Montevideo, Uruguay

Today is Saturday and we are docked here in Montevideo, Uruguay.  The weather is just perfect.  Warm with bright blue skies.  We had breakfast in La Veranda.  Because the weather is so nice, we sat outside on the aft deck.  We did not arrive until 10am so we watched us sail in from our balcony.  Richard told us about a fellow passengers experience on his balcony.  Seems his neighbor was sitting completely naked when this other guy looks around the corner.  Did a double take, and then called reception to get them to tell him about being naked.  Reception just laughed.  Takes all kinds.

As we were getting ready for our tour, I bumped into Terry (expert lecturer) and asked where I could buy a new bathing suit.  Both of mine have been ruined by the salt water.  She told me to wait until tomorrow when we are in Buenos Aires.  Our tour was the Highlights of Montevideo.  We were here with Sue and Jim several years ago and it was great to see how the city has changed.  For the better.

Our tour was just around the city, stopping for pictures at several different locations.  We drove though the Old Town and stopped at Independence Square which features a statue of General Jose Gervasio Artigas, the national hero.

General Artigas

Bert, Ernie and me

We were on tour with Bert and Ernie.  They are our hosts from Virtuoso.  Bert swims every morning he can.  He hooks a tether around his waist and then to the ladder.  Puts on a snorkel and swims not going anywhere.  Pretty clever for this small of a pool.

We were shown several sculptures throughout the city.

Stagecoach 

Covered Wagon

Fallen Soldiers Monument

Our drive took us all around the city.  Beautiful beaches but the water is never warmer than 68 degrees.  Too cold for me.  When we returned to the ship, the Prinsendam was docked here.  They are also doing a Circle of South America.  This is the first time we have seen this ship.  We would like to sail on it some day in the future.

Lunch in La Veranda and then a quick nap.  No swimming today as they are having a deck BBQ and need to clear the deck at 3pm.  So we will walk to the Port Market after the nap.

After Bob's nap, we headed back to the Port Market.  What a place.  All kinds of restaurants and shops.  The we continued walking through the Old City.  We ended up in the square we started in this morning.  We walked for about 2 hours.  We returned to the ship, hot and tired.

Meats Cooking in Market

Market Area

Cathedral

Cathedral

Old Wall of the City

They have torn down most of the wall around the City, but left this one section.  That is me standing at the base of the wall to show you how thick and tall the wall was.

Dressed for dinner.  Did not want to go to the BBQ so ate in Compass Rose.  I had the Canyon Ranch suggestion which was dry turkey.  Bob had lamb.  We skipped dessert and went up to the BBQ to see what was happening.  Stopped and talked with Joan (needlepoint friend) and Richard and Mickey about their day.  Headed back to the cabin to read.  We gained one hour during the night.