Live Journal – B2B Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires – Come Along For the Adventure

[browger]

Hi Jim, thanks for the info., on disembarkation, etc. When you took the taxi, do the drivers speak English, or do you speak Spanish?

Do they accept us $$'s or Argentinian Peso's? Just trying to get my head wrapped around these things. We are spending a few

days in B.A. also (post cruise). Cruise on Jan. 7. Getting excited, and with your blog, have peaked my hubby's interest. Thanks again

[Jim_Iain]

Hi Jim, thanks for the info., on disembarkation, etc. When you took the taxi, do the drivers speak English, or do you speak Spanish?

Do they accept us $$'s or Argentinian Peso's? Just trying to get my head wrapped around these things. We are spending a few

days in B.A. also (post cruise). Cruise on Jan. 7. Getting excited, and with your blog, have peaked my hubby's interest. Thanks again

 

 

 

Most cabbies don’t speak English or if they do very limited. They are very friendly and work with you. Only Pesos are used in cabs. I picked some Argentine Pesos in Ushuaia. I used an ATM and able to get about $100 worth. I also in BA used a bureau de change to convert some more. Most banks were closed for Xmas.

 

One thing I do is write down the address or even the cross street and just show it to driver.

 

 

Most stores big and small accept credit cards but require ID (I use my California DL).

 

 

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[tomworldwidewaftage]

Hi Jim, thanks for the info., on disembarkation, etc. When you took the taxi, do the drivers speak English, or do you speak Spanish?

Do they accept us $$'s or Argentinian Peso's? Just trying to get my head wrapped around these things. We are spending a few

days in B.A. also (post cruise). Cruise on Jan. 7. Getting excited, and with your blog, have peaked my hubby's interest. Thanks again

 

Hello

 

As Jim said disembarking was very easy.

 

We disembarked on Dec. 23rd. our luggage #2 made it early about 7:20 am

 

Taxis were to the right outside of terminal. There was one guy who handled all taxis.

We showed him the name of our hotel and address in Palermo. He said it would be $35.00 USD. Price due to distance and amount of luggage.

He had us pay in cash USD to another guy. That guy wrote a paper receipt gave us a copy and a copy to the taxi driver. I suppose the taxi drive turns his copy in to get paid for the trip.

 

During the taxi ride the driver asked to see the hotel address again. He didn't speak any English.

We were checking into the hotel a little after 8:00 am.

 

The hotel directed us to ATM at different banks nearby, the fee for getting Pesos = about to $10.50 in USD, plus what our own bank fee is.

 

Tom

[astrocat]

12/21 - We paid some additional tips to those that had served us well. We were really disappointed to find that they are unable to keep it individually and must turn it into a pool. To me this isn't fair. I plan on buying somethings as a non-monetary gift to help show our appreciation.

 

This is new to me and very disappointing! Does the ship confiscate it some how? We have always handed over a pvt note of thanks and an envelope to our special people, over and above the prepaid gratuities.

[Jim_Iain]

This is new to me and very disappointing! Does the ship confiscate it some how? We have always handed over a pvt note of thanks and an envelope to our special people, over and above the prepaid gratuities.

 

I don't believe it is new. I have been told that they voluntarily turn the extra tips over to their supervisor who then divide them up. They do get some type of recognition from their supervisors for getting additional gratuities from guests. Some told us they prefer a positive mention in the survey as it really helps their career growth.

[astrocat]

Yes the survey is a really significant event for staff.

 

 

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[astrocat]

Thanks for the earlier info also, I just had an excellent response from Concierge Pamela !

 

 

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[Jim_Iain]

Hello

 

As Jim said disembarking was very easy.

 

We disembarked on Dec. 23rd. our luggage #2 made it early about 7:20 am

 

Taxis were to the right outside of terminal. There was one guy who handled all taxis.

We showed him the name of our hotel and address in Palermo. He said it would be $35.00 USD. Price due to distance and amount of luggage.

He had us pay in cash USD to another guy. That guy wrote a paper receipt gave us a copy and a copy to the taxi driver. I suppose the taxi drive turns his copy in to get paid for the trip.

 

During the taxi ride the driver asked to see the hotel address again. He didn't speak any English.

We were checking into the hotel a little after 8:00 am.

 

The hotel directed us to ATM at different banks nearby, the fee for getting Pesos = about to $10.50 in USD, plus what our own bank fee is.

 

Tom

 

Thanks for the information Tom.

