December 28th - Off to Uruguay

This morning we rose early and were transported to the ferry depot.  There we said goodbye to Valeria and Daniel and then headed into immigration and customs.  The ferry was ultra-modern and a hydrofoil.  Over 900 passengers and cars and trucks, it took us three hours to cross the Rio del Plata...yes, THREE HOURS to cross the world's wides river.

We landed in Montevideo, Uruguay around noon and were met by our guide Mirta.  She spoke broken, but understandable English.  Very pleasant and world traveled, she escorted us to our hotel for check in, lunch at a local restaurant, and a chance to freshen up.  Then it was off on a whirlwind three hour city tour.

The city is old, dusty, and HOT.  Even in the air-conditioned bus it was sweltering.  We saw some amasing architecture and some lovely, yet very dry and flowerless parks.  The day tour ended with a drive along the river coast....we all still swear it's an ocean.

Dinner was again at the same very nice restaurnt where we enjoyed baby beef, fish, and some great wine.