Mon 3 December 2012
I was up early (3.30am) as I didn't want to sleep in and be
late for our driver, so I spent 4 hours doing emails blogs and playing free
cell and having many black coffees.
We were picked up from the condo at 8.30 am instead of 9 am
and had a fantastic 2 hour drive from Santiago through the wine growing regions
to the port city of Valparaiso. Arriving so early we were the first to check
in. Then had time to have a coffee before the shuttle service began operating
to take us from the cruise terminal out through the port area to the ship.
This is my first time on the Ms Veendam and may I say my
initial impressions are great. Wayne and I after putting our hand luggage in
our cabins went to the dining room for the Mariners lunch. After lunch it was
back to the cabin to unpack before the lifeboat drill. I am very happy with my
mid ship Ocean View cabin on deck 5.
Some passengers are total idiots and made complete fools of
themselves by arriving late and then holding up the compulsory life boat drill.
Some didn't turn up at all and they had to do another drill for them and if
they don’t turn up for that one, they will be escorted off the ship at the next
port. Some idiots think they are above
having to do the drill and they talk and carry on and that makes it hard for
the guys trying to run the drill.
I met Wayne up at the Crows Nest after the drill and this
bar is much different in fit out to the Volendam or the Amsterdam, but is very
nice. We claimed our barstools for the trip, became friends with the bar staff,
met Dolores the assistant bar manager who promised to look after us.
I was turning around on the bar stool and the seat came off
the stand, how embarrassing!! They had to put a cover over it and a sign. So there
is now the broken stool between Wayne’s and my bar stool.
After a drink Kelsey the Cruise Director came in and after
seeing me she greeted me with “Sir Pat so good to see you again” and a big
cuddle. She was surprised to see Wayne and me so soon after leaving the
Volendam. Kelsey was the assistant Cruise Director on our last Volendam Cruise
in October. She bought us a few drinks which were greatly appreciated. Some of
the staff I had met on other ships in the past and others knew of me because of
the kangaroo BBQs I have had in Cairns.
We had got off to a beaut start. We decided to have an early
night because of the long day so I just had a Caesar salad by room service and
was asleep by 9 pm. As always I had a fantastic 9 and a half hours sleep.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
After a great night sleep I went up o the Lido to have some
brekkie about 7.15 am. I got the shock of my life when I say Wayne walk in
about 7.30am. As anyone who has been on a ship with Wayne knows he is not a
before lunch time person. Anyway he also had a good sleep. I left Wayne just
before 8 am to attend the Tai Chi class in the Crows Nest.
I had an easy morning exploring the ship and caught up with
Wayne for a light lunch on the Lido deck. It is a perfect sunny day with folk
of all shapes and sizes sunning themselves around the pool. A guy was singing
and playing the guitar.
I went back to the cabin and updated the blog and then went
up to the Crows nest for happy hour. I gave out the Koalas to the staff which
made then happy. I had to speak to Dolores about the price of Wayne’s drinks
and she was pleased to include them in the happy hour prices. So that was a
relief to him.
We met up at the at the Ocean bar at seven pm for their
happy hour before we went to dinner. We met a few yanks that were a few laughs
and they went off to the show and we went to dinner.
We died of old age before we saw a wine waiter and at last
we ordered a package during the main course. Then the waiter charged us the most
expensive package. I guess sh#t happens. It was good wine so we didn’t complain
too much. But not the service I would expect from Hal. Anyway I had another early
night and was in bed by 10.00pm.
Wed 5 December 2012
Wow, I had another 9 and a half hours sleep last night and
woke up at 7.30 am feeling very relaxed. The ship was already anchored off the
coast from the town of Puerto Montt, Chile when I woke. As it was a tender port
we had planned to meet up at 10 am to go ashore so I had heaps of time to get
ready.
Wayne phoned me to say he was not feeling the best and was
not going to go ashore. We met up and had a light brekkie in the Lido.
I went ashore and walked the mile or so into the town centre.
The day was overcast cold and a bit windy so everyone was well and truly rugged
up. The town was a market town and very much undeveloped compared with
Santiago. The town reminded me of some of the market towns of Viet Nam and
parts of Asia.
