March 10,

Well, when I went to bed last night, my knees were very achy. So the day became a rest day, as they continued to be sore. I don’t know what set them off, but I was sure it was just an arthritis flare-up. Anyway, breakfast was Muesli and yogurt with our Javas indoors due to some wind.

I did blog some and Jeff read. A huge raptor-type bird flew on to the abandoned building across from us. It was eating on something it bought up with it. Two more of the same birds came to share, but it was not having that and flew away. I was able to capture one and Google Lens identified it as a Crested Caracara. Lunch was some leftover Cappelletti pasta and sauce.
Afternoon came and went. I spent much of it out on the terrace keeping my knees in the sun for heat. I have found the heat helps and I don’t have a heating pad – improv, make due with what you are blessed with!

Dinner was popcorn and some Star Wars continuations… The Mandalorian.

     March 11,

Up and about. We had our Javas and breakfast of an egg sandwich. My knees felt much better after “baking” them yesterday. Since my knees were better, at 1000, we set out for a walkabout.

We went down near the area we had stayed February 12 the night before we went off on our Antarctica Cruise. It was near the ocean along a river, Rio Darsena Sur, which we did not recognize as a river before. Anyway, there were some permanent loading cranes here. Did this used to be the ocean and some land has been reclaimed? Or, were ships brought in here and unloaded? Questions. But the cranes are not in use now and seem to be more or less decoration. We moved on, heading to a large park area. We walked around it – enjoyed a large painted mural on a wall and a rose garden. It was a lovely green space. There were more Monk Parakeets. Some people were there, mostly dog walkers. In general, this area is more upper end and touristy, but the park had more locals in it.

From here we moved on to the ‘Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur,’ or the Southern Coastal Ecological Reserve. It was a large preserved area with wide walking/biking paths around a couple of good sized water reservoirs. We continued walking through this to the ocean. There were some seemingly new viewing platforms on the side of the trail, but every single one was blocked off. I don’t know why, they seemed fine. I guess – mine is not to wonder why… Anyway, they have signage explaining some flora and fauna, like a national park. That was a bonus. Along the trail we saw a very tall plumage type grass, signage called it Pampas Grass. We also saw signs for snakes! Thankfully, we never saw any!! Down at the ocean, we noticed it is still brown, but could see the color changing. The rivers coming out explain the brown as silt, I imagine. Anyway, we took a more direct trail back out. We saw an Aramus Guarauna- a limpkin, carau, or guariao…related to cranes. It was about 2 feet tall. Lastly – just as we were heading out – we saw an Argentine Black and White Tegu Lizard! That was a bonus!!

We left the Reserve area and went to a Jumbo grocery store. It is more upscale with way more imported food stuffs. We found a few items and then walked back to our place. We arrived and unloaded, then went to a local parrilla place, El Rancherito, for lunch. We had two mains: White Salmon with a leek cream sauce, and thick-sliced Roast Beef in a gravy with mushrooms. We both had very generous portions of Noisette Potatoes which were par-boiled, walnut-sized potatoes sauteed in butter. Both dishes were good, but the leek topping was a bit too much. It has turned Jeff off of leeks, I think. We also had a Malbec wine. The meal cost us 61,000 ARS, or $43.71.

We went back to our place and had a siesta. We had just walked 14,000+ steps and had a huge meal. It was deserved. The evening was more popcorn and Mandalorian.