Uruguayan Utopia

I can't say what was more pleasantly distracting; the sweet smell of salt water, the dolphins breaching in the near distance or the warm sun streaming through the straw roof as we sipped ice-cold beer. Whatever contributed, our New York worries ceased to exist and nothing mattered as we soaked in the scenery in Cabo Palonia, Uruguay. We found ourselves within this beach oasis after several hours of driving through the Uruguayan countryside, patiently waiting for a transfer we thought might never come and then taking an 8 kilometer open truck ride over sand dunes and through the wilderness. But a farther trek would have been worthwhile to sit, even for a moment, within this paradisaical enclave.

A home to hippies and a backpackers delight, this remote village is populated by friendly recluses, clapboard houses and homespun businesses. Here, electricity and plumbing are scarce but it's made up for in natural beauty and tranquility. We meditated in the surroundings, drank in the experience and enjoyed the best beer ever at the local inn and bar, La Perla del Cabo. And while we were only there for a short time, one of the locals explained that a short time in Cabo Palonia was all it took to be changed forever.

Our road trip back to Punta del Este led us to the small town of Manantiales which felt like a cross between St. Barths, the Hamptons and the middle of no-where. I gather it's quite a scene "in season" but since we found it during "slightly off season" it was spectacular. We dined at the Manantiales Fish Market and after a day of driving and South American sun it could not have been more satisfying. Fresh sashimi and ceviche, luscious gazpacho, moist grilled Brotola fish and the house specialty of lomo (sirloin) grilled sandwich were gobbled up with many oohs and ahhs. Several glasses of wine and a few second orders and we were a truly happy bunch.

I think it was the the altitude, the sea air and the remote setting that helped us find ourselves while we sat sipping wine and taking in the crisp night air. My emotions were heightened as we reminisced about our Cabo Palonia adventure and feasted on local Manantiales' delicacies, and I knew that in that moment, Uruguay was my own personal utopia.