10 March 2004 - 25 March 2004, Salta, Iguazu, Cordoba
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Coming into Argentina was much like coming into Chili, but without the luggage scan. We had
to line up according to bus seat number. A quick passport check and an entrance stamp allowing a
maximum stay of 90 days. We were welcomed in Salta by a light night drizzle. With 4 other tourists I
ended up in a noisy hostel. Residents came in until 7am after partying all night. Our room, on the
road side, next to the reception wasn't soundproof for the street noise and the people talking at
reception until 3am. Needless to say, we all left for different hostels the next morning.
Salta is a large town in the Northwest with as so many, a historical center. For some reason everyone
who gets here mainly seems to go out into the night life. Some take tours in the surrounding
villages or trek from village to village. I didn't get much further than taking a days
horse ride including an overnight stay at the 'ranch'. The horse ride lunch consisted of many small empanadas
drowned by liters of wine. Not the right combination if you've still got some hours of riding to
do. But that's the way they do it here. The same went for the BBQ that evening, much meat and some
salad combined with far more wine. The four dancers who came and demonstrate some
traditional dances
didn't find a very attentive company. The horse ride itself was ok, not as good as the one in
Tupiza though. Here the guide (owner) wouldn't let us trot or gallop so often. The
scenery was completely different. Much greener and not so ruff. Riding back in the dark was a
first time for me. Also the first time they'd lost a rider. No not me. A car was sent from the
ranch to find him. He was found. In the dark he hadn't noticed we'd taken a side road and we
thought the group was complete.
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In Salta I decided, after seeing and processing my the last sets of photos and recalling the ever worsening trouble trying to take them, to buy a new camera. Argentina isn't cheap for electronics, so I cut across the country to Puerto Iguazú. There's a big difference in the landscape compared to traveling through Chili and before that in Bolivia. Here it's far flatter and much greener, a bright green. The air seems fresher too, probably because it's more humid.
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Puerto Iguazú is on the tri-border with Brazil and Paraguay, well known for the Iguazú
Waterfalls. My goal wasn't just the Falls,
but also Cuidad d'Este just over the border in Paraguay. A city which supposedly
has the cheapest electronics in South America. A city one doesn't feel safe in when walking around.
The 27 hour bus journey wasn't for nothing. I bought a camera and saw the Falls again, this
time from the Argentinean side, testing my camera at the same time.
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From Iguazu I cut across the country again. This time to Cordoba. Another 24 hours in a
bus. Cordoba is a pleasant city with a nice large pedestrian area. But I don't know why if you
ask to see the sights, the locals direct you to the shopping areas. Like when I went by bus to
neighboring places, I was sent to the larger towns where shopping is good, not to cute countryside
villages.
I ended up in Villa Carlos Paz and Alta Gracia. They did have some sights
but not as good as I expected. They reminded me of Saurerland in Germany. Maybe I've just been
spoilt the last few months.
South-Am Overview
Venezuela (21-02-2003 thru 15-08-2003)
[Not to be expected until the end of 2004]
Brasil (16-08-2003 thru 28-08-2003)
[Not to be expected until the end of 2004]
Peru Overview
Bolivia Overview
Chili
Overview
Argentina Overview
Argentina-2 (25-04-2004 thru 04-04-2004) [Cordoba, Mendoza, Puerto Madryn]
Argentina-3 (05-04-2004 thru 12-04-2004) [Ushuaia]
Argentina-4 (24-04-2004 thru 02-05-2004) [El Calafate, El Chalten]
Argentina-5 (02-05-2004 thru 08-05-2004) [Route 40, Bariloche]