Shoppers Alert!

This is my second-to-last posting regarding the Star Princess
Antarctic cruise. While I have returned from the sailing, I'm still
putting together my final thoughts about the cruise overall,
recommendations and thoughts about Antarctica and South America
cruising. I'm hoping to post that wrap-up by Saturday. But on to
the final chapter in the adventure and the trip home!

Men, it's time to guard your bank accounts. Ladies, listen up. If
you like leather goods, Buenos Aires is your city. There are many
shops, especially around Avenida Florida which is a downtown
pedestrian mall near the Marriott, which will custom make a fine coat
for you in a few hours. If you have both pre- and post-cruise stays
here, it's even better, as you can order before the cruise, then pick
up and pay for your completed items afterwards.

Shoes, handbags, belts and of course, coats and pants. Wonderful
quality, though you do have various levels of course. Many colors
and styles and you're likely to find something exactly for you.

I headed out the other direction from downtown to a manufacturer
called Gonzales, which is recommended by many sources. They will
pick you up from, and return you to, your hotel or ship
complimentarily in a nice sedan. Prices are fantastic for what you
get. Nice selection, though you'll find more on Avenida Florida,
albeit more at (Argentine) retail prices downtown.

Went in expecting mostly to look, and help my shopping companion to
purchase something (she was wanting at least one new purse), and came
out not only with her purchases, but with a new handbag for me (they
don't call them purses - they're handbags as a FYI for you), a
matching wallet and a gold leather evening bag. All for much less
than I'd have paid for one medium-quality bag here, and far less than
a single Brighton bag, for example.

The variety was staggering. Styles, leathers, textures... and that's
just in the handbags. This store on three levels is large and basic
in design. They're not putting money into flashy displays - you do
have to finger through the shelves to find what you're wanting. But
this is good for the prices. There is another, slightly smaller
competitor across the street, and I recommend you visit them first
(that is, unless you have Gonzales pick you up and bring you - at
that point go to Gonzales first, then go across the street and come
back). Excellent quality, but not as much selection. Having two
manufacturers right there by one another makes shopping extremely
easy. Do be aware that, as opposed to many of the shops on Avenida
Florida, there is no bargaining here. But the prices are so good you
won't mind too much.

The shoes are varied in design, but if you're looking for highest
fashion, this isn't the place. They're current in design and style,
but not as many high-style such as stilettos, for example. But they
do have a nice variety and some which match in leather design to
their purses, so can make for a great set, especially if you go for
the textured leather. There's one style which is prevalent
everywhere you look of a leather which looks like it's a checked
suede, with the checks embossed into the soft leather. This is one
signature look your friends will love and be envious of, and matching
shoes, be they ballet slipper style or high heels (or anything in
between) will also be a nice addition to your wardrobe. I'm
regretting a bit I didn't purchase a matching pair, and think I'll
get some next year when I go back.

It's also a perfect place to pick up gifts for those back home. The
wallets are nice quality and inexpensive. Some of the bags are cute
and fun and perfect for your teen or older daughters. Keep room in
your luggage as you're going to want it. Believe me, you'll want to
purchase some leather for yourself and gifts in Buenos Aires.

After the shopping adventure, it was back to the hotel for a bit of
food and a nap before catching the flights home. I'd arranged for a
half-day extension to the room, and it was well worth the cost not to
have to pack up and be out of the room by 11A when I didn't need to
leave for the airport until 7P. Gave me time to relax in the
afternoon (I could have instead opted to shop more, or sightsee, but
felt rest was more important as I was feeling the length of this trip
beginning to bear down on me), shower and pack in a more leisurely
manner. Do inquire with your hotel if this is possible for
you. Probably easier with some of the boutique properties,
especially if they're not full that night.

The trip to the airport was in full rush hour, with the sidewalks of
Buenos Aires packed with pedestrians and the streets filled with
commuters. There's a definite energy on the streets this time of
night, as people do their shopping, socializing and other activities
before dinner. It's simply electrifying.

The taxi was a bit of an adventure, as it was a private Remise
(private car) ordered by the hotel and I think it had some bad gas,
as we kept having hesitations and several cut-outs of the
engine. But made it in good time to the airport and started the
check-in process.

Buenos Aires airport requires several stops to get to the
gate. First you go through an oral screening process, consisting of
questions which are no longer asked in the US, but still are in other
areas of the world. If you've traveled to France or Germany you'll
be familiar with the litany: Have you packed the bags yourself, have
they been out of your control, did you accept any items from anyone,
any battery powered electronics in your bags, any liquids,"
etc. Nothing too unusual. Then you check in with your
airline. After getting your boarding pass, you proceed to the
Departure Tax window (which is another line) and pay your $18
departure tax. You may pay it in US dollars, Argentine Pesos, by
credit card or Euro. Then it's upstairs to the gates, where you go
through a check to make sure you've paid your departure tax, then
through immigration, and finally to security. Whew! At least
there's no silliness about needing to take off shoes, remove your
laptop or screen your liquids separately here.

The gate areas are fairly comfortable, clean and roomy. There is the
usual assortment of duty free shops, cafes and the like. If you've
fallen in love with the Dulche de Leche (a caramel-like substance)
now is your chance to get a few jars, but remember you'll have to put
them in your checked luggage when you retrieve them in the US before
rechecking - they're too big to be allowed in your carry-ons in the US.

The flights home were uneventful, even leaving about 15 minutes early
from Buenos Aires, getting through customs without a problem in DC
(though this is still one of the worst-designed luggage retrieval,
customs and luggage re-check airports in the nation, having an
early-morning flight did ease the difficulty in getting through as we
were ahead of the European flights which arrive early afternoon), and
a nice flight on to Denver. Just the way you want a trip to
end! Luggage arrived without a hitch, and the taxi ride home was
quick and comfortable.

Will put together my final thoughts on Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires,
the Star Princess, and Antarctica in the next day or two. Thank you
to everyone who has been emailing or posting on Cruise Critic about
this blog. If you have questions you'd like to be addressed in the
final "chapter" just email me at amber@cruiseresource.com.

One more chapter to go!