In the end......

Looking back we have not posted for a while, sorry about this, to be honest there was nothing much to write home about as the scenery was dull as ditchwater and we had to really crank up the mileage against fierce headwinds which Argentina seems to be famous for (which ever way your cycle!!) to reach Colonia in Uruguay in time for Richards birthday. 

lovely gate and pillars shame about the rest of it.

Frey Bentos. Meat pie anyone?

From leaving Ceres we had 10 days of continuous cycling across the rest of the Santa Fe Provence and in to Entre Rios, this was trickier than we thought as there is a tunnel linking the two major cities of the regions and no cycles are allowed, first unavoidable cheat on the back of a pick up.  Torrential rain that flooded many roads were had on the days riding in to these two cities so short days were decided on, grim cycling in the rain especially when the puddles are so deep you can clean your feet as you pedal and pick-ups send waves of water over your head and down your neck.....yuck!

The sun was hot so took advantage of every stop, some were nicer than others

Entre Rios is a lovely place, as the name may suggest it is surrounded by rivers and seems to be an amazingly friendly place, within the few days we had offers to show us the sights by car, go drinking and act as translators but overwhelmingly everyone was so incredibly friendly and helpful. So from the principle city Parana we made our way roughly following the river to Gualeguaychu, where it all changed. This place is a tourist hotspot for locals and boy do they know how to party, as we left at around 8am, there were still party people drinking Smirnoff Ice and wandering around, not looking too drunk mind!!  

Presentation is everything

Rich and Juan who saved us many miles of cycling!

Leaving Gualeguaychu was no wrench but we had to leave early-ish as we had a border to cross and a Rugby match to watch.  We had read on the internet that there was contentions around this border as there is some pulp factory which locals take exception to on the bank of the river over in Uruguay.  the question of is it open was answered fair early as all and sundry raced past us.  We arrived to find that we could not take cycles across the bridge, grrr!! they were also not going to help like the peeps at the tunnel did, so it was up to us to find a way over.  Luckily as we trawled back through the cars, truck and pick-ups we asked Juan here if he would give us a lift.  The guy was a star, he helped us through immigration and customs and dropped us off the other side, really good, guy, not a word of English and with our dodge Spanish the conversation was not great but so helpful.

How high are those swings???

Like it's neighbour Entre Rios, Uruguay is an amazingly friendly place. The roads are in the main good and traffic is fairly light, the countryside interesting with hills enough to entertain but not to really fatigue and comparatively little wind, the only downside it that it is very expensive.

Idyllic cycling in Uruguay

With wine by the roadside

All good things they say have to come to an end and Colonia was the final destination on bikes for us.  It also happened to be Valentines day so we ended on a high note so to speak, also  it was Rich's birthday on the 15th and we can't cycle on a birthday.  It was very strange finishing, mixed emotions really. You can't believe that you don't have to get up the next morning and cycle, for me the anxiety of cycling in the sun had gone overnight, after so many days of not feeling 100% due to the sun I had acquired a loathing of the very hot heat you can get down here and in Asia.  Also as there is no fanfare or welcoming party it is a little uneventful and where it is momentous for us everyone else was so not interested!!

Rich's birthday was spent in the capital city Montevideo, we had a look around the historical sights and went to the places we were advised not to go after dark!! seems there are a few unsavoury places near the tourist area, lovely!
The city itself is pretty impressive, with very big old building that would not look out of place in London or Manhattan.

tall building and palm trees

 

The important part of the day, birthday drinks!!!

Sorry about the wonky photos, blogger is having a off day.... can´t imagine it was user error.  Whilst Uruguay was lovely and the people were great it was time to move on to Buenos Aires.  Which will have have to wait for the next blog as I am off to bed ready for tomorrow and the flight home.

One pair of sandals that will not be making the journey home, but I may remember for a while yet!!