I am sitting here in a Starbucks in Lima, Peru with Jerry and our private guide. We are making phone calls with our Magic Jack and sending emails to family members. We have had a very busy day sightseeing in this city of 9 million people. There is a Chinatown, an old part, a new part, a central market and so much more. We are now in the section of Miraflores, a beautiful beachside town where the rich folks hang out. This morning we saw the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. It was quite impressive. Our private guide, Monica, is fabulous. We are doing the whole thing in Spanish in order to practice of language skills and we are doing really well.
Docking this morning was very interesting. We were met in the harbor by five health department officials who had to clear the ship of swine flu, which they did after an hour's delay. The pier was filled with local and international media of all kinds, all wearing masks and making a big to-do for the television cameras. Look for me on CNN! What a big fuss! I think this will be the last ship in this port for the season.
Lima has a lot to see and it's hard to do in one day but I think we have done all the highlights, including going into the catacombs of the main cathedral where there are thousands of bones of dead people. This was the only burial place here in Lima for hundreds of years because of the many earthquakes this area is prone to have. You can imagine how wonderful it was to know about those earthquakes while underground in a church with all those dead people!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Valparaiso, Chile and Beyond
Valparaiso, Chile
We left our luxurious hotel overlooking the Pacific on a cold, grey day and headed for the port of Valparaiso which was about a ten-minute car ride. We finally caught a glimpse of the ship through the fog and were anxious to board. The boarding process took all of five minutes and we found our cabin on deck 8. Because we don’t have a balcony this cabin is huge and we are not falling all over each other as we usually do.
We dumped the stuff we had with us and headed for the town. Valparaiso is a commercial fishing port and financial center. There is really nothing to see there except containers and fishermen. We went to the central square where there was something that looked amazingly like a gypsy festival, so we held on to our wallets and headed back to the ship. This involved a round-trip on the local metro which was spotlessly clean and very safe.
Back on the ship it was time to explore the layout and the buffet. Our luggage was there when we got back to the cabin so we were able to unpack and relax before dinner. We found Ruth and Bert without any problem and we have been laughing with them ever since. There are eight of us at the table and the conversation is quite varied, all the way from investing to smuggling liquor onboard without getting caught and everything in between. Since everyone was tired the first night was an early one. Some people did not have their luggage yet and they were not happy.
Our first port stop was La Serena, Chile. The port has two sides, Coquimbo, where the commercial port is and where we docked, and La Serena, where the city is. La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile. It was originally settled by Mapuche indigenous people and the Spaniards who conquered them and miners in the gold and copper mines. The city itself is small and the people seem very polite. There is definitely a more indigenous population here in this part of the country. Not too many with European ancestors here.
It was national police day here and there was a parade and a big celebration throughout the entire city. First, all the police personnel went into the church for a blessing. We were with Ruth and Bert and the four of us followed the police into the church, of course. We met and had our photo taken with the “jefe” chief of police. We then made our way to the other side of town where we went to La Recova, the central market which sells everything from local produce to arts and crafts of the area. On our way back to the central plaza we met with hundreds of local school children, all in their different school uniforms, who bombarded us with questions about the U.S. It really was a special moment for us. They were so cute, so friendly, and most important, just children enjoying their childhood. They were getting ready to march in the police parade and were so excited that it was contagious.
We stopped at El Faro, the local lighthouse, on the way back to the ship. The cab with the four of us and the driver looked like one of the clown cars at the circus. Here were these four Americans, two of them over six feet, trying to squeeze in and out of a little Toyota. It was worth a lot of laughs.
Back on board it was time to eat again, take a nap, go to show and dinner. Tough life. We did a latin dance, won two bucks in the casino and Jerry ran out of gas.
Today is again cloudy, but not too cold. After breakfast we went to the golf tournament and I won a silver medal in the ladies division for getting the ball closest to the pin in the simulator. The medal is still hanging around my neck and I might wear it to formal night tonight. My athletic ability is overwhelming me!
.
Well, I am on my way to wine tasting now. Bert is my date. Jerry is playing bridge. We will fight for the tiny bathroom later to see who gets ready for formal night first.
Now for a description of our dinner companions. First of all, there are Ruth and Bert, our buddies and fellow conspirators, who are making our cruise so much more fun. We love to make fun of almost everyone onboard and we laugh all the time. Then there are the couple from Texas. Bert gave him the nickname Chairman of the Board and it stuck. I am pretty sure she comes to the table loaded every night. They don’t talk to each other but they talk to everyone else at the table. We’ve seen them on the dance floor and they move around pretty well for older folks. Then we have the couple from California, one of the strangest couples I have ever met in my entire life. She is an unbelievable airhead who is constantly looking for compliments. He has dyed red hair and I am sure that he has had a facelift. I can hardly contain myself when they start talking because they are so absolutely ridiculous. They are completely in love with themselves. Tonight she wore a dress made entirely of gold sequins. She resembled a mermaid. She kept asking me the time every five minutes and I have no idea why. They both drink some sort of potion which they assured us makes them young and physically perfect. One of these nights I will probably choke on my food. If Ruth rolls her eyes at me one more time I will lose it!