It was good to be
able to go for a walk and stretch the legs.
I was back on board by 1 pm so went to lunch in the Lido
with Wayne and then down to the cabin for a nanna nap before Happy hour.
When I went up to Happy hour in the Crows Nest it was packed
as there was a sail-a-way wine and cheese party also being held and because
folk were issued free lucky door tickets for bottles of wine, even the non
drinkers were there.
Naturally our bar stools were taken so the great Sir Pat had
to stand in the crowd. When Dolores saw me she quickly organised for my drink
to be delivered. This gesture was greatly appreciated. She then introduced me
to Mark the Bar Manager. Mark is an Aussie and Peder from the Volendam had also
sent him a note to catch up with me. We are going to have a few drinks with him
when he settles in, as today is his first day on duty.
After the lucky door prizes were drawn the bar emptied very
quickly so Wayne and I had been able to claim a couple of bar stools. As usual
the bar service was excellent and we were looked after. Kelsey the cruise
director came along and shouted us a drink and invited us to go to dinner with
her in a few nights time in the Pinnacle Grill.
After getting ready for dinner we went to the Ocean Bar for
pre dinner drinks and got a royal welcome from the staff. Anyone would think we
are the only ones they can have a joke with. I guess it takes some folk a few
days to relax. Then it was off to dinner.
We were met at the door by Anton (The Cellar-master) and when he saw where we were seated he
presented us with a very nice bottle of red with the ships complements to make
up for the slow wine service the previous evening. (Wonder how he found out
about that?) We had excellent service and the food waiter knew me from the
Prinsendam last year.
Kelsey bought us a night cap in the Ocean Bar after dinner
and I was in bed by 11pm.
Thursday 6 Dec 2012
When I awoke we were sailing up the beautiful Fiordo Aisen
to the port town of Puerto Chacabuco. The snow caps were specular in the early
morning sunshine.
It’s a bit cold here for this boy from Tropical Cairns so I am well and truly rugged with warm clothes.
It’s a bit cold here for this boy from Tropical Cairns so I am well and truly rugged with warm clothes.
It was a tender transfer to the port and an old shuttle bus
took us out of the port area to the little town. It was raining for the first
few minutes after our arrival but then fined up. Not much there to see so we
just walked around. The most action we saw was a couple of street dogs chasing
cars and trying to bite the tyres of passing traffic. Oh Yes, we had to watch
where we walked because of the dog poo on the footpaths.
We couldn’t find any Wi-Fi in the little town.
When I went into the Lido for lunch a couple of the waiters
greeted me as they had met me before on the Prinsendam. So all up, I think
there is about 8 staff I have met again from the Prinsendam to date. So we were
spoilt by the lads as they would get us our food and iced tea, instead of
having to go up to the servery ourselves. Hell, anyone would think I like
getting heaps of attention!! (They would be right. LOL.)
I took the usual nanna nap after lunch before going up to
the Crows Nest for happy hour.
The sail away was fantastic and it will take the ship 6
hours to get out of the Fjord and into the Pacific Ocean. It is like a huge rugged Milford Sound with
snow capped mountains.
Tonight was a beaut dinner in the dining room and the
service was excellent. After a night cap I was in bed by 10.30 pm.
Friday 7 Dec 2012
It’s a very rainy cold and windy day as we continue down the
coast of Chile. I went up to Brekkie in the Lido about 7.30am and was looked
after by the guys. Not many had got up this early so I was able to hold court
and joke with the waiters.
I had an easy morning and met up with Wayne for coffee in
the mid morning and we planned we would catch up for Dining room lunch today.
We were seated with some nice folk from the States and had great conversations.
Can you guess what I did after lunch? That’s correct I had a
nanna nap before going up to the Crows Nest for Happy Hour.
What fantastic scenery we witnessed from the height of the
Crows Nest as we sailed down along this rugged coastline.
I called it a night just after 11 pm as we had to be up
early to see the Brujo Glacier.
Sat 8 December 2012
I was up on deck in the rain and freezing cold wind. The
views were well worth the discomfort of the rain. It was just a shame there was
not a bit more sunshine to show up the contrasts of colours of the Glacier.
