Oct 9, 2018 - Punta del Este

Today we go on our all day tour to Punta del Este, the place the rich and famous from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay go to for their summer holidays. We are picked up from our Hotel in a small bus and transferred to a bigger bus and there are 16 on the tour. We are the only English speakers. We drive down the remaining rambla to the edge of Montevideo. The rambla goes for 22 kms from north to south Montevideo. Then we pass through the countryside, very flat as Uruguay has only 5 hills and the highest of those is 250m, so no mountain climbing...

Oct 7, 2018 - Ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo Uruguay

Today we are up at 5am and a taxi collects us at 5.30 to get to Puerto Malderno to catch the ferry from Buenos Aires to Montevideo Uruguay. Our ticket say that we should be at the Port 2 hours before and we get there 1 3/4 hours before and someone forgot to tell the Burqueue staff because there were some passengers there but no staff. After about 20 minutes the check in staff wander in and we can then check in and then go through immigration and finally we can get a coffee while we wait to board. The ferry is only 1/4 full if that. It is a...

Feb 3, 2018 - Montevideo, Uruguay

We spent the afternoon touring Montevideo, Uruguay. The entire country/city is nestled on the north shore of the River de la Plata. The best view of the city is from the top of town hall. The most prominent sites here are the statues of the country's heroes scattered throughout the town. The grandest of them all, a 30-ton equestrian statue, sits in Independence Square, while the others fill the local parks. It took me a few minutes to realize that most of the stores were closed because it was Sunday, but I was happy to see a number of...

Dec 21, 2017 - Montevideo, Uruguay

It's hot! A large group of people have joined us for the walking tour. Most are walking but a few of us opted to take taxis to the meeting place in Independence Square. The walking tour is free. Guides work for tips and the last time we were here our guide was excellent. This time it was no exception. Girardo was a hoot. Plus very knowledgeable. He loved Uruguay and started by telling us that the country was the first in South America to allow women to vote, to allow legalized abortion, gay marriage, and legal pot. Girardo pointed out the...

Dec 20, 2017 - Punta del Este, Uruguay

We decided to walk the town with Sam and Carolyn who have been with us from day 1. They are RVers from Vacaville CA. It was really windy that day and sunny and bright. What didn't look so far on a map seemed like miles and miles walking in the wind. The residential streets had lovely big trees but along the ocean it was sun and wind. We ended up walking over 5 miles. Punta del Este is a resort city on a narrow peninsula in southeast Uruguay. Popular Brava Beach is known for its strong surf as well as “The Hand,” a giant sculpture of 5...

Dec 11, 2017 - Colonia Uruguay

After having a fantastic night at the Argentian Tango Show being centre aisle on the front of the elevated section, and also having a photo with the lead dancers, got back to the hotel at 1am ready to get up to go to visit Colonia in Uruguay our third country in two weeks at 05:30 to get the hydrofoil across the River Plate, the largest estuary in the world. Colonia was a restored 18th and 19th century Spanish and Portugese port, the reason for the changes were that these two warring nations were battling over this key headland. Have...

Nov 27, 2017 - Punta Del Este, Uruguay

This is the last entry of my international trip. I may put in some stuff from my upcoming road trip to D.C. But I haven't decided on that. Punta del este was a very interesting vibrant destination. Think a cross between South Beach in Miami and Las Vegas. Punta is a finger extending out into the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Rio de la Plata on the other where the river converges into the ocean. My house was conveniently located right in the center of the town so if I walked 3 blocks one way I was at the beautiful beach and 2 blocks the...

Nov 25, 2017 - Montevideo, Uruguay

Got off the bus at the main terminal in Montevideo called Tres Cruces. The city bus website wasn't working for me so per my hosts suggestion, I took an Uber to my apartment for about 110 UP or about $4. My host is a very talented woman. She makes jewelry and is internationally recognized having won several awards for her pieces. She showed me some and indeed they were extremely impressive. Beautiful. She also shared with me with three books concerning Uruguayan artisans who won national honors for their crafts. She won honors each year. I...

Nov 25, 2017 - Colonia, Uruguay

I took the Buquebus fast ferry from BA to Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay. Took about an hour and a half. Got off the ferry and the aduana was a complete joke as it was obvious that anyone and everyone was welcome regardless of what's in their baggage. Colonia is a magical city on the Rio de la Plata. Huge sycamore trees line the cobblestone streets and the wind blows. The old town is as picturesque as they come. Any movie involving an old Hispanic town with lots of shade from the huge trees and colored with the abundant bougainvilleas and...

Feb 7, 2017 - Montevideo

Still quite windy and it is impressive to see the crew steer a 90,000 ton cruise ship up a narrow passage before mooring sideways to the quay without the help of any tugs. We get off the ship just after 11am. The first thing Ian sees is the range finder and anchor from the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, he gets very excited and I can only get him to walk on by promising he can spend as long looking at it all as he wants when we get back from our exploring. The hop on hop off bus is full and we are going to have to wait an hour...

Feb 6, 2017 - Stormy Night

We have two days at sea before we reach Montevideo. A legal requirement is that we have to do the emergency drill every 28 days. So we collect our life jackets and meet in the designated area. We are told to bring warm clothing and hats if it's the real thing. One couple turn up in their jumpers knitted hats and coats! It's 33 degrees and the sweat is dripping off them! Robert Powell the actor is giving lectures and Ian attends the one on Dickens and throughly enjoys it. We both attend one on Juan and Eva Peron, very interesting. Ian has...

Jan 9, 2017 - Montevideo, Uruguay -Brief Stop 8pm - 11pm

We were supposed to take the excursion called City Drie, Soccer Museum & Legislative Palace. - 9am to 1pm.- but since the Crown Princess had their delay a whole day coming in to Buenos Aires, it means they lost their berth and tender times in both Montevideo and Stanley, Falkland Islands. The ship parked in the harbor of Montevideo 15 miles out all day, then when the Celebrity Infinity left the pier at 7:30pm, our ship docked for a brief three hour stay. It took long lines to get 3,000 people off the ship and by the time we were off, no...