Argentina – Brasil – 2022

Nuremberg – Amsterdam ¬
Fri ¬04.11.2022¬ – POJJEN
LH 149 14:30 NUE – 15:15 FRA – seat 5A + 5C
LH 996¬ 16:35 FRA – 17:50 AMS – seat 6A + 6C
So now it’s finally about to begin: our second trip to South America; on the one hand to see our favourite places again, possibly from a different perspective, and on the other hand to replace a few blank spots on our map with experiences.
We are planning a return flight with a somewhat unusual routing in order to significantly reduce the price of the flights. The routing therefore initially leads from Nuremberg via Frankfurt to Amsterdam in Economy. The flight will then fly in Business from Amsterdam via Zurich to São Paulo and then to Iguazu on the Brazilian side. This is followed by a taxi ride across the border to Argentina and then the last flight of this first leg back to Buenos Aires in Economy.
The following flights during our round trip are with Aerolineas Argentinas to El Calafate, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and “back” to Iguazu. From there, we will return home in the reverse order to the beginning.
But one after the other.

04 – 5 November 2022 – Nuremberg – Buenos Aires
We have limited our luggage to the bare essentials, assuming that we will be visiting different climate zones. And then, from the November cold in Germany, to the rainforest in Brazil, to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world on Tierra del Fuego, pretty much everything is included that is warm, humid or cold.
So it’s important to think carefully about what you really need in order to be well equipped for all possible weather situations. Of course, this also includes the appropriate footwear, which regularly takes up a lot of space in the suitcase.
Despite all these necessities, we want to limit ourselves to one shared medium-sized suitcase and two pieces of hand luggage. We actually manage quite well with this without overloading the suitcase in terms of weight. The weight of the suitcase, which is currently around 20kg, is still a problem, but more on that later.
After our friend Georg had taken us – our very good friends Sabine and Hans, my wife Liza and myself, by the way – to the airport, a chain of unforeseeable, critical events began. Checking in and dropping off our two large suitcases was, as always, very easy. The reaction of the lady at the counter was remarkable when we asked her to check through the suitcases for the entire routing. “I have to enter five airports! I’ve never had that before!”

