Departure

Tuesday, 2/5

Buenos Aires temperature 80+. Another beautiful sunny day. 13 of us departed for Miami with larger suitcases and waistlines. 7 others will go on a Tigre River cruise this afternoon and depart on an overnight flight for the USA.

We leave tired, but enriched by our many experiences and carry with us memories to last a lifetime.

Stay tuned- I will post more pictures as I get them.

Pictured below-

-Our Farewell with our guide, Cintia

-Group goodbye

More Iguazu and Return to BA

Monday, 2/4

82 degrees.

After breakfast in Iguazu Falls, we ventured again to take a train ride to the impressive Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) one of the Wonders of the Natural World where the Iguazu River crashes down almost 80 meters forming many rainbows. Then we hiked the Lower Circuit where we saw a different view of the magnificent Falls. In the afternoon we flew back to Buenos Aires and checked into a boutique hotel- the Melia Recoleta. Our hotel was the former home of Eva Peron and had been a brothel at one time. Every room exuded the personality of the previous inhabitants including swooning couches and plush beds. We had a lovely dinner at a local cafe with much wine and conversation. We were happy to have Carolyn Vick along to interpret for us.

Pictured below-

-Devel's Throat of the falls

-The group on the lower circuit

-Our hotel in Buenos Aires, The Melia Recoleta

-At days end, a fine dinner

Iguazu Falls

Sunday, 2/3.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. After saying goodby to our ship friends, we were off to a new adventure. 10 persons went on a Tigre River Cruise and then lunch at a local restaurant followed by what else-more shopping.

Many of the group departed for Iguazu Falls some 830 miles north of Buenos Aires (you have to fly there). We walked into the Sheraton and were immediately struck by the Falls from every window. Upon seeing Iguazu for the first time Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!". While Iguazu, at 269 ft, has the longest drop of any falls in the world, it ranks second to Niagara in terms of total water flow. The Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil.

We were served a very nice lunch before we hiked on the Upper Circuit. In the afternnoon we visited the magnificent Falls on the Argentine side from the catwalks and observatories; Rosetti, Dos Hermanas, and San Martin. Later a wonderful buffet serenaded by a Harpist.

Pictured below-

-Iguazu Falls

-Relaxing at the Sheraton at Iguazu Falls

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Saturday, 2/2

Buenos Aires (Pictured at top). Temperature 85.

Buenos Aires ("Fair Winds"), a city roughly the size of Chicago, has 12 million residents in its metro area making it the 3rd largest in Latin America (behind Mexico City and São Paulo). Strong influence from Europe has given it a distinct flavor affecting its culture and cityscape and earning its nickname "The Paris of South America".

Our day began with a tour highlighting the city's major neighborhoods and attractions-Main Square "Plaza de Mayo", surrounded by the Casa Rosada (Pink House)- the Presidential headquarters where Evita did not sing "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" according to our guide, the old Colonial Town Hall, and the Cathedral. Next a stop at Recoleta Cemetery, beautiful mausoleums and statues and Eva Peron (Evita) resting place. Then to La Boca with its colorful houses and its main street, "Caminito" made famous by a Tango that shares the same name. The ladies immediately jumped off the bus anxious to purchase the stone of Argentina-the Inca Rose. Finally a drive through Palermo to see its magnificent mansions and parks. Shopping at Calle Florida before returning to the ship. This evening we attend a Tango Show with Tango dancers and singers as well as a tango orchestra to "feel" this particular Buenos Aires music.

Pictured below-

-Plaza de Mayo with Casa Rosada in background

-Colonial Town Hall

-Resting place of Eva Peron in Recoleta Cemetary

-Colorful houses in La Boca neighborhood

-Park view in Palermo area

-Shopping on Florida Street (Calle Florida)

Montevideo, Uruguay

Friday, 2/1.

Montevideo, Uruguay. 92 and sunny- a summer feeling for sure.

Montevideo, founded in 1724, is both an old and modern city and the seat of Uruguay's government. Not merely the "D.C." of Uruguay, it is also the cultural, financial, and commercial center of the country. And with 1.3 million residents- it's largest city as well.

