## Arriving ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-001_web.jpeg]] Playa Brava — lifeguards in red assembling for some training, resort towers rising behind. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-002_web.jpeg]] Looking out from the Rambla — the Equinox anchored in the bay, Playa Mansa below. ## La Rambla ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-003_web.jpeg]] Doug photographing a roundabout sculpture along the Rambla, Punta del Este's long coastal promenade. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-004_web.jpeg]] Selfie with Dad along the boulevard, Mom catching up in the background. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-005_web.jpeg]] A vintage Chrysler covered entirely in coins and medallions — a famous local attraction near the waterfront. Mom getting a close look. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-006_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-007_web.jpeg]] Front of the coin car — license plate SAR-4903, Uruguay. ## La Mano ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-008_web.jpeg]] A monumental concrete sculpture along the Rambla. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-009_web.jpeg]] The plaque: *La Mano*, by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarazabal, 1981. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-010_web.jpeg]] La Mano up close — five fingers emerging from the sand at Playa Brava. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-011_web.jpeg]] The full sculpture from the boardwalk. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-012_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-013_web.jpeg]] The four of us at La Mano — Doug, Dad, Mom, and Chris. ## Around the City ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-014_web.jpeg]] A beachside restaurant we stopped at (after a bit of a beach walk) near the water. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-015_web.jpeg]] A residential tower with striking curved red balconies against a deep blue sky. ## Lunch at Las Charruitas ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-016_web.jpeg]] Empanadas from Las Charruitas. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-017_web.jpeg]] The limited edition menu. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-018_web.jpeg]] The full empanada menu — 150 pesos each. We ordered a wide selection -- and nearly finished them all! ## The Beach ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-019_web.jpeg]] Playa Mansa on a sunny afternoon — the calm-water beach along the bay side of the peninsula. ## Evening Show: Feel the Funk ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-020_web.jpeg]] The Celebrity Theater stage set for *Feel the Funk*. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-021_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-022_web.jpeg]] The lead vocalist in a gold sequin gown. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-023_web.jpeg]] The full band on stage. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-024_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-025_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-026_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-027_web.jpeg]] ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-028_web.jpeg]] The cast taking their bows to a standing ovation. ![[2026-02-SA-PuntaDelEste-029_web.jpeg]] This was the last night of the cruise, and this cast **was not** phoning it in. Everyone was singing their face off and dancing their asses off!