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

[oakridger]

OK, I'll add to this edifying conversation.....Garuda Indonesian domestic flight in 1975....lunch was a banana and a rice ball.

 

 

~Nancy

[NorbertsNiece]

This actually wasn't bad.... then again it's a microwave meal.... vegan lasagne Ryan Air

 

I owe loads still from Oosterdam.... just got dog back and had no end of issues to sort here....

[Charvey23]

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

This actually wasn't bad.... then again it's a microwave meal.... vegan lasagne Ryan Air

 

I owe loads still from Oosterdam.... just got dog back and had no end of issues to sort here....

Thank you @NorbertsNiece for your brilliant blog - it has been a pleasure to follow your exploits and I've been enlightened and entertained along the way.  I shall miss it!  I hope you would recommend this cruise to others, particularly as I'll be boarding Oosterdam in just over two weeks' time to do the same itinerary (more or less).  

[travelholics]

Thank you so much for taking the time to include us in your travels. We did the trip in 2019 and loved it and hope to repeat in the future. Look forward to reading more of your travels in the future.

[Mickb]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Hope issues are not too serious and the cough improves!

[Gawker]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do such a complete and interesting blog.  We are on this cruise in two weeks time, and I have gleaned much useful information and many tips.  May you have many more wonderful trips ahead!

 

[NorbertsNiece]

45 minutes ago, Mickb said:

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Hope issues are not too serious and the cough improves!

In no particular order:

 

1. No central heating. Sorted 

2. Toilet wouldn't flush. Sorted

3. Washing machine error..... wouldn't drain. Sorted

4. Lost a hearing aid on the plane so partially deaf! 

5. Couldn't switch on the TV  ....... turns out a battery missing from remote 🤷‍♀️ had spare in drawer

6. My mobile phone wouldn't connect back to the network so no calls in or out. Sorted after a whole day in 'chat' with provider. Sorted in 30 seconds with advice from a community forum 🤦‍♀️

 

My dog was pleased to see me 

 

[Bill B]

18 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

5. Couldn't switch on the TV  ....... turns out a battery missing from remote

 

It gets worse - you were burgled. Fire your dog. 😉

[NorbertsNiece]

In Santiago we took a small group morning tour, with hotel pick up and drop off, booked through Viator.

 

Vitacura Park, absolutely stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited January 11 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

4 minutes ago, Bill B said:

 

It gets worse - you were burgled. Fire your dog. 😉

She was in kennels.

The mystery of the missing battery continues to perplex. Currently binge watching the last episodes of The Crown.

[NorbertsNiece]

Our next stop is the changing of the guard at Moneda Palace. We arrived while the band was playing an Elvis tune followed by a Michael Jackson. I have 2 videos to share once uploaded 

 

La Moneda is the seat of the President of the Republic of Chile and contains various government offices.  Originally constructed as the colonial mint it became the seat of government in 1845.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

Edited January 11 by NorbertsNiece

[bcummin]

Welcome home.  Except for your sweet dog, it sounds like you miss the comforts and services of ms Oosterdam.  🙂

Thank you again for such a glorious journey.  We got to do it in 2009 on ms Prinsendam.

My husband wanted me to see Antarctica, where he had wintered over twice with our U.S.Navy.  Really special.

Barbara

[exodususa199]

Thank you for the great blog, I enjoyed following along! We are leaving Saturday the 27th for the same adventure. Do you have any embarkation tips, I've heard that there is a luggage drop off at a convention center and then a bus ride to the actual terminal.  HAL denies any knowledge of this and said to just report to the terminal. Any advice would be helpful.

   Bill.

[NorbertsNiece]

6 minutes ago, exodususa199 said:

Thank you for the great blog, I enjoyed following along! We are leaving Saturday the 27th for the same adventure. Do you have any embarkation tips, I've heard that there is a luggage drop off at a convention center and then a bus ride to the actual terminal.  HAL denies any knowledge of this and said to just report to the terminal. Any advice would be helpful.

   Bill.

Hi Bill,

 

I understand there's been some debate on the current situation at Buenos Aires following the storm that broke after we embarked. Have you looked at the Ports of Call board for the current situation? We dropped off baggage at the terminal, checked in there then headed by bus to board. In your paperwork there should be specific directions. If I find anything out I'll post back here.

[0106]

4 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

We dropped off baggage at the terminal, checked in there then headed by bus to board.

@exodususa199Bag drop is no longer available at the terminal because of the damage caused by the storm @NorbertsNiecewitnessed immediately after her embarkation.  The process is different until the roof of the terminal has been repaired.  Although we have received conflicting information, based on the many threads I have read about embarkation since the terminal was damaged, you first report to the convention center.

 

Once again, thank you for this thread and your willingness to share your experience and answer questions.

[billco]

59 minutes ago, 0106 said:

@exodususa199Bag drop is no longer available at the terminal because of the damage caused by the storm @NorbertsNiecewitnessed immediately after her embarkation.  The process is different until the roof of the terminal has been repaired.  Although we have received conflicting information, based on the many threads I have read about embarkation since the terminal was damaged, you first report to the convention center.

 

Once again, thank you for this thread and your willingness to share your experience and answer questions.

If I print my boarding pass on the web site, it says Benito QuinQuela Martin Checkin 2:40 PM /Group F

If I look at my Navigator App, it says Benito QuinQuela Martin Checkin 12:00 /Group F.

Think I'll go with the Navigator App.

[NorbertsNiece]

8 minutes ago, billco said:

If I print my boarding pass on the web site, it says Benito QuinQuela Martin Checkin 2:40 PM /Group F

If I look at my Navigator App, it says Benito QuinQuela Martin Checkin 12:00 /Group F.

Think I'll go with the Navigator App.

Definitely go early. They call by card  number.... you get your number as you drop off your bags. At the terminal there is plenty of seating. It was a bit of a scrum at bag drop and after being called we had quite a long line to wait in before reaching the desk. You're in for a fabulous cruise.

[billco]

2 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Definitely go early. They call by card  number.... you get your number as you drop off your bags. At the terminal there is plenty of seating. It was a bit of a scrum at bag drop and after being called we had quite a long line to wait in before reaching the desk. You're in for a fabulous cruise.

Thanks! We enjoyed following your blog. We recently accepted an upgrade offer to Neptune. I wonder if that was why our time was changed from 2:40 to 12:00.

[NorbertsNiece]

Pics taken of Oosterdam from Palmer Station, Antarctica, courtesy of Graham Ayres, our expedition leader.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26 by NorbertsNiece

[exodususa199]

Were you able to send any postcards with Graham to mail from Antarctica?

[NorbertsNiece]

28 minutes ago, exodususa199 said:

Were you able to send any postcards with Graham to mail from Antarctica?

Hi,

 

Not something we actually considered asking, not being aware of when he would be there himself. My postcards that were posted in Ushuaia New Years Eve arrived this week!