24 March Montevideo, Uruguay, Where’s The Beef?

Today was the longest we’ve been off ship since the beginning of the trip. Had an early lunch and then hopped a bus for a private tour and dinner of La Rabida Cattle Ranch. Originally started by the grandfather, it was a working dairy farm. Gramps passed on and his son kept it a dairy farm. The current owner and grandson of Gramps made big changes that were more conducive to profit and it became a cattle ranch that sold beef. It’s always money. It is kind of an Argentinian “Yellowstone.”

The guide on the bus ride covered everything from history to voting rights. She reminded me of a younger Rita Moreno with silver gray hair in a pixie cut. At age 18 one is legal for everything. Not much mercy for illegal actions at that age. One simply goes to prison. The landscape wasn’t particularly attractive. Pretty much like we see in the States along the interstate.

Always have to have a port picture

On the road

On the road

We were greeted at the ranch with some of the family members riding horses alongside of the bus. Did I mention the family is very attractive? Clever, handsome, etc. You get the picture. The women are slim, don’t need make up and work as hard as the rest. Currently 15 family members live at the ranch. Used to be many more. Wine, other fruit drinks, and appetizers of chorizo, bread and vegetables were available upon our arrival. We were soooo thirsty from the hour-long drive. Really good red wine based on a Tennant Very good!!!

The current owner introduced his family, about 10 members in all who helped with the food prep and serving. He spoke mostly about the ranch’s history and conversion to raising beef cattle. According to our guide, the family was wealthy and had no need to work at all. However, it clearly showed in their behaviors they were proud of the heritage and worked hard to maintain it.

Well, the horses are part of the family

After the intro, food and drink, we were directed to a sheltered area where we would dine. Offerings included grilled pork, chicken and beef, salad, sweet and white potatoes and wine, of course. Desserts were rice pudding and a local favorite of sliced cheese with jellied fruit on top.

Following the meal, we had traditional dances by gauchos and their senoritas.

This was followed by a hay-ride in tractor pulled wagons to see the cattle, the fields that grow alfalfa, sorghum, and corn, and the widest river in the world, Rio Plata, that separates Argentina from Uruguay.

A great day and a great tour.

Certain Hayride Traditions Must Be Upheld

The Widest River In The World