Marcea's World: Day 10, Ferry from Montevideo to Buenos Aires

This morning we have a last gorgeous breakfast in Montevideo at the Don Boutique Hotel. On my toes this morning, and at least get a photo of the pretty fruit platter each of us get. Boy the fruit is fresh and full of flavor!

We say adios and ciao to the friendly staff, and roll our bags the 2 blocks to the Customs House and port. A bit warm, so it's not as quick as it sounds. We are looking for the Buquebus ferry terminal...passing shipping containers and a cruise ship...finally find it deep into the port grounds.

Our prepaid online tickets for the ferry to Buenos Aires are Primera (first) class, so we go right the front of the line and check our bags and get boarding passes. We then go through immigration, this is both to leave Uruguay and enter Argentina (remember we have our Reciprocity Fee paperwork to let us into Argentina again without problem). So immigration is actually 2 people working behind the counter, one Uruguay and the other Argentina.

Is the ferry-land is actually between countries?

The waiting lounge is large, there is a section of cushioned seats for the Primera group, and metal for the others. We are there early, it is quite empty. But closer to departure, and the Tourist Class people line up at the door, some of them sneak into the Primera seats (but who'd know?). The tourist line grows, until it wraps around the room and back onto itself, kids running, mothers frantic, older people snoozing.

Our ferry is late...looking, looking, looking...and there it is!

Takes a very long time for cars to unload, but passengers start onboard a little sooner. Primera class first please.

The Primera class seats are large, comfortable, 2-across, and we are able to get a nice window seat. Champagne please, and welcome crackers! This was worth the extra, the Tourist class seats were smaller, closer together, crowded and noisy. There was one better class, and peaked in their section to see larger leather recliners, tables, and champagne/snacks all cruise long (ours was just at welcome).

looking toward MVD from Rio Plata

Our cruise to Buenos Aires takes 3 hours. Smooth sailing. The Rio de la Plata is quite wide, up to 140 miles at one point, so there is no land to be seen for most of that time.

Last views of Montevideo

Approaching Buenos Aires

Reaching Argentina, snap a few shots of the outer reaches of Buenos Aires. Fishing on a long long dock. Tall building rising up as we are really at the center of city where the ferry lands.

Off the ship, we collect our luggage (all there) and look for a taxi. Having studied the map in advance, I have a general idea that our Americas Tower Hotel is not too far away. Being solicited if we'd like a taxi, and getting quoted 180 pesos ($30), easy to decline. Wait for a metered taxi, and the ride ended up costing us 40 pesos!

Late in the afternoon, but it's still plenty light, and happy to have our hotel room secured (VERY NICE hotel, recommended), Jim and I head out for a quick look at some of Buenos Aires.

The Americas Tower Hotel is on Libertad, near Santa Fe, roughly in the San Nicolas/Recoleta area. Not sure how they define each neighborhood border. But from our hotel, it is only one block to reach Avenue 9 De Julio, the widest boulevard in the world.

4 signal crossings, though it is hot and not very busy, we cross with ease. Look at the Obelisk marking the center of the boulevard, we see this landmark often.

The buildings in this area of Buenos Aires are tall, elegant, old ornate mixed with old modern. For this tourist's first view, it is eyes up and camera snapping.

A few more blocks and we reach Plaza San Martin, a very large park. Today we do not go into the park, but skirt around it to reach the famous Florida Street. A pedestrian street, it has been known for high-end shopping, and Jim remembers the elegance of it 30 years ago. But what do we encounter instead...a McDonalds at this end, and construction pits. Not very alluring, and we only walk a couple blocks.

Florida Street, sadly

It's VERY hot and humid, takes a little more energy to walk back to the hotel. In fact, we spot a place for a future dinner, Jim is doing WHAT at the end of that stuffed cow?