 

Our Air BnB host provided a car for us at a cost of $25 from the port to Palermo SOHO. I thought it was reasonable and accepted the offer.

 

He is also offering a car for $50 to International Airport when we leave.

 

The fees have been high to get cash from an ATM and limited to 2,000 pesos (about US $110) per transaction.

[lb7429]

Thank you for all the info it was very helpful. We are doing the B2B in March 2018 in the opposite direction.

 

 

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[Jim_Iain]

Last night we visited the Colon Theater to see Nutcracker. Fun night out but temps outside were hot at around 85 at 10:00 pm.

 

We booked tickets about 9 months ago. There were many on line disappointed that it was sold out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Jim_Iain]

Are at AIRES CRIOLLOS last night. Mostly meat. Portions huge and inexpensive. Most cuts well over a pound.

 

Iain was going to eat light and ordered Salmon. His eyes almost dropped when served. I asked about a Lamb loin and told it was 1,000 grams (2.2 pounds). She suggest lamb loins they ended up being 4 tenderloin at about a pound.

 

Prices reasonable at around $70 for 2 including wine.

 

Here’s Iain’s Salmon

 

 

 

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[browger]

Your meal looks absolutely outstanding. It appears the Argentinia Peso is expensive to purchase, but

the peso goes a long way, as $70.00 US is very reasonable for this delicious meal. All works out! We are getting

very excited, leave in three days!

[h20cruzer]

Jim fabulous review. thanks for spending all the time to give so much pleasure to so many people. Loved, loved, loved all the pictures. I don't live too far from you I am in Marin county. Will be doing the TA from Barcelona to Buenos Aires Nov 2018 and staying in Buenos Aires an additional 3 nights. Any tips???

Norma

[Jim_Iain]

Jim fabulous review. thanks for spending all the time to give so much pleasure to so many people. Loved, loved, loved all the pictures. I don't live too far from you I am in Marin county. Will be doing the TA from Barcelona to Buenos Aires Nov 2018 and staying in Buenos Aires an additional 3 nights. Any tips???

Norma

 

Hi Norma - You will love it here in Buenos Aires. The people are so friendly and while most don't speak English .. they try hard and a mixture of high school Spanish and sign language we all often have a laugh and great service.

 

If you don't have a place booked I really recommend the place we rented via AirBnB. You can also book directly with them via https://www.ba4uapartments.com/ We are staying in Palermo Uno and they have about a dozen units in this building from a 2 BR 2 story flat at $300 a night to studios at about $68. We have Bueno Vista a beautiful all glass living room on 13th floor... good full kitchen and separate bedroom and bath for $100 per night.

[Jim_Iain]

Today we went to San Telmo Mercado. A section of the city with a great central market, lots of little shops and great restaurants. Lots of tourists here and noticed the hop on hop off bus driving through. Temperatures are more mild today at about 81 degrees and high clouds. It is suppose to get into the 90's again tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Interesting street art and a tango show in the park. Had a great lunch at a little cafe. The waitresses were great and helped us with the large menu.

 

 

 

 

 

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[hcat]

Still following and enjoying this great travelogue...thanks

 

Looks like we will be sailing with you on EDGE Jan 27, 2019...are you on the roll call yet?

Did not see you on the list....

[Jim_Iain]

Still following and enjoying this great travelogue...thanks

 

Looks like we will be sailing with you on EDGE Jan 27, 2019...are you on the roll call yet?

Did not see you on the list....

 

We are booked on that cruise but looking like we are going to cancel it. We booked the TA return to the US and the Med Cruise before that as a B2B. I have to do some clean up of reservations once I get back home.

[Jim_Iain]

Today was another warm day at about 93. We walked from our flat near Plaza Italia to the Botanic Gardens and then to the nearby Evita Museum. The Museum was about $5 and well worth the visit. We later stopped into one of the many street cafe for lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures were not permitted in Museum.

 

 

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[Retirement]

Jim, could you please tell me what you did on the turnaround day in San Antonio? If you did a tour, do you remember what the name of the company is? We're on the Mar. 4th Infinity cruise--Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale. I'm having a very hard time finding anything to do on that turnaround day.:( There were lots of options for Valparaiso, but nothing for San Antonio. Thanks!

Anita

[Jim_Iain]

Jim, could you please tell me what you did on the turnaround day in San Antonio? If you did a tour, do you remember what the name of the company is? We're on the Mar. 4th Infinity cruise--Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale. I'm having a very hard time finding anything to do on that turnaround day.:( There were lots of options for Valparaiso, but nothing for San Antonio. Thanks!

