After leaving Buenos Aires Monday night, we sailed across the Rio Plata to Montevideo, Uruguay. Slow sailing and smooth. Got into Montevideo around 8 AM, docked, and disembarked. So nice that Laura used to live here; she was a wonderful travel guide!

Got the rental car and went east to Punta Ballena, to Casa Puerto, home and studio of artist Carlos Paez Villaro. It’s built right on a cliff, looks (like Laura said) something out of Lord of the Rings. Had a wonderful lunch of fresh fish (brotola) and vegetables. It was a little chilly, so we had a “submarino” — warm milk with a chocolate bar “submarined” into it: wonderful hot chocolate! A beautiful view out into the Rio Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. Sun came out and it was beautiful.

Shopped a bit then headed back to Montevideo. Visited a few of Laura’s friends, then did some more shopping around the port. Got back on the ship, and off we sailed.