After a leisurely breakfast in the charming and sunny courtyard of our hotel in Areco, we met up at 11 am for a 45 minute drive to Juan Gibelli’s estancia. The sun was shining as our bus pulled into a lay-by to be met by three carriages all put to with pairs! We drove the rest of the way down the dirt road to the estancia, passing by the main house and out into a field and to our surprise there was a Chata waiting to greet us and lead us back to the house. What a wonderful surprise and sight to see a Chata put to with horses and driven by what looked like “a man from the past!” (Go to the CAA Facebook page for lots of photos from today and all our other days.)
After alighting from the vehicles we all had to closely inspect the huge Chata and marvel and the horses and harnessing of it before it moved off and was put away and the horses were turned out for a well deserved rest.
We all then had the chance to browse the large and most interesting carriage collection and then gather in Juan’s house for empanadas and drinks. Hours past as we chatted and laughed and enjoyed the day, finally leaving for Areco at 5ish.
Back to our hotel for a siesta (it is extremely hard work enjoying yourself!) before meeting up at 8 pm to attend an exhibition opening of leather work at the museum conveniently just next door to our hotel. After that we enjoyed a lively dinner at a local restaurant and returned to the hotel at 11 pm (we are finally getting into the Argentine time of eating!!)