P,T,A Part 3 - Busy Buenos Aires & Leisurely Uruguayan Coast
Monday, January 26, 2009
In this last installment of the South American adventure of October 2008, we'll make our way through Buenos Aires, the countryside of Montevideo and the return to Ecuador.
After I finally made it to the Hotel Milan in BsAs, where I was greeted with a very modern looking lobby, I ascended the elevator (ascensor) which was of the old style with manual gate. The room was quite cozy, one single single bed, and then a bunk bed set - for three adults on the little duder. It was about two thirds the size of my old college dorm room, but had its own bath. But luxurious accommodations weren't the point - exploring the city was. And so with our two days we did: the Obilisk in the middle of the world's largest avenue (9 de Julio), strolling down Florida Avenue, seeing the markets of the San Telmo district, and just walking all over (la plaza, the Presidential Palace, an outdoor art festival, and even a museum).
But that was by day...for the first time since Diego's arrival we got to go out at night. We'd put him down around 10 pm since he decided not to fully adjust to the 5 hour time time zone change. Then its Abuelo Vera on duty. On the first night (Friday) after I got back from Iguazu we got to go out for beer. The second night (Saturday) we went out to see a Tango show. Then Sunday we did little more walking and shopping (t-shirts, bottle opening, wine bottle holder, y un "el mate") before hopping on a three-hour speed ferry (Buquebus) across the bay to Montevideo. This wasn't the type of ferry you hear about with 1000 people that capsizes every so often - it had reclining seats like an airplane, big projection screens for soccer, cafeteria, duty-free shop, and for the kiddos, a clown.
Back in Montevideo, we got to relax at Sinziana's dad's pad, then in the next days, explore the coast.
I drove my father-in-law's Benz to Piriapolis for some fresh fish for lunch (and Diego got to see front-end loader, bulldozer to him)). Then we made out way to the top of a hill with spectacular view. Atop the hill was a stark white mini-chapel overlooking the sea. Most importantly, Diego sat on a motorcycle until the owner start using the alarm to shoe us off.
Then we went to a Reserva Fauna (kind of a animal preserve). Diego and Sinzi passed out in the car so I went with my father-in-law through the preserve. Afterward we got some ice cream (dolce de leche flavor). It was one of about 4 times we got this flavor on this adventure. It was the first time Diego had and liked ice cream (BsAs).
As we neared our final destination of Punta del Este, we reached Punta Ballena where we saw waves crash on the rocks and pockets of wildflowers and it was windy. Just down the road was Casapueblo, the crazy looking (read "artistic") home of Carlos Paez Vilaro, who studied under Picaso. It was all white and part of it is a museum of his work and part was a resort.
Finally we made it near sunset to Punta del Este. The beach had the softest sand I've ever felt, and Diego, who had previously never cared about sand at the park, was loving it. Despite being a good walker at this point, we became a sand snake. It is quire likely he still has some sand in his ears. There was also this wild sculpture of a hand (La Mano by the Chilean artist Mario Irrarazabal) that is buried in the beach (all you see is the finger protruding from the ground). Then Diego got his first touch of the sea - the agua was frio!. Then I drove back to Montevideo.
The next day we stayed in town but got a little driving tour from Granpita's co-worker, saw the Forteleza del Cerro (Fort on the Hill built in 1809 by the Spanish), walked downtown where there's a plaza and marketplace, and of course had dolce de leche ice cream.
Then we flew back to Ecuador a couple of days and then home.
Posted by Mark and Sinziana 7:00 AM
Labels: Argentina, Diego, montevideo, travel, Uruguay
