Uruguay

A land of gentle rolling grasslands of wild Atlantic coastline, Uruguay is Sth Americas second smallest country. Visitors are drawn to the old smuggling down of Colonia, the capital Montevideo and Atlantic beach resorts. This is how the Lonely Planet described it, so that is exactly what we did. We had heard differing opinions on the country. But we enjoyed it! Colonia Del Sacramento: Founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, the old town of cobblestone streets is on an interesting small peninsula. We also took some bikes along the coast road to the north which was pleasant. A couple of people have raved about the chill out potential of this town. Our pace is always pretty chilled, so we did not feel it, and felt our 2 nights was enough. Montevideo: One person told us to have a look around, but not bother staying. We happened to land on our feet with a hotel that was near Plaza Independencia and loads of pedestrian steets, including nice restaurants. So we enjoyed our time walking around and exploring. We had found out that Australia was playing Uruguay in the World Cup Soccer play offs, so we changed our plans to see the coast and come back after managing to obtain tickets off a tout. Paid three and a half times more for the tickets, but it only cost GBP6. Bargain! We got good standing viewpoints to watch the match. Its really interesting to stand in the crowd with such passionate and excited people who chant and jump up and down a lot. Would not have partically liked to be there if Australia had won though! There was a girl next to me that found it amusing that we would clap for our opposition. There was a small section of yellow tops who were surrounded by police. Although some numb nuts of Aussies did run the flag up and down one side of the ground at half time, which I thought was very brave, potentially stupid, and frankly was surprised they were allowed. Last time Oz played Uruguay the team was harrased and spat on at the airport, their hotel and at the ground. Also because of the controversary around the changing of the starting time for today, we thought it best to have a low profile. There was even water canon trucks outside the stadium in case of any trouble. I did wear my Oz stick on tattoo, but under my t-shirt sleeve, and my kangeroo pin, but its tiny and was disguised on my t-shirt logo. Good to have been there. Australia lost 1-0, but then won the next game in Australia 4-2 on penalty shoot outs. So they qualified!! Punto Del Diablo: There are numerous coastal towns/cities from Montevideo to the east. Due to trying to quicken our sometimes too relaxed pace, we decided to take a 5 hour bus ride to this small, sleepy, fishing village. We stayed in a quite rustic A framed cabana with a kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms upstairs and downstairs for just under GBP7 a night. In the high season prices double. Due to it being the low season and mid week no restuarants were open for one of the nights, which was fine, as we enjoyed cooking up for ourselves. It was great being near to the beach and sea. Unfortunately Ian smashed his camera screen, so we do not have photos of Uruguay.