Nov 1-14, 2016: Argentina

Nov. 13, 2016.  Night bus from Puerto Iguazu to Buenas Aires.

• So today started out with a bit of a screwup, which got converted to a good thing.  Took the bus to the Brazilian side of the Falls, but got stopped at the border for lack of a visa.  Taxi back to Giora Olga, which I had spotted when returning from yesterday's Iguazu Falls visit.  Turns out it was Argentina's only animal rehab center, set in gorgeous jungle.  Lots of photos of bugs, butterflies, birds, and animals, including my first ever armadillo - a funny, busy little guy.  Video of a blue Morpheus flitting about - but tough to track with my iPhone.  One more reason to get a camera with a viewfinder and big zoom.  Also bought a bunch of souvenirs for gifts; and the proceeds go to the rehab center.  The jungle itself was fabulous, ranking right up there with my (fading) images of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula.  

• Then on to the Buenas Aires bus at 3; will be there early tomorrow morning (13 hours?).  Hang out in Buenas Aires for the day; catch a night bus to Mendoza (another 13 hours), and then a day bus to Santiago (8 hours - it's supposed to be gorgeous - right past Aconcagua).  If all goes well, I'll be spending the night of Nov 15 in good old Hostel Plaza de Armas, one of my favorites, right off a nice playa, near that good restaurant, with plenty of time to shop and visit Valparaiso.

Nov. 14, 2016.  Night bus From Buenas Aires to Mendoza.

• Bus arrived in Buenas Aires at noon: 21 hours!  Not enough time to do much.  Purchased bus ticket Buenas Aires to Mendoza ($80), leaving at 3 PM.  Hoofed it to Calle Florida, purchased BOCA t-shirts for Erik & the kids, and a Maca bowl for Dana.

• Bus not as nice as the one from Puerto Iguazu, but at least It didn't serve the typical crappy meals (crackers, sweets, hot dish of white sauce, rice, something else): only hot water and a coffee bag, and a stop at a restaurant.  Flat plains, some cattle.  Some big black and white storks, one bunch of about fifty egrets.

• Next stop: Chile!