We head to the Bariloche airport this morning, headed to Montevideo, Uruguay, for tonight.
We see the wondrous outdoors of the Bariloche region on the way, it is maybe 1/2 hour from town, though it takes awhile to get out of the populated area on a busy 2-lane road.
There are forested areas, rambling scrubby lands, and those stunning stark mountains.
The airport is isolated, small, we had a choice of 4 gates for our flight. I just love these smaller airports!
With a window seat and a clear day, we get magnificent views. Starting with an overview of the fringes of Bariloche town...it really spreads out along the lakeshore.
We climb with a view above the Andes, volcano peaks still capped with snow. At least, now I get to see those peaks!
After we leave the Andean area, the landscape is barren with rocky hills.
Our plane is going to land in Buenos Aires, where will get a connection into Montevideo. So as we approach BA, there are farmlands and homes. The approach is to the local city terminal, looks like very close to the city (but I'm on the wrong side of the plane).
Leaving Buenos Aires, the flight hugs the coast of Uruguay, which is on the other side of a muddy river. The air is too hazy for good photos, the ground is flat and all farmland. Non-stop yellow beaches the entire way.
Approaching Montevideo, an amazing sprawl of buildings. It is so immense! We pass over the port area (where we will be staying). The airport is past the ramblas (beaches), about a 1/2 hour drive to our hotel.
But the bad news...my suitcase not arrive. A bit of a delay as I must fill out a lost bag claim form, and hope for the best.
Our drive into town is along the Ramblas...the beachline coast of Montevideo which is 20 kilometers long. It is along the Rio De La Plata, a bright clean water, coming from a different direction than the muddy water of the river shared with Argentina. Further down the coast, where we are not traveling, is the beach resort of Punta del Este...it is there that the Atlantic Ocean meets the Rio De La Plata.
Broad boardwalks along the street encourage walking and enjoying the coast. Lots of beaches, lots of sunbathers!
The homes are lovely, highrise apartment buildings seem well maintained.
The busiest crescent-shaped beach, with its highrise backdrop...is that Miami or Copa?
It is quite hot, in the 80's, and a bit humid. A gentle breeze. Montevideo has about 1.3 million residents, the entire country is 3.3 million. While residents go away for the summer, visitors come in!
There is extra entertainment planned along the ramblas for the season. We see some stages being set up for evening music.
We pass a bleachered sports facility, not for volleyball, but for beach football (soccer). Never heard of that!
There is no underground metro system in Montevideo. Lots of buses and cars. We do not see any motorcycles, I'm wishing I had asked why not? There are no honking horns, the streets are busy, but I don't witness any rude or crazy driving.
The drive ends in the Old City Ciudad Vieja by the port, we are staying at Don Boutique Hotel. A warm greeting with the Uruguayan signature drink Metio Y Metio, combination champagne and white wine. It is light and lovely.
Our room is contemporary, wood floors, dark lighting (which is for contemporary look, but so impractical for reading or personal grooming!).
We walked to late dinner, just around the block on the outer wall of the Mercado. This old part of town is quiet at night, and really doesn't feel safe for walking, but we are assured "around the corner is no problem"...and that was right, plus there was security. El Palenque restaurant and an outdoor table for a warm evening. Wonderful! Barbecued meats are one of Montevideo's specialties, we order sweetbreads and potatos and salad. It was so wonderfully amazing, and we are ready for bed!
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