Art and Antique Dealer and travelling Argentina, Chile and Uruguay: 3/19/06

Martin Garcia Island on the River Plate Argentina
Topic: Martin Garcia Island

The Island named Martin Garcia, on the River Plate some 40 mils from Buenos Aires, Isla Martin Garcia: a one of a kind getaway

Some 30 minutes away from downtown Buenos Aires is Tigre, a riverside location home to great attractions such as beautiful fruit markets, handcrafts and all sorts of wooden furniture open air shops.

Arriving to the Martin Garcia island can be done either by boat or by taxi plane.

Unlike the other islands in the Argentinean delta -earthy sediments formations- the Martin Garcia island is a volcanic formation and an emergence of the mass in Sierra de la Ventana.

This has set the basis for an amazing combination of nature, birds, flowers, trees that make of this place a great option for all sorts of alternative tours, ecotourism, cultural and historical walks and of course a great option for those who want to take some time off the city's noise and over whelming population.

In some ways very much like Devils Island, in French Guyana….

The historical background of this island is just amazing, all sorts of personalities -such as one of Argentina's most famous presidents Juan Domingo Peron, the famous Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario, as well as the worldly known Dr. Maza who discovered the vaccine to “chagas” chose this beautiful place as their home, some by force others as a get away.

The old colonial constructions in the centre of the of this beautiful little cillage asleep in time, blend together with other no less beautiful buildings that express the American and French aesthetical influence in those sensitive and delightful designs in a very art nouveau style. Like the village cinema…..

From the centre of the island one can appreciate one of Sarmiento's hidden botanical skills, for he had put all his energy into politics during the late 80s of the nineteenth century, as we appreciate one beautiful poplar woods he himself planted.

Not far away we can see one of Argentineans famous lighthouses built in the late years of 1890. It has lightened this island's coasts for more than one hundred years. But today its silent and abandoned..

The building shows clean and strong lines, inside, a snail ladder leads us to what was the highest point of the island from were one would have enjoyed an amazing view. Built as well in iron, it looks like a battleship out of history reminding us of those turrets of the old battle ships of the First World War …… the highest building is now the water tower which also works as some kind of lighthouse and radar station.

In the area not far from the town's centre, on the path to the first docks, there's a place that has been christened "Barrio Chino". Many tourist guides have mistakenly regarded this place as a China-town. As during the seventeenth and eighteenth century sailors approached the island seeking some love to buy -prostitutes, to whom they kindly referred as "chinas", which is a very common way to refer to women in the Argentinean pampas, and not to the Asian women. It's a very interesting visit to do, especially for the deep cultural significance, the “chinas” getaway for local sailors at what might have been an paradise island.

And of course, while touring around the island the Bakery, is a place no one should miss, for their sweet bread is outstandingly perfect (former president Carlos Menem used to fly in his private plane to the island specially to buy this bread, though some experts in politics assure this was just an excuse to meet up with some less respectful people of questionable moral) and for the great art nouveau architecture of the building that has remained intact.

All this and more makes of this island a great place to visit.

The Martin Garcia Island also takes advantage of its natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere with simple accommodation at the only Hotel, for those who wish to relax and enjoy some days of relaxation and in contact with nature. A kind of hide getaway from Buenos Aires…….

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