Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[OlsSalt]

8 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

@olsalt jmo. Going east - west was perfect for this specific cruise notwithstanding the missed port. To end the Antarctica Experience with the day we had was spectacular. Was for me a real high!!

 

Am open to job offers!!

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Maybe we could do a Give-Send-Go 💌 and get you on the roundtrip HAL Voyage of the Vikings!  Another often spectacular scenic voyage in this planet's rugged outreaches. Hope you get to take it someday.  And write about it.

 

The Prince Christian Sound in Greenland ranks right up there with Antarctica - but is only for a few hours, not several days like way down under.

[NorbertsNiece]

26 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

Maybe we could do a Give-Send-Go 💌 and get you on the roundtrip HAL Voyage of the Vikings!  Another often spectacular scenic voyage in this planet's rugged outreaches. Hope you get to take it someday.  And write about it.

 

The Prince Christian Sound in Greenland ranks right up there with Antarctica - but is only for a few hours, not several days like way down under.

We went to Greenland in the fall of '22 with a UK cruise line. We didn't actually set foot on land there. The first day we took a boat trip to a glacier straight from the ship. The next day, at the next port it was too foggy to tender!! Link to blog in sig x 

[NorbertsNiece]

Set #2 Central stairs

Apologies for dreadful quality. Ship rocking and rolling. This is the clearest it has been all day. Not much 'scenic' cruising achieved today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 3 by NorbertsNiece

[Hogladyrider]

@NorbertsNiece...going back to read your 14 pg Ambience live now...so enjoy your reviews now that I've found them.

[0106]

@NorbertsNieceWhat tour did you take in Punta Arenas?  Because of a change in our itinerary, HAL is still not showing any tours for the port.  Many people on your Roll Call seem unhappy with the tours they took.  I wanted to take a tour to see the penguins on Magdalena but private tours leave before the ship arrives.  I was waitlisted for the ship's tour prior to the change in itinerary,  I would be happy to tour the historic ships and museums but would prefer a smaller group.  TYIA 

[Astrid61]

I was able to book the tour in the afternoon on the 13th of February with this compagnie. Maybe something for you?
https://todopatagonia.net/en/tour/penguins-in-magdalena-island/

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomorrow we are in Chacabuco or as I heard some guests pronounce it today Chewbacca 🤦‍♀️

 

Puerto Chacabuco

 

In 1870, explorers set out on a hydrographic expedition in the Chacabuco corvette, under the command of Captain Enrique Simpson. The objective was to gather as much information as possible about the area between the Guaitecas Archipelago, the Aysén River, and the Patagonian Channels. In March, the explorers found an ideal bay for docking, which Captain Simpson named Puerto Chacabuco.Today, Puerto Chacabuco is the main port in the Aysén Region and plays a key role in connecting the Patagonian Channels to the rest of Chile.

 

Am taking an excursion with other CC people :

 

This adventure is designed for the traveler who has limited time, but wants to experience both the natural beauty as well as the culture of Northern Patagonia. We will pick you up at the main plaza in Puerto Chacabuco (just outside the port). Then, we’ll take a drive through the Simpson River Valley, one of the most scenic drives in the region. As we follow the river through the valley, we will pass through lush farmland and dramatic rugged green mountains. Admire waterfalls that tumble down from above, see rustic old homesteads and an explosion of wildflowers. You will learn about the history of the region, the current issues, how people live here and what they do for a living.

 

Reserva Rio Simpson  

 

Our first stop will be at the Reserva Rio Simpson (Simpson River National Reserve). We will visit the newly installed visitor's center which features interactive exhibits about the geography, flora and fauna of Northern Patagonia. Here, you have the option of spending time exploring the exhibits, taking a short stroll to the river, or grabbing a refreshment at the cafe. This will also be our first bathroom stop.    

 

Cascada de La Virgen 

 

After the reserve, we will visit the impressive double waterfall, Cascada de la Virgen. It is a beautiful waterfall that holds important cultural and spiritual significance for many locals. If it is raining, we will also be able admire small cascades bounding off the sheer cliffs of the Simpson River Canyon.  

