Hotel Palma De Mallorca La Paloma

Another very cold night, it dropped to zero, but at least we were Ok in vehicle. Once we got on the move we decided to head for the town of Rocha, the capitol of the state. Driving there the roads, as previously have been some of the best in South America, the countryside consists mainly of wide open fields and so we have the accompanying strong winds. On arrival at the ...

... La Paloma, un village côtier. Originellement je voulais aller à Punta del Este, la station balnéaire plus proche de Montevideo, mais plusieurs personnes m'en ont découragé à cause de l'aspect plein-de-fric et du fait qu'il n'y a rien à y faire... J'avais déjà donné avec Mar del Plata, alors j'ai passé mon tour. En fin de compte, La Paloma s'est avérée un vrai petit paradis, méchants moustiques mis-à-part. La saison était terminée, la ville avait un petit air désert, mais c'était ...

... or more years...of course they don`t say you remember how to ride a bike well! So after a shaky start (not at all helped by the cobblestones that pave the streets...extremely quaint and picturesque but not so good for bikes with uncomfortable seats!) we were off, enjoying the scenery and trying to remeber that we were supposed to be on the right hand side of the road. Surprisingly by the end of our ride I was starting to gain my confidence and actually started to enjoy ...

... Unfortunatley the weather was not on out side for the entire length of our stay there. We were hit with crazy winds and a down pour of rain unlike anything I have experienced before. If was exciting but it left us held up in the hostel reading and playing cards for nearly 2 whole days. On our second day we had to venture into town, about a 12min walk, to get more groceries so we braved the storm! I enjoyed it.... we got completely soaked but I ...

... and by European standards, quite cheap. Anyway these not what we are looking for so we move on to a beach side bar for a beer. One of the odd things about the "beaches" around Colonia is that the water is brown rather than blue and is fresh water rather than salt as we are effectively in the estuary of the River Plate. The first time we appreciated this was when we noticed a dog drinking the "sea water". Nevertheless, the water is apparently very clean and ...

... fire? Maybe he was trying to charge us for taking a picture of his fire?! We started walking fast to get away from him but he kept after us and as we crossed the street one of his friends appeared. There was no danger in it as they were stumbling after us at a snails pace, like something out of a zombie film. Back in the centre we decided to see a film. The only english one on was Stepbrothers, a tragically woeful piece of cinema but it ...

... from the big city. It is a walled town complete with old buildings, cobbled stones, dogs racing golf carts (dogs winning), crafts, old trees, boutiques, restaurants, singers and mimes. If you know Ty, he is mesmerized by mimes...could be his retirement hobby! I ate the best beef of our trip at the Blanco and Negro restaurant. Could have sliced it with a spoon...and the sauce!!!! Everywhere we went, people were sipping on "Mate"; the national ...

... attend my classes because big old dad was in town, dum dum dum!!!! From there, we went to a Boca soccer game, our first ever polo game outside of the city, a tango show, highly recommended by Mary Cobb, thank you very much my dear! We shopped a little and toured the city all by foot which was good preparation for my mom who is about to be hustled down the streets of San Franscisco by her four sisters. Don´t worry Aunt Betsy, she is ready for you! On top of ...

... shops so if we wanted to hire some gear we couldn't, but we didn't cause there wasn't enough swell to get us in there anyway. Would be an awesome getaway though if there was surf. You'd have 10 beaches all to yourself, and its pretty cheap. stayed in a reasonably nice hotel for 10 bucks

... fun (not). Its a huge relief to run with the wind into town - its now cold and all the local are wearing jackets. We are now getting close to our Southern destination of Ushuaia. The bikes are getting a service tomorrow as we have travelled 3000 kms from BA.