Lets hope we strike it lucky on the return voyage.
At 11 am the ship entered the Sarmiento Channel but as the
rain and wind had not cleared I did not go out on deck.
Tonight we enter the Strait of Magellan. The Strait is a
navigable sea route immediately south of the mainland of South America and
north of Tierra del Fuego. This waterway is the most important natural passage
between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, but is considered a difficult route to
navigate because of the unpredictable winds and currents and the narrowness of
the passage. The strait is 570 km long and 2km wide at its narrowest point.
Sun 9 Dec 2012
Well what a contrast in the weather to the previous days as
it was clear skies and sunny. OMG the wind was gusting up to 50 knots and it
was so very cold, well for me as the max temp only got up to 7C.
We got a cab into town after we were nearly blown off the
dock. One bloke had his glasses blown of his head, he chased them and caught up
with them just before they were going over the side of the wharf and into the
drink.
What a beaut town is Punta Arenas so very clean and tidy
even though it was extremely windy. The cab dropped us off at the town square
where Sunday markets were set up. The prices were so cheep and I bought a pair
of leather gloves along with other souvenirs including a shot glass for my shot
glass collector mate.
After the past two ports it was beaut to visit this town
that made us felt so welcome. Even though it was Sunday and most shops were
closed until noon in this very Catholic town we found a fantastic coffee shop
and had an Irish coffee to warm up. They had free wifi which was a bonus.
We did some shopping in a big department store and got some great bargains. Clothing is so cheep here and of very good quality.
We did some shopping in a big department store and got some great bargains. Clothing is so cheep here and of very good quality.
We called into the Cathedral and the bishop was up in the pulpit
giving an animated sermon in Spanish so we didn't get his message.
The military put on a parade and marched down the main
street with their playing great marching tunes.
We went back to the town square and caught a cab back to the
ship where we had a late lunch.
The Captain wrote us a letter and made an announcement that
we were not going to call in to Ushuaia Argentina tomorrow because of the
troubles between Argentina and the UK over the Falkland Islands. Demonstrations
were planned to prevent the ship from entering or leaving the port.
OMG that set the cat
among the pigeons with some of the idiot passengers but I agree with the
Captain and the safety of the ship and all aboard must come first. I think many of the passengers are not
regular sailors as they don’t seem to like sea days.
We all got shouted a glass of wine as a gesture of goodwill
by the Captain with our dinner.
Our friend Kelsey told us she had gone for a run whilst in
port and as she is a very slim and fit young lady I asked how she was able to
stay on the ground in the gusty windy conditions.
She laughed and said it was with some difficulty.
She laughed and said it was with some difficulty.
Monday 10 Dec 2012
We did scenic cruising past many glaciers as we headed
towards Cape Horn. The weather has returned to freezing rain and windy so it
was very much a matter of rugging up to go out on the deck to take photos.
I met some other Aussies in the Lido at brekkie time and
they are also doing the back to back cruises like Wayne and I.
The sun did try to shine in the late morning and improved in
the afternoon. The scenic cruising was fantastic with the rugged coastline,
glaciers and islands giving us diverse views. Sometimes you could think you
were in Alaska, other times Tasmania, Kiwiland or the Whitsunday Islands.
I was invited to the Old world v the New world wine tasting
conducted by Anton the Cellarmaster after lunch. Anton did an excellent job and
as there were only a small group he was able to spend more time giving us a
detailed insight into the wine industry. I must say I think he gave the best
presentation I have been to on a ship to date.
We were joined by another Aussie couple Keith & Judy for dinner and we
were allocated upstairs dining room seats near the window so that was great for
when we rounded Cape Horn at 9 pm.
I did not know before Cape Horn is an island and we
circumnavigated it to get the maximum views available. The seas were very calm
which was fantastic and a bit unusual for this area. So that’s another tick off
on the bucket list.
Cape Horn is situated on Islas Hornos, a rocky island 422 meters high, 7.41km long and 3.7km wide and is on latitude 55 degrees 59 S.
Cape Horn is situated on Islas Hornos, a rocky island 422 meters high, 7.41km long and 3.7km wide and is on latitude 55 degrees 59 S.
