Whatever your concept of what Argentina looks like, I'm guessing you're wrong if you are anything like me. Holy schmoly...Bariloche, Argentina is BEAUTIFUL!! It is the Swiss Alps of Argentina. In fact, the original European founders of Bariloche were Swiss! They must have come over and found this area and settled here because it reminded them of home! Yesterday we met in city center to meet up with Tarek & his wife, Kate, and us ladies went to Rapa Nui while the guys went to iron out some traveling details for our return flight. Rapa Nui was a chocolate paradise (as Bariloche is known for) and we had a pleasant lunch with Kate and her beautiful kids, Marianna & Sebastian. Interpreting menus here has been a challenge, but a lot of fun. I Love the Spanish language and so wish I was immersed in it in some portion of my life so I retain it better. I've actually been amazed at how much I've pulled out from my high school days as well as my banking days (thank you MaryLynn & Lucy!). We then spent the afternoon visiting the shops & artisans looking for souvenirs and such. We then headed out of town around 5:30 to do some off road sightseeing of the countryside of Bariloche to see some unique parts of Patagonia. Later that night, we ate dinner at a neat little restaurant that had great ambience AND great prices! Argentinians typical schedule is work starts around 9-10. Siestas occur & business shut down between 1ish and 5ish. Then business open back up between 5 and 10 and restaurants open around 8pm but most people don't eat dinner til 9-10pm. That's my kind of schedule!! :) Below are some pictures of our first couple of days adventures!
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| My first taste of Argentinian chocolate! Thank you Tarek for our welcome here gift. |
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| Lunch at Rapa Nui with our new friends Kate, Marianna, & bebe Sebastian |
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| Just the beginnings of LOADS of chocolate we would see! |
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| Beautiful Helado (ice creams) |
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| Chocolate! |
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| Did I mention they love their chocolate! :) |
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| A gorgeous Catholic cathedral with a gorgeous view overlooking the lake |
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| Offroading in Patagonia! |
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| Our first dinner out at Bahia Serena |
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| The next day Kate took me, Aunt Laura, & Mom on the Llao Llao hiking trails. It was a GORGEOUS day! |
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| Marianna with her baby, Rosie |
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| We hiked to the water's edge....what beauty! |
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| The Llao Llao hotel...an internationally known destination |
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| We had tea at the Llao Llao...tea was open to anybody who wants to come! See the two 3 platter trays filled with desserts?! |
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| We played on the Llao Llao's playsets...cute big brown eyed Sebastian sliding with Aunt Laura |
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| Whee! |
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| Amazing views! |
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| And then back at the house....Our adorable cabin on the lakeside |
Gorgeous pictures!! Yummo, CHOCOLATE!! Looks & sounds like you are having a blast!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is amazing.
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