Today, our last day at sea brought a little more onboard adventure. About 7:15 a.m. we awoke to the drawers in the staterooms coming open, the clothes swinging in the closet and what Dennis calls, "a scraping sound from the bottom of the ship". Yes, we went slightly aground while making a turn from the Buenos Aries channel back into the Atlantic. It seems the pilot we took on thought that when he turned the front of the ship, he forgot there was something following in the back. The captain said if he had his way the pilot would be strung up on the yardarm. We're about 4 hours late for our arrival in Rio, but for us it doesn't matter.
We have now danced from the Pacific to the Atlantic; eaten every imaginable type of food and have seen lots of shows, won lots of prizes, and basically had an all around good time.
This; however, will be our last Blog -- we're departing from the ship and will be busy packing and making arrangements to move to the hotel in Rio.
To one and all -- Have a Very Merry Christmas -- we'll be home to help you bring in the New Year.
This blog has been a great experience for us -- we hope all of you will Blog us on your next vacation.
Adios
The Six BMK Travelers
PS Good Luck to Charles tomorrow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Montevideo and Buenos Aries
Montevideo, Uruguay -- big bbq country. At the center town plaza we strolled into a large area like a food court, which was a converted train station imported from England. Inside were different vendors who each had a big wood fire making charcoal with a big huge grill. As the burning wood turned to charcoal the chute was opened to let the coals go under the grill. The meats were kidney, brain, blood sausage, pork, chicken, beef - all different cuts -- all placed on the grill ready for the coals. The big meal of the day was lunch, and this place fed probably 2,000 people who all ate mostly meat with a few french fries. In fact, it's not unusual for a meat dish to be eaten twice a day. Didn't notice any lettuce. And we were afraid to try it.
Instead we ordered our newly acquired drink of choice (for the boys) - Crystal Beer. As we were drinking our beer we took a look at the menu. Four of the choices (right in a row) were: rabbit, otter, boar, and one we can't remember but equally unusual. Next YC dinner meeting, maybe we should find a recipe for otter, -- I understand there may be otters in the lagoon now.
Buenos Aries, Argentina -- Very large town of 13 million, (perhaps a city) most who live in apartments downtown. This city has no cars in the downtown streets. We were given a map and we took a walking tour. Pedestrians clearly had the right of way even when there were cars. Florida street is the Chen-zee-le-zay, Paris, of Buenos Aries. We walked for 3 hours on the same street stopping to window shop and purchase items we couldn't do without. The temperature was 86 degrees with 99.9% humidity. In fact, it started to sprinkle when we started back to the ship. A few minutes later there was a full blown, very windy, thunderstorm. The ship stopped accepting passengers and closed the gangway. The sternthrusters were keeping the ship against the dock in case the lines parted for a 1/2 hour. People couldn't get off or on. The storm passed; passengers boarded; we departed for Rio about 7:30; an hour late.
Nice day today at sea. Nothing exciting happening. We're watching a professional Tango couple dance the Argentenian Tango.
More tomorrow, our last day on the ship.
BMK Travellers
Instead we ordered our newly acquired drink of choice (for the boys) - Crystal Beer. As we were drinking our beer we took a look at the menu. Four of the choices (right in a row) were: rabbit, otter, boar, and one we can't remember but equally unusual. Next YC dinner meeting, maybe we should find a recipe for otter, -- I understand there may be otters in the lagoon now.
Buenos Aries, Argentina -- Very large town of 13 million, (perhaps a city) most who live in apartments downtown. This city has no cars in the downtown streets. We were given a map and we took a walking tour. Pedestrians clearly had the right of way even when there were cars. Florida street is the Chen-zee-le-zay, Paris, of Buenos Aries. We walked for 3 hours on the same street stopping to window shop and purchase items we couldn't do without. The temperature was 86 degrees with 99.9% humidity. In fact, it started to sprinkle when we started back to the ship. A few minutes later there was a full blown, very windy, thunderstorm. The ship stopped accepting passengers and closed the gangway. The sternthrusters were keeping the ship against the dock in case the lines parted for a 1/2 hour. People couldn't get off or on. The storm passed; passengers boarded; we departed for Rio about 7:30; an hour late.
