WEDNESDAY MARCH 18

Saturday, March 14 – We enjoyed our port day here.  After several good days I was convinced that I had overcome the on board "kennel cough".   During Friday night,  I woke up to chills and later I seemed to be burning up.  I was afraid I was relapsing so I forego the trip ashore in Acapulco and satisfied myself with a vicarious visit ashore through the eyes of Ken and our cohorts on this trip.   Ken seemed to draw the conclusion that our tendency to "bad mouth" Acapulco as a result of our "bad taste" during our last port stop here in 20007, might be wrong.  At any rate, he seemed to enjoy the day ashore and particularly enjoyed watching some of the natives bring in a fishing net filled with fish of all sizes along with the usual castoffs in the sea.    Sunday was a day at sea and Monday, we enjoyed a day in Puerto Vallarta.  Since it was our last port before our planned disembarkation in Long Beach, eight of our party caught a bus to old town and enjoyed the morning on the beach and in the shops of old town.  At noon, we caught a bus back to the marina where we met Ernie and Marie at a restaurant that we first visited with Bill and Diane in 2006.  The lunch was outstanding and the table talk was full of good sport and laughter washed down with proper refreshments.  The day was a fitting finale to a voyage that has included many ports, sights and adventures that has provided all of us with the foundations for lasting friendships.  Ken and I want to thank our group, Bill and Diane, Bob and Marvis, Joan and Charles, Ernie and Marie.   They were all wonderful traveling companions who shared the adventures of the voyage with enthusiasm and gusto.   Tuesday and Wednesday are sea days.  Thursday morning, March 19, we  arrive in Long Beach where Terri will pick us up.  We will drop the Gerstens off at LAX for their flight into New York and then home.  The other three couples are getting off in San Francisco.  We will say goodbye to them in Long Beach and wish them a bon voyage as they complete their trip.    It was a good trip but it will be good to be home.      Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

MANTA ECUADOR

Tuesday, March 10 – Our South American expedition is drawing to a close.  Manta Ecuador is our last stop before our Mexican ports of call.  Manta's population is approximately 200,000, the 2nd most populous city in the province, the fifth most populous in the country and economically the third most import city of Ecuador.    According to our shipboard guide, "Manta's main economic activity is tuna fishing and the unloading of tuna was a favorite past time for Ken, Bill and many aboard ship after a "look about" the city.  Other economic activities include tourism and a chemical industry with products from cleaning supplies to oils and margarine.  Since 1999 Manta has been used as a military location for U.S. air forces in conjunction with Ecuador for supporting anti-narcotics military operations and for carrying out surveillance flights in a strategic warfare program against Colombian drug trafficking cartels called Plan Columbia.  It also serves as a geographical look out point for the U.S.  for any war craft heading north from the Middle East and Asia.  A regular stop for U.S. Navy warships, Manta proves to be of importance for its locations and for the respite it offers the U.S. military with its beauty and untrampled wilderness."   Tours were available for those who wished to do a background revelation of the city but Ken and I opted for the cheaper city tour with stops of interest arranged by the city.  Our tour stopped at local five star hotel  for a quick stop and walk on the beach, an arts and crafts area for souvenirs and crafts made by the locals and a stop at a mall downtown.  The ride downtown gave us a view of the city and its lifestyle, which seemed to be reflective of the lifestyle of most South American cities.  In short, if you've been to one, you've gained insight into a lifestyle that seems predominately South American.   Our friends Bill and Diane Herbert have traveled extensively through Mexico.  During our stops, Bill has generally compared the various South American ports with similar stops that they have experienced in their travels throughout Mexico via RV.  Although we have not traveled in Mexico as extensively as the Herberts, as our trip has progressed I have found myself agreeing with Bill's assessment.  South America had a 500 year head start over development in the U.S. and in many respects, they trail us by 100 years.  Freedom is a many splendored thing!!!  Too bad that message cannot seem to resonant world wide!!!  We are all too willing to let others make our decisions as to what is best for us individually and perhaps, too lazy to act on our convictions.   One week from today, March 19, we disembark the ship in Long Beach. We have had good company, good food and it has been fun. But, as Ken always says, as we head for home I tend to be like a "horse heading for the barn" and I find myself anxious to see our family and be back home.       .          Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

