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Punta Del Este Trip Jan 2023
Punta Del Este Trip Jan 2023
PUNTA DEL
ESTE TRIP —
JAN . 2023
Jonathan Harker
PUNTA DEL
ESTE TRIP —
JAN . 2023
© Jonathan Harker
https://www.youtube.com/JonathanHarkerVideos
https://odysee.com/@JonathanHarker:e
https://rumble.com/user/jonathan_harker
Dedicated to all those who enjoy travel, both
personal and intellectual; both physical and
ethereal.
PREFACE
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§16., §17. and §18. The beaches of Western La Barra are also
very good. I must have taken refuge there on days when the
wind exceeded 15 knots, as the beaches of Bikini and
Montoya become useless in those situations. The problem is
that it is full of families and children. Because of the
situation mentioned before, there were also teenage
people, who normally attend Montoya and Bikini beaches. I
present 3 slideshows in 4K resolution.
§19. There is a bus service that —for 3 dollars— takes you to
La Barra and back to downtown Punta del Este. It is about
20 minutes long and very scenic. Here are the best photos
of the route.
§20. The bus terminal, located at the beginning of the
peninsula, is another of the nerve centers of the peninsula.
This is where the real pulse of Punta del Este can be
measured. Girls coming and going from La Barra, people
arriving from Montevideo or Buenos Aires, people heading
to José Ignacio or Rocha.
PART 3
§21. On January 4th two Argentinian girls died 1 kilometer
away from the coast of the beach resort of El Chorro,
bordering the town of Manantiales. It was at the beginning
of the trip and I was very surprised. I put it not only because
of the repercussion of a tweet about the issue, but also
because to make people aware (I understand) the cars were
at the entrance of the 12th police station of La Barra, on the
very sidewalk, during the whole month of January. Maybe it
was for lack of space, but I was surprised to see EVERY DAY,
in my transit to the beaches of Bikini or Montoya, those
"deadly" cars for these two girls. The case is still going on,
and the driver (Argentinian too) is being prosecuted by the
Uruguayan Justice. I have part of a video that will be shown
later, when they start with that kind of material.
§22. The beach called El Emir is one of the beaches that
make up the peninsula. It is next to stop 1 of the Brava and is
used by many family groups. What surprised me was that
THE EMIR OF CATAR was in Punta del Este in those days, so
it was kind of weird. I was also surprised to see a metal
prospector (like the ones looking for mines) on that beach
(the day before I had compared on Twitter the beaches of
Punta del Este and Odessa, adding that the former had no
mines: another double meaning). I hope you like it. Then I'll
start with the videos.
§23. The Virgin of Candelaria is the patron of Punta del Este.
Processions are held on February 2. Her characteristic is the
carrying of candles. I understand that this is why she was
advocated by the sailors, as was Our Lady of Buen Ayre. She
used to have a small hut, now her altar is at least 2 meters
high and 4 or 5 meters wide. There were pilgrims, despite
the sun splitting the stones at noon. A stony littoral
formation stretches out to sea behind it, littered with the
remains of snails and seabirds.
§24. I recorded almost completely the entire route to the
peninsula of Punta del Este, about 4 kilometers, on video,
using GoPro and iPhone. It took me almost 4 hours: the sun
was at UV level 13 and I stopped several times along the
way. These are some of the pictures I took. Playa de los
Ingleses, Punta de Salinas (o icial limit of the River Plate
and the Ocean on the Uruguayan side), the natural pools of
"Las Mesitas" or the luxury around the port, are some of the
things that can be seen. The complete tour, which extended
from stop 1 of La Brava to stop 1 of La Mansa, bordering the
sea, can be seen in a next video, when I inish uploading the
photos.
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§25. The small town of Manantiales, very similar to La Barra,
and about 3 kilometers away, resembles that area in its
beginning as a tourist place. It is a mini "La Barra" in a
sense: people move more and more towards the northeast
in search of tranquility and so small towns like this one, or
like José Ignacio, a few kilometers further on, emerge. Here
live or vacation the richest people in Argentina, and it is like
a mini "country club", in the open. There are usually
celebrities and millionaires everywhere. Its characteristic
beach, Bikini, was shown in a previous video. There used to
be discos, now there are none. Just a few restaurants with
bands, that turn into pubs at night. I couldn't go to José
Ignacio this time, but I understand that Manantiales is still
more luxurious, the other place being more rustic. There
must be private parties - called "casitas" - but I don't know.
There are also upscale restaurants, although its main
avenue extends for only 4 blocks. There will be videos in the
future.
§26. The Mailhos pier seems to have led to the estate of a
person with the same surname. It is just past the port (going
towards stop 1 of La Mansa). There is nothing special about
it. There are only a lot of children (not from the upper
classes of La Barra) and some adults who look like locals. It
has some ladders that go down to the sea, as if it were a
swimming pool (the sea/river is very calm there) and it is
carpeted by a rocky bottom, full of seaweed. There are
usually a lot of jelly ish in the area. The only good thing is
the restaurants at the back, which are a continuation of
those in the port, and the food is very good. It is about one
meter wide (be careful if go fully dressed) and the beaches
are stony, like all the beaches in the peninsula area (only
after stops 1 of the Brava and 1 of the Mansa you can ind
beaches almost completely with a sandy bottom).
