Sea day observations March 7, 2013

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON A SEA DAY THURSDAY MARCH 7, 2013

I have fallen behind on my blog postings – Puerto Montt, Valparaiso, Coquimbo/La Serena and Lima will eventually get posted but perhaps not until the cruise is over and I am back home.

I have been on the road for more than 45 days and almost as many on the ship – it is a long time to be away from friends etc.

While travelling alone has its advantages – you are able to do your own thing - it has its disadvantages which can lead to loneliness and depression etc.

Couple in a some medical issues while not serious but for a worry wart like me the cause of some anxiety and you have a recipe for my inner feelings to start to get the better of me.

The most recent medical issue which occurred around the time of our second leg ending in Valparaiso was a severe case of constipation – won't bore you with the details but a visit to the medical center was in order and with a “ softener” prescribed it has improved somewhat but not to the point where I feel comfortable.

This resulted in me cancelling a planned excursion to Santiago and having a very uncomfortable day trip in Coquimbo and the Elqui Valley.

It also appears that almost know one is reading the blog as the stats record the visits.

When I return I will enhance the site with images and will use it as part of my story of the trip.

Overnight we crossed the Equator and this morning we had another ceremony honoring the tradition – this one was a very different script from the previous one and perhaps not quite as hilarious as the Captain escaped with his clothes clean etc.

Tomorrow it's a private tour in Puntarenas organized by Redhead Anne.

Cheers!

Manta tours March 6, 2013

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6, 2013 – MANTA ECUADOR

This would be our last port stop in the southern hemisphere as later tonight we will cross the Equator and start the last leg of the journey.

We arrived early in the morning – we were docked by 6 AM and I am once again doing a private excursion booked by Redhead Anne who still isn't feeling well – she still hasn't got her voice back.

For once everything went right on this tour – please do not take that as a slight of the organizers – almost all of the problems encountered on these types of tours have been outside the control of the organizers.

Even Princess is not immune to this type of problem for as Manta serves as the gateway to Quito – had to cancel ship excursions there as they could not get a guarantee that the airline – it's nine hours by bus – would get everybody back on time.

At dockside we were met with a sign with Anne's name – there are seventeen of us – we will travel in two small vans.

Our first stop was the cultural museum just outside of the terminal area – a five storey building that displays the various aspects of Ecuadorian life from ancient history to modern times.

We then head for Montecristi – it's big claim to fame is the birthplace of the Panama hat – we stopped at a small shop where they are made – they produce about 100 a day – there's are for an upscale market – they wanted $150 - $250 US for the ones that they made.

Generally the higher the price the better the quality, materials and craftsmanship.

From here we headed to a attraction called the Mausoleo – there is a burning flame which is lit from time to time to honor the passing of certain people – in our case it was lit because of the passing of Hugo Chavez who was on friendly terms with the President of Ecuador – the two countries are building a large oil refinery outside of Manta which will employ up to 3000 people.

There is also a viewpoint called Mirador where despite somewhat cloudy and indeed showery skies you could still get a good view of the surrounding countryside.

A couple of the group brought Panama hats for $20.00 – bartering is part of the system here

After leaving the viewpoint we head back towards Manta and head to a village called Pacoche which is located in the hills outside of town in among the rain forest.

We stop here for a walk in the forest or jungle if you prefer – the hope is that we will see monkeys and other creatures that inhabit this area – it was about an one hour trip along a downward sloping muddy and slick trail – a bottom part of which was down a network of steps and across a bamboo constructed bridge to creek side – other than seeing a couple of lizards and hearing the distant call of the monkeys none were seen.

Oh well – it was exercise – it is also very warm – the sun is hot here and the UV index is extreme – also apply some bug juice – while there were some I didn't feel their wrath.

Then it's back to the van – by now the other van is long gone – we head to town for lunch – after an appy which was good – don't know what it was – the main course was either shrimp or chicken – I chose chicken with potatoes and peas and corn mixture – pop or juice or water was included as well as a dessert.

