tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20056937688833674222024-03-05T01:39:26.799-08:00The Continuing Voyages of Spirit2018 AdventuresSpirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-7913350846331134622023-03-29T20:49:00.002-07:002023-03-29T20:49:40.846-07:00Antarctic Video Update<p> The following link will bring up the custom video from the Antarctic section of our voyage. It is pretty good, and Patrick is visible three times, from the back, if you can identify him. One in the kayaks and twice in a blue Helly Hansen parka. Only we know where he is!</p><p><a href="https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/802015237/rendition/1080p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=03b5c479803cba9c53003a4e2aa8f6ce5bcd5af8e975b46dac5d12b1dd058624">https://player.vimeo.com/progressive_redirect/playback/802015237/rendition/1080p/file.mp4?loc=external&signature=03b5c479803cba9c53003a4e2aa8f6ce5bcd5af8e975b46dac5d12b1dd058624</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Enjoy!</p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-24456442370793855472023-03-25T09:09:00.000-07:002023-03-25T09:09:31.977-07:00The Caribbean and Home<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Caribbean and Home</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After our stop at Devils Island, Seabourn Quest headed north to Barbados, the first stop on the Caribbean segment of our Grand Americas voyage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 18 – At Sea enroute Barbados<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Sunday, March 19, 2023 - Barbados<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After a day at sea, the ship docked in Barbados, joined by three other cruise ships, including one new cruise ship looking like a large blue yacht, the Ritz Carlton Evrima. Just as in many of the ports where we dock, the ports also handle commercial cargo, so we are often bussed to a terminal at the port entrance where we meet up with our shore excursions or shuttles to the town center. Patrick and one other couple hired a taxi and drove to the northern end of the island, about 25 KM away, to St. Nicholas Abbey, a sugar mill and rum distillery that has been in existence for 350 years. The Jacobean era mansion dating to the 1600’s is well preserved and the main floor is restored as a museum period piece with traditional furniture.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby2t02SjcjE4gRYRW8AM67lxoVGnfRYPCnbvFVrQX3rJAn3fmb11exdy1Q6mSEawbNNchsKbchEOIH-27Lu77GvEhhg1tch-RlIE-GwKDFKQV0WcQjB75DkhFY8ofXF9I0bUSBIhFDdfDvFWh0b3AQMAKyhprMzMtCfPxwyrhIEh_UiMCBhKpF_9xGg/s4032/0D5C421B-B7F8-4A24-98F3-82199704BCD0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby2t02SjcjE4gRYRW8AM67lxoVGnfRYPCnbvFVrQX3rJAn3fmb11exdy1Q6mSEawbNNchsKbchEOIH-27Lu77GvEhhg1tch-RlIE-GwKDFKQV0WcQjB75DkhFY8ofXF9I0bUSBIhFDdfDvFWh0b3AQMAKyhprMzMtCfPxwyrhIEh_UiMCBhKpF_9xGg/s320/0D5C421B-B7F8-4A24-98F3-82199704BCD0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original windmill for sugar</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlH9IstbgnXhzFIuRMrkohxZrRdZt2L2SL9cow40xKmcy8VXziA3-tChHkEfprO1OtrVH3zs9qMoX81tC-P-9n9fPURbHAF2pVK5z0IJcf8GmZATusm39BDNhIXW4FheFuTdur5qP6_jJsopnPRn6ibrYpWxpvSuAcdD2k1UqYqv31u3ZABVV-5mbIw/s4032/85C4140E-AED5-4A07-A21E-79E02F76DCFE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlH9IstbgnXhzFIuRMrkohxZrRdZt2L2SL9cow40xKmcy8VXziA3-tChHkEfprO1OtrVH3zs9qMoX81tC-P-9n9fPURbHAF2pVK5z0IJcf8GmZATusm39BDNhIXW4FheFuTdur5qP6_jJsopnPRn6ibrYpWxpvSuAcdD2k1UqYqv31u3ZABVV-5mbIw/s320/85C4140E-AED5-4A07-A21E-79E02F76DCFE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St. Nicholas Abbey Manor House</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd1KUBrLOFxwTps3xMJ5K8p-kXjc_TN41azzf9dlRe-Y2l50fm9MIln346jLc9ZPIUn1ZGWSVlq_oC3Sg8vYOUOE18KC1AnBHqq_yn5-989IogQPtv3NsH_o0j1OqM4fxaegxT3u-SiyS9AWz9dwnZLOjpcbIg3-YBfQH-kttJw8FQnEa--T2ix_NjQ/s4032/BC7596DD-88B1-4A30-A0EE-77E455B04578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd1KUBrLOFxwTps3xMJ5K8p-kXjc_TN41azzf9dlRe-Y2l50fm9MIln346jLc9ZPIUn1ZGWSVlq_oC3Sg8vYOUOE18KC1AnBHqq_yn5-989IogQPtv3NsH_o0j1OqM4fxaegxT3u-SiyS9AWz9dwnZLOjpcbIg3-YBfQH-kttJw8FQnEa--T2ix_NjQ/s320/BC7596DD-88B1-4A30-A0EE-77E455B04578.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Period furniture in manor house</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_8pMFPqivYnqG6_z-OsBwcUS7JUZXi08fHhwObwmh5GyBVOce7CF3mVGQ5uaXPLhL7D_ncH2cRF-YtraTmUjZzuIHrWnWLcE5lTZro7AkjKwW8f-ubgMVKSJEmL_CwjEoiKaYfUbIqKdXriwyp79rTX-vMvStHAK6OpoFIgYd9enLS8Dqo4Gjjn3iQ/s4032/F84A8E31-8B78-47F0-92BD-F6E3BC4B98FA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_8pMFPqivYnqG6_z-OsBwcUS7JUZXi08fHhwObwmh5GyBVOce7CF3mVGQ5uaXPLhL7D_ncH2cRF-YtraTmUjZzuIHrWnWLcE5lTZro7AkjKwW8f-ubgMVKSJEmL_CwjEoiKaYfUbIqKdXriwyp79rTX-vMvStHAK6OpoFIgYd9enLS8Dqo4Gjjn3iQ/s320/F84A8E31-8B78-47F0-92BD-F6E3BC4B98FA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original pots for boiling sugar cane juice for sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAUFZvSL_uV5C5iU1ZAPXBQENaF0LPDJIBnrXvf4ZxhU7eP3hBkziQ1Suukt-gC6dZbx1Ki4G-zVaTw93N65QlQWAtN2GKExuykchTViaaG65YEj8kH3Yt1abI7At374MsjTVbmh8S1-VWncnVNeCEopiT26AjVrnzcHRBUPMix_uppaS_iZ9opRiNA/s4032/560718A5-0609-4C7B-ACC1-769363907347.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAUFZvSL_uV5C5iU1ZAPXBQENaF0LPDJIBnrXvf4ZxhU7eP3hBkziQ1Suukt-gC6dZbx1Ki4G-zVaTw93N65QlQWAtN2GKExuykchTViaaG65YEj8kH3Yt1abI7At374MsjTVbmh8S1-VWncnVNeCEopiT26AjVrnzcHRBUPMix_uppaS_iZ9opRiNA/s320/560718A5-0609-4C7B-ACC1-769363907347.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rum Casks for aging, using american charred bourbon casks for color and flavor</div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The windmill (and later steam) powered sugar mill utilized slave labor until the British abolished slavery in 1833, but evidence suggests the freed African slaves were still treated like slaves until the mid 1880’s, a dark side of Barbados history.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We tasted the rum produced by the distillery but decided that even the least expensive bottle of 5 year old rum was not worth it at $70 per bottle.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Following our tour, the driver took the beach route back to Bridgetown, past massive villas, most gated. We passed the one belong to Rihanna, the singer, who is a native of Barbados and revered by the in habitants. There is even a Rihanna street, located where she grew up in a poor community in Bridgetown.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Today is Sunday, so most shops in Bridgetown were closed, so after the beach drive we headed to Carlisle Bay and the beach. The admission fee was $10, which gave you a shared umbrella and a beach chair. After the drive and tour of St. Nicholas Abbey we were a little hungry, so ordered fried flying fish and coconuts spiked with rum and then had a brief swim in the warm waters before returning to the ship, which departed at 1700, for our next stop, Martinique.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn2jdmFOHnWMC5UX4_InC2gX9HmtCw8n8eEKyCVrdtbobSQ3ah0Y5UG8C8iBqtvxJkfFo0A33qUPeTZPHSqQL12emJHAPsXL4VaqdhkzgDnVICXPxcoSQeubSyP7aqUrzylVWg5wQgxnvOMzRS3k_oq5PgSEerbsNU9zhUIPg0PBkSGrOAiNE3NVZAQ/s4032/1B1C6E23-E4A1-4FC7-825A-CD5D0C84F8C1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn2jdmFOHnWMC5UX4_InC2gX9HmtCw8n8eEKyCVrdtbobSQ3ah0Y5UG8C8iBqtvxJkfFo0A33qUPeTZPHSqQL12emJHAPsXL4VaqdhkzgDnVICXPxcoSQeubSyP7aqUrzylVWg5wQgxnvOMzRS3k_oq5PgSEerbsNU9zhUIPg0PBkSGrOAiNE3NVZAQ/s320/1B1C6E23-E4A1-4FC7-825A-CD5D0C84F8C1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Carlisle Bay Beach</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZfHvDoWVWqRKioosx0cmfl2FRARL_82fRrZGyKsyuN3YA4pNwFIru58rDJeGxXbGxVPqb5CWYU53ZcAn9xhM21zhpi_d7iJ00OJSzPC3FHy9mqA6LSsPmn4oDm_Wqtqtzz6F2_qvJi53isLQs8W9Xgwksv98WUNg0ROEGWilRaARdO7YQQXPy-VoKg/s4032/EB45DE99-11E8-485D-BB9D-1FEAB177440F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZfHvDoWVWqRKioosx0cmfl2FRARL_82fRrZGyKsyuN3YA4pNwFIru58rDJeGxXbGxVPqb5CWYU53ZcAn9xhM21zhpi_d7iJ00OJSzPC3FHy9mqA6LSsPmn4oDm_Wqtqtzz6F2_qvJi53isLQs8W9Xgwksv98WUNg0ROEGWilRaARdO7YQQXPy-VoKg/s320/EB45DE99-11E8-485D-BB9D-1FEAB177440F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our beach waiter</div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Monday, March 20, 2023 – Martinique<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest docked at the French island of Martinique shortly after 0800, with rain and brisk winds threatening the snorkeling expedition planned for that day. While we were waiting to go ashore, and massive P&O ship, the ARVIA, new in 2022, docked alongside us. The ship held 6,000 passengers and 1,800 crew and provided shade all day, towering over Seabourn Quest.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Twenty five of us headed down the dock and boarded the snorkeling boat. We headed across the harbor to the “Bat Cave”, our first stop. The weather cooperated and the sun provided good visibility to see a number of colorful fish. After one hour we moved to another location and anchored in front of a beach where we swam above massive sea turtles feeding on the vegetation on the bottom, about 12 feet below us. The weather remained sunny, but the brisk winds gave us a wet ride back to the ship, but the rum punch and other rum drinks took off the edge, since we were wet anyway.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest had a ABBA themed Sail Away party on the pool deck and the passengers on the ARVIA participated, waving and dancing on their balconies along with us. There were more of them just on that side than the entire number of passengers on our ship. When we departed they were still singing and dancing along with us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy62O7VbWhTsKIl6nmPB8gXHwF_ULLWqve5ekoleB_6m_ooD0JpqXpySkTmK3CXVkWMhVplq7_J0pCabaWvghe2838g8m1s-Bp4UQ0ogoPLgnGBfTY2qddlRqX5KGl9sZ_yrnd0shY2fXF4LNzfdNCaekQz8NahGkS119bgEehiSxi7HS_BeLmSq84wQ/s4032/B650037C-154D-41A7-B66B-43731AF9075B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy62O7VbWhTsKIl6nmPB8gXHwF_ULLWqve5ekoleB_6m_ooD0JpqXpySkTmK3CXVkWMhVplq7_J0pCabaWvghe2838g8m1s-Bp4UQ0ogoPLgnGBfTY2qddlRqX5KGl9sZ_yrnd0shY2fXF4LNzfdNCaekQz8NahGkS119bgEehiSxi7HS_BeLmSq84wQ/w300-h400/B650037C-154D-41A7-B66B-43731AF9075B.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colorful decorated doors</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB6BxyuM3B-OcRSlhWjHVYD7e4CyZbwq7AE-7LRkWhBBNcExye3e0N1iicCcY_rNF1LZlhCa_UDzsr28P95qI2Vf1CdHZEwZ1y1qQ--0YZQe9tiUbsRIwh7_JzFhADAAore_g_IlnYcYIXN3WH2LDUOEJDFwDjsGTj9jhRJY65mxynQ1Car-vYJMtAw/s4032/BAA70E08-232E-471E-8365-86E142B43888.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB6BxyuM3B-OcRSlhWjHVYD7e4CyZbwq7AE-7LRkWhBBNcExye3e0N1iicCcY_rNF1LZlhCa_UDzsr28P95qI2Vf1CdHZEwZ1y1qQ--0YZQe9tiUbsRIwh7_JzFhADAAore_g_IlnYcYIXN3WH2LDUOEJDFwDjsGTj9jhRJY65mxynQ1Car-vYJMtAw/s320/BAA70E08-232E-471E-8365-86E142B43888.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colorful Streets</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZyoInCz4GdOnf9NvexAfUi24O-Qh6vcqUDVEGNeJpfLMa6CiNpli5uEOdFKALUxdUsfACqiZ2znivi1_fLGu4u0-lXDJRjojYFX9HeN2FLr0tc10Tzz2MhVDyay0XuvBJT-iEDLI9BgQ-uOx6P1_-5sNIkpCFsk-mNYHpP6VICjNs7W8KTmiH-cD7A/s4032/AA64199E-D6EA-461E-B342-831D10FEAAF4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZyoInCz4GdOnf9NvexAfUi24O-Qh6vcqUDVEGNeJpfLMa6CiNpli5uEOdFKALUxdUsfACqiZ2znivi1_fLGu4u0-lXDJRjojYFX9HeN2FLr0tc10Tzz2MhVDyay0XuvBJT-iEDLI9BgQ-uOx6P1_-5sNIkpCFsk-mNYHpP6VICjNs7W8KTmiH-cD7A/s320/AA64199E-D6EA-461E-B342-831D10FEAAF4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seabourn Quest looks small next to P&O Arvia</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIlQqLdV71NKOjS3MEOT1Cbne-f64ZKg_Z3VJTXqKvCC5OopbETsGdn3_X7j87c659Kh7hmutPPpiC9NOeuAvQczH7m_z75-v-ZzIAjNxLNye1_isjZemjEJ9kGiNg_szzo-NrcHW0Tdx2bOQijBq8v8hi2OE8Bd9PWa7OvFtOaIl8JMaFMigq2046A/s4032/FC5CD179-8032-44A4-9FD9-E3EBE6B642E4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIlQqLdV71NKOjS3MEOT1Cbne-f64ZKg_Z3VJTXqKvCC5OopbETsGdn3_X7j87c659Kh7hmutPPpiC9NOeuAvQczH7m_z75-v-ZzIAjNxLNye1_isjZemjEJ9kGiNg_szzo-NrcHW0Tdx2bOQijBq8v8hi2OE8Bd9PWa7OvFtOaIl8JMaFMigq2046A/s320/FC5CD179-8032-44A4-9FD9-E3EBE6B642E4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Arvia Guests celebrating our Sailaway Party with us</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 21, 2023 – St. Johns, Antigua<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our arrival into St. Johns was delayed by one hour, since we were the last and smallest of five cruise ships docked in the harbor. Nonetheless, most shore excursions were only slightly delayed, including our kayak and snorkeling excursion to the windy west side of the island. The kayaks were all sit upon doubles and the paddle was in the mangrove swamps. We paddled upwind first, but only saw a few thinks, like conchs in the shallow water near the mangroves. After a one hour paddle we stopped at a stingray feeding station and saw the large stingrays swimming below us, before heading to Bird Island, a nature preserve, where we snorkeled in very warm water around coral formations in surprisingly good shape. Returning to the pier we had time for a brief shoreside walk before the ship sailed at 1700.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 22, 2023 – Carambola Beach, St. Kitts<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest arrived off Carambola Beach at 0900 and anchored a few thousand feet from the jetty and tender dock. Seabourn had reserved the Carambola Beach Club for the entire day and spent much of the morning shuttling supplies ashore for the BBQ and beach celebration, including their signature “Caviar in the Surf” event. The caviar was served from a paddle board in chest deep water and the caviar was delivered from the ship by the Captain driving a Zodiac right to the beach. Many of us walked into the water for our caviar, and the waiters were also in the water pouring champagne into chilled glasses. A large tent housed tables for the meal, which featured BBQ (broiled) spiny lobsters and all the side dishes, including burgers, sausages, salads, etc. The setting was informal, lats of bare feet and swimsuits as we enjoyed the food and company. By 1630, we had returned to the ship, the beach was restored and we headed for San Juan, Puerto Rico.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ6jK5unyMlc4gPIIYaQE34JFBJOhb2b7RnsBTB49l5BlkefsU3_VMfjB3FU4JdDaClNGkHQE9G_CswHDyxBhSBjdJg5a2sklHE78ynvOQjJgwdpmwByWgMiYUK-jSQ-dFynzHiiVtbJ_KobEqk6u9wVzCSxtXetsdQgAeQ0tag9tW-KO6ojIN_Ec3Q/s4032/9AFBB3CB-4448-4384-BA2C-E322A135914A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ6jK5unyMlc4gPIIYaQE34JFBJOhb2b7RnsBTB49l5BlkefsU3_VMfjB3FU4JdDaClNGkHQE9G_CswHDyxBhSBjdJg5a2sklHE78ynvOQjJgwdpmwByWgMiYUK-jSQ-dFynzHiiVtbJ_KobEqk6u9wVzCSxtXetsdQgAeQ0tag9tW-KO6ojIN_Ec3Q/w300-h400/9AFBB3CB-4448-4384-BA2C-E322A135914A.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of the aftermath from the Caviar in the surf</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTD88cW7Jgv9ntJglKwBzOyUAa8gCmPVLtA1DKmTUnriGzI2X0SywvBaFj-YET-UN8pxE9PbZ_VUxAKhcxhiumtpmxoieWdr3BRcoG0H5NgzuVjumV8FrQHMSXAAAIUOeHtLKFTBUtvoekxXrMo5x8882ubqOgRqq-9mJgpPDArsx8jKWdiB4gzljTw/s4032/C9C4AE66-9A97-465A-8EA6-B630193B34C6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTD88cW7Jgv9ntJglKwBzOyUAa8gCmPVLtA1DKmTUnriGzI2X0SywvBaFj-YET-UN8pxE9PbZ_VUxAKhcxhiumtpmxoieWdr3BRcoG0H5NgzuVjumV8FrQHMSXAAAIUOeHtLKFTBUtvoekxXrMo5x8882ubqOgRqq-9mJgpPDArsx8jKWdiB4gzljTw/w300-h400/C9C4AE66-9A97-465A-8EA6-B630193B34C6.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Preparing for the Caviar</div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Thursday, March 23, 2020 – San Juan, Puerto Rico<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As sunrise approached, Seabourn Quest approached the harbor entrance, passing beneath the imposing mass of Castillo San Felipe del Morro “El Morro”, the citadel protecting the harbor entrance to the natural harbor. The ship docked at the foot of old San Juan, so it was walking distance to both fortress San Cristobal and El Morro, as well as the colorful streets of the old town, with many restaurants and shops. The ship docked shortly after 0800.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqPep70_2LppgOwFOSpcRv79Uf9AFeWR3CDvelysGCQeHp-zODc9OvmA7qVVKi8ZKFteCZhl9Y1bLKskxc6vblhOMzuZ70EwQ6Ym6_pL8pLxZxghyyDVV4nRQnlFv6PY_LtiG4OON8TUWtp-6kmJZY-1K1pL6i0-S4wJlQG8Lk7JkG1DfFDlqGDT0-Q/s4032/4CBF544A-B3CC-4636-AE46-DA0640C1A711.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqPep70_2LppgOwFOSpcRv79Uf9AFeWR3CDvelysGCQeHp-zODc9OvmA7qVVKi8ZKFteCZhl9Y1bLKskxc6vblhOMzuZ70EwQ6Ym6_pL8pLxZxghyyDVV4nRQnlFv6PY_LtiG4OON8TUWtp-6kmJZY-1K1pL6i0-S4wJlQG8Lk7JkG1DfFDlqGDT0-Q/w400-h300/4CBF544A-B3CC-4636-AE46-DA0640C1A711.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cannon at Castillo San Cristobal</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMqpDPa3K72DzYlUB_z7CWKnE-WNXSg1xl8cOKoyAck_ev4CwjyQg7WC6tGQmQYtdF8Gg4URr_58iwyFQXonBa0zE7EB-9AyUZXA_OyAwB7ei95uiXlvJ-nPQNg1uFzkV2ZqrUdwaBlqeDwIFNkphtMF2CnirrJI7_kdAYGpY_ZEgLvDa3wLqwf3aYg/s4032/6D666ACD-6C35-4FF5-B47A-4E5F0F5D437E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMqpDPa3K72DzYlUB_z7CWKnE-WNXSg1xl8cOKoyAck_ev4CwjyQg7WC6tGQmQYtdF8Gg4URr_58iwyFQXonBa0zE7EB-9AyUZXA_OyAwB7ei95uiXlvJ-nPQNg1uFzkV2ZqrUdwaBlqeDwIFNkphtMF2CnirrJI7_kdAYGpY_ZEgLvDa3wLqwf3aYg/w400-h300/6D666ACD-6C35-4FF5-B47A-4E5F0F5D437E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imposing ramparts of Castillo San Cristobal</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-4rOywt1D7g--B2DlAzftEiUeoMnWtSu3zn2brgN0CVPpp6-dxgn1hNB1aTai0MBRF0_zbqeyGLYPN55DNGQmTOIT8yl9nvvLtYwl3iEyubV6S_AnU1dWexQpZaSl5OPMNMrBa5RM0XlPVyfPIh4dfoJK1trEahQT1r4eiwt7q85H1FcA7T59ZEL2g/s4032/A03115C4-6CC5-4C97-9588-AA9033EAF64E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-4rOywt1D7g--B2DlAzftEiUeoMnWtSu3zn2brgN0CVPpp6-dxgn1hNB1aTai0MBRF0_zbqeyGLYPN55DNGQmTOIT8yl9nvvLtYwl3iEyubV6S_AnU1dWexQpZaSl5OPMNMrBa5RM0XlPVyfPIh4dfoJK1trEahQT1r4eiwt7q85H1FcA7T59ZEL2g/w400-h300/A03115C4-6CC5-4C97-9588-AA9033EAF64E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Display of cannon balls</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkWNKGQ5IkfyFERS6rD5WEBPyu6D1qplUK8FTDJVsiPHwJ87o99u7ZnDvTopUnKXIr45DchUc6lChKy3YGnuxBfXCIhq3GIuM9fMgC1FHp4m_mpstb8IS8N-2wnLN_QP7ebCzaGeEAqQFTIaf4sURjmISB44R_WIEJ1pEKJ2oYpKF9GJfEYZGsdAlHQ/s4608/29398F0B-39A5-47A7-8D83-3A1566BF173B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkWNKGQ5IkfyFERS6rD5WEBPyu6D1qplUK8FTDJVsiPHwJ87o99u7ZnDvTopUnKXIr45DchUc6lChKy3YGnuxBfXCIhq3GIuM9fMgC1FHp4m_mpstb8IS8N-2wnLN_QP7ebCzaGeEAqQFTIaf4sURjmISB44R_WIEJ1pEKJ2oYpKF9GJfEYZGsdAlHQ/w400-h266/29398F0B-39A5-47A7-8D83-3A1566BF173B.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Castillo San Felipe del Morro “El Morro” as we departed San Juan</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_VDXmPjWyFbMsWgjTyOu8PP6Avopf8IcTgAEhAqqt9yow0aiJJ2HBE3nYPSNgbMpvXJ-Dz-NVucithhCLa5S4f5-uFCoJIZPs9s42d3zyCzfEnD6BZNA-rkOftH6ezsBPz4Lm8EHPo15J_R5V4PH5TrFl6C6d6vffWw8RlRRb4G5a058Xq2C6-Aw4g/s4608/2767455A-6F01-48BC-9906-9CBDB132756E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_VDXmPjWyFbMsWgjTyOu8PP6Avopf8IcTgAEhAqqt9yow0aiJJ2HBE3nYPSNgbMpvXJ-Dz-NVucithhCLa5S4f5-uFCoJIZPs9s42d3zyCzfEnD6BZNA-rkOftH6ezsBPz4Lm8EHPo15J_R5V4PH5TrFl6C6d6vffWw8RlRRb4G5a058Xq2C6-Aw4g/w400-h266/2767455A-6F01-48BC-9906-9CBDB132756E.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flags at El Morro</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOISzHCx5vgjJC0flOLL68Nd6A87ZQYSoivRceLKL8eZXNpa60W35OqmDcBjceHkBPpi9eISoPQnjTgdZDNtmEz0E3dVVvAfOWl2mnvUrAy0I_zGqS4sEtPUw5PX8G0qhuIBvHIzGcWw4EBa1ENHH-ZSrvNO7NRk49ydIIiWvfCrhaxcAWkIukIFt1g/s4608/B393C441-0637-42FD-881E-18B145F3C0C5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOISzHCx5vgjJC0flOLL68Nd6A87ZQYSoivRceLKL8eZXNpa60W35OqmDcBjceHkBPpi9eISoPQnjTgdZDNtmEz0E3dVVvAfOWl2mnvUrAy0I_zGqS4sEtPUw5PX8G0qhuIBvHIzGcWw4EBa1ENHH-ZSrvNO7NRk49ydIIiWvfCrhaxcAWkIukIFt1g/w400-h266/B393C441-0637-42FD-881E-18B145F3C0C5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Governors Mansion</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNksXzr9v6fJrmmnJvhW-myLH_6vA7Vi6Pz4COISsVeI_nSyMX0ZsTNOPJJsUVGGJ4EFiTyUqGrvSg0ypA8OhbR4K3vzhRRow4M0p11ExZZ7RgScCjeVQ6tv31NXZjbVH8Uo-fQyhljk_llqBL2KM4CPVoYHqoAWSk_f5NtODKLNklo1rVRxH9QiwFA/s4608/BA16031D-4BD3-4FF5-A477-33EB134BCB69.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNksXzr9v6fJrmmnJvhW-myLH_6vA7Vi6Pz4COISsVeI_nSyMX0ZsTNOPJJsUVGGJ4EFiTyUqGrvSg0ypA8OhbR4K3vzhRRow4M0p11ExZZ7RgScCjeVQ6tv31NXZjbVH8Uo-fQyhljk_llqBL2KM4CPVoYHqoAWSk_f5NtODKLNklo1rVRxH9QiwFA/w400-h266/BA16031D-4BD3-4FF5-A477-33EB134BCB69.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cannon at El Morro</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb1DwJGiLlDT4eanWQj2Qhawm5OH-lAB0-rSst1pUN3YocaL2-yEDECpZgCzfmXTprsfoElioXk9rEjYCFnxzqmeEQifOigGhpop84n3sJ7CkrKy8TPCZEd2GJSP1C1k-X6JKYZfSxiH5ifo0OpljrqCc0063n1X8BkGhX6ScnI3I36BKe-rGqqri6Q/s4608/DEA8E660-2B33-415E-981B-E9F6E727D953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb1DwJGiLlDT4eanWQj2Qhawm5OH-lAB0-rSst1pUN3YocaL2-yEDECpZgCzfmXTprsfoElioXk9rEjYCFnxzqmeEQifOigGhpop84n3sJ7CkrKy8TPCZEd2GJSP1C1k-X6JKYZfSxiH5ifo0OpljrqCc0063n1X8BkGhX6ScnI3I36BKe-rGqqri6Q/w400-h266/DEA8E660-2B33-415E-981B-E9F6E727D953.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sentry Post, El Morro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzlOWkFDpeBiCzbxKXax-XkToL9o62m3ADPwUFSc0ThVCSn6_T4ms05cUALx1daXelbFSVHDmBDzWj8VVfAfIE44It51t_gKyMEK1rcCMrb8_BtjfQQp3KV0y76t6iIB1Eq3IFjqQlKAHcNaTmUyBC66umbfE4-b1qkHtw2VxLEteC4nzQjN43ioifQ/s4032/5CC6493E-4808-46A5-B441-C492A7296402.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzlOWkFDpeBiCzbxKXax-XkToL9o62m3ADPwUFSc0ThVCSn6_T4ms05cUALx1daXelbFSVHDmBDzWj8VVfAfIE44It51t_gKyMEK1rcCMrb8_BtjfQQp3KV0y76t6iIB1Eq3IFjqQlKAHcNaTmUyBC66umbfE4-b1qkHtw2VxLEteC4nzQjN43ioifQ/w400-h300/5CC6493E-4808-46A5-B441-C492A7296402.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colorful building and streets with outdoor dining</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGZaqBu7ZPjHNAYEPzKMCGjoKVpg8jeOHihR1XFaRfSjlPyfpc5MN72IDSAiBxKudmVFuYWpTKBId-fts5zT31Qwd76rWyVCUVyik2_YgXzN0sJTpHakeTW2hFjKy1h35eth8UqSqC03slTpqaAgAn1KujIY_mbxpXSJ5MHrsRYWhiV-dQ7c4cdrWCw/s4032/12B4A079-BA63-4760-93D5-20250C0C1806.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGZaqBu7ZPjHNAYEPzKMCGjoKVpg8jeOHihR1XFaRfSjlPyfpc5MN72IDSAiBxKudmVFuYWpTKBId-fts5zT31Qwd76rWyVCUVyik2_YgXzN0sJTpHakeTW2hFjKy1h35eth8UqSqC03slTpqaAgAn1KujIY_mbxpXSJ5MHrsRYWhiV-dQ7c4cdrWCw/w400-h300/12B4A079-BA63-4760-93D5-20250C0C1806.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Typical street in old San Juan</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTGsFUnYlaK8LAq0kQaqQ-RKt5Trs8Ckec3pz-yYx8FxH7W4oDBiCONkNU44BLwH6x6_WCuEqF2tQ79o8FDClruJN6Hq-LSx4sGUXK0XTuc7jYea7etIKXgDkSNIvRYTba-jnzqVomtNplJB7Ql6dlGWMwcJUxr-mcePwXShJaeFqD_UJruM1rSI1Dg/s4608/6BA224A2-13C4-4949-99D7-6479F937264B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTGsFUnYlaK8LAq0kQaqQ-RKt5Trs8Ckec3pz-yYx8FxH7W4oDBiCONkNU44BLwH6x6_WCuEqF2tQ79o8FDClruJN6Hq-LSx4sGUXK0XTuc7jYea7etIKXgDkSNIvRYTba-jnzqVomtNplJB7Ql6dlGWMwcJUxr-mcePwXShJaeFqD_UJruM1rSI1Dg/w400-h266/6BA224A2-13C4-4949-99D7-6479F937264B.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Iguana guarding El Morro</div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The old town was crowded with visitors, especially since a large cruise ship with 6,000 passengers docked a few minutes after we arrived.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Disembarking was delayed for a 100% immigration check of all passengers and all crew. We not allowed back on the ship until 100% of the passengers had been cleared. That process took until 1000, when we allowed back on board after waiting in a large drafty terminal until the process finished. Following that, the ship had a US Public Health inspection and a USCG safety inspection, with crew drills which took until 1330 to complete. Meanwhile, guest services, like restaurants were either closed or had limited services.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">At 1700, Seabourn Quest sailed out of the harbor and set a course for Miami, 2 sea days away, passing north of Cuba and east of the Bahamas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The evening culminated with a special “Route 66” celebration for the 163 passengers on board for the entire voyage. The dinner was typical diner food, with burgers, lobster rolls, pulled pork sandwiches, potato and macaroni salads and desserts. The crew was lined up on both sides as we entered, all dressed in 50’s and 60’s costumes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-3765080428419016472023-03-18T08:31:00.000-07:002023-03-18T08:31:33.920-07:00Devils Island, French Guiana<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">March 16, 2023 – Cruising the North Atlantic towards Devils Island</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">By 0500 we had crossed the Barre Norte and altered course to the north towards the Salvation or Safety Islands (Iles du Salut), the location in French Guiana of the infamous Devils Island penal colony. The Salvation Islands lie offshore from Kourous, close to the European Space Agency’s spaceport. We would be close enough to see a launch if one were scheduled, but sadly, none are.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 17, 2023 – Devils Island, French Guiana<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszVYzKMrOfy_pSmMt0Hzop0Edoq7MYgzIEOqjVpQPCtNWPWycPSy2UlesL-8FufcK_xsW4DHr9GpgJPkZJ_3Kp4U2xvNYGWcNZTcuRVaSLpKfMlPKHfrz5ugbNLqop7Zs1dkQ_zC4waOo6X5LwSRZ_KizG-nSgdYpOIVVrVYs6k7Bmnh_-bIpHpbscg/s2732/40C3BA2C-4E4C-42A7-BA68-93B5BC90EA7D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2732" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszVYzKMrOfy_pSmMt0Hzop0Edoq7MYgzIEOqjVpQPCtNWPWycPSy2UlesL-8FufcK_xsW4DHr9GpgJPkZJ_3Kp4U2xvNYGWcNZTcuRVaSLpKfMlPKHfrz5ugbNLqop7Zs1dkQ_zC4waOo6X5LwSRZ_KizG-nSgdYpOIVVrVYs6k7Bmnh_-bIpHpbscg/s320/40C3BA2C-4E4C-42A7-BA68-93B5BC90EA7D.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Iles du Salut or Salvation Islands</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Devils Island was a French penal colony which remained in use from 1852-1952. It is located some 10 NM offshore from Kourous. More than 56,000 prisoners, mostly male were imprisoned over the course of it’s existence, with more than 90% dying. The prison actually was on three islands, Ile Royale which was the administrative center and where most prisoners were located, Ile Sainte Joseph, where the solitary confinement cells were located, and Devils Island (Ile du Diable), where the most known inmate, Frenchman Albert Dreyfus, wrongly accused of treason, spent 4 years in solitary confinement. Very few people escaped, since the island group, known as “The Salvation Islands” or Iles du Salut, has treacherous currents and the waters are shark infested. In addition, all trees were cut down to prevent prisoners from making rafts. Prisoners who died were thrown into the sea to ensure the sharks remained close to the islands. The cemetery contains only guards and their families. The 1973 and 2017 films “Papillon” dramatized the story of one successful escapee, whose story is now being questioned, since French Archives, recently opened, do not show he was ever on Devils Island.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Today the trees have regrown and Ile Royale boasts a hotel located in the former administrative center and campground on the main square. There is ferry service to the mainland. No visitors are allowed on Devils Island, but we will take zodiacs to Ile Sainte Joseph and tenders to Ile Royale. Ile Royale is better preserved and restored, with extensive signage explaining what is still present. The island has a large church and a post office, only for residents. There are two swimming areas constructed by the prisoners, one for guards and one for prisoners. People were swimming in both and camping in some of the buildings, with hammocks covered with netting slung from the ceilings. Viewing the partially restored cells, including those on death row was sobering. The guillotine that was used for executions has been removed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylWSYWCVCxOnZ9CYOIcJkXdYGwDJrz5ShI3O9-IiQM0KO6bZfkayOwk7JFg4SG3QjVtvYkYqA-3MmPZrvLnwf7PUsBkqB-zHdHK1BUw4sxjvEL04kOMbxvRfa9U4rWE7s3yyuKKjf3_X4XYotVTp-gabpoR2FLuxZQDkoV24ijBO5rtKBZTi9Nb1NJQ/s4032/4CB817EF-F030-4A08-ACD3-9BE8D77718F2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylWSYWCVCxOnZ9CYOIcJkXdYGwDJrz5ShI3O9-IiQM0KO6bZfkayOwk7JFg4SG3QjVtvYkYqA-3MmPZrvLnwf7PUsBkqB-zHdHK1BUw4sxjvEL04kOMbxvRfa9U4rWE7s3yyuKKjf3_X4XYotVTp-gabpoR2FLuxZQDkoV24ijBO5rtKBZTi9Nb1NJQ/s320/4CB817EF-F030-4A08-ACD3-9BE8D77718F2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Butchery on the shores of Ile Royale</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAQfGW2VyfBbD946KhS06EjIXwpyp7oJDFWyw_mbllztayWeGHyw-5vgdRBzW8i56lxQLV8DA6a9j2ZdWdELlDACuxGWb12H1eJLAbryNbw0FivAtH9y1UntufRdJ0k1axJgZbda0aesw0G_L2B_iWZ0cUP8GvmRP9GB67zl0jAA1Wt2ppieWUDtwAQ/s4032/6A4D0A87-7323-48E8-8559-F6F3E4DEFF17.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAQfGW2VyfBbD946KhS06EjIXwpyp7oJDFWyw_mbllztayWeGHyw-5vgdRBzW8i56lxQLV8DA6a9j2ZdWdELlDACuxGWb12H1eJLAbryNbw0FivAtH9y1UntufRdJ0k1axJgZbda0aesw0G_L2B_iWZ0cUP8GvmRP9GB67zl0jAA1Wt2ppieWUDtwAQ/s320/6A4D0A87-7323-48E8-8559-F6F3E4DEFF17.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">One of the solitary confinement cells on Ile Royale</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wmf5j_fLH231Ry0FA3f5opjTzx8dnSjPSJOdKE3nTb3rikqYdRy4-kPED_HucB20TVNrYFOMUNs0NDPulv_Z5o2NeY-tFgs0959YARc6Vea_TUrGXaiSGSoFl9XFAHihF2ahmymAS1PJGgeDMxb6eJph0QR6qH_VK46VkVLN6O3gVtp5rjGP9K4UQQ/s4032/06971DAC-CE2B-45F5-A824-FE01702BD6B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wmf5j_fLH231Ry0FA3f5opjTzx8dnSjPSJOdKE3nTb3rikqYdRy4-kPED_HucB20TVNrYFOMUNs0NDPulv_Z5o2NeY-tFgs0959YARc6Vea_TUrGXaiSGSoFl9XFAHihF2ahmymAS1PJGgeDMxb6eJph0QR6qH_VK46VkVLN6O3gVtp5rjGP9K4UQQ/s320/06971DAC-CE2B-45F5-A824-FE01702BD6B1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Grim solitary confinement</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK23BPtodzY0Z3kT4WYr0hTFyIWipksu6CZ46AUdvRfl1k0xWK8Zp5XrBdW4YBuSJ5lAgykeuPAEujwh6mZZiAi57umc9KImJ6Kc6egxGNDIYKja6-_8BERbj1z7kKUCTPbUptBtd8ytUqddUkiCCmn8_6vR0HqIu0GizD3AWGPgpQyEc5t_Kpiv0jQ/s4608/C82D05EE-161E-485B-B9DE-AA9BE65DAEED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK23BPtodzY0Z3kT4WYr0hTFyIWipksu6CZ46AUdvRfl1k0xWK8Zp5XrBdW4YBuSJ5lAgykeuPAEujwh6mZZiAi57umc9KImJ6Kc6egxGNDIYKja6-_8BERbj1z7kKUCTPbUptBtd8ytUqddUkiCCmn8_6vR0HqIu0GizD3AWGPgpQyEc5t_Kpiv0jQ/s320/C82D05EE-161E-485B-B9DE-AA9BE65DAEED.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Prisoners swimming area - Ile Royale</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dsJohzDqEaoRbmXgEMuQU9skrCSAhIMNzRuZLBI_dBy9cbGIeFuKXf_NqoORpNcbsAoCkl5MEn-jdw7QdBMuNKVGdEbMY86FXGQJ96v-bbiuBp6Jfms6lfBMIVhTKEkyT6ONQznWX2vxFZZgqD7HZl0Z2phbcskASXr_mgRlV1pDSa5nJyeWyeuXFg/s4608/DAA9C960-9D8A-4413-A2DB-6B8C0547AE7D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dsJohzDqEaoRbmXgEMuQU9skrCSAhIMNzRuZLBI_dBy9cbGIeFuKXf_NqoORpNcbsAoCkl5MEn-jdw7QdBMuNKVGdEbMY86FXGQJ96v-bbiuBp6Jfms6lfBMIVhTKEkyT6ONQznWX2vxFZZgqD7HZl0Z2phbcskASXr_mgRlV1pDSa5nJyeWyeuXFg/s320/DAA9C960-9D8A-4413-A2DB-6B8C0547AE7D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Soiltary Confinement house for Albert Dreyfus on Ile du Diable</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18TF1gucYbCO2KKqTssT-y7Qn1FzBBoXXISM1wTRjloDPGpRhkXuiX3yjTQhZDc7r8U4g6wrAW2irLNdKAYQZ4K6HBy7X8NBpLggMtO788RHd6zxdeUSX8ApwgbJ3khUKlFVXSflKUNIR9PI_IYpm4prpqpzvf6SLflPzSuakjUoNSnQ5IX4iuEax0w/s4032/FBE3AE85-A206-4D4B-AEEC-F29F38A01D3A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18TF1gucYbCO2KKqTssT-y7Qn1FzBBoXXISM1wTRjloDPGpRhkXuiX3yjTQhZDc7r8U4g6wrAW2irLNdKAYQZ4K6HBy7X8NBpLggMtO788RHd6zxdeUSX8ApwgbJ3khUKlFVXSflKUNIR9PI_IYpm4prpqpzvf6SLflPzSuakjUoNSnQ5IX4iuEax0w/s320/FBE3AE85-A206-4D4B-AEEC-F29F38A01D3A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Guards cemetery on Ile Royale</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDtaGOuG4b0GRin5U6rdOJpKgMe428vMB2SrhbEbGFAZebKVJHWKMNrJ7RHP1UXdP8A_Y6MzkAw8-N2VJyU6_Yp4Jb-7Q0_JeYJ2UzVku-JqTsKDC0wJeJStNQ8vNMPeerNQxYDzvh2za9mEEd1vi6Xx9OvUD6CPlIuBhb-jou4QiciVy2xfjNZgwRQ/s4032/18CE8244-10A1-4FBE-AF9D-0FECA39A5D83.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDtaGOuG4b0GRin5U6rdOJpKgMe428vMB2SrhbEbGFAZebKVJHWKMNrJ7RHP1UXdP8A_Y6MzkAw8-N2VJyU6_Yp4Jb-7Q0_JeYJ2UzVku-JqTsKDC0wJeJStNQ8vNMPeerNQxYDzvh2za9mEEd1vi6Xx9OvUD6CPlIuBhb-jou4QiciVy2xfjNZgwRQ/s320/18CE8244-10A1-4FBE-AF9D-0FECA39A5D83.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interior of Church - decorated by prisoners</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg652xuQZNe28Zz5P7qE9VU0djnPK0JelbvEv0e8xkhGfxcplf_MSLgGTHbj5ZNycA6Qk6geA4lHWC7eqiSpnsxIzH9ZD1vHdnH5I1Hrm0AGvEzEZYaj4p_PnARulo1mWhZ0jqsQVIIZAfDkJZUYefkhP_h5vh2YQ1ID4gJZ0H9gDaAZk5vOY-D9SGU2w/s3540/E0597A8A-2A17-4135-A669-BF79C197ED41.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3540" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg652xuQZNe28Zz5P7qE9VU0djnPK0JelbvEv0e8xkhGfxcplf_MSLgGTHbj5ZNycA6Qk6geA4lHWC7eqiSpnsxIzH9ZD1vHdnH5I1Hrm0AGvEzEZYaj4p_PnARulo1mWhZ0jqsQVIIZAfDkJZUYefkhP_h5vh2YQ1ID4gJZ0H9gDaAZk5vOY-D9SGU2w/s320/E0597A8A-2A17-4135-A669-BF79C197ED41.jpeg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the prisoner paintings in church</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOACfUzRRxsac2ZEsdiA1Eh_uQO4zv8qqXc-31JpvKlfiLaOMEuHHwrx7BLd-_C0ffMGO7X7ZZOl36DD7CBtnknKcwRBATCmc9A-SBTWjD_bETDazi2j4f8Co8WrIc5pJUCWFVR-N78y1vIer5ZVqtFPNUGW28AFiR_QcFGoM4gYLEm5E6N5o98aFbQ/s4032/FC888784-C5FB-4EA9-A3D0-1DACFD1F12CF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOACfUzRRxsac2ZEsdiA1Eh_uQO4zv8qqXc-31JpvKlfiLaOMEuHHwrx7BLd-_C0ffMGO7X7ZZOl36DD7CBtnknKcwRBATCmc9A-SBTWjD_bETDazi2j4f8Co8WrIc5pJUCWFVR-N78y1vIer5ZVqtFPNUGW28AFiR_QcFGoM4gYLEm5E6N5o98aFbQ/s320/FC888784-C5FB-4EA9-A3D0-1DACFD1F12CF.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Church on Ile Royale<br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Ile Saint Joseph is in a natural state of decay, with trees growing up through the buildings and the 150 solitary confinement cells. Many of the cells only had bars for a roof, so the prisoners were exposed to the elements all the time. In another few decades, it will be difficult to even see the crumbling ruins underneath the tropical vegetation. There is a small group of buildings still used by the French military and off limits to the public.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJr7xU4mQZo1yiDTgNzOofJhd7PoX_HTO7YC1EFzWVIAQkI7Sv7AuspsC7fVxUI6DqAQrxClUvXPtkAKImRwtVE1tuNDzcFoRTzQ7gf06cwL64FF8eFEMBW_gJUP75FQDCQncE_pXMhqzvsqu7F0udsGE_YCqtw58RuYxUB1ljbKIDp1Sp3IhSCrOvA/s4608/4AE1CC46-C52D-45D4-BC97-D3613BF93D13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJr7xU4mQZo1yiDTgNzOofJhd7PoX_HTO7YC1EFzWVIAQkI7Sv7AuspsC7fVxUI6DqAQrxClUvXPtkAKImRwtVE1tuNDzcFoRTzQ7gf06cwL64FF8eFEMBW_gJUP75FQDCQncE_pXMhqzvsqu7F0udsGE_YCqtw58RuYxUB1ljbKIDp1Sp3IhSCrOvA/s320/4AE1CC46-C52D-45D4-BC97-D3613BF93D13.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Debris from crumbling ruins on Ile Saint Joseph</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrrQF-3f8KQ2bVd5oj3ttPGWcONeQD7NgXYbCUfnS2R1s1wuNlTIAuYdPeSF5E6Zak3ohB4NjaIgpdkch8zGUZK5Gjq4_MKtJWVRQXkdxoESYgXnAJH-c_RCr0PuWiG4A-K732AIM9XWlDlyAWV7qyI04DJJwyCAq4-uEozdCfwFjPxMuwfUPWBR3Vw/s4032/28D263C1-801D-4902-B7CE-ED7AFD6E71FD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrrQF-3f8KQ2bVd5oj3ttPGWcONeQD7NgXYbCUfnS2R1s1wuNlTIAuYdPeSF5E6Zak3ohB4NjaIgpdkch8zGUZK5Gjq4_MKtJWVRQXkdxoESYgXnAJH-c_RCr0PuWiG4A-K732AIM9XWlDlyAWV7qyI04DJJwyCAq4-uEozdCfwFjPxMuwfUPWBR3Vw/s320/28D263C1-801D-4902-B7CE-ED7AFD6E71FD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trees growing through walls</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgU5LYHqT1U0XUH0ZU5fJJ5vk-sV2XCwkRDtneiNY88CLlsZlvaez4l6oik42ZZRSSvPBv_eBE8b8k6A59GjEDenQ5I_P1GwYsczXm_1NGAmzzflzXfu4CvZLW13Vykm9wccxfYjTjgnZ8dBD__MJX7mkI2LcBkWzn1oogyxSkJ4RuCowFAnPzEFcjA/s4032/B018E7B6-C716-4787-8222-598404CA88ED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgU5LYHqT1U0XUH0ZU5fJJ5vk-sV2XCwkRDtneiNY88CLlsZlvaez4l6oik42ZZRSSvPBv_eBE8b8k6A59GjEDenQ5I_P1GwYsczXm_1NGAmzzflzXfu4CvZLW13Vykm9wccxfYjTjgnZ8dBD__MJX7mkI2LcBkWzn1oogyxSkJ4RuCowFAnPzEFcjA/s320/B018E7B6-C716-4787-8222-598404CA88ED.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interior of Solitary confinement cells</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJYqXBbYpTkQ0eLucbEQ8N11vmtzRuvQ6VcUd54lIU62LML7d2rb1CfLI3b6WLtjPCdXNfyRej3WGK5f6GzQvwCj8wcXdgLPZSDSOctMF4PByHIPN5zsdftfMav6At19dPjIvvYC4NabA5wJVlJqm-wYL1xH4fVTv7jmSZ0GxNYvbnyeCc-ThXvN8aw/s4032/C0084BDA-0C9E-4441-9D47-9543460BAE57.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJYqXBbYpTkQ0eLucbEQ8N11vmtzRuvQ6VcUd54lIU62LML7d2rb1CfLI3b6WLtjPCdXNfyRej3WGK5f6GzQvwCj8wcXdgLPZSDSOctMF4PByHIPN5zsdftfMav6At19dPjIvvYC4NabA5wJVlJqm-wYL1xH4fVTv7jmSZ0GxNYvbnyeCc-ThXvN8aw/s320/C0084BDA-0C9E-4441-9D47-9543460BAE57.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the many corridors for the 150 solitary confinement cells</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7jdgSYUS5G816xlnEeFkE6xyVOUSAp2rbKFtYtRqhVgywAk6JzYqYPTFm4Zn64f3S6uUurn_C4HP-6fSjU1rm9Gicn8JYPUinI9e7UrhsQ311Piv_i3ppZanW2XndWxE_c5ObabDLOAr_pq5tIPkENA3FY5xwKQBgm4gC2cinmcAZd5lroyE8k4s2g/s4032/E4E7250B-D9A9-403E-A47E-A62F70D3BD24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7jdgSYUS5G816xlnEeFkE6xyVOUSAp2rbKFtYtRqhVgywAk6JzYqYPTFm4Zn64f3S6uUurn_C4HP-6fSjU1rm9Gicn8JYPUinI9e7UrhsQ311Piv_i3ppZanW2XndWxE_c5ObabDLOAr_pq5tIPkENA3FY5xwKQBgm4gC2cinmcAZd5lroyE8k4s2g/s320/E4E7250B-D9A9-403E-A47E-A62F70D3BD24.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The prison looks better from the outside, Ile Saint Joseph</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdPvfUXylCGUiAcS3fslCVUvqsHst-u8E2dIhCHXHDm_ePfY_J52ktgBtaHleSH5Fi77HabJuMB33K4rwbyK1fDQsqHocffwyl7NRB7HPg1IpyloGOtKVG83jg6NJha7Q-X_4hMu60pn6D5wPWiMvEHeDMHg0wIOedMziBSeMXn6vQl6ftiERW7utvA/s4032/E232E73A-4F62-4ABF-91BF-A4C922E12064.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdPvfUXylCGUiAcS3fslCVUvqsHst-u8E2dIhCHXHDm_ePfY_J52ktgBtaHleSH5Fi77HabJuMB33K4rwbyK1fDQsqHocffwyl7NRB7HPg1IpyloGOtKVG83jg6NJha7Q-X_4hMu60pn6D5wPWiMvEHeDMHg0wIOedMziBSeMXn6vQl6ftiERW7utvA/s320/E232E73A-4F62-4ABF-91BF-A4C922E12064.