Feb 20, 2018 - Arica Chile

Our stop today is in the port of Arica, Chile, our final stop in Chile. The weather is absolutely perfect and it’s about time. When it was too cold to use the hot tub, I didn’t want to. Now that the weather is warming up, the hot tubs are off limits because of the stomach bug still going around. Arica is an extremely busy port for being as small as it is. We had a very nice “walkabout” in town and got to visit some more street markets. I made note of, but passed by, a McDonalds in one neighborhood. The government furnishes free Wi-Fi in all...

Feb 18, 2018 - Coquimbo Chile

Today we docked at Coquimbo, Chile and it’s just the kind of place we LOVE to walk around in. Although it was Sunday, this didn’t seem to bother either the sellers or buyers. Street Markets selling just about everything except appliances were on almost every street, Fish Markets dotted the coast and major department stores were a stone’s throw from the dock. Julieann decided to take a walk UP the hill – right. I concentrated on the Wi-Fi in the Port Terminal. Houses are built almost straight up from the street on very steep hills. At some...

Feb 17, 2018 - Santiago & Valparaiso Chile

Santiago de Chile or simply Santiago, is the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas. Santiago is named after the biblical figure, St. James. It is the center of Chile's largest and the most densely populated conurbation. The city is entirely located in the country's central valley. You can see the majestic Andean mountain range from almost anywhere in Santiago. We can visit the vineyards of Maipo Valley and sample Chilean wines, marvel over the antiquities at the Pre-Colombian Museum or...

Feb 15, 2018 - Puerto Montt, Chile

Our next stop was Puerto Montt, Chile. This is a very nice, quiet, small, friendly town with plenty to see during a long walk along the beach, especially the local markets. Only problem was (not really a problem since I saved money) the markets usually did not accept our left-over Argentina money, US Dollars or credit cards, but the big stores did. Located in the lake district of Chile, Puerto Montt is a city amidst snow-covered volcanoes, lush jungle ferns, hot springs, forested hills and narrow fjords. The city's early German settlers...

Feb 13, 2018 - Strait of Magellan, Chilean Fjords, Patagoonic Channel 180214 - Puerto Cahacabuco, Chile

We continued cruising through the Fjords and took a few more photos. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow for sharp, clear photos as it was cold, wet, windy and cloudy. We did a few things around the ship (me with another Bloody Mary and Julieann dancing). It actually turned out that the dance instructor didn’t have her “stuff” together and Julieann corrected her a number of times before being invited to teach the class (didn’t have to ask her twice). The next morning we made a short stop at Puerto Cahacabuco, Chile, which is located...

Feb 11, 2018 - Punta Arenas Chile & Strait of Magellan

Yesterday we cruised past Cape Horn, again. This time we went far enough around to see a number of glaciers. I did not know South America had Glaciers and we saw more here than we saw when we were in Alaska. Also, when I checked the average temperatures at the places we were visiting before we left Hawaii so Julieann could properly pack what we needed, almost all stops were recording in the 80’s. Somehow I missed the memo that informed us that Cape Horn and Chile didn’t make the cut. Actually, Chile should be spelled CHILLY. The temperature...

Feb 9, 2018 - Cape Horn & Beagle Channel, Chile

We spent the next two days “at sea”. You know, everything is “on sale”, all passengers get to eat ten meals a day, numerous demonstrations to help you decide to buy some kind of back/arm/foot/head repair kit, etc. My body is beyond repair, especially at their prices, so I spend my time sipping Bloody Marys, looking at the passing sights (if there is any) and typing on my computer. So today we’ll go around Cape Horn --- twice. Seems that the captain wants to make sure that there aren’t any complaints about folks “missing” the cape so we’ll...

Jan 23, 2018 - Fri 19th Jan Rainbow Valley photographs

Due to the amazing scenery of this valley I have added a portfolio of National Geographic standard photographs for your delight. I can't wait and I am confident that you can't wait to have my full edited presentation of our trip on our return. I have calculated that each photograph for 10 seconds of viewing each, it should last 5 and half hours. I know you will all be super excited to receive your invites, I only hope the date will not be on your hair washing night!

Jan 21, 2018 - High Altitude Hike, Petroglyphs and Rainbow Valley

This is the may be our last record of Captain Theobald and Leiutenant Alison as it is Saturday 20th January and we are set for the most physically challenging hike, nay free style rock climbing expedition. We head back into the Andes to the small Village of Machuca 4000m above sea level just below the the gusers of yesterday. There we hike down on old sherperds trail down to Rio Grande Village some 7km down 2000m along side a river gorge. I.e in the middle of nowhere. We start at a large green wetlands area full of different birds including...

Jan 20, 2018 - Geylers, San Pedro, MoonValley, Salt Mountains and sunset

Today is Friday and been backdated as we have done so much and enjoying every second, every meal and matched drink with every course. We have become quite close friends of Felipe and Diago who invent amazing concoqsions and know every Chilean wine and match perfectly. I could get to use to it. Anyhow up at 5:30 to see the worlds highest geysers at Tatoo at 14,200 feet or 4500m ( half way up Everest). The thinness of the air is very noticeable as our legs felt heavy and things were done in slow motion. This was Ok until I knelt down to take...

Jan 18, 2018 - Amazing Awasi Hotel in San Pedro De Atacama Desert Oasis

After a night spent the Singular Hotel in Santiago one the the top 100 hotels in the world, I mean a night only arrived at 23:00, slept had breakfast and left for Atacama. Being a top hotel their card entry arrangements had failed so you could have a key to get in the lift or a key to the room. It was no problem on arrival as we were escorted, however getting down for breakfast without any lift controls we spent five minutes going up to other floors before the lift took us back down with others for breakfast. Anyhow we had a lift to the...

Jan 18, 2018 - Desert Excursions from Awasi

Today, Thursday 18th January 2018, the alarm seemed to go off a little early today perhaps it is because we got to bed late last night 12:00, and it is now 06:45. Alison was not feeling particularly well and not sure of cause, it is thought it may be attitude or hydration, it is difficult to think it is hydration as Alison has been drinking water like a horse. Anyhow we decided it was better for her to stay and rest and I went out with Richardo alone. However once Richardo had called in and confirmed Alison was not well everyone in the...