Argentina - Part 2: Bariloche

After Buenos Aires we headed to Bariloche which is in the Northern part/lake region of Patagonia.  We stayed at Llao Llao resort and it was so beautiful.

The rooms were more rustic but nice, which fit the region perfectly. I would describe the resort as a lodge.

This is the view from our room of the hotel grounds and the lake.  It was a little hazy when we arrived.

After checking in, we headed on a guided hike through the forest not too far from the hotel.  It was drizzling on us most the time, but still beautiful.  Look at those trees.

There was bamboo everywhere.

Check out this tree.  I've never seen anything like it.

So, of course we all had to climb it.

We noticed a table set up with all sorts of treats in the middle of the woods and SURPRISE, it was for us.  

Patchi, our guide, served us mate which is similar to tea but without tea bags. It gives you energy like coffee and Argentinians drink it all day long. Everyone shares the same cup with friends and family. I wasn't really a fan, but I don't do tea and coffee either.  We did buy a mate cup and straw along with a bag of mate that we will probably never drink.

We came to a clearing in the woods and there was the lake and our hotel on the other side.

Amazing views.

Fondue for dinner that night at one of the hotel restaurants.

The next day the guys played golf at the resort.  They said the golf was marginal, but the views were spectacular.

Llao Llao has the exclusive rights for Golf Cross in Argentina.  Golf Cross is similar to golf, but the ball is oval and you hit the ball into a goal instead of a green with a hole.  Crazy that none of us had ever heard of it before.  The guys attempted a few hits, but decided that normal golf is hard enough.  Here is the goal.  Jud did buy an oval ball to have since it was so strange.

While the guys were golfing, the girls spent some time at the spa.  We experienced some different massage treatments that were fun and relaxing.  Here we are before dinner that night.  I just love this picture!

The crew at the main resort restaurant for a meal of more meat.

The next day we took a boat ride across the lake to hike with our amazing guide Juan.  It was freezing on the boat.

What a beautiful waterfall with the moss.  Look at how clear the lake water is.

We hiked to a river bed that was so smooth.

We then made it to a beach and walked around the corner and stumbled across this set up for lunch.

A table set up on the beach complete with wine and our own chef (in the background).  Are you kidding me?

Oh wait, then we heard music and saw this coming around the trees.

A TRUE BACHELOR MOMENT!

 They supplied ponchos for us in case we got cold.  Of course we had to all put them on.

The group from above on the boat ride back.

That night, I went with the guys (Evan and my mom went to bed early) to dinner at a little quaint Italian place, Il Gabbiano.  The flower garden out front was beautiful, the atmosphere was lovely and the food was delicious.

We all just loved this segment of the trip.  Until we meet again Patagonia.

Argentina - Part 1: Buenos Aires

We went on an Argue Family Adult only vacation to Argentina in February. Jud's parents stayed at our house with the boys for the ten days we were gone. It was a long time to be gone, but the boys were great and we talked to them almost every day. We had an over night flight (10.5 hours) and arrived in Buenos Aires in the morning. When we arrived, we headed to the hotel to check in. We stayed in a small boutique hotel, Hub Porteno, in the Recoleta district. It only has 11 rooms and each room is different. The hotel was fabulous and I'd highly recommend it.

After checking in, our tour guide Patricia took us to Recoleta Cemetery.  It was strangely beautiful.

 Eva Peron is buried there. We found out the Argentine people are not a fan or Eva and especially not a fan of the movie Evita.

 We then had a late lunch at Cabana Las Lilas on the river. We sat outside on a great patio and had our first taste of Argentinian beer, wine and meat.

Jud and Blake enjoying (maybe that's not the right word) a Limoncello after lunch.

Next we headed to La Boca. When you see those pictures of colorful Buenos Aires buildings, this is the place. It was so much fun to walk around and check out the sidewalk cafes with tango dancers, local artists selling their creations and all the colors!

BA is known as the Paris of South America. You can tell why when when looking at this street.

 The Pink House, where the President of Argentina offices.

Beautiful church.

A modern flower sculpture that opens at sun rise and closes at sunset.

That night we went to La Cabrera which was highly recommended by several people. It did not disappoint.  Everything happens later in Argentina. Dinner usually doesn't start until 8:30. We were't super hungry since we had a big late lunch and didn't want to stuff ourselves since it was late. So, my mom and I ordered stuffed chicken (top) to share, Blake ordered beef skewers (middle) and my dad and Jud split a Kobe Steak (bottom). Seriously, look at the size of that meat. They love their meat and they aren't really big on side dishes.

They bring a lollipop tree to each table instead of offering mints. Pick your flavor...such a fun idea.

The next day we went on a tour of Teatro Colon. It's a top 5 best theater for acoustics in the world. The outside is pretty.

 The inside is just amazing!  This is the grand entry.

Inside the theater - so stunning! The sound really is awesome. One of the tour guides belted out some opera.

  Our last night in BA was of course spent at Tango Porteno, a dinner tango show. We were surprised the food/wine was so good since it was included in the show price.

 It was really fun to watch all the dancing and it had a great story line also.   

Some drank a little too much wine that night so we had to take an Argue family elevator selfie as usual.  LOVE IT!