Tour of the Canals - Saturday, April 10, 2010

We woke up to a glorious day. Perfect temperature and sunshine -- all day long! This is the day we have been looking for to go to Tigre and take a sightseeing catamarane on the canals.

We liesurely got showered and ready for the day. Rich went to the Lavendaria across the street to pick up our sheets and towels that we dropped off a few days ago, while I cleaned the bathroom. I couldn't get on a roll with the whole housecleaning routine because I was drawn to the computer to read the Doyles and Larsens blogs, plus I had to finish my own that I didn't get posted last night due to sleepiness.

We really had no idea when sightseeing boats left Tigre. We assumed it might be every hour or two. We were almost ready to walk out the door around noon when Denise and Paul skyped us. Since we hadn't talked to them for quite a while, it was 45 minutes later when we left our apartment. We were going to take the colectivo to Tigre so we went to the bus stop and caught the first bus going that way.

When we got off at the canal, we walked towards the catamaranes that we thought were the ones we wanted. A lady was standing there advertising the boat trip and handing out a flyer. We walked up to her and inquired about it and she said it was leaving now and ushered us to the ticket booth. Then she asked if we wanted lunch on the boat and we looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and said, "Sure." We didn't inquire about the cost or anything.

The ride we signed up for lasted two hours. It cost about $12.50 per person. There are two others -- one going for forty minutes and another for one hour. Those boats only go up the canal a certain distance and turn around and come back. This two hour one covers more territory, and provides food. We really didn't know which one would be the best to take. That decision was made for us by the lady with the flyers.

Our picture was taken before we entered the boat, to be developed and sold as we finished the tour. They seated us at a table and gave us a menu which was in English and Spanish. We chose beef with saucy mushrooms on top and potatoes. It was delicious. Of course, there was pan, and we chose water to drink.

Then Rich wanted chocolate ice cream for dessert. It was vanilla and dulce de leche in the middle and chocolate on the outside covered with a hardened chocolate around it, with carmel sauce and a cherry on top. It was very good. We shared! The meal cost $12.50 per person and the dessert was extra, but we don't know what it cost.

The water is an ugly brown, not turning to blue until quite a ways from the shore towards the ocean. All kinds of water crafts sail the canals. There were small yachts, sail boats, motor boats, canoes, kayaks, water taxis, jet skis, and more.

Individual dwellings were for rent, or sale and each had boat docks, lots of grass, and trees. We didn't know if people lived there year round or if they were summer homes or recreational get-a-way places.

Can't tell in this picture, but these are older ladies out for a ride, sporting pretty skimpy swim wear for their age.

This is a house encased in glass. Strange!! There is a museum next to it, so we don't know the significance of the house. Maybe it is some sort of a museum too, however, we couldn't tell if people were going inside. We will return someday on the water taxi and get off to explore.

Several places up and down the canal had boats up on mechanical risers to keep them out of the water until further use. Interesting, we thought!

There was even a small store

Water taxis stop at various locations letting people off and picking up others. There were a lot of them whizzing by every now and again. That's what we will do another time in order to explore some of the areas.

A variety of water toys were out and about on this beautiful day. Several elderly gentlemen, with only a pair of shorts on, were all by themselves rowing in a canoe. It must be an old man sport.

Other sight seeing boats were visible waving to us and we'd wave back. This one didn't have a dining area.

We have no idea what Parque Lyfe is, but it is a big spacious area with all kinds of things going on. Several umbrellas and lawn chairs line the bank, and we could see buildings set back in. They could be hotels, but we don't know. It looked like a fun place.

We really enjoyed our excursion and a kind lady agreed to take our picture as we returned to the dock.

For those not purchasing a meal, there were seats up top side for the taking. We, like everyone else purchased our picture in a souvenir folder for only 20 pesos ($5.00). The quality of the picture had room for improvement, but it is a remembrance.

In walking towards the bus stop for a return ride home, we changed our mind and decided to go by train and then stop at the fruit market to replenish our supply for the week. It is right by the train station, and I knew once we got home, we would not walk there today.

We got home at 5:00 and rested to prepare for a baptism we were going to attend in the Virreyes branch at 7:00. They meet in the Stake Center as does the San Fernando ward. Elders Smith and Davis told us about it and we wanted to support them. No time to add it tonight. It is saved for tomorrow's entry.

It was fun to do something new on "P" day.