Unique Uruguay Day 5
Unique Uruguay
Day 05 - Wednesday, December 07, 2011 - Montevideo, Day Trip to Cerro San Antonio, Piriápolis, Punta del Este, Uruguay
This morning when we checked our mail and looked at the weather at home in Monument, CO we saw that it was still cold and snowy. Our day in Montevideo began with 71°, clear blue skies, and sunshine.
The guide from LB Tours, Lillian and our driver Mario picked us up at 8:30. Several of the people who were on our tour yesterday were with us again today.
Today’s adventure was to Punta del Este. We drove east along the coast where we could see the huge cargo ships coming in and out of the port.
The route took us through several small beach villages including Piriápolis. There was not much activity yet, but yards were being groomed and homes opened for the summer families who own these extravagant homes.
Vacation begins on December 15th and preparations were being made for the large crowds that swarm to the beaches. We climbed to Cerro San Antonio which is 134 meters above the coast line. We had thirty minutes to take photos and use the rest rooms and do a little looking at the shops.
Lillian then gave us a short history of the artist Carlos Paez Vilaro who created Casapueblo. This whitewashed resort overlooks Ballena Beach and is noted for not only the Gaudi style architecture, but it is also still the home of this famous artist who continues producing his signature modern sculptures and paintings.
When we got to the resort, we paid the extra charge to go to the museum and look at the spectacular views from the balconies. Our 45 minutes went quickly but we took time to fill out our entrance tickets to be the lucky ones to win a painting in the yearly lottery. Right…
At 1:00 we arrived in Punta del Este, home of a European Film Festival and vacation land of the rich and famous. We were treated to a ride over and back on the Leonel Viera Bridge, over the Maldonado River.
A tour of the mini mansions and multi-million dollar homes made us wonder who could live there – the rich and famous only. The homes for the caretakers were also spectacular.
Residents from Europe, Argentina, and Brazil “summer” in the neighborhood that is actually named Beverly Hills. This influx of cash is a boom to the economy, provides many jobs for the local people, and brings tax money to the city for improvements to the infrastructure.
Mario stopped for lunch at the marina at 1:45 and we had an hour to walk around and take photos. Bob and Susan chose to eat at the marina restaurant that Lillian suggested and said they had a fabulous fish feast.
Gennie and I walked into the local business area and found a café (El Milagro) for a slice of pizza and cool drink. The pizza was huge and we ended up giving some to the family sitting next to us while Gennie brought the rest back to the hotel for our dinner.
We continued our walk and found a nesting pair of green parrots high in a palm tree. The day could not have been more pleasant. It was 70° with a cool breeze off the Atlantic which cooled and cleaned the air.
After lunch we got back on the bus and drove through a section of the original downtown built in 1906. Very few buildings remain as the town is now condominiums and high-rises selling for millions of dollars.
Our last stop was La Mano, a sculpture of fingers rising from the sands of the beach made by a Chilean artist, Mario Irrazábal in 1982. These fingers on Brava Beach have become the icon of the city.
At 4:30 we left Punta del Este and drove the 140 kilometers back to the capital. It was 7:30 by the time we had delivered all of the passengers to their individual hotels.
Our evening was spent sorting photos, posting the journal, and packing for our flight to Brazil to begin our visit with the Rehder Family.
Accommodations: Balmoral Plaza Hotel, Montevideo, Uruguay - - - Meal: B
Comments
OK I'm feeling jealous about the temps down there. My computer says it's 14* in Palmer Lake right now -6:13 AM! Enjoy the weather and the beauty. Love the photos!
Post a Comment!HI VIC, WE LIVE IN PUNTA DEL ESTE 1/2 OF THE YEAR, THE OTHER HALF IN MIAMI. I THINK WE TOOK "ROUTE OF THE MAYA"TOUR , MANY YEARS AGO. STEVE AND ALICIA.
Leonel Viera Bridge, La Barra, UY (0:33)
Vic, Susan, Bob, Gennie - Cerro San...
Casapueblo Exterior
Casapueblo Interior
La Mano, Punta del Este
Restaurant on 18 de Julio Avenue
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