Nice day today at sea. Nothing exciting happening. We're watching a professional Tango couple dance the Argentenian Tango.
More tomorrow, our last day on the ship.
BMK Travellers
Friday, December 18, 2009
The Hypnotist
Two nights ago after dinner we went to see a hypnotist show. We laughed so hard we decided to go see the show the following night. Three of us, Leila, Shirley & Shawn decided we wanted to volunteer to be hypnotised. We went up on the stage with about 20 others. Shawn was asked to sit down, Leila & Shirley were quickly "gone" - meaning he has us focus on a bright white light and (just like the movies) told us to concentrate on his words. During this time he would walk behind each of us and before we knew it, we were laying on the floor. This is a very strange sensation. Soon Shirley was invited to go back to her seat (we think because he ran out of chairs). Leila stayed. He woke me up and told me to sit in a chair, I said, " I don't think I'm hypnotized because I hear everything you say". (this is what I've been told). He tapped me on the head and said, "sleep". I almost fell over, and out. Throughout the next 1/2 hour I cried, I laughed, I milked a cow, (fed some milk to the imaginery cat) was drunk acting, after pretending to drink Vodka, which I spit out, ate an ice cream cone, and I don't even eat ice cream, went to a very hot beach and put on suntan lotion, ...and on and on and on ... everyone was laughing so hard. Shawn may have some on his video camera. I'm not sure if I want to see it or not. L.
Today we're going walking in Montevideo.
Weather warming up. Should be 80 today.
The six BMK Travelers
Today we're going walking in Montevideo.
Weather warming up. Should be 80 today.
The six BMK Travelers
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Faulkland Islands, Capitol City, Stanley, Population 2,900
Our stop in the Capitol City of Stanley started with a tour of the very big city of 2,900 people.
We signed up for the Penguin Tour, taking us about 45 minutes from downtown to a white sand beachCove which had 2 colonies of penguins. Gengoo & about 6 King Penguins.
We all looked like Penguins because we put on most of our heavy clothes that we had packed.
This was the first time we wore the big jackets and lots of layers. The statistic for Stanley weather informed us that there are 1,781 HOURS of sunshine per YEAR. We had at least 30 minutes of those hours.
A small bus took us about 25 minutes into the island and then the group was divided into parties of 4 and then we transferred to a 4-wheel jeep that crossed the rutted peat bogs; bouncing and winding our way out to the beach cove. The 4 mile drive took another 20 minutes.
Quite an experience. This tour had been written up last year as one of the 5 best adventure tours to experience. Yes, this was an adventure.
The penguin nesting area had a rookery of (maybe) 200 penguins. The wind was blowing and the mother penguins were keeping their babies warm. We took lots of photos, but we have no way to post those photos on the blog. Way out in no-where, was a small Cove Cafe to serve English Tea, (with real china ware) and home made cookies and cakes. A real treat.
On the return trip our tour guide stopped to show us the "shoe tree" This photo is also in the Lands End Catalog.
Our guide was part of a 6-generation family who owns a farm about an hour from town. She had an interesting story to tell us about her participation in the Faulkland Island war sometime in the 1980's. She transported British troups to the battlefield mountain area in the dark of night without head-lights. I asked her if she was going to write a book about her family helping with the war, but she very casually said, "no", but my son did write a school paper on "mom's war stories". Good down'home folks.
Back to the ship --- After we went to bed the Captain announced we were turning back toward the Faulkland Islands to remove a passenger who had become ill in the middle of the night. A helicopter took the passenger off about 2:00 a.m. We turned back out to sea to return on our itinerary. I think we will make up the lost time before arriving in Montevideo.
Tonite the Captain is hosting a formal cocktail party which we won't miss -- It's 5:00 somewhere!
Later
See'ya
The Six BMK Travelers
We signed up for the Penguin Tour, taking us about 45 minutes from downtown to a white sand beachCove which had 2 colonies of penguins. Gengoo & about 6 King Penguins.
We all looked like Penguins because we put on most of our heavy clothes that we had packed.