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§27. Posta del Cangrejo beach is on the cape, which I
mentioned before, and is located in between Barra Este
(which faces the ocean) and Barra Oeste (which borders the
Maldonado creek). This cape more or less extends for 1200
meters and this beach is practically in the middle. Like La
Barra beaches, most of its visitors are families with children.
In another epoch I think there were parties with DJs, and
surely many people can be found in the darkness of the
night... It is a small beach, both in extension (length) and
depth (width). It resembles the Torreón del Monje beach in
Argentina. Some children seem to surf, so I understand it is
less dangerous than Montoya beach, which is a kilometer
away. It is more protected and the slope to the sea seems to
be less.
§28. Piriápolis is a proto-Punta del Este (a luxury resort
founded almost a century before that one) and has many
reminiscences of the Belle Époque, like downtown Mar del
Plata in Argentina, also a resort for the rich in its beginnings.
Now it is visited mostly by Uruguayan people (it is rare to
ind an Argentine there), although it retains its beauty and
grandeur. I went there twice on this trip. Once when I went
to visit the medieval fair that will be re lected in the next
video. The other one when I was returning to Montevideo, in
order to board the Buquebus to Buenos Aires. Normally the
Buquebus doesn't go through there, but that time it picked
up two people. It takes about an hour to get there from
downtown Punta del Este (no matter what they tell you) and
is a must (I didn't visit it on this trip because I had done so
on the previous one). It is obviously much cheaper than
Punta del Este and its beaches are short and quiet, like
those of Playa Mansa. It has several kilometers of beach. It is
not convenient just to stay in the center.
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§29. Pittamiglio Castle is located about 7 kilometers from the
center of Piriápolis at the 17th stop of that seaside resort, in a
suburb called "Las Flores". Created by a hermetic (a fan of
Hermes Trismegistus) and alchemist, it is a beautiful place
surrounded by small hills. I was taken to that place by the
realization of a medieval fair (I didn't know that there were such
things in Uruguay and much less, in a seaside city) and my
tiredness of the beach life (sometimes beauty also tires; it is like
the sun that sometimes burns too much). So it was good for me
to go there, to clear my head a bit. I love medieval fairs https://
youtu.be/tgEaWFE_qvc and https://youtu.be/xul4QdPpp7Q and
that epoch. So on the one hand I was visiting a "metaphysician", a
logosophist, and on the other hand I was going back to that time
of castles and convents, of weapons and books, of palace
intrigues and love. I stuck a couple of axes and with the arrows I
did badly. They told me I would go well with the Franks, but I
prefer the Saxons.... There was a Celtic dance at the end, which
will be shown in the videos re lecting this.
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§30. Standup paddle (or paddle sur ing for others) is a
discipline that has become very popular in recent times. It
combines the tranquility of canoeing (or rowing) with a
certain fearlessness of sur ing. It requires one board, and
one paddle. Unlike last time, I saw it everywhere in Punta
del Este. And it was hard to ind anyone who didn't practice
it, whatever age they were. I ended up trying it myself. This
happened on an "abnormal" day, those days that seem like
one is dreaming. First, I meet the father of the president of
Uruguay, who was also president of that country, at the
restaurant and butcher shop "El Novillo Alegre" in La Barra.
Then, when I go down to the beach, I meet two girls in
black bikinis, who pose in front of me, when I was trying to
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PART 4
§31. There is in the corner of the aforementioned western
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§49. The narrator describes his visit to the Punta Shopping
mall, which held signi icance for him due to its importance
during his previous trip. He frequented the mall for various
activities, such as going to the movies, dining at the food
court, and visiting di erent stores, including the renowned
Tienda Inglesa supermarket. However, the mall burned
down on August 6, 2022, rendering most of the structure
unusable. The narrator expresses shock upon learning
about the ire and decides to visit the site to witness the
aftermath.
The narrator mentions that the video will showcase the last
stop of the bus in Manantiales and proceeds to describe the
surroundings. He mentions a complex called Terrazas de
Manantiales and the route along the beach. The narrator
walks along the beach. He also mentions another beach
resort called Buenos Aires, possibly named after the
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PART 7
§61. The text is a description of a beach called La Barra de
Maldonado in Punta del Este. The author starts by
introducing the location and mentions the presence of
crabs and girls on the beach. He describes the beach and
its natural pool formed by the mouth of the Maldonado
creek. The famous wavy bridge of La Barra is highlighted,
along with kayakers trying to approach the girls.
After the mass, the narrator exits the church and mentions
seeing Zeppelines Park, an amusement park with in latables
that is popular among children. He assures viewers that
there will be a separate video dedicated to the park.
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In conclusion, the video provides a glimpse of the route
from La Barra de Maldonado beach to the church of Our
Lady of Rosario. It highlights the rustic and natural
characteristics of the area, the lack of sidewalks, and the
contrast between simplicity and luxury. The narrator also
mentions some landmarks, such as the El Dorado
supermarket and Zeppelines Park, and his unexpected
encounter with the former president during the mass.
