Through Pampas Country to Mar del Plata

Hi:

We decided to go to Mal del Plata for a few days.  As B.A.is on the Rio del Plata, but there is no beach, so we took a coach bus to Mar del Plata.  It was a five hour drive through pampas country - like prairie country, really - flat grass covered grounds with wind-breaks of lovely trees everywhere.  We saw lots of beef-on-the-hoof - cows and horses.  The luxury coach has what are called "cama" seats.  These seats have extendable leg rests and go right back into camas or beds.  Very comfortable and quite private, with curtains everywhere if you want.  The airlines charge almost triple the fare for foreigners, so many people take the bus.  $25. US each for the ride.  We arrived without a reservation, and found an aparthotel for around $60 US a night, with a complete kitchen. 

Lots of build-in energy conservation methods here.  The lights in the halls only go on when you press a button in a general area and go off after a few minutes.  The hot-water for the tub, etc. is controlled in the kitchen and generated only when needed.  The gas stove also has safety features on the walls and the stoves in both BA and here are lit by matches.  Argentenian hotels are generally of a much higher nature than Brazil, for example.  Little extras in every place we have been.  Good bedside lighting and general lighting, which we had to push for in Brazil, proper mirrors, drapes - all sorts of things that make quite a difference when we are living in a place, not just passing through.

M.