We had decided to celebrate the end of Spanish lessons with a trip to Tigre a holiday resort just outside the city. So having dragged ourselves out of bed only half hour behind the planned 8am we successful walked to the Subte (metro). On subsequently walking a few blocks and finding the train station,without getting lost we were feeling very pleased with ourselves. However just like the UK we should have expected the weekend line closure and the need to pick up the train 2 stops down the line. We had been lulled into complacency by Buenos Aires sometimes complicated but cheap and excellent transport system. Despite an intensive Spanish course the instructions were beyond us. John was all for jumping on a random bus but in the end we went to a coffee shop, resisting something called a hippy burger and considered our options.
So refreshed we implemented plan B get a taxi to the station that trains start running from and continue the journey. We had not factored in the driver not knowing the way to the station as we drove to the wrong station and then into a dead end with huge iron gates. Eventually we arrived at the correct station joining hundreds of other day trippers. Despite a stop for coffee and our Mr Toad like taxi ride we arrived in Tigre only 30 minutes later than planned
Tigre is a holiday destination with a network of rivers or canals up and down run private boats, jet skies and numerous boat trips from decrepit 6 seater motor boats to large catamarans. Tigre itself has the feel of a small English seaside town, past it best but still somewhere that appeals and feels a safe pleasant haven from the the city. There is a marina area with shops and cafes.
In typical Jolly fashion we rushed off the train to beat everyone to the front of the queue for the boat trips opting for the safe looking catamaran. The boat leaves and makes its way along a river with beautiful holiday villas from a bygone age and some stunningly picturesque views.
The hour trip seems to race by. The river is busy as jet ski and speed boats compete with canoes and tourist boats missing each other by what seems a dangerously small margin.
Having left the boat we headed for the mate museum. Now everyone in Argentina seems to love this drink but a month into our stay we have still yet to try it. Surely they will serve it at the Mates museum!! No we saw every kind of cup for drinking it but no mates.
From the boat we saw an interesting church steeple so we set off to see it we discovered it was the rowing club, a magnificent early 20th century impressive stone edifice of a building.
Having explored as much as we felt the need for, we headed home for hopefully a simpler journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment