South America

As per Adam’s request I procured an updated itinerary for the South America trip that is quickly approaching.

The trip starts with a red-eye flight (why don’t people just carry some Visine or something, then it could be called an all-night flight) from DFW into Santiago, Chile (SCL for those playing flight simulator) that arrives at 10 AM on March 5th. That afternoon there is a trip to the Concha Y Toro Winery and the itinerary says,

Depart Santiago towards the Maipo valley, one of Chile’s most important wine producing areas. Founded in 1883, Concha y Toro is today the largest wine exporter in the country. The tour includes a full visit to the extensive landscaped gardens, the plantations (some of which were planted by the founder of the vineyard, Don Melchor de Concha y Toro), the modern plant and the old cellars. There is a tasting of different wines during the tour.

To say I don’t like wine is an overstatement, I hate the stuff. But when in Chile, do as the Chilean do. That is, take touristy wine tours. No, I’m sure it’ll be pretty neat. I like the process of making things, often times more than the actual product. And, the wine tasting can’t be worse than drinking whiskey at the Dewar’s Distillery in Scotland. That stuff was firewater, and the Master Distiller recommended we hold it in our mouths for the full flavor. Yikes. That evening, as well as the next two days we are on our own to tour Santiago. Well…kinda….see…the point of the trip is for the IU students to make company visits and learn “how to do business” in South America. Everyone is obviously just using that as an excuse to tour Chile and Argentina. So, half of one of those two free days is going to be touring Chilean companies.

On Saturday the 8th, we catch a flight down to Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt is located in the Patagonia Region (that’s what the company is named after) of Chile (most of Patagonia is located in Argentina, but Patagonia National Park the company is founding will be located in Chile), and because of that I’m expecting it to be downright beautiful. That afternoon we are going whitewater rafting in a glacial river. Hopefully wetsuits are provided.

Set off on a class III-IV rafting trip down the clear, azure waters of the Petrohue River. The mighty Petrohue is one of Chile’s most beautiful and exciting glacial rivers in the Lakes District.

That evening is free to check out the city and the next day involves a lake crossing to the Argentinean city of Bariloche (I’m still not sure how this is possible considering there is a mountain range between Bariloche and Puerto Montt, but I’m going to assume our tour guide knows this). We spend a day and a half in Bariloche; with one afternoon spent horseback riding. Again, sounds cool.

The Fortín Chacabuco Estacia ranch is 25 km from the centre of Bariloche and offers everything we need – excellent horses and native bilingual guides who’ll lead us into places beyond our imagination, with panoramic views of Bariloche and the Andes beyond. We’ll hope to see plenty of deer, Patagonian hares, perhaps some red foxes and all the bountiful flora of the area. We’ll ride for two hours in the morning and at lunch share a typical Argentine barbecue, an authentic asado criollo. In the afternoon, we’ll take a ride through swamps, canyons and valleys. Before heading back into Bariloche, we’ll have a break for yerba mate tea and homemade pastries.

On Tuesday the 11th we fly from Bariloche to Buenos Aires. The pattern for travel days usually includes travel in the morning and a group activity in the afternoon. This day will be no different as we get take a guided city tour in the afternoon (the explanation of the tour isn’t well written, but I think you’ll get the main idea).

In order to introduce this magnificent metropolitan city, we will be visiting the main points of interest of Buenos Aires such us the historical complex of Plaza de Mayo (May Square) where you can see Government House, the Casa Rosada (Pink House), which is the site of the Argentinean National Government. Next is the Cathedral, where there is a mausoleum dedicated to General San Martin, the greatest national hero in Argentina. The historical Cabildo is a beautiful building dating from the 18th Century, and the site of the first Government introduced to the country. The imposing building of Congress, the colonial church such as Santo Domingo.

La Boca District with its famous and pintoresque Caminito Street. The next point of interest to be visited is an area called La Recoleta , where the French cultural influence can be seen in the design of the many buildings, apartment houses, palaces, shops, streets, cafes and restaurants, all of which offer a very lively and colourful background to the Quarter. A short walk into La Recoleta Cemetery offers a surprising discovery of sculptural and architectural treasures. On either side of the narrow walkways there are monuments and mausoleums which look just like the houses in town. It’s a miniature village dedicated to the departed.

That evening there is a group dinner and tango show. The next three days are free for us to take company visits (one afternoon) and explorer the city (the rest of the time). The last day of the trip there is a Delta River cruise, which is described as:

A pleasant journey along the River Plate's coast and through beautiful residential areas in Buenos Aires: private neighborhoods, sailing clubs, marinas and slips. The enchantment of the renewed old English train stations allows visitors to enjoy one of the most modern trains in the country and a great variety of entertainments. At Tigre Port we’ll visit the open market and its handcraft shops. On board of a Catamaran we’ll navigate through a labyrinth of islands and small barren islands intercrossed by rivers and streams.

Depart towards north district . This tour comprises a tour through the elegant northern riverside suburbs of Vicente Lopez, Olivos, where the Argentinean President's residence is located. You’ll also visit San Isidro, with its gothic Cathedral, and San Fernando before proceeding to Tigre, where you’ll embark a private boat and will set sail . You will see why the labyrinth of rivers and channels of the Tigre Delta have been a favorite weekend getaway for porteños. We’ll explore the maze of channels and streams, islands, riverside villas, Victorian docks, English gardens and traditional rowing clubs along the Parana River Delta. The nearby Lujan, Sarmiento, Tigre and San Antonio rivers are all part of the excursion.

We’ll arrive to Gato Blanco Restaurant, after about 45 minutes of navigation, located in one of the Delta’s Island where lunch will be served. After some free time to relax, we’ll navigate the catamaran back to Tigre Port.

That evening we catch our flights back to the US. Things on the trip that I am particularly excited about is the horseback riding in Patagonia and the lake trip from Puerto Montt to Bariloche. I need to pick up guide books for both Santiago and Buenos Aires. Actually having a detailed itinerary in front of me is getting me pretty excited for the trip. I think I’m going to go start packing right now.

Song Recommendation - Daddy's Farm by Shooter Jennings