Back in Buenos Aries again, where we are able to get a room in our previous B&B, due to a cancellation. The rest of the month was solidly booked. Spent the night and next day just getting ready for our trip back to Houston. Left BA at 11:40 PM on the 3rd of March (First Class seats--Thank you Continental) arrived Houston around 6:30AM (4th), caught a flight to Orlando around 9AM and rented a car in Orlando, one way, to Stuart, arriving home around 2:30PM.
A long and enjoyable trip to South America, but good to be home and back to the grind.
Monday, March 9, 2009
continuation
To continue our travels--
Docked at the city of Puerto Montt today, a city much like a Bavarian city, even one that has a large population of Germans. Along with our friends Jim, Merri Lynn, Donald, and Carol, we hired a driver with a small van for a 4 hour tour.
Our first stop, about 20 miles inland, a German flavored town of Fruitillar. This town is located along the shore of LLanquie (pronounced Junky-way). Two dark German beers, 4 coffees and some very rich pastries and we were on our way to the other side of the lake.
Next town on the lake, Puerto Varas, a larger town with numerous shops selling local crafts.
Our driver gives a running comentary as he drives us back to Puerto Montt, and his country pride is evident as he explains the history of the area. We are finally dropped off near the water front, where we have lunch at a very small eating spot. Food was good but not inexpensive.
Our cruise ship was anchored out in the channel, so we boarded "tenders" to go from the dock to the ship. The tenders are actually several of the enclosed life boats carried aboard the ship, that are lowered into the water and used to transport passengers to and from the ship.
Another day at sea, this time in the Pacific, and early the next morning we dock at Valparaiso, Chile, our last stop on the cruise.
After disembarking we (Merri Lynn and Jim) rented a driver and vehicle to take us to Santiago, about an hour away to the east. Along the way we stopped at a VERY modern winery, did a tour of the facility, and were treated to a wine tasteing. After several pictures, we were on our way but soon stopped at a typical Chilean restaurant for lunch. Dirt floors but really a very nice place with waiters dressed as Gauchos. Empanadas, cold beer, great bread and once again on our way to Santiago, where we spent the night. The people in this city have much more indian influence than in BA, where the people are very Euopean in their looks and speech, and what we saw of the city was not as impressive as BA.
Docked at the city of Puerto Montt today, a city much like a Bavarian city, even one that has a large population of Germans. Along with our friends Jim, Merri Lynn, Donald, and Carol, we hired a driver with a small van for a 4 hour tour.
Our first stop, about 20 miles inland, a German flavored town of Fruitillar. This town is located along the shore of LLanquie (pronounced Junky-way). Two dark German beers, 4 coffees and some very rich pastries and we were on our way to the other side of the lake.
Next town on the lake, Puerto Varas, a larger town with numerous shops selling local crafts.
Our driver gives a running comentary as he drives us back to Puerto Montt, and his country pride is evident as he explains the history of the area. We are finally dropped off near the water front, where we have lunch at a very small eating spot. Food was good but not inexpensive.
Our cruise ship was anchored out in the channel, so we boarded "tenders" to go from the dock to the ship. The tenders are actually several of the enclosed life boats carried aboard the ship, that are lowered into the water and used to transport passengers to and from the ship.
Another day at sea, this time in the Pacific, and early the next morning we dock at Valparaiso, Chile, our last stop on the cruise.
After disembarking we (Merri Lynn and Jim) rented a driver and vehicle to take us to Santiago, about an hour away to the east. Along the way we stopped at a VERY modern winery, did a tour of the facility, and were treated to a wine tasteing. After several pictures, we were on our way but soon stopped at a typical Chilean restaurant for lunch. Dirt floors but really a very nice place with waiters dressed as Gauchos. Empanadas, cold beer, great bread and once again on our way to Santiago, where we spent the night. The people in this city have much more indian influence than in BA, where the people are very Euopean in their looks and speech, and what we saw of the city was not as impressive as BA.
catch up time
Our blog sort of got "blogged down" after we left Ushuaia, the most southern town in South America because it was sometime hard to find an internet cafe, and, several days were simply sailing days without putting in to a port.
Our next port of call was Punta Arenas, Chile. A beautiful little port city with mountains in the background. This was a city we explored on foot and with our friends Donald and Carol we stopped by a small, non descript restaurant (recommended by a local) and dined on excellent seafood. Fried salmon, seafood stew, king crab over a bed of lettuce, and plates of calamari---all excellent. If this sounds like a lot of food, you are right. Donald, who was better at Spanish than the rest of us, also had his problems, as it seems in ordering, he mentioned a few too many items, and the mere mention of an item was interpreted as an order by the waiter.
Sailing the next two daysalong the western edge of Chile, on inland waterways that passed several very large glaciers coming right down to the water. The scenery at times is spectacular and the weather could not have been better. Even the coldest and most windy days were moderate, 48 to 50 degrees----the wind made it feel a little colder--and there were only 3 days that cool.
Our next port of call was Punta Arenas, Chile. A beautiful little port city with mountains in the background. This was a city we explored on foot and with our friends Donald and Carol we stopped by a small, non descript restaurant (recommended by a local) and dined on excellent seafood. Fried salmon, seafood stew, king crab over a bed of lettuce, and plates of calamari---all excellent. If this sounds like a lot of food, you are right. Donald, who was better at Spanish than the rest of us, also had his problems, as it seems in ordering, he mentioned a few too many items, and the mere mention of an item was interpreted as an order by the waiter.
Sailing the next two daysalong the western edge of Chile, on inland waterways that passed several very large glaciers coming right down to the water. The scenery at times is spectacular and the weather could not have been better. Even the coldest and most windy days were moderate, 48 to 50 degrees----the wind made it feel a little colder--and there were only 3 days that cool.
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