“the Big One”! World Cruise on Sojourn

[shark b8]

 

 

 

[shark b8]

The “alpha male” sea lion swims back and forth, patrolling the perimeter of his territory, broadcasting his dominance.  (Volume up)

 

 

 

[tjcox9]

9 minutes ago, shark b8 said:

Here’s the Sea Lion, the boat owned by our hotel (Finch Bay) - two levels, covered upper and lower with a/c.  The latter was appreciated, during today’s hike I started seeing a few spots from the heat, great to be able to cool down.  Typical day involves sailing about 2 hours to a nearby island, a nature walk, then a swim/snorkel, lunch, and return.  Yesterday we sailed by the Silver Origin in the Puerto Ayora harbor - knowing Silversea’s reputation, it certainly seems it would be a great way to do the Galápagos Islands in a little more depth if one had the time, they do continuous 7-day sailings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, so it! We've done two different 7 day Galapagos cruises and loved every minute of each!

 

[shark b8]

Even right in the busy harbor area, you’re likely to see somebody taking a snooze.

[shark b8]

We’re told the Galapagos hawk (up top) is the apex predator of the air.

 

 

 

[florisdekort]

Well, Callao/Lima was just cancelled for Sojourn due to safety concerns. Service call only, to take on fuel, supplies and to bring those pesky Galapagos people back on board 😉 No passenger disembarkation allowed. We’ll leave for Easter Island early. 
 

[shark b8]

26 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

…..and to bring those pesky Galapagos people back on board 😉 
 

I’ve always been a bit of a troublemaker.   😈

[tv24]

2 hours ago, florisdekort said:

Well, Callao/Lima was just cancelled for Sojourn due to safety concerns. Service call only, to take on fuel, supplies and to bring those pesky Galapagos people back on board 😉 No passenger disembarkation allowed. We’ll leave for Easter Island early. 
 

Not surprised.  On tonight's PBS news there was a video of demonstrations and an aggressive police response, in Lima.

[shark b8]

The Finch Bay hotel has a resident duck.  He does laps around the pool, and at dinner, he makes the rounds to the nearby outdoor dinner tables, to beg for bread.  Which most people provide.  We’ve taken to calling him Petros II, after a remembrance from a Greek island cruise a decade ago.  If memory serves (no guarantees, happy to have details corrected) there was a pelican (“Petros”, right?) in Mykonos who said, “you know what? This diving-for-fish thing is a lot of work. Maybe I’ll try wandering around the town, becoming a mini-celebrity, going in and out of businesses getting tidbits and having me picture took”.   
 

Anyway, Petros II sends his regards and reminds all that he likes bread, not rice.

 

Edited January 21, 2023 by shark b8

[Flamin_June]

Yes, they do like bread. We have a mute swan that occupies the stretch of water at the bottom of our garden. He/she (we can't tell) has been rather spoiled by DW and will now only accept the finest artisanal sourdough, rejecting all other breads ( she does also enjoy a diet of lettuce and special swan/duck food).

 

Actually, we don't 'have' the swan, it just chose to hang out there, belongs to the King.

Edited January 21, 2023 by Flamin_June
added royal obsequence

[fdnycruiser]

Not sure about swans, but ducks shouldn’t be fed bread. Plenty of other foods that they can eat, asflamin Jane uses to, supplement their diet Bread fills them up, but unfortunately has no nutritional value. 

[florisdekort]

The “damage” to Sojourn from the Manta docking debacle on full display…

 

 

 

[highplanesdrifters]

2 hours ago, florisdekort said:

The “damage” to Sojourn from the Manta docking debacle on full display…

 

 

 

Whoa!

[shark b8]

Wow!  Thanks for that, had no idea!

[fdnycruiser]

Some of the crew will be doing a little extra work. Luckily no one was hurt when the mooring lines gave way

[shark b8]

So, yesterday was an up-and-down day.  We visited the Darwin research station in Puerto Ayora, and learned about Galapagos tortoises and the conservation efforts on their behalf.

 

 

 

[shark b8]

But the long trek back to the ship was less exhilarating. The airport experience around the world just seems (to me anyway) to get more and more frustrating.  Long lines, long waits, seemingly endless layers of security and documentation (yeah, I know…. necessary).  The hike through the National Park was great but hot and humid, and after bussing to Baltra airport, flying back to Guayaquil, bussing to a hotel lunch (which was terrific btw), bussing back to Guayaquil airport, re-checking luggage and immigration stuff, flying to Lima, re-doing immigration stuff yet again…..well, I think most of us were hot and tired and really ready to get back to home base.  Last bus of the day from Lima airport brought us to the pier, but local port authorities blocked our ability to board, the Seabourn staff seemed to be pleading with them, but after getting off the bus we had to stand around on the pier, at about midnight, for 15-20 minutes, before being allowed to access the gangway.  Patience was thin and nerves were shot and tempers were flaring, and understandably.

 

But here’s where (for me), the whole thing turned around.  Readers might remember my silly Sauternes story (more than once), and remember that I reported that it was out of stock onboard yet again, a week or so ago.  When we finally trudged down the hall and opened the door to our suite just after midnight last night, on the table was a plate of snacks, and…..two glasses of Sauternes.  Utterly brilliant.

[shark b8]

And so now, we’ve taken a right turn and are heading west to Easter Island, which is a looooong trek.  As a general rule, we strongly prefer port days to sea days, but with the flurry of activity of the last 3-4 days, we’re rather looking forward to just kicking back and being lazy for a while.  And here’s a pleasant way to start doing just that:     🤣

 

[highplanesdrifters]

What a story. Glad you got a happy sauternes ending! Enjoy the R&R.

[SDuckers]

Such amazing pictures!  Thank you for sharing!  You need to get some foie gras to go with that Saturnes!

[shark b8]

4 hours ago, SDuckers said:

You need to get some foie gras to go with that Saturnes!

“from your mouth to God’s ear”, as the saying goes!

[cruiseej]

8 hours ago, SDuckers said:

Such amazing pictures!  Thank you for sharing!  You need to get some foie gras to go with that Saturnes!

 

But not at midnight! 🤣

[twochromic]

Obviously there's no way Seabourn was going to put their passengers off to Peru right now.

How unfortunate. It is such an interesting country, and some of the kindest people I've ever met (been there 6 times!).

On Sojourn in November there were several dining staff on board from Peru, and we struck up a great friendship. Luz, Alfonso, and Maria Elena. They have to be devastated by the current situation.

[skybluewaters]

1 hour ago, twochromic said:

On Sojourn in November there were several dining staff on board from Peru, and we struck up a great friendship. Luz, Alfonso, and Maria Elena. They have to be devastated by the current situation.

 

And don't forget Gabriel, the barista at the Square!

[shark b8]

So, we’ve been sailing WSW from Lima for nearly 2½ days, and we’re still not halfway to Easter Island.  Really out in the middle of nowhere.  Just the way I like it.  (sometimes)