Argentina - S3.E8

Traveller Justine Shapiro

Justine explores the world's eighth largest country, Argentina. Her journey begins in Iguazu where she visits the incredible Iguazu Falls, which are almost a mile wide. From Iguazu Justine travels west to Jujuy, the most traditional region of Argentina and the first part of the country to be colonised by the Spanish. She buys a bracelet made from goat's toenails and drinks mate with the locals.

Her journey then takes her to Salta to catch the train known as The Train to the Clouds, one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the whole of South America. The journey takes three days and rises to 15000 feet in places. Back in Salta, after a late night with an English bar owner and his singing customers, she travels south to Catamarca. Justine spends a day with the Gauchos, the Argentinian cowboys and feeds bread to the alligators. She also attends a religious festival in honour of the Virgin of the Valley.

From Catamarca, Justine heads to Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, with it's 20 lane roads and European atmosphere. She visits Eva Peron's grave, learns to Tango and parties the night away in the city which is arguably one of the most exciting in the world.

For a welcome break from the hectic lifestyle of the capital, Justine travels to south Argentina's lake district and El Bolson. Here she samples the simple life and visits a fellow American who left the rat race behind to build his own house here, living on just $2000 a year. From El Bolson Justine hitches east to Trelew where she visits the largest penguin colony in the South Atlantic. In Gaiman she visits a theme park made entirely of garbage.

The final leg of her journey takes Justine to the southern most extremes of Argentina, to El Calafate. She visits the mystic caves, beautiful scenery and the Parque Nacional Los Glaciales, a spectacular sight, where glaciers meet green grass.