This day was a real highlight. The day began with a city orientation tour visiting the main points of Montevideo with stops to photograph important monuments, but we found time for shopping. Then a drive past beautiful expensive real estate and beaches- homes of the rich and famous?? We then drove 30 km northeast off Montevideo to visit the truly outstanding Juanico Winery. Our trip was nice except for our driver who thought it was the Indy 500. We were greeted by a cute young man who explained all we thought we wanted to know about the winery and their wines. It was even better when we tasted the wines! The tasting was followed with culinary delights of assorted meats, breads and olive oils. Next came a meal that was enough to feed an army-veggies, grilled meats, more wine and a dessert to delight both the palate and the eyes. Needless to say we were very happy campers. To culminate a perfect time, the hosts surprised us with Tango dancers. Then some of our very own then entertained us (what happens in Uruguay...). Another shopping trip in town and we were off to Buenos Aires!

Pictured below

-Palacio Salvo in the Old City

-World Trade Center Montevideo

-Parliament Building

-Covered Wagon Monument

-Juanico Winery

-Tango dancing at the Juanico Winery

-More Tango from Joe Melnyk (or is that Pacino)

-Leaving Montevideo and bound for Buenos Aires

Punta del Este, Uruguay

Thursday, 1/31.

Temperature. 89. A nice sunny day. Punta del Este, Uruguay.

We tendered ashore and began with a sightseeing promenade through this upscale resort town. A pass through the residential areas of Cantegril, San Rafael, Parque Golf and La Barra, known for its unique hanging bridges. Then a stop at Ralli Museum of Contemporary Art with its fine collection of paintings and sculptures by noted Latin American artists and several pieces by Salvador Dali on display. The attractive modern building is located in the Beverly Hills district surrounded by beautiful mansions. Next we passed by some of Punta's natural wonders - notably its beaches. We ended our tour at Casapueblo, the home and atelier of internationally renowned artist, Carlos Paez Vilaro. Carlos Vilaro signed some prints for us. His home is a dazzling white complex, resembling Spanish-Moroccan architecture, situated on a rocky bluff overlooking the ocean. We returned to the port along the picturesque coastal road. In the evening some of us enjoyed fine dining on the ship at the restaurant-The SS United States. Lydia Kingsborough celebrated her birthday.

Pictured below

-Casapueblo in Punta del Este

-Courtyard at the Ralli Museum in Punta del Este

-Happy Birthday Lydia!

-Hand statue in Punta del Este

-Artist Carlos Paez Vilaro at Casapueblo

Last Day at Sea

Wednesday, 1/30.

Our last fun day at sea. The booray table seems to grow larger every sea day. Some of The ladies are practicing more bridge skills. Others are working out and attending zumba classes and dance classes and classes on how to have a flat belly and how to increase your metabolism. I am sure they will put all of this into practice after the cruise. Tonight is our last formal night. The food and the entertainment on the ship have been very good.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Tuesday, 1/29
Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Temperatre 82. Partly cloudy and sunny. This area of Argentina holds on to its Welsh traditions as it was founded by 150 Welsh settlers in 1856. We began our day with a motorcoach ride to the Welsh village of Gaiman (once visited by Princess Diana). This village continues its wonderful tradition of Tea-Welsh style which we enjoyed along with homemade scones, cakes and breads, butter and jam. After tea we returned via Punta Loma to get a glimpse of Patagonia's coastal wildlife including a visit to the resident colony of sea lions. Then a drive along the beach through the town on the way back to our ship.

Pictured below-

-Our guide Maybel with Mate (a drink similar to tea) that you drink from a gourd as a group experience.

-Enjoying tea Welsh style in Gaiman

-Garden of local tea house

-Sea lions in Puerto Madryn

Cape Horn

Sunday, 1/27

We sailed around Cape Horn this morning at 6:30 am. 

Although not the most southerly point of South America, (which are the Diego Ramírez Islands) Cape Horn marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage (which separates the continents of South America and Antarctica).  For many years it was a major milestone on the clipper route, by which sailing ships carried trade around the world (they take the shortcut through the Panama Canal nowadays). However, the waters around the Cape are particularly hazardous, owing to strong winds, large waves, strong currents and icebergs; these dangers have made it notorious as a sailors' graveyard.  