The Metre de met me as I was leaving the dining room and
gave me an invitation to have dinner with Captain Peter Bos tomorrow evening.
It is just on 12 months ago when I last had dinner with him on the NZ Christmas
cruise last year.
When we get into a port and I can get some cheap Wi-Fi I
plan to get the blog updated with the photos.
I had a night cap in the Ocean Bar with Mark the Bar Manager
and was in bed by just after midnight.
Tuesday 11 Dec 2012
Because of another sleep in until 9 am, I had a late brekkie
in the Lido. I caught up with Wayne and we went to catch up with emails on the
internet.
As this is another
sea day it is a very relaxing day. I called in to make my first visit to Mr
Casino on this cruise and made a small donation. I had a late light lunch on
the Lido deck with Wayne before going down for a nanna nap. The seas are
exceptionally calm for this part of the world and it is a sunny day so the overweight
beached whales were out sunning themselves around the pool on the Lido deck.
It’s too cold for this kid.
At 5.45pm I joined the Capt. Peter Bos, Amber the Events
Manager and 7 other 4 Star Mariners for cocktails and then we were escorted to
dinner. What a great host Capt. Peter was and the conversations from this very
diverse but well traveled group were extremely interesting and most
enjoyable. Amber played the role of the
perfect hostess and kept the conversation flowing.
The meal was escargot, caesar salad, a tomato vegetable
soup and a choice of lamb chops or the surf and turf (lobster and steak). Oh
the dessert was to die for.
Our friend Anton the Cellar master selected a very good
white and red wine to go with the meal. As most of us had been to one of
Anton’s wine tastings we spontaneously told the Capt. what a great job Anton
was doing with his very interesting and informative presentations.
After dinner I went to the Ocean Bar for a night cap and had
an early night by being in bed by 11.15pm.
Wed 12/12/12
I awoke early and was up having coffee and brekkie in the quiet
Lido before the sleepy head rush arrived. The day has dawned a perfect postcard
calm day as we cruise up the east coast of Argentina. It is another sea day
today.
I called to say G’day
to Kelsey and to let her know what a great job Amber had done at the dinner
last night.
Thurs. 13 Dec 2012
I awoke to find the ship already along side the wharf at
Puerto Madryn and it was another clear cloudless day however it was beautiful
and warm with the temp in the mid 20’sC.
Again we were impressed with this clean and tidy coastal city. We walked around exploring the sights and found a market in a park that was selling mainly jewellery and leather goods.
Again we were impressed with this clean and tidy coastal city. We walked around exploring the sights and found a market in a park that was selling mainly jewellery and leather goods.
Wayne and I then went
to a beaut little coffee shop and I took advantage of their very slow internet.
It was so slow that I was unable to download a photograph of Cape Horn.
As we will be also calling in to this port on our next leg
to Antarctica we got some tourist info about the local day trips for our next
visit.
As this was only a short visit we walked back to the ship
along the very long wharf. We were impressed with how clear the water was. It
was great not to be wearing a jacket and I was wishing I was in shorts.
After lunch I had a 2 hour nanna nap and even missed the
sail away at 3 pm. The views of the coastline were great from the Crows Nest
when I got up there for Happy Hour. Kelsey ran her trivia up there later than
usual at 4.30pm so 2 Austrian ladies
and a young Yankee bloke joined forces with Wayne and I, we called ourselves
‘the bar team’. We did well and gained 10 points and the winning team got
11points.
We joined 3 Americans for dinner and were last to leave the
dining room. Boy oh boy did we have some laughs.
We finished off the evening with a night cap at the Ocean
bar. As the Officers Black and White ball was on Wayne and one of our lady
table mates went in for a dance.
Fri 14 Dec 2012
I slept in until 9.30am and just made it up for a light
brekkie in the Lido. I then had to go down to get ready for the cocktails with
the Captain before the Mariner’s brunch.
I have been meaning to mention this is the cruise of the
bath robes as the South Americans wear them all the time around the decks and
in the Lido. At least they are covering up. I have never seen this in these
numbers on a ship before. I do object to them eating in the Lido with them on.
