We decided to go on a trip to Colonia de Sacramento in Uruguay (which is just across the river from BsAs) and so went to the Buquebus shop to book the ferry, the hotel, the tour of the city, the hotel transfers and a voucher for lunch (no drinks). It was an excercise in losing time - but it did all get sorted out, did cost less than we expected and - in general - turned out pretty much as described.
We got a taxi down to the ferry terminal and got onto quite a small (no cars, perhaps 150 people) catamaran and were in Colonia in less than an hour.
After a bit of as kerfuffle, we got to our hotel to be greeted with "You were told that we have renovations going on next door weren't you?" - T wasn't best pleased. As it turned out it was OK - not good, but OK.
We then went for our lunch (no drinks) which was 'interesting'. And then we were taken on a tour of Colonia by a Uruguayan woman with the most amazing English intonation. T decided she must have studied Marjorie Dawes (Fat Fighters) of Little Britain fame.
Colonia port is the entry point for 70% of the tourists visiting Uruguay - you'd have thought they'd have made a better effort of it really.
Colonia has a bull ring - which was used 8 times before bull fighting was outlawed.
Colonia has an old town. A mixture of Portuguese and Spanish
Colonia has slightly more mosquitoes than BsAs - if that were possible.
We had a lovely dinner and retired for a peacful night's sleep. When we awoke it was raining (a bit) so we decided to stay in the hotel until our 4pm ferry. Reading books and just chilling.
At about midday, the most amazing rain shower came across the bay. At its height, you couldn't see more than about 20 yards for torrential rain. Buquebus called to say that our original ferry was cancelled and that we'd be picked up at five instead.
The ferry back was massive and packed with locals. very different to the one on the way out - but still a quick catamaran. We got a taxi back from the docks and went out for a final meal at a place we had enjoyed twice previously - unfortunately it was quite a disappointment.
Up in good time on Thursday for our check-out and departure for Ushuaia, we packed and breakfasted. Our landlady was prompt and so we had a bit of time to kill before getting the taxi to the airport. The flight to Ushuaia was notable because:
It was the first time I've ever had to pay for Excess baggage (and chose the wromg queue to pay it in too - grr)
We were accompanied by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Oh, those wacky German musicians.
The clouds opened up for us as we approached Ushuaia and we had the most spectacular view as we crossed the Andes (which go East-West down here) and flew over the Beagle channel, turned round and landed at the Airport - quite stunning.
Our hotel is amazing. T decided that we needed to upgrade to a channel view (the 'mountain' side isn't that inspiring. It has cost a little more - but we are in a Suite (Junior) with breathtaking views.
View from our room down the Beagle channel towards Ushuaia
View from our room across the Beagle channel to Chile
As Chile is so close, we now have the joke that just keeps on giving.
- Is it Chilly out there? No, that's Argentina
- What's it like out there? Chile
- etc...
Oh how we laugh.
And the hotel has an in/out pool. most of it is inside, but some of it is outside. It's loveley and warm and quite fun to stand in warm water in the freezing cold.
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