CHAPTER XVI

HERE AND THERE IN URUGUAY 195

Uruguayan roads--A comparison with those of Argentina-- The benefits of stone--Some fine metalled highways--The road to San José--On the way to Pando--The journey as effected by motor-car--A smiling landscape--Distant sand-dunes--A spotless range--The mountains of Minas-- The town of Pando--A typical minor urban centre--The ending of the macadamised road--The track beyond--An abrupt change in the order of going--The bumps of the Campo--Piriapolis--A budding pleasure resort--Completeness of the enterprise--Eucalyptus forests--A vehicular wreck by the way--Unsuccessful Samaritans--The work of Señor Piria--The Castillo--An imposing home--View from the spot--The Pan de Azucar--A landscape of mountain, valley, forest, and sea--Architecture of the Castillo--Piriapolis Bay--A centre of future bathing--Preparations already effected--The hotel and casino--A wonderful feat of private enterprise--Afforestation--Encouragement of the industry by the Uruguayan Government--The work of Mr. Henry Burnett--The transformation of arid soil into fertile land--Commercial success of the venture--The Maldonodo sand-dunes--Fulgurites--A curiosity of the sands--Discoveries by Mr. C. E. R. Rowland.