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of the cells only had bars for a roof, open to elements</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhQz006N-2oxPQr7rmrw2KU-SLPqlhDSNqbly1zCt5tJoF76-wWd32xMEV6inqqM89Psi_pORw_5w0Hqrov58IexqcMxcS-rCbSMVsCUii8NPIpEfPl6W6gZDg25c7IEuTFdgK9HrzyFFN0E1KWbUJOW79VB8EwfUcho4n8EH58ZTB92voDipsIZTIg/s4032/E383E0A9-A3D8-49D1-854B-853536DED8DB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhQz006N-2oxPQr7rmrw2KU-SLPqlhDSNqbly1zCt5tJoF76-wWd32xMEV6inqqM89Psi_pORw_5w0Hqrov58IexqcMxcS-rCbSMVsCUii8NPIpEfPl6W6gZDg25c7IEuTFdgK9HrzyFFN0E1KWbUJOW79VB8EwfUcho4n8EH58ZTB92voDipsIZTIg/s320/E383E0A9-A3D8-49D1-854B-853536DED8DB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This stairwell to the cells was the last open air many prisoners had as they experienced “hell on earth”<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Ile du Diable, where the solitary confinement building housing Alfred Dreyfus from 1895-99, is off limits to all visitors, although the building has been preserved and can be photographed from Ile Royale.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-45879605386920939112023-03-18T06:53:00.002-07:002023-03-18T06:53:28.880-07:00Brazil, the Amazon Part 4<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">March 13, 2023 – Boca dos Botos and Parantins</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest steamed overnight and anchored at 0730 in front of a elementary school and a small tributary leading miles inland to a lake. The current was running at 4-5 knots, so the loading platform had a wake where the vertical supports entered the water. This stop was for zodiac tours only, and six zodiacs proceeded up the narrow tributary, where the current was from the Amazon River into the lake. There was a fair amount of development, with cattle, horses, and some cultivation such as Acai palms, passion fruit, bananas, and Brazil nuts. The Brazil nut trees are protected and cannot be legally cut down.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There was abundant bird life and we could hear, but not see Howler Monkeys. Sharp eyes from our expedition leader spotted a Sloth, and then another zodiac spotted a second Sloth. After several hours we returned to the ship for the second wave of zodiac tours.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcvXfXjCVB-jAt4L6bCrzPInFWQ6bkeVEP-cu0bqgvIQ8RpaIYarnZ4S65lmO2TjRGdYQBuiNefeQ4U6S54QJAv3Z5usfnSjV-L0W3mlpQNWp24KgYVq4JEqPfGK_CKi-niJAe4UQNfrl4RoazTFxd_jheXOIF7DbIJCYPBynRm6NLGSrSGA-2DQXMQ/s4700/7DBBCCAE-3800-41B2-B21D-EB598A678E4E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4700" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcvXfXjCVB-jAt4L6bCrzPInFWQ6bkeVEP-cu0bqgvIQ8RpaIYarnZ4S65lmO2TjRGdYQBuiNefeQ4U6S54QJAv3Z5usfnSjV-L0W3mlpQNWp24KgYVq4JEqPfGK_CKi-niJAe4UQNfrl4RoazTFxd_jheXOIF7DbIJCYPBynRm6NLGSrSGA-2DQXMQ/s320/7DBBCCAE-3800-41B2-B21D-EB598A678E4E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Woodpecker</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvKufTZEkPJmZgnCASBQfz7sCqWhFNheSsXBt4P4hXpM8yxUuRjDJ9rLT4wQUhl5Uxt9eV7pWIULueWyyVfvqp5wGR2oQJcjtNTMBKyHsrrNVETP3iA0oVQ6_qEie3Nn2Fg4dv10_Ry8e9lAXJiLedBIIpQy9QJlO9vUGH7o7i4fthYhcJF621yo-w/s4429/84C09AB8-376D-4F88-95B5-7FEE85E4D8CF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="4429" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cvKufTZEkPJmZgnCASBQfz7sCqWhFNheSsXBt4P4hXpM8yxUuRjDJ9rLT4wQUhl5Uxt9eV7pWIULueWyyVfvqp5wGR2oQJcjtNTMBKyHsrrNVETP3iA0oVQ6_qEie3Nn2Fg4dv10_Ry8e9lAXJiLedBIIpQy9QJlO9vUGH7o7i4fthYhcJF621yo-w/s320/84C09AB8-376D-4F88-95B5-7FEE85E4D8CF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amazonian Kingfisher</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB8XVlqkJacwzOSuhRiK25KmN3f3ZtGvuHGI8Y4_j607XcslbR-uzdHas2jfrDFLiH20MAhlf6vwFSrTFFPWDCllhQozyPWga-k5B653lfAUOFfnVkzGj_zKmfXf-Gppa4Rkz4fy6RLiqjTyTWoo1zmFGkzbG11DHfpwddUUSScnHov2KVexLoXB1Kg/s3639/97615F73-FC63-4477-A4F9-EDDEFD860BB4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2538" data-original-width="3639" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB8XVlqkJacwzOSuhRiK25KmN3f3ZtGvuHGI8Y4_j607XcslbR-uzdHas2jfrDFLiH20MAhlf6vwFSrTFFPWDCllhQozyPWga-k5B653lfAUOFfnVkzGj_zKmfXf-Gppa4Rkz4fy6RLiqjTyTWoo1zmFGkzbG11DHfpwddUUSScnHov2KVexLoXB1Kg/s320/97615F73-FC63-4477-A4F9-EDDEFD860BB4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sloth in top of tree</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJulUxMRhLO6TS79YHhNWTUzOWxV50OluVv7c6cMTDywiKE-_ahBHhhO3gi8Axb8CZs_gieUljGIeG4bu5N3Mmj7HmPFAVVB_BrzfM2xbuABfc48BUBI8kDY_aM8BzYJX8LakCo5BrCPmbZwP24k9lAfO8at5jZdEUvGB2VcKBVKF9AmeIkFM5J48HhQ/s4608/215978E2-FFB3-4539-A9E9-03259A8A6862.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJulUxMRhLO6TS79YHhNWTUzOWxV50OluVv7c6cMTDywiKE-_ahBHhhO3gi8Axb8CZs_gieUljGIeG4bu5N3Mmj7HmPFAVVB_BrzfM2xbuABfc48BUBI8kDY_aM8BzYJX8LakCo5BrCPmbZwP24k9lAfO8at5jZdEUvGB2VcKBVKF9AmeIkFM5J48HhQ/s320/215978E2-FFB3-4539-A9E9-03259A8A6862.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local elementary schoolchildren greeting us at Boca dos Botos</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9add2Z6h-y9OddGrWOvdPWIkaXuKa-vemJvLcxZYkHHguovVSKaDIgyIjQpPPWcvBwyXzVgomIaYfLXXZAkQdmRInZpvcdPCpl8wELTPu-u6wVpfzhjfqO0I894tgQDgGcZC063S6gBF2aRASqJVFCgFF0eXLlPGWr0HxVCbgwSTtzgZMOzl65G_HQ/s4608/D9F77136-0F1B-4D92-B61D-ABB019419B35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9add2Z6h-y9OddGrWOvdPWIkaXuKa-vemJvLcxZYkHHguovVSKaDIgyIjQpPPWcvBwyXzVgomIaYfLXXZAkQdmRInZpvcdPCpl8wELTPu-u6wVpfzhjfqO0I894tgQDgGcZC063S6gBF2aRASqJVFCgFF0eXLlPGWr0HxVCbgwSTtzgZMOzl65G_HQ/s320/D9F77136-0F1B-4D92-B61D-ABB019419B35.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turkey Vulture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnvP6lfcitNTAg6ohvl5WM58E7DLFcFBXudG35b1xMnRTZqPBAatm-2NMrStwFumBbNGntLLPcvXElkEtjwywylzzO52hx4k8iOPj3emtMCpyz8WRP5ng5AlkhZQowpjp1L3cz4lr_DiIuPa3wVOYPXyJPLIsHK2wSvp4wp5Xm5ae5XpPWXwO0k21cg/s4608/1DEA22C1-AFC7-4E69-878B-8779F92F9399.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnvP6lfcitNTAg6ohvl5WM58E7DLFcFBXudG35b1xMnRTZqPBAatm-2NMrStwFumBbNGntLLPcvXElkEtjwywylzzO52hx4k8iOPj3emtMCpyz8WRP5ng5AlkhZQowpjp1L3cz4lr_DiIuPa3wVOYPXyJPLIsHK2wSvp4wp5Xm5ae5XpPWXwO0k21cg/s320/1DEA22C1-AFC7-4E69-878B-8779F92F9399.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local Fisherman</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVD4bwx2HpxQTXXm5S6EVmkjKudXD46NIELI6s7ZCxdd9Yuh5m2RyroQ_UBeJlkowq8mfLCdywBwb-F82-TXkKx4GEz9TTUfvkUqG4Ch6fnBzqfob7DskXE61xSLfl2tZCjVJc70bVhVvqf3MHLmKn17OKv7G27F3RsMFz5T8vXw29V1SQJURgPtGgQ/s4608/9ADAC0EF-F124-4EFD-8405-00CECC304D5B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVD4bwx2HpxQTXXm5S6EVmkjKudXD46NIELI6s7ZCxdd9Yuh5m2RyroQ_UBeJlkowq8mfLCdywBwb-F82-TXkKx4GEz9TTUfvkUqG4Ch6fnBzqfob7DskXE61xSLfl2tZCjVJc70bVhVvqf3MHLmKn17OKv7G27F3RsMFz5T8vXw29V1SQJURgPtGgQ/s320/9ADAC0EF-F124-4EFD-8405-00CECC304D5B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Boca dos Botos tributary</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">By 1200 the tours were finished and the ship weighed anchor and headed 10 NM further downstream to the small city of Paratins. The city provided two vessels used as tenders and guests went ashore for a variety of activities. The city was small, with several churches, and a convention center. Paratins sits on an island and is only accessible by air or water. Paratins is home the the annual Boi Bumba Festival, the second largest celebration in Brazil behind Rio’s Carnival. Guests were greeted dockside by local Boy Scouts. A special production of the Boi Bumba festival was held in the afternoon at the convention center. By 1730 the last tender trip arrived back at the ship and we had a caviar sail away party on the pool deck as the ship headed for the next destination.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnMkPXNbOxMYpGeUslVyLg4mMZaVWe_3Pi5LpNt0EAiv7-2DdUvajIGear3NWS2pYseumZHoN2syghhb1Ea7QEXBOGf6ge13wJaaRmxmQkZWg8BpwQ5xy_FkraVfdw7l_BcZdOHJeetj6iWe3H61-HKXtessuNE-xGznPxGPeWiOyF0GW1yz45DBroA/s4360/037C729E-16E2-4D42-9395-5DA14ACA7454.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4360" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnMkPXNbOxMYpGeUslVyLg4mMZaVWe_3Pi5LpNt0EAiv7-2DdUvajIGear3NWS2pYseumZHoN2syghhb1Ea7QEXBOGf6ge13wJaaRmxmQkZWg8BpwQ5xy_FkraVfdw7l_BcZdOHJeetj6iWe3H61-HKXtessuNE-xGznPxGPeWiOyF0GW1yz45DBroA/s320/037C729E-16E2-4D42-9395-5DA14ACA7454.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Sculpture honoring Black African presence in the Amazon </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjByYZd7nP9MYBLkuzesLoo1py4yedxZhFBG6Ov7uL007OMm5YX1zUs5rWAyeFyxi1O9ItttfiTbs18R9Pg61SYEliotF1VmGsrcXoowcbfQJRfr8a3XyhiHajS9hUv7HMNl-A-mB8eK03iMCoJuFGSp-nTHX_rAh6z05Voc4cAIus9mCa61kJ1M6kw/s4608/3727E43F-95FA-45A6-86FE-BA2CF13AAF42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjByYZd7nP9MYBLkuzesLoo1py4yedxZhFBG6Ov7uL007OMm5YX1zUs5rWAyeFyxi1O9ItttfiTbs18R9Pg61SYEliotF1VmGsrcXoowcbfQJRfr8a3XyhiHajS9hUv7HMNl-A-mB8eK03iMCoJuFGSp-nTHX_rAh6z05Voc4cAIus9mCa61kJ1M6kw/s320/3727E43F-95FA-45A6-86FE-BA2CF13AAF42.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Typical Cafe in Paratins</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XAi6hSuXWUlqVm2W_AFA5xHC-mUh4b5BAvOqyh3GW8kEDqMZk_J8rVlwIvZoK3Ys_7aGgsRLa7aBP-NfiRmglYFdA-e_SIP59Y13xAnJ04L3t9ZOsKYqwC6Q3WVqdZsh0Pmlyvs3idk7dmC8OlEaqpzRz5MrE_dawPtTbnIzdMq_xing-nFCOiTFiA/s4608/DDC42B97-B96D-40E8-B25D-C35D969BC636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XAi6hSuXWUlqVm2W_AFA5xHC-mUh4b5BAvOqyh3GW8kEDqMZk_J8rVlwIvZoK3Ys_7aGgsRLa7aBP-NfiRmglYFdA-e_SIP59Y13xAnJ04L3t9ZOsKYqwC6Q3WVqdZsh0Pmlyvs3idk7dmC8OlEaqpzRz5MrE_dawPtTbnIzdMq_xing-nFCOiTFiA/s320/DDC42B97-B96D-40E8-B25D-C35D969BC636.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Our tenders in Paratins</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 14, 2023 – Alter de Chao, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship approached the anchorage in pre-dawn darkness and anchored about one mile from the beach at the resort community of Alter de Chao, some 35 KM from Santarem, up the Tapajos River. After a brief delay clearing the ship, Patrick proceeded ashore with 25 other guests in 3 zodiacs for a wet landing on a white sand beach, followed by a hike through the savannah into a nature preserve, culminating in a scramble up a very steep switchback trail to the top of Serra Piroco. At the summit is a iron cross placed by local Jesuits, where mass is often celebrated. We looked for wildlife, but the hot sun kept them out of sight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhqr-ODXjDNRneZFuGUsAVsiV9aGYbdKjVKSg0yoKxE0hGB9twvZHRl3JCvUQ3v_UkMr3-0VR1_P3SXQha9OyVOHaXihkWyIZyW12-31qpS4J397kGo78y4N07d1W-YelzSdYmtseWNwuVWP4kZtJlN3gjaWQA_7-hi2DaP8Hbhab3m5vRpMvO1s9Nw/s4032/5766D5F0-C282-4AF1-BF21-01874F435248.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhqr-ODXjDNRneZFuGUsAVsiV9aGYbdKjVKSg0yoKxE0hGB9twvZHRl3JCvUQ3v_UkMr3-0VR1_P3SXQha9OyVOHaXihkWyIZyW12-31qpS4J397kGo78y4N07d1W-YelzSdYmtseWNwuVWP4kZtJlN3gjaWQA_7-hi2DaP8Hbhab3m5vRpMvO1s9Nw/s320/5766D5F0-C282-4AF1-BF21-01874F435248.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Flooded Restaurants at Alter de Chao</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lmQPaMIGXd0nqub59uBhyPJkl2q7gegdIz-o8ZJGDitghrpkMxHCrcHHk5VhUGGDWQTXaATF5lxaKvz3TCFnd1bu3yswMIr15DvrIG9p3CiYHEHlAAt6ZT1zdnCVqE9nPliQV3QavpiGv4EL5qmXbfJKnb_eT4vYmFpyo1jD4mZnI4Emu_RoAbpXmg/s4032/40099B1C-30EE-44A3-B126-0F143B86B33B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lmQPaMIGXd0nqub59uBhyPJkl2q7gegdIz-o8ZJGDitghrpkMxHCrcHHk5VhUGGDWQTXaATF5lxaKvz3TCFnd1bu3yswMIr15DvrIG9p3CiYHEHlAAt6ZT1zdnCVqE9nPliQV3QavpiGv4EL5qmXbfJKnb_eT4vYmFpyo1jD4mZnI4Emu_RoAbpXmg/s320/40099B1C-30EE-44A3-B126-0F143B86B33B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p> View of Alter De Chao from Serra Piroco</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Returning to the beach area, we were able to swim in the warm waters of the Rio Tapajos before returning to the ship. The ships tenders went to the main town, also with beaches. During the dry season, people can walk from Alter de Chao to the spit where the zodiacs landed, but during the wet season, much of the spit is flooded, with the bars and restaurants partially under water. Later in the afternoon one of the ship’s tenders had a severe engine failure with a minor fire due to a piston failure. That tender will be out of service for tendering until the engine is repaired or replaced, but remains safe as a lifeboat. There are three other tenders and a total of 12 zodiacs for shore excursions as we proceed out of the Amazon River. Alter do Chao is our last port in Brazil and the Amazon River. Most of the 163 passengers booked for full Grand Voyage gathered on the bow with the crew for a photo shoot and cocktail party as the ship weighed anchor and headed past Santarem towards the mouth of the river. Later that evening the rain started, heavy at times and continued overnight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 15, 2023 – Cruising the Amazon<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Rain and fog continued overnight, with the foghorn periodically sounding. This is a sea day, with lectures about upcoming stops filling the day. Of particular interest was the lecture on Devils Island, our next stop. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As we proceeded further downstream, with occasional heavy rain showers we took our last looks at the flooded rainforests lining the banks of the river. About 1730 the Amazon River pilots departed near the city of Macapa and after midnight Seabourn Quest approached the shallow Barre Norte, or north bar of the Amazon River.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-38020518852260468532023-03-13T10:55:00.001-07:002023-03-13T10:55:53.486-07:00Brazil Part 3 - Amazon River Upstream<p> <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 11pt;">Brazil Part 3 – Life at Sea on Seabourn Quest in the Amazon River</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 7, 2023 – Crossing the Amazon River Bar<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">At 1200 today Seabourn Quest nosed across the Barra Norte, or North Bar of the Amazon River. We are now north of the equator. The bar stretches some 40-50 miles in depth and hundreds of miles in length before the buoyed channel begins and we are in the Amazon River itself. By about 1800 we had passed the two entrance buoys and began the 450 NM trip to Santarem, our first stop. The water has changed to a muddy brown color and we are cautioned to conserve water because the ship cannot make water in the river silt. So, short showers, don’t let the water run while brushing teeth, use towels more than once, etc. Even the whirlpool tubs are on shortened hours.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">It is the rainy season still, so the ship encountered many showers, some torrential, and that may continue for our entire trip.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our days at sea are more relaxed, with later breakfasts, art classes, up to four lectures per day on the history, flora and fauna of the Amazon, various contest activities like Team Trivia, and of course, pool time in between rain showers. There is entertainment in the evenings, with both guest entertainers and the ships entertainment staff with various show productions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick has a routine of walking on deck 9 for three miles in the morning before breakfast and then 3 more miles after lunch in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We eat most meals at the Patio Grill on the pool deck, where one can get almost anything for breakfast, always a different grilled fish for lunch and an eclectic al fresco dinner in the evening. We sometimes eat at the The Grill by Thomas Keller, a 1950’s chophouse recreation, but the menu is always the same and fairly limited. The main restaurant has a lot of choices every evening, but a more formal (and slower) service. The casual venue is the Colonnade, which we seldom visit since it has a very limited set dinner menu or a buffet which we avoid.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 8, 2023 – Cruising the lower Amazon River<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Overnight Seabourn Quest continued at a fairly slow speed of 8-9 knots until we reached the pilot station at Macapa, some 150 NM upriver. The sun rose about 0615 and the pilots boarded at 0700. The ship picked up speed, now at 15+ knots as we continued upriver to our first destination, Santarem, where the ship will anchor and there will be a variety of shore excursion options. Patrick & Miriam will do a zodiac tour up a tributary near Ponta Negra, and Patrick will do a kayak tour in the same general area. During the day we passed south of the equator are are now back in the Southern Hemisphere.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The expedition team is out on the stern on deck 7 for four hours per day, pointing out wildlife and interesting shore items. The water level is high, and many of the trees are flooded with the rainy season floods in the Amazon. There is an amazing number of small settlements or single houses on stilts along both sides of the river, serviced by a large number of small craft. The ship’s course, following deep water passes as close as 2000 feet from shore, so the views are good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We have seen mostly vultures, yellow beaked terns and egrets, a few swallows and several species of large butterflies, bumblebees and dragonflies. At the speed we are traveling, not many small insects like mosquitos can keep up, however we later learned some can!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As the day progressed, rain squalls developed and periodically the ship was inundated with warm rain. As the sun set, we had occasional lightning, but surprisingly, could not hear thunder. Our dinner tonight was on the Patio Grill and we were joined by a number of insects attracted to the light, including some looking like crickets, landing in our hair and on the table, but not on the food. It was definitely a unique experience to be thundering along at 15 knots in the dark, up the Amazon, having an open air dinner (but under cover) with occasional rain showers and a variety of flying harmless insects. As darkness fully settled in, the horizon was punctuated by the lights of small communities all around the horizon which were not even visible during daylight hours.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 9, 2023 – Santarem, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship anchored off the city of Santarem, home to 500,000 people and a major transshipment point for goods like soybeans coming down the Tapacjo River, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon. The Amazon has more than 1400 named tributaries and at least that many unnamed ones.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The zodiac and kayak tours were good, with many sighting of the freshwater pink dolphins, many birds and the giant Victoria Amazonica water lily. The tours included kayaking through the flooded forest and pushing the zodiacs through the grasses and hyacinths clogging the waterways. We saw how many of the locals live in houses built on stilts above the expected high water during flood season when the river is some 30 meters higher and miles wider than during the dry season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxmM_nzmFDKqcCk-HDJQlXANyM1rp-iN5QPE4IOSKt4oHnKfsWn9F_21uv10FzbzB540WQho6Odf8ZobRUAUg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UcV_GMcRuWTk-jmsgWhzgnO8oSrTXUq4-a6cWu4op3ZhPmq7PT3rg0DMdfajgA7r_gW182X0unIXrog5SoUCMjXH-d5j16W2mUUOTQFrcKB1-lbN2LVgH_0pEI_yvuBYrLYVPTfZ6zxDKwA_yruKzsSnwy0OfQtf0LILpcDMaZdGzzcRBa7fw3zThg/s4608/0BB51AA4-E7D5-4156-BD12-BDB7332E92C6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UcV_GMcRuWTk-jmsgWhzgnO8oSrTXUq4-a6cWu4op3ZhPmq7PT3rg0DMdfajgA7r_gW182X0unIXrog5SoUCMjXH-d5j16W2mUUOTQFrcKB1-lbN2LVgH_0pEI_yvuBYrLYVPTfZ6zxDKwA_yruKzsSnwy0OfQtf0LILpcDMaZdGzzcRBa7fw3zThg/s320/0BB51AA4-E7D5-4156-BD12-BDB7332E92C6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Typical River Transportation, hammock are slung inside</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLafxCFeiX2qNpUXZ1PML8i4PYXtmFYEFWTE-iZO8i3gExEv0uNv-Kp_DFTlIpK4hivCYw8ScjL8EIUJzRK6Ok36PvxNqkl142vrlNcxce3Zsv9qD03TBjdzq6Jr_j4qmE2G3ru85a_GTl3mPng0oiDGeZAyTque88wb9NW2tCYN4dyXrWy0VGMnrGw/s4032/A8D8ECB0-DB2F-4801-A285-BD7C10CD14FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLafxCFeiX2qNpUXZ1PML8i4PYXtmFYEFWTE-iZO8i3gExEv0uNv-Kp_DFTlIpK4hivCYw8ScjL8EIUJzRK6Ok36PvxNqkl142vrlNcxce3Zsv9qD03TBjdzq6Jr_j4qmE2G3ru85a_GTl3mPng0oiDGeZAyTque88wb9NW2tCYN4dyXrWy0VGMnrGw/s320/A8D8ECB0-DB2F-4801-A285-BD7C10CD14FB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Iguana in the trees</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp4DWHH5tZSj71-zhA1_WOY-c_WF5D490PjSnZyFsVkmYSFJ-SQWtYG5mcvtBZ6bZ53302mDEDwOPZ-dzBmE2JfEdq3prt3CdgxDV-mC51Lgo8Al2543gSS92rmWOLnHQuJsCBx51FZtp6qRBqDq4Cf-M9Mro5v5W5rIn3OzBYRDrsqpw2cgP2_nkBw/s2089/EA021BF1-E954-4413-B1CB-5AE7BFE3E98E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="2089" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcp4DWHH5tZSj71-zhA1_WOY-c_WF5D490PjSnZyFsVkmYSFJ-SQWtYG5mcvtBZ6bZ53302mDEDwOPZ-dzBmE2JfEdq3prt3CdgxDV-mC51Lgo8Al2543gSS92rmWOLnHQuJsCBx51FZtp6qRBqDq4Cf-M9Mro5v5W5rIn3OzBYRDrsqpw2cgP2_nkBw/s320/EA021BF1-E954-4413-B1CB-5AE7BFE3E98E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The ship being chased by young man in a long tail boat</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb6Lkp8ju5B2FIKPVZkDH_UX8LOXKhe_MCZXVdPAa3RDqg6EQwvnL7o7MPMIkjgMeizanOavcEhDO3MsLwJMoj9bOhTHbomuO-4jDMv45gxxBp_bcROIpPF0JL_GwkhjQ1hxBmetAHc8sOfnEM8VeizCpMLGjTV-PQ6CT5Am281WOOBjk2BAPuSAVag/s4608/F95D566D-826F-4992-9ADE-1B396BC8145E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb6Lkp8ju5B2FIKPVZkDH_UX8LOXKhe_MCZXVdPAa3RDqg6EQwvnL7o7MPMIkjgMeizanOavcEhDO3MsLwJMoj9bOhTHbomuO-4jDMv45gxxBp_bcROIpPF0JL_GwkhjQ1hxBmetAHc8sOfnEM8VeizCpMLGjTV-PQ6CT5Am281WOOBjk2BAPuSAVag/s320/F95D566D-826F-4992-9ADE-1B396BC8145E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Savannah Hawk</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 10, 2023 – Lake Canacari, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After cruising up the Amazon overnight, at 1430 we anchored off of Lake Canacari, which is connected to the main river by a man made canal. The zodiacs were launched and we headed up the canal to the lake, looking for birds. Instead we found a cayman, small, but with a big splash. There were still more birds and the giant lily’s once again. By the time the zodiac tours were finished, the sun was setting and the last zodiacs came back in the dark.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KCNhSPq05O8yAmnM_lLY3Kl5OKTzX14RIFecVFDDFlx_2aLBkuH1DeNFy2DtuUKdfGPEmTy_JXBn-uoDekKVpkOS4OinNbF_NZOm303pkmqAhl3FJSjkbkBvc5-7rMD4qwhpFWhDkDvm5ximfb0o8sSY8howI2kSuY-0b_jloZPUy8bOIPJJO8xXDw/s4608/2B028C38-ED05-4AF7-8710-43EC7CA9C6A0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KCNhSPq05O8yAmnM_lLY3Kl5OKTzX14RIFecVFDDFlx_2aLBkuH1DeNFy2DtuUKdfGPEmTy_JXBn-uoDekKVpkOS4OinNbF_NZOm303pkmqAhl3FJSjkbkBvc5-7rMD4qwhpFWhDkDvm5ximfb0o8sSY8howI2kSuY-0b_jloZPUy8bOIPJJO8xXDw/s320/2B028C38-ED05-4AF7-8710-43EC7CA9C6A0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Great Egret</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIzjl9wzYyhYcQ_sOOGlGGGa74vbqnnrvO8rkhvwOEOwrAGmQxgxk98Ysavw-vfLgBjGkDWmQkWSphgfH16zxOpvOyQvlx2u21tjjpafYbJS8Sb16Q7GO0QgA_ZiRjGvlcM69moUfJ8-ANIkdvFy_csy8kiP5Xx5hn2sl-CpmO1fzwPk3qXhINgj_PA/s4608/6C7C52CC-DDE4-485F-9FCB-E81E9C00F5B0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIzjl9wzYyhYcQ_sOOGlGGGa74vbqnnrvO8rkhvwOEOwrAGmQxgxk98Ysavw-vfLgBjGkDWmQkWSphgfH16zxOpvOyQvlx2u21tjjpafYbJS8Sb16Q7GO0QgA_ZiRjGvlcM69moUfJ8-ANIkdvFy_csy8kiP5Xx5hn2sl-CpmO1fzwPk3qXhINgj_PA/s320/6C7C52CC-DDE4-485F-9FCB-E81E9C00F5B0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Local Fisherman</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbLPmyk7isMVuyfOfAM6YLbd-k207S5OFIjX3zojktvCDo99_RKZwiHRRAMgSaKZhmp_uGqYjk0JAgf0yrcp_qUXGM8RFie_afK8BgrM2oy4aoWx5gKhGGoOUzKDmE_dpZAisoOn7_GdMSmh_WDGYmNJV0eE-VZBX2DG9qsu8qCnkG2x1pBtRtwrMkQ/s4608/7A509F7C-5E34-4C24-B1FA-91E28C502083.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbLPmyk7isMVuyfOfAM6YLbd-k207S5OFIjX3zojktvCDo99_RKZwiHRRAMgSaKZhmp_uGqYjk0JAgf0yrcp_qUXGM8RFie_afK8BgrM2oy4aoWx5gKhGGoOUzKDmE_dpZAisoOn7_GdMSmh_WDGYmNJV0eE-VZBX2DG9qsu8qCnkG2x1pBtRtwrMkQ/s320/7A509F7C-5E34-4C24-B1FA-91E28C502083.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Victoria Amazonica Water Lily</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5c-XCPMqDXjWP8Lyw0LdgegeZz65ptOX3-A4PBxQgYq5eHfa3XkORCwrUrUgpFyL0ocuU_I_WjYkEVi-txtUIzHl63ORO98k9rOeLIiLmANdq_kMjMx6hjtCbTOUNpIvJSp3AYI8mw9a1yRs6fQwcZfwtIXd6FQYDEfny3Ml0eGyGZgGsrF47axBRw/s3914/14C73EDD-761A-4400-9128-402AFCB63622.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3914" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5c-XCPMqDXjWP8Lyw0LdgegeZz65ptOX3-A4PBxQgYq5eHfa3XkORCwrUrUgpFyL0ocuU_I_WjYkEVi-txtUIzHl63ORO98k9rOeLIiLmANdq_kMjMx6hjtCbTOUNpIvJSp3AYI8mw9a1yRs6fQwcZfwtIXd6FQYDEfny3Ml0eGyGZgGsrF47axBRw/s320/14C73EDD-761A-4400-9128-402AFCB63622.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Glittering Throated Emerald Hummingbird feeding</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygz9-qbaAlt9_PP_1bp_5jb2JIOHzuNBy9jT9YV4v5ugc7n17ubYZkhjRLyYt4aG4ccZDtAGKA1HY7B20nzsxZxWilhTYnnnq6c9a_dNs53rcFdXQT6EhDuo3b1w4j89eZbRZYRd1epe2wF5Umzk6clEA963YzPXkKtMKQwGg4HvXcKgzKrRRtcDOyQ/s4608/022B1D5C-5952-4E13-A133-991143FD5A4A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygz9-qbaAlt9_PP_1bp_5jb2JIOHzuNBy9jT9YV4v5ugc7n17ubYZkhjRLyYt4aG4ccZDtAGKA1HY7B20nzsxZxWilhTYnnnq6c9a_dNs53rcFdXQT6EhDuo3b1w4j89eZbRZYRd1epe2wF5Umzk6clEA963YzPXkKtMKQwGg4HvXcKgzKrRRtcDOyQ/s320/022B1D5C-5952-4E13-A133-991143FD5A4A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3GWlwOPOZxJpfzfD-TRT_jl_w17zY7n9jbmW02HKCYpreTlb2vcn4puTZ9Xam9OVUn1OvyPl6p6Q4Vo87aY8GV7cbfnlwl2wFCokxvO-3lnNb7i8SJddwZYDlkHij1O9axPt2vpsK3wXTwwJFh4W-dyT-mmUxYtQUwNRRg7JFm27gJjsYVhXS8wdLA/s4608/984B4FA7-E308-4F59-8E0B-D00E4E224D35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3GWlwOPOZxJpfzfD-TRT_jl_w17zY7n9jbmW02HKCYpreTlb2vcn4puTZ9Xam9OVUn1OvyPl6p6Q4Vo87aY8GV7cbfnlwl2wFCokxvO-3lnNb7i8SJddwZYDlkHij1O9axPt2vpsK3wXTwwJFh4W-dyT-mmUxYtQUwNRRg7JFm27gJjsYVhXS8wdLA/s320/984B4FA7-E308-4F59-8E0B-D00E4E224D35.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Black Ibis</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUvrAWK-WOawlsr65sc3ZzFCyjzwYFbUoUHARME2Yrj1uJoiz_4sLR4ccLQv4MLS6odCRhZBtkkuhM1m4b-Q8iGESGSbPofGgbDzKVYlK6FE1ukFdXoMZA7fOvGLP3LZq5DDE3H97ZfZ8KNrPbV2QiVVMZcbXq4gSQ9B-VeY_hTBvKiKuMRAo4DpfbQ/s3111/B4B0DE43-A19C-439D-948C-D45DDC1269C1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="3111" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUvrAWK-WOawlsr65sc3ZzFCyjzwYFbUoUHARME2Yrj1uJoiz_4sLR4ccLQv4MLS6odCRhZBtkkuhM1m4b-Q8iGESGSbPofGgbDzKVYlK6FE1ukFdXoMZA7fOvGLP3LZq5DDE3H97ZfZ8KNrPbV2QiVVMZcbXq4gSQ9B-VeY_hTBvKiKuMRAo4DpfbQ/s320/B4B0DE43-A19C-439D-948C-D45DDC1269C1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Red Capped Cardinal</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy2Hc5VjRBSe5OMBtuqB_cGnk_GmMr2ne9yd3OBS0mOUxOFpqXYt6wBRmJa_exFJ-5-VUfp9z2f3-aUPMfqKr9qNRfyS9wSUrIlWlwaruWS7XAgfb4E0cEygP_p5bTKNrEGP78z0v7H5aBbInEE48BOCsMWBKuQb6479D2dlr5PpX6kOBDNA8hWhV1g/s4667/BBA609C9-DCE6-4B04-859F-9973E6A6AF75.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3326" data-original-width="4667" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy2Hc5VjRBSe5OMBtuqB_cGnk_GmMr2ne9yd3OBS0mOUxOFpqXYt6wBRmJa_exFJ-5-VUfp9z2f3-aUPMfqKr9qNRfyS9wSUrIlWlwaruWS7XAgfb4E0cEygP_p5bTKNrEGP78z0v7H5aBbInEE48BOCsMWBKuQb6479D2dlr5PpX6kOBDNA8hWhV1g/s320/BBA609C9-DCE6-4B04-859F-9973E6A6AF75.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Jacana</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJYNFOiEbRSG9DVZJkj-hTOElZhle5ezBoTWScof1--0o0hd_2_F3y2geKXsQVe1hdAHi7DcTTHJylNFjnXhIPryciwtYtyRFI5pc5glipBHwn1IPHyRO776MdgOsxVbr2Qprg_wqx-AN7goODA8niqGMy_DpWFSWQjwGm_HF5EUbZdAYgvFfrAFl4Q/s1805/CC6A1AEC-B448-4857-9E4F-72FA9B0CE1A5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1753" data-original-width="1805" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJYNFOiEbRSG9DVZJkj-hTOElZhle5ezBoTWScof1--0o0hd_2_F3y2geKXsQVe1hdAHi7DcTTHJylNFjnXhIPryciwtYtyRFI5pc5glipBHwn1IPHyRO776MdgOsxVbr2Qprg_wqx-AN7goODA8niqGMy_DpWFSWQjwGm_HF5EUbZdAYgvFfrAFl4Q/s320/CC6A1AEC-B448-4857-9E4F-72FA9B0CE1A5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Pirahna</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7alMKbZpQE32viqrxzffIWmutv_XZasV2Yy3H-QPC-pZm9K-CYzLOgn9Ws5fq_K2FPdHDTgICcAmJO6hDWBSoAORKImwOTyN6c7vuJ9PWtoL603ukVErPp_68JJliEFcPeH-jto4ubahgCEzDq6Q9J-_Wvuu0228R-HGHUhMJDcT36YvmNh8jO1qlQ/s2883/E31CE0EC-E3F3-4BFF-96D3-31AA853B3459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2163" data-original-width="2883" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7alMKbZpQE32viqrxzffIWmutv_XZasV2Yy3H-QPC-pZm9K-CYzLOgn9Ws5fq_K2FPdHDTgICcAmJO6hDWBSoAORKImwOTyN6c7vuJ9PWtoL603ukVErPp_68JJliEFcPeH-jto4ubahgCEzDq6Q9J-_Wvuu0228R-HGHUhMJDcT36YvmNh8jO1qlQ/s320/E31CE0EC-E3F3-4BFF-96D3-31AA853B3459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Heron</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh43ZzftGitgyT3QDA-RlWfVC2PFXT139k686DFvVT9OIvwfNKff1FaY2EqarqZnQbXym94Qd-5WHEVajhljwfP_BoC3_npxrG34KV6UpcDr34fXqlruphYTAJv0CegxoRI9JbMTazXAXYEKqm2d24afia62xVj7CuVyAd0-rJrAYdms9b2gwJ6eRxg/s2335/F53BF15B-E316-4B06-8B03-C95473913DE7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2335" data-original-width="2141" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh43ZzftGitgyT3QDA-RlWfVC2PFXT139k686DFvVT9OIvwfNKff1FaY2EqarqZnQbXym94Qd-5WHEVajhljwfP_BoC3_npxrG34KV6UpcDr34fXqlruphYTAJv0CegxoRI9JbMTazXAXYEKqm2d24afia62xVj7CuVyAd0-rJrAYdms9b2gwJ6eRxg/s320/F53BF15B-E316-4B06-8B03-C95473913DE7.jpeg" width="293" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sloth in tree</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Overnight we had thunderstorms and heavy rains.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 11, 2023, - Manaus, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Manaus is the furthest point we will go by ship in the Amazon. Manaus is actually on the Rio Negro and has a populations of 2.5 million. There is a lot of manufacturing in Manaus, including Harley Davidson, Honda and Electrolux, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, etc, as well as refineries.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">In the early morning hours we passed by the “meeting of the waters”, and then anchored in front of the city center. The meeting of the waters is where the Rio Negro meets with the Amazon and the tea colored water of the Rio Negro eventually mixes with the main Amazon river. The cruise terminal pontoon is out of service since one section sank in the fall.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-QT-OKjxiU4BTo1rG0IOvZyyqCcW2lEGkHQhJB08jY87q4YoE_n9Vzkp0SRykS_M0hp2t0dpJUD7o6FHbfPe9WQHpvUHIRTEasOAM7cTvSHSPPyLsfhV9eQGRJ3MHqZyzibh7hddoFq_0ol5Km53TiJ8vC93UPo-ibu6xd1AqgRvvKWiXmrmvxSlmg/s4032/7C661501-3B03-46EA-AC02-818050375B1D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-QT-OKjxiU4BTo1rG0IOvZyyqCcW2lEGkHQhJB08jY87q4YoE_n9Vzkp0SRykS_M0hp2t0dpJUD7o6FHbfPe9WQHpvUHIRTEasOAM7cTvSHSPPyLsfhV9eQGRJ3MHqZyzibh7hddoFq_0ol5Km53TiJ8vC93UPo-ibu6xd1AqgRvvKWiXmrmvxSlmg/s320/7C661501-3B03-46EA-AC02-818050375B1D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meeting of the waters, Rio Negro on top and Amazon on bottom</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We had arranged a private speedboat tour since all the Seabourn Ventures tours were not allowed to operate by the Brazilian authorities. Our tour went to the same flooded forests as the Ventures tours and it was great.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXWwZWsCqnLWbuRwWDY8ZHx_LKWEzvVmTj4_H0MRZODLHpSOP_2VePQM_BWoBQAsx_tFVScYSEjGMq-sUQGt7BCGoZS9hgN5s9dRWN-qK-jB1bptYB8lQPzxxdJ--2oqC8pWeXQXRlTjN4RkZrqVMaqoIipDxfarOHDqLl38KJ-nNIhQ8BI7SNI8gdg/s4608/2CE27418-1F26-4E28-8D7F-8936AC7C3886.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXWwZWsCqnLWbuRwWDY8ZHx_LKWEzvVmTj4_H0MRZODLHpSOP_2VePQM_BWoBQAsx_tFVScYSEjGMq-sUQGt7BCGoZS9hgN5s9dRWN-qK-jB1bptYB8lQPzxxdJ--2oqC8pWeXQXRlTjN4RkZrqVMaqoIipDxfarOHDqLl38KJ-nNIhQ8BI7SNI8gdg/s320/2CE27418-1F26-4E28-8D7F-8936AC7C3886.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTLe_18pjk7kCZ-QvB4jyLo-B4LIdobRdAvlU4IzlWNZcx8KtqNDcNC0PjujoeoSO8G4n6KRacJc4IkEGCZWmCivWN6e80a89mjgSsqjpJFtK_zud2ey4xL9HMbkR-s5upmOl5MzYyRG8PZIdujm3Q2R2AYuR4bmMTYuCiQdmwUu3KaKP0QG5CgqG-Q/s4608/17A396DC-B4EB-473B-99AE-898D49AC4699.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTLe_18pjk7kCZ-QvB4jyLo-B4LIdobRdAvlU4IzlWNZcx8KtqNDcNC0PjujoeoSO8G4n6KRacJc4IkEGCZWmCivWN6e80a89mjgSsqjpJFtK_zud2ey4xL9HMbkR-s5upmOl5MzYyRG8PZIdujm3Q2R2AYuR4bmMTYuCiQdmwUu3KaKP0QG5CgqG-Q/s320/17A396DC-B4EB-473B-99AE-898D49AC4699.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl83OP2HekhPF9wsERysP31q8nGx3Une-95bF-LRHx3ONOSMOVwi7O7QZ3syMwK0Kx6_xmtiD1isAaYQGUE6sID6Ywu73AWyYzmphrBqhblEfDUf8NlQ_OZN1GtsyTDfZoE_VgoMN8q33gJ95aAhOdzGbn5EEogvlG_hltlrGcSxeHREGiOO9IqlCOQ/s2924/50A1BE17-A35C-492C-A4B0-F8F05E210E12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2836" data-original-width="2924" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl83OP2HekhPF9wsERysP31q8nGx3Une-95bF-LRHx3ONOSMOVwi7O7QZ3syMwK0Kx6_xmtiD1isAaYQGUE6sID6Ywu73AWyYzmphrBqhblEfDUf8NlQ_OZN1GtsyTDfZoE_VgoMN8q33gJ95aAhOdzGbn5EEogvlG_hltlrGcSxeHREGiOO9IqlCOQ/s320/50A1BE17-A35C-492C-A4B0-F8F05E210E12.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lined Seedeater</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z10qAJj8z0X6TDqz-CtAMzeG5xfadRsYoa5NuzBEXXtE00KMJLNInWg-Yv24QfJ8KAG0i6C2q6vhC0k4-b1veak9Ro5zzxpLClgcKQMC5E2XVdXjaBeKmNfjiTqFObPja0VGPeImUthPF06qS6t6GaKYiBeHgSPpQWFWx-5umCkRrvYxg_EhpcIkLA/s4608/C3F0F01A-2688-4812-9348-91C5EC21204E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z10qAJj8z0X6TDqz-CtAMzeG5xfadRsYoa5NuzBEXXtE00KMJLNInWg-Yv24QfJ8KAG0i6C2q6vhC0k4-b1veak9Ro5zzxpLClgcKQMC5E2XVdXjaBeKmNfjiTqFObPja0VGPeImUthPF06qS6t6GaKYiBeHgSPpQWFWx-5umCkRrvYxg_EhpcIkLA/s320/C3F0F01A-2688-4812-9348-91C5EC21204E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amazonian Cormorant</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC5QGJhbJpD6cOG2OyAe1Ai4YTn7xsegm308i6MRJCUsjrPo6Fq9tmX3xVZ3w1tHuGoQj2vTJ8JGl4PQAxWd1B2hpO0943r34Ma0ALEg_7zva5Je8AXBzIoQ8bbDTvs2Yu_wy83OKIAGwh3ELfGKvnMwWGsO3EnGLvs9hqeMaDzg1vnCs2VG3TkYA-Q/s4910/CBB738D5-A2B9-492F-AB26-9A97111A9BD7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3414" data-original-width="4910" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC5QGJhbJpD6cOG2OyAe1Ai4YTn7xsegm308i6MRJCUsjrPo6Fq9tmX3xVZ3w1tHuGoQj2vTJ8JGl4PQAxWd1B2hpO0943r34Ma0ALEg_7zva5Je8AXBzIoQ8bbDTvs2Yu_wy83OKIAGwh3ELfGKvnMwWGsO3EnGLvs9hqeMaDzg1vnCs2VG3TkYA-Q/s320/CBB738D5-A2B9-492F-AB26-9A97111A9BD7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We are here overnight and Patrick has a Pink Dolphin encounter in the morning. Pink Dolphins are a freshwater dolphin unique to the Amazon basin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 12, 2023 – Manaus, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">All too early the alarm sounded and it was time to prepare for the Pink Dolphin Encounter. The location is some 65 KM up the Rio Negro from Manaus and took 90 minutes by high speed boat to reach the floating house where the encounter takes place. The rain was torrential, but the water was warmer than the air. We put on life jackets and stepped down onto a platform about four feet below the water surface. The dolphins came up, rubbed against our legs and pushed against us, and performed for us when fed with fish. We were allowed to touch them, except for the “melon” on the head which contains their sonar. The water has limited visibility, so their eyes are very small. The adults are pink and the youngsters are mostly gray.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi_tKCyNQaseX7E0EnHHJBJh_KEZnCHhVEHufM6_PtzIcGGdlK-d9NTlN6bMD1bUAD_I_SVM-fvo3tD1Gok9EqaH4MazVsYHT85MKlXMPhmZt14prMURGdo97zH-CCPqaB3IxdZl3v9ThieJG1SsuMhRQcvD1N6vthmAOLn3XYU5WlLowVy1cLU0G_A/s4032/B4D9BA39-78A3-4094-BBDE-4C17D5DFCA38.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi_tKCyNQaseX7E0EnHHJBJh_KEZnCHhVEHufM6_PtzIcGGdlK-d9NTlN6bMD1bUAD_I_SVM-fvo3tD1Gok9EqaH4MazVsYHT85MKlXMPhmZt14prMURGdo97zH-CCPqaB3IxdZl3v9ThieJG1SsuMhRQcvD1N6vthmAOLn3XYU5WlLowVy1cLU0G_A/w400-h300/B4D9BA39-78A3-4094-BBDE-4C17D5DFCA38.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyPlrhH06dMtZj0RlWOvBEvsjsM9Qaezk340HwV9QU-MOmF1FAqagxJjRXSvc8b7MQLqtnMpb8lphHGiXR6rQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We stopped at a local village a few miles away and shopped for local handicrafts before returning to the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">At 1730 Seabourn Quest weighed anchor and headed back downstream to our next destination.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-36691422621901906312023-03-06T04:49:00.000-08:002023-03-06T04:49:50.449-08:00Brazil Part 2 Recife and Natal<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Brazil Part 2 – Recife and Natal, Brazil</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">March 3, 2023 – Recife<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After 2 days at sea we arrived at Recife, one of the ports we had been at in 2008. Many guests went to the colonial town of Olinda, which Miriam had visited on that earlier visit. Olinda sits on a hill some 9 KM from Recife, which sits at sea level with one of the longest urban beaches in the world. We had planned to spend some time on the beach, but the transfers to the beach we cancelled due to safety and congestion concerns by the shoreside tour operator. By the time the ship docked the temperature and humidity were both out of sight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Instead, Patrick rode the shuttle into the Casa da Cultura in the old city where many handicrafts were for sale. Walking around the immediate neighborhood with many abandoned buildings, crumbling sidewalks, and with many shops selling home goods like appliances and mattresses, stepping around homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks and being accosted by panhandlers, Patrick decided to just return to the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKx93xJxxGuCWqtH-L0H-5QzF_6QWwqSeBHJ1WOv_ceGRDGPXrW1F3femmZiKR7KaQUHDf5UChDSN9Rcd_Tm-5qm5LGVS1uQdMkrlewaw7O7XCWImPNS_0VaHNSlwWcZbE-B3dT1-KyYafyvK0p9uUWpZwRcc6cCpP7ZJcbegA_nZU2Ot4eeac4phgw/s4032/B7BC68AF-3BF3-49F4-884E-385684EBD3E3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKx93xJxxGuCWqtH-L0H-5QzF_6QWwqSeBHJ1WOv_ceGRDGPXrW1F3femmZiKR7KaQUHDf5UChDSN9Rcd_Tm-5qm5LGVS1uQdMkrlewaw7O7XCWImPNS_0VaHNSlwWcZbE-B3dT1-KyYafyvK0p9uUWpZwRcc6cCpP7ZJcbegA_nZU2Ot4eeac4phgw/s320/B7BC68AF-3BF3-49F4-884E-385684EBD3E3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Interior of Casa da Cultura</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPflLaBDUxjFkbtFB06IKip3UFe_dQpHdVD_4TZ9ShS6YkPV4j8UlNU1Heua3hqfP4mh5XnXkTGFIBABHSvUu9F-Ks8fpMn6MznYgZGqwaP51VVPMzr2LIGjtw4oslhhwbWw9RES0B36stQ1PUkA-Q8wyIRKuQ9V98Ohm5Tr60UTZnjwQd_fnvSLN5A/s4032/87C661F9-3CA9-4383-B6D4-7134A14EFE30.