Here is our trip by the numbers;
- 32 nights (3 land, 2 air, 27 ship)
- 28,000 km (12,500 sea, 15,500 air)
- 4 continents (NA, EU, AF, SA)
- 8 countries (P, S, M, CV, BR, UR, AR, CH)
- 15 ports of call (did not get into Porto Bello)
- 3 cabins (Inside F cat., B1 veranda, B3 veranda)
- 20 bottles of wine brought on board
- 2 bottles of liquor brought on board
- 3 bottles of wine drunk during 4 open bar events
- gained 5-6 pounds
- 20 lobster tails, 10 lbs of prawns, 10 lbs of fish, 6 steaks eaten
- 8 bowls of ice cream, 5 smoothies, 20 cookies
- 200 laps swum in ship's pool
- 20 km walked on board ship
- 50 people met
- 200 hrs slept on board
- 23 deg C ave temp whole trip
- 4 rainy days
- 2 equator crossings (1 ship, 1 air)
- 1092 photos
- 2 very satisfied people
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Adios Buenos Aires
We arrived on a very wet and windy Sunday in BA. Temp was 16 deg, not a nice day. Took the free shuttle to the Plaza Hotel. From there we took a cab for our private tango lesson in Avenida Cordoba.
Well, private instructor Nora greeted us in her dance studio apartment. There was another couple there to help demonstrate and teach. We learned to caress the floor with our feet and to do the basic tango steps. However, Dave was clutsy and Marie couldn't follow him. After 90 minutes we were sweating and happy to finish. Nora conceded that the Tango is difficult to learn and it takes several lessons. We thanked them and promised to continue lessons once we got back home.
Web went back to Florida Ave and tried to do some shopping but it was to cool and windy. After hanging out in an upscale mall, we headed back for our last evening on board. We enjoyed a flamengo guitar concert. Eating in the main dining room, we said our goodbyes to Ravi and Gilbert. Also gave tips to Guandoly and Ernie. Could not find Sageer sadly enough.
Hanging out in Horizons before disembarking, a Tim walked up and asked if we would like to join them for a half day tour with airport drop. Well this was greatly appreciated.
We toured the city in a minie bus with two other couples (Niagara on the Lake, Oregon). Jorge was our excellent driver. We saw the La Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. Drove down the broad streets past the pink palace. Stopped for some shopping in La Boca. Saw many other neighborhoods and buildings driving by.
Went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Very reasonable price, good food and service. Back on the mini bus to Ezeira airport we arrived right on time. Check in with Air Canada went smoothly and now we await departure: Santiago Chile, Toronto and then on to Ottawa.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord for a fabulous holiday!!!
Well, private instructor Nora greeted us in her dance studio apartment. There was another couple there to help demonstrate and teach. We learned to caress the floor with our feet and to do the basic tango steps. However, Dave was clutsy and Marie couldn't follow him. After 90 minutes we were sweating and happy to finish. Nora conceded that the Tango is difficult to learn and it takes several lessons. We thanked them and promised to continue lessons once we got back home.
Web went back to Florida Ave and tried to do some shopping but it was to cool and windy. After hanging out in an upscale mall, we headed back for our last evening on board. We enjoyed a flamengo guitar concert. Eating in the main dining room, we said our goodbyes to Ravi and Gilbert. Also gave tips to Guandoly and Ernie. Could not find Sageer sadly enough.
Hanging out in Horizons before disembarking, a Tim walked up and asked if we would like to join them for a half day tour with airport drop. Well this was greatly appreciated.
We toured the city in a minie bus with two other couples (Niagara on the Lake, Oregon). Jorge was our excellent driver. We saw the La Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. Drove down the broad streets past the pink palace. Stopped for some shopping in La Boca. Saw many other neighborhoods and buildings driving by.
Went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. Very reasonable price, good food and service. Back on the mini bus to Ezeira airport we arrived right on time. Check in with Air Canada went smoothly and now we await departure: Santiago Chile, Toronto and then on to Ottawa.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord for a fabulous holiday!!!
La Recoleta Cemetery
Busy city.
The Pink Palace
Shopping in La Boca
He's everywhere!
Says it all about the culture.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Buenos dias de Buenos Aires
We are currently cruising into the pier at Buenos Aires. Many people we have met told us this is the most interesting and fun port of the whole cruise.
Yesterday in Montevideo, it was 31 deg C and sunny. We walked up the pedestrian streets all the way to Independence Square. There were shops and lots of artisans stalls. It was clean and felt safe.
We bought a few souvenirs including some matte (matay) which all the locals drink out of a special cup with a silver spoon/straw. It is a loose tea that you pour hot water into from a thermos. It foams up and you slurp away.
We wisely had decided to have lunch on shore as we heard Uruguayan beef is very good. Well we found this huge grill building. People were eating inside on two levels and outside. There must have been a thousand diners. There were numerous wood/charcoal stoked grills with cooks working hard to keep up. We saw acres of beef, lamb, chicken and pork being cooked to perfection.
Most people ordered a platter of different meats that they all shared. We had some cheese stuffed filet and skewered beef that melted in your mouth. Yum! A bottle of superb local rose topped things off nicely. This place was as big as a small Costco store. The washrooms were way in the back, just like Costco! What a great lunch we had over a 90 minute period.