§64. In this video, the narrator takes us on a tour of
Zeppelines Park in La Barra de Maldonado, Punta del Este,
Uruguay. The park is located near El Dorado, a prominent
supermarket in the area. The narrator marks the route taken
by the Codesa bus to reach the park and highlights the
various attractions and amenities in the vicinity.
The video captures the park during the evening, with the
in latables partially in lated. The narrator mentions a soda
store nearby, where visitors can buy refreshments and
snacks. There are also bubble balls and slides for the kids to
enjoy. The narrator expresses curiosity about the park's
funding, considering the extensive variety of in latables and
equipment available.
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The narrator emphasizes the simplicity of La Barra de
Maldonado while appreciating the complexity and fun
options o ered at Zeppelines Park. He is amazed at how
everything seems concentrated in such a small area. The
video concludes with a shot of a girl jumping from a
considerable height, showcasing the park's thrilling
experiences.
During the return leg of the journey, the narrator points out
the rusticity of the area, the Lionel Viera Bridge, and the
prevalence of roundabouts. He captures views of the forest,
the beach on the other side of the creek, and the luxury
buildings along the route. The narrator comments on the
changing popularity of the bus route based on the tourist
seasons and exchange rates. He mentions the vibrant
nightlife and parties in the area and compare Punta del Este
to Buenos Aires' upscale neighborhood of Puerto Madero.
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As the journey concludes, the bus approaches the Punta del
Este peninsula, passing by stop 6 and showcasing the
"milipilis," the fashionable girls of the area. The video ends
with a quick shot of the bus arriving at the terminal, with the
promise of a future video speci ically dedicated to the
terminal itself.
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§67. The Leonel Viera bridge is a signi icant architectural
landmark in Uruguay, connecting La Barra de Maldonado to
Punta del Este. Constructed in 1965 by Leonel Viera, the
bridge spans 150 meters in length and is 10 meters wide in
each section. It holds historical importance as the previous
two bridges were destroyed by natural events. This video
focuses on two crossings of the bridge: the original one and
another one located 20 meters to the side, representing the
return to Punta del Este.
The video covers the inal stretch of the tour along the
coastline, where the narrator highlights the beach area at
Mansa, the tourist o ice, and the completion of the
peninsula tour.
The vlogger notes that the tall building marks the start of La
Barra de Maldonado and points out the peninsula of Punta
del Este in the distance. He mentions a noticeable
unpleasant smell in the vicinity. Despite the incident, the
man who experienced cardiac arrest is alive. The police
presence is documented as the presenter descends
towards the beaches.
Secondly, it's worth noting that part of this area skirts the
boundaries of what could be considered private property.
At one juncture, I had to seek permission from a local to
continue our exploration, particularly in the vicinity of this
dock. This situation raises an interesting predicament as, in
theory, the coasts of Uruguay, much like those of Argentina,
are regarded as state-owned territory. However, the reality
is that access to certain areas often requires navigating
through spaces that closely border on private land
ownership.
The journey begins at the Punta del Este bus terminal, and
the narrator follows the route along Artigas Boulevard and
Roosevelt Avenue. Viewers are treated to a virtual tour of
downtown Punta del Este, showcasing the city's distinct
neighborhoods, including Cantegril, characterized by low
houses. Despite its horizontal layout, Punta del Este is
described as a vast and diverse city.
The video ends as the bus enters Piriápolis, known for its
streets bearing the same names as those in Buenos Aires.
The narrator highlights the city's historical connections with
Argentine upper-class tourists.
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§ 83. The narrator takes us on a virtual journey through the
charming city of Piriápolis, nestled on the outskirts of the
renowned Punta del Este in Uruguay. This adventure unfolds
as a fascinating exploration of a city with a rich history and
distinct character.
The ticket seller explains the options and mentions that the
museum is self-guided, providing information about the
Pittamiglio Castle and its creator, Humberto Pittamiglio.
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The video description takes us on a tour of the Pittamiglio
Castle, highlighting its small size compared to its grand
exterior appearance. The video touches on the life of
Humberto Pittamiglio, his interests in occultism, and the
architectural projects he undertook in Uruguay. It brie ly
mentions connections to Masonry and the blending of
various spiritual and cultural in luences in the castle's
design.
The video introduces the church in the square, noted for its
pink exterior, a unique feature reminiscent of the Casa
Rosada in Buenos Aires. The video host highly recommends
visiting this beautiful square and the charming city of
Maldonado.
§ 103. I ind myself standing here at the heart of Maldonado,
right outside the impressive San Fernando de Maldonado
Church. It's truly unbelievable! This moment is an incredible
experience that has taken me back to my childhood when
my family and I used to visit Punta Este and explore this
charming place. Maldonado, which has transformed over
the years into more of a city than a town, was originally
established between 1755 and 1757.
Software: Apple Final Cut Pro, Aiko (STT and srt output),
Whisper Transcription (idem), DeepL (sub translation),
Aegisub (sub correction), ChatGPT (summaries), Adobe
Photoshop (thumbnails), Perfectly Clear Video (AI lighting),
Apple Pages.