As a side note, the kids discovered the true humor of farting on this trip. They learned how to do it on command, and for such small children, they smell AWFUL.
Oh, and they love to do it in public, like right now, in the crowded airport.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Never Never Land
After our italian restaurant, we entered the mall to find the Museum for kids. We got more than we bargained for. We couldn't lure the kids to the museum because there was an indoor amusement park/arcade adjacent to it. Think of a kids Las Vegas. It was crazy, roller coasters and other rides. Finally got them to the Museum. Hands down the best Children's Museum we've ever been to.
Great last day.
We topped off our last night and bowed to the tourists in us and went to a Tango show. It was a small, intimate setting of about 75 people and exceeded all expectations. I had to drag Rob out of the apartment to go, and by the end he was hootin' and hollerin'.
In the airport in Santiago now, waiting for our connection.
Don't cry for me, Argentina....but we may start crying as we say good-bye. Hasta La Vista, Baby. Oh, and yes, the Argentine's know that the Terminator is our Governer. All the taxi drivers quoted that line to us.
Great last day.
We topped off our last night and bowed to the tourists in us and went to a Tango show. It was a small, intimate setting of about 75 people and exceeded all expectations. I had to drag Rob out of the apartment to go, and by the end he was hootin' and hollerin'.
In the airport in Santiago now, waiting for our connection.
Don't cry for me, Argentina....but we may start crying as we say good-bye. Hasta La Vista, Baby. Oh, and yes, the Argentine's know that the Terminator is our Governer. All the taxi drivers quoted that line to us.
The empty passport
We tried to go to Uruguay today. It's a quick, 1 hour ferry ride, or so we're told. Kai couldn't wait because it meant another 2 stamps in his passport. We heard the beaches were incredible there.
Alas, it turns out people in Argentina celebrate Easter, too. Of course, they take 1-2 additional days off as they do for any cause for celebration here. Apparently, on vacation, everyone in BA goes to Uruguay. Not a single ticket was available on any ferry to Uruguay for the next four days.
Instead, we had another great day in BA. Went to a highly recommended Italian restaurant for lunch, because of it's proximity to the Children's museum. We were told to get whatever the specials were. Not understanding spanish well, we think we're getting fried calamari and mushroom ravioli.
Halfway through, we realize we have tender squid stuffed with "fruit of the sea". It was delicious and rich. It was washed down with a malbec and followed by our yummy looking raviolis.
yyyyyyeeeeaaaahhhh. 2 bites into the ravioli and a quick gag, we realize it's blood sausage ravioli. It is as bad as it sounds. Definition to follow.
Definition: A link sausage made of pig's blood, diced pork fat, and other ingredients such as onions and breadcrumbs. Also called blood pudding.
Reorder!~
Alas, it turns out people in Argentina celebrate Easter, too. Of course, they take 1-2 additional days off as they do for any cause for celebration here. Apparently, on vacation, everyone in BA goes to Uruguay. Not a single ticket was available on any ferry to Uruguay for the next four days.
Instead, we had another great day in BA. Went to a highly recommended Italian restaurant for lunch, because of it's proximity to the Children's museum. We were told to get whatever the specials were. Not understanding spanish well, we think we're getting fried calamari and mushroom ravioli.
Halfway through, we realize we have tender squid stuffed with "fruit of the sea". It was delicious and rich. It was washed down with a malbec and followed by our yummy looking raviolis.
yyyyyyeeeeaaaahhhh. 2 bites into the ravioli and a quick gag, we realize it's blood sausage ravioli. It is as bad as it sounds. Definition to follow.
Definition: A link sausage made of pig's blood, diced pork fat, and other ingredients such as onions and breadcrumbs. Also called blood pudding.
Reorder!~
Back in BA again....
