Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
We arrived at the Sheraton, Rio and discovered a great view on the 20th floor. To the south we could see beautiful coastline and houses with a spectacular ocean view. We found out these are very poor slums and if you don't live there you shouldn't think about even trying to drive through.
All beaches in Rio are public, so the hotel beach in front of us was filled with Brazilians enjoying the water.
To the north we could see Ipanema Beach. It was so great we even took a picture at sunset.
The second day we took a tram to the Christ the Redeemer statue where Patty had her picture taken. It was a cloud covered day and you can barely make out Sugar Loaf between the picture of Patty and Craig, but the lagoon was still a beautiful shot.
After coming back down the tram we went to a traditional Brazilian lunch (for vegetarians???) and saw some of the city's architecture. The Pyramid cathedral was very unique, as were some of the office buildings (trees are planted in the open spaces).
We concluded our day in Rio with a trip to Sugar Loaf. The ride up was exciting, but the view from the top was spectacular. The sky has cleared some and Patty thinks she may be able to fly to Copacabana beach. The view of downtown Rio shows where we were atop Christ the Redeemer.
Iguaçu Falls, Brazil and Argentina
We next flew to Iguaçu Falls on the border between Brazil and Argentina. There are 275 different falls over a distance of 2.5 miles, making them one of the world's largest. Brazil is on the left bank and the remaining land is Argentina. This river is a major tributary to the Rio Uruguay, dividing Argentina and Uruguay.
You can barely see our hotel in the clearing to the left of the photo.
If these pictures pique your interest click here or on the pictures to see more.
Patty in front of the upper falls from the Brazilian side.
Buenos Aries, Argentina
Following the visit to Iguaçu Falls we flew to Buenos Aries and took in a Tango Show.
Before boarding the Regal Princess the next morning, we saw a bit more of the city.
These are pictures moving around the Plaza de Mayo Cabildo clockwise from the upper right: old town hall (currently a museum), entrance to the square from obelisk on 9 de Julio Avenida (widest street in the world), Metropolitan Cathedral, Casa Rosada (where Eva Peron gave her famous speech from the shaded balcony left of the entrance).
The cruise officially started when we boarded the Regal Princess.
This map shows all the stops on our cruise. We were unable to get to the Pio Xi Glacier because of weather, but we did cruise by the Amalia Glacier. While we ended our cruise in Valparaiso, we immediately bussed to Santiago for 2 additional days.
For a large picture of Patty and Craig, plus another view of the cruise itinerary, click here or on the map.
Montevideo, Uruguay
After a 'sailing away' party from Buenos Aires, we arrived in Montevideo early the next morning. This port was not a highlight of our cruise and about all I remember is the fact that there is a central square for both the city and individual residences, plus the highest mountain is about 400 meters high {see right}. Oh yes, the Graf Spee was scuttled in the harbor in 1939.
Graf Spee ranging device for artillery and an anchor.
Puerto Madryn
We arrived - we shopped - we ate - we left.
It was here we found the best food and drink. The grappa was the best anywhere in the world - so far.
Cruising
We have a dining room table for six.
Craig, Harry, & Roger
Nana, Ellen & Patty
Friends from our Iguaçu Falls tour - Steve & Roni
Suprise!
Falklands Islands
The Falklands Islands (Islas Malvinas to Argentina) are a very wind swept place.
We were there on a mild day and the waves had a very windy crest.
The farm on the left contained the area known as Bluff Cove - where the Gentoo penguins were located.
We got there using 4-wheel drive vehicles and it was one of the roughest ride of our lives. The land was somewhat of a bog and the ruts were very deep.
This is the march of the Bluff Cove penguins.
To see more penguin pictures click here or on the penguin picture.
The people on these English speaking islands are very sensitive about the Argentinean invasion in 1982. One reason is the areas that were mined, but cannot be removed without extreme danger. They are marked and you are repeatedly warned not to enter them
These pictures are of Fitzroy, a site of some of the fighting.
