About Me

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I am married to my loving husband for more than 40 years now. I am a mother to 3 beautiful children, until years ago when I lost my youngest son. Since then my life is forever altered but yet unbroken....

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday 16 October 2017

Argentina 2017: Caminito colourful houses of Buenos Aires

"A little impatience will spoil great plans..."

(The Obelisk in Buenos Aires)

Day 01: Monday, 16 Oct 2017
Route: KL - Dubai


Our group of 15 gathered in KLIA for group check-in then boarded the 02:10 flight EK343 to Dubai, UAE. Arrived at Dubai International Airport at 04:55 and performed our subuh prayers. We transited for about 2:15 hrs before we boarded our next flight to Buenos Aires.

(Kuala Lumpur International Airport)

Day 02: Tuesday, 17 Oct 2017
Route: Dubai - Buenos Aires

Boarded the 07:10 flight EK247 to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Arrived Buenos Aires at 19:45 and met our local guide Mr. Alejandro and Mr. Caesar, the driver. From the airport we were transferred to the hotel by bus. Checked-in and overnight in Buenos Aires Anselmo by Hilton Hotel in San Telmo.

(Buenos Aires International Airport)
(A large crowd at the airport)

The San Telmo, is a well-preserved area of the Argentine metropolis and is characterized by its colonial buildings. Cafes, tango parlors and antique shops line the cobblestone streets, which are often filled with artists and dancers. San Telmo's attractions include old churches of San Pedro Telmo, museums, antique stores and a semi-permanent antique fair in the main public square, Plaza Dorrego. Tango-related activities for both locals and tourists are in the area.

Day 03: Wednesday, 18 Oct 2017
Route: Buenos Aires City Tour
Hotel: Buenos Aires Anselmo by Hilton Hotel, Argentina



(A large mirror at the hotel lobby)
(Anselmo by Hilton Hotel)

At 08:30 we started Buenos Aires city tour. Buenos Aires is Argentina’s cosmopolitan capital city. Its center is the Plaza de Mayo, lined with stately 19th-century buildings including Casa Rosada, the iconic, balconied palace. It is the official residence of the President of Argentina, characteristic pink color and is considered one of the most emblematic buildings in Buenos Aires. The building also houses a museum, which contains objects relating to former presidents of Argentina.

(Casa Rosada, the Pink Palace)
(A statue in the middle of Plaza de Mayo)
(The flying Argentina flag)
(The old City Hall)
(The Opera House, Grand Teatro Colon)

Other major attractions around Plaza de mayo include Teatro Colón, a grand 1908 opera house, and the modern MALBA museum, displaying Latin American art. The Town Hall is the executive seat of government of the Argentine capital.

(Puente de la Mujer in the background)
(Bicycles for rental at Puerto Madero Waterfront)

Next we visited Puerto Madero Waterfront, a district of the Argentina capital occupying a significant portion of the Río de la Plata riverbank and representing the latest architectural trends in the city. Puente de la Mujer, a bridge with contemporary design is Spanish for ‘Woman's Bridge’, is a rotating footbridge for Dock 3 of the Puerto Madero commercial district. It is a swing bridge, but somewhat unusual in its asymmetrical arrangement. It has a single mast with cables suspending a portion of the bridge which rotates 90 degrees in order to allow water traffic to pass. When it swings to allow watercraft passage, the far end comes to a resting point on a stabilizing pylon.

(Caminito colourful houses)
(Local arts on the wall)
(Vibrant Caminito Street)
(Bistros and Restaurants)
(Wall paintings in Caminito)
(Popular for its musics and Tango dance)

Next destination was La Boca, Caminito Street neighborhood famed for its colorful houses and its tango. Its soccer team, is the one spot that makes every visitor’s agenda. The one-time railway route is lined with the bright facades that make La Boca postcard perfect.

(La Bombonera Stadium)
(The Junior La Boca Stadium)
(The Exhibition Hall in the stadium)

The Stadium 'La Bombonera' is the official stadium for Boca Juniors team. It is chocolate box shape, with a flat stand on one side of the pitch and three steep stands round the rest of the stadium.

(Floralis Generica Sculpture)
(Plaza de Las Naciones)

Next attraction was Floralis Generica sculpture situated in the middle of Plaza de Las Naciones Unidas. The sculpture was designed to close its petals in the evening and open them in the morning.

(Eusef Restaurante Arabe)

We had a hearty lunch at Chef Eusef Restaurante Arabe. The owner of the restaurant was kind enough to clear some space in the dining area for us to perform our prayers.

(Distrito Arcos Factory Outlet)
(A Hana Shop in the outlet)
(Decorations in the men's washroom)

We had ample time to visit the Distrito Arcos Factory Outlet for some shopping then later visited the Hard Rock Café Beunos Aires and bought a few t-shirts.

(Hard Rock Cafe of Buenos Aires)
(Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts for souvenirs)

We overnight in Buenos Aires Anselmo by Hilton Hotel. There was an optional tour arranged to watch the Tango Dance at La Esquina deb Carlos Gardel at USD100/pax but none of us was interested to go because Tango Dancing could be seen everywhere on the street for free.

(Eva Peron of Argentina)

Day 04: Thursday, 19 Oct 2017
Route: Buenos Aires, Argentina – Lima, Peru
Hotel: Lima Jose Antonio Deluxe Hotel, Peru


(A miniature Casino)

This morning we checked-out of the hotel and had a tour of another part of Buenos Aires city. We had a photo opportunity at The Obelisk, a national historic monument and an icon of Buenos Aires. It is located in the Plaza de la República and was erected to commemorate the fourth centenary of the first foundation of the city.

At this Plaza, we witnessed from our tour bus a snatch thief in action. The victim was an old man waiting in a queue to board a crowded tram. It was done very quickly and the thief was out of sight in seconds.

(Obelisk in Plaza de la Republica)
(Potential venue for the Olympic Game)

We had ample time at La Florida Avenue for last minute shopping then later visited the largest Mosque in Latin America, Mezquita Rey Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz. Inaugurated in 2000, the Mosque and cultural center, was constructed as a gift of the Saudi government on land donated by the Argentinian government. It was designed by Saudi architect Zuhair Fayez, with a prayer hall with a capacity for 1,600 worshipers.

(A posh shopping complex)
(Branded outlets in the complex)
(Florida Street of Buenos Aires)
(Butterflies decorations along the street)
(Mezquita Rey Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz)
(Tight security for visitors)
(At the courtyard after prayer)

After our prayers, we visited the grave of the famous Eva Peron at the La Recoleta Cemetery. María Eva Duarte de Perón was the wife of Argentine President Juan Perón and First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her death in 1952. She is usually referred to as Eva Perón or Evita. in 1945, she married Juan Perón, who became president of Argentina the following year. Eva Perón used her position as first lady to fight for women's suffrage and improving the lives of the poor, and became a legendary figure in Argentine politics.

The cemetery contains the ornate marble mausoleums of notable people elaborately decorated with statues in a wide variety of architectural style.

(La Recoleta Cemetery)
(Eva Peron resting place)

We had seafood lunch at La Parolaccia Restaurant situated on the Río de la Plata riverbank. After lunch we were transferred to Ministro Pistarini International Airport to board the 19:40 flight LA2466 to Lima, also known as 'The City of the Kings'.

(Saying goodbye to a jovial Alejandro)

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