Buenos Aires Argentina Nov 30 2025

 Last night we made a last minute change to our schedule.  Threatening all day rain led us to cancel our excursion to a Gaucho horse ranch.  We decided to stay on the ship and make the most of the rainy day.  Laura started out by taking advantage of the Launderette.  There are 4 washers and dryers on each floor that can be used for free.  They even include the detergent.  We then spent sometime in the gym and the spa.  The spa was amazing.  The men and women's locker room had lockers, robes and sandals.  There was a cold pool (I am not a fan) in each locker room.  The shared pool area had a heated pool, jacuzzi, snow room with real snow, a water bucket cool off and lounges in a meditation area.  Surprisingly we had the whole area to ourselves.  Laura even tried the snow room and the cold water bucket shower.

We attended a lecture about Buenos Aires and a second lecture about Montevideo, our next port.  In between lectures we were given a tour of the ship.  We were shown the private restaurants and a room called "the kitchen" where you can learn to cook some of the ship's best dishes.  We ended the day with dinner and then the captain's welcome to Viking gathering.  At the restaurant entrance there are two stainless vessel sinks.  Guests are asked to wash their hands prior to entering the dining room'

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 29 2025

 This morning we checked out of the Intercontinental Hotel and joined a bus and walking tour of the city.  Our first stop was in the La Recoleta area of town at the El Ateneo Grand Splendid.  It was built in 1919 as a theatre and converted to a bookstore in 2000.  It is the largest book store in Argentina.  We then drove over to the La Boca area to Caminito, which is a few narrow alleys of gift shops and restaurants flanked by brightly painted buildings.  We were then on to the Cambio Market, an inside shopping area of restaurants, produce and gift stores.  By 1:00 were on our way to the Viking Jupiter, a wonderful, modern  ship.  We are still getting to know the ship but we were able to make it to dinner, a tango show and then a ship bar to listen to the Viking Band.