Isla 32 on the Shore of the Negro River

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” goes the popular saying. In the City of General Roca, visitors become fully adapted to the local denizens on very hot days. It is usual to approach the recreational area known as Isla 32 to enjoy the beaches of the Negro River and their wonderful sports center, where outdoor activities are practiced.

A short distance away from the center and on the left margin of the river, there is a municipal swim hole along with a golf club, a polo club and a Spanish club called Club de la Asociación Española. At these venues, it is possible to access swimming-pools and barbecue areas to enjoy a good asado.

With all those possibilities available, we resolved to leave the city and head for that area to spend a day in the open air in the company of the family. The first thing to impress us as we arrived was the good services, the neat organization, the grills and the security.

At this location, the Municipality of Roca coordinates several recreational activities for adults and children. There are good facilities for swimming, gym, football or volleyball and many people use them everyday. As we went past the large swimming-pool in this site, we had the chance to observe a swimming class dictated to little children by a young teacher.

To get to see every corner, we circulated around different areas amidst splendid vegetation and a wide range of birds sorting the branches of willows, olive trees and poplars. Once on the river shore, we watched some black-necked swans, cormorants, herons and ducks.

In order to have some rest, we made ourselves comfortable in a very pleasant site with beautiful grass. We were ready to sunbathe and watch the great deal of people that moved up and down the area.

Again on the road, we went towards an extensive beach called El Náutico, after crossing the road bridge and turning left. Featuring a beach made of pebbles, this is the ideal site to practice sports such as competition rowing, jet skiing and water skiing, practiced under the strictest safety measures due to the intense current of the waterway in that area.

We had yet another option: a quieter zone with few services named Balsa Vieja (Old Raft). It was there where we resolved to have our picnic on a beach made of pebbles and surrounded by a wild natural scene.

We felt truly thankful for the information we had been given, as we had found an excellent ecological tourism proposal to fight the prevailing high temperatures. So let’s always remember it. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”