25.3.2012.

So we are in Buenos Aries, home of the tango. Does it take two? It seems it does.

When we booked the hotel via the web site one of the reviews said it's a hotel for gays but everyone is welcome. Jill said 'are you sure?'. I said' darling every gay I've met has more style than me, so let's go'.

Good decision. It's a small boutique style hotel with some really quirky features. The room is neat and clean with a big mural on the wall of two tango dancers. We are in the San Telmo district which is the area for tango bars. It's also the old quarter of the city.

The area is a real mix. There are some fabulous colonial style buildings unfortunately so many are run down. The area once had a tram system but its disused now. A real shame because it would be a huge tourist draw.

The local streets are cobbled and there are bars and restaurants everywhere. They are very bohemian a bit like big versions of the Amsterdam 'brown bars'. First day we wandered around to get our bearings. I say 'our' but really this is Jill's forte. Twenty minutes and she has a mental map of the city. I'm like a puppy watching a butterfly. Look here and there but no real idea where I am.

We wandered to a local square and had a beer watching Tango dancers perform in the sunshine. I wish I could dance like that.

Next day. After brekkie we headed out on foot. Sunday and there is a huge open air market nearby. Streets and streets are full of craft stalls etc. More dreadlock rastas than Bob Marley's funeral. We left San Telmo and went to one of the main squares. On the edge is the Presidential palace. A big pink Buck house style building. Famous to us for the balcony where Eva (Evita) Peron made a famous speech to the Argentine people.

You are only allowed into the entrance lobby and on to said balcony but still interesting. Jill and I tried to wander around the outside but were halted by a loud whistle blow and an armed guard oops.

We went into the main cathedral. As usual it's a massive building full of opulence while outside people are begging. Take all religions and their followers and put them against the wall with banks and estate agents.

We've booked a night out at a tango show for tomorrow. Although the countries look very alike they are all so different. Almost no Police on show in Buenos Aries. The local hobby apparently is political demos. Two or three a day which bring the city to a standstill. We will have to time our departure carefully to avoid the gridlock.

Before I forget the hotel has life sized statues in it. When we went to breakfast this morning Maradona was on the next table.........hands all over the ball !!!!