Sunday, April 27, 2008

Last Port - Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo, Uruguay is a charming city made up of 19th century Beaux Arts buildings, parks and historical monuments. Located between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay is the second smallest country in South America. Half the country's population of 3 million live here in Montevideo.





Once again we found a South American style arts and crafts fair.

Randall discovered a antique rendition of a leather man.

It still plays! What ambiance it added to the scene.

Once again another adventurous chapter in our lives comes to a close. Time to say good bye to new friends.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Penguins at the Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas?



Penguin Slide Show:
just click on the arrow above to play it.

In the 1982 there was a bitter short war between the British and Argentines with both claiming rights to the islands off the coast of Argentina. The British won. While the world refers to the islands as the Falklands, the Argentines believe the islands are rightfully theirs and solely refer to them as the Islas Malvinas.


Right out side of Stanley, the capital, is where we anchored taking tenders ashore. A quaint town with brightly colored roof tops sits on relatively flat land. Historically the economy has been based on sheep farming. However a worldwide slump in demand has left the farmers struggling to survive. Now they rely on fishing and tourism.
I'm a happy camper because we are going to see the PENGUINS!

The islands are a paradise for bird watchers with over 120 species. One of which is the penguin.
Gentoo, rockhopper, king and jackass penguins can all be found on the islands. At Gypsy Cove we saw the jackass penguins.

If you look closely, you can see the penguin in his nest.

Unfortunately, none of my penguin pictures turned out very crisp and clear! Oh well. I looked up a website for you if you 'd like to see some better penguin pictures of the various species on the island! Check these pictures out.


"Okay, enough with the penguins!" And back we went to the ship.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

CAPE HORN

After leaving Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world, we left the Beagle Channel and cruised out around Cape Horn! In the distance you can see we are approaching Cape Horn. The southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile. Cape Horn is the southern tip of South America and also the most southerly of the great capes. For many years clipper ships had to use it as a trade route. However, the waters around the cape can be particularly hazardous, due to strong winds, large waves, and icebergs. These dangers have made it notoriously known as a sailors grave yard! Hum, here we go...

Cape Horn
Knowing it was going to be blustery cold overcast morning, it was so hard to get out of bed. But, how could I miss seeing it! According to the ships log(as mentioned below the other day), the winds were force 10 to 11! I had to hold on tight to walk across the ship to get the pictures along with all the other crazed passengers. Randall and the children, warm in bed, peered through our cabin window, hum.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Southern most city on earth, Ushuaia

Traveling through the Beagle Channel on our way to Ushuaia. Beagle channel is named after the ship that carried Charles Darwin on his voyage of discovery in 1831 - 36.Ushuaia, the city on the island of Tierra del Fuego where we dropped anchor, is known as the southern most city in the world. It is nestled against a backdrop of snow capped mountains, densely forested peaks, and the Martial Mountains.

Ushuaia serves as the main jump off point for international scientists and tourists heading to Antarctica; as the southern terminus of the Panamerican Highway, it is literally at the end of the road; it is the capital of the Argentine portion of the island of Tierra del Fuego; and it is one of the most expensive cites in Argentina!
Just enjoying the views!

Nothing like a dip in hot water during a cold brisk day!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Easter fun at sea...

Randall looking down onto the eggs...
Extravagant Easter decorations located in the center of the ship throughout Easter day. In the "anytime dinning" room which is open 24 hours with buffets, there was numerous displays of Easter eggs in many shades and sizes! There were Easter egg activities for kids who wanted to participate.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Punta Arenas

This is a statue of Magellan in the square of Punta Arenas, Chile.
Apparently according to legend, if you kiss his foot you will return to Punta Arenas someday. Wouldn't mind returning to the awe of the Patagonia but imagine the germs! Yuk.

During our jaunt through the city we discovered an arts and crafts fair.
Apparently, this indigo blue lapis is one of the local mined gems.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Amalia Glacier

One mile from the glacier we stopped for about 40 minutes . The ship swung from port to starboard so those inside the dinning rooms or inside their staterooms could have an up close view of Amalia. The temperature was brisk at 11.8 Celsius! The views were panoramic!


Small icebergs floating around us.

