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LIVE from the Grand Princess - 49 days from FLL thru South America to SFO

Pia1913

By Pia1913,
in Princess Cruises

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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And a happy Monday morning to you all. The weather, albeit cloudy, is getting warmer. Me? Hanging in there. Welcome to Puerto Montt, Chile, a lovely city of almost 200,000 inhabitants. This is a modern city, but vestiges of its frontier past are visible all over town ; I.e. weathered clapboard and shingle houses. The cathedral, for example, is constructed almost entirely of regional redwood-like timber. The Osorno volcano, which last erupted in the late 1800’s, can be seen from almost everywhere. This is one of Chile’s most famous volcanoes and is referred to as “Fuji of South America.”

　

On a previous stop here, we visited the town of Puerto Varas, founded by German immigrants more than 150 years ago. Puerto Varas is known as the City of Roses highlighted by its rose encircled plaza. This is an upscale area. Expensive. There’s a small German village nearby (Frutillar), where you can visit the museum. It resembles a small Swiss chalet and has period furnishings, a blacksmith shop and beautiful gardens. Also a spectacular view of THE volcano.

　

It’s also really nice walking around the waterfront after you get off the tender. I’m not too sure about walking anywhere today, but I might try to get off my derriere and give it a try. At least try to get on a tender. My foot and ankle is completely strapped except for the heel area where there is a lovely shade of purple peeking through. Pain has diminished slightly, but has increased in my hip which took the major impact of the fall. And my left shoulder too. Time heals it all and all I have is time.

　

A few days ago someone asked about the art director. At that time I had no clue about him. FYI, I have learned that he’s from Australia and his name is Andy Levitt.

　

Yesterday I spent most of the day in the cabin and just hobbled to HC for dinner. No cocktail party, no show, no formal wear, no nothing. Just back to cabin afterwards and applied more ice. At this point I think ice is overkill but it feels better. :)

　

As usual when we are in a port the ship’s activities remain dormant. What we have today is an afternoon movie Oceans Eleven, and that’s about it. We enjoyed all the Ocean movies and just might see this one again.

　

Tonight’s entertainment is mentalist Brent Webb again. No other shows. MUTS will be showing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

　

Can’t keep track of the casino either. Sometimes it opens for a short time; most of the time closed. It was open until 9 PM last night, and tonight, it will not open at all. I’m not missing a thing by it being closed.

Jim and Lori: What you just wrote makes me laugh. I am not a big soda drinker; just prefer diet Pepsi over Coke. I am a big coffee drinker and then comes white wine.

Time for breakfast. No room service today. Either I get there or I starve. Plenty of stored calories to survive. ;)

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gdgraham12

gdgraham12

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Pia,

 

In general, are there lectures or Enrichment classes on Princess cruises that do not necessarily relate to the destination of the cruise?

 

It seems I remember you mentioning a lecture on Aliens or UFO's or something supernatural...just curious if it was something related to your ports.

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Hi Folks. Me again. I have it on good authority that my ankle is not broken. Which authority? Mike’s and mine. Mine because I’ve been thru it before and Mike’s, because he has the degree. Swelling is down, pain almost totally gone. Purple foot? Yep. But that will last a long time. I will also stay strapped for another few days. Dr husband says so.

　

Yes, we did get off the ship and if I made it up that steep ramp (you have to see it to know what I mean), then I knew all was better. We walked a little bit and found lots of souvenir and craft stalls. $4.00 and one scarf later (worth the wind protection even if I never use it again), back we went to the ship.

　

We just came from the theater; saw Ocean’s Eleven. It was like seeing it for the first time. Only remembered the inside of Vegas casino. ;)

Surprise. Surprise. The Elite setup for the next cruise has been delivered. I think that’s good planning on their part. Deliver early and don’t have the hassle of embarkation day requests.

gdgraham: Aliens have nothing to do with this cruise. :D

See you all tomorrow. Internet is spotty. Casino openings come and go. Weird.

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Tuesday February 26th and the last day of cruise number two. The Patter tells us the outside temperature will reach almost 80 today with sunny skies. Yesterday’s predictions were totally wrong, so let’s see what today brings.

　

Went to see the mentalist’s second show last night which was totally different than his first one. Very good.

