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

[Btimmer]

Today in our short stop at Parintins, Angela and I walked out to the Boi Bumba Drome and viewed the old floats stored nearby and then made it back in time to see the Festival show which was quite good once again.

 

Rain was in the forecast, and a monsoon hit as the shoreside tender was unloading at the ship.

Below are some pictures from today.

 

 

 

[Riversedge]

Great pictures.  Love following along.  
I’m curious how this Grand compares to a regular Antarctica voyage that HAL runs from Santiago to Buenos Aries.   We were on the 2020 Grand SA/Antarctica voyage and it was amazing day after day with decorations, gifts, special speakers, cocktail parties, dinner with officers, etc.  But that was before Covid.  We are afraid we might be disappointed with onboard experiences if we were to do it again on a non-Grand voyage.  I know Antarctica is a special experience at any time but I need to convince my husband.  And maybe the Grand experience has not gotten back to pre-covid offerings.  Thanks for your thoughts.  

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, Riversedge said:

Great pictures.  Love following along.  
I’m curious how this Grand compares to a regular Antarctica voyage that HAL runs from Santiago to Buenos Aries.   We were on the 2020 Grand SA/Antarctica voyage and it was amazing day after day with decorations, gifts, special speakers, cocktail parties, dinner with officers, etc.  But that was before Covid.  We are afraid we might be disappointed with onboard experiences if we were to do it again on a non-Grand voyage.  I know Antarctica is a special experience at any time but I need to convince my husband.  And maybe the Grand experience has not gotten back to pre-covid offerings.  Thanks for your thoughts.  

We did the regular Antarctica voyage 7 years ago and this Grand is many notches above it with a few different ports, upgraded menus, special events, speakers, and entertainment.  I'll let you know about the current "regular" Antarctica voyage in a month when we board the Oosterdam in Chile and repeat the voyage to Buenos Aires.

Edited December 3, 2023 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Yes, ships get stuck on sandbars in the Amazon.  We just passed by this empty cargo ship.

 

 

[Btimmer]

Today in Manaus we did a terrific Swim with the Dolphins, Indigenous Village visit, Lunch on a floating Restaurant, fishing for pirarucu, and visiting the meeting of the brown Amazon and the black Rio Negro.  And I'm batting two for two in the boat problem department.  Our Zaandam #1 boat' propellor struck some rocks and we lost driving power.  It took a bit for the captain and his first mate to get it fixed.  On our last Amazon River excursion 4 years ago, we ran out of gas in the dark.  I wonder why nobody wants to do excursions with me?

The salad part of the lunch buffet

 

 

 

It's not a good sign when the tools are spread on the deck.

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Tonight was the Orange Party.  Lots of Orange was on display. The bridge over the Rio Negros was brilliantly on display.

 

 

 

 

[Lenliner]

Thanks for putting smiles on our faces! 

Nice picture of the bridge on the Rio Negros! 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Lenliner
Keyboarding Error! >_<

[0106]

I appreciate this live thread.  I have also been following your blog in preparation for my cruise departing January 29. Last night we received an itinerary change; Punta del Estes has been dropped, Castro Isla Chiloe has been added.  In addition to rescheduling 5 private tours, I am now looking for a private tour company for Castro.  Who did you use?  TYIA

[monarchbb]

9 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I appreciate this live thread.  I have also been following your blog in preparation for my cruise departing January 29. Last night we received an itinerary change; Punta del Estes has been dropped, Castro Isla Chiloe has been added.  In addition to rescheduling 5 private tours, I am now looking for a private tour company for Castro.  Who did you use?  TYIA

https://turismopangue.cl/
Coastal Towns Tour

@0106, this was the tour company used for Castro. I hope @Btimmer or @xjust4fun will let you know their personal opinion as although I organized the tour with this company, I had to cancel the cruise. 

[Btimmer]

2 hours ago, monarchbb said:

https://turismopangue.cl/
Coastal Towns Tour

@0106, this was the tour company used for Castro. I hope @Btimmer or @xjust4fun will let you know their personal opinion as although I organized the tour with this company, I had to cancel the cruise. 

