Salto -The Green city
Uruguay is a country in South America that is renowned for its lush green beauty, and Salto is a city that takes this to another level as it's also referred to as the "Green City". Visiting a new place, especially with a group of people, is always an exciting prospect. Today, we had the pleasure to explore the beauty of Salto City. Our host teachers, Ines de Lisa, Victoria Reinoso, and Pablo Santurio picked us up in their cars, and we were on our way to explore the hidden gems of this lovely city. This blog post will take you through our Salto city tour experience and stir your senses with the rich cultural and natural heritage of Salto.
Our Salto tour kick-started with a visit to the Salto Grande Dam, a bi-national hydroelectric power plant shared between Concordia, Argentina, and Salto, Uruguay. The guide gave us an informative tour of the facility, and we were mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of the structure and the intricate technology it housed. The Dam was an engineering masterpiece that generated clean energy. We learned about the dam's history, how it was constructed, and how it has become an integral part of the region's economy.
After Salto Grande, we headed towards Del Lago Park, which is located north and 14 km from the city of Salto. This park is a nature lover's paradise, with nature trails, a beautiful forest with pine trees, and a landscaped area with barbecues. We walked on the trails, enjoying nature's beauty, and breathed in the fresh air. The tranquility of the forest was just what we needed after a long morning of travel. We spend some time there and tried to capture the serene natural surroundings. It was like something out of a storybook.
Next, we went to Gruta Padre Pio, known as THE CAVE. It was a spiritual place dedicated to Padre Pio, a monk and a priest. The sculpture was within an enclosed cave with bricks, and the atmosphere inside the cave was serene and peaceful. We were blown away by the beautiful natural beauty and views that surrounded it.
We then headed to a restaurant that our host teacher recommended. The food was freshly made and so delicious that we couldn't help but praise our host. Unfortunately, since there was no halal meat option, I had to settle for gnocchi with simple tomato sauce and a garden salad. However, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the simple tomato sauce was bursting with flavor, and the salad was all freshly cut. We all enjoyed the lovely lunchtime chatting and laughing, enjoying each other's company.
Later, we stopped by a souvenir shop to buy some souvenirs. The shop was filled with beautiful handmade gifts and souvenirs that one could take away as a souvenir from Salto. The shopkeepers were friendly and welcoming, and we enjoyed browsing the shop. Our next destination was Dayman Hot Springs, the country's most visited ancient thermal resort. It was a perfect spot to relax and unwind after exploring all day. The natural hot springs were perfect for relaxing and enjoying the therapeutic benefits of these healing waters. We enjoyed the mineral-rich water and had a great time while splashing around.
Before ending the day, we stopped by a coffee shop called Beijaflor Casa. It was a perfect spot to unwind and relax after a long adventurous day. Beijaflor Casa has a cozy ambiance, cool vibes, and cool decorations. Their snacks and desserts were healthy and delicious; we had brownie Alfajore and Uruguayan Cheese Bread, which perfectly complemented a relaxed evening after a long day of exploration.
All in all, our trip to Salto city, or the Green City, was an experience of a lifetime. From the tour of Salto Grande Dam to Del Lago Park, Gruta Padre Pio, and the restaurant, every stop we visited filled us with awe and amazement. The beautiful and peaceful ambiance of the place was like a perfect escape from daily chaos. Salto is a city that left me with beautiful memories I will cherish forever.
