Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Falkland Islands


After we left Port Stanley and were 3-4 hours into our cruise up to Montevideo, Uruguay, we had to return to Port Stanley for an emergency evacuation of a passenger. The RAF (Royal Air Force) sent a helicopter which hovered above the ship and removed the passenger with an evacuation carrier. This took place about 1 AM and after it was completed, we turned around again to head towards Montevideo.



Posted by Picasa

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands


Just a collage of a few photos taken.

Posted by Picasa

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

A very, very small town. It was about a 20 minute tender into the port. Again, the week before, snow..snow..snow. Today...sun. I have several photos of this port because I also fell in love with its charm.
Posted by Picasa

Cape Horn Eastern Side

Well, WE made it around the Cape. This is the Albatross Memorial Sculpture and lighthouse on the Atlantic side of the ocean.
Posted by Picasa

Cape Horn

These were some of the obstacles sailors encountered in stormy weather. Lots and lots of ships never made it around this corner.
Posted by Picasa

Cape Horn Crossing

Look closely.....do you see ANY waves??
Posted by Picasa

Starting around Cape Horn

As we start to round Cape Horn, there is a lighthouse on the Western side of the Cape and a sculpt piece of albatross that is a memorial to the travelers that never made it around the Horn. Again, the week before our crossing, it was rough and stormy, everyone aboard (including crew) was seasick, and it was generally a pretty messy crossing. I personally was rather hoping for some of those rough seas and stormy weather so I could truly experience being on the water. But, alas, it was supposedly one of the smoothest trips in years...sigh!
Posted by Picasa

One last photo of Ushuaia

As you can read along the wall, Ushuaia says it is "the end of the world and the beginning of everything". I would return here in a heartbeat. The week before we arrived, all of this area had a severe snowstorm....which I (think) would have loved. But today, it was beautiful, a light coat, a slight breeze, and a beautiful place to stroll around.
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Ushuaia, Argentina

Yes, I fell in love with this port. It was soooo neat!


Posted by Picasa

On the way to Ushuaia, Argentina




Posted by Picasa

Shoreline scenery-Argentina

This is some of the snow capped mountains prior to arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina. Weather so nice and crisp. So refreshing.
Posted by Picasa

Piazza in Punta Arenas, Chile

I took several photos of this Piazza as these trees were stunning. It also had lots of monuments, crafts vendors...rather like a mini botanical garden with the beautiful and old trees.
Posted by Picasa

Punta Arenas, Chile

This is touted as being the most beautiful cemetary in the world. It was truly remarkable.
Posted by Picasa

Punta Arenas, Chile

The most charming port we have visited thus far. AND, the weather was beautiful. Really enjoyed walking around here.
Posted by Picasa

Amalia Glaciers

Posted by Picasa

Amalia Glaciers

Posted by Picasa
Magellan Straits
Posted by Picasa

Magellan Straits

Posted by Picasa

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Up the Magellan Straits to Amalia Glacier

The day spent cruising up the Straits of Magellan to see the Amalia Glaciers was deliciously cool and refreshing. I loved it and in some of the following photos, you can see some of the most beautiful scenery. It reminded me of Alaska in many ways.
Posted by Picasa

Valparaiso, Chile

See that little yellow car? That is one of the many tram systems in the city. This one has been in operation since early 1800s and we rode it up and down. A really fab view from inside the little rickety wooden house. The 3-story house is a restaurant.
Posted by Picasa