Day 44 Mon. 2/27 Montevideo, Uruguay 8-6:00

Day 44 Mon. 2/27 Montevideo, Uruguay 8-6:00   

Montevideo is the capital and largest city in Uruguay.  About 1/3 of Uruguay’s population lives in Montevideo.  It is the hub of commerce and higher education in Uruguay and its chief port. The city is also the financial hub of Uruguay and the cultural anchor of a metropolitan area. Throughout history, Montevideo has had some turmoil politically and financially.   In 2017, the city had maintained 15 years of economic growth.  Other information I read said it was very dangerous.  We walked to the downtown and looked around.  There are many beautiful old buildings and also many empty buildings.  It did not look like an overly prosperous area.

 Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral’s origin dates back to Spanish colonial times, 1740.  The foundation for the current neoclassical structure was laid in 1790.

It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception and the patron saints of Montevideo, Philip and James.  

                                                        Looks like the sun on Uruguay's flag

Salvo Palace was designed by Mario Palanti and was completed in 1928.  Currently, there is a tango museum inside.  Originally, the building was planned to be a hotel, but that didn’t work out.  Private offices and residences have been and continue occupy the building.  

In this picture you can see some of the 33 palm trees on the plaza that are a homage to the 33 men led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja y de la Torre (who would later become president of Uruguay) into battle during the Independence War.

Gateway of the Citadel is one of the few remaining parts of the wall that surrounded the oldest part of the city.  

Solis Theater is a neoclassical performance hall and Uruguay's most renowned theater.  It dates back to 1856, and was built using European marble and timber and designed by an Italian architect. Over the decades, Teatro Solis has become the heart of Montevideo's performing arts scene, and stars from all over the world have stepped on its stage – from dancer Isadora Duncan to actress Sarah Bernhardt.

Today, Teatro Solis is the official home to the State Theater Company and the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra, and visitors can attend concerts, operas, classical music, and plays by both local and international artists.

Plaza Independencia is the most important square.  It was laid out in the 19th century in the area once occupied by the Citadel of Montevideo.  The center monument is General Jose Gervasio Artigas.  His mausoleum is below the statue.  The Executive Tower  (on the left in back of the statue) is the official work place of the President of Uruguay.   

                                                He is not Ravi Shankar, but it's a sitar he is playing.  The sitar is a stringed instrument that is popular in northern India.  A sitar is usually about 4 feet long and has a deep pear-shaped gourd body with a long, wide hollow neck.  There are tuning pegs, 20 arched movable frets, and about 20 metal strings.  It seems pretty complicated to me.  

Palace Estevez features Doric and Colonial styles and was designed by de Castel in 1873.  It was the working place of the President of Uruguay and has been converted to a museum which houses artifacts and mementos of the Uruguayan presidency and its office holders.

The Executive Tower is the official work place of the President of Uruguay and is 

located next door to the Palace Estevez on the Independence Square .

The Mercer's report on quality of life has continuously rated Montevideo as the best Latin American city to live in.

Day 43 2/26 Buenos Aires, Argentina AM to 7:00

 Day 43 2/26  Buenos Aires, Argentina AM to 7:00

Hop On/Hop Off with Gray Line

 

Not safe around port.  

Paseo de la Historieta - cartoon like characters 

La Boca Caminito is one of the oldest neighborhoods.  Aside from the incredible art and colors bursting from city walls, you’ll find a unique local vibe welcoming you in. 

                                        Tango dancers performed for the people eating at the sidewalk cafes and those of us walking by.  

Torre Monumental is a clock tower located in the barrio of Retiro in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located in the Plaza Fuerza Aérea Argentina by Avenida San Martín and Avenida del Libertador. It was a gift from the local British community to the city in commemoration of the centennial of the May Revolution of 1810.  The May Revolution was about freedom from England.  

Obelisk - The Obelisk of Buenos Aires is a national historic monument and icon of Buenos Aires. It is located in the Plaza de la República at the intersection of avenues Corrientes and 9 de Julio, The obelisk was erected in 1936 to commemorate the quadricentennial of the first foundation of the city.

There are many beautiful buildings in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Buenos Aires means "fair winds" or "good airs".  The city is an autonomous district, a 1994 constitutional amendment granted this status.  The population is about 15.6 million and it is the second largest city south of the Tropic of Capricorn.  It is a home to multiple ethnic and religious groups.  Buenos Aires is considered one of the most diverse cities in the Americas.    

                                                            Museum above.

I have read that this is a dangerous city.  There were several broken windows on kiosks and buildings.  One of the victims was the Gray Line ticket booth.

Day 42, 2/25/23 Buenos Aires, Argentina 8:00 to overnight

Day 42 2/25  Buenos Aires, Argentina 8:00  AM to overnight   

I took the shuttle from the ship to the port entrance and then used a different shuttle from the port entrance to downtown.  I walked down Florida St which is a pedestrian promenade with lots of shopping choices.  I walked around the park near our drop off/pick up point.  I hope to go back tomorrow and do the Gray Line City Bus for a ride around town.  