Well, there’s always a first time, but we were treated as quite exotic. What’s more, the suitcases only went as far as Sao Paulo, where we first had to pass through customs and then hand them in again for onward carriage.
We cheerfully passed through security, allowed ourselves a few more minutes in the lounge and then made our way to the gate on time. And there it was, the first surprise: there wasn’t even a plane there for us to board! A search in the Flightradar24 app revealed that the plane in Frankfurt hadn’t even taken off yet! The information from Lufthansa was also lost somewhere in nirvana, if there was any. Only when the planned take-off of the flight was already over did the airline feel comfortable, without giving any further reasons, to concede at least a delay of half an hour. This was quite a sporting prediction, as the aircraft had only just taken off for its flight to Nuremberg. But to cut a long story short, less than seventy minutes later we were on our way to Frankfurt.
We were supposed to land there at 3.15 p.m. in order to catch the flight to Amsterdam at 4.35 p.m. in comfort. However, the delay meant that shortly after take-off we doubted whether we would even see the plane to Amsterdam take off! We were all the more surprised when we left the plane in Frankfurt, already quite stressed, and a gentleman with a sign with our name on it was waiting for us right at the exit. What was going on here? He would drive us to our connecting flight, which we would otherwise not make, he announced. Despite a lengthy discussion, he was not prepared to take our friends Sabine and Hans with him because “the car was too small”. So we imagined them running to the gate at a pig’s gallop while we were driven comfortably through Frankfurt Airport in the “too small car”. Incidentally, it was a Porsche Cayenne, a real small car.
Flight LH996 was practically already full, so we asked the stewardess to wait for our friends, who would surely be on the last bus. And indeed; a few minutes later Sabine and Hans were also in their seats, visibly stressed but also happy to have made the flight. However, we had justified doubts as to whether our luggage had survived the rushed journey. Unfortunately, this question can only be answered in Sao Paulo. So we just hope for the best and land only slightly late at 18:10 in Amsterdam.
We use the transfer time available here first of all to find out whether our suitcases have made it to Amsterdam. And lo and behold: Hans and Sabine’s suitcase actually didn’t make it. We were all the more surprised when we left the plane in Frankfurt, already quite stressed, and a gentleman with a sign with our name on it was waiting for us right at the exit. What was going on here? He would drive us to our connecting flight, which we would otherwise not make, he announced. Despite a lengthy discussion, he was not prepared to take our friends Sabine and Hans with him because “the car was too small”. So we imagined them running to the gate at a pig’s gallop while we were driven comfortably through Frankfurt Airport in the “too small car”. Incidentally, it was a Porsche Cayenne, a real small car.
Flight LH996 was practically already full, so we asked the stewardess to wait for our friends, who would surely be on the last bus. And indeed; a few minutes later Sabine and Hans were also in their seats, visibly stressed but also happy to have made the flight. However, we had justified doubts as to whether our luggage had survived the rushed journey. Unfortunately, this question can only be answered in Sao Paulo. So we just hope for the best and land only slightly late at 18:10 in Amsterdam.
We use the transfer time available here first of all to find out whether our suitcases have made it to Amsterdam. And lo and behold: Hans and Sabine’s suitcase actually didn’t make it. But a bit of research reveals the almost unbelievable: it will be put directly on the next plane to Sao Paulo in Frankfurt and will arrive there almost at the same time as us tomorrow morning in the local morning. We want to be surprised.
Relatively relaxed, we stroll to our gate for the journey to Zurich, board the plane and look forward to a quiet flight to our next stopover. Once again, a nice lady is waiting for us at the aircraft door with “a car that is far too small”, in which she drives us – unfortunately without our friends – to the Swiss First Class Lounge. On a stopover, all the departure formalities are conveniently dealt with straight away and we are dropped off directly at the lounge. There is surprisingly little activity there and we just have time for a glass of good whisky before we make our way to the gate for flight LX092 to Sao Paulo.
We arrive there in a state of joyful excitement and try desperately not to constantly give the impression of honey cake horses in view of the prospect of now being spoilt for around twelve hours in First Class.
Whether we have succeeded or not is generously left open. In any case, a few minutes later we find ourselves in the unreal surroundings of an FC cabin in the Boeing 777-800. As soon as we have been greeted in a very friendly manner and have taken our seats 2A and 2D, we are already holding a glass of champagne in our hands. Fortunately, our ears limit our broad, happy grins at our good fortune to have received an upgrade on this route. A few delicacies later, our bed is made up and we sink into an amazingly deep sleep, deeply satisfied.
Landing is expected at 06:45. When you first realise this time, you might think: what’s the point of getting up so early? But, alas, we are talking about local time in Brazil, which is four hours behind ours. When we are woken up at around five o’clock, it would already be a comfortable nine o’clock in Germany. So it’s no problem to have a tasty breakfast and then land in Sao Paulo on time.
Once again, we are greeted by a very nice lady, who unfortunately has some unpleasant news for us: While Sabine and Hans’ suitcase is already on its way, ours has unfortunately not made it into the luggage compartment in Zurich. A short odyssey through the catacombs of the huge airport to Lost and Found followed in order to complete the necessary formalities. We are told that our luggage will be delivered to our hotel in Buenos Aires on Sunday.
Luckily we are well rested, because the journey from Terminal 3, where we landed, to Terminal 2, from where we continue our flight, feels almost as long as the Camino de Santiago.
When we finally arrive at the gate, we see for the first time how calmly and without crowds the Brazilians queue to board the plane. Pre-boarding is not only intended for families with small children or people with disabilities, but also for passengers over the age of 60. It is very useful that the last rows are allowed to board immediately after the VIPs. Only then is the aircraft slowly filled up from the back to the front. When disembarking, the process is reversed and the passengers actually remain in their seats until the corresponding rows are called. In contrast to the principle that applies here in Europe, where the strongest, fastest and most ruthless are the first to rush to the front of the aisle with their huge hand luggage, there is an unusually relaxed atmosphere here. Definitely worth emulating!
Even on the approach to Sao Paulo, we could hardly believe the sheer size of this city and now, as we continue our flight, we again see many minutes of dense development, partly with “real” houses and partly with rather poor huts. The landscape then slowly changes into an agricultural structure with very few small towns. The fields, some of which are huge, are always dotted with green patches where farming is probably not worthwhile and therefore, thankfully, a little forest has been preserved. However, the many rivers meandering through the landscape are particularly eye-catching and are all a dirty brown colour. Large-scale deforestation has caused the rivers to carry large amounts of sediment, which is responsible for the colour. According to locals, these rivers were wonderful clear water rivers until a few decades ago. This also applies to the Iguazu, which winds its way broadly and in many loops through the landscape. And suddenly the landscape changes: on the last few kilometres of the Iguazu, dense jungle completely replaces the fields. A feast for the eyes and certainly also for nature!
As we approach the airport in Foz de Iguazu, we can already see the final destination of our journey through South America: the waterfalls of Iguazu! They are recognisable by the gigantic clouds of spray rising from the gorge. But we won’t get to see this natural wonder today, as we are picked up directly by a strong, resolute lady who takes us across the border to Iguazu airport in Argentina in her taxi.
The driver gets the last horse out of her old mill, bemoans Lula’s election success seriously and loudly, the car groans and creaks alarmingly and when she revs the engine to the highest revs again, it actually sounds as if it is howling because of the cruel treatment. I don’t think anyone has ever been driven faster from one airport to another.
Nevertheless, between the adrenaline rushes we still have time to enjoy the huge swarms of butterflies dancing in all colours and sizes above and beside the road in the warm air. There are also several signs warning of various wild animals. These include coatis, cheetahs, unspecified monkeys, a kind of wild boar, deer and one sign even showed a human.
We are delighted to get out of the car safe and sound and find ourselves in the yawning emptiness of the “Aeroporto Internacional Cataratas del Iguazú” – as it is officially called. Only relatively few flights are taking off here today, so this large building looks like a school in the evening, somehow lifeless. But the speedy journey also means we are here far too early.
But it doesn’t take very long for the halls to fill with life – of course, the departure date to Buenos Aires is approaching. And then two ladies at the gate actually start to weigh our hand luggage! So we quickly get the thick jacket out of the suitcase and put it on and the weight is in the green zone.

