A Year in Uruguay

This whimsical bridge connects fashionable Punta del Este with trendy La Barra. While Punta del Este was quiet this weekend, La Barra was nearly abandoned.

Here's a quick video of the bridge.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, video

Yesterday we saw a couple of hang gliders launch from Punta Ballena. It was a beautiful spot high on the crest across from Punta del Este. The gliders seem effortless-- a few steps and they launched into the air, then soared above the coast. No engine, no fuel, no exhaust. After 15 or 20 minutes they landed on the beach.








Here's a short video:

Labels: interior, Maldonado, sports, Uruguay, waterfront

La Mano is the symbol of Punta del Este. It's by Chilean sculptor Mario Irrarazabal (according to the plaque at the site, although a Google search suggests his name is spelled Irarrazabal). It's one of the most popular pieces of art that I've seen-- people are always climbing the thumb or having their photograph taken by the fingers. It also attracts graffiti. Eight years ago the fingers proclaimed "Vegetarian Resistance" and "Carne es Crimen" ["meat is crime"]--definitely out-of-step with Uruguayan society.

Punta del Este was pretty quiet this weekend, which is typical of its season.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, waterfront

Everyone seems to escape Montevideo during January. We decided to take a mini-vacation (one-night) up the coast at Piriápolis. The day was overcast, but the Piriápolis beach was full of people playing soccer, drinking mate, and chatting. There were a few games of bocce ball and more people were playing a related game called tejos, which uses wooden discs instead of balls. Not many people were in the water, but it was a cool afternoon. There were a lot of jellyfish washed up on the sand.

Piriápolis is a nice enough place, but a bit faded. I think Punta del Este took its glamour and wealth. Restaurants and gift shops line the street across from the beach and the sidewalks are full of vacationers. It reminded me of some of the beach towns in Florida south of Fort Lauderdale.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, waterfront

Piriápolis is a quiet beach town, between Montevideo and Punta del Este. The Hotel Argentino, shown here, is the biggest building in town. In the 1930's, ferries brought Argentine tourists directly to Piriápolis.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, waterfront

José Ignacio is on the Atlantic coast, east of Punta del Este. It's a small resort town favored by Uruguayan TV stars.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, waterfront

Punta del Este, where the Rio officially becomes the Atlantic Ocean, is the most famous beach town in Uruguay. While Montevideo reminds me of NYC, Punta del Este reminds me of the flashier parts of Miami. It's an international resort where celebrities, like George Bush Sr, vacation. It's an hour or so east of Montevideo.

Labels: interior, Maldonado, Uruguay, waterfront