Cruising to South America on the Zaandam : A pictorial review

[scubacruiserx2]

Wonderful pictures! Thanks so much! :)

 

Thank you Bill , we're glad that you are enjoying them ! We're out taking more photos and video in Cozuml !! :cool:

[easyboy]

You never fail to amaze me with your great shots. Your intended subject always standout. Congrats and thanks.

[scubacruiserx2]

You never fail to amaze me with your great shots. Your intended subject always standout. Congrats and thanks.

 

Well thank you , but you are way too kind ! :)

[scubacruiserx2]

We returned home from Cozumel last night , so let's return to our South American review in the Ushuaia Harbor .

 

 

 

 

The bird with the orange beak really stood out in the crowd

 

 

 

 

After moving a little further we found some great birds - A pair of Kelp Geese

 

 

 

 

 

 

The male is on the left with the darker female on the right . A little farther along on the cliffs , we found nesting Rock ( Magellan) Cormorants .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Including one with a chick !

 

 

 

 

 

The faster ships had caught up to us and it was beginning to get crowded again

 

 

 

 

 

So we headed out to our last stop on the tour - Bridges Island .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

Our next stop was Bridges Island . There are no bridges on the island but , rather it is named for a missionary named Thomas Bridges .

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bridges_(Anglican_missionary)

 

 

Our sister boat arrived first and set out for a trek across the island

 

 

 

They were on the high point of the island being circled by an aggressive bird

 

 

 

 

We paused part of the way up the hill for a lesson on the flora and fauna of the island

 

 

 

 

The Cushion plant is found in Alpine regions

 

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushion_plant

 

 

 

Our guide showed us this wild flower and berries

 

 

 

 

While hiking a little further we found this mother bird and her two chicks

 

 

 

 

 

 

And from the summit you can see the other group returning to the boats

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

We had reached the summit and the view was breathtaking !! You can see the clarity of the water on the West side of the island

 

 

 

 

 

And a view of the city in the distance

 

 

 

Or of an airplane taking off

 

 

 

 

And finally - a video of the island and the bird , now circling us

 

 

 

 

I thought to myself of how much the tour around the bay reminded me of Gilligan's Island (complete with the skipper and Gilligan) .

 

 

 

It had been a wonderful day with stunning weather! We hoped for continued calm seas and good weather for our passage around Cape Horn early in the next morning . :) :D

[scubacruiserx2]

The evening's today ON LOCATION had forecast scattered showers and a high temperature of 46 F.

 

 

Cape Horn has long been known as a very hazardous passage with strong currents and winds , large waves and icebergs . It has claimed many lives during its storied history.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Horn

 

So it was with much respect that we approached this day. The commentary began at 6am so we were up early to yet another gray day. Fortunately the sea was calm and we could see the islands in the distance.

 

 

 

 

As we drew close , some of the dramatic cliffs came into view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We continued to circle the island slowly

 

 

 

 

Until we finally passed the Chilean Naval base

 

 

 

And thus , the passage was completed not with a bang but a whimper.

 

 

video clip

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

After sailing around Cape Horn, it was getting warmer because we were heading North towards Puerto Madryn. The night before our arrival in port, we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

 

 

 

 

 

We booked a private tour to Punta Tombo to see the Penguins. It was scheduled to be 70F.

 

 

 

Early the next morning , we were greeted by a spectacular sunrise.

 

 

 

 

 

Soon we had arrived at Puerto Madryn.

 

 

 

 

 

Our tour was scheduled to meet at 7:00am, so we scurried off the ship to meet our guide. Most of the couples were there within a few minutes. At 7:30 am we were still missing 1 couple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Someone realized that the missing couple thought the tour began at 8:00, and ran to get them. Finally we were on our way by 7:45.

[scubacruiserx2]

Punta Tombo is the world's largest colony of the Magellan penguins. Because it was Spring we had hope of seeing chicks. It is is a 2-1/2 hour ride and the geography is the pampas that is typical of that region

 

 

 

 

We made one bathroom stop at a gas station and discovered that our van had caught the tour buses already there. So our next stop was penguins !! We were instructed to stay on the marked path and boardwalks - and that the penguins have the right of way .

