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Published: February 11th 2015
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Colonia is easy to get to from Buenos Aires. We used the ferry service Buquebus, it has a large station in the Puerto Monte area of Buenos Aires. We bought our tickets a few days in advance but it was not necessary because the ferry is very large and could have carried at least a hundred more passengers. We knew how much the tickets were. We tried to buy the tickets online but the tickets were more expensice online so we went and bought our tickets in person. You need to have your passport with you when you buy your tickets. You make your reservation at one window, then pay at the cashier. You need to get to the ferry an hour and a half before your departure time. When you arrive you go to a window with your departure time posted to check in and have your bags checked in. Then you go upstairs to go through security and customs. The Argentine custom agent gives you a exit stamp then sitting right next to him is the Uruguay agent who stamps your passport. You then go to the waiting area. In the waiting area they were giving away a roll
of toilet paper and a small can to keep toilet paper in. (picture included) they also gave us a small package of wipes. So now we prepared. The ferry is large with two decks, seats like an airplane, chairs with tables and some couches. There is a first class section but since the ferry we booked is only one hour there is no need to upgrade. If you want to save money, the three hour ferry is cheaper. There is a large duty free store on the ferry. It did brisk business. We bought four large candy bars. We have chocolate bars on hand at all times for when we need our desert fix. The bars sold on the ferry were fresher than the ones we bought in Buenos Aires. Once settled in our seats the man behind us asked "is this the ferry to Colonia", yes I told him. I know just how he feels that unsure feeling, am I really on the right ferry, bus or train. I felt better knowing I was not the only one who had doubts sometimes. An hour later we arrived. We walked about five blocks to our hotel and checked in. They
gave us a large room right by the front door but we asked to change to a quiter room. So we got a small room. The hotel was $60 per night and included breakfast. We spent three nights here. Most people just come for the day but we are traveling at a slower pace. The historic section of town is on the Rio de la Plata, it looks like a brown ocean but it is a large river. The city was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese. The city has a Portuguese, Spanish and Uruguayan history. The streets are cobbled and we felt like we had gone back to a slower time. The people here all love drinking Mate, in Argentina they all drink Mate but in Colonia they walk down the street with their Mate cups and a thermos of hot water. Mate is a tea, you fill your cup with the herb, a traditional cup is made out of a goard, put your metal Mate straw into the cup then pour hot water in. You share the cup amoung friends adding more hot water. Adults and children drink it, we tried it in Argentina and did not like
it. In Colonial people carry the Mate around in the morning, at lunch and around 5. They sit on benches or at the beach and carry it around. Everyone drinks it but you cannot buy it in a cafe or restaurant, you must supply your own Mate.
We walked the Rambla along the beach. At times we walked in the water and times on the path. We were hungry and found a local outdoor restaurant near the old bull ring. We sat down and the waiter asked what we wanted to order. We asked for a menu but he said they do not have menues. I guess the locals know what is being served. He took me to the BBQ and I pointed to the meat and orderd a salad to go with it. The food was good but there were so many flies we had to use one hand to eat and one to wave the flys away. When we were done eating the waiter handed us a piece a paper with a number on it. We paid the amount on the paper never knowing how much anything costs. (Picture included) We had lunch one day at a
restaurant that serves only appetizers. It was really good. We also had a good meal at a restaurant on the water. We visited the Museo Municipal and for 100 pecos, you can visit all six or seven museums in the historic area. The Municipal is the best, the rest are very small but we visited them anyway. We also visited the church and went to the top of the light house. There is a square where locals sell arts and crafts and I bought a Christmas ornament.
We enjoyed the quiet city and it was a change from Buenos Aires. Now off by bus to Montevideo.
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Stan Skiba
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Great Photos
Love the old architecture Cindy. Great photos of the area. Colonia does seem a lot slower and more relaxing. Appears that you are learning a lot and having a wonderful experience.