Tag Archives: South America

From Argentina to Paraguay via ferry

19 Tuesday May 2026

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“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, didn’t know where to go shopping.” ― Coco Chanel

On our final day in Argentina we went shopping in Paraguay.  We went to a brand new shopping center called China Shopping.  It is catered to Brazilians looking for luxury items, from iPhone to all top name clothing name brands and perfumes.  One a side note, Michael was shocked to see how much Brazilian men likes to use and to shop for colognes.

We only went there because the lady that help my mom around the house wanted to get a cell phone for her son.  To me, shopping is as pleasurable as a trip to the dentist.  My mother likes to shop but she prefers local vendors with the local items.

 The highlight of the trip to me was the ferry.  Our driver suggested that, instead of taking the highway, that we take the ferry.  It was only a 12 minute ride to get from Argentina to Paraguay.  So pleasurable and definitely the right choice.

At the end of the day, we got the cell phone and everyone was happy.  A phone that would cost 13,000 reais ($2,600.00) in Brazil, in Paraguay was bought for 7,000 reais ($1,400.00)

 

 

     

“We can’t stop shopping, we must stop shopping. It isn’t only that consumption is distorting the climate, felling the forests, cluttering out lives, filling our heads with a throwaway mindset, even stealing the stars from the night sky. The worst is that it leaves us with no idea of what else to do, no belief that things can be different. Whichever way we go, it leaves us doomed.” ― J.B. MacKinnon, The Day the World Stops Shopping: How Ending Consumerism Saves the Environment and Ourselves

 

     

 

 

And now for the fishes – AquaFoz Aquarium

16 Saturday May 2026

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“I am not eccentric. It’s just that I am more alive than most people. I am an unpopular electric eel set in a pond of catfish.” ― Edith Sitwell

While visiting Puerto Iguazu in Argentina we would cross the border back and forth to Brazil.  In one of those days we visited the aquarium – AquaFoz.

This is a new attraction in the area, and so well worth the visit.  They did such an amazing job of bringing visitors close to nature.  

They have species from the ocean, as well as from the local rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.  Their aim is not only to introduce visitors to these amazing aquatic creatures, but also to educate and conservate.  They want people to realize how important it is to protect our rivers and oceans.

The more we learn and understand about all the creatures around us, the more we realize how intricate, amazing and intelligent they all are, and hopefully that will lead to having more respect and love for them.

 

“All men are equal before fish.”
― Herbert Hoover

 

     

 

 

Park das Aves – Bird Sanctuary

14 Thursday May 2026

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“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild. So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.” ― Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption

While visiting Puerto Iguazu in Argentina we would cross the border back and forth to Brazil.  In one of those days we visited the Parque das Aves – a bird sanctuary that is so beautiful and interesting.

The story of how the sanctuary started is here:

https://www.parquedasaves.com.br/sobre-o-parque-das-aves/historia/

It was so much fun and interesting seeing and learning about all the different species of birds.  I also loved the butterflies.  I am always in awe of how rich nature is.

My favorite bird is the toucan.  We have them in my town in Brazil, is always a surprising to me when I spot them.

There was one in my mother’s balcony the other day while Michael was sitting there in the morning.  Michael was reading and hadn’t notice the toucan perched on the railing just steps from him.  Unfortunately I was so surprised by its presence that I yelled Michael’s name and that scared it away.

 

 

Mom’s 91st birthday in Iguazu Falls, Argentina

13 Wednesday May 2026

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  • “A waterfall cannot be silent, just as the wisdom! When they speak, the voice of power speaks!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

Another birthday trip was successfully completed celebrating my mother’s 91st birthday.  We had such a great time last year in Argentina that we have decided to return this year.

Last year we were there for only 3 days, so mom and I mostly stayed at the hotel enjoying the grounds and the casino.  This time we stayed 6 days and had a chance to do some sightseeing.

