Papa goes Dreaming - about his Women and Buenos Aires

Yeah, that’s how it is. I'm dreaming - PLS take your time - this is a ALL in one post (to have fun - click on the pictures)

I might be some sort of sentimental - and not what you usually as from my blog excpect. OR? (not Oregon)

PROLOG
This is last the Sunday of 2007. As we know it from our Calendar. The Christian or Roman – right? (Gregorian we follow here - not Julian)
Have you, by the way, ever thought about why the New Year starts about 10 days after the Winter Solstice? Or the Summer Solstice according to the same Calendar…
For me it’s a mystery. Today the Day or (dögn we call it here in the Nordics: that's 24 hours, like a date . f.i dec 30, while Day in English means 24 hours when here it means when we have Daylight while a "Dögn" here also includes night, afternoon and morningt. - like four Seasons = A Year and in between: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn/Fall) - we have 6 more minutes "Sun" in Oslo than on Dec 22/21 - but also about 13 hours less than June 22).

Digression:

Regarding our and Ingelins Voyage to South America from the Northern Hemisphere---
I realized what complications that followed when North America changed the date for “Summer- and Winter time” compared to the rest of the World. Then, we are speaking of ONE hour. (Both ours and Ingelin’s flight were cancelled – when going down to B A). How could IT programmers knew about it, if not told?

Me now:
I feel like a Bear.

Sleeping most of the time. Not my usual Spirit.

Dreaming about the good time we have had in 2007 meeting new and old friends.

Anna and Ingelin - Plaza San Martin, B A
And our Silver Wedding. And my visit to Ingelin in Miami Beach. Our visit to Amsterdam (Marjoleine) - Sweden: Faro (Mrs and Mr Lifecruiser) - Mariestad ( Renny and Diane and the 2 great boys) - Tocksfors (Bettan and Johs), France: Hakon in Vence: Norway: Kongsvinger: Svein(my best man) when Anna did celebrate 40'years since "russ" (higher than high school - lower than college - normally you are 19 when finnished).
It's a shame, I have only this year been to the following Countries besides Norway:
Sweden, Holland, Germany, France, USA, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina

Among others - Anna and me as well (you see the young ones?) - Plaza San Martin

During the Year I must admit I've met so many wonderful individuals in the Blogsphere. Both me and Anna feels we are a part of a Global community - working for Peace. Thanks to Renny, that "forced" me into it, We should have been with you at New Years Eve in Mariestad (rest of my readers: N K is 70 and we missed his birthday that's why) - Next year?

BUT- it's one person that has brought so many together during 2007: Mrs Lifecruiser. I just called, and P and B are fantasitic inspiring persons.

HUGS

Just now, I do need to see some light:

Before I start this post, I would like to invite you to a cup of Tea. For those of you that prefere the local Mate, Ok, you can have that. I did have a a melange good for my hopeless digestive (GERD - for those of you who know what that is - just search on Gooogle, and you'll find out - it's far away from happiness....)

Then, nearby, I met a white lady:

A naked beauty wreathed by Flowers - we did not talk. Only looked at each other. I did not dear do to otherwise. LOL.

May be I could have waked her up for a Tango?

I turned my head:

And ended with an unforgetable Birthday Party

(yeah, you can rent pro's to give B-D parties here - we watch for 30 minutes - and it was really great to see the kids excitement)

Oh My Beauty ,

why are you so apart from me

I did not bring my swimming shoes

May I disturb you fishes

in order to bring faith and luck?
NO, she is in the French part of the Jardin. May be to a Ball with in Southern France?

Then:

I have felt like this the past weeks - telling the next generation about life (From Jardin Botanica in Buenos Aires)

As allready said - I need Light. Anna and Ingelin in the Afternoon Sunshine (Jardin Botanica, Buenos Aires - before their shopping - comes later) did make me happy. They even sat down to be captured under all the Flowers. I feel better.

Here is a fatal photo of a lost Viking in Buenos Aires. Luckely he was not robbed (broke anyway - haha) and found his way back to the hotel - while the women went "chopping" (history has teached me it was otherwise - Vikings I mean). But, who took this picture and even gave the camera back? (Well, there were lot's of witnesses, and about 58% gave a simular description of that creep that took this photo - I'm coming back to this event, well, what do you think about such a reveal?).

More to come, when I do “wake up” from my hibernation

In the meantime, read and comment and wish a Happy New Year to (it's many more, but how to reveal them all?): Special wish to Charles ( RennyBA's blog) designer - hope the "Paperwork" will soon be done. I think "expat-travelere" will understand.
All Cybercruisers - Here in the Hills - Spilling out - Lime
Mrs Lifecruiser - RennyBA - Fleur de Lisa - Ghee - Mar - Gattina - Shionge - Susie the indian (Asia) - Shadow Falcon

Have a great New Years Eve

Argentina - Buenos Aires part 2 - La Boca

La Boca is among the oldest parts of Buenos Aires (Fair Winds).
The city was first established as Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen AyreFebruary 2, 1536 by a Spanish expedition under Pedro de Mendoza. The location of Mendoza's city was in today's San Telmo (literally "City of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds") district, south of the city center.

