Bar, Bar, Bar, Bar , Bar, Bar And...

Our return to Punta del Diablo would be noticeably different. It's summer now versus our winter visit six months ago. Back then, we were among a dozen inhabitants of the entire town and the beaches were ours to wander in solitude. And, we met new friends, Brian and Heidi, a young couple following a dream, to build a first class hostel and bar...

Now the beaches were packed. Surfers and sunbathers sipping mate and slicked up in sunblock were scattered across the crescent bay beach. Nightlife raged past sunrise. And, our friends dream had come true--El Diablo Tranquilo was built and booming with business....

The corner suite was reserved for us--with fireplace, private bath, and upper decks adorned in swinging chairs and sweeping views. But, with only one night in town, we didn't mess around, and immediately went to visit the bar and restaurant, the beaches, and wander the town until sunset...
Welcome to El Diablo Tranquilo Hostel...
Wonderful boardwalks lead down to the restaurant, the indoor/outdoor bar, and down to the water...
But before going for a walk down the beach and through town, we made sure Brian and Heidi took a brief break from their demanding duties to let us catch up on life and sample their services...
The small fishing boats that are the icons of Punta del Diablo were still idle, but now were surrounded beach-goers...
The view from a dune above Playa Brava, the southern beach were breakers hit the sand hard...




A long lazy late afternoon of wandering and watching the waves from our suite, soon became an early evening. We decided to dine at nearby restaurant with, what else, steak and wine...We were surprised to learn that the cook was the president of the Uruguay's Association of Chefs. Not surpisingly, dinner and dessert was delicious. And, after a walk under the stars we snuggled into sleep...

Sunrises in Uruguay are always epic as the the light explodes across thousands of miles of ocean. This morning, we strolled through town again--there's nothing else to do in this quaint fishing town--and snapped more pictures of interesting sights and sites...






By noon, we found a rustic pizza shack on main street, and watch the local movers trot their cart back and forth with supplies for the clusters of pubs, shops, stalls and restaurants, that line the packed dirt waterfront road...Punta del Diablo is known as one of the best surfing spots in Uruguay. The waves in the bay are long, smooth arcs refracting around the point that juts into the sea. The results are consistent, mild pulses of perfect two meter waves over a sandy beach...

Meanwhile, a couple fishing boats actually trolled out to into the Atlantic to scoop up some fresh food--undoubtedly for the hordes of hungry tourists who were packing the town...


At the end of our afternoon, we waited for our bus by enjoying the umbrella shade on the El Diablo Tranquilo deck. Just watching people play...
We got a shot of Brian and Heidi's staff as we waited for our friends to join us for a final lunch...
Today's menu included lemon-soaked calamari, muscles, fish, salads, baby squid and cerveza...

Meeting Brian and Heidi is one of the many blessings of friendship that Leandra and I have found during our year abroad. Like us, this young couple has thrown away their inhibitions and are pursuing the dream of living abroad--something that many people talk about but never find the courage to do. And, although it's never easy starting a new business, it does amaze us that they have accomplished so much in such a short time, with two buildings, dozens of employees, and hundreds of happy customers...

As we rolled our luggage across the dirt roads of town, to the "open air" bus terminal--really, just the first intersection into town, where dozens of dusty hungover youngsters leaned on their backpacks and sleeping bags--it was a bit bittersweet. Sure, we will always have email, but we may not return here, ever. But, if we do, we know we will find our memories of friends and sunrises and stars and sandy feet...

And, if you decide to go to this hidden gem on Uruguay's coast, be sure to find Brian and Heidi, and tell them Adam and Leandra send "hellos and besos"...