Buenos Aires

After checking out off the Hotel Lancaster in Montevideo (See: http://www.aluruguay.com/Ehotellancastermontevideo.htm ) we hung around till about 2 and then took an overpriced taxi (who charged us ´extra´ for luggage!!!) to ´Tres Cruces´ bus station where we boarded a bus to Colonia and took an evening ferry (1 hour very bumpy Seacat service) over to BA. Would have much preferred arriving into BA during daylight. Arriving at the ferry terminal in darkness and not knowing where we were going and how far away our accomodation was, is not really a good idea. Taxi again overcharged us to get to our hostels/hotel, but it was either pay up or walk the streets of BA in the dark with a map!

Michelle and Lorraine were staying in a hotel in Recoleta which was close by whereas I was in a hostel in San Telmo.

http://www.hostel-inn.com/?idioma=2&seccion=hostels&id1=7&le2=0&id2=0&le3=0&id3=0&le4=0&id4=0

Arrived at the hostel about 20:00. First time staying in a shared dorm ... bit of a daunting experience to say the least.

Heres a pic of me and my bed:

Was sharing with a few guys from France who didnt really say much. Kind of stuck to themselves. Got myself settled to the hostel and had a look around. Its a 3 storey hostel but very cramped ... not as spacious as the hostel we stayed in at Iguazu falls although a hostel in the city is always going to be smaller. Hostel has lockers for your backpack which was great. I left the hostel about 21:30 and took a subway up town to meet Shell and Lorraine in Druids Inn Irish pub at 22:00. The girls showed up about 22:30 and we went for a bite to eat and then to the Kilkenny Irish pub for a few more pints. Most of the main clubs and disco bars were in Palermo district which was a taxi drive away so we decided to leave it until another night seen as we were all shattered after the travelling. Nevertheless it was about 01:30 before I finally got back to the hostel.

Day 2

Got up about 9am, showered and got ready to meet Shell. I took a subway downtown and waslked up to Recoleta District. Me and Shell went walking down Florida Street (not really my thing but its good if you like shopping). We then walked down towards San Telmo and onto Defensa Street which hosts a weekly Sunday market in San Telmo. Great day at the markets .. never saw so many stalls selling everything from hand made clothes and ornaments, knick knacks and antiques. Would definitely recommend it, but its only on Sundays.

Some random pics from Buenos Aires and the San Telmo markets:

 

 

 

We walked for miles ... and we got a subway back in the evening to meet Lorraine and we all headed out for dinner (back in San Telmo) .. we went to ´Don Ernestos´ restuarant ( http://www.lonelyplanet.com/argentina/buenos-aires/restaurants/steakhouse/don-ernesto ) which had absolutely monster steaks for less than Eur10. Great spot ... I was so stuffed after it. We took a short walk around San Telmo and saw some open air tango dancing and samba. Shell and Lorraine got a taxi back to Recoleta and I headed back to the hostel. Busy day tomorrow as we are heading off on a City tour followed by some tango dancing. (Some photos from city tour are posted above).