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPflLaBDUxjFkbtFB06IKip3UFe_dQpHdVD_4TZ9ShS6YkPV4j8UlNU1Heua3hqfP4mh5XnXkTGFIBABHSvUu9F-Ks8fpMn6MznYgZGqwaP51VVPMzr2LIGjtw4oslhhwbWw9RES0B36stQ1PUkA-Q8wyIRKuQ9V98Ohm5Tr60UTZnjwQd_fnvSLN5A/s320/87C661F9-3CA9-4383-B6D4-7134A14EFE30.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p>An actual phone booth in ceramic hat</o:p><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjgXhlwITubUzo3AAAVTm7hj8342h_ZAF4jxEH1ZUfry9UyNydg4CfqwgsyPDupsNTZEDeQC5R-uYE8iTX58bDjV3T_dWTUMjh3g_ExBqAdyC8OA0AroAXhCWLoDJL2LTBvXGV4pFZs2J9L82zpJkWRC2QcsN5H4Rrg9kFpo7OBt0Vbof4J3Tm0cf0g/s4032/AA0598C3-500E-4D62-A305-74018A995AF3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjgXhlwITubUzo3AAAVTm7hj8342h_ZAF4jxEH1ZUfry9UyNydg4CfqwgsyPDupsNTZEDeQC5R-uYE8iTX58bDjV3T_dWTUMjh3g_ExBqAdyC8OA0AroAXhCWLoDJL2LTBvXGV4pFZs2J9L82zpJkWRC2QcsN5H4Rrg9kFpo7OBt0Vbof4J3Tm0cf0g/s320/AA0598C3-500E-4D62-A305-74018A995AF3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Recife is known for dolls</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKmclN7XDrU5l1rCRlDRUbeTO6D0asyTSNNxuFM6C4U_L0QZ5eBvpMxv_wiUPIO21WHZpuM-SkQKCdy2YCty09Jb5lxo_o5bfkQZbDI96v00--q4ll1hNO_liDLvfzi0wxY-bh1IxTUR24sxp8GZkk6aUU_Jm3R-kUBGqQf9M46G63Rjby3GZBDZrIg/s4032/4ADE6BA2-49B9-4A39-BEDE-A6A5090FFAA3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 14.666667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKmclN7XDrU5l1rCRlDRUbeTO6D0asyTSNNxuFM6C4U_L0QZ5eBvpMxv_wiUPIO21WHZpuM-SkQKCdy2YCty09Jb5lxo_o5bfkQZbDI96v00--q4ll1hNO_liDLvfzi0wxY-bh1IxTUR24sxp8GZkk6aUU_Jm3R-kUBGqQf9M46G63Rjby3GZBDZrIg/w240-h320/4ADE6BA2-49B9-4A39-BEDE-A6A5090FFAA3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwo2mjziUuTzH7Tfrjzwjg9sLWdtorCUeZc3iTqKcLfqINYQhVipILj1JOpk3SaRd8mSUqZe-2yGDxzPKIsZ7z2pECw_mewku2AX1sDKxeV4TaIS4S0ELGADYckfz6b5kUcW-2YcBT3ZbTqbQwPnsyMQN6Q_K9Dym3E8IcdkzNS8xlVprr58KCTNQwA/s4032/96C59149-972F-4AE7-9987-2F482C7F2715.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwo2mjziUuTzH7Tfrjzwjg9sLWdtorCUeZc3iTqKcLfqINYQhVipILj1JOpk3SaRd8mSUqZe-2yGDxzPKIsZ7z2pECw_mewku2AX1sDKxeV4TaIS4S0ELGADYckfz6b5kUcW-2YcBT3ZbTqbQwPnsyMQN6Q_K9Dym3E8IcdkzNS8xlVprr58KCTNQwA/s320/96C59149-972F-4AE7-9987-2F482C7F2715.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Typical street scene</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH5qRfMfa7gRI8GplZ5wRQnBoeL67xoPPSbS-htzkyBtpMwG1pIjBqe9Eh2RTyPGOJyu66jiPOo5LGI3MPeRgiH5euoaOPbxWeLcDTZAtSt8xXMVzRfkTIRF4RwVrwYsz7zaRL2_9rdd_6mEgMj5TL5xJRRVgEajPHA-theuSsf_nZkV3jnbFzHBafQ/s4032/6FF7EEAB-74C2-414F-90CE-05EF6ADB9C74.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH5qRfMfa7gRI8GplZ5wRQnBoeL67xoPPSbS-htzkyBtpMwG1pIjBqe9Eh2RTyPGOJyu66jiPOo5LGI3MPeRgiH5euoaOPbxWeLcDTZAtSt8xXMVzRfkTIRF4RwVrwYsz7zaRL2_9rdd_6mEgMj5TL5xJRRVgEajPHA-theuSsf_nZkV3jnbFzHBafQ/s320/6FF7EEAB-74C2-414F-90CE-05EF6ADB9C74.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Some of the homeless sleeping on the sidewalks</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVDLiWzrY1DxBrNhRF4AXLx54cUrNtcY4VbH_1aipRd5j-BBDYI32lw0x1Gsfj0ys9rcnO16p4Ksq7uTBDXZ9Z3LqmvJGPWkrHA5nXNKQOun7jAecHglouCSmfEbRXkUVpZTonkHwkaF73ObRvGgW-tDZBG2qcEvebF28cmgFak72gNU1NyN_g1_CZw/s4032/6C3F79A1-8196-46EF-B226-6CF22F60AFEF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVDLiWzrY1DxBrNhRF4AXLx54cUrNtcY4VbH_1aipRd5j-BBDYI32lw0x1Gsfj0ys9rcnO16p4Ksq7uTBDXZ9Z3LqmvJGPWkrHA5nXNKQOun7jAecHglouCSmfEbRXkUVpZTonkHwkaF73ObRvGgW-tDZBG2qcEvebF28cmgFak72gNU1NyN_g1_CZw/s320/6C3F79A1-8196-46EF-B226-6CF22F60AFEF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Colonial era theater</o:p></p><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Saturday, March 4, 2023 – Natal, Brazil<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Natal was named after the Portuguese word for Christmas on December 25, 1599 and is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte, a state in Northeastern Brazil. It is known for massive sand dunes, and dozens of sandy, white beaches stretching more than 9 KM from north to south.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We arrived at the pilot station about 0630 and negotiated the narrow entrance to the small port, passing under a large suspension bridge across the river. On the southern side of the channel was the star shaped Fortaleza dos Reis Magos. The fortress was built in 1598 to protect the area from French pirates and during Brazil’s colonial period was one of the most important defensive barriers in Brazil. For more than 300 years it was used as military quarters, administration and even as a prison. It is built in the water and is accessible via a pedestrian path. The name come from the statues of the Biblical Magi at the fort entrance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW1m9dzmv3n0k8P0Un5l6N4V9N7YQF8D0x5vpjgXxRc_8IDFd7PbdSL4dEJcRIKygIjJrkzLy_ndwigBaWsXqsTFHteysP1xsxYh0KAqjiq1diJ9boxQPlUjnMidXDI--UEAk2ghDeRaff89TRVPABt5IgJ5RRmsrGfiokYbzRIOA-E2Pr7hqbaPotw/s4032/D22D9103-37EC-49FD-B64F-3B8CC03A4027.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW1m9dzmv3n0k8P0Un5l6N4V9N7YQF8D0x5vpjgXxRc_8IDFd7PbdSL4dEJcRIKygIjJrkzLy_ndwigBaWsXqsTFHteysP1xsxYh0KAqjiq1diJ9boxQPlUjnMidXDI--UEAk2ghDeRaff89TRVPABt5IgJ5RRmsrGfiokYbzRIOA-E2Pr7hqbaPotw/s320/D22D9103-37EC-49FD-B64F-3B8CC03A4027.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Suspension bridge across harbor entrance at Natal</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw-QPa8JrioAt5NbJAegPBFuZr-IbLJIolhqALnl8PfWZxI9AJ-P3JrzZoq6hx8tJ1-6KTlggNcyjiY3r-qyoNNXvIS9_8TbDeaWIcpI8Bnp4R02kJ4k9ZABmOI1AW-A1-1SCVKAfoQ4msUfFefwzpC0YPWPpOl4qxInssgWZS4-kI29mosrwebc5vg/s4032/E20DF09A-26EA-4173-AD5E-FE0B6FC0EA9C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw-QPa8JrioAt5NbJAegPBFuZr-IbLJIolhqALnl8PfWZxI9AJ-P3JrzZoq6hx8tJ1-6KTlggNcyjiY3r-qyoNNXvIS9_8TbDeaWIcpI8Bnp4R02kJ4k9ZABmOI1AW-A1-1SCVKAfoQ4msUfFefwzpC0YPWPpOl4qxInssgWZS4-kI29mosrwebc5vg/s320/E20DF09A-26EA-4173-AD5E-FE0B6FC0EA9C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">White fortress at harbor entrance - Natal</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisytOdrwulX1dike4hTjn2h2NI9Rri8U15Y8_sf4Hdvq3ENUegh1rppqnoISRFYfHmv6szO5SIkidiIAKTb7MLmTUNZj2g5uIJYZ4GqBlU8lB_huOFHOWdRqEHkpIJ0g9whcbcTQsXKE_YZP-rf6WctwvcmE0lohN-HMk_aG6m2XtYsbB0jbBKDhcnpA/s4032/46DCDA3F-C4F0-45CD-990D-724F626AB8F6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisytOdrwulX1dike4hTjn2h2NI9Rri8U15Y8_sf4Hdvq3ENUegh1rppqnoISRFYfHmv6szO5SIkidiIAKTb7MLmTUNZj2g5uIJYZ4GqBlU8lB_huOFHOWdRqEHkpIJ0g9whcbcTQsXKE_YZP-rf6WctwvcmE0lohN-HMk_aG6m2XtYsbB0jbBKDhcnpA/s320/46DCDA3F-C4F0-45CD-990D-724F626AB8F6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Local fishing boats</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wOmz20c8j7ZmJFX_Uld9j5x0DrBV7eozexfcZoKmnp9IRmk4pKuk7GyVctdQYH1bsjSbxQTxiUZxqTL9_Fs6jQdZRIcqdQkE9SPajpS5k142Kqwk9swbE_Q0vmjdMaNIlpEqUSzyP0mBz7IeJmuxvoPf-elBeByoLqesvDYwc0tkr3zWvVHhmybOWA/s4032/526B986C-A2A3-4BFD-882D-D44920214782.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wOmz20c8j7ZmJFX_Uld9j5x0DrBV7eozexfcZoKmnp9IRmk4pKuk7GyVctdQYH1bsjSbxQTxiUZxqTL9_Fs6jQdZRIcqdQkE9SPajpS5k142Kqwk9swbE_Q0vmjdMaNIlpEqUSzyP0mBz7IeJmuxvoPf-elBeByoLqesvDYwc0tkr3zWvVHhmybOWA/s320/526B986C-A2A3-4BFD-882D-D44920214782.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">High tide at the beach</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHikFO9fk2QK7BptLaXPtUNOf6bGtKbSb9s7BP2O_KX_jNJqBN3Sjba1yWU22-EM39GHmQSl7mIcWoOoPr5qBLKR5uiy-oDDVGo-37DRE_wl5ym0Nej6Ru49XRJ6wTJJP9v0tcNHSHmyEgTy1IVH0i7cpApXdUR42s_djOPvITkDSQK5HSl2RFGkJJA/s4032/789CB27E-F211-495B-929E-F9365DA05CBE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHikFO9fk2QK7BptLaXPtUNOf6bGtKbSb9s7BP2O_KX_jNJqBN3Sjba1yWU22-EM39GHmQSl7mIcWoOoPr5qBLKR5uiy-oDDVGo-37DRE_wl5ym0Nej6Ru49XRJ6wTJJP9v0tcNHSHmyEgTy1IVH0i7cpApXdUR42s_djOPvITkDSQK5HSl2RFGkJJA/s320/789CB27E-F211-495B-929E-F9365DA05CBE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yak Beach at Natal</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The courtesy shuttle dropped us at a local handicraft market across the street from one of the city beaches, called Yak beach. We had intended to walk around town but were advised to stay out on the beach side as the interior roads were not considered safe for tourists.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The beaches were a mix of tidal pools protected by a coral reef and sections open to the surf. The surf was fairly high, the wind brisk and the temperatures HOT, but the wind did moderate the high temperatures. At high tide the beach nearly disappears and the vendor carts struggled in the wet sand at water’s edge.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;">Later that afternoon we had a folkloric show around the pool by local entertainers performing traditional dances.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyqnEswxphcOQ1zMo_O8AcXlN9wN4jilb9b6TLwlsvr76c8olUGKJ5IyP8VF8FjtpYFX10taVr0h5ZmXLRkRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Natal is also home to the worlds largest cashew tree, covering 8,000 square meters and producing more than 60,000 cashews per year. The tree is believed to be at least 1,000 years old and is roughly the size of 70 normal cashew trees. Since the tree is located more than 18 miles from the ship and a lengthy taxi ride, we did not get a chance to actually see the tree.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest departed Natal for the three day 1000 NM journey to the entrance of the Amazon. We should cross the bar into the Amazon about noon on the third day. The entrance has to be carefully timed as March is known for the strength of a tidal bore known as a pororoca, which can be surfed for miles, or can be destructive as it travels at 10-15 knots for up to 300 miles upstream.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-33739460201990219862023-03-02T04:45:00.001-08:002023-03-02T04:45:40.867-08:00Brazil Part 1<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Brazil Part 1</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Ilhabela, Rio de Janeiro and Armacao dos Buzios<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 25, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After several days at sea, we arrived at Ilhabela, on Sao Sabastiono Island, south of Rio de Janeiro about 200 NM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Ilhabela means “beautiful island” and is famous for gorgeous beaches, dense tropical forests and hundreds of waterfalls. Before the Portugal colonized Brazil in 1500, the island was the home of an indigenous tribe called Tupinambas. These people called the island “Ciribai” which means tranquil place. The island is now a resort playground for both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with several large marinas and many small hotels. We anchored off of Ilhabela’s historic town center and tendered ashore for a variety of tours. Patrick picked a 4x4 excursion to several waterfalls and Currall Beach for a swim break.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KSqPXF7UF2DAOS95ivJkdut-YYNaUB1_1lWfspMKqKhpyFH78rY3EEh-EU00YszbeC8SXGC3dXi4LK_sdgUMujBAaENsxCrVS4V1qwsRGld94xH3DwskHDN9Kf-uTsmDfDPzejR3Pzr09TufzZRy_IBc58ma41Yg1yeHzpiIqMzu2PH_eWEI22mCaA/s4032/FE683D91-DC93-4B49-AF32-8E6DA8B9E02F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KSqPXF7UF2DAOS95ivJkdut-YYNaUB1_1lWfspMKqKhpyFH78rY3EEh-EU00YszbeC8SXGC3dXi4LK_sdgUMujBAaENsxCrVS4V1qwsRGld94xH3DwskHDN9Kf-uTsmDfDPzejR3Pzr09TufzZRy_IBc58ma41Yg1yeHzpiIqMzu2PH_eWEI22mCaA/s320/FE683D91-DC93-4B49-AF32-8E6DA8B9E02F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Currall Beach</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrjCx57DPDJdaY4SS01pvA6WWWEek7Tdui3-MtWulVgosZQToOwFmH1sj6KxBUbwSJFkB8lkR6ph3qdoSC98c7iGSgp0jf9-pIP06wsBX7VOnKCoabI2ZvfY02ZUKYHAGuDP01BYUQE4dX0ITU3sl6vVT-udvCCjDZrnL4zCbJkcopooZcPW6htwsJQ/s4032/187E4879-C5CA-4F9D-95E7-7B378E8BD2C6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrjCx57DPDJdaY4SS01pvA6WWWEek7Tdui3-MtWulVgosZQToOwFmH1sj6KxBUbwSJFkB8lkR6ph3qdoSC98c7iGSgp0jf9-pIP06wsBX7VOnKCoabI2ZvfY02ZUKYHAGuDP01BYUQE4dX0ITU3sl6vVT-udvCCjDZrnL4zCbJkcopooZcPW6htwsJQ/s320/187E4879-C5CA-4F9D-95E7-7B378E8BD2C6.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Typical Ilhabela waterfall</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The water was warm and the surf low, so water entry was easy. The beach was nice, but to get a seat or lounge chair one had to buy some drinks or food from the restaurants that controlled each section of the beach. However, the prices were reasonable and the Caipirinha’s were good, so it was very acceptable. Due to recent heavy rains and mudslides, one of the waterfalls was not accessible. The historic city center is dominated by a church and naval museum and many small shops and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JHZZVj9QpWX7bO7rOeC0u4rfdo0oNSMh_Vw7gCVFLn9usP_zfK8mOMB-_Ms9XvO1b0tWBgfr1QShkdmdddcOrQAymI4lvmRx6vXWRFOwGpGAWhosMCe_H0H9Fc51Cce8bEPDm7kfma-oUZbSMTRSWDRqpavjjFQtqE1m6ooIsW2OEAceBDw5Ku317w/s4032/3C0DA351-0569-447E-BAC4-88F6C4558DE8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JHZZVj9QpWX7bO7rOeC0u4rfdo0oNSMh_Vw7gCVFLn9usP_zfK8mOMB-_Ms9XvO1b0tWBgfr1QShkdmdddcOrQAymI4lvmRx6vXWRFOwGpGAWhosMCe_H0H9Fc51Cce8bEPDm7kfma-oUZbSMTRSWDRqpavjjFQtqE1m6ooIsW2OEAceBDw5Ku317w/s320/3C0DA351-0569-447E-BAC4-88F6C4558DE8.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2XmAoFdlyHQ0guUwb5mpJ7gc4aj3wZWOxu_TcgNS3iPy2sDnZLytmMM1f3C-8775gK8svo99bcpo5h1lSxoKAxO7LEtLQEpGMOWwCZyPkcXqY7mUGZgFc2nelgxno-0uka9RYByUvN6_6VEfk21MgBXfeHxuU8KwvvmwvPXmQhLQhXilsOPTEH3soQ/s3167/4E416ADD-C48B-4416-B502-9F79FBADAF45.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3167" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2XmAoFdlyHQ0guUwb5mpJ7gc4aj3wZWOxu_TcgNS3iPy2sDnZLytmMM1f3C-8775gK8svo99bcpo5h1lSxoKAxO7LEtLQEpGMOWwCZyPkcXqY7mUGZgFc2nelgxno-0uka9RYByUvN6_6VEfk21MgBXfeHxuU8KwvvmwvPXmQhLQhXilsOPTEH3soQ/s320/4E416ADD-C48B-4416-B502-9F79FBADAF45.jpeg" width="306" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Naval Museum</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_uYvfwEE5hjUj-ZASr-1kSeKNMQi_z8A2pkYAC9O-FjvcZ0XE5qKiSzfe2jXkqwGOk4PSlNodvBEkrBNVMy229cpsFZBkl2PvgUs6cMxiJBIvRUDHxIIPxAnmw-cVbs_TxXSYR9_xRyly-hhvSErhfotZcgTYlEqGVLPikAiC5voy7i8nzK2LRWLqw/s4032/A8F46E4E-D984-4267-8D0C-A09EBB4A1541.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_uYvfwEE5hjUj-ZASr-1kSeKNMQi_z8A2pkYAC9O-FjvcZ0XE5qKiSzfe2jXkqwGOk4PSlNodvBEkrBNVMy229cpsFZBkl2PvgUs6cMxiJBIvRUDHxIIPxAnmw-cVbs_TxXSYR9_xRyly-hhvSErhfotZcgTYlEqGVLPikAiC5voy7i8nzK2LRWLqw/s320/A8F46E4E-D984-4267-8D0C-A09EBB4A1541.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Historic Waterfront - Ilhabela</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZfiGrZbbgtqCC69lqW5NQDt9D9P0ZXsiqasPfFH8SkjOWug2PcaksgwxlCwTqeWYum9cmDKTSii36wR39uEz__z2NwvwdLi2INcHruWwbOxtjTNL9Qbhrzju_Nho8OX22kNomj9T-RmSJ3XvSb5QW01OUuR8QgqWec4IFEol5CNa2i3zpRXJBjjuMg/s3508/D19F23D6-CCFE-44F3-9B34-C846C4D1FE97.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3508" data-original-width="2638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZfiGrZbbgtqCC69lqW5NQDt9D9P0ZXsiqasPfFH8SkjOWug2PcaksgwxlCwTqeWYum9cmDKTSii36wR39uEz__z2NwvwdLi2INcHruWwbOxtjTNL9Qbhrzju_Nho8OX22kNomj9T-RmSJ3XvSb5QW01OUuR8QgqWec4IFEol5CNa2i3zpRXJBjjuMg/s320/D19F23D6-CCFE-44F3-9B34-C846C4D1FE97.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Typical Street in Historic Town Center</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After a full day, Seabourn Quest headed for Rio de Janeiro, getting to the pilot station at 0230, and docking at the cruise terminal at 0430 on February 26 for an overnight stay.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 26, 2023 – Rio de Janeiro<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Rio de Janeiro literally means “River of January”, and is the 6<sup>th</sup> most populated city in the Americas. Part of the city has been designated as a World Heritage Site. Rio was founded in 1565 by Portugal and in 1763 became the capital of the State of Brazil, a state in the Portuguese Empire. From 1808 to 1822 it was actually the capital of the Portuguese empire under Queen Maria I and later her son Joao, who raised Brazil to the dignity of a kingdom, within the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. In 1822, the Brazilian war of independence began and Rio became the capital of the Kingdom of Brazil until 1889 and then the capital of the Republic of Brazil until 1960 when the capital was transferred to the new city of Brasilia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Rio is known for beaches, landmarks such as the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, Sugarloaf mountain with the cable car, Carnival, bossa nova music, and the samba.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The cruise terminal is located in the Gamboa district close to the original downtown area on Guanabara Bay. Guanabara Bay is reputed to be the largest bay in the world by volume. We were only a few blocks from the Carnival Stadium and there were still several floats on the streets in the morning from the last night of Carnival, although smaller celebrations continued through the evening. Patrick joined a Seabourn Ventures nature walk in the botanical gardens which back up to the Tijuca State Forest.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The drive to the gardens took 45 minutes. Due to the many road closures for Carnival, we actually got a good look at many of the neighborhoods of Rio. Our route included a trip through the tunnel bored through Corcovado Mountain which is dominated by the Christ the Redeemer statue at the very top. The botanical gardens were started in the 1800’s by the king of Portugal and Brazil. It is divided into many sections and more than half the species were imported as gifts to the king. There was an extensive collection of orchids and 18 different species of palm trees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k3y_Texg_VrqAJOgIPiUo2OS4GK2IrNNlzdAmbQvFnduQH5ZB_paNqY8Mj-wtvvSh0zZlYF59XfDhn6zzhs2scepYVFivD6-32wxq6Zz40mcqlLO-SR9nOXDMFLd6K7bNlAK7bKrnwu_G1XFijgNGb2_DYyqWraC6ijRAZJdaBKkVDZF3Byn1RAE1Q/s4608/0E648242-0660-47AA-8BB6-68CBDF644053.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1k3y_Texg_VrqAJOgIPiUo2OS4GK2IrNNlzdAmbQvFnduQH5ZB_paNqY8Mj-wtvvSh0zZlYF59XfDhn6zzhs2scepYVFivD6-32wxq6Zz40mcqlLO-SR9nOXDMFLd6K7bNlAK7bKrnwu_G1XFijgNGb2_DYyqWraC6ijRAZJdaBKkVDZF3Byn1RAE1Q/s320/0E648242-0660-47AA-8BB6-68CBDF644053.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Jackfruit or Durian</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRupiSoUf7VQuch_YVz5yeiqUGEID9XqEwfntWNE_zqv4ymXmkBhi5pmeIjYS0yZB-B1tLGFPq54Hi_Itn6Eg8Euj-ywjgYjkABtp9Bn-Rq8lKffGaJtluEDf_dbuWFbN3l4kvIyAywCzud8UY5JsYllw9-eZYO-kRQ4yguVceU-I3TffM6yOZ7rNRA/s4608/1A577BDE-7E08-4573-86F6-669A2FC488F7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRupiSoUf7VQuch_YVz5yeiqUGEID9XqEwfntWNE_zqv4ymXmkBhi5pmeIjYS0yZB-B1tLGFPq54Hi_Itn6Eg8Euj-ywjgYjkABtp9Bn-Rq8lKffGaJtluEDf_dbuWFbN3l4kvIyAywCzud8UY5JsYllw9-eZYO-kRQ4yguVceU-I3TffM6yOZ7rNRA/s320/1A577BDE-7E08-4573-86F6-669A2FC488F7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Royal Palms and Statue of gardens founder</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG-udlmiewnOcWKOOj6inXlhjWEqbph-jTP03ERZCZrJUP86hWz7fCul5Onls75XeoVyguW0gw9wz3xafiy23trT8Z5EsIMcDjbbmcmRN6dPwOaaiJl6muMmQzTJ5XDGW-ZDFVKPDUOTxrLmtIUh-NQ9hsD2mMHYJiDqbKaI5MSaQfoMJoz-GeJSWZg/s4032/06DD325D-6468-4D5A-8323-A5E20ECDD41A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG-udlmiewnOcWKOOj6inXlhjWEqbph-jTP03ERZCZrJUP86hWz7fCul5Onls75XeoVyguW0gw9wz3xafiy23trT8Z5EsIMcDjbbmcmRN6dPwOaaiJl6muMmQzTJ5XDGW-ZDFVKPDUOTxrLmtIUh-NQ9hsD2mMHYJiDqbKaI5MSaQfoMJoz-GeJSWZg/s320/06DD325D-6468-4D5A-8323-A5E20ECDD41A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqytUYDS62pwvx_fv_flbKOEz58qxEJajVgVVMPncciMDXXUfwLTfmYuBTTFlALRxhiG6FIGURj0BamK-OmcZ3B2sMGAKZ6rD7Y3tPUeLg4XmbTKNw4irZomru8K7iiyfVemlwNfWo294nXWid-cKR8CtP_BLmBef-Hdgkq3r419pekq8E4tvgb_j3g/s4608/74B49EC0-7010-49EE-A269-AA5A4F1F2DA7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqytUYDS62pwvx_fv_flbKOEz58qxEJajVgVVMPncciMDXXUfwLTfmYuBTTFlALRxhiG6FIGURj0BamK-OmcZ3B2sMGAKZ6rD7Y3tPUeLg4XmbTKNw4irZomru8K7iiyfVemlwNfWo294nXWid-cKR8CtP_BLmBef-Hdgkq3r419pekq8E4tvgb_j3g/s320/74B49EC0-7010-49EE-A269-AA5A4F1F2DA7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Acai berries</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcNz7-N133XA8B0lv9SNt0JtDpqp0jzq4ydy8Aln4LXLaaRBnyTNvfJeu9X9fgHZMZCaN1gLYz-5wWK8dxW9pmOHklRnjm6qX97opc3nVtIKP10K8eg_k5N7otL6p1Xs7AxyE1O9RORx8oXQEyKVFqJIc7xRndh3bsDaKoBoXtNkRcoRZmdaBqwQV_A/s4032/319AE44E-AE2F-49D7-989E-83C043F76206.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcNz7-N133XA8B0lv9SNt0JtDpqp0jzq4ydy8Aln4LXLaaRBnyTNvfJeu9X9fgHZMZCaN1gLYz-5wWK8dxW9pmOHklRnjm6qX97opc3nVtIKP10K8eg_k5N7otL6p1Xs7AxyE1O9RORx8oXQEyKVFqJIc7xRndh3bsDaKoBoXtNkRcoRZmdaBqwQV_A/s320/319AE44E-AE2F-49D7-989E-83C043F76206.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP__67PTNK3YXoNHRLxJDmlgwIiU1zJ5qkTbcZIuNhhy74o-XxcYPSPWIxN54D_jQekYUy_d2VNmfikw3AcN7nCIVnIcehvsg9fy4T9_k3qZm6WcEIJBhC_vNkcF_BjD33qDZ81TKyPuYKPnbe2wuegXcbDcq-d5fTqIpgNm0tomjc8unlsaPgZGvCAg/s4608/E2B45A9F-1043-4153-95EE-5E0A4B92B0BB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP__67PTNK3YXoNHRLxJDmlgwIiU1zJ5qkTbcZIuNhhy74o-XxcYPSPWIxN54D_jQekYUy_d2VNmfikw3AcN7nCIVnIcehvsg9fy4T9_k3qZm6WcEIJBhC_vNkcF_BjD33qDZ81TKyPuYKPnbe2wuegXcbDcq-d5fTqIpgNm0tomjc8unlsaPgZGvCAg/s320/E2B45A9F-1043-4153-95EE-5E0A4B92B0BB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">View of Corcovado from botanical gardens</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-VIGcPhAtKqhLsueszHedW0dneeA8xA4YXQn3GbSR6hVE0pkDiq0tYrYej2jFIdEsqlH4a9cczRZPi5KJPlgsqwStmGkbBtZ9F-KD1sIs57aABUaWBNDuokx140ZY3-z4_8NmJztbv85zUacZRbEMLnskzOtklTPmZCccRPi4JFkwVXOSFdkA8w2lA/s4032/FCB8CB62-03C1-4310-822B-A7A31D5BCA91.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-VIGcPhAtKqhLsueszHedW0dneeA8xA4YXQn3GbSR6hVE0pkDiq0tYrYej2jFIdEsqlH4a9cczRZPi5KJPlgsqwStmGkbBtZ9F-KD1sIs57aABUaWBNDuokx140ZY3-z4_8NmJztbv85zUacZRbEMLnskzOtklTPmZCccRPi4JFkwVXOSFdkA8w2lA/s320/FCB8CB62-03C1-4310-822B-A7A31D5BCA91.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Inedible brazilian plantain</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxlgBnN0oTnZxZMWayJGie2s_Nkz1610TLq_h5ZZh_iXvviXeL1VIrz9fuqH-wTqjtO9yXTx7Oe8eBMkHmHA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Marmoset and pup in botanical gardens</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Returning to the ship mid-afternoon we prepared for an evening gala event for those guests on the entire Grand Americas cruise. The event was held at Casa das Canoas, designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1951. It is now an event venue but was originally a private residence perched high on the hills above the beaches in the Canoas neighborhood of Barra de Tijuca, a suburb of Rio. Oscar Niemeyer is also the person who designed many of the public buildings in Brasilia, the purpose built capital of Brazil. After appetizers, cocktails, dinner and a Carnival show, it was after 2300 when we finally returned to the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 27, 2023 – Rio de Janeiro<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We left on a private city tour with a driver and guide at 0830 and headed first for the Corcovado cog railway to ascend the mountain and view the “Christ the Redeemer” statue at the top. The crowds were already intense when we reached the end of the cog railway, which has new cars since we visited in 2008, and ascended the 220 steps to the top. People were pretty good about giving everyone space to get their pictures of both the statue and the surrounding hills and beaches. Returning to the bottom we headed to Sugar Loaf mountain and the two-stage aerial trams traveling 400 meters to the top. The gondolas’s for the aerial trams are also new since our 2008 visit. The views of the beaches and city were spectacular. By the time we descended to the base once again it was time for lunch. Our guide took us to the Copacabana Palace Hotel for a traditional Brazilian BBQ at the Churrascaria Palace, located across the street from the hotel just off the beach. Here they bring around skewers of meats and for a fixed price you can eat as much of the different steaks, chicken, fish, sausages and other cuts of meat, as well as enjoying an extensive buffets of salads, other hot dishes and desserts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw3jApnb16Yh3SGtKg0jgsleoV8ABKQ8AJbV26GZHQ1ee-ei60Y-cj7XtlqPjxoIISYBXPLUz20NrCesJpxy-hpc_8PQeFn1NjnXJophc0Qt4mL8ggkOZLJPNvWRVUPcjOLTKIX4xnWbluqBjRl-ECKmB0UXpFwO10Qn649i1TWXOxP-omu6UWcMUfQ/s4032/D8436B6A-52A8-411E-92F8-C5A9158259AF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw3jApnb16Yh3SGtKg0jgsleoV8ABKQ8AJbV26GZHQ1ee-ei60Y-cj7XtlqPjxoIISYBXPLUz20NrCesJpxy-hpc_8PQeFn1NjnXJophc0Qt4mL8ggkOZLJPNvWRVUPcjOLTKIX4xnWbluqBjRl-ECKmB0UXpFwO10Qn649i1TWXOxP-omu6UWcMUfQ/w301-h400/D8436B6A-52A8-411E-92F8-C5A9158259AF.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Christ the Redeemer statue</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVM5oD_dJwLpQUAcEKLmhfMeirWRc0zzfICJWvNAMIOwNA1TqWc59i2cNOwmp5IZlwj7Y6V4e7pXGSnehiqq2Iu0fkO8Cj6uE4At5kRaISphU1hlCpHa1Lx2Bh1AWWBvTJDjgMeZUQSYv0LPAGbP6EKHEf5hfhdct0GCHDzcztvnyxp6sxBwJcDn7mg/s4032/7C706004-199C-4D85-8A80-04714BC3B234.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVM5oD_dJwLpQUAcEKLmhfMeirWRc0zzfICJWvNAMIOwNA1TqWc59i2cNOwmp5IZlwj7Y6V4e7pXGSnehiqq2Iu0fkO8Cj6uE4At5kRaISphU1hlCpHa1Lx2Bh1AWWBvTJDjgMeZUQSYv0LPAGbP6EKHEf5hfhdct0GCHDzcztvnyxp6sxBwJcDn7mg/s320/7C706004-199C-4D85-8A80-04714BC3B234.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Church of the Immaculate Conception</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Following lunch we walked across the street to Copacabana beach and enjoyed the scenery before heading back to the ship, stopping for photos at several cathedrals and the very modern science museum close to the ship. The Church of the Immaculate Conception is the home church that spurred the construction of the Christ the Redeemer statue. We were unable to enter any museums since all museums in Rio are closed on Mondays.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrul2BX2dOg-9X7fDJm_2ZsxqtA0aucLOIYOooljnRclKZGJd-7eLgEMmIUgUhN8b_8ttILZz13of8O9FfADA7K_eI0PP9oxUI-NTshTmVqf02ikZbGdAEBRjDFNcBMAr_zOCgWGVES8mIZfqLliFvEPR81Aa04LZnPpne8Rf_R1vUlbZEtGpLWh8jzw/s4032/6CDA893C-6525-4C93-A667-131A658F795A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrul2BX2dOg-9X7fDJm_2ZsxqtA0aucLOIYOooljnRclKZGJd-7eLgEMmIUgUhN8b_8ttILZz13of8O9FfADA7K_eI0PP9oxUI-NTshTmVqf02ikZbGdAEBRjDFNcBMAr_zOCgWGVES8mIZfqLliFvEPR81Aa04LZnPpne8Rf_R1vUlbZEtGpLWh8jzw/s320/6CDA893C-6525-4C93-A667-131A658F795A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Famous wavy sidewalk at Copacabana Beach</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUVJiirF02xZItgSxDLsdiCR47E7pkjM2F2gjEYKeq89Jakvfs4htgf6m93ODsaLk_wzFZr4b_XwidH45aUYWAjUCcLhcZNMR8_UJWDh2Jc8MHeSyqCTdRiVYsa7DEH1YYObPOhDyiV7IWl_ijQuC8IUrykz75OMtyIa6leL2NS7Cy6KmW9B-T87C6Q/s4032/54704995-5DFD-4FE7-9D6C-187C90695FFD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUVJiirF02xZItgSxDLsdiCR47E7pkjM2F2gjEYKeq89Jakvfs4htgf6m93ODsaLk_wzFZr4b_XwidH45aUYWAjUCcLhcZNMR8_UJWDh2Jc8MHeSyqCTdRiVYsa7DEH1YYObPOhDyiV7IWl_ijQuC8IUrykz75OMtyIa6leL2NS7Cy6KmW9B-T87C6Q/s320/54704995-5DFD-4FE7-9D6C-187C90695FFD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Copacabana Beach</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship departed Rio at 2100, passing by Sugar Loaf and the domestic airport in near darkness, heading back out into the South Atlantic ocean for our next stop in the morning.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdOYmyF-zzQgNi0JQ1tCrJHbfyAi8dDEfYM4Jw-mn0JQGYvt2RkKkH9gLLerycgu4TjNfDwqPKpWl1Jl7o-bcWHGd51RXaO4RI2hq2rfPTY43l2kqvpKcMWtmzzsi9YO7Xwjr0Hz7dqmOfq7--bs8uKI5Dz7X2vubhf8ZFDeJxXRZoHjKtdbmI4YVJg/s4032/7607D326-A775-4811-BF4E-102FDABC1650.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdOYmyF-zzQgNi0JQ1tCrJHbfyAi8dDEfYM4Jw-mn0JQGYvt2RkKkH9gLLerycgu4TjNfDwqPKpWl1Jl7o-bcWHGd51RXaO4RI2hq2rfPTY43l2kqvpKcMWtmzzsi9YO7Xwjr0Hz7dqmOfq7--bs8uKI5Dz7X2vubhf8ZFDeJxXRZoHjKtdbmI4YVJg/s320/7607D326-A775-4811-BF4E-102FDABC1650.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Departing Rio at night close to Sugar Loaf</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 28, 2023 – Armacao dos Buzios<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This small but upscale community stretches some 8 KM along the shore, with many beaches and small bays. The former fishing village of Buzios became a favored destination for jet-setters with the visit of Bridgett Bardot in the 1960’s. In the past the village was a focal point for slave traders, Portuguese and French pirates. Today Buzios is one of the most charming destinations in the Brazil.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest anchored about ¾ NM off the main harbor, filled with boats on moorings, and began tender operations shortly after 0800. Patrick did a kayak tour, a real change from Antarctica and the Falklands since we could wear shorts, t-shirts and sandals with just a kayak vest rather than suit up in a dry suit. We took a zodiac ride to a beach several KM west of town and entered the kayaks from the zodiacs. Our route took us along the beaches back towards the main harbor, with birds, sea turtles, snorkelers, divers, water taxis, swimmers and an amazing variety of swimwear on the beach including what only be described as dental floss bikinis. The wind had picked up and rounding the points into the next beaches was a lot of work in seas up to 3 feet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36_Cy7dvOoZP8xL6V6B6M0Cif7h1LzM06kB5ZNL3MDm3owX1cohhC2CHusvSLreEBo9GuuuYEQiBilAhsbbJZK5eBsSGDCrJuEXV-lVxFG1fOTbM4ZIHO0riO1LlWAAOB7y_iiPcPhbfYhCMmWys3GUELHACRVP_tCQn6FoUg9gh04iNbrYbMVmuk6A/s4032/C118A312-2A5E-4867-BCE5-C32077AED4FD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36_Cy7dvOoZP8xL6V6B6M0Cif7h1LzM06kB5ZNL3MDm3owX1cohhC2CHusvSLreEBo9GuuuYEQiBilAhsbbJZK5eBsSGDCrJuEXV-lVxFG1fOTbM4ZIHO0riO1LlWAAOB7y_iiPcPhbfYhCMmWys3GUELHACRVP_tCQn6FoUg9gh04iNbrYbMVmuk6A/s320/C118A312-2A5E-4867-BCE5-C32077AED4FD.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kayaking at Buzios</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship departed at 1500 with a sail away celebration around the pool in 90 degree clear skies. The breeze kept it comfortable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Later that evening we celebrated Miriam’s birthday in the Thomas Keller Grill, with a special cake arranged by Ruben, one of maitre’d’s on the ship who has been on several of our other cruises.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-51505295243516923742023-02-24T06:28:00.000-08:002023-02-24T06:28:28.946-08:00Argentina and Uruguay<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Uruguay and Argentina<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Monday, February 20, 2023 – Montevideo, Uruguay<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After leaving the Falkland/Malvinas Islands we sailed for two days to our first landfall in South America since departing Punta Arenas, Chile on February 2. The first stop was Montevideo, Uruguay on Monday, a national holiday, part of Carnaval. Many, if not most shops were closed, but restaurants and bars were open. That also meant no crowds. Montevideo sits on the north side of the Rio de la Plata, first discovered by European explorers in 1516 while searching for a route from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. It is considered by some to be the widest river in the world, stretching some 140 miles at it’s widest point.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Montevideo and the River Plate (Rio de la Plata) is also the site of the first major naval battle of World War 2, which took place on 13 December 1939. The German Battleship Graf Spee took sanctuary in Montevideo after a major battle with three British Cruisers, HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and HMS Achilles. Graf Spee heavily damaged both HMS Exeter and HMS Ajax and retired to the neutral port of Montevideo. International rules dictate a warship can only remain in a neutral port for 24 hours, but Captain Hans Landsdorff extended the stay to 72 hours. Fearing a major British fleet was waiting for him, Landsdorff took Graf Spee out into the Rio de la Plata and scuttled Graf Spee on 17 December 1939. Fleeing to Buenos Aires, he took his own life four days later. The wreckage was rediscovered in 2004 and the 27 ton optical rangefinder for the main gun turrets was recovered and is on display at the entrance to the port.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUXanvFFo95Hq8pdOjVmBPWfHwc2Ajs8P0uHznAcS0MA9awGkyCkFarKeyx7bo4IhWll4jt8f_1qx1PVTS0nDMH8yG_ro7PZLqjSYSLCJF9A6EPLRzKaGrnNkOn_8kbrCJvikDMliVJk3zVQI2XSbjOg9CAz-PDLuNN1lMHoRoOU-1hTp4bP_KDH8pg/s4608/B6A02F79-2FF7-4292-BD4B-A5C6E6447E1F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUXanvFFo95Hq8pdOjVmBPWfHwc2Ajs8P0uHznAcS0MA9awGkyCkFarKeyx7bo4IhWll4jt8f_1qx1PVTS0nDMH8yG_ro7PZLqjSYSLCJF9A6EPLRzKaGrnNkOn_8kbrCJvikDMliVJk3zVQI2XSbjOg9CAz-PDLuNN1lMHoRoOU-1hTp4bP_KDH8pg/s320/B6A02F79-2FF7-4292-BD4B-A5C6E6447E1F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Optical gunsight recovered from Graf Spee</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Montevideo is home to nearly half of the 3.5 million population of Uruguay, which became an independent nation in 1828. Uruguay maintains strong ties with the UK, France and Italy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship docks within walking distance of the central plaza in the old town so we were able to see many of the important sights without participating in a tour.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Most of the way from the port to the central plaza is closed to traffic and is a pedestrian walkway for about one mile from the port to the Plaza Independencia, or Independence Square, dominated by a large monument to General Jose Artigas (1764-1850), one of the political founders and heroes of Uruguay and the Rio de la Plata region. The monument stands atop his mausoleum. Along the way are several more plazas, a large cathedral and an imposing opera house. Many of the older buildings are in ornate art deco style from early in the 1900’s. Like many cities, there is graffiti and wall paintings everywhere.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY0GhO2h3wKGgt3VifFgdADCsj3_2sThLc2nYVFSXsEhh5o_tuABAeGsAEk1vICuE6vJg0AZK-vKSto__1Fr72Z9FX_CHhxLLW3-s4ahno6AtRZMCja2hvVebFY2WxxY1hnwmx3jsF3b02gtlz-2tTo_tdRd1MgfE2FHW5MQ9_w_7PiobwqGk1lxYcw/s4032/0D11F063-41B6-47C3-988C-5823D1A898C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqY0GhO2h3wKGgt3VifFgdADCsj3_2sThLc2nYVFSXsEhh5o_tuABAeGsAEk1vICuE6vJg0AZK-vKSto__1Fr72Z9FX_CHhxLLW3-s4ahno6AtRZMCja2hvVebFY2WxxY1hnwmx3jsF3b02gtlz-2tTo_tdRd1MgfE2FHW5MQ9_w_7PiobwqGk1lxYcw/s320/0D11F063-41B6-47C3-988C-5823D1A898C2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Plaza Independencia</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V2e0A1YcuPJUSSDOo48n1RzGn06pcLIucxo1S2FRmhK9r5Co8DkG-PiOQqqUBZdhTkFKt1NfTUl8iX-FvtvkceeEcaGYOSrYQXHyZ-o1TscdEehxV0vkbT7iue0YN1YT78wXMEo1CVgnrZlh9fOgbeLPnYlcZcWpFt54MjPAZFMGQ8kRBkFc-C1eDg/s4032/2B61C433-E318-406F-AFEB-31E99E78F0C9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V2e0A1YcuPJUSSDOo48n1RzGn06pcLIucxo1S2FRmhK9r5Co8DkG-PiOQqqUBZdhTkFKt1NfTUl8iX-FvtvkceeEcaGYOSrYQXHyZ-o1TscdEehxV0vkbT7iue0YN1YT78wXMEo1CVgnrZlh9fOgbeLPnYlcZcWpFt54MjPAZFMGQ8kRBkFc-C1eDg/s320/2B61C433-E318-406F-AFEB-31E99E78F0C9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Produce Market</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-myNw92WojYnh0pVHxMgtjepCgF-xwcGUlhFLBNkdsc5yxsXpWe-5stYxyVxA_n-mBUURI7I21rc0Su_-5xK_6gHx3FdQTiY2jQEd7kaGWidS38v-q5fBtpXcdASztd-aUrCqwH9c4hzzTI8sP2D4vZjpLAPb-er4rILN-to-r4iqle2neq4_qQ644w/s4032/2DEFFC4D-94C2-4F88-8998-BECC29A389F2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-myNw92WojYnh0pVHxMgtjepCgF-xwcGUlhFLBNkdsc5yxsXpWe-5stYxyVxA_n-mBUURI7I21rc0Su_-5xK_6gHx3FdQTiY2jQEd7kaGWidS38v-q5fBtpXcdASztd-aUrCqwH9c4hzzTI8sP2D4vZjpLAPb-er4rILN-to-r4iqle2neq4_qQ644w/s320/2DEFFC4D-94C2-4F88-8998-BECC29A389F2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Main cathedral - Montevideo</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpEznPvVFE7SknL4LsWJLXacX5ApSJHR8tF_GT_8ZaA5yfGJjiC0CJWolhSCOnWovYLJTsqwgNumH32WJE6a_zk9fLPIXvq5kgRv8j5GM-SzT2YCOg2VhHswd-n6sftzLU0Ry8hFaE6AUDjE6pU1UO9P9yNS2EomussuJNV7QiIDarWStTdsdguSbUA/s4032/813B7E4D-297A-49AC-A82F-ACB1CB3C7D8F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpEznPvVFE7SknL4LsWJLXacX5ApSJHR8tF_GT_8ZaA5yfGJjiC0CJWolhSCOnWovYLJTsqwgNumH32WJE6a_zk9fLPIXvq5kgRv8j5GM-SzT2YCOg2VhHswd-n6sftzLU0Ry8hFaE6AUDjE6pU1UO9P9yNS2EomussuJNV7QiIDarWStTdsdguSbUA/s320/813B7E4D-297A-49AC-A82F-ACB1CB3C7D8F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wall paintings and art deco </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52QVcZsD9_N_tPHCN37buypDKwwD1E0yqlrA-5Mw6LJ1al8AYW02gjUV9zWjIrmADtA5O7R1Wqm3f2THWSlng0jaKqzD73gZXU43VIb5MScuXKto0JOy7N1-x9hWW037mLtOPZ5DX1pTIymsPnLPkstnjMtiNzp9pV9K4qNKChM2Ng9ho3pAAbe-FUQ/s4032/848CC846-72EB-4713-AE4C-F63264F0D33D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52QVcZsD9_N_tPHCN37buypDKwwD1E0yqlrA-5Mw6LJ1al8AYW02gjUV9zWjIrmADtA5O7R1Wqm3f2THWSlng0jaKqzD73gZXU43VIb5MScuXKto0JOy7N1-x9hWW037mLtOPZ5DX1pTIymsPnLPkstnjMtiNzp9pV9K4qNKChM2Ng9ho3pAAbe-FUQ/s320/848CC846-72EB-4713-AE4C-F63264F0D33D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Opera House</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSQ8RTVh8JrU9s7-QDVpZ2n3nAgD-3-DwJuGewzdtpKAWy7jyzKLMFc9emtZZlXNlso5_rrejhBaJ8jmvfzAGzK6yBSKk0MCV9LfdqMpr1GvcdTFdxDchPFiySSaqZ7MFbq9KXb-iVQkvjK94aURHLgr3DqJuAUAcf-3tujsRY3iR0fpnAxD2AncFOg/s4608/D2B21AC4-D862-43E0-A8BC-9E21AAC31A2F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSQ8RTVh8JrU9s7-QDVpZ2n3nAgD-3-DwJuGewzdtpKAWy7jyzKLMFc9emtZZlXNlso5_rrejhBaJ8jmvfzAGzK6yBSKk0MCV9LfdqMpr1GvcdTFdxDchPFiySSaqZ7MFbq9KXb-iVQkvjK94aURHLgr3DqJuAUAcf-3tujsRY3iR0fpnAxD2AncFOg/s320/D2B21AC4-D862-43E0-A8BC-9E21AAC31A2F.