Uruguay

16th July 2010

Uruguay-120-animated-flag-gifsCarmelo lies 2:30 hours by boat across the Rio de la Plata from Tigre (to the north of Buenos Aires).  It was our fist stop in Uruguay.  World Heritage Colonia del Sacramento, founded by the Portuguese in 1680 and fought over with the Spanish for 100 years, retains its originality.

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In Montevideo´s old centre, the buildings date from the 19th and 20th centuries.  People also come to Uruguay for the surf beaches, but only a few are brave enough in the winter when it is blowing a gale and temperatures close to zero.

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Uruguay produces excellent cheeses thanks to the Swiss immigrants.  The wine is not bad either.  We enjoyed the homemade pasta, perfect in the cold weather.

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Carmelo´s church was built to give thanks after a Cholera epidemic

Carmelo´s church was built to give thanks after a Cholera epidemic

The Portugese ¨street of sighs¨ in Colonia

The Portugese ¨street of sighs¨ in Colonia

A bleak and windy winters day in Colonia

A bleak and windy winters day in Colonia

Would be nice on a warm sunny day!

Would be nice on a warm sunny day!

Sun setting across the Rio de la Plata

Sun setting across the Rio de la Plata

Church steeples in old Montevideo

Church steeples in old Montevideo

Horses and carts are still used for rubbish colection

Horses and carts are still used for rubbish colection

Building in the center of Montevideo

Building in the center of Montevideo

Hand in the sand sculpture on the beach at Punta del Este

Hand in the sand sculpture on the beach at Punta del Este

At least the sea gulls enjoy the wind

At least the sea gulls enjoy the wind

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Punta´s fishing boats are not going out in the windy conditions

Punta´s fishing boats are not going out in the windy conditions

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