At sea
April 9th, Port Stanley, Falklands, next up Punta Arenas, Chile, then around the horn and Ushuaia.
As we left Montevideo, the Captain let us know that the weather was good enough to get us to the Falklands instead of Puerto Madrynn, about half way down the Argentine coast. Two days at sea, and we anchored sometime before dawn this morning. Sadly, Port Stanley thought the cruising season was done. There were few shore excursions and they filled up quickly. We tendered over to the pier, and walked a few blocks in the cold wind, stopped at a small bar for ale and beer. No food, the barmaid was alone, so we went back to the ship, leaving the wildlife unobserved.
Montevideo was a surprise, in that it felt calm and modern. We signed up for a city tour that ended with lunch at a winery (quel suprize!). Our guide emphasized more than once, that Uruguay has a mild climate, stable government, affordable housing, and that it is an excellent place to retire. It was clear that she didn't appreciate the current government, but that by voting it could be changed. Everyone is required to vote, and they have been managing this way since 1817.
Shipboard life is somewhat odd. The stateroom is a small hotel room, with a couch, desk, and plenty of storage. This is a large, but not huge, ship; there are five restaurants (two of them cost more per meal than we've already paid), seven bars, two theaters, two pools, a casino, shops for jewelry, spirits, photos and fine art, an expensive spa, a fitness room, a library, a café for my cafe latte. Activities are scheduled from 7am to midnight. And of course, the majority of passengers are,um, older. Like us. Most of them seem to have taken several cruises already, and they come from all over the world.
Interwebz is expensive, JL has been posting pictures to facebook.
As we left Montevideo, the Captain let us know that the weather was good enough to get us to the Falklands instead of Puerto Madrynn, about half way down the Argentine coast. Two days at sea, and we anchored sometime before dawn this morning. Sadly, Port Stanley thought the cruising season was done. There were few shore excursions and they filled up quickly. We tendered over to the pier, and walked a few blocks in the cold wind, stopped at a small bar for ale and beer. No food, the barmaid was alone, so we went back to the ship, leaving the wildlife unobserved.
Montevideo was a surprise, in that it felt calm and modern. We signed up for a city tour that ended with lunch at a winery (quel suprize!). Our guide emphasized more than once, that Uruguay has a mild climate, stable government, affordable housing, and that it is an excellent place to retire. It was clear that she didn't appreciate the current government, but that by voting it could be changed. Everyone is required to vote, and they have been managing this way since 1817.
Shipboard life is somewhat odd. The stateroom is a small hotel room, with a couch, desk, and plenty of storage. This is a large, but not huge, ship; there are five restaurants (two of them cost more per meal than we've already paid), seven bars, two theaters, two pools, a casino, shops for jewelry, spirits, photos and fine art, an expensive spa, a fitness room, a library, a café for my cafe latte. Activities are scheduled from 7am to midnight. And of course, the majority of passengers are,um, older. Like us. Most of them seem to have taken several cruises already, and they come from all over the world.
Interwebz is expensive, JL has been posting pictures to facebook.