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Monument and mausoleum to General Artigas in Independence Plaza</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MQ9qoKwXNJBKYHBhUaUOXY2VXpTmzlCKHb8CJZQCiusSHOGoLi4X64mRPvOqG3cViPiJIGxGGapVuQy4_4y3UNUqW1JHFeJ0qVkr4Mij9R_4uvFSAvvUPqQ1N8P2RnpI1PK2jX4ha3yQSl3bs-o7No8j9PWBEC0G4b5xH-K5ksdAeMuxw3_n1t76-A/s4608/E829D775-E859-488E-BE57-83CFA9DAEA99.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MQ9qoKwXNJBKYHBhUaUOXY2VXpTmzlCKHb8CJZQCiusSHOGoLi4X64mRPvOqG3cViPiJIGxGGapVuQy4_4y3UNUqW1JHFeJ0qVkr4Mij9R_4uvFSAvvUPqQ1N8P2RnpI1PK2jX4ha3yQSl3bs-o7No8j9PWBEC0G4b5xH-K5ksdAeMuxw3_n1t76-A/s320/E829D775-E859-488E-BE57-83CFA9DAEA99.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Derelict Fishing Vessels - Montevideo Harbor</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The harbor is still home to many derelict fishing vessels, less than we saw in 2016.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – Buenos Aires, Argentina<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After an overnight crossing of the Rio de la Plata, Seabourn Quest docked in Buenos Aires and by 0900 we were meeting the car, driver and guide that had been prearranged for us. After a driving tour of some of the 26 neighborhoods which make up the city, as well as a shopping stop, we arrived at La Brigada restaurant in the San Telmo neighborhood. La Brigada is famous for steaks that can be cut with a spoon. There we met with two of Patrick’s classmates from the Stanford Sloan program who we had not seen since 2016 in Buenos Aires. We reconnected during a leisurely delicious lunch, sampling several varieties of Argentine steaks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Following lunch we returned to the port at 1600 and the ship sailed at 1700 for Punta del Este, Uruguay, our next destination.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Wednesday, February 22, 2023 – Punta del Este, Uruguay<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Punta del Este is both a city and municipality on the eastern tip of the Rio de la Plata, and is known as the Monaco of the South. The year round population is only about 10,000, but that number triples during the summer season. There are broad beaches, sculptures such as La Mano (or Los Dedos) on Playa Brava, many fine restaurants and a bustling but compact city center. The city hosts music festivals, whale sightseeing and international education conferences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest anchored 2 miles from a large marina close to Isla Gorriti and we were tendered ashore. Isla Gorritti is now a playground for yachts, sheltered from the Atlantic Swells, but was a pirate stronghold in the 16th century. The city is easy to walk around and nothing of interest was more than 2 miles away. Patrick walked along the beachfront, past El Faro, the lighthouse, passing several of the busy beaches before reaching Los Dedos (or La Mano - the hand) which won an international award for sculpture in 1982.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF_jZicOohtsyCplSrieO1SidS23YQ4ayV9X4I3GNzBy0G1EIJwZtRtGV8BVHII3SeyZ9YmBMgKm15gTw_RwcRpqUxSwBOePNfkmr6Td6PBnvarYevlC4lJpODPWWAoEpRHKhCzf-vordako34enoPkBN6KcgQP-MuMixE91M-vMsnFe1opkua7tzaQ/s4032/3FAE9396-B366-44EF-8A69-80D9FAB57E52.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF_jZicOohtsyCplSrieO1SidS23YQ4ayV9X4I3GNzBy0G1EIJwZtRtGV8BVHII3SeyZ9YmBMgKm15gTw_RwcRpqUxSwBOePNfkmr6Td6PBnvarYevlC4lJpODPWWAoEpRHKhCzf-vordako34enoPkBN6KcgQP-MuMixE91M-vMsnFe1opkua7tzaQ/s320/3FAE9396-B366-44EF-8A69-80D9FAB57E52.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Memorial to HMS Ajax </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrPbY1iBWPau_Vr_w_t-s1Z_089B1B-ZaahKSCyRkuLTPqey7S6yGmdlj9NIx5WJ38WZKkuImIeARK7fMogjfXil9ttrA-0KyMO5biHgvGhlyBOF9cFzeHcUIFnLTZ7WMrln-ZVkt5L8k4ZXl0VIYLARiqM6Wy3qtha7i9nll4i6MKuoer3UjoJpGtw/s4608/63C73D4F-BD7E-4727-A9DE-D82ED605350B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhrPbY1iBWPau_Vr_w_t-s1Z_089B1B-ZaahKSCyRkuLTPqey7S6yGmdlj9NIx5WJ38WZKkuImIeARK7fMogjfXil9ttrA-0KyMO5biHgvGhlyBOF9cFzeHcUIFnLTZ7WMrln-ZVkt5L8k4ZXl0VIYLARiqM6Wy3qtha7i9nll4i6MKuoer3UjoJpGtw/s320/63C73D4F-BD7E-4727-A9DE-D82ED605350B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beaches in Punta del Este</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75nyuWEgXJdY6z9FWEyAea0W8x0DIKEW_fE2etnuC5p3w3W7-UIOPIow9R7E9AxK_uNZc2vhGbUmdOqw8PA-IMMKLdWQOYqI31DJ8XBJLLLHYo5b1FU0HZlBU2knnjSJp3Zc2WjXeD2arcDbthDqW4mRdNQ7qbLyyY6MZgVePRJpJMjdhj6ih30NQnQ/s4032/129409BD-2462-4C6B-820E-FEA206553A2D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75nyuWEgXJdY6z9FWEyAea0W8x0DIKEW_fE2etnuC5p3w3W7-UIOPIow9R7E9AxK_uNZc2vhGbUmdOqw8PA-IMMKLdWQOYqI31DJ8XBJLLLHYo5b1FU0HZlBU2knnjSJp3Zc2WjXeD2arcDbthDqW4mRdNQ7qbLyyY6MZgVePRJpJMjdhj6ih30NQnQ/s320/129409BD-2462-4C6B-820E-FEA206553A2D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">El Faro lighthouse</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYG5m3Op-7xEGjL0U3d2OI60yAZ5Z4t2r4LajjAJb8IDLwnn2sNPlRgsJ6yLC2Hy7muBA_oaWQzzlEq8v_4nImAz6vsAGLaEpwC4eP20nKJvXTJiZjTGMD1YbOJdjjhMSED2ExzAXsfFyy-CFg_umUYaRr-Scea7-gmlNL0CuPo_ry8OG6iLcP96NzA/s4608/A1CFDE1D-8B30-49DF-8429-DE8043766E33.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYG5m3Op-7xEGjL0U3d2OI60yAZ5Z4t2r4LajjAJb8IDLwnn2sNPlRgsJ6yLC2Hy7muBA_oaWQzzlEq8v_4nImAz6vsAGLaEpwC4eP20nKJvXTJiZjTGMD1YbOJdjjhMSED2ExzAXsfFyy-CFg_umUYaRr-Scea7-gmlNL0CuPo_ry8OG6iLcP96NzA/s320/A1CFDE1D-8B30-49DF-8429-DE8043766E33.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Los Dedos or la Mano sculpture</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjgyJwhDo-vgA2dSI_Pjbqg-L9xuscg8MSnB8GvSWXwe_NEhgfdpQtrBmA0wbEKtIR-xRIkd5IsIqHc2gFKjqHkVZNa8T_2IAafsZc45jCDVbB7Bp-aLCByftMiTZZVDV3AlvooNelHVrwuWhZiUWe5RXYttytGnDRnpd09MFlZf3FxqumEC0dqowRw/s4032/AFD71BB8-A43A-47FB-9D11-12F0607566EA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjgyJwhDo-vgA2dSI_Pjbqg-L9xuscg8MSnB8GvSWXwe_NEhgfdpQtrBmA0wbEKtIR-xRIkd5IsIqHc2gFKjqHkVZNa8T_2IAafsZc45jCDVbB7Bp-aLCByftMiTZZVDV3AlvooNelHVrwuWhZiUWe5RXYttytGnDRnpd09MFlZf3FxqumEC0dqowRw/s320/AFD71BB8-A43A-47FB-9D11-12F0607566EA.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Marina and fishing boats at Punta del Este</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDzVD9dlwhGIPgmXHN1yM1JJy2Q16l7eicMfKXwc5TY13CUH2m79UWfyBW4u7tTsd6JJGRk5W3js031RE0tFACro-eqyd3JoebZu-ldN50nan_rcwqdaDYaJG-M4AIHsa1XnXiqzAlG75Limzh1HjMb3sQsZCS6xUY6j5Objfujr6VhoMNDMsBW0kkA/s4032/E3FF7FD6-6CFF-4AEA-B281-92F4F4862FC9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDzVD9dlwhGIPgmXHN1yM1JJy2Q16l7eicMfKXwc5TY13CUH2m79UWfyBW4u7tTsd6JJGRk5W3js031RE0tFACro-eqyd3JoebZu-ldN50nan_rcwqdaDYaJG-M4AIHsa1XnXiqzAlG75Limzh1HjMb3sQsZCS6xUY6j5Objfujr6VhoMNDMsBW0kkA/s320/E3FF7FD6-6CFF-4AEA-B281-92F4F4862FC9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Private houses on the waterfront </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After an interesting, but warm day, with temperatures reaching 86 degrees, we weighed anchor and set out into the Atlantic, heading for our first Brazilian port of call, Ilhabela on San Sebastiao Island.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-16193111754247010972023-02-20T04:15:00.005-08:002023-02-20T04:15:39.643-08:00Falkland Islands<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Falkland Islands</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Falklands Islands are an archipelago off the southern tip of South America. There are more than 740 islands, most of them uninhabited. The population is less than 4,000, with more than half in the capital, Port Stanley. Since there are so few people, many species of animals, mainly seabirds, breed on the islands. The total land area is about 4500 square miles, most on East and West Falkland Islands. The Falklands are a windy environment, with poor soil and few native trees, mostly low shrubs. However, oil and gas have been discovered, but the cost of extraction compared to the price of oil has not justified exploitation to date. Also, there is a water shortage on the islands, barely enough to support the current population. There are some sheep farms, producing high quality wool and meat, but the sheep require more than double the acreage per sheep compared to other sheep producing areas, so it is not a large industry.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The isolation of the islands, and ongoing disputes over sovereignty between Argentina and the UK, including the infamous 74 day war in 1982, when Argentina invaded the islands, but were ultimately defeated by the UK, means there are few flights, only one per week at the current time. The flight is staged out of Chile, since Argentina will not allow flights from Argentina to the Falkland Islands and sometimes flights to there are denied entry into Argentinian airspace.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our reasons for stopping in the Falkland Islands included more wildlife encounters, with several new species of penguins possible, other species of seabirds, touring the city of Port Stanley, a little piece of Britain overseas, and learning about the history, including european discoveries and claims, settlements and ultimately disputes over who owns the archipelago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLV7HgDml8-TxvZN7zUmLnnHZFelQK8wzPPpUaQ4z5kReBRDluz_n4FiME0-2fNAePI-SCTPGdWhAteaEGdhzN_TjxTMNP5X39DwkS71oB_EYTqLsHHOUHVU1z4fZCIM3lDTjQ0-7zh2pzrn3DS7LuygMaA8jtg91sT_S3v84CvroHWbErjp7X0OHLA/s2731/BCAF54D2-EEF2-44ED-A2E0-F3777D42B918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="2731" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLV7HgDml8-TxvZN7zUmLnnHZFelQK8wzPPpUaQ4z5kReBRDluz_n4FiME0-2fNAePI-SCTPGdWhAteaEGdhzN_TjxTMNP5X39DwkS71oB_EYTqLsHHOUHVU1z4fZCIM3lDTjQ0-7zh2pzrn3DS7LuygMaA8jtg91sT_S3v84CvroHWbErjp7X0OHLA/w400-h261/BCAF54D2-EEF2-44ED-A2E0-F3777D42B918.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Thursday, February 16, 2023 – Port Stanley<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After two days at seas, with some rough seas and high winds, Seabourn Quest entered the anchorage off of Port Stanley at 0700 and anchored about one mile from the tender dock. The inner harbor is too small for our ship, so were tendered in by the ship’s tenders. Clearance took some time, so shore excursions were all delayed. Miriam elected to remain on board while Patrick went on a 7 hour wildlife encounter via 4x4 vehicles.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The encounter took place at Seal Bay, on the north coast of East Falkland Island. After a one hour drive we headed off road in seven 4x4 vehicles containing either 3 or 4 passengers. The terrain was across extensive peat bogs and even across shallow lakes until we reached the cliffs along the coast. Our first stop provided views of Rockhopper Penguins, Imperial Cormorants, Upland Geese, Caracara’s and Skuas. The second stop was down on the beach where we visited a Gentoo Penguin colony and had a snack before heading back to the ship. Due to the clearance delays and the length of the tour, we barely made the last scheduled tender back to the ship, so had limited views of Port Stanley.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FfRVHchKOdGPbuBYhQ17ysdlfGq4MDYM2LZZ0iw81DGrqF1EEUkL_9QYV_e__shaDNZNfQUB4r3AoO4PcNUAnzPry63op0i3oJJPfrQL_6wI3cjKFUrK-Pw_XB1-LMNcohvMP0V_v6tfAro5LxY1tubRaZXO6bQD2XW_bLMrm75ckx1MdfFKckhIhQ/s4032/1E47B766-6EED-40FD-A369-28CA4B11D53C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FfRVHchKOdGPbuBYhQ17ysdlfGq4MDYM2LZZ0iw81DGrqF1EEUkL_9QYV_e__shaDNZNfQUB4r3AoO4PcNUAnzPry63op0i3oJJPfrQL_6wI3cjKFUrK-Pw_XB1-LMNcohvMP0V_v6tfAro5LxY1tubRaZXO6bQD2XW_bLMrm75ckx1MdfFKckhIhQ/w300-h400/1E47B766-6EED-40FD-A369-28CA4B11D53C.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Lonely Gentoo penguin chick on beach</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_eEM8icIbJ_ItIXonqkgxfdsNQMx166gUNJ2gvQkUGvKQkSF1DNi_I3sKLIISNN5BbOuxGZkZp9uSjj8CumqfbJXwyMrj0Du8QJdyGFynbfc94zTF4vgv51dDYphoLjb23xayDghqEqIUjpu0UroLRwOBSMGO5ZJJ-0LwlMv7n5lQc3_wlSE8jJ4OA/s2046/630E5609-E9DF-4236-A8EE-EC79E5C849A9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="2046" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_eEM8icIbJ_ItIXonqkgxfdsNQMx166gUNJ2gvQkUGvKQkSF1DNi_I3sKLIISNN5BbOuxGZkZp9uSjj8CumqfbJXwyMrj0Du8QJdyGFynbfc94zTF4vgv51dDYphoLjb23xayDghqEqIUjpu0UroLRwOBSMGO5ZJJ-0LwlMv7n5lQc3_wlSE8jJ4OA/s320/630E5609-E9DF-4236-A8EE-EC79E5C849A9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Imperial Cormorant Chick being fed by parent</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRoqHLY3BBaPL1U3-K-EmfVqW87bbqL5flmrCTZiCvsDrGpjClab7cjiEni5VkR9647yAeDmMoME5TM2r4WoRT92FwOmaDJTPb367fSrBQHB4MWQz8ZCcI1vMag7R36hPmkRDKTmlfy9ytty43uceag5KyohN4ANKigZLT6AO5BX_2oL4s3qe_3xOpA/s4929/61DD05BF-A946-4E3C-BE02-A201137A03FC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3666" data-original-width="4929" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRoqHLY3BBaPL1U3-K-EmfVqW87bbqL5flmrCTZiCvsDrGpjClab7cjiEni5VkR9647yAeDmMoME5TM2r4WoRT92FwOmaDJTPb367fSrBQHB4MWQz8ZCcI1vMag7R36hPmkRDKTmlfy9ytty43uceag5KyohN4ANKigZLT6AO5BX_2oL4s3qe_3xOpA/s320/61DD05BF-A946-4E3C-BE02-A201137A03FC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Rockhopper Penguin</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Friday, February 17, 2023 – New Island<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">New Island is a nature conservancy on the far western edge of the archipelago. It is home to more than 40 species of birds. Seabourn Quest anchored in one of the eastern bays, sheltered from the wind and commenced operations at 0730, with both Zodiac tours ashore and kayaking. Patrick went kayaking, seeing Magellanic Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Imperial Cormorants, Peale’s Dolphins, Giant Southern Petrels, Prions, Caracara’s, and an abandoned whaling station and the group was even followed by an Elephant Seal. Following the Kayak tour, the zodiac trip ashore to a beautiful sandy beach followed a 1 kilometer marked path to an incredible Black Browed Albatross rookery, with many young chicks. Mixed in with the albatrosses were more Rockhopper Penguins, Caracara’s, Peregrine Falcons and several species of Shags, more Upland Geese and several other bird species such as Thrushes, Prions and Kelp Geese,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDx0mGybyz_SJya5Rz_EtQQEZPBPFESnf9lC79XTqoimFJo3-aLh6t9YjzH6lDAPFhw4f6YHsevysvbK-ZITHbf69mfaxY01bKQP5U21pJvuuvcF-B7cH37JZpm9mS2PBFwnUJTwccZa5H1v6qh3JVolgJgdgKnliL_XrBkfRTR4V3TZ7ylcoSGltoQ/s4032/2D4CB283-A2E0-407E-921A-26A436D6AC48.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDx0mGybyz_SJya5Rz_EtQQEZPBPFESnf9lC79XTqoimFJo3-aLh6t9YjzH6lDAPFhw4f6YHsevysvbK-ZITHbf69mfaxY01bKQP5U21pJvuuvcF-B7cH37JZpm9mS2PBFwnUJTwccZa5H1v6qh3JVolgJgdgKnliL_XrBkfRTR4V3TZ7ylcoSGltoQ/s320/2D4CB283-A2E0-407E-921A-26A436D6AC48.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Browed Albatross Chick</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHz1IpXMWaxkqnX5Duaocl5zae1whWiSU9-r-jvSb6h50J9FaeXDkY-IcoRJFt9gxgXNdXWzWJh9lPqB1Yhe8ZbzNQTJo90BoVjuoSlnUpx4UBikZdB9gEqyHDj7V2MwkPPXBc-0qZs_HmGcQbYFNDyuMG_B8oF7lLoS-X3JCKHayuWLgfL1eD69gQ/s4032/4A13F1B7-46B2-4C2E-AB0C-45E6C1CB7274.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaHz1IpXMWaxkqnX5Duaocl5zae1whWiSU9-r-jvSb6h50J9FaeXDkY-IcoRJFt9gxgXNdXWzWJh9lPqB1Yhe8ZbzNQTJo90BoVjuoSlnUpx4UBikZdB9gEqyHDj7V2MwkPPXBc-0qZs_HmGcQbYFNDyuMG_B8oF7lLoS-X3JCKHayuWLgfL1eD69gQ/s320/4A13F1B7-46B2-4C2E-AB0C-45E6C1CB7274.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wreck on Beach at New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsMBzgoI2XuWHmYIRANObDxAdNDs3M7iQjUweqjHv6Cj91D35yywBQ-Fwoqk9joB5NX4Y0xI1HQWpDQguyqFjSOvwJXZReODp673NmB6ec0Bgk-97770oosUgca3a-cNeKAkI37QU6IWEnTHZ2gMofJePEh4x2sJ5AXMjDVJQxDYwVu-B74D40a-wgA/s4365/3483BC9E-3107-42B5-ABB1-AF035541A67F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3998" data-original-width="4365" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsMBzgoI2XuWHmYIRANObDxAdNDs3M7iQjUweqjHv6Cj91D35yywBQ-Fwoqk9joB5NX4Y0xI1HQWpDQguyqFjSOvwJXZReODp673NmB6ec0Bgk-97770oosUgca3a-cNeKAkI37QU6IWEnTHZ2gMofJePEh4x2sJ5AXMjDVJQxDYwVu-B74D40a-wgA/s320/3483BC9E-3107-42B5-ABB1-AF035541A67F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rockhopper Penguin - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hDDnYAi5UP2EoQsIzklYjwx4RIa1ujls_uRgpXFS2yY57tp1IiT1_dEjK6-sDT5eqVOzgy3y5aFrQrBY0ZI_8LrK7Qc_e67KhnsBEGfGr4dcwjBRZ-nK_7zzu1PWZZYw3TSUllGanZ_Ig4iNgvU77dqthClTV5BxTZd5Hv5svM8Co6Gs8M-6eFWwBw/s4608/9572EDA5-CE7C-49D6-A722-A135FB20DB2A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hDDnYAi5UP2EoQsIzklYjwx4RIa1ujls_uRgpXFS2yY57tp1IiT1_dEjK6-sDT5eqVOzgy3y5aFrQrBY0ZI_8LrK7Qc_e67KhnsBEGfGr4dcwjBRZ-nK_7zzu1PWZZYw3TSUllGanZ_Ig4iNgvU77dqthClTV5BxTZd5Hv5svM8Co6Gs8M-6eFWwBw/s320/9572EDA5-CE7C-49D6-A722-A135FB20DB2A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upland Geese - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKUVbaEqa0CDcZhjKS39m3sQamABtxRdoo-B25F-GQATgICPBOEJI2PNKgqdYnxo4B-imTITX-nhEQGubcgnxzxWhfdg0lHzSqdZhe7X6DP2jDGzGYS1T1gZq1qV2lcrQlfrXjzrerZ_HsrV7Fdd_KbazIircBSv74X0g5NKFgRLG2YFwm598OJ0vkw/s4608/AE85A3AD-B60E-458E-BC58-90AFAF422793.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKUVbaEqa0CDcZhjKS39m3sQamABtxRdoo-B25F-GQATgICPBOEJI2PNKgqdYnxo4B-imTITX-nhEQGubcgnxzxWhfdg0lHzSqdZhe7X6DP2jDGzGYS1T1gZq1qV2lcrQlfrXjzrerZ_HsrV7Fdd_KbazIircBSv74X0g5NKFgRLG2YFwm598OJ0vkw/s320/AE85A3AD-B60E-458E-BC58-90AFAF422793.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rockhopper Penguin - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2nbrY-hsnmb8LWYRgMBah3amFmr-YZAk1kRJwi8wf7nA9k7n4zvVX6Nbh50DLACaGyZtFmVSBLjrPD5tREe95RKmc86okx8CB0iNE3pW1hhlmADMzqjrt_wdabwCdGHi5LJ-ieMPRdLnXIiByPggW0vndhRJEWXPRGeWH9ZAfsBB_YdkRTvTbX3asw/s4608/B247CFFB-D071-4397-A337-170BC613F0EE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2nbrY-hsnmb8LWYRgMBah3amFmr-YZAk1kRJwi8wf7nA9k7n4zvVX6Nbh50DLACaGyZtFmVSBLjrPD5tREe95RKmc86okx8CB0iNE3pW1hhlmADMzqjrt_wdabwCdGHi5LJ-ieMPRdLnXIiByPggW0vndhRJEWXPRGeWH9ZAfsBB_YdkRTvTbX3asw/s320/B247CFFB-D071-4397-A337-170BC613F0EE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caracara - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtdHN7fTg0QrNpNqsm1ufC2KelLoQoeAcM1a2T5XVGp2NgyermntCQBYWFFUMfsOgI4NiMTGDNXqC9Dk2uHA-xjxKg4-2RBJtxgfY_4Fn7Jg8FjvwXGvHkouwvbeOjefNGy_qEE56NbeQB3xaO1iYcEFHKzAW9lHR4oSkAZy_GTzg5qNSZu_ySOaew/s4608/B5208B7A-3E0F-4E4E-A2F4-210B02AA3D21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtdHN7fTg0QrNpNqsm1ufC2KelLoQoeAcM1a2T5XVGp2NgyermntCQBYWFFUMfsOgI4NiMTGDNXqC9Dk2uHA-xjxKg4-2RBJtxgfY_4Fn7Jg8FjvwXGvHkouwvbeOjefNGy_qEE56NbeQB3xaO1iYcEFHKzAW9lHR4oSkAZy_GTzg5qNSZu_ySOaew/s320/B5208B7A-3E0F-4E4E-A2F4-210B02AA3D21.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Albatross Chick - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ04nIAzb2Qd1xL5TliLgyhgNy7DCDVuGYwgPAMn4_TzS_ScyFgd5dQ7XjlMC42nLeOQvGq68WTPFLV_zKTlATsH0LzzND0P9slyirvXuUyL6l5y4kynIDgAoxpihnqq5Ux1P6DTsYyNx9sxpPCGVU3m5rUGTbPYGV06Yl9G4lzl_gdgAK-R2KYTMyJg/s4608/C5E7CB84-3D63-4E43-AA3F-03B1DEF945B5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ04nIAzb2Qd1xL5TliLgyhgNy7DCDVuGYwgPAMn4_TzS_ScyFgd5dQ7XjlMC42nLeOQvGq68WTPFLV_zKTlATsH0LzzND0P9slyirvXuUyL6l5y4kynIDgAoxpihnqq5Ux1P6DTsYyNx9sxpPCGVU3m5rUGTbPYGV06Yl9G4lzl_gdgAK-R2KYTMyJg/s320/C5E7CB84-3D63-4E43-AA3F-03B1DEF945B5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kelp Goose - New Island</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdiCR13zgcEb5PNPC0AJHnffJSN3ZiWwnCx3PZKm6EV7vO4F2dQTEpcIEraXn-XzbkrAgcVhp-kXwxjbowXuIQDHzC55mq_VIu53C-zXxpDat9zdU3HnEEGEV0K5wvFnfuamSBcjpLYfI84KbLAKQ6HV2NLDAgGnIXJFwPBwgZKwBszErPgBvTfWPgw/s4608/D2361DF7-9D18-4908-B8B5-D96FC9C21A3F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdiCR13zgcEb5PNPC0AJHnffJSN3ZiWwnCx3PZKm6EV7vO4F2dQTEpcIEraXn-XzbkrAgcVhp-kXwxjbowXuIQDHzC55mq_VIu53C-zXxpDat9zdU3HnEEGEV0K5wvFnfuamSBcjpLYfI84KbLAKQ6HV2NLDAgGnIXJFwPBwgZKwBszErPgBvTfWPgw/s320/D2361DF7-9D18-4908-B8B5-D96FC9C21A3F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Kelp Gull - New Island</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">By noon everyone who wanted to go ashore had done so, the anchor was weighed and we set course for the 1000 NM voyage to Montevideo, Uruguay. As we left, there were dozens of Sei whales close to the ship, more dolphins and many Southern Fur Seals. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-83682572400777533672023-02-14T07:07:00.004-08:002023-02-15T12:10:18.712-08:00South Georgia Island<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 12, 2023 – Grytviken, South Georgia Island<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest anchored off of King Edward Point, Cumberland Bay at 0700 in windy, but relatively calm conditions since the wind was from the west over the land, so no fetch. Clearance procedures to go ashore took some time, but the ship scored 100% on the biosecurity inspections.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieC-lIxuSiAnqqE43HzNFzVI5R64pFSQGaE2vVZ_8VBh1XRvlgw1y_PIAqj-hJOUBYeZe7UqnlERwt6DCOxL1y-EkO2KenNlx6SHtDICqEMnfZemKWh86m4we9zQLtyCJkmQ5ScO7hzIDXKAW_UVe1mtaOuN2uBLWDQPuh6QO33ixEqSA-zrh90hMiw/s2626/71E2B599-E876-4CEB-BBF5-F75856475EC6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2626" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieC-lIxuSiAnqqE43HzNFzVI5R64pFSQGaE2vVZ_8VBh1XRvlgw1y_PIAqj-hJOUBYeZe7UqnlERwt6DCOxL1y-EkO2KenNlx6SHtDICqEMnfZemKWh86m4we9zQLtyCJkmQ5ScO7hzIDXKAW_UVe1mtaOuN2uBLWDQPuh6QO33ixEqSA-zrh90hMiw/w400-h311/71E2B599-E876-4CEB-BBF5-F75856475EC6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We were taken ashore by zodiac and walked by the graveyard where Sir Ernest Shackleton and Frank Wild among others are buried. We could not enter the graveyard itself since the path was blocked by numerous Elephant Seas and hundreds of Southern Fur Seals and pups. Walking around the bay we passed by King Penguins, more fur seals, and the remnants of the whaling equipment, abandoned when the Norwegians stopped whaling in the 1960’s.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTnZkwHfsD3mzSQjMlq4U4xSkYd1FFEZxWg_W4BeffHdjJy2kerH29bLBRNvKPQeOs2SxcQFpK2sJqy_tnxLNQB_ev5m6tl-FtSTjXUNZ5-TbLEXyhU4oYMLe85fgE935091qVOxYB8sixDa_pfFY2_tB36rOMSEuSVOpsZecGis0BJE8GcOtsHjeaQ/s4608/648143B3-68E3-4326-805F-0F6B31591DC9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTnZkwHfsD3mzSQjMlq4U4xSkYd1FFEZxWg_W4BeffHdjJy2kerH29bLBRNvKPQeOs2SxcQFpK2sJqy_tnxLNQB_ev5m6tl-FtSTjXUNZ5-TbLEXyhU4oYMLe85fgE935091qVOxYB8sixDa_pfFY2_tB36rOMSEuSVOpsZecGis0BJE8GcOtsHjeaQ/w266-h400/648143B3-68E3-4326-805F-0F6B31591DC9.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Shackleton Grave from our 2016 Trip</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Many of the buildings have been torn down as part of asbestos abatement, but there were still plenty of photo opportunities. The church is in good shape. There is a museum, post office and gift shop. The museum includes a replica of the James Caird, the lifeboat that Shackleton and 5 others sailed to South Georgia from Elephant Island.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN800LU3nSucMO7XrGhUhaQ4QPuXLrf-s0ZKkhZ4Y3WmWqhSZKfBQNcSr3ZtTajLsyveN2BylDjkl8Hf7ShRJJS3t2IDIxGTOtFQElvsEiOQFoaYYp5w6SN7vQ_YiD5kLCmopDXIJruEP7FtV2ekAgWfBvaFq_fjst-nVaK1MQUbvZsU-3e_6uzlHfPQ/s4608/05BE1055-7846-4B86-AC5F-9D0CED1C76E1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN800LU3nSucMO7XrGhUhaQ4QPuXLrf-s0ZKkhZ4Y3WmWqhSZKfBQNcSr3ZtTajLsyveN2BylDjkl8Hf7ShRJJS3t2IDIxGTOtFQElvsEiOQFoaYYp5w6SN7vQ_YiD5kLCmopDXIJruEP7FtV2ekAgWfBvaFq_fjst-nVaK1MQUbvZsU-3e_6uzlHfPQ/w400-h266/05BE1055-7846-4B86-AC5F-9D0CED1C76E1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Whalers Church, Grytviken</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPa30rush3CeA7w3dJzITYv3jb3Umm6QPKZJ9tYJCFPZs5wyj5ewAC9frmLiX6TpKDg334xoUeQOQMDTnK5wWqoJk2OCoQCpyU3mVHETepZI7pG-Ad_4KPTIrJVMHxoxFwEDWa6zDp5awHElR_he34rTIzbJ88_X8GGwVanbEoA7IfVE03Yk19jLDhQ/s4608/9F7D024E-92D0-4068-8667-DA59617F2A6B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPa30rush3CeA7w3dJzITYv3jb3Umm6QPKZJ9tYJCFPZs5wyj5ewAC9frmLiX6TpKDg334xoUeQOQMDTnK5wWqoJk2OCoQCpyU3mVHETepZI7pG-Ad_4KPTIrJVMHxoxFwEDWa6zDp5awHElR_he34rTIzbJ88_X8GGwVanbEoA7IfVE03Yk19jLDhQ/s320/9F7D024E-92D0-4068-8667-DA59617F2A6B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Remnants of the whaling equipment</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7WPw7T-xJIXTw4n_36tBZwAE13QDkQUywjmGWreY6yjX3aBVkCzYf_Wa4yMsiRAF3iS5cHnlGP39INAy6zOUTXk-olJShDL812nCdUS4Bl1VBx7sO-gQLjp3eoW_lnHh08GSoQIfI8dWsqsRq3NHnRAZD1Iomu_FSh7jZSBvW5sMBAG1Z6nRQtKkww/s4032/AAF85CBE-9291-47F0-8B14-04F43A877DCA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7WPw7T-xJIXTw4n_36tBZwAE13QDkQUywjmGWreY6yjX3aBVkCzYf_Wa4yMsiRAF3iS5cHnlGP39INAy6zOUTXk-olJShDL812nCdUS4Bl1VBx7sO-gQLjp3eoW_lnHh08GSoQIfI8dWsqsRq3NHnRAZD1Iomu_FSh7jZSBvW5sMBAG1Z6nRQtKkww/s320/AAF85CBE-9291-47F0-8B14-04F43A877DCA.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Replica of the James Caird</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTZ0NDA7tMFI9TJgesWBtZxmMW8V7iRtRIpg2mcdF3fOu-Gm-0Ltn8ReR8D7HCOn0oMgiaXgy3oLXi0Pl2ALCgVcn5AprWnAlsAGuhS4tssDtjkoV1L1CTLDihGbe-bPTvRokBAoEjqJOtNmZgl4s34i7khRY7oyuWYFU9SJOg1bcZ5yTdMLUqw9rNw/s4608/BDD7B45A-7156-4D73-B035-291F06502C26.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTZ0NDA7tMFI9TJgesWBtZxmMW8V7iRtRIpg2mcdF3fOu-Gm-0Ltn8ReR8D7HCOn0oMgiaXgy3oLXi0Pl2ALCgVcn5AprWnAlsAGuhS4tssDtjkoV1L1CTLDihGbe-bPTvRokBAoEjqJOtNmZgl4s34i7khRY7oyuWYFU9SJOg1bcZ5yTdMLUqw9rNw/w400-h266/BDD7B45A-7156-4D73-B035-291F06502C26.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">King Penguins, Grytviken</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaty9ww8_hUnBg7w2qL48VVlUqKZLzn3XWRyEkiB-rHGyt0o5DSlfNFxJ6fvlfN4oCWQPTUa78X98NVDA7AuNPpIFCM95dIzEjX4WQ9Dg7SZArez9Ez3d7wAF5TI3izB2QAVzDQVjSN_eTfbCBZt56wvg3AMFi5qw-bkrGMBjCZvk48XcRy-9x-Xv-Q/s4032/C517FA51-9161-4795-A28C-17538FD18523.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaty9ww8_hUnBg7w2qL48VVlUqKZLzn3XWRyEkiB-rHGyt0o5DSlfNFxJ6fvlfN4oCWQPTUa78X98NVDA7AuNPpIFCM95dIzEjX4WQ9Dg7SZArez9Ez3d7wAF5TI3izB2QAVzDQVjSN_eTfbCBZt56wvg3AMFi5qw-bkrGMBjCZvk48XcRy-9x-Xv-Q/s320/C517FA51-9161-4795-A28C-17538FD18523.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Whalers Church Interior</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05yGJkN01Voyz8XddWDGe7BmiJU29F3ypzSYMYMjyrmNKTyO_Rl1N7CLcd6rJWzceTP5pn_IkAFBnGjvPPd_FVvNjOl9s0Yzxoc8EvhSBRKZyfCddNIDYKPPEagF5Hw42-vUc7xbndyG-6awxszrKkCiW2VowlA_j6_yiMnVj1Aq3cWeyTQOW3arKsA/s4608/DE95FE66-DE96-4F2D-91D0-742C1EDADE03.jpeg" style="font-size: 11pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05yGJkN01Voyz8XddWDGe7BmiJU29F3ypzSYMYMjyrmNKTyO_Rl1N7CLcd6rJWzceTP5pn_IkAFBnGjvPPd_FVvNjOl9s0Yzxoc8EvhSBRKZyfCddNIDYKPPEagF5Hw42-vUc7xbndyG-6awxszrKkCiW2VowlA_j6_yiMnVj1Aq3cWeyTQOW3arKsA/s320/DE95FE66-DE96-4F2D-91D0-742C1EDADE03.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Whalers Church</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg7_tCW-1e6dxaTw-Z9o4wwjmLChqE7D6dGbcEZ132I0LfPT44tEpxzK66-lAxtgQ1bBfsevxvnOHszuQx58cOxR9BKwbJwIVhELSHeyZDMiLDtqDwigJUcWxoZtGR4LeJn_PwahzRL9BbMlwGH9vjsbGm0hu1lSKnlnuVzurUdQBsJ9Kr6HjxHrWfQ/s4608/DB67EAA8-8642-490A-BA3F-770A1CC2C6DB.jpeg" style="font-size: 14.666667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg7_tCW-1e6dxaTw-Z9o4wwjmLChqE7D6dGbcEZ132I0LfPT44tEpxzK66-lAxtgQ1bBfsevxvnOHszuQx58cOxR9BKwbJwIVhELSHeyZDMiLDtqDwigJUcWxoZtGR4LeJn_PwahzRL9BbMlwGH9vjsbGm0hu1lSKnlnuVzurUdQBsJ9Kr6HjxHrWfQ/w400-h266/DB67EAA8-8642-490A-BA3F-770A1CC2C6DB.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Fur Seal pup feeding</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu3oB7Fzj8QChhvBihfudCk0HQtPYH3gjyiM4Jh2JR0y1oekhEoZzbzdPI_wsNYGsZkIijy2zawO5BgqfF-V3-_pPxSUdTBIOLgalCkDi0mpvjgu0ZCkdn6DF5zlCw616rFK52KdHysWvWek9tJmMWY_o0s7nAGsFNP7hAUysRCxZKGpGqrhtGYs5tw/s4608/EB3A0268-BC04-4291-BE13-2D77FE403D26.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu3oB7Fzj8QChhvBihfudCk0HQtPYH3gjyiM4Jh2JR0y1oekhEoZzbzdPI_wsNYGsZkIijy2zawO5BgqfF-V3-_pPxSUdTBIOLgalCkDi0mpvjgu0ZCkdn6DF5zlCw616rFK52KdHysWvWek9tJmMWY_o0s7nAGsFNP7hAUysRCxZKGpGqrhtGYs5tw/w400-h266/EB3A0268-BC04-4291-BE13-2D77FE403D26.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Fur Seal Pups</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoiPrmQxir3HkIDGWlkLnzzYDNH4p_uapV2tHd-glEn01I13uJr64SewihclbdxujGPRWbx65PM1Ch_FNY_sqQpoaGAR0SsB0ySSMBnnsEmxXZzWGzucs-ZHf6cJlB_gF2-ItXrq4huFpOrn-xQ-azz_4pt8Y4kCKDLL6bEZL_liw640Qdc8uA7Ld_A/s4608/F89902D0-EA20-410A-B383-31021DDD5A6B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoiPrmQxir3HkIDGWlkLnzzYDNH4p_uapV2tHd-glEn01I13uJr64SewihclbdxujGPRWbx65PM1Ch_FNY_sqQpoaGAR0SsB0ySSMBnnsEmxXZzWGzucs-ZHf6cJlB_gF2-ItXrq4huFpOrn-xQ-azz_4pt8Y4kCKDLL6bEZL_liw640Qdc8uA7Ld_A/s320/F89902D0-EA20-410A-B383-31021DDD5A6B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Rusting machinery and buildings</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Following our visit to Grytviken, the captain sailed a short distance up the coast and entered Stromness Harbor, the site of another abandoned whaling station. This is the station that Shackleton arrived at with two others after the arduous trek from the other side of the island. Seabourn Quest remained anchored in the bay in front of the station until midnight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaspQI3SQzPf6aHENyeG_8iP7el-_S2wxSjVYu2fPmQ9SSCu-DfcXnRp5SE3SrC7w9ANsUfm1IGERzpYyfk_rS6xIkZuYKg_jAzlNCvijaRBK2Y_zSBoYsvrOan6tow42e-5VS3MHvTNWFx-TYDL6eHdyLvspSzVYTO5ITWuGjU6q7rdByx9OtbE7ifQ/s4608/6E32F3CF-0B7A-4130-BB9C-410A0AD9ED93.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaspQI3SQzPf6aHENyeG_8iP7el-_S2wxSjVYu2fPmQ9SSCu-DfcXnRp5SE3SrC7w9ANsUfm1IGERzpYyfk_rS6xIkZuYKg_jAzlNCvijaRBK2Y_zSBoYsvrOan6tow42e-5VS3MHvTNWFx-TYDL6eHdyLvspSzVYTO5ITWuGjU6q7rdByx9OtbE7ifQ/w400-h266/6E32F3CF-0B7A-4130-BB9C-410A0AD9ED93.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Abandoned Norwegian Whaling Ship</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNEf5H2lD4Cn22QsSXDnMv83Qxdbn3ssYUtL4YHbwxCK9TrPbUSxqR5dzYeTeYD4tn4t80PdfJ6Q-HY8MwQyAWEj0vkdidlL1COsZKUqXNlTY1cr29bWwHYsI4ycJOwDMMwwhn6vzKOBy8ffoWc_Ngj1mkRAGAMwS9MBn-Be3cWMYojfZAAWOO-eDAw/s4608/935F8C4E-456E-4BEE-B9ED-41B743822899.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNEf5H2lD4Cn22QsSXDnMv83Qxdbn3ssYUtL4YHbwxCK9TrPbUSxqR5dzYeTeYD4tn4t80PdfJ6Q-HY8MwQyAWEj0vkdidlL1COsZKUqXNlTY1cr29bWwHYsI4ycJOwDMMwwhn6vzKOBy8ffoWc_Ngj1mkRAGAMwS9MBn-Be3cWMYojfZAAWOO-eDAw/w400-h266/935F8C4E-456E-4BEE-B9ED-41B743822899.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Grytviken, South Georgia Island</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTO3c8JoC4sCgpRLoLmh55nDk2HbgH35pu3r16XvXSKnooopSISz7tN5KeCE3d-pxzrUceDV5A-ADCIS4HkKdrp6zo9cMi3YGuw6DIZpWRNN_YRxSnZD2KeVHA6pg1N6OOdL5_I0w4onv22nH_FcmUjoU01_pJEetvSdHEIhDq_2STUFjxcR0-XN1wA/s4608/68699989-9EB9-4309-A8DD-B40F8370F426.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTO3c8JoC4sCgpRLoLmh55nDk2HbgH35pu3r16XvXSKnooopSISz7tN5KeCE3d-pxzrUceDV5A-ADCIS4HkKdrp6zo9cMi3YGuw6DIZpWRNN_YRxSnZD2KeVHA6pg1N6OOdL5_I0w4onv22nH_FcmUjoU01_pJEetvSdHEIhDq_2STUFjxcR0-XN1wA/w400-h266/68699989-9EB9-4309-A8DD-B40F8370F426.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Stromness Whaling Station where Shackleton arrived on foot</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 13, 2023 – Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Early in the morning, in fog, we took up position 3000 feet off the beach landing site. At 0830 we began beach landings to see up to 500,000 King Penguins and hundreds of fur seals and pups nestled in the Tussock Grass. The beach landing was exciting and to walk among that many birds in a single colony stretching up into the hills and extending for miles along the beach was amazing, as was the noise and the smell. There were also giant petrels and Skuas looking for weak or small chicks to feast on. Also several Blue Eyed Shags flew by. Even with the low visibility and rain, it was truly stunning.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTp_cmd0HaofEdpMqMWbyfy_FGkd3SlJAPnHJLX0dbERjgr-T1deRyMVhWRaGVXBDuIT7xFwv9L5GzSCqdynvFsnuYEV-m02TPT_ZbG_6MkUFrxZKRiz9iBNe7J9kq5aBQpJitF9Uk2R6S3sGV_0wGhbALmdbLYokwAaeDI9XP7uK5x7DhZW21pOHgw/s4916/8C065F22-9521-41C3-BCDC-A5C4704062E7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3998" data-original-width="4916" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTp_cmd0HaofEdpMqMWbyfy_FGkd3SlJAPnHJLX0dbERjgr-T1deRyMVhWRaGVXBDuIT7xFwv9L5GzSCqdynvFsnuYEV-m02TPT_ZbG_6MkUFrxZKRiz9iBNe7J9kq5aBQpJitF9Uk2R6S3sGV_0wGhbALmdbLYokwAaeDI9XP7uK5x7DhZW21pOHgw/w400-h325/8C065F22-9521-41C3-BCDC-A5C4704062E7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0yZAj2ribM-JuinUgDsl2kFdYNTnk0Hr4lVmSIujqEyzC2B22yEEeSB0ZN1-niHQp6XR8sFsZMBXVzRDQvlsxwfD33H7ynSWh0CalkQVstR4OWE9BWg3KvwG1MPEFNqbg9n6YtERV5qRu_FZy-o2Ys67Qy0r9hrfcONR1oc9yOpmUvdb2vM2fh8erw/s4032/4BB4F4A2-3334-482F-9DE3-81E847886F17.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0yZAj2ribM-JuinUgDsl2kFdYNTnk0Hr4lVmSIujqEyzC2B22yEEeSB0ZN1-niHQp6XR8sFsZMBXVzRDQvlsxwfD33H7ynSWh0CalkQVstR4OWE9BWg3KvwG1MPEFNqbg9n6YtERV5qRu_FZy-o2Ys67Qy0r9hrfcONR1oc9yOpmUvdb2vM2fh8erw/w300-h400/4BB4F4A2-3334-482F-9DE3-81E847886F17.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBlk_iWwiJTE1-wwR_PUp2OInAHZ1A0Miy4escmf4OJVHGCo0uhC_TTh48pr3-VCBNAYEurcYajes-pjZT2ee6YdgnX3n9ql6451SdQmY-HAqPb6k2Pr102-UzC7OlP44ptu24ZAwD0HbxRvUqkSelae35mvUYvBm_gdGrOF23sywvuebnOROEBAfzg/s4032/73641510-2262-4876-973E-C182EB4545C2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBlk_iWwiJTE1-wwR_PUp2OInAHZ1A0Miy4escmf4OJVHGCo0uhC_TTh48pr3-VCBNAYEurcYajes-pjZT2ee6YdgnX3n9ql6451SdQmY-HAqPb6k2Pr102-UzC7OlP44ptu24ZAwD0HbxRvUqkSelae35mvUYvBm_gdGrOF23sywvuebnOROEBAfzg/w300-h400/73641510-2262-4876-973E-C182EB4545C2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Part of the massive King Penguin Colony</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3sXzvb33nRqTSkgVxxWaVQPRa-jGIRiVT0ey968c6EgbWEyS6JIqoAHEnLTaLt5_e_D-IQcbEjQpbH7gc2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2ES9vL_GkxAEaCgLCqmFvPhSR-aJwqyCjoHvJ342YDEhSUynroMXVYkjpZhGvpN6FTSBwx2Y9Z5ysjfPL90UGFsxc4ZCxTUGTKH7YiOkRcb2tXPuU5aO1k5jZb01RcuR8vABzzKzUVaxQLnUqhaMBVhvcgGVwLKjYYXafBDkxGNVklXqatOziDs9Q/s3498/5DC1AF10-AA71-4041-80ED-BEEEAAD44E84.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3498" data-original-width="2131" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWv2ES9vL_GkxAEaCgLCqmFvPhSR-aJwqyCjoHvJ342YDEhSUynroMXVYkjpZhGvpN6FTSBwx2Y9Z5ysjfPL90UGFsxc4ZCxTUGTKH7YiOkRcb2tXPuU5aO1k5jZb01RcuR8vABzzKzUVaxQLnUqhaMBVhvcgGVwLKjYYXafBDkxGNVklXqatOziDs9Q/w244-h400/5DC1AF10-AA71-4041-80ED-BEEEAAD44E84.jpeg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsqWI8Yr3GaI6T-NedHR3TH62Jw35Glzz3vmy6Akc1tWHeP988LO0R3BMOKnySDrgPXK8a44o8-TX_IO4mtw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick had hoped to kayak here, but his excursion was cancelled due to low visibility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">By 1700 everyone who wanted to go ashore had done so, so all the zodiacs were recovered and we set sail for the Falkland Islands, a distance of approximately 740 NM.<o:p></o:p></p><p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-18697877203272646012023-02-12T11:18:00.001-08:002023-02-12T11:18:38.623-08:00Elephant Island and Scotia Sea<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thursday, February 9, 2023 – Elephant Island</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest steamed at 17-19 knots northeasterly from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula 115 NM to Elephant Island. The skies cleared after several hours, but the wind was still brisk and the seas were still 2.5 meters. At 1630 Elephant Island showed up about 15 NM in the distance. As we approached the eastern tip of the island numerous Fin whales were spotted, along with flocks of seabirds including Cape Petrels and groups of penguins porpoising in and out of the swells. The area is rich in Krill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_QJOrJIrAbuUVo7_ZU1j1rd08kCnd0y49v6rwqd2kJJfEyMYXC5Y1SbGI3EaPFv4SyYA3preUOIhYFOUdtnYoZ3xbDUl77tWHbw1WPOzFq3uz2Deu4om97iaEmQ0dcjXIGDvJKEjovLbEqJDcrqY1t8EcYbY7LGYATxdgwN9_jsXSj4wzFsnCZtXZQ/s2732/0147DFF3-FBDF-476C-A43B-4D24ACABAF3B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2732" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_QJOrJIrAbuUVo7_ZU1j1rd08kCnd0y49v6rwqd2kJJfEyMYXC5Y1SbGI3EaPFv4SyYA3preUOIhYFOUdtnYoZ3xbDUl77tWHbw1WPOzFq3uz2Deu4om97iaEmQ0dcjXIGDvJKEjovLbEqJDcrqY1t8EcYbY7LGYATxdgwN9_jsXSj4wzFsnCZtXZQ/w640-h480/0147DFF3-FBDF-476C-A43B-4D24ACABAF3B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Our Route through the Antarctic Peninsula to Elephant Island</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vC8leWrvzk9c9tugKCbmSn91doDV24DD5EdBtwzqE8hnKm20izlysRBYNQKZHZGtu7KEGVrjZCvoSCVFa4SbaW2_zXC39s9ha1U7_j_92dQ1h5Y-lRXwKfKtgj-AH4bnT9JkAKPupEF5pSo5W7GnSL-TbHEuRmJHpzHvVs0hwBs4F1J76ZfLZMqf_w/s2732/6EA5E6AD-62D1-48B1-BFF5-4FE3803209E9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2732" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vC8leWrvzk9c9tugKCbmSn91doDV24DD5EdBtwzqE8hnKm20izlysRBYNQKZHZGtu7KEGVrjZCvoSCVFa4SbaW2_zXC39s9ha1U7_j_92dQ1h5Y-lRXwKfKtgj-AH4bnT9JkAKPupEF5pSo5W7GnSL-TbHEuRmJHpzHvVs0hwBs4F1J76ZfLZMqf_w/w400-h300/6EA5E6AD-62D1-48B1-BFF5-4FE3803209E9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Map of Elephant Island with Point Wild on north side</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSwdvBlckiZMwPNPPECNufmsBE9fU7ELJ-3oODTa73HnTaiXBQxLfhkL1V7s9S5SjX0SDR0KXkiaKQDcrvlFwV3HQcI01Pa7mwFnK9eSWFUtmtTzBCeksiEe5fsiQpCvKqTMUw58UCsHKvHyL2gC5NOkcaCtZp0EdyLUXtNfrfk3gJzOh1ieSguG98g/s5525/6190BBA8-4A58-4CC7-83C7-BDD12916BBF3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="5525" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSwdvBlckiZMwPNPPECNufmsBE9fU7ELJ-3oODTa73HnTaiXBQxLfhkL1V7s9S5SjX0SDR0KXkiaKQDcrvlFwV3HQcI01Pa7mwFnK9eSWFUtmtTzBCeksiEe5fsiQpCvKqTMUw58UCsHKvHyL2gC5NOkcaCtZp0EdyLUXtNfrfk3gJzOh1ieSguG98g/w640-h420/6190BBA8-4A58-4CC7-83C7-BDD12916BBF3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Cape Petrels off of Cape Valentine</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXODHpC2yYxdw-LbCEdp-Zu7Hlq1ujdzxpnvN8T7WBZt507oCKpvurZgLNQsKm0KV5zimVbbdz68ebnkb0_xpYD6e4Rg3TZBbcLIzgkonvmK98Abt6pAnnjawptFITOqukOTWyuae5WfirupnchoAq1XgRQUyvhvfmgShKq3IscfkbbY7SHNobICF3DA/s4608/8949AD4A-7F30-4263-8629-399377F63826.