Pretty in Pink, Colonia, Uruguay

Pretty in Pink, Colonia, Uruguay
Originally uploaded by maujb.

Colonia del Sacramento was once a pirate onclave used to ransack Buenos Aires and then later founded in 1680 by the Portuguese who used to smuggle goods into spanish controlled Argentina. This charming old colonial town is renowned for its cobbled, windy streets and colorful houses reminiscent of old Lisbon. Here we sampled their Grappa Miel, a sweet national liquour.

On the whole, our experience of Uruguay, especially Montevideo, was like visiting the homely spinster sister of Buenos Aires and seems more like a province of Argentina rather than its own distinct country. But maybe we are just bitter after being rudely shaken down by customs for a lousy $30 "exit fine". Badges, we don´t need no stinking badges!