Thursday 27 January 2011

FuFu Exploring Argentina Part Three



Federico, an Italian, took bus from Buenos Aires to Mendoza with me. Well, he was worried about the bus that didnt come before 8pm (the departure time). He said i was holding the same ticket as him, thus he asked me if i was heading to Mendoza or not. After that we both were waiting for the bus. He didnt book any hostel here in Mendoza, so he followed me to my hostel. After shower, we went out for lunch. See, i have one new acquaintance to have lunch with me!

Centro, Mendoza, Argentina

3:15pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C

FuFu Exploring Latin America
Argentina - Part Three | 23rd - 30th Dec 2010



FuFu @ Mendoza!! The weather here is cool!!! Probably the city is just next to Andes (the famous mountain range here in Latin America, just like Alps in Europe and our formidable mountain range in the Peninsular).

Centro, Mendoza, Argentina

3:52pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C




After lunch, we both walked back to the hostel. I took my stuff (water, snacks, little FuFu) and headed out exploring the city. Fist destination is Central Park. The first thing is to check out the park!! LOL

Central Park, Mendoza, Argentina

4:01pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



After Central Park, i brought Little FuFu to a square few blocks away from my hostel. Observe the movement of the people, traffic and city!!!

San Martin Square, Mendoza, Argentina

4:32pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C




After walking around, well most of the major attractions are parks and squares. My favourite!!

Plaza Independencia, Mendoza, Argentina

4:43pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



Came to Italian Square. Had a short rest here before heading to another HUGE park.

Plaza Italia, Mendoza, Argentina

5:11pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



This park is seriously huge!!!!!!!!!!! Basically, just like a forest with many cars snaking through here and there. Because it is huge, so i chose to visit Largo del Parque first (Lake of the Park). Amazingly, the sky was damn extremely magnificent! But no sunset!

Parque, Mendoza, Argentina 6:04pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



I honestly, love this park!!!!! Spent roughly more than an hour walking around. Phew... i love my life!

Parque, Mendoza, Argentina

6:37pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



About to leave the park. While heading the direction back to downtown, i saw a nice sculpture.

Parque, Mendoza, Argentina

7:26pm - 29/12/2010 - 28°C



On the bus heading to a winery town (45mins from downtown). Again, with a fixed single fare Argentina Peso 1.40, you can go to anyway in the metropolitan region of Mendoza!! Imagine, the bus fare from Kepong/Sg. Buloh to Salak South or Damansara is only RM 1.40, will the people move around by bus?

Centro, Mendoza, Argentina

9:32am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Gonna start my solo bike+wine tour around the town. The rental of the bike is Argentina Peso 30 (roughly RM 18-20 = US$6). I booked it through hostel. If you walk-in yourself, it is only 25 Peso! But well, at least the staff told me where to take bus and gave me Peso 50 cent to take bus (i did not have more coins to take bus).

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

10:38am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



This old Argentina man saw my little FuFu and shouted at me! (Well, little fufu was hanged on the bike XD) I did not understand what he was talking. But he was kind to show me the direction of the Wine Museum (though i had the map with me).

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

10:38am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Before heading to the museum, i quickly snapped a picture with him. LOL

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

10:45am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C




Along the winery route, i saw many vineyards, olive farms and XXX (will look for it later).

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

10:45am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Visiting Museo del Vino (Wine Museum) with little FuFu.

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

11:58am - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



The barrels are HUGE. More than 2m high.

Museo del Vino, Coquimbito, Argentina

12:57pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



The vineyard of the museum.

Museo del Vino, Coquimbito, Argentina

12:48pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Need to mention that, almost all people passed by were looking at my cute t-shirt! lol

Museo del Vino, Coquimbito, Argentina

12:57pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Had my lunch at a park. Gotta fill the stomach before wine-tasting or i would definitely get drunk after a glass or what!! lol

Coquimbito, Argentina

3:58pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



The sky was really awesome! It´s nice to cycle around.