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXODHpC2yYxdw-LbCEdp-Zu7Hlq1ujdzxpnvN8T7WBZt507oCKpvurZgLNQsKm0KV5zimVbbdz68ebnkb0_xpYD6e4Rg3TZBbcLIzgkonvmK98Abt6pAnnjawptFITOqukOTWyuae5WfirupnchoAq1XgRQUyvhvfmgShKq3IscfkbbY7SHNobICF3DA/w640-h426/8949AD4A-7F30-4263-8629-399377F63826.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Shackleton Memorial at Point Wild</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNX3kmZ-cZS3r2Vg2Z8DFNozxcHlVhObE0GUF7MLPOhFITOHAZOwz3B0oN5uQ0YXkH8wXzO4fGdCRx76OpTxucE_y5jt9kq5ajFiP3WCf6FkgmlnrD8izp87ILE4tNAL6D_ysVlP9Ykk4SV8ukbGguU8WXwTN6FjgYsdbMThE5KU7_ZCTfRk_HRrpIA/s4944/EF74877C-925B-48DA-AD0F-99C15649116C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2116" data-original-width="4944" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNX3kmZ-cZS3r2Vg2Z8DFNozxcHlVhObE0GUF7MLPOhFITOHAZOwz3B0oN5uQ0YXkH8wXzO4fGdCRx76OpTxucE_y5jt9kq5ajFiP3WCf6FkgmlnrD8izp87ILE4tNAL6D_ysVlP9Ykk4SV8ukbGguU8WXwTN6FjgYsdbMThE5KU7_ZCTfRk_HRrpIA/w400-h171/EF74877C-925B-48DA-AD0F-99C15649116C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Fin Whales off of Cape Valentine</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwRSdd474cZKPcDse6tW3MGcTX0vfEpvPc-Nbqs-i9QGnpnLRC8OWV-G8CGOM5mfpi-5kRKdNV9CPwTVI8XpzwQTdJtsLWgPTPbnet00Fls3ApzUjDTTRWz40fHs_kto8gEbLVqWn4F-91vHKSFWYYodf4uZvgf6q1u32_l1d6mnLG-N6WeO4vZx0PQ/s4608/CFBAAAD7-2BCF-40DC-8D46-E7C7A9B88840.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwRSdd474cZKPcDse6tW3MGcTX0vfEpvPc-Nbqs-i9QGnpnLRC8OWV-G8CGOM5mfpi-5kRKdNV9CPwTVI8XpzwQTdJtsLWgPTPbnet00Fls3ApzUjDTTRWz40fHs_kto8gEbLVqWn4F-91vHKSFWYYodf4uZvgf6q1u32_l1d6mnLG-N6WeO4vZx0PQ/w640-h426/CFBAAAD7-2BCF-40DC-8D46-E7C7A9B88840.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Point Wild, Elephant Island</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We passed about 4 NM abeam of Cape Valentine, avoiding reefs. This point was the first landfall for Shackleton’s group, but it was an unsafe area with no real shelter and rockfalls down the steep slopes. Shackleton moved to the middle of the north side and and found an area in which they could build shelters. Their shelters were the two other lifeboats, overturned and with canvas sidewalls. By this time it was April and winter was approaching. The third lifeboat, “James Caird” took off for South Georgia with a crew of six and after an amazing journey three of them turned up at the Stromness whaling station on May 20, 1916. The James Caird was recovered along with the other three crew a few days later. After four attempts, the survivors on Elephant Island were all recovered by Shackleton five months later.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Seabourn Quest also rounded Cape Valentine and retraced Shackleton’s route, approaching Point Wild where Shackleton set up camp. We approached to within ½ mile and were able to see the memorial cairn set up at the site of the camp. Landing on the island is not permitted and the site is now also a penguin colony, which was not present 110 years ago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">During the voyage to Elephant Island, retracing Shackleton’s route, we were treated to a lecture by Robert Egelstaff, the lead kayak guide, who had been on Seabourn Venture with us this past summer. His talk, “In The Wake of Shackleton” was about how he and three others built a replica 29 years ago of the “James Caird”, the 22 foot lifeboat from the Endurance, and recreated that famous voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia. They named the replica “Sir Ernest Shackleton”.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Robert and his teammates took the same amount of time, 14 days, and were able to take the same number of noon sextant sights (4) as Frank Worley, the Captain of Endurance, to determine their location. Due to weather they were unable to land in King Haakon Bay, where Shackleton and his 5 companions landed, instead finding shelter on the NE side of South Georgia. Their replica boat is on permanent display in the UK at the Scott Polar Museum in Cambridge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As a matter of interest, last year the wreck of Endurance was found in the Weddell Sea, only 4 miles from Frank Worley’s estimated position relying only on celestial navigation and a chronometer that had not been adjusted for 18 months. The wreck lies more than 10,000 feet deep and is in surprisingly good shape.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest departed from Point Wild on Elephant Island at 1845 and headed out across the Scotia Sea, following the general track of Shackleton more than 800 NM to South Georgia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 10-11, 2023 – Transiting the Scotia Sea<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Midday on Feb 10 Seabourn Quest passed through a large field of tabular bergs, giving us some spectacular views, even though it was a little hazy/foggy. The morning was spent on bio-security inspections of all outerwear going ashore on South Georgia and a mandatory bio-security briefing in preparation for the inspections by health officers from South Georgia when we arrive at Grytviken on Feb 12. The government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are determined to preserve the area from an ecology standpoint. Since were here last they have eradicated rats, removed the non-native reindeer and actively look for non-native plants and remove them. They have also established a 200 NM Marine Protected Area around the islands, strictly controlling all activity, including illegal fishing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPMyU1tEwK0kS1q9WMpccLRcGxpel2J9uc07FTrawi73zd1aDEhxuGnrfVO2w4Sf2Sr7M_eU8xAkp9dfoKs9G2mbnEb5vCFAnGVYBjNOeoHylTKiWWJg7EjYIf8Z9LtyoRWzaWBwJMIUDsulh6yx2Nvr2xN2dNNhn2BhJRvy9r33bgtHov7zkqlr9aA/s4608/EBE5D2D0-3814-4EFF-B1BD-52AD9192E309.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPMyU1tEwK0kS1q9WMpccLRcGxpel2J9uc07FTrawi73zd1aDEhxuGnrfVO2w4Sf2Sr7M_eU8xAkp9dfoKs9G2mbnEb5vCFAnGVYBjNOeoHylTKiWWJg7EjYIf8Z9LtyoRWzaWBwJMIUDsulh6yx2Nvr2xN2dNNhn2BhJRvy9r33bgtHov7zkqlr9aA/w400-h266/EBE5D2D0-3814-4EFF-B1BD-52AD9192E309.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tabular Berg more than 1 mile wide</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Internet connectivity remains very poor, with little communication from the crew on what the real problem is, since we are quite a bit further north and it should be better than on the Antarctic peninsula where coverage was surprisingly good.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We continued with lectures on Shackleton’s voyages, on the Global Ocean, and on several attempts to cross the white continent, Antarctica.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">On Feb 11, we had lectures on “What happens to Whales when they die at sea”, descriptions of both the Amundsen and Scott races to the South Pole and their respective life histories, and on Elephant Seals, which we expect to see on South Georgia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-23166442537283487562023-02-09T07:12:00.000-08:002023-02-09T07:12:25.468-08:00Drake Passage and Antarctic Experience<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Drake Passage and Antarctic Experience</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 4, 2023 – enroute the Antarctic Peninsula via the Drake Passage<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship did depart Ushuaia and continued easterly down the Beagle Channel towards the southeastern tip of South America. The seas were initially calm, but by 0800 we were in the Drake Passage proper. The Drake Passage is notorious for strong westerly winds and large seas. There are no landmasses further south except for Antarctica, so nothing to impede the wind and seas. The water depth averages 11,000 feet. The body of water is named after Sir Francis Drake, but he never actually crossed the passage. We passed 30 miles abeam of Cape Horn about 0930.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Entering the open ocean, the seas increased, along with winds of more than 40 knots. There was a large westerly swell averaging 5 meters, with at times an occasional 10 meter swell, with wind driven seas of 4+ meters. Theses conditions persisted until late afternoon when the winds decreased, but the large swell persisted overnight. The ship’s stabilizers really got a workout since the wind and seas were just aft of the starboard beam.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 5, 2023 – Approaching the Antarctic Peninsula<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The swells decreased somewhat overnight and at 0430 we crossed 60 degrees South and the Antarctic convergence zone. At about 1230 we entered Nelson Strait and proceeded into Eduardo Frei Montalvo Station on King George Island to pick up polar jackets (Courtesy of Seabourn Venture) for those guests still without jackets. Snow squalls greeted our arrival at the anchorage. By 1900 we were complete with that stop and began the overnight voyage to Portal Point, our destination for the next day. Traveling in the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, in most areas there is a 10 knot speed limit to help protect numerous Humpback Whales, which are feeding on the rich krill here during the Antarctic summer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowRKCTFlhdWP04M3rUXi5JAmagr5nXCsaBLan2r5mfkek17mMoShYC1LOCuEI5pmts8HlOlpth6D5nIs0r7CFKSvEkn-q1-ELwmirTf9dkq0VhnIig1ZYx9L320Lcdzy7MjXPpeKBe6BhcaR_yAqwSDiFPQJx1LAa8ggWqJZBcgMNmkosQb09J_7jbA/s4608/49E058B4-E2BE-4FC1-92B6-89835CC9181F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowRKCTFlhdWP04M3rUXi5JAmagr5nXCsaBLan2r5mfkek17mMoShYC1LOCuEI5pmts8HlOlpth6D5nIs0r7CFKSvEkn-q1-ELwmirTf9dkq0VhnIig1ZYx9L320Lcdzy7MjXPpeKBe6BhcaR_yAqwSDiFPQJx1LAa8ggWqJZBcgMNmkosQb09J_7jbA/w400-h266/49E058B4-E2BE-4FC1-92B6-89835CC9181F.jpeg" title="Eduardo Frei Station" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Eduardo Frei Station</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 6, 2023 – Portal Point, Antarctic Peninsula<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Portal Point received it’s name since it is named as the gateway to a overland route to the Antarctic Plateau. In 1956, a hut was established here by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey. Arriving at 0800, it took the expedition team a while to sort out zodiac problems and identify suitable locations for kayaking. Portal Point is located on the Antarctic Peninsula itself, our only chance to actually step on the Antarctic continent. Nonetheless, we finally started going ashore and Patrick started his first kayak excursion this trip. The weather was a little windy and choppy, with very little wildlife, but we did see a glacier calving while in the kayaks. There were no penguins, but there were both Weddell and Crab Eater seals, as well as Antarctic Terns, Kelp Gulls and Skuas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGETTJraUjpvsXJR2MivP9oR9pws97UjeMlTmMn4N8azuWJOXtwTq6GFYoGDzarY_9RG0qbVV3CdlLWcWChg9IcAWz0-bMHKjZF_QRLQ6YviEIoFBXuau_3Xot6e4ru_c3dESN1CBBKabeVFjIlGGe63YVTfUEe7NkMabP5nK9v5t-T8jQUczyOapgNQ/s3362/7B7D13EF-65C8-469C-A0F3-C8330143E96C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3362" data-original-width="2996" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGETTJraUjpvsXJR2MivP9oR9pws97UjeMlTmMn4N8azuWJOXtwTq6GFYoGDzarY_9RG0qbVV3CdlLWcWChg9IcAWz0-bMHKjZF_QRLQ6YviEIoFBXuau_3Xot6e4ru_c3dESN1CBBKabeVFjIlGGe63YVTfUEe7NkMabP5nK9v5t-T8jQUczyOapgNQ/w356-h400/7B7D13EF-65C8-469C-A0F3-C8330143E96C.jpeg" width="356" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weddell Seal, Portal Point</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV39To0St9Erz5_3E6_LLk7FBmIIg74UEBvjio_VT58mVVshVos6uarKa1RdTNKmPR-jBBjvEF6h3eRgGcWioLQ-5wyKY7jP9IMH7AEY9Rvr4kg78eUfVG6L4avDDEvDQMq5REMJCP4AJUITB6idaxxsdYNSzMT3juOgmnz3OmTb__bagGj0ReoCLn_A/s4032/BEA301B6-4390-4BA1-9F20-E507555CE33D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV39To0St9Erz5_3E6_LLk7FBmIIg74UEBvjio_VT58mVVshVos6uarKa1RdTNKmPR-jBBjvEF6h3eRgGcWioLQ-5wyKY7jP9IMH7AEY9Rvr4kg78eUfVG6L4avDDEvDQMq5REMJCP4AJUITB6idaxxsdYNSzMT3juOgmnz3OmTb__bagGj0ReoCLn_A/w300-h400/BEA301B6-4390-4BA1-9F20-E507555CE33D.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crabeater Seal, Portal Point</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The weather deteriorated enough (and since the ship was 2-3 miles from the landing sites) that the final kayaking excursion was cancelled and it was a wet ride from shore back to the ship. However, everyone who wanted to go ashore was given the opportunity, including some of the crew.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This is not the furthest south we will go, however we are now at 64 degrees 30 minutes south latitude.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 7, 2023 – Melchior Bay <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We entered Melchior Bay, formed by a group of islands known as the Melchior Islands and the site of an inactive Argentina research station. The bay was reasonably protected from the wind and swells we had experienced overnight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYgn7PJpY0OPY1LR4AkZMtdbRqTf0LwWVf5X0CVbHTtIiSWTqoq7UxmQ0WRZ4_vQ1jEdzCRMnnMwIhnvjrkAAK3ASLCAay2qb82Jtn0KJgT6FuRn5tlXdl-Esg8b_Wnry4w0DWfWyPcti7BwdFefCYGvbili3gEtAAxHCI8YDoTm6_bJ6Lwkw8bN4bA/s4608/10C606BE-7D38-485A-9FB4-1F8CDED0308D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYgn7PJpY0OPY1LR4AkZMtdbRqTf0LwWVf5X0CVbHTtIiSWTqoq7UxmQ0WRZ4_vQ1jEdzCRMnnMwIhnvjrkAAK3ASLCAay2qb82Jtn0KJgT6FuRn5tlXdl-Esg8b_Wnry4w0DWfWyPcti7BwdFefCYGvbili3gEtAAxHCI8YDoTm6_bJ6Lwkw8bN4bA/w400-h266/10C606BE-7D38-485A-9FB4-1F8CDED0308D.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Peaceful waters in Melchior Bay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRO4pa084gLeCdyiKyg9OoTRkbteYvZsnhgtNco416qDgjGvoFy5lXTUROCJ_gcQJJny2y7VjVp9cWMIfoLr3V-yl2EOd6n4bBmPKkV3OQ-6CJAiJJuXV2S_9ASxASps3czsd2TQO5aHRzbiVJ8ePOKjl66ItRdp6DmQ5wHscOONvKBAXWYS0H_74CQ/s4608/58B863B9-FDD8-43CD-BE91-F09AAA7ADFCF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRO4pa084gLeCdyiKyg9OoTRkbteYvZsnhgtNco416qDgjGvoFy5lXTUROCJ_gcQJJny2y7VjVp9cWMIfoLr3V-yl2EOd6n4bBmPKkV3OQ-6CJAiJJuXV2S_9ASxASps3czsd2TQO5aHRzbiVJ8ePOKjl66ItRdp6DmQ5wHscOONvKBAXWYS0H_74CQ/w400-h266/58B863B9-FDD8-43CD-BE91-F09AAA7ADFCF.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inactive Argentine Research Station, Melchior Bay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyY62mBOgLPLr-SszP6KUnyS0pHYqYyc9AqWm_BX_iCUdUk5NPlRkH-8uA26jaO6xwLtZElSHyxVfYK7NkIMfriRjLJ1N6HLTI8yTH_u-YRrFpYDzEf-b5jk_-6vkmLSLY30LDK3ChnWhfa1rpEm9KVXshUNJyDpgGv_o-hBQxKTxH8m6Pvc4LQnUWg/s4032/312AAEBD-A6F2-480E-A25D-BFAAC20D0AE4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyY62mBOgLPLr-SszP6KUnyS0pHYqYyc9AqWm_BX_iCUdUk5NPlRkH-8uA26jaO6xwLtZElSHyxVfYK7NkIMfriRjLJ1N6HLTI8yTH_u-YRrFpYDzEf-b5jk_-6vkmLSLY30LDK3ChnWhfa1rpEm9KVXshUNJyDpgGv_o-hBQxKTxH8m6Pvc4LQnUWg/w300-h400/312AAEBD-A6F2-480E-A25D-BFAAC20D0AE4.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Fur Seal scratching with his flipper, Melchior Bay</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1AyeKv7vrWWK08W2WzN3Za5MW1p3S9CjI33FinnmbaHWOFb7GeupD8IRNatznoKwxyBlTYQ8o6HkmDVtDr472N-dmlQwFEcsJkHHrUqkNIQS9hHgWU3gQBSUkzvexTY8tGvPx4iDkRWjkKYJCyyr6eMCN-ZYywhCGPFBHfosw8QHbKP9fBXrBbYhiA/s4032/33A62F5A-A50E-4BC3-B771-ACD9C64D91A5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1AyeKv7vrWWK08W2WzN3Za5MW1p3S9CjI33FinnmbaHWOFb7GeupD8IRNatznoKwxyBlTYQ8o6HkmDVtDr472N-dmlQwFEcsJkHHrUqkNIQS9hHgWU3gQBSUkzvexTY8tGvPx4iDkRWjkKYJCyyr6eMCN-ZYywhCGPFBHfosw8QHbKP9fBXrBbYhiA/w300-h400/33A62F5A-A50E-4BC3-B771-ACD9C64D91A5.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fur Seals</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick was once again on an early morning kayak excursion, where we saw one solitary Chinstrap Penguin, a number of fur seals, Blue Eyed Shags, Kelp Gulls and Antarctic Terns. The afternoon zodiac excursion was underwhelming, cruising along the opposite shoreline from our kayaking route, with few wildlife sightings except for fur seals, and two Weddell seals.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">February 8, 2023 – Cuverville Island<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Cuverville Island is in Errera Channel and is home to the largest single colony of Gentoo Penguins in Antarctica, some 6500 breeding pairs. The island was discovered by the Belgium Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899 led by Adrien de Gerlache who named it after a French vice admiral, J.M.A. Cavelier de Cuverville. The island has been designated an important Bird Area by Bird Life International. Other birds such as Imperial Shags and Southern Giant Petrels also nest here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Weather is predicted to be windy, so there was to be a early and shortened day when the wind arrived. However, operations started at 0700, when the wind was light. Patrick was in the first group for kayaking, which started from a beach below a small Gentoo Penguin colony on Ronge Island, at 64 degrees 40 minutes south latitude. The excursion started by following the shore of Ronge Island and then heading east towards Cuverville Island through massive floating bergs and past a Danish sailboat anchored in the lee of Cuverville Island. Our route then went around Shipwreck Island, with a derelict small boat and a number of seabirds such as Antarctic Terns, Kelp Gulls, and even a few Gentoo Penguins, as well a several fur seals.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSvIkx3EeJkVY734fcKNVHCWpy1W2Xsgjc3Qs0E2lGRKt7Y6SqrWE2NYYLLJxdhFzyXzeZsTH5aJkycYbCtfUUxC385A7kl39rcO0ZhssmUtb5kY3N-5gTra9tVxG6yrOgNOWPaPycjBjkHB0tBfNfWJSU461vaEqqi7Ge1U-j1cgrm4hLwonOgsGLg/s3751/2867FBD6-CA6F-49D5-92AE-AA5AAC500666.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2274" data-original-width="3751" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSvIkx3EeJkVY734fcKNVHCWpy1W2Xsgjc3Qs0E2lGRKt7Y6SqrWE2NYYLLJxdhFzyXzeZsTH5aJkycYbCtfUUxC385A7kl39rcO0ZhssmUtb5kY3N-5gTra9tVxG6yrOgNOWPaPycjBjkHB0tBfNfWJSU461vaEqqi7Ge1U-j1cgrm4hLwonOgsGLg/w400-h243/2867FBD6-CA6F-49D5-92AE-AA5AAC500666.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kayaking at Cuverville Island</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">There are massive chains still draped around the small island, left over from before WW1 and used by the Norwegian whale factory ships before the market for whale oil collapsed after the discovery of synthetic oil and chemicals after WW1. The whale oil was a component used in making Nitroglycerin.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We then paddled around some small bergs and practiced paddling in brash ice, taking some time to sit quietly in our kayaks and meditate on the experience and the location before recovering into the Zodiac for a wet ride back to the ship. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The wind had started to increase, but Patrick changed out of the dry suit into the antarctic parkas, boots and waterproof pants and headed back to Cuverville Island for a brief closeup look at the Gentoo Penguins with a number of large gray puffy chicks. After about 20 minutes the wind really increased and at 1015 we were all recalled to the ship and all further shore operations were cancelled, since the wind was now gusting to 50 knots and the seas were building quickly. After a really wet ride, we returned safely to the ship and watched as the expedition team gathered up the rest of the guests from both the beach and the kayak excursion. It took another 120 minutes, with winds now gusting to 70 knots, to get all the guests back on board and all the zodiacs and kayaks recovered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxhwfgUXI2vNaPKEiSuIA0dv5YLR5woro2A7i4EyTL35cCuo-0lyPyZR6XyaYxki3DxNKH3_m_YhDzY4MguFpjyUGZFw6p0ntUBnMvSa9eWKs5E5hgFd4OPem61urXldCdTKXh7jP3TOiSPojOPKl9-EkQVuUImN9O_4tOTjlcJub8_EzivkoBN0NVQ/s3654/1AC9741E-62B7-425C-843C-07F0EFCAA950.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3425" data-original-width="3654" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxhwfgUXI2vNaPKEiSuIA0dv5YLR5woro2A7i4EyTL35cCuo-0lyPyZR6XyaYxki3DxNKH3_m_YhDzY4MguFpjyUGZFw6p0ntUBnMvSa9eWKs5E5hgFd4OPem61urXldCdTKXh7jP3TOiSPojOPKl9-EkQVuUImN9O_4tOTjlcJub8_EzivkoBN0NVQ/w640-h600/1AC9741E-62B7-425C-843C-07F0EFCAA950.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Gentoo Penguin and chick</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJUjhBhX0rBKn2Y6t6WawQlqhtnEwl02Har5vk8y4UBWEtOsygoQk3wF2ZXV98O6VEUWQq21zt-bVGz49O96xSwcDPVrMnQ_hZn0R6kWaA7PSNsRrEaMDjO9GXvRmLgd4Z8gN45NMDy1fg8Z9G3P9uNa-cQo2x-G60qepmjgxl7kZpDfJkDoJswgk_Q/s4608/0428C6D1-07F1-4E1A-9E72-46792454CA73.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJUjhBhX0rBKn2Y6t6WawQlqhtnEwl02Har5vk8y4UBWEtOsygoQk3wF2ZXV98O6VEUWQq21zt-bVGz49O96xSwcDPVrMnQ_hZn0R6kWaA7PSNsRrEaMDjO9GXvRmLgd4Z8gN45NMDy1fg8Z9G3P9uNa-cQo2x-G60qepmjgxl7kZpDfJkDoJswgk_Q/w640-h426/0428C6D1-07F1-4E1A-9E72-46792454CA73.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We steamed slowly north out of Errera Channel into Gerlache Strait, destination unknown for the time being.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">At the 1830 recap briefing the new destination of Hope Bay on Antarctic Sound at the very tip of the Antarctic Peninsula was announced. Hope Bay has a large Adelie Penguin colony which we saw briefly in 2016, before katabatic winds suddenly began gusting to 50+ knots in the space of just a few minutes, and all the zodiacs were recalled.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The wind and seas continued to be unfavorable all night as we steamed northeast in Bransfield Strait past King George Island.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Thursday, Feb 9, 2023 – At Sea<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our hopes for zodiac excursions and kayaking at Hope Bay were dashed since the weather had not improved as expected and waiting for improvements would have affected the timing of our planned stop at South Georgia Island. Visibility was poor, it was raining, winds and seas were well beyond the operational limits for shore operations, so the Captain and Expedition Leader made the call about 0800 to turn around and head for scenic cruising around Elephant Island, famous for it’s role in Shackleton’s voyage as the island on which the majority of his crew waited while Shackleton sailed to South Georgia to mount a rescue operation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Heading to Elephant Island we passed a number of impressive tabular icebergs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfpK71cMfxp7vpq8qi5-AdulFwpmYxWSvhqeo6Gd0-QX2FWkZBe3n5Q3exfYFO8lWkDgPRt8zZ95Ajz4uUlWozFIBjEsK6xX1bXBRE8meWI8m1bR0yOuyMqkHNp4DzkvYosYGSIo3Pw7lHrpSaGNSFhHeuxgAPhrIbb7J3tnO4J12RdmiQsWGjRGqlg/s3982/24A03455-E197-4457-8723-153616DF89D4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="3982" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfpK71cMfxp7vpq8qi5-AdulFwpmYxWSvhqeo6Gd0-QX2FWkZBe3n5Q3exfYFO8lWkDgPRt8zZ95Ajz4uUlWozFIBjEsK6xX1bXBRE8meWI8m1bR0yOuyMqkHNp4DzkvYosYGSIo3Pw7lHrpSaGNSFhHeuxgAPhrIbb7J3tnO4J12RdmiQsWGjRGqlg/w400-h240/24A03455-E197-4457-8723-153616DF89D4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-23073639229682737272023-02-03T18:39:00.001-08:002023-02-03T18:39:12.636-08:00Grand Americas Part 8 - Chilean Fjords Part 2<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sunday, January 31, 2023 – Enroute to Punta Arenas</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We were supposed to cruise Chilean Fjords today, but the Captain announced there was a failure of one of the two gyrocompasses and he was unwilling to enter the fjord system with only one. In addition, the satellite internet had a hardware failure, so we were without internet. The swells were running at 3 meters, so the ride was relatively bouncy, with a lot of pitching motion the entire day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Monday, February 1, 2023 – Chilean Fjords and El Brujo Glacier<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After cruising offshore overnight, early in the morning we turned back into the Chilean Fjords, heading down Samiento Channel, the principal north/south channel in the Fjord system. The ship then headed for El Brujo Glacier, arriving at 0830. We stayed for about one hour and saw one calving incident as the Captain slowly rotated the ship so everyone could get a view. Heading back away from the glacier face the ship then continued south down Samiento Channel towards our next destination, Punta Arenas, located about halfway through the Straits of Magellan.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRQ2rD-kXxnvzM2vsH_Yo9nyiMfpKa105ilsvlofWjRA-hxH3cp1rweh9vx7xF06-8vbtZ3enXmWGq5SIihJjjNilZD3M-webte5ZSyceMps1f5icMXq_Lb2JluFL9b1OO9gkEIJuNqCApFnXufwrJ5Q2lXRBk7GJswynu8o1d7keAHsVZvX8PVTIhg/s4608/99C28F1C-7666-4917-967C-C97BE8441CE1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRQ2rD-kXxnvzM2vsH_Yo9nyiMfpKa105ilsvlofWjRA-hxH3cp1rweh9vx7xF06-8vbtZ3enXmWGq5SIihJjjNilZD3M-webte5ZSyceMps1f5icMXq_Lb2JluFL9b1OO9gkEIJuNqCApFnXufwrJ5Q2lXRBk7GJswynu8o1d7keAHsVZvX8PVTIhg/s320/99C28F1C-7666-4917-967C-C97BE8441CE1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">El Brujo Glacier Calving</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3JbtDArCRX4u2pDZariaqGTRo0PF65hiRqo-CehB9uhCB1RtstIx2yJyYwpGnqPWUgteayl_jOlSckbjTn2F6FidAN3HRQEGunJgaM_vJW5w1oznrnFVbO0M0BPrZ5yDU-IY9PdDhc9Z7U-aMVxMVC8Wz5OCYsmxE7J29Plp6B7Bb9oamj_9MHnGNg/s4608/63669730-C08D-43CC-8727-596C09F00A5B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3JbtDArCRX4u2pDZariaqGTRo0PF65hiRqo-CehB9uhCB1RtstIx2yJyYwpGnqPWUgteayl_jOlSckbjTn2F6FidAN3HRQEGunJgaM_vJW5w1oznrnFVbO0M0BPrZ5yDU-IY9PdDhc9Z7U-aMVxMVC8Wz5OCYsmxE7J29Plp6B7Bb9oamj_9MHnGNg/s320/63669730-C08D-43CC-8727-596C09F00A5B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">El Brujo Glacier</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-xwlqcb7tkN0VHLmyDRY1IGHioCz1rCb6NBViGxsQzhnPZEFEIyzYCbyuyQCqcNo26dxLi99QNktAf0EqxSu9RQ0QKORSdEaXQBltLqa87mEZJ0SZU4QbiPO_yeodIEwP1mMQjLfw8w6rB4rRpgNMdD8j_FZ9S2bV2MeDmoaiKPdllmMzCPhJSSnnw/s4608/D0DD36C3-0E3E-4AF0-B5FD-BF26B3056CD7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-xwlqcb7tkN0VHLmyDRY1IGHioCz1rCb6NBViGxsQzhnPZEFEIyzYCbyuyQCqcNo26dxLi99QNktAf0EqxSu9RQ0QKORSdEaXQBltLqa87mEZJ0SZU4QbiPO_yeodIEwP1mMQjLfw8w6rB4rRpgNMdD8j_FZ9S2bV2MeDmoaiKPdllmMzCPhJSSnnw/s320/D0DD36C3-0E3E-4AF0-B5FD-BF26B3056CD7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Shipwreck in Samiento Channel</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Tuesday, February 2, 2023 – Punta Arenas<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Punta Arenas is the largest city south of the 46<sup>th</sup> Parallel, with a population of 131,000 in the municipality. The city is an important logistical center for lumber, oil from Tierro del Fuego, a large Duty Free center, and for support to Antarctic expeditions. The city’s main boulevards are wide and tree lined. Our ship did not depart until 2100, so we had plenty of time to explore and make last minute purchases we may have forgotten for the upcoming Antarctic visit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The weather across the Drake Passage is predicted to be sloppy, so at the last moment the Captain announced we would divert to Ushuaia and anchor for the evening to sneak across to Antarctica in calmer weather. Unfortunately, that will cut our time short by one day in the Antarctic Peninsula.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0c6HwYgumGKbhZjLqAcuxIAmniJNPRt5xpsJ6qcbkSG1b1N3aOFB1v19K-lSB-EadKtv9ATcu-9101jSVQ2LoeA4kgz5czxuUx8NFNRSkMfKz5NfsjEqv_dNQ0rqlteqCXY7JY1mnBXvJ5z3VsQkruhGyH-gf8cpmTfElRBiUQMKhvMQWPNi9TRYqg/s4032/76C66CC3-ED89-452C-B2AF-5080E07E215B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0c6HwYgumGKbhZjLqAcuxIAmniJNPRt5xpsJ6qcbkSG1b1N3aOFB1v19K-lSB-EadKtv9ATcu-9101jSVQ2LoeA4kgz5czxuUx8NFNRSkMfKz5NfsjEqv_dNQ0rqlteqCXY7JY1mnBXvJ5z3VsQkruhGyH-gf8cpmTfElRBiUQMKhvMQWPNi9TRYqg/s320/76C66CC3-ED89-452C-B2AF-5080E07E215B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Condor Sculpture In Punta Arenas</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0e2O6Tx60D3aBBMh2A_XHbTQhbUVK3FwHsv3nl3c1YxOujJY7rPH1diRC-8MXtiIvuQv6FFpu2q87-Ni6HtaJpCBaaNRAA7Gs330NPvSzL5Qw14dbaSRQnxjp2DMwOOqg4o6sBa19ICZ-QB0gw_pvDvJRGOKIJp_ErTDefit4L5XGFDpGAToDbgbPA/s4032/82EC95D2-9BC4-4741-8E01-1412A5178594.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0e2O6Tx60D3aBBMh2A_XHbTQhbUVK3FwHsv3nl3c1YxOujJY7rPH1diRC-8MXtiIvuQv6FFpu2q87-Ni6HtaJpCBaaNRAA7Gs330NPvSzL5Qw14dbaSRQnxjp2DMwOOqg4o6sBa19ICZ-QB0gw_pvDvJRGOKIJp_ErTDefit4L5XGFDpGAToDbgbPA/s320/82EC95D2-9BC4-4741-8E01-1412A5178594.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Magellan Statue in Plaza des Armas</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P2KYbivkjdfNoTdgptKqTThkb2gJ9y8MyNDTqgUDMI6DZJe7elmT7oN4YS579T-E4gmYpscXIrd_ll0zp45CfumkH97yEZs8smc4CLmUU4WbgVPnz6wOZY4UTMbg2LwUbRy5DfD6-soD3CW2XEaGs21rc1Mvvj0upa0nucPavQWacvdtxHZZTTRUrA/s4032/374ADAF8-999A-4825-AA97-FA1D46671263.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P2KYbivkjdfNoTdgptKqTThkb2gJ9y8MyNDTqgUDMI6DZJe7elmT7oN4YS579T-E4gmYpscXIrd_ll0zp45CfumkH97yEZs8smc4CLmUU4WbgVPnz6wOZY4UTMbg2LwUbRy5DfD6-soD3CW2XEaGs21rc1Mvvj0upa0nucPavQWacvdtxHZZTTRUrA/s320/374ADAF8-999A-4825-AA97-FA1D46671263.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Typical Street scene in Punta Arenas</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Wednesday, February 3, 2023 Glacier Alley and Ushuaia<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship entered the north arm of Beagle Channel, known as Glacier Alley at about 0900, since at least 7 glaciers line the north side of the channel in a space of only 10 NM. The wind was blowing and there was a lot of rain, but there were enough gaps in the squalls everyone good a good view of the glaciers. By 1100 we had passed the last glacier and headed directly for Ushuaia, where the anchor was dropped at 1500. The wind and rain prevented tender operation initially and we never were cleared for tender operations, so we are at anchor until we leave at 2400. The Drake Passage is expected to be rough, so the ship has handed out sea sickness medication to everyone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_1oGAXkmyCuXg_VCeDrcRIhN7J6FljywcfrUKDWwH8bMxiIbwiQCvFxbtDoNJFCJinWpe1B-Ijx8VztSaUoqnnotj3qJmZeZzyQ23gpjMQBPJm_CDtKpNbz1PDEdzApVqDnFskRJE3FkOvW8yytXm45e3HNgQtEPJxHssDha3pCr4GObYV2PeKj6Zg/s4032/5C51CD32-A440-4486-9CC9-D2088F5223DC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_1oGAXkmyCuXg_VCeDrcRIhN7J6FljywcfrUKDWwH8bMxiIbwiQCvFxbtDoNJFCJinWpe1B-Ijx8VztSaUoqnnotj3qJmZeZzyQ23gpjMQBPJm_CDtKpNbz1PDEdzApVqDnFskRJE3FkOvW8yytXm45e3HNgQtEPJxHssDha3pCr4GObYV2PeKj6Zg/s320/5C51CD32-A440-4486-9CC9-D2088F5223DC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Glacier Alley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This was a tidewater glacier in 2015</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbwMcsAwnaf6zg_-LBiuqfzWxO2bM_sPM30k_zNEACUhBgN-RhIgKIzYhHHklDnAfi2duQ-2EZNAL4jSETmvRNtwGCMEZTtBPu9xtgRnJM7kK_3WCh84fctlyJGDvq0vuoxyZHmndeAX8RF9kAJTtfDnSp7d-MkET3-k4YvAe7j8rB4c2EXa_XGKg-A/s4608/7F22F869-C153-4021-9BD9-E9230EF619BF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbwMcsAwnaf6zg_-LBiuqfzWxO2bM_sPM30k_zNEACUhBgN-RhIgKIzYhHHklDnAfi2duQ-2EZNAL4jSETmvRNtwGCMEZTtBPu9xtgRnJM7kK_3WCh84fctlyJGDvq0vuoxyZHmndeAX8RF9kAJTtfDnSp7d-MkET3-k4YvAe7j8rB4c2EXa_XGKg-A/s320/7F22F869-C153-4021-9BD9-E9230EF619BF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Glacier Alley</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToKsJZSx1bnzG7IaWZptebk7n7k3YUWWEKV14qPEyIq_mZ7BRpDmoUYwNzLV4-_CBfNCJEAEF2dbDKcj7lzj3zRdaPatB0O50a7NCvf7_ZQid9pieoFVtDe-Jg-N8at9zskhMpStI2enGao2JczjVWaL9OvcXEM5MFz-l70dvPPnxaAdEoxHXppHReA/s4032/EAC2C0D0-7542-4248-A2DE-6B9386B07770.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToKsJZSx1bnzG7IaWZptebk7n7k3YUWWEKV14qPEyIq_mZ7BRpDmoUYwNzLV4-_CBfNCJEAEF2dbDKcj7lzj3zRdaPatB0O50a7NCvf7_ZQid9pieoFVtDe-Jg-N8at9zskhMpStI2enGao2JczjVWaL9OvcXEM5MFz-l70dvPPnxaAdEoxHXppHReA/s320/EAC2C0D0-7542-4248-A2DE-6B9386B07770.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Rainbow in Beagle Channel</span></div> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-45907069561741420652023-01-30T07:36:00.027-08:002023-01-30T07:44:00.681-08:00Grand Americas Part 7 - Chilean Fjords<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 25-26, 2023 – At Sea enroute to San Antonio, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest spent 2 days traversing the 700 NM between Antofagasta and San Antonio, which is one of the two port cities for Santiago, the capital of Chile. Santiago is 71 miles from our port stop, where about ½ the passengers ended this segment of the cruise. The same number will embark for the Antarctic Segment. The ship is limited to 400 passengers for this segment in order to do landings in Antarctica.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 27, 2023 – San Antonio, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Quest docked shortly after 0700 under cool overcast skies and by 0800 the first disembarking passengers were leaving the ship. All decks were filled with staff cleaning and preparing suites for the soon to arrive new guests. By 0900 the skies had cleared and the temperature rose to about 72 F. Patrick took the shuttle to the cruise terminal and walked along the sea wall about 1 mile to a local shopping mall to get some additional Voltaren gel for our arthritic joints. The seawall enclosed a fishing boat harbor and there were many local fisherman cleaning fish and selling them to local Chileans. About 1200 the new guests began arriving and the ship began to get crowded as the balance of the 400 passengers arrived.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship departed on time at 1700 and headed out into the Pacific, where the swells were from the south at more than 3 meters and the winds increased to 40 knots. The ship began to pitch as we headed south along the Chilean coast. Overnight the swells increased again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 28, 2023 – At Sea, enroute Puerto Montt, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The winds and seas remained high during the day as the ship continued south at 15.5 knots. The Antarctic parka and boot exchange, as well as the introduction of the 18 person expedition team occupied most of the morning. We continue to have most of our meals poolside, but now the heat-lamps are on and we are wearing jackets, with blankets at our table. Tonight is the Captain’s reception, mostly for the newly embarked guests and so it is the first formal night of this segment of the cruise. Miriam and I have booked dinner at The Grill, so we will miss the lobster and filet mignon offered in the main restaurant, but both are always on the menu in The Grill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 29, 2023 – Puerto Montt, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As Seabourn Quest turned into the Chilean Fjord system shortly after 0500, it was clear with stars. Soon the fog rolled in and at 0600 the foghorn began the two minute automated signal blasts on the horn. The fog persisted off and on all the way to Puerto Montt, where the ship anchored off the town and the tenders were deployed. At 1000 the ship was cleared and passengers on shore excursions lined up to get off the ship. Patrick waited 30 minutes and the tender was nearly empty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW5-bM0Ba45-8WK9HyKiK9i4BRhKx0WmBOdehvJtTOGVg58XBnX4LOiuN8JxBHweYBG58pKjmeM3JwORH7lEpU6HKcpB7VnICsNp-39daOPx8nK7vwbFgSIueI2LKkULWJ9VQaP12zKI7T2N_qEBCXl8P2GLNJR7t3q23OctOYHzIZsmQL9NYKiA2QQ/s4608/93C8141C-EB41-45F0-B17D-132FED3D04CC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW5-bM0Ba45-8WK9HyKiK9i4BRhKx0WmBOdehvJtTOGVg58XBnX4LOiuN8JxBHweYBG58pKjmeM3JwORH7lEpU6HKcpB7VnICsNp-39daOPx8nK7vwbFgSIueI2LKkULWJ9VQaP12zKI7T2N_qEBCXl8P2GLNJR7t3q23OctOYHzIZsmQL9NYKiA2QQ/s320/93C8141C-EB41-45F0-B17D-132FED3D04CC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Volcano from the ship, looks like Mt. Rainier</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAKDKbjX2rsmpuZI7aJ7Zw_zk2lSBpA_yHNrLoAmQ5FCel6M5LbqvmfmMDzDmFknDiXj7nsMm72vQt8J7Z411sraRw2bNHE-ubwTjFC6Dlp1f6EAFz-hN6FdfjQ1tmXmMqy8w5Aua1sub0WOONmGftLB7AGDuQzQMzg2_EkVJoUgsBwPIoJWWvkxLQg/s4032/AD5E7E93-E3E0-4263-AEAB-0B647E905F1B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAKDKbjX2rsmpuZI7aJ7Zw_zk2lSBpA_yHNrLoAmQ5FCel6M5LbqvmfmMDzDmFknDiXj7nsMm72vQt8J7Z411sraRw2bNHE-ubwTjFC6Dlp1f6EAFz-hN6FdfjQ1tmXmMqy8w5Aua1sub0WOONmGftLB7AGDuQzQMzg2_EkVJoUgsBwPIoJWWvkxLQg/s320/AD5E7E93-E3E0-4263-AEAB-0B647E905F1B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the new Esplanade</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3BVEiwCT60pGJb_ZLRVhOAljBiDAZkxhO3-xkUr3mlM1aAXO7s8-idYmhML4T_trqNFr8JND26U9WYcVqUn5Y6AT7nDq2JkYNvX6w2YLvcq26gIE1H_Pit6Rvgdmhqw7bedsFsqhzGNoVrAleQPLN1OSkFCv5JkGIrcM827riP-I5bm2vLysG1ZjWw/s4608/BE7838A9-C1FF-4557-A895-0E643620D4C8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3BVEiwCT60pGJb_ZLRVhOAljBiDAZkxhO3-xkUr3mlM1aAXO7s8-idYmhML4T_trqNFr8JND26U9WYcVqUn5Y6AT7nDq2JkYNvX6w2YLvcq26gIE1H_Pit6Rvgdmhqw7bedsFsqhzGNoVrAleQPLN1OSkFCv5JkGIrcM827riP-I5bm2vLysG1ZjWw/s320/BE7838A9-C1FF-4557-A895-0E643620D4C8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_gZdm-3KGBd5g-KlvUoCCM7PyZZ9crRTJk9rs2LpQrFgNnkR4Bz30LOl7VJqI5mgTX9ZpGoiX4prRLkJ7KKyX6tATakryRhoCUGBrbsfMhsSwbWPMP2nZmGaU_sMadMEzZr88bGPqjPw5BM2BaIvuk-L7WkhVIjx8Zh3NP2Kb73XmLsYBN5DMF42XQ/s4608/CE6FD904-1A53-4E52-B425-D4145151AA3D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_gZdm-3KGBd5g-KlvUoCCM7PyZZ9crRTJk9rs2LpQrFgNnkR4Bz30LOl7VJqI5mgTX9ZpGoiX4prRLkJ7KKyX6tATakryRhoCUGBrbsfMhsSwbWPMP2nZmGaU_sMadMEzZr88bGPqjPw5BM2BaIvuk-L7WkhVIjx8Zh3NP2Kb73XmLsYBN5DMF42XQ/s320/CE6FD904-1A53-4E52-B425-D4145151AA3D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS9Uyae_5GOyczCkY8YvfnuldZaM6K8RI7Fo8eDoaB8soABLJoQ6YZPn2vyplOLCsTkSdXxqnbcEzat_yCGskHfNM9__QRc3ksTY8_6vAE4gdpbTF_OpRy2hS_tJPbCXzaBw_LArrhHZbnuAG4a0jERajKf3VSOaEPlMs6ReCeOeKyyxK4AAKB2CPFQ/s4608/DA87C81E-B5AC-4645-8BE1-95560B68F4B7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlS9Uyae_5GOyczCkY8YvfnuldZaM6K8RI7Fo8eDoaB8soABLJoQ6YZPn2vyplOLCsTkSdXxqnbcEzat_yCGskHfNM9__QRc3ksTY8_6vAE4gdpbTF_OpRy2hS_tJPbCXzaBw_LArrhHZbnuAG4a0jERajKf3VSOaEPlMs6ReCeOeKyyxK4AAKB2CPFQ/s320/DA87C81E-B5AC-4645-8BE1-95560B68F4B7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">German architecture influence</div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3qDol-25YPhHkB7O2A53uT1dOZfMqyYYNH3717FKN0qesKF-a3CDouz6f2033ksoXnR5tuxQc4ubZYuSnoESeJola64pOQRlibtv5xO5Z-5T1EWwf23PzgjSApUyq02r5h0otV62aOEgVFqLJF4AzLcK7_yWOyRUM3sJLUn-fvJbR6Sb8laGJuQIqg/s4032/BDF252B5-309C-44AF-9ACC-FE04C09822AB.