For Soccer enthusiasts Boca jr is a well known Football Club, where among others Diego Maradona did play. The large Arena is in the district.
Today La Boca is known for it's colourful houses, cafes and artists with lot's of small shops and even Tango performances. It's a must see for visitors to Buenos Aires. Safest time to visit is during day time. Go by taxi from the city center (USD 3-4).

Here comes pictures from our visit:


Entering La Boca from the Harbour side


Typical La Boca. Anna and Ingelin Window Shopping


Tango at the Cafe. If you want, you can be taken picture when dancing when the young couple.


Tor having Lunch


Paintings for sale


New friend - Feet in ice and Mate besides

See the complete Cyber Cruise 2007 Calendar here.

Argentina - Buenos Aires - Part 1

Jardin Botanico - Cats etc

In Iguazu we stayed at Hotel Margay. We appologize we did not see one of these rare Cats. Uknown for most people. But, here is a painting of a Margay.
My regular readers knows we are Cat lovers. The Cats Mieew is very global. Which means we could communicate in the Cat Language in Argentina and Uruguay. That's a fact. If you do not believe it, we can guide you for free (Air Tickets not included - LOL).

OK, let's start this Voyage and meet the Cats.
In Buenos Aires, the place for Cat lovers is Jardin Botanico.

Click on the photo to find out where it is - to the right. Our hotel is situated very central (left on the Map). You can have a Suite for 3 persons, breakfast included for USD 100. Restaurants etc 2-3 minutes walking distance away.

The Cats are really the Kings and Queens of the Park. All well feed and good looking. Do follow the restrictions what to do and not to to with them. i.e. Leave them as they are. Just look, not touch. But you can speak with them.

Guardians - do not forget they are predators
You can take the Subte (Subway or Metro) Linea D to Plaza Italia. You can not miss where to go when out from the Subte (The Zoo is over the next Street). The Cost is very reasonable: 0,70 Pesos ( around USD 0.22). Or you can take a Taxi. If your in the Center of Buenos Aires, the fare will be around 15 pesos (less than USD 5). The Park is spectacular. Flowers, Trees, Plants, Sculptures, Ponds (another story).

Here is some of the Cats we met in the Park:

After Lunch, we need some rest. Pls do not disturb. We can even hear your iPod.
Afternoon cleaning and refreshing

Boss - no doubt - or just well feed?

Cats do have a very good life in this Park.

Jardin Botanico is dived into several sections. This is the French on. Can you see the cat? Black and white like the person in front. Excuse moi, mes amis de la France, mais c'est que de gaieté. Contraste - n'est pas.

And, here is one more, in Palermo Florida district, where you can find Small Top Class designer fashion shops. Clue for my women readers: Honduras road and around. Prices?
Less than a Luncheon at Champs Elyseés in Paris.

On Tuesday, December 4, we went over Rio de la Plata by boat to Colonia in Uruguay.

We talked the same language. Very interisting, if I may say so, about how to live and being a Cat in Urugugay.

Back to Iguazu and Margay. The Hotel Manager have a Cat, named Evita. But Ingelin quickly named her Clara. Besides the Swimming Pool and the Frogs, she was the positive side of the hotel. That's another story.

We had some good moments together. Clara told me how it is to be a Hotel Cat and I told her about Felicia and Rosa. She loved their names and the fact they can stay outside half the year where we do live.

I did ask her: May I tell your story to my blogger friends?

She said: Miienow.

Why?

Mieu mieiaaw - miee mieew - which means: Please do not refere - I have enough challenges.

That Cat loved us - and it was mutual. It's fantastic to have contact with other living creatures on this Planet.....

On our last night in Puerto Iguazu, Clara (real name Evita) jumped up to Anna's lap. And they mieewed very intimate together. Clara was very clearly outspoken - and her meanings not to be misunderstood. We did agree with her.

By the way: If you have some minutes spare, visit:

Cybercruiserers

Cats on Tuesday

Christmas Market in Oslo

Christmas with Ghee (Tokyo)

Much more to come - joy and dramatics

Stop the BlogPress

A WONDERFUL SURPRISE

Papa and Ingelin taking farwell in Buenos Aires. Around Midnight, Sunday Dec 10. (yes, we took photos of the driver and the Taxi number - blondes you know) - What a wonderful time we had together in Argentina + Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.