According to Star Princess:

Amalia Glacier, Chile (Scenic Cruising)

Located in the central part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the Amalia Glacier descends from the Andes Mountains and sits towering above the sea. Because of the glacier's immense weight, the oxygen has been pressed out of the ice, giving it an amazingly beautiful crystalline appearance.

Glacial Wonders

The Amalia Glacier is one of three spectacular glaciers that are truly one-in-a-lifetime sights to behold. Approximately 73 square miles in area, the Amalia's mammoth blue mountain of ice is constantly changing, and like other glaciers, gradually shrinking.

Glacial Wildlife

The flora and fauna in this part of the world is also spectacular. You're likely to see all kinds of different bird species perched on cliffs and on branches in the forests. Offshore, you can frequently spot dolphins that often swim alongside the ships.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Star Princess cruise details continued...

Three maps on line will show you the route we traveled on the Star Princess cruise ship:

CHILE
ARGENTINA
URUGUAY


When you see the maps you can check the ports, anchorages, and cruising areas listed:

Valipariso, Chile
Puerto Montt, Chile
Chilean fjords
Amaila Glacier, Chile
Magellan Straits
Punta Arenas, Chile
Usuaia, Argentina
Beagle and Picton Canals
Cape Horn
Faulkland Islands
Montevideo, Uruguay
Buenos Aires, Argentina


While in Puerto Montt, Chile we visited the local fish market. It was so cool!





Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Our VOYAGE at sea again, this time WORK FREE!

As you would expect, we throughly enjoyed ourselves aboard the STAR PRINCESS CRUISE LINE! Unlike sailing aboard Duchesse, someone else provisioned the boat, cooked the meals, did the dishes, waited on everyone, did the maintenance, navigated the boat and managed the helm!!! We just went along for the RIDE!!!

View of Valiparaiso, Chile from aboard the Star Princess at dock.


Sea containers coming off some of the ships in port.


Just imagining the voyage to come...


The first day was spent exploring the ship with 17 decks and about 16 elevators to get to know! Oh, my. I quickly discovered where I'd be spending most of my time! There were at least 6 hot tubs, and 4 heated pools indoors and out .


Our Ship's LOG:


Date, Ship's location, Temperature, Wind, Sky

March 18 Valiparaiso, Chile 17.5 Celcius NW force 2 clear
March 19 at sea 17.0 N force 2 partly cloudy
March 20 Puerto Montt 17.0 NE force 4/5 cloudy
March 21 at sea, fjords 12.8 S force 5/6 partly cloudy
March 22 at sea, Amalia Glacier 11.8 NW force 3/4 overcast
March 23 Punta Arenas 12.2 N force 4 overcast
March 24 Ushuaia, Argentina 14.0, W, FORCE 8 Sunny
March 25 at sea, Cape Horn 8.2 W FORCE 10/11 Partly cloudy
March 26 Faulkland Islands 9.5 W force 5 Over cast
March 27 at sea 18.4 N force 6 Sunny
March 28 at sea 18.0 N force 6 Sunny
March 29 Montivideo, Urguay 25.0 NE force 4 partly cloudy
March 30 Buenos Aires, Argentina 25.0 sunny


To figure out the "force of the winds" check out this web page and scroll down below the first chart that appears on the page to see how strong the winds did get! Little old Duchesse might not have liked that passage! Most cruisers use the panama canal to get to the Pacific and never go around the cape!! Smart idea I think. Being on the big ship, it didn't seem to bother any of us at all.

Pictures and more details tomorrow!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Goodbye Mendoza...

Leaving Mendoza on the Cata bus, we headed east on Route 7 to Vina Del Mar, Chile. In a clean bus with large wide comfortable seats sitting on the top in front row seats, through the majestic Andean Mountains we traveled. The views were simply breath taking. .
This Route 7 is the same we traveled to see Cerro Aconcagua last October. This time we were not able to stop. But, the clouds were minimal, so we think we saw it in the distance.

The vegetation, landscaping, and countryside of Chile was simply incredible.
One evening in Chile we decided to pack up our dinner and sit along the ocean front for a spectacular sunset. Memories of the days on Duchesse came to mind. Last we heard she was in the South Pacific headed to Australia? Anyone have an update on her?

Stay tuned, tomorrow I hope to post our cruise from Valipariso, Chile around Cape Horn to Buenos Aires!