BTimmer's Almost Live Grand South America 10/7/23 -12/19/2023

[Btimmer]

Tonight on our sea day it is the Captain's Gala Zaandam Ball.

 

 

Earlier today Jeremy's coffee chat was with the management staff of the hotel department and they talked extensively about what went on behind the scenes to make this a Grand Voyage.  

 

L-R: Metka, Executive Housekeeper; Samantha, Manager of Entertainment; Ron, Manager of Food & Beverage; Joanne, Manager of Guest Relations; Florin, Hotel General Manager; Jeremy, Cruise & Travel Director 

 

More details about the above will be in my blog for today to be published later tonight.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Btimmer

[ottahand7]

I loved the gifts you received  on Wednesday.   I guess HA is hearing the complaints that Grand cruises were no longer grand.  We got no such gifts on our Grand South America in January.  

 

 

 

 

 

2btimme

Edited October 14, 2023 by ottahand7

[Btimmer]

6 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

I loved the gifts you received  on Wednesday.   I guess HA is hearing the complaints that Grand cruises were no longer grand.  We got no such gifts on our Grand South America in January.  

 

 

 

 

 

2btimme

As I posted in my blog, a meeting was held in Montreal in Nay and they critiqued their performance and reset expectations.

[john the pick]

How do I find your blog on the net?   Have not been able to find it  Thanks

[Btimmer]

48 minutes ago, john the pick said:

How do I find your blog on the net?   Have not been able to find it  Thanks

Https://timmer2023gsa.blogspot.com

[Btimmer]

We've arrived in Guayaquil and we're not able to get off the ship.  It's pleasantly warm with high clouds.

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Tonight is a German theme at dinner.

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Yesterday in Manta, Ecuador we did a nice tour with Narwell Tours called the Taste of Ecuador".  We got to experience the fish market, a park hike, Montecristi, and more.  All the details are in my daily blog.  Below are a few pictures from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[REOVA]

The beer "cans" on the pool deck are a nice touch. Would be nice if they brought back barbecues on deck (I know it's no longer allowed) as the smell of grilled brats and pretzels would be a nice touch with the beer. 

[Btimmer]

Tonight is a German theme at dinner.

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

We're in Huanchaco, Peru having lunch.  It's been a great archeological tour today with Las Adventures.

 

 

Edited October 18, 2023 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

It's been a great independent archeological tour today at Salaverry, Peru with Las Adventures. The reports back from my 3 groups totaling 32 people is extremely positive. I'll post more pictures later after I download them from my big camera.

 

 

 

(Ladder transport)

 

 

 

[firsttimer1971]

Great reading your stories and seeing your photos!
I have a quick question: did you have to fill out the Traveller Health Declaration before going to Manta? Will be going on the 31-day South America cruise in November and the CIBTVisas site says that you have to fill out a Health Declarartion form online before entering Ecuador but was wondering if that is also applicable for cruises.

[Btimmer]

1 minute ago, firsttimer1971 said:

Great reading your stories and seeing your photos!
I have a quick question: did you have to fill out the Traveller Health Declaration before going to Manta? Will be going on the 31-day South America cruise in November and the CIBTVisas site says that you have to fill out a Health Declarartion form online before entering Ecuador but was wondering if that is also applicable for cruises.

We haven't filled out any sort of health questionnaire or declaration so far. I've also not heard of any Covid on board and there's not much coughing as well. 

[firsttimer1971]

2 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

We haven't filled out any sort of health questionnaire or declaration so far. I've also not heard of any Covid on board and there's not much coughing as well. 

 

Thank you for the swift response, good to know!

[Btimmer]

Tonight HAL hit it out of the proverbial baseball park here in Callao, Peru today.  First there was a wonderful Peruvian themed offering in the Lido including a ceviche bar.  Then the evening entertainment was a local dance and musical group, Un Peru Para Todos (One Peru For Everyone). They presented an energetic, colorful, and fast paced hour of traditional Peruvian song and dance.  Below are a few pictures and I'll write more in my blog posting for today. This was probably the best local talent presentation we've ever seen on a HAL ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Today finds us in our last Peruvian Port: General San Martin.  It's another industrial port serving Paracas.  Here the desert comes right down to the sea.  My excursion today took us to the Ballestas Islands and to the Paracas National Preserve.

 

Below are a few pictures and I'll describe it more in today's blog.  We next have 3 sea

 

days until our first Chilean port.

 

Bottlenose dolphins

 

 

 

Humbolt Penguin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before

 

After

Turkey Vulture

 

 

Oyster Catcher

 

 It was a terrific tour by LAS Adventures.

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by Btimmer

[REOVA]

What is your camera set up? 

[Btimmer]

47 minutes ago, REOVA said:

What is your camera set up? 

Thanks for the question.

 

I have a pretty simple setup.  I generally shoot most with my Nikon P900 point & shoot which has an 80x zoom.  I don't shoot in Raw.  My other camera is my iPhone 13.  I transfer most photos from the P900 to the iPhone using Nikon's wireless transfer APP.  I do some simple and limited cropping and/or post processing on either the P900 or in an APP Camera+ on the iPhone.  If snorkeling or more extreme activity is involved, I also have a DJI 3 action camera with me.

 

I don't strive for perfection in my editing, but I do like close-ups of animals or flowers.  I also don't tend to shoot movies as I dislike editing video because it is so time consuming.

 

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[Btimmer]

Tonight was Casino Royale night and a dressy night so we decided to eat in the Main Dining Room.  We wore our "special glasses" and had a nice dinner with 4 others.

 

 

 

After watching the movie "33", we came across Florian and Captain Smit.  Another picture opportunity presented itself.

 

Then we found some cards.

 

[bcummin]

Please give our congratulations to Jeremy & Katie on their coming wedding.  She is also a big winner.  Katie was a big help to me last year on my HAL tour to Luxor, Egypt.  He is one lucky man.

Barbara

[Btimmer]

On our excursion today we made it 1/2 way to Argentina into the Andes which were very picturesque.  Here's a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also visited a Pisco distillery about a half hour away with small samples.  They were tasty!

 
 

 

 

On the way back to the ship we visited the La Serina lighthouse.

 

 

5

[Btimmer]

Today from San Antonio, we visited Valparaiso and did a walking tour and saw a lot of street art much of which was very stunning.  Here's a few pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our departure has been delayed about 3 hours due to slow refueling and late arriving provisions.  That's the bad news.  The goods news is that we'll have to travel faster which makes the stabilizers work better in upcoming rougher seas.  They are also draining the Lido pools.

 

 

[Alphen]

10 hours ago, Btimmer said:

 

Our departure has been delayed about 3 hours due to slow refueling and late arriving provisions.  That's the bad news.  The goods news is that we'll have to travel faster which makes the stabilizers work better in upcoming rougher seas.  They are also draining the Lido pools.

 

 

Enjoying your travel reports as always, both here and on your blog, just worried about the 5 penguins when the pools are drained; someone taking care of them in their own bath?

[Btimmer]

16 minutes ago, Alphen said:

Enjoying your travel reports as always, both here and on your blog, just worried about the 5 penguins when the pools are drained; someone taking care of them in their own bath?

Thank you for your concern.  They were removed before the pool started to drain.  It's amazing how much joy those little critters bring to those onboard.