 

Patagonian lunch and entertainment at Pangal

 

Pangal is the perfect place to take a post card picture of Northern Patagonia. We will see rustic farms, wildflowers, rivers tumbling below red hanging bridges and green snow capped mountains…  

 

The highlight of Pangal will be our stop at a 'campo' to experience the people and the culture of Northern Patagonia. Don Carlos and Señora Juani have a picturesque farm which they call Predio Aguelarre. They are excited to share their way of life and customs with you. Here, we will see how this family mostly steers clear of the supermarket by raising their own vegetables and meat. They have a typical quincho or wooden barbecue house built to roast meat and have get-togethers. Here, you will have the chance to listen to traditional music and see Cueca the Chilean national dance and Chamame (a traditonal dance from Argentina that is popular in Patagonia).   

 

We will have a sit down lunch with your choice of asado al palo(lamb), salmon or empanadas (turnovers). You will also have the chance to enjoy a hand squeezed pisco sour (a Chilean specialty) and Chilean wine. Friendship Beer (brewed on site) is also available for purchase.  

 

Here is a description of the lunch options of which you may not be familiar:

 

Asado al palo is a Patagon tradition. It is a lamb roasted over embers of an open fire. The lunch includes lamb, potatoes, and lettuce from the organic greenhouses next to the quincho. The lunch also includes a pisco sour (a classic Chilean cocktail) and then your choice of Chilean wine, or mineral water during the lunch. 

 

Empanadas are pastry turnovers that are baked in a wood burning oven. Guests who choose empanadas will get two, one filled with ground beef, sautéed onions and an olive and the other with cheese. This option also includes a pisco sour, Chilean wine, or mineral water.  

 

Vegetarian meals are also available upon request. 

 

Our dancers are the local dance coach and local youth that have danced all their lives, but rarely get to dance for outside visitors. They are very proud to show you the traditional dances of the region and it really is an amazing experience to see them dance. So, bring your cameras!  

 

Our biggest priority is to get you back to the port when you need to be. Thus, we may need to adjust things day of depending on time variables. Our tour is designed to get you back to the port one hour before the ship's departure.

Edited January 4 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

@0106 Geoff did the ship tour about Magellan to the museum. On my previous visit I went to an office with others in town to get tickets for Magdellena Island. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[TiogaCruiser]

Our CC group did the tour you are doing tomorrow in 2013. It was one of the best I’ve been on. 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 20 Chacabuco, Chile

 

Good morning and thanks for following 😀

 

It's persistently raining out despite my weather chart! Tender operations started early.

Currently at breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited January 4 by NorbertsNiece

[Charvey23]

12 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Day 20 Chacabuco, Chile

 

Good morning and thanks for following 😀

 

It's persistently raining out despite my weather chart! Tender operations started early.

Currently at breakfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I think the weather forecast you have on your phone is for the little town of Chacabuco in the Atacama desert in northern Chile! Puerto Chacabuco is evidently much cooler and rainier.   Loving your blog - I'm getting really excited about doing the same cruise later this month on the Oosterdam.... 

Edited January 4 by Charvey23

[NorbertsNiece]

Had another fab CC roll call organised day out.

Tendering was much smoother in organisation than last time. I didn't have to wait at all.

 

Met at the pier by dancers video here

 

 Port Chacabuco has little to commend it sadly. Three domes selling artisan stuff. Bought a hand knitted sweater from the hand knitter. No shops of any description 

 

 

There's a shuttle bus from the pier up to the domes. I walk up 

 

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Arturo Prat, a Chilean navy war hero 

 

 

 

Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Our guide, Aldo, an Italian, has explored much; has lived for quite a while in Scotland so his accent leapt about. An absolutely wonderful guide. The land is lush / rugged. Peaks. Rivers.  Some of the road wasn't made up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

First stop is the Simpson River National Reserve. Its fauna includes: puma, deer, condor, eagle, kingfisher, thrush, chucao (cute little bird with a red chest), thrush and cachaña (parakeet) among others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

If I hear Guantanamera one more time I may go overboard. HAL seems to have the one tape on continual loop. Its only saving grace is a Spanish version of California Dreaming.

[NorbertsNiece]

Link to reel here

 

Cascada de la Virgen, the double-tiered waterfall the locals call the "Cascade of the Virgin," named for the visions of the Virgin Mary that many believe have appeared here

 

 

 

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Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We took a short ride on towards where lunch was to be enjoyed. Exiting the van we walked across a boarded bridge over a river. Google Maps isn't working atm so I can't tell you its name! After we crossed the van followed us over.

