Uruguay

4th December 2005
Arriving late in the afternoon we had a mini hike up the coast to find the municipal campsite. Along the we were greated with more weird stares from slow driving oggling drivers than anywhere we´ve been in 5 weeks. If they´d been going any slower they would´ve stopped or driven into the sea.

We eventually arrived at the campsite, sgned in and set up home for the next few days. With the choice of sleeping under trees or even more trees we settled with the trees, easy choice really. The toilets were a bit manky but apart from that you couldn`t really argue with what we were getting for 1.20p each a night.

Once "Tad" ,our tent, was up we went for a wander and eventually found a minimercado to stock up on pasta, water and beer. It`s not been gourmet cuisine all the way you understand.

5th December 2005
The sun woke us up with our rosy cheeks and as there was a nice ocean breeze, and the fact our clothes were a little crusty, we did our favourite chore - WASHING. With our clothes drying in the wind we tucked into fresh bread with dulche de leche (wickedly sweet caramel stuff)and juice then set out for town.

The day was spent enjoying hand made sarnies by the town fountain, looking around the old town with it`s historic gates, cobbled streets and numerous citroen mehari and ami (They even have the hard top meharis Pa!)

In the old town there were numerous shops of local artists and their work. On shop had some brilliant skecthes and we thought we`d get one that`d caught our eye. We should have thought about the price a little more, being $25. We got to the till and the owner carefully wrapped it up, put it in a bag, stappled a paper flower to the bag then said asked us how we`d be paying. After she`d converted it from American dollars it ended up being $230 Uruguayan(pesos), we only had $232 and some small change, phew!

After the excitement of buying local art we made our way home and enjoyed tasty pasta whilst watching the sky turn pink and the wind pick up a far bit. The other reason for sitting by the beach was to evade the a manic dog that had been pestering us for food since we arrived. As we were going to have to do an all-nighter in order to get the ferry to Buenos Aires we made an early night of things.

As it turned out our night was more nightmare than 40 winks. At 1am a loud bang and ripping sound made me jump out of my skin. I awoke to find a large branch had pierced our tent through not only the fly sheet but the mesh inner door, our only way of keeping flying insects at bay.

6th December 2005

After explaining our situation about the tent to the old lady owner she reluctantly gave us a refund of a days camping and off we went one of the longest days so far. All I can say is thank god for bus stations and their cheap as chips lockers. We spent the day enjoying ice cream, the fountain in the town centre, the local beaches, a late night pizza and finally the most uncomfortable bench before heading to the ferry terminal at about 4am

2nd December 2005
Leaving Montevideo with a few less brain cells than we started with we headed 2hrs east to the coastal resort of Piriapolis. The prospect of walking in clean coastal air was just what we both needed. Making our way through town we stumbled across the hostelling international lodgings and, after a bit of confusion about the type and number of rooms we required, we slung our bags down and went in search of some greasey grub. We weren´t dissappointed and settled with a classic combo of burgers, chips and water.What was left of the day was spent doing a bit of a recky, enjoying ice cream, sunsets and the comfy double bunks.

3rd December 2005
With the appealing view of Pan de Azucar (sugar loaf), Urugauy´s 3rd highest point, from the coast we were excited about getting awy from tarmac and cement for once. Our enthusiasm was soon dampened when we were told that no buses ran to it but absolutely dreanched after a trip to the trusty tourist information finding out the nature reserve is closed for the summer. Not to be set back too much we had a wander along the coast and within 1/2 and hour we´d had the best ice cream baskets and a fun ski lift ride up to a point overlooking the whole coastline. What little kids we are,ehh? being so easily pleased with sugar and fayre ground ride attractions.

Well Sarah´s birthday was a a night to remember, if you could remember it that is.

Started out with a meal in an old market where we enjoyed table side late night tango dancing. Was amazing to see so many people up there and making it look so easy.

If that wasn´t enough then the meal and drinks certainly brought a smile to your face. For little more than 5 pounds a head we each got through a plate of quality meat and chips, two glasses of decent red wine, two glasses of pilsen and two grappa con meils (grappa with honey) The grappa certainly took affect!

From there on it all went a bit down hill. Off to the old town and we enjoyed a jug of turbo bucks fizz with vodka and a jug of sangria. After ending up in a local club we stumbled home, i´m assured, at some time around 5am.

Atfer waking a little after midday we somehow managed to get breakfast and spent the rest of the day topping up the fluids and making the most of the roof top hammocks in the sun. We only ventured out of the hostel to stock up on quiche, coke and chocolate. The essential food groups.

Hey Everyone,

After the hectic life that was Brazil we´ve now made it to Uraguay and we´re staying in Montevideo for Sarah´s 23rd - Nov 30th.

Blinkin´ heck the last few days have been interesting. After Porte Alegre we took a rather plush overnight bus across the border into Uraguay. The leather reclining seats, comfy pillows weren´t the best bits. Just as Sarah was nodding off one of the coach crew came around with mini dinners of club sanries, mini quiches, swiss roll and either pepsi and wine. Plus there was a DVD in English to watch. All was going smoothly until we had to wake up at 4.30am to get off the bus.

Assumming there´d be a cambio "exchange" at the border we had to wrangle with the night security to swap our us dollars for Pesos. They offered what they thought was half the exchange rate but ended up only being a 2 pounds off the right amount. As the sun was rising we caught a coach down to a tiny half dead seaside village called Punte Diablo.As the tourist season hadn´t really started yet we tried the only place that was open at 7.30am, the International Hostel cum tourist information. Unfortunately they were fully booked as a group of 90 poeple were coming for the weekend. Luckily the bloke at the tourist info had his own hostel down the road that he opened up for us. So all was sorted in the end.

The next day we shook the sand from our feet and headed back to the border to get some more money and then the coach further down the coast to La Paloma. After a bit of a wander in La Paloma we stumbled across the campsite we were looking for as it had rave reviews in the Bible *SA lonely planet guide* We were seriously impressed with the our new home for the next few days - brilliant hot showers, 3mins to the beach and an outside kitchen with sink and BBQ area. We certainly made the most of the BBQ as some Americans, who left after the first day, gave us some lighter fluid,charcoal and a grill. The local supermarket didn´t dissappoint either with gorgeous beef cutlets, 50p for 3, and 5 chunky chorizo sausages for less than a pound. The weather was brilliant too and morning walks on the beach seeing cowboys training horses was amazing.

We left La Paloma this morning and within a couple of hours we arrived in the Capital of Uraguay - montevideo. From what we´ve seen so far it´s a cracking city, Sarah´s been round most of the arts and crafts markets already and the food is cheap and dead tasty. I´m sure we´ll get the chance to induldge ourselves tomorrow for a celebratory meal followed by a drink or too. Tonight we´re off to the irish pub for some live music. It starts off at 23.00 so looks like a late one¡

take care and keep warm - is a chilly 22 degrees

Lucas and Sarah

PS sorry for any problems with the photos. Am going to upload them to an online gallery soon so will keep you all updated.

PPS feel free to drop us an e-mail as internet access is free in the hostel we´re staying in red hostel