Anita

 

Anita - we booked a tour using Tours by Locals (Roberto was our guide). It was a religious holiday when we were doing turn around and the road to Santiago was blocked for a pilgrimage. Roberto suggested we tour the San Antonio region visiting some beautiful seaside cliffs and took a hike. We also visited a bird sanctuary. We had told him in advance we wanted to have a nice lunch overlooking the sea at a nice restaurant where locals would go (non-tourist). We had a wonderful day. He grew up in the San Antonio region and really knows it. He now lives in Santiago and was willing to do whatever we wanted to do.

 

E-mail me at the link below and I will send you contact information.

[Jim_Iain]

Thanks for all the personal mail. I thought it may help others with a turn around in San Antonio, Chile with somethings I learned.

 

 

 

I booked via Tours by Locals and found that most of the guides that are listed under Valparaiso or Santiago will also be able to service your needs for both tours and airport transfers from San Antonio. Most of the guides live in Santiago and will customize your tour from San Antonio to do whatever you would like to do, Tours usually include a wine tour but you can skip this and do whatever you wish. The price for 4 usually run about 1/2 what celebrity would charge. I often look at the Celebrity tours and then pick what we want to do and eliminate what not interested in.

 

 

The ferry over was a large one with a open seating plan. No reserved seats. Had we known we would have paid extra for business class. The ship holds about 1,200 passengers.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2017 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Friday 12/29/17 - Day trip to Colonia, Uruguay

 

We decided to take a day trip to Cononia which is a quick 1 hour fast ferry ride away. While it is relatively short it is a bit of effort to make the ship. The ferry tickets can be acquired via phone, internet (not recommended as it is a terrible site and often will not accept US credit cards) or directly at travel agents or at the SeaCat Terminal.

 

On the day of the trip you have to show up at least 1 hour prior to departure. As we were leaving our apartment in Palermo at 9:00 we decided to take the subway as the traffic was so heavy. The Subway was packed and on the second train to come along we forced our way aboard with not even an inch between passengers. Let me just say it was hot and up close and personal experience. I think another 10 squeezed onto our train after we got aboard.

 

Signs will be lit up with the time of the trip and the company. You have to present your prepaid ticket and passport to receive you tickets. Once you have you tickets you have to line up again at the foot of the escalator pointing to Immigration until they are ready to process you through Immigration. Once on line you line up to go through metal detectors and Immigration. If you are from US (probably all non-argentine/Uruguay/Brazil) you are first processed by Argentine Immigration and

then they escort you to a Uruguay counter where you are processed by Uruguay.

 

Colonia is a beautiful little community that is a photographers paradise. We booked a 11:00 ferry which did not leave until 12:00 and a 8:00 PM return (left on time). Their really isn't a lot to do in Columbia and you could probably do it in 4 hours. It was a VERY HOT DAY (in both Colonia and BA) at about 91 degrees and humid. We ended up spending a lot of time in restaurants and coffee shops to escape the heat and stay hydrated. I'm sure it would have been a more enjoyable time if the temperatures had been more moderate.

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Jim_Iain]

Tango Show - Tango Porteno

 

 

 

Last night we went to a Tango show. The show we chose is directly across the street from the Opera House by the name of Tango Porteno.

 

 

 

It is almost overwhelming when you browse the shows on the internet. Prices range from about $30 to well over $200 per person for the evening. We bought our tickets at the box office a couple days before show.

 

 

 

We chose a Show only ticket for about $70 pp and received nice seats about 3 tables back from the stage. Surprisingly they don't push drinks and you almost have to track down a waiter to order a bottle of wine or mixed drink.

 

 

 

All of the shows usually provide pickup at local hotels. If not in a hotel you can meet at a hotel or just make your way to the theater.

 

 

 

The show begins at 10:15 but you can show up around 8:30 or later and settle in and have a drink. Around 9:15 they had a little teaser act come on which was well done.

 

 

 

The theater is a restore Art Nuevo theater and well maintained. The feeling of the theater is much like the old Las Vegas shows of the 70's. The show itself was totally different experience than expected.

 

 

 

The show was like a Broadway musical with great costume, story line and scenery. The show revives the Golden Age of the Tango. It features 30 artists on the stage, a lie 1 musician orchestra, 8 couples of professional dancers and 2 singers. This unique and modern show recovers the essence of the traditional Tango.

 

 

 

I would definitely give it a 5 Star.