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

2:38pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



Wine tasting - Argentina Peso 13 (roughly RM 8 = US$ 2.50). 4 glasses of wine. From the young red wine to aged red wine and sweet white wine. Argentina wine = YUMMY!!!

Familia Di Tomosa, Coquimbito, Argentina

3:58pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C



It was a long bike+wine tour. But i totally enjoyed it. Resting at the bike shop. The owner gave me a glass of wine too. I drank it with my cheese+nut. Nice combination!!! Life is good!

Urquiza, Coquimbito, Argentina

4:43pm - 30/12/2010 - 30°C




My last breakfast in Argentina!

Hostel Suites Mendoza - Mendoza - Argentina

7:45am - 31/12/2010 - 28°C



Gonna head to Santiago from mendoza! Bus left at 9:45am. I will be back to Argentina!!

Bus Terminal - Mendoza - Argentina

9:26am - 31/12/2010 - 28°C

Tuesday 25 January 2011

FuFu Exploring Argentina Part Two



On the train heading to Tigre. Almost an hour trip to a nice outskirts from Buenos Aires.

Retiro, Buenos Aires, Argentina

11:17am - 26/12/2010 - 28°C

FuFu Exploring Latin America
Argentina - Part Two | 23rd - 30th Dec 2010



At the tourist information centre of Tigre Train Station. The staff is very friendly. She explained which train i should take and where to go for picnic and sunbathing.

Retiro, Tigre, Argentina

12:22pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C



The staff recommended me to take the boat to Tres Bocas (Three Delta). On the boat waiting for an awesome picnic with little FuFu!!

Tres Bocas, Tigre, Argentina

1:41pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C



Arrived Tres Bocas. Got off at an island. Found a nice shade. Sat down. Chilled out. Cam-whoring. LOL

Tres Bocas, Tigre, Argentina

2:37pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C



How could i forget little FuFu? He loves picnic too!

Tres Bocas, Tigre, Argentina

2:41pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C



Two hour passed! It is time to leave. My eyes could not actually open after the sun-kissing session!

Tres Bocas, Tigre, Argentina

4:32pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C



The Art Museum of Tigre. Entrance ticket - Argentina Peso 5.

Centro, Tigre, Argentina

5:15pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C




The Art Museum of Tigre.

Centro, Tigre, Argentina

5:15pm - 26/12/2010 - 33°C




Malaysian flag is flying beautifully in Tigre!!! Really wanna tell everyone i am from Malaysia!!! FuFu ♥ Malaysia!

Centro, Tigre, Argentina

6:27pm - 26/12/2010 - 30°C



FuFu ♥ Malaysia!

Centro, Tigre, Argentina

6:29pm - 26/12/2010 - 30°C



FuFu at Barrio China (Chinatown).

Barrio China, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

8:11pm - 26/12/2010 - 30°C



The nutritious breakfast! Well staying at hostel can really force myself to eat good! breakfast is free. But only bread, cereal, banana, orange juice, coffee, milk, etc. Anyway i always eat three times the volume of what you see on this picture! lol So now you know the reason why i could skip lunch. LOL Do not tell my mother please!!!!

Hotel Suites Florida, Buenos Aires, Argentina

8:17am - 26/12/2010 - 28°C



At Hostel Suites Florida. Ready to go out!

Centro, Buenos Aires, Argentina

09:14pm - 27/12/2010 - 31°C



Before arriving my destination, i spotted a nice park with colourful giant chess!!!!!!! Awesome!!

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

10:54pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



The colourful GIANT chess! NICE!

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

10:54pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



One of the nice oil paintings of La Boca.

La Boca is the oldest, most colorful, and most authentic neighborhood in Buenos Aires. The neighborhood was settled and built by Italian immigrants that worked in the warehouses and meatpacking plants in the area. La Boca is partly an artist colony, and mostly a working-class neighborhood.

