I still want to visit some of the countries in Central America that I have not been to: Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
In an issue of International Living I read of the Rancho Santana resort on the Emerald Coast, on Nicaragua's west coast — looks impressive. See the article here.
Paraguay was an interesting country to visit though poorer than I expected especially after Uruguay. Asunción was very different; I stayed at a 4-5 star hotel which was in excellent condition but was across the street from derelict buildings.
In Santiago, City Bike Tours offers tours starting at 33,000 and tour everyday. They have four different routes: Local Life & Markets, and Park and Politics Bicycle Tour, Mapocho Sunset Bike Tour, Full Day Bike Tour. All tours include bike, bilingual guide, mineral water and a map.
Location: Constitucion 153, Providencia, a 1o minute walk from the Baquedano metro stop. info@labicicletaverde.com. Reservations are required. According to their flyer they are recommended by Lonely Planet and Travel & Leisure.
Tour Expert Chile offer multiple tours (10 listed on their flyer), from cities to the mountains. Costs from 30,000-80,000. I had not read reviews but by they had a very polished website. reserva@tourexpertchile.cl
After first tour there are still countries to visit: Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and possibly Venezuela.
This is a compilation of things to do in each country, especially near the capital or major city.
Claudia Tavani of My Adventures Across the World has a large selection of Things To Do in all of the countries she has visited; a great resource.
One of the most popular destinations in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro. Sites there include the popular districts like Copacabana and Ipanema and their beaches. The massive statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks Rio is a very popular tourist destination.
I stayed at the Regency Park Hotel which is about a block from Copacabana Beach. It was a good 4 star hotel next door to the 5 star Hilton. The best hotel though is Copacabana Palace which is part of the prestigious Belmond group.
Many tours and excursions are available in the area. The Front desk at my hotel had an extensive list of activities which they could arrange.
There is also hang gliding, paragliding and helicopter tours available.
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| Imperial Petropolis |
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| Copacabana Palace Hotel |
In Montevideo, at the Mercado del Puerto, had lunch at El Palenque restaurant - an asado. Enjoyed a large portion of rack of lamb and chips. Location: Perez Castellano 1579. It is the restaurant at the Don Boutique Hotel.
Don Boutique Hotel is a nice looking Art Deco hotel located in the Old City section of Montevideo. I stepped inside and it looks like a great place to stay. +598 2915 9999. On booking.com the cost is $161CDN per night. They also have a hotel in Punta del Este.
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| Don Boutique Hotel | Standard room |
From their website:
All of the rooms have 100% Egyptian cotton linens and towels, pillow menu, free high-speed Wi-Fi, LED TV´s, air conditioning, mini-bar, phone, safe box with laptop size and more to provide memorable and very comfortable experiences to our amazing guests. All of the superior rooms count with a jacuzzi for 1, the suite with a jacuzzi for 2 and some superior rooms and the suite have a private terrace with views of the Bay and Port of Montevideo. 14 standard rooms, 6 superior rooms and 1 exclusive suite.
Add pictures of dish and cooking area from El Palenque
La Otra Parrilla restaurant, Tomás Diago 758 Pocitos, Montevideo
Had Suprema de pollo = 1/4 chicken (leg) and a mixed salad, both very good.
Mendoza
Had an excellent meal at Auténtico (Av. Sarmiento 777) which has 5 stars on TripAdvisor. I went with the four-course chef’s selection. An excellent meal. It started with a cocktail like a Negroni but with a hint of orange. The two appetizers - humus and a rabbit sort of spring roll with a sauce to dip it in. Rabbit was particularly good; humus was much like mine. The main was a beef "pastrami" steak with corn purée and grilled red onion. Also excellent. The apricot panna cotta had a delicious sauce that contained tiny crispy balls about the size of pearl tapioca - excellent. I can't remember the 3rd course. When I was finished the chef came out and asked my opinion on the meal. (Note that the menu changes, for the current menu see their website.)
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Comfit of Rabbit Roll | Almond Hummus Sirloin Tip Pastrami | Corn Sauce | Pickled Onion Apricot Panna Cotta |
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| Confit of Rabbit Roll & Almond Hummus |
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| Sirloin Tip Pastrami w. Corn Sauce & Pickled Onion |
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| Apricot Panna Cotta |
Buenos Aires
The highlight was the visit to Fogón Asado restaurant, Gorriti St 3780 (Medrano tube stop, line B). They provide an amazing 9 course dinner with two different wine option: I opted for the higher level 5 wine pairing set, all of which were very good. And I still do not like sweetbreads (course number 3). Remarkably, they also offer the "Chef's Counter," a 14 course tasting menu especially for private groups.
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The wood used is called quebracho, also called the “axe-breaker." |
Fogón Asado1 9 Course Menu
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Ember-Roasted Eggplant Ironed2 Provoleta Cheese Molleja4 | Roasted tomatoes Morcilla5 | Quince and Apple Chutney Slow braised asado al Papillote6 Pork Flank Steak (Matambre7) Pine Cone smoked Ribeye Cap Ribeye | Mashed Boniatos8 Pancake with Dulce de Leche Coffee |
Translation of menu items:
1 - asado = roast
2 - griddled, i.e., served in a hot fry pan
3 - Torrontés - white wine (from the Argentine grape of the same name)
4 - sweetbreads
5 - blood sausage
6 - asado al papillote = roasted wrapped in paper (usually parchment paper)
7 - thin slice of meat
8 - sweet potato
And these were the wines served, in order. (A preprandial cocktail was also served.)
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El Enemigo | Chardonnay |
My reviews:
El Enemigo Chardonnay - good, lightly oaked.
Angelica Zapata Merlot - quite good.
Catena Zapata Malbec - excellent!
José Zuccardi Malbec - good, but more tannic than #3 but goes good with beef.
Zuccardi Solaria - nice. Sweet yet with the hickory nut flavour of many sherries.
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| Ember-Roasted Eggplant Ricotta Cheese with Fresh Herbs |
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| Ironed Provoleta Cheese Grilled Fruit in Torrontés Reduction |
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| Molleja with roasted Tomato and Ginger sauce |
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| Morcilla | Quince and Apple Chutney Chorizo | Ember-roasted Bell Pepper Griddle baked Bread |
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| Slow braised [8 hours] asado al Papillote |
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| Pork Flank Steak (Matambre) Yellow Chilli Sauce Lime and cilantro salad |
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| Pine Cone smoked Ribeye Cap Creamy Cauliflower Puree Flame roasted Corn |
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| Ribeye | Mashed Boniatos Grilled Vegetables with the Chef's Vinagreta |
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| Pancake with Dulce de Leche Patagonian Berries & Whipped Cream |
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| Martina prepping ribeyes |