We saw a terrific show tonight. It was called Beatle Maniacs and you would swear you were watching and listening to the Beatles. We were dancing in the aisles. It was a good day. Besides my silver medal I also won a tee shirt, three key chains and a Royal Caribbean bathrobe and I only lost five dollars in the Casino.
We are not going to the three port stops in Mexico because of the swine flu epidemic. We have no idea where we are going and that includes the captain. He is waiting for instructions from the corporate office. The passengers voted for Hawaii but that’s not going to happen. We might find out by tomorrow at noon. In the meantime, we are heading for the port of Callao in Peru, where we will be touring Lima. In the meantime, goodnight from somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
We left our luxurious hotel overlooking the Pacific on a cold, grey day and headed for the port of Valparaiso which was about a ten-minute car ride. We finally caught a glimpse of the ship through the fog and were anxious to board. The boarding process took all of five minutes and we found our cabin on deck 8. Because we don’t have a balcony this cabin is huge and we are not falling all over each other as we usually do.
We dumped the stuff we had with us and headed for the town. Valparaiso is a commercial fishing port and financial center. There is really nothing to see there except containers and fishermen. We went to the central square where there was something that looked amazingly like a gypsy festival, so we held on to our wallets and headed back to the ship. This involved a round-trip on the local metro which was spotlessly clean and very safe.
Back on the ship it was time to explore the layout and the buffet. Our luggage was there when we got back to the cabin so we were able to unpack and relax before dinner. We found Ruth and Bert without any problem and we have been laughing with them ever since. There are eight of us at the table and the conversation is quite varied, all the way from investing to smuggling liquor onboard without getting caught and everything in between. Since everyone was tired the first night was an early one. Some people did not have their luggage yet and they were not happy.
Our first port stop was La Serena, Chile. The port has two sides, Coquimbo, where the commercial port is and where we docked, and La Serena, where the city is. La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile. It was originally settled by Mapuche indigenous people and the Spaniards who conquered them and miners in the gold and copper mines. The city itself is small and the people seem very polite. There is definitely a more indigenous population here in this part of the country. Not too many with European ancestors here.
It was national police day here and there was a parade and a big celebration throughout the entire city. First, all the police personnel went into the church for a blessing. We were with Ruth and Bert and the four of us followed the police into the church, of course. We met and had our photo taken with the “jefe” chief of police. We then made our way to the other side of town where we went to La Recova, the central market which sells everything from local produce to arts and crafts of the area. On our way back to the central plaza we met with hundreds of local school children, all in their different school uniforms, who bombarded us with questions about the U.S. It really was a special moment for us. They were so cute, so friendly, and most important, just children enjoying their childhood. They were getting ready to march in the police parade and were so excited that it was contagious.
We stopped at El Faro, the local lighthouse, on the way back to the ship. The cab with the four of us and the driver looked like one of the clown cars at the circus. Here were these four Americans, two of them over six feet, trying to squeeze in and out of a little Toyota. It was worth a lot of laughs.
Back on board it was time to eat again, take a nap, go to show and dinner. Tough life. We did a latin dance, won two bucks in the casino and Jerry ran out of gas.
Today is again cloudy, but not too cold. After breakfast we went to the golf tournament and I won a silver medal in the ladies division for getting the ball closest to the pin in the simulator. The medal is still hanging around my neck and I might wear it to formal night tonight. My athletic ability is overwhelming me!
.
Well, I am on my way to wine tasting now. Bert is my date. Jerry is playing bridge. We will fight for the tiny bathroom later to see who gets ready for formal night first.
Now for a description of our dinner companions. First of all, there are Ruth and Bert, our buddies and fellow conspirators, who are making our cruise so much more fun. We love to make fun of almost everyone onboard and we laugh all the time. Then there are the couple from Texas. Bert gave him the nickname Chairman of the Board and it stuck. I am pretty sure she comes to the table loaded every night. They don’t talk to each other but they talk to everyone else at the table. We’ve seen them on the dance floor and they move around pretty well for older folks. Then we have the couple from California, one of the strangest couples I have ever met in my entire life. She is an unbelievable airhead who is constantly looking for compliments. He has dyed red hair and I am sure that he has had a facelift. I can hardly contain myself when they start talking because they are so absolutely ridiculous. They are completely in love with themselves. Tonight she wore a dress made entirely of gold sequins. She resembled a mermaid. She kept asking me the time every five minutes and I have no idea why. They both drink some sort of potion which they assured us makes them young and physically perfect. One of these nights I will probably choke on my food. If Ruth rolls her eyes at me one more time I will lose it!
We saw a terrific show tonight. It was called Beatle Maniacs and you would swear you were watching and listening to the Beatles. We were dancing in the aisles. It was a good day. Besides my silver medal I also won a tee shirt, three key chains and a Royal Caribbean bathrobe and I only lost five dollars in the Casino.
