20th January 2011
Tony on the platform of Clapham Junction train station, UK, about to head to Heathrow to fly to Argentina.
Buenos Aires
21st January 2011
Lado de Palermo, lake in Palermo Park, downtown Buenos Aires.
Tony and Rodrigo, sat on the grass in Palermo Park.
Palermo Park is a open park in the Palermo neighbourhood (barrio) in downtown Buenos Aires.
Fountain of the ‘Monumento de los Espanoles’ (Spanish Monument), located in Sarmiento y Libertador part of the Palermo district. The monument is officially called the “Monumento a La Carta Magna los Cuatro Regiones Argentinas”.
The 24.5 metre high monument was raised by the Spanish community in 1910 for the centennial of the Revolution of May.
Tony sat on the fountain with Inma, Rodrigo’s wife. Tony met Imma and Rodrigo when travelling in Mozambique in 2004.
Watching a local band in a bar at night in downtown Buenos Aires.
22nd January 2011
Tony at ‘Happening’ restaurant in Puerto Madero, on the banks of the Rio de la Platta, one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods.
Waterfront promenade, the location contains many classy restaurants and is popular with locals.
Tony eating a steak in the same restaurant – steaks are known as “meat” in Argentina.
Tony eating an ice cream in a typical Argentine ice cream parlour.
Tony touching a stuffed cow outside another restaurant.
23rd January 2011
Tony and Rodrigo at a different restaurant. Buenos Aires is a city for good eating, shopping and partying!
Inma and Rodrigo in another park, downtown Buenos Aires.
Tony in the commercial area of San Nicolas with the 67.5 metre high Obelisk of Buenos Aires in the background. The obelisk was built in 1936. It is located in the Plaza de la Republica at the intersections of avenues Corrientes and 9 de Julio.
24th January 2011
Torre Monumental, formerly Torre de los Ingleses (Tower of the English). A clock tower located in the Retiro barrio (district). It is 248 feet, 75 metres high and was built in 1916. The clock tower is situated in Plaza Ferza Aerea Argentina.
One of the bronze works at the base of the General Jose San Martin Monument, designed by German artist Gustarvo Eberlein, unveiled 1910. Located in Plaza San Martin at the northern end of pedestrianised Florida Street, Retiro neighbourhood.
Monument to the soldiers, sailors and airmen who died during the Malvenas (Falkland Island) War, 1982. Memorial composed of 25 black marble plaques, containing the names of the Argentine personnel who died. The monument is located in Plaza San Martin.
Another view of the Malvenas (Falkland Island) War memorial.
Tony under the Great Ombu tree, in Plaza San Martin, a park as well as a square.
Tony in Plaza de Mayo (May Square), with the famous Casa Rosada (pink house), home of Argentina’s President, in the background – the Pyramid de Mayo Statue, located in the square’s centre, is also visible.
Plaza de Mayo is the main square in Buenos Aires. Since being the scene of the 25 May 1810 Revolution, that lead to eventual independence, Plaza de Mayo has been a focal point for Argentina’s political life. The modern plaza took form in 1884, but its origins can be traced to Buenos Aires’ foundations 1580.
Tony and Inma, in a restaurant well known for serving Argentine sausage.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is the small, tourist capital city of Tierra del Fuego province in Argentina. It is arguably the World’s southernmost city and is the gateway to Antarctica. Ushuaia is located in a wide bay on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, bounded to the north by the Martial mountain range and to the south by the Beagle Channel.
25th January 2011
Tony in front of a large flagpole, flying the Argentine flag, on Ushuaia harbour front.
Paved walkway along the sea front by the harbour, snow covered Martial Mountains in background.
Tony with a backpacker from Israel on the harbour front, looking up into the city’s buildings on the higher levels. Ushuaia is a mountainous city, which is divided into tiers with main roads paralleling each other. The city’s elevation is approximately 16 feet, 5 metres.
Boats and ships, including cruise ships and cargo vessels in Ushuaia Harbour.
Tony and a view of Ushuaia Harbour behind.
Tony holding his cane in the air at the waterfront, Ushuaia buildings and the Martial Mountains in the background.
26th January 2011
Tony’s hike up part of the Martial Mountains to Glacier El Martial (Martial Glacier). The Martial Mountains are a mountain range just north of Ushuaia, along the Beagle Channel coast. They are part of the Andes Mountains.
Tony standing in a car park at the bottom of the trail.
Steep trail, many tree trunks, possibly uprooted by flooding or strong winds, which are frequent in that region.
Tony, looking back down to the Beagle Channel at the edge of Ushuaia far below.
Tony standing on a wooden bridge over a glacial stream that emanates from the glacier on top of the mountain.
Tony standing next to the stream.
Tony in front of a large boulder on the trail.
Tony again standing next to the stream.
Tony on a higher level of the mountain trail. View up hill: little vegetation now, rocks and snow above.
Looking down towards the Beagle Channel a long way below.
Tony sat on a rock having a rest, trail getting steep!
Another view down the mountain towards the Beagle Channel.
Tony at the foot of the glacier.
27th January 2011
Tony stood on a beach in Tierra del Fuego National Park, snow capped Martial Mountains in the far distance.
Tony sat in a park ranger’s 4 x 4 vehicle, given a lift after getting lost on one of Tierra del Fuego National Park’s many trails!
Tony with one of the horse riding instructors – the instructor is holding two puppies.
Tony starting a three-hour horse riding excursion in Ushuaia’s exterior, including wading through the Beagle Channel.
Horses and riders crossing a wooden bridge over a stream.
Tony on horseback with the other riders taking part in the excursion.
Tony with other riders.
View of the exposed landscape around Ushuaia – mostly grass and shrubs.
Tony on horseback, snowed-capped Martial Mountains in the distance.
Tony riding a horse in the Beagle Channel.
Again riding in the Beagle Channel. View along the coastline.
Tony standing by a horse with an instructor.
A steep street in Ushuaia.
Street in Ushuaia with a small stream running down one side.
View of the city and harbour from the Motor Vessel Ushuaia. The cruise ship that took Tony to Antarctica.
View from the cruise ship. Martial Mountains away in the distance.