Since we still had a little time before our scheduled return to the port we stopped at a shopping center to pick up whatever we needed – I got a couple of local beer, pop and Pringles.

After returning to the ship and dropping off my gear and good camera I headed back out to the port – a short ten minutes has you on the beach – I stopped here for a short while and then proceeded up towards the supermarket – I still wanted more pop but they only have Diet Coke in 2 litre containers but since I know I can fit them in the fridge I get a couple more.

Ecuador – a good number of years ago adopted the US$$$ as there official currency so there was no need to worry about exchange etc.

Being hot an thirsty I stopped in at a KFC and after waiting 5 minutes and getting no service – just wanted a pop – left and returned to the ship.

In summary it turned out to be an okay day – saw some of the scenery and got re-stocked with some of my favorite junk foods.

Cheers!

Update from Manta Wednesday March 6, 2013

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6, 2013 – MANTA AND CROSSING THE EQUATOR NORTHBOUND.

A full and more detailed report will be posted later.

Had a good private tour of the region today and this evening after leaving Manta, Ecuador we have re-crossed the Equator – this time northbound - on board the official ceremony will be held tomorrow morning and havin talked to the last Neptune he advises me that someone else will play the role this time and that the script is different.

It is hard to believe that in less than ten days this epic journey will be over – I only have three more ports to visit – Puntarenas, Costa Rica on Friday and San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua on Saturday and then next Wednesday – Cabo San Lucas.

I have a private toured booked in Puntarenas and a ship's one in San Juan – the latter is a tender port and it has been noted that there is only room for one tender boat to dock at a time and that it has taken Princess on a previous visit upwards of 4 hours to get all their tours ashore – needless to say those doing private tours weren't too happy – whether that will occur again on this tour remains to be scene.

I have nothing booked in Cabo – another tender port – having been there as recently as Oct 2011 and with at least three other visits I won't be doing much if anything there.

Cheers

Cruising the Chilean fjords and viewing the Amalia Glacier Sat Feb 23, 2013

SATURDAY FEB 23, 2013 TOURING THE CHILEAN FJORDS AND VIEWING THE AMALIA GLACIER

While today is considered a sea day because no ports are visited it is anything but a normal dull routine day at sea.

After leaving Punta Arenas we started our journey up the west coast of South America – from previous research and videos this area is considered to be like the fjords of Norway or the Inside Passage to Alaska and as the day processed it certainly fitted the latter.

Upon awaking and having my usual light breakfast in the International Cafe on Deck 5 I ventured outside to take in the scenery – we had already entered the passage as there was land on both sides of the ship and as the day progressed under sunny skies it became a photographer's mecca – islets, ragged peaks – definitely more pronounced than those on the Inside Passage cruise. I would spend the better part of the day outside on deck – either Deck 7 or up top on Deck 15 – needed to dress warmly as there was a persistent breeze that kept the temps cool.

The highlight of the day was expected to be the viewing of the Amalia Glacier – similar in nature to the Marjorie and John Hopkins Glaciers in Glacier Bay in Alaska – we kept wondering when we would see the real thing – there are a number of snow capped peaks and glaciers visible in the area and as the 4 o'clock came we started to see what everyone was waiting for – the bridge and cruise director were keeping us informed of our progress – I had gotten a good advantage point up on Deck 15 forward so was able to take photos and video to my heart's content – despite the sunshine which became obscured as the day progressed and even produced a localized shower right over the ship it was windy and after two hours of getting a good wind burn it was time to head inside to warm up.

The Amalia Glacier is a tide water glacier – that is – it empties directly into the ocean – there wasn't much calving going on as there was only a few pieces of ice floating in the ocean.

Finally at around 5PM the ship dropped anchor and everyone was able to get a good view – then the ship did a 360 so everyone got a view – the sun also came out for a brief moment. Certainly a highlight for many – especially if you haven't done either Alaska or Norway.

Then it was back to the cabin to upload the photos and video – tomorrow is a true sea day and then it is Puerto Montt.