We are not going to the three port stops in Mexico because of the swine flu epidemic. We have no idea where we are going and that includes the captain. He is waiting for instructions from the corporate office. The passengers voted for Hawaii but that’s not going to happen. We might find out by tomorrow at noon. In the meantime, we are heading for the port of Callao in Peru, where we will be touring Lima. In the meantime, goodnight from somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Vina del Mar, Chile
On our last day here in Vina we awoke to cloudy, very cool weather. The fog is pretty thick and we can't see the ship in port, but it is there. We will board after 3 p.m. today.
We had an excellent meal last night in that little restaurant we remembered from last time. We had delicious filet mignon and baked salmon with accompanying veggies and some very good wine. I think I am becoming a wino! Now that I have learned how to select and taste wine I feel like an expert and I am so impressed with myself I can hardly stand it! We had some good laughs with Margaret and Carl and Dick and Shelley, who will be boarding the ship today as well.
Right now I am thinking about packing and it's a scary thought. We have to put the wine bottles we bought inside the big suitcases so they don't get broken. It should be interesting. I can't even figure out how I am going to close the suitcases. Guess I will have to sit on them, as usual. Well, I think it's time to get our act together for the next leg of the trip, which is a fifteen-day cruise from Valparaiso, Chile to San Diego, CA. I don't know what will happen in Mexico yet because there is an outbreak of swine flu. If it is that bad they won't let us get off the ship. Maybe they will send us to Hawaii instead, which wouldn't be so bad.
Bye from Chile. Until next time when we will try to post some more photos.
We had an excellent meal last night in that little restaurant we remembered from last time. We had delicious filet mignon and baked salmon with accompanying veggies and some very good wine. I think I am becoming a wino! Now that I have learned how to select and taste wine I feel like an expert and I am so impressed with myself I can hardly stand it! We had some good laughs with Margaret and Carl and Dick and Shelley, who will be boarding the ship today as well.
Right now I am thinking about packing and it's a scary thought. We have to put the wine bottles we bought inside the big suitcases so they don't get broken. It should be interesting. I can't even figure out how I am going to close the suitcases. Guess I will have to sit on them, as usual. Well, I think it's time to get our act together for the next leg of the trip, which is a fifteen-day cruise from Valparaiso, Chile to San Diego, CA. I don't know what will happen in Mexico yet because there is an outbreak of swine flu. If it is that bad they won't let us get off the ship. Maybe they will send us to Hawaii instead, which wouldn't be so bad.
Bye from Chile. Until next time when we will try to post some more photos.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Vina
Typical high rise condo on the beach in Vina del Mar. This is definitely the high rent district.
Vina
Wulff Castle, Vina. This was once a private residence but now is a national landmark. It is just down the road from our hotel.Vina del Mar, Chile
Today was a lovely day here in Vina. Our hotel is wonderful and we have a magnificent room with a wrap-around terrace facing the ocean. We had a fabulous breakfast at the hotel at a table overlooking the ocean. Then we put our walking shoes on and walked on the malecon, the seaside walk or boardwalk, for miles. The waves were huge and we watched them breaking on the rocks as we walked. After that we wandered over to the local mall for a while. We went shopping and bought two bottles of the local wine, which is very good.
In the afternoon we met up with two other couples who are on the cruise and staying at the same hotel. We met at poolside for a few laughs and agreed to meet for dinner. We just returned from a lovely dinner at a restaurant we remembered from two years ago when we were here last. The food was just as good as we remembered and we had a fun time. We asked for a late checkout tomorrow so we can still enjoy this lovely little town.
The weather has been perfect. Cool at night (in the 50's) and warm during the day (in the high 70's). We couldn't have asked for better weather. We are looking forward to getting on the ship tomorrow in Valparaiso.
In the afternoon we met up with two other couples who are on the cruise and staying at the same hotel. We met at poolside for a few laughs and agreed to meet for dinner. We just returned from a lovely dinner at a restaurant we remembered from two years ago when we were here last. The food was just as good as we remembered and we had a fun time. We asked for a late checkout tomorrow so we can still enjoy this lovely little town.
The weather has been perfect. Cool at night (in the 50's) and warm during the day (in the high 70's). We couldn't have asked for better weather. We are looking forward to getting on the ship tomorrow in Valparaiso.
Santiago, Chile
Our last day in Santiago was spent on a sightseeing tour of the city on a double-decker bus and walking about. There was a huge demonstration in the center of the city. Something about the police arresting a television reporter. This city is incredibly crowded with mostly young people. The area we went to that impressed us the most was El Golf, which is the very modern area where the rich folks live, and they live very well. There is a fabulous shopping mall where the stores are filled with the most beautiful things. It took a lot of will power to get through without buying anything. We did see something very interesting. There were a few children in school uniforms being escorted by the army or police to their school. We surmised that they were the children of government big wigs who needed protection. We really like Chile. It's not at all what people think. Lots of European-looking people as well as a heavy mix of indigenous people.
