Buenos Aires

May 16-19
AC90 YYZ-(GRU)-EZE, AC91 EZE-(GRU)-YYZ

The original plan for the May long weekend was to visit London and the Channel Islands. Unfortunately there were a number of challenges with that trip and conflicts that required us to push the trip back to August. With a free long weekend, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for travel, and found a good last minute fare to Buenos Aires (BA), securing an upgrade to business class, making for a very nice long weekend getaway.

May 17

After the overnight flight and connection in Sao Paolo, I arrived to rain storms in BA. I briefly explored the neighbourhood, but didn’t venture too far as the rains and winds were significant. I stuck close to the hotel before turning in for the night.

May 18

Luckily the storms had cleared, so I had beautiful weather for Sunday. In addition to lots of time exploring on my own, I was able to connect with a work friend to visit some additional sights and enjoy a coffee.

I never get tired of the view from the Marriott of Plaza de la Republic and the Avenida 9 De Julio

The statue of Juan Azurduy in the Plaza de Correo in front of the Libertad Palace with the towers of Puerto Madero in the background

Fountain of the Nereids (1903) by sculptress Lola Mora, depicting the Greek mythological story of the birth of the goddess Venus. The depiction of nudity created by a woman caused scandal at the time.

Entrance to Pareo Gardens, unfortunately closed during my visit due to damage and flooding from the previous rains

Buenos Aires Customs House, one of many French neoclassical buildings in BA

Casa Rosada (Pink House, 1886), official seat of the executive branch of the Argentine government from where Eva Perón and her husband addressed large, adoring crowds

Across from the Palace, the Equestrian monument to General Manuel Belgrano located in Plaza de Mayo

Cabildo de Buenos Aires, the former seat of the town council during the colonial era, now a museum

After meeting up with a friend, we explored The Japanese Garden

Tree sculpture featuring various carvings of birds and fish carved from the trunk of a large tree

Traditional bridge over a pond with koi fish

Standing in front of pond with Traditional Torii gate

Continuing my walk back to the hotel, the steel and aluminum Floralis Generica (2002) sculpture

Plaza Ruben Dario - on our first trip to Argentina, we walked under this tree towards the sculpture and were targeted by pickpockets with a squirt gun mimicking bird droppings, in a thankfully unsuccessful attempt at distraction robbery

Faculty of Law building at the University of Buenos Aires

Just peeking through the fence of the Recoleta Cemetery as I had already visited it and the grave of Eva Peron

After dinner catching a few night time photos; Centro Naval (Naval Center, 1914) designed by a French architect in Beaux-Arts style

Shoppers still out on Florida Street and the at Galeria Pacifico

Although Cabify is a great service in Buenos Aires for cheap rideshares, with the exception of a short car ride from my local friend, this was a day of exploration and walking. By the end of the day, I had clocked over 41,000 steps or almost 34km.

May 19

Before it got too warm for the day, I started the day with a nice 10km run along the boardwalk in Puerto Madero, and spent the rest of the day exploring the city centre a little closer to the hotel. Although the skies were cloudy, it was still a very comfortable fall day.

The Plaza de la Republica with a topiary BA below the Obelisk

Facade of Pesidente Roca School

Monument to Carlos Pellegrini, former president who created Argentina's national bank

After the end of my walk, I checked out of my hotel and made my way back to the airport for my flight back home to Toronto via Sao Paolo. For a last-minute trip, I really enjoyed the long weekend away and arrived early Tuesday morning ready for work.