Buenos Aires, Argentina - the tango, the pampas and much more

I flew to South America to join a cruise ship which was sailing form Valpariso.
Seems crazy but from Australia you have to fly first to BA by Argentinian Airlines and then over the Andes to Santiago.
That was an interesting flight.
Must admit I thought about the plane which crashed on the Andes with the football team on and about the movie, 'Alive', which was made about it.

After cruising from Chile, down the fjords to the South Shetlands and the Antarctic Peninsular (see my Antartica lens), the ship sailed north via Puerto Madryn and Montivideo to Beunos Aires.

Photo: main square in Buenos Aires

Like most cities I have to admit the first impressions of the airport and wharf did not create a great impression - in fact BA airport is desperately in need of a face lift.

The port did have some interseting features, and nothing could be more depressing than the port at Montivedeo - but that's another story...

Dancing in the street...

Could only happen in Buenos Aires!

........more to come

No ones goes to BA without shopping on Florida Street.
If you want leather goods, jewellery or just T-shirts, it's the place to go.

Then of course there are the Tango dancers and live statues + bands of Indians playing the pan pipes.
What an atmosphere - and it cost nothing!

Love the Criollo horse and the gauchos in traditional dress complete with studded belts and dagger stuck down the back.

A group of English aristocrats have no idea of what awaits them when they embark on a voyage to South America.
Heading across the pampas on horseback they are beset by Indians, wild horses, pampas winds and mountain lions not to mention a group of escape convicts whose diabolical deeds are beyond comprehension.

THE CONDOR'S FEATHER published in hardback - July 2009.
Large Print edition released June 2010
To order go to:
THE BOOK DEPOSITORY which not only gives a great discount price but provides FREE POSTAGE to anywhere in the world.

Also on-line with discount and free UK postage from www.halebooks.com Waterstones or from Amazon UK.

As you can see, I am no rider, but I couldn't resist being able to say that I had riden a horse in Argentina!

"Vibrant" is a word which epitomises Buenos Aires.
The vivid colours of the houses in Caminito in the La Boca district of the city reflect this effervescence.

Eva Peron died of cancer in 1952. She was 33.
Her elbalmed remains were hidden in Europe for over 20 years.
She is now buried in the Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires.

Born Evita Duarte she raised herself up from her poor working class origins to become the most idolized woman in Argentina.
After marrying Peron who was elected to the presidency she lived a jet-setting, whirlwind existence living in the lap of luxury until her untimely death.
But three years later, Peron was overthrown and fled into exile.
Evita's body which had been embalmed was spirited away.
For many years the location of her coffin was unknown. Later it was discovered that her remains were in hidden near Milan.
From there they were taken to France but it was not until 1976 that her embalmed remains were returned to Argentina and interred in the cemetery in Recoleta.
Though it is located along a narrow aisle of tombs and mausoleums, it's not hard to find Evita's resting place. There is usually a crowd of people around it taking photos or reading the plaques which give little indication of the life of an unforgettable character in Argentina's history.

PS: I would recommend the 'EVITA' musical starring Antonia Banderas and Madonna. Great story, great music, great actors.

The English Tower is a landmark in central Buenos Aires.
It was a present to the Argentine Republic on the latter's 100th anniversay of independence from Spain in 1810.

In the foreground is the Argentinian war memorial - a rememberance shrine to those who died in the battle for the Malvinas Islands (Faulklands Islands).

A naval cadet stands guard at the memorial to the men who faught and died in the battle with Britain for the Malvinas Islands.

You have never eaten a steak until you have sampled one in Argentina.
And I say sampled because I have never seen a steak so big or thick .
It was cooked on an asado and I think I was served half a beast!!

Wander the deck of this historic ship.
Go below and learn its fighting history

I was inspired to write this book by several things:

I love the Horation Hornblower stories of CS Forester, and the 'Master and Commander' adventures of Patrick O'Brian.
I also love tall ships and the romance of sailing on them.
I love to travel, and I have cruised around the coast of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula.
I read about a lump of raw ambergris which was washed up on a beach in South Australia. It was reputedly worth a million dollars.

Read some of the excellent reviews for FLOATING GOLD.

To order a copy go to Hale Books (UK) or The Book Depository (world-wide postage free).

FLOATING GOLD is a wonderful blend of classic Georgian naval fiction, a mystery/thriller and a grand treasure hunt. A rousing tale, well told. It's a well-paced and vividly drawn tale of adventure in the high latitudes and on the high seas. Highly recommended.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com

When you have read as many naval fiction novels as I have, the first challenge a new author and book has to meet is - do the story and characters seem fresh? This is a challenge Floating Gold achieves from cover to cover in a pacy narrative which held my attention.
Would I like to read more of Captain Quintrell, Lieutenant Parry, Acting Carpenter Will Ethridge and their adventures? I certainly would.
A book I recommend.
http://www.historicnavalfiction.com

FLOATING GOLD is a nautical thriller that involves a well-plotted treasure hunt. Other nautical heroes too have been chasing treasures on the high seas and in exotic locations, most often Spanish galleons loaded with gold, but none of them - to my knowledge - have ever been chasing a treasure like the one that is featured in this book.
It is an innovative and entertaining tale, rich on detail about England and life at sea, and a tale that is very well told.
FLOATING GOLD is an excellent nautical fiction debut by Margaret Muir. I hope she continues to write about Quintrell - a character that I feel has a lot of potential.
If you like historical fiction, salty sea tales or clever adventures, FLOATING GOLD is a book you should get hold of - it is very entertaining, well written and intelligently plotted! http://www.navyfiction.com

To order a copy go to Hale Books (UK) or The Book Depository (world-wide postage free).