Craig and Patty found time to use a seesaw.
Harry and Ellen visit a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives.
Cape Horn, Chile
The southern most land in the world, aside from the continent of Antarctica.
This is where the Andes finally sink into the ocean.
Click here or on the pictures to see a page on Cape Horn.
Ushuaia, Argentina
We backtracked a bit to the east after rounding Cape Horn, then proceeded to Ushuaia, on the Beagle Channel. This is the most southern major city in the world. Frankly, I thought it looked like Anchorage, Alaska with a bit more slope. As you can see from the picture below, it graduates into the mountains.
The long entry dock meant the Regal Princess looked as if it was tendered in the harbor.
The chocolate was superb, and Harry found his cigars at the least expensive price anywhere - so he got a box - but the beer and grappa just wasn't up to the standard we had found in Puerto Madryn.
View of the Regal Princess from the harbor.
Roni and Steve say goodbye to Ushuaia
Cruising
Jackie and Jason joined us on the Iguaçu Falls tour.
They were a friendly, young couple and she reminded Patty of her niece Jennifer.
This was sort of like a 2nd honeymoon for Patty & Craig
Punta Arenas, Chile
When you follow the Beagle Channel west to the Pacific Ocean, then cut in to the Strait of Magellan and head north, you reach Punta Arenas, Chile. This was a major port in the days before the Panama Canal, as ships used this path to avoid Cape Horn.
Activity centers around the usual city square and city hall, but it is the geography, not the city that draws visitors.
Magdalena Penguins are found on Isla Magdalena. To see more pictures of the Magdalena penguin click here or on the penguin picture.
Amalia Glacier, Chile
Moving west in the Strait of Magellan we came to the Pacific Ocean and almost immediately turned back into the fjords.
We became glacier watchers and both Harry and Patty are shown here.
The captain brought the ship into the glacier and spun it around twice so every cabin could have a spectacular view.
Puerto Montt
Puerto Mott was the unexpected surprise on our journey. We had no expectations for this port, but it turned out to be very beautiful and full of fun. It is the place in Chile where the Andes begin to sink into the Pacific Ocean, ending at Cape Horn. South of here are thousands of islands and fjords. The city itself isn't much, but the Lake District lives up to its name. This picture above was taken from inside a restaurant in the German settlement of Frutillar (see the map below). A picture of Frutillar is on the right with Puerto Mott on the left.
Mt. Osorno on Lake Llanquihue, Chile.
Here is a map of where we went and what we saw.
Patty, Ellen, and Harry went to Frutillar and could see the ever-present Mt. Osorno.
Craig went white water rafting and passed the foot of Mt. Osorno.
Four 6 person rafts set out over class 3 rapids.
We spent over an hour going through several rapids.
Craig's rapids partner, James
Returning from Frutillar, Harry, Ellen, and Patty saw parts of Puerto Mott and ate a fabulous lunch at a restaurant extending over the ocean.
They even had a great view of the Regal Princess, tendered in the harbor.
Leaving Puerto Mott, Craig had a view of the volcanoes.
Roni and Steve are relaxing and watching the islands go by.
This shot was taken off the starboard side of the ship. One of the real joys of cruising is traveling through fjords and inside passages.
Santiago, Chile
The Queen Mary 2 was berthed next to us when we arrived in Valparaiso, Chile. We took a bus into Santiago.Once there, our hotel - Plaza San Francisco - was a fantastic choice, and very reasonable.
Santiago is a large city, much like Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires. However, you can look one way and see huge numbers of people, buses, and modern office buildings. Just turn around and you may see several blocks of open vendors and vegetable stands. Walk around the corner and you may find an old world ambiance that makes you think you are in Europe.
The palace houses a museum under the front gate.
Ellen photographing the pigeons in Plaza de Armas.
We finally said goodbye to Santiago, Chile and took the long flight home. It had been a really, really fun time.