“The Paris of South America”

City Life

With its uneven sidewalks, screeching buses & European architecture (French & Roman influence), you are immediately thrusted into the throws of the hustle and bustle of Argentinian life in this cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires. Most Argentines get by on little sleep and rely on mate to power them through the day. Most take advantage of the mid-day siestas and late, late night dinners, which most restaurants don’t open until 8pm or 9pm.


Food Scene

Once its time for dinner, you have a choice of a wide variety of cuisines, beginning with world famous grass fed steak, (where they will offer up any cut you can imagine!), sushi, tamales and tons of pasta and pizza, thanks to Argentina’s proud Italian heritage. One particular restaurant, La Cabrera, will even give you 40% off the entire meal if you arrive between 6:30pm – 8pm. Perfect for those hungry Americans who prefer an earlier dinner!


Argentine Politics

This melting pot country, also known as the “Paris of South America”, became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. It was the second country in the Americas to do so, and the tenth in the world, making it a world leader in the recognition of gay rights.

 

For a little thrill, visit the ‘City of the Dead’, in ‘El Cementario de la Recoleta’, where you will find the crypt of Eva Maria Duarte de Perón, otherwise known as, Evita, the oh, so beloved wife of Argentine President, Juan Perón and First Lady of Argentina from 1946 until her untimely death in 1952. There’s even an entire museum dedicated to her – Evita Museum


Street Art

Oh and by the way, the street art scene is unreal! As in, don’t overlook all of the amazing graffiti art as you walk down the street to grab your café lattes (or how the locals say it – “café con leche”). This is where you will need to bring out your nifty compacted YI M1 Mirrorless Camera by YI Technologies to capture the bright, vibrant colors of the street art. The best location to shoot street art photography is in El Palermo and La Boca neighborhood, home of the beloved local fútbol (soccer) team – La Boca Juniors.


Cultural Experiences and Must Do’s/See’s

Anyways, with its eclectic mix of culture, Argentina does not disappoint when it comes to cultural activities.

  • Tango is possibly Argentina’s greatest contribution to the outside world. The steamy dance has been described as ‘making love in the vertical position.’ Watch a tango street performance in Buenos Aires.
  • MALBA or the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, is Argentina’s premier contemporary art museum, featuring pieces by iconic Latino artists including Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera as well as lesser-known local talents.
  • And what about fútbol (soccer)? Argentines are passionately devoted to this sport and, if you’re a fan, chanting and stomping alongside other stadium fanatics should definitely be in your plans. Just make sure you capture those raw thrilling moments with the 4K Action Camera by YI Technologies like I did at the La Boca Juniors last match.

Experience the La Boca Junior fan action below.

 

Everyone should take the opportunity to see at least one of La Boca Juniors (one of 28 different Argentinian teams) matches on a Sunday evening before their season is over. You will definitely get your heart pumping! But more than that, its an experience of a lifetime!


New Zealand: The Land of Rainbows

 

“Simply Magnificent! Wow! Stunning! Impressive! Spectacular! Blessed! A site to see! You have to experience yourself to believe it” – These are all catch phrases that were said during my trip to New Zealand. Everyday, I literally saw a rainbow! New Zealand is truly the land of rainbows!

 

New Zealand is very clean, sustainable and where the old meets the new seamlessly. A lot of things that they have done with this country such as energy efficiencies and super clean outdoor toilets, other countries are still trying to figure out including the United States. NZ is a great example for this modern take on sustainability that works for them!

 

The best way to see NZ is by flying into Queenstown, renting a campervan and driving from Queenstown to Christchurch in the South Island or if time permits go up to Auckland in the North Island. You will need a good week to see each island but definitely start with South Island!

 

And don’t forget to take your best camera and action video camera as this is definitely the place to bring it out. I recommend investing into the latest YI Technology Mirrorless Digital Camera with (2) lightweight lens and/or 4K Action Camera with a gimbal stabilizer.

 

By far the best thing to see is Milford Sound, anytime of the year, but best in the summer time when it’s a bit warmer. Take one of the many ferries available in and around the fiord (Milford Sound), particularly the Southern Discoveries Cruise Line as this one will take you near and into one of the waterfalls for a splash of fun! Keep in mind that New Zealand is located in the South Hemisphere of the world so the seasons are flipped from that of the Northern Hemisphere (US, Europe, parts of Asia).

 

Anyways, take a look below at the itinerary I used to get around the South Island but you can do this trip anyway you want.

 

Here’s my 8 day itinerary:

 

Queenstown
  • Wait in line for 25 mins and eat a delicious burger at the famous Fergburger
  • Lamb shoulder take out dinner at Pedro’s House of Lamb
Fiordland National Park
  • Park overnight at the Holiday Park here and power up the campervan while get refreshed at the showers here.
Mt. Aspiring National Park / Te Anau
Milford Sound
  • Take a ferry trip (Southern Discoveries) down the fiord and make sure to get splashed under the waterfalls!
Wanaka
  • See #thatwanakatree. A tree located out in the middle of the lake. Not sure why this is a sight to see but it is.
Mirror Lake
Mt. Cook
  • Hike up one of the many trails along Mt. Cook for spectacular views and photo opps
Lake Tekapo
  • See the beautiful blue glaciered water in Lake Tekapo and visit the small Lake Tekapo Church along side the lake.
Jackson’s Retreat  – Holiday Park
  • See the Glow worms at the Jackson Holiday Park
  • Get powered-up again and refreshed at their showers
Mt. Te Kinga
  • Hike up Mt. Te Kinga for about an hour hike or longer.
Hanmer Springs
  • Take a dip for a couple of hours at the Hanmer Springs heated pools. You will certainly come out rejuvenated and refreshed.
Christchurch
  • Show your respect to the Christchurch 2010 Earthquake Memorial Site that killed 185 people

End the trip by opening up a bottle of champagne and toasting to an amazing trip! Drop off the campervan to the Christchurch or Auckland airport location on your way out of town. If you would like more information, please comment below.