We were sorry to leave our little B&B and there were kisses and hugs all around. We went by taxi to the central bus station where we boarded another local bus from Santiago all the way to Vina del Mar, a beautiful seaside town which is just like La Jolla, CA. This took us through the Chilean wine country, with more switchbacks down the mountains, but nothing like the trip over the Andes!
We were sorry to leave our little B&B and there were kisses and hugs all around. We went by taxi to the central bus station where we boarded another local bus from Santiago all the way to Vina del Mar, a beautiful seaside town which is just like La Jolla, CA. This took us through the Chilean wine country, with more switchbacks down the mountains, but nothing like the trip over the Andes!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Santiago, Chile
We began the day with breakfast in our cute little B&B and then hit the streets for more sightseeing. First we went to the center of the city which is a huge pedestrian only group of streets with everything from stores, kiosks, government buildings and the main courthouse. We spent a few hours there wandering around and had coffee in a sidewalk cafe. We took the very crowded Metro there and back. We also went to the central market where they sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and fish as well as clothing and home goods. This is where the locals shop.
After a little rest back at the hotel we continued on to the Macabee Center which is a huge sports and cultural complex where we spent the rest of the day watching all the many activities and speaking with the members. Jerry insisted he could beat most of the guys. He is dreaming! It was also lots of fun watching the little kids' activities. That only made us miss our grandson even more.
After another Metro ride home which was extremely crowded, we had a lovely dinner at the local hot spot for night life. The Beach Boys music was playing till the local live band came on. The food was delicious and the band was loud!
Tomorrow morning we will do some more sightseening and then head for Vina del Mar in the afternoon, by bus. This will be a flat ride through the Chilean wine country. No more switchbacks.
We've been walking miles and miles everyday and are looking forward to a little rest on the ship. We love it but we are getting a little tired. We eat late and get up early and are on the run for the whole day. No early bird dinners! We also don't see many old people around. Can't figure out where they are. More to come.
After a little rest back at the hotel we continued on to the Macabee Center which is a huge sports and cultural complex where we spent the rest of the day watching all the many activities and speaking with the members. Jerry insisted he could beat most of the guys. He is dreaming! It was also lots of fun watching the little kids' activities. That only made us miss our grandson even more.
After another Metro ride home which was extremely crowded, we had a lovely dinner at the local hot spot for night life. The Beach Boys music was playing till the local live band came on. The food was delicious and the band was loud!
Tomorrow morning we will do some more sightseening and then head for Vina del Mar in the afternoon, by bus. This will be a flat ride through the Chilean wine country. No more switchbacks.
We've been walking miles and miles everyday and are looking forward to a little rest on the ship. We love it but we are getting a little tired. We eat late and get up early and are on the run for the whole day. No early bird dinners! We also don't see many old people around. Can't figure out where they are. More to come.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mendoza to Santiago Chile Over the Andes
Left: Phyllis in the winery sipping wine from the giant kegs. As you can see, I am already toasted.
Above: Phyllis and the salsa musician talking about the good old days at UPR.Above: Phyllis and Jerry in the Parque San Martin in Mendoza.
Today we went over the Andes by bus. We had the front seats on the top level of a double decker bus and it was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. From Mendoza to the Chilean border it was fine. Interesting scenery and not too many turns. After a two-hour stop on the top of a mountain at the border, going through customs and immigration and had sniffer dogs all over us and the luggage the bus then proceeded down the other side of the mountain and into Chile. I actually can't believe we made it in one piece without careening over the side of the mountain. There were no guard rails, many, many switchbacks, falling rocks and an insane bus driver who actually passed trucks and cars while flying down the mountain. I invoked all the gods I could think of to get us to Santiago in one piece.
Santiago is just as we remembered it. It is a busy, modern city with people going about their business in an orderly manner. Everyone is well-dressed, friendly and polite. We found a laundry to wash and return our clothes in one day.
The hotel is where we stayed last time and it is like coming home. They remembered everything about us and treat us like family. It's really a B & B in a really nice neighborhood called Providencia. We had a lovely dinner in the same place we used to eat in last time and it was just as good. Jerry says he thinks he likes Santiago better than Buenos Aires. That is probably because he is not forced into doing the tango here. Also they have a good wi fi at this hotel. I am just relieved to be alive and in one piece.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Mendoza Winery Tour
We had a wonderful afternoon touring the wineries and an olive oil factory in the outlying areas of Mendoza. We learned how to make wine and had a lesson in proper tasting and had many opportunities to taste the various specialty wines of the area. The tour was entirely in Spanish and we had no trouble understanding or asking questions. There was a minor celebrity on the minibus with us; a salsa musician from Puerto Rico who plays with Ricky Martin and other latin artists. Well, I had plenty to talk about with him since I attended the University of Puerto Rico and we were both UPI's, as the students are called. What fun reminiscing about those days and what a lovely gentleman he was.
It's time to sleep now since we have to take a 7:30 a.m. bus over the Andes to Santiago, Chile tomorrow morning.
Much more to come if we survive the trip!