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the penguins were basking in the warm sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the penguins were not alone. I'm not sure who had the right of way here , but I'm betting on the guanaco !

 

 

 

 

 

Penguin burrow

 

 

 

An article on the Magellan Penguin

 

 

 

http://www.penguins.cl/magellanic-penguins.htm

[scubacruiserx2]

To access the viewing area , you must first walk across a small hill

 

 

 

 

The penguin's entrance to the beach

 

 

 

The march of the penguins

 

 

 

 

There is an elevated area to view the beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another elevated area at the end where you can view a cove

 

 

 

 

 

And watch the penguins frolic

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoroBa7BG_g&feature=c4-overview&list=UUgn8BrrJIoeyp3pD3LqhoRA

[Chelly]

scubacruiserx2:

I just can't thank you enough for this spectacular photo review. It is a valuable resource for booking this itinerary.

Chelly

[scubacruiserx2]

The colony of Magellan penguin is the largest in the world of that species numbering 650,000 . They spent 6 months of the year here during the breeding cycle . After molting they migrate up to 2,000 miles North for the winter.

 

 

 

 

Most of the chicks were still in the nests but we found a few older ones

outside

 

 

 

This chick seemed to be well nourished

 

 

 

 

We also found some small rodents

 

 

 

 

And a itchy Guanaco

 

 

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

scubacruiserx2:

I just can't thank you enough for this spectacular photo review. It is a valuable resource for booking this itinerary.

Chelly

 

 

 

You're welcome Chelly , we're happy that you are enjoying it .

 

As a sidebar , we see that you have booked a Baltic Cruise on Celebrity next Summer . We did that cruise on the Eclipse this June and you may be interested in our Photo Travelog found here : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2372103

 

 

The MDR of the Eclipse

 

 

 

 

The staircase in the Hermitage , St. Petersburg

 

 

 

 

St. Petersburg Metro

 

 

 

Berlin

 

 

 

 

Stockholm

 

 

 

 

 

Tallin

 

 

 

 

 

[cruisingherrons]

Les Eclaireurs lighthouse is considered to be a symbol of Ushuaia .

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Eclaireurs_Lighthouse

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful pictures. It feels like I am there with you. I am hoping to book this cruise but not until late 2018/early 2019. The lighthouse pictures were terrific (second only to all the wildlife). I hope to see the seals, birds and especially penguins. At first I was thinking South America, oooo, it's going to be hot, but I see that I was so wrong. Thank you again for making this itinerary now in the top 5 of my "must do" list.

Donna

[scubacruiserx2]

Les Eclaireurs lighthouse is considered to be a symbol of Ushuaia .

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Eclaireurs_Lighthouse

 

_____________________________________________________________

 

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful pictures. It feels like I am there with you. I am hoping to book this cruise but not until late 2018/early 2019. The lighthouse pictures were terrific (second only to all the wildlife). I hope to see the seals, birds and especially penguins. At first I was thinking South America, oooo, it's going to be hot, but I see that I was so wrong. Thank you again for making this itinerary now in the top 5 of my "must do" list.

Donna

 

 

You're welcome Donna , and we're glad that you liked them . The only warm weather which we encountered was in Buenos Aires after our cruise . But we hoped a plane and head back South to Patagonia for a short , post cruise visit , which we loved !! :) :D

[Chelly]

scubacruiser2X,

I did check out your Northern Europe and St Petersburg offerings. You make me feel like a kid waiting for Santa. Thanks for all that you do for Cruise Critic members.

[scubacruiserx2]

scubacruiser2X,

I did check out your Northern Europe and St Petersburg offerings. You make me feel like a kid waiting for Santa. Thanks for all that you do for Cruise Critic members.

