Sunday February 6, 2011 Montevideo Uraguay

Today is the final day of the cruise we were in port in Uraguay.  We took a 3 1/2 hour tour of the city.  It was much bigger than I expected and well developed.  Being Sunday all the stores were closed but they did have a shuttle bus to the mall!  We decided against going to a mall and went back to the ship to pack our luggage.  I don't know what it is going to be like for the world cruise we had 5 full suitcases and 2 carryons.  Now they are all over stuffed.  We will have to weigh them and maybe buy a new piece of luggage.  They did tell me on board that some people come with 1 suitcase for 100 days and one couple came with 24!  I am hoping to do it in 8.  We shall see.  Anyway we went to the early and I mean early show 5:15 because Bill wants to watch the superbowl later today.  There were 4 acts tonight  Patricia and Adam Kent are the dancers and they are really really good.  Followed by Marc Paul who is the mind reader and everytime we see him he just blows our mind away!  Then the Irish Flutist played and he was also good but my favorite of the day was the comedian Jimmy Travis.  He came on just as the ship started to pull out of port and it was vibrating well he was hysterical with that.  Then he talked about all the violence and fighting and he says I don't mean Egypt I mean the laundy rooms on deck 8 and 9.  Now I was ready to fall off my chair laughing because the beginning of the cruise there was a very nasty lady going around taking everyone's clothes out of the washers or dryers because she didn't want to wait and I said they need a course on Laundy room etiquette~ so I found this hysterical.  Then he talked about the guest from Celebrity that fell in the water and their guys never noticed.  He said all the guests getting off the tenders had blue stickers that said Celebrity and if they needed that to remember what ship they were on then maybe it was time to thing the heard.  He then performed a song he wrote all about Port Stanley, Falkland Islands which other than Penquins and a couple of English Pubs is not much.  He had the audience rolling in the aisles when he said why did we stop here oh yes the Captain's brother is the mayor.  He also said that if he only had a couple of weeks to live he would want to live in Port Stanley because a week there would feel like a couple of years!

After the show we went to hunt down the fellows who have taken such good care of us in the Bistro (coffee bar, cappucinos, espressos, cafe au lait and all the other fancy drinks nd the best hot chocolate.  In the am they have bagels and cream cheese and lox and fruit and yougurt and rolls and pastries.  In the afternoon they have cheese and cold cuts fruit and pastries.  They are open from 9am -6pm and we often had breakfast there before a lecture.  Then we went upstairs to the pool deck where Norman, Joseph and Charles NEVER let me carry a tray or a drink to my table so we had to take care of them.  I know we have been on for 33 days but beleive me when I say it feels like we were only on for about 11 it went so fast.  We then ran into Kristina the art teacher.  I went one day and drew Penquins.  She and her husband were on many of the same tours as we so we got to know them pretty well.  After hugs all around it was time to return to the cabin and put all these bags into the hallway!   We had to pack a suitcase each (carryon) for our trip tomorrow up to Iguzzu Falls .

We are being picked up at 8:30am by a van and driver he will take us to the hotel where we can leave our luggage and then take us to the airport to the Falls where we will spend overnight and have a tour and boat ride under the falls on Tuesday!  We return Tuesday night to BA and Wed we have a 1/2 day tour and then tea at the hotel.  Thursday we have not booked anyhing yet and Friday we leave late at night

So even though this cruise is coming to an end "DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA" because we still have 5 more days~

Saturday Februay 5,2011 enroute to Montevideo Uraguay

Today was our last sea day and it was formal.  Not to self Never Ever let your waiter especially if it is Zoltan know that Baked Alaska is your favorite.  We each wound up with 2 on our plate and the sad thing is we ate them both!  I may have to go in with the baggage on the way home.  We went this am to hear Dr. Jay Wolf give his final lecture it was on Eva Peron and was excellent.  We have heard Jay speak on quite a few of the cruises we have been on and have come to know he and his wife Carol who are lovely people.  We enjoyed having lunch with them this cruse.  After the lecture we had lunch since we didnt have breakfast and then headed back to the room to change for our last massages of ths cruise.    I had the aroma therapy hot stone and Bill had his deep tissue.  I then had my hair done since it was a formal night and got all my hugs from Camilla and Rosa  Camilla has been my massage therapist on our last 4 cruises.  She kept me going in the Baltic and even through this one.  She even told me if i had a problem to have the operator page her and she would come up and give me a massage.  She is fabulous and I am really going to miss her when we take the Serenity next year.  Dinner was the fancy one tonight.  Liver Pate, Caviar, lobster, beef wellington ad veal medallions with a cream mushroom sauce.  The veal was excellent.  And of course the baked alaska was woonderful.  No pictures as i forgot my camera.  I felt like Janet Jackson at Super Bowl a few years ago I had a wardrobe malfunction and had to wear my black and white gown from the first leg.  Oh my wearing the same gown twice!
The show tonight was Curtain Call.  Salute to Broadway and no matter how many times we see it it is always great and the Mama Mia ending always has everyone up on the feet singing and dancing in the aisles.  before dinner tonight was the captain's farewell cocktail party and as always it was well attended.  My grey goose dirty martini was pretty good.

