When Argentina’s wealthy and powerful rest for eternity, they do it in style.

Recoleta cemetery is one of the world’s most extraordinary graveyards, with over 6,400 grandiose mausoleums resembling Gothic chapels, Greek temples, fairytale grottoes and elegant little houses. The exclusive cemetery is the last stop for the country’s most celebrated (and controversial) presidents, intellectuals, army generals and entertainers, and a popular attraction for visitors to Buenos Aires. 

Probably the most famous, the first lady, Eva Peron (from family Duarte). She used her position to fight for women’s suffrage and improving the lives of the poor.  She also unofficially ran the health and labour ministries in her husband’s government. Three years after former First Lady Perón died of cancer in 1952, her body was removed by the Argentine military in the wake of a coup that deposed her husband, President Juan Perón. The body then went on a transatlantic odyssey for nearly twenty years before finally being returned to the Duarte family mausoleum in Recoleta Cemetery. She now lies in a crypt five meters underground, heavily fortified to ensure that no one can disturb the remains of Argentina’s most beloved and controversial First Lady.

“Fuerza Bruta” at the Recoleta Cultural Centre was incredible last night…..a unique show, a bit like a cross between Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group and a ‘healthy’ LSD trip. Still recovering from sensory overload. Loud music, pretty colors, crazy overhead acts and we got sprayed (yep wet through!, lucky only a 5 mins walk over the road to my hotel room).  

Walked into an exclusive store in Recoleta called La Martina, founded by Lando Simonetti, an Argentine of Italian origin, as a sports and leisure company in 1985. A keen polo player in his youth, Mr Simonetti saw an opportunity to provide professional players with high-quality equipment. He began by making leather saddles and boots, then added shirts and caps. To reinforce the brand’s Argentine roots, La Martina sourced 65 per cent of materials locally. La Martina has now been designated the official supplier of the Argentina polo teams by the Argentinean Polo Association. La Martina also equips the university teams from Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Cambridge and the College of St. Xavier in Mumbai as well as the English national team. What a lovely shop, I could have reclined in the red leather for ages, but instead took quick photos and exited…5 staff standing around looking intently at me.  

I wanted to see a tango show in Argentina, and booked for one of the 20 offerings tonight in Buenos Aires…the Piazzolla tango show. He was a composer of some of the most atmospheric tango music ever written and the venue is dedicated to his memory. A fantastic show – the band were all top class professionals and likewise the dancers.  I also enjoyed the two singers (who kept our attention during a couple of costume changes), who were a great bonus.