LIMA PERU

Sunday March 8 – Early up and about for a quick four hour tour of Lima, the capital of Peru and the fifth largest city in Latin America.  Our ship docked in the port city of Callao which is part of the metropolitan area of Lima.  According to our on ship's "blurb", Callao retains its own place of importance alongside the capital city as Peru's largest port.  Nicknamed El Primer Puerto or the First Port, Callao dates back to 1537, two years after Lima's founding.  Although the two cities have become one urban area, Callao still retains its own identity, and its residents are known locally as chalacos.  One gets the impression that there may be a slight effort to keep the two locations separate and independent while still cultivating the appearance of unity.      Our tour included a 30 minute drive through what appeared to be low income housing and commercial areas into Lima's main square, the Plaza Mayor.   Lima is properly proud of the beautiful colonial architecture of the buildings that surround the plaza and especially of the beautiful old balconies that adorn the buildings in what seems to be a definite reflection of a bygone era and lifestyle.  We viewed the grounds and exterior of the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral and the Archbishop's Palace from the Plaza before going on to San Isidro's Huaca Huallamarca, a pre-Inca burial site and then on to Parque del Amor, a popular park named after its contemporary statute dedicated to love.    From Parque del Amor, we viewed the long ocean swells that develop into large surfing waves that reminded us of our grandson, Sean, who we thought would love the challenge provided by the surf.  From there, we were also able to view the beautiful beach restaurant that sits among the rocks where the sea meets the beach.  Our tour concluded at the Indian Market where Peruvian wares of souvenirs, silver, sweaters and pottery were available for a negotiable price.  From the market we returned to the ship and an afternoon of varying levels of interest in on board ship activities.  Ken is fighting the cold that has been a constant companion aboard ship, a malady in which I understand and sympathize.  I am finally in the throes of concluding my stint, but everywhere coughing is a "tune" frequently "hacked".   Our day was concluded with a Peruvian folklore presentation aboard ship, followed by the usual amenities of dinner, entertainment and that often repeated restful relaxation of sleep.   Peru is a poor country but I felt that it reflected a state of cleanliness a shade better than some of the South American countries we have visite.  The communities through which we traveled seemed to be a "tad" better than most and distinctly improved over the favelleas (or shanty towns) that adorn the major cities of Brazil.    I continue to marvel at the stupidity of rhe human race.  South America should have been a region viable as a great power and independent.  Instead, man's lust for power and desire to maintain a status of isolationism and protectionism has resulted in the stagnation and withering of a potential force for greatness .  In these dreary times, I cannot help but wonder if this, too, shall be the fate that will ultimately be the finale to my country's great hope and promise.   Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

ARICA CHILE MARCH 6 2009

Friday March 6 – Arica, Chile.  After our 8 hour delay in search and rescue for our overboard passenger, we arrived Arica just after noon.  Needless to say, the overboard passenger was not found and is apparently, lost at sea.    Few details have been released on a formal basis but "ships gossip" and formalized statements reflect that the passenger was a 63 year old male whose spouse and other family members were aboard.  A note was left at 430AM.  The wife of the missing guest notified the ships staff at 930A after the note was found suggesting possible suicide.  At that time a search and rescue operation was launched back to the point at which the guest was last seen.  This operation was conducted under the direction of the Chilean Navy Coast "Guard.  Our ship was released from the search and rescue operation at sunset on Thursday and we proceeded to our next destination.  There have been no details beyond this and I suspect that no other information will be forthcoming.   I did not go ashore in Arica.  Ken and several others of our group took tours that they thought interesting and informative.  Bill and Diane and Charles and Joan did a "walk about" down town and found the city to be a pleasant little town. I had the impression that the city itself rated above some of the other ports where we have stopped but that, of course, always reflects personal preference.    The population of the city is said to be approximately 200,000 but one of the tour guides stated the population as 188,000 with 44,000 military. Known as the "City of the eternal spring" Arica was founded by Spanish Captain Lucas Martinex de Begazo in 1541. Inasmuch as there is no obvious springs from whence water flows, I presume that the term "eternal spring"  is a reference to the spring like average in temperature which is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.   The city was part of Peru until 1880 when it was taken by Chilean forces during the War of the Pacific.  Arica is Chile's northernmost city and is an important port for Chilean ore.  Arica provides Chile with strong transportation ties to both Peru and Boliva with separate railroad lines to both countries.  Arica is said to be one of the driest inhabited places on Earth as measured by average annual rainfall precipitation of 0.03 per year. Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

