Day 117 - Buenos Aires, Argentina

A bit of a break from the norm today - we meet for breakfast at 9:15 so we can get out before mid afternoon for once. Crazy behavior. After breakfast (that is starting to get a bit samey) we have a meander through the lovely streets of Palermo to the Museo Evita to learn all about what she was about and did as I must admit I don't really know much about her other than Madonna played her in a film once. 

Turns out she is an amazing woman and had a fascinating life, especially considering she died of cancer at the young age of 32. She accomplished so much for the people of Argentina starting out as an actor but then marrying the then president of Argentina to become First Lady an a more prominent political figure. She was a socialist who helped install a number of social welfare benefits on behalf of the poor, children etc as well as a number of labour rights.  I see parallels of Diana with her - sort of a 'peoples princess'. 

A little bit blurry but it explains her famous speech on the balcony of Casa Rosada when her husband had been inprisoned. (Saves me typing it out!). 

Watching a short movie of her life. The story of her death, or more accurately what happened to her body after she died is a really interesting and controversial one. After her state funeral the body was stolen and when it was found it was all beaten up which had fueled a number of conspiracy theories. Really interesting stuff. 

After we have a beer in the Museo Evita Restaurant which has a lovely little courtyard outside. 

After the museum we head to the mall for a spot of shopping, or at least the others do. Me and Nat are treated to some well needed sushi by Eric and we meet the others back at the hotel later on. 

We get back and hit the pool or more accurately, the large warm bath that is on the roof. 

Nige's tan is really coming on. Not sure how the sole of my Dad's foot is browner than Nige's chest? ;-)

Mum doing her best Kurt Cobain impression. 

Spot of afternoon pool lounging. Going to miss this. Although at this point there is only one person in the pool with a beer. 

That evening we head out into Palermo starting off at a bar called Alturo Crucero which you probably head us back in England when a spider landed in Eric and she let out the loudest as longest scream I have ever heard. Scared us more than the spider. 

After we head further down the road to a bar called Cream bar and had the customary end of holiday award ceremonies where we recount funny tales and incidents from the trip. Very funny and makes you realise what a jam packed and amazing last two weeks we have all had. 

We the head to Campobravo for dinner an sit outside on the upstairs terrace. The guys get stuck into their last Argentinians steaks. Another fantastic steak and great value meal again - £15 per head for a huge steak, all the sides we could eat and lots of wine. 

The last supper commences. 

If only Nat had a pair like this ;-)

After dinner we leave the rents and the Meff's who head back to the hotel and head for a night cap. Palermo is so good. You can hardly walk 50 steps without stumbling across a great bar. We literally make it to the opposite corner from the restaurant to a bar called Bastapabio and  sit outside watching the world go by. As it's Thursday night the place is pretty busy tonight with everyone drinking on the streets. Great atmosphere and great place. 

On the way back we pass Grappa which we voted as one if our favourite restaurants of this two week leg of our trip in the awards earlier. 

Last day with the gang. Very sad to be leaving them tomorrow. It's been amazing.