Short n sweet now......went to Puerto Madera, an area by the river were you can catch a boat to Uruguay or jump on y0ur yacht and take a cruz in the river. Anyway......we really came down to this area to find the Churasco's, basically the equivalent of a roberto's on wheels, only w/ a bbq or Parilla cooking pork, sausage, and beef. We samples several and decided that the "pork sandwich" was the best, (forgot what the espanol name of it was) truely amazing though, all for $2. After gorging ourselves, we wobbled on over to the marina area and toured a turn of the century Naval training ship which circumnavigated the globe 36 times. Very impressive, however would be very unpleasant in high seas........for dinner that night I went to the market and purchased 2 chicken breats and 2 beautiful fillets. We cooked the chicken for the kids and it was amazing. Later in the evening I brought out he fillets, only to be suprised that they spread like a deck of cards.......oops! Didn't read the label very well, I purchased "spread like a deck of cards fillet" or Millonesa cut.......no stopping Big Papa though......sauted some ajo (garlic for you gringos) in olive oil and flashed the beautiful little "cards" and washed them down w/ a beautiful Blend from Alta Vista, Mendoza. Highly recommend this wine if you can find it.
Cioa!
PS - Big Papa's waist is expanding to the point of no return.
Cioa!
PS - Big Papa's waist is expanding to the point of no return.
Iguazu Fall - or Throat of the Devil
After debating for ages, we finally decided to go to Iguazu. Ironically, we've dragged our raincoats throughout this entire country, but decided to leave them in BA for our trip to the tropics.
It was a torrential downpour when we arrived.
Our other strategic mistake was timing. Our flight was at 9am. We haven't woken up before 9am our entire trip. By the time we reached the hotel, all of us were exhausted. We stayed at the only hotel inside the National Park and could see the falls in the distance from the hotel. Even with that motivation, the kids begged to sleep.
All walks to the falls were listed as 1-2 hours (and our kids cry if they walk more than 4 blocks). We wondered if we would ever make it. I was staring longingly at the postcards of Iguazu in the lobby.
Luckily, the magic of sugar and promises of ice cream remained key motivations and got us through the first walk. Thank god an hour to an Argentinian map maker is really only a 20 minute walk to a gordo american family.
The falls were stunning. So worth the effort and the trip. The sun even came out for us on the walk.
We were only in Iguazu for 24 hours, so the next morning, we headed out for the "Garganta del Diablo, The Throat of the Devil. I'm not sure the pictures will do it justice, but here they are.
After that, the kids were pooped. The three of us headed to the pool to relax for the last hour before our flight, while Rob sprinted down the lower falls, anxious to catch a boat ride. He arrived, as first in line of a 20 minute wait for a 12 minute boat ride that took him directly under the falls. He then took off the flip flops and sprinted barefoot back to the Sheraton to make our flight. You know how Rob likes to arrive early for the flights. He was "sweating" this one.
The falls were a highlight for Rob and I. The highlights for the kids were:
Mia: the crocodile we saw in the river. It was dead and we watched them pull it out. The butterfly that landed on my hand and gave me special power, the ice cream after the train.
Kai: the train, the swimming pool, and the key to the room. Mom and Dad let me go up to the room by myself.
Mission accomplished. Oh, and we caught our flight with time to spare.
It was a torrential downpour when we arrived.
Our other strategic mistake was timing. Our flight was at 9am. We haven't woken up before 9am our entire trip. By the time we reached the hotel, all of us were exhausted. We stayed at the only hotel inside the National Park and could see the falls in the distance from the hotel. Even with that motivation, the kids begged to sleep.
All walks to the falls were listed as 1-2 hours (and our kids cry if they walk more than 4 blocks). We wondered if we would ever make it. I was staring longingly at the postcards of Iguazu in the lobby.
Luckily, the magic of sugar and promises of ice cream remained key motivations and got us through the first walk. Thank god an hour to an Argentinian map maker is really only a 20 minute walk to a gordo american family.
The falls were stunning. So worth the effort and the trip. The sun even came out for us on the walk.
We were only in Iguazu for 24 hours, so the next morning, we headed out for the "Garganta del Diablo, The Throat of the Devil. I'm not sure the pictures will do it justice, but here they are.
After that, the kids were pooped. The three of us headed to the pool to relax for the last hour before our flight, while Rob sprinted down the lower falls, anxious to catch a boat ride. He arrived, as first in line of a 20 minute wait for a 12 minute boat ride that took him directly under the falls. He then took off the flip flops and sprinted barefoot back to the Sheraton to make our flight. You know how Rob likes to arrive early for the flights. He was "sweating" this one.
