Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted October 25, 2016 Author #126 Share Posted October 25, 2016 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: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted October 27, 2016 #127 Share Posted October 27, 2016 You never fail to amaze me with your great shots. Your intended subject always standout. Congrats and thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted October 27, 2016 Author #128 Share Posted October 27, 2016 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 ! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 1, 2016 Author #129 Share Posted November 1, 2016 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 2, 2016 Author #130 Share Posted November 2, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 2, 2016 Author #131 Share Posted November 2, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 3, 2016 Author #132 Share Posted November 3, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 3, 2016 Author #133 Share Posted November 3, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 5, 2016 Author #134 Share Posted November 5, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 5, 2016 Author #135 Share Posted November 5, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelly Posted November 5, 2016 #136 Share Posted November 5, 2016 scubacruiserx2: I just can't thank you enough for this spectacular photo review. It is a valuable resource for booking this itinerary. Chelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 6, 2016 Author #137 Share Posted November 6, 2016 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 6, 2016 Author #138 Share Posted November 6, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingherrons Posted November 6, 2016 #139 Share Posted November 6, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 6, 2016 Author #140 Share Posted November 6, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelly Posted November 6, 2016 #141 Share Posted November 6, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 7, 2016 Author #142 Share Posted November 7, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 7, 2016 Author #143 Share Posted November 7, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 7, 2016 Author #144 Share Posted November 7, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 7, 2016 Author #145 Share Posted November 7, 2016 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 !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 8, 2016 Author #146 Share Posted November 8, 2016 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: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 8, 2016 Author #147 Share Posted November 8, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 8, 2016 Author #148 Share Posted November 8, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 9, 2016 Author #149 Share Posted November 9, 2016 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 10, 2016 Author #150 Share Posted November 10, 2016 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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