Argentina – Travels with Billie

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Step into Argentina’s heart with an estancia visit. Witness gaucho displays, savor epic barbecues, and embrace the vibrant culture that makes this destination truly special.

When I think of Argentina, I think of Gauchos. To my Montana friends, that would be “cowboys.” This visit to an estancia (“ranch” to you Montanans) outside of Buenos Aires did not disappoint.

As our Antarctica cruise came to an end, we disembarked the ship and boarded buses (there were four coaches total) that took us over an hour out of the city. The idea was to give us something to do until our flights left, since most flights were leaving late at night. This turned out to be a lot more fun than anticipated.

We were greeted at the estancia with empanadas and wine (or water) and treated to a taste of the entertainment to come. We then went to an area where the gauchos competed by trying to spear a suspended ring from their galloping horse. When they did succeed, they presented the ring to lady in the crowd, as many horsemen in the past did to honor a woman in the affections.

We were then given time to wander the grounds and look at the many animals there, including sheep, ducks, emus, and peacocks. We also went shopping in their gift shop, and I ended up with a hat and a poncho, which came in handy on the chilly plane home.

Lunch was your typical Argentine barbecue: food, wine, more food, more wine. There was beef, chicken, pork, and sausages, and they just kept coming until we finally had to say “No mas!”

At the end we were treated to a performance of traditional Argentine music and dance.

Friend Carol and I showed off our new purchases with the performers.

Winemaking in Montevideo, Uruguay

Sip, savor, and create at Uruguay’s Varela Zarranz Winery. Blend wines, enjoy a feast, and forge friendships.

Our last port before leaving the cruise was in Montevideo. As soon as I saw an excursion that would allow me to do some wine blending, I said “Oh, yeah!”

We were taken by van to the Varela Zarranz winery, run by the fourth generation of winemakers in the family. We first had a tour of the winery, ending up in a room in the warehouse with our winemaking supplies before us.

We were given three bottles of their fine wines: a Tannat, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Merlot. Our instructions were to taste the three varietals, and then create three blends with different amounts of each wine. Once we decided on a blend we liked, we were to pour that blend into a wine bottle with our own name on the label. Needless to say, everyone was very happy by the time we got to the “put it in the bottle” part.

After our winemaking effort, we were led to the dining venue. They served a traditional barbecue with, of course, much more wine.The meal was hearty and tasty. By this time our small group was very happy, some declaring lifelong friendship.

The pears poached in Tannat wine and cinnamon, served with ice cream, didn’t last long enough for me to take a photo. Ot maybe it had something to do with the wine consumed that lovely day.

Ushuaia, Argentina

One more port at the farthest South city in the world before heading to Antarctica.

The port has grown since my last visit-or maybe it just seemed like a sleepy city before because it was Christmas Day. I took a tour called Flavors at the End of the World, and it was great. We walked up to the main shopping area and made stops at a wine shop for a wine tasting and individual charcuterie plates, a restaurant with a sampling of local foods, and a chocolate shop with excellent chocolates.

Ushuaia was originally a town that held a prison that made certain escape wasn’t an option. They have a sense of humor about it, shown by the cops chasing the escapee who is trying to climb out of the window above.

By the way, there is a Hard Rock Cafe in town. American commerce infiltrates everywhere.

I did a little shopping ( of COURSE I need a hat and a t-shirt that brags about Antarctica) and on the way back to the ship discovered a local crafts market. Always attracted to shiny things-I must be part raven-I ended up buying a beautiful ring from the man who created it. He even resized it for me while I waited. He and his wife were so gracious, and we managed to communicate with a translation app despite not sharing a common language. No matter where I go in the world, I always seem to find kindness.