Searching for Jungle in the Concrete Jungle of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a huge concrete jungle, more than three times the size of Manhattan. But not that long ago it was a natural jungle. Today there are a few tame parks, even a Botanical Garden, but there are only a few places in and around the city where you can get a glimpse of the original, natural jungle. One place to see the jungle is the Ecological Reserve at  Puerto Madero.

Puerto Madero was the original port area of Buenos Aires and was probably quite ugly until recently when it has been redeveloped into the newest, and fastest growing sector of the city, very modern with a riverwalk and skyscrapers.

Viewing Puerto Madero skyscrapers through the rigging of an old sailing vessel that used to make voyages to Antarctica more than a hundred years ago. 

From this angle, it looks a bit like Portland

The far edge of Puerto Madero is, of course, the port and water. There is also a very nice narrow strip of jungly parkland with lots of trees, birds, and loud insects called the Ecological Reserve.

To reach the reserve there is a nice wide promenade with some stands (like the one on the right in the photo below) selling steak sandwiches, but it was rather quiet on this hot summer weekday morning. Just us and lots of birds. 

One thing that remains elusive (except from the new high rise condos in the Puerto Madero area), is views of the Rio de la Plata, the vast ocean-like river that separates Argentina from Uruguay. Two rivers drain into it making it the widest river in the world, 220 miles at its widest point. Indeed there is some question whether it is a river at all, or maybe an estuary, a gulf, or even a marginal sea.
I  made several attempts to see it but have not been successful. This little peek from Puerto Madero was as close as I could get.I'll keep trying and post a photo if I ever have a chance to see it clearly. 

Another place to see Argentine jungle is Tigre, a unique suburb built around swampy land and meandering waterways, located just a short train ride from the city center. It is a popular day trip destination with many small boats offering rides through the maze of canals and narrow waterways. This is where the river Plata empties out into the Rio Plata. t I still never saw the River Plata.

I like Tigre. This was my second visit and second boat ride there. I lived in South Florida for many years and these jungly waterways all looks very familiar to me.

This is a floating grocery store, carrying supplies for residents along the canals. I never saw one of these before. 

If it weren't for my tango addiction, I would consider staying here instead of Buenos Aires.