About
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Notes

We know our country.
We love it and we want to share it to you...

Diego Pertusso & Paula Angeloni
are your guides & owners of Uruguay Expeditions.

Diego speaks perfect English, and he is very proud to
greet and introduce you to his family´s land & heritage.
Diego was born and raised here, riding horses & surfing.
At just 19 years old, he left home to travel around
the world. His passion for the ocean led him to become
a lifeguard, a pro-surfer and later, an ocean kayak
instructor. Most recently providing expertise and
skills as guide for ¨Baja Expeditions." However,
he never forgot his roots...


Paula Angeloni is also a Uruguay native.
She loves her country, the ocean and horses.
As a marine biologist and surfer, her passion for adventure
took her to the Galapagos islands, Costa Rica and Mexico.
She works also as a whale-watching and kayak guide for
"Baja Expeditions." Her experience and education
makes her a knowledgable and accommodating guide.
Paula speaks fluently in Spanish, French and English... 

Link to Baja Expeditions... www.bajaex.com

Enjoy this fabulous recent article!
For the Love of Gaucho
written by Robert A. Steinmetz, Ph.D.
Okay, let's start with the truth and cut to the chase! I thought I was macho, hanging on to the adventures of my youth. Thinking I was a decent rider and in search of adventures that would reinforce the cowboy image I wanted to foster. The truth is I had gotten quite used to the plush life, traveling to Small Luxury Hotels of the World and believing I was that adventurer. Well, two men - Stephen Meyers and Diego Pertusso called my bluff. And, for this I will always be grateful. For the adventure on which they took me and our small intrepid group made me recognize my true abilities, guided me through a rustic world of wonder, and led me out the other side a more confident, wiser, and appreciative gringo…building memories that will last me the rest of my life. The adventure? A two week horseback trip down the coast of Uruguay. Sounds simple enough right? Or, perhaps a little scary? Being 59, over-weight and used to luxury, as the date for departure neared, I became more and more intimidated…would I be the one that held up the group of wannabe Gauchos? Would I be the first one kicked off the island? But fear of wimping out overcame fear of failure. So, on February 11, 2005 I climbed aboard my flight to Dallas, on to Buenos Aires, and then to Montevideo Uruguay. Once we arrived in Montevideo, we were greeted by Stephen and Diego and sheparded to a nice hotel where we acclimated to the time change and began our immersion into a culture from which we would learn much about peace, love, and the joy of family. Then the adventure began!...driven to the Pertusso family ranch, we unpacked, met two more of our trusty guides: Louis (Diego's brother) and Jose, the ranch foreman…two men who epitomized the Gaucho spirit. Then we got to know our horses, each one assigned based on our ability - but believe me when I say these horses are not your U.S. for rent, touristy, subdued horses. They were workers, bred and trained for instantaneous response, spirited, and ready to rock and roll. And, that's just what we did! Of course, under the watchful eyes of our guides who grew up with these animals and operate them with the grace and ease you or I would drive a car…second nature. I learned more about riding in two weeks than I had in 50 years of hit and miss corral and trail riding. We herded cows, separated bulls, chased pigs, drove sheep... and played gaucho! But, the riding was only part of this great adventure. The people the events, and the sights made it a perfect 10! The events? Ever been to an Uruguayan asada? Well I have - Two in fact. Neither of which is an experience for a squeamish vegetarian. The recipe? " Find an occasion for a grand celebration (anything will do, from a first night welcome to a birthday for an 84 year old godfather named Fermin- a gentleman out of a storybook) " Take a complete cow " Prepare it for over 6 hours " Leave on the hide " Cook it for 4 hours over coals (hide and all) " Drink lots of wine " Enjoy the tastiest meal you could ever imagine and celebrate with Uruguayans that welcome you like one of the family. As I have noted, we were lucky enough to be there for the 84th birthday celebration of Diego's Godfather, and the epitome of what Gaucho really means. We were welcomed into the family as if we had been life-long friends…welcomed into their family, their culture, and their hearts. It seemed that wherever we went, someone knew someone who new someone and we were kissed on both cheeks and welcomed as family. We bathed in the river. We road our horses through the waves. We watched hundreds of egrets create clouds of beauty as they saw us approach their lagoon. And, of course, we hummed the tune from Bonanza as we would ride three abreast into a little village, tie up our horses, and stride into the local outdoor restaurant. The food was fantastic, the sites were gorgeous, and above all, the people will forever fill a place in my heart. Thank you Diego, Luis, Jose, Marta & Marta, Pablo, Marcella, Fermin, and the entire Pertusso family. Don't think you have seen the last of us.