We have been enjoying our time in Uruguay. It seems to be the most developed country that we have seen so far although that is based on only 3 places that we have stayed overnight in (Colonia, Montevideo, Punta del Este) and it is a smaller country (4M people). There is lots of agriculture going on along the coastal areas, and tree planting, even though the soil seems very sandy. They have beautiful beaches and the cities are well taken care of, and seem safe. It is also a little more expensive but still at half the price of what it would cost in Canada so no complaints (other than the wine which is not nearly as good as we have become accustomed to in Argentina and Chile).
Colonia (del Sacramento), where we started, was developed in 1680 by the Portuguese who used it to smuggle goods into Buenos Aires which was controlled by the Spanish. The old bastion walls still exist and it is a wonderful place to wander around in.
Montevideo, on the other hand, is home to almost half the country's population and has all kinds of great architectural treasures including one palace that used to be the tallest building in South America. During our walkabout we came across several garbage recyclers (on cart with horse) who would check out anything interesting that had been put out for disposal.
Anxious for some beach time we moved along to Punta del Este, a world class resort town for both Uruguayans and Argentinian's from Buenos Aires. The beaches were extensive, immaculate and empty.......it is the start of their winter season and with temperatures in the 17-20C range it was too cold and most of the Cancun-like setting was deserted. Punta del Este is situated on a peninsula so we were able to walk around the town of 8,000 people, that swells to over 100,000 in the summer time, along the coastline walkways. The fishermen were still around and the sea lions were coming out of the water to beg them for their fish remains after the filleting was done. We could have stayed longer but with the temperatures being 6-7C warmer further north along the coast, we decided to book an overnight bus into Brazil and head in that direction.
Buenos tardes.
Colonia (del Sacramento), where we started, was developed in 1680 by the Portuguese who used it to smuggle goods into Buenos Aires which was controlled by the Spanish. The old bastion walls still exist and it is a wonderful place to wander around in.
Montevideo, on the other hand, is home to almost half the country's population and has all kinds of great architectural treasures including one palace that used to be the tallest building in South America. During our walkabout we came across several garbage recyclers (on cart with horse) who would check out anything interesting that had been put out for disposal.
Anxious for some beach time we moved along to Punta del Este, a world class resort town for both Uruguayans and Argentinian's from Buenos Aires. The beaches were extensive, immaculate and empty.......it is the start of their winter season and with temperatures in the 17-20C range it was too cold and most of the Cancun-like setting was deserted. Punta del Este is situated on a peninsula so we were able to walk around the town of 8,000 people, that swells to over 100,000 in the summer time, along the coastline walkways. The fishermen were still around and the sea lions were coming out of the water to beg them for their fish remains after the filleting was done. We could have stayed longer but with the temperatures being 6-7C warmer further north along the coast, we decided to book an overnight bus into Brazil and head in that direction.
Buenos tardes.
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