Look up my blog post for Castro.  We did the Coastal Towns tour and it was wonderful!  Terrific bird watching.

 

https://timmer2023gsa.blogspot.com

 

 

[Btimmer]

Today we visited Devil's Island (think Pappion) which is a former French Penal Colony.  Today, however, we focussed on flora and fauna sightings.  Here are a few pictures including some non flora and fauna.

 

 

 

 

 

Agouti (large rodent)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

It's been a busy few days with 3 ports in a row and two more to go.  All is found I. My blog at https://timmer2023gsa.blogspot.com.  Below are a few pictures from today.  We took the shuttle to town and walked to the botanical garden and then hiked up the mountain to the two viewpoints.  Unfortunately our onboard time was 1:30pm.

 

 

[Btimmer]

A happy crew ready to serve cheese at the sailaway party from San Juan, Puerto Rico which is our last port before FLL.

[Btimmer]

we've arrived in Fort Lauderdale along with the Celebrity Equinox.  Angela's brand new commemorative duffel was totally destroyed between the ship and our pick up point.

 

 

 

Totally destroyed!

 

We're off on a land sea tour before flying home this evening.

[oakridger]

16 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Totally destroyed!

 

I sure hope you didn't lose anything from the bag!  I can't imagine what had to be done to it to rip it to shreds like that!!  Anyway, welcome back and now you can start preparing for the redo portion!!

 

I just love your posts and blog.  Thank you!

 

~Nancy

[Btimmer]

9 minutes ago, oakridger said:

 

I sure hope you didn't lose anything from the bag!  I can't imagine what had to be done to it to rip it to shreds like that!!  Anyway, welcome back and now you can start preparing for the redo portion!!

 

I just love your posts and blog.  Thank you!

 

~Nancy

I'm guessing a forklift gouged it.

 

Thanks for following along.  We're headed back in a couple of weeks to repeat the Antarctica portion.  I'll do another blog and Almost Live thread.

[Riversedge]

13 hours ago, Btimmer said:

I'm guessing a forklift gouged it.

 

Thanks for following along.  We're headed back in a couple of weeks to repeat the Antarctica portion.  I'll do another blog and Almost Live thread.

Thanks you for doing this.  I’m looking forward to hearing how your experience compares to the Grand you just finished.  

[WriterOnDeck]

Sorry to hear about the duffel damage! Mine came through fine, but I did have it full to hold its shape. I do find that helps with soft duffels. Earlier this year Luggage Forward ruined the wheels on one of my good bags. I sent it to my sister's house at the end of the world cruise, but I returned two months later to discover it. It's a bummer!

 

Have fun on the repeat!

[Btimmer]

2 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said:

Sorry to hear about the duffel damage! Mine came through fine, but I did have it full to hold its shape. I do find that helps with soft duffels. Earlier this year Luggage Forward ruined the wheels on one of my good bags. I sent it to my sister's house at the end of the world cruise, but I returned two months later to discover it. It's a bummer!

 

Have fun on the repeat!

Last year on our Boston RT Iceland voyage, HAL destroyed a wheel on Angela's luggage on the return leg.

 

it's a whirlwind of activity to depart in two weeks.  Have a Merry Christmas.

[Mosaic]

If I may ask a couple quick questions. 

1.  How was the internet while in the Amazon area?

2.  Do mosquitos show up on outside decks in the Amazon?

 

We will be on the Zaandam in the Amazon in two months!

Thanks for all your posts......

[Btimmer]

52 minutes ago, Mosaic said:

If I may ask a couple quick questions. 

1.  How was the internet while in the Amazon area?

2.  Do mosquitos show up on outside decks in the Amazon?

 

We will be on the Zaandam in the Amazon in two months!

Thanks for all your posts......

The internet was rock solid virtually everywhere.  On board the ship, the WiFi quality can vary.  Our WiFi in cabin 1818 was quite good.

 

Mosquitoes were a non issue.  I did have bug spray and used it a few times.  Also we weee never asked for yellow fever vaccination information at any time.

[bennybear]

Welcome home!  Thanks for sharing the great adventure!