Colonia - Uruguay

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Tues 29th Oct:
Most of yesterday morning was spent investigating the best means of transport to Bahia Blanca (further south along the coast of Argentina); the most economic and comfortable way seems to be by coach. Just before lunch I packed the small rucksack to last me for a few days and left the large one in a locker in the hostel in BA; I checked out and walked to the port - only nine blocks from the hostel. I got the fast ferry (50 mins) across the estuary to Colonia in Uruguay - a picturesque little village with stone-cobbled streets and tastefully preserved for tourists. ´Booked in at a cheap hostel (complete with free bikes and internet access); ´chose a bike and toured around the village - bigger than I first thought, with lovely quaint tree lined streets, old buildings and cars to match, a lighthouse and lots of restaurants. ´A very relaxed tranquil atmosphere about the place. ´Climbed the lighthouse for some wonderful views and enjoyed a fantastic sunset over a few beers. ´Had a bite to eat later in one of the restaurants; was surprised at the cost...price increase for tourists. I had just got the hang of the Argentine peso, now I need to come to terms with the Uruguayan peso (roughly 7 of the latter to each of the former). ´Met a couple of chaps from Alton (Hampshire) in the hostel, who had a boat and were sailing around S. America for the last 10 months - they now have their boat anchored off the coast of Brazil.
After a good night´s sleep, ´got up slightly later than usual and had breakfast with the two Alton chaps. Álso met a young Sweedish couple who were travelling SA with their baby (less than a year old). I checked out of the hostel and got a coach to Montevideo. ´Booked into a hostel in the centre and settled in. ´Plan to stay tonight, see the main sight of the city tomorrow and get a coach and fast ferry back to Buenos Aires tomorrow evening.

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Photos

Cobbled Street in Colonia
This historic village is beautifully preserved and has a wonderful tranquil atmospehre about it.

Historic Cars to Match
One of the many old cars on the streets of Colonia.

The Lighthouse
At the seafront this lighthouse overlooked the village.

A Long Climb Rewarded
Out of breath and dazed (having hit my head on the small exit at the top of the lighthouse) I was rewarded with fabulous views of the village and estuary.

View from Top of the Lighthouse
One of the many views from the lighthouse.

Sunset at Colonia
It speaks for itself; I enjoyed this over a few beers right on the seafront ...... heaven!

Comments

[graciela]

hello
Dear Josef: I enter your blog- what beatifull picture do you have here, it´s a pleasure to see them all, I hope you are enyoing your trip in Uruguay. I undertand your interest in native cultures, and if I was usefull to you in our little walk in buenos aires, I am very glad. God bless you and all your family and also by you company arround your travels. byby