Crossing Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires to Colonia del Sacramento

My latest received SPAM. Haha it's so Funny

Buenos Aires, Dec 5 - 2007 - This was the Morning we had to wake up early. We should cross Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. All our 3 Alarm Clocks were ON as part of our Risk Management Procedures.

With Boat Tickets, Sightseeing and Lunch Vouchers well checked out we took at Taxi down to the Harbour. That was an easy drive, until we met the morning rush at Avenida Antártida Argentina, which runs parallell to Puerto Madero and the new Buquebus Ferry Terminal.

Checking in on this Ferry Terminal, is very similar as to an International Flight. Passporte, Tickets and Security Control and New Ticket and Passport Check. At least, there were no restrictions on water and perfume etc. In fact, these Day-trips are very popular among the Portenos (as the people of Buenos Aires are called) as they can buy tax free perfumes, wine, liquer, tobacco, jewelleries, cloths, candy's, electronics etc. The trip takes about 3 hrs each way, unless go go by the Hydrofoil (50 minutes). We were not in a hurry.

On the Ferry, you will have a seat, similar to what you are used to in an airplane, but more space. There are cafeterias for simple food and beverages. On the deck is a snack bare serving all kinds of beverages, snacks and ice cream. But, it was closed the day we crossed, due to rain. Lucky us. The option was to stroll around Buenos Aires a rainy day. That would have hurt my wallet and credit cards, travelling with two women.

Buenos Aires Skyline - Click to enlarge

Crossing Rio de la Plata. The water is filled with mud and sediments from the great river Parana (incl side rivers like Paraguay, Uruguay and Iguazu). The river delta is growing 46.5 meters a year. Click and you will discover an amazing growth;D

Ingelin, still on board. Too cold water for her to swim (used to Florida)

On Top Deck a rainy Day

First sight of Uruguay

We arrived in heavy rain. No rain coats brought, optimistic as we allways are. Buses were waiting for us. (Luckely I found the Vouchers) To bring us to the Lunch restaurant.

- It will stop raing when we starts the Sightseeing after lunch, I proclaimed.
- Ha ha, Ingelin and Anna replied

Then we had Lunch, in a cellar, originally part of a large brick barn.

After lunch: Sightseeing by bus. Had it stopped raining? As allready told the ladies: Yes.

National Flower (Flag?)
Colonia del Sacramento, Some facts:
Built in Portuguese style of houses and cobblestoned streets, the historic portion of Colonia is reminiscent of old Lisbon. Winding streets and colorful houses are laid out in a pattern different from Spanish colonial cities, and a delight to explore. The historic quarter, Barrío Historico, on a small peninsula jutting out into the river, was named a UNESCO heritage site in 1995.

And pictures (all taken by ourselfes):

Very relaxing in Old Town - Here the Entrence with sleeping German Sheppard
Some scenes from the Historical, Old Town. Let the pictures talk for themself. It's Wordless Wednesday:














Have you seen my ladies lately?


Flower covered street

Would you believe it, when the walking part of the Sightseeing did start, what did we see? The Sun and Blue Sky.


Flowering Tree

Hey, where is my Cellphone?


Cheese


and cappuccino



New Country - New Shopping. . . .

Papa, very well trained to find a place to rest while the ladies goes shopping (The banking system did not work, so it ended with nothing new in the shopping bag)


Did someone had a huge barbecue? No, the Whale was washed ashore.


After 25 years of Marriage

And when we returned to the Ferry? It started raining and blowing again, and the temperatur dropped from 25 C (77 F) to below 10 C (50 F).

We did buy some small things in the TaxFree, but the banking/creditcard connection failed.
Two minutes before arrival in Buenos Aires, who came running after me but the very servicemined cashier: We have connection, you can pick up the goods. Hurray.

Well off the Ferry, star clair sky in Buenos Aires. We had dinner at an outdoor restaurant around Midnight. Perfect timing. And a wondeful day. (PS. It was Ingelin's Country #63)

This post is part of Mrs Lifecruiser's Cybercruises. If you love to travel, well, then you will find more neutral travel information here than anywhere else in Cyber Space.

And if you feel for some moment of beauty, visit Fleur de Lisa . Impressive post