Glacier Alley
February 5, 2020, Beagle Channel, Chile Beagle Channel is one of two shortcuts avoiding Cape Horn, the other is the Strait of Magellan further to the North. Beagle Channel was named after the British Survey ship HMS Beagle, commanded by … Continue reading Glacier Alley
Juneau on Steroids
February 5, 2020, Ushuaia, Argentina I feel right at home in Ushuaia. The town runs along the channel and streets rise quickly from the front street. Snow capped mountains tower above the town, boats are in the harbor, cruise ships … Continue reading Juneau on Steroids
‘Round the Horn.
February 4, 2020, Beagle Channel between Chile and Argentina I mean that literally. We actually sailed (motored, steamed) around Cape Horn Island allowing us to see the cape from every possible approach. I suspect that with the power of Amsterdam … Continue reading ‘Round the Horn.
Antarctica on the Grayscale
We’re now steaming away from Antarctica. I use that term intentionally. We are in a motor ship and not a steamer but motoring sounds like we are in a car. Using the earlier term, sail, does not make sense to … Continue reading Antarctica on the Grayscale
“You Can’t Let Nature Run Wild.” (Walter J. Hickel)
February 2, 2020, Cruising Northward from Antarctica. “You can’t let nature run wild.” Wally Hickel “Oh yeah?” Mother Nature. This morning we got up early to catch the scenic cruising and commentary as we entered Antarctic Sound. There was nothing … Continue reading “You Can’t Let Nature Run Wild.” (Walter J. Hickel)
A Wonderful Deception
February 2, 2020, in a fog bank off of Antarctic Sound. Someone cried out. “A cruise ship! What’s cruise ship doing here?” Of course, we all laughed because we’re ON a cruise ship, it’s just that you don’t expect to … Continue reading A Wonderful Deception
Driving Through Slush, Blocked by Ice
February 1, 2020, Off the Antarctic Peninsula Actually, it’s called brack, it’s the slushy remains of sea ice melting with bits of glacier ice, growlers, thrown in. As the ship passes through it makes a sound like “slush”. Growlers are … Continue reading Driving Through Slush, Blocked by Ice
Niemeyer Channel
January 30, 2020, Niemeyer Channel, Antarctica We’re back to high summer with the sun coming up sometime around 4:30 in the morning and setting around 10:30 in the evening. This morning we woke up at about 6 pulled open the … Continue reading Niemeyer Channel
Antarctica’s Urban Core
This morning my mobile phone, which had remained silent for more than two days let out a ding and I got an SMS message that my ATT roaming was working and that I should enjoy use of full data and … Continue reading Antarctica’s Urban Core
Looking for the Vicar of Bray
January 28, 2020, Off of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands There’s no sleeping in on port days in this stateroom. The tender hangs right outside our window and as soon as the ship anchors we hear the whine of the engines … Continue reading Looking for the Vicar of Bray
Graveyard for Ships
January 25, 2020, Montevideo, Uruguay Just before sail out I looked to the Stern of Amsterdam and saw some ships over on their sides. I was thinking I didn’t think the tide range was that big in the River Platt. … Continue reading Graveyard for Ships
Future Imperfect
January 25, 2020, Montevideo, Uruguay We had nothing in particular planned for Montevideo, Uruguay this morning, just get off the ship and watch what happens. Suzi asked “what will you do for a blog post.” I said if a story … Continue reading Future Imperfect
My Second Favorite Bookstore in the World.
January 24, 2010 Buenos Aires Normally I like a narrative post with stories to go with my pictures. This post is stretch. Ataneo Grand Splendid Books is my second favorite bookstore in the world. It’s an old theater, restored, but … Continue reading My Second Favorite Bookstore in the World.
Black and Blue Tango
January 23, 2020, Buenos Aires. One year ago, my dollar would buy just under 38 Argentine pesos. Today it buys somewhere around 62 at the official rate and 80 on the black market. Argentina has undergone massive inflation and devaluation. … Continue reading Black and Blue Tango
All Senses Engaged
January 22, 2020, Iguassu Falls National Park, Argentina The movie “The Mission” opens with a dramatic scene where a Jesuit missionary priest is tied to a cross by angry Guarani people and sent down a towering waterfall. That fall is … Continue reading All Senses Engaged
Is That a Serbian Flag?
January 21, 2020, Iguazu, Argentina. When you check into the Grand Hotel Melia Iguazu on the Argentine side the clerk reminds you to keep the door to your balcony closed. If you don’t, monkeys will come in and rob your … Continue reading Is That a Serbian Flag?
A Conga Line (Iguassu Falls, Brazil)
January 21, Iguassu Falls, Brazil Lonely planet describes it as a conga line and they are not far from wrong. The Brazilian side of Iguassu falls is crowded with people walking along catwalks from one scenic point to another, stopping … Continue reading A Conga Line (Iguassu Falls, Brazil)
Intermission
January 20, 2020 Rio You know you’re in Rio when you stand on the rooftop of a Copacabana hotel. Eyes left you see Sugarloaf. Eyes right, you see Copacabana fort. Eyes forward you have Copacabana Beach. Eyes down the Copa … Continue reading Intermission
Planned Graffiti
January 19. 2020, Rio In San Francisco an earthquake brought down the Embarcadero freeway giving the city a chance to revitalize its waterfront making it more pleasant for pedestrians, streetcars and allowing a vibrant waterfront district to emerge. Seattle is … Continue reading Planned Graffiti
Premier League Samba
January 19, 2020, Rio In Brazil Samba is a major league sport. Every Carnival 12 “samba schools” (teams) compete in Rio’s Sambadrome to see who will “win the Carnival.” Perhaps, more importantly they are trying to make sure they don’t … Continue reading Premier League Samba
Stay Safe in Recife.
On our way to the “Venice and Brazil” tour the bus took us to the “Cultural Center,” which is an old prison with cells converted into stalls for crafts people. The bus took us past the old fort, through downtown. … Continue reading Stay Safe in Recife.
Amsterdam in Brazil, Canals and Tolerance
We are not booking many tours on this trip but are getting off the ship to see what we can see. However, in Recife I wanted to take the “Venice of Brazil” tour, that would take us on a ride … Continue reading Amsterdam in Brazil, Canals and Tolerance
Life on the Amazon, Belem Brazil
This is the second post from Belem, it is a continuation of the last post Delta Town, Belem Brazil. The first set of pictures are of boats on the river. This next gallery of photos is from our drive to … Continue reading Life on the Amazon, Belem Brazil
Delta Town, Belem, Brazil
January 13, 2020, Belem Brazil You could say the riverfront of Belem, Brazil has gone to seed but gone to spore is more accurate. Along the river old buildings, some must have been grand in their day, covered with Portuguese … Continue reading Delta Town, Belem, Brazil