Sea Day….NEWS FLASH

April 28th

Today is our first sea day of this cruise. We started a Trivia marathon that will continue on all sea days.  That should be fun as we have a pretty good team.  There are a lot of activities planned on this cruise as it is a “Member’s Cruise” and Royal Caribbean tries to make it special.  Unfortunately, that also means that it is very crowded.  I think I will pass as I want to enjoy our balcony, now that the weather is warmer, and just relax.

NEWS FLASH………The Captain has announced that the stops in Mexico have been cancelled due to the Swine Flu.  This is turning in to a Mystery Cruise!!!!!  I really don’t mind…It will be interesting to see what ports, if any, are substituted.

La Serena

April 27th

Today again dawned overcast.  We have a private tour scheduled with Daniel Russ (Jeep Tour La Serena).  As we drove away from the port towards the Elqui Valley, the weather again turned beautiful.  We stopped at the Puclaro Dam…but it was closed on Monday. 

 

We did stop to take pictures of the awesome views of the Elqui Valley that is famous for having the clearest atmosphere in the world.

 

 

Then on to a Pisco distillery and to sample the product.  Bought a bottle so we can sample Pisco Sours at a Friday Nite Social.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On we went to the village of Vicuna where we viewed the Bauer Tower , a structure prefabricated in Ulm Germany and built to resemble a medieval tower.  We also viewed a parade of school children to honor the police of the village.We also visited the museum of Chilean Nobel Prize winning poet and teacher, Gabriela Mistral.

 

We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant where we served outside inside a grape arbor.

 

Then it was back to the port to return to the Radiance.  We have been so very lucky.  The  weather has been beautiful and all of the private tours have been great!!!!!

Valparaiso

April 26th

Today our first cruise ends and the second begins.  It was a very busy early morning as we had to switch cabins.  That meant packing up everything and then unpacking in our new cabin. It was worth it as now we have a prime AFT corner cabin.  Will post some pictures of the cabin and the ship later in the cruise on a sea day.

  We had everything done by 9:30AM and we were ready to leave for our tour of Valparaiso with Michael.  Also here we are meeting Fran and Angelo Golino who are joining the group for the next cruise.

The day started cold and dreary near the port.  We headed out of the city to the Casablanca Valley to visit a few wineries.  Once out of the city the skies turned a beautiful blue and the temperature warmed up.  Another beautiful day.

We enjoyed seeing the wineries and a taste of the product!!!!

 

Michael then took us to lunch at a “mom & pops” restaurant where we had great empanadas and good wine for $3.50/person.

 

This is our guide, Michael, on the left with the owner of the restaurant.

 

 

It was then on to return to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso.  Vina del Mar is just a overgrown beach resort without much character,  Valparaiso is much more interesting but dirty, crowded and built on very high hills.  Before we added the second cruise, we had planned to stay a few days in Valparaiso.  I am really glad we did not.  Buenos Aires was a much better city to spend time in.

 

View of the “elevator”

 

 

 

Found a purple house.  Most of the homes are constructed out of corrugated tin that was used as ballast for ships arriving in Valparaiso to transport ore back to Europe.

 

 

This is the Brighton Hotel.  Built on the side of a hill.  Really neat looking!!!

 

 

It was then back to the cruise ship to begin the next portion of this wonderful experience.

Puerto Montt

April 24th

Today started overcast and in the low 50s.  This again was a tender port.  We had a full day tour arranged by Sandy Hopkins.  Our first stop was Fruitillar.  A quaint village founded by German immigrants in the mid 1800.  Then it was on to Puerto Varas on the shore of Lake Llanquihue…also referred to as the city of roses.

 

 

 

 

We then traveled along the shore of Lake Llanquihue where we were surprised with magnificent views of the Osorno Volcano. 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped for lunch and as always, Charlie and Stephen  found some cats !!!!!

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and the Petrohue River and waterfalls.  We had been here before on our last visit to South America but it was still breathtaking to see……  

 

It was then time to start back to Puerto Montt.  Our last stop was at a farm where we saw llamas and emus and again were treated to beautiful views of the Osorno Volcano.

Again, another beautiful day and a wonderful tour.  We have really had a great time on this cruise and hopefully the next leg of our journey will be as good.  The cruise has been made special by our old friends and new friends.  Fran and Angelo will be joining us in Valparaiso so things can only get better.

