skylights, and frescos on the ceiling, all things most people would not associate with a typical Burger King.

Panorama of the coolest Burger King ever.

Panorama of the coolest Burger King ever.


Argentina – Aurora Expeditions – Day 19

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At about 7:30 this morning the Polar Pioneer returned to it’s starting location at Ushuaia, Argentina, sadly the great Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica voyage is over.

Ushuaia Argentina

Returning to Ushuaia

When I had first starting thinking about going on this cruise I had been a little worried that 19 days at sea on a ship as small at the Polar Pioneer would be a be too long. But I’m amazed at how quickly time on the cruise passed. There was so many amazing thing to see and do on the landing that it was sometimes overwhelming. And even the days at sea were nice because it gave time to get to know the other passengers and to go through the massive amounts of photos and videos I was taking.

Thanks to the Aurora Expeditions staff, the Russian crew, LuminOdyssey and to the rest of the passengers, it was great to meet everyone.


At Sea – Aurora Expeditions – Day 18

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Aurora Expeditions, the travel company that organized and managed this voyage is Australian, so most of the passengers and many of the things on the ship were Australian. One famous (or possibly infamous) Australian food that made the voyage with us was Vegemite, which is yeast extract produced as a by-product of beer manufacturing. Vegemite is most commonly used as a spread on toast or crackers.

I’ve tried quite a few strange foods in other countries so I thought I should give the Vegemite a try. I scooped out a decent sized glob of the thing dark brown Vegemite and was getting ready to spread it on my toast when all the Australians at my table all started warning me that it was way too much and that all I needed was the thinnest of coating of Vegemite. I heeded the warning and gave my toast just the barest of coatings. The Vegemite had a strong, funky smell when you get close to it, so I was a bit nervous about taking a bite out of my toast. The first couple bites were not too bad, but then again, I could barely taste that Vegemite. The paper thin coating just wasn’t going to do if I wanted the full Vegemite experience. So I spread a bit more Vegemite on my toast. Now I could really taste it. It has a strange, salty, unpleasant taste that wasn’t doing anything for me. It wasn’t spit it out of my mouth horrible, and I finished my slice of toast, but it also wasn’t something I really enjoyed. Maybe as some point, I will give it a second chance.

Vegemite

Vegemite and Toast

In the evening there was a final recap and drinks in the bar where people told stories of some of the things that had impressed them on the voyage. Gag awards were also given out by the Aurora Expeditions staff and the Captain. I received the “Alien Antennae Award: Best Reception”. People who’ve been skiing or in cold weather with me will know why I received it, everyone else will just have to wonder.


At Sea – Aurora Expeditions – Day 17

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We’re crossing the Drake Passage on our way back to Argentina and today was probably the roughest seas we’ve had on this voyage, but compared to how rough the Drake Passage can be, I guess it’s not too bad.

View from the bridge of the Polar Pioneer. From here you can really see how much the Polar Pioneer is rocking back and forth.


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