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:25pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



La Boca is the oldest, most colorful, and most authentic neighborhood in Buenos Aires. The neighborhood was settled and built by Italian immigrants that worked in the warehouses and meatpacking plants in the area. La Boca is partly an artist colony, and mostly a working-class neighborhood.

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:11pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



Personally like this place!!!!!!

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:54pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



Wandering around this awesome neighbourhood for about two hours. Actually did not want to leave. lol

La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3:04pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



First impression - very like the Capitol in Washington DC, USA.

National Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina

4:49pm - 27/12/2010 - 34°C



National Museum of Bella Artes.

Recoleta, Buenos Aires, Argentina

6:34pm - 27/12/2010 - 32°C



My dinner!!!!!! BURGER KING - Junior Combo, Argentina Peso 18 (RM 13-14 = US$ 4-5) - the cheapest set meal. I know what i am losing weight. Really have no appetite to have lunch. Probably too hot. But dinner, definitely wanna have eat!!! :p

8:43pm - 27/12/2010 - 32°C



At one of the main pedestrian shopping street here in the downtown. Getting ready for the half day tour before taking bus to Mendoza tonight.

Centro, Buenos Aires, Argentina

10:32am - 28/12/2010 - 32°C



Took subway from Cathedral to Palermo, one fixed fare - Argentina Peso 1.10 (RM 70/80cents = US$ 0.20-30). Bus also only Argentina Peso 1.00. Pretty cheap to take public transportation here! (A good way to promote the usage of public transportation, personally thinking)

Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

10:32am - 28/12/2010 - 32°C



Actually the other main purpose of the trip here in Latin America is to see the urban planning and public transportation in every big cities i am heading to. Buenos Aires has a very good bus network (like the spider web connecting people to everywhere from the downtown), barrier-free (handicapped friendly), though a bit messed up and the buses are emiting a lot of harmful gasses. Also the transportation system is not integrated with the subway and land use planning. Anyway still better than the bus network in Kuala Lumpur. No wonder my professor said Buenos Aires has nothing much to see in term of public transportation.

My own observation = Buenos Aires is gradually losing its own identity. This gotta blame the automobilisation, modernisation, and urbanisation.



Zoo of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Plaza Italia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

11:05am - 28/12/2010 - 34°C




Spent almost half an hour at this nice botanical garden.

Jadin Botanico, Buenos Aires, Argentina

11:17am - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



Little FuFu like Jadin Botanico of Buenos Aires.

Jadin Botanico, Buenos Aires, Argentina

11:20am - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



Buenos Aires has too many parks!!! Great. But gotta spare my time for every park. Wish i could stay here longer!

Parque Las Heras, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:05pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



Must visit Japanese Garden! Well, i have already placed Japan as my second home. Without Japanese Government, i wouldnt be able to enjoy my life so delightfully. Arigato!

Jardin Japones, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:37pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



Keep in mind that, you cannot find Pasar in the Japanese Garden!!! lol It`s a joke that only Malaysian could understand.

No Pasar : (Spanish) No Entry
Pasar : (Malaysian) Wet Market

Jardin Japones, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:42pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



FuFu and Little FuFu at Nippon Teien (Japanese Garden)

Jardin Japones, Buenos Aires, Argentina

12:51pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



While walking to the Recoleta Cemetery, spotted Hibiscus here in Buenos Aires!!! lol

Ave. Las Heras, Buenos Aires, Argentina

1:37pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



A very nice cemetery!!! Never expect cemetery also can be a main tourist attraction! Guess our Chinese, Malay, Indian, etc Cemetery also should open the door to the tourists! Attract more people go to Malaysia!!

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2:57pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



The clouds are dancing for me! AWESOME.

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

3:57pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



FuFu and little FuFu at the cemetery!

Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

4:05pm - 28/12/2010 - 34°C



Waiting the bus to Mendoza. 20:10! But 30mins delayed. Ops see the sun-burnt?? OMG!

Bus Terminal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

7:37pm - 28/12/2010 - 30°C