After a fairly nerve-racking 48 hours we have finally made it to Buenos Aires. Our direct flight on Tuesday with BA was cancelled and we were re-scheduled 24 hours later via Iberia to Barcelona and onwards to Buenos Aires at 01.30. That flight was operated by a little-known airline called Level??!! Slightly apprehensive. We were also down-graded to economy. Now those of you who follow my blog will know that my experience of downgrades is not good and 1 year later I am still battling to obtain a refund from BA/Iberia so hats off to Jack at Dial-a-flight who spent 2 hours on the phone to BA and finally got our premium status re-instated.

On arrival in Buenos Aires we find that not all of our luggage made it. We have our cases but Paul’s fishing rods are nowhere to be found. I receive an email in Spanish from Iberia, confirming the loss and, after a surprisingly helpful phone call to Iberia, we are told the rods are still in London but British Airways will put them on the next flight….. We should be able to collect them at Ushuaia Airport before boarding our cruise on Saturday. Here’s hoping!

Rendezvous Hotel

Buenos Aires is not what I expect at all. It is a beautiful city with good infrastructure and pot-hole free highways. We are staying in the Palermo district where the streets are lined with trees and restaurants and cafes abound. There is an easy laid back vibe. We check into the Rendezvous Hotel, recently renovated with a few last minute final touches being carried out as we arrive. It is charming and the staff are wonderful. We have lost a night in the city so must maximise our time here. We are recommended to a restaurant for lunch, which is a short stroll away. We find a table in the shade on the terrace, order negronis, a bottle of wine, salad, 2 huge rib-eyes, fries and desert for the princely sum of £37. The service is appalling but you can’t argue about the value for money!

We’ve been travelling for 24 hours so after lunch return for a much needed siesta. You cannot come to Buenos Aires without seeing a tango show. The hotel was great and booked us in for the evening performance at Tango Porteno including transport/from the hotel, all food and wine and stage show. We thought it would be a pretty lame, touristy thing but it was quite superb and so well organised. We have no tickets, which is slightly alarming but apparently you just tell the front staff your name and they show you to your table. Try that in London… Our table is near the front and very close to the stage.

The building is beautiful with a stylish, art-deco interior. You feel like you are entering a cabaret club except that the theatre is large with probably 700+ covers. Service is hugely efficient. There is a 3 course menu, with choices, unlimited beer and wine.

The actual tango show is very professional and beautifully choreographed, with slick performances, stunningly fast leg flicks, twists and turns. The dancing is accompanied by a very talented tango ensemble with pianist, double base player, two accordionists and 2 violinists. There was also a wonderful display of bola skills.

What a fabulous start to our trip. The flight issues are forgotten. We sleep well, breakfast and are fully refreshed for our 3 hour flight to Ushuaia. Although we did not have as long as we would have wished in Buenos Aires, we do at least feel that our time there was worthwhile. On this trip, our time in Argentina is fleeting. It is a country that deserves, and will require, in-depth future exploration. At that time, we shall make sure to spend some quality time in Buenos Aires. There are so many beautiful parks and buildings to discover.