Days Inn Punta Del Este

... driven just over 100 kms to get to the town of Maldando, which again has a large campsite in the area. The tourist office was closed when we arrived, but we managed to get directions to the campsite. Once again it is a huge place, although this time about 2 kms from the beach and about 5 to town.

2nd - Another very quiet and relaxed day.

Pictures are for the house in next entry.

... way up the side of Uruguay's highest mountain to see rock paintings by the ancient indigenous people.

Our city clothes made the steep trail and rocks a little more difficult, but then, spontaneity is part of the fun of travel.

... sea lions while you take a picture.

These four sea lions have made the trip back to the mainland from Isla de los Lobos, which lies about 3 miles out into the Atlantic. Lobo is the Spanish word for lion, and for some reason, the Uruguayans call sea lions "sea wolves," despite the obvious resemblance to the King of Beasts. The ...

Bonita Buenos Aires...technically the Argentina diary is Paco´s gig, but we passed through breifly on our way to Uraguay, so thats where I´ll start. It was a beautiful clear morning when we landed in "BA". At first glance it really was a pretty city, perched on the edge of the Atlantic. Soon after landing we jumped into a taxi with the intention of travelling 6km south to the International Ferry Terminal. We were both wearing the standard back packers uniform; cargo pants, t ...

... of the blue rinse brigade. No one smiles there either... To dinner then, and we decided we would eat in the hotel - the single best decision we made all day. The food was outstanding. GB's pumpkin ravioli ranks amongst the best dishes she's ever eaten, we enjoyed our first taste of Torrentes white wine - delicious, and the service was impeccable and even included several smiles and lots of encouragement at my improving Spanish - at least I got what I expected this time ...

... all day drinking and he`s a mess. Us 3 eventually leave and go to a rooftop bar/restaurant to get food and more beer. We see a race going on down on the street below us and Matis tells me that a few years ago he was wasted and as the lead runner was about 500 meters from the finish line he started to run with him and that he (Matis) crossed the finishline first. Hilarious. I would have died laughing. Jane has to act as interperter but I understand some of ...

... Boo visit the one surf shop (he actually went surfing the day before with a guide, apparently cold but fun (not the guide, the water.) The guide apparently was a cute Uruguayan girl who also had some Spanish friends), took some pictures at a lighthouse, fulfilled our American-given duty to be swindled by crafts sellers, and oh!, it was suddenly lunch time. One of the places we had wanted to try for dinner a few days ago was La Huella (the footprint) in Jos ...

... too, who had to be really quick if they wanted to catch the food before the lobos, taking the risk of accidentally ending up with their head in the mouth of a lobo! We walked along the coast, to the Ocean, and at some point walking on the rocks I ended up with both feet in the water, so I had to continue bare-feet. We went for a chivito in a proper chiviteria, big and fat and all, just as it should be. It was a lovely day, and with all ...

... Argentina. Tonight I stuffed myself full of mashed potatoes, ravioli bolognese, bread, beef empanadas, and coca cola. I paid under 7 dollars. Carlos's beef was at least 30 ounces and he could only eat 2/3 of it before surrendering. Not all Americans are bad, though. Most of the Americans I have met have been great. I ran into a Stanford Law grad woman who will start working at my sister's firm in SF in the Fall. Quite the coincidence. Another girl, 28yrs old from ...

... dinner every evening. Whole grain is very rare. they don't do many salads. If you can find 'skim' milk (not often) it still has about a 2% fat content. The best part is the French fries. They taste divine . I assume they are fried in animal fat. Why have we stopped using animal fat? One plateful of fries and you will never argue that there is not a major difference in taste. (Even Mcdonald's seems to do it down here.) Who made this decision for us? Was it a ...