This past weekend Lis and I performed the tri-monthly expat ritual of crossing the Río de la Plata to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, to renew our tourist visas. I took the opportunity to write a Top 5 article for The Argentina Independent that will publish next week.

When I told my editors I wanted to write a “Top 5 things to do in Colonia” piece, they were skeptical – “…Are there even five things to do there?” one asked. He was somewhat justified in comparing the tiny tourist haven to Bruges, Belgium: a “f-ing fairytale” to some, a quaint purgatory for others.

Cobbled street, Colonia.

Old car reclaimed by verdure.

Old tiles, historic district.

Self-portrait, Jorge Paez Vilaró, Montevideo-born artist.