It's time to sleep now since we have to take a 7:30 a.m. bus over the Andes to Santiago, Chile tomorrow morning.
Much more to come if we survive the trip!
Mendoza
Our first glimpse of the main walking street in Mendoza. It is lined with restaurants, bars and high end stores. Very modern, very appealing and very friendly. San Telmo
The flea market at San Telmo. This booth specializes in seltzer bottles. This place is amazing. It goes on and on for miles and miles and is very crowded but fun. They have booths filled with the most amazing things, from beautiful antique linens to everything one can imagine. They have booths and booths filled with costume jewelry, antique undergarments and leather goods, old shoes from the Peron era and anything else one can imagine. Buenos Aires
The main pedestrian street in Buenos Aires at 10 p.m. People eat very late, shop late and take walks late at night. Siesta is in the afternoon and stores close. They open in the late afternoon and stay open late at night. Children are on the same schedule. 
Tango
Phyllis dancing the tango on the stage with a professional tango dancer in La Boca. I had many glasses of wine to get my nerve up. Mendoza Day Two
This morning we had a typical Argentine breakfast in the hotel then walked nine blocks to a huge park which is like their version of Central Park only a lot bigger and with many sights in it, including a medical school, a huge man-made lake, a private yacht club, many monuments, sports fields and thousands of beautiful trees. We took a guided tour of the park which lasted all morning with stops for photos. I will try again later to post them. The internet is spotty and it´s hit or miss.
Well, after a lunch of gelato we are waiting for the minibus to take us on a winery tour which will be all in Spanish, as was the park tour. The weather here in Mendoza is magnificent. It reminds us of San Diego and is perfect for touring. The sun is very bright and there is a lovely breeze coming off the mountains. The people of this city are very polite and helpful. There are thousands of school children, all in the various uniforms of the schools they attend. It is a very young city. Gotta go now. The tour is here.
Well, after a lunch of gelato we are waiting for the minibus to take us on a winery tour which will be all in Spanish, as was the park tour. The weather here in Mendoza is magnificent. It reminds us of San Diego and is perfect for touring. The sun is very bright and there is a lovely breeze coming off the mountains. The people of this city are very polite and helpful. There are thousands of school children, all in the various uniforms of the schools they attend. It is a very young city. Gotta go now. The tour is here.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Photo Buenos Aires
Phyllis making a fool of herself in front of hundreds of people dancing the tango onstage in LaBoca.
Mendoza At Night
We are sitting in an outdoor cafe on the pedestrian street in downtown Mendoza, near the Plaza San Martin and several blocks from our hotel. I will try to post some more photos. The internet connection here is very slow but we are hoping for the best. Tomorrow we signed up for a winery tour and tasting. Will keep trying.
Buenos Aires, Day Three and Mendoza, Day Four
I survived my alcohol-induced stupor from the previous day and we had a typical Argentine breakfast of medialunas (croissants) and cafe con leche. It was delicious. This was the day to go to the San Telmo flea market. It takes up the entire neighborhood of San Telmo, once a very prestigeous area centering around the Plaza Dorrego. We took the Subte (subway) there and began walking the few short blocks to the beginning. A couple approached us and asked in Spanish for directions to the flea market. We thought that was kind of odd since we obviously didn't know where we were going. They were walking behind us when suddenly we felt this wet, gooey subtance falling all over our hair and clothing. We thought at first that it was bird poop since we were under a tree at the time. Anyway, the couple offered to help us clean up and before we knew it the woman had Jerry's wallet in her hand! Well, don't mess with a retired law enforcement officer. He had her in a vise-like grip till she dropped the wallet and was obviously in pain. It seems that they had sprayed some liquid all over and the scam was to pick our pockets while appearing to help us. Plot foiled. Our belongings were saved and that women has a very sore hand. So much for messing with a retired Fed! Anyway, then we continued on our way to the flea market and had a great time wandering around for hours and having a snack in a sidewalk cafe. We also visited La Casa Rosada (the pink house)now a museum but previously the home of the Juan and Eva Peron. We saw the balcony where Evita gave her famous speech and we sang a pretty pathetic version of "Don't cry for me, Argentina."
Following our foray into theatrics we walked some more. Buenos Aires is a great city for walking, and we found ourselves once again in the area of Lavalle and Florida Streets, near the Obelisco, which is where all the action is all the time. After a meal of more steak (when in Argentina, eat steak) we went back to the hotel, picked up the luggage and made it to the bus station for our overnight trip to Mendoza. This bus station was bigger and busier than anyplace I have ever been. It was wall-to-wall people, with busses going everywhere every few seconds. I was so stressed out because I was sure we would miss the bus. But we didn't. This was quite a bus. The entire bus was first-class only, with individual beds for each passenger. It was actually very comfortable. We had wine and appetizers, a full hot meal with dessert and coffee and watched two movies. Then they gave us breakfast in the morning and played music videos. It was really great and I would do it again.