Pictured below- unlucky sailors near Cape Horn, late 1800's

Luckily on our passing the ocean was very calm.  The Captain said that this was as good as it gets.  We have now crossed from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.

Below- map and photo of Cape Horn 

Ushuaia, Argentina

Saturday, 1/26. 

Ushuaia, Argentina.  It was a beautiful sunny day in the high 60s.  We had an afternoon visit to the National Park Tierra del Fuego.  Tierra del Fuego National Park is a national park on the Argentine part of the island of Tierra del Fuego, within Tierra del Fuego Province in the ecoregion of Patagonic Forest and Altos Andes, a part of the subantarctic forest. Established on October 15, 1960 and expanded in 1966, it was the first shoreline national park to be established in Argentina.  The park has dramatic scenery, with waterfalls, forests, mountains, and glaciers.  The southern terminus of the Pan-American Highway is located within the park (which begins nearly 30,000 miles north in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska).  We took a short hike to appreciate the local flora and fauna.  The scenery was spectacular with the snow-capped mountains in the background.  I guess it can be said we walked to the end of the world!

Pictured below- Tierra del Fuego National Park snow topped mountains and some of the Joyful Friends group members

Punta Arenas

Friday, 1/25

Temperature today 59 degrees.  60 mile an hour wind on Otway Bay. We departed from the pier through the city of Punta Arenas (translation- "Sandy Point") driving northwest, following the road that leads toward a huge sheep farm before Otway Bay.  Located on the north shore of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas was originally established in 1848 as a tiny penal colony.  The city was officially renamed Magallanes for Ferdinand Magellan in 1927, the Portuguese explorer who, while circumnavigating the earth for Spain, passed close to the present site of Punta Arenas in 1520.  It was changed back to Punta Arenas in 1938.

We continued skirting Otway Bay until we arrived where the Magellan penguins live and nest. We walked for one mile over a wooden path to reach a penguin rookery. It was a real challenge to walk into the wind, but well worth the adventure.  Later we stopped in the town of Puerto Arenas before returning to the ship by tender.  Sailing out at 5:30 pm.

Pictured below-

• Memorial to Ferdinand Magellan in Punta Arenas

• The Magellan penguins

• Enjoying the penguin adventure

Fun on our Ship!

Wednesday,1/23

Pictured below-


-3 tables of bridge. One exciting bid was 7 spades doubled

-Booray

-Lessons in zumba, argentine tango and salsa

Puerto Montt and Frutillar

Tuesday, 1/22. Puerto Montt, Chile. High today 76. Cloudy in the morning. Sunny in the afternoon. We departed from the ship by a tender to the city center, by the main square and the cathedral. Then we headed towards Puerto Varas known as the "City of the Roses". It overlooks Lake Llanquihue (the largest lake entirely in Chile). We continued on to Frutillar, with homes built similar to those of the German Black Forest region due to early German settlers in the 1850's). At Frutillar, we could see the snow covered Osorno Volcano in the distance when the sun appeared in the afternoon. The area is popular with skiers during their winter months (North America's summer months).

Pictured below- Puerto Montt, German style home in Frutillar, flowers in Frutillar,
Osorno Volcano

First Day at Sea

Monday, 1/21

A Fun Day at Sea- working out, reading, bridge for the ladies with afternoon tea, some the guys played booray. Later we dressed up for our first formal night. Cocktails in the Constellation Lounge, dinner, then a Broadway show (off,off Broadway).

Valparaiso and Boarding the Ship

Sunday, 1/20

We boarded our coach this morning for a picturesque transfer to the pier in Valparaiso to join our ship-the Celebrity Infinity. A visit to Vina del Mar (the Garden City) and Valparaiso (World Heritage Site). We began our journey en route 68 from Santiago heading towards the beautiful city of Vina Del Mar and had lunch at a cafe by the beach. Then we headed around the bay to Valparaiso and discovered this busy port city with its charming hills (once referred to by sailors as "Little San Francisco". A ride on the funicular where we enjoyed the view of the city and our ship from the hillside. We boarded our ship at 3:00 pm and will sail out at 7:00 pm. Looking forward to a fun day at sea tomorrow.

Pictured below- Valparaiso, Vina Del Mar, The Celebrity Infinity