This was the first time we wore the big jackets and lots of layers. The statistic for Stanley weather informed us that there are 1,781 HOURS of sunshine per YEAR. We had at least 30 minutes of those hours.
A small bus took us about 25 minutes into the island and then the group was divided into parties of 4 and then we transferred to a 4-wheel jeep that crossed the rutted peat bogs; bouncing and winding our way out to the beach cove. The 4 mile drive took another 20 minutes.
Quite an experience. This tour had been written up last year as one of the 5 best adventure tours to experience. Yes, this was an adventure.
The penguin nesting area had a rookery of (maybe) 200 penguins. The wind was blowing and the mother penguins were keeping their babies warm. We took lots of photos, but we have no way to post those photos on the blog. Way out in no-where, was a small Cove Cafe to serve English Tea, (with real china ware) and home made cookies and cakes. A real treat.
On the return trip our tour guide stopped to show us the "shoe tree" This photo is also in the Lands End Catalog.
Our guide was part of a 6-generation family who owns a farm about an hour from town. She had an interesting story to tell us about her participation in the Faulkland Island war sometime in the 1980's. She transported British troups to the battlefield mountain area in the dark of night without head-lights. I asked her if she was going to write a book about her family helping with the war, but she very casually said, "no", but my son did write a school paper on "mom's war stories". Good down'home folks.
Back to the ship --- After we went to bed the Captain announced we were turning back toward the Faulkland Islands to remove a passenger who had become ill in the middle of the night. A helicopter took the passenger off about 2:00 a.m. We turned back out to sea to return on our itinerary. I think we will make up the lost time before arriving in Montevideo.
Tonite the Captain is hosting a formal cocktail party which we won't miss -- It's 5:00 somewhere!
Later
See'ya
The Six BMK Travelers
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Cape Horn "Moss-Heads" - 6 BMK Travelers
For our Blog followers, an answer to some questions. One last note on Ushaia -- Shirley took a photo of a Chocolate Christmas Tree at the wonderful chocolate candy store and the electronics factory is closed because cheaper imports from other countries made it obsolete. In fact all the factories out side of town are closed,.
We all removed from our bucket list rounding Cape Horn. We are now officially "Moss-Heads". Anyone rounding the horn can now enter that category. The weather??? Guess. No, you're wrong!
We've seen bigger whitecaps in the Bel Marin Keys Lagoon. It was calm, sunny, fairly warm and we all went outside to view the memorial for all the fallen sailors who didn't experience the good weather of our voyage.
Indeed we were lucky.
Yesterday at sea Shawn danced a Russian Shala-ho with one of the passengers which was in full view of about 1,000 other passengers. We were waiting for the Tango performers when an elderly woman passenger got up to free form dance. Shawn joined her and received a large round of applause. It's on video.
Tango lessons follow next week. We're all attempting to learn line dancing; some more than others. Getting ready for our next Western Night at the club.
Off to see King Penguins at our Stanley, Falkland Islands stop. We're just about no where. Anchored off shore right now. Population 2,900.
More later.
Six BMK Travelers
We all removed from our bucket list rounding Cape Horn. We are now officially "Moss-Heads". Anyone rounding the horn can now enter that category. The weather??? Guess. No, you're wrong!
We've seen bigger whitecaps in the Bel Marin Keys Lagoon. It was calm, sunny, fairly warm and we all went outside to view the memorial for all the fallen sailors who didn't experience the good weather of our voyage.
Indeed we were lucky.
Yesterday at sea Shawn danced a Russian Shala-ho with one of the passengers which was in full view of about 1,000 other passengers. We were waiting for the Tango performers when an elderly woman passenger got up to free form dance. Shawn joined her and received a large round of applause. It's on video.
Tango lessons follow next week. We're all attempting to learn line dancing; some more than others. Getting ready for our next Western Night at the club.
Off to see King Penguins at our Stanley, Falkland Islands stop. We're just about no where. Anchored off shore right now. Population 2,900.
More later.
Six BMK Travelers
Sunday, December 13, 2009
How do you say Ushauia (You shay ya)?? Argentina
Anyone ever heard of Ushauia? - (besides KAC)? No, we hadn't either!
