October 1,

  Happy Anniversary to Jeff’s sister and her husband!! (I missed placing this on the 30th)

We were up and about by 0730. It was another cold, overcast, windy, miserable day. I guess you can tell – I am ready for a change!!! For breakfast we had potatoes and onions, with egg stir-fried together with our Javas. Then we watched some YouTube videos and morning gave way to afternoon. Later we went out to the larger grocery store, finding most of the items on our list, including a replacement extension cord. (Unfortunately, we had left our great one at the Holiday Inn in Montevideo).☹️ For lunch we heated up a pre-made soup of chicken and vegetables. We had this with our leftover Greek salad, bread, and croutons. We listened to music. I blogged and Jeff read. Jeff had a siesta while I watched a pair of Great Kiskadees trying to build a nest. Supper was cheese, peanuts, bread and two pears.

It was just another day.

     October 2,

I had trouble falling asleep last night – awake until one! So I slept til 0830. Jeff had been awake since five. (I was awake at 0630 and saw the sunrise, but went back to bed). When we did get about the sun was shining! What a GREAT, EXTRAORDINARY SURPRISE!! We got around and had our breakfast of Muesli and “yogurt” – it was not the same and more like peach flavored milk.

We went out for a drive at 1000. It was a beautiful day – we took advantage of this! Jeff had set us a route that took us along Hwy 10, which hugs the Atlantic coast in a mostly eastern, north-eastern direction. Our first stop was at the Playa Brava, or “Brave Beach.” There were people surfing! As a matter of fact, this was the most people we have seen on this beach – others were taking advantage of this sun! But the main reason we stopped was for a sculpture…the ‘La Mano – Hombre emergiendo a la vida,’ which translates as “The Hand – Man emerging into life”. It is the first few digits of each finger from a single hand coming out of the sand. It was thought provoking and fun. After we finished, we loaded up in the car and continued.

Now we continued and drove out of Punta del Este, enjoying the sunshine. Our next stop was at – originally, a fishing village; Jose Ignacio. It is now an upscale resort area. The main attraction for us here was the lighthouse, Faro de Jose Ignacio. According to signage, it is 26 m (just over 85 feet) tall; began operation on June 1, 1877; and in 1976, became a National Historic Monument. The lighthouse was closed, so we just walked around the base. I would not have tried to climb the stairs inside anyway. I don’t need to stress my healing knee!

We left, and ended our drive at one of the craziest bridges, Puente de la Laguna Garzon or Lagoon Garzon Bridge. It was a circle, “roundabout” bridge circling over the opening of the Garzon lagoon! If we had a drone – which is not going to happen – you could see the full picture of the wildest, weirdest bridge. I got out to try and get a picture of it, as Jeff went and turned the car around. I got back into the car and we started our drive back.

We stopped in the town of Manantiales at the Fish Market for lunch. I had a Silverside (Pejerrey) Fish sandwich and Fries with a lemonade. Jeff had Ceviche – made with White Croaker (Corvina) Fish – with a beer. We paid 2,616 UYU, or $65.26! Pricey!! We continued back, passing into La Barra town and crossed the second funkiest bridge called Puente Leonel Viera, or Leonel Viera Bridge, named after the bridge designer, Leonel Viera. This bridge we had passed over once before, and Jeff exclaimed it was like a rollercoaster. And it was listed as a tourist attraction – feeling like a rollercoaster. I got out and took side pictures of it, which you can make out the undulations.

We finally returned to our place around 1430. It was 42 km, or 29 miles each way (58 mile round trip). Then we relaxed and walked the four blocks to the beach for a sunset over the ocean. It was glorious! When we returned we snacked for supper. What an absolutely beautiful day!!!