Category: travel

El Bolsón, Argentina

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

Pretty much everyone likes this little mountain town. I spent a week in and around.

It’s not hard to see why the hippies started flocking to El Bolsón back in the ’70s. It’s a mellow little village for most of the year, nestled in between two mountain ranges. When summer comes, it packs out with Argentine tourists who drop big wads of cash and disappear quietly to whence they came. … 
What’s indisputable is that just out of town are some excellent, easily accessible hikes and mountain-bike rides that take in some of the country’s most gorgeous landscapes.
The town welcomes backpackers, who find themselves stuffing their bellies with natural and vegetarian foods, as well the excellent beer, sweets, jams and honey made from the local harvest.

There are plenty of important things El Bolsón should be working towards … but instead they have been banning nuclear weapons and building a pretty bridge to nowhere.


I spent a week hiking out of one of the best hostels in the country – La Casona de Odile.

Tranquil and green.

farm stay Argentina

On By Rick McIn food, travelLeave a comment

Let’s say you wanted to get closer to the land.

Learn best practice farming.

I’d recommend you check out WWOOF Argentina. Anywhere near El Bolsón would be great.

A farmer from Port Alberni valley  who spent a week here  tells me the culture is similar to Vancouver Island. A hippie, happy place.

 

 

turning northward in South America

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

This is as far south as I’ll get on this trip. The summit of Piltriquitrón.

Piltriquitrón

I did the 1800m ascent over 2 days.

This is the 42nd parallel. About as far south as the Oregon / California border is north.

Still. It’s March. You can feel summer ending in the Patagonian lake district.

my miggo splat flexible camera tripod

On By Rick McIn photos, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

Over the years I’ve tried a number of GorillaPods.

Cheap ones break quickly. Higher quality versions are a bit heavy and bulky.

A salesman at the Camera Store in Calgary recommended this alternative. I love it. Cheaper than a GorillaPod and far more durable. It’s light and compact for travel.

I’m using it with my Elf camera and Vixia camcorder. It wraps around either in their travel cases on my hip.

Click PLAY or watch how it can be used on YouTube. That’s the very similar Octopod.

arrived El Bolsón, Argentina

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

Staying at La Casona de Odile Hostel, one of the best in the nation.

El Bolsón is where people flee when tired of crowded Bariloche. In fact, Bolsón is a miniature version with a Hippie vibe. I like it much better.

I arrived on one of their colourful market days.

I can walk from my hostel to some of the best hiking.

MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

my favourite restaurant in Buenos Aires

On By Rick McIn food, travelLeave a comment

The population of greater Buenos Aires is about 14 million.

There are countless numbers of restaurants. Yet I ate nearly every meal at one nondescript buffet catering mostly to locals.

Some of the choices were excellent. Especially Chinese items. Most especially the ribs.

Cost was less than half anywhere else I could find. Food in Argentina is expensive in both supermarkets and restaurants. They have trouble importing many items due to high tariffs.

It reminded me of my favourite restaurant in Rio. Another buffet.

Eat what you want. And as much as you want.

trash removal in Buenos Aires

On By Rick McIn economics, travelLeave a comment

As I travel I’m always interested to see how trash is removed / recycled.

Huaraz, Peru was one of the best I’ve seen.

For a huge city, Buenos Aires seems to do a good job. The trash guys and their trucks are efficient and quick.

Their job is made easier by the cartoneros, which literally means “cardboard people”.

These are mostly young, fit, motivated guys who dash around city streets late evening sorting through dumpsters with metal hooks collecting cardboard for recycling. (Along with other valuables, I assume.)

It seems very competitive. There are a couple of cartoneros working each street.

my Buenos Aires dental vacation

On By Rick McIn economics, travelLeave a comment

I lost a dental bridge while hiking Aconcagua base camp.

Searching online one clinic looked best in Argentina. They cater to foreign visitors. Their English language page is welcoming.

Dental DAS Group Argentina 

On the other hand, DAS didn’t not reply to my online inquiry. In fact only 2 of about 10 dentists responded.

I walked in the door unexpected at 10am on a Monday morning. I walked out at 2pm Monday afternoon with a rush order for my replacement bridge to be installed same week.

How long would this have taken in Canada? How many appointments?

I returned Thursday to check the fit. And determine colour.

Friday it was to be installed … but the enamel was not thick enough to be carved down to the correct size.

Rats. 🤨

Rather than 5 days total the procedure would take 12 days. I’d been warned about this possibility at the start.

So … with 6 days free I decided to take the ferry over to Uruguay for Carnival.

In the States, Bridges cost $700 to $1,500 / tooth. They last between 10 – 20 years. I’m hoping this one will see me out.

This brother and sister team of dentists get rave reviews from foreigners. I’d recommend them, as well. Everyone in the office is good looking. I felt like I was on some Dental Reality TV program.

After 5 nights in Uruguay I returned for the final fitting. It worked!

Cost is higher than in Mexico. Lower than in Canada or the U.S.

  • Consultation $40
  • Cleaning $40
  • Root Canal $531
  • (long)  Bridge $2342

TOTAL U.S. $2953 (CAD $3726)

My guess is that a Canadian dentist would have strongly advised implants.

Click PLAY or watch a promo on YouTube.