Cruise Take 2

Day 5 Thursday 20 Feb at Sea

Day 6 Friday 21 Feb Beagle Channel (glaciers)

The weather was just perfect,
hence some great photographs

This was simply a stunning day, sitting on our balcony and viewing the awesome glaciers as we sailed up the channel and then back down to Ushuaia.

And yes it was very cold.

Day 7 Saturday 22 Feb Ushuaia
Our day started early at 6.30am when we boarded a catamaran for a narrated cruise to explore the stunning landscapes and waterways of the Beagle Channel.   

We stopped up close and personal at a small island full of penguins but were not allowed off the boat to walk among them.   

This was my favourite little guy - he just sat there patiently waiting for mum/dad to come back with dinner.

 

Other sights were Bird Island (full of birds!!!), Sea Wolves Island, where we viewed the delightful sea lions and ‘the Lighthouse at the End of the World’.

 

 

 

Another favourite little guy!

We arrived back at Ushuaia around

midday and explored the man street of the town, having lunch and shopping.   

We also had fun roaming the markets that were around the dock area. Of course the inevitable Irish Pub.

 







 Day 8 Sunday 23 Feb Cape Horn Chile
We may have had some ups and downs on this cruise with mishaps, forecast bad weather and resultant changes in the itinerary.  However, all was forgiven on this magical day. 



The weather was calm and bright which apparently is extremely unusual for the Cape.  It was a photographer’s delight and once again Meg and I enjoyed sitting on our balcony as we ‘rounded the Horn’.  It was early in the morning so some of the photos are a bit dark but some also show sunrise.  Photos do not do justice to the spectacular scenery we enjoyed.  






After passing the Horn we travelled on down the Drake Passage to Schollart Channel and Paradise Bay.  Once again the weather was unbelievably calm.

Day 9 Monday 24 Feb Schollart Channel, Paradise Bay

Once again, stunning scenery and calm weather made it possible for a wonderful time on the balcony taking awesome photos.  Paradise Bay is an inlet carved out of Antarctica’s mainland. Glaciers, wildlife and white terrain.

Day 10 Tuesday 25 Feb Elephant Island

Our weather luck ran out here with fog and very overcast weather.  So viewing the glaciers, penguins and falling ice was not really possible.

Day 11 Wednesday 26 Feb at sea, Day 12 Thursday 27 Feb at sea, Day 13 Friday 28 Feb at sea

Day 14 Saturday 1 March Montevideo

We started off with a walk up the shopping mall and 'flea' markets.  Not sure what the definition of 'flea' market is but this was the most up-market 'markets' I have ever had the pleasure to browse in.  I could have spent thousands of dollars on the beautiful top quality jewellery and other amazing items.

However, I did control myself and only spent just on $200 USD.  However, I have to confess to also spending a further $120 USD in the leather bag and shoe shop.  Not telling what I bought as it is a special present for someone!!!


They have gyms in the park and like everywhere else in the world people love their cats and dogs.






The afternoon saw us on a guided bus tour around the city of Montevideo.

Left is a memorial to the Indigenous people that were wiped out by the French early in their history.

I cannot help but be struck that a city is a city anywhere in the world.  It has its old part and its new part, it has the posh areas and the poor areas and it has McDonalds!

Having said that I did like the ambiance of the city and our guide was an ex history teacher who spoke excellent English.  Uruguay has a fascinating history which I am not going to go into now.

Day 15 Sunday 2 March off the boat at Buenos Aires.  Both Meg and I were very sad to be leaving the Celebrity Infinity and our wonderful cruise.   I am writing this blog at the airport while waiting for our flight to Dubai.