Uruguay

Chui, BR, / Chuy, UY

Enter Uruguay, UY

At the border post of Brazil in Chui my passport received the exit stamp dated June 30th, 2016 after a 82-day journey in two sessions for a 90-day visa for one year duration. There was nobody, the procedure lasted a few minutes without exchange of word! Before leaving Brazil I made the complement of diesel fuel not knowing the cost in Uruguay. The entry in Uruguay is strange no indication the road arrives in the village of Chuy where I took cash at the Bank del Republica. Then while carrying on the way I arrived at the border post without anybody. An officer took my passport, found the exit stamp of Brazil, recorded it in data processing then gave a blow of stamp with a 90-day visa. We exchanged some Spanish sentences. He led me to the customs for the recording of my truck with the delivery of the document of circulation in temporary admission during one year. By specifying that I was to return this document to my exit at the loading of my vehicle for France in Montevideo. The procedure lasted approximately half an hour. On the two sides of the border it was good child.

Barra del Chuy

I begun again the road to go to the Camping Chuy of which I had the GPS coordinates. To carry out the administrative work of the publication of my site and the preparation of the journey in Uruguay I remained three nights. The camping has an electric connection in 220 volts, drinking water and an Internet connection with Wifi.

Santa Teresa

Uruguay is the antithesis of Brazil, It is the smallest country in South America and thus less populated. Consequently the distance from a sight to the other is very short. On Sunday, July 3rd I visited the Fortress Santa Teresa entirely restored in the Twenties. The hardcores are remarkably cut and installed. The walls have a thickness proof against balls of gun of 17th and 18th century. Each building is duly indexed by an epitaph at the lintel. It was a very pleasant visit by a hot sun of South American winter. I found a bivouac while directing me towards the coast.

Fortaleza, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Punta del Diablo

At 13 km from Santa Teresa, Punta del Diablo accommodated me in the fog and in the rain. They are rocks beaten by the sea where the boats transfer to break. A sculpture points out the human sacrifice. The village is almost deserted, only the permanent inhabitants remain.

Punta del Diablo, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Faro José Ignacio

Alas the night was stormy with pouring rain. The day of July 6th was a day under water with flooded fields and flooding roads. In the city of Paloma I warned a Citroën Méhari sprinkled well. All the cities and villages were deserted. I wished to visit Cabo Polonio; but a pouring rain fell thick and the carpark was flooded. To see the sea-lions, penguins and whales it should be taken an antediluvian vehicle 4x4.I was the only tourist! To circulate, there was nothing to see except season. I bivouacked close to the headlight Jose Ignacio.

Punta del Este

The day of July 6th started in the rain, like the day before, but the outside temperature was of 6°C. Two visits were at the program. Museo del Mar and opposite Insectario. I sought neighborhood vainly a fellow to make the visit. It was 10:30 I did not find anybody. I went my way. I arrived at Punta del Este where I was accommodated by entirely empty modern buildings in this low season. The city is dead and in any event without interest. I bivouacked on the carpark at the forefront of the peninsula. After a morning misty and rainy, the sun made a timid appearance around 15:00.

Punta Ballena

Exceptional, on Thursday, July 7th was great good weather, but the temperature was at 12:00 of only 12°C with a terrible wind. I stopped in Punta Ballena to visit Casapueblo, home sweet home of the painter Carlos Paez Vilaro, born the 11/1/1923 in Montevideo and deceased the 2/24/2014. Casapueblo was built in 40 years according to the concept of the artist: “I would like to apologize to architecture for my bird-nest liberties.” He was the friend of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, of Chirico, Calder, and well of others. The gallery gives an outline of his painting. I wanted to leave towards Playa Verde but the panorama is dramatic. I remained there to bivouac.

Casapueblo	Punta del este

Casapueblo, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Montevideo

On Friday, July 8th I was going to Montevideo with two targets to carry out the periodic revision of my truck and to obtain a booking on a Grimaldi's vessel for April 2017. I arrived at Mercedes-Benz around 10:00. I was dealt with at once and work on my truck started around 12:00 and was delivered to me around 16:00. I waited in the living room with a WiFi connection. Then I went to KMA forwarding agent of Grimaldi, AV 25 of Mayo 713/901 Montevideo, CP11000, Imperium Building I (S 34° 54.262 W 056°12.073’). I was accepted by N. Formoso (n.formoso@kma.com.uy) who took information and with whom I had appointment Monday the 11th at the beginning of afternoon to obtain a booking number. I bivouacked in Punta Carretas.

Saturday, July 9th was a day rich in visits. Admittedly, the weather was cold and the city was almost deserted by tourists. Consequently I easily found a carpark on Plaza Independencia. The downtown area is a patchwork of modern buildings, renovated or decayed. At 11:00 I visited Teatro Solis in Spanish-Portuguese group. It was recently renovated in particular in its accesses. Then at midday I was going to lunch in Mercado del Puerto at the counter of one of many parrillas. I enjoyed of a succulent beef part accompanied by a well-tasty cabernet sauvignon, once in a while does no harm. Then at the beginning of afternoon I visited the famous Museo Torres Garcia, Uruguayan artist-painter, I was alone! Exhausted but satisfied I returned to bivouac in Punta Carretas to put the photos on my website.

Montevideo Centro, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Teatro Solis, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Mercado del Puerto, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Museo Torres Garcia, click on the pic for opening the gallery

Paraiso Suizo

I decided to go to spend Sunday, July 10th in Complejo Turistico Paraiso Suizo at approximately 80 km eastwards from Montevideo to have electricity, drinking water and a WiFi connection. While crossing Montevideo I took some pictures which I added to the eponymous gallery. While arriving at the camping I learned that WiFi connection wasn't working due to bad weather! I was to go to the restaurant at approximately 3 km before the camping… by hoping that connection functioned. No connection anyhere. The day was announced sunny.