TO BE CONTINUED …

Amsterdam – IGUAZU
Fri 04.11.2022 – PQ3UVP + RLQZYN
LX 735 20:00 AMS – 21:30 ZRH – seat 1A + 1D
LX 092 22:45 ZRH – 06:45 GRU – seat 2A + 2D
G3 1170 10:20 GRU – 12:05 IGU –
TRANSFER from IGU to IGR with “Traverse America” (booked, paid)
IGUAZU – Buenos Aires – El Calafate – Ushuaia – Buenos Airess
Sat 05 Nov 2022 – SHDPZG
AR 1743 16:50 IGR – 18:45 AEP – seat 5A + 5C
Buenos Aires Hotel Madero Urbano Studios
Sun 06.11.2022 (booked, paid) Sightseeing BA with hop-on-hop-off
Mon 07.11.2022 (booked, paid) Pickup 9am at the hotel
Tue 08.11.2022 “at leisure”
Wed 09.11.2022 – SHDPZG
AR 1860 07:40 EZE – 10:55 FTE – Seat 27H+27G
Airport El Calafate: Rental car from Hertz (booked, paid)
El Calafate Hotel Lago Argentino
Thu 11/11/2022 Drive to the Perito Moreno Glacier
Fri 11 Nov 2022 – SHDPZG
AR 1862 08:50 FTE – 10:10 USH – Seat 4A + 4C
Car hire from Rentacar Argentina (booked, paid)
Ushuaia Hotel Hosteria Hostal Malvinas
Sat. 12.11.2022 (booked, paid) Journey with the “Tren del Fin del Mundo”
Sun. 13.11.2022 Birthday Sabine
– Possibly lunch at La Sirena Y El Capitán or at the
– Estancia Harberton
– 8pm dinner at Cavas Del Fin Del Mundo
Mon 14 Nov 2022 – SHDPZG
AR 1893 17:45 USH – 21:05 AEP – Seat 4A + 4C
Buenos Aires Hotel Palermitano
Buenos Aires – Rio de Janeiro
Tue 15 Nov 2022 – SHDPZGTKNWQO
G3 7653 12:40 AEP – 15:35 GIG – Seat 7A + 7C
Pickup at the airport by Heidi (?)
Hotel Hilton Rio Copacabana (booked, paid)
Wed. 16.11.2022 Sightseeing with Heidi
Rio de Janeiro – IGUAZU
Thu 17/11/2022 – MKLEOJ
LA 4568 15:30 GIG – 17:45 IGU – Seat 1A + 1C
Hotel Das Catarates (booked, paid)
Fri 18 Nov 2022 – nothing firmly booked yet!!!
IGUAZU – Amsterdam
Sat 19.11.22 – PQ3UVP + RLQZYN
LA 3527 09:25 IGU – 11:05 GRU –
LX 093 19:30 GRU – 10:40 ZRH – 7A + 7D
LX 728 12:30 ZRH – 14:10 AMS – 1A + 1D
Amsterdam – Nuremberg
Sun 20.11.2022 – POJJEN
LH 997 18:35 AMS – 19:40 FRA – 5A + 5C
LH 150 21:55 FRA – 22:40 NUE – 6A + 6C