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3qDol-25YPhHkB7O2A53uT1dOZfMqyYYNH3717FKN0qesKF-a3CDouz6f2033ksoXnR5tuxQc4ubZYuSnoESeJola64pOQRlibtv5xO5Z-5T1EWwf23PzgjSApUyq02r5h0otV62aOEgVFqLJF4AzLcK7_yWOyRUM3sJLUn-fvJbR6Sb8laGJuQIqg/s320/BDF252B5-309C-44AF-9ACC-FE04C09822AB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local Cheeses</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG-VAio9veKQ5K8LGf20ku2EhNGiMWXcm4IHvGGQUiCQgg5iyfLt0BMfb5KnX981t8hkp6Z_Ly7bnQqfvlBG1JioHuxuGOTWI5T9UWYs2mhhokNKrTbL71hyV_T1PGvoHTpeR24v0oDTwXK-t9wVUoIP5xc1N5FQpP71B8ot4VsXgWtqy0_jp_QKAA/s4032/BCAD32FB-DF1E-4F7F-A0F4-733BD5442B23.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mG-VAio9veKQ5K8LGf20ku2EhNGiMWXcm4IHvGGQUiCQgg5iyfLt0BMfb5KnX981t8hkp6Z_Ly7bnQqfvlBG1JioHuxuGOTWI5T9UWYs2mhhokNKrTbL71hyV_T1PGvoHTpeR24v0oDTwXK-t9wVUoIP5xc1N5FQpP71B8ot4VsXgWtqy0_jp_QKAA/s320/BCAD32FB-DF1E-4F7F-A0F4-733BD5442B23.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local Handicrafts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGlzvK9sn2nS61DJhbsNSYAK5JXUPNmHj6klV4PYy6ZKm1KjzLUdvb4ROwRwjCayriZ0JeGtIpExWO9kfQXwFwd44qUSH4jfhdct5c2Ae8zQsuC7x5Zok1oqyUsQsD5CkAx8XKxKoy007qYn0xlNVaEcBNZ9TTGQG-ogR8uOHwlWVVx2VsEfBK5KLLQ/s4032/98D21EE4-5701-4AEE-89C4-17EDC047024C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGlzvK9sn2nS61DJhbsNSYAK5JXUPNmHj6klV4PYy6ZKm1KjzLUdvb4ROwRwjCayriZ0JeGtIpExWO9kfQXwFwd44qUSH4jfhdct5c2Ae8zQsuC7x5Zok1oqyUsQsD5CkAx8XKxKoy007qYn0xlNVaEcBNZ9TTGQG-ogR8uOHwlWVVx2VsEfBK5KLLQ/s320/98D21EE4-5701-4AEE-89C4-17EDC047024C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O-7zxOKRpSOj7nnLIpz3FG-6sN3DieubPQd9YvxpNOOK1La22ty1DFt9qOM73OqtUSoV_9Tj25aEv24dk1V6N7Q2zVRTtw_FijiuUrrArHPxLztRmctY9UxZ_79aSciCbTz3xv-0mXk0FrY7LjsR8_E1yFzzx3WPm1JH-mEKoz6RVf3dtY6pH-vFNg/s4032/6DB81966-8C06-4694-8985-B25EB859548B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7O-7zxOKRpSOj7nnLIpz3FG-6sN3DieubPQd9YvxpNOOK1La22ty1DFt9qOM73OqtUSoV_9Tj25aEv24dk1V6N7Q2zVRTtw_FijiuUrrArHPxLztRmctY9UxZ_79aSciCbTz3xv-0mXk0FrY7LjsR8_E1yFzzx3WPm1JH-mEKoz6RVf3dtY6pH-vFNg/s320/6DB81966-8C06-4694-8985-B25EB859548B.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local Produce</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Puerto Montt has changed since 2015, with a very nice seaside esplanade with playgrounds for children, public sculptures and other displays. It is not yet totally finished and stretches for more than one mile along the harbor. At one end is a new passenger terminal still under construction and the other end has a modern shopping mall. Going the other direction is a more traditional open air shopping area with restaurants, local handicrafts and local foods, stretching nearly another mile. Since it was Sunday, the market was crowded with local families shopping.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The German influence in this part of Chile is apparent in the architecture. Our departure was at 2200, since the distance to our next destination is only 108 NM. When the sun came out we were treated to views of one of the active volcanoes surrounding Puerto Montt.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 30, 2023 – Castro, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Overnight the ship travelled at fairly slowed speeds, and dropped anchor in front of Castro at 0600. The ship is anchored alongside of massive aquaculture farms, mostly mussels and oysters here, however this area also has extensive salmon farming. The last time we were here we visited a nature preserve where Darwin began his observations on the origin of species so we did not visit the town itself. Today Patrick took the tender into shore and walked up the hill to one of the Unesco World Heritage sites, the Cathedral of San Francisco, which is yellow painted metal on the outside and beautiful wood on the inside.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx-2jZVJL7-0as52R0ZsInAR79ZDhs_7LZMGBZeXj86YBac5_L4IF_961wp2ztK4FCtzaEzcCQrYw7U-ceriOGzDMaacO-0limCoHtrbMb9Xxtgkid1m5aW4acbHhMBQOe83FSkXQlyFUglwqSGkS4bG9fMi6aryL0rsyfMBmKxZGQ6ebo-pehs7pJw/s4608/0A0DCAAD-DCB3-461E-B4EA-59D4B8579BF9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZx-2jZVJL7-0as52R0ZsInAR79ZDhs_7LZMGBZeXj86YBac5_L4IF_961wp2ztK4FCtzaEzcCQrYw7U-ceriOGzDMaacO-0limCoHtrbMb9Xxtgkid1m5aW4acbHhMBQOe83FSkXQlyFUglwqSGkS4bG9fMi6aryL0rsyfMBmKxZGQ6ebo-pehs7pJw/s320/0A0DCAAD-DCB3-461E-B4EA-59D4B8579BF9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cathedral of San Francisco, Castro</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8shiKsHN53C9Dsf_Ic5t6_oz_SUCWpHuuRyVOz9jkeOTpp4OKCOavlhlekGQl4Loi4fi_JuDeFyzAQ0XzVXY9hfTX0bVBT7Nyb499OucjycOUyTA4ar3IzxLVR5au6Qk-4cPvUP54xjb3HSX-ie7syFRD97SlOzf9YGB3krCmGXoa08dAMBiyd7pg/s4032/37E70720-22AA-4FB1-87FC-96169ADE1835.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo8shiKsHN53C9Dsf_Ic5t6_oz_SUCWpHuuRyVOz9jkeOTpp4OKCOavlhlekGQl4Loi4fi_JuDeFyzAQ0XzVXY9hfTX0bVBT7Nyb499OucjycOUyTA4ar3IzxLVR5au6Qk-4cPvUP54xjb3HSX-ie7syFRD97SlOzf9YGB3krCmGXoa08dAMBiyd7pg/s320/37E70720-22AA-4FB1-87FC-96169ADE1835.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Castro Street Art</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD6H2drqntr5uh_WM7uDjuoF98MOB6ngaYuItlv3Vdfg0zg26Pn2dOFNAkoZWeD4yxWxDe8FxQYl0MNlhbX2C1DyH6w52z6nmI8w9A7qjopX5Ln5S6z_d3KS-376bpr1B4lXDvi3B9DBFmsujrgCuRmEV2bFtz3vgk4t7Y5yHfOcHgYlwzZ7nLy0s8Q/s4032/76284233-7969-42A1-8E12-36CC2A9BD46D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD6H2drqntr5uh_WM7uDjuoF98MOB6ngaYuItlv3Vdfg0zg26Pn2dOFNAkoZWeD4yxWxDe8FxQYl0MNlhbX2C1DyH6w52z6nmI8w9A7qjopX5Ln5S6z_d3KS-376bpr1B4lXDvi3B9DBFmsujrgCuRmEV2bFtz3vgk4t7Y5yHfOcHgYlwzZ7nLy0s8Q/s320/76284233-7969-42A1-8E12-36CC2A9BD46D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interior of Cathedral, all wood</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2RjxClsJEhjDSzLP51CJ2z_uG5Sv0Jsq9KXHJ9lEYXDhN6nY1XOj-keCEoekPqzEVVUzLE-cET_dnWYw2AL8zq43U7vjyAzbPj2JGm-JXepkkPuT6hpCrpW7VdNIteCUkwPaEjFzgDeWPJ1zlyCaeV9BobMz1HcyFLl7N7dIg7y1vp5e1S1vjNAusw/s4032/F53F9CF1-EF18-4529-B45B-A74AE0B6AD3D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2RjxClsJEhjDSzLP51CJ2z_uG5Sv0Jsq9KXHJ9lEYXDhN6nY1XOj-keCEoekPqzEVVUzLE-cET_dnWYw2AL8zq43U7vjyAzbPj2JGm-JXepkkPuT6hpCrpW7VdNIteCUkwPaEjFzgDeWPJ1zlyCaeV9BobMz1HcyFLl7N7dIg7y1vp5e1S1vjNAusw/s320/F53F9CF1-EF18-4529-B45B-A74AE0B6AD3D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Exterior is all metal, painted</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We depart early from Castro to do scenic cruising before arriving in Punta Arenas the day after tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-37726314914974243332023-01-25T04:19:00.000-08:002023-01-25T04:19:15.339-08:00Grand Americas Part 6<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">January 23 – Iquique, Chile</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Iquique is a larger city than Arica, but still perched on the edge of the Atacama desert, sandwiched between high barren hills and the Pacific Ocean. The city was founded in the 16<sup>th</sup> century, but there is evidence of human habitation as far back as 7000 BC, by the indigenous Chango people who settled the coastline of the Atacama desert from southern Peru to northern Chile. Chango is one of 10 indigenous peoples recognized by Chile and there is a remaining population of about 4,000 people.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Iquique was a prosperous saltpeter mining town in the 19<sup>th</sup> century, today it is a popular holiday destination with a tax free zone, a seafront casino and beautiful beaches.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship docked near the old town center. There was a significant swell which was mostly protected by the sea wall, but no natural harbor. However the ship was still rolling at the dock, but not nearly as much as the container ships anchored offshore. There were also a number of Chilean navy vessels anchored behind the sea wall. This port is often bypassed by cruise ships due to the swell at the dock, making it hazardous to tie up and disembark passengers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-qqnYcSZ9dmrCjAy19Md_yiApph-GjpN3sPUgh4MPFHBYWh6Bse6lA2rioyPpqtZ0Oah8V-vHlkhquekb2PHsldpiVv49LUj3OCAfnMe4aKeoRmgkJCDuWu3prY2UyBaeMkc_EcZoRLJ7tIGhdMsbPmtJPt7vSwyQdg93z7ZVLJHqNrvTj__WgU3pQ/s2048/0B24C7A4-3240-42DD-8513-8F31CF006D7C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-qqnYcSZ9dmrCjAy19Md_yiApph-GjpN3sPUgh4MPFHBYWh6Bse6lA2rioyPpqtZ0Oah8V-vHlkhquekb2PHsldpiVv49LUj3OCAfnMe4aKeoRmgkJCDuWu3prY2UyBaeMkc_EcZoRLJ7tIGhdMsbPmtJPt7vSwyQdg93z7ZVLJHqNrvTj__WgU3pQ/s320/0B24C7A4-3240-42DD-8513-8F31CF006D7C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR1Zt_9xPg_ykKECkg9LkPiEWUcrEXZ69KVsBcTV_q2aWiHCq6NVADOTDnyfCmkWzpdzzyMLlYo7CRG6ax3XP_ETzMXdvMXYaLuIqvkrisJIcFocNlCoV3xT67q6OD4NoPXUnWil5nqN_vIDnzT9pf02JhH2nQr5VaioBnWBNWO88Co6D-zzEkAqRJA/s2048/49EB606B-AF89-4045-98BF-C871928B9E4C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR1Zt_9xPg_ykKECkg9LkPiEWUcrEXZ69KVsBcTV_q2aWiHCq6NVADOTDnyfCmkWzpdzzyMLlYo7CRG6ax3XP_ETzMXdvMXYaLuIqvkrisJIcFocNlCoV3xT67q6OD4NoPXUnWil5nqN_vIDnzT9pf02JhH2nQr5VaioBnWBNWO88Co6D-zzEkAqRJA/s320/49EB606B-AF89-4045-98BF-C871928B9E4C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGjSJNsYXL7FuVv0v_95wcPsNGvKv8o-FUf7S4HvdHLShOsn91rwPIfNTsrmKPvh4RZm1mD7RqjBxKZ18P9ZFx_Y2i8zo01S4nhKJaCL2zFrA0NlN0A_HkP2mo1-xGCugZeRhy1kh_-wVqJvpI_F0_n6hIcECgmHxV2vsctfAe_wAXvbQtpwbf-Z5aQ/s2048/B33A7EA3-D1D3-42E7-AE93-ADEA4E91A395.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGjSJNsYXL7FuVv0v_95wcPsNGvKv8o-FUf7S4HvdHLShOsn91rwPIfNTsrmKPvh4RZm1mD7RqjBxKZ18P9ZFx_Y2i8zo01S4nhKJaCL2zFrA0NlN0A_HkP2mo1-xGCugZeRhy1kh_-wVqJvpI_F0_n6hIcECgmHxV2vsctfAe_wAXvbQtpwbf-Z5aQ/s320/B33A7EA3-D1D3-42E7-AE93-ADEA4E91A395.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The shuttle bus dropped us at the main town plaza dominated by a 19<sup>th</sup> century clock tower and ornate theater, undergoing restoration. The plaza and surrounding area is mostly a pedestrian mall with many pubs, restaurants and hundreds of street vendors selling stuff under canopy tents or even out in the open since there is seldom rain here. We were cautioned against wandering very far from the main plaza due to high crime rates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 24, 2023 – Antofagasta, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After an overnight transit in mostly calm seas, Seabourn Quest arrived at the port city of Antofagasta, some 700 miles north of Santiago. Antofagasta is the capital of the province and region of the same name and has a population of more than 400,000. Again, the city is at the base of steep barren hills spread out along the Pacific beaches. The harbor is protected from the ocean by a seawall forming a space with room for perhaps six ships at one time. The skyline is impressive, with many high rise buildings stretching for miles along the shore. However, the slums stretching up the hillside reminded us of the favellas in Rio De Janiero.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our shore excursion today includes the main Plaza Colon, a mining museum, then a 60 mile drive into the Atacama desert to the small town of Baquedano, an important rail junction with a number of well preserved locomotives used in the nitrate industry. Mining is still practiced for things like copper and the tailings from the open pit mines are huge. The rail lines are still in use.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkLRXYtJfSdx_5dIxYiW2zW5GwDh9GapjZqaN7UiBs-Y5m9YHBDGcI06psDC2wm_ZwakexCYAVO5Y2SWF7Vf7u70dYqFjhDCNJjIh77XNsQGYKvc50kiraS4ZrShFn1CSsyUO1LtAiQkbQ1dVf9upOFlB3PVopZrcsYnTXTqg8JPiNPKvkxbCsWCnOQ/s4608/42BED63A-CD0A-41F7-A4C0-B360FE291DF8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfkLRXYtJfSdx_5dIxYiW2zW5GwDh9GapjZqaN7UiBs-Y5m9YHBDGcI06psDC2wm_ZwakexCYAVO5Y2SWF7Vf7u70dYqFjhDCNJjIh77XNsQGYKvc50kiraS4ZrShFn1CSsyUO1LtAiQkbQ1dVf9upOFlB3PVopZrcsYnTXTqg8JPiNPKvkxbCsWCnOQ/s320/42BED63A-CD0A-41F7-A4C0-B360FE291DF8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ulP4vG5s2usQh_BfFNJNTIboBt30x5f_KZcYmFuuwHTFH5k598NFdvmB7iN8J2agUqd9Mv1O0zmcPHAc9BilOJSpB8XZdLQolud2r45XnrjIdZKDXxq0HO_j6vqadRBnuuplfn61QCaHVAKLq1miVHmba9oCGtGJpyL-JGywssNXwsMiPUgE2SeF-A/s4608/AD8BDB88-4592-40DB-A99D-92E7234814C0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ulP4vG5s2usQh_BfFNJNTIboBt30x5f_KZcYmFuuwHTFH5k598NFdvmB7iN8J2agUqd9Mv1O0zmcPHAc9BilOJSpB8XZdLQolud2r45XnrjIdZKDXxq0HO_j6vqadRBnuuplfn61QCaHVAKLq1miVHmba9oCGtGJpyL-JGywssNXwsMiPUgE2SeF-A/s320/AD8BDB88-4592-40DB-A99D-92E7234814C0.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">From that town we went to Chacabuco, one of a number of purpose built towns constructed in 1920’s for the workers in the nitrate plants which accounted for 50% of Chile’s GDP at the time. When that industry collapsed after only 14 years, the towns were abandoned and fell into disrepair. The Pinochet government used Chacobuco as a concentration camp for some 1800 political prisoners from 1973-1975. It is now a “ghost town” with a grim past and a tourist attraction. The German government is funding the restoration of some of the old buildings. The town is really grim, with collapsed buildings, barren dirt streets and no water. Ocean Falls in British Columbia looks like an oasis compared to Chacabuco.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpO3qrcWDNyNRnUiortwJT7B1XLPUvRFh3MijGmGD7VIkoRe06VVPkrr8WnsOaaJ_nvFB5hKFGHbD5EgkBr4OsOETLoHYT-sZs0yZ01xNWfO5_XrmuaMwWSquCLGvBR-Nb4YgbZkJ9ffUWmZ6hiatpdOHfebo6wxtHNqGvNLLUM2_0B3EHBBdgZ-dwQ/s4608/3BD9AAAB-86A3-48C6-BC55-4344CEC69F6E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpO3qrcWDNyNRnUiortwJT7B1XLPUvRFh3MijGmGD7VIkoRe06VVPkrr8WnsOaaJ_nvFB5hKFGHbD5EgkBr4OsOETLoHYT-sZs0yZ01xNWfO5_XrmuaMwWSquCLGvBR-Nb4YgbZkJ9ffUWmZ6hiatpdOHfebo6wxtHNqGvNLLUM2_0B3EHBBdgZ-dwQ/s320/3BD9AAAB-86A3-48C6-BC55-4344CEC69F6E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddku6MFbPXnj6MzkClpgvvGfNczTdVGnXeTwG-jREADbp1D2jHyjvdKdF9h8dlVePepheyZwWMDFFUW0cdXZCVoo5TLgdlJXibmwM1ee9dBmv55yNbf6kg2hj80Pkv00FyHMvvXa4EvbAZpdZBoyfRiuf3jwJwxd3PR_V0g89NjCBXjGEGHsxolAr5Q/s4608/0980B66E-347A-4D53-950C-4D660190D5B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddku6MFbPXnj6MzkClpgvvGfNczTdVGnXeTwG-jREADbp1D2jHyjvdKdF9h8dlVePepheyZwWMDFFUW0cdXZCVoo5TLgdlJXibmwM1ee9dBmv55yNbf6kg2hj80Pkv00FyHMvvXa4EvbAZpdZBoyfRiuf3jwJwxd3PR_V0g89NjCBXjGEGHsxolAr5Q/s320/0980B66E-347A-4D53-950C-4D660190D5B8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYAaeUnULURUnhnlQ_6ipZEZSYJ7Sk3VwOQK_sD2EZlZGgcyP9ohQUIgsGIhskCpUhzrYiaQcYd_9SqhkARoJ-1qz5U6hnxGDK2OTTBptQZzO2EUWkgQudzg_V89ggPA0V79vaTYr3qfK9-6UwhFfyCJcbqQ-O-dw72Me2rZDxo9EcBljeV6YDGKhxw/s4608/26085D68-686C-4FBB-BA24-EA807F4DA830.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYAaeUnULURUnhnlQ_6ipZEZSYJ7Sk3VwOQK_sD2EZlZGgcyP9ohQUIgsGIhskCpUhzrYiaQcYd_9SqhkARoJ-1qz5U6hnxGDK2OTTBptQZzO2EUWkgQudzg_V89ggPA0V79vaTYr3qfK9-6UwhFfyCJcbqQ-O-dw72Me2rZDxo9EcBljeV6YDGKhxw/s320/26085D68-686C-4FBB-BA24-EA807F4DA830.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0kTPpSrfsOJEPh-Q6EW1pUsVqsDyytUAuRTmBEZTmOJTuc3QdsNu1SNTkI_n4qYCUS1-p48vQ65EDYA1KcluqOHOVzQ2DyoCTZ2Wg2e-LsrZhTTDRRJ3mncIpjq1KpMF3LEemn5aaG5qZSIgGUpKgP-wcmGEzM_tVntD7QWgLOnD_4Mu0jos34swXA/s4608/58167F78-3025-40E2-8F14-519FD3B9EC4E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0kTPpSrfsOJEPh-Q6EW1pUsVqsDyytUAuRTmBEZTmOJTuc3QdsNu1SNTkI_n4qYCUS1-p48vQ65EDYA1KcluqOHOVzQ2DyoCTZ2Wg2e-LsrZhTTDRRJ3mncIpjq1KpMF3LEemn5aaG5qZSIgGUpKgP-wcmGEzM_tVntD7QWgLOnD_4Mu0jos34swXA/s320/58167F78-3025-40E2-8F14-519FD3B9EC4E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Hvq9HNbJGKBb9k05F_-D6uwWqbh5hpLYud4Zz1PZZDzfKyEG7OgVBbsw9BcgCwfIsXSpURoqZrmuaQrhjcN0krLSGGk2gXQRKiXEntPedXIHVA9W8A--GdqQ4bbxaSZ2GUlkCNTV8zcH4wmLh6sg92YSO904V2NMBFWc7QXucWLS0itsfFMuHTYqg/s4608/A65EB316-FA04-4913-8046-AC64DC1FFD1C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Hvq9HNbJGKBb9k05F_-D6uwWqbh5hpLYud4Zz1PZZDzfKyEG7OgVBbsw9BcgCwfIsXSpURoqZrmuaQrhjcN0krLSGGk2gXQRKiXEntPedXIHVA9W8A--GdqQ4bbxaSZ2GUlkCNTV8zcH4wmLh6sg92YSO904V2NMBFWc7QXucWLS0itsfFMuHTYqg/s320/A65EB316-FA04-4913-8046-AC64DC1FFD1C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1-2JSC0FuLG7LWZGB9i8SLTe2MLxt5UYSImys4BG3zhmM_3DpTHsd41NHL501UvQdbbdSGRXGsP-ni_5rEJrSLmcZhiBgzVTn2UtWDDHIto4Upxa2P6a5UIYPjGuK5aCwT5GiNuEDosMbZ4WRkK_X5EGuDWHuGoMu7209JgTiT5sLmM6F0Ba7lCg9Q/s4608/AE797B89-08D6-41EE-82BC-48F249F1314B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1-2JSC0FuLG7LWZGB9i8SLTe2MLxt5UYSImys4BG3zhmM_3DpTHsd41NHL501UvQdbbdSGRXGsP-ni_5rEJrSLmcZhiBgzVTn2UtWDDHIto4Upxa2P6a5UIYPjGuK5aCwT5GiNuEDosMbZ4WRkK_X5EGuDWHuGoMu7209JgTiT5sLmM6F0Ba7lCg9Q/s320/AE797B89-08D6-41EE-82BC-48F249F1314B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p>One point of interest was a chapel constructed in the prison area of Chacabuco by the political prisoners in the 1973-75 time period, still well preserved.</o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gWqKqIJkw2Cf4m-JIwXe_VmjNyssPD5-lFxIzVs9EsviATJL5d8tHuh-5ufWpLqhrBFs_TL5YALtmkFf3WRdbY0z1uhabB-8B6mc_phgd_pYckvGBzL5RyZuqt61n2NIn5LkqmmJWwRlfYD2QFqxx06xfBktXw0bF4O495MNuuL8G532VlpujDxPUg/s4032/939C6B6A-4060-49B8-B7B7-660010AD5023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gWqKqIJkw2Cf4m-JIwXe_VmjNyssPD5-lFxIzVs9EsviATJL5d8tHuh-5ufWpLqhrBFs_TL5YALtmkFf3WRdbY0z1uhabB-8B6mc_phgd_pYckvGBzL5RyZuqt61n2NIn5LkqmmJWwRlfYD2QFqxx06xfBktXw0bF4O495MNuuL8G532VlpujDxPUg/s320/939C6B6A-4060-49B8-B7B7-660010AD5023.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Returning to the ship we had a nice dinner at the poolside patio grill followed by a dance party around the pool as the ship departed at 11:00 from Antofagasta and nosed out into the gentle pacific swells. We are headed for San Antonio, one of the port cities for the capital of Santiago. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-32874608297175317532023-01-23T06:47:00.001-08:002023-01-23T06:47:24.203-08:00Grand Americas Part 5<p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Grand Americas Part 5<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">July 20, 2023 – Callao and at Sea<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After another night aboard ship dockside in Callao, with a tanker moored alongside preventing our departure, the Captain announced at 0800 that he had tried to get an exception and leave the closed port, but was unsuccessful. However, at 1000 the Captain then announced the port would be opening and we would leave after the pilot boarded about 1300. At about 1330, the tanker was moved and shortly thereafter Seabourn Quest departed Callao.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">All further Peruvian ports were cancelled and instead we headed for Arica, Chile, about 700 NM away, requiring about 42 hours to make the transit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">July 21, 2023 – At Sea enroute Arica, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The seas and winds have remained favorable and we spent much of the day observing birds, whales and fishing boats as we paralleled the coast, averaging 20-25 miles offshore. Most notable were several humpback whales slapping their pectoral fins and a number of sperm whales, some as close as a few hundred yards off the side of the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">July 22, 2023 – Arica, Chile<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We arrived just as the sun was clearing the hills. The harbor was small, filled with many fishing vessels. Our shore excursion explored the Chinchorro people who have been in this area since at least 11,000 BC. The museum had a number of mummies on display as well as descriptions of the processes the indigenous people used, which included removing the hands and feet and putting a clay mask on the face. There were also petroglyphs on the north facing hill side dating to 800-1250 AD, showing various animals. The glyphs were constructed from dark volcanic rock, origins unknown, on a lighter colored desert hillside.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnhtO7HHlMxKFfsJP85_QW662Sf82VkMqY51lc0xG_q_dRF9qCK-auKuZd9k-RTTq4-n5f57ZRONjpVfRRxVxYbQKw_UAJVdEAk2GezNl49ytUDPh61Md4azvWk1DNnaCG3XgAfbQtRMaRQA5eWwHICX4xvxNer8lOPpXHg__PpODU1dETYbeQ6SCxA/s4032/7355165F-3884-43F0-8802-A54678005FF0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnhtO7HHlMxKFfsJP85_QW662Sf82VkMqY51lc0xG_q_dRF9qCK-auKuZd9k-RTTq4-n5f57ZRONjpVfRRxVxYbQKw_UAJVdEAk2GezNl49ytUDPh61Md4azvWk1DNnaCG3XgAfbQtRMaRQA5eWwHICX4xvxNer8lOPpXHg__PpODU1dETYbeQ6SCxA/s320/7355165F-3884-43F0-8802-A54678005FF0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Chinchorro Mummies</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5C9a7idkUCqOOUYJ2ooIDAPnSATQ2RrEW1PcxhWT6NibV_NtMZ3ycjNIaK0hoQOReb5kfwVrx-5JTGUtRFPlxuJ3KY2adYp3CVGGEclsEbqr8vqPYZkx5JWtHS_q8E1qT8X1j9FFk_4J7MMYY4BQ19-5UIV1feUjGRFuBYMMhv_jR1jxV3mkrMu12A/s4608/5512A0FC-114E-40DD-B9C0-A8769069C862.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5C9a7idkUCqOOUYJ2ooIDAPnSATQ2RrEW1PcxhWT6NibV_NtMZ3ycjNIaK0hoQOReb5kfwVrx-5JTGUtRFPlxuJ3KY2adYp3CVGGEclsEbqr8vqPYZkx5JWtHS_q8E1qT8X1j9FFk_4J7MMYY4BQ19-5UIV1feUjGRFuBYMMhv_jR1jxV3mkrMu12A/s320/5512A0FC-114E-40DD-B9C0-A8769069C862.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p>Corn Grinding Stones</o:p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvbnrA2ZQOmWYjxjt0o2RgxAr3jNmgPba3lpJkBNFAUY6vw8v-9prwCGYEBcLCpikcLj2sEf8cXLR-3t5BU9amiwaFlylAb0S63gj-a334CKvHAHrH24gvmjnuHzCloSBWJSa0f4uieRzkoI-sz85xQlIg-MmkahE_cUW-AHEuwtv336tq5VoxnpCnQ/s4032/92C1D9DE-9617-4ADA-A764-5AC7083F72BD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvbnrA2ZQOmWYjxjt0o2RgxAr3jNmgPba3lpJkBNFAUY6vw8v-9prwCGYEBcLCpikcLj2sEf8cXLR-3t5BU9amiwaFlylAb0S63gj-a334CKvHAHrH24gvmjnuHzCloSBWJSa0f4uieRzkoI-sz85xQlIg-MmkahE_cUW-AHEuwtv336tq5VoxnpCnQ/s320/92C1D9DE-9617-4ADA-A764-5AC7083F72BD.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pre-Columbian Pottery</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The winds blow constantly from the south, so the glyphs are not covered up by blowing sands. We did drive some way into the Atacama desert, reputed to be the driest desert on earth. We visited some more recent sculptures in the desert and watched a folkloric dance demonstration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcYfZzvdbY-4-9_njVwL2ND_9ZkR1XeEy4AwQsTsRdq70qbR6gslvzdwm1JgXZErdt44B8ZogwZE4kqtYA1C-P93wgtuMaV1X3Y75u8X79h-NwilBQ_xMS79rxzFl4jYiL89Tz0iPOKO78GiERluSeX6yTQqAhViTJB2xZxBbaOrEqXaXj528wXX3Fg/s4608/2CC7B9AD-AEF7-4782-A3C9-2C9EEEA1EC07.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcYfZzvdbY-4-9_njVwL2ND_9ZkR1XeEy4AwQsTsRdq70qbR6gslvzdwm1JgXZErdt44B8ZogwZE4kqtYA1C-P93wgtuMaV1X3Y75u8X79h-NwilBQ_xMS79rxzFl4jYiL89Tz0iPOKO78GiERluSeX6yTQqAhViTJB2xZxBbaOrEqXaXj528wXX3Fg/s320/2CC7B9AD-AEF7-4782-A3C9-2C9EEEA1EC07.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Folkoric Dance Demonstration</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE4kdeKh82sD2EHdT8t5oX4-hMKtDXk35_clwjZUEKfNRmM7SIBFZY2Qx1gCjCmZRAl7kqfOjKEMBS23yNMk-2aoH79LIVztpOWg3vKtLdYBLepI1_67YQOeTrLtywiWh68YpW3e4NRBTSkIhEc3jw8aRg8eq4mCBxz-r4YX51BlCfQl-4qexCH74rQ/s4608/9C20DBF3-4FFC-4336-A8CC-B46244468CE1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicE4kdeKh82sD2EHdT8t5oX4-hMKtDXk35_clwjZUEKfNRmM7SIBFZY2Qx1gCjCmZRAl7kqfOjKEMBS23yNMk-2aoH79LIVztpOWg3vKtLdYBLepI1_67YQOeTrLtywiWh68YpW3e4NRBTSkIhEc3jw8aRg8eq4mCBxz-r4YX51BlCfQl-4qexCH74rQ/s320/9C20DBF3-4FFC-4336-A8CC-B46244468CE1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Petroglyphs on hillside</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Returning to the city center, we visited a local cathedral constructed entirely of metal, which has survived several tsunamis and earthquakes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i2fWh0sBI4zRS-EmwLdYxn0aX545oMngqVx0geRj0JlmfnF_NsIBV6l2Yr40qUyyCr12l5e49cofAICVYQy4eItK7aeHRFDvxQWh40DLaqHUmusgoATUMR7i-zf7PBfgjpsHn-6qMk5z-pEcPg0aIrfIccnQDILeOVCkxnVy_tdSSbygvTjrtsRMYQ/s4032/20ED4937-D2AD-4B9D-A81A-24B21C8554F0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i2fWh0sBI4zRS-EmwLdYxn0aX545oMngqVx0geRj0JlmfnF_NsIBV6l2Yr40qUyyCr12l5e49cofAICVYQy4eItK7aeHRFDvxQWh40DLaqHUmusgoATUMR7i-zf7PBfgjpsHn-6qMk5z-pEcPg0aIrfIccnQDILeOVCkxnVy_tdSSbygvTjrtsRMYQ/s320/20ED4937-D2AD-4B9D-A81A-24B21C8554F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Inside the all metal cathedral</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNgWPTUe4t9PymDf5PZcv_jhu3SK-JJw2OZRLuNJ8PiQOGVcDlrUb2PaNpP1Hp0kRsBw4EPssgqCVaCs3An75gkqG9MPWK8q8EjpgO3L9hz68s8VHlJ_cDgtzOSVJ4G3iLT8eljeYFjHhvNSSIOZ_dVK1EpE0g8IKsrtX4jNKiACZgDgUl8TWdRM9qQ/s4608/ED3168FB-0618-496E-969E-0C4E6469B9F2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNgWPTUe4t9PymDf5PZcv_jhu3SK-JJw2OZRLuNJ8PiQOGVcDlrUb2PaNpP1Hp0kRsBw4EPssgqCVaCs3An75gkqG9MPWK8q8EjpgO3L9hz68s8VHlJ_cDgtzOSVJ4G3iLT8eljeYFjHhvNSSIOZ_dVK1EpE0g8IKsrtX4jNKiACZgDgUl8TWdRM9qQ/s320/ED3168FB-0618-496E-969E-0C4E6469B9F2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">All Metal Cathedral in Arica, Chile</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Arica is a very dry city, but still has a thriving agricultural economy, with irrigation supporting tropical fruits, citrus, tomatoes and olives and also flowers. Irrigation is only at night and running water is rationed in town also. We were cautioned not to drink the local tap water due to mineral content, including some heavy metals!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSsO6rO6b4f4jMyQIobp35J4GeekFn4bRielJQBMrMpaC3Zfl-OlmfOF_qyoew027lAaggRxi-TrgX_xzx4sj-gx7LO9JW5VQiW64GCe9KQqKW1V2QtHp8w3xlTGNvav73v5EOEXp5FOwJRYf_JpQIyYM3T1fqZLTEV5XR_Hum-aMvqXj5JTGXFaoKA/s4608/2AB3DED4-7059-4C80-BFF0-C9B7E491025F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSsO6rO6b4f4jMyQIobp35J4GeekFn4bRielJQBMrMpaC3Zfl-OlmfOF_qyoew027lAaggRxi-TrgX_xzx4sj-gx7LO9JW5VQiW64GCe9KQqKW1V2QtHp8w3xlTGNvav73v5EOEXp5FOwJRYf_JpQIyYM3T1fqZLTEV5XR_Hum-aMvqXj5JTGXFaoKA/s320/2AB3DED4-7059-4C80-BFF0-C9B7E491025F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the unique flowers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iK6tei8TwKdu6D3Mmny7fk8OTx6mTWBldpfnQ4IFVT_HhxqRWykF94a6y1YeHZvkg71BUEA-rmjFqCIeiRIT7lZbmlgCj3_kF22_iiq3eU4XbYkDulbQ4HFEQdXJRQ1URUSlr3sz3az9X-lO-kcg4Oxz4p694bXWkKFO5UTCyxwFGmlNdkPSz2SZtQ/s4032/BF203363-A438-4CFD-ACF0-615E2368C723.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iK6tei8TwKdu6D3Mmny7fk8OTx6mTWBldpfnQ4IFVT_HhxqRWykF94a6y1YeHZvkg71BUEA-rmjFqCIeiRIT7lZbmlgCj3_kF22_iiq3eU4XbYkDulbQ4HFEQdXJRQ1URUSlr3sz3az9X-lO-kcg4Oxz4p694bXWkKFO5UTCyxwFGmlNdkPSz2SZtQ/w300-h400/BF203363-A438-4CFD-ACF0-615E2368C723.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The small but colorful harbor of Arica</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span> </p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-62277910487249936422023-01-19T14:38:00.006-08:002023-01-19T14:38:48.996-08:00Grand Americas Part 4<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 16-17, At Sea enroute Callao, Peru<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Callao is the cruise port for Lima, Peru, our next scheduled destination. It is planned for an overnight stop to give those guests who wanted to tour Macchu Picchu enough time to get to Cuzco and on the train to Macchu Picchu.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">However, demonstrations across Peru, and especially in the Cuzco area, with dozens killed, have forced the cruise line to cancel all Macchu Picchu and Cuzco excursions. Peru has declared a “state of emergency” in several areas, including Cuzco, Arequipa, Lima and Callao, restricting right of movement and demonstrations. That has not stopped the people who want the current leader ousted. The demonstrators have set up many roadblocks on major roads and railways, restricting normal movement. The current president is the 6<sup>th</sup> one since 2018, and the first woman.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">With that in mind, Miriam and I have chosen to cancel our excursions in Lima and may remain on-board the ship, although so far no tourists have been targeted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Pacific Ocean has been kind to us the last two days, with only minimal winds and a low to moderate swell on our bow. There are lots of activities to fill the days and yesterday was a formal evening with a special “Chefs Dinner” with a 6 course fixed menu, quite good. The weather is warm enough to spend time around the main pool and have most of our meals poolside at the Patio Grill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 18, Lima (Callao)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship arrived in light fog which dispersed as we approached the entrance sea buoy and picked up the pilot. The fleet of fishing boats anchored outside rolled heavily as the offshore swell moved into shallower water and built in height.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We docked in a industrial working port, but there were tents shoreside by the gangway with local handicrafts. Patrick did ride the shuttle to Miraflores in the afternoon. Miraflores is perched on top of steep cliffs overlooking the Pacific ocean. The beaches below were filled with surfers, and one of the beaches was named “Waikiki”. The shuttle stop was in the middle of the “Malecon”, a large park overlooking the ocean, with an upscale shopping mall built underground and down the side of the steep hill. The mall was mostly upscale clothing shops and many restaurants looking out over the ocean.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDFB7SYXuFGfg7JxTtaT2Pdsl-1O_yH5Jj5LMPyZ66x86S-Rs2vIJBysDC5d8DNwFeRU6oP75jduQs_DiO-YcRnsb0LCIpobe8Nzv1NlGQcNH_EMFJdNFqJ5AqmehpKADm48tv_yKIg6Y-4YTgxYnXHoNiaXeotVw6DlkPZOBHSQahnHWpXohqo3E3Q/s4032/8518BA35-A3FB-4E11-8D79-B62CB7D822D8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDFB7SYXuFGfg7JxTtaT2Pdsl-1O_yH5Jj5LMPyZ66x86S-Rs2vIJBysDC5d8DNwFeRU6oP75jduQs_DiO-YcRnsb0LCIpobe8Nzv1NlGQcNH_EMFJdNFqJ5AqmehpKADm48tv_yKIg6Y-4YTgxYnXHoNiaXeotVw6DlkPZOBHSQahnHWpXohqo3E3Q/s320/8518BA35-A3FB-4E11-8D79-B62CB7D822D8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upscale mall built into hillside</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY45KfyIFCgSzuDxIzRsKI_C1RSRhvEJU6_PHy-BxqiduL_49GJcZNcJ2V08kTV3PgiNUVkq0uUGy2zpXFlVx-KOYmgyy2SrQFv3JyV1u3O--zHWmxnMLf5cEUZ3o5IT7OHxCyvLX7itcY9EQMjAvF64T0A4RAflJkfhXq_PkrXomLL7ZZGN7TgOdbDw/s4032/A9A62CAA-5148-4BBE-AEA8-A16F200E4422.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY45KfyIFCgSzuDxIzRsKI_C1RSRhvEJU6_PHy-BxqiduL_49GJcZNcJ2V08kTV3PgiNUVkq0uUGy2zpXFlVx-KOYmgyy2SrQFv3JyV1u3O--zHWmxnMLf5cEUZ3o5IT7OHxCyvLX7itcY9EQMjAvF64T0A4RAflJkfhXq_PkrXomLL7ZZGN7TgOdbDw/s320/A9A62CAA-5148-4BBE-AEA8-A16F200E4422.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Parque Salazar in Miraflores</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4mH83iw3MPJIKiJ3y_kGhREPWLpYRz6QIe0HP_7W_k6kfTzjrRYUk9cfO_MqpC6W4hqgJsXmgPPFWVCjU_LCqmRVaOlHBnpQK-tgoTXMiRd5m8Rgf5x6fkOEMMbLg6tQJ033wyGTyFPUqD4BzGS2PDPch8qPYkryx6b01WE3e5IPIluMkValJX3glQ/s4032/EC478517-E5EC-4DCF-AF3E-434FBE64CBDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4mH83iw3MPJIKiJ3y_kGhREPWLpYRz6QIe0HP_7W_k6kfTzjrRYUk9cfO_MqpC6W4hqgJsXmgPPFWVCjU_LCqmRVaOlHBnpQK-tgoTXMiRd5m8Rgf5x6fkOEMMbLg6tQJ033wyGTyFPUqD4BzGS2PDPch8qPYkryx6b01WE3e5IPIluMkValJX3glQ/s320/EC478517-E5EC-4DCF-AF3E-434FBE64CBDE.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINfEs5VpqvhzuqpW-kobK3R_Z7qfEzyzUsQSTKg3xMjvetq9BS_WSb2DEabqjU5mJ2l3dmEEDPd6lEZU4iS3thYTHYv4Dpx4Ds_i2Yxzk_rPZWGpO_N3yc9PXhgomciRSFmMQhsc6Qz5XEGRqfEGbUQ_kF7XxIBMp5wiPwo02HsDXVzbE7aMgXJiGIw/s4032/F8C2EEDB-9751-40CC-A4FE-2AEAEF446B06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINfEs5VpqvhzuqpW-kobK3R_Z7qfEzyzUsQSTKg3xMjvetq9BS_WSb2DEabqjU5mJ2l3dmEEDPd6lEZU4iS3thYTHYv4Dpx4Ds_i2Yxzk_rPZWGpO_N3yc9PXhgomciRSFmMQhsc6Qz5XEGRqfEGbUQ_kF7XxIBMp5wiPwo02HsDXVzbE7aMgXJiGIw/s320/F8C2EEDB-9751-40CC-A4FE-2AEAEF446B06.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">“Waikiki” surfing beach in Miraflores</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The shuttle passed though Callao, a much poorer area which looked pretty rough, with more garbage on the streets, and more boarded up storefronts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 19, Callao<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Due to more demonstrations and more deaths, the ship has canceled all shore excursions, including the shuttle bus to Miraflores out of an abundance of caution, with guest safety in mind. Passengers whose cruise ended here are still going to the airport and crew exchanges are still happening. The ship’s staff are scrambling to provide additional activities for the guests.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Just one hour before departure the Captain made the announcement that all further Peru ports have been cancelled and the port of Callao has been closed to all inbound and outbound traffic. We also cannot leave until all passports have been cleared out of Peru, so we don’t know when we can leave.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-71411713589407182082023-01-17T11:09:00.000-08:002023-01-17T11:09:03.108-08:00Grand Americas Part 3<p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Monday – Tuesday, Jan 9-10, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seas remained calm and winds favorable as we set a direct course for the eastern entrance of the Panama Canal. Shortly before 0900 on January 10 we entered the first lock chamber at Gatun and began the 85 foot rise to Gatun Lake, in three steps just behind a large container ship from China. As predicted, the skies opened up and we had intermittent rain showers, heavy at times, as we proceeded westward to the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks. Entering Pedro Miguel lock, the eastbound lock chamber had a very large crocodile swimming around, providing a photo op for many of us. We exited the locks around 1700 and proceeded to Fuerte Amador and the new, but unfinished, cruise ship terminal. Seabourn Quest docked about 2100 and will overnight here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jViL71Xk83ZJowA7CPwuPlftkgHkC6PVwhTi4Fnl1JWVtkoH0iUtJ1FCseZq0kRhop5fyaVAyqrrgdIKBjPb8OMoFDr7LlDNzz0dZ3l5xM6nN3pxGrMurEit2sGxTP-rIL42xZUXwciZpM-BnaS7LoFXvmEV6gh7CNWyhzo0CV8Z7KYCBsK2RequMA/s4032/7D5CC7C5-5417-419E-B96E-1D66DCF0FE80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jViL71Xk83ZJowA7CPwuPlftkgHkC6PVwhTi4Fnl1JWVtkoH0iUtJ1FCseZq0kRhop5fyaVAyqrrgdIKBjPb8OMoFDr7LlDNzz0dZ3l5xM6nN3pxGrMurEit2sGxTP-rIL42xZUXwciZpM-BnaS7LoFXvmEV6gh7CNWyhzo0CV8Z7KYCBsK2RequMA/s320/7D5CC7C5-5417-419E-B96E-1D66DCF0FE80.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miraflores Lock</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrXsK8KGBqRohh0QPxBRWG396oZ6YQd7CpxJb1Bm3KLhppH3_lBbuFMDxSdjPbZ0--ukRzbjd9jkACZCCiNYVZXz1RLBAErItFdt4tOjTRtCv5zqSiyacfth5wNQiOiN0g_HxI_KG77MClTJlmjiZ2GL5lU3WrNcHPi3q36hTzd0yatuFU9ATzeOklQ/s4032/1497CD44-7BB6-446B-A970-840F97F73BD1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrXsK8KGBqRohh0QPxBRWG396oZ6YQd7CpxJb1Bm3KLhppH3_lBbuFMDxSdjPbZ0--ukRzbjd9jkACZCCiNYVZXz1RLBAErItFdt4tOjTRtCv5zqSiyacfth5wNQiOiN0g_HxI_KG77MClTJlmjiZ2GL5lU3WrNcHPi3q36hTzd0yatuFU9ATzeOklQ/s320/1497CD44-7BB6-446B-A970-840F97F73BD1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Approaching Canal East Entrance</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4UZtzCKp6ErwRT_yW8QbQlgXDW1iAaxZONmdBHykkj55QcKxk5k1nl7LQAwa42LFZwsRjVys0LwzUHu-nQ5YgPiK_qO6RHtqVYx_7p5JZvjpFEjesyW46fZI_ufHVlaJHi-CTtLvqPgehJQgSmkrxV5zrDh7wouIFn9aqZ2mlKgZHyCtaAVvjzUc2A/s4032/7990A750-1E49-4123-82CA-5A759F112258.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4UZtzCKp6ErwRT_yW8QbQlgXDW1iAaxZONmdBHykkj55QcKxk5k1nl7LQAwa42LFZwsRjVys0LwzUHu-nQ5YgPiK_qO6RHtqVYx_7p5JZvjpFEjesyW46fZI_ufHVlaJHi-CTtLvqPgehJQgSmkrxV5zrDh7wouIFn9aqZ2mlKgZHyCtaAVvjzUc2A/s320/7990A750-1E49-4123-82CA-5A759F112258.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Exiting Panama Canal at Miraflores Lock</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyi75keLc7-Fjk4jv8hFxAV6J6xDEZ4hch2Xlq2qm5Y56G-BGXfcAka8Mdl7ySwitCle6p4pJd5dz957cwcjZdc_p1884dKl32nRoYIQOagK4PwDaXOdJ-ZV5l8gRr9lxbSJ9crr1un3IIbggaqhs7bxrt2JcZdxyCLXTurHtAqhk9olfueZ5tEQqxQ/s4032/CC5FAD41-E62E-4EFF-90FD-5D472BAE15BE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyi75keLc7-Fjk4jv8hFxAV6J6xDEZ4hch2Xlq2qm5Y56G-BGXfcAka8Mdl7ySwitCle6p4pJd5dz957cwcjZdc_p1884dKl32nRoYIQOagK4PwDaXOdJ-ZV5l8gRr9lxbSJ9crr1un3IIbggaqhs7bxrt2JcZdxyCLXTurHtAqhk9olfueZ5tEQqxQ/s320/CC5FAD41-E62E-4EFF-90FD-5D472BAE15BE.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Entering Panama Canal at Gatun Lock</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 11, 2023 – Fuerte Amador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick rode the shuttle into Perico Island Marina and then walked a mile to the duty free store at Flemenco Marina where he found the cognac he was looking for that the ship did not carry. The day turned out to be very hot and humid, but the rainstorms have held off for the time being.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship departs early, at 1500, as we head down the coast to Manta, Ecuador. Tonight is also the “Block Party” in the hallways to meet our fellow travelers in close-by suites. The ship’s officers circulate around all the corridors and greet every passenger.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The weather report calls for light winds from the south, favorable seas and intermittent rain showers as we begin another day at sea.