The falls were a highlight for Rob and I. The highlights for the kids were:
Mia: the crocodile we saw in the river. It was dead and we watched them pull it out. The butterfly that landed on my hand and gave me special power, the ice cream after the train.
Kai: the train, the swimming pool, and the key to the room. Mom and Dad let me go up to the room by myself.
Mission accomplished. Oh, and we caught our flight with time to spare.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Aquarium in Mendoza
Our last stop in Mendoza was the Aquarium.
Hmmm, we saw everything in 15 minutes. It was a crumbling building in a forgotten part of town. The twenty some odd fish tanks housed typical fish, as well as some compelling (to Rob) Amazonian species.
The kids loved the dried out piranhas and the formaldehyde (spelling?) bullfrog the size of a salad plate.
Then off for more salami sandwichs before catching the flight to Buenos Aires.
Hmmm, we saw everything in 15 minutes. It was a crumbling building in a forgotten part of town. The twenty some odd fish tanks housed typical fish, as well as some compelling (to Rob) Amazonian species.
The kids loved the dried out piranhas and the formaldehyde (spelling?) bullfrog the size of a salad plate.
Then off for more salami sandwichs before catching the flight to Buenos Aires.
Kai Says "hi"
Hi Gigi, Tate, Sierra and Nicole,
I am just about to go the biggest waterfall in the world, Iguazu Falls. It is on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. I'm going to see you soon.
I am four hours ahead of you. Everyone speaks spanish here. We have to walk a lot in Buenos Aires. We take the subway and taxis too. I love the subway. My favorite place is Villa La Angostura. It is near Bariloche. I like it because there's a lake by us.
I fed the pigeons today.
I have to take 9 planes on my trip. On every LAN plane, guess what! There's a TV on them.
Love,
Kai
PS. I was in Chile, too.
I am just about to go the biggest waterfall in the world, Iguazu Falls. It is on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. I'm going to see you soon.
I am four hours ahead of you. Everyone speaks spanish here. We have to walk a lot in Buenos Aires. We take the subway and taxis too. I love the subway. My favorite place is Villa La Angostura. It is near Bariloche. I like it because there's a lake by us.
I fed the pigeons today.
I have to take 9 planes on my trip. On every LAN plane, guess what! There's a TV on them.
Love,
Kai
PS. I was in Chile, too.
Last Day in Mendoza
(Rob) We spent our last dayand a half in Mendoza just wandering.
We ended up going the the park since it was a holiday (suprise! There's been on average a holiday a week here) and nothing was open. There are parks all over the city , however this one was huge, like balboa park but bigger. We found the "kids area" which was fantastic. A huge play ground w/ some of the most unsafe equiptment I have ever seen. There was also a ghetto, ancient merry-go-round and a circular road for the kids to ride bikes around on and they rented what we will call.......go carts......as well. These weren't your standard go carts like you raced in when you were a kid at the family fun center. They were more like electric pieces of s*&t. As you can see in the pictures, there was possible the original Model A from the turn of the century. The attendant starts the cars for the kids by twisting two wires together and gives the cars a little push w/ her foot. No safety equiptment is provided, which would be especially nice for the minature scooters they rent to the kids. However..........everyone survived the experience and the kids had a great time.
We ended up going the the park since it was a holiday (suprise! There's been on average a holiday a week here) and nothing was open. There are parks all over the city , however this one was huge, like balboa park but bigger. We found the "kids area" which was fantastic. A huge play ground w/ some of the most unsafe equiptment I have ever seen. There was also a ghetto, ancient merry-go-round and a circular road for the kids to ride bikes around on and they rented what we will call.......go carts......as well. These weren't your standard go carts like you raced in when you were a kid at the family fun center. They were more like electric pieces of s*&t. As you can see in the pictures, there was possible the original Model A from the turn of the century. The attendant starts the cars for the kids by twisting two wires together and gives the cars a little push w/ her foot. No safety equiptment is provided, which would be especially nice for the minature scooters they rent to the kids. However..........everyone survived the experience and the kids had a great time.