 

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Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We then drove to Quincho Aquelarre and had a super lamb (or salmon or vegetarian) lunch with a dancing demo from our host.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Dinner.

 

Tomorrow we are in Puerto Montt 

 

Founded as late as 1853 during the German colonization of southern Chile, Puerto Montt soon outgrew older neighboring cities through its strategic position at the southern end of the Chilean Central Valley being a gateway city into the Chiloé Archipelago, the Llanquihue and Nahuel Huapi lakes and Western Patagonia.Puerto Montt has gained renown and grown significantly through the rise of Chile to become the second largest salmon producer of the world during the 1990s and 2000s. However, the Chilean salmon aquaculture crisis of the late 2000s resulted in severe unemployment and exposed weaknesses in the local economy. The city's cultural endowment mixes elements of Chiloé culture with a German heritage. The city has attracted a significant number of newcomers from all over Chile in the last 30 years in search of employment opportunities.

 

We have our final CC excursion

 

Description of the tour :

 

Your tour begins in the port and industrial city of Puerto Montt. This city is also known as the "northern door to Patagonia", because many trips through the south of Chile to Patagonia start here. The first settlers came to Puerto Montt and neighboring areas from Germany more than 150 years ago. Here we'll visit the main square, the cathedral and the scenic lookout Manuel Montt, which has a panoramic view of Reloncavi Bay and the city. From there we'll visit the city of Puerto Varas.

 

At this time Puerto Varas is the most popular tourist center in the south of Chile, with German-influenced architecture and summer activities. It's located on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, one of the largest natural lakes in South America. Next we'll follow the shoreline of Lake Llanquihue past the foot of Osorno volcano to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, where we'll visit Todos los Santos Lake and the Pertohue rapids. These rapids were formed when the lava from volcanic eruptions blocked the river's course.

 

Then we will continue our journey to the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon), where we will stop to take pictures. Next stop we'll make in a restaurant on the shore of Lake Llanquihue to have lunch. After it we begin our return to Puerto Montt. Passengers may ride directly to the port or remain at the Angelmo Handicraft Fair. This market is famous for local handicrafts and fresh seafood, and is a five minute walk from the port.

 

* In good weather there's an optional trip up the slope of Osorno volcano to a ski base located 1300 meters above sea level. From there you'll have a panoramic view of the whole region, including Calbuco volcano and all of Lake Llanquihue. (Extra charge applies).

 

 

 

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[whogo]

2 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Our guide, Aldo, an Italian, has explored much; has lived for quite a while in Scotland so his accent leapt about.

 

2 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

If I hear Guantanamera one more time I may go overboard.

Marvelous blog, thanks for posting, NorbertsNiece. The above are just a couple of favorite comments, I love your style.

[Bill B]

If I hear Y.M.C.A. one more time I will not be responsible for my actions.

[RuthC]

2 minutes ago, Bill B said:

If I hear Y.M.C.A. one more time I will not be responsible for my actions.

I feel the same way when I hear 'Piano Man' starting. 
Screaming at the top of my lungs, and running manically out of the room doesn't begin to cover it. 

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 21 Puerto Montt and last dressy evening and I've ordered black cod off the (upcharge) Morimoto menu for dinner!

 

Good morning and thanks for following 😉

 

I intend to share another delightful tune off the bow cam which I have on when blogging. I have no idea what it is but it's doing my head in!

And thanks for your lovely comments. Just imagine what I'm like in real life!! 🤓

 

I had Chacabuco yesterday for the weather forecast not Puerto Chacabuco, Aysén Province. Apologies

 

 

 

 

 

Bow cam needs coffee or something 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 5 by NorbertsNiece

[Ottawa traveller]

Thanks for doing this blog. I've been following since the beginning. When you disembark on Sunday, I will be getting on. Right now l am enjoying the warm sunny weather in Santiago. I hope you will be staying awhile to enjoy  Santiago. It has a lot to offer.

 

[flamingogal]

Thank you for the wonderful blog!  It has been very entertaining and helpful.  We will be doing the 31 day Buenos Aires to Ft. Lauderdale in March 25, so many of your port descriptions really help get things into perspective!  Thanks again!

 

Jeanne