Monday, February 17, 2020

Days 3-4: Buenos Aires and Montevideo

Day 3: Buenos Aires

We flew from Asuncion to Buenos Aires on the evening of Day 2, arriving at our hotel in Buenos Aires at about 11:00 PM.  We were scheduled to board our ship at about 1:00 PM the next day, so we had only a couple of hours to wander around central Buenos Aires after breakfast. 

Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world (18 lanes in spots)

Our hotel (on the right) on Avenida 9 de Julio

Missed a chance to see the Beats

Obelisco de Buenos Aires, constructed in 2 months in 1936

Teatro Colon, considered to be one of the best concert venues in the world

A pedestrian street in central BA (empty on Sunday morning)


Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace)  Evita Peron addressed the masses from the balconies.

Plaza de Mayo, the central square in Buenos Aires

Another view of the Plaza de Mayo

Metropolitan Cathedral, on the Plaza de Mayo

19th century architecture off the Plaza de Mayo

After walking around for two hours in 90-degree heat, we took a taxi to the cruise port and embarked on the Island Princess.

The Island Princess

View of central Buenos Aires from the cruise port

Another view from the port

The Island Princess is one of the older ships out there (built in 2003) and, while pleasant enough, is in need of (and scheduled for) refurbishment.  Here are a few shots from around the ship.









Day 4: Montevideo, Uruguay

We sailed overnight from Buenos Aires to Montevideo.  Uruguay is one of the more prosperous countries in South America, and Montevideo, the capital, is a very pleasant, if not spectacular.

A building at the Montevideo port

We took a (non-ship) driving tour of Montevideo.

Montevideo Jewish Community Center

Some typical apartment buildings near the shore

Lots of interesting early 20th century architecture

Part of the Uruguayan Holocaust memorial

The other part of the Holocaust memorial

More apartments along the shoreline

On the beach in Montevideo

The beach again, without the sign

Typical housing in Montevideo

Neighborhood scene in Montevideo


After touring the beach area, we went to the Estadio Centenario, the stadium where the first World Cup was played in 1930.

Tower at the stadium


Near the stadium was a monument to the settlers of Uruguay

Another neighborhood scene, near the stadium

From the stadium, we headed toward the Legislative Palace.



View of a commercial area from the Legislative Palace

Guards at the Legislative Palace

View from the steps of the Legislative Palace

Across from the Legislative Palace was a playground, with a bunch of interesting murals.



Next, we went to the center of the city.

Some architecture near the center

We did some walking around Plaza Independencia, the main square of Montevideo.

Solis Theatre, built in 1856

Plaza Independencia

Executive Tower, office of the President of Uruguay

Palacio Salvo, a building on Plaza Independencia

Another view of Plaza Independencia

A pedestrian shopping street, off the main plaza

 Next, we returned to the ship for some sunset cocktails.