This post is different from what I did plan. The reason is obvious, if you spend some seconds to read.

First thing I did this Monday morning (after our return from Argentina) due to the fact it was a message in our Mail Box when we returned from Argentina:

You have a Mail. It's to large to deliver in your standard Mail Box. You can pick it up at your nearest Post in Shop (yeah, we do have combined local Stores and Post Offices in Norway).

This is the envelope:

Dear Naomi, we will put it under our Christmas Tree and open it on Christmas Eve. We are so excited. And will show the whole blogosphere your gift to us. On Christmas Day. (We can hardly wait - kids you know...)

Naomi, you might recall a movie named "The Mission"? We was there on our Voyage. A Natural wonder, where all location shots were taken. (More to come ...)
flowering Cactuses:

Cactus Wild Forest. Quedabra el Toro (What else - the name I mean - LOL)

Twin Flowers. (More to come...)

Discover the true world at Mrs Lifecruiser. Where the unexcepted allways happens.

Believe it or not, Tuesday, some of my readers are very well aware of Gattina's Cats on Tuesdays, will be dedicated to "Cats we met in Argentina" - (and Uruguay) - believe it or not, it's also interesting for non-cat lovers.

Silver Wedding Tour - Reveal 1

Dear readers and blogger friends,

we are back in our Winterhome in Oslo ( -9 C) - The Moon is upside down here. Yezz. In Buenos Aires it was on the left, here it's on the right - the light ----

What a constrast - in every other sense as well. Nature, people, climate, culture....

I've just started to sort out some thousands of pictures and movies. This late Sunday, I will share only a few photos with you. From the very different places we did visit. Stories will follow with uncencored pictures. So be patient and just enjoy the photos until facts will be published.

El Obelisco is situated on Avenida 9 Julio - the widest avenue in the world (20 car lanes and parks in between). Built in 1963 to commerate the 400th anniversary of the first Spannish settlement in the Rio Plata.

Ingelin arrived 22 houres delayed from Miami.

From one of the pedestrian areas of Buenos Aires (parallell to Avenida 9 Julio - East side)

Iguazu - from the plane

Wild life - Vícunas at the Puna (the high mountain plataux - 3500-4500 meters above sea levels - (11.500 - 14.500 feets)

Not Snow - But Salt. Salinas Grandes.

Tango in la Boca

Lot's more to come - the real adventures.

PS. Have missed your blogs for the past weeks. I'm going back in blog history next week...

We will be all, that celebrate X-Mas, very busy next week

15 minutes to go

Yes it is true---

we are leaving our hotel in Buenos Aires 15 minutes from now.

Have wonderful weekend and Felice Navidad

Anna y Tor

Salta and NW Argentina

Short report:
Tuesday we went along the "The Train to the Clouds" track. The train does not operate for the moment. Fertile Vallys and arid mountains. We went up to 4080 meters above Sea level (ca 13.000 feet). Very interesting. Lots of photos to come. Flowering Catuses.
Wednesday: Went up North. We took the wrong route back- twice. 750 km (475 miles in one day) on roads you would not believe excisted - but Vikings never give up, even though this was a game with life and dead. Even the 4WD safari excursion companies does not dare to take the route we did - with a Chevrolet/Opel Corsa.
Lots of animals and indigous people. Salar Grande. Puna (the high mountain plateau in NW Argentina at altitude 3500-4500 meters (11.000 - 14.500 feet). Overfloaded roads, sand dunes, mud, rocks, holes, slides, wild animal attacks. X-Mas gifts bought from Atacamenos. (The local native pueblo)
We left the hotel at 8 am and returned at 11.35 pm.
Thursday: Salta: swimmingpool, the hotel gym and shopping. And walking.

Friday afternoon we return to Buenos Aires and Saturday back to Europe and Sunday afternoon we will be at home.
A blast of a Silver Wedding Honeymoon Tour. Wish you all could have gone with us. But you soon can, as Cybertraveller.

Wait for the pictures and some insights and the true story (I mean what can be published - giggles)

More to come...

Buenos Aires to Salta

Monday was time for leaving Buenos Aires and heading for Salta in the North East. And area known for it´s spetacular nature sceneries and very dry climate.
Scheduled take off: 11:55 am. Arrival 2 am.
Well on board the Airplane, we were told to leave it again. In Spanish.
Then information was given outside the plane. In Spanish.
New information was given 1 hour later. In Spanish.
Another 30 minutes. Short message. In Spanish.
People left. Some asked what was going on. Vol caputo. Nuevo machina a 4:30 pm.
Food and beverages while waiting? Silly question. Airliner: LAN Argentina.

We arrived Salta Airport at 7 pm. And the hotel at 8 pm. Several nice night pictures taken
Tuesday: Raining. --- It´s raining in Salta.

