Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay is a good excuse to fill a passport page from a day trip from Buenos Aires (That is, Exit: Argentina, Entry: Uruguay, Exit: Uruguay, Entry: Argentina again).

Colonia is easily reached by ferry from Buenos Aires, and Uruguay on face value seems similar to Argentina in many respects (for example, they both knocked out the Socceroos from qualifying for the Soccer World Cup), except it’s a bit poorer than its giant cousin.

Colonia was formerly a Portuguese port later invaded by the Spanish.

A photo of one of Colonia’s quaint streets is shown below:

Argentina and Uruguay have the same affectionate relationship as Australia and New Zealand – Uruguay is jokingly referred to by Argentines as ‘another province’, however, I’m unsure if Uruguayans cop the same jokes regarding amorous liaisons with attractive sheep (ironically, its economy was heavily based on wool).

I enjoyed walking around charming cobble-stoned Barrio Histórico or La Colonia Portuguesa at Colonia, shaded by the sycamore trees and whitewashed buildings.

The most interesting part of this trip was discovering a sand sculptor who created a series of 10 upper torsos in the sand, meticulously painted with the national soccer team jerseys of 10 South American countries – Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. 

Bienvenidos a Uruguay was sculpted in a semicircle beneath the sand soccer torsos.  I moved closer and discovered a photo portfolio of other sand sculpting conquests from other parts of the continent.

And here is some photographic evidence

Hmm, a decent way of making a living – building sandcastles all around South America.  Another way to become a professional backpacker!

Other things to do in South America after checking out Colonia, Uruguay – have ‘Coffee With Legs’ or check out the Day Of The Dead.