Rich
Had a dulce de leche creme brulee for dessert.
It's an 8-10 lb trip and loving every bite/sip of it.
It's an 8-10 lb trip and loving every bite/sip of it.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Mendoza Continued
After a full day of wine tasting, we decided to give the kids a break the next day.
So instead, our tango instructor showed up at 10am to give the four of us a lesson in the courtyard of the lodge. The instructor was as sexy as the dance itself. At least, I think Rob thought so until she demonstrated a signature tango move, where they are intimately close, and she gives him a swift kick through the legs, with her high heeled shoe bouncing against his bum. Apparently, she caught more than his bum.
We had a ball (no pun intended) and in the end, Kai was the best of all of us.
After a leisurely lunch, we walked through the town square and made our way to another winery. Clos de Chacras. A small, boutique winery, that in the 1940's was one of the mass producers. We got to venture into the cellars which were reminiscent of an Edgar Allen Poe novel. Creepy, but fascinating.
That evening, the chef at the lodge, Pablo, gave us a cooking lesson. He cooked everything in this great, outdoor pizza oven looking deal. We made homemade empanadas, among other dishes. Now, Rob is trying to figure out how to add a classic Parrilla bbq, and this pizza oven.
So instead, our tango instructor showed up at 10am to give the four of us a lesson in the courtyard of the lodge. The instructor was as sexy as the dance itself. At least, I think Rob thought so until she demonstrated a signature tango move, where they are intimately close, and she gives him a swift kick through the legs, with her high heeled shoe bouncing against his bum. Apparently, she caught more than his bum.
We had a ball (no pun intended) and in the end, Kai was the best of all of us.
After a leisurely lunch, we walked through the town square and made our way to another winery. Clos de Chacras. A small, boutique winery, that in the 1940's was one of the mass producers. We got to venture into the cellars which were reminiscent of an Edgar Allen Poe novel. Creepy, but fascinating.
That evening, the chef at the lodge, Pablo, gave us a cooking lesson. He cooked everything in this great, outdoor pizza oven looking deal. We made homemade empanadas, among other dishes. Now, Rob is trying to figure out how to add a classic Parrilla bbq, and this pizza oven.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wine Tasting
(Rob) We arrive at our new hotel, and it really isn't a hotel, but someone's house. We had our own small bungalow right in front of a huge grassy area w/a pool....the kids couldn't have been more excited. The first night we went next door for dinner to a fantastic Italian dinner, where we had some of the best pasta ever, see photo's! The kids loved the pasta too, but they loved the big grass area in the back even more. They went nuts.
The next day, we were off to the vineyards w/ the kids and all of their crayons, color books, and Ipods! The first winery, Acheval Ferrer, was set amongst 80 acres of vines with dramatic views of the snow capped Andes. The winery was very old, and as w/ all the winery's we visited, they used the orginal concrete vats to store the wines, some dating back 95 years. The wines were incredible and the staff extremely informative.
Off to the next winery..........Melipal, which turned out to be one of the finest, if not the finest culinary experience we have ever had. The architecture was incredible, being contemporary and incorporating lots of different woods. The wines were very nice however the lunch was incredible. Lucky us, the executive chef was at the winery and prepared our meal. Ended up he is one of Mendoza's and the countrys most highly regarded chef's....and his food n presentation didn't disappoint. Our 6 course meal was perfectly paired w/ various wines. The chef came out several times to discuss the variuos dishes and ingrediants. Not to be disappointed, the chef made the kids a special chicken w/ fresh cut french fries, after which they went out to the lake and played w/ the tadpoles and frogs.
And off to the final winery......wow do we have any more room for anything? Well maybe a wine tasting. The final tasting was at Carmelo Patti, whom is regarded as one of Argentina's most famous wine makers and who's Cabernet was voted #1 in France in 2002. Carmelo is a one man show, and is a real character who conducts the tour, in his office w/ a fold out table, himself. He blends the wines, fills the bottles, corks and puts on the labels w/ the help of only 2 other people. His wines had much more of a french taste and were incredible. His production is limited to 40,000 bottles and he doesn't release any of it until he personally inspects every bottle. A true artist.
