Pablo picked us up at 11.30 and we drove 35 kms north (or about an hour) to the city of Tigre in order to take a boat trip through the delta region. Along the way, Pablo pointed out many monuments, important landmarks and buildings. I was most impressed with the beautiful parks. This cruise was for 2 hours and took us on a round trip starting with the Rio Sarmiento, into the Rio San Antonio, on to Canal Vinculacin and back along the Rio Lujan. We had lunch on the boat and enjoyed the scenery - there are little waterways everywhere - people live in houses on stilts and have their own jetty for their boats. Some of the places are resorts, others holiday houses and of course some live there permanently. They don't have cars, relying on boats that move around selling everyday needs. Many of the buildings and jetties were very run down, almost at collapsing stage - I suspect pesos are hard to come by!
Back at the wharf, we drove for a bit, and suddenly we were in a street that looked anything but normal. Pablo said 'this isn't a shanty town but is pretty close to one'. Drove on a bit and I think he smelled a rat so wound down his window & asked (in Spanish) two old hags where the main drag was. They initially walked away but then came close to the car and said something in Spanish to which he replied then out of nowhere there were about 4 young guys surrounding the car trying to get in the doors, windows, etc. George screamed 'DRIVE ON PABLO. JUST DRIVE ON'. Well, Pablo gunned it, but you've guessed it! - the road led to a tip at the end!!! Panic! Did a quick turn to get out of the tip & had nowhere to go but back the way we'd come. By then these thugs had placed a huge log right across the road - seriously, it's like your future flashes in front of you - there was just enough room on the left to get around the log but that was soooo close to the river and on the other side just enough to squeeze through and these guys were bashing the car, trying to break the windows, throwing what seemed like rocks and thank God we got out in the knick of time. Very scary. It appears the old hags told Pablo 'get out, you are going to be robbed!' We were so close to not only being robbed but possibly being beaten up. Thankfully Pablo drives a Mercedes with extra strong plate glass windows. There is external damage to the car but lucky no damage underneath. I asked why we actually ended up in that street and Pablo believes these characters had twisted the sign for Buenos Aires in the other direction!
Stopped at the Public Golf Club on the way home for a strong coffee. We have had avery interesting day - how we survived the trip to Tigre and home is a mystery! I don't have any pics of the attempted hold-up as was too busy cowering in the back seat hiding my bag!!!!!
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