Carlos Thays designed Plaza San Martin which contains the equestrian statue of Jose de San Martin (below).  The park is in the Retiro neighborhood and was the site of a monastery in the 17th century.  Later it became the country retreat of Agustin de Robles, a Spanish governor.  Plaza San Martin has hosted a slave market, a military fort and a bullring.   

                                                       Elegant buildings surround the park.

                                            Palace San Martin

                                                        Left side of Palace San Martin

                                                        Right side of Palace San Martin

                                            Beautiful trees in Plaza San Martin, designed by Carlos Thays.

Florida Street shopping, it was pedestrianized in 1971.   Its variety of retail stores, shopping arcades and restaurants is of great interest to foreign tourists and business travelers. See pictures below.

Special Event - Essence of  Argentina:  Contrast of Urban and Rural Culture at La Rural.   Equestrian show (cancelled due to rain), tango lesson, puppeteer/tango, tango accessories photo shoot, tango show.  Gourmet appetizers and a meal with a lot of food and many courses.  .   

We will learn about Argentina's history, music, arts, and more during a multi-faceted cultural fair at La Rural.  An equestrian show by expert horsemen will begin this event.  After entering a pavilion, we can choose from a range of immersive and interactive experiences primarily focusing on tango. Pictures below are from the Special Event.

                                                        Dancers above and below.

                                            Tango above, cowboy below.

    

Day 41, 2/24/23 Friday Punta del Este, Uruguay 9:00-6:00 TENDER Port

Friday Day 41 2/24 Punta del Este, Uruguay 8-6:00  TENDER

                                            This is today's tender that brought us from the ship to Punta del Este.  

I really liked this port and felt very safe as I did a Walking Tour that I picked up at the Tourist Information Center.  Today, I walked 16,699 steps or 5.8 miles and I climbed 19 floors.   

Punta del Este was discovered by the Spanish sea man Juan Diaz de Solis on February 2, 1516.  It was the day of Nuestra Senoria,de la Candelaria.  

Punta del Este, is on a peninsula on the Atlantic Coast of southeastern Uruguay.  The city is internationally known as a resort for the Latin and North American jet set and tourists.  A long list of famous people have visited, resided or bought properties in Punta del Este and the surrounding areas.  The population of year round residents numbers about 12,400.  The summer season residents average about 450,000.  The resort development extends for forty miles along the coast.  Uruguay is one of the safest countries in Latin America and Punta del Este is one of the safest cities.   There is a wide variety of housing options from individual houses in neighborhoods. older 3 and 4 story apartment buildings and modern high-rise buildings with many amenities including ocean views.  

“A third-story 430-square-foot studio apartment on the Punta del Este Peninsula. It’s near the main plaza and just 600 feet from the water. While in an older building constructed in 1955, it’s a clean and bright place with tile flooring, a granite kitchen counter top, and a balcony. The building complex includes a swimming pool and the home owner’s dues include maid service. Like most apartments in Punta del Este, it comes fully furnished. Price: $125,000.”   

This work of art was created by a local sculptor Mario Lazo and installed February 2, 1982.

                                    Punta del Este, Uruguay waterfront.

This hand is on Playa Brava at Parada 1, it shows the works of Latin America sculptors, selected at the First Meeting of International Sculptors.  

I had fun taking pictures of the waves crashing on the rocks. 

This is one of the flags of Uruguay.  It has nine equal horizontal stripes alternating white and blue. The canton is white, with the Sun of May.   There are 16 rays extending, alternating between triangular and wavy.

                                            I don't know what this tower was for.  I stopped by to ask but the man there did not speak English.  

Gran Bretana is located in the Punta de las Salinas in Rambia de la Circunvalacion.  In front of this Plazoleta, the boundary between the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean was established.  

This anchor was on the Ajax Ship, a participant in the historic battle of the Rio de la Plata that took place in 1939 near Punta del Este.   

Tomas Libarena started building this light house on November 17, 1860.  It was built to guide navigation in the Atlantic Ocean and the River Plate.  It is 45 m high, works with electricity, and the crystal prisms were brought from France.    

                                            Parish Church on 5 Street

                                            Uruguay's Naval Office.  

                                                Parish Church

                                                    Punta del Este, Uruguay Lighthouse.

                                            Glorieta Gazebo on the waterfront

                                                Aerial view of Punta del Este Seaport

                                            Yacht Club, Punta del Este

                                        Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Seaport,  Punta del Este is a port for tourists and sports.  It is a medium depth.  There are 400 mooring lines and 500 places on shore.  

                             The front of the Oceania Insignia.  Photo was taken as the tender was returning.  

                                            View of Punta del Este from the bridge cam.  

                                                View of the front of the Oceania, Insignia.

                                            View of Punta del Este, Uruguay from the bridge cam on board.