Outback Steakhouse in Sao Paulo??????

You betcha. It's the taste of the Australian Outback in Brasil via the good ol USA.

Parque do Ibirapuera - Sao Paulo

This park is about 6 blocks from the hotel and has some great views of the city.

These fountains light up at night but I was told to avoid the route from the hotel to the park at night, so all you get is a day time shot.

Statue in the park.

More of the park.

View of Sao Paulo from Parque do Ibirapuera

I got this from the internet to show how big the park is.

BsAs "Open 25 Hours"

Lots of things are different here in South America (BsAs at least). The toilets and drains spin in the opposite direction and apparently each day is an hour longer too.

There was seriously one of these convenience stores on every corner and sometimes even in the middle of the block.

Random Buenos Aires

All of these were within a 4 or 5 blocks in any direction from the hotel.

Tango along the street in front of restaurants.

Casa Rosado

Cathedral

Congresso

Obelisco

Plaza de Mayo

Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires

Completely rebuilt area of Buenos Aires along the river with many restuarants (of which I tried a few) and night life.

Mmmmmm....Pescados Muchos

Another night on the town with the gang in BsAs....on the menu tonight is fish for a change of pace from all of the beef. Little did I know that the portions of fish are almost larger than the portions of beef. We decided on El Mirasol Campo y Mar based on the a recommendation of the concierge. He hit this one right on. Tonights meal consisted of:

- 1 Bottle of Sparkling Water
- 1 Bottle of Altos del Plata Syrah
- Empanadas
- Chernia (Rockfish) with mixed grilled vegetables
- Charlotte (vanilla ice cream cake with chocolate sauce)
- 1 Espresso

Entrada del restaurante (the entrance)

Las Empanadas

La Chernia (Rockfish)

Holy Las Comidas Fantasticas Batman!!!

Went out in BsAs with the gang tonight to a fantastic place called Cabana Las Lilas in the Puerto Madero section of BsAs, Believe me they serve way more than enough food for even the biggest eater. My three hour meal experience consisted of:

- Bottle of sparkling water
- Bottle of 2008 Luigi Bosca Reserve Malbec
- Provoleta Grillada (Grilled Provolone Cheese)
- Chorizo Bombon (Grilled Chorizo)
- T-Bone Steak
- Papas Fritas (French Fries)
- Various other food items (breads, antipasta, etc)
- Grappa and Limoncello (2 types of after dinner tequila drinks)

All in all I would highly recommend the Cabana Las Lilas to everyone, but get there before 8:00PM or you will wait because the place gets packed by 8:30PM

Entrada de Restaurante

The Meat

Grill Part #1

Grill Part #2

Complimentary Antipasta Tray

Complimentary Dessert Tray

Complimentary Grappa and Limoncello After Dinner Tequila Drinks

Another for Jenny

Una maquina de tabaco

Something For Jenny

They have real indoor smoking here in Buenos Aires.   Every other seat at the bar has an ash try and matches.    I will try and steal one for you

Futbol Time

Walked into the Celtic Pub here at the Panamericano to find the place packed and the Boca Juniors vs. River Plate futbol match about to start.   The place is packed but some nice Boca fans who speak zero english invited me to sit with them.   They are quite entertaining so far and apparently enjoy ordering wine by the bottle as much as I do.   Go Boca!!!

Bienvenidos a Buenos Aires - Welcome to Buenos Aires

After paying my 575.40 peso reciprocity fee to enter Buenos Aires (I can return for the next 10 years without paying again) and passing through the non-existant Argentian Customs, I walked through a sliding door to find Mariano my driver waiting. He had the Puegeot 407 waiting at the curb with the flashers on and proudly said it's early in the morning for the airport police so he was certain he wouldn't get a ticket while inside waiting for me.

So off we went to the Panamericano Hotel - Buenos Aires. Mariano made the mistake of telling me that traffic would be light on the way to the hotel and it would only take 25 minutes because he drives fast, I told him there was an extra $10USD in it for him if he did it in 20 minutes....needless to say I am out $10USD.

Leavin' On A Jet Plane.......

And off I went on a 10 hour and 5 minute flight to Buenos Aires, but did the fun stop on the plane? Of course it didn't. I was able to talk the few people that were sitting around me into tasting all of the wines on the wine list and even some that weren't listed.

Here are a few of the choices:


Wine List
Delta's Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson on today's wines - "I've chosen a mix of classical and cutting-edge selections so you have some fun choices, all of them excellent. We tested every wine in-flight to make sure it tastes just as good at altitude as on the ground. Enjoy!"


Whites
Domaine Vincent Girardin Pouilly-Fuisse Vieilles Vignes, France, 2008/2009
Chakana Yaguarete Collection Torrontes, Argentina, 2010

Reds
Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir, Napa California, 2008/2009
Chakana Estate Malbec, Argentina, 2008/2009

Champagne
Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaique, France, NV


The flight attendants were heard to comment after the flight that once we all passed out it was one of the quietest flights they had ever been on.

Welcome To Atlanta

Made a quick 2 hour stop in Atlanta for a 2 nice Chic-Fil-A Classic Chicken Sandwiches, followed that up by a few more Bloody Mary's in the Skyclub Lounge (make sure Michael makes your drink because Dave doesn't use any Tabsco or Worcestershire Sauce.

Onward to Buenos Aires!!!

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