Uruguay by Baz

On the 24th September we left the safety and comfort of our home in Buenos Aires, with all its familiarity and routine, and headed on the road again - this time into Uruguay on our way to Brazil and Rio.Unfortunately we had both got a bit stagnent in Buenos Aires, and found the initial few days travellinga chore. We wondered what the hell we were doing all this for.

However, our mood changed somewhat when we stepped off the ferry at our first stop in Uruguay, Colonia.This is perhaps one of the most charming places we visited on our travels to date.A beautiful seaside town that retains much of its old-world charm, with cobbled streets, and architecture from a bygone age.We spend 2 very relaxing nights there, with the frantic tension of Buenos Aires easing from our muscles minute by minute.

Then on the road again, this time to the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, where we settled back into our travel-roles relatively quickly;Seonaid combining with great efficiency her dual role as Travel Logistics Manager, planning and organising our route, and Cultural Activities Director, forcing me to visit boring museums and suchlike.Myself as Translations and Communications manager, Entertainments Officer, and Exercise Consultant.

Montevideo lacks the beauty of Colonia, but has alot to offer, not least the Uruguian people, who are warm and friendly.We took a walk along the long Montevideo pier on our first night.The men fishing there reminded me of Ardglass at home, however, the smell of fish was obscured by the smell of piss.The pier, like many public areas in Bolivia and Peru, and Uruguay seems to be a popular area to urinate.A further walk through one of the Plaza´s in the City Centre, and we discovered a group of OAP´s dancing to tango music with all the passion of horney teenagers - it was like a Christmas Party at the Keenans.Terrific to see.

We enjoyed a meal, bottle of wine and a few beers on Saturday night and went to a pub where there was some entertaining live music.It was there that I discovered a beer named after my mother (see pictures).I bought 2 pint bottles of "Patricia" and enjoyed them emmensely.I could indicate how all the men love Patricia here, and how Patricia goes down very well but that would just be completely unnecessary.

We leave Uruguay this evening heading to Brazil.This is a very intimidating move for us, not least because of the new language, expense and general vastness of the country, but we´ve been told Rio is one not to miss.An overnight bus journey will take us to Porto Alegre, then on Friday a 24 hour journey should take us to Rio.