July 4 - Independence Day/Farewell Tea

Independence Day was simply lovely and unseasonably warm.

I spent the afternoon on the afore-posted leisurely family walk, followed by a friend's farewell tea at the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau.

You guessed it, the five-star Buenos Aires Hyatt is located in a former palace.

You're starting to sense a theme in my social engagements?

Pretty much don't invite me unless it's to a party at a palace, OK? ;)

The lovely gardens and waterfalls in the Palace courtyard, linking it to the newer building.

Everyone seemed to be running on Latin time. More time for us to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

The environs were incredibly elegant. I felt like a princess.

The table setting was lovely, (cream, dulce de leche (of course!) and orange marmalade, above), and the service was impeccable.

And then the battery in my camera died.

I guess I'll just have to go again to document the lovely assortments of petite sandwiches, scones, and desserts served on little silver tray towers. And my signature submarino (hot chocolate), Palacio Duhau-style.

Everyone was so gracious and courteous -- the valet, the waitstaff, the conceirge, who personally showed me to the restroom, the restaurant manager who appeared at our table to ensure everything was to the highest standards -- it was all so luxurious! I didn't want to leave! And luckily, nobody in Buenos Aires is ever in a hurry to rush you out, so we took our time, the plates were continually replenished, and by the time we left, I felt like I'd spent a week being pampered at a stress-relief, luxury retreat.

Now that's my kind of Independence Day!