We got to Mendoza about an hour late. This is not what I expected at all. It is a lovely, tree-lined medium sized city with outdoor cafes and high-end shopping, especially beautiful leather goods. I am drooling over some of this merchandise but I think Jerry will hit me over the head with my new tango shoes.
Right now we are in siesta mode, as everyone else in this city at the moment. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe and it's nap time. We will be refreshed and ready to hit the streets at 4 p.m., when everything opens again.
Following our foray into theatrics we walked some more. Buenos Aires is a great city for walking, and we found ourselves once again in the area of Lavalle and Florida Streets, near the Obelisco, which is where all the action is all the time. After a meal of more steak (when in Argentina, eat steak) we went back to the hotel, picked up the luggage and made it to the bus station for our overnight trip to Mendoza. This bus station was bigger and busier than anyplace I have ever been. It was wall-to-wall people, with busses going everywhere every few seconds. I was so stressed out because I was sure we would miss the bus. But we didn't. This was quite a bus. The entire bus was first-class only, with individual beds for each passenger. It was actually very comfortable. We had wine and appetizers, a full hot meal with dessert and coffee and watched two movies. Then they gave us breakfast in the morning and played music videos. It was really great and I would do it again.
We got to Mendoza about an hour late. This is not what I expected at all. It is a lovely, tree-lined medium sized city with outdoor cafes and high-end shopping, especially beautiful leather goods. I am drooling over some of this merchandise but I think Jerry will hit me over the head with my new tango shoes.
Right now we are in siesta mode, as everyone else in this city at the moment. We had lunch at an outdoor cafe and it's nap time. We will be refreshed and ready to hit the streets at 4 p.m., when everything opens again.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Buenos Aires Day Two
I am writing this blog after finishing an entire bottle of red Mendoza wine by myself (Jerry says he had half). So if it is not too coherent you will know why. Last night we had dinner in Puerto Madero, an area know for upscale restaurants and hotels. It was not as good as last time but we ate it all anyway and then took a stroll along the waterfront. After that we found our way on foot to Plaza San Martin and walked around there for a while. This is a lively, late-night area where the young people hang out. We then made our way to the park where the Buddy Bear exhibit was and said we would come back in the morning because we really wanted to see them in detail and it was too dark.
This morning we got up really late, had breakfast in the hotel and then went back to the Buddy Bear exhibit in the park. It was really spectacular and I am glad we did it. Those bears were amazing...one from each country and all decorated differently and promoting world peace. Speaking of peace, there is a Greenpeace ship in town and they had a big party on it last night. Many police were in attendance so there must have been a demonstration of some sort earlier that we missed.
Anyway, this morning after breakfast and the Bears we walked along Florida Street and Lavalle Street, the main shopping pedestrian streets in the center of town. I picked up my dancing shoes, which they custom made for me and now I am prepared to tango myself to death! I may be a clutz, but I sure look good.
We took a taxi to La Boca, which is the oringial Italian settlement in Buenos Aires. The Italian immigrant population is very large and is a major part of the city´s history. The area is now very colorful, with buildings made out or corrugated tin and painted in wild colors with statues of papier mache throughout the area. It is the area where tango is danced in the streets and there are many restaurants, bars, etc., where you just sit down, order something and you can sit all day watching tango dancers and gaucho shows. The streets are cobblestone and very old.
Well, yours truly made a complete ass of herself and danced the tango on stage with one of the male tango dancers. I just cannot believe I actually did it. Jerry filmed the entire thing so I can be reminded of it whenever he feels like it. Oh, what the hell. You only live once and I actually was not that bad!
Of course, my head is still spinning from it all and I have to take my siesta pretty soon or I will never make it through dinner which will probably start at around 9:30. They are very Spanish here and don´t eat till very late. I am fine with it as long as I get my siesta in like everyone else does here.
It has been so much fun here so far. The weather is perfect...70 and cloudy...perfect for sightseeing and wandering around. My Spanish is even better when I´ve had a few glasses of wine. A gentlement and his son complimented me today on my Spanish. I think I was already half loaded by then.
Tomorrow is the day we go to the San Telmo flea market, which is fabulous, and then to the Gaucho Fair, the Matadero, and then we leave on one of the dreaded bus rides at 8 p.m. This bus is the overnight bus to Mendoza, the wine country. Good, just what I need...more wine! It is a 13 hour trip overnight and we have the cama suite area, which is like a first class bed on an airplane, so I have been told. In Latin America the best transportation is by bus or plane and we didn´t want to go by plane because we wanted to see the countryside close-up. It will be an experience. The Dengue fever outbreak is not where we are going. However, where we are going is up in the Andes and if the pass is closed we will be in big trouble. Hopefully, it won´t snow and we will be able to continue without too much difficulty.
Well, the room is still spinning and it´s time for me to lie down for my siesta so it´s goodbye for now from beautiful Buenos Aires. The cameras are charging right now after Jerry´s creative hookup to the electricity so the photos will have to wait till next time. Things couldn´t be better and we really are having a spectacular time here.
