Barb and Lloyd's Adventures

Saturday, 12 May 2012

Day 14: Our last day at Sea

Our last day at sea was a quiet one. We finished our lectures with Revell Carr, our very own marine historian, and Teresa Pastoor, our tour leader and lecturer on Chile.

Lots of art throughout the ship.
These were some of the gorgeous feathered pieces
created by the indigenous people of South America.

Orhcids on every table in the main restaurant on the Lido deck

The library

The showroom

So many more beautiful areas of the ship - but no photos . . .

Puerto Montt is located on large inlet near Lake Llanguihue, South America’s third largest natural lake. It was established by German settlers who colonized the area in the 1850s. As the ship anchored in the bay, we used tenders to get onshore.

You have no idea how wonderful it was to feel the warmth of the sun and see flowers in bloom!

Our first stop was the town of Frutillar, which is situated on the shore of Lake Llanquihue.

We visited the German colonial museum - the old manor house with all the old-time tools and instruments, water mill, and the blacksmith’s shop.

The town is the site of an annual music festival and has a beautiful new opera house. Our local guide told us that the German culture is well preserved in the area, and that the German private schools were very popular.

We then headed towards Puerto Octay, and stopped on the road for a beautiful view of the Osorno Volcano. Chile is a country of many active volcanos.

On the way to Puerto Octay

Orsono Volcano

Our lunch stop was at the Hotel Centinela, a lovely small hotel with only 12 rooms, and a colorful history.

It was originally known as the Three Roosters, built by three businessmen, apparently a favorite place for gentlemen to gather, and it had a discrete back entrance for their lady friends.

They tell the story of a visit by Edward, Prince of Wales, February 1931. That night a local band entertained. On their way home across the lake, their boat sank and every member of the band perished.

We enoyed our introduction to Chile’s national drink, pico sour. It made with lemon juice, powdered sugar and ice cold pisco – a liquor made from Muscat grapes – served in a champagne glass.

We headed back to the ship, and although the day remained sunny and clear, the wind had picked up, giving us a lively ride in the tender back to the ship.

As we waited for the last of the tenders to arrive, the sunset was magnificent.

Sailing out of port we got some beautiful views of the mountains in the dusk.

the end of another great day

Friday, 11 May 2012

Days 11-12 – The Amalia Glacier and Cruising the Chilean Fjords

I forgot to mention in the Ushuaia blog that we had missed Glacier Alley after leaving Ushuaia. Our departure had been delayed for about two and a half hours by the port authority due to apparent harassment of the Captain regarding paperwork. We were told that the Argentinian government is not friendly towards anyone who does business with the Falklands , possibly due to the emerging potential of oil development there. Even though we had not been able to visit the Falklands, Holland America was in line for some ‘delayed paperwork’ as a result.

Our dinner table that night was hosted by one of the medical staff of Holland America. Holly, a nurse, and her husband were charming hosts, and the wine was top quality and complementary, so it was a good evening. The Captain made an announcement during the meal, apologizing for the delay and explaining that we would pass through Glacier Alley in the dark. Everyone got a complementary glass of champagne, again. You could hear the stress and disappointment in the Captain’s voice we asked that Holly pass on our understanding of his efforts on our behalf. The next day, we ran into her and she said how much he had appreciated our remarks, and the flexibility nature of Road Scholars.

Revell kindly shared an photo of the Francia Glacier that we had missed.

We spent two days at sea after leaving Punta Arenas. We had two lectures each day, with Revell finishing up his stories of the men and women of Antarctica, and Teresa telling us all about her country, Chile.

The weather the first day was quite unsettled, but we were able to see the Amalia Glacier.

The usual means of transportation for the locals - by ferry.

the Amalia Glacier

As the light changed, the ice became bluer.

The next day was a little warmer, and we spent a pleasant day cruising the fjords along the coast of Chile as we made our way to Puerto Montt. It reminded me of the inside passage on the way to Alaska. Again some of my photos were spoiled because of the mist that accumulated on the lens, as the weather was constantly changing.

I was actually taking a photo of the two fishing boats
and caught this whale by chance - the only one I saw.

Cormorants on a rock

The black-billed albatross

A rare sighting of the endangered 'Washington George Penguin', (not to be confused with the George Washington variety, which is extinct). This little fellow came waddling and chirping into the dining room that evening.