Most folks reading this blog know about cruising. But a Grand Cruise is a totally different and unique experience. There are the usual activities you would find in a daily program. This ship has pickleball too as do lots of other cruise lines. We have presentation experts depending on where we are in the world. When we miss ports the Captain tries to add things in to make it less disappointing like an hour of free drinks or some other special activity. We have happy hours at two locations every day which are two for one drinks!! There are gala themed nights and typically they serve foods that are particular to the region or country we are in. Then we also have a water colors instructor, a bridge instructor, mahjong, craft person, writing instructor and dance instructors!! So it’s not a typical two week cruise. Then there are pillow gifts given out along the way. I have posted some of them. Often times you get special invitations to dine with the Captain or several of the officers. You may be invited to a complimentary wine tasting. You just never know what to expect. Compared to our Grand Africa Cruise this has far surpassed that experience in many ways.
We now begin to pass through the Chilean fjords and the weather is about 53 degrees and partly cloudy. This is one of the least populated areas.
It’s a very natural area and the most important route for travel to Antartica. It is the Heart of Patagonia. Here Sheep are the main economic income for the people and also the heart of Patagonia. Sheep outnumber people here 7-1.
Most of the land mass is unsuitable for humans but perfect for the sheep.
Prat Pier where we dock is downtown and favorable for disembarking. It’s a very compact district where the Plaza markets display wool products.
In the late 1800’s a Latin born Chilean merchant built a business empire and a historical monument was established for him in 1981. He took control of import trading and naval shipping He established the sheep farming too. He is also known for his many charitable endeavors. Wealth and power from this area come from the sheep farmers. There is a special whiskey made here that was taken with Shackleton on the ship Endurance!! The most southern beer in the world is made here and has been for over 110 years. One of the main attractions in the area are the Cypress trees. The area is ranked as having one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world! There is a large artistic rendering that is 100 ft long of life size statues with the shepherd and his sheep.
Our dock close to the colorful town
Another Grand experience is an afternoon when the paste chefs prepare over 20 different cakes for sampling!!! The lines were clear out to the Lido pool!!
Another unexpected pleasure was the invitation to have dinner with the hotel manager and his assistant and two other couples. The wine flowed freely and it was just a fun enjoyable evening full of good stories and laughter.
And our own personal name tags!
And then the magic!!! We begin to see glaciers!! The dress becomes layered with hats, gloves, scarves, socks and long puffy coats!
It’s like a fantasy land and unbelievable. Your eyes are so tired from just the viewing. I just was unprepared for the fantastic surreal scenery.
Sea ice was floating around and of course we take on various sea pilots to help us navigate our way. For every foot of iceberg you see above the water there is 80 % more below!!!
Folks begin to seek out Dan to help identify the birds we are seeing.
And we have guest speakers providing the harrowing and horrific story of Shackleton and his crew on the Endurance. More to come on this….
From Castro we have come 1040 miles and you can see how far down we are in Chile and all the waterways and islands that make up this part of the world.
And we come through the Straight of Magellan. Something we have only read about and really never quite fully taken in.
The scenery becomes majestic and the seas calm. The reflections are like a painting.
And here a photo of the shepherd and his sheep. The heart of Patagonia.
Every city has their plaza where they pay tribute to those who sacrificed to fight for the rights of the people.
This palace is under repair and closed. We heard that there is a bar inside called Shackletons Bar just as it was over 100 years ago. We so wanted to go there but it was all closed for much needed repairs.
The original bar.
And I tried one of the beers from the oldest beer brewing plant in this area. Quite good!
The life size monument of the sheep herder and his sheep
The Isla of Magdalena where there are many penguins these being the Chin Strap but too far for us to get to. There is a national monument here since 1982 for one of the largest penguin colonies.
Our two guest speakers and a bit about them. They were from New Zealand and their wealth of knowledge about Antartica, Shackleton, all the polar bases and the science behind the region was astounding.
One of the sunken vessels from many years back that tried to make it to Antarctica preserved by the very cold waters and temperatures.
Our ship ported beside an exploration cruise ship for Antarctic tourists. Their trips for 23 days can be as much as $40,000 per person!!
What we see when we get off the ship by the terminal noting Magellan!
Information about where we are.
All along the streets are benches and they are sagging and well used . Folks get outside on a good day but it is still chilly.
And I love crazy advertising!!! Folks get so creative and I think this duo brought in a lot of customers!
More interesting architecture as we walked the streets. We had no tours here just walking
The old dog resting at the foot of the monument.
Those that struggled, had hope, had no hope and finally gained independence
Several large city parks but spring is just coming here
The Sara Braun Palace which is being updated that has the Shackleton bar
I loved this plaque about all the letters that were mailed from this post office in 1904 announcing that his ship The Discovery had sailed from England in 1901 and was returning safely from its expedition to Antartica!!!
This is close to the plaque and the old post office is now more of an artistic venue.
1 comment:
Another amazing stop! The Shackleton bar would have been cool to see. Too bad it was under construction. Also interesting on the exploration ship. Just goes to show how many incredible places there are in this world.
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