This morning we got up really late, had breakfast in the hotel and then went back to the Buddy Bear exhibit in the park. It was really spectacular and I am glad we did it. Those bears were amazing...one from each country and all decorated differently and promoting world peace. Speaking of peace, there is a Greenpeace ship in town and they had a big party on it last night. Many police were in attendance so there must have been a demonstration of some sort earlier that we missed.
Anyway, this morning after breakfast and the Bears we walked along Florida Street and Lavalle Street, the main shopping pedestrian streets in the center of town. I picked up my dancing shoes, which they custom made for me and now I am prepared to tango myself to death! I may be a clutz, but I sure look good.
We took a taxi to La Boca, which is the oringial Italian settlement in Buenos Aires. The Italian immigrant population is very large and is a major part of the city´s history. The area is now very colorful, with buildings made out or corrugated tin and painted in wild colors with statues of papier mache throughout the area. It is the area where tango is danced in the streets and there are many restaurants, bars, etc., where you just sit down, order something and you can sit all day watching tango dancers and gaucho shows. The streets are cobblestone and very old.
Well, yours truly made a complete ass of herself and danced the tango on stage with one of the male tango dancers. I just cannot believe I actually did it. Jerry filmed the entire thing so I can be reminded of it whenever he feels like it. Oh, what the hell. You only live once and I actually was not that bad!
Of course, my head is still spinning from it all and I have to take my siesta pretty soon or I will never make it through dinner which will probably start at around 9:30. They are very Spanish here and don´t eat till very late. I am fine with it as long as I get my siesta in like everyone else does here.
It has been so much fun here so far. The weather is perfect...70 and cloudy...perfect for sightseeing and wandering around. My Spanish is even better when I´ve had a few glasses of wine. A gentlement and his son complimented me today on my Spanish. I think I was already half loaded by then.
Tomorrow is the day we go to the San Telmo flea market, which is fabulous, and then to the Gaucho Fair, the Matadero, and then we leave on one of the dreaded bus rides at 8 p.m. This bus is the overnight bus to Mendoza, the wine country. Good, just what I need...more wine! It is a 13 hour trip overnight and we have the cama suite area, which is like a first class bed on an airplane, so I have been told. In Latin America the best transportation is by bus or plane and we didn´t want to go by plane because we wanted to see the countryside close-up. It will be an experience. The Dengue fever outbreak is not where we are going. However, where we are going is up in the Andes and if the pass is closed we will be in big trouble. Hopefully, it won´t snow and we will be able to continue without too much difficulty.
Well, the room is still spinning and it´s time for me to lie down for my siesta so it´s goodbye for now from beautiful Buenos Aires. The cameras are charging right now after Jerry´s creative hookup to the electricity so the photos will have to wait till next time. Things couldn´t be better and we really are having a spectacular time here.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Buenos Aires, Argentina
We made it after a flight delay of six hours. We took the TriRail down to MIA, which was one half hour late. Then upon arrival we found out that the flight was delayed six hours. At least they gave us dinner vouchers so we ate very, very slowly to pass some of the time. We wandered around the airport stores, sat down and fell asleep for a while. Fortunately, we did not miss the flight. The Airbus was filled with families returning from Miami. We hit the seats and fell asleep and didn´t wake up till 8 a.m. for breakfast. Everyone applauded for the landing. I thought we were at a soccer game. Best of all, the luggage was all there and the hotel room was ready. So, no resting for us. We dumped the suitcases in the room and ran out. It is a beautiful day here. The sun is shining, there is a lovely breeze and it is in the 70´s.
Buenos Aires is just as I remember it. We walked all over and never got lost. It´s as if we were here yesterday and it has been two years. The Opera House is still being fixed. The people are just as good looking and the food is just as good. We got the tickets for the bus rides that we will be taking from city to city in a few days (Jerry forgot the paperwork so we had to go back to the hotel and get them) and we really got a good, long walk in. Miles and miles.
I am so happy! Finally, after all these years, I got my dancing shoes. Now I have to figure out how to protect them from Jerry´s size 13´s. This is something I have always wanted and we got some free tango lessons in the shop. It was a trip!
It is now siesta time and we will rest for a while and go out on the town. Things don´t get started here until late in the evening so there is plenty of time to recover from the trip. I am so grubby I can´t stand myself. I just wanted to note that it is still very European here and the people are so good looking. I fell in love with at least ten men on the street already.
Well, my mouth is watering for a good Argentine steak and a glass of Malbec wine. I will try to post some photos tomorrow. I was too busy with my amazing shoe experience to take photos today. It really does feel like we came home and we both said we could live here very easily. Our brains automatically switched to Spanish and here we are, loving it. Till next time, bye from Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is just as I remember it. We walked all over and never got lost. It´s as if we were here yesterday and it has been two years. The Opera House is still being fixed. The people are just as good looking and the food is just as good. We got the tickets for the bus rides that we will be taking from city to city in a few days (Jerry forgot the paperwork so we had to go back to the hotel and get them) and we really got a good, long walk in. Miles and miles.