It was while I was out on deck that I noticed a woman wearing a Vancouver 2010 blue jacket out and went over an introduced myself – she was a driver at the village – I only had my blue toque with me and by that time I had taken it off.

She commented that when she was ashore in Punta Arenas and wearing the jacket that a person came up to her and recognized what the jacket meant. Not sure if she was in Vancouver for the Games or was just aware of their meaning.

Cheers!

Ushuaia Feb 21, 2013

USHUAIA – (oo-shoo-AYE-ah) THURSDAY FEB 21, 2013

Ushuaia – located at the very tip of South America we knew a visit here could be a challenge because of the ongoing dispute over the Falklands/Maldives between Britain and Argentina – with the recent posting of a certain royal prince and heir to his Grandmother's throne and the discovery of oil reserves off the coast of the islands recent visits by British flagged ships and since Princess is flagged in Bermuda and in our case with a British captain Princess thought they had assurances in writing that we would we able to dock without incident – while the local authorities may have put it in writing it doesn't appear that the port authority were serious about seeing that the contents of the letter were honoured for as we approached the pier the ship was told by the on board pilot that due to tides and currents etc the ship would have to tender.

Interesting a Celebrity ship which is not British flagged was able to dock without incident.

So while we could see a sparkling outline of the city with the Andes sporting a new crop of snow dropping to the sea and the lights of the town providing some very scenic photo opportunities it would be awhile before the tour arranged by redhead Anne would get underway.

So the ship had to put together tender operations on short notice and to further complicate matters only one tender spot was opened for the ship.

For here I have chosen a private tour organized by Redhead Anne and thanks to her persistence she was able to get us early tender tickets – we are all finally together and its time to start the tour and what a great day it was.

Our first stop was a Bahia Ensenada – and what a beautiful spot – a sparkling, gleaming seascape under clear blue skies ringed by the large jagged peaks of the Andes and which some new snow to boot. The southern most post office in the world is located here and while we don't have our passports many purchased post cards or got other items stamped.

Then it was back in the van and a drive to the end of the Pan-American highway but with a stop at a viewpoint where I would see more mountain views amid a marshy lagoon like setting.

At the end of the road – there is a short walk that takes you to the water and once again the views were impressive – we are at Bahia Lapataia in Tierra Del Fuego National Park – we are 17,848 Kms from Fairbanks, Alaska – literally the end of the road.

Leaving here we now head back towards town but with a stop at the Park headquarters on the shores of Laco Acigami where more beautiful mountain views are enjoyed – also a chance to purchase a pop or water – use inside plumbing etc.

Our last stop of the day will be a chairlift ride up to the Martial Glacier viewpoint – while no fan of chairlifts I survive – the other person also wasn't big on the chair lift so we were able to reassure each other during the approx. 10 minute ride to the top.

It was here that some confusion existed – I was sure that we were to have time to explore the area while the tour guide was singing a different tune – look at the view below you, take a picture and get back on the chair – well I decided to walk about 10 minutes up the trail – to get to the Glacier is over three hours so that wasn't an option – to a viewpoint that gave great views of the mountains containing the Glacier – next thing I know the tour guide is giving me a hard time for getting lost on her – well that is what she put in her report and in response to some of the issues Anne had with her English or should I say lack of it – how you can be lost of a well travelled trail with many people in plain view is opened to debate – it was a chilly ride down the mountain with her.

The scenery with the ocean and town below was great.

The tour ends in town and I spent some time walking around – have a beer and by some pop.

So it's time to catch a tender – a tender boat can hold upwards of 150 people and with only one boat allowed at a time I waited in line for over an hour – this deliberate action caused the ship to leave over two hours late which negated much chance of seeing the 4 or 5 glaciers that reach tidewater in the Beagle Channel before darkness set in.

It was a long and very enjoyable trip.

ED NOTES: As I preparing to write this report I checked the description provided by the tour operator AND it clearly states that there would be 30 minutes to walk at the top of the mountain.

Our delay in leaving would have a ripple affect in our arrival time in our next port – Punta Arenas, Chile.