Uruguay Part 2

December 5th we ventured forth once again, west towards Piriapolis but this time to visit the Castillo (castle). We turned off the Interbalanearia 1 (that is a mouthful) onto Ruta 37 and shortly afterwards came across Castillo de Piria. There was a very long, tree lined avenue leading from the road to the castle. When we arrived it was almost deserted so we thought that we had chosen the wrong day to visit. As it happened there is no wrong or right day. The castle is closed for restoration. The only people at the site were workers and security. The only noise to be heard came from the birds which was in itself rather nice.

The castle is in quite a bad state of repair and is undergoing an enormous restoration project. However, a gentleman at the site kindly let us see what was happening on the ground floor level. Even with all the ongoing construction, the former grandeur was quite apparent.

After departing the Castillo we went back to the road and reluctantly, on Jim's part, returned to a park that we had passed on the way in, which stated it was for Flora and Fauna. All we could see from the road was a children's play area. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. We drove down a dusty track and into a dusty car park, surrounded by a picnic area and children's play park. We got out of the car to stretch our legs and strolled over to what looked like a gateway. Although all in Spanish we deduced that this was the native Flora and Fauna exhibit. Amazingly there was no admission charge and we thought that there were probably a few birds as we could see large outdoor aviaries and maybe some reptiles. How wrong could we be. Our first impressions were correct. We found some very noisy large birds, one which quite clearly had been injured and was being cared for and two others of the same species outside, free range, screaming at him. Next we found a host of turtles and a broad back cayman. As we got deeper into the park there was feeling of peace and quiet, albeit for the noisy birds. The layout was very casual and the enclosures, although the fencing was rudimentary but sufficient, allowed for great viewing of the animals. We saw a pair of magnificent Jaguars, a large Panther, a gorgeous Ocelot, Pampas Deer, two cheeky Armadillos, Collared Peccaries, Storks, Rheas, Capybaras to name but a few, not forgetting the snakes and some huge tarantulas. The latter were in the petting zoo, just kidding!!!!! All of the animals at this facility are native to Uruguay. Some have been injured and are being cared for by veterinarians and probably most will not go back to the wild. Some of the animals are now extinct in Uruguay, some extremely endangered and most of them are part of the breeding program. Unbeknown to us this is a world renowned breeding facility for these very special rare animals. Each and every one, apart from those that were injured, looked extremely healthy and very content. We did not see any of them pacing like you do in a lot of zoos.

After arriving at a crossroads we had four options, hike up to Sugar Loaf Mountain, go back the way we had just come, turn right to where we knew not what or left back to where we had started. We chose to turn right and hiked up the hill and found that we were at the old granite quarry. All of the old machinery is laid out on display and was very interesting. From this vantage point you could look up to Sugar Loaf Mountain, elevation 435 metres and the third highest point in Uruguay and look down over the zoological facility and beyond to the ocean. On top of Sugar Loaf Mountain stands a 35 metre high wooden cross, which can be seen for miles. We walked back down the hill and watched many iguanas scurrying about their business and made our way back past a few more enclosures to the exit, where we saw this ring tailed Coatimundi in the picnic area. We were sad to leave. It was an unsuspected, amazing experience but by now our stomachs were beginning to tell us that we were long past lunch even for South American standards so we drove into Piriapolis and had a sandwich and a cool drink. Needless to say by which time we were too late to visit the museum...............