The Antarctic itinerary
We departed Dublin for Frankfurt on a Lufthansa flight (1.5 hrs), connecting with another Lufthansa flight to Buenos Aires. (BA) 12.45 hrs. We arrived in Frankfurt
with little time to spare what with having to change Terminals (by train), again go through Passport Control and Security to reach the gate, even though we had never left the Flight Connections area!
We departed a little late at 23.00 hrs probably due to planes having to be de-iced because of Frankfurt’s inclement weather.
We made up the time and arrived in BA at 08.20 local time - 20 minutes late - not bad for a 12.59 hour journey! There is only a 3 hour time difference between BA and Dublin.
The plane, a 747-8, having the capacity to seat 400 passengers, hadn’t a spare seat! The journey was initially uneventful
Views from the cockpit
until we reached the Equator and headed south along the S. American east coast, where it became very stormy and the plane was shaking!! However, we arrived safely.
The queue for immigration was huge as many of the European carriers arrive in the early morning. It took 35 minutes to clear and it was 0930 when the Tourist Office suggested we take a car to the regional airport - a 40-60 minute drive away. (€30). The car had the added advantage of a fixed fare paid for in advance so no haggling with Taxi drivers necessary. We had a flight booked to depart Jorge Newbury domestic airport at 12.00. We arrived at 10.30 and made the flight even though there was chaos there - I won’t bore you with the details!! We departed on time and arrived at Plata Del Mar one hour later - the seaside location for residents to flee BA’s intensive summer heat!
A car to hotel Seneca near the beach took 20 minutes (€9) The hotel disappointed in that it did not live up to its reviews but it will be adequate for the two nights of our sojourn here. It is as well that I speak un poco Espanol - there’s little English spoken here.
As I write I’m sitting in Eva Peron railway station in Mar Del Plata awaiting the ticket sellers to return from their 3 hour siesta!!! We intend taking. a train back to BA on Saturday in anticipation of our departing cruise to the Antarctic on Sunday evening.
More tomorrow
