At the Dock (16 images)
Arriving in Montevideo, we saw the first of the gangway photo ops, a couple of tango dancers. At every stop there was someone to pose with for the cruise photographer. The pictures cost $10 each.
Uruguay is the smallest country in South America. Located across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires, the land was claimed by both Argentina and Brazil, but finally became an independent country in 1828.
Once a very wealthy country, today Uruguay looks like Argentina with a some frayed edges. The average salary for the working person is about $400 US dollars a month.
Centuries ago, when Portugal and Spain were busy dividing up the spoils of the non European world, the Pope, whose rule was obeyed in Europe at the time, decreed that a line would be made on the map of the world and that
everything east of that line would belong to Portugal while all the land west of the line would belong to Spain. The spot through which the line ran is on the eastern coast of Uruguay, and it is called Punta del Este or Point of the East.
So it is today that Brazil which protrudes beyond the line is a Portuguese speaking country. while the rest of South America speak Spanish.
While on a city tour of the capital city we were told the story of the Graf Spree, a ship that was sunk off the coast of Montevideo, but I don't remember the details. In any case, an area on the dock is set off with the anchor and whatever else
remains of the ship.
Click a picture to see a larger view.
Exiting the Ship
Laura and Foone with the Norwegian Dream
Remnants of the Graf Spree, from WWII
Welcome to Uruguay Sign
Buildings and Remnant of Old City Wall Near the Dock
More Views of What's Left of the Graf Spree
Scenes on the Dock