Some of what we did:

  • Iguazu Falls – Impressive and majestic! It is such an honor to be so close to the beauty and force of the water.  We visited the Brazilian side as it was more accessible to my mother.  You have to take a bus from the main gate, but they gave us permission to go in with our driver, so it was very convenient.  I would visit again and perhaps rent a bike or hike a trail, or take some of the amazing tours and experiences they offer.
  • Parque das Aves – Bird Park – This bird sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of species from the Atlantic Forest. So many beautiful and interesting birds.  I would visit again.
  • AquaFoz Aquarium – This is a new attraction in the area. It is trying to show the richness contained in the Rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.  I loved it.  I would visit again.
  • Madero Tango Show – I expected a little more, but I have high expectations when it comes to shows. We chose this show because it was adjacent to the hotel, I am sure Tango shows in Buenos Aires will be much better.  It also included dinner, but the food was bad.  I would not return, but my mother enjoyed it so that was the important thing.
  • The Three Borders landmark – we visited it on the Argentinian side – it has a couple of restaurants and some little stores. I visited again for the gorgeous view of  Brazil and Paraguay, and the rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.
  • City Center Iguazu Casino – it has slot machines in 3 different currencies: The Argentinian Peso, the Brazilian Real and American Dollar. Always fun, but didn’t have a chance to spend much time there.
  • Puerto Iguazu town – walked around the stores and restaurants downtown was a lot fun.  The stores sells mostly alfajores (delicious sandwich cookies), olives and wines.  Alfajores were our gifts of choice to family and friends.
  • Spa del Paraiso – this is the spa in the hotel. We had a great relaxing massage. Very talented masseuses. I would go again.
  • China Shopping Center in Paraguay – this one I was forced to go to. I hate shopping, I hate shopping centers. The lady that works for us helping my mother wanted to get an iPhone for her son.  The prices in Paraguay are less than half of the prices for luxury items in Brazil.  The highlight of the trip was taking the ferry from Argentina to Paraguay and back, a quick and beautiful 12 minute trip that avoided the crazy road traffic.

The extra time, and there was not much of it, was spent enjoying meals at the hotel and at couple of restaurants in the other areas.  We had lunch by the pool one day.  I had passion-fruit caipiroskas every chance I had.  Caipiroska is similar to caipirinha, but it uses vodka instead of cachaça, so it is less strong.

My mom uses a wheelchair most of the time, so it is always stressful when we go to different places.  But we had no issues in any of the places we visited.

I feel so blessed to still have my mom and to be able to take her places.  She has the heart and lust for life like a teenager.

Here some pictures and video of the gorgeous fall. I will be posting other pictures in follow up posts.

El Colorado and Santiago – Chile

19 Tuesday Aug 2025

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It has been a bit crazy since I left Florida on August 3rd.

We spent 4 days in El Colorado ski Resort and 1 day in Santiago.  Not enough time to see a lot, but enough time to see what a gorgeous country it is.

The winding road from Santiago to El Colorado, with mountains on all sides, is gorgeous.

While there I didn’t open my laptop once, and also didn’t check work email.  That is a first in decades.

From Santiago we traveled to Brazil via Latam airlines.  It was such a great flight, even the food was good, specially the passionfruit dessert with merengue. 

The view from the plane over the mountains is breathtaking.  I want to take that flight again to just stare out of the window.

I have been in Brazil now for one week and it has been nonstop.  Both my parents are elderly and with health issues, specially my dad.  Lately he has been requiring extra care.  

I am also working remotely, so it has been a juggling act.  I am taking one day at a time here, and trying to be the backbone for everyone.

Since I am going to be here awhile… I haven’t bought a return ticket yet, I am trying to establish good routines so I don’t get burned out.  I signed up for a gym and I am going at 6:30am everyday.

Thank you for visiting! I hope that everyone has a blessed remainder of August!!

Whatever you do, do it with passion!!

 

This is the little hotel we stayed at El Colorado

This is the little hotel we stayed at El Colorado

Gorgeous view from our room

Below are some pictures from Santiago.  I only took a few pictures there.