　

What always happens on the last day of a cruise is that they squeeze everything into one day/night. So here’s what’s happening:

In the morning there’s an astronomy lecture: Time and Longitude and also a big culinary show in the theater. Afternoon, practically piled one on top of the other is/are:

1. Lecture by Maxtone-Graham - Princes of Wales, Part I

2. Passenger Talent Show

3. Afternoon movie: The Perks of Being A Wallflower

4. Spelling Bee finals

5. Wine Tasting

6. MUTS movie: Hitch

Oh yes, the casino will open at noon and no mention of closure. Still weird.

　

Evening on MUTS is Trouble with the Curve, in the theater there’s the male vocalist (Kenny James) and the ventriloquist (Willy Tyler) and in Vista, the movie Lawless. (I’m passing on the theater guys and will Google the movie). Also tonight is the Liar’s Club in Explorer’s (conflicting with all of the above) and later on the International Crew Show.

　

As always, we are happy not to have to pack. We’ve been here exactly a month with only 18 more sleeps to go. Sounds like a lot, but time passes quickly. It seems as if every time we turn around it’s time for dinner.

Paul: Haven't seen him up close and personal yet. Will next cruise. I didn't forget

S: email coming your way

Feeding time. :D

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Northwest Couple

Northwest Couple

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Hi Folks. Me again. I have it on good authority that my ankle is not broken. Which authority? Mike’s and mine. Mine because I’ve been thru it before and Mike’s, because he has the degree. Swelling is down, pain almost totally gone. Purple foot? Yep. But that will last a long time. I will also stay strapped for another few days. Dr husband says so.

　

Yes, we did get off the ship and if I made it up that steep ramp (you have to see it to know what I mean), then I knew all was better. We walked a little bit and found lots of souvenir and craft stalls. $4.00 and one scarf later (worth the wind protection even if I never use it again), back we went to the ship.

　

We just came from the theater; saw Ocean’s Eleven. It was like seeing it for the first time. Only remembered the inside of Vegas casino. ;)

Surprise. Surprise. The Elite setup for the next cruise has been delivered. I think that’s good planning on their part. Deliver early and don’t have the hassle of embarkation day requests.

gdgraham: Aliens have nothing to do with this cruise. :D

See you all tomorrow. Internet is spotty. Casino openings come and go. Weird.

Pia, how did you fall when you hurt your foot?

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Pia1913

Pia1913

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Good morning and welcome to Valparaiso, the end of leg number two and the beginning of cruise number three. We now look forward to another 17 days of cruising, this time starting in Chile and passing thru Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico, before reaching our final destination of San Francisco on March 16th. This is our fourth visit here, so no definite plans for us.

　

Valparaiso is Chile’s 2nd largest city and was founded in 1536 by the Spaniards. This city is about the same latitude south as San Diego is north, and has a similar climate and weather. The adjacent city of Vina del Mar is known as a rich man’s playground with a municipal casino, elegant hotels and restaurants, beautiful beaches along a rocky coastline and chic boutiques. Valparaiso is known for commerce and Vina for pleasure. From time to time casino rules have changed. Wives once had to have written permission from their husbands just to enter the building unescorted and Chilean citizens had to provide documentation proving that they had paid their taxes before they could enter.

Things have changes drastically since the casino was built in 1932. No worries about entry now. :)

　

We have been told that the terminal is approx. one mile from the pier and shuttles will be provided since passengers are not allowed to walk in the port area. Looking outside now I see no sign of sun which should have come up ½ hour ago. It is still dark and dreary; looks like rain.

　

A short rundown of last night. We went to see the movie Lawless and stayed for the whole two hours. Can’t understand why. If we who live in the South had a hard time understanding a lot of the dialogue, I wonder how the Australians fared with it.

　

Today’s agenda is a regular embarkation one; we sail for Coquimbo about 6 PM. Tonight there will be the welcome aboard show at 9:45, MUTS will have Jiro Dreams of Sushi and Vista has the movie “Butter” with Hugh Jackman. I love Hugh Jackman. :D

BCNV: hope you are correct. Their main supermarket, UNIMARC, hasn’t had any; only regular. I know where to get it in Santiago, but that of course is not an option.

　

Northwest Couple: My bathroom door got in my way.

MWV: Water problem was solved when they carpeted my balcony. No sign since, but adjacent cabins still have it.

 

　

Internet yucky again and between the two of us we have more than 2 hours of time remaining. I do hope the same thing happens on this cruise and we get to keep those extra minutes. Will advise.

See you whenever.

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