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