After lunch I went back to bed and slept for 3 hours. The
Happy hour at the Crows Nest was a bit quiet so we only had 1 drink there as we
had been invited to a suite party by our Yankee table mates from last night. It
was a fun time with heaps of laughs.
I did dinner with Aussies Keith and Judy while Wayne went to
dinner with the Yanks.
The boys in the Ocean Bay presented me with a car made from
Champaign bottle top wires. I made it an early night and was in bed by 11.30pm.
Sat 15 Dec 2012
Our arrival in Montevideo Uruguay was a bit late because we
had to drop speed because of the shallow water as there was only 11 feet UKC
(Under Keel Clearance). As you all know
if we were to retain the normal speed of 22 knots with that UKC the ship
would have shuddered and shaked and nobody would have had a good nights sleep.
I told you before my friend Capt. Peter is very considerate of my comfort.
Oh what a great city Montevideo is to see and explore. Wayne and I walked out of the port area
crossed a road and got on to the new Hop On Hop Off bus service that was in its
3 day of operation. Wow for only $20 we were given a 2 and a quarter hour tour
around the city. What great value it was and as it was new we were a bit of a
tourist attraction with the locals as they were waving, clapping and cheering
as we went by.
It was a perfect sunny day with a temp of 32C and low
humidity. The city is a city of contrasts with very clean modern areas to old
world areas and then derelict poor untidy areas. There is so much history here
and in some ways I thought the city was more Europeanist than some of the
European cities. I am pleased we will be
back on the return trip and it will be Christmas Day.
She souvenir shopping at the market near the port was very
cheep and plentiful in art, leather. goods and jewellery.
We came back on board for a very late lunch and got ready
for a well deserved Happy Hour.
Tomorrow we will be in Buenos Aires so I will be in Evita
heaven.
Sun 16 Dec 2012
Oh Evita what have you done? Stop the crying.
We arrived with a thunder storm and the rain kept up most of
the day. Wayne and I caught a shuttle down town mid morning but by late morning
we had to return to the ship soaking wet. As it is Sunday most of the shops
were closed and there was not much shelter from the rain.
We came back to the ship dried off and had lunch and as it
was still raining I went and had a nanna nap. Oh I so wanted to see and
experience Buenos Aires.
Late afternoon at sunset the rain had left and it should be
an improvement for tomorrow. We will have until 12 noon to hopefully get out
and see the city.
We did the Happy hours and had dinner before an early night
so we would fit and well for tomorrow.
Monday 17 December 2012
Oh Santa Evita you have worked your magic, the day dawned
cloudy with periods of sunshine, and as the ship was now scheduled to depart
the port at 12 noon we got off to have a look around
.
.
As we are in a cargo port we have to be transported to the
terminal by a shuttle bus. Then it meant getting another shuttle bus to
downtown which we stood in line for 40 minutes until we could get on one. Anyway we got downtown but the majority of
shops didn’t open until 10 am which gave us about 35 minutes to have a good
look around. I only had to get some bathroom items so once we found a chemist I
was happy. Wayne purchased a good looking lightweight leather coat.
As we had to be back on board by 12 noon we caught the
shuttle from downtown at 11.am as we were worried about the line ups and the
idiots that just barge in and jump the que. So we were back on board by 11.35
and went up to have a Bloody Mary and some lunch. At 12 .30 the Captain sounded
most frustrated and announced the authorities were holding the ship until 8 pm
before we could depart this evening. He also gave us permission to go ashore
again but to be back on board by 5 pm in case they would let him leave earlier.
Wayne and I walked back to some markets near the central
railway station. Well it was fun being with the poor folk as they tried to make
a buck flogging Chinese made junk. The back streets are so dirty and littered
with rubbish.
The main roads were so wide, some are 14 lanes across. This was a complete contrast to the downtown part of the city we has visited previously. At least we will return on Christmas Eve and hopefully we can do the Hop on Hop off bus tour then.
The main roads were so wide, some are 14 lanes across. This was a complete contrast to the downtown part of the city we has visited previously. At least we will return on Christmas Eve and hopefully we can do the Hop on Hop off bus tour then.
