Argentina

Argentina was the last of the countries I visited in South America. My original plans, such as they were, included Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego (considered the southernmost city in the world), Bariloche in the Argentine Lake District (and also a ski area I wanted to check out for future reference) and the Peninsula Valdes (an area known for its abundant wildlife, including whales). But time was running out and so it was necessary to engage in some travel "triage."

Once I decided that Ushuaia was out of the question, I entered Calafate, Argentina after a long drive across the Patagonian wilderness from Puerto Natales, Chile. From Calafate, I visited the Perito Moreno Glacier, which was spectacular and is highly recommended. The Fitz Roy range, another "world-class" mountain range, is also accessible from Calafate, but time did not permit. These photos are on the separate Patagonia page. Another drive across the windswept plains took me to Rio Gallegos, where I caught a plane for Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires was easily the best of the cities I visited in South America. It has been called the "Paris of South America" and while I generally don't find such "nicknames" helpful or accurate, I can at least see where it came from. Many of the buildings date from the turn of the century and are indeed reminiscent of Paris: curved corners, ornate decoration, shuttered windows and balconies with wrought iron railings. Buenos Aires also boasts wide boulevards, wonderful cafés and restaurants, art galleries and some very upscale neighborhoods.

From Buenos Aires I did a weekend excursion to Iguazú Falls in the far northeast corner of Argentina along the border with Brazil and Paraguay. The falls outstrip Niagara in both height and width and their setting in a tropical rain forest makes them all the more spectacular.

The photos above offer an overview of the places I visited in Argentina. For more photos and detailed information, select a page from the drop-down list below.