 

Northern Europe and South America head the list of places which we like to visit and photography is a great way to capture , share and relive people , places and things . :) :D

[scubacruiserx2]

After returning from our tour to Punta Tombo we had a dinner date at the Pinnacle grill for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre . This occurs only one time during the cruise . I'm not usually one for interactive crime-fighting but I do enjoy fine dining - so we were there !! We were thrilled with the menu and wine pairing

 

 

 

 

It looks like we not the only ones that had too much wine as this out of focus photo shows !!

 

 

 

 

 

We won't give too many details except to say that we had a great time , a great dinner and a campy show that we won't forget !!! :) :D

 

 

In this clip the Detective interrogates a suspect

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

The following day found us en route to Montevideo.

 

 

 

Having finally secured our passports , it was a nice day for a walk on the lower promenade deck. The sea was calm - very calm. And once again - we were being followed.

 

 

 

 

 

A Giant Petrel

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_petrel

 

 

 

 

In our wake !! :) :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

At the bow of the ship was this bird which looked like a flight risk

 

 

 

 

And it was off

 

 

 

 

 

 

It made walking on the water look easy !

 

 

 

 

 

Up , up and away !!

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

The bird is a Great Shearwater

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_shearwater

 

 

It flew by us a couple of times at a high rate of speed skimming the water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

n Montevideo we found our friend from Ushuaia , the ADIA cara had already docked

 

 

 

 

We had decided to DIY in Montevideo with our friends Daniel and Sarah. We were greeted by some people on quay offering a free ride to a leather factory located at Plaza Independencia which is where we began our walking tour. This is approximately the route that we walked

 

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Rambla+25+de+Agosto+de+1825,+Montevideo,+Uruguay/Plaza+Independencia,+Montevideo,+Uruguay/@-34.9066725,-56.2071423,17z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x959f7f86f802f14f:0x6d4311eddfba1dce!2m2!1d-56.2102738!2d-34.9045535!3m4!1m2!1d-56.2078219!2d-34.9084601!3s0x959f7f81746446d1:0x6f208fc05c903e1f!1m5!1m1!1s0x959f802b0e1d1f07:0x7d9cac3abf570af3!2m2!1d-56.1997193!2d-34.9069929!3e2

 

 

After leaving the shop , we saw this statue of Artigas "the father of Uruguayan nationhood"

 

 

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Gervasio_Artigas

 

 

 

At the end of the square is this beautiful building

 

 

 

 

 

Our next stop was at the Plaza Constitution where a flea market was being set up. They had some interesting antiques with good prices , but we were very limited weight in the amount of weight that we could carry on the upcoming flights.

 

 

 

 

As we walked a little farther down the Sarandi pedestrian mall we saw a lot of excitement going on. I couldn't resist videoing this happy couples big moment !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love some of the graffiti that we saw during the walk

 

[scubacruiserx2]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

Many of the shops on the street that we walked by , and went into , had a distinctly European feel. Except for all of the Coke signs that we saw everywhere !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a solo Pepsi sign at the Beatles BAR

 

 

 

 

We wandered into the Estancia del Puerto at 11:30 am , and the place was empty

 

 

 

 

 

And found what we really wanted - Asado on the Parrilla !!

 

 

 

 

The grilling process is better appreciated in this video clip :

 

 

 

 

 

We found a table and ordered drinks , steak and chorizo . We were enjoying our drinks and our friend's company when we noticed that the place was filling up - Fast . Soon , our lunch arrived and the smell was incredible !! After tasting we realized that we had found meat heaven . It was more than just a lunch. It is the Quintessential dining experience of South America.

 

 

As you can see in this video - We were not alone !

 

 

 

 

Before we knew it , it was time to reboard the Zaandam. And set sail for Buenos Aires .

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

With one last sunrise our cruise was ending Buenos Aries !

 

 

 

 

 

Most of the passengers were sleeping in because they had an overnight in BA. But we had a flight to El Calafate at noon for our post - cruise stay. So we took our last look at the ship in Buenos Aires .

 

 

 

 

The Port in Buenos Aires

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the final review of the cruise , I can't think of anything that HAL could do to improve their performance . In all respects , they had met and exceeded our expectations !!!

 

Next: Post cruise stay in El Calafate