Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Cloudy Sunset in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay - Photo by Author

Sometimes you just have to run away to the nearest beach. You know, get away from it all.

One of the best places in South America to do this is Cabo Polonio, Uruguay.

This bohemian, come-as-you-are hippy town is famous for it’s lack of electricity and subsequent amazing star gazing. During my recent vacation to Uruguay, I decided it was finally time for me to check this place out.

Located on a rocky point surrounded by Cabo Polonio National Park, this is not your average vacation destination.

The only way to get here is to take one of the 4 x 4 shuttles that run hourly through the sand dunes. I recommend sitting up front.

My ride

Wooohooo!

Cabo Polonio is simply amazing. Travelers come from all around South America to rent a rustic cabin on these special shores. The most common activity is relaxing, closely followed by beach exploring, sitting amongst candle light and playing the guitar.

Fishing Boats + The Sea = Lucky Me

Lighthouse, Cabo Polonio, Uruguay

When was the last time you got away from it all? Tell us your story in the comments below. (Click here if you can’t see the Facebook Comments below)

a story for tomorrow. from gnarly bay productions, Inc. on Vimeo.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a young, soul-searching backpacker in Patagonia, then check out ”A Store for Tomorrow” an absolutely stunning portrait of Chilean Patagonia.

Patagonia is a supernatural destination.There is just something about this mystic landscape with its captivating mountains, calm lakes and dusty deserts that bring you closer to nirvana. It’s only natural that this terrain makes you think deep thoughts about your life and what you really want from it. If there is one thing to take away from the short film, it is this: Feed your inner alma by meandering through the mossy forests of Patagonia. Let yourself be serenaded by guitar playing gauchos. Take all the energy you have and playfully tromp through fields of bright yellow lupin. But most importantly, understand that you’ve got one shot at this life, so you might as well make it your best. That way you can answer the question “Did you enjoy your story?” with an emphatic “YES!”

If you’re planning your first soul searching pilgrimage to South America, be sure to research destinations like Torres del Paine and Pucón, both located in Chile. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our other blog posts about South America.

Have you visited South America? What stuck with you about the experience? Tell us about it in the Facebook comments below! (if you’re having trouble viewing comments, click here)

S.Africa President - J. Zuma

In English writing we seldom speak of tradition, though we occasionally apply its name in deploring its absence. – TS Eliot

If we deplore the absence of tradition, then the sensible response should be to hold it dear – to preserve and honor it at every opportunity. However, the age of mass media implores us to cast aside our idiosyncrasies and adopt the ready-made mold designed in the likeness of our television idols. The American dream has shifted from the geographical constraints of North America and it has become a ubiquitous entity, which overpowers our urge to retain tradition. Tradition and culture have become money-making pantomimes, illustrative of our bygone backwardness.

What Eliot overlooked was the pervasive effect that globalization would have on culture, identity and aesthetics. The impact of air travel, and later the internet, would result in a cultural amalgamation that left most people uncertain of their identity.

Through mimicry – that annoying child habit, even worse in adults – we reshaped our identities and played our new roles to perfection. We abandoned the past and adopted the hedonistic philosophy of the fashion industry, which told us that beauty was limited to fads and moments.

In following our television tutors, we dropped our leopard skins and rushed to Gucci, Prada and – for those of less-refined taste – Burberry. But within a few short years we would rush back to our leopard skins, because there was a buck to be caught – and it was greener and more important than cultural authenticity.

When air travel became cheaper, droves of tourists left their air-conditioned comforts to visit the furthest reaches of the world. They expected to see Africa, Asia and South America with the glamorized charm represented in books and TV shows. What they found instead was westernized dress sense, poverty and desperation.

It didn’t take long for the locals of these tourist destinations to realize that what their esteemed visitors actually wanted was traditional dress, traditional dance and traditional food. The leopard skins were dusted off and the tourist industry quickly became a major job provider.

So, next time you see a Zulu dancer, Thai snake charmer or poison dart-blower remember that they don their facades to entertain and that they don’t actually live like that!