Piriapolis – La Barra – 52 km
Due to our late night, our leisurely departure came as no surprise. After scoffing the
leftover food, we reluctantly waved our generous hosts goodbye and cycled out of
town.
First was Punta del Este, one of South America’s most famous and costly coastal
resort towns. Here the River Plate meets the Atlantic Ocean and the town is aptly
called “The Pearl of the Atlantic”. Four colossal cruise ships anchored in the bay, and
the rich and famous were doing their thing on the many beaches around the city.
After snapping a few pics at the La Mano de Punta del Este, a campsite provided more
affordable overnighting, and a safe 10-kilometre distance from Punta’s glitz and
glamour. We assumed the weekend camping crowd, who filled the grounds, would
soon be packing up. Unfortunately, that assumption was a mistake. The following
week was carnival week, and campers settled in for the week-long holiday. We were
the odd ones out, surrounded by mate-drinking campers continually tending to their
Asado fires. Watching the Uruguayans enjoying themselves was fascinating, and
sometimes amusing.