Uruguay- Part 2

The previous evening we realised we'd forgotten a thing or two- matches or a lighter for the cooker would certainly come in handy. So, we popped down to the local supermercado and stocked up. We'd brought coffee (Clarissa being a self confessed addict...I like it too) but we didn't bring filter paper. Sadly, the market didn't stock it either, so, using a pasta strainer, non-treated toilet roll and a steady pouring hand, boiling water slowly trickled over our makeshift cafetiere, dribbling into the saucepan below and later being transferred into a glass container. E voila, coffee!
Who needs filters?!

The wind was quite breezy at the beach and despite the warmish weather, we had to make use of our jumpers and jackets. Punta del Diablo get's its name from the formation of the outcroppings- a Devil's Trident, though there was none of the supernatural there. We climbed the rocky boulders, tentatively, given the slippery/damp nature of the granite. The sun rising in the morning over the sea and shining it's light on the fishing village was spectacular (taking all our photos with Clarissa's iPhone, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality). Everything glistens.

It is physically impossible to walk more than a few yards without seeing either a dog or cat.
As it stood, each dog was polite and playful (much like my girlfriend, who couldn't help but give them her full attention) and each cat ignorant or skittish. At the hut there was a Labrador puppy (much like the 'Andrex' dog), belonging to the son of the people that rented us the accommodation. Had it not been for the boy, it is highly likely that 'his' dog would have become 'our' dog. We named him 'Pest', for self explanatory reasons I think.

Around lunchtime we decided to drive out to Fortaleza de Santa Teresa. Not opening until latyer in the afternoon (it being sunday) we parked up and began to explore the surroundings.
Botanical Garden first.
The hot house, built at the same time as the fort, was surprisingly modern, making use of small, square water reservoirs to provide constant hydration for plants ranging from Cactus to, I don't know what. Loads of 'em anyway. There were even Parrots and Snakes...all in cages, though not together.

The woods that covered the landscape were reminiscent of the ones found in Sheffield and the outlying Derbyshire countryside. Acorn trees, etc. We even went for a look through the bird 'hide', though we saw no birds (just Clarissa).

Toilets.

A subject dear to all our hearts. That being said, the Uruguayans have a slightly obscure was of tackling the issue. The sign suggests that you must be rather well dressed to use these public lavatories (see image below)...but that's not the peculiar part. Upon entering the 'ladies', Clarissa can straight back out, looked at the sign for women (to confirm she was indeed in the right area), shrugged and re-entered.

I looked on perplexed, but not well versed in ladies toilet habits, shrugged it off also. Upon her second exit, Clarissa still had a querying look, as well as a wry smile.

It seems, rather than sitting on a seat and enjoying your endeavours, Uruguayans prefer (at least at the fort) to place their feet in specifically shaped formations and then 'squat' over a hole (see facebook pics...if you like). Curious as to the Gentleman's toilet, I duly investigated and was happy to see that the situation was equally bizzare.

Laugh? I almost urinated.

We nipped into the Information Centre and grabbed a map. Clarissa is rather fond of maps and despite it's vagaries, we managed to find our way around. There's camping too, but we saw only a few tents, this being the 'off' season after all.

Zoo! There's a Zoo!

Small, yes, but varied to say the least. Emu/Ostrich (after 'Googling', seems they were Ostrich's- though I couldn't tell you the difference-swift little bleeders though), Capybara (my new favourite animals), Goats, Chickens, Wild cats (not strays), Caiman (shouldn't it be Caim'e'n?), Hawks, Parrots, etc... One pen/cage housed four or five brilliant, green parrots. Brilliant for their colour, sure, but mainly for their polite and repeated greetings, 'Hola, hola, hola'.
To which we replied, 'Hola, hola, hola'. This went on for sometime as we saw little reason to stop.

Deciding that we'd seen enough for the day, we headed back to our hut, with the express intention of seeing the fort on the monday.

Pizza for lunch. Nice. Square. Tasty.

After lunch, we played beach tennis. This being intended as a dual sport, quickly developed in to a group activity...with our furry, four legged friends 'borrowing' our ball, repeatedly. Fun though, at least we didn't have to chase the ball into the sea whenever I hit an errant shot.

Pizza for dinner. Nice. Round. Tasty.
Lots of beer, again and some Havana Club Rum and Coke for me (my purchase, in lieu of Whisky from 'Duty-freeland', thank's Chris).

End of day 2.

  
That's me on the left.