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After 10 days on the road, a good soak in the jacuzzi was a priority. Then wandering around meeting all our old friends and making new ones- Fred & Claire above. And, of course, a few visits to afternoon tea - though usually just had one scone |
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A visit to the Bridge and a photo with Captain Claudia. Victoria [at Torres del Paine], Alfredo [ our pianist] & Emilio |
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Our butler Vimal. . . Halloween with Almario. . . And several visits to Hot Rocks, until it got somewhat chilly out there |
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New friend Jerry. And then, much to our delight, Yi Shin was there as Head Receptionist again: lots of visits to see her & a couple of dinners. .Also the padres succumbed to Pinguino in Punta Arenas, so he is now part of the Huddle too |
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Beloved by all!. Selvaggia on the right
Life was so luxurious on board that we often stayed on the ship whilst the padres wandered out exploring- so no photos of us in some places. But the map below shows you the route that the Explorer travelled
Should you want to see an account of the full trip- and not just us - then try
http://www.davidgrant.org/holidays/2015-explorer-america/explorer-south-america.html
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At Salaverry we visited Trujillo & the Huaca de la Luna, home of the Moche people up to ~600 AD. And close by, a demonstration of Paso horses & evidence that cock-fighting was still alive and prospering in Peru |
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Then, from the port of Paracas, a trip to Tambo Colorado, an Inca way station, &, from the port of Matarani, the padres went down memory lane to Arequipa and its Ice Maiden, Juanita. On to Arica, where the trip went up to 4500 metres at Lauca: glad we did not need that coca tea! |
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But we did go ashore to visit San Pedro de Atacama - last there in Spring 2014. Silversea's choice of restaurant was not appreciated but the scenry was as wondrous as we had remembered |
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In Valparaiso, end of a cruise leg, a trip to two vineyards was most enjoyable. Then, a brewery visit plus those ferocious sealions in Valdivia [Niebla] |
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Wished we had gone on the Volcano Osorno trip - what a snowman! But did get off for Chiloe, enjoying a pisco sour & accordion playing, a ride on an old boat & buying some cheese - that on the ship being below standard! |
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Did a bit of orca spotting as we glided down the Chilean fjords. Those glaciers, Pio X1 & Garibaldi, were just awesome |
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And those Torres del Paine mountains were just as magnificent as back in 2007, though the barbecued lamb at the Rio Serrano hotel was awful. Glad that condor was a way off! A huemel sighting was rare, not so those graceful guarnicos |
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| The final trip out was in Punta Arenas to the Estancia Olga Teresa. What is it about Chileans & crucified lamb?? Not bowled over by the rodeo either, but the ranch owner, Yvonne, took a liking to us & the condor nests were just something! And why is packing to go home so difficult? | |||||
Our thanks to Mum & Dad, and roll on our next cruise on the Regent Mariner from Cape Town to Rio in just 3 weeks time .