Camping Punta Ballena
This was a huge campsite with all the facilities we tend not to use, such as a restaurant and swimming pool, so it was expensive. It was also close to a busy road. We had hoped it would be suitable to have a rest day, but decided against it. As we had arrived early and the weather had improved after the morning’s storm, we decided we would do some laundry. All the bedding, towels, etc, but not many of our clothes.
Unfortunately, it was too late in the day so it had not dried by bedtime. I was afraid we might get rain again in the night, so took it inside. Soon after 7 am this morning, I hung it all out again. It was still not dry, as we were in the shade, so a bag of damp washing accompanied us in Poki. We eventually got it dry at lunch time.
Punte del Este
Today’s plan was to have a look Punta del Este and then drive north. What is so special about Punta del Este, you may wonder? When I was working in the travel industry, more than 20 years ago now, Punta del Este was an upmarket destination loved by the glitterati. Glamorous people who wanted to flaunt their toned bodies on the golden beach during the day and frequent the club scene at night. I wanted to see what it was like.
Well, it was absolutely heaving with people. Being a weekend, obviously it was not the best day to visit. The beachside was lined with cars, not a space to be found. We managed to stop at one point and I was able to run up a path to the beach for a few quick photos. A large cruise ship was anchored in front of me. The beach was packed with umbrellas in both directions, as far as I could see.
The resort is beautifully kept with flower beds and immaculate lawns. Large hotels, apartments and casinos line the roadside. The harbour is full of stunning yachts. We managed to find a small parking space and were trying to manoeuvre Poki in. Immediately a parking attendant arrived out of nowhere. We told him we only wanted to stop to take some photos.
A fifteen minute conversation followed. He was fascinated by our map and our journey. Gary managed to tell us virtually his whole life story. A lovely, happy chap. At the same time we were talking to Gary, an Argentinian gentleman who had seen us from a cafe on the other side of the road, also came to chat. He had already looked at our blog and was puzzled by the word “Pom”, as are so many people. Argentinians from Buenos Aires come across the River Plate to Uruguay for the weekend.
We started to leave the resort through the retail streets, full of designer label shops. It is still an upmarket resort, but I suspect its appeal now is more mass market and I wonder if it is still a haunt of the super rich and famous.
Grutas de Salamanca
We were soon out of the city and heading north to Treinta y Tres. There is a municipal camp site there. However, as we progressed I read that this was very noisy at weekends. So, a change of plans. We deviated from our chosen route north to Grutas de Salamanca. It was supposed to be a quiet place. When we arrived, though, we got the last camping spot available. There isn’t a very big camping area. It is famous for the Salamanca Caves and a viewpoint offering stunning views over the Salamanca Valley.
Gary had told us we would be heading for the mountains. The route was definitely undulating but more hills than mountains. Very green with farms everywhere. In Uruguay they are called chacras, rather than estancias. The scenery is so different to Argentina with its straight roads and never ending Pampas. Here fields can be quite small and many divided by hedgerows. We were on a minor road, but it is a good road without a pothole in sight.
We planned to do a hike to the caves after dinner. By the time we had done the rest of our laundry and cooked and eaten dinner, it was 8pm and getting dark. Unfortunately, no time for a hike. We are going to have to reorganise our life style and prepare dinner earlier. We have become used to long, light evenings but these are disappearing rapidly as we go north. Soon it will be dark by 6pm. Tomorrow morning we will hike instead.
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