We got a map of Colonia at the tourist office.

On July 30, our last full day in South America, we took an early-morning ferry from Buenos Aires over the Rio Plata for a visit to the city of Colonia in Uruguay.  At the Buquebus (the embarcation), we had to submit our passports, present our thumbs for a fingerprint scan, and look into a camera equipped with facial recognition software.  The ferry ride only took about an hour and a half, but it carried us to a different world.

Battlements over Colonia command the Rio Plata.

After Buenos Aires, Colonia del Santíssima Sacramento was a very quiet place.  We arrived about 10:00 and walked to the Plaza Mayor.  The barrio viejo juts out into the river, and was contested throughout the 18th century by both Portugal and Spain.  We found an open restaurant where we were the only customers.  The maitre-de gave us his full attention, and soon I was eating grilled river fish.

We had to watch our footing on the cobblestones.

After breakfast we walked to the old lighthouse and climbed the winding staircase.  At the top, we stood at the viewing platform.  Although it was sunny, the wind was brisk.  All of Colonia and the Rio Plata lay before us.  The river is so broad, we could not see the Argentina side.  After descending, we bought souvenirs and had a great dinner.  It was a relaxing final day before we returned home.