Back on board we had Polo Grill booked for a late feed of even more beef. Marie enjoyed the excellent Norwiegan salmon.
Well, clocks back an hour before bed so we are now only 2 hrs ahead of Ottawa time.
We feel so relaxed, wined and dined and happy to be coming home soon to see our friends and family. We give thanks to God for all his gifts.
Adios para agora.
Nora's tango lessons.
Yesterday in Montevideo, it was 31 deg C and sunny. We walked up the pedestrian streets all the way to Independence Square. There were shops and lots of artisans stalls. It was clean and felt safe.
We bought a few souvenirs including some matte (matay) which all the locals drink out of a special cup with a silver spoon/straw. It is a loose tea that you pour hot water into from a thermos. It foams up and you slurp away.
We wisely had decided to have lunch on shore as we heard Uruguayan beef is very good. Well we found this huge grill building. People were eating inside on two levels and outside. There must have been a thousand diners. There were numerous wood/charcoal stoked grills with cooks working hard to keep up. We saw acres of beef, lamb, chicken and pork being cooked to perfection.
Most people ordered a platter of different meats that they all shared. We had some cheese stuffed filet and skewered beef that melted in your mouth. Yum! A bottle of superb local rose topped things off nicely. This place was as big as a small Costco store. The washrooms were way in the back, just like Costco! What a great lunch we had over a 90 minute period.
Back on board we had Polo Grill booked for a late feed of even more beef. Marie enjoyed the excellent Norwiegan salmon.
Well, clocks back an hour before bed so we are now only 2 hrs ahead of Ottawa time.
We feel so relaxed, wined and dined and happy to be coming home soon to see our friends and family. We give thanks to God for all his gifts.
Adios para agora.
Coming into Montevideo.
The gun sighting tower from the Adm Graf Spee.
Wine bottle service.
Yep, that's it's name.
Uh huh.
Tourist wares for sale.
Independence Square.
At the huge grill.
Polo Grill.
Buenos Aires skyline.
In the main dining room on the last night.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Punta del Este
In the evening after our Rio Grande visit, the Captain's Party was held in Horizons for previous O cruisers.
Well we sat at the bar this time. After a couple of caiparinhas and good conversation with Guendoly from Guetamala, Captain Strescovic came out. He gave a short speech thanking clients for their support. Some O pins were given out for gold and platinum clients (more than 10 and 20 previous O cruises respectively.)
Afterwards, they drifted over to the bar. I chatted with the Captain who confided it was tricky getting out of Parati after the Pulmantor Princess parked behind us. He said he really had to watch the harbour depth as we pulled around and out (remember he missed the opening party because he was busy). After wards he posed with Marie for a picture.
Didn't they all come over. We chatted with the General Manager from France. Also with Claudia the social hostess from Rio. And finally briefly with Terry Bishop who had given a great talk on the Falklands War of the early 80s. Got some pics to prove it!
Next day we finally left Brazil and put into Punta (Poonta) del Este. This is where rich South Americans come to play. Endless expanses of beaches, swank condo highrises and up scale shopping. We walk around for several hours finally finding an ATM that would work for us. Strangely enough, even the Scotiabank ATM would not work for either our Scotibank debit card or Visa!
We settled on the beach and enjoyed the dry heat and warms waters. The town was not crowded as this is just the threshold of their summer season. There were maintenance repairs to buildings going on everwhere and a lot of painting. Nevertheless we saw the odd Porsche and plates from Argentina and Chile.
Another nice relaxing day was had by all.
Well we sat at the bar this time. After a couple of caiparinhas and good conversation with Guendoly from Guetamala, Captain Strescovic came out. He gave a short speech thanking clients for their support. Some O pins were given out for gold and platinum clients (more than 10 and 20 previous O cruises respectively.)
Afterwards, they drifted over to the bar. I chatted with the Captain who confided it was tricky getting out of Parati after the Pulmantor Princess parked behind us. He said he really had to watch the harbour depth as we pulled around and out (remember he missed the opening party because he was busy). After wards he posed with Marie for a picture.
Didn't they all come over. We chatted with the General Manager from France. Also with Claudia the social hostess from Rio. And finally briefly with Terry Bishop who had given a great talk on the Falklands War of the early 80s. Got some pics to prove it!
Next day we finally left Brazil and put into Punta (Poonta) del Este. This is where rich South Americans come to play. Endless expanses of beaches, swank condo highrises and up scale shopping. We walk around for several hours finally finding an ATM that would work for us. Strangely enough, even the Scotiabank ATM would not work for either our Scotibank debit card or Visa!
We settled on the beach and enjoyed the dry heat and warms waters. The town was not crowded as this is just the threshold of their summer season. There were maintenance repairs to buildings going on everwhere and a lot of painting. Nevertheless we saw the odd Porsche and plates from Argentina and Chile.
Another nice relaxing day was had by all.
Caiparinhas on-board.
With Captain Leo Strazicic.
General Manager Dominique Nicolle.
Social director Claudia from Rio.
Enrichment speaker Terry Bishop.
Heading into Punta del Este.
Sea lion I think.
Fun in P del E
This ATM worked.
This one did not.
Beach time.
The famous fingers monument.
Porsche.
Another beach.
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