Yesterday I was a complete flake and did absolutely nothing. Sometimes you just need a ‘down’ day. But this morning, while it was still cool I thought it would be a good idea to walk to the embarkation area for the ferry I’ll be taking tomorrow back to Buenos Aires. Getting lost whilst carrying a heavy backpack is no fun, so I wanted to make sure I’ll be able to find it tomorrow.
Here are a few pics I took along the way.
(Don’t forget, you can click on any picture to get a better view).
I passed by this bike shop and ended up returning to it later.
I wonder if they know their name is embedded in an Uruguayan sidewalk.
I love my ‘hood!
So, after having found the port where I’ll catch my ferry, I walked back to my hostel. Feeling once again like a slug, I flopped onto my bed. But, after a while, realizing how stupid that was since this is my last full day in Uruguay, I asked around if there were any bike rental places and learned that the one I saw this morning was my best bet, so back I went.
And here are pictures from my bike ride.
La Rambla is the sidewalk that runs along the entire south coast of Montevideo (it is still the Rio del Plata here – not the Atlantic Ocean). It’s over 13.5 miles / 22 km and relatively flat. Maybe it’s the time of year, but it was also relatively empty. I had it much to myself.
Just me and the birds….
and the dinosaurs.
These were copper plates in the sidewalk with etched depictions of dinosaurs and various ancient animals. Small signs alongside stated 160 million years ago, 130 million years…..etc. Pretty cool.
A couple of wide angle shots, somewhat distorted.
Confucius in the park. I would like to have got a closer picture, but it was across a busy street I didn’t want to cross.
There were several of these platforms, I guess you’d call them, that jutted out a way into the water. Some were larger, some smaller than this one. I imagined that in quieter times, bands would play here, maybe there’d be lights strung around and people dancing. Seems kind of romantic.
By this time, I’d ridden the bike quite a few kilometers and, rounding a corner, came up against a really strong headwind. For someone who walks as much as I do (and I walk a lot), my thigh muscles were starting to burn and my knees were none too happy – and I still had to ride back. So, as much as I would have liked to continue, I started back.
I don’t know – I think I’ve missed something here. I’ve read people’s comments online praising Montevideo. Granted, La Rambla is a really nice area for a safe (traffic free) bike ride and the Feria was insanely great! But, I had a hard time finding things to do – most times I went out walking, everything seemed to be closed.
On my bike ride, when I’d got to the point I realized I ought to turn back, I was just getting to the ritzy part of town. Definitely higher priced than the area where my hostel is. Maybe that’s where all the action is. Well, it’s still been a nice experience, anyway.
Heading back to the hostel….
Just a shot I find quirky.
Weaving my way through Plaza Independencia to the hostel.
Time to chill….and shower.
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