Uruguay 1: Colonia del Sacramento

So we continued by ferry over the border to western Uruguay to the enchanting town of Colonia del Sacramento.

Small, very manageable and fortunately not completely overrun by tourists. The architecture is strongly influenced by Portuguese and Spanish influences.

Not surprising, as the Portuguese first founded the city in 1680 to smuggle goods to Buenos Aires via the Rio de la Plata, and then later occupied by the Spanish for economic reasons until 1777.

The historic center offers a wide variety of local art.

One thing that immediately stands out is the special love for Mate tea here, as many locals seem to carry a thermos with the typical wooden cup with a sieve spoon called bombilla, a silver drinking straw, apparently everywhere. Whether on the street, on the bus, in the supermarket, it is constantly being refilled. When I asked out of curiosity, a young man spontaneously and naturally offered me to try it myself.

Perhaps the healthy Mate tea has such a positive effect on the people, because they definitely do not seem to have any fear of 'bad germs' from strangers. I then learned that Mate tea drinking also has a very important social significance.

We spent two days in a nice hostel here, where mainly (younger) people (than us;)) stay. Upon arrival, we were immediately informed about the evening 'barbecoa' barbecue in the cozy courtyard and enthusiastically listed various meat specialties. When we declined with thanks, explaining that we were vegetarians, the young man at the reception said that there was also something for us: grilled peppers...

Fortunately, it was not difficult here to find suitable and very nice restaurants and bars for us.

These can be found everywhere in the center in the charming cobblestone streets.

This fast vintage car is still roadworthy...

... this one is not - but as a flower pot it is very decorative;)

In Barrio Historico there is also the old lighthouse from which we viewed the city from above.

Here too there is a Plaza de Armas with the landmark of the city, the Basilica de Sacramento from 1680, Uruguay's oldest church.

All in all, very nice and idyllic, but after two days we had the impression that we had seen everything. We are already looking forward to the capital Montevideo, our next destination.

A great motto: TODAY is a good day!