More to come.......

Iguazu - and return

The three of us went from Buenos Aires to Iguazu on Thursday.
In short: The Waterfalls are a World Heritage. You can´t imagine if you have not been there. It takes 2 days to have a clue of the size. (May be some of you will remember a movie with the title The Mission?)
Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina in one Day. We met Evita, but Ingelin named her Clara.
Saturday we went by bus, walked a lot, went rafting (under the Foz) 4x4 truck in the jungle, dropped the inclusive dinner at the hotel and and ....

Ingelin went back to Miami last Night. We are going North to Salta at noon to day.

More to come.....
Lots of pictures (even cats, birds, racoons, the falls from air, land and from inside)

Still in Buenos Aires

If you have not been to Buenos Aires, it´s about time you visit this magnificent metropol.
By the way, yesterday we took a day trip over Rio de la Plata, to Uruguay and Colonia. Dressed for summer, we arrived in heavy wind and rain. Very chilly. The bus brought us to the a restaurant for lunch. When the sightseeing began, the rain stopped. When the walking excursion begun, the Sun shined. When we left Colonia in the evening, it startet raining and blowing again. God is Norwegian.

More to come... also pictures

Arrived in Buenos Aires

At Oslo Airport yesterday, we were told our flight had been cancelled - they even told us theynhad tried to call us. Not att all.
It was the flight from Frankfurt to Buenos that was the problem.
So, then our whole reservation was cancelled. Hurray.

A travelling Viking does not give up. I said:

Ok - then you must fix an alternative itenaire. Via Sao Paulo f.i. I Said-

At the end of the Day - it was all fixed and we ran from flight and ticket offices.

We arrived Buenos 2 hrs later than originally planned - Even with our luggage - due to delays-

More to come...

Update: Ingelin arrived the hotel 4:03 am- Nearly one day later than scheduled.
Her flight was also cancelled. We say no more at this moment.The important thing we are together.

more to come

Silver Wedding

Taken in Oslo Town Hall. You are the first to see it (SIC)
Anna and Tor just married , December 3 in 1982,---
well this photo was taken by their own camera. Selftimer.
The funny thing was, we were 2 minutes late, due to the slow person we hired to create the Bridal Flower Bouque. Click to see the Flowers.

Saturday Dec 1 - 2007 - we leave Oslo, Norway, to go to the Silverland - Argentina. To Celebrate 25 years of marriage and friendship. In Buenos Aires.
In fact, it's our 10th time we have Vacations in Latin America.

May you all have a wonderful weekend and pre Christmas time.
We will be back 17-18 december
Miss you all allready.
This post is also dedicated Photo Hunters - Red.
Blushing red, we were

Welcome to Ola in Miami Beach

Dressed for Party, Ingelin and Papa went to Ola (Of Latin America). It’s just around the corner from Ingelin’s appartement. In James Avenue and located in the Sanctuary hotel.

Chef Rodriguez is famous and said to be the one that has put Latin American food “on the Table”. Click on his name to see some recipies.

I was very anxious to go there and taste the Food, as Ingelin had told me a dinner there is a must when in SOBE’s Art Deco District.

As we arrived early in Miami Beach to be, there were no need to reserve a Table (for normal dinner time, you should).

We were met at the entrance by a Swedish, charming lady, Annika. Table for 2 was waiting for us. Lovely atmosphere. Latin American music (I love it). And a tropical back yard. What more could a Norse wish.

They wished us welcome even from a busy Kitchen

Then Time for the Menu

Let's see, what they can offer. Click to read.

Water and bread brought to the Table - before we could count to the time of Day.

Then some more to drink...

Nor Ingelin or Papa are big eaters, so we went for mojitos. Many different tastes. Artistic presented and heavenly tasty. Served quickly. Recommended by us. World travellers as we are. LOL.

Here is some of our mojitos:

Oysters Rodriguez
lightly fried, served over fufu and creamy horseradish spinach, served w/ huacatay sauce

Foie Gras & Fig Empanada
anise empanada dough, foie gras, almond fig cake over watercress salad, duck serrano & black trumpet vinaigrette.

Food for papa

this was very good, but what was it? Chevre.

Mystery Meat Balls
with callampa mushroom sauce.It’s a secret…just trust us

heavenly - the name of this mojito? Go and ask. haha

Tuna Taco
resh diced tuna, crispy shallots, diced jalapeno, paprika, lemon oil, roasted garlic & ginger aioli

Caviar Arepa
colombian style yellow corncake served w/ crema nata, quail eggs & ossetra caviar 18 (w/1oz caviar 25)

We went out and felt very well. And extremely comfortable feed.

Then it was Party Time in Miami.

More Cybercruises at Lifecruiser