Punta del Este, Uruguay

Day 39, Punta del Este

Uruguay

It was a beautiful view as we came in down the Rio de la Plata and anchored off Isla Gorriti, an uninhabited island park. On the shore side the town stretched along the beach until land disappeared at the point east of Gorriti. We made the first tender ashore and were first up the pier. Waiting for us was Gastone S-, son, brother, uncle of dear friends in Costa Rica. Immediately he became our friend also. He had graciously offered to be our host and guide for our day in his adopted country.

We bundled into his SUV and headed down the Rambla along the beach. First he made a detour from the Rambla and showed us the Avenida Gorlero which at night is an area several blocks long which is popular for walking during the evening to take in shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and meet friends. “Gorlereando” is what it is called, or to do the Gorlero street.” The first stop was at the Southernmost point of Uruguay at the end of the peninsula at a park from which we could look out to the South along the dividing line between the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. Up the street a few blocks we were shown the lighthouse Faro de Punta del Este and the church Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Candleabaria.

Back to the Rambla and up the Atlantic side of the city into the San Rafael district to see the residential area with many expats and vacation homes of people from around the world. I noticed immediately the lack of fences, barbed wire and bars on windows here. Some of the residential areas look just like areas of Florida with ranch style houses on nice lawns with shade trees. On the ocean side the great sand beach and the sand dunes run along side the Rambla. Everything is clean.

Next we came to the La Barra district where a great lake flows into the Atlantic via Arroyo Maldonado. There we got out and took in the view of the town across the water and people enjoying the waterfront with boating, fishing and walking. We crossed the outlet on the wavy bridge (Puente Leonel Viera) which is designed like a wave and one will drive up a crest, down a trough, up another crest, down another trough and back up on the other side. We had a rest here and stopped at our friend's favorite coffee shop for coffee and croissants and more getting acquainted. Up Ruto 10 to José Ignacio, 5 square blocks of seaside town and a fine lighthouse. Up onto Rt 10 until it quit, a short distance from town, the bridge having been blown away in a storm and not replaced. The barrier islas of sand provide an excellent protected waterway ideal for wind surfing and in fact houses a wind surfing and sailing school.

From there we took to the gravel road and drove into the countryside which was hilly, wooded in parts, green and beautiful. Hereford cows grazed and a few sheep could be seen. Horses now and then. Coming over one rise we were confronted with a cattle drive coming down the road, complete with gauchos and herd dog.

This brought us to the “farm” where our guide works. A new and growing project, this “farm” is in the Garzón area of the Maldonado district. The crops here are grapes, almonds and olives. At the farm they produce from the crops wine, olive oil and packaged almonds. This is the company Agroland SA and http://www.colinasdegarzon.com/ (Olive Oil) and Bodega Garzon (Wines.) Following a tour of the facilities we had a tractor/wagon tour of the fields and then a fine guided tasting of oils and wines accompanied by olives, breads from their bakery and cheeses. The company is very eco-friendly, employee friendly and dedicated to only high quality products.

the farm

winery

almond trees

olives

Guest reception and olive processing

We drove in to the small town of Garzón, only a couple of blocks square and learned of improvements coming to the town and its economy. It already hosts a famous restaurant.

Garzon

Back to the city and to Punta Ballena where whalers once stood watch on the bluffs. Another drive through residential neighborhoods and back to the pier and back to the ship. This was a perfect day for these travelers; made so by our new friend and most excellent host.