china town - Tigre

I went to Tigre today. It didnt have very good reviews from Simon, who said it is like Blackpool, and mostly shut. I went on a Sunday, used a different train line and had a different experience altogether. He travelled out using the tren de la costa, it wasn't scenic, it wasn't close to the river, and it brings you into a station facing a funfair. The more utilitarian train bring you to an old station with the world's time on display (see clocks), it then disgorges you into a street market full of local crafts and hippies. 
The river cruise was disappointing, it was a tour of some of the houses along the delta channels, there are too many boats to be able to see any wildlife. 
We had a look in the chinatown area, a bit odd, but some nice vegan food on sale.
Later we walked around the island and on the way back we found the locals sipping mate on the waterfront, families, couples (some snogging) and groups of young people. It felt more real than the other side of the river.