Tomorrow is our last sea day for this cruise.  Will play Trivia and then pack up some stuff we shouldn't  need on the next cruise as we are going in to warmer weather. We also have another party planned in Sandy and Del’s Junior Suite at 2:30PM  We have to move to another cabin for the next cruise so Sunday morning will be busy moving and then getting off the ship to meet Fran and Angelo for a tour with Michael in Valparaiso.

Cruising the Strait of Magellan

April 22nd

Woke up this morning to rough seas.  Thought this was going to be a very bad day……just laid in bed, took a Bonnie.  Thankfully, the seas calmed and cruising thru the Strait of Magellan was beautiful.  Captain Selvag gave us a special treat and stopped at the Skua  Glacier and turned the ship completely around for everyone to have a magnificent view. 

The view from our balcony……

For a day that started out pretty bad, things have turned out pretty good.  Tonight, our whole dining table is dining at Chops, the alternate restaurant. 

The dinner was good.  The steak was excellent and the chocolate Mud cake was to die for !!!!

 

                                                                                   Tomorrow we sail thru the Chilean Fjords.  Captain Selvag said that tonight will be a 2 pill or a 2 Martini night!!!!!  Charlie voted for the 2 Martini night and I opted for the 2 pill night.

Ushuaia/Punta Arenas

April 20th

Today we stopped in Ushuaia.  We did not have a tour booked so some of us just found a guide on the dock.  It was a good tour.  We drove along the Pan American Highway.  The mountains were beautiful and since this is the South American fall, the trees were changing.

We then drove on to a lake called Hidden Lake.  It was cold but beautiful

 

The day had started overcast and light rain but the weather cleared up and again we had a great day.

April 21st

Today we are stopping in Punta Arenas.  This is our first port in Chile.  We are going on a tour arranged by Nancy Smoot, AKA Fancycruiser. This is the first day that is overcast.

Our first stop was at a brewery where we had a short tour and sampled some of their beers.  It was a little early to start drinking but we sacrificed ….

 

 

 

 

When it was on to the Parque Nandu where we saw several different species of animals and penguins.  After the opportunity to see many of these animals in the wild it was a little disappointing to see them in captivity.

The day turned rainy but at least it wasn’t real cold.  Can’t complain…up until now, we have had such great weather.  This was a tender port so the trip from ship to dock was pretty rocky.  Day was OK but was fun because of the people we are sharing this adventure with.

Rounding Cape Horn

April 19th

Today dawned as another beautiful day.  Seas are calm.  Played Trivia today…came in second.  The highlight of the day was rounding Cape Horn.  We all started the party in Stephen’s Grand Suite on the starboard side.

 

We  then moved to Rich and Delia’s and our AFT cabins for a better view.

This is a picture of the Chilean Navy post with the Albatross monument to the right side in the picture.  The other picture shows Charlie pouring champagne…a tradition while rounding the Horn.

Another great day. 

Puerto Madryn

April 17th

Today we return to Argentina and visit Puerto Madryn.  We are on a excursion to Punta Tombo arranged by Nancy Smoot.  It is a LONG drive out to Punta Tombo…over 2 1/2 hours each way!  Punta Tombo is home to one of the largest Magellan Penguin colonies in South America.  We are past the time of the main migration to the north of the penguins.  Luckily, there were still a lot of penguins to see….

 

 

 

                    We could get up close and really enjoyed the day.  Again a beautiful day with temp in the high 60s.  Can’t believe the wonderful weather we have had…sunny every day and warm. 

Tomorrow is a sea day and the next day we round Cape Horn. 

Montevideo and Punta del Estes

April 14th

Today we docked in Montevideo.  Another beautiful day.  We have been so lucky so far…the weather could not have been better.  We had a short tour of Montevideo city.  This I could have passed on!!  City was dirty and did not offer much,  We then headed out of the city to the “Vinedo de los Vientos winery.  This is a small winery run by a long couple.  We had a delightful tour of the grapes and then a wine tasting.

Next it was on to the Estancia Renacimiento..the same estancia that Samantha Brown visited.  We were greeted at the entrance by gauchos  who escorted us in to the estancia.  The owner drove us around the estancia in a wagon pulled by a tractor explaining about live on the estancia.  It was very interesting and informative.  Next we were shown how the cows are milked.  Delia tried to milk the poor cow!!!!

