2025_26 Oosterdam, Montevideo, Uruguay...

Communication was a bit off today for arrival timing…we were almost at the dock by the time sail in was scheduled to begin. It was not what I had in mind for sail in photos…  We met our guide Javier outside the port gate and started our tour of Montevideo. Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in 1726, it grew as a key port and trading center, becoming the capital in 1828. The capital is located on the country's southern coast at the mouth of the Río de la Plata. It's the nation's political, economic, and cultural center, known for its blend of historic colonial architecture, modern buildings, and a laid-back beach atmosphere. We left the port and drove along the waterfront promenade, La Rambla to the Carrasco neighborhood. We passed Pocitos Beach and on our return to town we stopped at Punta Carretas Shopping Center built around a former prison. Next, we went to the 22nd Floor of a Government Building with a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint of the city of Montevideo. From here we stopped at the Legislative Palace of Uruguay. Next, we made a quick stop at the early 20th century retired Mercado Agricola de Mercado. We visited the historic Fortaleza del Cerro Spanish fortress on the city's highest hill for a panoramic view of the harbor and the city. I did a quick visit to the military museum.  Before returning to the Old Town, we drove to Prado Park to learn about the history of the indigenous people of Uruguay. Javier parked the car at the Independence Square and we walked through the Citadel Gate to the Square with a view of the beautiful Salvo Palace, Solis Theatre and the monument to national hero Jose Gervasio Artiga. We walked back through the Citadel Gate along the Sarandi Street a pedestrian street with shops, cafes, and street performers to Constitution Square and visited the Metropolitan Cathedral. We continued our walk to Zabala Square, a beautiful park with many trees and iconic fountain. We made our way along the Perez Castellano pedestrian street stopping briefly at the Port Market and returned to the Port area. It was a lovely day in Montevideo and an interesting tour giving us some new views on this visit. Since sail in was pretty much a bust I decided to snap a few photos of our sail away from Montevideo…  Lovely skyline!