Uruguay

Initially Uruguay was not even planned - all because I actually thought that Punta del Este is a resort in Argentina... So when taking a 1-hour ferry ride through brown Rio de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento I expected a bit more of the same. But once you leave the board it seems like you had come to a different continent. After noisy and grand Buenos Aires, Colonia with charming small houses, cobbled street and slower pace is a big surprise. Yet common history, language and culture quickly make it all fit nicely. Asians would say 'same, same but... different'. Montevideo also appears to be BA's smaller brother (or sister :-) but Uruguayans are so much more at ease, the city is just more accomodating and happy with itself that one feels so much more relaxed. Unfortunately most of travelers do not even stop there (we did!) and head straight for the Monaco of the South America - Punta del Este.
Casinos, big yachts, Gucci shops, fancy seafood restaurants, all surrounded by amazing white villas, big condos and trimmed lawns - you get the feeling. But again like all of Uruguay, even though it is similar to Marbella, Capri or Miami, it does not aspire to be one and just enjoys being itself, a world-class resort with amazing nature, limitless sandy beaches and good quality South American silicon. You feel just like you are about to meet stars from 'Hola' or 'Gente' magazines, Uruguayan, Argentinian, Brazilian or Spanish. Punta or Uruguay do not discriminate or impose and that is why it feels so good here...