The day started early with a 7:45 pick up from the hotel to head to the ferry station. There I boarded the ferry for Colonia, Uruguay, about an hour ride on the fast boat, across the Rio de la Plata, which is very wide. When I arrived in Colonia a tour guide met us and took the group for a walking tour of the old historic portion on Colonia. Colonia was founded by the Portuguese in the mid 1600's, and Portugal and Spain fought over it for the next several hundred years, with the city changing hands 9 different times. So it is easy to understand that the city has a mix of both Portuguese and Spanish influences. The weather was pleasant, the city was very interesting, and I liked the Uruguayan people. A very laid back place. When the walking tour concluded I still had several hours to walk around on my own and to get lunch, a part of the tour package. I selected a fish fillet which was quite excellent. Here are some pictures from the day.
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| Leaving Buenos Aries port, a very hazy morning. |
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| A girl in front of me getting off the boat in Colonia. Note the JanSport backpack!!! |
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| The entrance to the old city, through the protective wall that once surrounded it. |
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| A look at the wall and garrison from the inside. |
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| The stone structure in front is what remains of a Convent constructed in 1694. The lighthouse behind was completed in 1857. |
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| The building on the left is or Portuguese design, with a pitched roof, and the one on the right Spanish, with a flat roof. |
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| The streets are all cobblestone or brick. Keeps traffic speed down. |
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| The side of the church. The portions that are built with stone were done by the Portuguese, the portions in brick by the Spanish. |
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| Typical street restaurant |
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| The dogs all looked healthy, happy and were friendly. I think this reflects well on the people. |
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| Inside the chapel |
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| Meson de la Plaza, where I enjoyed a very good lunch. |
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| Historic Colonia as seen from the top of the lighthouse. 100 steps in a tight circle. Not sure if I was more winded or dizzy when I got to the top!! |
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| A MacKay golf shirt spotted in Uruguay!!! |
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| Restaurants in front of the square. |
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| The old ferry terminal in Colonia. Not something to make a good impression. |
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| The new ferry terminal. Very nice, but now its time to head back to Buenos Aries for another week of work!! |