We also had another great meal (Asado..barbeque) with lots of good wine.

We all enjoyed the day immensely. 

April 15th

Today we arrived in Punta del Estes.  I found out late yesterday that this is a tender port.  This does present a problem as I will need to make arrangements to get tender tickets for the 23 people I have arranged this tour for.  Lots of phone calls and getting the tender tickets at 6:30AM. I was really surprised that I was able to get tickets for all 23 people.  Getting off the ship went very well.  I was really worried about that.  Herbert Sismondi, the same3 guide we had in Montevideo met us again this morning.  Another beautiful day.

Our first stop was at the pier to see the resident sea lions…….

Delia and Stephen got up close and personal

 

We traveled along the beaches to see the “Hands in the Sand” monument.  We also drove thru many other beautiful neighborhoods of VERY expensive homes..This is definitely much more upscale than Montevideo.

 

We crossed the Pendant bridges on the Maldonado River….Like riding a roller coaster!

 

Then on to Whale Point and a visit to CasaPueblo, the home of Carlos Paez Vilaro, a famous Uruguayan artist who still maintains a an art gallery.  VERY EXPENSIVE ..

We always find a cat…..this one only costs $20,000…..guess we won’t be buying this!!!

 

 

Another great day.  Everything went pretty well considering I had 23 people on this tour.  Tomorrow is a sea day.  Looking forward to just relaxing and getting ready for our first formal evening

Last day in Buenos Aires/Boarding Radiance of the Seas

April 12th

This morning we brought all of our luggage down for storage and off we went!!!!  Estaban picked all of us up at 8:30 AM.  We went to see the Buddy Bear exhibit again and then on to the Recoleta cemetery as Liz, Bill, Sandy and Del had not seen them.

 

Here is a happy picture of the group at Eva Peron’s final resting place in the Duarte mausoleum.

 

 

Then it was on to the colorful LaBoca area.  We were pretty early so there wasn’t much going on but it was still something to see.

 

 

 

 

                                                                    Then on to the San Telmo area where the Sunday market was in full swing and the street performers were dancing the Tango.

Then we stopped at a Supermarket to stock up on Wine.  Bought 4 bottles of wine, 1 bottle of champagne and 2 big bottles of Pepsi for less than $24.00 USD!!!!!  Couldn’t do that back home.

On we went…back to the hotel to load up all our luggage.  It was sort of like how many people can be stuffed in to a VW..except it was luggage and people in to a van. 

Check in at the cruise terminal was a mess but we were on board by 2PM.  When and set up MyTimeDining.  5:30 to the Concierge Lounge.  Had a big group for cocktails but it was a lot of fun.  This is really a great part of cruising.  Seeing old friends again and meeting new friends.

April 13th

Today we stayed on board.  Relaxing day after 4 busy days in Buenos Aires.  PARTY in Sandy and Del’s Jr. Suite.  It is so nice to be together with friends.  Tonite there was a Gaucho Show.  The cracking of whips kept me awake!!

Day at the Estancia

April 11th

The bus picked us up today at 8:35AM for the ride to the LaCantelaria Estancia.  We had a great crowd…Rich and Delia, Sandy and Del and Liz and Bill and of course, Charlie and me!!  The day was a lot of fun.  We watched a polo exhibition, toured the castle, shared the traditional feast with lots of wine, Charlie danced…

We then watched a gaucho show and went on a carriage ride.  Then the LONG bus ride home.  Didn’t get back to the hotel until 6:30PM.  Great weather…another wonderful day.

Tomorrow we continue touring and then on to the Radiance of the Seas.

Our stay continues in Buenos Aires

April 10th

Today is Good Friday.  Traffic around town is much lighter.  Estaban picked us up at 9AM.  Bill and Liz joined us for our tour to Tigre.  We took the subway and the train.  It was a nice experience to see how the locals live.

Tigre is a beautiful town on the Rio de la Plata.  It was very crowded here as it is a holiday.  We took a very nice boat ride on the river.  We then tried to find a place for lunch.  It took us over 1 1/2 hours to get served !!!!  I felt very sorry for Estaban.

Tonite we had dinner at Las Nazarenas.  There was a total of 12 of us.  Again a very enjoyable dinner.