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 12, 2023 – At Sea enroute Manta, Ecuador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 13, 2023 – Manta, Ecuador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Manta is one of the major tuna fishing locations in the world, and the harbor was filled with tuna fishing boats in various stages of disrepair. Both Starkist and Bumblebee have large operations in Manta, a city of about 250,000.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick went snorkeling at a nature preserve at Puerto Lopez, about a 2 hour drive south of Manta. The preserve is primarily to protect several endangered species of sea turtles, and humans are not even allowed to walk on the beaches within the preserve. The snorkeling was only fair, with visibility limited to about 10-15 feet and significant current to swim against.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7Rkx2PMsW0Hb4u5slftoH-n6ctTZwcCvPw6ltwKdzXRBQzZUDdBRwBtz3qY4ZoHYt7zZLVv-jmbfloYCm_1F30FpWUTlAl849ktm54t9taSKtCEjofWNQl__ncMpbClgSNaDB7QsPXd-v-TiJ4nGd9Nvt7x2Aa3P4au9T0Ox306DjKZyk0RhyVV_Sw/s4000/D8CA9A2D-2AB8-4C8D-B372-9FCEDA74A7B8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7Rkx2PMsW0Hb4u5slftoH-n6ctTZwcCvPw6ltwKdzXRBQzZUDdBRwBtz3qY4ZoHYt7zZLVv-jmbfloYCm_1F30FpWUTlAl849ktm54t9taSKtCEjofWNQl__ncMpbClgSNaDB7QsPXd-v-TiJ4nGd9Nvt7x2Aa3P4au9T0Ox306DjKZyk0RhyVV_Sw/s320/D8CA9A2D-2AB8-4C8D-B372-9FCEDA74A7B8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDRcwiHj4WFR4ZSsY3RnpJ_K9yRB9kfD854GTN1jFsOG7T1SPOcPE7eUUeprCQo4g5vuliFD19F44jXg9DiHq1FtBSeKgQereWIWpWgqAr9rnyd7riXHHY303MyR4rpuxKj3nOc2IjF6RderByeu3QwddTHvNVkqD6zWRcQT5pL1G_vAUj_HplHEfog/s4000/DD57C31C-04FD-4F62-A889-8ED4DF1CCA58.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDRcwiHj4WFR4ZSsY3RnpJ_K9yRB9kfD854GTN1jFsOG7T1SPOcPE7eUUeprCQo4g5vuliFD19F44jXg9DiHq1FtBSeKgQereWIWpWgqAr9rnyd7riXHHY303MyR4rpuxKj3nOc2IjF6RderByeu3QwddTHvNVkqD6zWRcQT5pL1G_vAUj_HplHEfog/s320/DD57C31C-04FD-4F62-A889-8ED4DF1CCA58.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This is an overnight stop and we noticed how tight the security was around the ship, with guards with sub machine guns patrolling the breakwater between the ship and a large public beach next to the breakwater. We believe it is because of demonstrations leading up to elections in February.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 14, 2023 – Manta, Ecuador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We awoke in Manta to find another cruise ship docking, the Seven Seas Mariner, which left Miami 2 days after our ship, as part of a 143 day world cruise. We spent the day relaxing and taking a walk around town through a large and modern shopping center just a few blocks from the cruise terminal.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJTs69u0sRIeVnvgQhVsdsgHAH3AKRvYt-C0OTEeTEpm275wPY2-FaIO8OpVzRMKb_LRef6vJQ8epkluSuUn0A4gxOeWDcrDeUcjCcvIiXWOZu7t_BTZ_oo2w3EyV4ljay51GQIG6Cqn8vTew6xtm--4StRP0pVI685Zkva1tmGgb10GNr64oUsecA/s4032/177DF164-024C-403C-9EFA-5FDA221C4999.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJTs69u0sRIeVnvgQhVsdsgHAH3AKRvYt-C0OTEeTEpm275wPY2-FaIO8OpVzRMKb_LRef6vJQ8epkluSuUn0A4gxOeWDcrDeUcjCcvIiXWOZu7t_BTZ_oo2w3EyV4ljay51GQIG6Cqn8vTew6xtm--4StRP0pVI685Zkva1tmGgb10GNr64oUsecA/s320/177DF164-024C-403C-9EFA-5FDA221C4999.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Modern Shopping Mall in Manta</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1s30dptJJUPOVww3Mlafu9VYsVcALxa_XrFDXsbcz6LLxF_lekkWTB3afybTQBJN4TdMqP3-ssQ_94eOZ7CsXm-cpO9G1a-j58gVDvJX_6TbI5g1FOYZa_gG3mgGD9fFxzfxqlY5eeKp4_sejv5I-PKN37_zTRjJor2M1ZFAD2v9LNu3iMBH5vM7sw/s4032/8108F528-7BB7-42D4-AC1A-CF78FD90C1C9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1s30dptJJUPOVww3Mlafu9VYsVcALxa_XrFDXsbcz6LLxF_lekkWTB3afybTQBJN4TdMqP3-ssQ_94eOZ7CsXm-cpO9G1a-j58gVDvJX_6TbI5g1FOYZa_gG3mgGD9fFxzfxqlY5eeKp4_sejv5I-PKN37_zTRjJor2M1ZFAD2v9LNu3iMBH5vM7sw/s320/8108F528-7BB7-42D4-AC1A-CF78FD90C1C9.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Public Beach at Manta next to dock</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATkCjLLXR_xJB8SzSOCMhtYzDmds6CyzquzAwX43mhCVBitgHZZnCxUFtqAnNW5XmgXPVvfLkL7R2uRBo-tnfKWQX24XjsI7cJXqSxz1GmaGmpHj6YdFHGKN0McEpqbYziPF-qBI-pS6W7zbJzKy78SlLGf6uNzseYvVmpjzTrhrLuhl8F3m8sVTX5A/s4032/AF6EA618-1D6C-49AA-915D-D6C8B089D73C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATkCjLLXR_xJB8SzSOCMhtYzDmds6CyzquzAwX43mhCVBitgHZZnCxUFtqAnNW5XmgXPVvfLkL7R2uRBo-tnfKWQX24XjsI7cJXqSxz1GmaGmpHj6YdFHGKN0McEpqbYziPF-qBI-pS6W7zbJzKy78SlLGf6uNzseYvVmpjzTrhrLuhl8F3m8sVTX5A/s320/AF6EA618-1D6C-49AA-915D-D6C8B089D73C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Sunset departing Manta</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bZda2jHmEoZJNaynTM1UQzAAXppouqAyu092ucATf2IskGug6GaBlzaQl6XG3dQHoz48aQVV550zyPW1byzX9q2RrUFQxAm4OAjyf1kknRLQasBc_HOEWuhTCC6RBihjk6q-VN0sIbFgFMdLfr4L5x3EYarDSQgCib3Gs1xzZ71r89EgOEq24zUccQ/s4032/B99DD4D5-DEEE-42D9-9770-1D4CBA0DC5AB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bZda2jHmEoZJNaynTM1UQzAAXppouqAyu092ucATf2IskGug6GaBlzaQl6XG3dQHoz48aQVV550zyPW1byzX9q2RrUFQxAm4OAjyf1kknRLQasBc_HOEWuhTCC6RBihjk6q-VN0sIbFgFMdLfr4L5x3EYarDSQgCib3Gs1xzZ71r89EgOEq24zUccQ/s320/B99DD4D5-DEEE-42D9-9770-1D4CBA0DC5AB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mall Entrance at Manta</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn had one of their signature events, a caviar sail away as we left the dock in Manta at 1800. We were treated to a nice sunset as we headed out of the harbor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 15, 2023 – Machala, Ecuador<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Machala is a city of 500,000 and is supposed to be the banana capital of the world. There were two banana ships tied to the dock when we arrived about 0700, one of them labeled Del Monte. Patrick had a tour of a petrified forest at the Puyango River which was a two hour drive south of the city in the foothills of the Andes, which start only 20 KM from the coast in this part of Ecuador. The petrified trees are about 100 millions years old and date from before the Permian extinction. It was amazing to see the trunks sticking out of the rock walls. Since it was Sunday, by the time we had finished the 1.5 KM loop trail there were long lines of people waiting to get in, with lots of children.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbUpRUd0Br9L567mtgPFMu0RocPYjF0QZDWe8KBVf1sYl_KTKRqAbSDkAB97FvShytTbdQ4XxhQYs4fEl9A_EPK4tmLg24kNOInNfZ9LqeSNxrbtamZPsDKG-6ek04XzxVHGYQjYcRlpWaUgfWiMa2V5wVQzc9gcp53vP2BgC6JmR9RCjf4BQcn-gWw/s4032/2D9771AE-6AF2-411D-B8BB-7F25B8856DE1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbUpRUd0Br9L567mtgPFMu0RocPYjF0QZDWe8KBVf1sYl_KTKRqAbSDkAB97FvShytTbdQ4XxhQYs4fEl9A_EPK4tmLg24kNOInNfZ9LqeSNxrbtamZPsDKG-6ek04XzxVHGYQjYcRlpWaUgfWiMa2V5wVQzc9gcp53vP2BgC6JmR9RCjf4BQcn-gWw/s320/2D9771AE-6AF2-411D-B8BB-7F25B8856DE1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10bm-aEbChVc-tKM9AWCwNnm2zFDrcFX8kWh5a7lVQau7DoX1I5XhIrvLb2WVpp7DNvDdNQy1qOPWhaTNWu7gYh0TZhxO3RFzeVIl_CDQX4ZQ-xRgV5nBJ_oaDi2X78b89O8e4OVnfVk2InoUO4gGV5MTlhhmED3CX5NK9c6bAAuXJhrDpR378Z5VUA/s4032/4AB61F69-172B-476F-BD6C-993C966B0C62.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10bm-aEbChVc-tKM9AWCwNnm2zFDrcFX8kWh5a7lVQau7DoX1I5XhIrvLb2WVpp7DNvDdNQy1qOPWhaTNWu7gYh0TZhxO3RFzeVIl_CDQX4ZQ-xRgV5nBJ_oaDi2X78b89O8e4OVnfVk2InoUO4gGV5MTlhhmED3CX5NK9c6bAAuXJhrDpR378Z5VUA/s320/4AB61F69-172B-476F-BD6C-993C966B0C62.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhi-W5BBGY5J57omYEM63ipQOGX4lehUBUfeN-5ce3sLbXeSNY0BhxrbEU_fjVr2HJc4K0I31UBF8IMhC5q4OXWXLDsGgkEb-6UwtWY_IuvY2iqTMJYziA1dsqgb0NelfbOuGt-BwBnoSjMvRp7dPg7nf8NzVPP5c25fwDeH6zcgAhr8xGx2OC8dzrw/s4032/22EAB58E-836C-459A-AC17-AC96626A172F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhi-W5BBGY5J57omYEM63ipQOGX4lehUBUfeN-5ce3sLbXeSNY0BhxrbEU_fjVr2HJc4K0I31UBF8IMhC5q4OXWXLDsGgkEb-6UwtWY_IuvY2iqTMJYziA1dsqgb0NelfbOuGt-BwBnoSjMvRp7dPg7nf8NzVPP5c25fwDeH6zcgAhr8xGx2OC8dzrw/s320/22EAB58E-836C-459A-AC17-AC96626A172F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Machala city statue commemorating Banana harvesters </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMRVhCUe8bE9ynszMwfjoccPQ_lz8mrxUxmjahU_soKgPqkf8zotpTJKc7rzwwEJH3VLTcvsulkjQ_N8YecR7icbRM_RbUIiLJgR59gtTd4LiKHdk5pIk9_J-42MODl9nDal60giaJ_xmXz98d8cXGWuxA4zX6jNLil0aqATgJtom24knUWkbCkX5IQ/s4032/73C9974B-91CE-41BD-8687-8EDE4EDD0943.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMRVhCUe8bE9ynszMwfjoccPQ_lz8mrxUxmjahU_soKgPqkf8zotpTJKc7rzwwEJH3VLTcvsulkjQ_N8YecR7icbRM_RbUIiLJgR59gtTd4LiKHdk5pIk9_J-42MODl9nDal60giaJ_xmXz98d8cXGWuxA4zX6jNLil0aqATgJtom24knUWkbCkX5IQ/s320/73C9974B-91CE-41BD-8687-8EDE4EDD0943.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Ecuadorian Naval Vessel protecting the cruise ship dock</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCkWE2goxBF7A8sLDmitxa5AcgEheCFZQWkEb0OcYC7_vJVlOPMdW3qo-sVLiZm5Ae4kjlxKof7oChT1LaCV0S3XKrjavgzMQrnD9d1t5f81TlR_fwdShe0Ios_78_Lc2yVxmPpqAzZ4LyYiSw7_HjUa5T6VC6yQTtDQ70di_OuwQGjApqvVn9EiDxA/s4032/9056308F-D606-4D7D-B3ED-2F1B88F614BC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCkWE2goxBF7A8sLDmitxa5AcgEheCFZQWkEb0OcYC7_vJVlOPMdW3qo-sVLiZm5Ae4kjlxKof7oChT1LaCV0S3XKrjavgzMQrnD9d1t5f81TlR_fwdShe0Ios_78_Lc2yVxmPpqAzZ4LyYiSw7_HjUa5T6VC6yQTtDQ70di_OuwQGjApqvVn9EiDxA/s320/9056308F-D606-4D7D-B3ED-2F1B88F614BC.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Massive Pintero Tree at petrified forest preserve</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e7OO7iw93a-Yy-GW6egwSaef4qqQefYd--Vxgo8dKj-APCpsbZkox8VsidZqOVv8Dl3e0LTt8W3QuBgxpGr9yqvK80oYUQNmv7KKSnv84ljY7mu8AC5FuXSfrh5OAjY7wUxDlfjMrDWEHlWgDIjCVtQmHfMAahJYs9wtQdDuYnAlN66FZZp-oMvoJw/s4032/13108813-6B39-4041-80AB-1AB990525C88.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e7OO7iw93a-Yy-GW6egwSaef4qqQefYd--Vxgo8dKj-APCpsbZkox8VsidZqOVv8Dl3e0LTt8W3QuBgxpGr9yqvK80oYUQNmv7KKSnv84ljY7mu8AC5FuXSfrh5OAjY7wUxDlfjMrDWEHlWgDIjCVtQmHfMAahJYs9wtQdDuYnAlN66FZZp-oMvoJw/s320/13108813-6B39-4041-80AB-1AB990525C88.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Petrified Log sticking out of bank</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveAcNMZc5aSwIdjuuoYmleKPYz3u8919xla0KDBoLHLN34RILUNC2lbP3b41juiAdD-e4-q2TdJm8iX3g0OfGlEoXhi4vz6dVNC5Yz_SP--rEjIgyR_nXWj5xSshr_zd7yFXPVOmOixGDZdpJ0NJRkfDwnaHXoccLhvAPDnCXt9VS12KTEX67hZFdLQ/s4032/A47EC1AD-3467-4ADC-AAB4-F1815F25319D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveAcNMZc5aSwIdjuuoYmleKPYz3u8919xla0KDBoLHLN34RILUNC2lbP3b41juiAdD-e4-q2TdJm8iX3g0OfGlEoXhi4vz6dVNC5Yz_SP--rEjIgyR_nXWj5xSshr_zd7yFXPVOmOixGDZdpJ0NJRkfDwnaHXoccLhvAPDnCXt9VS12KTEX67hZFdLQ/s320/A47EC1AD-3467-4ADC-AAB4-F1815F25319D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Public Utility wiring in Machala</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwz2AqoTYGTJSPSRNiuCbrL5m5MhfXVnhp0YMmdUcnjXHgKmqv-t5bFhqUX6zbgDov3elH4OaXplCXRNI296tsu41r--FXcWHXE6BoqTF1gJJLVJ1nUvcrR-uc68d5Gpcfz0I7FCdRiuaBMFqw5Q1J7rdl_a7GeuXNJGB2VQMUGEQQGLmeS7Jg2ARhg/s4032/C05D3711-9B6F-43CA-8569-888407EFE625.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwz2AqoTYGTJSPSRNiuCbrL5m5MhfXVnhp0YMmdUcnjXHgKmqv-t5bFhqUX6zbgDov3elH4OaXplCXRNI296tsu41r--FXcWHXE6BoqTF1gJJLVJ1nUvcrR-uc68d5Gpcfz0I7FCdRiuaBMFqw5Q1J7rdl_a7GeuXNJGB2VQMUGEQQGLmeS7Jg2ARhg/s320/C05D3711-9B6F-43CA-8569-888407EFE625.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Amancay Plant at Petrified Forest</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesChVAXAew26aYo7tE-NeHPt0rN1mzjPAd1qiVyoEk_xB8KLxPw1t3CG3-WIcSTtpmFnX-TMZExKsE0HQaq7UPYbdCWk-mYAdqGfs-skosCbYs3pp5G5yCm-17sDpQn4wHoRS4TniY1RZeJG3UmMF46Jg0nvT9Xj2pqhB3AAfdhNEk-lSH0Nwjyl1rA/s4032/DD710988-2911-4FE4-A35B-38F9F586867E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesChVAXAew26aYo7tE-NeHPt0rN1mzjPAd1qiVyoEk_xB8KLxPw1t3CG3-WIcSTtpmFnX-TMZExKsE0HQaq7UPYbdCWk-mYAdqGfs-skosCbYs3pp5G5yCm-17sDpQn4wHoRS4TniY1RZeJG3UmMF46Jg0nvT9Xj2pqhB3AAfdhNEk-lSH0Nwjyl1rA/s320/DD710988-2911-4FE4-A35B-38F9F586867E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Large Petrified Log, visible portion 40-50 feet</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">On the return trip we stopped for lunch at the Hillary Nature Park, a upscale hotel and resort perched on top of a hill overlooking the banana and cacoa plantations below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Machala is also known for shrimp farming, much of which takes place in large ponds located in the mangrove swamps surrounding the city.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 16, 2023 – At Sea enroute Lima, Peru<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Jan 17, 2023 - At Sea enroute Lima, Peru</p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-25300322862023154562023-01-08T18:53:00.000-08:002023-01-08T18:53:53.140-08:00Grand Americas Part 2<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">January 5, 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We got up relatively early and headed to breakfast on the patio above the pool. Prices were sky high, but what choice do we have?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Patrick headed to CVS Pharmacy a few blocks away to replenish the items we had left home, like sunscreen, antibiotics, eye drops, etc., and then headed to the Brickell City Mall to look for a set of Studs for his formal wear. He was successful in that quest.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After an afternoon nap, and clarifying our transfer arrangements to the ship, we headed to the Gala dinner, with about 100 attendees. The entertainment was great and the food was good. We faded about 21:30 and headed to bed, since the luggage needs to be outside the door prior to 0800.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We also tested again for Covid-19 and are still negative. Good News!!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Friday, January 6, 2023 – Departure Day<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Baggage pickup was slow since the bellman told us there were over 500 bags to be brought down for transfer to the ship. Our car was to pick us up at 11:30 and it was just before 11:00 before anyone showed up to get our luggage. For some reason, since we had a private transfer, our luggage had to go with us rather than in the general luggage truck. At least that way we knew the luggage would make it shoreside at the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Check-in was straight forward, with the first checkpoint checking Covid-19 vaccination status and negative test proof. Then the next checkpoint looked at passports and took security photos. The final checkpoint collected the passports. We then were allowed to proceed to the gangway and board the ship, a long walk for Miriam since there was no wheelchair available. By 12:30 we were in the Colonnade restaurant having a quick and small bite to eat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The suites were available at about 1 PM, but luggage delivery was delayed. We received our final bags after 5PM. Once in the suite, the cabin attendants arrived with glasses of champagne and hors d’oeuvres and also notice of mandatory covid self test in two days. We also have to wear masks while indoors on the ship for at least the next three days.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuYyFll4juP1_7Qbp9_3iGo_cPVyNaTkBa3QMTKcRnDbjTPFrlouhDCnxrtjGrc6FPchCEqpD4O5Jy6RpyIprVVijgKMgLGSOqD5IkXipLTeO_anesLWQFZl693L3MvQ_g8ljD3PumdYgOHnzSvxh9yF8Gipl73hIDxB0xNqfZt6pHM0lj1T12UEsZA/s4032/B7DA047B-3C15-47CC-B73F-671E244CCCD8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuYyFll4juP1_7Qbp9_3iGo_cPVyNaTkBa3QMTKcRnDbjTPFrlouhDCnxrtjGrc6FPchCEqpD4O5Jy6RpyIprVVijgKMgLGSOqD5IkXipLTeO_anesLWQFZl693L3MvQ_g8ljD3PumdYgOHnzSvxh9yF8Gipl73hIDxB0xNqfZt6pHM0lj1T12UEsZA/s320/B7DA047B-3C15-47CC-B73F-671E244CCCD8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The flower arrangement in our suite</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The ship departure was also delayed due to provisioning and luggage delays. Seabourn Quest finally departed Miami after 7 PM while we we enjoying dinner at the The Grill by Thomas Keller.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Saturday, January 7, 2023 – At Sea North of Cuba<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This morning we woke to mostly sunny skies, with the wind at 17 knots from the SE and a moderate sea. For most of the day we are paralleling the northern coast of Cuba, just visible off the starboard side of the ship. Cuba blocks the direct route from Miami to Panama. There is a lot of cargo traffic visible as well. For a time we were apparently escorted by a Cuban naval vessel. Our route takes us around the eastern tip of Cuba. Apparently, on the way back to Miami, on the last day of the previous voyage, Seabourn Quest came upon a sinking vessel with 34 Cuban refugees headed for the USA, who were rescued and turned over to the USCG.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGfg8mnPR76uqQ7K05ybNtc7G87XyetozkK4lhKwa_OMr4UeSiupTqS-xlReRv07vXyFeOhDvwmVmn9HODAFSe1OrH-opkguQvFDezr6DE7dO_rJGmCwzvyyWsf5hQGz2fVpwERET2p0gcoa8KpeooPYg0QRFLx4KjJagmlCXKj5RP4RXclnPbeyjGA/s4032/2D8303C9-639E-4A76-8034-D7A6B406DE32.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGfg8mnPR76uqQ7K05ybNtc7G87XyetozkK4lhKwa_OMr4UeSiupTqS-xlReRv07vXyFeOhDvwmVmn9HODAFSe1OrH-opkguQvFDezr6DE7dO_rJGmCwzvyyWsf5hQGz2fVpwERET2p0gcoa8KpeooPYg0QRFLx4KjJagmlCXKj5RP4RXclnPbeyjGA/s320/2D8303C9-639E-4A76-8034-D7A6B406DE32.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cuban Naval Vessel escorting us</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Getting our exercise in takes some time, the walking path on deck 9 is only 100 meters in length, so it takes about 80 laps to get the necessary 5 miles in. There is a regular parade of walkers going round and round the deck. Patrick reverses direction every 10 laps to unwind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Sunday, January 8, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This morning the winds have changed direction, now from the NE, with a moderate swell on our stern and it is 81 degrees at 0600. Patrick enjoyed a cup of coffee on our veranda as the sun rose above the horizon in a cloudless sky while Miriam luxuriated for a while in the very comfortable bed.. We have just passed through the Havana Straits between Cuba and Haiti and are headed directly for Panama. There are ships on the horizon, but we can no longer see land.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This morning we have mandatory Covid-19 testing from 0900-1100.<o:p></o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-88919207403291076452023-01-05T04:52:00.000-08:002023-01-05T04:52:02.539-08:00Grand Americas Cruise Journey Begins<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The Grand Americas, Antarctica and Amazon adventure begins</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 3, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Tomorrow we depart early for Miami to board the Seabourn Quest for a 79 day voyage around South America, departing on January 6 and returning on March 26, back to Miami.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This long voyage has a lot of prerequisites, such as advance baggage shipping, Covid-19 testing, shore excursion planning, ordering of Antarctic outerwear, etc. Packing for all four seasons, including the Amazon, can be a challenge, hence the advance shipping of luggage with waterproof boots for wet landings, snorkeling gear for the tropics, trekking poles for hikes ashore, hiking shoes, and formal wear for evenings on board the ship as well as casual wear for days at sea.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Today was spent on last minute preparations, including haircuts, Covid-19 testing, final house cleaning and shutdown, clearing out the refrigerator, preparing cars with trickle chargers and phone calls to family. We tested negative at the Bellevue College test site, so we are good to board the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We will also try a get a few hours of sleep before the car arrives at 0400 for our transfer to the airport.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 4, 2023<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The alarm rudely woke us at 0300 and before long the BMW 7 series was in front of the house as we set the alarm, turned off the water heater, turned down the furnace and put our bags in the car. At 0400 there was little traffic going to the airport and by 0445 we were checked in and through security, waiting for the Alaska Airlines lounge to open at 0500. The lounge is on the way to Gate D11, where we will board an American Airlines flight to Dallas, connecting to another flight to Miami. We arrive late and are staying at the Four Seasons hotel for two nights so we can attend a gala dinner the night before embarkation for those guest going on the complete<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhCnJ10hqGY2egACGn_MTE9knvxzQRRbQQob5OJ6ZvIh70_4ooJEqbLroPTrn5VC4oR3RZfC_oR1IShTnVtrqe9dTmor_CePcNk0sqAJCtvY9IEzBxot3DcffRXa0GR3lWWKAmMGxXD08dw1GFy2FoZKifhvv00_OrEJYVa_J41yr0w_XAG2UUNUI1Q/s4032/4626AD6F-C61A-4146-8618-6F534304A1A0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhCnJ10hqGY2egACGn_MTE9knvxzQRRbQQob5OJ6ZvIh70_4ooJEqbLroPTrn5VC4oR3RZfC_oR1IShTnVtrqe9dTmor_CePcNk0sqAJCtvY9IEzBxot3DcffRXa0GR3lWWKAmMGxXD08dw1GFy2FoZKifhvv00_OrEJYVa_J41yr0w_XAG2UUNUI1Q/s320/4626AD6F-C61A-4146-8618-6F534304A1A0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGzsmxWK90P5Srvpq_I1mQwoqf60MmmY9NTIBgtU0Kqi88kiWY4JEUYIRJfo9c6y4F0NiX3tpeUFJr9_RK4VV-dFxMo0AKxbWlhDpopUidV4Xi6oZo2CMBR4YOK5aT8vFQTqTtOVTjW4MRqWp3YxqRXeKWiN_J8ZS_yH5MsSmpaOpskNwI_C0_ifktQ/s4032/40A83123-90AF-4C0F-BD97-06322AF1B264.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGzsmxWK90P5Srvpq_I1mQwoqf60MmmY9NTIBgtU0Kqi88kiWY4JEUYIRJfo9c6y4F0NiX3tpeUFJr9_RK4VV-dFxMo0AKxbWlhDpopUidV4Xi6oZo2CMBR4YOK5aT8vFQTqTtOVTjW4MRqWp3YxqRXeKWiN_J8ZS_yH5MsSmpaOpskNwI_C0_ifktQ/s320/40A83123-90AF-4C0F-BD97-06322AF1B264.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">January 4, 2023 – Part 2<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The American Airlines flight from SEA to Dallas left on time and the predicted flight time was 3:08 hours instead of the scheduled 3:59. Taking off pre-dawn to the south we had a magnificent view of Mount Rainier as the sun rose above the horizon. We were warned by the captain of possible turbulence over the Rockies and he was correct. Meal service was not started until 90 minutes into the flight. We had pre-ordered our breakfast, but what arrived was nearly inedible. We think it had been in the warming ovens too long.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Arriving at Dallas, the wheelchair situation was strange. Miriam was shuttled from the door of the aircraft to the gate area and had to wait while all the other wheelchair passengers were brought out of the plane and then all were loaded onto a vehicle. Patrick just walked to the Admiral’s Club lounge and waited for Miriam. We spent about two hours in the lounge, nervous about whether our flight was going to be cancelled due to weather like most of the other Florida bound flights. The lines at customer service were very long as a result and it took more than 30 minutes just to arrange a wheelchair from the lounge to the gate. Again, it was a multi-passenger tram and we arrived at the gate far too early. Miriam was a trooper and stood for nearly 30 minutes before a wheelchair arrived to transport Miriam to the door of the Boeing 787. Miriam was the first passenger on board and walked to the front of the aircraft to the lay-flat bed/seat, since we boarded the aircraft at door 2 in the middle of the aircraft. By this time we were both pretty tired and closed our eyes. Surprisingly, the full flight departed early and one could not even tell when we were airborne. The business class seats were arranged in a herringbone fashion, slightly offset, so I could only see Miriam’s left leg for the 2:30 minute flight to Miami at a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Service started quickly, with hot mixed nuts and drinks. That was followed by a meal, where Miriam had a vegetarian lasagna and Patrick had a Charcuterie plate, both very acceptable, especially compared to the previous flight’s breakfast service.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">voyage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpF9sSrUOdwKI8cOn9PHbnIopeYMWUCR6o2-RrGe0-DoIFseeIPJAGy59m7KPlwruZ-SYwDWHsLrPR6FnE-OTbpLt4NItQbyjx4qqnAeqWYcivJtiO0i-PaWRQx4efOYPKcjfjMvmgQsp6UvSuSRoBWwCKbN7_fC43XWvBLa2rEkkV6miVOuoDLZZWA/s4032/14787B7F-184C-4604-977B-B0BA35034660.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpF9sSrUOdwKI8cOn9PHbnIopeYMWUCR6o2-RrGe0-DoIFseeIPJAGy59m7KPlwruZ-SYwDWHsLrPR6FnE-OTbpLt4NItQbyjx4qqnAeqWYcivJtiO0i-PaWRQx4efOYPKcjfjMvmgQsp6UvSuSRoBWwCKbN7_fC43XWvBLa2rEkkV6miVOuoDLZZWA/s320/14787B7F-184C-4604-977B-B0BA35034660.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We arrived slightly early to Miami, the wheelchair was waiting at the aircraft door and then we cooled our heels along with all the other passengers for 45 minutes for the baggage carousel to start. We were not worried about the bags making it to Miami since the Apple AirTags worked well and we knew the bags were in the terminal. The Seabourn representative was waiting for us and when the luggage arrived called for the private minivan. It was a smooth but slow process. The trip to the hotel was also slow due to traffic and construction detours, so it was nearly 10PM local time when we arrived at the hotel. The restaurants were closed but the lobby bar had small plates, so we went there and had a burger before checking out our room and getting some much needed sleep. Long Day!!<o:p></o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-42088371884599351602022-10-04T08:22:00.001-07:002022-10-04T08:22:11.400-07:00Santorini, Spetses and return to Seattle<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Friday, September 30, 2022 – Santorini</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We had hoped for a spectacular sunrise over the caldera at Santorini, but the weather gods had other ideas. The top of the caldera was shrouded in clouds and fog, still impressive, but not what we had hoped for. Seabourn Encore was joined by only one other cruise ship, the Azamara Quest. We were transferred to local tenders for the trip to the ferry terminal where we met buses that took us to the top of the caldera on a narrow winding road for a ride to the east end of the island. We arrived at the ruins at Akrotiri, which date back to at least 5000 BC and have layers of different cities built on top of each other, like Troy, but fewer layers. The ruins are protected by a roof system and raised walkways around the different layers and areas, different than when we visited 14 years ago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2cw9_jXrVDvBLDc4BEQ1Sk8i7xsKrqAqHTDZSdkF6oFNFUG9zlTRs73YBxIlghHG-oqrcnY1scwUkqkAPWW9mUMfDq8kh4kkssLXO2txMewZ1bixb9hLDwq9w0aEKfvbRza4tBZXTSwLHeFWzF_GtQ-JL_tUYAUzusrGu899O8w5ZaYBC57Tune1qA/s4032/55E7DECD-CDB1-44BD-B7FB-B7329E94BD7A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2cw9_jXrVDvBLDc4BEQ1Sk8i7xsKrqAqHTDZSdkF6oFNFUG9zlTRs73YBxIlghHG-oqrcnY1scwUkqkAPWW9mUMfDq8kh4kkssLXO2txMewZ1bixb9hLDwq9w0aEKfvbRza4tBZXTSwLHeFWzF_GtQ-JL_tUYAUzusrGu899O8w5ZaYBC57Tune1qA/w400-h300/55E7DECD-CDB1-44BD-B7FB-B7329E94BD7A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Clouds spilling over the caldera at Santorini</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoNo1xzLBvOgx4hSlQCMMKET8CstXTUrNRIIJ39LLk4ozr556cOSwZyKrJ3yoj_ekJ9NqNkdDwElTzFcHgeJY94tnD85XmgEUlCrWbaN5zIpcVoCb1-QtwPXy1T5YLSKllsWBLkkjnnAKyIh--nmZ1BBybv-jUxW1VQ-tcB-EcPKJ7g3XAoRydjtZKQ/s4032/77ED21CE-BD93-4C51-B49E-8CDCA2DC1E54.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoNo1xzLBvOgx4hSlQCMMKET8CstXTUrNRIIJ39LLk4ozr556cOSwZyKrJ3yoj_ekJ9NqNkdDwElTzFcHgeJY94tnD85XmgEUlCrWbaN5zIpcVoCb1-QtwPXy1T5YLSKllsWBLkkjnnAKyIh--nmZ1BBybv-jUxW1VQ-tcB-EcPKJ7g3XAoRydjtZKQ/w400-h300/77ED21CE-BD93-4C51-B49E-8CDCA2DC1E54.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Some of the covered ruins at Akrotiri</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After that visit, we went to the other end of the island to the town of Oia, with the famous blue roofed chapels and whitewashed building perched on the rim. Even with only two ships is, it was crowded and by now, the clouds had burned off and it was HOT. Miriam and I had a lite lunch while waiting for the rest of the tour group, since the steep rough streets and steps were just not doable with a walker. We finally just abandoned the tour and took a taxi back to Fira, the central town. The taxi driver dropped us off as close to the gondola as possible, where we found a taverna with a spectacular view across the caldera, including our cruise ship. We enjoyed some Tzatziki and local white wine while waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive from the tour.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WBoQ9mGrPZlTfKlbWD4NUr43YiRjjyOLS-8jBRdpC9zGQ-u8euLz2S0ethtSu6kwthQV94zfqycOQlvPlZWrdMYs0T7x0VlxJPJ5z0AC7E6SqaKqwKj_4sLfH02FlGt1MIcEJPkafKkI6modTTZBbfTH-X-R6rYyblzrKeutMZ9PZW7V66-f6X-IOQ/s4032/91AD52D6-A603-4B8E-9C17-372D0385758C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WBoQ9mGrPZlTfKlbWD4NUr43YiRjjyOLS-8jBRdpC9zGQ-u8euLz2S0ethtSu6kwthQV94zfqycOQlvPlZWrdMYs0T7x0VlxJPJ5z0AC7E6SqaKqwKj_4sLfH02FlGt1MIcEJPkafKkI6modTTZBbfTH-X-R6rYyblzrKeutMZ9PZW7V66-f6X-IOQ/w400-h300/91AD52D6-A603-4B8E-9C17-372D0385758C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Central Church Plaza in Oia</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">When the others arrived, everyone agreed it was time to return to the ship so we walked across the street to the gondola which took us to the bottom of the steep volcanic cliffs where we boarded a tender for the return to the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Saturday, October 1, 2022 – Spetses<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The island of Spetses is south of Athens and is considered by some to be the Monaco of Greece, since many wealthy Athenians have summer places and the small town center is filled with high end shops. The are many beaches, including one right in the main town, so Patrick tried out the water, which was cooler than in Skiathos. The town was buzzing with mopeds and horse drawn carriages since no autos, except for delivery vehicles are allowed in the town center in the morning. The group found an open air taverna and we sampled local Greek dishes while watching the people go by.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkc2RqfRamHK-s-UuN8M_Ll9cysZP6Ms2JNZgB7YmzJ6WqNlLQmAuz4Oi-ijOHgryx4hEUPQT3AObEhPaOgTeZzIle_Fe0SiOPlF0VnoDnHbECRN-hu57tROyTzTFFZ1PD3Z-_EtFwOryJm5s8ZgNJTwiezHEpVUlj_WLLTuVGNz2MLkMf8hvWt279w/s4032/3DC24767-C306-4D0F-8D2D-6AA5E46A4B8A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkc2RqfRamHK-s-UuN8M_Ll9cysZP6Ms2JNZgB7YmzJ6WqNlLQmAuz4Oi-ijOHgryx4hEUPQT3AObEhPaOgTeZzIle_Fe0SiOPlF0VnoDnHbECRN-hu57tROyTzTFFZ1PD3Z-_EtFwOryJm5s8ZgNJTwiezHEpVUlj_WLLTuVGNz2MLkMf8hvWt279w/s320/3DC24767-C306-4D0F-8D2D-6AA5E46A4B8A.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Horse drawn carriages in Spetes</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ6SVtM8zdSjMlAbbCet4DJlBaipSrc5X-7zYvZ1Ps6zh3l__1E9UmE32rLgL7ug1-hMLj5xGmWDAxtSnVIVucfoBKQiQ9U9lvYQlwEMnwd2gpeXOfp7JieDiZoMsIbv2CpByj5W3SIlMhOg1wS091vFD6d8brX7lDroJIB-M3PxyOm9tg3impLUwfQ/s4032/8365CF9B-DF2D-4B78-84EB-E94331763479.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJ6SVtM8zdSjMlAbbCet4DJlBaipSrc5X-7zYvZ1Ps6zh3l__1E9UmE32rLgL7ug1-hMLj5xGmWDAxtSnVIVucfoBKQiQ9U9lvYQlwEMnwd2gpeXOfp7JieDiZoMsIbv2CpByj5W3SIlMhOg1wS091vFD6d8brX7lDroJIB-M3PxyOm9tg3impLUwfQ/s320/8365CF9B-DF2D-4B78-84EB-E94331763479.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Pedestrian only shopping streets in Spetses</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTDFh400yEgzfhhwuRxMl5k9rm1m-1XDP6p2FYoKvgJ7Nz4hfBNdeYJzkfx17a_C5i9MLWxC2IdDzKxrv1pjZEY7GJrt-vUMjIA5tONLxUWIEbndEAATxO3oUL0zIX-ZKUPHx27Peejg9kcLrdK3jnE5GhX4wy79uzbAILYFQHd-kcwT7qJlW5FrMqg/s4032/413507E0-55AF-40D3-A032-A9B40D741FB0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTDFh400yEgzfhhwuRxMl5k9rm1m-1XDP6p2FYoKvgJ7Nz4hfBNdeYJzkfx17a_C5i9MLWxC2IdDzKxrv1pjZEY7GJrt-vUMjIA5tONLxUWIEbndEAATxO3oUL0zIX-ZKUPHx27Peejg9kcLrdK3jnE5GhX4wy79uzbAILYFQHd-kcwT7qJlW5FrMqg/w400-h300/413507E0-55AF-40D3-A032-A9B40D741FB0.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Local fresh fish market</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpybAXfZGQb1UT3kQvB2ihD9mLqt4uZEAjcFYGvbxf5HJr-gYLi557XyH51h3QGm8zLYr8UrewqUPD11g9YQkDBL2J46kDDhhuxlZhLHrNYzbD1xPE4Eqt-Rxhy-d8r_us0BzADGGbdgmqt2935biCum2nigjTMDvCohUFaI99bkYvtIgVXbeIqKuL_w/s4032/C06AB9B6-4292-40FC-BDC7-F3F833681D06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpybAXfZGQb1UT3kQvB2ihD9mLqt4uZEAjcFYGvbxf5HJr-gYLi557XyH51h3QGm8zLYr8UrewqUPD11g9YQkDBL2J46kDDhhuxlZhLHrNYzbD1xPE4Eqt-Rxhy-d8r_us0BzADGGbdgmqt2935biCum2nigjTMDvCohUFaI99bkYvtIgVXbeIqKuL_w/s320/C06AB9B6-4292-40FC-BDC7-F3F833681D06.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sunrise approaching Spetses</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPlOIlAS-eA2Pdhr4Jn9-7BOtAnpt2YrDEaL_HvA9ZbefgyhqiciqAVPIbuCC4zr6IYYky_1_i-9BU7zT4Oha7QOgNg8gMlZZCvDd7n6F8ulKZRwpbWJYV28voEz3wyLC47opDAehIp1iYF57UnhofSXa8Qb4eKkFiGsfia7nRS7-uuady2s8UNZFXA/s4032/9FD6AF4C-3917-45F0-AE35-6C54DBD9FC64.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPlOIlAS-eA2Pdhr4Jn9-7BOtAnpt2YrDEaL_HvA9ZbefgyhqiciqAVPIbuCC4zr6IYYky_1_i-9BU7zT4Oha7QOgNg8gMlZZCvDd7n6F8ulKZRwpbWJYV28voEz3wyLC47opDAehIp1iYF57UnhofSXa8Qb4eKkFiGsfia7nRS7-uuady2s8UNZFXA/s320/9FD6AF4C-3917-45F0-AE35-6C54DBD9FC64.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Water Taxi Harbor - Spetses</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Sunday, October 2, 2022 – disembark in Athens<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our disembarkation was delayed for a few hours since central Athens, where our hotel was located, was the start and finish for the Run/Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer, and many of the roads were closed to traffic. We finally left the ship about 1:00 PM and checked into the Grand Bretagne Hotel across from the parliament building. After a quick trip to the Plaka for some last minute shopping the group gathered for a farewell dinner at the Grand Bretagne rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the Acropolis as the sun set and the Acropolis lights came on.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfG3K0CRhTuEKKmR5yDZlUaAneYDWbaa9eVb4zU1dYbXjtODdg1LpAC_PFi1kYXz2qkhQq8ifUWBmfKNOKhgFKd2GSgtMMAgeDAXBvqaORGZZiaq6PxlPG-OFXTXa9UUt_UB1OB6yarvzFLJ_M5sjsDBD-50mqp3lu-xTOHvQ-twgFPe9dNB0Xc8C_A/s3465/3BFE3D85-C649-4F4E-AF93-09FA06B43D69.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2645" data-original-width="3465" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfG3K0CRhTuEKKmR5yDZlUaAneYDWbaa9eVb4zU1dYbXjtODdg1LpAC_PFi1kYXz2qkhQq8ifUWBmfKNOKhgFKd2GSgtMMAgeDAXBvqaORGZZiaq6PxlPG-OFXTXa9UUt_UB1OB6yarvzFLJ_M5sjsDBD-50mqp3lu-xTOHvQ-twgFPe9dNB0Xc8C_A/w400-h305/3BFE3D85-C649-4F4E-AF93-09FA06B43D69.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Our farewell dinner in Athens with the Acropolis in the background</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Monday, October 3, 2022 – Heading Home<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Our car and driver were scheduled for 0715 in the morning, so we had just time for a quick bite to eat on the rooftop of the hotel before heading for the airport. Traffic was heavy in the city, but smoothed out when we got to the toll motorway. Check-in was fairly smooth, except they would not allow Miriam’s walker except as checked baggage, which turned out to be a little bit of a hassle since we had placed her cane in our checked luggage. British Airways arranged a wheelchair transfer to the spartan business class lounge which British Airways shares with several other airlines. Miriam and I then had a private lift bus to the plane and we both entered through the forward galley door. The flight to London Heathrow was expected to take 4 hours. There was a meal service, but strangely enough it was breakfast even though we took off at 1100 local time. That flight landed right on time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Heathrow connection was straightforward, but with long lines at security checkpoints and a lot of secondary screening, so it took about one hour to reach the lounge after disembarking the plane. The Seattle flight was 1 ½ hours late and there was additional secondary screening before we boarded, searching hand luggage. The flight was 9 + hours long, with lots of coughing passengers and few face masks, but landing only about one hour late. Clearing back through Customs and Immigration was swift, we were the only flight at the time and no lines.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-29941989360072392772022-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:002022-09-27T07:22:50.681-07:00Cesme, Turkey<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">September 27, 2022 – Cesme, Turkey</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">This morning we actually docked in the city of Cesme rather than anchoring and tendering in. In ancient time Cesme was called Cyssus and had many springs and mud baths, surrounded by the waters of the Aegean Sea. Today the harbor is dominated by a large upscale marina with space for vessels up to 60 meter megayachts, and a castle built in 1508. The castle was built to defend the coast from attack by pirates and later used by the Rhodes based Knights of Jerusalem. Today the castle is a museum and a venue for the international Cesme Music Festival in July. The head of the marina has been developed with high end shops and waterfront restaurants. The center of town has a bazaar with low end tourist goods.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Many of the recently embarked passengers used this stop to visit Ephesus. Today was windy and overcast, but warm enough with a high of 75 degrees.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZtKlhtxScuJb0_zeI1r3ZpS-26JK5R2VTF-2gYbO4nklpYHF1Zk1p1HJWhEWN5VUED5E7f8kMdgqlaf3RC-iDUXvQnoypgvM1UL-d1ltDDA6EQIbpzJ_6HRx_X4tsYdoPY6kjNyxBH8Lmsz6IIdAt49qWyrhPuPlgRYoKeBUHH4uFwbGf9gk3ztgrA/s4032/8D657ADA-81D1-4838-B5BD-57FE0E5D4AEA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZtKlhtxScuJb0_zeI1r3ZpS-26JK5R2VTF-2gYbO4nklpYHF1Zk1p1HJWhEWN5VUED5E7f8kMdgqlaf3RC-iDUXvQnoypgvM1UL-d1ltDDA6EQIbpzJ_6HRx_X4tsYdoPY6kjNyxBH8Lmsz6IIdAt49qWyrhPuPlgRYoKeBUHH4uFwbGf9gk3ztgrA/s320/8D657ADA-81D1-4838-B5BD-57FE0E5D4AEA.