We were told tonight that when we were in the Falkland Islands on Wednesday that a guest from either the Princess or Celebrity Cruise line was taking a picture and fell into the icy waters and one of Crystal's Gangway personnel jumped in and rescued him the other crew on the other ships didn't even know he had fallen in.  Now that is the Crystal Difference.

Tomorrow is Montevideo Uraguay and we have been told that because it is Sunday most stores will be closed but hey will have a shuttle bus to a MALL.  Well I have to pack anyway.    So until tomorrow
Good night and God Bless

Friday February 4th Puerto Madryn Patagonia Argentina

Today we had a tour to a sheep farm and then to see the sea lions.  It was a great demonstration where they sheared two of the sheep but then we watched them castrate the poor sheep and that was truly discusting.   i left and went into the gift shop!  We did enjoy a typical BBQ lunch of chicken, sausages and lamb.  While the lamb was good it was much better in Ushuaia.  Maybe watching them castrate the sheep did my appeitite in.  We then traveled to Punta Loma to see the Sea Lions.  They were all there sunning themselves.  Our guide was great.  We head out to the buses earlier since I need extra time to get into the bus and we went up to one and the women had no idea what she was doing so we went instead for the yellow bus.  Our guide was fantastic he actually did all the talking at the sheep ranch as the owner did no speak English.  And he was so funny.  It was a pleasant day and we are getting ready to sail we will be at sea tomorrow and then Sunday we will be at Monteviedo Uraguay and that is the last port.  I can't believe this cruise is almost over.  33 days and Bill said it went so fast.  So that is good for the World Cruise.  Tonight Michel Bell sang again and I must say  have never heard such a voice it brings tears to your eyes.  When he sand "Old Man River" it was unbeleivable.  Excellent.  All the entertainment on both segments has been great.  Tomorrow night they have another big extravaganza called "Curtain Call" a salute to broadway.  We have seen these shows so we will probably not go but we will see.  The final night they usually have a farewell show with the singers and dancers and usually sing Time to Say Goodbye.  We did not go to the one last segment since we were not getting off!  We will see if I am packed.  When we returned from our shore excursion I packed up all the boots, long johns, ski pants, jackets and and what not so one of 5 suitcases is packed!!!!!!!!!!!!!  4 more to go plus 2 carryons!

Well tomorrow should be an exciting day lots of lectures one on Evita which I defintely want to go see and then my art work I took one class how to draw penquins and I didn't know she was entering it in he art show so that is on exhibit till noon.  Then there is the Mozart tea. more lectures the Captains farewell party I am exhausted just thinking about all I have to do tomorrow.   Then it is on the Monteviedo Uraguay!

Cute little lambs

ah they are sunning themselves

He is getting a haircut

my new friend a baby llama (alpacaca

this one showing off for us

Thursday February 3, 2011 @ sea enroute to Puerto Madryn Argentina

Wanted to post a few more pictures of my soul sisters!  We had a fabulous time so far on this cruise and I am so happy I was able to do it.  Yesterday we went to the Falkland Islands and today was a relaxing sea day with lots of lectures.  I went to a lecture by the jeweler Hubert who we first met on the 2008 1/2 world cruise we took.  He has the most fantastic desgins for his stones.  he had a talk on diamonds.  Right up my alley so I was there.  He had the most exquisite oval 7 carat ring I have ever seen.  I was so bad.  Most o you know that Bill bought we a beautiful emerald in Columbia in November while the stone is fabulous  was  not thrilled witht he setting it was just okay.  He is desinging me a knockout piece and I got earrings to go with it.  I am so thrilled.

Then tonight before dinner we went into the casino.  The other night we went in and decided to stop fooling around with these penny machines and pool our money and play $1 poker we won $750 the other night.  Tonight I hit he big one 4 aces with a 4 kicker $2000. tax free dollars.  Yes, drinks are on me hurry over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow we will be in Puero Madryn, Argentina (Patagonia) and we are taking a tour to a sheep ranch.  should be a nice day.  Will report tomorrow if we have internet.
I have avoided posting food pictures but I must say today was the Gala buffett and it was spectacular as usual.  Tonight we had a special desert Peach Melba last nigh we both had the sugar free chocolate pudding which was delicious it was actually chocolate mousse.   yummy and sugar free!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday February 2, 2011

Baby Penquin still covered with some fur

Today was Port Stanley Falkland Islands which belongs to England but in the 1980’s Argentina decided it wanted it and tried to take it over.  The war lasted 76 days when the British troops arrived there were 12,000 Argentina’s  that had invaded the Falkland Islands  and 4000 British Troops.  Of course England prevailed and it is still British today.