We are now going back to the hotel to pass out.
Adios
The next day, we were off to the vineyards w/ the kids and all of their crayons, color books, and Ipods! The first winery, Acheval Ferrer, was set amongst 80 acres of vines with dramatic views of the snow capped Andes. The winery was very old, and as w/ all the winery's we visited, they used the orginal concrete vats to store the wines, some dating back 95 years. The wines were incredible and the staff extremely informative.
Off to the next winery..........Melipal, which turned out to be one of the finest, if not the finest culinary experience we have ever had. The architecture was incredible, being contemporary and incorporating lots of different woods. The wines were very nice however the lunch was incredible. Lucky us, the executive chef was at the winery and prepared our meal. Ended up he is one of Mendoza's and the countrys most highly regarded chef's....and his food n presentation didn't disappoint. Our 6 course meal was perfectly paired w/ various wines. The chef came out several times to discuss the variuos dishes and ingrediants. Not to be disappointed, the chef made the kids a special chicken w/ fresh cut french fries, after which they went out to the lake and played w/ the tadpoles and frogs.
And off to the final winery......wow do we have any more room for anything? Well maybe a wine tasting. The final tasting was at Carmelo Patti, whom is regarded as one of Argentina's most famous wine makers and who's Cabernet was voted #1 in France in 2002. Carmelo is a one man show, and is a real character who conducts the tour, in his office w/ a fold out table, himself. He blends the wines, fills the bottles, corks and puts on the labels w/ the help of only 2 other people. His wines had much more of a french taste and were incredible. His production is limited to 40,000 bottles and he doesn't release any of it until he personally inspects every bottle. A true artist.
We are now going back to the hotel to pass out.
Adios
Bienvenidos a Mendoza!
The kids and I arrived in Mendoza City Saturday evening. Rob had beat us there and was waiting for us at our first wine tasting, Vines of Mendoza (thanks, Will and Jojo for the recommendation). It was only a block from our hotel, but we were 20 min late, so we dropped our bags and sped off. The kids kept asking me "Why are we running?"
We arrived and Rob had just been poured his first flight. After a joyous reunion, we were offered a private room for the tasting. I'm sure it was because we looked like we had money, not because the kids were sprinting in circles around a very nice, exclusive tasting room. It was a blessing. We had all sorts of wines. Apparently in Argentina, a 'pour' is a full glass.
I think we tasted 10 wines.
(Rob) Then we danced off to the Don Marios, a restaurant renowned for it's amazing steaks. We weren't disappointed! Upon entering the restaurant, custumers plates were overflowing w/ slabs of beef. I believe this is were Will n Jo came w/ their host Michael. We ended up splitting a steak and washing it down w/ a fantastic Malbel from Isais. Like every restaurant we have been to, the staff was very accomadating towards the kids.....making special dishes for them and putting chairs together so they could fall asleep, something American restaruants need to take note of. The staff was all older gentleman who must have been doing this for many years, a true classic experience.
Tomorrow we are off to the next hotel in the countryside......
Adios
We arrived and Rob had just been poured his first flight. After a joyous reunion, we were offered a private room for the tasting. I'm sure it was because we looked like we had money, not because the kids were sprinting in circles around a very nice, exclusive tasting room. It was a blessing. We had all sorts of wines. Apparently in Argentina, a 'pour' is a full glass.
I think we tasted 10 wines.
(Rob) Then we danced off to the Don Marios, a restaurant renowned for it's amazing steaks. We weren't disappointed! Upon entering the restaurant, custumers plates were overflowing w/ slabs of beef. I believe this is were Will n Jo came w/ their host Michael. We ended up splitting a steak and washing it down w/ a fantastic Malbel from Isais. Like every restaurant we have been to, the staff was very accomadating towards the kids.....making special dishes for them and putting chairs together so they could fall asleep, something American restaruants need to take note of. The staff was all older gentleman who must have been doing this for many years, a true classic experience.
Tomorrow we are off to the next hotel in the countryside......
Adios
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