Colonia is the oldest city in Uruguay, filled with a blend of architecture from the Portuguese days and the Spanish as they rivaled over this site for nearly 2 centuries. Colonia lies at the important juncture of the Parana and Uruguay rivers and is a mere 50 kilometers by boat from the bustling streets of Buenos Aires. Now an UNESCO world heritage site, Colonia attracts thousands of tourists from Argentina and elsewhere every year.

I am usually a bit turned off by blatant tourism, too many curio shops, moped rentals, etc. but this town is so charming, I just joined in and enjoyed. I walked down a street paved with the original cobbles from 1680, the stones smoothed from hundreds of years of traffic; first carts and feet, now bouncing cars and rented motor bikes. Little tufts of hardy grass try to peak through here and there. Thick stone walls with ancient stucco line both sides. The low, wide doors all boast little brass knockers in the shapes of hands, some with rings, some large. In the very center of each is a round, ornate doorknob. Very much like Hobbiton if you ask me. Every 15 feet or so, a florid bougainvillea clings to the wall and shades the street with its fuschia or violet leaves. The light shines through them in dappled rose tints. The air is scented with a floral perfume that mingles with the aroma or grilling meat and baking empanadas from sidewalk cafes. You hear a guitarist serenading the diners, the laughter of vacationers, and the brrrrrr of little gasoline bikes.

I really did nothing but walk around the quaint streets and soak in the still warm autumn air. I visited the oldest church in Uruguay as well as the oldest lighthouse. I climbed up the lighthouse for 15 pesos and stood on a crowded windy little lookout with Nicole and Josh. We looked at the muddy waters of the Rio de la Plata and watched a happy Argentine couple make out. It didn’t seem that romantic to me with the wind slapping your hair in your face and about 15 other people on the cramped porch, but I guess when in Uruguay….can I make that an official saying?

Also, Its not letting me put the pictures on for free anymore, but I added some more on flickr.