Day 193. Monday, 10th March, 2025. In Pilar, Paraguay.

Pilar’s Attractions

As we weren’t checking out, but staying another day, we had a leisurely buffet breakfast. Pilar seems quite a spread out place and we’re not in the centre, we decided to take Poki, not walk.

Our first visit was to the Paraguay River. Lonely Planet talks about sandy beaches. There was plenty of sand, but it wasn’t scenic. All sorts and sizes of river traffic were to be seen on the river, with the port in the distance and Argentina on the opposite bank.

Basilica Menor de Nuestra Senora de Pilar

The town is built on a grid system and roads are well signposted. Many streets are cobbled. We headed for the Plaza de los Heroes and the Basilica Menor de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. Supposedly a charming little church with a wood and marble interior. It has been granted a special papal privilege. Sadly it was all locked up, so the interior was not to be seen.

The square was pretty and shaded and had a number of bird statues. Scattered around the town are a series of statues of native birds by local artist, Ramon Vasquez. There is a walk you can follow around the town to view the statues.

Cabilda Historico

There are actually two adjoining squares and in the Plaza Mariscal Lopez we found the Cabilda Historico. A two-tiered wood and adobe building, this was the old seat of local government. It is now a museum, but also, sadly, all locked up.

We bought some bread rolls at a local Panaderia and thought we would head to the river to have lunch. However, there was nowhere shady and the temperature had risen again. Instead we parked in the shade in a quiet street with chattering parakeets in the trees beside us.

Time for a hair cut

My hair won’t stay out of my eyes and is driving me mad. Time to find a hairdresser, I thought. Google showed us 3 in Pilar. I have been looking for some time for a hairdresser. Men’s barbers are in abundance, but ladies hairdressers seem few and far between. I haven’t had a haircut since before we went on the cruise in December, so it is long overdue.

The first two salons were almost next door to each other, but both were tiny and closed. The third one was in a private house, but the gate here was also locked. I’m going to have to put up with annoying hair for a bit longer it seems.

Poki

Poki has developed a whistling noise. Dennis isn’t too concerned as she is going fine. He thinks it might be the turbo. We will have to keep an eye on it, though.

Invitation

Last night we had a message on the blog from Gustavo, a Pilar resident, who had seen us and Poki and said he would like to meet. He loves travel and likes to talk to travellers. We asked if we could meet at a cafe for coffee. However, Gustavo and his wife, Patricia were working during the day, so they invited us to their home at 6pm.

They are a lovely Paraguayan family with a 7 year old son and daughter, Leticia, a 30 year old hairdresser. Leticia has a salon next to the house and very kindly offered to cut my hair. Later in the evening, after chatting over coffee and local snacks, we tried famous chipas for the first time, I got my longed for hair cut. Chipas are made from manioc flour with cheese and milk.

Despite us not speaking much Spanish, and Gustavo and Patricia much English, we had a convivial evening, assisted by Google Translate. It was really lovely to meet and be welcomed into a Paraguayan family. Thank you Gustavo and Patricia for your hospitality.

Tomorrow we go back east to two Jesuit Missions.

Views: 18