Yummy Uruguay - Heather. Date of travel: Jul 2007
Before I left on my travels, I had an impression that the country would be flat and arid, with little vegetation. Uruguay is not how I imagined it to be at all. The trees are plentiful, and the Pan de Azucar region is mountainous; it reminded me of the Scottish Highlands with the pleasing addition of Palm Trees instead of Heather. The land remains hilly all the way to the eastern coast, making the drive between Piriapolis and Rocha particularly pleasant. Rocha, on the eastern side of the country, is a small community that sees many people through the summer months. Rocha reminded me greatly of Newquay (UK) because of its laid-back vibe. It is worth visiting Cabo Polonia on Rocha's coast - its a commune that is fully functional and is run successfully without electricity. A real eye-opener! You can also view the progression of the Southern Right Whale from here as they migrate past in the spring. Punta Del Este, or Point of the East, is the main place for parties and glamour. Stunning houses in all shapes and sizes dot the coastlines around the City - even Madonna and Shakira spend some of their summers here. Go and see the 'Hand in the Sand' if you get time! With a mere 3 million people living in Uruguay all year, holiday-makers almost double the population over the summer months (Dec-Feb). The most obvious place for travellers to go when they come to Uruguay would be Montevideo. Montevideo is a grand city with colonial roots. It isn't big, but you still feel immersed once you are in the centre. It is a busy place, especially since most of the Uruguayan population reside here all year round. There are plenty of bars, theatres, places of interest and shops in the City. The Old Town is made of paved walkways, cafes and small market squares, which can sometimes make you forget that you're surrounded by large company buildings. It is worth travelling down La Rambla at sunset when you're heading out of the city. There's nothing better than driving along the beachfront as the sun sets over the water. Because of political developments and changes, in recent years all aspects of living have vastly improved throughout the country. The main Routes, which run from each of the more established townships, are beautifully smooth tarmac roads that ensure a pleasurable drive. Of course, if you wish to come off the main routes, you'll probably end up on a dirt track! But under the new government, these will probably be sorted out soon too. Oh, one last thing. Food. It is cheap as chips here! The steak is amazing! I never liked steak much before, but they know how to cook it here! If you see Argentinian Beef in the shops, it's likely to be from Uruguay...buy it, it's scrumptious!