I am so happy! Finally, after all these years, I got my dancing shoes. Now I have to figure out how to protect them from Jerry´s size 13´s. This is something I have always wanted and we got some free tango lessons in the shop. It was a trip!
It is now siesta time and we will rest for a while and go out on the town. Things don´t get started here until late in the evening so there is plenty of time to recover from the trip. I am so grubby I can´t stand myself. I just wanted to note that it is still very European here and the people are so good looking. I fell in love with at least ten men on the street already.
Well, my mouth is watering for a good Argentine steak and a glass of Malbec wine. I will try to post some photos tomorrow. I was too busy with my amazing shoe experience to take photos today. It really does feel like we came home and we both said we could live here very easily. Our brains automatically switched to Spanish and here we are, loving it. Till next time, bye from Buenos Aires.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Our Travel Itinerary
4/16 - 4/19 Buenos Aires, Argentina
4/19 - 4/20 Overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, Argentina
4/20 - 4/22 Mendoza, Argentina
4/22 - 4/24 Mendoza to Santiago, Chile by bus over the Andes
4/24 - 4/26 Vina del Mar, Chile
4/26 - Board Radiance of the Seas in Valparaiso, Chile
4/27 - La Serena, Chile
4/28 - Cruising
4/29 - Cruising
4/30 - Lima, Peru
5/01 - Cruising
5/02 - Manta, Equador
5/03 - Cruising
5/04 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica
5/05 - Cruising
5/06 - Huatulco, Mexico
5/07 - Cruising
5/08 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5/09 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
5/10 - Cruising
5/11 - San Diego, California
5/11 - San Diego, California
5/12 - Cruising
5/13 - San Francisco, California
5/14 - Cruising
5/15 - Cruising
5/16 - Icy Straight Point, Alaska
5/17 - Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
5/18 - Skagway, Alaska
5/19 - Juneau, Alaska
5/20 - Ketchican, Alaska
5/21 - Cruising the Inside Passage
5/22 - Vancouver, B.C.
5/22 - 5/24 Vancouver, B.C.
5/24 - 5/26 Seattle, WA
4/19 - 4/20 Overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, Argentina
4/20 - 4/22 Mendoza, Argentina
4/22 - 4/24 Mendoza to Santiago, Chile by bus over the Andes
4/24 - 4/26 Vina del Mar, Chile
4/26 - Board Radiance of the Seas in Valparaiso, Chile
4/27 - La Serena, Chile
4/28 - Cruising
4/29 - Cruising
4/30 - Lima, Peru
5/01 - Cruising
5/02 - Manta, Equador
5/03 - Cruising
5/04 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica
5/05 - Cruising
5/06 - Huatulco, Mexico
5/07 - Cruising
5/08 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5/09 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
5/10 - Cruising
5/11 - San Diego, California
5/11 - San Diego, California
5/12 - Cruising
5/13 - San Francisco, California
5/14 - Cruising
5/15 - Cruising
5/16 - Icy Straight Point, Alaska
5/17 - Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
5/18 - Skagway, Alaska
5/19 - Juneau, Alaska
5/20 - Ketchican, Alaska
5/21 - Cruising the Inside Passage
5/22 - Vancouver, B.C.
5/22 - 5/24 Vancouver, B.C.
5/24 - 5/26 Seattle, WA
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
It's Getting Closer
Exactly seven days to departure. We are doing weather updates. It's getting colder in South America and warmer in Alaska. So far, I have packed and upacked three times. Jerry has been packed for three weeks already and he can walk out the door tomorrow. As for me, it's not over yet.
I am excited about visiting some of the same places such as Buenos Aires, Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, but more excited about the new places and the ride over the Andes. Hopefully, it won't be snowing because we will be in deep trouble if it is. They say that the roads over the mountain passes close when it snows and that is our way out of Argentina and into Chile. So we are begging the snow gods to hold off until we are on the Chile side.
I am looking forward to staying in the boutique hotel in the Recoleta that we have chosen. It's near the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried and right in the heart of one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. I also can't way to stay in my favorite hotel in Santiago. It's where we stayed last time and were treated like family. It is in the Providencia section of Santiago and a wonderful neighborhood as well. They only have eight rooms and it's like being in your mother's house. I love it! So, I shall just keep counting and checking weather reports.
I am excited about visiting some of the same places such as Buenos Aires, Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, but more excited about the new places and the ride over the Andes. Hopefully, it won't be snowing because we will be in deep trouble if it is. They say that the roads over the mountain passes close when it snows and that is our way out of Argentina and into Chile. So we are begging the snow gods to hold off until we are on the Chile side.
I am looking forward to staying in the boutique hotel in the Recoleta that we have chosen. It's near the cemetery where Eva Peron is buried and right in the heart of one of the best neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. I also can't way to stay in my favorite hotel in Santiago. It's where we stayed last time and were treated like family. It is in the Providencia section of Santiago and a wonderful neighborhood as well. They only have eight rooms and it's like being in your mother's house. I love it! So, I shall just keep counting and checking weather reports.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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