My husband is the BEST at surprising me for my birthday.  This year we started the day going to our friends' home and visiting their amazing garden.  Then we all piled into the car and drove down the beach.  No one would tell me where we were going, but did I care?  No way - beautiful summer day, salt air, and a breeze!  Ahhhh!
     The drive seemed to go on and on and finally ended in José Ignacio, a smaller town on the beach north of Punta del Este.  It used to be a sleepy fishing village not too long ago, but now is THE place to see and be seen.  We ended our drive at La Huella, a very popular restaurant - said to be a favorite of Mick Jagger when he's in the area!
     La Huella is right on the beach - as in walk through the sand to get to the restaurant.  I loved everything about it.  It was my best birthday in Uruguay; you can't beat being surrounded by those you love!