Bill went aboard at 5:50am for his tour to Bluff Cove and said I would not have made it.  Not only was it a huge step up but it was rocking all over the place.  So I have to make due with the pictures and of course I saw them in Punta Arenas and on the icebergs as we were crusining by so I am happy and No Elaine I can’t take one home.  Dont want to go to jail here.  Too desolate, cold and it’s an island mail is terrible I could not even shop on line!

Bill came back and we headed back on the tender into town for me to see.  It is  a cute small town that was overrun by cruise ships. 3 in port today.  We headed to the Globe Tavern for lunch the special today was fresh fish and chips.  Seems this is a great hangout for a lot of the crew Bill had his fish and chips I had a steak pie both were yummy  walked around a little and headed back to the tenders to come back to the ship.  Bill needs a nap.

As  I am sitting here writing this a whole raft of Penquin are swimming outside our veranda and I jumped up and got a picture.  We actually thought they were birds!  This has really been a spectacular cruise and I am so happy and blessed that I was able to do this.  Our adventure is far from over we will be leaving Antarctica and the cold but we are headed to Puerto Madryn Argentina on the 4th!

Don't Cry for me Argentina!

Monday January 31,2011 King George Island and Elephant Island

This is an beautiful iceberg just passing us by.  It is not letting me upload more pictures from King George Island and Admirality Bay.  The morning was beautiful.  We saw 4 camps USA, Poland, Chile and Argentina camps for scientists and beautiful scenery.  The afternoon Elephant Island was suppose to be the best yet, seals, sea lions and penquins.  Unfortunately it got fogged in and we couldn't see a thing.  I felt like W.C. Fields who said "I Once went to Philadelphia and it was closed".  Oh well at least   I got to see the Penquins.  WE will be in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands tomorrow and Bill is going on a Penquin tour at 5:50am.  They told me I wouldnt be able to do it so I am not going -)-)-).  Anyway I will have the pictures,  I will sleep while Bill is off on his adventure when he comes back we will have breakfast and then go ashore and just nosey around!

Today is a sea day and tonight is a Formal night.  It will be nice since we have had lots of casual nights,
yesterday we decided we didnt want to go to dinner so late so we ordered room service also didn't want all that food.  Bill had a turkey club and I had a tuna melt then went to the early show to see Michael Bell who was in the Fifth Dimension  Wow what a voice.  They did a tribute to Gershwin and man oh man can he sing.  He sang about 5 songs from Porgy and Bess which I am sure you all know is an opera written by George Gershwin.  And did he ever belt out those tunes.  It was most enjoyable and then we went into the casino for a little while.  The other night we were not going in but my left hand was itchy like when we went to Foxwoods last summer so we went in and decided to play together a $1 poker game.  I hit four 6s and then Bill hit 4 Jacks.  $500 so we left.  last night we hit  four 6s again.  So we are playing on their money except it is really ours since we have lost the rest of the time!  The Casino was closed for 6 days while we were in Chilean waters!  tonight is French dinner.  There will be Escargot (diane)  and all kinds of things and Grand Marnier souffle for dessert where the head waiter will come over with he bottle of Grand Marnier and just keep pouring it into the souffle yummmmm
I will update tomorrow hopefully with more pictures of penquins.  Oh today Bill went o the movies and I went to the art class "Learn how to draw a penquin in one easy class.  It was so much fun and I must say it doesn't look that bad!  Well that's all folks for now!

Bill and I outside on Promonade Deck looking for Penquins

View from our stateroom/veranda

Found the Penquins right outside our veranda

Wish I had a bigger zoom

not a bad view our your veranda

Today was a great day we went got up early and we up in Palm Court before 7:30 had a continental breakfast and waited.  Finally everyone was seeing Penquins in the water we decided to go down to Promonade deck and yes there they were.  Unfortunately the pictures are hard to see but it was so much fun watching the babies swimming in the ocean.  After lunch we went to a lecture and then decided to come back to the room. Bill needed to rest he still has the headache.  I was playing games on my IPAD and looked outside and the view was so spectacular I woke up Bill by yelling "Oh my God how beautiful.  Then we passed all kinds of icebergs and there were schools of Penquins swimming really need a higher zoom lens before the world cruise.  So I was standing outside in wool socks no shoes and no jacket.  No time to get dressed came back in and sat down to download and there was a wonderful iceberg with all the penquins. I was so excited outside Bill and I went and I must say no long johns, no jacket, no hat, no gloves and no shoes and it wasn't that bad I beleive it was about 36 today.  

Tonight we are going to the show to see Rourte 66 great show with Rock and Roll we did not go last leg so we really want to see it tonight.  

We had a flood in the bathroom last night.  I was brushing my teeth and washing my face and all of a sudden there was all this water on the floor coming up out of the drain.  They came his am and fixed whatever it was.  They wanted to send someone last night but I told them to wait till this morning.  The show last night was fabulous.  A Comedian who we have seen on here before and he is really funny and then a Uraguian Harpist.  I had never heard Mama Mia played on a harp it was great.

Well I am going to go take a shower I have hat hair from this am