Though the River Plate is 200km wide at its mouth, and 300km long, it has avery narrow channel for shipping on its way to Buenos Aires. Actually, the trip from Montevideo to BA took 6 hours to cover 130km.
When we arrived, we were not alone. there were four other, much larger cruise liners already moored up. No smart cruise terminal, just a quay in the port, surrounded by containers.
Black Watch always moors starboard side to, as that is where the security equipment is mounted. This has meant that we often get a lousy view, as that is oiur side of the ship. This time, it was not so bad, as we are high up ,and were able to see over the top of the containers, and had quite a nice view. All the other side had was containers and more containers. It also meant we had a grandstand view of all the goings on. At the end of our stay we were entertained by the port staff, as they tried to sort out a little accident caused by one of the container handling trucks pulling down part of a building and damaging itself in the process. Nothing much in one way, but unfortunately it was right were our gangway was, and sorting it out did cause a few difficulties!
So, Buenos Aires. It was hot, at 35C, though not quite so humid as Rio. On our first day we did the ships organised city tour, which took in the cathedral and the grave of Eva Peron. We have found in the past that this is a good way to learn somethimng about a city. Our guide was excellent, and it was a good trip. In the afternoon, or what was left of it, we took it easy. We did a trip into the main port terminal, to change currency. A very simple thing to do, one might think. It took us an hour!! First was the queue for the exchange itself. then the actual transaction. According to the miles of paper we were given, Ian was a US citizen, and Sue, though from the UK, was from Manchester. Neither of us could work out how the clerk managed that, but we got our currency. The came the return trip.
By now, the queue to leave the terminal, which had to be done on shuttle buses (definitely no walking!) was out the otherside of the building. As we had no hand bags for screening, we joined about halfway down. One of the ships was readying to sail, and a few passengers were getting a bit panicky, because of the queueing. We then had 'terminal rage' as those trying to jump ahead were blocked by those already in the queue. Fists were raised. (Yes, dear readers, these were british passengers off P&Os Aurora!! Must be a low caste ship!). Eventually, we boarded our shuttle a got safely back to the ship.
The next day dawned hot and sunny, and we left early for the city. Shuttle bus to the terminal, and then following a tip, a free shuttle bus provided by a firm of jewellers to the edge of the shopping area, Florida street. A slow stroll for a kilometre, with a few diversions found us in the principal sqaure, and we headed for a famous place, Cafe Tortoni,. A beer and a coffee later, plus a few photos, and we walked back to where we could catch an open topped bus for a tour giving us a different view of BA. This included La Boca, and the revitalised old port area, a bit like Docklands n London. But was it hot!! YES. We threw the towel in about two thirds of the way round, it was a bit too much, even for Sue. Back to the jewellers via a small supermarket, and our trip back to the terminal and the port shuttle bus.
After a slow start on our last day, we joined a ship excursion to Tigre , for a cruise in the river delta. This was most enjoyable, as, instead of hurtling down some motorway, the guide took us the slow way, through various towns and villages. Our destination was some 40km from Buenos Aires. At tigre, we borded a boat, mercifully with a roof, for our trip through the waterways that make uo one third of the delta.
Very definitely, this is a holiday/loacl tourist area. P{eople live and stay in houses on the various islands. Some have electricity, but drinking water, gas for cooking and all foodstuffs have to be brought in. There are floating supermarkets which go round the islands, as do the water buses. When these go past, on the roofs are all sorts of things, from prams to gas bottles, to water bottles, to items of furniture. All in all, a most pleasant afternoon, which was only spoilt by the need for us to return to the ship which was sailing at 6pm.
Two day at sea, which was bit bumpy at times, have brought us to Puerto Madryn. A pleasant, small seaside town, with a nice beach. We strolled the prom this morning, and did a little supporting of the local economy. This area was settled by many who left Wales 150 years ago. They did not fight, or drive out, the then local inhabitants, but got on peacably with them. This means that many are of the origional stock, as well as those from european type stock. Quite a contrast.
This afternoon, we are going out into the countryside, to a village that is supposed to be very welsh. That is if the winds allow us. It is very windy here, and the ship is have some difficulty, despite its mooring ropes, holding its position on the quay.