Great surprise for all travelers.
Weather was perfect. Sunny day and 61 degrees -
Took a great trip ashore. A 4 hour hike in the "bogs" and mountains about 25 minutes from town. They gave us rubber boots up to our calves, which in some cases was not quite high enough.
The bogs were slushy, wet, and very muddy. Some on the tour got their boots stuck in the bog mud and needed help getting out. Reminded us of quick sand, but was bog-mud.
A nice cabin was situated conveniently for us to change our shoes, have a hot tea or coffee and get warmed up if we needed. We enjoyed it much more than the penguin trip.
Ushauia has a saying. It's the town at the end of the world and the beginning of the world. Tomorrow we go around Cape Horn and the following day cruise the rest of the way around the Cape to "begin the new world".
We are also looking forward tomorrow to our first Tango lesson.
Sunrise is 5:30 a.m. and sunset is 10:00 p.m. It's now 9:30 p.m and we just departed from Ushauia in broad daylight. Land of the midnight sun. Longest day of the year is Dec. 21st.
More to follow
Bye for now.
Don't forget to write a comment. We love hearing from you and have been able to post more frequently.
The six BMK Travelers
Great surprise for all travelers.
Weather was perfect. Sunny day and 61 degrees -
Took a great trip ashore. A 4 hour hike in the "bogs" and mountains about 25 minutes from town. They gave us rubber boots up to our calves, which in some cases was not quite high enough.
The bogs were slushy, wet, and very muddy. Some on the tour got their boots stuck in the bog mud and needed help getting out. Reminded us of quick sand, but was bog-mud.
A nice cabin was situated conveniently for us to change our shoes, have a hot tea or coffee and get warmed up if we needed. We enjoyed it much more than the penguin trip.
Ushauia has a saying. It's the town at the end of the world and the beginning of the world. Tomorrow we go around Cape Horn and the following day cruise the rest of the way around the Cape to "begin the new world".
We are also looking forward tomorrow to our first Tango lesson.
Sunrise is 5:30 a.m. and sunset is 10:00 p.m. It's now 9:30 p.m and we just departed from Ushauia in broad daylight. Land of the midnight sun. Longest day of the year is Dec. 21st.
More to follow
Bye for now.
Don't forget to write a comment. We love hearing from you and have been able to post more frequently.
The six BMK Travelers
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Walk among Penguins, Point Arenas
Point Arenas can have 4 seasons in one day. Winds can get up to 100 mph in a matter of hours, followed by a calm, sunny afternoon. We hear that the town puts up a rope to help guide you on the sidewalk when high winds kick up. (We didn't see any sign of that.) Lucked out this morning; sunshine and 57 degrees started out our trip to the Penguin Colony in the Southern part of the city.
Chile has very few paved roads and this 30 minute bus trip to the Colony was mostly on dirt roads. The scenery was
flat, windswept, treeless, almost tundra looking flatland. Lamas, cows, and few birds, scattered the land. At the penguin colony, we walked among the burrows to the sea Cove where we observed, unnoticed by the wildlife, the Penguins playing in the water. Our walk took us along a small path to view their nesting area.
It seems different than viewing at a zoo, although it's the same animal you get a better perspective of their life in the wild.
One more stop in Chile before we take our trip around the Horn of South America and into Argentina.
That should be interesting.
The "boys" found a new favorite Chilean beer.
Adios
The Six BMK Travelers
Chile has very few paved roads and this 30 minute bus trip to the Colony was mostly on dirt roads. The scenery was
flat, windswept, treeless, almost tundra looking flatland. Lamas, cows, and few birds, scattered the land. At the penguin colony, we walked among the burrows to the sea Cove where we observed, unnoticed by the wildlife, the Penguins playing in the water. Our walk took us along a small path to view their nesting area.
It seems different than viewing at a zoo, although it's the same animal you get a better perspective of their life in the wild.
One more stop in Chile before we take our trip around the Horn of South America and into Argentina.
That should be interesting.
The "boys" found a new favorite Chilean beer.
Adios
The Six BMK Travelers
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