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gazi Hasan Pasha with pet lion guarding the castle, </div><div style="text-align: center;">he was the naval commander at the battle of Cesme</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5JisxVBJQ0xAkVLkizurH9Xn9uZ2YE2X3aogpSQznDhWNmBLe5N8ztz2QTao3cZNx7-6RFB6mXwyCpU9E1a4_qTlh32V8N1cJKbJwcK2KjVJ4pbj65Hx_IsUrPnWx3llALEhZx93cKdJbfHARXgkMdNmtlbuoiAL0MseLjigI3x9mc4c9eOqrxxtlw/s4032/93F950DA-C813-4962-A125-AFDD3A893F82.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5JisxVBJQ0xAkVLkizurH9Xn9uZ2YE2X3aogpSQznDhWNmBLe5N8ztz2QTao3cZNx7-6RFB6mXwyCpU9E1a4_qTlh32V8N1cJKbJwcK2KjVJ4pbj65Hx_IsUrPnWx3llALEhZx93cKdJbfHARXgkMdNmtlbuoiAL0MseLjigI3x9mc4c9eOqrxxtlw/s320/93F950DA-C813-4962-A125-AFDD3A893F82.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The upscale marina dominating the waterfront</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKV8gzCWiJpwRoPslxLH_cAx6U6oINrJMYd12xUR1JCxm-xjd-z0J2CqTZ9Hc2Zud30l8FFu8qGvdLnezppIvnfn_cMXZcdhDiVq7VeXLFv-trB0gKV4fnGkNxpWtQjRAHIN1IjiPO8bzCR5Vep_59FDgXFeX-GsfLj629h18xKnY7o1SiTsnGUgn5g/s4032/177B2C5E-0A98-4088-9FFC-D5D5063C0AD0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKV8gzCWiJpwRoPslxLH_cAx6U6oINrJMYd12xUR1JCxm-xjd-z0J2CqTZ9Hc2Zud30l8FFu8qGvdLnezppIvnfn_cMXZcdhDiVq7VeXLFv-trB0gKV4fnGkNxpWtQjRAHIN1IjiPO8bzCR5Vep_59FDgXFeX-GsfLj629h18xKnY7o1SiTsnGUgn5g/s320/177B2C5E-0A98-4088-9FFC-D5D5063C0AD0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cesme Castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWX8MmmWwmlkOTRZGLcXdcMloLgjAk-ZBv-8TmTBLD8oQzfvXze5YLl02BVejCL3Wo3NE4b00UULeWlY3I3pP2LXUtAdCL-Y6pfCNLNPSdgXLe0csJ1Nd1is9UBSoe89AFZNF3OyCI5RdzYiN5IWY9Fc65GHt91Xjf3v4iuNUV8rok3LxLyU60q71vw/s4032/93677B42-643E-4C44-B0D9-5B1E1A5F4F8F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWX8MmmWwmlkOTRZGLcXdcMloLgjAk-ZBv-8TmTBLD8oQzfvXze5YLl02BVejCL3Wo3NE4b00UULeWlY3I3pP2LXUtAdCL-Y6pfCNLNPSdgXLe0csJ1Nd1is9UBSoe89AFZNF3OyCI5RdzYiN5IWY9Fc65GHt91Xjf3v4iuNUV8rok3LxLyU60q71vw/s320/93677B42-643E-4C44-B0D9-5B1E1A5F4F8F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The bazaar area before it really opened up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1PoK9oy-Ug1ioT1bOT4DFydiHesLgkuqY-N5TU2yf0ZirkvyUHC9xhUGSowi7HBxiyUPcQk_-cZN4VZf4reaW9Bc9uZ-kNyUKJQf-PW3kwDZc1z3En0Sbw8-5AY7fZ8WXu83rQeqd8M7_qvB63VLPyqrWOJ5wqzWNrY38epPtNFAIos8jZxcCbbkgA/s4032/7496003E-8EF9-48E3-9944-D9C095477E16.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1PoK9oy-Ug1ioT1bOT4DFydiHesLgkuqY-N5TU2yf0ZirkvyUHC9xhUGSowi7HBxiyUPcQk_-cZN4VZf4reaW9Bc9uZ-kNyUKJQf-PW3kwDZc1z3En0Sbw8-5AY7fZ8WXu83rQeqd8M7_qvB63VLPyqrWOJ5wqzWNrY38epPtNFAIos8jZxcCbbkgA/s320/7496003E-8EF9-48E3-9944-D9C095477E16.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Upscale shops at the marina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFVaPdmvmhflIb4ejvt-Ip_Q55ciy5Hmune-gQTOpgo6f13HAYxc-JvnNa_2p_yGzK4odVqXeJV3EjfjYMyXDlHfHGRsBwmFkNqSJeVHQRDm7OEuvllw2MTwu8SGZr44VsuQO-Hl1K3SY1uwP9JLwoWzKscz8ALl11bWQSSdVz9OQ_LTaTRr8aNgGPw/s4032/A1515264-166F-4E8B-8A39-D4F74D8DDF8F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFVaPdmvmhflIb4ejvt-Ip_Q55ciy5Hmune-gQTOpgo6f13HAYxc-JvnNa_2p_yGzK4odVqXeJV3EjfjYMyXDlHfHGRsBwmFkNqSJeVHQRDm7OEuvllw2MTwu8SGZr44VsuQO-Hl1K3SY1uwP9JLwoWzKscz8ALl11bWQSSdVz9OQ_LTaTRr8aNgGPw/s320/A1515264-166F-4E8B-8A39-D4F74D8DDF8F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ancient cannons at the castle entrance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCHTMVHJ3b6a_ABOLzZsq1WPw2TpqkHzJrwpidYy_Y1TrryMuMPm9JqbglpQhVI7z1_ajYH84hcEWehbJaHqkOwSHqaqjFRBUlbBXZOBqMzfofpLw52erueQta1ZBFeMfYotuTrEy3NErq5jk41hnoLNExbIb0CpRMNbX1bSfb1jAgHEcork-xdUmFA/s4032/AE2CDEA6-2EFA-4F91-8907-DA0A8B415CF1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCHTMVHJ3b6a_ABOLzZsq1WPw2TpqkHzJrwpidYy_Y1TrryMuMPm9JqbglpQhVI7z1_ajYH84hcEWehbJaHqkOwSHqaqjFRBUlbBXZOBqMzfofpLw52erueQta1ZBFeMfYotuTrEy3NErq5jk41hnoLNExbIb0CpRMNbX1bSfb1jAgHEcork-xdUmFA/s320/AE2CDEA6-2EFA-4F91-8907-DA0A8B415CF1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNesLNR2Q-2fy7cDsDqbQs2JyzXaC1KDuiQ8-4Tkmub8egCpMrZhaOmVkeURz-xW4WAse0T7ZiLq_B0RzzjgB310pl7Prx39cLRlgLdMIfXFrtxQHD_VFc8pD0iaKG0bzcJ3kfqSE9wqSyWIkL8MJg96d-FQCgeZpVW4yS6tOR_-ETtPH2IPSY6eHog/s4032/D1F71390-6482-4922-BB01-BD726F7FEE3B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNesLNR2Q-2fy7cDsDqbQs2JyzXaC1KDuiQ8-4Tkmub8egCpMrZhaOmVkeURz-xW4WAse0T7ZiLq_B0RzzjgB310pl7Prx39cLRlgLdMIfXFrtxQHD_VFc8pD0iaKG0bzcJ3kfqSE9wqSyWIkL8MJg96d-FQCgeZpVW4yS6tOR_-ETtPH2IPSY6eHog/s320/D1F71390-6482-4922-BB01-BD726F7FEE3B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ancient moat around the castle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9sho39g-VbRNWcCK0ntQn1cqUC4DP4RcBGn-JO5lQza_yu6E_dGfyZrm4mLmFV-eKtV1G7gkdaZRUI4uyU6l78LJcEpd0V2nKngf_QWD2dcvk4HSOU0p7MWhscyHwvqSbI6jyc2bVr8Yj-zrXNYW_p116wCBU3H3gq7JJ0ncpmfUCW2XrTM4S3nE8Q/s4032/E8478322-16DF-4DBC-A078-484A8A49A1AB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9sho39g-VbRNWcCK0ntQn1cqUC4DP4RcBGn-JO5lQza_yu6E_dGfyZrm4mLmFV-eKtV1G7gkdaZRUI4uyU6l78LJcEpd0V2nKngf_QWD2dcvk4HSOU0p7MWhscyHwvqSbI6jyc2bVr8Yj-zrXNYW_p116wCBU3H3gq7JJ0ncpmfUCW2XrTM4S3nE8Q/s320/E8478322-16DF-4DBC-A078-484A8A49A1AB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The castle from our ship</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-33762295657238191742022-09-26T07:19:00.000-07:002022-09-26T07:19:48.031-07:00Limnos<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">September 26, 2022 – Limnos</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Limnos is a very arid volcanic island near the entrance to the Dardenelles. Limnos is the mythological home of Hephaistos or Vulcan, who was cast off Olympus by his father Zeus and landed on Limnos, breaking his leg. Lame forever, the god of fire toiled at his forge (the volcanoes of the island) and taught the people of the island metalworking.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Myrina is the capital city of Limnos and we anchored just off the harbor with the ruins of a spectacular fortress dating to the 1200’s standing high on the hill above the town.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5Cdlv0Hph0obT3myZXroEhZ7MZHlG70xh06-OLo3SvY3zm5Sy1MQxfuxMXUOLAKuq1BWPqSmCQpy1WTPGB4EA1aggWyZYCEwvmDgy6ANZMcayxkOxwlrqFC978qaxLkMPv8-z3wnkwt4VJtpMiYCaUTZUGPkRZ-cQ6SiRrw5GCfutBMbJUKNw3RkTw/s4032/0CFF4B8D-FEBF-48D3-A354-A129AF74F9A6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i35gyv9_NZ3Lnqs2Xlg8SNf6Nr5JtBP7QL0kebZh22cRZoWMiCQoHXxiTAAeS8cpXzaiGsisniXCgpvJguh9O_8Jxyvv9wXZDV18EvCENXbRRzp2nJ7mpsFcRmtz87G0mHT3sxH2bcHM3z8sEPDFyRgmdGrLbwSym5lgM4XbNng_mRHa40D6d5GqIw/s320/ED94AF00-872B-4171-B8EC-5F9C135C9DD4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMqvbX_XIwXu-c2UoEKZXTVDpBApKQnYn0qKIuhlEEpcBKz2Un7ouZHSr7FbHE5EBHnyqNr2MQ8zT0xgbfdgpWHT0XZ2m51EFOMf9ZH8wpqZEsw1qNNp4Fer5WyOFagL7nzlwgOd_VXRna2rXAixbrs2_QeqawrJtJmJHiNKy2ZJ4jc4_yHQN93fm9w/s4032/F4CFE7E5-351F-4E5A-A3F0-551D0221F451.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMqvbX_XIwXu-c2UoEKZXTVDpBApKQnYn0qKIuhlEEpcBKz2Un7ouZHSr7FbHE5EBHnyqNr2MQ8zT0xgbfdgpWHT0XZ2m51EFOMf9ZH8wpqZEsw1qNNp4Fer5WyOFagL7nzlwgOd_VXRna2rXAixbrs2_QeqawrJtJmJHiNKy2ZJ4jc4_yHQN93fm9w/s320/F4CFE7E5-351F-4E5A-A3F0-551D0221F451.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Going ashore Patrick and Cathy went up the steep path to the fortress and met the rest of the group for lunch at a little restaurant near the harbor. The shopping area stretched for blocks though the center of town, covered by arbors and greenery. There were swimming beaches on both sides of town, and scores of boutique hotels.<o:p></o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-76819328543690291902022-09-25T23:29:00.002-07:002022-09-25T23:29:34.182-07:00Mykonos, Skiathos, Troy and Istanbul<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">September 22, 2022 – Mykonos</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Encore approached the anchorage outside Mykonos Town under clear, but windy skies. There were already two ships docked at the port about 1 KM from the old town. By the time our anchor was well set, two more larger cruise ships had anchored behind us, for a total of 5 ships.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Tenders from town shuttled passengers from the anchored ships to the center of the town where we encountered substantial crowds. We had booked a walking tour through the maze of streets in the old town. The maze was easy to get lost in, which was by design. The islands had a problem with Saracen pirates in the past and the narrow twisting streets and houses all the same color were to make it hard for pirates to know where to go and to keep oriented. Without a guide getting lost would have been easy. The town was full of shops, restaurants and tavernas and apparently is really hopping after 1900, when the cruise ships have left.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The tour wended though these streets, exploring museums, churches and the famous Mykonos windmills before stopping at a taverna for meze’s and ouzeau. We then found a waterfront restaurant and enjoyed calamari, grilled octopus and spankopita while we watched the crowds walk by.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP82252x9MhrruIqB1TQSbP-EiJgFqFsbFOB9Ie3sv-59BLx-3lXJepgMO9L3ysdA-sCg5m0FcyyfEBTJPFKF0DSCQr-UKCtc47oPWxGItT15kM0hbzuTNGxUF2kOt6ukK1mpx1L2UOEWTJ4LkcZeSL_3izoF7Ezwpd4G3M9biRyc2JLp0xD-lsmrXw/s4032/6701B81B-CF5B-4075-8415-21296CBB1CD3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOP82252x9MhrruIqB1TQSbP-EiJgFqFsbFOB9Ie3sv-59BLx-3lXJepgMO9L3ysdA-sCg5m0FcyyfEBTJPFKF0DSCQr-UKCtc47oPWxGItT15kM0hbzuTNGxUF2kOt6ukK1mpx1L2UOEWTJ4LkcZeSL_3izoF7Ezwpd4G3M9biRyc2JLp0xD-lsmrXw/w400-h300/6701B81B-CF5B-4075-8415-21296CBB1CD3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6QCpcffF8eaRuHHGieSwEGwn7mZLJipMP11exkXbCCj5rRQDd9xrnqOf7cKEaxUn5EYr_b4e5qRWC5BoyjmvQgaZXyZdHrpxac00zpJC2drcfBbCZrMRP62ifd4LZgdjFjNyaW62lDmG-KzLMq7jsDUGO5odcLCt66n1xaa72v1Xzy5IRCWYoycs2A/s4032/48067D39-5286-42AE-A1EE-5A2DD1497054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6QCpcffF8eaRuHHGieSwEGwn7mZLJipMP11exkXbCCj5rRQDd9xrnqOf7cKEaxUn5EYr_b4e5qRWC5BoyjmvQgaZXyZdHrpxac00zpJC2drcfBbCZrMRP62ifd4LZgdjFjNyaW62lDmG-KzLMq7jsDUGO5odcLCt66n1xaa72v1Xzy5IRCWYoycs2A/w400-h300/48067D39-5286-42AE-A1EE-5A2DD1497054.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIsixJX8gPNaXjwCCHvcs_qwwJcWqqBEIfr-BuCmmdT3vWRtQWKIvdqD6OtDsMJJ8R3CkJz2vyOOg0GYolXU1pKUfmhFYMtTfgWXhgxGFhe6Xe4mbuxEy9GYFM5wk1wvd1ju0l5ETl5BJ_XCio4S8DGSFIyQpvL6mdrkhKJXbNH0-y0lLPPcWbDcgzg/s4032/20D896D0-8C98-4207-91D0-EFC62BA75A4D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIsixJX8gPNaXjwCCHvcs_qwwJcWqqBEIfr-BuCmmdT3vWRtQWKIvdqD6OtDsMJJ8R3CkJz2vyOOg0GYolXU1pKUfmhFYMtTfgWXhgxGFhe6Xe4mbuxEy9GYFM5wk1wvd1ju0l5ETl5BJ_XCio4S8DGSFIyQpvL6mdrkhKJXbNH0-y0lLPPcWbDcgzg/s320/20D896D0-8C98-4207-91D0-EFC62BA75A4D.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After a wind, choppy trip back to the ship we enjoyed a pool deck sail-away celebration with caviar and champagne as Seabourn Encore raised the anchor and headed for Skiathos.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">September 23, 2022 – Skiathos<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We were in Skiathos in 1999, while Patrick was on assignment in the UK. This morning we arrived and Seabourn Encore anchored off the old town. We had arranged a private sailing day in Skiathos and after we landed right in front of the taverna we frequented on our first trip we walked around a newer promenade to the sailboat we had booked. We had to wait for thunderstorms and lightning to pass by for about 30 minutes before we could depart. Just time for a quick cup of coffee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Heading out of the harbor under power we stopped and anchored in a quiet cove out of the brisk wind and had snacks and a brief swim before heading back to Skiathos Island to another beach where again anchored and went swimming in 72-74 degree water while the skipper prepared a past lunch. After lunch we powered back to Skiathos harbor, arriving in plenty of time to walk back along the promenade, investigate a few shops and return to the ship. It was a relaxing, low-key day.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OPh23XhUWQphDNXRTn65qIAS92SUUoEgjVq6ycfPTvAqAtknI57CvEmFhotdruRnZcrKBJFJzai60vRWsLLSWNIKZDUM5YJQjBITDNWD9DpsNKrA57VVIJb8FM7mLXw8Rea1S9tkq3_tN9CU8gMGjzYkTWoz2ASpP6xFNzGkScs2rV5zSNGhbGjjjw/s4032/A23D9C7E-7E45-4980-BE7A-F01786D5FCD4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OPh23XhUWQphDNXRTn65qIAS92SUUoEgjVq6ycfPTvAqAtknI57CvEmFhotdruRnZcrKBJFJzai60vRWsLLSWNIKZDUM5YJQjBITDNWD9DpsNKrA57VVIJb8FM7mLXw8Rea1S9tkq3_tN9CU8gMGjzYkTWoz2ASpP6xFNzGkScs2rV5zSNGhbGjjjw/s320/A23D9C7E-7E45-4980-BE7A-F01786D5FCD4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Our anchorage for lunch in Skiathos</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0d5rss7pecuqrSCQWGPUzoDm9SfVDek98nWIMCS82M5zKkpK2-bewHzkfsOhHq_hMulfeh6hBZl2rcu5ajpP33Aw6zVYpqcWMwgfCgf0ByljJFvUuKg9TNje-BTzX8F3VASf7Qs8UAMOzUhxP9mTYHxj5PKOcX9alys6bKT147AfvLupjkN_dt4kdA/s4032/FF8FEE39-5B38-4AAC-8AA7-DDF8642B8677.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0d5rss7pecuqrSCQWGPUzoDm9SfVDek98nWIMCS82M5zKkpK2-bewHzkfsOhHq_hMulfeh6hBZl2rcu5ajpP33Aw6zVYpqcWMwgfCgf0ByljJFvUuKg9TNje-BTzX8F3VASf7Qs8UAMOzUhxP9mTYHxj5PKOcX9alys6bKT147AfvLupjkN_dt4kdA/s320/FF8FEE39-5B38-4AAC-8AA7-DDF8642B8677.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">New harbor promenade in Skiathos</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">September 24, 2022 – Tenedos Island and Troy<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Once again Seabourn Encore approached our next destination just as the sun was rising. The ship anchored off of the town of Bozcaada on Tenedos Island and we tendered into shore and boarded a ferry to the Turkish mainland for a 45 minute bus ride to the excavations at Troy. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF0YXj1KSU7ReWt7FNN5Wz2QqEBejSlcytNkF626VmNVZ9YctQhwGCQuZ_NysaPA9M-aRW8iU89EclcAIT_jTUTmVioUmA11cv-EnCuBXwL2gVF2_FpGydNIe-KKcBvjK-RGjdaOqhoZDBFhzyXe1nsWs3NcC37uAA7opf_GxfmLPVCQU7b8cXbXczw/s4032/76D99E74-74EE-4431-8AF3-732825FC9706.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF0YXj1KSU7ReWt7FNN5Wz2QqEBejSlcytNkF626VmNVZ9YctQhwGCQuZ_NysaPA9M-aRW8iU89EclcAIT_jTUTmVioUmA11cv-EnCuBXwL2gVF2_FpGydNIe-KKcBvjK-RGjdaOqhoZDBFhzyXe1nsWs3NcC37uAA7opf_GxfmLPVCQU7b8cXbXczw/s320/76D99E74-74EE-4431-8AF3-732825FC9706.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turkish Fortress at Bozcaada Harbor</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The tour at Troy showed us the various levels of the city, starting 3000 years ago and culminating in the 1500’s. Unlike Ephesus, this was never a large city, but the different cities built on the ruins of previous cities seems to substantiate Homer’s Iliad and the conquest of Troy, including the burning of the city. The Trojan Horse statue is, of course, just the imagination of the builder, since no one knows what it really looked like.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0WRbtxplwV33jHvq60vDxaXxeWzvAcV0LvRvhyRwVcBoPC2JZVZMtSGbwodUvr3Z9EwajG7sn_ZFVZkcHSKzol6v6eu2KAuZwdc-ZxQe_faI7XONX_gApaEClEVNjVbmYkcG95d0uIQQ39iN8NpEwMylsRNLHbHoaUpXigDeTZMDSkzfTXZgc4QLYA/s4032/8AA6EEA2-5694-40C3-881D-CAE00872C195.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0WRbtxplwV33jHvq60vDxaXxeWzvAcV0LvRvhyRwVcBoPC2JZVZMtSGbwodUvr3Z9EwajG7sn_ZFVZkcHSKzol6v6eu2KAuZwdc-ZxQe_faI7XONX_gApaEClEVNjVbmYkcG95d0uIQQ39iN8NpEwMylsRNLHbHoaUpXigDeTZMDSkzfTXZgc4QLYA/s320/8AA6EEA2-5694-40C3-881D-CAE00872C195.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Mud Bricks from Trojan War Era, the red bricks have been hardens by a fire</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lQk7QQbwH5_A8cMqsdA30t6YfKctl7fRqhfrrNC3S-IBBfzL3rgv5B62ekdoJol57Q8pRzh69bUo6h5E6eG3ZZUjOUlFFKj4H8gpCLbC8mq_qvQ-5EUn12tdc2H0pCxZ8OHHfXCEAVzamwTs0ap_Rz7ZO_pk5wGV8mv0WgwE6rELdMv902bvhmSynw/s4032/852E2AAC-2231-4B20-88F0-4E137504B4EB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lQk7QQbwH5_A8cMqsdA30t6YfKctl7fRqhfrrNC3S-IBBfzL3rgv5B62ekdoJol57Q8pRzh69bUo6h5E6eG3ZZUjOUlFFKj4H8gpCLbC8mq_qvQ-5EUn12tdc2H0pCxZ8OHHfXCEAVzamwTs0ap_Rz7ZO_pk5wGV8mv0WgwE6rELdMv902bvhmSynw/s320/852E2AAC-2231-4B20-88F0-4E137504B4EB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOLrsg9r5-99-Ep73etVb8BwlBwTl8bCvmMwa06nELHaegtffDGrXXcrIIn9flTCzS10BzZWO6Ma4S5gWW5EcKMKIiQ5EvZwbBLPQelf3o8aYxh49cF7Z5hzCsFoinlBVX9maULKmB8pQL41OvFv0XLJJ9v4sFRbxQod9unlwq0Qll1DzUUoKinauDw/s4032/8559D345-E6CA-4303-B9F3-3EDB8486A672.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOLrsg9r5-99-Ep73etVb8BwlBwTl8bCvmMwa06nELHaegtffDGrXXcrIIn9flTCzS10BzZWO6Ma4S5gWW5EcKMKIiQ5EvZwbBLPQelf3o8aYxh49cF7Z5hzCsFoinlBVX9maULKmB8pQL41OvFv0XLJJ9v4sFRbxQod9unlwq0Qll1DzUUoKinauDw/s320/8559D345-E6CA-4303-B9F3-3EDB8486A672.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">We arrived back at the ferry and the weekend crowds and traffic jams forced us to get off the bus and walk to jump the queue just to get on the ferry back to where the ship’s tenders were located. It was close, but all the passengers got back on crowded the ferry before it left for the 30 minute trip back to Bozcaada.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">As we headed up the Dardenelles we gathered for and Indian dinner on the aft deck. The sun was warm and even after sunset the deck was pleasant. Later in the evening we gathered in the Observation Bar as the ship sailed past Gallipoli and under the longest suspension bridge in the world, spanning the narrow passage. The bridge is lit up with a light show that was spectacular.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLvaNT8oHe_M7ssx99IbH3OVsgvyr6FbvrMmpfAKd1V-mllXVSGCctREOnnupRGdYKpYtz0PLD_EY7fh9wIvAbjxBw2KFYX8Q_O22TKq7_LLBQl7wM67FvlaBV5E8sWhn5xv-xM-_nIf0hlZ0I9MXSvp60YorRwhR8UOexeTGXscZWgxNlQzf46dbww/s4032/5406458A-D318-4D87-BB9B-B544BF398440.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLvaNT8oHe_M7ssx99IbH3OVsgvyr6FbvrMmpfAKd1V-mllXVSGCctREOnnupRGdYKpYtz0PLD_EY7fh9wIvAbjxBw2KFYX8Q_O22TKq7_LLBQl7wM67FvlaBV5E8sWhn5xv-xM-_nIf0hlZ0I9MXSvp60YorRwhR8UOexeTGXscZWgxNlQzf46dbww/w400-h300/5406458A-D318-4D87-BB9B-B544BF398440.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Bridge over the Dardenelles at night</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">September 25, 2022 – Istanbul<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Encore docked on the corner of The Golden Horn just below Topkapi Palace. We had arranged a private minibus and guide for the day, along with the other three couples. We were fortunate in arriving at Topkapi Palace just as it opened and before the crowds arrived. After 2 hours touring the various courtyards and displays, including religious artifacts such as remnants of John the Baptist and the staff of Moses and items of Mohammed, we stopped for coffee just inside the first courtyard.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52vEIMycJ0lBOJgi28ZOtlvSc5_cyMHy2SAfizLUzXA5zfl7Luunp_AEI8jmlP2WxKyVavv91hUh35iX-yzDxp7LIeSqTH66rt7XbSROKSCyNHU6p83sa-vvpmatJBmitixaKEoqmz0wBSzRZQgSXRUEPsCupR4ogdvsWIgunkWbJgupHYl6TUgT4eQ/s4032/7D1CFF9B-10EE-406A-A116-B0F27050899E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52vEIMycJ0lBOJgi28ZOtlvSc5_cyMHy2SAfizLUzXA5zfl7Luunp_AEI8jmlP2WxKyVavv91hUh35iX-yzDxp7LIeSqTH66rt7XbSROKSCyNHU6p83sa-vvpmatJBmitixaKEoqmz0wBSzRZQgSXRUEPsCupR4ogdvsWIgunkWbJgupHYl6TUgT4eQ/s320/7D1CFF9B-10EE-406A-A116-B0F27050899E.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNaBUZ0qXTO4bkB6qNitomK4hoiaCpDEefsZe4_WfgOsiEWI0NT2goRqqTSz5YdZ47I2WOrs5e42JKAikYJuvSilT7y9TRscyXgXL8ukZblVzH0UM1bzRU1ixsiChXw68cs-ubHYrqQWlNJR8mxu1kro8EsTic-_hPwkXbKFU5qgDCxigaOudTNZD9g/s4032/32AC4482-3DF0-4FEB-A854-CB3BB2323551.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNaBUZ0qXTO4bkB6qNitomK4hoiaCpDEefsZe4_WfgOsiEWI0NT2goRqqTSz5YdZ47I2WOrs5e42JKAikYJuvSilT7y9TRscyXgXL8ukZblVzH0UM1bzRU1ixsiChXw68cs-ubHYrqQWlNJR8mxu1kro8EsTic-_hPwkXbKFU5qgDCxigaOudTNZD9g/s320/32AC4482-3DF0-4FEB-A854-CB3BB2323551.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_KaGgCocWiOAw7c4YJDaEXz85ETklecL-EiC9ejJQuwcyUn-fgy-urbHjA4-luYEt9gEuwp6ZEndK8fC6_lw25LCpDHPBx53JV8lOyA_K5DJpc55n0agg8a8xV3AYZxtDauzT4HEqwUVd_Ifd4GXz4rtnuPy9zJy3V8hC5sqBCPeDrYPzhHPNVIkmw/s4032/79C83798-CC58-47C4-984B-B7E835936D5C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_KaGgCocWiOAw7c4YJDaEXz85ETklecL-EiC9ejJQuwcyUn-fgy-urbHjA4-luYEt9gEuwp6ZEndK8fC6_lw25LCpDHPBx53JV8lOyA_K5DJpc55n0agg8a8xV3AYZxtDauzT4HEqwUVd_Ifd4GXz4rtnuPy9zJy3V8hC5sqBCPeDrYPzhHPNVIkmw/s320/79C83798-CC58-47C4-984B-B7E835936D5C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSWCpLiXu-T8UsBZQXtW5JiTgzu6KqiF_amiUW-V7gc5Bs1uE_S4rDtj_l0XBkCy2twDaKGGWarTROL1KxvD4H7QjVG3b5UN_3ACsIT_wPyAyc7FOneOX3WmMzcoOUTbXBH0rtxK8L7It3I8nRIk1EVfXblBIh6SIy3nKgznS0qQ1FNT1tabnGho9AQ/s4032/A1B85469-B8DA-45CA-A054-C67D604C6AA3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSWCpLiXu-T8UsBZQXtW5JiTgzu6KqiF_amiUW-V7gc5Bs1uE_S4rDtj_l0XBkCy2twDaKGGWarTROL1KxvD4H7QjVG3b5UN_3ACsIT_wPyAyc7FOneOX3WmMzcoOUTbXBH0rtxK8L7It3I8nRIk1EVfXblBIh6SIy3nKgznS0qQ1FNT1tabnGho9AQ/s320/A1B85469-B8DA-45CA-A054-C67D604C6AA3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Moving to Hagia Sophia we waited about 30 minutes in line to enter since there is a limit of about 2000 visitors at a time in the mosque. The current building dates back to 527 AD, originally a Christian church, built on top of even earlier remains. With the rise of the Ottoman Empire the church became a mosque and then a museum. In 2020 it was changed back into a mosque. Christian symbols with faces are covered, but symbols common to Judaism, Christianity and Islam are present everywhere.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_qzDvhQad9i64DMJMIP9vnaXF4tGQDp0mSnXFLaBK1X7eTTifD9oP8wYLleJwysYIcNRumlVfCGCigDRyjSODyVkBvpd4XoWAL9JhkkdFwOvuxQ0klm67uJAZ8XcYMzTOyZMqb492XuZxjlBNj_BMVLtk5vltOkXlrwTalto4D-jjHHtu6k8W7iSQ/s4032/6FC504BC-ED67-4A0F-9AE3-1DD7DAB1F25F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_qzDvhQad9i64DMJMIP9vnaXF4tGQDp0mSnXFLaBK1X7eTTifD9oP8wYLleJwysYIcNRumlVfCGCigDRyjSODyVkBvpd4XoWAL9JhkkdFwOvuxQ0klm67uJAZ8XcYMzTOyZMqb492XuZxjlBNj_BMVLtk5vltOkXlrwTalto4D-jjHHtu6k8W7iSQ/s320/6FC504BC-ED67-4A0F-9AE3-1DD7DAB1F25F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Interior of Hagia Sophia Dome</p><br /><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGt3CjYinijIdeIDyIIr7L15vbf6lCEkHPwI54uufgH7Jp8evYJvjuG9SRHXW_TCbHEmHbwfwLdm7FOwCQE0p-ptSf9jxNSma6oxydz8fXk2YHGWW5vm9RUvsbVM9_HCrxXeu8tKbDbPnfFCr28YmtSB2zRZwUyBtF1SakHNH8OsSGxajVsv_boSUyw/s4032/56AB2222-5BF3-44B9-8DCD-71DAC0DB9B6A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGt3CjYinijIdeIDyIIr7L15vbf6lCEkHPwI54uufgH7Jp8evYJvjuG9SRHXW_TCbHEmHbwfwLdm7FOwCQE0p-ptSf9jxNSma6oxydz8fXk2YHGWW5vm9RUvsbVM9_HCrxXeu8tKbDbPnfFCr28YmtSB2zRZwUyBtF1SakHNH8OsSGxajVsv_boSUyw/s320/56AB2222-5BF3-44B9-8DCD-71DAC0DB9B6A.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Hagia Sophia mosque</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwjV68UaVgciYrRuWtMavHg7XMxxkVd1pEmeOzd16lmTHjRza_51fvX1jlvSDs_qhdY0Ntz08pwRx58gvOYKZbMCWJbKURoXbIMUtP3RRfy569UVig-wTqx6sin6V4ek00f3Fv_SxH2Z0o1WeOSKJQEQMIWuz0F-vNIToufOctYkHSPBxDbeIN7UyMQ/s4032/2110EEFD-7CF4-49E6-B58C-3E379F78AD51.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwjV68UaVgciYrRuWtMavHg7XMxxkVd1pEmeOzd16lmTHjRza_51fvX1jlvSDs_qhdY0Ntz08pwRx58gvOYKZbMCWJbKURoXbIMUtP3RRfy569UVig-wTqx6sin6V4ek00f3Fv_SxH2Z0o1WeOSKJQEQMIWuz0F-vNIToufOctYkHSPBxDbeIN7UyMQ/s320/2110EEFD-7CF4-49E6-B58C-3E379F78AD51.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crowds inside Hagia Sophia</div><o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The Blue Mosque is closed for renovation, so we then went into the cisterns built by the Romans. Much of the construction reused items from other cities, so there a real mix of column styles. They have a light show in the cisterns and when it got dark it was hard to walk and maintain balance with the crowds.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFzBlzAgbnU8GG9pPUNRnUAkWNFKqYh-58wXmrgPZbg9Eww-_XkoBh_mcNbff7jBi37NI9JGSOkkih5nFGEXouJuhvEPGMbP03I6Tt9TQ4RINnQI3B3MOHvGHNwIwYc44Ded0BubqS9lDhLqzDC4vZXbnQUQnTe436_DxVBK6exjj_x_csfZox6XsiA/s4032/0F831AAE-7F5D-4028-9143-1DBC0BE9CD22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFzBlzAgbnU8GG9pPUNRnUAkWNFKqYh-58wXmrgPZbg9Eww-_XkoBh_mcNbff7jBi37NI9JGSOkkih5nFGEXouJuhvEPGMbP03I6Tt9TQ4RINnQI3B3MOHvGHNwIwYc44Ded0BubqS9lDhLqzDC4vZXbnQUQnTe436_DxVBK6exjj_x_csfZox6XsiA/s320/0F831AAE-7F5D-4028-9143-1DBC0BE9CD22.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">550 ton Obelisk from Karnak, Egypt</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4eYAWcLM-9PK17s_cf3RvATyRUx55uVwzq_IeI4PLHqTeIPjNmrZmQEb2PVziScTtfD8teEQsK7BCeGc1Ao9Sek773ZX06-jjdBsKE9TNpO6x3STYlXQktKWbj4V-x3VtZGi1DxQr-ZwGlDgQiRtNHYPlRCb7YltvhnjZF6eBdBwEPrCJMAVx6sjqA/s4032/35FB95C9-A008-428F-AE3B-2AB3A1277581.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4eYAWcLM-9PK17s_cf3RvATyRUx55uVwzq_IeI4PLHqTeIPjNmrZmQEb2PVziScTtfD8teEQsK7BCeGc1Ao9Sek773ZX06-jjdBsKE9TNpO6x3STYlXQktKWbj4V-x3VtZGi1DxQr-ZwGlDgQiRtNHYPlRCb7YltvhnjZF6eBdBwEPrCJMAVx6sjqA/s320/35FB95C9-A008-428F-AE3B-2AB3A1277581.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Inside the cistern</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskEZTYpZYtpXNf0oyBEJGzYVSU-iNbUHU8acK1ZiBmLVfSPhvn9mV4gXwUNgQjuJ3JmoGYZ2f96InqsP05fpsVZmsSWB5QvDsX8oMOMTHcT0BxdMg-oj0nKj-B8Dfis4b1P7-K3qGX1OAXtDvd8-HpPQw4ReKUZOE2YG8-mFhWbiXWqxTcGnJCAuskg/s4032/7057B19C-CB78-41AF-A384-3C4B4C9D5174.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskEZTYpZYtpXNf0oyBEJGzYVSU-iNbUHU8acK1ZiBmLVfSPhvn9mV4gXwUNgQjuJ3JmoGYZ2f96InqsP05fpsVZmsSWB5QvDsX8oMOMTHcT0BxdMg-oj0nKj-B8Dfis4b1P7-K3qGX1OAXtDvd8-HpPQw4ReKUZOE2YG8-mFhWbiXWqxTcGnJCAuskg/s320/7057B19C-CB78-41AF-A384-3C4B4C9D5174.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uUUkh57eXe2mr0hmVBI8N3kwfwpv-uMOFq-tR5I4mPEwUPmTjcnETEYcpXrYKYholyc85rBC2sjp_xZdQ3nx8F-rajdeJV3fdDYoR7RKa_Ge4HFIQXWyaGWJ2H-gz-VwWwTeOJ_Jqt2oa0a6NaGdGedyEQ23UV1kv-IHPrV6TW07DvYxftYnDtCd_w/s4032/40070F83-FBEF-4AED-A1F3-01E2A9FDDC81.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uUUkh57eXe2mr0hmVBI8N3kwfwpv-uMOFq-tR5I4mPEwUPmTjcnETEYcpXrYKYholyc85rBC2sjp_xZdQ3nx8F-rajdeJV3fdDYoR7RKa_Ge4HFIQXWyaGWJ2H-gz-VwWwTeOJ_Jqt2oa0a6NaGdGedyEQ23UV1kv-IHPrV6TW07DvYxftYnDtCd_w/s320/40070F83-FBEF-4AED-A1F3-01E2A9FDDC81.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Reused marble Medusa Head in Cistern</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After the cistern experience we stopped for lunch at “The Pudding Palace” which consisted of traditional Turkish food, simple but good. By the time lunch was over we were getting tired, but walked though the area where the hippodrome was and viewed the obelisks the Romans brought from Egypt 1500 years ago. By this time traffic was heavy, so we headed back to the ship to make sure we arrived before last call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005693768883367422.post-3270582639503133922022-09-22T13:35:00.000-07:002022-09-22T13:35:04.536-07:00Kusadasi and Ephesus<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Wednesday, September 21, 2022 - Kusadasi and Ephesus</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Seabourn Encore approached the dock in pre-dawn darkness, without even a sunrise due to clouds on the horizon. Our tours today included the Virgin Mary’s House, the ruins of Ephesus, rug weaving demonstrations and a private classical concert for Seabourn on Harbor Road in front of the Great Theater at Ephesus.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHVcFpjLUCaLd_ELUoBNc_Ee9QkUhJHwGZhulkBAiYu99Ij89wt-pLiiuVFepXEl_yBWa3W1uoJ9WIk76TVXWnxP39ZGYykBGjxv_JEatSEgQpBbw9EjljHWfjaUhb31RsFAxVkvwNqRiv6nZpWH3_EpRPzKL6IFhxAS0Em1XelzcBElc7zXwt5G-oQ/s4032/DE9DA87A-6B11-4BA7-B3A5-D5ED30D68729.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHVcFpjLUCaLd_ELUoBNc_Ee9QkUhJHwGZhulkBAiYu99Ij89wt-pLiiuVFepXEl_yBWa3W1uoJ9WIk76TVXWnxP39ZGYykBGjxv_JEatSEgQpBbw9EjljHWfjaUhb31RsFAxVkvwNqRiv6nZpWH3_EpRPzKL6IFhxAS0Em1XelzcBElc7zXwt5G-oQ/s320/DE9DA87A-6B11-4BA7-B3A5-D5ED30D68729.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Approaching Kusadasi at Dawn with the Turkish Fortress lit up</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Miriam and I were last here in 2008 as part of our Holland America transatlantic cruise. Since that time the Virgin Mary’s house has been declared a Unesco “World Heritage” site and much development has taken place around the actual house. The original ruins only went up a few feet above ground and the building that is now there is only 25% original and 75% reconstructed. The line is clearly visible. Like many of the sites, no photography is allowed inside the shrine.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-H7692-iCFX-i_QvP9iL3ic-f9agTUUPQi4oXNBMCbvZgIBI8nr6V0hk-R_NGlahOyG67_sjZa6_4XpaWtThautikq5Xx2dOB3ojtVxp7HM-Zz0EjRYj3urk5yj_Brjrw6iH_lcold2GHbyuLfY2HFDQRi5TixcZ5uvk7HwOGBm7jdJYKiEYC4TtQ/s4032/BD89F133-224B-45CD-BF87-FDE23A009B49.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-H7692-iCFX-i_QvP9iL3ic-f9agTUUPQi4oXNBMCbvZgIBI8nr6V0hk-R_NGlahOyG67_sjZa6_4XpaWtThautikq5Xx2dOB3ojtVxp7HM-Zz0EjRYj3urk5yj_Brjrw6iH_lcold2GHbyuLfY2HFDQRi5TixcZ5uvk7HwOGBm7jdJYKiEYC4TtQ/s320/BD89F133-224B-45CD-BF87-FDE23A009B49.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Entrance to St. Mary’s House</span></div><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After a short visit before most of the hoards of visitors arrived, we headed to the ruins at Ephesus. Not much has changed except the crowds were even larger. We walked down through the ruins to the Great Theater and Harbor Road, past the Celcus Library façade. We were able to discern carvings of the goddess’s Nike, Medusa and Artemis. The guide talked about how St Paul did not actually talk in the great Theater but rather in the Jewish Synagogue next to the library. In ancient times, Ephesus was a large and important seaport with as many as 250,000 residents, but earthquakes and filling of marshlands to combat malaria which covered the city under many feet of debris means the Harbor Road is now miles from the sea. The site is still only 10 percent excavated, but radar and lidar surveys show extensive ruins buried under the hillsides on both sides of the city.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rj6c2_8qkuyJhXu4C5-XhvVo1mtfekVECYb2TnnQhWAHmnLyDq-e7mf7QARaqgYqniPJRGHTw01oItQZIdtXglv_gQJVg9MVlPWwRHBdiWmYhXmbiJV1PYFCURpNX-Am3MmBhziYpYtwA0rBEH1-zMsBR3xSb5vrbD-9bwXhDA-Q71-meT8B9DLGTQ/s4032/46FB19B2-B6FD-48AC-99E3-D25297450A80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rj6c2_8qkuyJhXu4C5-XhvVo1mtfekVECYb2TnnQhWAHmnLyDq-e7mf7QARaqgYqniPJRGHTw01oItQZIdtXglv_gQJVg9MVlPWwRHBdiWmYhXmbiJV1PYFCURpNX-Am3MmBhziYpYtwA0rBEH1-zMsBR3xSb5vrbD-9bwXhDA-Q71-meT8B9DLGTQ/s320/46FB19B2-B6FD-48AC-99E3-D25297450A80.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Celcuk Library</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCNsyp-NNsMKzuxbdcnv9knwdUy5O3uqnU5G48rk8j0S69yGA8Nxn5rlo0g-kzST9lOMScrFOAEx5AHUtAHmwUv7uYfgjgaVwO29__Cu9u-d20QrvudcThuO6ry9FM_ydsrblm6JhFJq5J4yHlbfl-9uwQHAdtBcehV9yI6H7gAc4Htm_kKaTDZf07w/s4032/365BF8F1-E2D6-4FF9-B1E9-862A4868A223.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCNsyp-NNsMKzuxbdcnv9knwdUy5O3uqnU5G48rk8j0S69yGA8Nxn5rlo0g-kzST9lOMScrFOAEx5AHUtAHmwUv7uYfgjgaVwO29__Cu9u-d20QrvudcThuO6ry9FM_ydsrblm6JhFJq5J4yHlbfl-9uwQHAdtBcehV9yI6H7gAc4Htm_kKaTDZf07w/s320/365BF8F1-E2D6-4FF9-B1E9-862A4868A223.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Celcuk Library</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2LnxQLN2IOFMh_7e1gnGVjmztvzeFuyCkbBdWuFhXWSPA7x2D_okhEdmNZPw5dUylFKSMYFNvqHyFCRMKeAIxpfsc47gxfr9H8YxzIEyxJQW0R0Ty8mzMGJcfOB5gvetYxkhCrkYebuGRP-FGDtGeecXxMOMJeHYuno5lcuROu8XDIcY523bjt1bag/s4032/603E8679-1215-4DD1-96FF-F624C5ACC3C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2LnxQLN2IOFMh_7e1gnGVjmztvzeFuyCkbBdWuFhXWSPA7x2D_okhEdmNZPw5dUylFKSMYFNvqHyFCRMKeAIxpfsc47gxfr9H8YxzIEyxJQW0R0Ty8mzMGJcfOB5gvetYxkhCrkYebuGRP-FGDtGeecXxMOMJeHYuno5lcuROu8XDIcY523bjt1bag/s320/603E8679-1215-4DD1-96FF-F624C5ACC3C2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Harbor Road in Daytime</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrlPeGzr7bVCMqpWTRbjpLGvRYE-dhZyLDifOgJKdGC4clM_Gb7vhQNEjO03nZDZavLKYcfjp1lGduwBAOS45om-jFK2JQg5YrPJc2DRXeTxvFJ3iSiggW5XTSyioLjsRSkQP-W6T_vkiH44YnrZdr4pdmqmF2cEZ39lcUxLrfjp4696V-tFyJgBO8w/s4032/697A6442-0A5E-43AE-8348-408542987C54.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrlPeGzr7bVCMqpWTRbjpLGvRYE-dhZyLDifOgJKdGC4clM_Gb7vhQNEjO03nZDZavLKYcfjp1lGduwBAOS45om-jFK2JQg5YrPJc2DRXeTxvFJ3iSiggW5XTSyioLjsRSkQP-W6T_vkiH44YnrZdr4pdmqmF2cEZ39lcUxLrfjp4696V-tFyJgBO8w/s320/697A6442-0A5E-43AE-8348-408542987C54.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Starbucks Anyone?</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczHivwcM2bpcZdTd2Iz-1VWKuX-6hs-oyNkkjJ6E-WpLuOzHwhIXDdnyN62p6T18DiVoAqZSNBa4Nl6g017FWCK-7z3BpW2HpF7K3Vx2-8pRwOJ5EdAUwnKdrMCxrjdRq2j7kikzaKGAZ04teD-jlTJVg8xhG5YRsELbuThfZxnImIKxIlytRisaufg/s4032/7F02D2FC-0857-47F7-92C9-3A7A918AFEDE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczHivwcM2bpcZdTd2Iz-1VWKuX-6hs-oyNkkjJ6E-WpLuOzHwhIXDdnyN62p6T18DiVoAqZSNBa4Nl6g017FWCK-7z3BpW2HpF7K3Vx2-8pRwOJ5EdAUwnKdrMCxrjdRq2j7kikzaKGAZ04teD-jlTJVg8xhG5YRsELbuThfZxnImIKxIlytRisaufg/w314-h300/7F02D2FC-0857-47F7-92C9-3A7A918AFEDE.jpeg" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The goddess Nike, can you see the swoosh?</div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">Finishing our tour, we headed for a hand knotted silk rug weaving demonstration and sales pitch to buy rugs before we returned by foot through the Grand Bazaar to the ship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">After an early dinner, most of the passengers, including us, boarded buses starting at 6:40 to return to Ephesus and a private classical music concert in front of the Great Theater. Harbor Road has been walked by St. Paul, Mark Antony and Cleopatra and many other famous historical figures. Tonight it was lit up with candles and set with tables for us listen to the chamber orchestra as we sipped wine. To be in that setting walking that same road knowing the amount of history that preceded us was somewhat sobering and exciting at the same time. The distance into the concert setting was too far for Miriam to walk unaided, so the ship arranged a wheelchair transfer from the gangway to the concert and return.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFXDZVQfnSSTor7H7tbciyOUTL_kpWQ9M64yeRc-uFKBxhzAEZyfTnh0TyXTQ6DNXy6ADC9MM83PN20_OUDU0cvNKPCaLFeFeqh17cyEZOH9y9DOzqROUURm3VRyDpkv0Z25lLJA8X0PurCUGSuMBlOanZgKzuMi_OdOFCkv1k8Lz8GOQ_FGVbx7UUg/s4032/3EE81BB7-B472-4018-8674-70D2458DC5AE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFXDZVQfnSSTor7H7tbciyOUTL_kpWQ9M64yeRc-uFKBxhzAEZyfTnh0TyXTQ6DNXy6ADC9MM83PN20_OUDU0cvNKPCaLFeFeqh17cyEZOH9y9DOzqROUURm3VRyDpkv0Z25lLJA8X0PurCUGSuMBlOanZgKzuMi_OdOFCkv1k8Lz8GOQ_FGVbx7UUg/s320/3EE81BB7-B472-4018-8674-70D2458DC5AE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Harbor Road at night</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsduMCJHZO2Mrx9CRLOMBLtmnPdgbKqy7vPUtSskfCLFXuoI6BB9SMVAE6lhyFdDUao1Y9iuADN2s26cU_Qv2IPpuuj-Tc8k89a3AOhOf29KZeN_Oto5UTVcyLeM1ESbVo-AcT0KEnM9d_-iPCps7oN5DXH5raKUL7tc2TF2wIrRLGTuKcL0sCjjLaMw/s4032/4AD93C73-D63E-4D30-83C6-2F164DBAE459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsduMCJHZO2Mrx9CRLOMBLtmnPdgbKqy7vPUtSskfCLFXuoI6BB9SMVAE6lhyFdDUao1Y9iuADN2s26cU_Qv2IPpuuj-Tc8k89a3AOhOf29KZeN_Oto5UTVcyLeM1ESbVo-AcT0KEnM9d_-iPCps7oN5DXH5raKUL7tc2TF2wIrRLGTuKcL0sCjjLaMw/s320/4AD93C73-D63E-4D30-83C6-2F164DBAE459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our concert setting in front of the Great Theater</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfXUBEdVaAQIDDqkeWbTYFj-xd9WSEY2b8OZdUm1ufnwfUR05QpDpdjYVXO6J53o--amYUKmMLJGEHsSdilomC0XVQswIizw5B27qYhU4X7SjYZKASAG8eDoWOQkHEVb-VpE9B3tK3xQJakKZ2da32DqzXYswiHQe4Fyd7WW0skwqOR2EPFhmChQE3Q/s4032/24FBB37F-2770-4865-A87F-CE69481F8623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfXUBEdVaAQIDDqkeWbTYFj-xd9WSEY2b8OZdUm1ufnwfUR05QpDpdjYVXO6J53o--amYUKmMLJGEHsSdilomC0XVQswIizw5B27qYhU4X7SjYZKASAG8eDoWOQkHEVb-VpE9B3tK3xQJakKZ2da32DqzXYswiHQe4Fyd7WW0skwqOR2EPFhmChQE3Q/s320/24FBB37F-2770-4865-A87F-CE69481F8623.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The night lighting was spectacular</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDJICGsAVjsiMn3wbPHe_GvVZEd-Pu33FtK1QMnGnnQVOF63raSJbfSWwzfVu3OZYwdfhFz6wqeFpP55joSxKeJIYeAC0IcGXZxwLu7EUBQZkGNdJiH16Cj8mmqMHTyOcXklTl5Nk1Q8yypFufjQCnG8X63ChDq07i9sDojPPn7NE9r8-yyCXLalySw/s4032/28F4FE47-9445-4783-8E01-CC1FA498F49C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDJICGsAVjsiMn3wbPHe_GvVZEd-Pu33FtK1QMnGnnQVOF63raSJbfSWwzfVu3OZYwdfhFz6wqeFpP55joSxKeJIYeAC0IcGXZxwLu7EUBQZkGNdJiH16Cj8mmqMHTyOcXklTl5Nk1Q8yypFufjQCnG8X63ChDq07i9sDojPPn7NE9r8-yyCXLalySw/s320/28F4FE47-9445-4783-8E01-CC1FA498F49C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The concert venue on Harbor Road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienBemopzPSYXarL16Es_uMZo-bDs67q3Y9Jg-jpGQL90s0bdjV-vZg2vguSNmyWsUl6yDFVCnzqrZQ6YiQNrcq3SJZssK0aotkMAFl4gr_OlmgODxHtndH-3S8M0LdDpucccPwYiAKOoHPhKhNDLt9DibpmgWHwpia4Jcz_iWuHRLybkESMnuBXvS6A/s4032/4FE77CF4-8F2E-4B0A-A2FB-75121921E265.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienBemopzPSYXarL16Es_uMZo-bDs67q3Y9Jg-jpGQL90s0bdjV-vZg2vguSNmyWsUl6yDFVCnzqrZQ6YiQNrcq3SJZssK0aotkMAFl4gr_OlmgODxHtndH-3S8M0LdDpucccPwYiAKOoHPhKhNDLt9DibpmgWHwpia4Jcz_iWuHRLybkESMnuBXvS6A/s320/4FE77CF4-8F2E-4B0A-A2FB-75121921E265.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Miriam and Patrick at the evening concert at Ephesus</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">The evening was stunning with the setting and the lights, something not to be missed. Returning to the ship, the ship’s wheelchair was delivered to the wrong port entrance so Miriam walked all the way from the port entrance to the ship, where much of the crew were on hand dockside, singing and dancing to welcome the passengers back from the concert and to join the dance in progress on the pool deck.<o:p></o:p></p>Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12358265359707029688noreply@blogger.com0