Since I have been waiting impatiently the time to leave Argentina and begin a new adventure in Africa, I decided to use the time to do a short trip to Uruguay.
From Buenos Aires, one can take a quick boat ride north and be in Uruguay an hour later (round-trip US$ 60).
The town you arrive at is Colonia, a small place, very quiet, especially in this period, the equivalent of fall down here. Colonia is the oldest town in Uruguay, and was founded by the Portuguese in 1680.
The historic quarter, where I stayed, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is very beautiful, as you feel transported in time when strolling through the cobbled streets.
There, you will not find much to do but walk around and go to the beach. By now, the water is too cold to bath, but the long beaches are empty, and it is the perfect place to relax far from Buenos Aires.
Back in Buenos Aires, I left the apartment I had to go to a backpacker hostel. Sleeping in an 8-person dormitory does save you tons of money (Hostel Garden House, US$9 a night, highly recommended)
Now I am just getting ready for Africa. Reading books and tracing maps. I will fly to Johannesburg on Wednesday, spend few days there, and then take the bus to Durban to begin the customs paperwork. The procedure for the vehicle clearance will probably be a pain, and I have hard time finding the necessary information. As always, I will try to save money by doing all the import procedure myself, but the harbor people don’t like that much, and are reluctant to give information on the procedure.
Hopefully I will be driving toward Kruger Park around April 30. From there, I will probably cross to Mozambique and work my way up north.
Again, stay tuned for more adventure beginning soon.
Hi Nicolas,
I have to say I am a little disappointed that you are going to cut the “fairest Cape of all” from your expedition – also known as the Cape of Good hope or the Cape of Storms – we just returned from there today and yesterday it was real pretty , especially when the aircraft made a turn over False bay. Good luck with a smooth process. Kruger National park should be good at this time of the year.
Wim.
Too bad you will miss out on some world cup action.
Wishing you a safe journey over to Africa and quick processing of paperwork…I am addicted to your travel updates and can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Africa!
Safe traveling,
Trisha
Am enjoying immensely the photos and dialog as you progress on your journey. I, too, am wondering about techniques to get along in a country where one is unfamiliar with the local language and currency.
Good Fortune,
Alain
HIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nick Rapio. Man, it looks like your having a tough break. Luckily now that your car is being transported, you can relax a bit. I hope ur taking a breath. It seems like u have been really stressed lately with this expodition.
Good to see the folks (parents) you and I a picture of them cool.
I am in California, and work with the old folks who love listening about your travels. Many have alzhiemers and for some it reminds them of thier own travels and then for a moment they have thier memory back. Thank you, we really enjoy everything you talk about, we will miss nadia.Looking forward to your travel through Africa. Sincerly Catherine, Activity Director.
Sorry I won’t be there to greet you in South Africa, Nicolas. Safe journeys!
Bon vol Nicolas! On ne te verra donc pas le 12 juin prochain, dommage… Mais la troisieme fois sera la bonne!
J’ai hate de lire la suite de tes aventures…
Bises,
Gwenaelle
Nick,
Just wanted to leave a note about how much I love to hear about your daily journey! Someday I would love to do what you are doing, but to see/read your blog is like a daily adventure from my office space in Northern Maine on the Canadian border. I hang on every description and picture…keep it up! Best wishes for a safe trip as you head to Africa.
Kris
Nadia’s not coming back? I really hope she comes back…she keeps you from getting too stressed!
Congratulations on reaching Africa! Hope all goes well as you pick up the car.
Good to hear from you. Can’t wait to see Africa through your eyes! Safe travels and God Bless.
i look so forward to reading your blogs and seeing the pictures; such an adventure that you have undertaken, once that many people would never dream of doing; keep up the good work, be safe, and i’ll be checking in …. !
Nick won’t make it out of Uruguay. No chance whatsoever. I couldn’t resist. Safe travels as you move north through Africa.
Hey Nick! Coming to you from Las Vegas NV… Just read your
story on the front page of Travel & the Outdoors in the Las Vegas Review Journal. Fantastic. GREAT idea. You are an inspiration. I am in the middle of reading “Julie & Julia” and while your journey is quite a bit more ambitious than what Julie Powell attempted in 365 days, the intent is the same. Keep it up and let me know if there is anything I can do to help from Las Vegas!
Hey Nick,
I to just read your story from the front page of Travel & the Outdoors section in the Las Vegas Review Journal. I love what your doing & how your doing it. I really enjoy looking at the pictures & reading what your experiencing in the places you’ve been. Please keep the updates coming & hope you have safe travels.
Regarding: “Randy Reality Check”
Failed…
Dismissed !
Love reading your blog – wish there was more – more photos, more about the people you meet, more detail. Wish you luck with the car – it’s brave to do this! Can’t help but think that wherever you are, people delight in wanting to help you out. It’s a good thing. (OK, maybe not the border officials, so much.)
this trip helped to inspire one of my roadtrip’s. This is very cool. I’m writing a new post about this at http://thehatlist.wordpress.com/
LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!! WISH I COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING SO ADVENTUROUS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER. GOOD LUCK AND MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE.
Hey Nick, what’s up? Been quite a while since your last post. Hope everything is OK and you’re just busy with paperwork, etc. How about a quick update when you get the chance?