Thursday March 5

Thursday aboard ship has brought us a bit of concern for a fellow passenger.  We have been advised that we are retracing our route over the last while due to reports of a "man overboard".  Our weather is cloudy and cool but no heavy seas.  This tends to create speculation that it probably was not accidental.  Nevertheless we are in "search" mode and there is apprehension for family and friends of the victim.   We were interested to hear a bit of "trivia".  One of our group said he was told that a ship of this size with this number of senior age passengers generally average a loss of one person per week.  We apparently are not that high – so far only one confirmed, with a second possible (they do not advise when someone dies).  We know we lost one on the first leg and there was a heart attack victim on Tuesday in Valpariso.     This cruise has been an eye opener.  We laughed when we read the "spam" distribution that suggested cruising as an answer to senior housing for the elderly.  We are amused now as we hear stories of people who seem to be doing just that.   It is much more prevalent than we realized.   We are scheduled for a port call tomorrow in Orica Chile.  I suspect that we will have our share of "investigatory personnel" aboard in view of our latest event at sea. There you have it – never a dull moment. Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

WEDNESDAY MAR 4

Since my last "post", we have visited two ports of call and I, personally, have had an uneventful and subdued experience in both.  Our stop in Puerto Montt was limited to Ken, Bob and Marvis going ashore, experiencing the "natives", shopping andhaving  lunch "down and dirty".  My cold has overstayed its welcome which has kept me limited, not only in enthusiasm but interest as well.  I am happy to report that it is much better, people can once again hear me (and I can hear them), the cough is subsiding and in general, I am well.   I did not feel that I was missing anything in Port Montt because we were there last year.  However, we did not take any of the offered tours either last year or this and if I should ever come back this way, I think I would definitely like to take the tour that Bill and Diane  (two of our travel buddies) enjoyed which included Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and a Chilean Ranch.  From their reports, it sounded like a trip that I would have really enjoyed and were I feeling better, I would have definitely made a pitch to include it on our agenda.   The trip included a stop at Chile's second largest lake, Lake Lianquihue where on a clear day snow covered volcanoes cast their reflections. After a stop at the German style village of Puerto Varas they proceeded to what sounded like the high point of the tour, a visit to Fundas Olguita, described as a typical Chilean Ranch.  A horse skills show featuring pure breed Chilean horses with their riding gear was presented followed by a fire roasted barbecue lunch accompanied by Chilean wines.  Luncheon entertainment highlighted a folklore show featuring the national dance, the "cuca".  I would have loved to have shared in this experience with Bill and Di but alas, I must be satisfied with another vicarious adventure.    After two days at sea, we arrived in Valpariso, Chile to disembark those who were going home after the 2nd leg of this "three legged trip" and to embark those who are participating in only the 3rd leg from Valpariso, Chile to San Francisco or – as in our case – Long Beach.    Feeling somewhat better after my "cold duty", we booked a tour of Valpariso which is, in my opinion, a rather drab port of limited scenic beauty.  According to our "on board" blurb, Valpariso consists of two different areas, the port area known as El Plan and the upper level known as El Plan Alto.  Like San Francisco, Valpariso streets present a "challenge" for people adverse to hills.  It has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site based upon its improvised urban design and unique architecture.  Although there were areas of Valpariso that were lovely and suggestive of an upscale lifestyle, it did not seem to be as inviting and delightful as Santiago.  We spent three days in Santiago last year and found it to be a very modern and most enchanting city to visit.    Joan and Charles, another couple in our travel group, took the tour to Santiago and returned with raves about their day in Santiago and their tour of the city. Their trip was topped off with a visit to two local wineries.  We all kicked ourselves for not doing the Santiago tour but it was a 7 ½ hour tour for an eight hour stop. We miscalculated. Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be