The River Plate is the widest river in the world, at a maximum width of 230km. On the bank opposite Buenos Aries, a one hour ferry ride, is the city of Colonia del Sacremento in Uruguay. Colonia was founded by The Portuguese in 1680 and its fort, while smaller, resembles that built in 1588 in Galle, Sri Lanka. Colonia changed hands several times between Portugal and Spain with its historic quarter retaining evidence of the influence of both countries, contibuting to its recognition as a World Herritage Site.

Uruguay, with a population of 3.5 million people is the most democratic and least corrupt country in South America. It is also the country in South America with the smallest percentage of people living in poverty. Its economy is based around agriculture, with beef being its largest export – as well as each adult consuming 85kg per annum (with the resulting health issues). We did not realise that Fray Bentos, the centre for meat processing, is a city in Uruguay.

We visited for the day by ferry; very few of the other passangers were international tourists with most people making the journey from Uruguay to buy much cheaper goods in Argentina and in the opposite direction to have a break from the bussle of Buenos Aries. That said, we did find oursleves next to a Turkish family at the Argentinian passport control on our return – this was the third time we had crossed the border into Argentina, with very different levels of control and questioning each time.