Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, the largest city and the largest seaport town with 1.3 million people. The city is located by the River of Rio de la Plata



The first look at the city, on the left there is the highest building of Uruguay, Antel Tower or Torre Antel – 37 floors and 158 m high. The building is open for visitors a few hours a day (Mon, Tue, Wed afternoon, and Tue and Thu in the morning), and the view from the top was said to be beautiful.


This is why I decided to reach Montevideo when the weather was fine as through the rain the view from the top is not so interesting at all. Again and again it is just the weather according to which the travel plans should be adjusted.


I found a parking space close to the skyscraper, but the rest of the area was not the most modern one.


Somehow in many places red catches the eye, at least – red colour with a golden sickle and hammer




The Uruguay Parliament building - the Palacio Legislatvio – is about half of a kilometre away.


Back at Torre Antel






About parking – didn`t notice any parking meters. Nor any labels about paid parking were seen. The red pavement border should mean parking prohibition, because as you see the car having been parked in the wrong place will be taken away with not much fuss.


The only guest, who wished to see the city from higher, was me, first of all I was asked to wait, then ten minutes later the guide came, and the lift took us up - probably to the 26th floor.


The harbour on one side.


The Parliament Building viewed from higher. Anyway, the weather was fine , the next day was going to be rainy again. The plan of the day plan was completed.

Next to look for an overnight place. It was said that there is no proper and official campsite in Montevideo but while reading the blogs of other travellers I found the information that one can make a stop at the top of Punta Prava cape, behind the gas station of ANCAP. Practically in the middle of the city by the sea.


By the evening there were two cars with French car numbers, one from Austria and later a Defender with French numbers arrived. Because of the rainy weather there are no photos of fellow passengers so there is only the white Mazda in the background, all the others had left early in the morning ,some to return to Europe and some elsewhere.

The living conditions are difficult to characterize – to visit the toilet behind the parking the rubber boots bought in Uganda, were very useful. l The place was lit and according to the locals - secure. Electricity was not provided but instead the wifi from the gas-station reached the bus and it was possible to buy food from the gas station.


Another nice thing was the open-air gym next to the gas–station.


A promenade or Rambla of Montevideo, 27 kilometres long. Just a good reason to take the bike off from the roof and have a little ride. And there are even more of this kind of open-air gyms, after a few kilometres again.


A stopover on a nice day. The shore was so rocky that no thoughts of getting into water crossed the mind.












Further on is the Plaza Independencia




The Palacio Salvo, was built in 1828 and the 100 meter-high tower is seen from far.


Plaza Independencia, Artigas Mausoleum. Artigas Jose was a national hero of Uruguay, who lived from 1764-1850. He has also been called "the father of Uruguayan nationhood" - Wikipedia.


Mausoleo de Artigas, the part on the ground, the monument is 17 meters high and weighs 30 tons. The underground part was closed.










Theatre Solis - built in 1856






The port area - the Mercado del Puerto.






Another retro minibus


Cerro de Montevideo. Former Castle, now a museum.







In summary I can say that Montevideo has left a good impression on me in every way. More attractions than could be seen, the traffic was quite tolerable and one could walk freely around in the city without being disturbed by the souvenir sellers. But perhaps it was so peaceful because it was not the tourist season. The famous Montevideo's Carnival will take place in February.