We made it back to the ship for Happy hour in the Crows
Nest. The folks were very happy with the improved weather and the extended time
in Buenos Aries.
We joined the Austrian ladies again for trivia at the bar,
today we got a score of 7 the winning team had 13, so we don’t seem to be the
brightest lights on the Christmas tree. We are the nosiest and fun team. Bob oh
boy some of these old farts take the game so serious and give us the occasional
dirty look. Kelsey said she enjoys hosting the game when the Aussies are
playing because of the laughter and fun.
We were invited to a suite pre dinner wine party by out Yankee
friends to try some of their Uruguay wine purchases.
We then called in to the Ocean bar for a pre dinner drink
(as if we needed it) then off to dinner. After dinner we agreed it would be
good to have another early night. Yep, that’s right; the best laid plans went
out the port hole. We ended up in the Ocean Bar for a late night and on the way
down to my cabin Mr Casino beckoned me to call in and took advantage of my
condition by taking my money.
Over all it was a perfect day and I’m pleased in a way, the
Authorities held the ship up as we were able so spend more time in BA. I know
this situation was frustrating for the Captain and I congratulate him for his
cool and professional way he managed the authorities.
Tuesday 18 Dec 2012
I slept in until 10.40 am as we lost an hour last night with
a time zone change. Today is a sea day and the there is a bit of a swell in the
ocean. The stabilisers are out but even though the sea looks calm the swell is
causing a lot of movement towards the port side.
We met up with the Austrian ladies at the ‘sea day’ time for
trivia of 3pm in the Crows Nest. All the serious players were there and we only
got 5 today and the winning team got 13. We stayed on for happy hour and had a
heap of laughs.
It was a formal night tonight and went to dinner with the 2
Austrian ladies. As usual we were last to leave the dining room.
Wed 19 Dec 2012
I got some great news today and that is I was upgraded and
able to remain in the same cabin for the back to back 21 days cruise, so I did
not have to pack up and move. I think most of you know how much I hate packing.
Today was another sea day so it was spent socialising with
our friends that were getting off tomorrow. Our Yankee friends Clara, Kay and
Jim invited us up to their suite to help them drink some expensive Argentinean reds
before dinner as they could not take them home. We being good Aussies were only
too pleased to help them out.
I think Wayne and I
just might have had a little too many drinkies as everyone at the Ocean Bar
wanted to buy us a drink. Anyhow we soldiered on until the wee hours. (Only
about 6 of us are doing the back to back cruise, this will mean we will have to
break in a whole ship load of new folk.)
Thursday 20 Dec 2012
I assure you it was very much an iced water and Panadol day
for the first part of the day. I was not sparking on all fours at all.
Because of the delaying tactics of the Argentinean Authorities we arrived in Rio De Janeiro late afternoon. The scenic cruising as
we approached the city was spectacular with the beach resorts of Copacabana and
Ipanema, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain.
The over zealous Brazilian Health and Immigration officials
held up the clearance of the ship and delayed the passengers for departure.
Wayne and I went
ashore for a look around the downtown area near the port after the ships
clearance. We were very disappointed
with the filth and garbage and the foul smells of the city streets. We found a
small bar and had a local beer before returning to the ship.
Wayne’s cousin in law Doug joined the ship and we caught up
with him after our dinner. We called it an early night and I was in bed by
9.30pm. (Thank God, Doug is not a drinker.)
Fri 21 Dec 2012
We met up with and had brekkie in the dinning room as the
Lido was bedlam with all the ‘new folk’ not knowing what to do and as usual
self service is not available for the first 48 hours. The over zealous
Brazilian officials would not allow the ship to serve any fresh fruit or
veggies. I really wonder if they want
tourists to visit. They better get their act together before the World Cup or
the Olympics.
We joined a Canadian couple and took a mini van out to the
beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and had a wonder around. Because of the
traffic problems there was no time to visit Cristo Redentor or the Sugar Loaf
but we saw them from the distance. He beaches are fantastic and were very
popular.
I enjoyed the venues today and were of total contrast to the
down town areas we saw yesterday.
The ship departed the city just after 2pm for the next part
of the 21 day cruise.
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